Best Michael Berk Podcasts (2025)

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LATAM Engineers vs. Offshore Norms: Gino Ferrand on Hiring Right (E.11) 43:04

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2d ago43:04

43:04

In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael sits down with Gino Ferrand, CEO of Tecla, to explore how traditional tech hiring misses the mark, especially when it comes to LATAM engineering talent. We break down flawed “rockstar” hiring, AI-proofing your interview process and what successful onboarding actually looks like in a distributed, GenAI-driven…

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Do Michael and I ever fight? What are my religious beliefs? How do I manage toddler tantrums? + more (a fun Q&A!) 43:31

4d ago43:31

43:31

In this solo episode, I sat down in the studio and answered your most asked (and juiciest) questions — completely unfiltered. We covered it all: from whether Michael and I ever fight and how we actually handle disagreements to how we’re navigating toddler tantrums, sibling jealousy, and Milo’s transition to a big boy bed. I opened up about my relig…

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#196 Cultural Conversations and the Water Well Project with Dr Linny Phuong 27:43

9d ago27:43

27:43

How do you explain a blood test, a referral, or even shared decision-making when the entire healthcare system is foreign to your patient? In this deeply thoughtful and practical episode, Dr. Linny Phuong, paediatric infectious diseases physician and founder of the award-winning Water Well Project, joins Dr. Rob Park to explore how we as clinicians …

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An intimate phone call with my dad (why he waited 16 years to have kids) 18:57

11d ago18:57

18:57

In this episode, I’m kicking off a new mini-series I’m calling Don’t Hang Up, where I pick up the phone and call people in my real life (begging them not to hang up!) while I ask them deeply personal questions. For the first installment, I called my dad, Jimmy. I’ve always wondered how he feels about the fact that he and my mom waited 16 years afte…

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10 - Case Study: AI Video Recommender 51:25

14d ago51:25

51:25

In this episode, Michael and Ben discuss the intricacies of building a video clipping service and recommendation engine. They explore the challenges of defining interesting clips, the importance of feature requirements, and the cold start problem when launching without user data. The conversation delves into tagging and metadata extraction, hierarc…

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How To Raise Happier Kids AND Be Less Stressed Doing It (Dr. Laurie Santos) 1:03:12

18d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

I was so honored to sit down with Dr. Laurie Santos for today’s episode — not just because she’s a Yale psychology professor and the host of one of my favorite podcasts (The Happiness Lab), but because I genuinely credit her course, The Science of Well-Being, with helping me shift my mindset in the thick of the pandemic. Back in 2020, I took her fr…

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9 - AI Career Leveling 58:35

20d ago58:35

58:35

In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben Wilson discuss the various levels of a data science career, from internships to senior leadership roles. They explore the expectations, responsibilities, and best practices for each level, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, continuous learning, and maintaining a positive team culture. The conversation…

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#195 Trauma-Informed Primary Care and Sense of Safety with Dr Johanna Lynch 1:11:28

24d ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Host Dr Sam Manger is joined by Dr Johanna Lynch, an Australian General Practitioner who has spent the last 15 years working as a psychotherapist with adult survivors of childhood trauma and neglect. She founded a transdisciplinary trauma-informed clinic in Brisbane named Integrate Place which operated from 2009-2013 offering psychology, social wor…

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The girl who catfished me finally came clean (my thoughts on Internet storytelling) 44:39

25d ago44:39

44:39

Today, I’m sharing the jaw-dropping update to the catfish story I first told on the podcast which recently resurfaced as a viral video series across my social platforms. In this solo episode, I reveals the unexpected twist — an email from the girl who faked her own death and ghosted me for five years. I walk through the production of my 13-part sto…

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#194 Antibiotic Therapeutic Guidelines Update with Dr Geoffrey Spurling 37:11

1M ago37:11

37:11

Host Dr. Rob Park joins forces with the ever-curious Dr. Geoffrey Spurling to unpack the most important updates from the recent Therapeutic Guideline on Antibiotics. Think doxycycline for kids (yes, really), a new first-line antibiotic for UTIs (if they’re even needed?!), and why you might need to start counting impetigo sores. Therapeutic Guidelin…

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"My Family Had a Big Secret — Until I Wrote a Book About It." 56:22

1M ago56:22

56:22

Alreen Haeggquist is a successful attorney and author who’s made it her life’s mission to advocate for women — but her journey to becoming that woman is one of the most harrowing stories we’ve ever heard. In this raw and deeply emotional conversation, Alreen shares her experience of being abused by her father (both emotionally and sexually), the si…

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Daniela Legarda on gaining millions of followers after tragedy struck (The Legarda Legacy) 59:08

1M ago59:08

59:08

In this emotional and empowering episode of The Real Stuff, I sit down with content creator, singer, and entrepreneur Daniela Legarda for a raw conversation about fame, family, and healing after unimaginable loss. Daniela opens up about the tragic and sudden death of her brother, Latin music artist Fabio Legarda, and how that moment changed the cou…

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#193 Answering Challenging Questions and the Media with Dr Michael Bonning 35:20

1M ago35:20

35:20

In his inaugural episode, host Dr Rob Park is joined by Dr Michael Bonning, GP, past NSW AMA President, media spokesperson and advocate to explore how we can answer difficult questions in the media with clarity, confidence, and care. From TikTok trends to political hot potatoes, today’s patients are more curious—and sometimes more confused by the v…

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8 - Microservices with Mark Fussell 59:34

2M ago59:34

59:34

In this episode, Michael and Ben speak with Mark Fussell, CEO of Diagrid, about Dapr, a runtime for building distributed applications. Mark shares insights on the challenges of microservices development, the importance of durable workflows, and the actor model. The conversation also touches on API design, the future of AI in software engineering, a…

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“I wasn’t infertile. I was being gaslit.” (Divorced at age 26) 59:31

2M ago59:31

59:31

At 26 years old, this audience caller thought she was building a life — trying for a baby, working for her husband’s family business, and living in their shared home. But everything was a lie. In this anonymous caller episode, Lucie hears one of the most jaw-dropping divorce stories yet: a young woman tricked into thinking she was infertile while h…

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“I built a hit podcast…and then my co-host stole it.” (Emma Paige talks “Unhinged”) 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

In this explosive episode of The Real Stuff, Emma Paige finally shares more about her side of the podcast drama that has taken over TikTok, Instagram, and the podcasting world. As the co-founder of the hit podcast Unhinged, Emma opens up about how the show began, the rapid rise in popularity, and the shocking moment she was locked out, ghosted, and…

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How to Make More Money, Find Your Purpose, and Beat Burnout TODAY 1:03:08

2M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Are you stuck in the hustle cycle and calling it ambition? In this powerful conversation, Lucie is joined by Amina AlTai, an executive coach, speaker, and author, to reframe everything you think you know about success, burnout, and self-worth. They dive into the roots of hustle culture, how childhood core wounds shape our work lives, and why margin…

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“My intrusive thoughts were taking over my life.” (Carrie Berk) 48:10

2M ago48:10

48:10

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of mental health, anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, and suicide. Please listen with care. Carrie Berk is a bestselling author who published 21 books before the age of 20, but behind the bubbly book covers and growing TikTok following, she was privately battling debilitating anxiety and obsessive-co…

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7 - What are the best AI Software Packages 1:03:48

2M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

In this episode, Michael and Ben explore the world of open source projects in AI, focusing on MLflow and its various flavors. They discuss popular machine learning libraries like Scikit-learn, SparkML, and tree-based algorithms such as XGBoost and LightGBM. The conversation also delves into time series forecasting techniques and the rapidly evolvin…

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What it’s like to be in menopause in your 20s & 30s (audience callers) 1:02:44

2M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

Today on The Real Stuff, we’re sharing two incredibly raw and powerful stories about navigating early menopause and fertility struggles at a young age. First, Katie opens up about being diagnosed with early menopause in her early 30s, right as she began the egg freezing process. After months of missed periods and three failed egg retrieval attempts…

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6 - When Should You Bail 42:34

3M ago42:34

42:34

In this episode, Michael and Ben discuss the challenges of decision-making in software engineering, particularly focusing on the sunk cost fallacy, emotional attachment to work, and the importance of prototyping. They explore how to recognize when to pivot or bail on a project, the complexities of ROI calculations, and how to effectively communicat…

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#192 Primary Care to Disadvantaged Communities with Dr Tim Senior 1:00:44

3M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Dr Tim Senior has worked as a GP at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Campbelltown, South-West Sydney for the last 18 years. Prior to this he has worked in Central Australia, the Torres Strait and the UK, each time in low-income communities. Tim combines his clinical work with work as the Medical…

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Why I left Refinery29 and how Alexandra Gater popped off after being laid off 1:05:30

3M ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Alexandra Gater was 25, riding high as the Home Editor at Chatelaine magazine, and creating a hit home makeover YouTube series until the morning she walked into work and got laid off. What could have been the end of her story turned into the beginning of something entirely her own. In this episode of The Real Stuff, Alexandra shares how she went fr…

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SOLO: How I made new friends as an adult after moving (EXACTLY what I did + tips for everyone) 46:31

3M ago46:31

46:31

In this highly-requested solo episode, Lucie dives deep into her experience making adult friendships — specifically how she built a new social circle after moving from NYC to the suburbs. If you’ve ever wondered how to make new friends after 30, how to actually keep them, or how to balance your social battery with mom life, this one’s for you. List…

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Brett Fairley’s viral paternity fraud story (the drama and the TRUTH) 47:59

3M ago47:59

47:59

Brett Fairley’s story is going viral — millions are watching, commenting, and waiting for each new update as he unpacks this emotional and devastating saga of paternity fraud. And thanks to our connection to his girlfriend, Nurse Hadley, The Real Stuff had the chance to sit down with him for an exclusive interview…in real time…while it's all still …

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“My husband is a sex addict.” (Audience caller) 58:29

3M ago58:29

58:29

When “Laura” discovered her husband’s sex addiction, it felt like her world cracked apart—over and over again. In this incredibly vulnerable and moving episode, our audience caller opens up to Lucie about the moment of disclosure, the letter that revealed everything, and how she’s been piecing her life back together ever since. Laura shares what it…

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5 - How to Lead Engineers with Ben Johnson 58:44

3M ago58:44

58:44

In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben Johnson discuss the essential traits of effective engineering leadership, the importance of customer-centric software development, and the challenges of integrating AI into business processes. They emphasize the need for clear communication, trust, and vulnerability in leadership, as well as the potential risks…

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Why Authenticity Beats Algorithms: The New Rules of Digital Marketing - ML 185 55:37

3M ago55:37

55:37

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of digital marketing and brand storytelling. We explore how the intersection of authenticity, community, and technology is reshaping how brands connect with people—and why it's no longer just about the product, but about the experience. We talk about how we've shifted our focus from performa…

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Life-changing advice from people who are dying (Hospice Nurse Hadley) 59:41

3M ago59:41

59:41

Hadley Vlahos (known online as “Nurse Hadley”) is a hospice nurse, bestselling author, and storyteller who has spent nearly a decade caring for people at the end of their lives. In this emotional and eye-opening conversation, Hadley shares the profound lessons she’s learned from her patients, what it means to navigate death with dignity, and how fa…

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4 - How to Transfer Projects 42:06

3M ago42:06

42:06

In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben discuss the intricacies of transferring code, project ownership, and knowledge within teams, particularly in the context of machine learning and software engineering. They explore the importance of documentation, bridging skill gaps, and ensuring effective knowledge transfer to maintain and extend codebases. Th…

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A candid conversation with Christina Perri on fame, finances & family 1:16:31

4M ago1:16:31

1:16:31

From Jar of Hearts to A Thousand Years to Only Human, Christina Perri continues to be an iconic household name. In this intimate one-on-one conversation with Lucie, Christina shares the real story behind her meteoric rise to fame, the heartbreak and healing that followed, and the profound transformation she’s experienced as an artist and a mother. …

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3 - How to be a Tech Lead (TL) 1:04:32

4M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

In this episode, Michael Berk and Ben Wilson discuss their experiences at Databricks, focusing on project management, team dynamics, and the importance of product alignment. They explore the challenges of onboarding new team members, the significance of effective communication with stakeholders, and the balance between upskilling and meeting projec…

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The Sleep Training Episode [EXACTLY what we did + EXPERT ADVICE] 1:14:33

4M ago1:14:33

1:14:33

For some reason, sleep training has become one of the most controversial parenting topics out there. Everyone wants their baby to be sleeping well, but many people feel that “sleep training” automatically means “cry it out” and therefore opt out. In today’s episode, we are breaking the silence and talking ALL THINGS baby sleep. I’m sharing exactly …

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2 - How to Make Knowledge Useful 1:01:35

4M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

In this episode, Michael and Ben Wilson discuss the concept of knowledge acquisition, focusing on how to effectively acquire knowledge for practical action rather than for its own sake. They explore the value of note-taking, the role of curiosity in learning, and the importance of hands-on experience in making knowledge intuitive. The conversation …

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“I became a single mom of 2 with 48 hours notice.” (Audience caller) 53:11

4M ago53:11

53:11

When Molly became a certified foster mom, she knew her goal was adoption—but she never expected to become a mother overnight. With just 48 hours notice, she welcomed two toddlers into her home, instantly stepping into a life-changing role. In this episode, our anonymous audience caller shares her emotional journey through the foster care system, th…

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“I got my girlfriend pregnant after 2 months.” (Ricky Bee) 1:07:15

4M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Ricky Bee went viral for doing what should be the norm—being a fully present, equal parent. But his journey to fatherhood wasn’t exactly traditional. In this episode, Ricky gets real about everything: his unexpected path to becoming a dad, how social media changed his life, why men need to rethink their roles in parenting, and the realities of bala…

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Craziest in-law stories (audience callers) 1:19:16

5M ago1:19:16

1:19:16

In this audience caller episode, we asked listeners to share their wildest, most jaw-dropping in-law stories—and wow, did they deliver! From toxic mother-in-law meddling and boundary-stomping grandparents to financial disasters, cultural clashes, and men walking around without pants on (!!) this episode is packed with real, unfiltered stories that …

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1 - How to Scope and Build 50:03

5M ago50:03

50:03

In this episode of Freeform AI, hosts Michael and Ben discuss the importance of understanding ROI in feature development, emphasizing the need for effective prioritization and the implementation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). They explore how to analyze demand, identify root causes of inefficiencies, and utilize the MoSCoW method for prioritiza…

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The Baby Nurse Episode (with Milo & Coco’s nurse, Mattie) 59:36

5M ago59:36

59:36

What’s it really like to have a baby nurse? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my experience with Mattie—the baby whisperer who became family. From the moment she walked into our home, Mattie changed everything. She taught me how to care for my newborn, helped me recover postpartum, and even insisted I sleep (which, trust me, I needed…

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#191 Future of Nutrition Science with Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore 1:17:48

5M ago1:17:48

1:17:48

Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore is a Brazilian-born, Canadian-raised, Australian-made keynote speaker, scientist, space nutritionist and entrepreneur. An alumna of the University of Toronto, she earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, followed by a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics and a PhD from the University of Sydney. She is also a…

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Integrating Business Needs and Technical Skills in Effective Model Serving Deployments - ML 184 51:26

5M ago51:26

51:26

Welcome back to another episode of Adventures in Machine Learning, where hosts Michael Berk and Ben Wilson delve into the intricate process of implementing model serving solutions. In this episode, they explore a detailed case study focused on enhancing search functionality with a particular emphasis on a hot dog recipe search engine. The discussio…

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“Have I ever crossed a boundary?” (An honest convo with my mother-in-law) 1:08:59

5M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

Welcome to Season 2 of The Real Stuff—and we’re kicking things off with some BIG news: The Real Stuff is now part of the Dear Media network! This move means exciting things for the podcast—bigger guests, new opportunities, and even more ways to connect with you, our amazing listeners. To start the season, I’m bringing you an episode that’s as perso…

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#190 Men in Mind with Dr Zac Seidler 55:51

5M ago55:51

55:51

Dr Zac Seidler is a clinical psychologist, researcher and leading men’s mental health expert. He currently holds dual roles as Global Director of Men’s Health Research at Movember and Senior Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne. Through his research and PhD, Zac has advocated for a change in the way we think about treating men…