Worth Your Time! with Kristi Lee and Rob Shoemaker

Worth Your Time! with Kristi Lee and Rob Shoemaker

Worth Your Time explores the hearts and minds of extraordinary individuals from all walks of life. Join Kristi Lee from The BOB & TOM Show and Dr. Rob Shumaker of the Indianapolis Zoo as they delve into the lives of fascinating guests, uncovering stories that will inspire, challenge, and entertain us and you.

Episodes

December 1, 2025 31 mins
Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker welcome singer and songwriter Paul Thorn for a conversation about his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi, his start singing in Holiness churches, and his early obsession with ventriloquism. Thorn shares how his boxing career led him to a televised fight against Roberto Duran and why he eventually walked away from the sport. He also tells the real story behind “Joni the Jehovah Witness Stripper” and tal...
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Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee return with Part 2 of their conversation with Dr. Lee James Taylor White and Dr. Catherine “Kate” Abernathy, continuing the story of two conservationists whose work has shaped the future of Africa’s forest elephants. Kate recounts her near-fatal encounter with a charging forest elephant during a family walk in Gabon, explaining how field instincts and a split-second decision to crawl under the anim...
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Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee sit down with 2025 Indianapolis Prize DeHaan Finalist Dr. Lee James Taylor White, Ph.D., and his wife and fellow conservationist Dr. Catherine “Kate” Abernathy. Together they share stories from decades of working in the rainforests of Gabon and the Congo Basin—protecting the critically endangered African forest elephant and studying gorillas, chimpanzees, and mandrills. Dr. White discusses his role i...
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Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker continue their Halloween series with paranormal investigators and filmmakers Jane Gerlach and Linda Mutchman. The pair share chilling stories of haunted homes, mysterious sounds, and unexplained visions. They discuss their investigations at the Howard County Masonic Lodge in Kokomo, a haunted house in Anderson, and other Midwest sites. The conversation covers dowsing rods, REM pods, EVPs, and why ...
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Dr. Rob and Kristi Lee explore America’s growing fascination with Halloween and the paranormal with investigators Jane Gerlach and Linda Mutchman. They share first-hand stories of unexplained experiences, including visions of deceased loved ones, vivid dreams, and encounters at sites such as Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Indiana State Sanatorium, the Story Inn’s Blue Lady Room, and a haunted house in Osgoode. The conversation covers do...
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In part two of Worth Your Time, hosts Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee continue their conversation with restaurateur and author Lisa Dahl. She explains how color, romance, and female sensuality shape her restaurant spaces and dishes; why she teaches cooks to taste, not just time recipes; and how a veggie burger she created as a teen evolved into today’s “hipster” burger. Dahl discusses her cookbooks The Elixir of Life and A Romance ...
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Restaurateur and philanthropist Lisa Dahl shares her journey from Indianapolis to Sedona, opening acclaimed restaurants and finding healing after the tragic loss of her son. In this episode of Worth Your Time with Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee, Dahl discusses her documentary Blessed by Grace, her culinary inspiration, and the creative vision behind Sedona’s dining scene. Blessed By Grace Trailer: https://www.cheflisadahl.com/b...
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In Part 2 of this urgent conversation, With Your Time hosts Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee return with Dr. Anne Friesen (HumanTraffickingNow.com) and Andrew Sveum (FreedomRisingNow.org) to explore how individuals and communities can combat human trafficking—both in the U.S. and abroad. From inside Bangladesh’s largest brothel to local neighborhood signs of abuse, the conversation shifts toward hope, healing, and action. The gue...
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On this powerful episode of With Your Time, Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee sit down with Dr. Anne Friesen of HumanTraffickingNow.com and Andrew Sveum of Freedom Rising Now on one of the most serious topics they’ve tackled—human trafficking. Dr. Friesen shares how her work in North Carolina revealed alarming levels of trafficking within the U.S., while Sveum recounts his experience inside the world’s largest brothel in Bangladesh and t...
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Author Stephen S. Hall joins Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee for part 2 of a fascinating deep dive into his book Slither. From Genesis to genetics, this conversation explores how snakes became symbols of sin, what they can teach us about health, and why public attitudes toward them are slowly changing. You’ll hear about snake personalities, snake sex (yes, really), life-saving venom research, and the cultural baggage snakes still c...
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In this episode of Worth Your Time with Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee, author Steven S. Hall joins to discuss his new book Slither. The conversation explores why snakes evoke such strong emotions, the evolutionary roots of our fear, and the surprising ways science is changing how we view these often misunderstood creatures. Hall shares stories from history, neuroscience, and personal experience, revealing why snakes deserve more ...
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Kristi and Dr. Rob sit down again with Tyler Mayer—president of Providence Cristo Rey High School, former seminarian, and improv coach—for a funny, heartfelt, and insightful conversation. They explore what it means to have an American Pope, the legacy of Pope Francis, and how Pope Leo XIV may shape the future of the Church. Tyler shares his journey from seminary life to marriage, his perspective on Pope Benedict’s resignation, a...
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In this episode of Worth Your Time, hosts Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker dive into the global significance of the recent papal conclave and selection of Pope Leo XIV. Special guest Tyler Mayer—president of Providence Cristo Rey High School and former seminarian—joins the conversation to explain what actually happens when a new pope is chosen, including the meaning behind papal names, the role of cardinals, and conclave traditions ...
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Joe Hale, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, we take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the brand-new, reimagined museum experience that opened in April 2025. Hosts Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee join Joe to explore how a basement and an attic were transformed into a multi-level, interactive racing experience—all without expanding the museum’s footprint. From Gasoline Alley’s...
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Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker sit down with Joe Hale, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, to discuss his remarkable efforts to transform the iconic museum into a world-class destination. Hale shares his personal connection to the Indy 500, how a global fundraising effort helped raise over $100 million, and why preserving the legacy of the 500 matters on an international scale. From humble beginnings as a teacher ...
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Comedian Sam Miller joins hosts Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker for a powerful and hilarious episode of Worth Your Time. Sam opens up about his past struggles with addiction, incarceration, and homelessness—and how those experiences shaped his unique comedic voice. He shares the deeply moving story behind "The Jail Letters," a collaborative performance with his mother based on their correspondence during his time in prison, and di...
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In this special one-year anniversary episode of Worth Your Time, hosts Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker welcome comedian Sam Miller. Sam shares his transformative journey from addiction and homelessness to comedy and recovery, highlighting personal anecdotes and challenges he faced along the way.
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Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker welcome back acclaimed musician Josh Turner for a deep dive into his evolving career, from YouTube sensation to seasoned live performer. They discuss the journey of balancing intimate venues with audience growth, the challenge of blending multiple musical influences, and the art of meaningful collaboration. Josh shares insights into his songwriting process, his plans for a new solo album, and the une...
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In this episode, Dr. Rob Shumaker and Kristi Lee sit down with multi-talented musician Josh Turner, whose mesmerizing covers and original compositions have captivated millions on YouTube. They discuss his journey from teenage YouTube performer to acclaimed artist, his viral covers, collaborations, and the power of online audiences in shaping modern music careers. Plus, hear a stunning live performance of Graceland and get an inside...
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Mel Raines, President and CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, returns for part two of our conversation, diving into her role in transforming Indianapolis into a hub for major sports and entertainment. She shares how she made the leap from political consulting to part of the team orchestrating the 2012 Super Bowl and how that experience led her to oversee Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the business side of the Pacers and Fever. Raines ...
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