Misfits Among Us

Joey Marcus

Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven channel built on one simple idea: people don’t think the way they do by accident. Real people — misfits of every kind — to talk openly about politics, religion, film, television, culture, media, and the experiences that shaped their worldview. We’re less interested in what people believe and far more curious about why. Explores the life behind the opinion: the moments, mistakes, wins, losses, and tribulations that led someone to see the world the way they do. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. This isn’t about debate or “gotcha” moments. It’s about understanding, curiosity, and a healthy dose of comedy. Because humor lowers defenses, and real conversations happen when people feel heard. Misfits Among Us doesn’t try to change minds....It tries to understand them.

  1. 6d ago

    010: The War After the War

    What happens when the mission ends… but your mind never fully leaves the battlefield? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with former Marine infantryman Mike Francis — known online as “Dirty Mike” — for a raw conversation about military service, identity, trauma, purpose, and the invisible war many veterans face after coming home. Mike served in both Iraq and Afghanistan after joining the Marines shortly after 9/11. But while combat changed him, the hardest battle wasn’t overseas. It was figuring out who he was once the uniform came off. This conversation explores: The emotional reality of life after military serviceWhy veterans struggle with civilian lifeBrotherhood, belonging, and identityPTSD, isolation, and rebuilding purposeThe hidden mental health crisis affecting veteransWhy “The Virtual Barracks” became a lifelineThe surprising truth about what makes the Marine Corps powerfulAt one point, Mike describes the true superpower of the Marines as love — not violence, toughness, or intimidation. This isn’t just a story about war. It’s about what happens after. Because sometimes the hardest fight begins the moment you come home. Because the misfits aren’t rare… They’re among us. _____________________________ CONTACT Mike Francis talesfromthecorpspodcast@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/talesfromthecorps _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com Find us everywhere: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MisfitsAmongUsPodcast Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba TikTok: tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast Instagram: instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast

    1h 6m
  2. May 18

    009: How the System Actually Works

    What if everything you think you know about politics… is incomplete? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with Steven Woodrow—lawyer and member of the Colorado House of Representatives—to break down what the system actually looks like from the inside. This isn’t theory. This isn’t headlines. This is how decisions are really made. From corporate influence and class action lawsuits to the realities of state vs. federal power, Steven shares what most people misunderstand about politics—and why so many people feel disconnected from it. This conversation explores: Why local and state politics matter more than you thinkThe real reason nothing seems to get doneHow misinformation and technology are reshaping truthWhy people stop trusting the system—and what that createsWhat actually drives policy behind the scenesThe impact of apathy, division, and disengagementOne of the biggest takeaways? If you’re not paying attention… someone else is deciding for you. As Steven puts it, showing up matters more than people realize—and most people don’t realize it until it’s too late.   This isn’t about picking a side. It’s about understanding the system you’re already part of. Because the misfits aren’t rare… They’re among us. _____________________________       CONTACT Steve Woodrow   Website: ·       https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/steven-woodrow ·       https://edelson.com/staff/steven-l-woodrow/ Instagram: ·       https://www.instagram.com/steven_woodrow/ Linkedin: ·       https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenlezell/ _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba TikTok: tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast Instagram: instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast

    1h 26m
  3. May 11

    008: Freedom Isn't Free - Its Chosen

    What would make someone walk away from a full scholarship to medical school? For Zolal Habibi, the answer was freedom. Born and raised in the United States, Zolal could have pursued a comfortable life. Instead, she chose to dedicate herself to the Iranian resistance movement after witnessing the human cost of tyranny firsthand. Her father, a human rights activist, was murdered by the Iranian regime when she was just seven years old. Most people would have tried to move on. Zolal chose to fight. In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with Zolal to explore her extraordinary journey—from growing up in a family of activists to becoming a global advocate for democracy and human rights in Iran. This conversation is about far more than politics. It is about sacrifice | Identity | Faith | Truth. And what it means to devote your life to something larger than yourself. _____________________________ Zolal Habibi: Facebook: ·       https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/ Websites: ·       https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ YouTube: ·       https://www.youtube.com/ncriran Instagram: ·       https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/ Linkedin: ·       https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi/ X (Twitter) ·       https://x.com/Ashrafi4ever _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast

    57 min
  4. May 4

    007: Building in the Noise - Leading with Signal

    What happens when the thing you built… isn’t what people actually need anymore? Joey Marcus sits down with Erin Schirack, founder of High Society, to unpack what it takes to build, pivot, and lead in a world full of noise. From her early days as a fitness instructor to launching a digital platform during COVID, Erin found success quickly. But instead of holding onto what was working, she made a harder decision—she evolved. This conversation dives into: • Why businesses miss the moment to pivot • The shift from access → connection → trust • What brands get wrong about “wellness” • Building a business that aligns with how you operate This isn’t just about fitness or entrepreneurship. It’s about recognizing the signal… before it’s too late. Because the misfits aren’t rare… They’re among us. _____________________________ CONTACT Erin Schirack Email: ·                Erin@wearehighsociety.com Website: ·                https://www.wearehighsociety.com Instagram: ·                https://www.instagram.com/erinschirack/ ·                https://www.instagram.com/wearehighsociety/ Linkedin: ·                https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-schirack-17b90416/ _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast ·       podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 Spotify ·       open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba TikTok ·       tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast Instagram ·       instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast

    40 min
  5. Apr 28

    006: Raised to be Perfect, Left to figure it out Alone

    What happens when your life looks perfect from the outside… but no one is actually there for you? In this episode, Joey Marcus sits down with CJ to unpack a story that challenges what we assume about wealth, family, and stability. CJ grew up in a world that looked ideal—money, travel, opportunity. But behind it was silence, emotional isolation, and a lack of support. From being labeled and misunderstood to navigating abuse, betrayal, and a devastating loss, her story isn’t about falling apart—it’s about what comes after. It explores what happens when no one advocates for you… when you’re forced to figure life out alone… and how identity is built when everything you believed about yourself turns out to be wrong. CJ shares: • Growing up in a family that doesn’t communicate • The impact of emotional neglect • Losing her son after 46 hours of labor—and the emotions that followed • Why she felt relief—and how she made sense of it • The years-long “fog” after loss • Walking away from expectations and rebuilding from nothing • Why being “homeless and unemployed” became a turning point • How human connection changed everything This isn’t a clean, inspirational story. It’s messy. It’s real. And it asks a question most people avoid: Because sometimes… that’s where everything begins. _____________________________ CONTACT CJ ·       Email: cj.louise.contact@gmail.com ·       TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cj_louise ·       Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CJ_Louise _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast ·       podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 Spotify ·       open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba TikTok ·       tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast Instagram ·       instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast

    50 min
  6. Apr 21

    005: Who Gets to Tell the Story

    What happens when someone spends a lifetime not chasing the spotlight, but learning how to listen? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with veteran Chicago journalist Charlie Meyerson—a longtime voice in news who has watched media evolve from radio to the internet to AI. This conversation is about more than journalism. It’s about how stories are chosen, how truth gets shaped, and what happens when trust erodes in a world where everyone has a platform. Charlie reflects on traditional media, the pressures inside newsrooms, the rise of influencers, and the blurred line between storytelling and selling. He also shares stories from his own career and the thinking behind Chicago Public Square, his independent newsletter built for a noisier, faster world. At its core, this episode is about identity, trust, and responsibility in a time where anyone can speak—but not everyone is heard. Because in a world full of voices, the real question is: Who gets to tell the story?   Charlie Meyerson: Chicago Public SquareCharlie Mayerson Strategy Beany Copter PaperJim Lovell InterviewThe Glass Desk InvestigationWho is Emanuel ridiculing Now?School Board InvestigationLinkedin ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out.   Misfits would love to chat! misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com  Find us everywhere: YoutubeApple PodcastSpotifyTikTokInstagram

    49 min
  7. Apr 15

    004: Beauty, Identity, and the Mirror

    004: Beauty, Identity, and the Mirror What if “beauty” has nothing to do with vanity… and everything to do with identity? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey sits down with Natalie—aka Nurse Nat—who left the chaos of critical care nursing to build a concierge aesthetics business that quite literally meets people where they are… in their homes, in their lives, and often at their most vulnerable. On the surface, this is a conversation about Botox, fillers, peptides, and the exploding world of aesthetics. But underneath? It’s about something much deeper. Why do people really want to change how they look? Where’s the line between confidence and insecurity? And what happens when “fixing” the outside doesn’t solve what’s underneath? Natalie shares what most people never hear: What clients ask for vs. what they actually needThe pressure to look a certain way in a hyper-visible worldWhy “natural” results are harder than extreme The truth about trends like GLP-1s, peptides, and modern wellness And the responsibility of shaping someone’s self-image in real time This episode goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about control, perception, reinvention, and the quiet decisions we make about who we want to be. Because sometimes… looking better is really about trying to feel like yourself again. _____________________________ CONTACT NATALIE HARASIM https://beautybynursenat.comhttps://www.instagram.com/beautybynursenat/_____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505Spotify open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547baTikTok tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcastInstagram instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast

    1h 20m
  8. Mar 31

    003_P04: Life Into Chaos, Built Into Purpose

    Part 4 of 4 What happens when your identity, beliefs, and life story are completely turned upside down? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey sits down with Charna Jacobson (The Unconventional Jew) to discuss trauma, identity, religion, spirituality, and what it means to rebuild your life after everything falls apart. Charna’s story is one of survival and transformation — from a childhood filled with hidden truths, to experiences with abuse, addiction, and trafficking, to finding purpose through faith, culture, and spirituality. Her journey explores the complexity of identity and what happens when the life you were given no longer fits who you are becoming. This episode dives into deep topics like personal growth, healing, religion vs spirituality, identity crisis, and finding meaning after trauma. Topics Covered• Identity and personal transformation • Trauma, survival, and rebuilding your life • Religion vs spirituality • Jewish identity and cultural belonging • Healing, purpose, and self-discovery • Life after abuse and adversity About Charna JacobsonCharna Jacobson, known as The Unconventional Jew, shares content focused on spirituality, identity, and personal growth across TikTok and YouTube. Connect with CharnaEmail: theunconventionaljew@gmail.comWebsite: www.theunconventionaljew.comTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@theunconventionaljewInstagram: www.instagram.com/theunconventionaljewYouTube: www.youtube.com/@theunconventionaljew About Misfits Among UsMisfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us.

    51 min
4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven channel built on one simple idea: people don’t think the way they do by accident. Real people — misfits of every kind — to talk openly about politics, religion, film, television, culture, media, and the experiences that shaped their worldview. We’re less interested in what people believe and far more curious about why. Explores the life behind the opinion: the moments, mistakes, wins, losses, and tribulations that led someone to see the world the way they do. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. This isn’t about debate or “gotcha” moments. It’s about understanding, curiosity, and a healthy dose of comedy. Because humor lowers defenses, and real conversations happen when people feel heard. Misfits Among Us doesn’t try to change minds....It tries to understand them.

You Might Also Like