• 374: Hunter Toran: Navigating Men’s Work and the Path to Elderhood
    Jul 11 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Ever feel like you're missing out on essential life wisdom? Hunter Toran shares insights on embracing elderhood and fostering personal growth that could transform your perspective.

    Hunter Toran, a somatic practitioner and men's work facilitator, brings his wealth of experience to the Podcast Junkies show. With a background in agriculture, spirituality, and human development, Hunter offers a unique blend of practical and philosophical wisdom.

    This episode explores the concept of elderhood and the importance of embracing personal growth at any age. Hunter discusses the "Third Way" - a balanced approach to life that combines traditional wisdom with modern insights, offering a fresh perspective on navigating our complex world.

    The conversation also touches on the power of somatic work, the challenges of men's personal development, and the transformative potential of facing our fears. Hunter shares personal anecdotes from his work with Sacred Sons and reflects on the evolving nature of masculinity in today's society.

    Ready to gain some elder wisdom and explore new paths for personal growth? Tune in to this episode of Podcast Junkies with Hunter Toran for an enlightening conversation that might just change how you view your own journey.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Cultivate awareness through movement. Somatic practices can help uncover subconscious patterns and increase intuition. Try incorporating mindful movement or body-based practices into your routine.

    2. Seek balance between catharsis and integration. While intense experiences can be transformative, sustainable growth requires ongoing integration. Look for ways to process and apply insights from peak experiences in daily life.

    3. Explore elderhood as a journey, not just an age. Regardless of your years, consider how you can cultivate wisdom and take on mentorship roles. Reflect on what you have to offer younger generations.

    4. Practice attunement to natural rhythms. Notice how aligning with cycles like sunrise and sunset affects your energy and awareness. Experiment with adjusting your schedule to sync with nature's patterns.

    5. Embrace the "Third Way" in relationships and decision-making. When faced with polarities, look for emergent solutions that honor multiple perspectives. Cultivate both personal sovereignty and collective responsibility.

    Tweetable Quotes"The body keeps the story. Even the brain - there's no hard drive in the head. They keep looking for the memories there. They're not going to find them. Because they're in the soft tissues. And they're actually in the space around us.""The Third Way speaks to what's emergent. We always want to honor tradition, but tradition has also failed. We have to be real about that. These new traditions that will be born will be a third way between the human being suspended between the cosmos and land.""I've changed my mind about aging. I used to fear it, pulling out gray hairs and worrying about wrinkles. Now I'm savoring the age I'm at and have a beautiful curiosity about where it's going. I don't want to get old - I want to get elder."Connect with Hunter

    Website - https://www.huntertoran.com/

    Resources Mentioned

    Sacred Sons - men's organization - http://sacredsons.com/

    Mankind Project - men's organization -

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    1 h
  • 373: Beth Buffington: Unleashing Creativity Through Podcasting and Art
    Jul 4 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Are you struggling to tap into your creative potential? Discover how embracing your creativity can transform your life and boost your mental well-being.

    Beth Ann Buffington, host of Create Today with Beth Buffington, is an expert in helping people unlock their creative passions. With decades of experience as a graphic designer, illustrator, and educator, Beth shares her insights on nurturing creativity and turning it into a fulfilling career.

    In this episode, Beth explores the transformative power of creativity and how it can be a free, accessible tool for improving mental health. She emphasizes that everyone has creative potential, whether it's through traditional art forms or everyday activities like cooking and gardening.

    Beth also discusses her journey as a podcast host, sharing tips on conducting engaging interviews and repurposing content across various platforms. She touches on her upcoming live retreats, which combine creativity and health coaching for personal and professional growth.

    Ready to unleash your creative side and discover its potential to enrich your life? Listen to this episode for practical advice and inspiration from a seasoned creative professional.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Embrace creativity as a forgiving process. Even if you make mistakes or face setbacks, you can always return to your creative pursuits and learn from the experience.

    2. Explore different avenues to monetize your creative skills. Consider options like teaching, creating online courses, or licensing your work to diversify your income streams.

    3. When promoting podcast episodes, create short video clips highlighting key moments. Share these teasers across platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest to attract listeners.

    4. Use Pinterest as a long-lasting promotional tool for your podcast. Unlike other social platforms, Pinterest posts can drive traffic to your show for months after publishing.

    5. Experiment with different titles and descriptions for your podcast content across platforms. What works for audio may need tweaking for YouTube to improve discoverability and engagement.

    Tweetable Quotes"The thing about creativity is that it's very forgiving. It allows you to go back, and you're always learning something from whatever it's happened to you. So it's an encouraging thing to know that you can go back and it's still there for you.""My creativity isn't just something I do for a living. It's something I do to stay alive. It helps me keep my head on straight. It helps me solve problems.""We have such an epidemic of mental crisis in our world, and so much of that is because we don't pay attention to ourselves as much as we could or should. Creativity is free. It doesn't involve any medication, it doesn't involve trips to the doctor."Connect with Beth

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbbuffington/

    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/b.b.buffington_celebratetoday/?hl=en

    Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BDIcreatetoday

    Resources Mentioned

    Cody Burch's Email School - https://codyburch.com/

    Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck -

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    55 min
  • 372: Justine Finocchiaro-Doles: From Breast Cancer to Dragon Boats: A Journey of Resilience
    Jun 13 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Ever wondered how to turn your personal struggles into a powerful platform for change? Justine Finocchiaro-Doles, host of "Just Talk with Justine," shares her journey from cancer survivor to podcast host, inspiring others through stories of resilience and hope.

    Justine, a four-time cancer survivor and dragon boat enthusiast, launched her podcast to give voice to breast cancer survivors and thrivers. With 20 episodes under her belt, she's created a safe space for sharing deeply personal stories of triumph over adversity.

    In this episode, Justine opens up about her own battle with cancer, her mission to make guests feel at ease, and her plans to rebrand and grow her show. She discusses the challenges of podcasting, from technical hurdles to building self-confidence as a host.

    Harry and Justine explore the art of holding space for difficult conversations, the importance of curiosity in interviewing, and strategies for podcast growth. They touch on topics like sponsorship, website creation, and the power of treating guests and sponsors "like gold."

    Ready to be inspired by Justine's journey and gain valuable insights into podcasting with purpose? Listen now and discover how one woman's mission to share stories of survival is changing lives, one episode at a time.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Rebrand your podcast to better reflect its focus. Consider changing "Just Talk with Justine" to something like "Survivors and Thrivers: Living Your Best Life" to clearly communicate the show's purpose and attract your target audience.

    2. Create a simple website using a tool like PodPage. Connect it to your RSS feed so new episodes automatically generate blog posts, giving you an easy-to-maintain online presence.

    3. Develop a "dream 100" list of potential guests whose stories of surviving and thriving you'd love to feature. Use this as motivation and a guide for growing your show.

    4. Improve your guest follow-up process. After publishing an episode, send your guest a package with links to the episode, social media copy, and graphics they can use to promote their appearance.

    5. Focus on creating a safe space for guests to share vulnerable stories. Practice active listening, allow for pauses and silence, and remember there are three people in each conversation - you, your guest, and the listener.

    Tweetable Quotes"I view life as live life like you're dying. If I want to jump out of that airplane, I better do it. You're going to go one day, so it all depends on how you go. I want to just live like I'm dying.""My goal is to make them feel at ease. I don't want anybody to feel nervous talking about personal stuff like their breasts are gone and they've got tattoos on their nipples. That's a hard thing to talk about sometimes.""I'm a four time cancer survivor, so I know when I was going through all that, I didn't have somebody to chat with. Now with the camaraderie of my team, that has really helped me step out of my comfort zone and speak to others about their journeys."Connect with Justine

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/justtalkwithjustine/

    Website - https://justtalkwithjustine.com/

    Resources Mentioned

    Buzzsprout (podcast hosting platform) -

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    49 min
  • 371: Lucas Dickey: How Deepcast is Revolutionizing Podcast Discovery
    Jun 6 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Ever wondered how to revolutionize podcast discovery and monetization for indie creators? I've got the inside scoop.

    Lucas Dickey, CEO of Deepcast, joins me to share his vision for transforming the podcast landscape. With a background spanning digital music, ad tech, and e-commerce, Lucas brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing indie podcasters.

    In this episode, we dive deep into Deepcast's innovative approach to podcast discovery and monetization. Lucas explains how their AI-powered platform aims to help listeners find niche content while enabling creators to tap into new revenue streams. From semantic search to automated content generation, Deepcast is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in podcasting.

    We also explore Lucas's journey from DJ to tech entrepreneur, discussing the valuable lessons he learned at Amazon and how they shaped his systems-thinking approach. Plus, we touch on the potential for AI to revolutionize podcast marketing and audience engagement.

    If you're an indie podcaster looking to grow your audience and monetize your content in new ways, you won't want to miss this conversation. Tune in now to discover how Deepcast could be the game-changer you've been waiting for.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Leverage AI and transcripts to enable deeper podcast discovery. Use topic navigation, entity extraction, and semantic search to help listeners find relevant content beyond just top shows.

    2. Consider creating a "second screen" experience for podcasts, similar to IMDb for movies. This could include episode summaries, key takeaways, and links to referenced people/products.

    3. Explore new monetization opportunities for indie podcasters, such as affiliate links for products mentioned passively in episodes or pooling inventory across smaller shows for ad buys.

    4. Use AI-powered chat interfaces to gain insights into what listeners are most interested in. This data can inform future episode planning and guest bookings.

    5. Think holistically about the podcast ecosystem and look for opportunities to create value for both listeners and creators. Consider how technologies from other industries (e.g. ad tech) could be applied to podcasting.

    Tweetable Quotes"Systems level thinking. Because I operated in a single business unit, digital music. Right. However, at the time Amazon had 55 business units of which AWS was just one business unit at the time.""I never really thought I... When I talked about this, I think the deepcast creator page says... 'You create the show. Let us help you with what comes after.' That's now a misnomer. Right. Because I never thought we would be getting to show planning or the creative part of creation of the shows, except for with this data signal.""How do I actually take a hundred Harry Podcast Junkie-like shows... and all of them fascinating. But how do I potentially turn that into buying and selling something into that audience? This is where again, system thinking across all the parts of my brain like yours, I connect all these dots. I'm like, why aren't we doing these things?"Connect with Lucas

    LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/lucasdickey

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/deepcastfm

    X - https://x.com/lucasdickey4 &

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    1 h et 19 min
  • 370: Innovating Podcast Marketing: Eric Melchor's B2B Strategies
    May 30 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Are you struggling to grow your podcast audience and monetize your show? Discover how Eric Melchor, founder of B2B Pod Pros, leverages innovative strategies to boost podcast growth and create valuable connections in the industry.

    Eric Melchor, a marketing expert turned podcast enthusiast, shares his journey from corporate success to becoming a driving force in the B2B podcasting space. With a background in marketing and a passion for connecting people, Eric has developed unique approaches to podcast growth and audience engagement.

    In this episode, Eric reveals his secret weapon for increasing podcast downloads: creating Quora posts for each episode. He also discusses the power of authentic conversations in podcasting and why AI-hosted shows may not replace human-led podcasts anytime soon. Eric's insights into building a community of B2B podcasters and leveraging AI tools for productivity are invaluable for anyone looking to elevate their podcasting game.

    From hosting international cocktail parties to embracing fatherhood in his 40s, Eric's diverse experiences contribute to his holistic approach to business and life. He shares his thoughts on the future of AI in podcasting, the importance of networking, and his calling to combat loneliness through meaningful connections.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Leverage Quora for podcast promotion: Create Quora posts related to your podcast topics and link back to relevant episodes. This can drive significant traffic and listenership over time.

    2. Use personal videos to connect with guests: Send a short video to guests before recording to help them feel more comfortable and familiar with you. This can lead to better conversations.

    3. Play guests' favorite songs before recording: Ask guests for their favorite song and play it when they join the recording session. This puts them in a good mood and helps create a relaxed atmosphere.

    4. Explore AI tools to boost productivity: Experiment with AI assistants for tasks like email management, call preparation, and content creation. This can significantly increase efficiency.

    5. Host casual gatherings to build connections: Organize small cocktail parties or meetups to facilitate meaningful interactions between people. Focus on icebreakers and follow-up to nurture relationships.

    Tweetable Quotes"I feel like people want to tune into podcasts for the authenticity, and I don't think that will be replaced. I'm sure there will be some people who listen to podcasts that are AI hosted, but I think the majority of people want real, authentic conversations.""Your network probably matters more than you being able to spot opportunity. A lot of the opportunities that you see are based on the connections that you have. The more people who know you and know what you do, the more opportunities are going to come your way.""Fatherhood is the greatest joy, knowing that you have the chance to be a coach, a guide, a parent to another human being and have a huge impact on the trajectory of their life. To grow up and be something that could be amazing."Connect with Eric

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/

    Resources Mentioned

    Bonjoro - https://www.bonjoro.com/

    PodMatch - https://podmatch.com/

    ChatGPT -

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    57 min
  • 369: Mastering Podcast Video, Lou Bortone's Tech-Savvy Approach
    May 23 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Are you struggling to keep up with the latest video marketing trends and tools? Lou Bortone, a veteran of the TV industry turned video marketing expert, shares invaluable insights on leveraging AI-powered tools to create compelling content efficiently.

    Lou Bortone, host of "Oh Shit, I'm Dead" podcast and video marketing guru, brings decades of experience from his time in radio, TV, and cable in Los Angeles. Now based in the Boston area, Lou helps clients harness the power of video and podcasting to amplify their message.

    In this episode, Lou dives deep into the evolving landscape of video production and podcasting. He explores how AI tools like Descript, Pictory, and Luma Labs are revolutionizing content creation, making it easier than ever to produce high-quality videos and podcasts. Lou emphasizes the importance of meeting your audience where they are, whether it's on YouTube, LinkedIn, or traditional podcast platforms.

    The conversation also touches on the challenges of remote work, the importance of building social connections, and how content consumption habits are changing across generations. Lou shares personal insights on balancing introversion with public speaking and the joys (and challenges) of working from anywhere.

    Ready to take your video marketing to the next level? Listen to this episode for practical tips and cutting-edge strategies from a true industry veteran.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Leverage video for podcasts: Record video versions of podcast interviews whenever possible. Your face on camera is a powerful marketing asset, especially in a world of avatars and bots.

    2. Utilize AI tools for content creation: Explore AI tools like Pictory, Luma, and Suno to generate B-roll footage, create custom music, and enhance podcast production efficiency.

    3. Optimize for multiple platforms: Create different versions of content for various platforms. For example, make square versions with captions for LinkedIn and YouTube Shorts that point back to full episodes.

    4. Embrace new technologies: Stay open to emerging tools and platforms. The podcast and video production landscape is constantly evolving, so adaptability is key.

    5. Balance online and offline presence: While remote work offers flexibility, make conscious efforts to build and maintain social connections, especially for introverts in the digital space.

    Tweetable Quotes"Your face on camera is your most powerful marketing asset as well as your voice. The more you can give them you, especially in this world of avatars and bots, the better off you're going to be.""I'm very much an introvert and pretty low key. I think when people meet me in person, they're like 'oh, you seem so quiet' because there's onstage Lou, and then there's everyday Lou.""Every time you add something - another camera, another light, another piece of software - it gets exponentially more complicated. Now you can just sort of let your guard down and say, as we used to say in TV days, 'we'll fix it in post.'"Connect with Lou

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loubortone/

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lou.bortone/

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/loubortone/

    X-

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    56 min
  • 368: Rocío Pérez' Emotional Journey From Brain Tumor to Breakthrough
    May 16 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Ever feel like you're stuck in a rut, unable to break free from old patterns and reach your full potential? Rocío Pérez's journey from teenage mother to successful entrepreneur and leadership expert might just be the inspiration you need.

    Rocío Pérez, Chief Leadership Officer at Virtuous, shares her remarkable story of transformation and resilience. From overcoming a brain tumor diagnosis to developing innovative tools for personal growth, Rocío's experiences offer valuable insights for anyone looking to make positive changes in their life.

    In this episode, we explore the power of self-awareness and intentional growth. Rocío discusses her Mind Shift game, a unique tool designed to help individuals create new neural pathways and achieve their goals. She also touches on the importance of authenticity in leadership and the challenges of balancing personal growth with professional success.

    Additional topics include the development of Rocío's TV show and podcast, her expansion plans into Latin American countries and Canada, and the transformative power of changing one's perspective on life and relationships.

    Ready to shift your mindset and unlock your potential? Listen now to gain actionable insights from Rocío Pérez's inspiring journey and learn how you can apply her strategies to your own life and career.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Cultivate your intuitive wisdom. Rocío credits her success to staying connected with her inner guidance from a young age. Make time to listen to your intuition and trust your instincts.

    2. Challenge limiting beliefs about your potential. Despite difficult circumstances, Rocío refused to accept others' low expectations for her future. Examine any self-limiting beliefs and push past them.

    3. Use gamification to make personal growth fun. Rocío created the Mind Shift game to make transformation more engaging. Find ways to gamify your own self-improvement efforts.

    4. Prioritize authenticity over perfection. Rocío learned to embrace her humanity on camera rather than striving for flawless delivery. Allow yourself to be genuine rather than putting up a perfect facade.

    5. Set public goals to increase accountability. By stating her 12-month goals for international expansion on the podcast, Rocío created external pressure to follow through. Share your goals with others to boost your commitment.

    Tweetable Quotes"I feel like we all are born with that connection and somewhere along the line we lose it because we hear anywhere from 450 negative comments to 50 positive comments a day.""I was pregnant at 14, had a 6 month old baby at 15, knocking on university doors asking them to let me in. And I wasn't taking no for an answer.""I wanted to gamify it. I wanted to make it fun. I wanted to make it exciting for people. You decide what you're playing to win for. Are you playing to become a speaker? An accountant? A football player? What is your game?"Connect with Rocío

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocio-perez-the-mindshift-experience/

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheMindShiftExperience/

    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rocioperezpublicfigure/

    Resources Mentioned

    Expand...

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    52 min
  • 367: Danny Peña - 20 Years of Gamertag Radio: Inspiring Journey
    May 2 2025

    📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

    Ever wonder how a gaming podcast pioneer navigates the ever-changing landscape of the industry? I sat down with Danny Peña, the creator of Gamertag Radio, to explore his 20-year journey in podcasting and gaming.

    Danny Peña is the founder of Gamertag Radio, the first gaming podcast to reach 1,000 episodes. With two decades of experience in the gaming industry, Danny has become a respected voice and consultant in the field. In this episode, we dive into Danny's remarkable journey from the early days of podcasting to his current role as a media consultant. We discuss the evolution of the gaming industry, the impact of podcasting on his career, and how he's adapted to changes in technology and audience preferences.

    We also explore Danny's personal life, including his move from Miami to Los Angeles, his marriage, and becoming a father. Danny shares insights on interviewing celebrities, the importance of asking creative questions, and his approach to measuring success beyond just numbers. If you're interested in the intersection of gaming, podcasting, and personal growth, you won't want to miss this inspiring conversation with Danny Peña. Click play to hear how passion and persistence can lead to a fulfilling career in the ever-evolving world of digital media.

    Episode Sponsor

    FullCast – https://fullcast.co/

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Focus on impact over numbers. Danny emphasizes that the true measure of success isn't view counts or subscriber numbers, but the tangible impact you have on your audience and industry. Concentrate on creating quality content and building meaningful relationships.

    2. Diversify your income streams. Danny's success comes from multiple sources - his podcast, consulting business, speaking engagements, and more. Don't rely solely on one revenue stream; explore various opportunities within your niche.

    3. Stay adaptable in a changing industry. The gaming and content creation landscapes are constantly evolving. Be willing to pivot, learn new skills, and embrace emerging platforms or technologies to stay relevant.

    4. Network and build relationships. Many of Danny's opportunities came from connections he made over the years. Attend industry events, collaborate with others in your field, and nurture professional relationships.

    5. Give back to your community. Danny speaks at schools and mentors upcoming creators. Sharing your knowledge and experiences can be rewarding and help establish you as a leader in your field.

    Tweetable Quotes"Podcasting has changed so much where it's not how it used to be when it comes to making money. I think podcasts nowadays, for me is a tool to promote my talent, to promote and also to help me network with gaming companies.""Numbers come and go. But to me, what matters most is the impact that you make. Did you influence somebody to buy the product? Did you influence somebody to subscribe to your show, to buy a shirt, to wear a shirt?""I want to make sure that my daughter is set for life. I don't want her to go through the struggles that I went through as a kid, I want her to have a better life. I think that's my main goal."Connect with Danny

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpena7

    Instagram - http://instagram.com/godfree

    X - http://x.com/godfree

    Resources Mentioned

    Gamertag Radio Podcast -...

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    1 h et 1 min