Truthache

How to inspire anyone to be creative, no matter how boring they are. If the family business has an open door for you, isn’t that the best option? That’s the question Darren Cooper has asked himself. Stability sounds nice, but so does entrepreneurship, and if you’ve got the bug to create, it's difficult to do anything else. Starting your own thing is what it takes for some, stability be damned. But...

A recent graduate tells us what Gen Z thinks about the real world, and how everyone is judging them.  Kaija is a graduate of Maurer School of Law and a tax attorney. She is currently attending NYU in a Tax LLM program and is, in fact, my (Daniel’s) daughter, a guy who just does marketing (and podcasting, apparently). We talk about everything from Gen Z’s views on happiness and dating to the Americ...

How do you pursue an unlikely dream in the music business when a job that pays better is staring you in the face? Matt Soverns is a full-time musician best known for his impromptu piano performances on the streets of Indianapolis, New York City, and elsewhere. We discuss what it’s like making a living in the blue-collar music industry, where artists depend on cover gigs to supplement their pursuit...

This is an episode about how to ditch your marketing job to start a liquor company (no experience needed).  When life gives Dan Farhrner lemons, we have an idea what he does, but we wanted to find out firsthand, so we had him on the show. It was just a few years ago when he, his wife, and a close friend started High and Mighty Distillery, which is now focused on his brand of canned craft cocktails...

How will AI consume us, and what should we do about it? In this episode, we explore the ways that AI is affecting how we think about work, and more importantly, whether job loss is inevitable. Then, we discuss the problem of alignment between artificial intelligence and the humans who have created it.  As always, this conversation covered a lot of ground, from the basics of how AI works, how busin...

The best way to ensure your kids are smart and have no clue what the world is really like is to keep them at home. If you want nerdy kids that are good at math and know how to load a dishwasher, homeschooling might be for you. We talk with Michelle Ervin, a barber to the stars (specifically, most of the hosts of Truthache), who has made personal sacrifices with her husband to raise the family she...

Our relationship is built on trust, and sometimes it’s candy-coated. In this episode of Raw Truth, Carrie Herndon, Daniel’s wife, talks about how she expects the raw truth, even when it hurts. But the guys point out that sometimes the truth hurts, and it’s easier to say that everything is going to be okay, even when you don’t know that it is. This recording was captured after an episode that we di...

About whether poverty is a choice or a trap, and how it impacts some people permanently. We open by discussing what people care about discussing – you know, to try to figure out how to make a good podcast. After not getting anywhere, we get into a discussion about social class and whether you can move from the poverty class to a more thriving middle class or better. Does it take determination, or...

Can Zohran Mamdani bring socialism to the USA? If he gets his way in New York City, will it work? We talk about ghosts and whether we believe in them, but that’s not the only thing supernatural we talk about. We also cover the possible next Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and his three big policy ideas. Free Busses Freezing Rent Civilian Corp Policing  Can Mamdami usher in a new culture of...

After the No Kings protest, we’ve been thinking about what good leadership looks like in business and government. When do we trust the experts, and when is it time for the veteran leaders to step aside? Do we want new blood or generational wisdom? Andrew Soley joins us to talk about how he sees leadership in his line of work, and what that tells us about leadership in the world around us. He also...

Does sending troops to US cities create chaos or put a stop to it?  Truthache explores how to create chaos, which we do all too well on this podcast. We discuss the broken window theory, which says that one small act can create disorder and spread amongst everyday people, regardless of their culture, socioeconomic background, or geography, and we talk about how that might apply to the issues of th...

Fertility Rates, being a good dad and the changing traditional values. In this episode we talk about the difference between urban vs. rural perspectives, the power of listening, and balancing order with freedom. They touch on personal safety, community dynamics, and when stricter rules—like in crises—might actually help, all while stressing open dialogue to bridge divides and maintain civility in...

From suit and tie to sneakers and jeans, the world has become more casual, and no one has manners anymore. What flimsy doilies will we be wearing in 25 years? Is this the beginning of the end? Fabian Rodriguez joins us to talk about his role as a Lu Lu Lemon Ambassador and pickle baller wearing shorts and still claiming to be professional.  We explore the erosion of traditional social norms in an...

What was it like in the days approaching the Third Reich? Are there parallels between today and then, or are some of us overreacting? In this episode of Truthache, hosts Daniel Herndon, Aaron Douglas, and Michael Salemi tackle politics, power, and division, from urban-rural voting splits and cancel culture hypocrisy to media manipulation and government overreach in COVID and censorship debates. Th...

Is America still the land of opportunity? We discuss what it takes to make it in business and career. What does it take to pivot from a nuclear engineer in Russia to a designer in America, or from a dentist in India to restarting credentials in Indianapolis while holding down a government job in Florida? What kind of resilience turns refugees into thriving entrepreneurs, banding together in multi-...

Exploring Wealth, Faith, and Moral Capitalism. Daniel, Michael, and Aaron sit down with guest Frank Eagan to discuss a wide array of topics revolving around wealth, faith, and moral capitalism. The conversation delves into whether billionaires are necessary, the role of moral capitalism in society, and the intersection of faith and wealth. Frank shares insights on his work with the Fortune Institu...

Have you ever wondered if the court system really uncovers the truth, or if it's a flawed crapshoot where emotions and bad evidence send innocents to jail? What does it take to spot when your own client is feeding you BS, and how do you flip a case upside down with one forged document? In this episode, we unpack the gritty realities of lawyering, from hyper-competitive law school a-holes to federa...

How our inner world shapes our outer world In this episode, the hosts talk about dental health and dark magic – specifically, Daniel’s ego. Amy Woodall discusses her company, Conscious Habit, which focuses on helping individuals and leaders recognize and alter their internal patterns for positive change. The conversation delves into the power of mindset, managing stress, the concept of soulmates,...

Join us in this episode as we delve into personal anecdotes and discussions centered around the concepts of slow food and mindful living. We recount stories of memorable meals, both at home and in restaurants, and explore how the pace of life affects our enjoyment and relationships. From the importance of family traditions to the pitfalls of technology and instant gratification, we share insights...

Fabian returns because, to him, it's more than a feeling...   Join Daniel Herndon, Michael Salemi, and Aaron Douglas as they dive into an engaging conversation with guest Fabian Rodriguez, a celebrated podcaster from Indianapolis. In this episode, Fabian shares his journey from Culver Military Academy to starting a successful podcast, 'Drink Culture', and the trials and triumphs of growing it amid...

In this episode of Truthache, hosts Michael Salemi, Daniel Herndon, and Aaron Douglas dive deep with guest Robby Slaughter, a business developer at Security Force, prolific author, and former congressional candidate. The conversation kicks off with hilarious family anecdotes and segues into Robby's expertise on time management, email overload, and his books like "The New Science of Time Management...

In this episode, the host delves into diverse aspects of a healthy lifestyle, covering everything from concerns about alcohol and sugar in diets to the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. Conversations take a deep dive into understanding how public figures like Brad Pitt have navigated personal trials and sobriety. The discussion introduces the concept of healthy stress, its impacts,...

In this episode, hosts Aaron, Daniel, and Michael engage in an insightful conversation with marketer Allison Nordenbrock Brown . The talk begins with the hosts sharing their excitement about recording in a professional studio, comparing the experience to hitting the big time. Allison discusses her background in marketing, her experience working with tech startups, and her journey from humble begin...

In this engaging episode, Kevin Dolan, a seasoned financial advisor, shares his personal insights and professional wisdom on wealth creation, financial planning, and managing entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into personal anecdotes, like unexpected purchases and business ventures, and covers broader financial principles such as the importance of systematic savings, diversification, and th...

Robert Bonjour joins the conversation to delve into the concept of the 'good life,' examining the balance between career success, financial security, and personal fulfillment. They share personal anecdotes about the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in their professional lives. The discussion explores both the tangible and intangible elements that contribute to a 'good life,' such as so...