Spirit Talk Show - Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups
Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups is a storytelling podcast hosted by Doyle. Each episode features intimate conversations with writers, artists, and thinkers, blending interviews with original tribute stories and spoken-word pieces. The show focuses on deep listening, reflection, and genuine connection, offering a space to slow down and honor lived experience.
Episodes
S6-EP24: The Firewood Guy: How Steve Gamlin Turned 6,386 Days of Love Into a Life on Fire
What does it look like when a man stands in a thunderstorm, dares lightning to strike him, and discovers his entire purpose instead?
Steve Gamlin -- keynote speaker, stand-up comedian, vision board coach, and self-described "beach bum philanthropist" -- has built a life out of beautiful wreckage. A ten-year radio career that imploded. A divorce. Tens of thousands of dollars in debt at 35. And then
S6-EP23: Paper Roses & Reclaiming the Narrative: Debbie Show and Loriann Hart on Family Trauma, Betrayal, and Healing
What happens to the families left behind after the headlines fade?
In this powerful episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle sits down with novelist and therapist Debbie Show, author of Paper Roses, and audiobook narrator Laurieann Hart for an intimate conversation about sibling abuse, narcissistic family systems, generational trauma, and the long shadow of public scandal.
S6-EP22: A Glimpse of Your Own Light — Wil Fisher on Being Seen, Breaking Open, and Living Fully Alive
There are people you meet in life who remind you that you are more than the story you have been telling about yourself. Wil Fisher is one of those people.
This week on Spirit Talk Show, Doyle gets deeply personal. He opens by sharing something that happened to him at a retreat he nearly did not attend, a weekend where he cried not once but three times, not from sadness, but from someth
S6-EP21: Eldra DeBarge Jr. on Family Legacy, Father Wounds, and the Story Behind “Trading Lust for Love”
This is a special episode of Spirit Talk Show.
In one of the most personal and emotionally revealing conversations of the season, Doyle sits down with Eldra DeBarge Jr. for a powerful conversation about family legacy, music, fatherhood, pain, purpose, and the courage it takes to become yourself when the world thinks it already knows who you are.
As the son of a legendary musical bloodline, Eldra h
S6-EP20: Josh Tomeoni on Masculinity, Divorce, Addiction, and the Fight to Rebuild
In this powerful episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle sits down with Josh Tomeoni for an honest, deeply personal conversation about masculinity, divorce, identity collapse, addiction, failure, and the long road back to yourself.
Josh opens up about the moment his life cracked open—when shame, loss, and the collapse of the life he thought he had forced him to confront who he really was underneath the
S6-EP19: John David - The Bystander, Viral Footage, and the Cost of Witnessing
What happens when the person behind the camera becomes part of the story?
In this episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle sits down with novelist and crisis communications expert John David, author of the award-winning thriller The Bystander.
Inspired by a real-life active shooter intervention, the novel follows TV reporter Pete LeMaster, who captures the moment a bystander stops a shooter. The footage
S6-EP18: Remembering the World Before We Forgot — with Catya Batalha
There is a quiet memory many of us carry — even if we don’t have language for it.
A sense that life was once gentler.
That cooperation came before competition.
That learning once meant becoming more human, not more efficient.
In this reflective episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle sits down with psychotherapist, yoga philosophy teacher, and author Catya Batalha to expl
S6-EP17: Paul Trammell: Chasing the Wind — Sailing the World, Writing Stories, and Living the Adventure
What happens when someone decides to stop waiting for life and start sailing directly into it?
In this adventurous and reflective episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle welcomes sailor, author, and podcaster Paul Trammell, a man who quite literally followed the wind to a new life.
Paul lives aboard his sailboat in the Caribbean waters of Panama, writing novels, recordi
S6-EP16: Adam Brownlie on Understanding Happiness
What if happiness isn’t something we force or choose on command, but something that slowly emerges as we come to understand ourselves more deeply?
In this thoughtful episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle sits down with Australian author and philosopher Adam Brownlie to explore happiness through the lenses of neuroscience, philosophy, and lived experience.
Drawing from h
S6-EP15: Finding Her Voice: Jean Burgess, Retro Fiction, and the Stories That Shape Us
Some stories take a lifetime to find their voice.
In this engaging and heartfelt episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle sits down with author Jean Burgess for a conversation that spans decades of storytelling—from childhood performances in the living room to a late-in-life journey into fiction writing.
With over 40 years in theater as a performer, director, and educator,
S6-EP14: Simone Knego and the Courage to Believe You’re Already Enough
What if confidence isn’t something you earn—but something you remember?
In this inspiring, funny, and deeply affirming episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle and producer Howie welcome Simone Knego—international speaker, two-time TEDx presenter, bestselling author, podcast host, and the voice behind The Extraordinary Unordinary You and the upcoming book Real Confidence.
S6-EP13: Cinda Gault and the Courage Women Carried into the Wilderness
History tells us who mattered.
Stories tell us who lived.
In this sweeping and deeply illuminating episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle and producer Howie welcome Cinda Gault, an acclaimed novelist whose work resurrects the lives of women history barely paused to record—women who crossed oceans, paddled into wilderness, defied expectation, and claimed meaning on their
S6-EP12: Kirsten Rudberg on Wonder, Wit, and a World That Talks Back
Some people search for miracles.
Others trip over them daily—and laugh while doing it.
In this joyful, funny, and deeply thoughtful episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle and producer Howie sit down with Kirsten Rudberg—author, screenwriter, podcaster, spiritual explorer, and self-described panentheist who believes the divine is not somewhere else, but everywhere, all at
S6-EP11: Joseph Bolton: Listening to the Wisdom Beneath the World
Some people don’t speak loudly.
They speak deeply.
In this reflective and quietly powerful episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle and producer Howie welcome Joseph Bolton—a former Army officer, folklorist, and creator of the richly imagined Old Grandmother’s Tree series, a body of work rooted in ancestry, myth, and the enduring wisdom of story.
Joseph spent 25 years in t
S6-EP10: The Dyslexic Professor: How Russell Van Brocklin Is Rewiring Education
What if dyslexia isn’t a learning disability — but a differently wired brain that’s been taught the wrong way?
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle sits down with Russell Van Brocklin — known as “The Dyslexic Professor” — whose journey from a first-grade reading level to law school sparked a mission to transform how we teach readi
S6-EP9: Doug Crowe on Stories That Do More Than Sit on a Shelf
Why do so many books disappear—while a few quietly change lives?
In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle and producer Howie sit down with Doug Crowe, founder of Author Your Brand and a strategist who has helped hundreds of leaders become bestselling authors—often without writing a single word themselves.
Doug isn’t interested in vanity
S6-EP8: Advancing Others with Dom Brightmon, the Positive Thought Catalyst
What does it mean to leave something behind that truly lasts?
In this deeply uplifting episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle and producer Howie welcome author, speaker, and podcaster Dom Brightmon, a self-described Positive Thought Catalyst whose life’s work centers on one powerful idea: advance others so they can advance themselves.
From becoming the youngest Area Dire
S6-EP7: Publishing Myths, Persistence, and the Quiet Work of a Writing Life with Terry Whalin
What if success as a writer isn’t measured in bestseller lists—but in persistence, purpose, and showing up anyway?
In this deeply grounding episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle is joined by Terry Whalin—editor, author, acquisitions professional, and publishing mentor whose decades-long career has helped thousands of writers navigate the often confusing, myth-filled wor
S6-EP6: Fantasy, Trauma, and Storytelling as Survival with Richard Spiegel
Some stories entertain.
Others quietly keep us alive.
In this powerful and deeply human episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle is joined by Richard Spiegel, a prolific fantasy and dark speculative fiction author whose work lives at the intersection of imagination, trauma, love, and resilience.
Richard is the author of five published novels—with many more already written—
S6-EP5: Tiny Worlds, Borrowed Light, and the Stories That Refuse to Stay Quiet
What happens when you stop chasing spectacle—and start chasing truth?
In this richly layered episode of Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Doyle sits down with Sacramento filmmaker, actor, musician, and creative instigator Sean Kilcoyne for an evening that drifts effortlessly between laughter, philosophy, memory, and imagination.
Sean is the kind of storyteller who builds entire worl
S6-EP4.5: A Special Engagement Planet Man – Episode 6: Billy and Jane Need Help
Dantro and Pat risk everything as they slip into Marston’s palace through a hidden tunnel, searching desperately for Billy and Jane before it’s too late. Deep behind enemy lines, every step brings new danger. Meanwhile, across the galaxy, the League of Planets prepares for open war against Marston, setting the stage for a conflict that could determine the fate of multiple worlds. Tension rises on
S6-EP4: Jonathan Hutton: Unflappable – Soaring Beyond Diagnosis
In this moving episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups, Doyle sits down with writer, paraglider pilot, and rare cancer survivor Jonathan Hutton, author of Unflappable: Soaring Beyond Diagnosis.
Jonathan’s journey begins with an unassuming runny nose that turned out to be a rare, incurable head and neck cancer. What followed was a 16-year odyssey through surgeries, treatments, l
S6-EP3.5: A Special Engagement Planet Man – Episode 5: Kidnapping Order
The war escalates beyond Earth as Dantro takes the fight into space itself. With Martian forces pressing their advantage, the Planet Man and his allies engage in a high-stakes confrontation among the stars. As ships collide and strategies are tested, courage and ingenuity become Earth’s last defense. Victory is uncertain, danger is everywhere, and the future of two worlds hangs in the balance in t
S6-EP3: Riding the Waves of Reality: A Life Lived Between Horizons with Alison Gieschen
Author, adventurer, and lifelong dreamer Alison Gieschen—known as the nautical novelist—shares her remarkable story of courage, creativity, and reinvention.
After three decades running an equestrian program, Alison and her husband sold everything to pursue a dream many only imagine: circumnavigating the globe on a 43-foot sailboat. Their voyage has taken them through 46 countries, across the Panam
S6-EP2.5: A Special Engagement Planet Man – Episode 4: The Attack on Earth
The threat becomes reality. As Mars launches its long-anticipated assault, Earth faces destruction from the skies and beyond. With defenses failing and panic spreading, Dantro races against time to counter Marston’s plan and protect the planet he has sworn to defend. Loyalties are tested, sacrifices loom, and the true cost of interplanetary war comes into focus as The Planet Man pushes the story i
S6-EP2: Hush No More: The Truth Michael D. Selig Says We’re Not Ready For
We launch the new year with a guest whose life reads like a classified dossier—and whose message may define the decade ahead.
Michael D. Selig, former Marine Corps aviator turned bestselling author of Hush, steps into the Spirit Talk Show studio to reveal what he believes is humanity’s most important, most suppressed truth: we are not alone, we have never been alone, and the world is racing towar
S6-EP1: The Queen of the Treasure Coast — Shelita Taylor on Drag, Resistance & Radiance
This is not just the start of a new season — it’s one of our longest, most powerful, and most beloved episodes yet. We are honored to launch Season 6 of Spirit Talk Show with a true icon: Shelita Taylor, the Queen of the Treasure Coast. A dazzling drag performer, activist, and storyteller, Shelita’s journey from small-town Florida to the heart of Sacramento is as riveting as it is inspiring.
In th
S5-EP27.5: A Special Engagement Planet Man – Episode 3: Marston To Attack Earth
In this thrilling installment of The Planet Man, the stakes skyrocket as Dantro and Pat find themselves prisoners of Marston, the ruthless ruler of Mars. With Earth’s fate hanging in the balance, the intrepid Planet Man must confront betrayal and danger head-on—especially when Slats appears to switch sides. As alliances shift and peril mounts, the battle to defend Earth and resist Martian dominati
S5-EP27: Finale - Marked by the Unknown with Scott Wells
In the chilling and unforgettable Spirit Talk Show Season 5 finale, Doyle welcomes bestselling thriller and horror author Scott Wells, whose breakout novel Marked by Ouija has captivated readers around the world. Wells—an award-winning screenwriter, immersive event architect, and survivor of his own real-life haunting—joins Doyle for a deeply personal and eerie conversation that blurs the line bet
S5-EP26.5: A Special Engagement Planet Man – Episode 2: Cosmic Communicator
Special Engagement by Spirit Talk Show
With the crew of Earth’s first Moon rocket now safely aboard Dantro’s interstellar craft, the journey to Planeria Rex—capital of all planets—begins in earnest. The humans, still stunned from their near-fatal lunar mission, discover that their rescue is only the beginning of a much larger destiny.
But the voyage is suddenly interrupted.
A vast swarm of meteors
S5-EP26: Steve Gallegos: Unshackled – The Power to Yell Cut on Your Old Story
For this Christmas Eve episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups, Doyle welcomes the radiant and inspiring Steve Gallegos — a man whose life reads like a movie, and whose message will stir your soul.
Known as America’s Ambassador of Success, Steve’s journey spans from a childhood in Chile to the United States Marine Corps, the courtroom, the stage, and beyond. He’s been a police
S5-EP25.5: Special Release: Planet Man – Episode 2: : Orbit the Moon
Special Presentation by Spirit Talk Show
Earth’s first rocket ship hurtles through space on its historic voyage to the Moon — until catastrophe strikes. Systems fail. Trajectory falters. And the crew faces the terrifying truth that their mission, and their lives, may never return home.
At the final moment, a mysterious ship appears. Onboard is Dantro — The Planet Man, a guardian of interplanetary
S5-EP25: Radical Compassion: Ann Russo on Healing Religious Trauma and Reclaiming Identity
In this deeply moving episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grownups, Doyle sits down with Ann Russo, founder of AMR Therapy, feminist therapist, educator, and visionary leader in inclusive mental health care.
From her early curiosity about faith and identity to the creation of the groundbreaking Religious Trauma Treatment Model (RTTM), Ann shares a journey rooted in empathy, courage,
S5-EP24.5: Special Release: Planet Man – Episode 1 - Launch to Adventure!
This exclusive special release is part of the Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grownups archive series, featuring a fully acted and sound-designed revival of The Planet Man, lovingly recorded by Doyle more than a decade ago. In this limited-run sci-fi event, listeners will hear Doyle step into several character roles, bringing new life, personality, and dimension to this classic 1950s radio
S5-EP24: Law, Literature, and the Power of Perseverance: Michael Stockham on Finding Truth in Fiction
In this episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups, Doyle sits down with Michael Stockham — Cornell Law graduate, veteran litigator, and bestselling author of Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer and the Jake Fox thriller series. For over two decades, Stockham has commanded the courtroom by day and the page by night, transforming real-life legal battles into stories that pulse with
S5-EP23: Tim Reuben — Tequila: A Global Saga of Family, Power, and Survival
In this gripping episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle welcomes Tim Reuben — Harvard-trained attorney, seasoned trial strategist, and author of the explosive international thriller Tequila: A Story of Success, Love, and Violence.
Tim spent decades inside real courtroom battles, navigating the razor-sharp world of high-stakes litigation. Now, he channels that lifetime of experience into a sweeping nov
S5-EP22: The Warrior Who Knelt: A Thanksgiving Conversation with Pat Welsh
In this special Thanksgiving episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grownups, Doyle welcomes Pat Welsh — a man whose life reads like a testament to gratitude, resilience, and faith. From being left at an orphanage in Dublin at three days old to leading one of America’s toughest police departments, Pat’s story embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving — finding grace through hardship, purpose
S5-EP21: Fry Your Chickens: Phil Barth on Stress, Humor, and Finding Joy
What if the voices of doubt and stress in your head weren’t scary monsters but… chickens? In this laughter-filled and deeply insightful conversation, Doyle welcomes keynote speaker, author, and humorist Phil Barth—a man on a mission to help us “fry our chickens” and reclaim joy from stress.
Phil opens up about his unforgettable run on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, how a Toastmasters speech and a
S5-EP20: The Girl of Many Crowns: DH Morris on Ancestry, Defiance, and Reclaiming Forgotten History
What happens when genealogy uncovers not just names, but voices calling out from centuries past? In this episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle sits down with author DH (Deborah) Morris, whose debut novel The Girl of Many Crowns resurrects the forgotten story of Princess Judith of France and Baldwin Iron Arm—the knight who risked everything for love.
Morris shares how a family ancestry chart led her i
S5-EP19: Shanti Hershenson: At 17, Thirty Books and a Mission to Inspire
On this episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grownups, Doyle welcomes Shanti Hershenson, a 17-year-old literary powerhouse who has already written 30 books — 17 of them published. Shanti’s work spans science fiction, fantasy, dystopian adventure, and deeply personal poetry, including her acclaimed novel-in-verse You Won’t Know Her Name, which confronts the painful realities of middle-
S5-EP18: Neil Laird: Time-Traveling TV Producer Turns Ancient Worlds Queer, Wild & Wonderful
Join Doyle on this thrilling episode of Spirit Talk Show as he welcomes Neil Laird—a multi-Emmy‑nominated TV producer turned novelist whose real-world experience filming lost tombs, shipwrecks, and ruins morphs into wild, genre-defying fiction.
Neil’s debut novel, Prime Time Travelers, sends a hapless TV director through a rainbow-colored time machine into ancient Egypt, where he must navigate the
S5-EP17: Prophecy, AI, and the Human Future with Guy Morris
What if artificial intelligence could decode prophecy—and what if it already has? In this thought-provoking conversation, Doyle welcomes Guy Morris, a technologist turned award-winning thriller author whose work pushes the boundaries of what we believe possible. Drawing on four decades at the forefront of global business and advanced computing, Morris reveals how his Snow Chronicles series (Swarm,
S5-EP16: Publishing Without Losing Your Soul — Michelle DeFilippo on Spirit Talk Show
In this episode, Doyle welcomes publishing veteran Michelle DeFilippo, founder of 1106 Design, for a candid conversation about how authors can publish like pros—without signing away their rights, royalties, or creative control.
With over 50 years in the book world and more than 4,000 author projects under her belt, Michelle pulls back the curtain on the myths, scams, and marketing half-truths that
S5-EP15: Epic Worlds, Human Hearts: J.F. Monroe on The Legacy of Four
In this captivating episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle and producer Howie welcome fantasy author J.F. Monroe, the creative force behind The Legacy of Four trilogy—a sweeping saga where humans, angels, and demons live under a fragile peace guarded by the Four Horsemen. Monroe’s worlds are rich with myth and magic, but it’s her emotional honesty and deeply human characters that keep readers turning
S5-EP14: All Mixed Up: Jaycee Cames on Poetry, Music, and the Ghost Singers
Doyle sits down with Jaycee Cames—poet, visionary, and the creative force behind The Ghost Singers. From his acclaimed poetry collection Urban Rhythm and Rhyme: Poetry for the Next Generation to his genre-bending debut album All Mixed Up, Jaycee transforms grief, resilience, and joy into art that refuses to be confined.
In this episode, Jaycee opens up about:
Growing up in North Hollywood amid cha
S5-EP13: Badge to Book: The Mountain Mysteries of R.L. Carpentier
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
S5-EP12: The Boy Who Spoke First: Noah May on Pain, Poetry, and Podcasting Through Depression
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
S5-EP11: The Painted Road: Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer’s Life of Art, Healing, and Horsepower
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
S5-EP10: Ink, Thorns & Fairytales Rewritten: Bria Rose on Bold Stories, Dark Promises & Beauty with Claws
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
S5-EP9: Lizbeth Meredith Part 2 - Resilience Through Laughter
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
S5-EP8: Lizbeth Meredith Part 1 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity
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
S5-EP7: Hollywood, DNA, and the Monsters We Make
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
S5-EP6: Hollywood Nightmares Part 1, DNA Surprises, and the Power of Story — with Alan Katz
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
S5-EP5: Haunted Hats, Ghostly Doors & The Coffee That Knows Your Name – with Eddie Ravenscar
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
S5-EP4: G. Michael Hopf on Survival, Storytelling & the Cycles of Collapse
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
S5 EP3: Quantum Ghosts & Conscious Echoes — A Return to the Afterlife Conversation with Howie
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
S5 EP2: Grace, Glitter, and Gophers — Mike Tentis Sings and Shines
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
S5-EP1: How to Be a Rockstar Screenwriter: David Silverman on ALF, Anxiety, and the Art of Resilience
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
S4-EP37: Ink, Identity, and the Unknown: MD Neu on Writing the Queer Beyond
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
S4-EP36: Pride Month Special: Faith, Identity, and the Fight for Love
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
S4-EP35: Springtown, SoulMop™, and Spirits: Chris Laird Returns
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
S4-EP34: Cold Reads and Cosmic Chaos (with Chris Turek & Howie)
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
S4-EP33: Reflections and Reels: Acting, Hauntings, and AI with Chris Laird
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
S4-EP32: Becoming, Belonging, and Ballads – Part 2 with Vinny Masincupp
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
S4-EP31 B:How Spirit Talk Show Was Born: A Personal Origin Story
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
S4-EP31: Spring, Soul & Satire – Part 1 with Vinny Masincupp
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
S4-EP30: Love Wins, Time Slips, and the Voice That Resonates - John Demakas
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
S4-EP29: The Invention of Liberation: Chapter 12: The Second Law of Thermodynamics
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
S4-EP28: The Invention of Liberation: Chapter 11 Emergent Properties
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
S4-EP27: The Invention of Liberation: Chapter 10 Prediction Theory
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
S4-E26: The Invention of Liberation: Chapter 9 – Schrödinger’s Radiated Cat
Starring Emery Oliver, Chris Turek & the ever-amazing Howie
In this emotionally charged and unexpectedly hilarious chapter, Jeff lies in a hospital bed after a radiation accident, trying to comfort his daughter Eva with terrible dad jokes and hopeful nanobot science. Between pudding mishaps, talking dolls, and fart jokes that refuse to grow old, this episode balances heartbreak and humor like
S4-E25: The Invention of Liberation, Chapter 8: Criticality
Just when things seemed to be settling down, Criticality detonates both literally and emotionally.
In Chapter 8 of The Invention of Liberation, we find Ava and Sandy basking in the afterglow of a much-needed gelato run, dissolving schoolyard cruelties with laughter and cartoons. But back at the barn, Jeff has other plans—specifically, installing a plutonium core into Rosie in hopes of finally achi
S4-E24: The Invention of Liberation, Chapter 7: The Theory of Relativity
Time jumps forward in this bittersweet and brilliant new chapter of The Invention of Liberation. Three years have passed—just like that—and Ava is no longer the tutu-wearing little girl from the orphanage, but a middle schooler facing a fresh round of challenges. Kids can be cruel, especially when you bring a beloved doll like Sandy to school. But as always, Ava’s support system—Jeff, Sandy, and a
S4-E23: The Invention of Liberation, Chapter 6: The Uncertainty Principle
In this heartwarming and hilarious new chapter, the Spirit Talk Show crew—Doyle, Emrie (ES Oliver), Chris Turek, and a cameo from the ever-adorable Howie—return for another installment of their AI-generated radio play The Invention of Liberation. This week’s episode dives into Chapter 6, “The Uncertainty Principle,” where science, soul, and surprises collide.
Ava, Sandy, and Jeff continue their wi
S4-EP22: The Invention of Liberation: Chapters 1 to 5 – A Journey Through Grief, Friendship, and Creativity
In this immersive episode of Spirit Talk Show, host Doyle is joined by acclaimed author ES Oliver, voice talent Chris Turek, and the ever-insightful Howie for a powerful exploration of storytelling, loss, and resilience. Together, they bring to life The Invention of Liberation, a gripping sci-fi radio play that blends personal grief with the transformative power of creativity.
As the story unfolds
S4-EP21: More Hudson Reyes Stories
In part two of my conversation with the kind and insightful Hudson Reyes, we continue exploring AI-generated stories and the emotions they spark. Hudson’s deep empathy and intelligence bring a unique depth to our discussion, as we reflect on storytelling, human connection, and the ways fiction often mirrors real-life experiences.
Of course, no conversation with Hudson would be complete without mor
S4-EP20: Hudson Reyes’ Heart & AI: Stories
On this episode of Spirit Talk Show, I’m joined by the kind, brilliant, and deeply empathetic Hudson Reyes, a soul who brings warmth and wisdom to every conversation. Calling Yuba City home, Hudson shares his unique perspective on life, emotions, and the beauty of human (and canine!) connection—including stories about his amazing dog, Chomps, who might just steal the show.
Together, we read AI-gen
S4-EP19: More Vintage Soul of Connor Dean & AI Stories
In this second part of my conversation with the ever-charming Connor Dean, we continue exploring AI-generated storytelling while diving deeper into the experiences that shaped him. From growing up Mormon in a small farming town to discovering his own path through photography, anime, carpentry, and design, Connor reflects on the moments that defined his journey.
We discuss the art of creation—wheth
S4-EP18: Vintage Soul Connor Dean & AI Stories
On this episode of Spirit Talk Show, I sit down with the delightful and multi-talented Connor Dean for an evening of AI-generated storytelling and heartfelt conversation. Raised in a small farming community in North Bay before moving to Grass Valley and eventually settling in Sacramento, Connor shares his journey of growing up Mormon, losing his mother at a young age, and navigating life as an ear
S4-EP17: More Quantum Consciousness & Life After Death
In this continuation of our deep dive intoQuantum Theory, Consciousness, and Reincarnation, we explore moreAI-generated stories that challenge our perception of reality, time, and the afterlife.
We expand on the scientific research behindquantum consciousness, discussing how theories like theholographic universe andbiocentrism suggest that life and death may not be what they seem. Could consciousn
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