🎙️ Interesting Humans Podcast

Kurt Van Keppel: The Lifetime Guarantee That Built a Global Brand Most entrepreneurs focus on profits. Kurt Van Keppel believes that's backwards. In this episode, Kurt shares the remarkable story of building XIKAR from a single cigar cutter prototype assembled in a garage into the world's leading cigar accessory brand. What began as a $5,000 investment and a better-designed product event...

Dennis Smith: The Creative Process Behind America's #1 Party Band What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't talent, opportunity, or resources—but the fear of what other people might think? In this episode of Interesting Humans , Jeff sits down with Dennis Smith, founder and bandleader of Party on the Moon, one of the most successful corporate and private event bands in America. De...

What does it actually feel like when the hatch seals shut… and a nuclear submarine disappears beneath the ocean? In this episode of Interesting Humans, Jeff sits down with former Navy submarine officer Casey Murphy to pull back the curtain on one of the most secretive and psychologically demanding environments on Earth: life aboard a nuclear submarine. Casey shares what it’s like living hundreds o...

Chris Carneal is the founder and CEO of Booster, the nation’s largest elementary school fundraising company. What began as a college dorm room idea has grown into a movement that has helped raise more than $1.3 billion for schools and now serves thousands of schools across the country. In this bonus episode of Interesting Humans , originally recorded for 20-Minute MBA , Chris shares how a simple i...

This episode originally aired on 20-Minute MBA and is now part of Interesting Humans —because stories like this deserve a bigger stage. Chris Schueler’s journey isn’t just about becoming a CEO in cybersecurity—it’s about discipline, humility, faith, and the moments that redefine a life . From growing up in a small town outside Chicago to serving in the military, helping build the Army’s first cybe...

On January 28, 1986, the world watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after liftoff. But for Alison Balch, this wasn’t just a historic moment—it was the day she lost her father, astronaut Michael J. Smith.  In this unforgettable episode of Interesting Humans, Alison shares what it was like standing near the launch pad as a 14-year-old girl watching her dad head...

Most of us believe we know our own story. Where we’ve been. What shaped us. Why we are the way we are. But what if a part of your life was buried so deeply… you didn’t even know it existed? In this episode, I sit down with Lou Samara—a former police officer, high performer, and someone who, by all appearances, had it all together. But beneath the surface, something wasn’t right. A constant feeling...

Episode Description There are moments in life that split everything into before and after . For Patrick Knelly , that moment came at just 39 years old—when a routine test turned into a life-altering diagnosis: esophageal cancer. In this raw and powerful conversation, Patrick takes us inside the journey most people never see—the fear that grips you when time suddenly feels limited, the mental battl...

Billy Kramer wasn’t supposed to succeed in the restaurant world. No culinary background. No formal training. Just a growing frustration with his career—and a decision to fix his life. What started as a personal obsession with burgers turned into something much bigger. Billy began traveling, tasting, analyzing… and then cooking. One tweak at a time. One lesson at a time. Until he created something...

In this episode, I sit down with former F-15 fighter pilot Joel Neeb, and his story is one I won’t forget. We go from elite military training and aerial combat to a life-altering moment—a stage-four cancer diagnosis at just 33 years old. Joel shares how those experiences reshaped his mindset and how he’s carried those lessons into his corporate career, where he now works at the forefront of artifi...

In this episode of Interesting Humans Podcast , Jeff sits down with legendary pitchman Beau Rials , a veteran of nearly 250 infomercials who has helped generate billions in product sales.  Beau pulls back the curtain on the infomercial industry—from spotting a winning idea to turning it into a retail success. He explains why the best products solve simple problems, how scripts and demos are engine...

On this gripping episode of Interesting Humans, former Fort Worth police officer Tegan Broadwater pulls listeners into the shadowy world of deep-cover law enforcement, where every conversation could be his last and every decision carried life-or-death consequences. Tasked with infiltrating a violent street gang during the FBI’s “Operation Fishbowl,” Broadwater assumed the identity of a high-level...

James Alford reflects on a long, “wonderful” life that began in poverty and heavy responsibility as the eldest child on a Mississippi farm. He joined the Army at 17½, serving in the post-WWII occupation and later Korea, traveling across the Far East and briefly working around General MacArthur. A devout Christian and staunch patriot, he believes America was founded as a Christian nation and center...

In this Interesting Humans episode, guitarist Paul Harrigill shares his inspiring journey from humble Louisiana roots to touring the world with Josh Turner. Raised in a pastor’s family steeped in gospel and bluegrass, Paul began performing at age five and formed The Harrigill Family Band by age ten. After dropping out of high school to pursue music full-time, he joined the acclaimed bluegrass grou...

In this episode of Interesting Humans, “ Bonneau Ansley: My Comeback Story [Dyslexia to $440 Million], ” real estate mogul Bonneau Ansley recounts his journey from struggling with dyslexia to building a $440 million business empire. He begins by describing the challenges he faced in school: being labeled “stupid,” failing classes, and internalizing negative expectations. Rather than letting that d...

In today’s episode, Host Jeff Hopeck (Former U.S. Secret Service Officer) gives a detailed account of May 11, 2005 (he was standing post on the North grounds of the White House). It was the day an airplane disaster caused a panicked, chaos-filled White House evacuation. Being only a few short years after 9/11, it was a charged atmosphere.  “All the training in the world can’t properly prepare you...

In this conversation, Neil Davenport shares his journey in the film industry, detailing his early experiences with scams and the lessons learned from them. He discusses the current state of the film industry, particularly the differences between Georgia and LA, and the economic factors influencing filmmaking today. Neil also explores the role of AI in the industry and the rise of vertical content,...

🎙️Host : @jeffhopeck 🚀Guest :  https://www.instagram.com/willjonesofficial/ In this heartfelt episode of Interesting Humans , host Jeff Hopeck sits down with rising country music artist Will Jones for a conversation that’s anything but ordinary. Known for his authenticity, storytelling, and deep Appalachian roots, Will opens up about the winding road that led him from playing bluegrass as a kid i...

In this episode, Nick McKinley discusses the critical issue of human trafficking, emphasizing the stark differences between kidnapping and trafficking. He highlights the modern methods traffickers use to exploit children, particularly through social media and online platforms. McKinley shares insights into the mission of Deliver Fund, which leverages technology to combat trafficking and support la...

In this episode, Keith Mask shares his harrowing experience of being shot in the throat at the age of 18 during a hunting trip. He recounts the events leading up to the incident, the immediate aftermath, and the emergency response that followed. Keith describes the pain and fear he felt, the miraculous survival against the odds, and the long road to recovery. He reflects on the lessons learned fro...

In this episode, Cameron Rhode shares his extraordinary journey of discovering his identity through the revelation of having 24-25 half-siblings, all stemming from his mother's use of an anonymous sperm donor. He reflects on the impact of growing up without a father figure, the close bond he shared with his mother, and how music played a significant role in their relationship. Cameron's...

In this episode of the Interesting Humans Podcast, Dr. Armando Sardi discusses the innovative HIPEC surgery, which combines surgical tumor removal with heated chemotherapy to treat advanced abdominal cancers. He shares inspiring patient stories, including that of Gary, who was given a terminal diagnosis but found hope through this procedure. Dr. Sardi reflects on his medical journey, the advanceme...

In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Smith — Chief Medical Examiner for the state of Georgia — takes you inside a world most people never see… and few could handle. Behind every unexplained death is a story waiting to be uncovered. And in this conversation, you’ll hear what it’s like to be the one responsible for finding the truth — when the answers aren’t obvious, the stakes are high, and the weight fol...

In this episode, the conversation delves into the complexities of trauma surgery, particularly focusing on gunshot wounds and the challenges faced by trauma surgeons. The guest, Dr. Boron, shares insights from his experiences, discussing the differences between various types of injuries, the critical importance of timely medical intervention, and the miraculous recoveries that can occur in the tra...

Summary In this episode, Gary Arndt shares his extensive travel experiences, highlighting the challenges and unexpected moments he has faced in various countries. From close calls during protests to the joys of culinary adventures, Gary provides a unique perspective on the realities of traveling the world. He discusses the importance of adaptability, the evolution of technology in travel, and offe...