Behind The Story Show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind The Story , Jelani sits down with attorney Mark Astor for a candid conversation about addiction, severe mental illness, and why the system often reacts too late to save families. Drawing from his experience as a former prosecutor and his current work helping families navigate crisis, Mark explains what he saw inside the justice system, why untreated behav...

Send us Fan Mail What if chronic pain isn’t the end of the story? In this episode of Behind The Story , I sit down with Daniel “Dan” Esposito , creator of the Undo Method , to unpack his decade-long battle with chronic pain, multiple diagnoses, and feeling like he couldn’t fully show up for his family — and how he rebuilt his health from the ground up. Dan shares the turning points that changed ev...

Send us Fan Mail What does FBI work actually look like beyond the movies and headlines? In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with former FBI agent, SWAT operator, tactical instructor, and investigator Eric Robinson for a candid conversation about what really happens behind federal investigations. Eric breaks down how undercover work actually functions, how people end up on the FBI...

Send us Fan Mail What does the fentanyl crisis actually look like from inside law enforcement? In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Brian Townsend, a retired supervisory special agent who spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement, including 23 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Brian explains why illicit fentanyl has become the most dangerous drug law enforcement...

Send us Fan Mail What if the real problem isn’t “bad communication”… but a missing connection ? In this episode of Behind The Story , Jelani sits down with Angel Tucker —personality strategist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker—to break down the DISC personality model and her proprietary GLOW Connection method for building trust faster. You’ll learn how to spot personality styles in real tim...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with Antoine “Martian Man” Free — a creator whose presence is impossible to ignore. Known for his unique persona, sharp mindset, and magnetic energy, Antoine has built a brand that challenges the norms of identity, confidence, and creative expression. But behind the Martian persona is a deeper story. Antoine opens up about the...

Send us Fan Mail What if you don’t need to be the loudest in the room to be the most respected? In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Melitta Campbell —TEDx speaker, award-winning business coach, and host of The Art of Value Whispering —to break down how high performers (especially introverts and women leaders) can communicate their value with clarity and confidence without s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Tim Ward, a fitness coach, author, and founder of the Fitness Quadrant, a unique framework that helps people build sustainable health habits. Tim shares his journey from a childhood marked by physical abuse to becoming a sought-after expert in fitness, nutritional sciences, and longevity. His approach goes beyond...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Dr. Michele Henry, a dating and relationship coach with a PhD in counseling psychology. Dr. Henry shares her journey from working as a practicing psychologist to becoming a certified life and health coach, specializing in dating and relationships. She helps individuals navigate the complexities of modern relationships, sh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Heather Zimmerman, an energy healer, empowerment coach, and the founding partner at Connect the Dots Coaching and Consulting. Heather is known for blending spiritual practices with psychology to help individuals transform from the inside out. She guides people in unlocking their potential, cultivating self-awareness, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Alex LaChance, a top realtor and mortgage expert based in New England. Alex has built a reputation not just for closing deals but for educating buyers, investors, and families on how to navigate today’s ever-changing real estate market. With soaring interest rates and high housing prices, Alex offers insights on what it t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Ileana, the powerhouse behind Lolita Moon Productions, to discuss her remarkable journey in the film industry. Ileana's story is one of resilience, creativity, and breaking through the barriers that women filmmakers often face. From her early days in the Dominican Republic to her shift into filmmaking in Seattle, she...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story, we sit down with Nat Bug, an artist who's overcome immense personal struggle to connect deeply with his audience. From his humble beginnings in New York to surviving a near-death car accident, Nat shares the raw, unfiltered journey that led him to find his true voice. Born and raised in the concrete jungle, Nat’s sound has evolved through...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast features an insightful conversation with Trea Da Fit Artist, an online fitness coach and trainer specializing in helping artists and entertainers sculpt their physiques while navigating their hectic schedules. Trea shares his journey from his humble beginnings in Mississippi to becoming a fitness expert, offering customized fitness guidance to celebrities and creative...

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode of Behind The Story , Jelani sits down with Mr. T, the fearless voice behind The Educated Traveler . He opens up about his journey from living in New Zealand and Europe to settling in the Dominican Republic and building a thriving platform to help people explore the world with purpose. The conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges facing...

Send us Fan Mail In this electrifying episode of Behind the Story , Jelani interviews Raj, known as the "Startup Hype Man," who has turned his passion for storytelling into a thriving business helping entrepreneurs pitch their ideas with clarity, confidence, and creativity. Raj shares how he blends his background as an MMA ring announcer, hip hop artist, yoga instructor, and startup guru...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Jelani sits down with Lynne Lambert, the visionary founder behind NYC Subway Line, a unique apparel brand inspired by New York City's iconic subway system. From her beginnings as an actress to launching a brand that captures the essence of the city, Lynne shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We dive into the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , I sit down with Ceri Jones-Tretter, a visionary artist, spiritual seeker, and founder of The Collaboratory, a creative school that fosters artistic expression and healing. From her transition from a high-powered executive to a creative entrepreneur, Ceri shares her journey of reinvention, faith, and overcoming trauma. We dive deep into her spi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , comedian Spanky Hayes opens up about his journey from Detroit to Hollywood, navigating his career through comedy, Wild N’ Out, and the ups and downs of fame. From his early days as a class clown to becoming a household name, Spanky shares the pivotal moments that shaped his path, including the inspiration behind his bold comedy and the real st...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , we dive into the incredible career of David Nicoll IV, an artist, choreographer, and songwriter who has worked with iconic names like NSYNC, Britney Spears, and the Backstreet Boys. From his early days as a breakdancer to his time performing with Chippendales, David has navigated the entertainment industry with grit, creativity, and passion. H...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Joe Peña shares his remarkable journey from being an international hairdresser and on-screen personality to building Concepts Digital Marketing, a company that helps brands leverage social media, AI, and digital marketing to thrive. He discusses how his love for performance and storytelling led him to the world of digital marketing, the challe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Gerard Barnes shares his journey from launching his brand “I Am Motherless” to navigating the highs and lows of marketing, including his viral success and eventual ban on TikTok. Gerard discusses the challenges of managing a solo business, his perspective on customer engagement, and the lessons learned from leveraging TikTok to grow his custom...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Story , Gerard Barnes takes us through the journey of his brand's evolution, starting from humble beginnings in his garage with candles to a transformative rebranding of his product line to "I Am Motherless." The idea was born out of a deep personal experience with grief, which sparked clarity and a realization about his identity. Gerar...