WORLD GONE GOOD

Have you ever received a sign from the other side? Wait. Do you BELIEVE in signs from the other side? We are talking angels and spirits here reaching out across the ether with a message. Is it possible? Or do you think it's all just coincidence or people reading more into it than is actually there? Three good guests - Michelle Roe, Donna Perkett, and Parri Willie - join us to share the signs they each received, what it meant to them, and by doing so, you get to judge for yourself (and we all know how judgey you love to be - don't deny it). And bonus: Host Steve Silverman shares a true story that may turn even the most strident non-believer into a "Yep, that was definitely some something goin' on there" believer after all. The signs are all around us...

Sara Fenton put on a pair of roller skates during the lockdown and now she's training for the roller derby. Is it really that easy? No, of course not. But you have to start with one step or in this case, one skate (preferably two for balance purposes). This is one person's good story of facing the uncomfortable, working past the fear, and reconnecting with their own personal joy. It's also the story of being a bad ass in the rink with a half-shaved head and at the same time embracing your inner princess side by getting to wear sparkly dresses. When things got dark during the lockdown, Sara found her light and she's sharing how far it's taken her. Let's roll, people.

Orazie Cook is the founder of Praline's Backyard Foundation where their mission is simple: To empower and support domestic violence survivors and house their pets. How exactly?, you ask. By understanding that one of the challenges domestic violence survivors may face is finding a safe place to keep their beloved pets during times of transition. Praline's Backyard offers free - YES FREE - temporary housing for survivor’s pets via pet boarding facilities and pet fosters throughout the United States. They have a growing network of pet boarding facilities and pet fosters throughout the country where they ask these boarding facilities to house pets for seven days and after which pet fosters will house pets for up to 6 months. How good is that? Orazie is a force of good nature who sees a no as an opportunity to try again and work harder. If you're in need of a big dose of inspiration, this is the person to turn to.

Jody Boyman is saving the world one meal at a time. Alongside her brother, she co-founded Hungry Planet Foods where they're reducing the amount of conventional meat consumption in an easy, impactful and tasty way. How much are we talking here? 87% emissions savings. 91% water savings. 70% land savings. And did we mention the animal lives savings? That's priceless, amIright? Jody started her career as a world traveling photographer for the likes of Life Magazine so she's made it her mission to better understand this planet we all share. She encourages people to ask themselves, "Hey, what problem can I help fix?" Best of all, she's our neighbor/friend/dinner buddy and we are happy to share her with all of you.

Rickie Tice is the co-founder of Samson's Sanctuary but make no mistake about it: This isn't their first foster/rescue/dog loving adventure. And as many times as they tried to move away from it - including another entire career where they won a Grammy, people - the call of the wild or the cuddly and cute always brings them back. We talk the good of rescue, how fostering even for a weekend can make all the difference, and how we met in a parking lot where they tried to pawn off the cutest pit mix ever (I almost said yes). We love our four legged friends, don't we? You'll love the good Samson's Sanctuary brings each and every day.

Our celebration of Happy Birthday McKenna continues with Colbert Albert, Saratoga Ballantine and Karl T. Wright sharing their good stage time together. We talk the power of connecting and connection, why you should always fully show up, and the thrill of finally performing live before a real in-person audience after this Covid mess. Heather L. Tyler also joins us right in time to share her inspiration and tell us something good. Note from Steve: I spent three full months with these lovely people and I'd do it again in a second because the play's definitely the thing.

What's good about live theatre? We dive in with the cast of Happy Birthday McKenna to find out the backstage happenings, the onstage process, auditioning, rehearsing, how Covid changed everything and what happens when the power goes completely out on show night. McKenna was my first new show in 19 years and to quote the character of Julie, 'We had a time.' So come have a time with us as the curtain rises for this brand new episode.

Author/podcaster/producer Wendy Miller is adding a new title: Advice Giver/Oracle Card Maker/Purveyor of Gay Soothsaying (OK, that's more than just one title). Look, she's always loved games and is very in touch with her psychic side and when she needs advice herself, who does she go to? Her favorite most lethally honest gay BFFs. So why not share their wisdom with the world? And that, my good friends, is how her deck of oracle deliciousness, Ask Your Gay BFF, was brought to life. Now this is more than just a deck of great one-liners, it's a chance to reflect on our lives and get specific with what we want moving forward. Get your question ready because your gay BFF is ready to give you the answer, whether you like it or not...

Aleksandra Schiffer is the good force behind I Stand With My Pack rescue. But this isn't just another story about someone saving animals, this is the story of someone working to reshape how we see the planet itself and how we need to connect more with it and with each other. From her humble childhood living in war torn countries, Aleksandra has a much different perspective than many other people and she's using that to try and heal the world as we know it. If you're needing a blast of inspiration, look no further than this uplifting voice supporting nature and animals alike.

Composer/singer/songwriter Mary Edwards returns for her second visit to the show and this time, you better bundle up because she's taking us on a trip to the arctic to listen to glaciers, wind, water and more. I mean, sure, this is a podcast so of course we should be listening but we're gonna listen to a glacier? Sorta, sorta not, what we're gonna do is hear Mary's good travels up to the northern most part of our world to record and then compose one of her original soundscapes that's all focused on nature and planet Earth. This is a good adventure you didn't even know was possible and Mary is the perfect tour guide. Best part is you don't have to bring a coat to enjoy her good story.