Don’t Follow the Shepherd

Episode archive and selected conversations.

Don’t Follow the Shepherd is inspired by my lived experiences and interest in the biopsychosocial determinants of life choices, particularly regarding careers and relationships.

While our psychological and spiritual depth, emotional intelligence, and mental health are psychological factors that influence how we choose our careers and partners, and approach work-life balance, many biological (e.g., genetic, epigenetic) and social/environmental factors (family and organizational systems and cultures) also contribute to the choices we make.

This trauma-informed and conscious podcast explores the human experience through stories of passion, drive, courage, resilience, fear, loss, failure, grief, luck, growth, success, and healing as shared by our eclectic guests. Some of the topics are covered in my Substack newsletter (Biopsychosocial Briefs) and my advocacy site (Scapegoat Strength).

Below are some clips from various episodes.

IMDb, Spotify, YouTube, Apple, IG, RSS

Past & Upcoming Episodes of Don’t Follow the Shepherd:
RECORDED 02/26/2025 Michael Robison (AKA ‘The Monkey Man’). Michael founded SPARTN Monkey Rescue, which is based in TN. In this inaugural episode, we explore trauma recovery in humans and nonhuman primates with an emphasis on new world monkeys rescued from a trafficker.

RECORDED 03/06/2025 Ori Spado is the author of ‘The Accidental Gangster‘. He and I discuss the ‘black sheep’ phenomenon and our friendship and collaborations over the years, including nonprofit endeavors and interviews. As discussed in this episode, we joined a former governor of Alabama to discuss federal prison reform on behalf of a Birmingham radio station.

RECORDED 03/10/2025 Christine Mott is a mom, attorney, activist, and author. Her new book, “Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight,” features the plight of the captive-born Eurasian eagle-owl “Flaco,” who escaped the Central Park Zoo and became an international icon, encouraging public discourse about the mission of zoological institutions. I have seen zoos make tremendous advances in animal science, zoological medicine, and applied animal welfare. Their rewilding efforts have placed them at the forefront of conservation. That said, Christine brings to our attention evolving ethics and philosophical concerns that we grapple with as one species profoundly impacts others.

RECORDED 03/21/2025 Lifestyle expert Carrie Pohlman will draw attention to responsible luxury living and eco-luxury real estate, particularly after the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Carrie was a charter jet and yacht broker before entering the high-end residential real estate market. She brings an excellent perspective on responsible travel and responsible residency.

RECORDED 06/11/2025

RECORDED 06/16/2025 GRETCHEN ASHTON

TO BE SCHEDULED High-tech professional Lora Jane Aksamit will discuss her life transition from the cornfields of Nebraska to the microchips of Silicon Valley.

TO BE SCHEDULED Gregory Sain – Motivational Speaker

RECORDED 04/04/25 Spiritual guide Elizabeth Hudson, whom I last spoke with on the beautiful ‘symptomology’ of Kundalini rising for my Substack, Biopsychosocial Briefs, introduces sexual alchemy and the confluence of sex and spirituality. Elizabeth hosts the podcast Sexual Alchemy, a fascinating, sex-positive exploration of gender dichotomy and sexual harmony. Her website is Elizabeth-Hudson.com.

RECORDED 04/21/25 Michael Zwick, JD, hunts down inheritances. The attorney turned ‘Probate PI’ is the CEO of Assets International. He changes lives by recovering assets for deserving beneficiaries and the like.

TO BE SCHEDULED How many Vikings do you know who speak Yiddish? Klara Landrat does! The seafaring polyglot and actress will join me for an upcoming podcast to discuss Viking culture, transoceanic travel, and our shared ethnocultural and linguistic heritage.In addition to the old and sadly dying language of Ashkenazic Jewish communities, Klara, the daughter of a diplomat, speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Hebrew.

RECORDED

TO BE SCHEDULED

TO BE SCHEDULED Cryptozoologist John S. Baranchok talks about his new book “Grasping Sasquatch”

TO BE SCHEDULED Danielle Martin

Recorded 04/25/25 From the Southern Great Plains to the City of Light & Love, Kelly Dowdle has showcased her talents as a performing artist.

RECORDED 06/17/2025 Hillary Anger Elfenbein, PhD

Recorded 04/24/25 Kalen Olson is a spiritual life coach based in Bend, Oregon. She empowers women through her transformational work focused on the mind-body-spiritual connection.

Recorded 04/17/25 Corporate recruiter Kelly Brown shares a journey that will inspire all her clients.

TO BE SCHEDULED Rachel Lounds

RECORDED 04/29/25 Entrepreneur Bethany Sharp discusses her comeback story from the COVID-19 pandemic and her new business ventures in South Florida.

RECORDED 05/01/2025 Fitness guru Shanit Bar will discuss fitness and wellness as a lifestyle.

Recorded 05/15/2025 Music publicist Lesley Zimmerman shares the harrowing experience of losing her family home in the Palisades Fire. She was living in the house where she was raised, and her story of loss, grief, and resilience is both touching and inspiring.

RECORDED 06/08/2025 With Beck Thompson

TO BE SCHEDULED Hyper-carnivore Kem Minnick discusses the politics of eating meat with me, a plant-based enthusiast.

RECORDED 04/02/25 Author, life strategist, and corporate health and wellness expert Sarah Shaffer will share her new memoir, which focuses on post-traumatic growth and resilience.

TO BE RECORDED 05/0?/25 Alexandra Tovar gets to broker yachts for a living!

RECORDED 04/23/25 Sophia Graniela shares her journey of sobriety, post-traumatic growth, and her dedication to helping other women navigate healing modalities, including her specialty, EFT.

RECORDED 06/08/2025 with Jamie Lee Kendall

TO BE RECORDED

RECORDED 5/30/2025 Tali Kentof shares her journey from working in the pharmaceutical industry to becoming a functional wellness practitioner. After 15 years with implants, she presented so severely with symptoms associated with ‘Breast Implant Illness’ that she contemplated assisted suicide. Now she helps clients navigate health and wellness from a holistic perspective.