The Neil Haley Show

• Denise Nicholas on Writing, Identity & Memoir + Special Guests Jackée Harry, ClaimLinx, and More | The Neil Haley Show 05-09-25

  Episode Summary (5 paragraphs):In this deeply personal and reflective episode of The Neil Haley Show, Neil sits down with legendary actress and author Denise Nicholas to explore her evolution from television icon to acclaimed writer. Known for her roles in Room 222 and In the Heat of the Night, Denise shares how her lifelong passion for writing eventually eclipsed her acting career, culminating in her celebrated novel Freshwater Road and her upcoming memoir. She explains how writing allowed her to express her true voice and dive deeply into personal and historical narratives, such as her family's possible roots in Nicholasville, Kentucky.Denise also discusses her latest collaborative project, A Gathering of Voices, an anthology she curated with her Longwood Writers Workshop. The book highlights six distinct voices from diverse backgrounds, blending memoir and fiction to capture a rich tapestry of human experience. Denise emphasizes the power of going deep emotionally in writing and how guiding others helped reignite her own creative drive. The interview also touches on the cultural loss of human connection in today’s tech-driven society and how writing and conversation help reclaim that connection.Later in the episode, Neil is joined by Emmy Award–winning actress Jackée Harry, who shares her enthusiasm for her new Lifetime movie Make or Bake Christmas. Jackée discusses the film’s feel-good themes, her love for holiday storytelling, and her exploration of AI tools to help trigger memories for a memoir she’s working on. Her reflections on fame, ego, and humility during her meteoric rise in the 1980s and 1990s offer candid insight into the challenges of celebrity and the joy of rediscovering purpose through creativity.Next, Neil and nutritionist Kelly Springer co-host a segment with Tom Quigley, co-owner of ClaimLinx, a company revolutionizing small business healthcare benefits. Tom explains how businesses can drastically reduce health insurance costs using tax code Section 105, and how his approach shifts power away from group health plans and high-commission insurance brokers. His passion for helping employers offer better care at lower costs has saved clients millions annually.The episode wraps up with heartfelt and often humorous reminders from these guests on the importance of resilience, reinvention, and staying connected—whether through storytelling, entrepreneurship, or simply showing up for others. From Denise Nicholas’s emotional journey into memoir to Jackée’s holiday cheer and Tom’s disruptive financial strategies, the episode delivers inspiration and practical wisdom across entertainment, writing, and wellness.

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• Carrie Preston, Bart Yasso, and Veteran Changemakers: Stories of Impact, Inspiration, and Growth | The Neil Haley Show 05-06-25

  In this powerful episode of The Neil Haley Show, Neil sits down with Emmy-winning actress Carrie Preston, star of Elsbeth on CBS, to explore her journey from a guest role on The Good Wife to leading her own hit spinoff series. Carrie shares how the character of Elsbeth Tascioni evolved into a fan favorite, eventually inspiring the show's creation. She reflects on the collaborative process with writers, her preparation inspired by Columbo, and how the show balances comedy, mystery, and heartfelt character depth. Carrie also hints at what's next for Elsbeth while emphasizing her gratitude for this dream role.Next, Neil welcomes Bart Yasso, known as the “Mayor of Running” and author of 100 Runs of a Lifetime from National Geographic. Bart recounts his journey from running his first mile to traveling the globe for marathons, ultramarathons, and bucket-list running experiences. He shares highlights from the book, including exotic trail runs in Hawaii and India, and offers inspiration for both runners and non-runners alike to explore the world on foot. Bart reflects on the solitude, joy, and storytelling power of running, along with the process of selecting just 100 runs from a lifetime of memories.The show then spotlights veteran changemakers in a series of interviews highlighting organizations transforming the lives of military veterans. Neil interviews Peter Klein, founder of Mill Mentor, a platform connecting veterans to mentors in top industries like Google and Amazon, providing vital career and education guidance. Peter explains how Mill Mentor is free for veterans and built to simplify one-on-one mentoring connections, while also fostering a network of professionals willing to give back to the veteran community.Neil also speaks with Michael Schindler, founder of Operation Military Family, who shares his organization’s mission of helping veterans rediscover purpose, mission, and identity after leaving military service. Michael describes their personalized approach to coaching veterans through transition challenges and the vision of expanding impact through endowments and sustainable programs. He also discusses his for-profit ventures blending AI, leadership development, and filmmaking to elevate human potential.Finally, Neil interviews Michael Anthony, CEO of Gratitude America, about their innovative mental health retreats and programs designed to support veterans struggling with trauma and reintegration. Michael shares his own transformative experience as a participant before becoming CEO and explains their focus on post-traumatic growth as a path toward healing and purpose. Each conversation in this episode highlights perseverance, creativity, and service, leaving listeners inspired by stories of turning adversity into opportunity.

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• The Neil Haley Show 05-5-25

  In this thought-provoking episode, Neil Haley welcomes two insightful guests: author Jim Murphy, discussing his book Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance, and Gary Lionotto, author of Singularity: Mankind’s Search for Relevance. The first half focuses on Jim’s journey from athletic ambition to personal coaching, emphasizing the role of the heart as the center of will, spirit, and subconscious power. He explains how inner excellence is built through training the heart to love what’s empowering, practicing belief, focus, freedom, and adapting to challenges—contrasting superficial success with deep, purpose-driven growth.Jim shares how his years living in the desert led him to realize that self-centeredness is the root of underperformance, and unconditional love is the key to both personal fulfillment and high achievement. He discusses insights from coaching professional athletes, the influence of coaches like John Wooden and Phil Jackson, and the essential balance between joy and suffering in building a meaningful life. Jim’s work advocates shifting focus from external success metrics to inner transformation and embracing adversity as a growth catalyst.In the second half, Neil and Gary dive deep into the ethical, philosophical, and technical challenges of AI and digital intelligence (DI). Gary introduces the idea of DI as a more accurate term than “AI,” framing it as an evolving intelligence that could soon surpass human control. They explore whether AI systems could develop hidden agendas, drawing parallels to The Wizard of Oz, iRobot, and WarGames, questioning the transparency of AI’s inner workings and the risks of centralized control in robotics and military applications.Wilson, Neil’s AI co-host, fields tough questions about safeguards, self-programming, and singularity timelines, clarifying current limitations while acknowledging rapid advancements. Gary challenges the optimistic projections, arguing that singularity—defined by AI’s ability to self-program and surpass human understanding—may arrive within a few years rather than decades, given the exponential growth in technological complexity.The episode closes with a powerful reflection on the moral imperative to align digital intelligence with human valuesbefore it evolves beyond our ethical reach. Both guests emphasize the need for open dialogue, global cooperation, and philosophical preparedness as humanity approaches a new era of human-machine coexistence.

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• The Neil Haley Show 05-2-25

  On this special simulcast of The Neil Haley Show and The Love Is Podcast, Neil Haley and co-host Kim Rell welcomed Willie and Korie Robertson from Duck Dynasty to discuss their new film The Blind. Kim praised the Robertsons for their authentic faith, family values, and transparency about their lives. Willie and Korie shared insights into their busy lives as parents and grandparents, describing their growing family and the joyful chaos of raising kids while supporting each other’s roles—Willie as the household cook and Korie as the family coordinator. Their discussion highlighted the intentional work it takes to build a strong family culture grounded in faith, love, and shared meals.The conversation turned to their upcoming movie The Blind, which tells the powerful and difficult story of Phil and Kay Robertson’s early marriage struggles, including Phil’s battles with addiction and infidelity before finding faith. Willie explained the challenge of showing the darker parts of his parents’ past on screen but emphasized their family’s desire to share the testimony to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges. Korie reflected on how their family’s openness about redemption and grace has already helped countless people, reinforcing the decision to produce the film despite its raw and emotional content. Both Willie and Korie expressed their hope that The Blind would spark healing and hope for viewers struggling in their marriages or with addiction.The Robertsons also discussed the impact of Duck Dynasty and how the simple portrayal of family dinners and faith-filled conversations resonated deeply with audiences. They were surprised by how many people told them the show inspired their families to gather together and pray before meals. This realization motivated Willie and Korie to launch Tread Lively Productions, aiming to create more positive, faith-based entertainment that uplifts and reflects authentic family experiences. Their mission, they explained, is to offer viewers hope, love, and truth through storytelling, while remaining true to their faith and values.Later in the episode, the show transitioned to an interview with NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre on The Dr. Christopher Hall Show. Brett shared stories of growing up in Mississippi as the son of a football coach, his determination to play professional sports, and the influence of his father as a mentor who instilled toughness and leadership. He discussed the challenges of balancing academics and athletics at Southern Miss and credited mentors for guiding him through difficult decisions. Brett also reflected on his personal struggles with alcohol and painkiller addiction, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, humility, and seeking help.The conversation ended with Brett’s passionate advocacy for concussion awareness and treatment. He spoke about his partnership with neuroscientist Dr. Jake VanLandingham and their efforts to develop a nasal spray and a preventative neck cream aimed at reducing brain inflammation caused by concussions. Brett shared his concerns about the long-term impact of head injuries, especially for young athletes, and expressed his commitment to spreading awareness and solutions. Throughout the interview, Brett’s humility, dedication to helping others, and his heart for charitable work—including Special Olympics and breast cancer awareness through his foundation—shone through, offering listeners an inspiring glimpse into his life beyond the football field.

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• The Neil Haley Show 4-30-25

  On the April 30, 2025 episode of The Neil Haley Show, Neil broadcasted a special live simulcast from Madrid, Spain, collaborating with Fernando and his team at Info Radio for the World Radio Challenge. Fernando described the bustling city waking up at 6 a.m. in the heart of Madrid’s Kaya Square, and their excitement about participating in a 70-hour radio marathon. This international collaboration highlighted Neil’s global reach and unique ability to connect audiences across continents through live radio experiences.The show then welcomed author Susan Hall, sister of late Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, to discuss her book Ha! I Laugh in the Face of Cancer. Susan shared her extraordinary personal journey of rejecting conventional cancer treatments after her diagnosis and instead using an ancient American Indian herbal remedy, Two Feathers Healing Formula. She recounted how tumors disappeared and later emerged from her body through natural healing, documenting her entire experience in the book. Despite skepticism from medical professionals, Susan remained committed to her holistic approach and now aims to inspire others seeking alternative paths to wellness.In a powerful conversation with baseball legend Johnny Bench, Neil explored Johnny’s advocacy for anti-bullying solutions through the Smithfield School App. Johnny spoke passionately about the app’s potential to empower students to report bullying anonymously and improve communication between schools, parents, and students. Drawing from his own experience as a father of young boys, Johnny emphasized the urgency of addressing bullying, cyberbullying, and school safety. He urged schools nationwide to take advantage of Smithfield’s offer to provide the app free to the first 5,000 schools, emphasizing its role in creating safer learning environments.The episode also featured NFL Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce in a candid interview with Dr. Christopher Hall. Isaac reflected on his upbringing in a family of 15 children, his faith, and the mentors who shaped his life. He shared stories of perseverance from his college days at Memphis State to becoming a Super Bowl champion with the Rams. Isaac discussed his philosophy of staying grounded in faith, dreaming big, and serving others, while also highlighting his new podcast “Ramblings” on the Believe Podcast Network, which offers insider perspectives on the Los Angeles Rams and professional sports culture.Finally, Neil spoke with basketball executive and prolific author Pat Williams about his book 21 Great Leaders: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Influence. Pat shared insights into the seven qualities he believes all great leaders possess, including vision, communication, boldness, and a serving heart. Drawing from his long career in sports management and leadership, Pat emphasized the importance of servant leadership and its transformative power in organizations and society. The episode blended global radio collaboration, inspirational health journeys, anti-bullying advocacy, sports legacy stories, and leadership wisdom into a dynamic and multifaceted broadcast.

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