Best SurTHRIVER Podcasts (2025)

1
A Guide to Depression from Someone Who Knows the Darkness and Chooses "Surthriving" over Suffering 13:06

Play Pause

17d ago13:06

13:06

Rachel Hollander is an InterFaith/InterSpiritual minister and the author of "From There to Here: An Insider's Guide to Navigating the Darkness," a captivating book about living with depression. Rachel also is a performer who is skilled in American Sign Language, and she has a great podcast that you can access from her website. If you love dogs, you…

1
A Sudden Death Followed by Profound Grief, a Lot of Swearing and, Later, Abundant Gratitude 17:42

3d ago17:42

17:42

In this fifth excerpt from a longer conversation, Iris November and daughters Anita Hollander and Rev. Rachel Hollander, talk about how the family struggled in the aftermath of the sudden passing of Iris' husband, Bernard "Bud" Hollander. Father of Anita, Rachel and their sisters, Celia Hollander Lewis and Lisa Hollander, he was the "cornerstone of…

1
A Spiritual Way to Go on Living — and, Eventually, Loving and Laughing — After Terrible Loss 8:11

16d ago8:11

8:11

In this fourth excerpt from a longer interview with Iris November and daughters Anita Hollander and Rev. Rachel Hollander, the conversation revolves around lost loved ones and how they can be remembered in positive and joyful ways. Iris envisions her two late husbands helping her out when she needs something; Rachel performs personalized songs for …

1
Show Biz: This New York City Performer's Story Begins with a Role Model in a Leopard Skin 17:59

28d ago17:59

17:59

Anita Hollander, a multi-talented performer and advocate, says she was born to be a performer, following in the footsteps (and footlights) of her grandmother. In this excerpt from a longer conversation, Anita talks about her performing career, which began when she was 8 years old. Anita also is a passionate advocate for performers with disabilities…

1
The Pleasures of Giving, Schnorring, and Saying Goodnight to the 'Shoebox' 15:31

1M ago15:31

15:31

This is the first of six excerpts from an extraordinarily candid conversation with philanthropist and author Iris November and two of her daughters: the Rev. Rachel Hollander, also an author, and Anita Hollander, an actress and composer. All three are accomplished and delightful. This episode focuses primarily on Iris' book "Goodnight, Shoebox," de…

1
With a Delightful Dash of Chutzpah, 3 Remarkable Women Tell Stories of Love, Loss and Legacy 1:20:48

2M ago1:20:48

1:20:48

Losing a loved one and losing a leg; picking up the pieces of a fractured life; creating beautiful things that serve others. These are only a few of the themes that emerged from this extraordinarily candid (and often funny) conversation with three members of a talented and accomplished family. In this episode, you'll hear from: - Iris November, a p…

1
The Courage to Embrace Your Second Act 2:56

3M ago2:56

2:56

Patricia Falvey left a successful and financially rewarding career in accounting to do what she always wanted: write full time. She made this her second act and encourages others who have a dream to do all they can to pursue it. This episode is an excerpt from my full interview with Falvey titled "Author Patricia Falvey on Being Brave, Resilient, a…

1
Goodness, Resilience and Paying It Forward 5:39

3M ago5:39

5:39

This episode is an excerpt from a longer interview with the novelist Patricia Falvey, a former accountant who now writes historical fiction. Here, we talk specifically about her latest book, "The Famine Orphans," which sounds like downer of a story but isn't because the focus is on the characters' resilience and their resistance to being victims of…

1
Always a Writer at Heart 1:54

3M ago1:54

1:54

Patricia Falvey had a successful 30-year career in accounting, yet what she really wanted was to become a full-time writer. After taking a leap of faith to pursue her dream, she's happier and already has had five books published: "The Yellow House," "The Linen Queen," "The Girls of Ennismore," "The Titanic Sisters," and her latest, "The Famine Orph…

1
Five Books and Counting: the Novels of Patricia Falvey 20:01

3M ago20:01

20:01

Hello, I'm the host of Everyday Creation. Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing author Patricia Falvey. She and I covered a lot of territory in the full episode, including her successful 30-year career in accounting before she took a leap of faith to become a full-time writer. In this excerpt, Patricia talks about each one of her fiv…

1
Author Patricia Falvey on Being Brave, Resilient, and Focused on Your Dream 54:28

4M ago54:28

54:28

Patricia Falvey is the author of five historical novels that focus on Irish history and ordinary characters living through major historical events, blending fact with fiction. Her latest, "The Famine Orphans," follows six characters — "orphan girls" — who take part in a real-life effort by the British government to decrease the number of orphans in…

1
Small in Stature, Sugar Pie DeSanto Stood Tall with Talent, Athleticism and Songwriting Ability 2:19

4M ago2:19

2:19

Sugar Pie DeSanto was just under 5 feet tall, yet she had a powerful voice and a daring stage presence. She'd do back flips, splits, and stunts that included jumping off pianos. Signing with Chess Records led to DeSanto collaborating with major R&B and soul artists, including Etta James and James Brown. She toured with The James Brown Revue for two…

1
Brewer & Shipley Didn't Take "One Toke Over the Line" Seriously, Then It Became a Hit 2:34

5M ago2:34

2:34

Mike Brewer began his music career writing songs and playing in coffee houses, eventually meeting Tom Shipley in Cleveland. They recorded their first album in 1968 and played mostly in Midwest college towns. Their song "One Toke Over the Line" was inspired by a backstage experience involving hashish. They wrote it in an hour and never thought to in…

1
Prince's Sister Tyka Nelson Performed Her Own Work and Didn't Ask Her Famous Sibling for Any Help 2:20

5M ago2:20

2:20

Tyka Nelson, Prince's younger sister, began writing songs at age 10. She and her brother wrote together when they were young, but later on, Nelson chose to establish her own identity. She released four solo albums with moderate success on the R&B charts but was primarily a songwriter. She enjoyed singing, she said, but did not consider herself a si…

1
The Many Achievements of Q, aka the Legendary Quincy Jones 2:35

5M ago2:35

2:35

At age 11, Quincy Jones found his purpose when he felt compelled to touch the piano at a local recreation center. It was a small gesture that set him on his way to a hugely successful music career. The first instrument he learned was the trumpet, and it didn't take him long to be good enough to play in jazz bands. From there, he went on to: - Colla…

1
Phil Lesh Learned the Bass as a Member of the Grateful Dead and Mastered It In No Time 2:21

5M ago2:21

2:21

Phil Lesh originally played the trumpet and the violin. He learned to play the bass when he joined the Grateful Dead (then the Warlocks) in 1964. Jerry Garcia taught him how to play the instrument during one long lesson. Lesh's musical background in jazz and classical music influenced his bass playing. He also co-wrote several Grateful Dead songs, …

1
Personal Struggles Led to an Untimely End for One Direction's Liam Payne 2:28

5M ago2:28

2:28

Liam Payne was a member of the English boy band One Direction, which was formed on Britain's "The X Factor" and became one of the world's hottest musical acts by 2011. The band achieved several historic chart milestones in the U.S., including multiple number one albums. Along with success, members faced personal struggles; Payne battled alcohol and…

1
Cissy Houston Won 2 Grammy Awards Based on Her Own Sweet Inspiration 2:33

5M ago2:33

2:33

Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston, was a much in-demand backup singer who also won two Traditional Soul Gospel Grammy Awards. Cissy became a member of the Sweet Inspirations in 1963, joining her niece Dee Dee Warwick while replacing another niece, Dionne Warwick, who left the group for a solo career. The Sweet Inspirations' hit "(Gotta Find)…

1
Despite All Expectations, Kris Kristofferson Achieved Success His Way 2:37

6M ago2:37

2:37

In college, Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes scholar and a Golden Gloves boxer who also happened to play guitar and write music. After Oxford, he moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting and eventually managed to gain Johnny Cash's attention by delivering a demo tape by helicopter to Cash's home. Cash ended up recording Kristofferson's song "Sunday …

1
As a Songwriter, J.D. Souther Soared Like an Eagle and Could Have Been One 2:21

6M ago2:21

2:21

Multi-instrumentalist J.D. Souther achieved his greatest musical success by writing songs for the Eagles and other 1970s rock stars. It was Souther who suggested that Linda Ronstadt hire Glenn Frey and Don Henley for her back-up band. That connection eventually led to the formation of the Eagles. Souther released his own albums to modest success. H…

1
With "Get It Baby," Tito Jackson was the Last of the Jackson 5 to Have a Solo Hit 2:26

6M ago2:26

2:26

The Jackson 5 started as a trio and became a quintet with the addition of Michael and Marlon. Older brother Tito was one of the group's original members. After his brothers pursued solo careers, he worked as a session musician and producer. Tito became a blues performer in 2003 and had his first commercial hit "Get It Baby" in 2016. The song reache…

1
Sérgio Mendes Forged a Successful Career with Talent, Perseverance and a Little Help from Herb Alpert 2:31

6M ago2:31

2:31

Sérgio Mendes had a 60-year career, marked by perseverance and a decision to stay in the U.S. after a lukewarm tour. His success in the U.S. began after being signed by trumpeter Herb Alpert and forming Brasil '66 with two female singers. The group went on to have three Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and two Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100…

1
Scott Simon's Piano Playing Added an "Extra Dose of Espresso" to Sha Na Na's Performances 2:19

6M ago2:19

2:19

Scott Simon joined Sha Na Na in 1970 after responding to an ad for a keyboard player; he stayed with the group until they stopped touring in 2022. The image in this episode's thumbnail is the cover of the album "Sha Na Na: Woodstock 20 Years After." Simon is pictured at the far left. In the chapters, there's also a photo of Simon signing autographs…

1
James Darren Wooed Fans with Acting, Singing and "Moondoggie" Good Looks 2:27

6M ago2:27

2:27

Actor and singer James Darren's breakthrough role was as Moondoggie in the 1959 film "Gidget," where he also sang the title song. The film was a hit, and he became a heartthrob. The image in this episode's chapters and thumbnail is an ABC Television photo of James Darren and Shelley Fabares on "The Donna Reed Show" in 1959. Darren had equal success…

1
Maurice Williams' Song Stayed Around Long Enough to Become a Hit Multiple Times 2:23

6M ago2:23

2:23

The music career of Maurice Williams spanned more than six decades, with groups that evolved from the Junior Harmonizers to the Royal Charms, the Gladiolas and, finally, the Zodiacs. Williams recorded his first hit, "Little Darlin'," with the Gladiolas in 1957. The song reached number four on Billboard's R&B chart. He was only 17 in 1955 when he wr…

1
John Mayall, the Godfather of British Blues, Influenced Such Mainstream Musicians as Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood 2:16

7M ago2:16

2:16

John Mayall's influence extended to such notable musicians of the 1960s and '70s as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Mick Taylor. In October 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a musical influencer. Mayall was known as the godfather of British blues. His music was not mainstre…

1
Duke Fakir and the Rest of the Four Tops were the #1 Male Motown Act in England and #2 in the U.S. 2:18

7M ago2:18

2:18

Duke Fakir and his friends, Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson and Lawrence Payton, formed the Four Tops in Detroit. They became one of the biggest acts of the 1960s. "Reach Out I'll Be There" was their second #1 hit on the Billboard chart and the second Motown hit to top the UK charts. Go here to watch them performing the song on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1…

1
More Than a Backup Singer, Sandy Posey Had Her Own Top 20 Hits and also Sang Country and Gospel 2:10

7M ago2:10

2:10

Sandy Posey began her career as a session singer in Memphis, working with artists such as Percy Sledge and Elvis Presley. She had three top 20 hits in the 1960s: "Born a Woman," which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 1 million copies; "Single Girl"; and "I Take It Back." The image of Posey in this episode's chapters and th…

1
Jerry Fuller Wrote "Travelin' Man" and Discovered Talent (Glen Campbell, others) in Unlikely Places 2:14

7M ago2:14

2:14

As a singer, Jerry Fuller had hits early in his career with "Betty, My Angel" and "Tennessee Waltz," but he made it big as a songwriter and producer. He wrote over 400 songs in eight years and discovered several talents, including Glen Campbell, the Knickerbockers, and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. He produced the top 10 hits "Young Girl," "Lady Wi…

1
There was Nothing Button-Down about Bob Newhart Except for the Titles of His Wildly Popular LPs 2:16

7M ago2:16

2:16

In 1961, Bob Newhart won a Grammy for Album of the Year for his first album, "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," which topped the Billboard album chart for 14 weeks. His second album, "The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back," was rushed out and reached number two on the Billboard chart. The 1987 photo in this episode's thumbnail was taken by Alan Lig…

1
Civil Rights Activist and Singer-Songwriter Bernice Johnson Reagon Understood the Power of Music 2:34

7M ago2:34

2:34

Bernice Johnson Reagon was multifaceted: a singer, songwriter, civil rights activist, historian, college professor, and documentarian. Born in Georgia during the dawning of the modern Civil Rights Movement, she recognized the power of music in activism and co-founded the Freedom Singers. The ensemble performed across the South and at the 1963 Newpo…

1
Dave Loggins, Second Cousin to Kenny, Mastered the Art of Songwriting 2:30

7M ago2:30

2:30

Singer-songwriter Dave Loggins, a second cousin to Kenny Loggins, gained initial success when Three Dog Night recorded his song "Pieces of April." It reached 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973. Dave Loggins went on to write 14 number one country hits for artists such as the Oak Ridge Boys, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers. His duet wit…

1
This Texas Icon was Part Serious, Part Satire and "Kinky" Through and Through 2:29

7M ago2:29

2:29

Kinky Friedman, who formed the band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, was known for outrageous song titles such as "Get Your Biscuits In The Oven and Your Buns In Bed" and "Ride 'em Jew Boy." He was a good writer not only of songs but also detective novels, stories for Texas Monthly and more. One of his pieces in the magazine was a beautifully …

1
AI Meets Co-Parenting: Anne Wintemute Reveals How Tech Can Help You Navigate Divorce

7M ago

—

Subscribe in a reader http://ia600607.us.archive.org/19/items/ai-meets-co-parenting-anne-wintemute-reveals-how-tech-can-help-you-navigate-divorce_202503/AI%20Meets%20Co-Parenting_%20Anne%20Wintemute%20Reveals%20How%20Tech%20Can%20Help%20You%20Navigate%20Divorce.mp3 In this episode, Anne Wintemute, founder of Amy Says, joins us to explore how AI mee…

1
The Hidden Weapon in Divorce: Paulette Rigo on How a Coach Can Save You Time, Money & Sanity

8M ago

—

Subscribe in a reader http://ia802907.us.archive.org/35/items/the-hidden-weapon-in-divorce-paulette-rigo-on-how-a-coach-can-save-you-time-money-sanity_202503/The%20Hidden%20Weapon%20in%20Divorce_%20Paulette%20Rigo%20on%20How%20a%20Coach%20Can%20Save%20You%20Time%2C%20Money%20%26%20Sanity.mp3 The hidden weapon in divorce is having the right guidance…

1
Hall of Fame Songwriter Mark James Got Hooked on Creating Hits for Other Performers 2:21

8M ago2:21

2:21

After serving in the Vietnam War, Mark James moved to Memphis and soon his songwriting career took off. In just two years — 1968 and '69 — he wrote "Eyes of a New York Woman," "Hooked on a Feeling" and "It's Only Love" for B.J. Thomas. Next, he wrote "Suspicious Minds." He recorded his own version to little acclaim, but the song became a major hit …

1
Why People Sabotage Themselves in High-Conflict Divorce | with Ronald Bavero

8M ago

—

Subscribe in a reader http://ia802906.us.archive.org/25/items/why-people-sabotage-themselves-in-high-conflict-divorce-with-ronald-bavero/Why%20People%20Sabotage%20Themselves%20in%20High-Conflict%20Divorce%20_%20with%20Ronald%20Bavero.mp3 In this episode, I sit down with Ronald Bavero to discuss how people sabotage themselves, especially in high-con…

1
The Sherman Brothers Wrote an Oscar-Winning Score for Disney but Weren't Always a Harmonious Pair 2:37

8M ago2:37

2:37

Richard Sherman and his brother Robert wrote two hit songs — "Tall Paul" and "You're Sixteen, You're Beautiful (And You're Mine)" — before Walt Disney hired them to write exclusively for him. In 1965, they won an Oscar for Best Original Score for the film "Mary Poppins." The score included "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Chim Chim Cher-ee…

1
Doug Ingle and Iron Butterfly Had an Accidental Hit with "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" 2:21

8M ago2:21

2:21

Vocalist and keyboardist Doug Ingle is known for writing Iron Butterfly's iconic rock song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," originally over 17 minutes long. The song, which had only 30 words, turned out to be a happy accident for the band. It reached 30 on Billboard's Hot 100 and the album reached number four on the 200 chart. You can go to this video to hear…

1
Childhood Illness Sparked the Success of Virtuoso Saxophonist David Sanborn 2:18

8M ago2:18

2:18

David Sanborn learned to play the alto sax at age 11; by his early teens, he was playing in blues clubs. As a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, he performed at Woodstock; in the '70s and '80s, he collaborated with such major artists as Stevie Wonder, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen. Sanborn also released his own albums, 17 of which made …

1
Guitarist Duane "Rebel Rouser" Eddy Influenced Hendrix, Springsteen and Many Others 2:18

8M ago2:18

2:18

Guitarist Duane Eddy, whose signature sound was known as twang, began playing guitar at age five and later became an early rock music influencer. John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival referred to him as "the first rock and roll guitar god." Eddy recorded "Rebel Rouser" in 1958. The song, which really shows off that signature twang, reached n…

1
Moody Blues Co-Founder Mike Pinder wasn't Describing Himself When He Wrote "Melancholy Man" 2:29

8M ago2:29

2:29

Singer, songwriter and musician Mike Pinder co-founded the Moody Blues in 1964. The British band initially played R&B and covers before shifting direction toward original songs. Pinder wrote 27 songs for the band, including "Melancholy Man," which appeared on the 1970 album "A Question of Balance." The song reached number one in France but was neve…

1
Allman Brothers Guitarist Dickey Betts Considered Himself a "Ramblin' Man" 2:20

8M ago2:20

2:20

Dickey Betts, who played lead guitar for the Allman Brothers Band along with Duane Allman, was crucial in the development of Southern rock. After Duane's death in 1971, Betts became the band's leader. Betts also wrote the lyrics to their biggest hit, "Ramblin' Man," which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. To hear "Ramblin' Man" and see s…

1
Don’t Get Cheated in Divorce! Financial Tips from Melissa Murphy Pavone

8M ago

—

Subscribe in a reader http://ia601702.us.archive.org/29/items/dont-get-cheated-in-divorce-financial-tips-from-melissa-murphy-pavone/Don%E2%80%99t%20Get%20Cheated%20in%20Divorce%21%20Financial%20Tips%20from%20Melissa%20Murphy%20Pavone.mp3 Are you worried about getting cheated in divorce? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Cert…

1
Clarence Henry, who opened for the Beatles, Scored a Hit Singing Like a Frog on "Ain't Got No Home" 2:48

9M ago2:48

2:48

Clarence "Frogman" Henry opened for the Beatles 18 times during their 1964 U.S. tour. He was known for his hit song "Ain't Got No Home," which he created extemporaneously while playing at a New Orleans club in 1956. The song reached number three on Billboard's R&B chart and number 20 on the Hot 100. To find out how Henry got the nickname "Frogman,"…

1
C.J. Snare of Firehouse Hadn't Found His "Love of a Lifetime" When He Wrote that Song 2:44

9M ago2:44

2:44

C.J. Snare, frontman and main songwriter for Firehouse, wrote the hit "Love of a Lifetime" before joining the band. The song was Firehouse's most successful single, reaching number five on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1991. To watch Snare performing the song with Firehouse, go to YouTube. The comments below the video are a really nice tribute to Snare as…

1
Raspberries Founder Eric Carmen was a Prodigy Who Went All the Way to a Successful Solo Career 2:41

9M ago2:41

2:41

Eric Carmen, whose aunt was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra, had a natural talent for music even as a kid. In 1970, he founded the Raspberries, known for their hit single "Go All The Way," which reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. He launched a successful solo career in 1975 with such hits as "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" a…

1
Money Conversations: From Divorce to Financial Freedom with Tracy Coenen

9M ago

—

Subscribe in a reader http://ia800104.us.archive.org/7/items/money-conversations-from-divorce-to-financial-freedom-with-tracy-coenen/Money%20Conversations_%20From%20Divorce%20to%20Financial%20Freedom%20with%20Tracy%20Coenen.mp3 Divorce to Financial Freedom starts with understanding your money and building confidence to take control of your financia…

1
Singer Steve Lawrence of "Steve & Eydie" Fame Had His Own Top-10 Hits 2:47

9M ago2:47

2:47

Steve Lawrence had a successful solo career with four top 10 hits in the early 1960s: "Pretty Blue Eyes," "Portrait of My Love," "Party Doll" and "Go Away Little Girl." The latter reached number one in 1962. Lawrence, who died in March 2024, was best known as half of the singing duo Steve & Eydie with his wife, Eydie Gormé. They were married for 56…

1
Randy Sparks Formed the New Christy Minstrels and Had a Knack for Finding Talent 3:11

9M ago3:11

3:11

Randy Sparks, who died in February 2024, began his career during the folk music craze of the late 1950s and early '60s. In 1961, the singer-songwriter merged his group with two others to form the New Christy Minstrels. Sparks wrote "Today" long before the Minstrels made it a hit in 1964. The song reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. You can …