Shows
No 1 In ParticularGen X Life Stories: Friendship, Travel and Living in TaiwanEver wondered what happens when two college friends reconnect across continents—with microphones, questionable Wi-Fi and decades of life experience to unpack? This episode has it all.I reunite with my college friend Josh Douglas (shout-out to Meno College!), now living in Taiwan, to talk about friendship, expat life, and creative reinvention. Josh is the author of the thrilling, action-packed novel The Vampire, The Tutor and The Madman.We dive into cultural differences between the U.S. and Asia, Gen X growing pains, and what it was like during th...
2026-01-141h 00
No 1 In ParticularThe Music That Moved UsWelcome to a cheeky bonus episode to close out the year—wee hoo, we made it!First, thank you for listening. Truly. This show exists because you show up, and I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who shares their stories. We’re all navigating this thing called life together.If you’re a regular listener, you know I always ask my guests: what music moves you? In this episode, I sit down with Lizette and Milana—my very first guests of the year and my best buddies—to flip the mic back on ourselves.We swap st...
2025-12-241h 07
No 1 In ParticularCrime Scenes to Champagne: A Cop’s Glamorous Second LifeThomas Fitzsimmons lived a life most people only dream about—but with a moral compass few could match. An ex-NYPD officer from the dangerous streets of 1970s New York, Fitzsimmons swapped his badge for the world of modeling and acting, rubbing elbows with presidents, Hollywood stars, and the glittering elite of Studio 54.But the thrill of serving and protecting never left him. Even amid champagne and flashing cameras, he stayed true to his roots—taking on private investigations for friends and business owners, and working as a trusted bodyguard for Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
2025-12-0326 min
No 1 In ParticularBeyond the Plate: Stories of Flavor and Family. "Yes, Chef"!Step inside the kitchen and life of Chef Lawrence DiJoseph, whose journey began in a lively Italian American family rooted in Washington, DC. DiJoseph celebrates the heart of food and family, inspired by generations of restaurateurs—his great-grandmother ran a restaurant at the turn of the century, his family made wine during prohibition and may have loose ties with the mob, and an aunt was a pastry chef at the White House.A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Chef DiJoseph’s adventures have taken him through French restaurants in Washington DC, and New York City. His...
2025-11-1252 min
No 1 In ParticularWhen Grief Turns Into Music: The Hidden Power of EMDRWhat happens when grief, healing, and creativity collide? In this episode, I sit down with singer-songwriter Nadia Ackerman, whose life took a dramatic turn after losing her father more than 30 years ago. The loss shattered her world—the family business, their home in Sydney, and her sense of stability were all gone.Through years of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Nadia not only found a path through her trauma, but also began to receive something extraordinary: dreams of fully formed songs. Out of pain came an unexpected gift—and a new way to share her art...
2025-10-0848 min
No 1 In Particular70s New York: Studio 54, Famous Friends & Life as a ModelMy guest is Julie Gordon, a true New York “It Girl” of the late ’70s. Julie was a regular at Studio 54, brushing shoulders with names you’d definitely recognize, and even counted Marla Maples—yes, Trump’s second wife—as a friend.Julie takes us behind the scenes giving us a taste of what it was like to work as a model and party at the epicenter of New York’s heyday. It’s funny, it’s juicy...names will be dropped.People Mentioned:Eileen FordWilhelminaJohn Casablancas
2025-09-1751 min
No 1 In ParticularLegendary Studios, Explosive Setbacks, and Building a Life in MusicThis month, I sit down with Gordon “Gordy” Davies, a Jersey-born audio engineer whose life was changed the moment he walked into a recording studio. What started as a restless kid searching for direction turned into a career that’s run through legendary spaces like California’s Record Plant and the early 2000's New York music scene.Today, Gordy runs his own studio——Singletrack Audio—as well as his role as chief engineer at Clementine Café in Harrisonburg, VA. We talk about the bands and albums that shaped his journey (and the royalty checks that still roll in), the explos...
2025-08-2059 min
No 1 In ParticularHit by a Bus, Stitched Back Together: The Reinvention of a Fashion Designer.Everyone knows the expression “what if you get hit by a bus?” Well, it actually happened to my guest Kimberli MacKay. A near-fatal accident set her on a new path — one that led to healing and reinvention.Kimberli is a milliner and world-class seamstress who’s worked in factories around the world, crafting stunning hats, coats, and accessories for people from all walks of life. She shares stories from the factory floor — including how she helped women gain access to birth control — and reflects on the deeper meaning hats can hold during life’s highs and lows. She...
2025-07-2350 min
No 1 In ParticularInfidelity, Ghosts, a Coma, Rebuilding lives—hers and others.When Joanne Price left the UK for San Francisco, she thought she was stepping into her happily ever after. Instead, she walked straight into chaos — a cheating husband, a sudden health crisis, and two young kids to raise on her own.Told with grit, raw honesty, and humor this is a true story of a woman who turned heartbreak into purpose. From solo parenting to working on the homeless crisis in CA, Jo’s journey is anything but ordinary — featuring ghosts, a coma, and yes… a basement full of Champagne.It’s messy. It’s real. It’s b...
2025-06-1158 min
No 1 In ParticularRhythm of Happiness: Caleb Spaulding on Music, Wellness & Cracking the CodeIn this episode, I sit down with my good friend Caleb Spaulding—a drummer, creative, and rhythm artist whose journey took him from band life to building a unique career in New York City. Caleb shares how he moved to the city chasing a dream with his band, only to face the big question: how do you make a living in one of the most expensive cities in the world while staying true to your passion?What followed was an unexpected and inspiring evolution. Caleb found his path in the world of wellness, where rhythm isn't just mu...
2025-05-2857 min
No 1 In ParticularLaw School at 40 after raising 5 kids having Grit and Grace.In this episode, I talk with Cianne Wallin—a mother of five, marathon runner, and law student at 40—about her extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and fierce determination. Cianne opens up about becoming a teen mom and putting her education on hold to raise all her children. After marrying and moving across the country multiple times for her husband’s career, her kids are now in school—and it’s finally her turn.We talk about her calling to the courtroom, her deep desire to represent victims who aren’t taken seriously (something she knows about firsth...
2025-05-2151 min
No 1 In ParticularMy journey growing up in a small village in Ireland: Nature, Gaelic Sports, Music and Finding Peace.In this episode, I sit down with Mikey Maguire — a musician, audio engineer, digital media professional, educator, and curator of Cúl Street, an intimate music venue nestled in Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland.Mikey and I first crossed paths back in the early 2000s when I was running a music blog. His SoundCloud releases under the name Mental Effector caught my attention, and after writing a few reviews of his work, a friendship naturally followed. This conversation marks the first time we've had the chance to sit down “in person” and properly catch up.We dive in...
2025-04-301h 02
No 1 In ParticularNeurodiversity and Relationship Anarchy: A mother and wife tries to make sense of her ADHD diagnosis and her marriage.In this episode, meet Denise, a mother and wife who shares her personal journey with her recent ADHD diagnosis. As she explores how her neurodiversity impacts her daily life and her children’s potential neurodiversity, Denise talks about the tools she’s found helpful in managing day-to-day challenges. Denise also shares her experience of dating women and her evolving feelings toward relationships, as she and her husband venture into an open marriage. Exploring the concept of "relationship anarchy," Denise dives into the complexities of emotional intimacy and what the future might hold for her. This is j...
2025-03-3151 min
No 1 In ParticularMental Health a life story to inspire: Educator and Non-Profit Founder.Rob Isquierdo's journey is a story of transformation. He's witnessed some tragic events including at-risk-kids, murder and suicide. Growing up in the drug-ridden streets of London, California, to navigating the privileged world of Atherton, he’s seen both sides of life. After college, Robert returned to his roots, working in a group home for troubled youth—a job that took a heavy mental toll on him. Seeking a fresh start, he entered the mortgage business, earning fast money but losing his sense of self. He eventually lost everything! Only after losing everything did Rob find his true call...
2025-03-311h 03
No 1 In ParticularTour Manager of the MELVINS: Gareth TurnerWelcome to today’s episode! Say hello to Gareth, the Tour Manager, amongst other things, of one of the most influential bands in rock history—the Melvins. Known as the godfathers of grunge and a major influence on the iconic Nirvana, the Melvins have shaped the sound of a generation. But today, we’re not talking about the music they make—we’re talking about the man who’s been by their side for 20 odd years.Gareth’s journey into the music world wasn’t a straight line. His life was shaped by a series of workin...
2025-02-1949 min
No 1 In ParticularAddiction: Skate or Die in Las VegasIn this raw and unfiltered podcast, David Jensen opens up about his turbulent childhood and battling addiction. David endured abuse and struggled with the weight of his own demons—drugs and alcohol. But instead of succumbing to his circumstances, he took responsibility for his choices and fought to change.David's story is one of self-reliance. Through skating and hitting the gym, he discovered an outlet that allowed him to escape the chaos at home and find freedom in motion. Skating became more than a hobby; it was his therapy, his release, his way of reclaiming control....
2025-02-0553 min
No 1 In ParticularI grew up in Ukraine: War and NY music scene.In this podcast, Milana Naumenko shares her journey from growing up in the Ukraine to becoming a first-generation immigrant in the U.S. She dives into her personal view of the war, the emotional toll it’s taken on her friends, classmates, and loved ones—many of whom have been drafted or forced to flee. She reflects on the impact of this ongoing conflict and how she continues to hope for peace.As a music enthusiast she talks about the eclectic music scene in New York and the adventures in helping run a music blog. Whether it's the...
2025-01-2240 min
No 1 In ParticularThe Filipino way: Creativity in New York.Lizette Gesuden is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and writer who brings her unique perspective to every story she tells. In this conversation, she opens up about being the proud daughter of Filipino immigrants and shares her deep admiration for her parents’ journey. From her childhood in New Jersey, where Catholic school was part of the daily grind, to her passion for the creative process, Lizette’s story is one of heart, hustle, and humor. We talk about our time in New York and the music that moves us. Long live Chris P. Bacon!! Lizettes' Reel
2025-01-0948 min