Best James Cook University Podcasts (2025)

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A Turkey Calling National Champion | Chris Walls | 120 1:33:00

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3h ago1:33:00

1:33:00

Get ready, turkey lovers and Bigfoot believers, we’ve got it all in this one. Turkey call champion Chris Walls from McDowell County, West Virginia breaks down every type of turkey call ever made, then listens to the legendary Sierra Sounds Bigfoot recording and gives us his unfiltered take. Field dressing, mating calls, hunting rituals, and the mys…

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President Clinton Pardoned Me in West Virginia | Loretta Liegel | 119 1:25:37

2d ago1:25:37

1:25:37

Appalachia’s storylines stretch far beyond the hills—and sometimes, all the way to the White House. In this jaw-dropping Thanksgiving special, Loretta Liegel shares her powerful journey from incarceration to a Presidential pardon by Bill Clinton. It’s a raw and redemptive ride through faith, federal trials, and finding your voice—plus, she read my …

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Ep42: Men Cry Too — And Other Mental Health Truths | Dr Victor Wong | Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and Manager of the Psychology Clinic | JCU Singapore 24:07

4d ago24:07

24:07

How has the perception of mental health changed over the years? Are we more ready to speak up about mental health today? What’s stopping men from asking for help? In this episode, Dr Victor Wong, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and Manager of the Psychology Clinic at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), shares his observations. This episode’s …

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American Muslims Answer Tough Questions | Adam Stadheim and Ammon Winder | 118 2:34:49

4d ago2:34:49

2:34:49

Religion is a core part of exploring life’s mysteries—especially the big question: what happens when we die? In this special “religisode,” Adam Stadheim and Ammon Winder join the studio to openly discuss their experiences as American Muslims, breaking down misconceptions and sharing how faith shapes their daily lives. It’s a powerful, respectful co…

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Ep. 122 | Marc Lamont Hill FLAMES Brian McKnight, Whatever Pod MELTDOWN, Flagrant CLOWNS Akash, Flakko SCAMMING, The WORST No Jumper Era 3:29:10

6d ago3:29:10

3:29:10

00:00 Sizzle Intro 01:20 Show Start 02:20 Good Watch Max B 1st Interview With Cam and Mase 21:06 Andrew gets DESTROYED BY Charlie on Whatever Podcast 38:39 Flagrant Clowns Akash while he is away 01:00:01 Akademiks styled by Playboy Cardi 01:03:26 Myron Begs for Joe budden attention 01:19:39 Marc Lamont Hill VIOLATES Brian Mcknight 01:52:50 Poetik F…

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301: Federal Education Policy, with Dr. Bradley Custer

7d ago

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Guest host Troy Swanson chats with Dr. Bradley Custer, higher education expert, about his experience at the U.S. Department of Education, the impact of recent mass firings, and what these changes mean for students, educators, and the future of American education. Read the transcript! Dr. Bradley Custer is a higher education policy expert in Washing…

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The Brutal History of the West Virginia Penitentiary | Jason McKinney | 117 1:53:45

6d ago1:53:45

1:53:45

Ever wondered what it’s really like inside the infamous West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville? Jason McKinney spent seven years working inside the prison—not as a correctional officer, but on the paranormal side of things after it shut down. From ghost hunts to executions, riots to rituals, Jason shares some of the most jaw-dropping, bone-chill…

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The Bloody Story of the Hatfields and McCoys 38:38

8d ago38:38

38:38

It’s one of the most infamous feuds in American history | The Hatfields and the McCoys. In this special Creepalachia episode, we unpack the entire story from beginning to end: the Civil War roots, the pig trial, the cabin murders, the manhunts, and the bloody legacy that shaped the Appalachian identity for generations. #Creepalachia #HatfieldsAndMc…

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The Double Homicide in My Bedroom | Megan Moats | 116 1:15:51

6d ago1:15:51

1:15:51

Megan Moats had a picture-perfect childhood in Scarbro, West Virginia—cheerleading, books, and a loving family. But at 13, everything shifted when she found out her bedroom had been the site of a brutal double homicide back in 1961. The victims were Dr. Wingrove and Mrs. Broyles, and the mystery surrounding their deaths stuck with Megan well into a…

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Ep. 121 | Rory EXPOSED as a Racist? Akash’s Wife Tells All, Joe Budden & Jada’s Glizzy Clip Goes Viral, Akademiks Involving Rory’s Child Sparks Outrage, Charlamagne Backlash Grows 3:24:39

3d ago3:24:39

3:24:39

In this week’s episode of Homeroom University, we dive into some of the most heated moments in podcast and media culture. We discuss the viral dive of Joe & Jada’s Glizzys moment, unpack the drama as Akash’s wife exposes their relationship, and examine the fallout when Rory’s old tweet resurfaces and labels him as racist. Tensions escalate further …

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The Rainbow Murders and the Willow’s Weep House | Watch for Deer Podcast | 115 3:09:06

14d ago3:09:06

3:09:06

Dark humor and true crime don’t often go hand in hand, but when the ladies from Watch For Deer Podcast are in the building, you better buckle in. Samantha and Alisa joined me for a three-hour marathon covering two absolutely chilling stories: the Rainbow Murders in West Virginia and the infamous Willow’s Weep House in Indiana. Both stories are hear…

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Our Dad was Murdered in West Virginia | Brenda and Linda Haynes | 114 1:59:59

10d ago1:59:59

1:59:59

Twin sisters Brenda and Linda Haynes never got the chance to know their father, Sgt. James Lee Haynes, who vanished in 1963 while passing through Bolt, West Virginia. Their lives have been shaped by the search for truth—fueled by love, determination, and a refusal to let his disappearance be forgotten. Joined by Mark Covey of Mountain State Mysteri…

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The Marshall University Plane Crash 44:27

12d ago44:27

44:27

On November 14, 1970, a plane carrying 75 members of the Marshall University football family crashed just short of the Tri-State Airport, leaving no survivors. Decades later, their legacy lives on through a community that refused to let tragedy define them. We Are Marshall. #WeAreMarshall #MarshallStrong #Marshall75 #NeverForget #ThunderingHerd #Ma…

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13 Appalachian Haunts You MUST Visit | Appalachian Haunt Finder | 113 2:38:03

14d ago2:38:03

2:38:03

Who says Halloween has to end in October? We’re back with the one and only Spanish Lumberjack to unpack his haunted tour across Appalachia. From foggy forests to pitch-black hallways, this is a three-hour haunt review extravaganza, and we don’t hold back. Through his Appalachia Haunt Finder journey, Spanish hit up 13+ haunted attractions and gives …

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Ep. 120 “The Interweb” | Charlamagne Won’t CHECK Schulz, JBP Fat Shaming, Melyssa Ford FIGHTING Back, Tony The Closer EXPOSES Mona, Uncle Tom Convention 2:43:41

20d ago2:43:41

2:43:41

00:00 Sizzle Intro 01:55 Show Start 06:40 Good Watch 15:31 Joe Budden Fat Shames Ish 27:15 Melyssa Ford Takes Shots At Joe Budden Podcast 42:02 Tony The Closer EXPOSES Don’t Call Me White Girl For Scamming 01:01:15 Akash Reminds us he DESTROYED Fresh and Fit For playin with his wife 01:28:18 The BuckBreaking Of Andrew Schulz 02:03:37 Office Hours 0…

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From Tattoos to Psychosis to Recovery | Kelcey Wolfe | 112 1:57:30

23d ago1:57:30

1:57:30

#addictionrecovery #SoberLiving Recovery is possible—and this episode is living proof. Kelcey Wolfe, owner of Wolf Song Ink Studio of Tattoo in Mount Hope, West Virginia, opens up about his incredible journey through 25 years of addiction, psychosis, and spiritual battles to now being a thriving artist, musician, and community member. Check out his…

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Three Disturbing and Solvable Missing Persons Cases | Alex Paul | 111 2:38:12

25d ago2:38:12

2:38:12

What would you do if someone you loved just vanished—no goodbye, no trace? That’s the devastating reality for the families of Jack Denny, Luke Stout, and Jeffrey Crawford. In this gripping episode, true crime researcher Alex Paul joins us for nearly three hours to lay out what we know, what we don’t, and what we should be asking about these three u…

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300: The New Civic Path with Rich Harwood

26d ago

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In this milestone 300th episode of Circulating Ideas, Steve Thomas chats with Rich Harwood, president and founder of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and author of “The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in Each Other and Our Nation,” about Harwood’s inspirational journey, the importance of community in building hope, and how libraries…

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The Disturbing Legend of Mamie Thurman 56:59

27d ago56:59

56:59

In the summer of 1932, the body of Mamie Thurman was found brutally murdered on Trace Mountain in Logan County, West Virginia. Her throat had been slit, her head beaten, and her body unceremoniously dumped off the hillside, her wedding ring still on her finger. Mamie wasn’t just any woman in the coalfields. A 31-year-old churchgoer, socialite, and …

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A Real Type 1 Diabetes Conversation | Maddie Harvey | 110 1:40:17

29d ago1:40:17

1:40:17

Type 1 Diabetes isn’t for the weak—and that’s exactly why this episode hits so hard. Maddie Harvey, President of Camp Kno-Koma and fellow T1D warrior, stopped by the studio to talk about life with a broken pancreas. As two people living with Type 1, we broke down the highs, the lows, the scary moments, and the ones that make us laugh out loud… usua…

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Radiation Treatment for Cancer Melted My Organs | Terra Walker | 109 1:18:40

1M ago1:18:40

1:18:40

F cancer. That’s the show mantra. But also, F the side effects that continue long after remission. Terra Walker joins the podcast to share her powerful story of survival—not just from cervical cancer, but from the devastating aftermath of treatment. Years after being declared cancer-free, Terra found herself hospitalized for months as radiation dam…

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Ep41: What Counsellors See That Parents Often Miss | Dr Frederick Low | Associate Professor, Counselling | JCU Singapore 27:25

1M ago27:25

27:25

In this episode, Dr Frederick Low, Associate Professor in Counselling at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), speaks about parenting and mental health. He shares about how parents can better understand and support their children’s emotional well-being, manage academic stress, and create safe spaces for resilience to grow – while also taking ca…

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The Tragic Story of David Allen Fann 33:23

1M ago33:23

33:23

David Fann wasn’t just a businessman—he was the heartbeat of Amigo, West Virginia. His family describes him as self-made, hardworking, and the kind of man who noticed everyone around him. From the Redbird Drive-In to a string of small ventures, he embodied Appalachian grit and generosity. But on June 22, 2016, everything changed. David was found de…

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Ep. 119 | Charlamagne EMBARRASSES Native Land, Gil’s Area CoHost CONFLICT, LeBron James SNAKES Stephen A Smith 3:22:01

1M ago3:22:01

3:22:01

By Menace Material Entertainment

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More Insane Stories from an Appalachian Mortician | Sally Ratcliff | 108 2:02:34

1M ago2:02:34

2:02:34

TRIGGER WARNING!!!! From the First Second!!!!! You asked, we asked—and now we know. Sally Ratcliff returned to the studio for part two of her unforgettable series as a funeral director. She brings two decades of experience to the mic, and this episode is everything you’d expect: funny, raw, informative, and at times, downright graphic. There’s one …

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The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of Byzantine | Chris Ojeda | 107 2:09:37

1M ago2:09:37

2:09:37

Chris Ojeda, founder of the iconic metal band Byzantine, stopped by the studio and we went deep—over two hours worth—into his entire journey from small-town roots to global recognition. We walked through his childhood, the winding road through Texas, and that wild Waco connection (not his fault, I promise), and into the core of what makes Byzantine…

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299: The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair by Max Brallier

1M ago

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Steve chats with Max Brallier, author of The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair, about the evolution of the series over its ten-year run, the appeal of post-apocalyptic stories for kids, the enduring importance of friendship at the heart of the series, and the challenges of balancing humor with darker themes. Read the transcript! Jack and…

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From Coal Country to NASA | Homer Hickam | 106 1:25:39

1M ago1:25:39

1:25:39

Homer Hickam is in the building! We spent 90 minutes walking through his early life in McDowell County, West Virginia—back when there was still a company store—through Virginia Tech, Vietnam, and all the way to The Rocket Boys and October Sky. (Did you know October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys? 🤯) This episode is full of wisdom, humor, and Appa…

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Ep. 118 “Bruce Banner” | Marc Lamont Hill Is A CRASHOUT, Native Land DISRESPECTS JBP, Andrew Schulz EMBARRASSING Coping Tour, Objective Reviews, Who’s Worth More? 4:04:41

1M ago4:04:41

4:04:41

00:00 Sizzle Intro 01:35 Show Start | New Youtube Features 06:02 Good Watch 18:35 Marc Lamont Hill Has A ANGER Management Issue 40:42 What Started Marc Lamont Hill and Queenzflip FIGHT 01:09:24 Joe Budden Is The BLAME For The Fight 01:30:20 Does Homeroom University Hold Joe Budden and Charlamagne and other podcasters To The Same Level Of Standard? …

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The Palace of Gold: West Virginia’s Hare Krishna Utopia Turned Hell 40:56

1M ago40:56

40:56

This week, I’m diving into one of the most bizarre, beautiful, and ultimately broken places in West Virginia: The Palace of Gold. Perched above the hills near Moundsville, what began as a spiritual sanctuary for Hare Krishna devotees became a national headline factory in the 1980s—complete with FBI raids, murder plots, fraud, racketeering, and one …

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Help Find My Sister's Remains | Christy Kennedy | 105 1:24:18

1M ago1:24:18

1:24:18

Brenda Gail Lambert disappeared in 1992 from Bluewell, West Virginia. Her family has lived in hell ever since. Now, more than three decades later, her sister Christy Kennedy is stepping forward with the full story, and she came by the studio to lay it all out—everything from the last day Brenda was seen, to false leads, mysterious postcards, and po…

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The Psychology of Cults | Ashlen Hilliard | 104 1:30:32

2M ago1:30:32

1:30:32

Just wrapped one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve had on the show. Ashlen Hilliard, cult interventionist and creator of The Psychology of Cults , joined me in the studio for a no-holds-barred deep dive into the mindset, manipulation, and madness of cult dynamics—past and present. We broke down: -Why “good” people join cults -The devastati…

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Ep. 117 “Defraud The Innkeeper” | JBP FIGHT CLUB, Jason Lee COOKS Joe Budden, Jess Hilarious Is DONE With Breakfast Club, Dont Call Me White Girls Trajectory & More 2:40:46

2M ago2:40:46

2:40:46

00:00 Sizzle Intro 01:07 Show Start 03:15 Good Watch | J Snow Return & Kirk Franklin Has A Sit Down With NLE Choppa 23:56 LOX Movie Reviews w/ Its The Real 30:51 Joe Budden Network Fight Club 37:44 Jason Lee Sends SHOTS At Joe Budden Podcast 50:37 Is Mona A Long Term Joe Budden Podcast Host? 01:10:43 Jess Hilarious Is DONE With The Breakfast Club 0…

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Ghost Trains, Haunted Homes, and Juvenile Detention | Brian Bowyer | 103 1:47:00

2M ago1:47:00

1:47:00

What do 30+ horror and true crime books, a haunted house, a ghost train, and a juvenile detention sentence have in common? Brian Bowyer. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brian in the studio—and let me tell you, this man is one of the most captivating storytellers I’ve ever met. From a rocky past that included three years in the system as a t…

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The Life of a Whitewater Rafting Guide | 102 2:07:08

2M ago2:07:08

2:07:08

I knew talking rafting in the New River Gorge would be fun—but I didn’t expect it to be this good. This episode took a deeper dive than I imagined. Rafting legends and river experts Melanie Seiler Hames, Charles Seay, and Ray Ray Fillpot joined me in the studio to talk about the early days of rafting in southern West Virginia—and everything the riv…

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The Life of a Social Worker | Ashton Pritt and Miranda Morgan | 101 1:51:51

2M ago1:51:51

1:51:51

This one hits close to home. One of the most personal episodes I’ve ever done—and also one of the most honest. Social workers Ashton Pritt and Miranda Morgan joined me in the studio for a raw, real, and at times hilarious conversation about the layered realities of parenting, trauma, drugs, life lessons, and what it means to hold space for others w…

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Justice for James Harper | Gabrielle Harper and Chris Waddell | 100 51:59

2M ago51:59

51:59

Editors note: the population of Kanawha County is over 173,000. The population of Charleston is over 46,000. The kind of conversation I wish never had to happen. But I’m deeply honored to have sat across from James Harper’s family—his father, Chris Waddell, and his wife, Gabrielle Harper—and heard their hearts. James was killed by a truck driver in…

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Ep. 116 Dare I Say | Andrew Schulz RETURNS, Melyssa Ford REMOVED From JBP, Dame Dash EMBARRASSING 1:33:18

2M ago1:33:18

1:33:18

By Menace Material Entertainment

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My Husband Died in the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster | Kim Lane | 99 1:02:52

2M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

The Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster is a scar that will never fully heal in the heart of West Virginia. On that devastating day in 2010, twenty-nine coal miners were taken far too soon, and two others were left injured—physically and emotionally—for the rest of their lives. Before Creepalachia ever began, I worked on a self-funded project called UBB…

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A Mountain Preacher Discusses Cryptozoology | Tony Breeden | 98 1:27:13

2M ago1:27:13

1:27:13

In this wild and absolutely packed October episode, mountain preacher, artist, and author Tony Breeden stopped by the studio for one of the most mind-melting deep dives into Appalachian cryptozoology I’ve ever had. From Bigfoot to Booger Owls, Men in Black to Gray Barker, and the truth (or not) behind ancient aliens, we covered everything under the…

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Overnight at Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum | Copperhead and Adra Johnson | 97 1:34:36

2M ago1:34:36

1:34:36

In this episode, we talked about our latest addition to the Haunted and Urbex series on YouTube, where Adra Johnson, Copperhead, and I spent the night inside one of the most famously haunted places in America: the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. This special 90-minute conversation dropped the day after the main Urbex episode (October 2nd), and it w…

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298: Why I Love Horror by Becky Siegel Spratford

2M ago

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Steve chats with Becky Siegel Spratford, editor of Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature, about her deep involvement and interest in the horror genre, the inspiration and process behind her book, the diversity of voices in horror, how horror can foster empathy and address real-world anxieties, and the dangers of quicksand (it’s everywhere)…

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The Wes Blackburn Disappearance | Joann and Michael Blackburn | 96 51:56

2M ago51:56

51:56

On November 25th, 2018, Wes Blackburn walked out of his mother’s home in West Virginia—and never returned. Joann Blackburn-Plumley and Michael Blackburn stop by the studio to That weekend, he was supposed to be in Tennessee to watch his son race. But by the next day, whispers were already circling about an abandoned mine near the Oceana area. His m…

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Ep. 115 Office Hours LIVE | Podcast Business 101, Black Effect PERFECT Plan, Menace v Charlamagne, ICE On JBP 2:38:48

2M ago2:38:48

2:38:48

00:00 Show Start 01:11 Good Watch | Dark Skin vs. Light Skin 20 v 1 10:34 Office Hours 15:29 What’s Stopping Homeroom University From Becoming BIG 22:17 The West Coast Podcast Run SLOWED Homeroom University Podcast 26:27 AJ Lost Subscribers Because He hates Black People 27:45 Abba & Preach Is Killing YouTubers 30:31 J Noblez LEAVES | 33:18 Whiteman…

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My Daughter and Mom Died of Cancer | Jessica Basham | 95 1:17:24

2M ago1:17:24

1:17:24

What an emotional interview this was, and I’m so appreciative of Jessica Basham for sharing her story involving cancer and the devastating ways it’s affected her life. Though Jessica hasn’t personally battled cancer, it has changed her world forever. In this heartfelt conversation, she opens up about losing her daughter Schuylar to cancer—and how s…

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The Life and Career of Boxing Legend Christy Martin | 94 1:08:38

2M ago1:08:38

1:08:38

In this powerhouse episode, boxing legend Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin joins J.D. for a raw and inspiring sit-down that spans her iconic career and extraordinary resilience. From her roots in Itmann, West Virginia, to becoming the first—and still only—female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, Christy opens up about her ea…

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13 Must-Watch Horror Films in Appalachia | Foz Rotten | 93 1:35:28

2M ago1:35:28

1:35:28

What better way to kick it off than with a horror movie showdown guaranteed to feed your Appalachian soul? On this spooky, cinema-soaked episode, J.D. is joined by horror aficionado and filmmaker Foz Rotten (aka Aaron White) for a rapid-fire 90-minute conversation about 13 hand-picked horror movies you must watch this season—each soaked in rural dr…

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Ep40: The Fast-Growing Travel Market Nobody’s Talking About | Fazal Bahardeen | Founder and CEO of CrescentRating, CEO of HalalTrip 21:58

2M ago21:58

21:58

Our guest for this episode is Fazal Bahardeen, Founder and CEO of CrescentRating, a global authority on halal-friendly travel; and CEO of HalalTrip, a platform and app that seeks to inspire and enable Muslim travel planning and on-trip support. Mr Bahardeen shares about his career journey, the evolution of halal tourism, and what lies ahead for thi…

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Ep. 114 | Melyssa Ford REPLACED On Joe Budden Podcast, Don’t Call Me White Girls COOKS Queenzflip, Charlamagne’s Turkey, Hassan Campbell COOKS Zip Wit The Drip, Steve Harvey HATES Shannon Sharpe 2:01:48

2M ago2:01:48

2:01:48

00:00 Sizzle Intro 01:38 Show Start 07:59 Good Watch 28:42 Melyssa Fords Is REPLACED From The Joe Budden Podcast 42:15 Don’t Call Me White Girls Is OFFICIALLY The New Joe Budden Podcast Host 59:40 Charlamagne’s DEFENSIVE Dam Dash Backlash 01:27:24 Steven Harvey HATES Shannon Sharpe | Hassan Campbell DESTROYS Zip Wit The Drip 01:47:21 Office Hours/ …

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297: The Library Leader’s Guide to Human Resources by Steve Albrecht

2M ago

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Steve chats with Dr. Steve Albrecht, author of The Library Leader’s Guide to Human Resources: Keeping It Real, Legal, and Ethical, about the importance of library leaders learning about human resources, handling performance reviews, onboarding, and why civility is the key to a healthy and effective workplace culture. Read the transcript! The human …