Arrested Over an $87 Check — Dr. Sheena Meade on Second Chances
In 2004, Sheena Meade was a young single mother earning about $18,000 a year when an $87.26 check bounced. Two months later, police arrested her in front of…
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PODCAST
Behind The Story Show
Hosted by
Jelani Gonzalez
Welcome to Behind The Story Show, a long-form interview podcast hosted by Jelani Gonzalez that goes beyond the headlines to uncover the real journeys behind extraordinary people and powerful ideas.Each week, Jelani sits down with entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, creators, leaders, and change-makers to explore the defining moments, hard-earned lessons, personal challenges, and bold decisions that shaped their path. From business and creativity to leadership, culture, innovation, and reinvention, Behind The Story brings you candid conversations that reveal not just what people achieved, but what it took to get there.If you are building something, chasing a vision, navigating change, or looking for stories that educate, inspire, and challenge the way you think, this show is for you.Join us as we go behind the success, behind the struggle, and Behind The Story.
Business
Culture
Education
Society & Culture
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50 Episodes
Latest Episodes
Robert Kennedy III: The Introvert Who Speaks to Thousands for a Living
He was born in Jamaica, named Robert Kennedy III by a grandfather who said it "with such glee" — and he's spent his life turning that name into…
Judge Rules Trump's Mail Ballot Order Unconstitutional — What Happens Next
Back where we started — except this time, it's different. The same judge who was forced to lift her block on Trump's mail-ballot rule put a new one…
Mail Ballot Fight Part 2: The Judge Says They Broke Her Order
We told you two days ago this story wasn't over — it moved even faster than expected. A federal judge has now ruled that the Trump administration violated…
Supreme Court Rules on Mail Ballots: Who Controls Your Vote?
The Supreme Court just ruled 6-3 on who controls your mail-in ballot — but by its own admission, the ruling doesn't decide if any of it is actually…
The Shadow Docket: The Supreme Court Power You've Never Heard Of
Somewhere in Washington this week, the Supreme Court will decide something that affects your life — and you may never know why. No hearing. No explanation. Sometimes not…
The Mind Is All There Is — Consciousness, AI & the Kingdom Within
What happens when a man becomes so convinced of a single truth that he legally changes his name to match it?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani…
He Sold the Pills for 20 Years — Then He Walked Away
Dr. Keith Hersey spent more than twenty years behind the pharmacy counter. Then he did something most pharmacists never do — he stopped focusing on dispensing pills and…
He Googled "How to Make Money Without a Degree" — Then Built a Firm
Tom Hunter didn't plan any of this. He started as a primary school teacher in London, burned out, and Googled "how to make money without a degree." That…
The Type of Diabetes Doctors Miss in Adults (LADA)
Manny Hernandez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, in a world that no longer exists — and left in 2000 as the country changed around him. Years later, a…
The Laptop Landlord: How Naresh Turned a Side Hustle Into 9 Properties and 5 Books
Naresh built the kind of business most people are told doesn't exist: one that funds his life instead of consuming it. In this episode of Behind the Story,…
Warrior of Light: Turning Chaos Into Purpose
Theresa Garcia didn't set out to become a coach — she set out to survive. After losing her fiancé and her mother six months apart, she rebuilt her…
The Career Crisis No One Talks About
Why do so many smart, capable, successful people still feel disconnected from their work? Sarah Aviram has spent her career answering that question — first as a director…
The American Slumber Party: Sam Daley-Harris on Waking Up Democracy
Sam Daley-Harris spent twelve years as a professional percussionist and a career as a music teacher before a single question changed the direction of his life: does your…
The Physician Taking Her Fight From the Exam Room to Washington
Dr. Neelam Perry spent over two decades practicing internal medicine and treating HIV/AIDS patients before a personal health crisis changed the direction of her life. After surviving seven…
The Diabetes Theory Doctors Don't Want You to Hear
After 27 years practicing as a pediatrician and allergist in Texas, Dr. John Poothullil noticed something in his own body that medical textbooks couldn't explain: weight that crept…
The Legal Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Too Late
Scherrie L. Prince did not take a straight path into law. Before becoming an attorney, entrepreneur, business coach, and podcast host, she worked in operations, real estate, mortgage…
Birthright Citizenship: The Story Behind the 14th Amendment
For more than 150 years, birth on American soil has been understood as one of the clearest paths to U.S. citizenship. But after President Donald Trump signed Executive…
George Tinsley Sr. on Legacy, Faith, Family, and Franchising
George Tinsley Sr.’s story begins in Smoketown, Louisville, where he was raised by Willie Tinsley, a woman with one leg who could not read or write but gave…
Can AI Help Musicians Create Without Replacing Them?
What happens when an award-winning vocalist and songwriter sits down with an AI music producer building a weekly online producer battle?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani…
Caring Leadership in the Age of AI with Germain St-Denis
What does it really mean to lead people well?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Germain St-Denis, author of Empowering People Through Caring…
Gerard Barnes: The Man Who Built A Battle Show for AI Music Producers
Gerard Barnes is back on Behind the Story — and this time, the conversation goes deep into the world of AI music.Gerard is the creator of A-Idol, a…
Why Success Doesn’t Fix Your Patterns with Daune Thompson
Why do so many successful people still feel stuck, burned out, or disconnected?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Daune Thompson, speaker, coach,…
From Special Ed to Doctorate: Dr. Brian Arnold’s Journey of Resilience
Dr. Brian Arnold’s story is a powerful reminder that where you start does not have to define where you finish.In this episode of Behind the Story, host Jelani…
Helping Young People Find Their Voice
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Dale Novella Anderson Lee, a singer, songwriter, music producer, educator, and leader in teaching artistry.Dale shares…
Source Intelligence: The Inner Clarity Modern Leaders Are Missing with Anthony Nayagan
What if the future of leadership is not about having more information, but accessing a deeper form of intelligence within?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits…
Rethink Retirement: Why the Next Chapter Needs a New Identity
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Andrea “Andi” Simon, a corporate anthropologist, culture change expert, author, and speaker who helps people…
Sandy Knight on Healing, Journaling, and Trusting Your Inner Voice
What happens when your life keeps falling apart — and you decide to rise anyway?In this episode of Behind the Story, I sit down with Sandy Knight, author…
Why Creative Businesses Stay Busy but Not Profitable
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Michelle Williams, founder of Scarlet Thread Consulting and host of Profit is a Choice, for a…
Fired at 63, Millionaire by 69: David Nassief’s Wealth Turnaround
What happens when you get fired at 63 and realize the math says you could be broke by 65?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down…
Daniel Burrus on Human-First AI, Hard Trends, and How to Predict What’s Coming Next
What if the future is more predictable than most people think?On this episode of Behind the Story, I sit down with world-renowned futurist Daniel Burrus to talk about…
Former FBI Analyst on Career Change, Self-Trust and Reinvention
Former FBI intelligence analyst Adam Dickinson joins Behind the Story for a conversation about the hidden cost of always being the reliable one.After more than 15 years analyzing…
“Inside the System”: A Black Federal Worker on Trump, DEI Backlash, Voting & “White Pomposity”
What happens when a career federal public servant spends decades working across administrations—and then lives through the Trump era from the inside?In this episode of Behind the Story,…
Aaron Ryan on Writing 43 Books, Fatherhood, and the Fight to Keep Storytelling Human
On this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with bestselling and award-winning author Aaron Ryan for a deeply personal conversation about the life behind the books.Aaron…
Dr. Donna Bellinger: Discipline, Self-Worth, and Getting Paid Your Value
What really keeps business owners stuck in sales?In this episode of Behind the Story, Dr. Donna Bellinger breaks down the habits, mindset gaps, and leadership mistakes that quietly…
Michelle Minnikin on Good Girl Conditioning, Imposter Syndrome, and Women Playing Small
Why do so many women grow up learning to be liked, agreeable, and accommodating — but not fully themselves?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down…
Epstein Files, FBI Pressure, and the Truth Behind the Redactions
In this special edition of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with attorney Courtney Groff and retired FBI agent Eric Robinson for a timely roundtable on the Epstein…
Jade Simmons on Purpose, Reinvention, Faith, and Independent Politics
Jade Simmons joins Behind the Story for a powerful conversation on purpose, reinvention, faith, leadership, mental health, and politics. Jade shares how a battle with stage fright unexpectedly…
Mark Astor: Why the System Fails Families in Addiction & Mental Health Crisis
In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with attorney Mark Astor for a candid conversation about addiction, severe mental illness, and why the system often…
Chronic Pain Isn’t Forever: Daniel Esposito’s “Undo Method” + The Comeback Story
What if chronic pain isn’t the end of the story?In this episode of Behind The Story, I sit down with Daniel “Dan” Esposito, creator of the Undo Method,…
Inside the FBI: Undercover Work, Investigations, Politics, and the Human Side of the Badge
What does FBI work actually look like beyond the movies and headlines?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with former FBI agent, SWAT operator, tactical…
Former DEA Agent Reveals the Truth About the Fentanyl Crisis (Only 2mg Can Kill)
What does the fentanyl crisis actually look like from inside law enforcement?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Brian Townsend, a retired supervisory special…
Connection Builds Trust: Angel Tucker on DISC, Leadership, and the GLOW Connection
What if the real problem isn’t “bad communication”… but a missing connection? In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with Angel Tucker—personality strategist, bestselling author,…
Antoine Free: Becoming the Martian Man and the Mind Behind the Persona
In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with Antoine “Martian Man” Free — a creator whose presence is impossible to ignore. Known for his unique…
Value Whispering: How to Be Seen Without Being Loud
What if you don’t need to be the loudest in the room to be the most respected?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Melitta…
Tim Ward: Building Sustainable Health Through Balance, Discipline, and the Fitness Quadrant
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Tim Ward, a fitness coach, author, and founder of the Fitness Quadrant, a unique framework that…
Dating in the Age of Extremes: Dr. Michele Henry on Clarity, Connection, and Modern Love
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Dr. Michele Henry, a dating and relationship coach with a PhD in counseling psychology. Dr. Henry shares…
Heather Zimmerman: The Inner Work of Leadership
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Heather Zimmerman, an energy healer, empowerment coach, and the founding partner at Connect the Dots Coaching and…
Understanding Today’s Real Estate Market with Alex LaChance
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Alex LaChance, a top realtor and mortgage expert based in New England. Alex has built a reputation…
Ileana D. Vasquez: The Art, Vision, and Fight Behind LolitaMoon Films
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Ileana, the powerhouse behind Lolita Moon Productions, to discuss her remarkable journey in the film industry. Ileana's…