DIG LIFE DEEP!

The Planet Club

DIG LIFE DEEP! with John Aidan Byrne brings fascinating guests from Main to Wall Street and the worlds of finance, economics, politics, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, sports, art, science and more. The show celebrates success, a spirit of enterprise, in an age of unparalleled social upheaval. An award-winning Irish journalist in his beloved America, Byrne seeks hope for our existential crisis. Byrne is a writer, reporter, editor and Broadway alumnus. His work is published in the New York Post, Wall Street Journal, National Catholic Register, Institutional Investor and other major outlets.

  1. 3d ago

    THE UNTOLD 368 MINUTES OF 9/11: JEFFREY ROBINSON REVEALS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED ON AIR FORCE ONE—AND THE MOMENT PRESIDENT BUSH AUTHORIZED A SUSPECT PLANE TO BE SHOT DOWN

    On this special edition of the podcast, marking the 25thanniversary of September 11, 2001, we welcome JEFFREY ROBINSON—international bestselling author, investigative journalist, and one of the most accomplished storytellers working today. The author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, ROBINSON's remarkable body of work includes The Laundrymen: Inside the World's Third Largest Business, biographies including Grace of Monaco: The True Story, and an extraordinary library of investigativeand narrative nonfiction. A native New Yorker who spent 37 years in Europe as a writer and investigative journalist, ROBINSON now lives in New York City. ROBINSON joins us to discuss his powerful and timely newbook, Ash and Honor: The Untold 368 Minutes of 9/11 (ST. MARTIN'S PRESS), published for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. On that terrible morning, four commercial aircraft were hijacked and used incoordinated terrorist attacks: two struck the World Trade Center in New York City, one crashed into the Pentagon, and UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 93 went down in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew fought back. Nearly 3,000 innocentpeople lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, a tragedy whose impact continues to be felt a quarter-century later. Drawing upon the testimony of more than 60 eyewitnessesto history, many of whom had never previously spoken publicly, ROBINSON takes readers inside the crucial 368 minutes that followed the attacks. From AIR FORCE ONE and the skies over America to the PENTAGON, NORAD, the WHITE HOUSE, military command centers, and communities suddenly overwhelmed by diverted aircraft, Ash and Honor offers a gripping and often astonishing account of the confusion, courage, fear, and split-second decisions that shaped one of the darkest days in American history. In our conversation, ROBINSON sheds new light on the actions and responses of PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, the SECRET SERVICE, DEFENSE SECRETARY DONALD RUMSFELD, military and aviation officials, and those charged with protecting the nation amid unprecedented chaos. We discuss extraordinary moments aboard AIR FORCE ONE, including a classified phone call between RUMSFELD at thePENTAGON and PRESIDENT BUSH in the air—and the startling moment when PRESIDENT BUSH gave RUMSFELD permission to shoot down a suspected aircraft, a revelation that may surprise many listeners. What exactly happened, what information was believed atthe time, and how close did the nation come to an even more unimaginable decision? That is one of the remarkable stories we explore in this compelling conversation. As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we remember with profound sorrow the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken that day, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice whilerushing toward danger to save others. We offer our sincere prayers and deepest condolences to all who continue to carry the pain of that terrible day, and we reaffirm a simple but enduring promise: we will remember, we will honor, and we will never forget. Email this podcast: byrnedesk@gmail.com

  2. 09/05/2025

    Church Art & Woke Modernism! STEVE AUTH, Art Historian, Author & Wall Street businessman, examines centuries of uplifting & sacred Church art —& the powerful forces that eventually held it back

    In Visions of the Divine (Sophia Institute Press), Catholic evangelist, author, and a top Wall Street executive STEPHEN F. AUTH, reunites the art of the Eucharist with the Eucharistic liturgy itself. Much splendid art adorns and magnificently beautifies Churches throughout the globe, a phenomenathat came under great stress during the Reformation, and especially under JOHN CALVIN. "Calvin, especially, was very much opposed to [Church art]," explains AUTH, in this interview with JOHN AIDAN BYRNE. To order Visions of theDivine: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/99LK8N/29X... Other Books by STEVE AUTH: Pilgrimage to the Museum: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/99LK8N/PHW...Missionary of Wall Street: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/99LK8N/51G... Indeed, much of this early Church art was separated from the context of the Mass for which it was created many centuries ago and is relegated now to museums sprinkled around the world. Along with his co-authors Evelyn Auth andMsgr. Roger Landry, Steve leads the reader on a worldwide pilgrimage to some of the most spectacular and moving artistic masterpieces created over the millennia to help clergy and laity alike penetrate more deeply into the Eucharistic mystery. Journeying to museums and churches in nearly twenty cities across the United States and Europe, the authors will guide you through the liturgy of the Mass in ways you may never have experienced. Whether you attend church out of obligation, for the sense of community you find there, or for the Eucharistic presence itself, Visions of the Divine will help you make these experiences richer, more vibrant, and more fulfilling. And if you’ve never attended a Roman Catholic Mass and are curious about what happens there, Visions will give you an experience guaranteed to leave you thirsting for more. Narrated in the author’s simple, emotive style, Visions of the Divine presents you with dozens of colorful images of thought-provoking art that will immerse you in each element of the Mass at a deeper and more profound level, including: How the simple act of making the Sign of the Cross, which the average Catholic does eight times during the liturgy, can make you cry Quieting your mind to listen more actively to the Word of God and to imagine yourself in the moment as the Word is proclaimed and the author guides you through some of the Scriptures’ most iconic messages Imagining the Apostles’ Creed as it was carved and painted into one of Europe’s most colorful Catholic churches. Meditating on a lasting image of eternity while the collection basket is passed — a practice that will forever change how you think about this relatively prosaic element of the liturgy Reliving the sacrifice and triumph of Christ on Calvary during the Eucharistic prayers through some of the greatest artistic masterpieces ever created. Following the path of biblical figures, such as Mary Magdalene, the prodigal son, and St. Paul himself, to freely receive Christ’s healing mercy, forgiveness, peace, and love at Mass Experiencing the sacrament of Holy Communion for what it truly is — communion with God Himself. How to re-enter the world following the Mass with visual images in your head that will make you a more effective evangelist From Rembrandt, El Greco, and Van Gogh to Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael; from Velaquez, Picasso, and Dali to lesser-known greats, such as Pontormo, Masaccio and Drolling, the array of breathtaking art in Visions of the Divine will enlighten your path to communion with God. You will witness our Father’s love for you and be encouraged to let yourself be loved by Him within the Eucharistic mystery.

  3. 07/24/2025

    Filmmaker JIMMY MORRISON reveals globe's grim, mad EVERYTHING FINANCIAL BUBBLE in documentary series with icons RON PAUL, JIM ROGERS, MARC FABER, PETER SCHIFF, DOUG CASEY, JIM GRANT, DAVID STOCKMAN..

    Jimmy Morrison co-wrote and directed the award-winning documentary The Housing Bubble with NY Times bestselling author Tom Woods. The film still holds the attendance record at the Anthem Film Festival after over 300 people spilled into the hallway at the premiere. Jimmy drove over 35,000 miles shooting interviews with people that predicted the crash like Ron Paul, Jim Rogers, Marc Faber, Peter Schiff, Doug Casey, Jim Grant, and David Stockman.All told, Morrison has three documentaries on our spiralling debt crisis which keeps getting monumentally bigger: The Housing Bubble (2019); The Fall of 2008 (2025) and The Bigger Bubble (2026). "Some call it the Everything Bubble. Each [financial] buble keeps getting bigger," Morrison tells DIG LIFE DEEP! host JOHN AIDAN BYRNE, in this interview. We trace the surge in global financial and US debt encompassing mind-bending US student debt, credit card debt, unfunded liabilities and more. Global debt is thought to be hovering around $300 trillion or even much more. How did it come to this? We explore this horrendous debt accumulation and the rise of central banking with filmmaker MORRISON. Morrison's work on Dennis Quaid's Grid Down won a Storyteller Award at DOC LA. Although he was responsible for the motion graphics, his primary role was as a script doctor. Jimmy produced and ran a camera for the mockumentary Rocksteppy, starring Jake Dilley and McManus Woodend, best known for his recurring role as the GEICO caveman. The film features Jeff Dowd: the Coen Brothers original inspiration for “The Dude,” as well as cameos from Oscar-winning directors David Lynch and Peter Farrelly. David Lynch had picked Jimmy and Jake’s music video Aperture for a grant. It also screened at the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Festival. His next film will tell the story of Luka Garza’s journey to the NBA.Jimmy worked closely with Gary Johnson from 2010-2011 on his Republican Presidential campaign.Website: letusdisagree.com

  4. 06/25/2025

    EXCLUSIVE: Famed Wall Street vet DICK BOVE on Fall of Financial System, Rise of Crypto, Dollar Collapse, Trump $ Musk, Surging Money Supply, What's REALLY Driving Stock Market. Plus, BOVE 's next book

    In a rare interview since he officially retired last year after a distinguished 54 year career on Wall Street, DICK BOVE, 84, spells out his concerns for the US and global financial system. "I think the financial system of the US has lost its footing," BOVE says in the interview, breaking his silence since his retirement. "I think as this becomes more evident, it is going to have a tremendously negative impact on the economy." Still, his may not be a typical retirement for a Wall Street veteran who was rarely far from the media spotlight, during his long career as an outspoken and frequently quoted financial analyst. He's busy writing a major book out of his home office in Florida. The blockuster book is his in-depth analysis of how a brutal war-like confrontation between the two major powers, the US and China, would unfold.In our interview, BOVE challenges the conventional wisdom on what is driving the rise in the stock market. "Analysis of the market is not being driven by the right theories," says Bove who covered US banks in his latter years on Wall Street.. "We've seen tremendous uncertainty the past 12 months yet the market keeps doing quite well, touching all-time highs." Find out what is driving the rise in equities despite wars, upheavals, tariffs and deep-seated fears, according to BOVE.BOVE covers a range of interconnected themes and developments from the fued between DONALD TRUMP and ELON MUSK (and why it matters); his praise for some of TRUMP's policies and his concerns for his accumulation of a vast personal position in cryptocurrency. "He has to protect the dollar but he is making a fortune on crypto," says BOVE. Both markets can't successfully co-exist if crypto currency ultimately overwhelms the US dollar, BOVE argues. BOVE believes TRUMPS holdings in crypto - a huge $3 billion position, by some estimates - is a conflict of interest for the President, the biggest conflict, he asserts, of any President dating as far back as George Washington.The author of Guardians of Prosperity: Why America Needs Big Banks (2013), BOVE is highly regarded for his life-long study of the US finanancial system and banks, as well as of the Federal Reserve. "US banks at the moment are the best hope of salvaging the financial system," he says. As for the US Federal Reserve, BOVE quips, "If the Fed was a private entity, it would be bankrupt." Then there is the creaky US Social Security, inching closer to financial catastrophe. BOVE's recommendation? Promote a longer work life, well beyond the standard 65 years for many workers with exceptions for the sick and infirm.To Contact us: byrnedesk@gmail.com

  5. 12/04/2023

    Dublin in Flames. Ireland, Sick Political Dog of Europe. Government Embarrassed. 'The current Irish government clearly cares more about praise from woke media than their own people,' says Elon Musk

    What triggered the worst riots on the streets of Dublin, Ireland, in decades? The rioting, as it should be, was condemned for its destruction and hooliganism in the wake of a shocking stabbling incident in Parnell Street by a man identified as a naturalized citizen born abroad. The motive for the stabbling, which injured three children and a woman, was not clear. But mainstream media and the Irish government and local police, pinned the blame on right wing extremists. Is that it? The reality could point to something more sinister, a state of affairs given only curt attention, or dismissed in the popular media narratives. On this episode, we'll offer some context and more credible reasons for the mayhem in Dublin. Here's how the Guardian newspaper covered the riots: "A strange duality characterised Thursday’s riots in Dublin: the level of violence caught most people by surprise, and yet there was also a feeling of inevitability about it. Ireland’s Booker prize-winning novelist Paul Lynch captured the mood in his acceptance speech on Sunday, when he said he was “astonished” by the disturbances but that the possibility for such disquiet to break out is “always under the surface. "Few expected to see the capital descend into a violent hellscape during evening rush hour. But factcheckers like myself who monitor Ireland’s far right – as part of our work verifying online content and debunking misinformation – have witnessed how the movement instigated city-wide destruction after building on anti-immigrant sentiment over the past year."

  6. 09/11/2023

    DR. WINSTON ALLEN: Founder of America's first black-owned brokerage, author, inventor, professor & mentor, led Xerox's global training program. He faced barriers. But his love of America endures.

    Winston E. Allen, author of “DON’T GET MAD, GET RICH” and “LIVE A PURPOSEFUL AND MEANINGFUL LIFE”, newly published autobiography “I PRIED OPEN WALL STREET IN 1962“, is so much more than the title reveals. Dr. Allen’s book is fascinating, riveting, historical and grossly entertaining, and has been getting much acclaim from critics and the general reading public alike. The story of Dr. Allen’s true-life experiences that propelled Dr. Allen to ultimately form the first minority owned, independent, broker-dealer firm in the history of the United States. The title captures just a fraction of the extraordinary life of the author. There are so many stirring experiences told that the reader was compelled to not put this book down. Dr. Allen’s first gripping experience was as a 13-year-old boy, traveling, by train, from New York City to Miami, Florida in a sealed, locked compartment, in 1946 and how this experience shaped his life. Before leaving Penn Station in New York, Dr. Allen learned later in life that his parents provided gratuities to the black porter staff to ensure that their child would arrive safely in Miami. Being locked in this compartment for three days, Dr. Allen would only see the porters when they brought his meals to his compartment.  Before arriving at Union Station in Washington DC, the porters entered his compartment and pulled the curtains shut to make sure no one would see Dr. Allen. Peeking through the curtains, Dr. Allen saw, for the first time, bathroom signs that read “WHITES ONLY” and “COLORED” in bold capital letters. Thinking, since this is the capital, this is the only time he would see these signs. Dr. Allen recalls, as the train traveled further south, the worse things became. This experience had a great impact on Dr. Allen’s life and Dr. Allen was resolute not to let anything deter him from seizing the advantages of whatever opportunities the future might hold for him. In 1961, Dr. Allen earned a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Paris at the Sorbonne at the University of Paris. Remembering his 1946 train ride, Dr. Allen expected a similar experience, only to be flabbergasted that in Dr. Allen’s own words, “My ethnicity was never an issue.” This was a new and freeing experience as Dr. Allen traveled widely throughout Europe, never once experiencing any type of bias because of the color of his skin. This, again, was a life changing experience as Dr. Allen was determined never to let his ethnicity in the United States be an impediment in his life. Returning to the United States in 1962, from his experiences and contacts made in Paris, Dr. Allen decided his career would be within the citadel of capitalism, on Wall Street.

4.8
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

DIG LIFE DEEP! with John Aidan Byrne brings fascinating guests from Main to Wall Street and the worlds of finance, economics, politics, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, sports, art, science and more. The show celebrates success, a spirit of enterprise, in an age of unparalleled social upheaval. An award-winning Irish journalist in his beloved America, Byrne seeks hope for our existential crisis. Byrne is a writer, reporter, editor and Broadway alumnus. His work is published in the New York Post, Wall Street Journal, National Catholic Register, Institutional Investor and other major outlets.

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