PODCAST · arts
Now I've Heard Everything
by Bill Thompson
Now I’ve Heard Everything brings you conversations about the turning points that shape extraordinary lives. Hosted by veteran interviewer Bill Thompson, the show features memoirists, biographers, artists, survivors, and cultural figures sharing the moments when everything changed, for themselves or for the people they’ve studied. With more than 30 years of intimate interviews behind him, Bill guides guests into the stories behind their stories: the choices, shocks, breakthroughs, and revelations that define a life.
Episodes
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Cole Brauer: At 29 "I Did The Dream"
What happens when you spend four months completely alone, racing non-stop around the planet through the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn? For Cole Brauer, who at 29 became the first American woman to race solo non-stop around the world, the finish line wasn't the goal. The journey was. In her...
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One Doctor's Burnout Fix: Bread-making
What happens when a Cleveland Clinic internist and mother of three develops chest pain and the diagnosis is just stress? For Dr. Beth Ricanati, the prescription wasn't another pill. It was a bowl of dough. On a friend's Rosh Hashanah suggestion - "Why don't you make challah?" - she spent an...
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How a 50-Year-Old Widow Secretly Built a Favorite American Brand
When her husband died in 1908, 50-year-old Rose Knox inherited America's largest manufacturer of unflavored gelatin. For a respectable woman then, running a national factory was unthinkable, so for six years she ran the Knox Gelatin company invisibly. Rachel Greenfield, a Harvard MBA searching…
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The Storyteller CEO
What does a biotech CEO who has brought eight orphan drugs to market have in common with a bestselling novelist? In this case, they are the same person. Today's guest is Fredric Price, who writes award-winning fiction as David Hirshberg. His newest novel "Crossing the Bronx" completes a trilogy...
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How Four Musicians Outwitted the KGB With a Secret Musical Code
In this episode of Now I've Heard Everything, host Bill Thompson interviews Merryl Goldberg (saxophonist, educator, and activist) and Vince Houghton (NSA Intelligence Historian and author) about their remarkable book, Notes of Deception. In 1985, four young American klezmer musicians from Boston...
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The Myth of "Normal": A Neurodivergent Mom Championing Neurodivergent Kids
In this episode of *Now I've Heard Everything*, host Bill Thompson sits down with author, law professor, and creative writing instructor **Katie Rose Pryal** to discuss her book, *Your Kid Belongs Here: An Insider's Guide to Parenting Neurodiverse Children* (Johns Hopkins University Press).…
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The Secrets Behind Adassa's Success: Music, Miracles, and Faith
In this deeply inspiring episode, host Bill Thompson sits down with singer, songwriter, and voice actress Adassa (the voice of Dolores in Disney’s "Encanto") to discuss her memoir, "Love Keeps Showing Up: Music, Miracle and Messes."Adassa shares her journey through the high-stakes music industry,...
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A Remarkable Life on a Fault Line
In this deeply honest and moving conversation, host Bill Thompson sits down with Tim Smith, author of the memoir *Fault Line Still Standing*. Tim opens up about his childhood marked by extreme instability—including being kidnapped by his mother at under six years old, experiencing neglect, and...
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Halfway Homeless, Fully Healed: Reflecting on 20 Years of "Girlbomb" With Author Janice Erlbaum
n this episode host Bill Thompson sits down with author, poet, and writing coach Janice Erlbaum to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking memoir, *Girl Bomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir*. Janice opens up about what it means to be "halfway homeless" as a teenager in 1980s New York…
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The power of Education saved his life
In this episode, host Bill Thompson sits down with Dr. Pius Kamau, a surgeon, author, and human rights advocate, to discuss his powerful new memoir, *Running with Lions*. Growing up in Kenya under the shadow of British colonialism and the violent Mau Mau uprising, Dr. Kamau’s future was entirely...
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When the Doctor Needed Her Own Advice
In this episode of *Now I've Heard Everything*, host Bill Thompson sits down with Dr. Durga Larkin, MD, an ophthalmologist and author of the new book *Timeless Vision: Empowered Aging Redefined*. Dr. Larkin shares how her decades-long career as an eye surgeon inspired her to view aging not as a...
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Anne Frank: The Writer Behind the Icon
In this episode of *Now I've Heard Everything*, host Bill Thompson sits down with biographer and author Ruth Franklin to discuss her book, *The Many Lives of Anne Frank*. Far from a simple biography, Franklin’s work takes a kaleidoscopic approach to one of history’s most famous figures, examining...
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She Spent Five Years Unravelling an Art History Mystery
What if the iconic blue-and-white pottery sitting on your grandmother’s mantle was actually the key to an art history mystery? In this episode of *Now I've Heard Everything*, host Bill Thompson sits down with decorative art advisor, author, and former *Antiques Roadshow* expert Genevieve Wheeler...
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One Man's 40-Year Mission To End Our Poverty of Purpose
What if everything we are told about the border crisis is completely missing the point? In this episode, Bill Thompson sits down with Gil Gillenwater, author of *Hope on the Border* and founder of Rancho Feliz. Over nearly 40 years of hands-on work on the US-Mexico border, Gil has discovered a...
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Uncovering World War II’s Darkest Secrets
Eighty years after the end of World War II, parts of its history remain shrouded in secrecy and political convenience. In this episode of *Now I’ve Heard Everything*, Bill Thompson sits down with Jenny Chan, co-founder and Director of Pacific Atrocities Education. Inspired by a surprising…
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The WWII Alliance Nobody Talks About
What happens when an aristocratic British warlord meets a stickball-playing general from Texas? In this episode of "Now I've Heard Everything", host Bill Thompson sits down with acclaimed military historian Jonathan W. Jordan, author of "Ike and Winston", to unpack the extraordinary, turbulent…
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Jay Neugeboren: The Most Productive Years of My Life Came After 70
Eight unpublished books. Endless rejection letters. A family straight out of Charles Dickens. In this unforgettable interview, author Jay Neugeboren opens up about the experiences that shaped his life and work, from mental illness in the family to conversations with the late Oliver Sacks. It’s a...
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The Surprising Truth About Grief: Danielle Crittenden's Powerful Story of Loss
Danielle Crittenden shares her deeply personal journey through grief after losing her daughter, exploring the emotional landscape, the lack of existing literature that captures this pain, and insights into navigating profound loss.Get your copy of Dispatches From Grief by Danielle Crittenden As…
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His Grief Made Him a Better Father
In this episode Michael Schwartz shares his deeply personal and painful journey of grief and becoming a single father. The sudden and unexpected death of his wife Vanessa left Michael alone to raise their nine month old daughter Luciana. At 40 Michael was a widower still processing his own…
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A Worthwhile Journey: A Neurosurgeon's Life
In this insightful interview, Craig Yorke shares the origin of his book 'Steep,' his life journey from a Boston Latin School student to a neurosurgeon and author, and explores themes of personal growth, racial identity, and the metaphorical meaning of 'steep.' Discover how his experiences shape…
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Small Town Girls: A Writer's Memoir of Place and Perception
In this engaging interview, Pulitzer prize-winning novelist Jayne Anne Phillips discusses her first nonfiction book, the memoir in essays 'Small Town Girls,' exploring themes of memory, place, and perception. She shares insights into small-town life, the influence of culture and history, and the...
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How Social Media Is Shaping Your Identity
Cultural researcher Patricia Martin discusses the rapid changes in society driven by technology, social media, and AI, exploring their impact on human identity, mental health, and the importance of inner self-awareness in the digital age.Get your copy of Will The Future Like You? by Patricia...
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The View From The Diaspora: An Iranian-American Perspective On The War
Dr. Nizam Missaghi discusses the history, current situation, and future prospects of Iran, including the impact of the Islamic Republic, recent protests, and his upcoming memoir 'Passport to Freedom.'Get your copy of Passport to Freedom by Nizam MissaghiAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard...
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A Boxer’s Toughest Match: His Fight With Eating Disorder
Danny O'Connor shares his personal journey with a 20-year battle with an eating disorder, highlighting the dangers of weight manipulation in combat sports and the importance of awareness and early intervention.Get your copy of Weight Class by Danny O’ConnorAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard...
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A Vietnam Refugee's Passage of Self-Discovery
In this conversation, Mai Pham discusses her memoir 'Bridge From Saigon,' detailing her experiences as a Vietnam refugee and the journey of self-discovery that followed. She reflects on the impact of her family's history, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and the role of therapy in her...
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The Man Who Completely Changed Publishing
In this conversation, Gayle Feldman discusses her book 'Nothing Random,' which explores the life of Bennett Cerf, the founder of Random House. She delves into Cerf's early life, his career in publishing, his relationships with authors, and the impact of his television presence on his reputation....
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Redefine Your Success and Find Your True Masterpiece
Janine Matho shares her personal journey through burnout and her concept of living your opus, an intentional, meaningful life that balances success with self-awareness. Discover how to redefine success, build inner resilience, and create a life masterpiece. Guest InformationJanine...
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Love At the Intersection of Race and Identity
In this conversation, Dorothy Roberts discusses her memoir, 'The Mixed Marriage Project,' which explores her family's history and the evolution of interracial marriage in America. Through her father's extensive research, she uncovers insights about race, identity, and the societal changes...
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Hiking Through Adversity: Jo Giese's Memoir of Resilience
In this conversation, Jo Giese shares her inspiring journey chronicled in her memoir, 'You'll Never Walk Alone.' She discusses the life-altering accident that led to a series of medical challenges and surgeries, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and support in her recovery. Jo reflects on...
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Who Really Built The Empire State Building?
n this conversation, Glenn Kurtz discusses his book 'Men at Work: The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsman Who Built It,' shedding light on the often-overlooked workers who constructed the iconic skyscraper. He emphasizes the lack of documentation about these laborers, the...
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Overcoming The Depths of a Mother's Depression
In this conversation, Rachel Tzvia Back discusses her memoir 'The Dark-Robed Mother,' exploring her experiences with high-functioning depression, the complexities of motherhood, and the metaphor of Persephone in relation to her struggles. She reflects on the nuances of grief and depression, the...
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Inside the World That Shaped Him: Addiction, HIV, and Hope
In this conversation, Jonathan Tepper discusses his memoir 'Shooting Up,' which explores his childhood experiences growing up in a drug rehab center in Madrid, the impact of addiction and HIV on his community, and the personal loss he faced with the tragic death of his brother. Tepper reflects on...
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One Family's Legacy From Slavery to the White House
In this conversation, John Ficklin discusses his book 'An Unusual Path,' which chronicles his family's history intertwined with significant events in American history, particularly their experiences in the White House. He reflects on the impact of historical moments such as the assassination of...
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The Culting of America: A Survivor's Perspective
In this conversation, Daniella Mestyanek Young discusses her experiences growing up in a cult and her transition to military life. She explores the dynamics of cults, their recruitment tactics, and their impact on individuals and society. Daniella also reflects on the parallels between cult...
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From Orphanage To Boardroom: The Unforgettable Ed Hajim
In this conversation, Ed Hajim shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in foster care to becoming a successful CEO and author. He discusses the importance of resilience, self-determination, and the value of giving back to the community. Hajim emphasizes the significance of...
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Molly Whuppie And The Heart of Children's Music
In this engaging conversation, children's musician Molly Whuppie shares her journey and insights into the world of children's music. From her early musical influences to the emotional depth of her songs, Molly discusses the importance of music education and the evolution of folk music. She...
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The Legacy of Comedy Pioneer Sid Caesar
This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Sid Caesar, a pivotal figure in American comedy and television. David Margolick discusses his book, 'When Caesar Was King,' exploring how Caesar reinvented comedy while navigating personal and professional challenges. The discussion highlights...
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Memoirs Of Two Hollywood Legends
Twenty years ago Hollywood superstars Jane Fonda and Eli Wallach each published a memoir or autobiography. In interviews from 2005, Fonda and Wallach talk about their lives and careers. Get your copy of My Life So Far by Jane Fonda and The Good, the Bad, and Me by Eli Wallach As an Amazon...
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June Carter Cash’s Legendary Life in Music - And With The Man in Black
She was a superstar long married to another superstar, but June Carter Cash’s life was not always easy. In this 1988 interview June Carter Cash talks about her memoir From the Heart. Get your copy of From the Heart by June Carter CashAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything earns from...
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Mario Cuomo’s Take on The Timeless Relevance of Abraham Lincoln
It’s estimated there may be as many as 18,000 books that have been written about Abraham Lincoln. one of them was a book by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, a Democrat who found the Republican Lincoln to be timelessly relevant. In this 2004 interview Cuomo talks about his book Why Lincoln...
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How Michael Reagan Says God Gave Him A Second Adoption
He’s the adopted son of a former U.S. president Obama but he says his life was not complete until he found God. In this 2004 interview Michael Reagan talks about his book Twice Adopted. Get your copy of Twice Adopted by Michael ReaganAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything earns from...
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How Peter Jennings Changed Network TV News
Anchorman Peter Jennings was the face of ABC News for two decades until his death from cancer. In this 2007 interview Jennings’s fourth wife Kayce and his former ABC News colleague Lynn Sherr tell Peter’s story. Get your copy of Peter Jennings: A Reporter s Life by Kayce Jennings & Lynn SherrAs…
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How One Song On The Radio Completely Changed Barry White’s Life
How is it possible for a single song played on the radio one night to change the entire course of someone’s life? In this 1999 interview Barry White talks about his memoir Love Unlimited. Get your copy of Love Unlimited by Barry WhiteAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything earns from...
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Skating Into a Child s Wonderland: Kristi Yamaguchi
After a gold medal-winning success as a figure skater, Kristi Yamaguchi found success again as a children’s book author. In this 2012 interview Kristi talks about her book It’s a Big World, Little Pig. Get your copy of It's a Big World, Little Pig by Kristi YamaguchiAs an Amazon Associate, Now…
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Confessions Of An American Dissident: ’60s Leftist Leader Bill Ayers
When Donald Trump throws around the term “leftist radicals” he’s talking about Democrats. But a few years ago a genuine leftist radical started a group aimed at overthrowing the government. In this 2013 interview, Weather Underground co-founder Bill Ayers talks about his book Public Enemy. Get…
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Gambling on Satire: Actor-Writer Harry Shearer
The former child actor who once worked with Jack Benny, and who later became the voice of many of the most popular characters on The Simpsons, also proved to wield a potent sword of satire. In this 2006 interview Harry Shearer talks about his debut novel Not Enough Indians. Get your copy of Not...
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The U’Niquely Charming Actress Mo’Nique
At a time when body image is still a determiner of success in show business, comedian and actress Mo’Nique has embraced her plus size and used it to her advantage In this 2003 interview Mo’nique talks about her book Skinny Women Are Evil. Get your copy of Skinny Women Are Evil by Mo’niqueAs an...
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Murder On The Evening News: Bill O'Reilly Talks About His First Novel
The cut throat network TV news environment makes an excellent setting for a murder mystery -- at least it did for a well-known TV news commentator. In this 1998 interview Bill O’Reilly talks about his debut novel Those Who Trespass. Get your copy of Those Who Trespass by Bill O'ReillyAs an Amazon...
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The Not-So-Odd Couple: Jack Klugman and Tony Randall
Felix and Oscar bickered and argued, but theirs was a genuine friendship. so too with the actors who played them on television. In this 2005 interview Jack Klugman talks about his book Tony And Me. Get your copy of Tony And Me by Jack klugmanAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything earns...
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It’s A Hardball Life: The Chris Matthews Book Where It Began
His life has been all about politics -- and the media. In this 1988 interview Chris Matthews talks about his first book, Hardball. Get your copy of Hardball by Chris MatthewsAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything earns from qualifying purchases. You may also enjoy my interviews with...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Now I’ve Heard Everything brings you conversations about the turning points that shape extraordinary lives. Hosted by veteran interviewer Bill Thompson, the show features memoirists, biographers, artists, survivors, and cultural figures sharing the moments when everything changed, for themselves or for the people they’ve studied. With more than 30 years of intimate interviews behind him, Bill guides guests into the stories behind their stories: the choices, shocks, breakthroughs, and revelations that define a life.
HOSTED BY
Bill Thompson
CATEGORIES
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