Raised in a blue-collar family and expected to follow the safe path of factory work, our guest spent years wrestling with the weight of other people’s stories—until everything fell apart. At 32, facing heartbreak and depression, and considering ending it all, he made a bold decision to leave behind the life he’d settled for and chased his true passion: broadcasting.

In this deeply honest conversation, he shares how growing up in a working-class neighborhood shaped his beliefs, why it took him decades to break free from limiting expectations, and how a painful divorce became the catalyst for reinvention. From his first steps into a radio booth to eventually producing and anchoring TV news and winning Emmy Awards. This is a story about starting over when the world says it’s too late, and about finding your voice no matter where you begin.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your upbringing or doubted it was possible to change course, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and write a new story.

Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

You can find Bob Dlugos' book "Last Words of the Famous and Infamous" available on Amazon.

What happens when you marry a stranger for money — and end up mourning them as a widow?
This week on Earth Monster Jen tells a raw, haunting (and surprisingly funny) tale about how she married a complete stranger for a good story... and some cash of course. A legally binding, secret-filled friendship that ended in a real life tragedy. From a catfished Tinder date to a wedding officiated at a strip mall, while the groom was on acid, Jen takes us through the messy, dark, and strangely beautiful twists of a story that defies every expectation.
She thought it was just legal. Just business. Just a plot point. But grief doesn’t care about your contract.

Born with spina bifida and told he’d never walk, talk, or live independently. Against every expectation, Peter Rico has forged his own path—drawing strength from his family, his love of storytelling, and a relentless determination to overcome both physical and environmental obstacles.

Peter opens up about growing up in a neighborhood surrounded by drugs and gang violence while navigating the challenges of a disability, and the “necessary delusions” that fueled his grit and resilience. From childhood surgeries and daily pain to the influence of his hardworking grandfather and the escape of video games and books, Peter’s journey is a testament to the power of self-belief, hard work, and the refusal to be defined by others’ limitations.

If you’ve ever felt underestimated or struggled to find your own strength, Peter’s story will inspire you to embrace vulnerability, defy expectations, and celebrate every victory—no matter how small.

Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that have helped to shape (or mis-shape) our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human through talking to strangers on Craigslist.

In this episode of the Earth Monster podcast, we connect with Jacob, a man who has escaped the digital world through living in his van without a smart phone for nearly 5 years. Jacob shares the realizations that led to him changing his life and how ditching his smartphone and stepping away from the internet has led to profound personal growth, deeper relationships, and a renewed sense of self. But it has also challenged him greatly in the areas of his family, friendships, and sense of belonging in modern society.

Through candid storytelling, Jacob explores the hidden costs of digital life: the erosion of attention, the outsourcing of our cognition, and the loss of authentic human connection. He also discusses the unexpected benefits of isolation, the importance of truth-seeking, and how living offline has strengthened his marriage and sharpened his mind.He also unexpectedly stumbles on the origin of his necessary delusion, which reveals WHY he feels these sacrifices are so necessary.

Listen along and find a piece of yourself in his story as we celebrate vulnerability, question the true impact of technology, and uncover the stories that shape or misshape our lives. If you’ve ever wondered what life is like beyond the screen, this episode is for you.

In the premiere episode of the Earth Monster podcast, we dive deep into the story of Shannon Kringen, an artist and storyteller who discovers the impact that one song had on shaping her identity and helping her to heal after her parent's divorce. As a child caught between two worlds, Shannon found solace and identity in Tom Petty’s “Refugee,” a track that became her anthem of survival and self-discovery. Through candid conversation, Shannon reveals how music helped her navigate the emotional turbulence of family separation, code-switching between parents, and the ongoing journey to find her authentic self.

Listen along and find a piece of yourself in her story as we celebrate vulnerability, explore the messy truths that shape us, and discover how the right song at the right moment can transform a life. If you’ve ever felt lost, divided, or searching for your voice, this episode is for you.

Welcome to Earth Monster, the storytelling show that celebrates vulnerability and speaks to the darkest messiest little parts of your heart about the lies that we tell ourselves every day. The stories that we used to get out of bed, the fantasies that we let propel our lives. I called these things necessary delusions, and I am really interested in talking about the biggest ideas that we have had about ourselves and the world around us that have helped to shape and mis shape the path that we've taken in life.