The Most Fascinating Podcast in the World

In this episode, Pat sits down with Dr. Harris Stratyner, a clinical psychologist who grew up in Yonkers, New York, surrounded by an extraordinary cast of characters; his godfather was jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, his godmother was Monica Getz (wife of saxophonist Stan Getz), and childhood dinners at his family's table included guests like Stokely Carmichael. Harris shares stories of meeting Malcolm X at a party at James Baldwin's house, riding to the Newport Jazz Festival with Miles Davis asleep beside him, and visiting the White House multiple times over the decades...all set against a life that eventually led him into psychology.Harris traces his unconventional path: getting thrown out of his first college, working as a janitor at a counseling center despite already holding a master's degree, and eventually building a career as an addiction psychologist known for coining the term "care frontation", a compassionate alternative to confrontational interventions that was even referenced in an episode of The Sopranos. He and Pat dig into what actually drives happiness and healing, the danger of judging people by their politics or public image, and why listening, not diagnosing or lecturing, is the most powerful tool either of them has in their respective careers. The conversation closes on bigger themes: the corrosive effects of social media and misinformation, the importance of raising kids with a strong work ethic, and Harris's belief, echoed throughout the episode, that caring for other people, without judgment, is the closest thing to a secret of a good life.

In this episode, Pat sits down with Scott Ashline, a longtime friend and colleague. Scott grew up outside Boulder, Colorado, the son of avid mountaineers, and traces his path from a public high school and competitive soccer, to Boston College (chosen partly because his dad banned him from schools on the West Coast), to an unlikely detour: turning down a Wall Street job offer to spend a year and a half teaching finance in Belize as a Jesuit volunteer. That leap of faith, and a Jesuit theology professor who became a lifelong mentor and eventually married him and his wife, set the tone for a career built on values over outcomes.Scott shares how he stumbled into financial services almost by accident, choosing a smaller, more values-aligned firm over a flashier one, and how 34 years later he's built a team of 15 while raising two daughters now thriving in New York City's fashion and media industries. The conversation turns into a wide-ranging discussion about what actually drives long-term success: detaching from outcomes, leading with service rather than self-interest, and the vulnerability required to build real trust with clients. Pat and Scott trade notes on mentors, books, and philosophies that shaped how they think... from Stephen Covey to Herb Cohen to Steven Pressfield...and reflect on comparison, contentment, and what it really means to retire from work you love.

In this episode, Pat sits down with Nathaniel Philbrick, an eight-time New York Times bestselling author known for narrative histories like In the 'Heart of the Sea', 'Mayflower', and 'The Last Stand'. The conversation traces Nat's path from a competitive sailing career at Brown University, through a year in an English PhD program at Duke that convinced him academia wasn't his calling, to four formative years at a sailing magazine where he learned the discipline of professional writing.The conversation dives into Nat's approach to craft: writing isn't inspiration, it's a job, done at a desk seven days a week regardless of mood. He talks about the origin of 'In the Heart of the Sea', built around a long-lost journal from the Essex's teenage cabin boy that surfaced decades after the initial published account, and unpacks his forthcoming book, 'The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World', which traces a direct line from the 1848 Gold Rush through the Compromise of 1850 to the outbreak of the Civil War, and argues that the ethic of chasing instant wealth born in the gold fields still drives America today.The back half of the conversation turns reflective as they discuss the value of genuine curiosity and listening over self-promotion, the cyclical, imperfect nature of democracy, and the importance of perspective...finding beauty in ordinary days rather than chasing constant highs. Nat also opens up about choosing to be a stay-at-home father early in his career while his wife worked as an attorney, a decision he now counts among his proudest.

In this episode, Pat sits down with Jerry Snover, a friend since freshman year at Union College in 1985, for a wide-ranging conversation about fear, creativity, and reinvention. Jerry grew up on Long Island in Bayshore, was a shy, quiet kid who came out of his shell as a runner and later as a musician, and eventually built a career in wealth management and real estate while quietly nurturing a parallel life as a guitarist and bandleader. After a stint living and playing music in Japan in his twenties, Jerry set the guitar down for over two decades to focus on career and family...only to pick it back up four years ago and rediscover it with more joy than ever, now performing with his band, Birdsey Beers.The conversation digs into what actually holds people back from pursuing what they love: fear of failure, the need for social approval, and what Pat and Jerry both trace back to a kind of evolutionary fear of rejection and "tribal" ostracism. They talk about confidence versus timidity in performance, the value of a philosophy degree in learning to think and argue carefully, growing up religious and later examining belief systems with real curiosity, and the deep, easy trust that exists between old college friends decades later.

Pat DiCerbo sits down with Alan Richer, famously known as the 'Potato Chip Historian,' for a captivating journey through his diverse life experiences. Alan vividly recalls his upbringing in Central New Jersey, shaped by his Aunt Laura's unconditional love and his parents' deep commitment to community service. He shares remarkable stories from his time at Syracuse University, including an exclusive 45-minute interview with Muhammad Ali and encounters with other notable figures like Tony Bennett and Mel Tormé, before detailing his career as a senior tax lawyer for General Electric. The conversation then shifts to Alan's unexpected and passionate dive into the history of the potato chip. He recounts how a serendipitous discovery in Saratoga Springs led him to amass an extensive collection, become a featured expert on the History Channel's "The Food That Built America," and uncover fascinating connections between potato chips and historical figures like Al Capone and the Wright Brothers. He also touches on his personal mission to identify fallen soldiers from World War II.Throughout the interview, Alan emphasizes the enduring impact of small acts of kindness and the richness of human connection. From challenging tax law to creative storytelling, his life is a testament to embracing unexpected paths and finding humor and purpose in every endeavor.