In the season finale of Good Listen, I sit down with Jim Murphy—former professional athlete, mental performance coach, and author of the transformative book Inner Excellence. Jim opens up to me about his tumultuous journey from a minor league baseball player grappling with career-threatening vision issues to a sought-after coach guiding elite athletes and executives worldwide. He shares the pivotal moment his life changed forever: a chance encounter with a homeless man named Zoe during a mental health crisis, which sparked a spiritual awakening and reshaped his understanding of purpose.Jim talks about how Inner Excellence unexpectedly skyrocketed to fame after NFL star AJ Brown was spotted reading it during a playoff game, catapulting the book into the spotlight. He dives into profound insights on overcoming self-centeredness, embracing humility, and pursuing a life of “fullness” over fleeting success. Through raw anecdotes—from his struggles in the minors to coaching Olympians and PGA Tour champions—Jim reveals how faith, self-awareness, and resilience can redefine greatness.This conversation is a raw, deeply human exploration of finding joy beyond accolades, the power of divine timing, and why true excellence begins within. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply seeking meaning, Jim’s story will challenge you to rethink what it means to live your best possible life.“Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life” is available now.

I sat down with my longtime friend and radio pro Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy for a chat that felt like catching up over coffee—if that coffee came with wild stories, raw honesty, and a few laughs. You might remember Annie from our days together at WPLJ or her recent gig at WCBS-FM, but trust me, her journey doesn’t stop there.We talked about what it’s like to rebuild after getting laid off (again), how she’s crushing it at the gym instead of drowning in pints of ice cream (cough PLJ days cough), and why social media isn’t just for memes—it’s her lifeline to listeners who’ve stuck with her for decades. Oh, and did I mention she’s raising three boys while plotting her next career move? Spoiler: This mom’s got hustle.We dove into the messy magic of balancing work and family, the actual reason she married her “big goofball” husband Sean (hint: teamwork makes the dream work), and why radio’s live, unfiltered chaos still has her hooked. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “What’s next?” and “How do I adult?,” this one’s for you.Catch Annie’s unstoppable energy on Instagram @annieonair—and don’t forget to smash that thumbs-up button or leave a review if this convo hit home. Want more? Swing by joepadavila.com for past episodes. Thanks for hanging with us! 🎧✨

In my latest Good Listen episode, I chat with Kevin Griffin, frontman of the iconic 90s band Better Than Ezra. Kevin takes me through his fascinating journey from starting as a college band at LSU to achieving lasting success in the ever-changing music industry. We discuss how the business has transformed dramatically from the CD-selling boom days to today's streaming economy. Kevin reveals how a pivotal meeting with legendary manager Alan Kovac pushed him to diversify beyond Better Than Ezra, leading to incredible opportunities writing for artists like Taylor Swift and Sugarland. We explore his expansion into music publishing, festival creation, and his recent business parable book about creativity. Kevin shares his practical methods for staying relevant, managing time effectively, and maintaining creative longevity in a cutthroat industry. Don't miss this insightful conversation about reinvention, adaptation, and finding continued success through collaboration and curiosity.

Estelle’s story is one of those that makes you stop and think, "Why not?" At 40, she decided to cross something off her bucket list that most people wouldn’t even consider—visiting a nude beach for the first time. What started as a personal challenge turned into a life-changing experience, and eventually, a viral moment thanks to the Daily Mail.We dove into what inspired her to take that leap, how it’s reshaped her outlook on life, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. But Estelle isn’t just about nudist beaches—she’s also a powerhouse when it comes to social media. Known as the "Insta Queen," she shared some incredible tips on how to navigate the ever-changing world of algorithms, build a personal brand, and even how to use AI as a tool without losing your authentic voice.So whether you’re curious about the nudist lifestyle, looking to up your social media game, or just need a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new, this episode is for you. And hey, if you enjoy the chat, don’t forget to hit that thumbs up button—it’s clothing optional!

I’ve got Sarah Pribis on the show this week. Sarah has been a working actor for years, navigating the ups and downs of the gig economy that comes with the entertainment industry. From her early days bartending to landing roles on Broadway, TV, and even hosting the popular game show app HQ, Sarah has seen it all. We dive into the realities of being a working actor—how she balances creative fulfillment with the need to pay the bills, the challenges of taking on less glamorous jobs like audiobook narration and corporate training videos, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Sarah opens up about her experience with HQ, the pressures of being in the spotlight, and how she’s learned to embrace the journey rather than fixate on the destination. We also talk about the joy she finds in her work, the camaraderie of being on set, and how she’s using her platform to inspire others, whether it’s through her transparency about the acting grind or her discussions on sobriety and mental health. Our talk is a candid look at what it means to pursue a career in acting, the resilience it takes to keep going, and the importance of finding purpose in both the big and small moments. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be a working actor in today’s world, this episode is for you. Tune in and join us for an inspiring and heartfelt chat with Sarah Pribis.

I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly talented K.L. Walther, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules and her latest release, While We’re Young.We dive into so many fun topics, from her journey as an author (and how she went from writing her first manuscript in college to becoming a BookTok sensation) to her love for pop culture and how it influences her writing. We even geek out over one of our favorite movies, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and how it inspired her latest book.KL also opens up about the challenges of writing, dealing with rejection, and how she stitches together her characters from real-life threads (without causing any family drama, thankfully!). Plus, we talk about the magic of BookTok, how it’s changed the game for authors, and what it’s like to have your book go viral.If you’re a fan of young adult romance, pop culture, or just love hearing about the behind-the-scenes of an author’s life, this episode is for you.

On this episode, I’m sitting down with Jonna Naegele. Jonna is an actress, acting coach, certified brain health professional, and an intimacy coordinator. We talked about what it’s like to be an actor in today’s world, the importance of diversifying your skills, and how to navigate the ups and downs of the industry. Jonna shared her journey from acting to coaching and how she’s helping the next generation of actors not just survive but thrive. We also dove into her role as an intimacy coordinator, a position that’s become more prominent in recent years. She gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how she ensures intimate scenes on set are handled with care, consent, and professionalism. From choreographing steamy moments to managing emotional dynamics between actors, Jonna’s work is fascinating and so important. We also talked about the challenges actors face in their personal lives, especially when it comes to balancing on-set intimacy with real-life relationships. Jonna offered some great advice on how to maintain trust and communication with partners while pursuing a demanding career in acting. Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a seasoned pro, or just curious about how Hollywood works, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips. Jonna’s stories and advice are inspiring, and I walked away from this conversation with a whole new appreciation for the art of acting and the people who make it happen.

In this episode of Good Listen, I sit down with the unstoppable Keith L. Brown—also known as Mr. I’m Possible. From being labeled "special ed" as a child to becoming an internationally acclaimed speaker, Keith’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and pure energy. We talk about his journey from a talkative, high-energy kid to a speaker who commands stages around the world, inspiring thousands. Keith shares the pivotal moments that shaped him, from the teachers who believed in him to the sacrifices he made to build his speaking career—yes, those early gigs were mostly free. He also drops invaluable wisdom for aspiring speakers, parents, and anyone looking to turn obstacles into opportunities. Get ready for a conversation filled with motivation, insight, and a whole lot of "we gon’ make it anyway" energy. Tune in and let’s get inspired!

In this episode, I sit down with Lisann Valentin, a fascinating human who has walked an unconventional path from lawyer to actress to shaman. She shares how she helps guide high-profile leaders to connect with their "Akashic intelligence," drawing from ancient spiritual wisdom that spans multiple cultures and religions. We explore her remarkable journey, including how her grandfather secretly practiced as a curandero (healer) in Puerto Rico while maintaining a public Catholic identity, and how she initially resisted her own spiritual gifts before embracing them fully during a pivotal moment on the social media platform, Clubhouse in 2020. Lisann offers a fresh perspective on spirituality, describing it not as rigid doctrine but as a connection to "the highest forms of unconditional love," while sharing practical wisdom about breaking free from life's routines, learning to love ourselves, and finding purpose beyond external validation. This conversation challenged my own preconceptions about spirituality and offered a compelling look at how ancient wisdom might help us navigate modern challenges.