Episodes

  • Stand-Up, Motherhood, and the Magic of Second Acts with Orly K.G.

    Stand-Up, Motherhood, and the Magic of Second Acts with Orly K.G.
    Jan 30 2025
    Have you ever been told you were funny, talented, or just great at something—and wondered if you could turn it into a passion? On this episode of Good Listen, I chat with the hilarious and inspiring Orly K.G., who at 47 years old signed up for a stand-up comedy class just for fun and ended up transforming her life. Orly shares her journey from being a mom with some free time to building a comedic empire in Chicago, co-creating the wildly popular group, Bad Momz of Comedy. We dive into how she navigated the male-dominated world of comedy, how being a mom gave her a unique comedic voice, and what it's like to produce and perform in sold-out shows with moms from all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to make a big life change or just want to laugh, this episode has it all. Follow along as Orly proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams, find your tribe, and have a lot of laughs along the way.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • How Rebecca Wild Turned Her Trauma into a Mission of Healing Others

    How Rebecca Wild Turned Her Trauma into a Mission of Healing Others
    Jan 23 2025
    In this powerful episode of Good Listen, I sit down with Rebecca Wild, a multi-talented coach, author, and trauma survivor who has transformed her painful past into a mission of helping others. We explore how Rebecca broke free from traditional career paths to embrace multiple roles including yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and suicide hotline volunteer. She candidly shares her journey of escaping an abusive relationship and finding true safety and stability. Rebecca opens up about the difference between living in constant fear versus finding peace in predictability, and how meditation became key to her healing process. Through her book, The Will to Live Project, and various coaching endeavors, she demonstrates how lived experience can become a powerful tool for helping others navigate their own challenges. Our conversation delves into leaving abusive relationships, finding authentic love, and the importance of self-care. Rebecca's story shows how surviving trauma can become a catalyst for positive change in others' lives.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Amy Freeze: Forecasting Weather, Family, and Faith

    Amy Freeze: Forecasting Weather, Family, and Faith
    Jan 16 2025
    What’s it really like to be a meteorologist—especially when your name is Amy Freeze? On this episode of Good Listen, I catch up with Amy, a long-time friend and one of the most talented weather pros out there. We talk about her journey to becoming a weather powerhouse in cities like New York and Philadelphia. Spoiler: she didn’t make up her name, and yes, she’s heard all the weather jokes! Amy shares how she broke into the male-dominated world of weather broadcasting, earned her AMS certification (it’s way harder than it sounds), and juggled life as a mom of four kids—three of whom are adopted. Oh, and did I mention she’s also a marathon runner? We also get into what it’s like being a Mormon in a party-filled industry, the secret to thriving in local news, and her exciting plans for the future. It’s a fun, inspiring chat that’ll make you appreciate the weather forecast in a whole new way.
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Peter Hurley: Making the World Look Good, One Headshot at a Time

    Peter Hurley: Making the World Look Good, One Headshot at a Time
    Jan 9 2025
    I got to chat with the legendary Peter Hurley—a guy who went from being a model and actor in New York to one of the most famous headshot photographers out there. Peter’s got an incredible story about how he picked up a camera at 30 and turned it into a career that’s taken him all over the world. We dive into everything: his modeling days (and why he had to stop), the hilarious moment that made him quit acting for good, and how he created viral hits like "squinching" and his catchphrase "shebang." He also shares what it’s like to photograph big names like Ariana Grande and Alex Rodriguez, why he believes every headshot is about personality, and his super simple style that’s changed the game. Peter’s energy is contagious, his stories are unforgettable, and his passion for making people feel great in front of the camera is inspiring. Don’t miss this one—it’s a good listen (pun intended).
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Growing Up in the Mob: Renee Graziano's Story of Family, Betrayal, and Redemption

    Growing Up in the Mob: Renee Graziano's Story of Family, Betrayal, and Redemption
    Jan 2 2025
    I’m kicking off a brand-new season of Good Listen with someone who truly knows what it’s like to live a life most of us only see in the movies — Renee Graziano. If you love mob movies like Goodfellas or The Godfather, you won’t want to miss this one. Renee, best known for VH1's Mob Wives, grew up as the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Bonanno crime family. In our conversation, she opens up about what it was really like to be part of an organized crime family, the betrayal of being married to an informant, and how she faced her own battles with addiction and loss. But through it all, Renee shows incredible resilience and humor, sharing how she’s now focusing on healing, family, and finding joy in life. This episode is full of laughs, raw honesty, and powerful stories about family, loyalty, and redemption. It was a conversation I won’t soon forget, and I think you’ll feel the same.
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Beth Sparksfire: Redefining Sex Positivity, Community, and Resilience

    Beth Sparksfire: Redefining Sex Positivity, Community, and Resilience
    Dec 5 2024
    In the season finale of Good Listen, I sit down with Beth Sparksfire, the cofounder of the Hacienda, a sex-positive community in Bushwick, Brooklyn, that has been redefining connection and pleasure for over a decade. Beth takes me through her incredible journey—from moving to New York, meeting her polyamorous partner at a life-changing barbecue, and building a thriving community known for its unforgettable parties and workshops. For the first time, Beth addresses the New York Times article from earlier this year that scrutinized the Hacienda. She speaks openly about the challenges it brought, the misconceptions it spread, and how she is using the experience to strengthen the community and its commitment to safety and inclusivity. We explore the evolution of sex-positive culture, the delicate balance of running a community rooted in openness, and how Beth manages to juggle it all—cofounding a nightclub, hosting events, and raising two young kids in New York City. This conversation is raw, thought-provoking, and eye-opening. Whether you’re curious about sex positivity or just love a great story, you won’t want to miss it! #SexPositivity
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Inside Taylor Miller’s World: How She Balances News, Social Media & Entrepreneurship

    Inside Taylor Miller’s World: How She Balances News, Social Media & Entrepreneurship
    Nov 27 2024
    Taylor Miller joins me on the show this week. Taylor is a young TV reporter in Charleston, South Carolina, and I was curious about what drives Gen Z into traditional media. Taylor's ambition impressed me; in her early 20s, she's already co-executive producer of her show and runs a side business in social media management. We discussed the challenges of being a young woman in media and how she uses skepticism as motivation to prove herself. Her passion for storytelling and gratitude for her role in the community were genuinely touching. Our conversation left me optimistic about the future of journalism, seeing how dedicated young professionals like Taylor are to connecting with their audience and sharing important stories.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Time Management Secrets: Oliver Burkeman on Busyness, Distraction, and Living Intentionally

    Time Management Secrets: Oliver Burkeman on Busyness, Distraction, and Living Intentionally
    Nov 21 2024
    I sit down with Oliver Burkeman, the British author of "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" and "Meditations for Mortals", to discuss our dysfunctional relationship with time and busyness. We explore why everyone seems so busy these days, the pitfalls of saying "no" to everything, and Oliver's journey to becoming a personal development writer. Oliver shares insights on why we struggle with time management, the dangers of distraction in the digital age, and how his new book aims to help people take meaningful action in their daily lives. We delve into topics like finding stillness, the Rule of St. Benedict's flexible approach to habits, and why "squeezing things in" is often counterproductive. Oliver offers a refreshing perspective on embracing our limitations as humans and focusing on what truly matters, rather than trying to do it all. Our talk is packed with practical wisdom for anyone looking to improve their relationship with time and live more intentionally.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins