Writer, historian, and Emmy Award–winning host John T. Edge joins us for a powerful conversation about identity, inherited stories, and the emotional resonance of food. Best known for True South and his acclaimed books—including House of Smoke, the focus of our discussion—John T. shares how growing up in a home steeped in Confederate mythology shaped his early worldview, and how his adult life became an intentional act of rewriting those narratives.

As John T. explains, food is never just food—it’s memory, migration, and the emotional weight of history. He helps us understand how Southern cuisine is deeply rooted in West African traditions, why food becomes a meeting place for shared humanity, and how acknowledging its origins allows us to approach it with honesty and connection. He also opens up about grief, loss, and how emotional reckoning transformed his relationships and his trajectory as a writer and cultural leader.

John T. discusses the rise and collapse of his work with the Southern Foodways Alliance, sharing the humbling lesson of recognizing one’s own power, the pitfalls of hubris, and how accountability and reinvention shaped who he is today. His reflections on resilience—including two life-altering car wrecks—offer a grounded reminder that what matters most is how we choose to act on the other side of adversity.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

“Don’t save the word love for the people who are your blood kin. Tell your friends you love them—and why. And mean it.”

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• John T. Edge’s Website
• House of Smoke
• 
  

Produced by NOVA

Professor, speaker, and transformation strategist Dr. Danielle McGeough joins us to explore a powerful reframe that can reshape the way we plan, work, and show up in our lives. Known for her Rise Ritual Method and her podcast “Plan Goal Plan”, Danielle helps high performers reconnect with their core identities, navigate transitions with clarity, and build intentional practices that support real, sustained growth.

Danielle shares how she spent years building the career she thought she wanted—earning her PhD, securing her dream job, and achieving tenure—only to feel unexpectedly flat and disconnected once she arrived. That realization led her to revisit the research she’d been teaching for years on identity and ritual. By infusing her daily life with intentional sensory-driven rituals rather than automated habits, she rediscovered presence, joy, and meaning in the everyday moments.

She breaks down the full Rise Ritual Method:Reflect, Intentionally Plan, Sensory Activation, and Embody the Story—showing us how to use rituals to enter the states we want to inhabit, whether that’s calm, focus, creativity, or presence with our families. Danielle also shares common pitfalls, the importance of designing multiple “versions” of a ritual, and why flexibility and curiosity matter more than perfection.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

“What is your current state and what’s your desired state—and what is one small thing you could do, ideally through sensory activation, to move you closer to that desired state?

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Learn more about Dr. Danielle McGeough
• Listen to the Plan Goal Plan podcast
• Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA

Pop culture commentator and YouTube creator Gary “Nerdrotic” Buechler joins us for one of the most candid conversations he’s ever shared publicly. Known for his massive presence on YouTube and Rumble, with millions tuning in for his unapologetic takes on fandom and culture. Gary opens up about the long, painful road that came before Nerdrotic. In his new book, Waiting for a Nerdrotic, he traces his story through early addiction, homelessness, crime, and a prison sentence that ultimately reshaped his understanding of freedom.

Gary describes growing up adopted, discovering alcohol and drugs before age 13, and spiraling into burglary to fuel his addiction. Multiple arrests and jail stints eventually led to prison, where recovery began to “seep in.” He shares the moment everything changed, realizing his kids might grow up without a father—and how gratitude, consistency, and rigorous honesty became the pillars of his lasting sobriety.

What began as a hobby podcast recorded in a San Francisco Starbucks grew into Nerdrotic, one of the most influential fandom channels online. Gary explains why authenticity resonated with viewers, how cultural polarization seeped into entertainment, and why he believes fans needed someone to speak up about it. Yet through every challenge—personal or cultural—gratitude remains the mindset that keeps him grounded.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

"What am I grateful for today? … It’s a mindset, and it works. That’s the thing that clicked for me in recovery that made it work to this very day by the grace of God."

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Read Waiting for Nerdrotic by Gary Buechler
• Watch Gary’s YouTube channel: Nerdrotic
• Follow Gary on Twitter: @nerdrotics
• Follow Gary on Instagram: @nerdrotic

Produced by NOVA

Licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and author Tonya Lester joins us to explore one of the most pervasive issues she sees in her practice: what happens when people stay silent for too long. Known for her Modern Love essay in The New York Times and her popular Psychology Today blog, Staying Sane Inside Insanity, Tonya has spent years helping individuals and couples navigate communication, conflict, and the fear of speaking their truth.

In our conversation, we dig into the patterns that inspired her new book, Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself. Tonya describes the all-too-common dynamic where one partner quietly struggles while the other believes things are "fine"---until the relationship reaches a breaking point. She shares how clarity around values, direct communication, and what she calls "mutual empathy" can transform not only romantic relationships but workplace dynamics as well.

Tonya also offers practical guidance for anyone feeling lonely, unseen, or disconnected from their own needs. Whether through journaling prompts, identifying the next small step toward living your values, or learning to slow down heated conversations, she reminds us that emotional intimacy is built by honesty, not harmony at all costs.

The Biggest Helping: Today's Most Important Takeaway

"Speaking up and being clear about your needs and desires and being open to hearing that of the person sitting across from you is the pathway to emotional intimacy and a fulfilling life."

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Read Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself by Tonya Lester
• Visit Tonya's website
• Follow Tonya on Instagram
• Read her Psychology Today blog "Staying Sane Inside Insanity"
• Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Produced by NOVA

Award-winning keynote speaker, author, and career development expert Andy Storch returns to The Daily Helping to share transformative insights from his newest book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career. Andy has spent years helping professionals step out of “reaction mode” and take ownership of how they show up in the world. In this conversation, he explains why personal branding is no longer optional—every one of us already has a brand, and the question is whether we’re being intentional about it.

We explore Andy’s journey from drifting through his early career to discovering a framework for purpose, alignment, and growth. He shares how companies have shifted from resisting employee personal brands to embracing them, recognizing the impact on culture, recruitment, and performance. Andy also offers a simple but powerful starting point: define who you are today, decide what you want to be known for, and evaluate whether your daily actions reflect those values. As he reminds us, people remember how we make them feel—and the leaders who empower and develop others leave the deepest legacy.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

“You have a career, and you have a brand—whether you’re intentional about it or not. Nobody cares more about your career or your brand than you do. So you’ve got to own it. Get clear on what you want, set your intentions, and show up in alignment with that every day.”

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Read Own Your Brand, Own Your Career by Andy Storch & Mike Kim: Amazon
• Download the free workbook: ownyourbrandbook.com
• Follow Andy on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile

Produced by NOVA

Award-winning strategy consultant and Harvard Business Review contributor Kyle Austin Young joins us to reveal the surprising math behind every success story. His new book, Success Is a Numbers Game: Achieve Bigger Goals by Changing the Odds, challenges the way we think about goals, risk, and achievement—showing that success is less about luck and more about probability.

Kyle shares how being laid off twice during an adoption journey pushed him to diversify his career and build a thriving consulting practice. Over a decade of helping entrepreneurs and leaders achieve ambitious outcomes, he discovered that every goal has two hidden numbers: a probability of success and a probability of failure. The key, he argues, is learning to “hack” those odds—by identifying potential bad outcomes and systematically reducing their likelihood. From business ventures to personal growth, his framework helps us shift from wishful thinking to strategic action.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

There’s real power in asking “what if.” Thinking through what could go wrong isn’t negativity—it’s strategy. When you remove the barriers that make success less likely, you change your odds and make your goals achievable.

—

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Read Success Is a Numbers Game: Achieve Bigger Goals by Changing the Odds by Kyle Austin Young: Amazon
• Visit KyleAustinYoung.com
• Follow Kyle on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA

Dr. Sharon Livingston, best-selling author, speaker, and thought leader in qualitative research and career psychology, joins us to unpack how power and influence have evolved in the modern workplace. With over 30 years of experience interviewing more than 64,000 people---including executives at Fortune 100 companies---Dr. Livingston brings an unparalleled understanding of human behavior at work. Her latest book, Power Dynamics: How to Master the Hidden Forces That Shape Your Career, explores how relationships, not résumés, increasingly drive success.

In our conversation, we trace the shift from the "company-as-family" era to today's fluid, network-driven workplace---where visibility, empathy, and adaptability matter more than tenure. Dr. Livingston reveals how remote work and AI are rewriting the rules of influence and shares practical ways to build authentic relationships in a hybrid world. Her insights remind us that confidence isn't just spoken---it's embodied in how we listen, pause, and connect. Above all, she urges us to see this uncertain time not as a threat, but as an opportunity to reinvent how we thrive together.

The Biggest Helping: Today's Most Important Takeaway

Things are changing, and the most important thing is to stay flexible. Allow yourself to evolve in ways that are good for you and for those around you---seeing life as a shared adventure makes it a win-win for everyone.

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

Read Power Dynamics: How to Master the Hidden Forces That Shape Your Career by Dr. Sharon Livingston

Visit Dr. Livingston's website

Visit Dr. Livingston's Substack: careerpowerdynamics.substack.com

Produced by NOVA

Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, joins us to share how leading with empathy transforms teams and culture. Partnering with Gary Vaynerchuk for 11+ years, Claude has scaled “the honey empire”—kindness first, results second—and now distills her approach in her new book, Be Yourself at Work, out tomorrow.

We explore Claude’s journey from struggling student to 93 days in the wilderness, where a guide’s challenge—“get another song in your head”—helped her shift from external to internal locus of control. That moment became the cornerstone of her people-first leadership. Claude later built teams across VaynerX and reimagined hiring from “culture fit” to “culture addition,” even removing degree requirements to widen the door for talent.

Her book guides us through three arcs: know yourself (“You are the CEO of you”), know how you show up on teams (radiator or drain), and lead culture every day—with practical tools like a personal roadmap and her L.I.E. exercise to tackle impostor syndrome. It’s a pragmatic playbook for bringing more humanity, tenderness, and emotional intelligence to work—one intentional choice at a time.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

Remember everyone is carrying something—and most people’s intentions are good. Lead with that assumption.

--

Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Learn more at claudesilver.com
• Read Be Yourself at Work by Claude Silver
• Connect with Claude on LinkedIn
• Follow Claude on Instagram: @claudesilver

Produced by NOVA