Richard Cardillo was an educator for over three decades on two continents and in three languages. He’s also a decorated storyteller. Richard spent his early adult life as a monk in the Catholic Church, but realized it was a massive effort to suppress his homosexuality – a major taboo for an Italian-American Catholic of his generation.  This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, call the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Richard Cardillo was an educator for over three decades on two continents and in three languages. He’s also a decorated storyteller. Richard spent his early adult life as a monk in the Catholic Church, but realized it was a massive effort to suppress his homosexuality – a major taboo for an Italian-American Catholic of his generation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, call the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Richard Cardillo was an educator for over three decades on two continents and in three languages. He’s also a decorated storyteller. Richard spent his early adult life as a monk in the Catholic Church, but realized it was a massive effort to...

Episode 17: Richard Cardillo

Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band “Darkest Hour.” He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of music, the downsides of the music industry, and what it takes to stay grounded.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band “Darkest Hour.” He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of music, the downsides of the music industry, and what it takes to stay grounded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band “Darkest Hour.” He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of music, the downsides of the music industry, and what it takes to stay...

Episode 16: Mike Schleibaum

Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance music journalist, cultural critic, and DJ. She’s written for Complex, Rolling Stone, Fader, NPR, WNYC, and more. In 2016 Kiana went missing, frightening her family and friends and igniting a search for her through social media – she was a Trending Topic until she was found. This is her story about that day, and the subsequent days of mental health struggles, enlightenment, and music.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance music journalist, cultural critic, and DJ. She’s written for Complex, Rolling Stone, Fader, NPR, WNYC, and more. In 2016 Kiana went missing, frightening her family and friends and igniting a search for her through social media – she was a Trending Topic until she was found. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style= "font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is her story about that day, and the subsequent days of mental health struggles, enlightenment, and music.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance music journalist, cultural critic, and DJ. She’s written for Complex, Rolling Stone, Fader, NPR, WNYC, and more. In 2016 Kiana went missing, frightening her family and friends and igniting a search for her through...

Episode 15: Kiana Fitzgerald

Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawyer at The Hague to pursue comedy.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawyer at The Hague to pursue comedy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawyer at The Hague to pursue comedy.

Episode 14: Jess Salomon

Jeff Gomez, CEO of <a href= "https://starlightrunner.com">Starlight Runner,</a> is one of the world’s leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultaneously running one of the most complicated Dungeons and Dragons games in New York city during the ‘70s and ‘80s.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jeff Gomez, CEO of &lt;a href= "https://starlightrunner.com"&gt;Starlight Runner,&lt;/a&gt; is one of the world’s leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultaneously running one of the most complicated Dungeons and Dragons games in New York city during the ‘70s and ‘80s.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Jeff Gomez, CEO of  is one of the world’s leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultaneously running one of the most complicated Dungeons and Dragons games in New York city...

Episode 13: Jeff Gomez

The Reluctant Phoenix podcast, by New York standup comic Jeff Simmermon is a series of conversations with a wide variety of people who have restarted their lives whether or not they really wanted to in the first place. 
Don't forget: a phoenix has to burn to be reborn, and it probably screams like hell on the way out.

The Reluctant Phoenix

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