Best Recluse Podcasts (2025)

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Kathy Hilton: The Real Recluse of Beverly Hills 37:22

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8d ago37:22

37:22

Jolenta does a deep dive on The Recluse archetype and her evil twin, The Warlock. Turns out Kathy Hilton from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has a lot of reclusive tendencies, but watch yourself because you don’t want her warlock side to rear its ugly head. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, b…

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Episode 86: Recluse and Reformer 28:33

12d ago28:33

28:33

At the age of 52, Gian Gastone comes to power as the opposite of his uptight, moralistic father in almost every possible way. But even as the Medici family fades, could Tuscany's future be getting brighter?

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Episode 274 - November 17 to November 21 2025 - To Annoy a Reclusive Author 1:32:25

26d ago1:32:25

1:32:25

Jeopardy! recaps from the week of November 17th, 2025. We prepare for Thanksgiving, muse about travel writing, and Kyle brings us everything there is to know about Harper Lee. Find us on Facebook (Potent Podables). Check out our Patreon (patreon.com/potentpodables). Email us at [email protected]. Continue to support social justice moveme…

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261. Why You Feel Drained When You're "Doing Everything Right" 29:13

37m ago29:13

29:13

In episode #261, you'll discover why your exhaustion isn't just about workload, long hours, or a packed calendar, and why, even when life looks "successful" on paper, your day-to-day experience can still feel heavy and flat. You'll learn how constant self-monitoring, impression management, over-apologizing, and social over-functioning quietly drain…

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Book Report: Rich As F*ck by Amanda Frances (RHOBH) 34:01

3d ago34:01

34:01

As a holiday gift to you, Jolenta returns to her podcasting roots with a deep dive on a self-help book. She read Rich As F*ck, so you don’t have to - the money manifesting manual by the newest Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Amanda Frances. Does the book offer any genuinely useful advice? Does it give scam vibes the same way Amanda does on TV? Let…

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360 Deb Krier: Trying Not to Die 26:08

4d ago26:08

26:08

Like most people, when Deb Krier was told she had metastatic breast cancer in 2015, she went into a tailspin. She previously worked for an oncologist and later, the American Cancer society and still was not prepared. What stuck with her was something the oncologist had said years earlier: 99% of survival is in your head. Deb shared with us how hard…

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260. The Year You Stayed the Same: Why Smart People Stay Socially Stuck 24:51

7d ago24:51

24:51

If your interpersonal skills are the same today as they did a year ago, the problem isn't your personality, your schedule, or your temperament. It's your thoughts. In this episode, we look at the hidden beliefs that keep high-achieving professionals socially stagnant, and why updating your thinking is the only path to true change. ** Don't even kno…

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Episode 277 - 8 December to 12 December 2025 - Talking of Michelangelo 1:33:59

8d ago1:33:59

1:33:59

Jeopardy! recaps from the week of December 8th, 2025. We discuss the traumatizing animals that we don't eat anymore, the Die Hard Question, and Emily dives deep into The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Find us on Facebook (Potent Podables). Check out our Patreon (patreon.com/potentpodables). Email us at [email protected]. Continue to su…

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Mary Beth Berkoff: Continuous Care Retirement Communities Offer a Holistic Way of Life 27:00

8d ago27:00

27:00

Mary Beth Berkoff, age 82, founded her own PR company in her late 50s—and she still knows how to spotlight what’s good. Long before that, she was a teacher, an injury-prevention pioneer, and a public-affairs leader who helped pass Illinois’s seatbelt and child-restraint laws. Those roles taught her resilience, resourcefulness, and, as she likes to …

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Episode 276 - December 1 to December 5 2025 - Live and Let Die Another Day 1:43:16

13d ago1:43:16

1:43:16

Jeopardy! recaps from the week of December 1st, 2025. We discuss Emily's rabies anxiety, the Rick Astley paradox, and Walter White's psychology, before moving on to a very wheelhouse-y deep dive from Kyle on Bond -- James Bond. Find us on Facebook (Potent Podables). Check out our Patreon (patreon.com/potentpodables). Email us at potentpodablescast@…

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259. Reengineering Your Social Identity for High-Stakes Professional Growth 20:23

14d ago20:23

20:23

In this episode, we take a deep, honest look at the role your social identity plays in your success, especially in the rooms where influence, opportunity, and visibility matter most. If you've ever felt like your interpersonal skills lag behind your expertise, or that your social confidence doesn't match your level of accomplishment, this conversat…

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When the NYPD Raided the SLC with Bestie Approved 1:17:11

17d ago1:17:11

1:17:11

Jolenta is joined by Travis Rhoden from Bestie Approved for a crossover episode! In honor of Jen Shah being released from prison, the two recap the infamous sprinter van raid from season 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Travis used to be a finance bro, so he has some interesting takes on money laundering. And many iconic moments are cove…

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358 Denise Poncher: Art as Compass: Following the Pull of Creative Expression 29:56

16d ago29:56

29:56

Denise Poncher, 73, has spent her life noticing experiences that call her to create. A multidisciplinary artist—-creative writer, documentary photographer, custom art framer, collagist, fiber explorer—-she treats each medium as a path toward deeper understanding. Legacy writing now invites her to weave together difficult losses of significant peopl…

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Chapter 47: The Hero 1:55:23

19d ago1:55:23

1:55:23

It began with one woman saying "Enough." Cast: Gloria - Siouxsie Suarez Brodie - Alan Burgon Borsh - Dr. Punt Gusher Ixio - Dr. Lattice the Talking Doll Justin - Jesse Tilley Alondra - Annalise Dickenson Clementine - Lauren LeBlanc Terric - Ian Ferguson Devon 7777 - Ian Ferguson Boofar - Ian Ferguson BertBert - Jessica Morris Written by Joe Fisher …

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258. The Transformational Power of Hosting: Create the Party Instead of Surviving It 23:55

21d ago23:55

23:55

What if the fastest way to stop dreading social events… is to host one yourself? In this episode, Susan breaks down the counterintuitive truth that hosting a party is one of the most powerful confidence-building tools for socially anxious, introverted, or socially awkward professionals. You'll learn why hosting gives you control, structure, predict…

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RHONY Leg-acy with Gibson Johns 1:10:22

23d ago1:10:22

1:10:22

Jolenta is joined by the wonderful Gibson Johns (Gabbing with Gib) to talk about Aviva Drescher’s infamous leg toss from The Real Housewives of New York. They get into the backstory, dish on ghost writing rumors, and wax poetic about obviously self produced moments. Gibson’s Insta Hot Mess-Terpiece Insta SOURCES RHONY Legacy - Peacock Luann de Less…

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357 Lynn Hazan: A Passion for Performance 27:46

23d ago27:46

27:46

From the moment you hear Lynn Hazan, 70, speak, one thing is unmistakable: performance isn’t just something she does — it’s the lens through which she experiences the world. Born and raised in Canada, Lynn moves comfortably among French, English, and the Spanish and Hebrew she loves practicing. Her multicultural roots run deep: her parents were Fre…

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Episode 275 - 24 November to 28 November 2025 - Under the Surface 1:32:53

24d ago1:32:53

1:32:53

Jeopardy! recaps from the week of November 24th, 2025. We discuss Kyle's favorite fruit, Emily's joy from ice cream and jokes, and Emily gives a deep dive on the Hunley. Find us on Facebook (Potent Podables). Check out our Patreon (patreon.com/potentpodables). Email us at [email protected]. Continue to support social justice movements in…

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257. Stop Dreading the Holiday Party: Your Step-by-Step Confidence Strategy 25:31

25d ago25:31

25:31

If your nervous system goes into overdrive every time a work event pops up on your calendar, this episode is your new survival guide. Today I'll explain the psychology behind holiday party dread, the professional stakes, and how to navigate the event like a grounded, self-managed leader. You'll walk away with concrete tools, conversation prompts, a…

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Hot Mess-terpiece Hot Topics 39:35

1M ago39:35

39:35

For a Thanksgiving Day treat, Jolenta is doing a roundup of some of the latest reality TV hot topics and giving her hot takes. She covers everything from Kandi Burruss’s divorce to Kody Brown’s multiple divorces. Please note: Topics other than divorce will be discussed, such as The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City…

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Episode 85: Waiting For The Inevitable 26:00

29d ago26:00

26:00

The vultures surround Tuscany as the Medici begin to die out. The only thing left for Cosimo III is to try to guarantee Tuscany's independence in the future, even though most of the great powers of Europe are working against him. ERRATA: In this episode I said that King Philip V of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese's firstborn son was Carlos. What I over…

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356 Darlene Norman: Belief in Your Own Advocacy Starts with Faith 27:46

1M ago27:46

27:46

Long a member of the Apostolic Church of God in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, Darlene’s faith has been a constant even as she experiences the inevitable ups and downs of life. At 71, Darlene’s serene manner shines through and she peppers her conversation with thoughtful musings based on living a life of scripture. And a successful life it h…

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Welcome to the Horizon 2.2: The People in your Neighborhood 1:47:33

1M ago1:47:33

1:47:33

"Hey, look at that. Out here in another galaxy and still: Small world." Cast: Trinkett - Camille Smicker Frank - Benjamin Burdick Doug - Keith Cable Eldin - Joe Fisher June - Melody Bridges Verge - Cat Blackard Leif - Tom Moorman Deidre - Tina Case Celeste - Cooper Shaw Steve - Jessica Mudd Snorts Ma Ghorts - Jesse Tilley Slabz Mc Terpz - Joe Fishe…

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256. The Social Intelligence Advantage: How Charismatic Leaders Turn Heads, Build Trust, and Become Unforgettable 32:38

1M ago32:38

32:38

In episode #256, we unpack the real reason some professionals are welcomed, remembered, and trusted, while others blend into the background. Susan breaks down the non-obvious, leader-level skills today's professionals need to stand out in meetings, networking events, interviews, client dinners, and every room that matters. This episode goes far dee…

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Dorinda Medley Meddles with Mysticism 40:43

1M ago40:43

40:43

The Mystic is a fun woo-woo archetype, but do not piss her off or else you’ll meet her evil side: the Betrayer. How do each of these beauties show up in reality TV? Jolenta thinks Dorinda Medley from the Real Housewives of New York is the perfect example of the Mystic/Betrayer dichotomy. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Mythos: A Retelling of the M…

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Episode 273 - 10 November to 14 November 2025 - Get a Clue! 1:34:51

1M ago1:34:51

1:34:51

Jeopardy! recaps from the week of November 10th, 2025. Emily gives a PSA for senior citizens about scams, Kyle gets to talk about Romantic composers even more, and Emily dives deep into the classic board game Clue! Find us on Facebook (Potent Podables). Check out our Patreon (patreon.com/potentpodables). Email us at [email protected]. Co…

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355 Laurel Baer: Caregiving Offers a Deep Sense of Purpose 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

When Laurel married in her late 50s, she never imagined she’d become her husband’s full-time caregiver just five years later. Now, twenty years into that journey, she calls it a blessing: “He is so easy to care for…. I have released early feelings of resentment, realizing that I’ve been training my whole life to do this.” As Director of Strategic I…

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255. The Silent Genius Problem: Why Smart Professionals Hold Back 24:09

1M ago24:09

24:09

In this episode, Susan breaks down why analytical, detail-oriented professionals stay quiet in meetings, even when they have valuable insights, and how to change that pattern for good. You'll learn why silence feels safer than speaking, the emotional experience behind "freezing," and what really stops highly intelligent people from contributing. Su…

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Episode 84: Too Few Heirs 21:16

1M ago21:16

21:16

The Medici family are approaching the brink of extinction. It's up to Cosimo III's three children to preserve the family, but even with the dynasty's survival on the line, the Medici cannot stop themselves from repeating the mistakes of the recent past.

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Episode 272 - November 3 to November 5 2025 - Getting Romantic (not like that) 1:45:56

1M ago1:45:56

1:45:56

Jeopardy! recaps from the week of November 3, 2025. We continue our long-standing feud about New York-centric trivia, Emily pops off about girl scout badges, and Kyle puts those music degrees to use with a deep dive on Romanticism and Romantic composers. Find us on Facebook (Potent Podables). Check out our Patreon (patreon.com/potentpodables). Emai…

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Creator Chats - Joe Fisher and Gabriel Urbina on "The Harbingers" 1:17:43

2M ago1:17:43

1:17:43

Please enjoy this chat between Joe and Gabriel Urbina, creator of Wolf 359 and the new show "The Harbingers," then stick around to hear the first episode! More about The Harbingers: Adam Blackwell is the most powerful man in the world. But he hasn't always been. Five years ago he was just a humble grad student at Sinclair University. How did he go …

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Vanderpump Rules Slaps with Mary Payne Gilbert 1:00:17

2M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

The wonderful Mary Payne Gilbert (Pink Shade) joins Jolenta to do a deep dive on the infamous Vanderpump Rules “slap” scene between Stassi Schroeder and Kristin Douse. And the two discuss why we’re so drawn to reality TV that showcases anti-aspirational living. Mary Payne’s Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta Sources: Vanderpump Rules - Peacock H…