Tami Stronach from The NeverEnding Story & Forensic Pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht

In this compelling episode of The Neil Haley Show, host Neil Haley welcomes two fascinating guests with remarkably different career paths. First, actress and dancer Tami Stronach shares her journey from child stardom to finding fulfillment in the performing arts, followed by renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht discussing his controversial career and new memoir.Tami Stronach, best known for her iconic role as the Childlike Empress in the 1984 fantasy classic The NeverEnding Story, opens up about how she landed the part at age 10 through a chance encounter with a casting agent in San Francisco. She reveals the intensive audition process that took her from California to Germany, where she competed against one other finalist for the role. Stronach describes the grueling but magical experience of filming at Bavaria Studios, working with director Wolfgang Petersen, and how the fantasy genre left a lasting impact on her artistic sensibilities. Despite the film's enduring popularity and her memorable performance, she made the conscious decision with her family to step away from Hollywood as a child, turning down subsequent film offers that didn't align with her values.After leaving film acting, Stronach dedicated herself to dance, attending a conservatory at SUNY Purchase and performing professionally in New York City for 20 years. She also spent time acting in theater companies and eventually became a professor at Marymount Manhattan College. Now, she has come full circle with her entertainment company, Paper Canoe Company, creating family-friendly shows and content with her husband while involving their daughter Maya in the creative process. Stronach discusses her recent return to the public eye through comic conventions and social media, expressing gratitude for fans who continue to cherish The NeverEnding Story and encourage her to return to film acting.In the second segment, Dr. Cyril Wecht joins the program to discuss his memoir, "The Life and Deaths of Cyril Wecht: Memoirs of America's Most Controversial Forensic Pathologist." Working with writer Jesse Wald over many years, Wecht compiled his experiences from childhood through the present, covering dozens of high-profile cases that shaped American criminal justice. He shares candid opinions about famous investigations, including his passionate criticism of the JFK assassination investigation, which he describes as fundamentally flawed and covered up by government officials. Wecht expresses particular outrage at the Warren Commission's findings and the involvement of fired CIA Director Allen Dulles in the investigation process.Dr. Wecht also reflects on other notable cases from his career, including the Casey Anthony trial (from which he withdrew due to disagreements with the defense strategy and verdict), and discusses how modern DNA technology and improved forensic techniques are making it increasingly difficult for serial killers to evade detection. The episode concludes with an education-focused segment featuring Jason and Dr. Jennifer Little debating school reform models in California, examining how poverty, language barriers, and inadequate resources affect struggling schools in underserved communities. Throughout the episode, Neil Haley facilitates thought-provoking conversations that bridge entertainment, criminal justice, and education policy.