As we get older our interest in learning seems to wane. Life gets in the way and educating ourselves becomes less important. My name is Jeff St. Pierre and I fell into that trap. Now I'm craving information. Join me for Adult Education, a podcast that aims to bring conversations with experts in all different fields so we can learn a little something new.
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You may have heard a conversation growing about changing the standard workweek from 5 days down to 4. 32 hours a week instead of 40. In just about every test, or trial, companies have found that a shorter workweek has benefitted them. As did their employees. But the 4 day workweek hasn't quite caught on yet. Maybe that's going to change.Jared Lindzon teamed up with Joe O'Connor to write a book called "Do More In Four: Why It's Time For A Shorter Workweek." It comes out on January 13th but I wanted to get the conversation started early!
The Unskippables - Foxy Shazam with Chad Michael Jervis (00:40:40)
I did not see this one coming. When I came up with the idea for this show, I knew I'd be surprised by some of the album picks made by my guests. But in no world did I expect to have a discussion about Foxy Shazam. I'm so glad we did! Joining me today is Chad Michael Jervis. Chad spent a few years as a member of the country group King Callaway. Prior to that he was in the band The House On The Cliff. Find more about Chad: @chadmjervisFollow me at: @stpierreonair
Welcome To The Fast and Furious Family with Barry Hertz (00:41:33)
Please enjoy my conversation with Barry Hertz, author of the new book "Welcome To The Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast and Furious, the Blockbusters That Supercharged The World."
The Unskippables - August and Everything After with Josh Partington (00:50:44)
Welcome to the first episode of The Unskippables Podcast. This show is all about our favorite albums. The albums that have no skips. In this first episode I'm joined by Josh Partington from Something Corporate and our good friend Matt Burnett. We are discussing the album 'August and Everything After' by Counting Crows. I hope you enjoy the show! I'd love to hear your feedback. Please feel free to reach out to me on tiktok or instagram @stpierreonair.
The Unskippables - Coming 11/24/25 (00:00:42)
I'd like to invite you to check out my new show, The Unskippables, part of the Adult Education Podcast Network. The premiere episode is launching 11/24/25
The Oral History Of The Vampire Diaries With Samantha Highfill (00:33:36)
I still remember the promo ads for The Vampire Diaries. It came out at a time when Vampires were all the rage. But did the world really need more vampire entertainment? Turns out the answer was yes. The Vampire Diaries premiered on The CW in 2009 and became an almost instant success. Entertainment Weekly's Samantha Highfill just released a fantstic book taking all of us fans on a nostalgic look back at the show. It's called 'I Was Feeling Epic: The Oral History Of The Vampire Diaries.' I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Stephanie Burt On Taylor's Version (00:31:41)
In 2006 Taylor Swift officially entered the conversation with the release of her debut album. It would take a little time (very little) but she soon would be dominating the music landscape. It started out as a domination of country music. Then it expanded as her songs crossed over to pop radio and MTV success. And now she's arguably the biggest star on the planet.There are legions of fans that dissect every lyric from every song. Some have even turned those lyrics into college level classes. That's where my guest comes from.Self-proclaimed Swiftie, and Harvard University professor, Stephanie Burt is a poetry expert. She took her love for Swift and turned it into a class at Harvard, teaching students the meanings behind her songs, and discussing her historical influences. Stephanie has given all of us a chance to experience her teachings with a new book titled Taylor's Version: The Poetic And Music Genius Of Taylor Swift. I hope you enjoy our conversation!
The Dominance Of The NFL With Ken Belson (00:32:16)
The NFL is king in America. And it's starting to spread its wings even further with multiple international games in multiple countries around the world. But it wasn't always this massive juggernaut. A series of smart decisions, and a lot of luck, thrust the league into the spotlight in a major way. Journalist Ken Belson has been following the league for many years and has taken a deep dive into the NFL's insane growth in his new book "Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell Turned The NFL Into An Cultural And Economic Juggernaut. Ken joined me for this week's episode of the show.
The Pitch Performance with Billy Harte (00:28:08)
Over the summer my family and I went on a vacation to Europe. We spent about 7 days in Spain before wrapping up in Portugal. During my time there I wanted to get a t-shirt for a soccer team from each city we stopped in. I got something in Valencia and Seville. But it's the shirt I got in Lisbon that has been creating a bit of an issue for me. I got a shirt for the team Benfica. Every time I wear this shift out in public someone stops me to comment about their love of Benfica. I had never even heard of this team before visiting Lisbon. It's been kind of wild to see what kind of fanbase they have here in America.One gentleman who stopped me was Billy Harte. He came up to me in a coffee shop in Towson, MD. We spoke for a few minutes and he started telling me all about his new soccer apparel company called The Pitch Performance. I mean, it's brand new. The brand officially launched earlier this year (2025). I thought his story was really interesting. I wanted to know more, so I figured you all would like to know more as well. I hope you enjoy this conversation.
Like: The Button That Changed the World with Martin Reeves (00:30:45)
There have been a lot of inventions over the last couple of decades that have changed the world. I could spend countless words describing them. But there is one that may fly under the radar, and may not grab your attention. I'm talking about the Like button. Maybe it's a thumbs up, or a heart or some other apparatus to show your approval. But it doesn't stop there. What maybe was created as a way to show appreciation for something has turned into the pivotal piece of any online company.This week I'm speaking with Martin Reeves. He literally wrote the book on the Like button. It's called 'Like: The Button That Changed The World.'
Jesusland with Joelle Kidd (00:33:20)
When I was 18 years old I found myself, accidentally, at a Christian music festival in New Hampshire. It was called the Inside Out Soul Festival. I was invited to a weekend music festival and thought it would be fun. It wasn't until I got there that I realized what I was getting myself into. It was a learning experience for me. It was the first time I had really experienced Christian pop culture and the machinery behind it. All around me I saw people wearing t-shirts with the Taco Bell dog saying 'Yo Quiero Jesus'. I heard music that sounded like the hits I was hearing on the radio, but the messaging in the lyrics was very different. Fast forward a couple of decades and I came across this new book called Jesusland: Stories From the Upside Down World Of Christian Pop Culture. Joelle Kidd has put together a wonderful piece of work that takes us back to her youth in the early 2000's, a time period when Christian pop culture started to really make waves. The book talks a lot about efforts from political figures over the decades to infiltrate communities with specific messaging.I hope you enjoy my conversation with Joelle Kidd.
It Can't Rain All The Time: A Discussion About 'The Crow' With Alisha Mughal (00:38:50)
Do you ever talk about your favorite things through top 5 lists? Like, you have your top 5 tv shows, or top 5 songs, etc. No? Just me? Cool.When I look back at my favorite movies and soundtracks, you'll find The Crow in the top 5 of both categories. The film still makes me feel emotions I didn't think possible. It's such a heavy film to me even 31 years after its release. Maybe watching it brings back grief from the loss of Brandon Lee. Or maybe The Crow is packed with emotional content and themes. To this day I still tear up at one particular moment in the film (which we discuss in the podcast). What's wrong with me?In the latest installment of the Pop Classics series, Alisha Mughal has taken on the task of taking us on a deep dive of the classic film. Her book 'It Can't Rain All The Time' is available now and I think any movie fan will enjoy it.In this episode we discuss the history and folklore about The Crow, how you can find similarities with the John Wick universe, how incredible Brandon Lee truly was and so much more.
How The Y2K Era Changed The World With Colette Shade (00:43:03)
In the same way that we use B.C. and A.D. to describe time and eras, I think we should have a new way to describe pre-2000 and post-2000. The world started to shift in ways that were never imaginable when we entered into the 21st century. We never got our flying cars and hoverboards (well, REAL hoverboards). Instead we got social media, fake news and consumerism at insane levels.I want to continue my pop culture run this week with a conversation with author Colette Shade. She's written a really interesting book called 'Y2K: How the 2000's Became Everything (Essays On The Future That Never Was).' As someone who was 18 as the clock turned to January 1, 2000, it was fun to take a trip down memory lane. I read this through the lens of 'if I knew then what I know now' and some of the things really blew my mind.I hope you enjoy our conversation and I highly suggest her book.
Veronica Litt On The Cultural, And Lasting, Impact Of Clueless (00:37:59)
I'm still not comfortable with referencing things from my youth as 'nostalgia.' But here we are. I'm taking us on a trip down memory lane to a magical time called 'The 90's.' With me today is educator, and author, Veronica Litt. She's penned a new book about the classic pop culture gem Clueless. The book is called, 'Ugh! As If?' Can you even think of a better title? Despite on its face looking like a teen rom-com set in wealthy Los Angeles in the mid-90's, Clueless has stood the test of time because it is much deeper than most people think. And I'm not just talking about it's roots being based on the Jane Austen classic 'Emma.' I hope you enjoy this conversation, and I hope you check out the book when it comes out on June 3rd, 2025.
Finding New Passion In Music With Ray Harkins (00:38:19)
I've been trying for a long time to find an excuse to have this guest back on the show. I'm excited to welcome back singer and podcaster Ray Harkins. He's the host of the '100 Words Or Less' podcast and he's the frontman of the new hardcore band Bloodguilt. Bloodguilt kind of popped up out of nowhere. I just started seeing Ray posting about it on social media one day and I was shocked. But the music is great. It has a sense of urgency and it feels like it needs to be heard. In this conversation, Ray and I discuss how Bloodguilt came together, what it's like to grow up in the hardcore scene, and how important the recommendations your friends make on social media are.
Luke Smith On Formula One with 'On The Grid' (00:32:58)
Like millions of other people during the pandemic, I discovered the Netflix series 'Drive To Survive' and became obsessed. I knew almost nothing about Formula One besides the content that I'd occasionally see covered on Sports Center back in the day. But DTS brought me back in. It's not even the racing that really revs my engine. I'm more interested in the behind the scenes drama. Who is going to drive with who, and which teams are in trouble. All of that is covered in DTS and immediately made me a Formula One fan.This week's conversation is with Luke Smith, the senior Formula One correspondent for Formula One. He just published a book filled with his own personal stories called 'On The Grid: Live Behind The Scenes Of Formula One.' We had a great chat about the sport, it's growing popularity, Smith's own driving record and why he thinks DTS is responsible for him still having a job.To find more from Luke, you can check out his posts HERE
The Business of Taylor Swift with Kevin Evers (00:32:03)
If I had to give you a few topics that I'm always down to discuss, Taylor Swift would come in near the top of the list. There are so many aspects to her unbelievable career that we could dive into. Today we're stepping into the business of Taylor Swift. Kevin Evers, editor at the Harvard Business Review, has put together a fascinating book about the behind the scenes of Taylor's career. It's called 'There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius Of Taylor Swift.' If you're a Taylor fan, or you know one, this book will be a glimpse into some of the themes from her career that you probably didn't know about.
Lollapalooza with Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour (00:33:42)
I can't tell you how many days and hours I spent in dusty, or paved, parking lots in various cities watching the Warped Tour. It was a part of my summer every year for about a decade. I wouldn't miss it. As much joy as I found at the Warped Tour, it never would've happened without Lollapalooza.First launched in 1991 as a farewell tour for Janes Addiction, Lollapalooza ended up launching a series of touring festivals, and even helped to shape the festival scene that we have now. Authors Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour have put together what I think is a remarkable oral history of Lollapalooza. They spoke with everyone to create this book called 'Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story Of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival.'
Trousdale On Finding A Voice, New Music and Touring (00:29:15)
Do you remember that old SNL skit with Chris Farley where he would interview famous people? It was so uncomfortable, but yet funny. He would act like a nervous fan. For example, he interviewed Paul McCartney once and said, "You remember when you were with the Beatles? That was awesome."I was very concerned that this interview might go down the same path. I'm such a fan of the guests on this episode. Their song Point Your Finger changed the way I hear music. I'm not even exaggerating. The three part harmonies that come out of their mouths are unmatched.This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Trousdale. They have a new album coming out on April 11th, and a tour kicking off on April 30th. Both of which I'm very excited about. Hopefully I didn't fanboy too hard during this conversation and you enjoy it. If you haven't heard their stuff yet, please check it out. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Ted Lasso With Jeremy Egner (00:32:13)
Ted Lasso was a brilliant show that came into the world at the time that we all needed it. It launched in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Everyone was trapped at home feeling helpless, having anxiety and in need of some cheering up. Welcome Ted Lasso. This show was the unlikely success story during a wild time. I loved it from day one and still rewatch the series from time to time when I need some happiness in my life (which is often due to the current status of the world). Journalist and author Jeremy Egner got behind the scenes to share the stories with us about how the show was created, how everyone came together and some of the great stories from the cast that we didn't get a chance to see. He puts it all in his new book 'Believe: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts.' I loved this conversation. If you were a Ted Lasso fan, this is a book you need to read.
First Time Caller with B.K. Borison (00:28:41)
I had such a fun time with this week's guest, author B.K. Borison. I came across her latest novel, First Time Caller, kinda by accident. It was sitting in my radio station and caught my eye. I tell the full story in the podcast so I won't share all the details here. But I found out that Borison is from Baltimore, where I live, and the book is about a radio dj, which is my full time job. I just had to check it out and talk to her.Thankfully, B.K. Borison is up for a good time and we had a great chat. Romance novels aren't usually in my wheelhouse, but I really enjoyed this one. Maybe it's because it pays respect to one of my all time favorite movies. Maybe it's because it takes place in my city. Or maybe it's just because it's a heartwarming story, which is something I need in this crazy world right now. I hope you check out her new book, and that you enjoy this week's podcast.
99% Perspiration with Adam Chandler (00:32:12)
We've all heard all the stories about work. We've been told since we were kids that if we work hard that we'll see success, and if we don't, it's because we did something wrong. Or, that we're not working hard enough. We've heard tales from older generations about how they came to this country with nothing but the clothes on their back and turned that into millions.What if I told you that stories is all they are. It's the tales that have been passed down for centuries that have developed this hard working impression, but none of it is true. Sure, there are people who have worked hard and found success. But even many of them, whether they admit it or not, had some help along the way. Adam Chandler joins me this week to discuss his new book '99% Perspiration: A New Working History Of The American Way Of Life.' Chandler goes all the way back to the days of Columbus and the Pilgrims to show how this fallacy of hard work has been a lie right from the beginning. We really dive into it and I had a lot of fun. I wish I had more time to talk with Adam because this was great. Arguably one of my favorite episodes of this show.
Neil Shubin Takes Us To The Ends Of The Earth (00:30:39)
In my first episode back in quite some time, I figured I'd take you on a journey to the literal ends of the earth. Today I'm speaking with scientist, educator and author Neil Shubin. He's spent much of his life doing research in the Arctic and Antarctica. These are some of the last remaining untouched areas in this world. In his latest book, titled 'Ends of the Earth: Journeys to the Polar Regions In Search Of Life, The Cosmos, and Our Future', Shubin discusses a place that he saw his footprints still intact after 6 years. His descriptions of his time in Antarctica sound almost like fiction, but they are in fact real. I was blown away by so much in this book and it was a true pleasure to speak with Neil. I hope you enjoy our conversation.For more from Neil Shubin's book - Ends Of The EarthNeil on social media - BlueSky - Instagram
Adult Education Is Back!!! (00:05:02)
Hey everyone! I know it's been a while (almost 10 months) but I'm back. I did some soul searching and research into the show and realized it's time to dive back into some fun and interesting conversations. It's time for new topics and brand new episodes! They'll start launching the first week of February!
Emily Ballesteros on The Cure For Burnout (00:34:16)
I'm excited to share today's episode with author Emily Ballesteros. She's published a book about burnout called 'The Cure For Burnout: How To Find Balance And Reclaim Your Life.' For some reason people tend to wear their stress, business and burnout like a badge of honor. But why? Why do we feel more special because we're burnt out? Emily Ballesteros has spent the last few years studying the subject of burnout. She's basically the expert. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Emily and that you check out her book.
