Episodes

  • Paul Thorn on Growing Up in Tupelo, Boxing Roberto Duran, and the Stories Behind His Songs

    Paul Thorn on Growing Up in Tupelo, Boxing Roberto Duran, and the Stories Behind His Songs
    Dec 1 2025
    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 talks about his new album “Life Is Just a Vapor.” The episode features two songs from the new collection and sets up part two, airing on the 15th.
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    32 mins
  • Forest Elephant Attack, a Coup in Gabon, and the Fight to Save a Species: Lee James Taylor White and Kate Abernathy

    Forest Elephant Attack, a Coup in Gabon, and the Fight to Save a Species: Lee James Taylor White and Kate Abernathy
    Nov 15 2025
    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 animal allowed her to survive. Lee describes watching the attack unfold and the terrifying moment he prepared to distract the elephant to save her. The episode moves from that harrowing story into Lee’s years leading Gabon’s national parks, confronting ivory poaching networks tied to Boko Haram, and uncovering large-scale illegal logging operations. He explains how Gabon became the only country in central Africa to grow its forest elephant population during a decade when two thirds of the species were wiped out elsewhere. Kate shares how her thirty-year data set on fruiting trees and elephant body condition revealed dramatic impacts of climate change on rainforest ecosystems, and how her research network continues even after the 2023 military coup forced the family to leave Gabon. Together, they reflect on the coup, their family’s evacuation, the struggle to protect conservation progress, and the future of their work. This episode highlights two voices whose science, leadership, and courage have helped protect the world’s remaining forest elephants.
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    37 mins
  • Lee James Taylor White and Catherine Abernathy: Protecting Africa’s Forest Elephants and Rainforests

    Lee James Taylor White and Catherine Abernathy: Protecting Africa’s Forest Elephants and Rainforests
    Nov 1 2025
    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 in creating 13 national parks in Gabon and leading efforts to safeguard half of the world’s forest elephants, while Dr. Abernathy offers vivid insight into primate behavior and the realities of life in the field.
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    31 mins
  • Halloween Paranormal Investigations: Ghosts, Haunted Lodges, and Afterlife Questions With Jane Gerlach and Linda Mutchman

    Halloween Paranormal Investigations: Ghosts, Haunted Lodges, and Afterlife Questions With Jane Gerlach and Linda Mutchman
    Oct 15 2025
    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 spirits may linger in certain places. Gerlach and Mann also reflect on the afterlife, fear of the unknown, and the hope found in spiritual connections.
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    34 mins
  • Inside Paranormal Investigations: Ghost Stories, Dreams, and Haunted Sites With Jane Gerlach and Linda Mutchman

    Inside Paranormal Investigations: Ghost Stories, Dreams, and Haunted Sites With Jane Gerlach and Linda Mutchman
    Oct 1 2025
    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 dowsing rods, EVPs, and why hospitals, prisons, and other high-emotion places attract ghost hunters. Watch to hear detailed accounts of ghost sightings, haunted locations, and spiritual connections that shaped their work.
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    33 mins
  • Lisa Dahl on sensual design, soul-first cooking, and “Soup Hope”

    Lisa Dahl on sensual design, soul-first cooking, and “Soup Hope”
    Sep 15 2025
    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 with Food, healing through holidays after loss, and the launch of her foundation and “Soup Hope—The Universal Soup of Love.” She also shares updates on her documentary Blessed by Grace, shown at the Heartland Indie Short Films Festival in Indianapolis. Blessed By Grace Trailer: https://www.cheflisadahl.com/blessed-by-grace
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    33 mins
  • Lisa Dahl on ‘Blessed by Grace,’ Tragedy, and Building Sedona’s Iconic Restaurants

    Lisa Dahl on ‘Blessed by Grace,’ Tragedy, and Building Sedona’s Iconic Restaurants
    Sep 1 2025
    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/blessed-by-grace
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    27 mins
  • How to Fight Human Trafficking: Healing Victims, Changing Culture, and Taking Action

    How to Fight Human Trafficking: Healing Victims, Changing Culture, and Taking Action
    Aug 15 2025
    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 guests share stories of real victims, strategies to prevent exploitation, and practical steps for parents, leaders, and citizens to get involved. This episode confronts difficult truths with courage and clarity—because awareness is the first step to change. For more information or to support their work, visit: 🔹 https://FreedomRisingNow.org 🔹 https://HumanTraffickingNow.com
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    36 mins