PODCAST · society
Now What
by Melissa Murphy
Welcome to Now What, the podcast that dives into the heart of midlife and all its twists and turns. Whether you're feeling lost, bored, or wondering what your next move should be, you're not alone. Join Melis as she explores the ups, downs, and everything in between, offering insights and real talk to help you find your way through this new chapter. Together, we'll navigate the midlife maze and discover what's next. Let's go!
Episodes
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(#82) Almost 55, Half Naked & Begging Ryan Seacrest for Votes — Solo with Melis
Squad, I'm three weeks out from walking on stage in a bikini at almost 55, I'm in a Ryan Seacrest podcast contest, and I got SO fired up on this one that I accidentally launched my own contest mid-episode. Buckle up, the F-bombs are flying. 🗳️ VOTE FOR ME, SQUAD! I'm competing in Ryan Seacrest's...
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(#81) Too Loud & Not Sorry: Breaking the Cycle - with Jenny Schatzle
Squad, I finally got the woman who's been on my "dream guest" list for five years, and within ten minutes we figured out we're basically the same person. Jenny Schatzle is a two-time TEDx speaker and author who got told she was too loud and decided to get LOUDER — and this conversation did not...
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(#80) Papi Cost Terrell Owens His Only Loss (And Other Pickleball Crimes)
Squad, you asked, you DM'd, you demanded, so Papi is back in the chair for the full debrief on our pickleball weekend with Terrell Owens. Papi is my husband, a reluctant pickleball player, and possibly the reason a Hall of Famer lost a match. This conversation did not disappoint. Meet Papi:...
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(#79) Two Kids Down, One to Go: College Drop-Off, Driving Fights & Two Disasters in a Trench Coat - with Shannon "Papi" Murphy
Squad! We just dropped kid #2 off at college, and I made the drive down with the man who rated my driving a 3 out of 10 in under a second. Papi is my husband, my co-parent, and the slowest driver in Northern California — and this conversation did not disappoint. Meet Shannon "Papi" Murphy…
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(#78) - Before She Was a World Champion, Ellen Told Her to Cover Her Arms - with Marisa Inda
Squad, today's guest went viral doing pull-ups to Biggie Smalls before "going viral" was even a job — and it landed her on Ellen. Except the show's producers made her cover her arms and told her not to mention that she lifts. We're getting into that, and about thirty years of proof that your...
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(#77) Death Sucks. I'm Back Anyway. — Solo with Melis
Squad, I'm back — and yes, we're opening with death, because that's just how we do things around here. Full transparency: I thought about easing back in soft. Instead you're getting real life, real chaos, and the actual reason the show went quiet this summer. 🔥 In This Episode We Get Into: 💔 My...
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(#76) She Trained for the Olympics, Crashed, and Won Gold Anyway - with Lori Montry
Squad, she's back — Lori Montry, author of You Are Not The Problem, joined us back on Episode 58 and I took approximately 47 mental notes I'm still unpacking. This time she's got an update, and it is NOT the one either of us expected. Meet Lori Montry: Somatic practitioner, author of You Are Not...
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(#75) She Lost Her Brain in a Car Crash. Then She Found Herself. - with Martine Cohen
Squad, most of us spend years becoming really good at something — a career, a role, a title — until that thing quietly becomes who we are. My guest today didn't get to ease into that realization. A car accident took the one thing this sharp, strategic corporate attorney depended on most: her…
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(#74) Men Have a Midlife Crisis Too? Meet Andropause. - with James Davis
Squad, we're going international today. My guest lives in London, and he just informed me that men have their own midlife hormone crisis and nobody bothered to tell us. It's called andropause, and yes, my first reaction was exactly what yours is about to be. Meet James Davis: Coaching…
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(#73) "The Fury Is the Fuel": How Comedy Unlocks the Creative Dream You've Been Sitting On - with Lynn Harris
Squad, I have a confession — I have always wanted to be an actress. Always. And today I'm sitting across from someone who has literally helped women bust down the doors of Hollywood by making people laugh first. Meet Lynn Harris: culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, author of six...
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(#72) "Happy Father's Day, Papi (Now Apologize)" - with Shannon "Papi" Murphy
Squad, it's Father's Day, which means Papi is back in the chair — and within the first 90 seconds I'm already mad at him for something he did in my dream last night. Welcome to marriage. Meet Papi: Husband. Father of three. Professional avoider of feelings until cornered on a podcast. Wore a…
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(#71) Your Home Should Set You Free — Stay, Go, or Reno - with Kim Costa
Squad, we talk a lot about reinventing ourselves in midlife — new career, new mindset, new body. But what about the actual physical space you come home to every single day? Because if your environment isn't aligned with who you are becoming, it is quietly working against you. Kim Costa is here to...
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(#70) Your Skin Isn't the Problem - Your Relationship With It Is - with Zhanna Gavrilov
Squad, if you've ever looked in the mirror, seen one breakout, and immediately questioned every decision you've made since 1997 — this episode is for you. Zhanna Gavrilov is about to completely change how you think about your skin, your self-talk, and what's actually going on beneath the surface....
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(#69) Your 401k Shouldn't Become a 201k - Let's Fix That with Mike Milligan
Squad, we are talking about money today. Your money. Your next chapter. Your plan. And I brought in the guy who makes this stuff actually make sense — without the intimidation, without the jargon, and without making you feel behind. This conversation is going to fire you up in ways you did not...
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(#68) Your Body Isn't Broken...Your Approach Is - with Michelle MacDonald
Squad, if you've ever thought your body was broken, your metabolism was shot, or it was just too late — Michelle MacDonald is about to blow your mind. This conversation is one of the most science-packed, myth-busting, fire-starting episodes we've ever done. Buckle up. Meet Michelle MacDonald…
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(#67) She Won a Station Wagon, Survived Sepsis & Is Absolutely Not Done Yet - with Wawa (aka-My Mom)
Squad! She raised me, outlasted a game show circuit, survived sepsis at 84, and still showed up to this podcast with curled hair and a matching leather jacket. This one is for every mother, daughter, and woman who refuses to slow down — no matter what life throws at them. 🎉 This episode is…
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(#66) Make Shiz Happen May (Yes… You're Doing the Thing) - Solo with Melis
"You're not stuck… you're stalling." Gloss Squad… you didn't just press play — you signed up for a challenge. After a slightly woo-woo but wildly eye-opening hypnosis session (yes, in my closet 😅), I had a realization I couldn't ignore: I'm not confused… I've been playing small. And I know I'm…
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(#65) Midlife Graduation: The Plot Twist No One Warned You About
"It's not just our kids graduating… we are too." Graduation season hits different when you're the parent. One minute you're clapping, cheering, taking a million photos… …and the next you're crying in your car over the last lunchbox. Because here's the truth no one talks about: This isn't just…
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(#64) Nobody Talks About What Men Feel in Midlife (So I Asked My Husband 😏)
GLOSS SQUAD… buckle up because PAPI is BACK and this one? This one is unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and accidentally turned into a couples therapy session 😅 We talk a lot about midlife for women… but today? We flipped the mic and got REAL about what's actually going on in a man's head. And let's...
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(#63) "Stop Playing Detective" - How to Talk to Teens with Communication Strategist, Maria Iams (rerun)
HOOPS & GLOSS! Do you have teens? Are you around teens? Do you have younger kids who will become teens at some point in their lives? Then you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EPISODE! Melis has the most fascinating conversation with Communication Strategist Maria Iams. Maria gives simple communication...
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(#62) - The Season of Disruption: Why Midlife Is Your Expansion Era - Solo with Melis
"Maybe the problem isn't that you want more… maybe you've outgrown what you built." Midlife isn't where you slow down — it's where you expand. This week, Melis is calling it out: 👉 This is the season of disruption. You can have a life that looks good on paper… and still feel restless. That…
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(#61) Why NOT Me? - with Elle Casselman (Part 2 of 2)
SQUAD! In Part 2 of this conversation, digital creator and athlete Elle Cassellman shares what happens when you decide to dream bigger than the plan you originally had for your life. From getting into UCLA after being told she never would… to building confidence through faith, consistency, and…
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(#60) She Bet on Herself at 21 — Reinvention Starts Early - with Elle Casselman (Part 1 of 2)
Nobody talks about reinvention starting this early. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Melis sits down with digital creator and lifelong athlete Elle Cassellman — someone she has known since Elle was a teenager, and who is now boldly carving her own path at just 21. From navigating COVID...
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(#59) Never Too Late to Pivot: From Microsoft to Mayor with Kevin Wilk
SQUAD! What happens when a political science major pivots to acting, travels the world, builds a career in tech… and then decides to run for mayor? This week on Now What?!, I sit down with my friend, former Microsoft coworker, proud UCLA Bruin, and current Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk to talk...
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(#58) You're Not the Problem — The Freedom Formula with Lori Montry
SQUAD… this one is a deep exhale and a full-body "oh my God… same." In this episode, I'm joined by Lori Montry — somatic healing practitioner, author of You're Not the Problem, and creator of the Freedom Formula (a nervous system–based roadmap for sustainable behavior change). Lori's message is...
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(#57) She Knows Ball — And She's Building The Table - with LaToya from Girl Talks Sports
Gloss Squad… today's guest is proof that sometimes the algorithm understood the assignment. I discovered La-Toya (aka Toy Toy 💁🏽♀️) on Instagram after reposting a mindset clip about Olympic skier Eileen Gu — and two days later? She's on the pod. That's how we move. La-Toya is the founder of…
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(#56) From Resentment to Romance-The Sure Thing That Brings the Spark Back with Elana Auerbach
If your sex life feels more like a chore than a connection, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Elana Auerbach, author of The Sure Thing, to talk about how a simple weekly pleasure practice can rebuild intimacy — on purpose. This isn't about pressure or performance… it's about presence. ✨ In...
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(#55) Cupid Called… And We Answered ☕️💌 How a Podcast, a Teacher, and a Comedy Date Turned Into Real Love
💖 Valentine's Week Special Show Notes Gloss Squad… it's your girl Melis — but after this episode, you can just call me Cupid. 🏹✨ This Valentine's Day special is not just cute. It's not just romantic. It's not just "awww." It's actual, real-life, midlife magic that started… right here on Now...
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(#54) Rewriting the Stories That Keep Us Stuck - with Christina L. Woods - Clinical Hypnotherapist, Subconscious Expert & Energy Healer
✨ Episode Highlights In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Christina and I unpack why so many smart, capable women still struggle with self-sabotage, procrastination, and feeling "off" — especially in midlife. In this episode, we talk about: 🧠 Self-sabotage & procrastination — why…
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(#53) From Wonder Woman to Scar Power: Jodi's Surgery Journey, Confidence & What's Next
Hey Gloss Squad — returning guest alert! 🚨✨ You met Jodi Echakowitz back in March 2024 on Episode 21 (From Weight Watchers to Wonder Woman)… and since then? This woman has been BUSY becoming her strongest self. 💪🔥 In this episode, Jodi gets real about the part of transformation people whisper...
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(#52) Do the Hard Thing: A Midlife Reset (Competition Recap & A Challenge for All of You)
Hey Gloss Squad — I'm kicking off 2026 with a simple question that might change everything: what's the hard thing you've been avoiding… and why? 👀✨ Yes, I finally did the scary thing I'd been talking myself out of for years (👙), but this episode isn't about the stage — it's about what came…
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(#51) Why You Can Love Everyone… Except Yourself & How to Fix That - with Author Karen Blaine
Why is self-love the hardest love to give? You can hype your kids, cheer on your friends, support your partner… but when it comes to YOU? Suddenly the inner critic takes over. In today's episode, I'm joined by intuitive empath and seven-time author Karen Blaine to break down what real self-love...
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(#50) Writing Your Way Through Grief: The Nautilus Way with Marie Crews
Episode Description Today Melis is joined by Marie Crews—certified health & wellness coach, retreat facilitator, and bestselling author of Even When… She Rose—to talk about the healing power of journaling, her four-step Nautilus Way, and how she rebuilt her life after unimaginable loss. In This...
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(#49) The Midlife Flame Part 2: Desire, Pleasure & The Rekindle Program (Part 2 with Aimee Ames)
Hoops & Glossers… grab your gloss and maybe a fan — because this one's spicy. 🌶️ In Part 2 of The Midlife Flame, Melis and Aimee Ames turn up the heat and get real about physical intimacy, body confidence, and what happens when you decide midlife doesn't have to mean "meh." Aimee opens up about...
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(#48) The Midlife Flame: How to Rekindle Love, Connection & Yourself (Part 1 with Aimee Ames)
Hoops & Glossers, this one's a must-listen. 💋 In this first half of The Midlife Flame series, Melis sits down with Aimee Ames — a Somatica-trained Sex & Relationship Coach, Breathwork Facilitator, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and host of the There She Is podcast — to unpack what...
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(#47) The Midlife Power Shift: Mastering Your Energy, Mindset & Momentum - with Johanna Danaher
The quick "why listen" When your old playbook for success stops working, Johanna Danaher helps you write a new one. She's the Founder & Chief Energy Officer of Anchor to Aspire and a former global HR leader at Pfizer. Using Energy Leadership (ELI), Positive Intelligence, HBDI, and happiness...
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🥂(#46) HAPPY 1st Bday, "Now What?!" — A Birthday Bash with OG guest + college bestie, Kelly Huber
🥂 (#46) HAPPY 1st Bday, "Now What?!" — A Birthday Bash with OG guest + college bestie, Kelly Huber Hoops & Glossers… grab your gloss, pour something bubbly (sparkling water totally counts 🥂), and join the celebration — because Now What?! just turned ONE! And what's a birthday without your…
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(#45) The Great Midlife Rebrand: Redefining Who You Are (& WHY I'm Stepping on a Bikini Stage at 50) - Solo with Melis
💋 Hoops & Glossers… it's REBRAND TIME! Melis is doing it too — sparkly bikini, big dreams, and zero apologies — and this is your sign to join her. This isn't about starting over; it's about unleashing the next you — the louder, freer, more confident version that's been waiting to take the mic.…
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(#44) The Perimenopause Reversal™ - with Sarah Lynn Wayne
Hoops & Glossers, 👀 What if hot flashes, brain fog, and memory loss could start reversing in 7 days—no meds? That's what Sarah Lynn Wayne did with her Peri PEACE Protocol—a body • mind • spirit reset that turns peri chaos into calm. You'll hear: 💥 Sarah's 7-day turnaround (hot flashes ↓, memory...
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(#43) Birthdays as a Reset Button: Finding Joy in Midlife — with Tamar Hurwitz Fleming
✨ What if your birthday could be the reset button you've been waiting for in midlife? If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, I don't even recognize this woman anymore — this episode is your permission slip to stop dreading birthdays and start celebrating them. My guest, Tamar Hurwitz...
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(#42) Midlife Marriage: Bloopers, Big Love, and Keeping It Real - with Papi
Hoops & Glossers, It's our anniversary pod! 🎉 Papi's back—and yes, his microphone decided to go on sabbatical. Consider this your official disclaimer: I did not turn him down on purpose (tempting, but no). You can still hear him—and he is witty, even when he's whispery. In this episode, we talk...
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(#41) - "Perimenopause, Parasites & Plot Twists (Oh My!)" - with Dyna Vink, Founder of Holistic Nutrition Lifestyle
Hoops & Glossers! Buckle up—today we're going where few podcasts dare to go: the messy, confusing, sometimes downright bizarre world of perimenopause. Hot flashes? Weight gain? Brain fog? Gas that could clear a room? (Yeah, we said it.) If you've ever felt like your body came with a secret manual...
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(#40) - From Ironman to Garden Queen: Kim Eagle on Fitness, Food & Finding Joy in Midlife
Hey Hoops & Glossers — today's guest is proof that you can be strong, healthy, and still grow your own garlic braid worthy of a Pinterest board. Meet Kim Eagle — fitness coach, nutrition expert, Ironman times two (yes, TWO), and the green thumb behind Grow a Healthy Garden. She's the founder of...
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(#39) - The Pause That Can Change Everything — with Karen Bartholomew
Hoops & Glossers - What if your next breakthrough wasn't in another to-do list… but in the pause? This week on Now What?!, Melis sits down with the radiant and real Karen Bartholomew — life coach, speaker, and creator of The Pause Method. Her work helps women (and leaders who feel like they're...
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(#38) - "Wait… What Do I Eat?! Simplifying Nutrition in a World of Noise" - with Nutrition Coach, ME! (aka-Melis)
Hey Hoops & Glossers — ever find yourself eating a cold nugget off your kid's plate and wondering, "Now what?" You're not alone. In this no-shame, no-diet-culture deep dive, Melis is keeping it real (and hilarious) as she tackles one of the most asked questions: "What the heck do I eat?" From...
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(#37) Solo Episode - Midsummer Meltdowns, Manifesting Montecito & Mayhem Ball Mania
Hey Hoops & Glossers — Buckle up for a road trip recap that turns into a full-blown midsummer meltdown (with a dash of Gaga fever and Bieber breakdown concerns thrown in for good measure). In this unfiltered solo episode, Melis recaps her California college tour with daughter Devyn (yep, the…
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(#36) - Off the Rails with Papi: Club Sports, Speedos & 4th of July Mayhem
Hey Hoops & Glossers — Happy 4th of July! Fire up the grill, grab a hot dog (mustard only, according to Papi), and buckle up because this week's episode is officially off. the. rails. 🎙️ Featuring: Shannon "Sexy Papi" Murphy — aka my husband, baby daddy, and completely unfiltered co-host for…
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(#35-PART 2) - Dealing with Imposter Syndrome - "You Are Who You Surround Yourself With...So OWN It!"- with Brittany Carbone
Hey Hoops & Glossers — She's back! In Part 2 of this powerhouse conversation, Brittany Carbone returns to share what happened when she stopped waiting for the perfect time — and just did the thing. From leaving L.A. to start a new chapter in Tulum to trusting her gut through grief, fear, and big...
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(#34-PART 1) - Dealing with Imposter Syndrome - "You Are Who You Surround Yourself With...So OWN It!"- with Brittany Carbone
Hey Hoops & Glossers — Ever feel like the underqualified one in the room? SAME. In Part 1 of this powerhouse convo, Melis sits down with fitness champ and mindset coach Brittany Carbone to unpack the sneaky grip of imposter syndrome — and how to shake it loose. From body image battles and binge...
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(#33) - Reintroduction, Reflection & Real Talk - with Melis
Hey Hoops & Glossers — can you believe it? 33 episodes together! This week, Melis is flying solo to reintroduce herself, reflect on what's brought us here, and celebrate YOU — the community showing up every week with messy buns, full hearts, and maybe a little midlife rage. (Same.) 👋 Get to know...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Now What, the podcast that dives into the heart of midlife and all its twists and turns. Whether you're feeling lost, bored, or wondering what your next move should be, you're not alone. Join Melis as she explores the ups, downs, and everything in between, offering insights and real talk to help you find your way through this new chapter. Together, we'll navigate the midlife maze and discover what's next. Let's go!
HOSTED BY
Melissa Murphy
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Now What have?
Now What currently has 82 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Now What about?
Welcome to Now What, the podcast that dives into the heart of midlife and all its twists and turns. Whether you're feeling lost, bored, or wondering what your next move should be, you're not alone. Join Melis as she explores the ups, downs, and everything in between, offering insights and real talk...
How often does Now What release new episodes?
Now What has 82 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Now What?
You can listen to Now What on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Now What?
Now What is created and hosted by Melissa Murphy.
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