Episodes

With Father's Day just around the corner, we're reaching back into our library to bring you one of the most moving conversations we've had at this table — and one that has stayed with us long after the microphones turned off. At 72 years old, Marine combat veteran Rand R. Timmerman did something most people half his age will never attempt. He hiked the entire 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail. But this wasn't just an adventure — it was a mission of love. Rand's brother Ron, a 71-year-old Army veter...

What does it mean to keep your voice — your real, human voice — in a world where AI can mimic almost anything? This week, narrator, actor, voice artist, and writer Kris Keppeler joins Michael for a warm, honest, and deeply human conversation about creativity, identity, and staying connected to the people you create for. Kris has narrated more than 50 audiobooks, performed everything from cats to presidents, and built a storytelling career around curiosity, humor, and the power of voice. Toget...

Some conversations stay with you long after the microphones turn off — and this is one of them. This Producer’s Favorite encore episode brings back a powerful, deeply reflective dialogue with Daniel Anderson, a Holistic Success & Legacy Coach whose work helps people break free from burnout, inherited patterns, and the quiet disconnection that keeps them from living out their purpose. Daniel’s journey — from feeling voiceless in a large family to becoming a guide for others seeking clarity, heal...

In this cinematic conversation, Michael sits down with Richard McWhorter, a Beverly Hills–based Private Wealth Advisor with more than 32 years of guiding high‑net‑worth and ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals — including athletes, entertainers, and multigenerational families — through the most pivotal moments of their lives. Richard’s work goes far beyond financial planning. He is the person people call when life gets complicated. Takeaways: Money is not merely a numerical value; it serve...

A profound exploration of metaphysical awakening unfolds in this producer‑favorite replay from September 2025, as Michael sits down with Sara Byers — a respected business leader whose life was transformed by an unexpected spiritual opening. After the passing of her stepfather in 2020, Sara began receiving more than 3,000 pieces of poetry, often in the quiet hours of the night. These writings became a channel for deep truths about grief, identity, intuition, and the unseen forces that shape our ...

Director Ricardo de Montreuil joins Michael for a cinematic conversation about Mistura, the Peruvian film that blends food, memory, identity, and virtual production to bring 1960s Lima back to life. Together, they explore the emotional and cultural heartbeat of the story — from Afro‑Peruvian heritage to the flavors that shape who we are, individually and collectively. As Ricardo reflects on the personal journey of resurrecting a city that once flourished, the conversation opens into something...

In this Over the Teacup Sunday episode, Michael & Diane sit down to explore Rooster, the new HBO series starring Steve Carell and created by Bill Lawrence & Matt Tarses (Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Scrubs). They dive into the show’s warm, character‑driven storytelling, the small‑town secrets at its center, and the grounded emotional depth Carell brings to the role. With a standout ensemble cast — Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, Charly Clive, Lauren Tsai, Annie Mumolo, Madison Hu, Rory Scovel, and J...

What if the story you’ve been told about food your whole life… wasn’t the truth? In this conversation, wellness pioneer Cherie Calbom opens up about the trauma that shaped her, the healing that rebuilt her, and the lies about nutrition that changed the health of an entire generation. Together, we explore the seed‑oil scandal, the rise of chronic illness, and the emotional journey of reclaiming your body — and your life. This is an unhurried, human conversation about truth, identity, and the cou...

What is it about travel that transforms us? Does stepping into a new place make us wiser, more compassionate, more connected to the world? Or is travel sometimes just an escape — a temporary break from the weight of everyday life? Today, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes with Douglas Brouwer, author of The Traveler’s Path: Finding Spiritual Growth and Inspiration Through Travel. Douglas has spent a lifetime exploring the world — not for the postcards, but for the meaning beneath the...

What happens when the story you’ve been trained to tell can no longer hold the truth you’re living? In this cinematic and deeply human conversation, journalist‑turned‑storyhealer Candace Lynn Talmadge joins Michael to explore grief, myth, reinvention, and the power of narrative to transform emotional trauma. After decades in the disciplined world of journalism, Candace’s life was shattered by the loss of her wife — a moment that revealed the limits of reporting and opened the door to something ...

In this Over the Teacup episode, Michael and Diane sit down to unpack Margo’s Got Money Troubles, the new Apple TV dramedy created by David E. Kelley and starring Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. Together, they explore the show’s messy, heartfelt world — from Margo’s unexpected journey into single motherhood and OnlyFans survival, to the complicated, hilarious, and deeply human relationship with her estranged wrestler‑dad, Jinx. Michael and Diane dive into the...

In this cinematic and deeply human conversation, Heather Ann Ferri joins Michael Herst at the Mediterranean table to explore healing, identity, trauma, and the stories we carry — and the ones we choose to rewrite. Heather shares her powerful journey through childhood trauma, chronic illness, spiritual awakening, and the lifelong work of reclaiming the self. Together, she and Michael dive into the emotional patterns we inherit, the cultural forces that shape us, and the rituals that help us retu...

What if one journey could rewrite the story you’ve been carrying your entire life? In this listener‑favorite episode, we revisit the extraordinary journey of Kirsten Rudberg, whose life was shaped by growing up overseas with a mother battling severe depression — a childhood marked by instability, emotional distance, and the quiet work of trying to understand her place in the world. Everything shifted when she felt an undeniable pull to walk the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage that challenged h...

What do we learn about ourselves when we step into places that test us? The exploration of our true selves often unfolds in the challenging environments that test our limits. The nature of self-discovery is intrinsically tied to the journeys we undertake, particularly those that challenge our preconceived notions of comfort and fulfillment. In this cinematic episode, Michael sits down with Miles Spencer — adventurer, multi exit founder, media innovator, artist, and mentor — to explore the less...

This encore episode—originally aired April 30, 2025—remains one of my favorites. Emmy‑nominated producer and director Neil Laird joins me to explore how untold stories become powerful narratives that captivate audiences worldwide. With more than 1,000 hours of documentary programming for Discovery, National Geographic, and the BBC, Neil shares insights from his adventures across 70+ countries, the balance between historical accuracy and entertainment, and the importance of representation in stor...

Award‑winning author Lexy Shaw Delorme has lived a life as genre‑defying as her fiction — rock musician, scientist, attorney, and global traveler. In this conversation, she shares the real stories behind The Limerent Series, the themes that shape her work, and how living across three continents transformed her voice as a writer. If you love creativity, reinvention, and emotionally charged storytelling, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Lexy (writing as L.S. Delorme) takes us inside...

What is it about travel that truly transforms us? Does stepping into a new place make us wiser and more connected, or is travel sometimes just an escape from the everyday? In this powerful encore conversation, I sit down with Douglas Brouwer, seasoned traveler and author of The Traveler’s Path: Finding Spiritual Growth and Inspiration Through Travel. Douglas has spent a lifetime exploring the world — not just for the sights, but for the deeper lessons found along the way. From childhood road t...

Bestselling author Aaron Ryan has written 41 books and reinvented himself more times than most creatives attempt in a lifetime. In this conversation, we explore how he found his voice, rebuilt after toxic environments, and continues to thrive in a world reshaped by AI. This episode is a powerful look at resilience, storytelling, and the courage to evolve as a creator. Creativity isn’t a straight line — it’s a lifelong act of reinvention. In this episode, Michael sits down with bestselling and a...

RJ Decker isn’t just another TV drama — it’s the kind of character‑driven storytelling that reminds us why we fall in love with television in the first place. In this Over the Teacup Sunday episode, Michael and Diane dive deep into the world of RJ Decker: the grounded lead, the emotional weight he carries, the supporting cast that elevates every scene, and the finale that quietly sets the stage for something bigger. Then, around the 2/3 mark, they pour a fresh cup and shift into a lively round...

At 72 years old, Marine combat veteran Rand R. Timmerman did something most people half his age will never attempt: he hiked the entire 2,100‑mile Appalachian Trail. But this wasn’t just an adventure — it was a mission. Rand set out to help his brother Ron, a 71‑year‑old Army veteran and commercial pilot, who was drowning in grief after losing his wife. Rand himself was in recovery from alcoholism. What began as a physical challenge became a spiritual passage — one that transformed both brother...

What happens when technology evolves faster than our humanity? In this episode, Michael Herst sits down with Bruce D. Randall — AI strategist, ethicist, author, and Reiki Master — for a grounded, eye‑opening conversation about the future we’re all stepping into. Bruce brings a rare blend of technical insight and spiritual wisdom. Together, they explore: How AI is reshaping our lives and our sense of self Why ethics matter now more than ever What it means to stay human in a digital world How...

In this episode, Michael sits down with chef, storyteller, and world traveler Karl Wilder for a conversation that feels like sharing a great meal with an old friend. Together, they explore how food connects us — not just to flavors, but to memories, people, and the moments that shape who we are. Karl opens up about the dishes he’ll never forget, the places that changed him, and the unexpected path that led him from the kitchen to writing and voice acting. This is a warm, sensory, down‑to‑earth...

n this warm and deeply personal episode, Michael and Diane explore the meaning of breakfast: the quiet moments at home, the traditions passed down through family, the comfort of familiar routines, and the joy of meeting friends or loved ones at your favorite café. Together, they dive into: Why breakfast feels like possibility The emotional value of slow mornings at home Cooking breakfast as a love language The magic of catching up with friends or family over a morning meal The traditions w...

Travel can be more than a trip—it can be a turning point. In this episode, Michael Herst sits down with Dr. Joy Owens, CEO of Butler Travel, to explore how travel becomes a catalyst for transformation in students, families, and leaders alike. From study abroad experiences to humanitarian missions, Joy shares how stepping into unfamiliar places can reshape identity, deepen connection, and awaken purpose. Born from missionary roots in Tanzania, Butler Travel continues to create meaningful, acce...