Seemingly Ordinary

In this concluding episode, Sam and I discuss religion, and he continues to mesmerize me with great stories. Don't miss this excellent conversation, in which Sam puts my brain in high gear.   Sam's podcast, "Those Film Nerds," is available on YouTube and other places. His album, "Them Who Haunt," is on Spotify and elsewhere.  (This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 202...

The well-read Sam Dierberger joins me to discuss his album, tell me some great stories, and he begins to explain what he really thinks about God. (This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2024.)

In this wide-ranging conversation with Sam Dierberger, a brilliant senior from Rockhurst University, we discuss his 700 page novel, the crazy real-life stories that inspired it, religion, how Sam’s had his worldview severely challenged, and much, much more. Sam is a great storyteller with highly unusual observations. You’ll love this.  (This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2024.)

When college works, it really works. Sam Dierberger is a brilliant, well-read, fascinating senior at Rockhurst University who is going to law school in August, which raises the question: does college make people brilliant? Or do some brilliant people go to college? But what I find compelling about Sam are his many interests. Sam wrote two novels while in college. He loves literature, politics, phi...

Everyone wishes he or she were stronger, more self-disciplined, and more courageous; it's the key to life. Adam Clement discusses resilience: what it is, what gets in the way of developing it, and how to grow it to be a better spouse, parent, friend, and everything else that you want to be. A truly great conversation, loaded with insight and practical advice.

A Marriage Therapist Discusses All of Those Petty Personality Traits That Can Drive You Crazy (Part 2): Bossy people. Indecisive people. People who minimize your problems. And many more!

Little white lies. Secretive people. People who have to one-up you. Fake people. A Marriage Therapist Discusses All of Those Petty Personality Traits That Can Drive You Crazy (Part 1).  Part 2 arrives on January 23, 2024.

Father Merle Kollasch, 89 1/2, has been a priest for nearly sixty years. I ask him about his parents, childhood, time in Rome, his life as a priest, teacher, coach, and much more.  He is a great storyteller and a great, wise man. (This episode was recorded in Dec. 2023.)

Dr. Blaine Leeds is a dentist, an expert in sleep health, and the author of "What Happens When Your Child Doesn’t Sleep: Unlock the Secret to Happy, Healthy Children." By embracing new technology and AI, Dr. Leeds has pioneered new treatments that help with the many problems sleep apnea can cause, from high blood pressure to ADD, ADHD, bedwetting in kids, large tonsils, adenoids, and man...

Mark B. Murphy and his company, Northeast Private Client Group, helps over 4,000 clients do almost anything they want to do in the world of real estate, running your own business, and working in the finance industry. He also helps employees broaden their horizons. More than just a financial firm—although he runs an amazing financial firm—Mark helps entrepreneurs achieve multigenerational wealth. F...

Helene Waldeck has an adventurous spirit. We discuss her time in Alaska, bears, moose, the wild people up north, driving the Alaskan Highway and taking a 5,000 mile roadtrip through deserted lands, and--now--Helene faces the Big Question: What Comes Next?

In search of adventure, 22-year-old Helene Waldeck moved to New Zealand in 2019. The job she had lined up disappeared as soon as she got there. After that, she had many adventures. And then, the world turned upside-down.

Mike and Kristi Dennihan homeschool almost all of their kids--and their key motivation is time. They also run the School of Love--an amazing institution that helps couples stay together, which we will discuss at a later date. (This episode was recorded in late 2023.)

In an era where many have allergies and asthma, illnesses are high, and people consider eating organic meat, fish, eggs, veggies, and fruits--and consider what's in their water, lotions, and more--Simina Gentry Sells Organic Clothes. For over 30 years, this has been common in Europe. Now, Ms. Gentry is bringing natural clothing to the U.S. Check out what she does at atlanticchildren.com

Brian Fairchild Spent 19 Years in the CIA. In this electrifying conversation, we discuss how his childhood made him want to join; how he met their strict selection criteria; where he was stationed; why he left; and the state of the CIA today--and how Brian believes it is not meeting the challenges of the modern world.  Brian is also the author of "The Hidden," a spy novel that highlights...

Tom Paladino is a researcher into scaler energy, a concept attributed in part to Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor best known for the design of modern AC  electricity, and the namesake of Tesla Automobiles.  Scaler energy, Tom believes, has astonishing healing properties. You can read about it here: https://www.scalarlight.com.  Tom is a very friendly, highly articulate man who is also a...

Brian Curcio is doing generous work. Through his app, Rapunzl, and courses, he is teaching grade schoolers, high school young adults, homeschoolers, individuals, and adults all about investing, saving, income, expenses, and much more involving financial literary. In an era where about half of all Americans are just $500 away from serious problems, he is helping every generation know more and poten...

For me, this conversation was a wild ride. John Gusty needed to help save his wife's life. His biography reads: "After over 30 years in the entertainment industry working “behind the curtain” for some of music’s biggest names, John turned his attention to health and wellness in an effort to help his wife heal from what was originally diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. He soon realized that...

Dr. Jamie Bezdek is one of the most vivid people I know. A great storyteller and very well educated, she has great thoughts on family, birth order, psychology, and her being raised in the Catholic faith--but straying--and then coming back, all combined with stories of love and romance--is deeply compelling.  (Part 2 of 2 episodes. These episodes were recorded on Sept. 30, 2023.)

Dr. Jamie Bezdek is one of the most vivid people I know. A great storyteller and very well educated, she has great thoughts on family, birth order, psychology, and her being raised in the Catholic faith--but straying--and then coming back, all combined with stories of love and romance--is deeply compelling.  (Part 1 of 2 episodes. Part 2 comes out Oct. 17, 2023. These episodes were recorded on Sep...

Antoinette Ishmael is a lifelong teacher in many areas, including Speech, Debate, and English. In this episode, she discusses three great speeches: * David McCullough Jr.'s Graduation Speech (It's hilarious and challenging); * Barbara Bush's 1990 Graduation Speech (It's inspiring, and focuses on our top priorities); and what might be the greatest speech of all time: * Patrick H...

Adam Clement is an excellent therapist who has helped hundreds of people. In this episode, we discuss trauma: what it is, why people get stuck with it, and how to get over it. This episode is Part 2. Part 1 aired last week. Both were recorded in June 2023.

Adam Clement is an excellent therapist with many licenses and qualifications. He is also a financial planner. In this episode, we discuss trauma: what it is, why people get stuck with it, and how to get over it. This episode is Part 1. Part 2 will appear on September 26, 2023. (This episode was recorded in June 2023.)

James Ford tackles life with great energy. In this episode, we discuss James's childhood, dating days, engagement, marriage, careers, opinions, and much more. His enthusiasm is contagious. Enjoy! (This episode was recorded in 2022, and took me too long to edit.)