S5-EP12: The Boy Who Spoke First: Noah May on Pain, Poetry, and Podcasting Through Depression

Tonight’s episode is a wild ride with artist, author, circus kid, and spiritual wayfarer Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer, a man whose life story is splashed in vivid color across circus tents, chrome bikes, and the pages of five unforgettable books.From performing with dancing horses to pinstriping Harleys across the country, Dave’s journey winds through recovery, reconnection, and relentless reinvention. He shares how writing emerged from his sobriety work, how a childhood shaped by misunderstanding gave way to healing, and why he believes every hardship might just be a divine invitation to grow.We talk about:Life inside the tented circus—and what happens when the tents come downThe evolution from painter-for-hire to spiritual storytellerHealing a broken father-son bond on the road with a carnivalFacing addiction, grief, and estranged family with creativity and graceHis free guidebook Hit the Road and Thrive — a call to chase your dream, even if you never leave homeAlong the way, we hear original stories and poems written as tributes to Dave’s life—including The Painted Road, Letterfly: The Man Who Painted His Way Home, and a Western-style poem The Brush Rider that captures his legacy of artistry and soul.Whether you’re chasing freedom or just trying to make sense of life’s chaos, this episode will leave you inspired to pick up your own brush—and paint a life that’s true.Get Dave’s free book & explore his art at: letterfly.com
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

On this episode of Spirit Talk Show, we sit down with the extraordinary Bria Rose—an author who turns fairytales inside out and trauma into triumph. A former Disney cast member turned dark romance powerhouse, Bria opens up about the path that led her from Magic Kingdom dreams to publishing spicy reimaginings where the heroines have teeth and the monsters might just be soulmates.In this conversation, we explore:– How her time with Disney inspired bold, rebellious storytelling– Her viral rise on TikTok and the evolution of Her Dark Promise– Writing morally gray characters, monster romances, and why “Beauty is the Beast”– Landing top voice actor Jacob Morgan for her audiobook– Turning grief into a writing superpower– Why the next era of dark fairytales will be written by women who refuse to be savedThis is not a fairytale. It’s a reckoning—and a celebration of authorship, ownership, and creating your own destiny on the page.Bria’s audiobook drops September 3rd, and you’ll catch her live on the news the very next day, September 4th. Don’t miss this powerful conversation.Follow and connect with Bria Rose:Website: authorbriarose.comInstagram: @authorbriaroseTikTok: @authorbriaroseGoodreads: Bria Rose on Goodreads
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

In Part 2, Doyle and co-host Howie continue their heartfelt conversation with Lizbeth Meredith, shifting from survival to healing. With warmth, wit, and insight, Lizbeth reflects on life after trauma—what it means to parent grown daughters, how humor became a tool for recovery, and why storytelling remains her most powerful form of advocacy.Together, they explore relationship red flags, the nuances of personal growth, and the healing power of persistence. Lizbeth also shares her thoughts on creativity, writing, and the evolving landscape of storytelling—including the role of AI in capturing emotional truth.At once laugh-out-loud funny and profoundly human, Part 2 is a reminder that healing doesn’t always look heroic—and that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is share our story out loud.Guest Website: ⁠www.lameredith.com
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part conversation, host Doyle welcomes Lizbeth Meredith—author, advocate, and survivor—for a gripping discussion about motherhood, justice, and survival against all odds. Lizbeth opens up about the harrowing experience of having her daughters kidnapped and taken overseas, and the years-long fight to bring them home.Drawing from her memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, which inspired the Lifetime movie Stolen by Their Father, Lizbeth shares how she navigated a legal system that often failed her, all while rebuilding her life after intimate partner violence. This episode shines a light on the dangers victims face when leaving abusive relationships, the emotional cost of parenting through trauma, and the power of community support in the healing journey.Raw, honest, and deeply moving, Part 1 is a testament to a mother’s fierce love and the resilience that comes from refusing to give up. Guest Website: ⁠www.lameredith.com
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

This episode contains adult language and themes. Listener discretion is advised.In this explosive second half of our conversation with Emmy-winning writer, producer, and podcast trailblazer Alan Katz, we dive headfirst into the chaos, comedy, and emotional fallout that define a creative life lived out loud.Alan pulls no punches as he recounts the behind-the-scenes saga of Bordello of Blood—a production so wildly mismanaged it birthed its own podcast. From million-dollar egos to miscast villains and backdoor celebrity deals, Alan dishes the kind of unfiltered truth you rarely hear from Hollywood insiders.Then the conversation takes a sharp and stunning turn.We explore the real-life story that inspired The Donor, Alan’s riveting narrative podcast about sperm donation, unexpected fatherhood, and the moral minefield of DNA testing. It's a modern horror story where the monsters aren’t supernatural—they’re hiding in plain sight, wearing lab coats, or logging into ancestry sites.And to top it all off? Alan reads an AI-generated Tales from the Crypt-style short story based on The Donor—complete with a dark twist and a dash of that classic Crypt Keeper humor.In This Episode:The truth behind Bordello of Blood and its infamous casting choicesHow Sylvester Stallone inadvertently shaped a horror movieWhy podcasting is the ultimate tool for creative freedomThe emotional fallout of anonymous sperm donationA hauntingly funny DNA horror story, told in Alan’s unmistakable voiceWhether you're a screenwriter, a podcast junkie, or someone wondering what secrets might be buried in your family tree—this one’s for you. Check out Alans podcast on his production company: https://costardandtouchstone.com/
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

Please Note: This episode contains some strong language and adult themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, Spirit Talk Show host Doyle welcomes Emmy-winning writer, producer, and podcaster Alan Katz for a revealing conversation about creativity, chaos, and the strange turns stories can take.Alan shares how the infamous behind-the-scenes disaster of Bordello of Blood—a vampire movie tangled in studio politics and ego-driven casting—became the origin story of his award-winning show, The How Not to Make a Movie Podcast. We talk about the dysfunction of Hollywood, what it really takes to tell stories honestly, and why podcasting has become the ultimate medium for truth-tellers and rule-breakers.This episode covers everything from unmade movies to creative resilience and the moments that made Alan walk away—and then come back—with something to say.And yes, there’s a horror story coming. But that’s in Part 2.For now, lean in. This is the story before the story.Discover all of Alan’s shows: https://costardandtouchstone.com/ Explore more episodes: www.spirittalkshow.com
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

When Eddie Ravenscar of the Creepy Coffees Podcast joins Spirit Talk Show, things get paranormally personal. From haunted hats to ghost-infested basements once visited by Al Capone himself, Eddie brews up tales that will rattle your mug and chill your spine. He shares stories of playful spirits, doors that open on their own, and the unforgettable moment a voice told him to "get out"—while no one was there.We dive into Eddie’s life of hauntings, heart surgeries, and haunted houses—with a few laughs, a lot of heart, and some solid advice on why you should never, ever touch a Ouija board. Plus, we learn what it’s like being followed by a ghost boy named Algernon and why some spirits just really, really want your car keys.Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or just in it for the coffee—this episode is for you.Stay creepy. Stay caffeinated. And don’t forget to check your closet door.Listen and connect with Creepy Coffees:Website: www.creepycoffees.comInstagram: @creepycoffeesPodcast: Creepy Coffees – streaming on all major platforms
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

In this gripping episode, I talk with bestselling author and U.S. Marine veteran G. Michael Hopf, whose post-apocalyptic novels—including the massively successful The End and Hard Times Create Strong Men—have captivated millions around the world. With over forty books to his name, Hopf brings a unique and unapologetic voice to fiction shaped by real-world grit and hard-earned wisdom.We explore the philosophy behind his writing, the impact of military service on his worldview, and why stories of collapse and survival continue to resonate. Hopf shares his take on the dangers of comfort, the importance of discipline, and how storytelling can prepare us for uncertain times.You can learn more about his work at gmichaelhopf.com.He’ll return soon for a follow-up conversation on the rise of AI and its role in the shifting future—but for now, dig into this raw and powerful dialogue with a storyteller who writes like the world depends on it.
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.