Now I've Heard Everything

Bill Thompson
  • 4.9 (14)
  • Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Now I’ve Heard Everything brings you conversations about the turning points that shape extraordinary lives. Hosted by veteran interviewer Bill Thompson, the show features memoirists, biographers, artists, survivors, and cultural figures sharing the moments when everything changed, for themselves or for the people they’ve studied. With more than 30 years of intimate interviews behind him, Bill guides guests into the stories behind their stories: the choices, shocks, breakthroughs, and revelations that define a life.

  1. 3d ago

    One Man's 40-Year Mission To End Our Poverty of Purpose

    What if everything we are told about the border crisis is completely missing the point? In this episode, Bill Thompson sits down with Gil Gillenwater, author of *Hope on the Border* and founder of Rancho Feliz. Over nearly 40 years of hands-on work on the US-Mexico border, Gil has discovered a radical truth: traditional charity doesn't work, and a wall cannot fix a crisis of dignity. Gil shares how giving handouts disempowers people, while creating structured opportunities allows families to lift themselves into Mexico's middle class, eliminating the desire to illegally immigrate. From trade-offs like swapping plastic trash for food tickets to transforming privileged American teenagers into "Guardian Warriors," this conversation flips the script on political rhetoric. It’s an eye-opening look at what happens when we stop looking at the border as a political battlefield and start seeing it as a shared human experience.Get your copy of Hope On The Border by Gil GillenwaterAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters:00:42 Why Traditional Charity Fails 01:20 The Real Driver of Immigration 02:55 Dwell on Yourself, Dwell on Misery 06:43 The Plastic Bag Experiment: Earning Dignity 08:42 From "Volunteers" to "Guardian Warriors 11:10 Evolutionary Baggage vs. Cooperation 15:37 The True Cost of the Wall 16:44 Common Sense Solutions for Border Policy 21:24 Breaking the Cycle: Dirt Floors to Rolls-Royce 24:20 How Service Transforms Privileged YouthGuest InformationGil GillenwaterRancho Feliz websiteSocial:YouTube Facebook Instagram TikTok2007 interview with Vicente FoxEasier, more confident everyday conversation: "The Everyday What To Say"For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

    32 min

  2. Jun 5

    Uncovering World War II’s Darkest Secrets

    Eighty years after the end of World War II, parts of its history remain shrouded in secrecy and political convenience. In this episode of *Now I’ve Heard Everything*, Bill Thompson sits down with Jenny Chan, co-founder and Director of Pacific Atrocities Education. Inspired by a surprising discovery after her grandmother’s passing, Jenny has dedicated her life to uncovering the forgotten history of World War II’s Pacific theater -- where an estimated 40 million lives were lost. From the harrowing survival stories of Filipino guerrilla resistance fighters and "comfort women" to the unthinkable atrocities committed by Imperial Japan's Unit 731, Jenny exposes the brutal realities of total war on civilian populations. She also sheds light on the shocking post-war immunity deal where the U.S. government purchased biological warfare data from war criminals for millions of dollars. Tune in for a powerful conversation about historical erasure, the agonizing bureaucratic fight to declassify 80-year-old documents, and what happens when scientific advancement completely abandons human ethics.Chapters:00:17 The Discovery That Changed Everything 01:17 The Radical Erasure of the Pacific Theater 03:16 Hellships and Friendly Fire 07:23 The Bureaucratic Fight for Declassification 09:14 Heroism and Horrors: Guerrillas and Comfort Women 13:16 The Politics of Post-War Justice 14:01 Unit 731: Science Without Ethics 17:46 Bought Immunity: The U.S. Deal with War Criminals 21:51 Final Thoughts: War is a Nasty Business 23:07 Where to Find Pacific Atrocities EducationGuest InformationJenny ChanWebsiteSocial:YouTube Facebook Instagram TikTok1987 interview with Nien ChengEasier, more confident everyday conversation: "The Everyday What To Say"For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

    30 min

  3. May 29

    The WWII Alliance Nobody Talks About

    What happens when an aristocratic British warlord meets a stickball-playing general from Texas? In this episode of "Now I've Heard Everything", host Bill Thompson sits down with acclaimed military historian Jonathan W. Jordan, author of "Ike and Winston", to unpack the extraordinary, turbulent, and unbreakable friendship between Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill. iscover how this legendary "odd couple" clashed over World War II strategy, argued fiercely o Inside the episode: • The stark background differences that made them a true "odd couple." • Why Churchill wanted to rush central Europe to block the Red Army, and why Ike refused. • The dramatic post-war role reversal: Churchill the "Peace Warrior" vs. Ike the "Deterrence Man." • A look into Churchill's personal struggles with depression and his "long sunset."Get your copy of Ike And Winston by Jonathan JordanAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & The "Odd Couple" Backgrounds 02:20 - How Churchill Helped Create Eisenhower the Statesman 03:34 - The Post-War Role Reversal: War Hawk vs. Peace Warrior 05:29 - The Fierce Battle Over Berlin & Post-War Europe 11:10 - FDR’s Diminishing Power and the Shift of Alliance Control 14:52 - The Hilarious First Meeting That Churchill Completely Forgot 17:41 - Churchill’s "Black Dog" Depression & The Long Sunset 20:01 - Great Man vs. Organizational History: Did They Change Each Other? 24:12 - "The Cross of Iron": A Shared Vision for the Common ManGuest InformationJonathan W. JordanWebsiteSocial:Facebook Instagram Easier, more confident everyday conversation: "The Everyday What To Say"For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

    33 min

  4. May 22

    Jay Neugeboren: The Most Productive Years of My Life Came After 70

    Eight unpublished books. Endless rejection letters. A family straight out of Charles Dickens. In this unforgettable interview, author Jay Neugeboren opens up about the experiences that shaped his life and work, from mental illness in the family to conversations with the late Oliver Sacks. It’s a moving, wise, and surprisingly funny discussion about literature, aging, perseverance, and the stories we carry with us.Get your copy of Dickens in Brooklyn by Jay NeugeborenAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Jay Neugeboren and His Work 02:31 Exploring the Nature of Autobiography and Essays 04:58 Influences and Inspirations in Writing 10:04 Conversations with the Deceased Oliver Sacks 12:40 Family Dynamics and Dickensian Themes 16:51 A Life of Diverse Experiences 19:47 Dealing with Rejection and Persistence in Writing 24:12 Future Aspirations and Unwritten GenresGuest InformationJay NeugeborenWebsiteEasier, more confident everyday conversation: "The Everyday What To Say"For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

    35 min

  5. May 15

    The Surprising Truth About Grief: Danielle Crittenden's Powerful Story of Loss

    Danielle Crittenden shares her deeply personal journey through grief after losing her daughter, exploring the emotional landscape, the lack of existing literature that captures this pain, and insights into navigating profound loss.Get your copy of Dispatches From Grief by Danielle Crittenden As an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Book and Author 02:49 Exploring Grief and Loss 03:55 Social Media and Grief 12:18 Family Dynamics in Times of Tragedy 18:23 The Power of Words in Grief 21:28 Book Recognition and ConclusionGuest InformationDanielle CrittendenWebsiteSocial:Instagram | Substack | XEasier, more confident everyday conversation: "The Everyday What To Say"For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

    28 min

  6. May 8

    His Grief Made Him a Better Father

    In this episode Michael Schwartz shares his deeply personal and painful journey of grief and becoming a single father. The sudden and unexpected death of his wife Vanessa left Michael alone to raise their nine month old daughter Luciana. At 40 Michael was a widower still processing his own feelings of despair and guilt. To help him through that emotional valley Michael wrote letters for Luciana to read someday, But then something transformed and the letters became as much for himself as for Luciana.Get your copy of I'm Only A Good Daddy Because Your Mommy Died by Michael Schwartz As an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Grief and Writing04:00 Cherishing Memories and the Loss of Voice08:06 The Impact of Loss on Daily Life12:04 Navigating Grief and Family Dynamics15:59 The Complexity of Grief and Moving ForwardWant easier, more confident everyday conversation? Try our monthly guide "The Everyday What To Say"Guest InformationMichael SchwartzSocial:| InstagramFor more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts. and now on YouTube

    28 min

  7. Apr 24

    A Worthwhile Journey: A Neurosurgeon's Life

    In this insightful interview, Craig Yorke shares the origin of his book 'Steep,' his life journey from a Boston Latin School student to a neurosurgeon and author, and explores themes of personal growth, racial identity, and the metaphorical meaning of 'steep.' Discover how his experiences shape his understanding of liberation, identity, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. As an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters00:00 The Origin of 'Steep'03:06 The Meaning Behind 'Steep'06:07 Reflections on Life and Identity08:46 The Journey to Neurosurgery12:04 Experiences in Medicine and Music14:52 Life Lessons from Topeka17:52 Writing Process and AnecdotesGuest InformationDr. Craig Yorke Social:| For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts. and now on YouTube

    28 min

  8. Apr 17

    Small Town Girls: A Writer's Memoir of Place and Perception

    In this engaging interview, Pulitzer prize-winning novelist Jayne Anne Phillips discusses her first nonfiction book, the memoir in essays 'Small Town Girls,' exploring themes of memory, place, and perception. She shares insights into small-town life, the influence of culture and history, and the power of literature to preserve vanished worlds.Get your copy of Small Town Girls by Jayne Anne PhillipsAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Small Town Girls03:05 Exploring Small Town Dynamics05:56 The Evolution of Family Roles08:59 The Journey to Non-Fiction11:58 Cultural Reflections and Personal Memories15:03 The Impact of Loss and Legacy17:55 Writing as Time Travel20:58 Conclusion and Reflections on PlaceGuest InformationJayne Anne PhillipsWebsiteSocial:| Facebook | InstagramFor more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts. and now on YouTube

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Now I’ve Heard Everything brings you conversations about the turning points that shape extraordinary lives. Hosted by veteran interviewer Bill Thompson, the show features memoirists, biographers, artists, survivors, and cultural figures sharing the moments when everything changed, for themselves or for the people they’ve studied. With more than 30 years of intimate interviews behind him, Bill guides guests into the stories behind their stories: the choices, shocks, breakthroughs, and revelations that define a life.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Thompson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    750
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bill Thompson
  • Show Website
    Now I've Heard Everything

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