Behind The Story Show
Welcome to Behind The Story (BTS) Podcast: Exploring the deeper journeys of entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, creators, and leaders, Behind the Story is a weekly deep dive into the minds of extraordinary people. Each episode uncovers the strategies, innovations, and personal experiences that drive success-revealing the lessons, creativity, and resilience that shape their impact and inspire growth.
We invite you to join us as a featured guest as we explore and tell compelling stories, one conversation at a time.
Episodes
42 episodes
Can AI Help Musicians Create Without Replacing Them?
What happens when an award-winning vocalist and songwriter sits down with an AI music producer building a weekly online producer battle?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez is joined by Gerard Barnes an...
Caring Leadership in the Age of AI with Germain St-Denis
What does it really mean to lead people well?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Germain St-Denis, author of Empowering People Through Caring Leadership, for a thoughtful conversation ...
Gerard Barnes: The Man Who Built A Battle Show for AI Music Producers
Gerard Barnes is back on Behind the Story — and this time, the conversation goes deep into the world of AI music.Gerard is the creator of A-Idol, a TikTok-based AI music battle competition where producers from around the world go head-t...
Why Success Doesn’t Fix Your Patterns with Daune Thompson
Why do so many successful people still feel stuck, burned out, or disconnected?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Daune Thompson, speaker, coach, and creator of the Soul CEO and Li...
From Special Ed to Doctorate: Dr. Brian Arnold’s Journey of Resilience
Dr. Brian Arnold’s story is a powerful reminder that where you start does not have to define where you finish.In this episode of Behind the Story, host Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Brian Arnold to explore his journey from st...
Helping Young People Find Their Voice
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Dale Novella Anderson Lee, a singer, songwriter, music producer, educator, and leader in teaching artistry.Dale shares how music became a source of healing...
Source Intelligence: The Inner Clarity Modern Leaders Are Missing with Anthony Nayagan
What if the future of leadership is not about having more information, but accessing a deeper form of intelligence within?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Anthony Nayagan, a modern mystic, executiv...
Rethink Retirement: Why the Next Chapter Needs a New Identity
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Andrea “Andi” Simon, a corporate anthropologist, culture change expert, author, and speaker who helps people and organizations learn to see, feel, and think differen...
Sandy Knight on Healing, Journaling, and Trusting Your Inner Voice
What happens when your life keeps falling apart — and you decide to rise anyway?In this episode of Behind the Story, I sit down w...
Why Creative Businesses Stay Busy but Not Profitable
In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani Gonzalez sits down with Michelle Williams, founder of Scarlet Thread Consulting and host of Profit is a Choice, for a powerful conversation about what creative entrepreneur...
Fired at 63, Millionaire by 69: David Nassief’s Wealth Turnaround
What happens when you get fired at 63 and realize the math says you could be broke by 65?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with David Nassief to talk about the financial wake-up call that changed his life. Afte...
Daniel Burrus on Human-First AI, Hard Trends, and How to Predict What’s Coming Next
What if the future is more predictable than most people think?On this episode of Behind the Story, I sit down with world-renowned...
Former FBI Analyst on Career Change, Self-Trust and Reinvention
Former FBI intelligence analyst Adam Dickinson joins Behind the Story for a conversation about the hidden cost of always be...
“Inside the System”: A Black Federal Worker on Trump, DEI Backlash, Voting & “White Pomposity”
What happens when a career federal public servant spends decades working across administrations—and then lives through the Trump era from the inside?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Deric...
Aaron Ryan on Writing 43 Books, Fatherhood, and the Fight to Keep Storytelling Human
On this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with bestselling and award-winning author Aaron Ryan for a deeply personal conversation about the life behind the books.Aaron opens up about the childhood spark that mad...
Dr. Donna Bellinger: Discipline, Self-Worth, and Getting Paid Your Value
What really keeps business owners stuck in sales?In this episode of Behind the Story, Dr. Donna Bellinger breaks down the habits, mindset gaps, and leadership mistakes that quietly block revenue growth. She shares why business own...
Michelle Minnikin on Good Girl Conditioning, Imposter Syndrome, and Women Playing Small
Why do so many women grow up learning to be liked, agreeable, and accommodating — but not fully themselves?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Michelle Minnikin — author, speaker, coach, and organisational p...
Epstein Files, FBI Pressure, and the Truth Behind the Redactions
In this special edition of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with attorney Courtney Groff and retired FBI agent Eric Robinson for a timely roundtable on the Epstein files, the DOJ response, FBI procedure, congressional pressure, and the growin...
Jade Simmons on Purpose, Reinvention, Faith, and Independent Politics
Jade Simmons joins Behind the Story for a powerful conversation on purpose, reinvention, faith, leadership, mental health, and politics. Jade shares how a battle with stage fright unexpectedly transformed her career from classical concert piani...
Mark Astor: Why the System Fails Families in Addiction & Mental Health Crisis
In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with attorney Mark Astor for a candid conversation about addiction, severe mental illness, and why the system often reacts too late to save families. Drawing from his experience as a ...
Chronic Pain Isn’t Forever: Daniel Esposito’s “Undo Method” + The Comeback Story
What if chronic pain isn’t the end of the story?In this episode of Behind The Story, I sit down with Daniel “Dan” Esposito, creator of the Undo Method, to unpack his decade-long battle with chronic pain, multiple dia...
Inside the FBI: Undercover Work, Investigations, Politics, and the Human Side of the Badge
What does FBI work actually look like beyond the movies and headlines?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with former FBI agent, SWAT operator, tactical instructor, and investigator Eric Robinson for a candid con...
Former DEA Agent Reveals the Truth About the Fentanyl Crisis (Only 2mg Can Kill)
What does the fentanyl crisis actually look like from inside law enforcement?In this episode of Behind the Story, Jelani sits down with Brian Townsend, a retired supervisory special agent who spent nearly 30 years in law en...
Connection Builds Trust: Angel Tucker on DISC, Leadership, and the GLOW Connection
What if the real problem isn’t “bad communication”… but a missing connection? In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with Angel Tucker—personality strategist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker—to break ...
Antoine Free: Becoming the Martian Man and the Mind Behind the Persona
In this episode of Behind The Story, Jelani sits down with Antoine “Martian Man” Free — a creator whose presence is impossible to ignore. Known for his unique persona, sharp mindset, and magnetic energy, Antoine has built a brand that challenge...
