Celebrity Interviews

Thaao Penghlis, the beloved actor with an incredible 44-year tenure on Days of Our Lives, joins the show to discuss his latest passion project—a three-part podcast series called "The Great Escape" available on Spotify and Amazon. Drawing from his nine journeys to Egypt over the years, Thaao shares the profound spiritual experiences that inspired this immersive audio drama about the Holy Family's escape into Egypt and the journey of the three wise men from Persia. The conversation delves into his transformative climb up Mount Sinai, where a monk living in a small church at the summit told him something that changed his perspective forever: "When you walk the path, you keep it alive." This philosophy has guided Thaao's approach to storytelling and his dedication to bringing historical and spiritual narratives to life through his work.

Thaao reveals the meticulous research behind the podcast, including his two-week journey visiting eight sacred spaces throughout Egypt and staying overnight at each location to truly absorb their significance. He uncovers fascinating historical details that challenge common assumptions about the nativity story—such as why Herod's massacre of the innocents targeted children under two years old (because the wise men didn't arrive until Christ was nearly two). The actor discusses how Christianity came to Egypt through the Coptic religion, his discovery of the Church of the Palm (named for Christ child's handprint, not palm trees), and recently excavated areas of ancient Heliopolis featured in National Geographic. Beyond the podcast, Thaao reflects on his extraordinary longevity in the entertainment industry, the importance of chemistry on set, playing two characters on Days of Our Lives to keep his work multidimensional, and his life philosophy centered on "the gift of giving" rather than hoarding—a mindset that has brought him riches in life experiences and fulfillment.

Bruce Buffer, the iconic voice of the UFC known worldwide for his electrifying "It's Time!" announcement, shares his extraordinary story with host Neil Haley and co-host Caregiver Dave. Buffer reveals how he discovered at age 28 that boxing announcer Michael Buffer—famous for "Let's Get Ready to Rumble"—was his long-lost half-brother, and how four years later he became Michael's manager and business partner, trademarking the phrase and building an empire around it. After running numerous successful companies as "the Wolf of LA" in telemarketing, Buffer found his true calling at age 37 when he became the UFC's announcer, the same age Michael was when he started. He explains his philosophy of BSC (Balls, Skill, and Confidence), emphasizing that entrepreneurs must monetize their passion to live a lifestyle rather than just work a job, and shares how he wakes up every day reminding himself "it's time to have the best day possible."

Buffer discusses his journey from cold-calling the UFC in its early days to becoming an integral part of building the world's fastest-growing sport into a $4.2 billion franchise. He recounts how he convinced Fox to air the first live UFC fight on network television, got fighters on Jay Leno and the Today Show, and created his own distinctive announcing style rather than copying his legendary brother. The conversation takes a touching turn as Buffer shares his caregiving experiences with his 92-year-old mother, whose collapsed lung doctors said would never recover but did thanks to his refusal to give up, and his late father, a Marine veteran who taught him to project his voice and stand tall. Buffer also reveals his latest ventures, including Puncher's Chance bourbon—a premium Kentucky bourbon with a bottle designed in France—and his upcoming cologne and energy product lines, demonstrating that at 63, he remains as entrepreneurial and passionate as ever.

NHL legend Bernie Nicholls takes host Neil Haley on a journey through his remarkable hockey career, from growing up in a tiny Canadian town of 75 people to scoring 70 goals in a single season and playing alongside the greatest hockey player of all time. Nicholls discusses how he broke the LA Kings' goal-scoring record the same year Wayne Gretzky joined the team, and how "The Great One's" arrival transformed not only the Kings franchise but hockey in California, leading to sold-out arenas and the creation of the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks. He explains the concept of how great players see the ice differently—how the game "slows down" for elite athletes with exceptional vision and hockey sense, a gift that cannot be taught but separates superstars from merely talented players.

Nicholls reflects on his nine years with the Kings, experiencing the dramatic culture shock of moving from rural Canada to Los Angeles with palm trees and 70-degree weather, and later playing for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and New Jersey Devils. He reached the conference finals four times but never won a Stanley Cup as a player, though he found redemption as a coach with the 2012 champion LA Kings. Throughout the conversation, Nicholls emphasizes hockey as the ultimate team sport where selfishness has no place, and discusses his current work on changing California's constitution to create a new sports economy, his passion for hunting, and his desire to be remembered as someone who competed with passion, worked hard every night, and truly loved the game. This episode offers rare insights into the mind of a hockey great and the golden era when Gretzky brought hockey fever to Southern California.

New York Times bestselling author and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino sits down with host Neil Haley to discuss his book "The Fight: A Secret Service Agent's Inside Account of Security Failings and the Political Machine." Bongino opens up about the shocking 2014 White House fence-jumping incident, explaining how bureaucratic dysfunction allowed a security failure that everyone in the Secret Service knew existed for decades to continue unchanged. He provides a rare insider's perspective on how government agencies are managed and why the same bureaucratic problems plague everything from presidential security to social security and anti-poverty programs, while also highlighting what the Secret Service does right in protecting the most threatened person on earth.

In this candid conversation, Bongino discusses the unique challenge of serving as a lead agent on President Obama's detail while holding conservative Republican political views. He explains how he maintained absolute professionalism despite political differences, even transferring to the Baltimore field office for six months before leaving the agency to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Bongino emphasizes the importance of separating personal respect from political disagreement, sharing stories from his congressional campaign where he knocked on 7,000 doors and learned that treating people with dignity—regardless of party affiliation—is essential for productive dialogue. This episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of presidential protection and the personal journey of a man who left a prestigious career to fight for his political beliefs while maintaining respect for those he once protected.

Burt Ward, television's original Robin from the legendary 1960s Batman series, joins host Neil Haley to discuss the 50th anniversary of the iconic show and his remarkable journey from crimefighter to animal lifesaver. Ward reveals that he and Adam West have been submitted to the Guinness Book of Records as the only two actors in history to work together 50 years after their original collaboration, and teases an exciting new project with the Dynamic Duo coming later this year. However, the heart of this conversation focuses on Ward's true passion: Gentle Giants Rescue, the organization he founded with his wife 22 years ago that has saved over 15,500 dogs from euthanasia.

Ward shares his groundbreaking discovery of how to double the lifespan of dogs through proper nutrition and care, with 24 of his current dogs living between 15 and 26 years old—giant breeds that typically only live seven to nine years. With 50 or more dogs living in his home at all times, Ward discusses the development of Gentle Giants dog food, now available at Walmart and Amazon, emphasizing that he takes no profit from sales and that every bag includes a phone number for free veterinary and behavioral advice. This inspiring episode showcases how Ward has channeled his celebrity into a mission that gives families more precious years with their beloved pets, helping children avoid learning about death at a young age and allowing dogs to live healthy lives well into their twenties.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Emerson Martin joins the Neil Haley Show to share his unconventional path to the NFL and his current success transforming Delaware State University's football program. Martin discusses his decision to attend Hampton University over major Division I programs, prioritizing education with his mathematics degree over football glamor in an era when the NFL wasn't the lucrative career it is today. He provides fascinating insights into Super Bowl XXX, suggesting quarterback Neil O'Donnell's two critical interceptions to the Cowboys may not have been accidental, noting how the Steelers dominated Dallas that day—holding Emmitt Smith under 50 yards—but lost due to those two plays. Martin's reflections on the unique family atmosphere of the Steelers organization under the Rooney family reveal why so many players maintain lifelong connections to Pittsburgh.

Now serving as offensive line coach at Delaware State, Martin explains his coaching philosophy rooted in mathematics and geometry, viewing football through calculated angles and strategic positioning. His impact has been immediate and dramatic—transforming a program that won only eight games in four years into an eight-win season in his first year. Martin discusses navigating the transfer portal era, losing talented players to Power Five schools while using his NFL coaching experience and extensive relationships to attract new talent. His previous work with Players and Pros placed over 200 students in colleges nationwide, demonstrating his commitment to mentorship beyond the field. Martin's journey from Kansas City Chiefs rookie to Pittsburgh Steeler, including a memorable conversation with Terry Bradshaw that provided life-changing encouragement, showcases the power of relationships in building both playing and coaching careers.

Tim Smith from Discovery Channel's "Moonshiners" reveals the incredible true story of how he became the face of modern moonshining on national television—and how he manages to stay out of jail while doing it. After a producer from McGill Entertainment showed up at his house looking for his father (who refused to participate and later passed away), Tim called back two months later and offered to show them the 300-year tradition that helped build America. He explains the fundamental economics of moonshining: no taxes, customized products tailored to established customers, and pure profit margins that legal distilleries can't match. Unlike legal alcohol sitting on shelves relying on "pretty labels," moonshine is sold through pre-existing relationships where the product is already contracted before it's even made. Tim has never been arrested despite being on television because he follows one simple rule—only show where you were, never where you are or will be.

The interview takes fascinating turns as Tim reveals the extreme measures he takes to maintain his secrecy while starring in a reality show. He uses alias names, has no social media presence, no internet connection, and had to drive 12 miles just to get cell service for this interview. Tim explains how moonshining falls under multiple jurisdictions—local, state, federal, and specialized agencies like the ATF—but law enforcement can only arrest you in the act of committing a crime, not for what you did last year in a different location. He dismisses concerns about the IRS with a wry observation about accountability and knowing who you are, suggesting his hidden lifestyle protects him even while appearing on television. Tim's operation continues a legacy passed down from his father, serving customers who have been buying for years in a cash business that exists entirely outside the system—proving that in America, some traditions are impossible to regulate away.

Actress Melissa Roxburgh joins The Neil Haley Show to discuss the highly anticipated second season of her gripping thriller series about hunting serial killers who are secretly imprisoned rather than executed. Melissa reveals what makes the show so binge-worthy—the perfect balance of gore, personal drama, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, with each episode containing its own subplots while building toward bigger revelations. She discusses the major cliffhangers from season one that get resolved, including what happens to the poisoned character Odell and the shocking discovery that Lazarus herself was a serial killer, evidenced by a barcode found on the bottom of her foot. The actress shares her genuine fascination with criminology, explaining how she once considered becoming a criminologist before finding a way to scratch that itch through acting in crime dramas.

Beyond the show's intense subject matter, Melissa opens up about the incredible cast chemistry that makes coming to work feel like hanging out with a big friend group. She describes how the ensemble has developed an intuitive understanding of each other—knowing when someone needs space to sleep or a hug on a tough day, and regularly spending time together off set. Melissa also reflects on her transition from the long-running series Manifest to this new project, discussing how the "weirder and wackier" serial killers this season offer true crime and murder podcast fans exactly what they're looking for. With criminology courses under her belt and a deep interest in understanding the minds of killers, Melissa brings genuine passion to her role in a show that asks the provocative question: what if there really is a secret place where captured serial killers are kept alive?

Jane Seymour discusses her remarkable career spanning from playing Maria Callas to her iconic role as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman—which still airs in 98 countries globally—while promoting her groundbreaking Playboy spread and Pop TV's comedy series "Let's Get Physical." Jane reflects on her most challenging roles, explaining that playing Callas was particularly difficult because actual footage existed for comparison and she had to convincingly portray an opera singer. She shares how her parents' World War II experiences (her mother in an internment camp, her father opening the gates of Bergen-Belsen) made "War and Remembrance" deeply meaningful, while "Somewhere in Time" remains her quintessential romance and "East of Eden" stands as a classic achievement alongside 160-170 hours of beautifully written Dr. Quinn episodes.

The legendary actress passionately advocates that women aren't "dead at 40 or 50" and emphasizes that sensuality comes from within—from feeling comfortable in your own skin without resorting to permanent surgeries. In "Let's Get Physical," Jane plays Janet Force, who inherits her late husband's 1980s aerobics empire after he created the fitness craze that Jane Fonda later popularized. She must revive the old-fashioned business while competing with modern metrics-driven fitness technology and convince her son—a failed aerobics star turned overweight rock musician with substance abuse issues—to win the National Aerobics Championship against his old nemesis Barry Cross. Beyond acting, Jane reveals her incredibly busy schedule managing 14 different design businesses including furniture, jewelry, and her Open Hearts collection, writing books, conducting art shows throughout Florida, and running the Open Hearts Foundation that accelerates smaller nonprofits, all while maintaining an active Instagram presence where she posts daily updates about her multifaceted life.

Mario Van Peebles brings his signature charisma to discussing Syfy's "Superstition," where he serves as director, writer, producer, and actor in a Gothic Americana series that explores the rich tapestry of American supernatural folklore. Drawing from his upbringing in the Van Peebles independent film family business—which he compares to growing up on a family farm where you learn every aspect of the operation—Mario explains how working with Clint Eastwood on "Heartbreak Ridge" reinforced the value of understanding all aspects of filmmaking. He dismisses the notion that his diverse recognition across demographics (from military fans of "Heartbreak Ridge" to brothers who loved "New Jack City" to Broadway audiences) means different things, noting with humor that people who've seen his "early porn work" are disappointed—though he's kidding about that last part.

Mario's vision for "Superstition" goes beyond typical monster-of-the-week storytelling, focusing on a loving family running the Hastings Funeral Home while battling infernal demons emerging as humanity damages the planet. He emphasizes incorporating the wisdom his father Melvin Van Peebles passed down, like "luck is preparation meets opportunity" and "it's not the stuff you face that defines you, it's how you face it that reveals you." Working alongside his daughter Morgana (who plays his granddaughter and enjoys calling him "grandpa" to his annoyance) and featuring a diverse cast representing white, Black, straight, and gay characters, the show forces audiences to embrace and learn from the human family that is America. Mario admits he avoids superstitions generally but confesses to recently disposing of his day-of-the-week socks after mixing up Thursday and Friday pairs felt like bad luck, and he definitely wasn't walking under a ladder on Friday the 13th while filming.