Beyond the Draft

What do you do when a drunk driver takes away the voice you built an entire career on, and ten years later, you find a way to use it again?

Laura Van Wormer is a longtime novelist whose 1988 debut, Riverside Drive, was a bestseller, followed by 13 more novels with major publishing houses. In 2015, a head-on collision left her with a crushed collarbone, 16 broken ribs, and what she calls her "ventilator voice." Nearly unable to write another novel for years, she found her way back through an unexpected medium: a serialized fiction podcast called The Class of '74.

In this episode, Laura shares how a suggestion from her partner to try podcasting after her 50th high school reunion sparked an entirely new chapter in her writing life, why writing what you know shaped both her career and her recovery, and how The Class of '74 has connected with strangers around the world who never lived through 1971. She also opens up about her early career at Doubleday and writing tie-in novels for Dynasty, Dallas, and Knots Landing.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. Recovering her voice, physically and creatively, after a near-fatal accident
2. The suggestion that sparked The Class of '74
3. Writing serialized fiction as a podcast versus print novels
4. Her early publishing career at Doubleday and beyond
5. Why writing what you know resonates so deeply with readers
6. How podcast storytelling can soothe loneliness

CONNECT WITH LAURA VAN WORMER:

Podcast: The Class of '74

Facebook, YouTube & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What if the biggest threat to your best employees isn't the workload, it's the leader standing in front of them?

Bryan Hughes originally set out to become a music teacher before switching into professional sales and eventually spending 30 years leading high-performing teams, including P&L accountability for $750M and more than 4,000 employees. His doctoral dissertation focused on helping organizations recover after a toxic leader had been removed, which became the foundation for his Amazon best-selling book, Toxicity: Let's Finally Do Something About It.

In this episode, Bryan breaks down why great people don't usually quit the work, they quit the environment, the warning signs of toxic leadership that companies love to ignore, and the everyday behaviors that quietly build or destroy trust on a team. He also shares what it actually takes to recover a culture after toxic leadership has done its damage.

What We Talked About:

1. Why employees leave environments, not jobs
2. Warning signs of toxic leadership companies often ignore
3. Everyday behaviors that build or destroy trust
4. How organizations recover after removing a toxic leader
5. The most valuable leadership skill in the age of AI
6. Building teams people actually want to stay on

Connect with Bryan Hughes:

Website: (linked on his profile)

Free organizational health quiz: culturequiz.cleardaystrategies.com

Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: linked on his profile

What if ancient history was actually a lot more accepting, and a lot more gay, than the history books ever let on?

Neil Laird is a multiple Emmy-nominated director and executive producer who's spent nearly three decades making historical documentaries for Discovery, BBC, PBS, History Channel, and National Geographic, filming in over 70 countries. After years of uncovering what TV and textbooks got wrong about the ancient world, he began writing comedic novels inspired by his time in the field, starting with Prime Time Travelers.

In this episode, Neil shares what same-sex life actually looked like in ancient Egypt, Rome, and other cultures, compared to how it's typically portrayed today. He opens up about the real story behind making historical TV documentaries, what it's been like traveling the world as an openly gay filmmaker, often in difficult locations, and how streaming and AI are reshaping the future of the genre he helped build.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. Same-sex life in ancient Egypt, Rome, and beyond
2. The real story behind making TV documentaries
3. Traveling the world as an out filmmaker in difficult locations
4. How streaming changed TV for viewers and creators alike
5. Whether AI threatens the future of documentary production
6. Turning decades of TV experience into comedic historical fiction

CONNECT WITH NEIL LAIRD:

Website: (linked on his profile)

IMDb: full list of his shows

Facebook, LinkedIn & TikTok: linked on his profile

What stories get lost when history is only told by the winners, or by those who left before the hardest parts happened?

Tudor Alexander is a Romanian-born novelist and author of seven published novels, four in the U.S., focused on immigrants and the experience of leaving home for a new language and culture. His recent novels, The Last Patient and In Darkness and Light, explore life in pre- and post-WWII communist Romania, drawing on his grandmother's memories, his mother-in-law's deportation during WWII, and his own immigration to the U.S. nearly 50 years ago.

In this episode, Tudor shares why he chose communist Romania as the backdrop for his novels, how much of his work is rooted in real family history versus research, and what he discovered about resilience, love, and ordinary life persisting even under political oppression. He also reflects on his own immigrant experience and why he believes these overlooked stories still matter today.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. Preserving family memory through historical fiction
2. Life in pre- and post-WWII communist Romania
3. How authoritarian regimes shape families across generations
4. Balancing historical accuracy with storytelling
5. His own immigration story and what he left behind
6. Why family sagas are such a powerful lens for history

CONNECT WITH TUDOR ALEXANDER:

Website: linked on his profile

Facebook: linked on his profile

What does it take to hold onto faith after burying your own child, and then losing your spouse not long after?

Dr. Raj Javalgi is an author, educator, and business consultant who spent over 30 years in higher education, serving as Dean and Associate Dean at business schools including Cleveland State University and Walsh University. But behind the academic achievements lies a story of profound loss, he and his wife buried their daughter, who lived only twenty-one days, and later, his wife passed after facing devastating health issues of her own. He's the author of Conquering Life's Battles, a book born from walking through some of life's hardest seasons while still holding onto God's grace.

In this episode, Dr. Raj opens up about what carried him and his wife through the loss of their daughter, why so many people struggle to actually heal after tragedy rather than just survive it, and what he believes people need most for good mental health in today's world. He also shares the core message he hopes every reader takes away from his book.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

- Holding onto faith through the loss of a child and a spouse

- Why healing after tragedy is different from simply surviving it

- What people need most for good mental health today

- The core message behind Conquering Life's Battles

- Finding grace and hope in life's darkest moments

CONNECT WITH DR. RAJ JAVALGI:

Website: linked on his profile

Book: victoriouspathway.com/product/conquering-lifes-battles/

What happens when conventional medicine can't fix your nine-month-old's repeated ear infections, but a single natural remedy does?

Abby Beale is a certified classical homeopath who's spent over two decades studying and practicing homeopathy since 2003. A former speed reading and learning expert, she brought her love of deep study into homeopathy after her own child's health crisis convinced her there was more to explore beyond conventional medicine. She's the creator of Homeopathy Primer, a 384-page study guide built with contributions from over 35 homeopaths.

In this episode, Abby explains what homeopathy actually is and how it works, the moment her son's ear infections convinced her to dive into this field, and the difference between homeopathy and naturopathy. She also shares how people can start using homeopathic remedies at home for acute ailments, and where to find a qualified homeopath.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. The ear infection story that started her homeopathy journey
2. What homeopathy is and how it actually works
3. Homeopathy vs. naturopathy
4. Getting started with homeopathic remedies at home
5. Building Homeopathy Primer with over 35 contributors
6. Free resources like her "Tea with a Homeopath" sessions

CONNECT WITH ABBY BEALE:

Website: homeopathyhealings.com

Book: homeopathyprimer.com

Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What changes when a person spends 50 years living an ordinary American life, and then, almost by accident, starts meditating?

Dean Graves is a meditation teacher, mental health counselor, and spiritual guide with over 25 years of experience helping people move toward greater self-awareness and healing. Around his 50th year, he began meditating and gleaned insights he now believes have been given to humanity throughout history, but repeatedly distorted or lost. He's the host of the podcast Infinitely One.

In this episode, Dean explores what consciousness actually is and why understanding it matters, why stress and suffering are so pervasive in the human experience, and what he believes happens when we die. He also shares his perspective on humanity's purpose in creation, and what he believes true enlightenment looks like.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. The meditation practice that reshaped his life at 50
2. What consciousness is, and why it matters
3. Why stress and suffering are pervasive to humanity
4. His perspective on death, purpose, and creation
5. What enlightenment actually means
6. Healing from stress and suffering through awareness

CONNECT WITH DEAN GRAVES:

Website: ddeangraves.org

Podcast: Infinitely One

Facebook, YouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

What if the way to fix a country's biggest problems isn't through louder arguments, but through the same diagnostic thinking an engineer uses on a malfunctioning system?

Henryk A. Kowalczyk was born in Poland and lived under socialism before immigrating to the United States in 1985. In 1981, Polish censors blocked the printing of his book questioning the system he lived under. Decades later, he's the author of Can America ever be great again?, a book that examines immigration, healthcare, taxation, education, and government spending not through partisan talking points, but through the lens of someone who has spent a lifetime solving problems.

In this episode, Henryk shares how living under a centralized government in Poland shaped the way he now views freedom, local decision-making, and personal responsibility in America. He draws on historical case studies, from Ancient Rome to the Soviet Union, to explain why some nations sustain prosperity while others lose momentum, and challenges readers to diagnose problems before prescribing solutions.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. Growing up under socialism in Poland and immigrating to the U.S.
2. Approaching national problems like an engineer diagnosing a system
3. Lessons from Ancient Rome, Norway, Argentina, and the Soviet Union
4. Freedom, local decision-making, and personal responsibility
5. Practical policy ideas on immigration, healthcare, and education
6. Why the book invites debate instead of demanding agreement

CONNECT WITH HENRYK A. KOWALCZYK:

Book: available on Amazon

Facebook, Twitter/X & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

What happens when the person who once struggled to feel heard becomes the person creating spaces for others to speak?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, Imma sits down with Noah May—journalist, storyteller, and host of three podcasts—to explore his journey from battling depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation to finding his voice through journalism, podcasting, and honest conversations.

Noah opens up about the experiences that shaped him, why he became vocal about mental health, and how his difficult seasons ultimately influenced the work he does today.

They also explore the power of storytelling, the connection between mental health and creativity, and what it takes to start using your voice even when you don't feel ready.

If you've ever felt like you don't belong, struggled with your mental health, or wondered whether your story is worth sharing, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Noah

🌐 Website: "noahspodcasts.com" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/1)

📧 Email: [email protected]

💼 LinkedIn: "Noah May on LinkedIn" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/3)

📘 Facebook: "Noah's Podcasts on Facebook" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/4)

📸 Instagram: "Noah on Instagram" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/5)

🎵 Music Talks Instagram: "Music Talks on Instagram" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/6)

🎵 TikTok: "Noah's Podcasts on TikTok" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/7)

▶️ YouTube: "Noah's Podcasts on YouTube" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/8)

🐦 X/Twitter: "Noah's Podcasts on X" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/9)

Explore Noah's Work

Noah hosts three podcasts covering honest conversations, books, and music. His website also features his writing, podcast projects, and additional content.

What do you do when you've done everything right, and it still doesn't feel like success?

Chad Betz is the author of An Authentic Success: You Aren't Too Old and It's Not Too Late!, and a financial services professional with over 30 years of experience in leadership, turnaround management, and executive coaching. His own mid-career crisis, sitting alone in a parking garage asking why years of hard work didn't feel like success, became the catalyst for the frameworks he now teaches around reinvention, sunk cost thinking, and redefining success on your own terms.

In this episode, Chad breaks down the sunk cost fallacy and how it keeps capable people trapped in careers and identities that no longer fit, what he calls the Frustration Energy Cycle, and why he believes experience is an asset, not a liability, no matter your age. He also shares the first three actions someone should take this week if they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or convinced they've missed their chance.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

1. The parking garage moment that changed everything
2. Why success can feel hollow even after "doing everything right"
3. The sunk cost fallacy and how it traps people in the wrong path
4. The Frustration Energy Cycle
5. Reinventing yourself in your 40s, 50s, and beyond
6. First steps for anyone who feels stuck right now

CONNECT WITH CHAD BETZ:

Website: anauthenticsuccess.com

Facebook, YouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile