How To Destroy Everything

Episode Two finds Maureen taking on The Reverend Mother of her children’s Catholic School. The family then experiences the darkest Christmas of their lives, propelling them south, to face an uncertain future in an empty house in the suburbs. A violent period unfolds for The Kearins, which includes a hammer, a hospital and a runaway girl. Then Danny and Darren explain why they called this “The Catholic Episode,” explore the nature of forgiveness and our attempts to stop a cycle of family dysfunction. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything and please don't forget to share, rate, and review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson: Break the Generational Patterns Holding You Back (How to Build Confidence, Responsibility, and Emotional Resilience) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyCan you remember the first time you felt truly in charge of your own decisions? What’s one thing you picked up from your family that you wish you could unlearn? In this heartfelt episode, Jay Shetty sits down with former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, coach and mentor Craig Robinson, for an intimate conversation centered around family, resilience, and the lasting impact of love and connection. Michelle and Craig reminisce about the powerful values instilled by their parents, a deep sense of independence and unwavering family loyalty. Even through financial struggles, their parents cultivated a home filled with trust and safety, making it clear that family would always be a source of strength. Memories of birthdays around the kitchen table, houses bustling with extended relatives, and the steady presence of grandparents and cousins all contributed to a lifelong sense of belonging and support that continues to influence their lives. As they journeyed into adulthood, both Michelle and Craig relied on therapy, genuine friendships, and a strong community to help them face life’s transitions, grief, and the many complexities of growing up. Michelle shares how seeking guidance and embracing self-reflection, especially during moments of change, has been central to her personal growth, demonstrating the value of openness, adaptability, and continuous learning throughout every stage of life. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Foster Family Unity During Tough Times How to Nurture Independence in Children How to Unlearn Limiting Beliefs from Your Upbringing How to Create Safe Spaces for Honest Conversations How to Teach Empathy Through Parenting How to Balance Protection and Freedom as a Parent How to Normalize Therapy and Emotional Support Their conversation is a moving testament to the impact of compassion, authenticity, and purposeful living, a reminder that life’s greatest challenges can be met with empathy, courage, and hope. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.   Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!   What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:00 The Kind of Love Only Siblings Understand 04:15 What was the First Secret You Shared With Each Other? 09:53 Raised To Be Independent Children In A Loving Community 14:55 How Different Generations Celebrate Birthdays 17:00 How to Unlearn Your Inner Fears 19:47 The Fear Of What Could Happen Can Hinder Personal Growth 25:28 What a Childhood Encounter with Police Taught Me About Bias 29:35 Being Judged By The Color Of Your Skin 31:54 Racism Is Still An Issue 34:07 How to Raise Resilient Children 35:59 Don't Make Assumptions Based On Your Emotions 38:17 Don't Let Negative Thoughts Dictate Your Actions 40:48 The Power Of Good Parenting 48:41 How To Prioritize Being A Parent While Chasing Your Dreams 52:08 Parents Aren't Responsible For Their Children's Happiness 58:07 Focus On Cultivating Independence in Your Children 01:02:24 What Is Your Form Of Therapy? 01:11:08 Are You Doing Enough? 01:16:10 How To Become A Good Parent 01:37 What Would Your Mother Be Most Proud Of? Episode Resources: Michelle Obama | Instagram Michelle Obama | Facebook Michelle Obama | YouTube Michelle Obama | Books Obama Foundation  The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times Craig Robinson | Instagram  Craig Robinson | X IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig RobinsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

In our first episode, we meet Stephen’s tough girl Jersey mother and his post war(s) farm boy father, as they attempt to raise him, his two sisters, and themselves in a tiny apartment in Van Nuys, California. Then, Danny and Darren start exploring what’s behind his parents' pain, what happens to feelings frozen in time, and where is the Grace in all of this madness? If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything and please don't forget to share, rate, and review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren confront their audience live for the very first time. Danny discusses his complicated feelings about St. Louis, and surprise guests abound. Recorded at famed St. Louis merch shop, Stl-Style, Danny and Darren search for some meaning and share final thoughts from the journey they've just completed. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron a  www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Head to https://www.BubblyCleaning.com/HTDE to get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19. Thanks so much to Bubbly Cleaning for sponsoring this episode! Get 15% offOneSkin with the code DESTROY at https://www.oneskin.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the spirit of familial destruction, How To Destroy Everything is proud to present, Toughen Up, written and performed by Stephen Kearin. Toughen Up is the story of an American family turned upside down, spilling out every last skeleton in its closet. Join us for a darkly comic traumatic memoir...a Traumoir, if you will.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny returns, at last, to the scene of the crime(s). Danny (alongside Darren and Sandy) go back to his childhood home, The Royal Manor, and Danny confronts his past head-on. In this, the season one finale of How to Destroy Everything, old feelings will burst to the surface, the ghosts of the past will be reckoned with, and the future will become all the more clear.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren check in one last time with Sandy and talk about the entirety of her podcast journey. In doing so, they discover the incredible strides that Sandy has made in her own personal evolution. Additonally, Danny and Darren bring on Danny's wife, Katie, to discuss her perspective on how the podcast has changed her husband. And finally, our intrepid hosts make a big announcement about what's next for the show.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/DESTROY get on your way to being your best self Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren finally track down their white whale: a member of the support group founded to bring together people who had been sued and harrassed by Richard Jacobs. But as Danny and Darren get into the details of said group, so much more is revealed than they ever imagined possible -- about the group, yes, but also about Danny and where he goes from here... Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren watch the "death video" Richard made for Danny back in the 1980s. Also, the boys discuss Richard's view of death and his conception of the "afterlife" with Danny's brother. It's the death episode! Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren sit down once more with Danny's brother and delve deeper into understanding each other's perspectives. Danny's brother brings a unique point of view - one of understanding for Richard and even empathy for him, compelling Danny to reevaluate some of the conclusions he's drawn about his father. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at www.betterhelp.com/destroy and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren sit down with Danny's brother and discuss how they survived their childhood as the sons of Richard Jacobs, how their perspectives differ, and whether or not Richard can be fairly compared to a shark. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren dive deeper into Beth's relationship with Richard, which includes a shocking revelation that Danny's dad had been operating dating profiles on his sons' behalf. Additionally, Sandy discusses her dating life beyond Richard, and Darren checks in with Danny about his anger. For tickets to Danny's improv show at the Groundlings, head to www.groundlings.com/shows/theunderstudies. And if you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren bring the podcast full circle by exploring the moment that started it all from a different persepective: Danny's wife. As she illuminates her side of the disaster that led to the termination of Danny's relationship with his dad, our intrepid hosts then speak to the other wife, that of Danny's brother. How does a narcissist affect his kids when they grow up, get married, and have families of their own? What better way is there to find out than by talking to the wives. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. For tickets to Danny's improv show at the Groundlings, head to www.groundlings.com/shows/theunderstudies. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at: www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren interview Stephen Kearin, a mentor to Danny over the last several decades (and Danny's self-described "Irish Rabbi"). Stephen shares his own incredible family story and the boys try to glean some lessons that Danny can apply to his own relationship with Richard.  For tickets to Danny's improv show at the Groundlings on Thursday, March 6th at 10 PM, head here: https://groundlings.com/shows/theunderstudies HTDE Live Show: https://www.stl-style.com/event-details/how-to-destroy-a-live-show-q-a Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren explore the newfound freedom Danny felt as a young adult out from under his father's thumb for the first time in his life. But then, Danny gets pulled back into his father's chaos when he agrees to go on a (mostly) paid vacation to Australia. Terrible doesn't do the trip justice. It was so traumatizing that it sends Danny into a mental health spiral as he finds himself abandoned in a foreign country. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and please don't forget to share, rate and review! If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. This episode is sponsored by brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/destroy and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren tread into the ridiculous and terrifying world of Richard's dating life, which weirdly took Danny and his brother across the country. Then, the guys bring on Sandy to talk about the "fog of war" - or how she survived the onslaught of litigation brought by Richard after their divorce. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything and please don't forget to share, rate, and review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren explore the second half of Danny's childhood, which included awkward trips to the ice cream shop and a burgeoning desire to perform as a way of covering up his shame. Additionally, they'll investigate Sandy's side of post-divorce life as they finally solve the mystery of how she was able to afford a decade's worth of lawsuits without going bankrupt. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren dive into a treasure trove of old films and videos that Richard had made over the years, interview the actor who plays Richard about what it's like to play such an outsized character, and speak with Sandy about the ways this podcast have helped her reclaim her story.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren go into the courtroom during Richard and Sandy's trial and they are able to hear, in Richard and Sandy's own words, the diametrically opposed perspectives of Danny's parents. In doing so, Danny confronts one of the most seminal moments of his childhood that has haunted him for decades. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren sit down for a chat with a licensed psychologist to get his take on all things Richard Jacobs. In a wide-ranging conversation, they are finally able to get some answers to many of their questions about what exactly may have been going on inside Richard's mind. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices