This week on Wait — What Do You Do Again? we close out Spooky Season with historian Dr. Mikki Brock, whose research explores the supernatural and religious beliefs and identities in early modern Scotland and speaks widely on topics including demonology, witchcraft, and British history.
From witch hunts and the rise of groupthink to the cultural obsession with “unnatural women,” Dr. Brock unpacks how these patterns echo through history and still shape our world today.
It’s a smart, unnerving, and deeply human conversation about what beliefs reveal about fear, power, and control, who we blame, and the invisible forces still shaping us.
You can learn more about Dr. Brock's work and her books at https://www.mdbrock.com/
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This week on Wait — What Do You Do Again?, we meet Dr. Cailin Murray, anthropologist and professor at Ball State University, whose research explores Native American folklore, haunted landscapes, and the anthropology of the supernatural.
From Sasquatch sightings in the Pacific Northwest to Native ghost stories and haunted burial grounds, Dr. Murray unpacks how tales of spirits and monsters reveal America’s haunted history of colonization, loss, and persistence. We also dig into how pop culture, especially The Twilight Saga, has distorted and commercialized Indigenous stories, and how the real Quileute Nation has reclaimed its voice in powerful ways.
Dr. Murray shares her own haunting experiences, the surprising connection between Karl Marx and ghosts, and why she believes the line between the living and the dead is thinner than we think.
If you love Halloween, folklore, Indigenous studies, or stories that blur the line between fact and faith, this episode will linger long after you turn off the lights.
🎧 Listen, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps others find the show!
This week on Wait — What Do You Do Again?, we meet Dr. Bernice Murphy, Professor of Popular Literature at Trinity College Dublin and one of the world’s leading experts on Gothic and horror fiction. From Shirley Jackson’s chilling works (including The Lottery, which is still haunting Meghan 30 years after she first read it), to the haunted houses and haunted hearts of the modern Gothic, Dr. Murphy unpacks why these unsettling tales endure and what they reveal about us.
Murphy explores Jackson’s wit, feminism, and deep insight into community and conformity, the reaction The Lottery garnered, and how horror helps us process real-world fears, from postwar trauma to social media “stonings.” The conversation spans Stephen King, suburban Gothic, cancel culture, and why being scared might actually be good for us.
If you love spooky season, literary history, or just want to understand why we can’t look away from the macabre, this episode is for you.
You can purchase Dr. Murphy's books here and follow her on Bluesky.
Dr. Imani Cheers, commentator, cultural curator, and professor at The George Washington University, explores why Thriller remains a timeless cultural touchstone more than 40 years later. From Quincy Jones’ genius as a boundary-breaking producer to Michael Jackson’s creative evolution, Dr. Cheers unpacks how collaboration and storytelling can transcend genre, race, and time.
Our conversation widens to today’s media landscape: what it means to be media literate, how algorithms shape our worldview, and why community and optimism are acts of resistance. Dr. Cheers also shares her global upbringing, lessons from her father’s work with Ebony and Jet, and her upcoming books Framing Fatherhood and Sacred Sisterhoods. You can learn more about and purchase her books here.
If you love music, culture, or smart storytelling, this one’s for you.
You can follow Dr. Cheers at https://www.thecheersreport.com/
What do haunted houses, hidden cemeteries, and the rich blues history of Mississippi have in common? Storyteller and historian Shannon Evans is here to tell us. As the creator of the hit podcast Tombigbee Tales, Shannon blends deep historical research, oral tradition, and a flair for the supernatural to uncover the myths, scandals, and forgotten figures of the American South. In this episode, she shares the story behind her podcast's name, her work cataloging Black cemeteries across Mississippi, and the ways folklore, ghosts, and even cryptids reflect the South’s complicated past. From antebellum mansions to juke joints, from ghost hunts to courthouse scandals, Shannon reminds us that history is never just black and white; it’s living, layered, and often stranger than fiction.
You can hear more from Shannon at: https://tombigbeetales.com/
Her books, Wisteria Place: A House of History and Haunting and Riverview: A Monument to Greek Revival Architecture, will be available starting November 1st through Amazon and Barnes & Noble online
In this episode, we meet John David Graham, author of Running As Fast As I Can and founder of Good Samaritan Home, a nonprofit that has provided housing and mentorship to more than 2,500 men and women rebuilding their lives after prison or homelessness. John shares how losing his job as a minister became the catalyst for creating a community of 21 homes dedicated to second chances.
From the simple act of making your bed to overcoming recidivism, John reflects on leadership, faith in action, and why compassion and accountability can change lives. This powerful conversation explores the realities of reentry, homelessness, and the importance of community in helping people start again.
You can learn more about John, Good Samaritan Home and his book at: https://johndavidgraham.com/
Full video available on YouTube
What happens when a 30-year corporate veteran pivots at age 51 to become a professional male escort? Meet Australian companion George Goulburn, who left his corporate career to provide intimacy, companionship, and empowerment for women aged 30 to 80.
George shares how he navigates stigma, boundaries, and safety in his work, why so many women struggle to ask for what they want in intimacy, and what he’s learned about communication, confidence, and connection along the way. Whether it’s holding someone’s hand for the first time in over a decade or sharing a trip abroad, George offers his insight about connection, empowerment, and our universal need for touch.
If you’ve ever wondered how women can feel safer and more confident in expressing their desires, or what it really means to create authentic connection, this episode is for you. Sex is acknowledged and discussed in this conversation, please use discernment or headphones when listening.
You can find George at: https://www.georgegoulburn.com/
Watch on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@megdefordyoutube/playlists
Eating disorders are the second most deadly mental health condition after opioid addiction, yet so often, disordered eating is hidden in plain sight, even praised in our culture. In this powerful episode, therapist Janelle Coolidge joins to unpack the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, how trauma and chronic illness shape our relationship with our bodies, and why no single body type defines health.
Janelle shares practical ways to recognize the signs, how to talk with loved ones who may be struggling, and why body gratitude and self-compassion are essential tools for healing. Together, we explore diet culture, social media’s influence, and the everyday comments we make that can unintentionally do harm.
If you’ve ever wondered what an eating disorder is, how disordered eating shows up in everyday life, or how to support yourself or someone you love, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and hope.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating
Why eating disorders affect people of every size, race, and background
How trauma and chronic illness intersect with body image
Practical signs to watch for and how to respond with care
The role of diet culture, “clean eating,” and social media in shaping our views
To learn more about Janelle, you can follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/coolskiescounseling/ or visit her website at: coolskiescounseling.com
Matt returns for a meandering conversation about dating, including a recent dalliance with a colorful fellow, maintaining friendships as we age (and as the single person of the group), Matt tries to sing his way out of the male loneliness crisis, and some Britney Spears. This episode is equal parts laughter, real talk, and reminders that friendship and connection evolve right alongside us.
Catch the unedited version on YouTube
At 82, author Gerry Wilson became a first-time novelist. Her debut historical novel, That Pinson Girl, set in World War I-era Mississippi, draws from family stories, myth, and the complicated legacy of the South. In this conversation, Gerry shares what it means to pursue creativity “late” in life, how historical fiction helps us understand the present, and the resilience it takes to keep writing through rejection. We talk about her grandmother’s influence, the realities of race and culture in Mississippi, and how artifacts like a century-old ledger and wartime letters inspired her characters. This is a conversation about persistence, place, and the power of stories to bridge generations.
You can learn more about Gerry at: https://gerrygwilson.com/
Regal House Publishing: https://regal-house-publishing.mybigcommerce.com/that-pinson-girl/
Is Bigfoot real? And what does our fascination with the unknown say about us? In this episode, we meet Kev LeStarge, Bigfoot enthusiast and author of Billy Finds Bigfoot, a charming children’s book that explores curiosity, nature, and unexpected friendship. Kev shares wild stories from his expeditions, talks about the science behind Sasquatch sightings, and opens up about how his love for Bigfoot deepened his respect for the natural world. We also dive into why wonder and imagination still matter in an age of certainty and how “leaning into the maybe” can change the way we see the world.
Whether you’re a skeptic or already part of the Woo Crew, this episode will stretch your imagination and ground you at the same time.
You can find Kev at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZeroOneInfinity?ref=shop_sugg_market
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineshadowdesign/
Book: https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/writers/kev-lestarge
Step into history with Jackie Lapin, world traveler, award-winning author, and founder of The Historic Traveler. Jackie has explored over 500 historic locations across 50 countries, capturing them through stunning photography and pairing each destination with historic novels, mysteries, and biographies that make you feel like you’ve actually lived there.
In this episode, Jackie shares her fascinating journey from breaking barriers as one of the first female sportswriters to running a top-tier PR agency, to following her true passion for history and travel. You’ll discover:
Whether you’re a history buff, a book lover, or simply looking for travel inspiration, this conversation will spark your wanderlust and give you tools to see the world in a whole new way.
🎧 Listen now and start planning your next journey through time.
To access The Historic Traveler’s free resources, including the world’s largest directory of historic novels and history books by location, visit: https://thehistorictraveler.com/
Beatles historian and author David Bedford didn’t just grow up near a Beatles landmark, he lived in their story. Born in Liverpool, David attended Ringo Starr’s school, lived off Penny Lane, and sent his kids to the same school as John Lennon and George Harrison.
In this episode, David shares how Liverpool’s unique history, culture, and post-war quirks created the perfect storm for The Beatles to form, and why it could only have happened there. We also dive into little-known Beatles influences, the pivotal role of Hamburg, and the surprising ‘what if’ moment that launched David’s career. If you think you know The Beatles’ origin story, think again.
You can learn more about Dave and his work at: https://davidabedford.com/
Before LeBron, before Serena, before Tiger… there was Major Taylor.
In this episode, we meet author, historian, and Hall of Fame cyclist John Kennedy Howard, who wrote The Black Cyclone: A Hero The World Forgot, about Marshall “Major” Taylor. Major Taylor was the world’s first African American sports superstar and the fastest cyclist of the early 1900s. We dive into Taylor’s groundbreaking career, his unwavering faith, his battles with racism in the U.S., and his fame abroad in Europe and Australia.
John shares insights from his book and offers incredible behind-the-scenes stories from interviews with Major Taylor’s daughter, as well as reflections on Taylor’s legacy, innovation, and his remarkable ability to remain composed under pressure.
If you're a sports fan, history buff, or lover of untold stories, this one’s for you.
Learn more at /https://majortaylorstory.com/
Get the book: The Black Cyclone
This week we meet Father Nathan Castle, O.P., a Dominican Catholic priest who has spent the last 30 years helping “stuck souls” cross over. Father Castle has helped over 600 souls who died suddenly or traumatically find peace, healing, and forward movement.
We talk about:
What is a "stuck soul" and how Father Castle helps them
How trauma can impact a soul’s journey beyond death
The metaphysics of consciousness and “stuckness”
Why truth is essential to healing in this life and the next)
This conversation might shift the way you think about death, healing, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Father Castle is the author of the Afterlife Interrupted series and host of The Joyful Friar podcast. Learn more at: nathan-castle.com
Want to go deeper?
Here are a few questions to reflect on or discuss with friends after listening. Think of it like a podcast book club.
What do emotional intelligence, Disney signs, improv comedy, and workplace culture all have in common? Dr. Alan Mueller.
In this high-energy episode of Wait – What Do You Do Again?, we meet Alan Mueller, senior consultant at Adaptive Challenge Consulting and author of Leading with Emotional Intelligence. With a career spanning higher ed, comedy, leadership training, and even a top 5% Etsy shop, Alan brings a unique lens to emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and why shared expectations—not “common sense”—make teams thrive.
We talk:
Whether you're a team leader, a future exec, find yourself annoyed by reading the topics we cover, or just curious how personality types show up in meetings, this episode is for you.
Mentioned Websites/Resources:
Alan’s Book: Leading with Emotional Intelligence
🎧 Listen now and share with a friend who shares your opinions on potato salad.
Meg and Matt are back in pt 2 of the one year anniversary episode. We chat about career, motherhood, divorce, and how she navigated motherhood, burnout, and getting fired from a leadership role only to rediscover herself, her purpose, and a new path forward.
🔑 Topics we cover:
Separating what we do from who we are
Career pivots and personal reinvention
Working mom realities
Building community
How the podcast got started and more!
Tune in for the end of the origin story.
👇 Stay connected:Coaching & Newsletter: https://www.megdeford.com
Subscribe + Rate: It really helps the pod grow!
Follow @megdeford on Instagram & TikTok
It’s the podcast's 1st anniversary! 🎉
In this special two-part celebration of Wait—What Do You Do Again?, Meghan sits in the guest seat as her yap buddy Matt takes over hosting duties.
In Part 1, Matt digs into Meghan’s life story: how she grew up, pivotal moments that shaped her, and the surprising turns that led her to where she is today. If you've ever wondered who Meghan is beyond the podcast, this episode is for you.
Hit play to get to know the person behind the mic and stay tuned for Part 2, dropping next Thursday, July 10.
In this episode, I talk with Jenny Altoro, a gifted tarot reader and medium, about how she uses tarot as a self-help tool to help people recognize patterns, access their intuition, and stop feeling stuck. Jenny shares her own spiritual awakening from a childhood experience with tarot to rediscovering her intuitive gifts decades later, and the journey she’s taken through healing, self-awareness, and breaking generational cycles.
We talk about:
✨ The difference between fate, free will, and subconscious patterns
✨ How tarot can be used for clarity, not certainty; and please stop asking if your ex is coming back.
✨ Why intuition is a skill you can strengthen
✨ Red flags to watch out for when choosing a psychic or tarot reader
✨ Her experiences with mediumship, ayahuasca, and spiritual protection
Whether you’re curious about tarot, navigating a season of transition, or don't believe any of this stuff, this conversation is for you.
✨✨ Learn more about Jenny at DivineFamilyTarot.com ✨✨
This week, we meet Imre Lengyel, a two-time Olympic diver and elite performance coach whose career spans the worlds of professional sports and live entertainment. From the Olympic platform to the Cirque du Soleil stage, Imre brings a rare depth of experience to the art of high-performance coaching.
In this episode, they discuss:
With a psychology degree from the University of Miami and an incredible expanse of professional experiences, Imre shares lessons on resilience, reinvention, and staying grounded under pressure.
Whether you're an athlete, a creative, or just curious about what high-performance coaching really looks like, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes.
You can connect with Imre at https://www.whatalifegroup.com/
