Better To... Podcast with D. M. Needom – Details, episodes & analysis

Send us a text

Frankie and Kelly Maxwell stop by the show to discuss how the band came together, their father and his love of music, their new EP, Red Shelter, sobriety, and more. 

*****

Shurr Jr is a family power trio that consists of a guitarist/vocalist, Nick Maxwell,  Drums, Frankie Maxwell, and Kelly Maxwell on bass. The siblings’ father, Frank Maxwell, was an Omaha music legend who played guitar in the band Fifth of May in the ‘80s and ‘90s. No doubt, the apples didn’t fall far from the tree. 

They're a band made up of two brothers and a sister from Sioux Falls.  Their father was a well-known musician in Omaha, but he died a few years ago.  Since they were a very musical family, the kids decided to do a band as a tribute to their dad...  The name "Shurr Jr." is a takeoff on one of their dad's favorite sayings, "Sure, Junior" as a replacement for "Yep, okay."

The name of the EP is also a nod to their father, too... He wanted to name a band or album "Red Shelter," but he passed away before he could make that happen, so the kids in Shurr Jr. decided to name that album as another tribute to him.

Musically, they take elements of Pixies, Elliott Smith, Husker Du, Avett Brothers, the Replacements, and Title Fight.  

This is the new single/video, "Ink": https://youtu.be/u1-p5WtdQ9o?si=lEal3FveTCWIiMcz

*******

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest, please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.com

Upcoming guests can be found: https://dmneedom.com/upcoming-guest 

Follow us on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Intro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi

©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M. Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

This week on the show, Chris Berardo stops by the show to discuss his latest release, Wilder All the Time, touring, and more.

********

Chris Berardo is another artist whose life hasn't been the easiest. He was on a MAJOR upswing career-wise a decade ago before the dreaded cancer reared its ugly head. He was forced to abandon his music career to take care of himself, but now, after a decade of fighting, he is releasing his first album since... and it's a great one. 

A consummate and charismatic performer, Berardo's smoky voice and lived-in tales have charmed audiences from intimate acoustic shows to full-blown theater concerts, often opening for some of his idols, including The Doobie Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, and America.

Chris Berardo and The Desberardos have just released their long-awaited fourth album, “Wilder All The Time”. It’s a deeply personal record that’s easily among the best works of his career! Chris talks about the record, playing live, and his travels from New York to Los Angeles to his current home in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Watch this video for his new song "Take Me Back" which features pics and vids from his childhood: https://youtu.be/MDjJXH0ThW8?si=wdw3aYijfmIobIxe.  

Listen to his album here: https://haulix.promo/xwnr

*******

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest, please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Audio production by Rich Zei of Third Ear Audio
Intro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi

©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M. Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Lenny Zenith is more than an artist—he’s a trailblazer in the transgender community, whose life and music have broken boundaries and shattered stereotypes. His career, spanning decades, includes leading iconic bands like Jenifer Convertible, Tenterhooks, Minor Planets, Pop Comb, and RZA as well as his collaborations with industry legends like James Murphy and Wharton Tiers. Lenny’s genre-bending sound draws from his Cuban heritage, merging rock with jazz, electronica, and orchestral ballads, resulting in a body of work that’s as diverse as it is powerful.

Lenny’s journey as a transgender man began in his youth in New Orleans, where he struggled to find acceptance while facing the challenges of adolescence. As a young transgender person, he found sanctuary at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) and life-saving support from two compassionate doctors at Tulane Medical Center, who guided him through a difficult time.

Yet, even with this support, Lenny’s path was filled with hurdles. Outed in high school by a classmate, Lenny was forced to leave McMain Magnet School (New Orleans), completing his education in isolation. Despite these challenges, his strength and determination led him to continue his musical career, though his transgender identity remained hidden from the public eye for many years. Fear for his safety kept him silent, but Lenny’s artistic expression always reflected his inner truth.

Now, Lenny is no longer silent. In 2018, he fully embraced his identity with the release of What If The Sun, followed by the 2022 trans anthem “Where Is Safe,” a powerful response to the growing threats against transgender people, particularly youth, in the United States. With He/Hymn, Lenny steps forward once again—boldly sharing his story through music that speaks to the universal need for acceptance, love, and healing.

With He/Hymn, Lenny Zenith’s artistic vision reaches new heights, showcasing both his growth as an artist and the assured power of his voice. It is a remarkable testament to his journey and his extraordinary talent.

His music doesn’t just resonate with the transgender community—it speaks to anyone who has ever felt different, isolated, or in search of their true self. He/Hymn is a testament to his strength as both an artist and a transgender advocate, offering hope and a reminder that music, like identity, is a force of transformation and empowerment

***

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Audio production by Rich Zei of Third Ear Audio
Intro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi

©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Jennifer and I talk about her walking away from her job and building something for herself. A very valuable lesson the pandemic taught her.

*******
Jennifer Peavey comes from a varied background of engineering, design, and innovation. She is known for finding common ground and powerful connections in unexplored territory. Amid the pandemic, Jennifer found herself making new connections within herself as she ventured into uninvestigated spaces of her life. Through this period of isolation and reflection, she was inspired to share her discovery of turning her fear and pain into a mindset of intentional reflection and power. 
Natural Reflectors explores how can we instill our actions with a mindset of intentional reflection to create our own process. The new process is taken from the power of nature’s cycles and will allow us to become natural reflectors and bring more peace to our lives by empowering us to play the long game. It is worth the effort that it takes to do this, so we can protect ourselves from burnout and create space to engage with a life that matters to us. 

https://linktr.ee/jennifer.theblacklab

*******

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/nqkVsowYX7M

Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com

To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast

Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

Buzzsprout: Affiliate link https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1832259



©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Terry and I talk about his time as a college basketball player and a police officer as well as how he is now in the battle of his life with rare cancer.

******
I have reinvented myself frequently over my professional career. After I graduated from college at The Citadel (where I played NCAA Division I basketball), I was employed in the Marketing Department at the corporate headquarters of Wendy’s International in Dublin, Ohio. From there, I worked in hospital administration for Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. After getting married and moving to California for my wife's job, I became the Customer Service Manager for an academic publishing company in Santa Barbara. After our daughter was born and we moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, I became a police officer with the Cincinnati Police Department, where I was a SWAT Hostage Negotiator. Following a family relocation to Texas, I started a school security consulting business and coached high school girls basketball in Houston. Each time I took on a new job, I had to develop new skills and faced different challenges. There was always a significant learning curve with every new position.

But my greatest challenge began in early 2012 when I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Acral Lentiginous Melanoma.

Remember, YOU are never out of the fight, no matter how often you fail or how many obstacles you face. Stay positive and keep moving forward!

Website: https://www.motivationalcheck.com

******

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/IHlHCiJXye4

Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com

To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast

Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

Buzzsprout: Affiliate link https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1832259

©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

William and I discuss his 23-year career, as a Navy Seal. We also talk about his company NAKED WARRIOR RECOVERY and his desire to bring the number of military suicides down to 0. We also talk about his CBD line.

If you are feeling like you need help immediately please call the Suicide Hotline at
800-273-8255  

****
I am a Navy SEAL veteran with 26 years of service. I am the CEO of NAKED WARRIOR RECOVERY, and we help people recover from stress, anxiety, pain, and trouble sleeping through a change in mindset and the use of CBD. Our mission is to and to reduce veteran suicide from 22/day to 0. 22 to 0. Our moto is GET NAKED! Take off your EGO and GET NAKED! I like to talk about my lessons learned about mindset, leadership, entrepreneurship, mental health, business, and of course CBD.

Website: https://www.nw-recovery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakedwarriorrecovery/

*****

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/NJljZq9_JU0

Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com

To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast

Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

Buzzsprout: Affiliate link https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1832259

©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Maddie and I talk about life in China and how she walked away from Disney to pursue another opportunity to follow her dream. We also discuss her books.

*****
Hi, I’m Maddie Kelley 😇🎀! I like to think of myself as the Elle Woods of the office✨💅🏻. At my previous job with Disney, I experienced the joy of making magic . I carry that mentality with me everywhere I go, including my current position as a project manager building attractions in China 🎆🎡. Making things that move people is at the heart of everything that I do, especially in my latest work as a published author 📚🖊. 

Writing is more than just a hobby for me. It’s who I am; an introvert who bears her heart on the page💌🤍. My greatest hope is that by sharing my experiences with all of you, you will feel a little less alone when the going gets tough 🤗🧸. I invite you to hop on this journey of life with me. I’m all about good food, good wine, cool places, and good books🍝✈️.

Website: : https://himaddiekelley.com/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/himaddiekelley/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Dec-VHMSoR5sNExmtwQUA

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Madison-Kelley/e/B07BT98DHQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

******
If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/BwOXRtmOASk

Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com

To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast

Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

Buzzsprout: Affiliate link https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1832259

©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Michelle and I discuss how she moved her business online, which proved to be a saving grace during the pandemic. We also talk about tapping and metaphysics.

*****

 Some possibilities include: quitting corporate to build my own business; moving across the country and starting again; choosing to take my business solely online (well before the pandemic). And perhaps even talking about the decision-making process I use. 

Michelle is an energy maverick, mindset queen, public speaker, author, and business coach empowering soul-led entrepreneurs to bring their gifts to the world while making more money and having more freedom. As a soul activator, Michelle helps an audience to tap into their bravery, unlocks their inner knowing, and powers them up with inspiration by the bucket load. Her secret sauce is unlocking people’s potential, calling forth their life purpose, encouraging them to take aligned action, and getting results.

The ultimate goal is to change the world by raising the vibration - we can do this by empowering soul-led entrepreneurs to leverage a higher vibration.

Author of Woo Woo for Women in Business
Director of The Empowered Business Woo Woo Show

YouTube: https://youtu.be/XULFB2lVzyI

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/michelle-clarke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowermentempireswithmichelle

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/michellebusinesscoach/

*****

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/SvwBWRMK148

Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com

To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast

Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Edward and I discuss how at 70 he tried to find his birth mother. He thought she was a high school kid, who accidentally got pregnant, but once he started digging, he discovered she was much more than that.

*****

Edward Di Gangi is the author of The Gift Best Given: A Memoir, published in May of 2020. Through three years of research, Di Gangi found that his mother had been a celebrity performer in the glamorous ice show spectaculars of the 1940s and 1950s. In addition to recounting his own story, the author details his mother's life and travels beginning with the time she left home in New York at the age of 17 to travel alone by train across the country to join a traveling ice skating troupe. Five years later and unexpectedly pregnant, she returned home, known only to her eldest sister and her sister's husband, to manage the birth and the adoption of her son.

Website: https://www.digangiauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digangiauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digangiauthor

******


If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom
Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/WC7l69Jx7W0
Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com
To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast
Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show

Send us a text

Jerry and I talk about his journey from following his dream of being an actor to Hollywood only to realize it was the wrong dream. His true dream was on a more spiritual path.

********

I grew up with Amish/ Mennonite roots but left this sect because it was too legalistic and judgmental. I disconnected from God altogether as I graduated with a speech and theater degree and moved to Los Angeles, California. I was a driven, anxious perfectionist trying to make my fame and fortune in the entertainment business. I was confronted many times with situations that I asked myself the question," What am I willing to sell my soul for?" My first novel "Blurring the Lines" is based on my experiences in the entertainment business as I struggled with this question.

As I gave in to drugs and alcohol to medicate my emptiness inside, I finally realized my soul was dried up. I would be dead in five years if I didn't get out of this environment. I left the entertainment life and began a journey of self-exploration, studying the world religions, and traveling around the world. I have a new understanding of God and the Divine within us. I am a recovering perfectionist/worrier, learning how to grow into the fullness of who God created me to be. It has only taken 66 years, and I am still growing.

Website: https://jerryzehr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerry.zehr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jerryzehr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerryzehr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryzehr/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq4oMHKZY3JuoQr88Goyz_Q

******

If you would like to contact the show about being a guest please email us at Dauna@betertopodcast.com
Follow us on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaunaD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Video of the interview is available here: https://youtu.be/1y69XLr3OdM

Have a question or want to be a guest on the podcast email: dauna@bettertopodcast.com

To see upcoming guests click here: https://www.dmneedom.com/better-topodcast

Support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom

Sound Design and production by Rich Zei at Third Ear Audio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdearaudioproductions

©2022 Better To...Podcast with D. M.Needom

Support the show