On Mic Podcast

Today we chat with a living legend, musician Peter Noone, who will be appearing at the Needham Bank Great Hall in Needham, Massachusetts on November 21. At the age of fifteen, Peter achieved international fame as Herman, lead singer of the legendary Sixties pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits included: “I’m Into Something Good” “Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daughter”, “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”, “Silhouettes”, “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”, “Just A Little Bit Better”, “Wonderful World”, “There’s A Kind of Hush”, “A Must To Avoid”, “Listen People”, “The End of the World” and “Dandy”. Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over sixty million recordings. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went gold. The Hermits were twice named Cashbox’s “Entertainer of the Year”. Find out more and get tickets at www.greathallperformance.org!

Meet David Chanoff and Paula S. Apsell, co-authors of an important new book entitled, “They Fought Back: Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust.” The book tells the many untold stories of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust, describing the often unrecognized dignity and courage with which Europe’s Jewish people faced the Nazi regime’s war of extinction.

When few believed fighting back was possible, many did indeed focus instead on how to face death with purpose, seeking to inflict damage on their oppressors, save what lives that they could and preserve Jewish honor.

Clea Simon is the Boston Globe-bestselling author of three nonfiction books and 30 mysteries, including The Butterfly Trap, Bad Boy Beat, World Enough and Hold MeDown. A graduate of Harvard University and former journalist, she has contributed to publications ranging from Salon.com and Harvard Magazine to Yankee and The New York Times. Clea, like so many, is also dealing with cancer and finds herself at a crossroad. Her cancer can essentially be cured if she gets a liver transplant. But the prospects for her receiving the organ are challenging. Still, this engaging, creative lady is tough and resilient as she advocates for herself and others. Learn more about the donor program that Clea is involved in at www.bidmc.org/liverdonor.

Today meet Allan Schiller, a retired violinist with the New York Philharmonic who performed from 1964 to 1999 under legendary conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta and Kurt Masur. In an effort to make classical music more accessible to all he has written, “The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado: 46 Insights to Make Your Next Concert a More Enjoyable Experience.” Learn about how centuries of musical tradition have quietly shaped what we hear today. Allan shares backstage stories, and tips on everything from the role of the conductor to when it is appropriate to clap during a performance. Whether it is your first or fiftieth concert, the book helps to remove the mystery surrounding classical music. Your seat is waiting!

Screenwriter and novelist Gary Goldstein talks about his latest book, “ Canine Custody.” It is a funny, candid, sexy, at times bittersweet look at what draws lovers to each other, how those same things can send them packing, and the surprising role our pets can play in life’s major decisions. Told from three points of view—the wife, the husband and the wonderful Betty, their beloved dog, the story is witty, touching and totally relatable. For dog lovers and anyone in a relationship (I guess that means all of us) this novel is well worth the read!

Today’s guest is novelist Brinda Charry, a winner of the Society of American Historians Prize (formerly the James Fenimore Cooper Prize) for Historical Fiction. Her latest novel is entitled, “Hocus Pocus,” a well-researched tale about the clash of ambition and obsession in 1816 Boston. Based on the real-life Indian stage magicians who captivated nineteenth-century society, “Hocus Pocus” is an engaging adventure, set in an era that Brinda magically brings to life!

Today enjoy my conversation with Advertising Hall of Famer Linda Kaplan Thaler, author of “My Life in 30 Seconds.” The book chronicles her iconic ad campaigns that are so much a part of American pop culture – the Aflac “Duck,” the Toys ‘R’ Us jingle that most anyone can sing by heart, those sexy, edgy shampoo commercials that sparked nationwide buzz and much more. Linda shares stories of famous celebrity encounters in this rare memoir that proves life’s biggest lessons don’t take a lifetime. They often take about thirty seconds!

Taking better care of my body has been a key goal of mine and the hard work certainly pays off. Today, I’d like you to meet my personal trainer, an exceptional guide to better health through exercise. Mark Comstock is a fully licensed certified athletic trainer with a thorough background in human physiology, who focuses on prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic injuries and medical conditions. He trains people from all backgrounds and ages and is someone who cares deeply about his clients, treating the whole person, often becoming their trusted friend. Mark and I have been working together for a few years now. I feel that I am in the best shape of my life and owe much of it to him. We had the chance to talk before our workout in a quieter part of the gym about his winning philosophy and approach. You can find out more at www.markcomstock.com.

It is an honor to welcome one of the nation’s foremost historians Nathaniel Philbrick, author of several award-winning books including “Mayflower,” “Valiant Ambition,” and “Bunker Hill.” His latest is “The Rush : California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World.” Philbrick follows the gold from its discovery in the late 1840’s to a colorful cast of characters in the halls of power, revealing how vigilantism hardened into law and how debates over slavery in the West tipped the balance in Washington. His book is loaded with fascinating information about one of the most impactful events in our history. The Gold Rush involved a series of dramatic events, setting the stage for America’s economic, geographic and cultural history.

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it is my honor to welcome Air Force (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Jonathan Treacy to the podcast. General Treacy was the commander of the 101st Fighter Squadron at Cape Cod that provided the initial air defense response to the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers. Tracer, as he is known to fellow fighter pilots and ground crews, also led the 101st through two combat deployments to Southwest Asia prior to 9/11: Operations Northern and Southern Watch. He served as the Joint Staff’s Deputy Director for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense, as acting Director of Staff for the National Guard Bureau, and Commander, Joint Task Civil Support, U.S. Northern Command’s Standing Operational Joint Task Force. Major General Treacy has been awarded several service medals and was the keynote speaker during the 25th Annual Commemoration in the Massachusetts State House Chambers on September 11th. Special thanks to the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund for their dedication to remembrance and education. www.massfund.org.

I love to highlight creative thinkers and writers on the show. Today, an outstanding example of just such a writer! Meet Trisha Blanchet, former reporter, editor, and award-winning columnist. She’s penned a new fantasy-mystery entitled, “Murder Like Magic,” featuring a telepathic witch-slash-private investigator named Tess Tulley. The action takes place in Mill City, a pseudonym for Lowell Massachusetts, where a community of witches of Irish descent make up a good portion of the citizenry, each with his or her own rather unique magical powers. Well, there is murderer afoot and it’s up to Tess to figure things out while dodging threats from a bevy of unsavory “Spinners.” “Murder Like Magic” is a solid mystery with colorful characters, just the thing for fans of wisecracking PI’s who beat the odds to solve the case!

Lauren Ambrose is a sought-after award-winning TV, film and stage actress. Just a few of her career highlights include starring in HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” along with other series such as “Yellow Jackets, ”Servant,”( produced by M Night Shyamalan), “The X-Files” and “Party of Five.” Lauren has appeared on Broadway with many musicals and Shakespearean productions to her credit. An accomplished singer, Lauren talks about coming home with her appearance in Needham, Massachusetts ( just outside of Boston ) to kick off the new season of the Great Hall Performance Series (www.greathallperformance.org). Lauren shares stories of her show business mentors, some behind-the-scenes looks into her iconic TV appearances and how she has fostered a nice balance between her public and family life. A native New Englander, this talented redheaded lady is a dedicated Red Sox fan whose energy is contagious!

OK, ready to rant about your kids? How about letting three very funny standup comics do the “ heavy lifting” for you? Get ready to meet three of the Boston area’s top comedians Paul Nardizzi, Jim Ruberti and Dave Rattigan. They explain why this hilarious show is so relatable, to parents, grandparents and even younger folks who haven’t had the pleasure of starting a family yet. These Dads all love their kids, but as we know those same kids can and will drive you crazy!!!

Today’s guest makes one of the most challenging of wind instruments “sing!” Meet Clifford Tetle, a master of the bass clarinet with his latest CD entitled, “A Bass Clarinet Kind of Day.” Cliff has been a clarinet, tenor and alto sax player for decades. He is one of handful of musicians who adapts the bass clarinets to jazz standards from the American songbook. Oh, did I mention he is also your lovable podcast host’s first cousin? Yes, this one is special, because this one is family.

To order the CD you can email cliffordtetle@gmail.com or call/text him at 781-298-1986. Settle back and enjoy some sweet talk about a sweet sound!

Our guest today is one of the hardest working guys in show business! Meet Paul McMurtry, owner of a marvelous local movie palace in Dedham, Massachusetts, the Dedham Community Theatre. In 2027 this small theatre will reach a milestone, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Paul discusses the joys and challenges of presenting films on the big screen, the way movies were always meant to be seen!

I got the chance to sit down for a conversation with one of the world’s premier musicians and humanitarians. He is celebrated cellist Yo Yo Ma. The focus is “We The People,” a series of concerts, conversations and special events at Tanglewood in the Berkshires curated by Yo Yo Ma during the beginning of August 2026. It’s an ambitious project involving our nation’s shared past, present and future featuring a star-studded array of world class musicians. We also talk about the power music has to affect positive change, how practicing can and should be fun and the origin of his cello’s name. (It is Petunia by the way!)

Enjoy a warm and engaging chat with the one and only Yo Yo Ma!

Peter M. Hoffman is the author of “Karmic Winds: Reflections from The Smartest Guy in Hollywood.” Peter is a Yale-trained attorney who became a powerful Hollywood insider helping to steer blockbuster films such as Rambo, Terminator 2 and Basic Instinct. A pioneering figure during the independent film industry boon, Peter enjoyed much success. But as the industry turned, legal battles mounted and he was dogged by a federal investigation that landed him behind bars. There he penned this memoir examining the nature of justice, the seductions of power and the invisible forces that shape our lives. He speaks openly about his lifelong pursuit of meaning through Buddhism and shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of some of the movie industry’s most pivotal moments.

Meet Joel Steiner, co-founder of Changing Futures (www.changingfuturesnow.org), committed to improving the lives of people living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), by addressing the overlooked gastrointestinal ( GI) challenges they face later in life. Joining Joel on today’s podcast is Dr. Steven D. Freedman, MD, PhD and a leader in the field of gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Changing Futures is supporting the research of Dr. Freedman, which as you’ll hear, could not only bring hope to CF patients, but has potential to offer promising new modes of detection and treatment in the fight against cancer and other diseases. As the only charity entirely focused on these life-threatening issues, the mission of Changing Futures is to advance research, deliver essential resources and develop a compassionate and informed community. Efforts worth supporting!

Let me introduce you to a lovely lady who knows about the power of laughter. Ever look at your life and think, ‘How the heck did I get here?’ Through comedy, funny songs, and stories, Stacey Shipman explores life’s twists and turns, things like aging, burnout, and unexpected caregiving. She also works with leaders who know their event or message needs a shake-up. Whether she’s performing, writing, or facilitating conversation, Stacey’s goal is to leave you feeling lighter, braver, and less alone. She definitely achieves that and more! Check out Stacey at http://www.staceyshipman.com/.

Ready for a look behind the scenes at America’s most challenging and popular game show? Well, you came to the right place because today’s guest is Jason Singer, a recent Jeopardy champion. What makes the story even more cool is that a few years earlier Jason’s wife Susan also appeared on Jeopardy and she came away a winning champion! Besides talking with Jason about Jeopardy behind the scenes, we chat about the many benefits of being curious, why trivia isn’t silly at all, how engaging yourself in learning about a lot of things, some outside of your comfort zone, strengthens your brain and makes for a much more interesting and fun life. In a culture that often rewards physical achievement, it’s nice to know that Jeopardy exists for those of us who exercise our thinking muscles. Congratulations to Jason and Susan, one smart couple!