Dr. Imani Cheers, commentator, cultural curator, and professor at The George Washington University, explores why Thriller remains a timeless cultural touchstone more than 40 years later. From Quincy Jones’ genius as a boundary-breaking producer to Michael Jackson’s creative evolution, Dr. Cheers unpacks how collaboration and storytelling can transcend genre, race, and time.

Our conversation widens to today’s media landscape: what it means to be media literate, how algorithms shape our worldview, and why community and optimism are acts of resistance. Dr. Cheers also shares her global upbringing, lessons from her father’s work with Ebony and Jet, and her upcoming books Framing Fatherhood and Sacred Sisterhoods. You can learn more about and purchase her books here.

If you love music, culture, or smart storytelling, this one’s for you.

You can follow Dr. Cheers at https://www.thecheersreport.com/

What do haunted houses, hidden cemeteries, and the rich blues history of Mississippi have in common? Storyteller and historian Shannon Evans is here to tell us. As the creator of the hit podcast Tombigbee Tales, Shannon blends deep historical research, oral tradition, and a flair for the supernatural to uncover the myths, scandals, and forgotten figures of the American South. In this episode, she shares the story behind her podcast's name, her work cataloging Black cemeteries across Mississippi, and the ways folklore, ghosts, and even cryptids reflect the South’s complicated past. From antebellum mansions to juke joints, from ghost hunts to courthouse scandals, Shannon reminds us that history is never just black and white; it’s living, layered, and often stranger than fiction.

You can hear more from Shannon at: https://tombigbeetales.com/

Her books, Wisteria Place: A House of History and Haunting and Riverview: A Monument to Greek Revival Architecture, will be available starting November 1st through Amazon and Barnes & Noble online

In this episode, we meet John David Graham, author of Running As Fast As I Can and founder of Good Samaritan Home, a nonprofit that has provided housing and mentorship to more than 2,500 men and women rebuilding their lives after prison or homelessness. John shares how losing his job as a minister became the catalyst for creating a community of 21 homes dedicated to second chances.

From the simple act of making your bed to overcoming recidivism, John reflects on leadership, faith in action, and why compassion and accountability can change lives. This powerful conversation explores the realities of reentry, homelessness, and the importance of community in helping people start again.

You can learn more about John, Good Samaritan Home and his book at: https://johndavidgraham.com/

Full video available on YouTube

What happens when a 30-year corporate veteran pivots at age 51 to become a professional male escort? Meet Australian companion George Goulburn, who left his corporate career to provide intimacy, companionship, and empowerment for women aged 30 to 80.

George shares how he navigates stigma, boundaries, and safety in his work, why so many women struggle to ask for what they want in intimacy, and what he’s learned about communication, confidence, and connection along the way. Whether it’s holding someone’s hand for the first time in over a decade or sharing a trip abroad, George offers his insight about connection, empowerment, and our universal need for touch.

If you’ve ever wondered how women can feel safer and more confident in expressing their desires, or what it really means to create authentic connection, this episode is for you. Sex is acknowledged and discussed in this conversation, please use discernment or headphones when listening.

You can find George at: https://www.georgegoulburn.com/

Watch on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@megdefordyoutube/playlists

Eating disorders are the second most deadly mental health condition after opioid addiction, yet so often, disordered eating is hidden in plain sight, even praised in our culture. In this powerful episode, therapist Janelle Coolidge joins to unpack the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, how trauma and chronic illness shape our relationship with our bodies, and why no single body type defines health.

Janelle shares practical ways to recognize the signs, how to talk with loved ones who may be struggling, and why body gratitude and self-compassion are essential tools for healing. Together, we explore diet culture, social media’s influence, and the everyday comments we make that can unintentionally do harm.

If you’ve ever wondered what an eating disorder is, how disordered eating shows up in everyday life, or how to support yourself or someone you love, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and hope.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating

• Why eating disorders affect people of every size, race, and background

• How trauma and chronic illness intersect with body image

• Practical signs to watch for and how to respond with care

• The role of diet culture, “clean eating,” and social media in shaping our views

Matt returns for a meandering conversation about dating, including a recent dalliance with a colorful fellow, maintaining friendships as we age (and as the single person of the group), Matt tries to sing his way out of the male loneliness crisis, and some Britney Spears. This episode is equal parts laughter, real talk, and reminders that friendship and connection evolve right alongside us.

Catch the unedited version on YouTube

At 82, author Gerry Wilson became a first-time novelist. Her debut historical novel, That Pinson Girl, set in World War I-era Mississippi, draws from family stories, myth, and the complicated legacy of the South. In this conversation, Gerry shares what it means to pursue creativity “late” in life, how historical fiction helps us understand the present, and the resilience it takes to keep writing through rejection. We talk about her grandmother’s influence, the realities of race and culture in Mississippi, and how artifacts like a century-old ledger and wartime letters inspired her characters. This is a conversation about persistence, place, and the power of stories to bridge generations.

You can learn more about Gerry at: https://gerrygwilson.com/

Regal House Publishing: https://regal-house-publishing.mybigcommerce.com/that-pinson-girl/

Is Bigfoot real? And what does our fascination with the unknown say about us? In this episode, we meet Kev LeStarge, Bigfoot enthusiast and author of Billy Finds Bigfoot, a charming children’s book that explores curiosity, nature, and unexpected friendship. Kev shares wild stories from his expeditions, talks about the science behind Sasquatch sightings, and opens up about how his love for Bigfoot deepened his respect for the natural world. We also dive into why wonder and imagination still matter in an age of certainty and how “leaning into the maybe” can change the way we see the world.

Whether you’re a skeptic or already part of the Woo Crew, this episode will stretch your imagination and ground you at the same time.

You can find Kev at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZeroOneInfinity?ref=shop_sugg_market

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineshadowdesign/

Book: https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/writers/kev-lestarge

Step into history with Jackie Lapin, world traveler, award-winning author, and founder of The Historic Traveler. Jackie has explored over 500 historic locations across 50 countries, capturing them through stunning photography and pairing each destination with historic novels, mysteries, and biographies that make you feel like you’ve actually lived there.

In this episode, Jackie shares her fascinating journey from breaking barriers as one of the first female sportswriters to running a top-tier PR agency, to following her true passion for history and travel. You’ll discover:

• How reading the right book can transform your travel experience
• Hidden historic gems you’ve probably never heard of, from Cesky Krumlov to Annecy
• Solo travel tips that make every trip richer and safer
• Why the smallest details — a doorknob, a weather vane, a child at play — tell the biggest stories

Whether you’re a history buff, a book lover, or simply looking for travel inspiration, this conversation will spark your wanderlust and give you tools to see the world in a whole new way.

🎧 Listen now and start planning your next journey through time.

To access The Historic Traveler’s free resources, including the world’s largest directory of historic novels and history books by location, visit: https://thehistorictraveler.com/

Beatles historian and author David Bedford didn’t just grow up near a Beatles landmark, he lived in their story. Born in Liverpool, David attended Ringo Starr’s school, lived off Penny Lane, and sent his kids to the same school as John Lennon and George Harrison.

In this episode, David shares how Liverpool’s unique history, culture, and post-war quirks created the perfect storm for The Beatles to form, and why it could only have happened there. We also dive into little-known Beatles influences, the pivotal role of Hamburg, and the surprising ‘what if’ moment that launched David’s career. If you think you know The Beatles’ origin story, think again.

You can learn more about Dave and his work at: https://davidabedford.com/