Spirit Talk Show - Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups

In a Spirit Talk Show first, we welcome the incomparable Mike Tentis—marketer, storyteller, chorus veteran, and now... impromptu singer! That’s right: this episode features the debut of live singing on the show, and Mike doesn’t hold back.

From turfgrass to choral harmonies, Mike shares his rich journey from Midwestern roots to Sacramento's LGBTQ+ stage. Along the way, he treats us to heartfelt reflections, a soulful tribute story (...

Spirit Talk Show kicks off Season 5 with a special extended premiere featuring Emmy-winning television writer and licensed therapist David Silverman. From penning episodes of ALF, Newhart, The Wild Thornberrys, and South Park to guiding screenwriters through emotional burnout, David’s career is a testament to both creative brilliance and human depth.

In this unforgettable conversation, we dive into:

• What really went down behind t...

What happens when science fiction dares to tell stories that feel like home? In the exciting Season 4 finale of Spirit Talk Show, we welcome internationally acclaimed author MD Neu, whose work blends the otherworldly with the deeply personal — from haunted suburbs to underwater civilizations, always with LGBTQ+ characters at the heart of the tale.

Neu joins us for a powerful, funny, and deeply honest conversation about why represent...

This Pride Month, Spirit Talk Show dares to walk the often avoided path—right into the heart of the conversation where queerness and faith collide. In this powerful episode, host Doyle confronts the historical, cultural, and theological roots of opposition to LGBTQ+ identity, with courage, clarity, and compassion.

Far from attacking belief, this episode lovingly examines the scriptures so often used as weapons, offering scholarly, l...

In Part 2 of this spirited conversation, actor Chris Laird returns to the Spirit Talk Show for more laughs, lore, and live readings. From his dramatic role in Fire on the Ridge—a powerful indie film based on the Paradise fires—to his upcoming appearances in Expedition Unknown and the mystery-crime series Springtown, Chris shares personal reflections and behind-the-scenes insight into the life of a working actor in Sacramento.

Doyle ...

In this jam-packed episode of Spirit Talk Show, host Doyle welcomes back two fan favorites—master voiceover artist Chris Turek and multi-talented musician Howie—for a wild ride through cold reads, laughter, and the absurdly profound. From a haunted subway to collapsing ceilings, lost lemon bars, and post-apocalyptic bagels, no genre is off limits. Along the way, we tackle Shakespearean Goonies, Douglas Adams-style galactic nonsense...

On this episode of Spirit Talk Show, actor and voice artist Chris Laird steps into the studio—and into the unknown. From background roles in 13 Reasons Why to award-winning performances in indie films, Chris shares the highs and hard truths of building a career in the film industry while staying grounded in Sacramento.

But things take a turn when the conversation shifts to the paranormal. Chris recalls a chilling shoot inside Doyle’...

In Part 2 of this soul-stirring conversation, Doyle and returning guest Vinny Masincupp explore what it means to belong—in a body, in a culture, and in a story. From a dark, obsessive tale of twisted love (“Keep You Safe”) to the radiant time-travel narrative “Becoming Ellis Rain,” this episode explores the edges of identity, language, and the power of literature to reshape our world.

Vinny shares how his students channel their own ...

In this first Patreon-exclusive episode, Doyle shares the deeply personal and slightly eerie story behind how Spirit Talk Show began — from unexplained voices in an old farmhouse to a spontaneous pivot into AI storytelling. This episode traces the evolution of the show from ghost stories to community connection, creative revival, and over 50,000 listeners. With honesty, gratitude, and a bit of poetry, Doyle invites you behind the s...

In this luminous first half of a two-part conversation, Doyle welcomes back the ever-charismatic Vinny Masincupp—teacher, singer, globe-trotter, and heart-on-his-sleeve storyteller. Together, they dive into a dazzling mix of original and student-written poetry, from darkly comic postmodern tales to lyrical AI-generated verse that stirs the soul.

Vinny reflects on life in Micronesia, his passion for teaching Asian literature, and...

Award-winning actor, producer, and storyteller John DeMakus joins Doyle in the studio for a deep and delightful episode packed with heart, humor, and unexpected time travel. From his acclaimed films Remember and Love Wins to his YouTube sports show and voiceover career, John shares the magic behind his work—and how one short film sparked a creative revival in an emerging actress.

We explore:

• The emotional weight of short films an...

Tags: #HeartfeltSciFi #CancerStoryline #FatherDaughter #EmotionalAudioDrama #SciFiPodcast #PalliativeCare #AIandGrief

In this deeply emotional chapter of The Invention of Liberation, the stakes shift from the technological to the profoundly personal. Jeff, once the resilient scientist and loving father, now finds himself battling not rogue robots, but his own failing body. As he picks up Ava from her last day of high school, the wei...

Jeff's hospital stay ends with a pudding heist, a stolen wheelchair moment, and a reality check no one saw coming. As he and Ava ride home, playful banter turns serious when breaking news reveals a robotics tragedy—one Jeff warned about before walking away from his job. Haunted by the fallout and the lives lost, he opens up about the danger he once tried to prevent. But in the midst of grief and regret, a new mission is born. Can J...

In the most emotional and transformative episode of the season, Emergent Properties dives deep into the heart of what it means to be alive. Jeff, Ava, and Sandy return home from a devastating ordeal—haunted by loss, shadowed by killer robots, and fueled by the fragile hope of resurrection. But when Rosie reappears with a wag and a bark, everything changes.

With the help of nanobots, neural mimicry, and a father’s unshakable love, Sa...

Just when things seemed to be settling down, Criticality detonates both literally and emotionally.

In Chapter 8 of The Invention of Liberation, we find Ava and Sandy basking in the afterglow of a much-needed gelato run, dissolving schoolyard cruelties with laughter and cartoons. But back at the barn, Jeff has other plans—specifically, installing a plutonium core into Rosie in hopes of finally achieving sentient consciousness. What c...

Starring Emery Oliver, Chris Turek & the ever-amazing Howie

In this emotionally charged and unexpectedly hilarious chapter, Jeff lies in a hospital bed after a radiation accident, trying to comfort his daughter Eva with terrible dad jokes and hopeful nanobot science. Between pudding mishaps, talking dolls, and fart jokes that refuse to grow old, this episode balances heartbreak and humor like only Spirit Talk Show can.

With stand...

In this heartwarming and hilarious new chapter, the Spirit Talk Show crew—Doyle, Emrie (ES Oliver), Chris Turek, and a cameo from the ever-adorable Howie—return for another installment of their AI-generated radio play The Invention of Liberation. This week’s episode dives into Chapter 6, “The Uncertainty Principle,” where science, soul, and surprises collide.

Ava, Sandy, and Jeff continue their wild journey through trauma, tea parti...

Time jumps forward in this bittersweet and brilliant new chapter of The Invention of Liberation. Three years have passed—just like that—and Ava is no longer the tutu-wearing little girl from the orphanage, but a middle schooler facing a fresh round of challenges. Kids can be cruel, especially when you bring a beloved doll like Sandy to school. But as always, Ava’s support system—Jeff, Sandy, and a lot of love—rises to the occasion.

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In this immersive episode of Spirit Talk Show, host Doyle is joined by acclaimed author ES Oliver, voice talent Chris Turek, and the ever-insightful Howie for a powerful exploration of storytelling, loss, and resilience. Together, they bring to life The Invention of Liberation, a gripping sci-fi radio play that blends personal grief with the transformative power of creativity.

As the story unfolds, a child forms an unexpected bond t...