Some people help others overcome their urge to steal through research and understanding, while others draw from personal experience. Meet a Yale psychiatry professor specializing in impulse control disorders like kleptomania. We'll also hear from a therapist and a coach who were once addicted to stealing themselves and are now dedicated to helping others overcome this compulsion. Resources: If you're struggling with any mental health issues, you can always call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Their free, confidential helpline is open 24/7 in English and Spanish at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).CASA (Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous, LLC) - a self-help group founded by Terrence Shulman Suggested episodes: Anorexia is complex. Two people talk frankly about their decades-long journeysFull house: The line between collecting, clutter, and hoarding disorderFighting for truth: The struggle to overcome pathological lyingFaking it: Munchausen syndrome and the compulsion to be ill GUESTS:  Dr. Marc Potenza: Steven M. Southwick Professor of Psychiatry and Professor in the Child Study Center and of Neuroscience. His research has focused on the neurobiology and treatment of addictions and other disorders characterized by impaired impulse controlTabitha Farrar: Developed anorexia nervosa and kleptomania as a teenager. She is the author of many books, including, Rehabilitate, Rewire, Recover!: Anorexia recovery for the determined adultTerrence Shulman: Author, lawyer, licensed clinician, and founder of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending & Hoarding. He is the founder of the support group, Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous, and CEO of unsteal.org, a website that helps people send money back to stores they've stolen from Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elite bodyguard and security expert Will Geddes talks about how his childhood prepared him for a 30-year career protecting some of the most high-profile clients in the world.  Will shares surprising stories from the field, and reflections on what it's like when your one job is to make sure your client gets in and out - unharmed. Plus, get practical tips for staying safe! Suggested episodes: Stolen cars and abandoned grocery carts: Taking matters into your own hands GUEST:  Will Geddes: A security specialist with over 30 years of experience, advising clients worldwide on various risk and threat-related matters. He leads the firm, International Corporate Securities. He is also a public speaker, media commentator on international security, and the author of the book, “Parent Alert: How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online“Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how sometimes you look outside, see a bird, and think, “Oh, hey! A cardinal! A blue jay! A robin!“ Happens all the time. Now imagine what your life would be like if you traveled the world as part of a lifelong quest to become the first person to see 10,000 bird species. Get to know Peter Kaestner. He shares the surprising story of how he came excruciatingly close to missing that once-in-a-lifetime shot. And find out why he believes there are a million ways to be a birder. Resources: eBird online database of bird observations, a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology IOC World Bird List, an open-access resource maintained by the International Ornithological Committee Merlin bird ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a free global bird guide with photos, sounds, and maps Suggested episodes: Wings, pouches, and snouts: The world of uncommon emotional support animals We, The Dog GUEST:  Peter Kaestner: First person to catalog 10,000 bird species, discoverer of the Cundinamarca antpitta, is an ambassador for the American Bird Conservancy, and leads tours with Rockjumper Birding Adventures Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missing the Olympics? Well, listen to our show about weird sports! Including extreme ironing, where people press their clothes at the top of volcanoes, in caves, even while hanging upside down in trees! And there's cheese rolling, where people chase a cheese wheel which is barrelling down a steep hill. And then there's the oh, so British sport of shin kicking! This is a centuries-old wrestling sport where opponents grab each other by the shoulders and kick the shin out of each other. This episode originally aired on September 27, 2023. GUESTS:  Florence Early: Four-time women’s cheese rolling champion, and star of the Netflix Documentary, "We Are The Champions: Episode 1"Pete "Buzzsaw" Holland: Shin Kicking referee or “stickler”. Shin kicking is a 400 year-old British wrestling sport in which players try to get each other to fall down by kicking each other in the shinMatthew Battley: New Zealand astrophysicist and extreme ironer. He has ironed on places such as mountains, active volcanoes and in lakes and cavesSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that food can trigger a trauma response? Somatic educators like Luis Mojica help people feel more connected to their bodies through food, music, and slowing down to feel it all. Hear how he helps people unlock their pain, and how his life as an intersex person informs his understanding of all the ways a body can communicate. GUESTS:  Luis Mojica: Musician, somatic educator, and life coach based in New York State. He is the founder of Holistic Life Navigation where he teaches people to relate to themselves in new ways through whole food nutrition, somatic experiences, and self-connectingSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us have faked being sick at some point, whether to escape a commitment or gain a little sympathy. But for some, this behavior becomes a compulsion, driven by underlying mental health or personality disorders. Meet a woman who has written a book about her journey to overcome Munchausen Syndrome, also known as Factitious Disorder. And a doctor specializing in this condition sheds light on its complexities, misconceptions, and pathways to recovery. Suggested episodes: Body Integrity Dysphoria: When being disabled is a desireFighting for truth: The struggle to overcome pathological lying GUESTS:  Dr. Marc Feldman: Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He is an international expert in factitious disorder, Munchausen syndrome, Munchausen by proxy, and malingering, and the author of many books, including Dying to Be Ill: True Stories of Medical DeceptionCindy Buckshon: Author of Liar, Liar, Gown on Fire, a memoir of a lifelong struggle with mental illnesses, specifically bipolar disorder and factitious disorder, more commonly known as Munchausen syndrome. She is also a graphic designer, illustrator, and painterSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Cubs superfan, Ronnie “Woo Woo“ Wickers says, “It’s not a ballgame if they don’t see me or hear me!” That sentiment applies to all of our guests on this show! Including Ronnie, 49ers fan, Banjo Man, and Bob Labonne, who is a massive fan of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team! GUESTS:  Stacy Samuels aka Banjo Man: a 73-year-old fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland A’s. He attends games with his signature propeller hat and banjo, and he has not missed a 49ers home game since 1983 Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers: an 82-year-old fan of the Chicago Cubs since 1949, known and celebrated for his chants in the stadium. His grandma brought him to his first game at Wrigley Field when he was eight years old Bob LaBonne Sr: an 88-year-old fan of the UCONN women’s basketball team. He lost his UCONN hat with pins he had collected over decades while cheering on the team in Texas. He is joined by his son, Bob LaBonne Jr. Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With everything being stored in our phone, there seems to be fewer and fewer reasons to store anything in our brain. But what if your imagination was much more powerful and vast than you think? And with a few simple techniques, you could remember an astonishing amount of information? Two people who have won international memory competitions and set world records for memorizing will tell you exactly how they do it so you can, too. Suggested episodes: Total Recall: What It's Like To Remember Every Day Like It Was YesterdayWhat it’s like winning a little or a lot on The Price Is Right, Wheel Of Fortune, and Jeopardy! GUESTS:  John Graham: Three-time USA memory champion, author and personal memory coachKatie Kermode: One of the top memory champions in the world, holding four world records in different memory events. She also developed software now used in memory competitions around the worldSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many ways to teach, but few are as impactful as embodying a character as an actor. How does taking on such roles shape a person's life? In this episode, we delve into the experiences of two unique educators. Discover what it was like for Azie Dungey, a Black actress, to portray an enslaved woman at George and Martha Washington's estate in Mount Vernon. How did this deeply emotional role influence her understanding of history and her own identity? Then, explore the world of Cory Scott, a standardized patient who simulates medical conditions for training medical students. What toll does this role take on his mind and body? Provided/Cory ScottCory Scott (left) performs with Kate Jurdi. Join us as we uncover the profound effects of educational acting on those who live it. Suggested episodes: Actors Mary Elizabeth Kelly and Dean Edwards on the art of impressionsBehind The Screens: Dressing Schitt’s Creek, Special Effects Make-Up, and Casting Queer EyeBehind The Screens: Hollywood Hairstyling, Coordinating Intimacy, And Illustrating The Great British Bake Off GUESTS:  Azie Dungey: Comedy writer and former character interpreter, playing Caroline Branham, an enslaved woman at George Washington's Mount Vernon residence. She also wrote the popular web series “Ask A Slave”Cory Scott: Standardized patient at UMass Chan Medical School for over 25 years. He has guest-starred in ABC’s Body of Proof and worked as a stand-in on the movies, TED and TED 2Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know the Chicago-based music festival, Lollapalooza? Well, this episode of Audacious features NO ONE from Lollapalooza! But it does feature people who love something so much that they made a palooza out of it! Hear about the communal beauty and allure of pogo sticks, origami, lighters, and John Philip Sousa marches. GUESTS:  Nick McClintock: Creative director and co-founder of PogopaloozaKuang-Hao Huang: Pianist, former driving force behind Make Music Chicago, and creator of SousapaloozaLinda Mihara: Owner of Paper Tree - the Origami Store, and the brain behind Origami-Palooza in San FranciscoChuck Riley: The founder of Lighterpalooza, and owner of Riley’s 66 where he sells vintage and collectible Zippo lighters along with his own retro designsSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up, Pidgeon Pagonis was told a lot about their medical history: They were born with cancerous ovaries, so the doctors removed them to save their life. Except that wasn't true. In reality, they were born intersex. And those were not cancerous ovaries, they were undescended testes. And that was just the beginning of many truths coming out. Hear their story of discovery, and how they played a massive role in getting the hospital where they were born to reverse their policies on how they treat intersex children. Resources: interACT Advocates for Intersex YouthIntersex resource list by Pidgeon PagonisStatements on Intersex Care at Lurie Children’s Hospital Recommended episodes: Conception deception: The fight for transparency in the fertility industryJeffrey Marsh Loves YouBeing a trans woman in the trucking industry GUEST:  Pidgeon Pagonis: Intersex speaker, filmmaker, and consultant; Author of the memoir, Nobody Needs to KnowSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enjoy our ode to farts! Meet researchers who made a New York Times bestselling book series about the various ways that animals fart; A man who is internationally known for being a hand farter, (also called a “manualist“); And another person who was born without an anus and went on to make a living off of his ability to fart extensively on-command! Which he will absolutely do for us in this episode. GUESTS:  Dani Rabaiotti and Nick Caruso: Researchers who created a spreadsheet listing what we know about which animals do and do not fart, and which remain a mystery. It was later turned into a book series beginning with Does It Fart? The definitive field guide to animal flatulence, and the kids book, Does It Fart?: A Kid's Guide to the Gas Animals PassGuy First: A musician who plays music by making farting noises with his hands, featured on Britain's Got Talent. He is joined by his wife, YaaraWill Bakey a.k.a “Will the Farter”: Born without an anus, he later became able to fart on-command. Featured on the Howard Stern Show, Jackass 3D, and Cameo. He is joined by his girlfriend, Aislinn.Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in the day — with your Walter Cronkites and David Brinkleys — it felt kind of inappropriate for an interviewer to bring their full selves to the conversation. It was all about the guest, after all, so why bother bringing their own distinctive flairs? But now, people tune in as much for the interviewer as the one being interviewed. And because of that, the experience feels much more authentic! So today, you'll get to know three masters of the craft who each have their own distinct, but oh so compelling styles of asking tough, thought-provoking questions. EXTENDED INTERVIEWS: Mehdi HasanZiweGayle King This episode originally aired on October 14th, 2023. GUESTS:  Mehdi Hasan: Editor-in-chief and CEO of Zeteo. His latest book is called Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public SpeakingZiwe: Comedian, writer, actor, executive producer and star of ZIWE on Showtime. She is also known for her web series, Baited. Her book is called Black Friend: EssaysGayle King: Co-host of CBS This Morning, and editor-at-large of O, the Oprah Magazine. She is also the curator of the book, Note to Self: Inspiring Words From Inspiring PeopleSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jayson Greene’s daughter, Greta, died in 2015 when she was two years old. She was sitting on a bench with her grandma on the Upper West Side of Manhattan when a brick fell from a building and struck her in the head. Now, nine years later, how would Jayson describe Greta’s presence in his life? Hear his reflections on life after unimaginable tragedy, and how much he appreciates the people that showed up for him and his family. Related episode: Views from the end: David Meyers GUESTS:  Jayson Greene: a writer and editor based in Brooklyn. He is the author of Once More We Saw Stars, a memoir about dealing with the sudden and tragic death of his two-year-old daughter, Greta, in 2015 Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the movies, cyborgs often don't have a soul or a conscience. But in real life, some people become cyborgs in order to enhance the human experience and to be more connected with nature. Like Neil Harbisson. He was born colorblind, but now, thanks to an antenna implanted into the base of his skull, he can hear colors! And choreographer, Moon Ribas, had implants embedded in her feet that vibrated every time there was an earthquake of at least 1.0 on the Richter scale. They are co-founders of the Transpecies Society and the Cyborg Foundation. This episode originally aired on September 16, 2023. GUESTS:  Neil Harbisson: For almost 20 years, has had an antenna implanted into the back of his skull that translates color into soundMoon Ribas: A choreographer who, for seven years, had implants in her feet that vibrated every time there was an earthquake of 1.0 on the Richter scaleSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People modify their bodies all the time. A piercing here, a tattoo there… But what if you took it to the extreme, and reshaped yourself into something mythical? Meet two people who use body modifications to turn themselves into dragons. Related episodes: Change Of Art: Stories About Tattoo CoverupsRetired CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez on magic, technology and the art of deception(Almost) Everybody Hurts: An Exploration of PainGoing Flat, or Building New Breasts: Two Women’s Post-Mastectomy StoriesHearing every color, feeling every earthquake: Life as a cyborg GUESTS:  Legion the Dragon: Based in Los Angeles, and legally known as Tiamat Legion Medusa, he describes his transformation into a dragon as a metamorphosis Burns the Dragon: Also known as Josh Burns, he is a Vancouver-based performance artist Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people imagine becoming parents, they don’t often envision their child being born with a condition that requires lifetime care. Hear reflections and wisdom from “forever parents” whose children have autism with anxiety and OCD; a disorder that caused 100 seizures a day; and Down Syndrome. GUESTS:  Carrie Cariello: Mother of five children, including 18 year-old Jack, who has Autism, OCD, and anxiety. She’s the author of two books, and writes regularly for the Huffington PostAdriana Piltz: Mother of three, including 24 year-old Nicky, who was born with tuberous sclerosis. He is non-verbal, has violent outbursts, and needs 24/7 care. She is the founder of Nicky’s Gardens of Hope, which raises money to create a more supported living situation for people with disabilitiesCathy Carmode Lim, Marcelino Lim, and Marissa Lim: Cathy and Marcelino are parents to four daughters, including Marissa, a 24 year-old woman with Down Syndrome. Cathy writes about her experiences in parenting and more at lifeandlims.comSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you imagine a pawn shop, what do you think of? Maybe a gruff dude behind the counter, giving you as little money - and as much attitude - as possible. After all, it's a male-dominated industry, and t.v. shows like Pawn Stars reinforce the stereotype. But in this episode of Audacious, join Chion as she gets to know the kindness, compassion and sense of humor of Sandy Meier. She runs Pawn Queen on the Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield. Then, meet Lauren Kaminsky, a third-generation pawnbroker who is playing a huge role in changing the vibe of the pawn industry. GUESTS:  Sandy Meier: Owner/operator of Pawn Queen on the Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield, CT. She is joined by her friend, Cathy Risigo-Wikline from WolcottLauren Kaminsky: President of EZ Pawn Corp, and founder of ByGOLDGIRL. She also runs the pawn shops at Beauty & Essex in various locations where visitors can shop before heading to the restaurant or lounge. In 2023, she launched a vintage-inspired jewelry collection  Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of the time, the stunts you see in television and movies go perfectly. But when something goes wrong, the athletes who have spent their lives perfecting their craft can get permanently injured. David Holmes was Daniel Radcliffe's main stunt double in the Harry Potter movies. In 2009, an accident on-set paralyzed him. Jonathan Goodwin was a regular stunt performer on t.v. shows, but in 2021, he became paralyzed after being crushed between two cars while in a straight jacket. Hear how these two stunt performers have adapted to the new challenges they face since their lives changed completely. For a full transcript of this show, click here. GUESTS:  Jonathan Goodwin: Retired stunt performer, screenwriter, keynote speaker, hypnotherapist, and ambassador for the Spinal Injuries Association in the UK. In 2021, he was paralyzed while rehearsing a stunt for America's Got Talent: ExtremeDavid Holmes: Retired stunt performer, best known for being Daniel Radcliffe’s main stunt double in all eight Harry Potter movies. In 2009, he was paralyzed while filming a stunt test for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The 2023 MAX documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived captures David’s life before and after the incident and his bond with Daniel Radcliffe Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On July 12, 2022, Dawn Wright (aka "Deepsea Dawn") became the first and only Black person to dive to the lowest known point on the Earth's seabed, "Challenger Deep". Hear about her journey down into the Mariana Trench, why she went, and what she found at the bottom that shocked her. You also may enjoy these episodes: Below the surface: The stories behind underwater world records Extreme allergies and rare conditions can teach us a lot about human tolerance What's in that note? Stories about messages in bottles GUEST:  Dawn Wright (aka "Deepsea Dawn"): Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and a professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University. On July 12, 2022, she became the first and only Black person to dive to "Challenger Deep", which is the deepest known point on the Earth's seabedSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.