Spirit Talk Show - Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups

In this compelling episode of Spirit Talk Show, we sit down with R.L. Carpentier—a former law enforcement officer turned mystery author—whose life has taken him from the gritty truths of crime scenes to the poetic silence of the Catskill Mountains. Rodney shares how nearly two decades in policing shaped his voice as a writer, imbuing his debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, with a realism that c...

This week’s episode is raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. Doyle sits down with Noah May, host of Lethal Venom, a podcast known for its honesty, emotional depth, and refusal to sugarcoat the truth. Noah opens up about growing up without a father, navigating the shadows of clinical depression, and discovering the power of storytelling as survival. What begins as a conversation about creative express...

Tonight’s episode is a wild ride with artist, author, circus kid, and spiritual wayfarer Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer, a man whose life story is splashed in vivid color across circus tents, chrome bikes, and the pages of five unforgettable books. From performing with dancing horses to pinstriping Harleys across the country, Dave’s journey winds through recovery, reconnection, and relentless reinventi...

On this episode of Spirit Talk Show, we sit down with the extraordinary Bria Rose—an author who turns fairytales inside out and trauma into triumph. A former Disney cast member turned dark romance powerhouse, Bria opens up about the path that led her from Magic Kingdom dreams to publishing spicy reimaginings where the heroines have teeth and the monsters might just be soulmates. In this conversati...

In Part 2, Doyle and co-host Howie continue their heartfelt conversation with Lizbeth Meredith, shifting from survival to healing. With warmth, wit, and insight, Lizbeth reflects on life after trauma—what it means to parent grown daughters, how humor became a tool for recovery, and why storytelling remains her most powerful form of advocacy. Together, they explore relationship red flags, the nuanc...

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part conversation, host Doyle welcomes Lizbeth Meredith—author, advocate, and survivor—for a gripping discussion about motherhood, justice, and survival against all odds. Lizbeth opens up about the harrowing experience of having her daughters kidnapped and taken overseas, and the years-long fight to bring them home. Drawing from her memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My K...

This episode contains adult language and themes. Listener discretion is advised. In this explosive second half of our conversation with Emmy-winning writer, producer, and podcast trailblazer Alan Katz, we dive headfirst into the chaos, comedy, and emotional fallout that define a creative life lived out loud. Alan pulls no punches as he recounts the behind-the-scenes saga of Bordello of Blood—a pro...

Please Note: This episode contains some strong language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised. In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, Spirit Talk Show host Doyle welcomes Emmy-winning writer, producer, and podcaster Alan Katz for a revealing conversation about creativity, chaos, and the strange turns stories can take. Alan shares how the i...

When Eddie Ravenscar of the Creepy Coffees Podcast joins Spirit Talk Show, things get paranormally personal. From haunted hats to ghost-infested basements once visited by Al Capone himself, Eddie brews up tales that will rattle your mug and chill your spine. He shares stories of playful spirits, doors that open on their own, and the unforgettable moment a voice told him to "get out"—while no one w...

In this gripping episode, I talk with bestselling author and U.S. Marine veteran G. Michael Hopf, whose post-apocalyptic novels—including the massively successful The End and Hard Times Create Strong Men—have captivated millions around the world. With over forty books to his name, Hopf brings a unique and unapologetic voice to fiction shaped by real-world grit and hard-earned wisdom. We explore th...

Back by request, this follow-up to one of our most listened-to episodes — S4-EP16: Quantum Consciousness & Life After Death — reunites us with Howie for another deeply curious dive into what might lie beyond this life... or right alongside it. We explore how quantum theory might explain lingering consciousness, emotional energy, and the echoes of people who’ve passed. Could the hauntings we se...

In a Spirit Talk Show first, we welcome the incomparable Mike Tentis—marketer, storyteller, chorus veteran, and now... impromptu singer! That’s right: this episode features the debut of live singing on the show, and Mike doesn’t hold back. From turfgrass to choral harmonies, Mike shares his rich journey from Midwestern roots to Sacramento's LGBTQ+ stage. Along the way, he treats us to heartfelt re...

Spirit Talk Show kicks off Season 5 with a special extended premiere featuring Emmy-winning television writer and licensed therapist David Silverman. From penning episodes of ALF, Newhart, The Wild Thornberrys, and South Park to guiding screenwriters through emotional burnout, David’s career is a testament to both creative brilliance and human depth. In this unforgettable conversation, we dive int...

What happens when science fiction dares to tell stories that feel like home? In the exciting Season 4 finale of Spirit Talk Show, we welcome internationally acclaimed author MD Neu, whose work blends the otherworldly with the deeply personal — from haunted suburbs to underwater civilizations, always with LGBTQ+ characters at the heart of the tale. Neu joins us for a powerful, funny, and deeply hon...

This Pride Month, Spirit Talk Show dares to walk the often avoided path—right into the heart of the conversation where queerness and faith collide. In this powerful episode, host Doyle confronts the historical, cultural, and theological roots of opposition to LGBTQ+ identity, with courage, clarity, and compassion. Far from attacking belief, this episode lovingly examines the scriptures so often us...

In Part 2 of this spirited conversation, actor Chris Laird returns to the Spirit Talk Show for more laughs, lore, and live readings. From his dramatic role in Fire on the Ridge—a powerful indie film based on the Paradise fires—to his upcoming appearances in Expedition Unknown and the mystery-crime series Springtown, Chris shares personal reflections and behind-the-scenes insight into the life of a...

In this jam-packed episode of Spirit Talk Show, host Doyle welcomes back two fan favorites—master voiceover artist Chris Turek and multi-talented musician Howie—for a wild ride through cold reads, laughter, and the absurdly profound. From a haunted subway to collapsing ceilings, lost lemon bars, and post-apocalyptic bagels, no genre is off limits. Along the way, we tackle Shakespearean Goonies, Do...

On this episode of Spirit Talk Show, actor and voice artist Chris Laird steps into the studio—and into the unknown. From background roles in 13 Reasons Why to award-winning performances in indie films, Chris shares the highs and hard truths of building a career in the film industry while staying grounded in Sacramento. But things take a turn when the conversation shifts to the paranormal. Chris re...

In Part 2 of this soul-stirring conversation, Doyle and returning guest Vinny Masincupp explore what it means to belong—in a body, in a culture, and in a story. From a dark, obsessive tale of twisted love (“Keep You Safe”) to the radiant time-travel narrative “Becoming Ellis Rain,” this episode explores the edges of identity, language, and the power of literature to reshape our world. Vinny shares...

Doyle shares the deeply personal and slightly eerie story behind how Spirit Talk Show began — from unexplained voices in an old farmhouse to a spontaneous pivot into AI storytelling. This episode traces the evolution of the show from ghost stories to community connection, creative revival, and over 50,000 listeners. With honesty, gratitude, and a bit of poetry, Doyle invites you behind the scenes...

In this luminous first half of a two-part conversation, Doyle welcomes back the ever-charismatic Vinny Masincupp—teacher, singer, globe-trotter, and heart-on-his-sleeve storyteller. Together, they dive into a dazzling mix of original and student-written poetry, from darkly comic postmodern tales to lyrical AI-generated verse that stirs the soul. Vinny reflects on life in Micronesia, his passion fo...

Award-winning actor, producer, and storyteller John DeMakus joins Doyle in the studio for a deep and delightful episode packed with heart, humor, and unexpected time travel. From his acclaimed films Remember and Love Wins to his YouTube sports show and voiceover career, John shares the magic behind his work—and how one short film sparked a creative revival in an emerging actress. We explore: The e...

Tags: #HeartfeltSciFi #CancerStoryline #FatherDaughter #EmotionalAudioDrama #SciFiPodcast #PalliativeCare #AIandGrief In this deeply emotional chapter of The Invention of Liberation, the stakes shift from the technological to the profoundly personal. Jeff, once the resilient scientist and loving father, now finds himself battling not rogue robots, but his own failing body. As he picks up Ava from...

Jeff's hospital stay ends with a pudding heist, a stolen wheelchair moment, and a reality check no one saw coming. As he and Ava ride home, playful banter turns serious when breaking news reveals a robotics tragedy—one Jeff warned about before walking away from his job. Haunted by the fallout and the lives lost, he opens up about the danger he once tried to prevent. But in the midst of grief and r...

In the most emotional and transformative episode of the season, Emergent Properties dives deep into the heart of what it means to be alive. Jeff, Ava, and Sandy return home from a devastating ordeal—haunted by loss, shadowed by killer robots, and fueled by the fragile hope of resurrection. But when Rosie reappears with a wag and a bark, everything changes. With the help of nanobots, neural mimicry...