Opening for ZZ Top throughout multiple dates on their tour to opening up for the Mavericks at The Ryman Auditorium their’s something universal that connects McKinley James‘s music to playing for these two diverse audiences. That universality is blues meets old school rock meets a straight forward songwriting style. His latest album, Working Class B…

On this episode, we hear from a small town girl who has taken the professional BBQ circuit by storm. Her name is Megan Day, the co-owner and pitmaster of Burnt Finger BBQ who traded corporate life for a career in ‘cue. She’s been serving world championship flavor since 2008 when a bacon explosion catapulted her to viral fame. Now, the seasoned pro …

In Episode 102, I told you the story of two-year-old Fallon Fridley, a precious little girl in Georgia whose babysitter, a close family friend, tortured and killed her in December 2020. The attack was caught on the babysitter’s in-home video surveillance system, and police found incriminating search terms on Kirstie Flood’s phone, such as “What doe…

Dubbed "The Psychedelic Cowboy", Wesley Dean is an Aussie with the spirit of the American West. His latest album, Music from Crazy Hearts, with the title track, video featuring two performers from the Nashville Ballet, dancing around Wesley. His sound is reminiscent of Joe Cocker meets Tom Petty meets outlaw country. Moving to Nashville in 2021, al…

On this episode, the voice of fandom joins Joel Goldberg. His name is Dave Sims, the award-winning Seattle Mariners announcer behind some of the most celebrated calls in the ball club’s history. But that’s just one highlight from a storied career that has been bringing the energy of live action sports to five decades and counting. In his latest pro…

*This minisode, formerly available only to Patreon subscribers, was originally released on May 27, 2021. Since I'm no longer creating these, I thought I'd release them once in a while for all my listeners to enjoy. I apologize for talking so fast back then!* An adorable two-year-old boy described by loved ones as a “cheeky monkey” is dead, murdered…

With gentle piano melody, a soft strum on the guitar, and floating vocals In My Arms is more than a lullaby. It is a love song that only two experienced songwriters writing about motherhood can so eloquently express. The first of Edie Carey and Sarah Samples single releases for the new album, Lantern In The Dark: Songs of Comforts and Lullabies. Th…

Joel's guest is an award-winning curator of inspiration. Her name is Miriam Schulman, a best-selling business author and "art-trepreneur" who traded a career on Wall Street for one in watercolor. But her masterpiece is something called The Inspiration Place, a community for creative professionals where skill and profitability intersect. By leveragi…

The National Children's Alliance (or NCA) is a Washington, D.C.-based network of almost 1,000 Children’s Advocacy Centers (or CACs) across the United States. These centers offer crucial services to children affected by abuse, providing them with a safe space to share their stories and access a diverse team of professionals, from health practitioner…

On the AmericanaMusic.com Podcast Sarah Popejoy interviews Crys Matthews, a phenomenal singer-songwriter. Her sound is a mixture of Country, Blues, and Folk. This preacher's kid from North Carolina'a songs are message driven and she has a new album coming out this month. We talk about her Ted Talk and about the new movement of Country Music to repr…

Dre Baldwin is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur who is proof you don’t need resources to become great, only yourself and your own convictions. He is a former pro baller turned Founder and CEO of Work on Your Game Inc. whose hustle broke all the rules. Now, the business influencer has created something that’s more than a mental framework. It’s a roadm…

Within The Church Studio walls if you listen close you can hear the stories of those who've hallowed it, including Leon Russell, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, JJ Cale, Freddie King, Tom Petty, Phoebe Snow, and Willie Nelson to name a few. The studio once owned by Leon Russell has since been not only restored, but also made a world class…

On this episode is a pair of entrepreneurs who are making headlines and writing history for black women in tech. Their names are Jannae Gammage and Alaia Martin, the CEO and COO of Cypher, a pioneering force in fintech that has revolutionized the way that futures get funded. By harnessing the power of data, this AI-infused startup has automated the…

(Today would be Cali's 12th birthday, so I'm re-releasing this episode in her honor.) On May 15, 2018, police responded to a self-storage facility in Sacramento, California, where, in one of the storage units, sat a box containing a blue plastic barrel, inside which was a duffel bag. In that bag were the remains of a small child who appeared to hav…

This week’s Artists You Should Know is a treat to introduce, because she’s one of my favorite songwriters, Kim Richey. She’s had her songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Suzy Bogguss, Terri Clark, Brooks and Dunn, and Radney Foster. She’s recorded harmony vocals on songs for Jason Isbell, Reba McEntire, Mary Chapin Car…

Dan Hesse is the veteran trailblazer of tech and mobile comms. Perhaps best known for his transformative role as the chief executive of Sprint Corporation, his influence can be found nearly everywhere. And though he may be retired from his chosen vocation of business, his work in leadership is never finished. His latest success is The CEO Academy o…

When Vayda Vasquez was a month away from turning two, her custodial maternal grandma trusted her overnight with a long-time family friend, Kellie Barthel. The following morning, after several 911 calls from Kellie’s residence in Stanton, Michigan, police responded and found little Vayda unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene. This is th…

The Royals drafted Greg Holland in 2007 and he quickly became one of the league's top relief pitchers earning himself 3 All -Star selections and a World Series Championship. Known for his dominance as a closer in the MLB, Greg Holland is enjoying the start of his new life away from the field. Joel Goldberg chats with Greg about life as dad, coach, …

Willie Watson's debut self-titled album was released this past Friday. Since leaving Old Crow Medicine Show, founding member Willie Watson, has been forging together an album that really reflects himself as an artist. After two solo albums, the self titled third album finally feels like the solo expression he’s been seeking. To Willie, it’s epic po…

The path to organizational greatness doesn’t have to be easy, it only has to be proven. For businesses on the cusp of unprecedented success, Teresa G. Carey helps navigate the challenges that await. She is the President and CEO of Performance Pointe who has guided leaders on their way to wisdom for 30 years and counting. As a self-proclaimed “stren…

Here’s AmericanaMusic.com's podcast interview with the Americana band, The Young Fables. With Laurel’s powerhouse vocals, Wes’s smooth electric guitar lines, and the band’s amazing songwriting chops you’ll be hooked instantly. Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford live in Nashville, but are originally from Maryville, TN. With 3 full length albums under th…

Tom Hamilton grew up on a farm in Wisconsin but has spent the bulk of his adult life behind a microphone. He is known for one of the biggest voices in Major League Baseball and now the long time play-by-play man of the Cleveland Guardians shares his secrets to the job and the importance of connecting with people. Book Joel as your Keynote Speaker: …

Stu Crum is a former college football hero who aimed high to achieve international success. Today, he is an author and executive with an impressive corporate pedigree, but ability alone didn’t fuel his drive to the top. It took a playbook that was intentional about living, and now he’s ready to share it with the world. Not everyone can change the g…

On the evening of May 5, 1993, three eight-year-old boys—Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers—went missing in West Memphis, Arkansas. The next day, in a nearby wooded area, the boys were found brutally murdered, bound, and submerged in a drainage ditch. The horrific nature of the crime shocked the community, and police quickly arrest…

Chris Rose is the Founder and Managing Partner of Artsman. This first-of-its-kind enterprise brings you stories from underneath the court of basketball’s most iconic programs, creating something that’s bigger than memorabilia. It’s an opportunity to own a piece of history itself, and keep the thrill of victory alive for generations to come. Website…

Over the past two episodes, I told you the story of non-verbal, autistic 13-year-old Jonathan Carey, who was smothered to death in 2007. His killer was a care worker from a facility for people with developmental disabilities. How could something like this happen? In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Jonathan’s father, Michael Carey, wh…

Today on Rounding the Bases, Joel is joined by a dominating force in the world of high school athletics. Meet Joel Applebee, head football coach of the Mill Valley Jaguars who has turned student athletes into State Champions for five…consecutive…years…and counting. It took more than a playbook to shatter the record book, beginning with grit, humili…

Dan James is a kindred spirit who connects ideas with insights to deliver the ultimate in meaningful influence. He is the founder of Story 19 Consulting, and a history-making ambassador for greatness. By seeing opportunities where others do not, Dan coaches success-driven individuals to exceptional results. And leverages challenges to affect perfor…

In the last episode, I told you the story of Jonathan Carey, a non-verbal, autistic boy whose parents had no choice but to send him to a second residential program after he suffered abuse and torture at the first one he attended. At age 13, Jonathan was restrained and suffocated to death by Developmental Aide Edwin Tirado. In this episode, I’ll con…

Larry Lewis Jr., is the esteemed Executive Director of Growing Futures Early Childhood Education Center who sidelined his pro ball dreams for one more impactful than any playbook could have anticipated. As a tireless advocate for children in need, he has dedicated a career to investing in their future. And by nurturing growth, strengthening familie…

(Laine here! This is part 2/2 of a collab I participated in. I hope you'll give it a listen!) Welcome to Hot Pursuit, a summer true-crime collaboration, where we dive deep into the world of true crime. We’ve gathered many incredible true-crime podcasters to bring you a multi-part series that’s all about the heat of the chase. We'll explore cases wh…

(Laine here! This is a collab I participated in. I hope you'll give it a listen!) Welcome to Hot Pursuit, a summer true-crime collaboration, where we dive deep into the world of true crime. We’ve gathered many incredible true-crime podcasters to bring you a multi-part series that’s all about the heat of the chase. We'll explore cases where justice …

Jonathan Carey was autistic and nonverbal. Because he needed more care than they could provide in their home, when Jonathan was nine, his parents sent him to a highly recommended residential program at the Anderson School in Staatsburg, New York, where young Jonathan was starved, isolated, and physically abused. Due to the PTSD Jonathan suffered fr…

Artificial Intelligence and authentic impact unite on today’s installment of Rounding the Bases. Jeff Utecht is a renowned ed-tech renegade known for decoding global learning experiences. As he shifts the paradigm towards an upskilled school of thought, digital natives from the Far East to the Pacific Northwest are proof of what’s possible when edu…

John Hall is a celebrated storyteller who is passionate about sharing winning strategies. Over the course of his career, he has amassed a portfolio of service to the world's most iconic brands and legendary entertainment venues, each furthering his mission to help others live exceptional lives. Today, John is - among other things - Chief Sales Offi…

Maria Flynn is a celebrated entrepreneur who harnessed the power of partnerships to Make Opportunity Happen. She’s the brilliant mind behind biotech and digital health’s most cutting edge initiatives, who has made it her mission to usher in the next gen of problem solving standouts. Maria is the President and CEO of Ambiologix who is setting the wo…

Joel sits down with a civic leader who is leading the charge on a barrier breakdown. You can find him at the intersection of cause and initiative, leveraging strength in numbers to serve those in need. Meet Brett Fuller, Executive Director of The Wellsky Foundation. As a champion for society’s most vulnerable populations, he bridges the gap between…

Dustin Portillo is an exceptional talent who followed his dreams to astonishing heights as a performer, an executive, and as the face of an icon. Now, he brings the center ring to center stage, with unique experiences putting purpose in the spotlight. Using the power of performance, Dustin delivers a roadmap to success that does more than entertain…

In 2003, an East Texas couple adopted three young Russian children. Over the years, there were countless red flags for child abuse, especially against the oldest child, Alexey, who began running away when he was 12. He ended up on the doorstep of the Roosevelt House, an emergency shelter, assessment center, and residential care facility for childre…

Kelly L. Campbell is a deeply intentional multi-hyphenate with an anti-bureau approach to change that endures. Through the radical lens of trauma-informed healing, they invite the visionaries of today and tomorrow to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Granting permission to disrupt and agency to rebuild, so that all are empowered to feel saf…

For this episode, I had the privilege of talking to forensic psychologists Dr. Shiloh and Dr. Scott, the hosts of the L.A. Not So Confidential podcast. With years of expertise under their belts, the doctors had plenty of insight for us into the topic of child abuse, why it happens, and much more. This is Episode 175: The Psychology of Child Abuse (…

C.J. Stewart is the Co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer at L.E.A.D. Center for Youth. L.E.A.D is the undisputed MVP of sports based development programs dedicated to empowering at-risk young men of color. In his relentless pursuit of purpose, the former MLB player has spent more than two decades shaping lives and breaking the cycles that are det…

Michael Schein is a notorious marketing guru who used a rockstar mentality to deploy a tool more persuasive…than persuasion itself. He is a bestselling author and Chief Hype Artist at MicroFame Media, the New York agency using the subtlest of approaches to make idea-based companies famous in their fields. Through reverse engineering and a pioneerin…

Where action meets advocacy lies an impact that knows no bounds. Here to help us close the gap is an unrelenting champion for children who has kept mental health at the forefront for two decades and counting. Her name is Danielle Robbins-Gregory, the trailblazing President and CEO of Healthy Kids KC, an award-winning coalition where living and lear…

Last week, I told you the story of two-year-old Macy Grace Ditty, who arrived at the hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina on December 2, 2015, covered in bruises. Macy’s mother, Jeanie Ditty, went to trial for murder, but that ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury, and now, over eight years after Macy’s death, justice still hasn’t been served.…

It takes a village to raise and care for a child, but what about caring for the mother? Lauren Hays and Megan Dalton are a dynamic duo who found a gap in the motherhood experience, and assembled a community to help navigate it. They are co-founders of The Matrescence, a members-only digital community revolutionizing maternal mental health. This cur…

On December 2, 2015, 23-year-old U.S. Army specialist Jeanie Ditty called 911 and calmly requested an ambulance for her two-year-old daughter, Macy Grace, who she said had thrown up in her sleep and aspirated. As soon as Macy Grace arrived at the hospital, medical staff took one look at the bruises covering her from head to toe and called the Fayet…

Anne Fraser is a woman who built a career by shaping lives…in more ways than one. And since reversing the signs of her own diagnosis, she has been on a mission to illuminate others so they can do the same. Anne is the Chief Executive Officer of The Night of Hope, a non-profit keeping memories alive through early detection of dementia and Alzheimers…

Three years ago, in episode 69, I told you the story of six-year-old Corey Micciolo, whose mother fought for months to save her son from his abusive father. Despite her pleas to New Jersey’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency and the family court system, Christopher Gregor retained primary custody of Corey. On March 20, 2021, surveillance …

Chris Harris is a man with a vision, who saw potential where others could not. From decay, came the dream to revitalize a neighborhood, which led to an epic transformation thirty years in the making. Chris Harris is the Founder and Executive Director of Harris Park, a thriving oasis on Kansas City’s urban landscape. It’s a dream that now stands whe…