Episode #100 – Albert Bramante: Hypnosis, Agents & Managing Self-Doubt
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Episode #100 – Albert Bramante: Hypnosis, Agents & Managing Self-Doubt In this special centennial episode, I’m joined by Albert Bramante, Ph.D. — talent agent, hypnosis & NLP practitioner, psychology expert, working with actors and creatives to push past mental barriers. We went deep: acting, agents, hypnosis, and even near-death experiences (NDEs). Here’s what we unpacked. What We Talk About · Who is Albert Bramante: his background as a psychology Ph.D, his work as a talent agent and coach for actors and creatives. ...
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#99 John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits
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Episode #99 – John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits In this episode, I talk with John DeDakis — former White House correspondent, longtime journalist, editor at CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, now novelist, writing coach, and editor. We unpack what it means to tell stories in news versus fiction, the hard lessons behind writing & rewriting, and how editing makes (or breaks) everything. We cover: · What it was like being a White House correspondent (including covering presidents, handling...
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#98 – Mike Schwab: Lights, Laughs & Local Skies
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Episode #98 – Mike Schwab: Lights, Laughs & Local Skies This week I sit down with Mike Schwab — a writer, actor, comedian, and short film creator who also happens to spend part of his days observing the weather at the local airport. (Yes, that’s a real job, and yes, it’s exactly as cool as it sounds.) We talk about the creative grind: from the challenges of writing and producing short films to the rush of comedy and the craft of acting. Mike shares stories from the stage, the page, and behind the camera, giving us a glimpse into the unpredictable life of a storyteller. And...
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#97 With Alan Lazaros
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Episode #97 – Alan Lazaros Had an amazing conversation with Alan Lazaros, co-founder and co-host of Next Level University. We dove deep into the art (and science) of personal development, turning big dreams into actionable goals, and why self-improvement is a lifelong game worth playing. Alan shared how he overcame a near-death car accident to completely reinvent his life, build a thriving business, and help thousands of people design theirs. We talked about the power of consistency, why your environment matters more than you think, how to spot the “hidden ceilings” holding you back,...
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#96 With Chuck McGee III Icevikingbreathworks
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Episode #96 – Chuck McGee III: Breathing Through the Ice and Everything Else This one’s a deep breath in and a blast of cold air out. Chuck McGee III—aka @icedvikingbreathworks—joins me for a wild and wide-ranging conversation about breathwork, recovery, resilience, and the power of the cold. Chuck is a certified Wim Hof Method instructor who has helped thousands reconnect to their breath, their bodies, and their purpose—sometimes through submerging themselves in icy water. But Chuck’s journey isn’t all frozen rivers and calm breathing. We talk about his early life fighting in...
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#95 With Author Brad Elder
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🎧 Were You Still Talking? – Episode 95: Brad Elder – Thrillers, Texas & Starting Over In this episode, we cover everything from his law firm to writing his first novel to quitting smoking—and yes, even the passing of Ozzie Osbourne. Author Brad Elder joins me to talk about his debut legal thriller Recoil of Justice, and how he went from Texas businessman (who never rode a horse) to published novelist. We get into the realities of self-publishing, the surprising highs of giving up nicotine, and what it’s like to start a whole new creative chapter later in life. This one’s...
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#94 With Tim Thomas, Breath Work In Bed
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Were You Still Talking? – Episode 94: Tim Thomas – Breath, Sharks, and Peaceful Sleep In Episode 94, I sit down with the deeply insightful and endlessly interesting Tim Thomas—a man who’s swum with sharks, brewed coffee for fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, and now teaches people how to breathe their way to better lives (and better sleep). This conversation flows from adrenaline rush to stillness. We talk about adventure and presence, the healing power of nature, what it means to let go, and how something as simple as breathing can reset your nervous system and your life. Tim shares...
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#93 With Kevin Polmieri
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Episode 93 – Kevin Palmieri | Leveling Up, Staying Consistent, and Getting (a Little) Off Topic In this episode of Were You Still Talking?, I chat with Kevin Palmieri—CFO, co-host, and co-creator of Next Level University—about his journey from hitting rock bottom to building a globally-ranked podcast and coaching brand focused on self-improvement and consistency. We talk about what it really takes to grow, the power of habits, and how showing up every day (even when it’s hard) creates real results. Of course, in true WYST fashion, we take a few detours—expect off-topic...
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#92 With Dr. Rober J. Wolf
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Episode #92 Robert J. Wolf 🎙️ Episode 92 – Dr. Robert J. Wolf: Survival, Family, and the Fight for Freedom In this powerful conversation, I talk with Dr. Robert J. Wolf—neuroradiologist, speaker, and author of Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom. We explore the astonishing true story of his father, Ervin Wolf, who escaped both Nazi terror and Communist persecution in a series of harrowing, near-miraculous events. Robert shares how he turned his family's history into a gripping narrative, the challenges of writing deeply personal...
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#91 With Alan Katz!
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Episode #91 Alan Katz Well that was a blast. Had a great conversation with AL Katz about his journey through Hollywood and beyond. We got into his time writing for iconic shows like Tales from the Crypt, working with legends like Robert Zemeckis and Walter Hill, navigating the wild world of TV and film production, and why he walked away from it all. We also dove into The Donor: A Modern Horror Story, his deeply personal and harrowing true story that blends medical mystery with psychological thriller—an incredible example of real life being stranger (and scarier) than fiction. AL opened up...
info_outlineEpisode #84 John Pabon
Great and inspiring conversation with John. We talked about saving the Earth! OK, let’s face it, it’s not the earth that really needs saving, it’s all the things that live on Earth.
Anyway, he has a much more positive view on the subject than I do, and it was a very refreshing conversation. There was also a bit of controversy, Ooooooh, everyone loves controversy!
In his own words:
I’ve spent two decades in the business of saving our Earth. After leaving my role at the United Nations, I traveled the world studying the impacts of sustainability first-hand in factories, on fields, and at Fortune 500s. That’s given me a very unique perspective on what it takes to make a positive impact.
I’m a globally recognized expert in sustainability with a mission to move from theory to practical strategies that help people and businesses confidentially make real impact. To get there, I share my message through books, consulting to businesses, and keynote speaking to audiences around the world.
My global career has taken me from Los Angeles to New York, Shanghai to Seoul to Melbourne. I’ve had the privilege of working with the United Nations, McKinsey, A.C. Nielsen, and as a consultant with BSR, the world’s largest sustainability-focused business network. A decade of experience living and working in Asia inspired me to found strategic communications firm Fulcrum Strategic Advisors with a mission to help companies, governments, and individuals capitalize on the benefits sustainability offers.
I’m also a regular contributor to major publications such as CNN, EuroNews, and the ABC. I speak to an array of global audiences on issues of sustainability, geopolitics, communications, and societal change. I am the Program Director for The Conference Board’s Asia Sustainability Leaders Council, a member of the United Nations Association of Australia, and serve on the board of advisors to the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.
I am the author of “Sustainability for the Rest of Us: Your No-Bullshit, Five-Point Plan for Saving the Planet.” The book has been described as “…a foundational read for practical sustainability in the 21st century” and “…one of the best sustainability resources available to date.” I’m also excited to be helping consumers make smarter decisions through my second book, “The Great Greenwashing: How Brands, Governments, and Influencers are Lying to You,” out now.
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Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber
My Instagram: @joelyshmoley
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/
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