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Alexia Michitti was born without her right hand — and for most of her childhood, she hid it behind her back, terrified of the stares and the bullying that came with being different. When she was cut from her middle-school basketball team because of her hand, something in her shifted. Instead of giving up, she turned to soccer — and that choice changed everything.Years later, Alexia became the best one-handed goalkeeper in the world, winning the Golden Glove at the Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup. But her story isn’t just about sports — it’s about learning to stop hiding, to embrace who you are, and to create opportunities for others to do the same.In this episode, Alexia opens up about:Being told she couldn’t make the team — and proving everyone wrongThe loneliness and resilience that shaped her childhoodCompeting on the world stage as part of Team USAFounding EM13RACE, her adaptive clothing brand for people with limb differencesLearning that strength isn’t about perfection, but visibilityThis is a story about courage, reinvention, and the quiet power of showing up exactly as you are.EarthMonster is the storytelling podcast that celebrates vulnerability and explores the messy, beautiful journey of being human. Subscribe for more raw, unfiltered stories that remind you what it means to feel alive.

Meg grew up between two extremes — scarcity and sudden wealth. Her parents went from steel mills in Pittsburgh to automotive success in Detroit, and she watched them buy rugs, lamps, and shop vacs in bulk, only to fight over them endlessly. For Meg, money never equaled happiness, and the material things that came with it felt empty.Now in her 40s and going through a divorce, she’s still wrestling with her complicated relationship with money. She describes it as “the redheaded stepchild locked in the closet,” something she avoids even when she earns it, often dropping cash or refusing gifts because they don’t feel like love.In this deeply honest conversation, Meg opens up about:Growing up around scarcity, hoarding, and conflicted views on moneyWhy she hates asking for money and struggles as an entrepreneurHow divorce forced her to reevaluate her beliefs about abundanceThe tension between material gifts and emotional connectionHer passion for connection, service, and building a different kind of value systemThis is not just a story about money — it’s about identity, worth, and the search for meaning in a world obsessed with status.If you’ve ever felt conflicted about money, gifts, or the idea of “success,” Meg’s story will challenge the way you think.EarthMonster is the storytelling podcast that celebrates vulnerability and explores the messy, beautiful journey of being human. Subscribe for more conversations that uncover the real stories that shape our lives.

Jeremy grew up moving from place to place, sleeping on floors, and living with constant instability. By the time he was 17, his mother had overdosed, his family had splintered, and he had already learned to survive more than most adults ever face. Now 24, he works the night shift as a medic in a chaotic emergency room, seeing life and death unfold every day — all while chasing the dream of becoming a world-renowned musician. He’s never touched drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes, choosing instead to stay straight edge even while surrounded by addiction and instability. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Jeremy opens up about: Growing up through eviction after eviction and losing his mom as a teenager Finding stability in music and the dream of being “the biggest in the world” What it’s like to keep people alive in the ER while struggling with depersonalization himself The fear of being forgotten, and why leaving a legacy drives everything he does How empathy shaped him, and why he refuses to break under the weight of his past This is a story about resilience, legacy, and the fight to find yourself when the world has tried to break you. If you’ve ever felt lost, struggled to hold onto hope, or questioned who you really are, Jeremy’s story will stay with you. EarthMonster is the storytelling podcast that celebrates vulnerability and explores the messy, beautiful journey of being human. Subscribe for more conversations that uncover the real stories that shape our lives.

He grew up caught between two worlds, never feeling like he truly belonged. By 14, he had left home. By 17, he was hooked on heroin, overdosing, and waking up in rehab on his 18th birthday. Violence, gangs, and addiction followed him everywhere, and at his lowest point, he walked out the door ready to end it all.But life had other plans. A chance encounter, what he calls “the sign that kept him alive”, pulled him back from the edge. From overdoses and gang fights to building a new life and reclaiming his purpose, Michael’s story is one of survival, redemption, and finding meaning when it seemed impossible.In this raw and unfiltered conversation, he opens up about:Growing up between cultures and never fitting inGang life, violence, and addiction as a teenagerSurviving an overdose and turning 18 inside a rehabThe night he almost ended his life, and the stranger who unknowingly saved himWhy he believes he’s still here, and how he carries that forward todayThis is not just a story about addiction, it’s about resilience, the power of second chances, and the reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope can break through in unexpected ways.If you’ve ever battled your own demons, questioned your purpose, or searched for meaning after hitting rock bottom, Michael’s story will stay with you.EarthMonster is the storytelling podcast that celebrates vulnerability and explores the messy, beautiful journey of being human. Subscribe for more conversations that dig deep into the lies we tell ourselves, the fantasies that keep us going, and the truths that set us free.

Asher has lived through the kind of instability most of us can’t imagine: sleeping on the streets of Las Vegas, struggling with bipolar disorder, and fighting through the chaos of addiction. Yet in the middle of it all, one thing kept her alive: music.In this episode, Asher shares the raw truth about survival with no safety net: what it feels like to hit rock bottom, the daily battle of mental illness, and the small sparks of creativity that became lifelines. From finding rhythm in the noise of the streets to discovering the healing power of song, her story is both heartbreaking and deeply human.If you’ve ever questioned how much a person can endure, wondered whether art can truly save a life, or needed proof that resilience is possible even in the darkest places, this conversation is for you. It’s a real, unfiltered look at homelessness, bipolar disorder, addiction, and the transformative force of music.Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Joslynn’s journey began with a profound lesson from her mother’s courage, a choice to speak up that broke a legacy of silence and shaped a lifetime of advocacy. Starting as an 11-year-old volunteer in an adaptive soccer program, Joslynn's found community and purpose that ignited her career dedicated to disability services, challenging systems, and helping others find their voice.From navigating pushback in professional and personal spaces to transforming doubt into "speed bumps" rather than barriers, Joslynn’s story is one of resilience, persistence, and purpose-driven work. She shares the powerful mindset of "Don’t say no, say how," turning obstacles into opportunities to create real change.If you’ve ever felt held back by "no" or wondered how to keep pushing for what matters despite the odds, this episode offers a raw and inspiring perspective on advocacy, breaking cycles, and finding strength in vulnerability.Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Adrian’s path to faith wasn’t marked by a dramatic conversion or a break from belief, it’s been steady, personal, and rooted in his own life experiences. Growing up, his understanding of God and spirituality formed quietly but deeply, shaping how he sees the world today. In this episode, the conversation takes an unexpected turn when Adrian begins asking host Matt about his own beliefs. What follows is two strangers from different backgrounds, with very different views on God engaging in a rare, respectful exchange about faith, doubt, and what gives life meaning. If you’ve ever wondered whether people with opposing beliefs can have a thoughtful conversation about something as personal as God, this episode offers a glimpse of what’s possible. EarthMonster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Born into a life where stability was a luxury and survival was an art form, this week’s guest grew up in constant motion—14 moves before the age of nine, a childhood spent in the shadow of volatile parents, and a home where hard truths were served without filter. With no safety net and no family wealth to fall back on, she learned early that the only way forward was to create her own path from whatever scraps she could find. In this episode, we dig into what it means to build a life entirely from resourcefulness and grit: the lessons learned in poverty, the beauty and burden of relentless self-reliance, and the fine line between chasing your passions and selling out just enough to survive. From navigating the art world without privilege to turning trash into treasures, from living at a pace most people can’t keep up with to embracing her identity as a “tornado for good,” she reveals the raw truth about what it takes to keep going when nothing is handed to you. If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, wondered how to turn hardship into fuel, or questioned whether passion can survive under pressure, this conversation is for you. It’s a fierce, unfiltered look at resilience, reinvention, and the wild, messy beauty of making something from nothing. Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that have shaped our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Raised by athletes and shaped by a worldview that prized “winning at all costs,” Tristan never imagined his greatest challenge would come not on the ice, but in his grandfather’s bedroom. When a sudden stroke left his grandpa bedbound, Tristan dropped everything—his business, his ambitions, his sanity at times—to become his caregiver. What began as an act of love turned into two years of daily sacrifice, frustration, and an emotional marathon he never trained for.In a conversation that is raw, unguarded, and full of unexpected humor, Tristan confesses to losing clients, losing himself, and clinging to the hope that, through sheer effort, he could “win” at hospice care. He talks about meals that became rituals of celebration and then routine, the slow suffocation of monotony and resentment, and the guilt and freedom that crashed in the moment his grandfather passed.This is not a tidy story of saintly caregiving. Tristan gets angry. He is exhausted, sometimes resentful, sometimes hopeful—and always searching for meaning. He talks candidly about masculinity, control, family pressure, letting go, grief, and the spiritual detours (numerology, astrology, and real attempts to predict the end) that became necessary delusions to survive. His journey is not about “overcoming” but about enduring, surrendering, and becoming someone new in the process.If you’ve ever cared for a loved one, lost your sense of self to someone else’s needs, or struggled to accept that some stories don’t have winners—Tristan’s story is for you. “You Don’t Win at Hospice” is a confession, a warning, and an act of hope for anyone carrying too much and trying to let go.Earth Monster is a storytelling podcast uncovering the rawest, most vulnerable truths behind the stories we use to carry us through life. Subscribe for more conversations that celebrate the necessary delusions, the messy journeys, and the courage it takes just to keep going.

Raised inside a strict religious home with a mother potentially battling undiagnosed mental illness, Kloee learned early how to hide. She believed deeply in love and goodness but found herself pulled into a world of drugs, toxic relationships, and spiraling self-destruction. Torn between purity and recklessness, belief and rebellion, Kloee’s life became a collision of extremes.In this fearless and often disorienting conversation, Kloee opens up about being shaped - carved by chaos. From tearing apart a car with friends just to feel something, to waking up in a haze of addiction and lost time, her story doesn’t end with a neat recovery arc. She’s still trying. Still wild, still self-aware and still deeply in it. What she offers isn’t a full transformation story (but then none of them ever are) it’s a survival story. And a brutally honest reflection on what it means to be human when you’ve seen both the light and the dark in yourself, and you’re still trying to figure out what to do with both.If you’ve ever felt out of control or like self-awareness isn’t enough to save you, Kloee’s story may speak to the darkest messiest parts of your heart and remind you there is light in the darkeness. You are not alone.Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate this messy, beautiful journey of being a human.

Dan spent his life building things—spacecraft, sound systems, self-belief—but what he never quite built was a place where he truly fit in. From working on aerospace projects to playing drums in LA clubs, his story is less about finding a role and more about creating one.In this episode, Dan opens up about the quiet power of self-awareness, the “necessary delusions” that shaped his path, and what it means to stop chasing belonging and start building yourself from the inside out. Whether he’s trading in intangibles, dreaming of BoomSpace, or redefining success outside of status or salary, Dan’s way of seeing the world challenges everything we think we know about purpose.If you’ve ever felt like you were living between worlds—or wondered what it would look like to stop performing and start being—Dan’s story will resonate deeply.EarthMonster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Lu'kas’ story is a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to survive (and eventually thrive) when life deals you a tough hand. Growing up with a mother struggling with addiction, Lu'kas spent parts of childhood homeless, searching for security in motel rooms and borrowed spaces. To cope, Lu'kas became a master of reinvention, spinning stories, adopting new identities, and hiding painful truths just to feel welcome and safe.But the cost of survival was high. Lu'kas opens up about the lies told to fit in, the years spent hiding a life as a sex worker, and the long journey toward self-acceptance. Through heartbreak, loss, and the search for belonging, Lu'kas discovered the power of vulnerability, the necessity of “delusions” that keep us going, and the freedom that comes with finally telling the truth.If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide who you are, struggled with shame, or wondered how to turn pain into strength, This story will challenge you to rethink what it means to be authentic and to find hope in the messiest parts of being human.Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Sia’s story is a powerful exploration of what it means to grow up under the gaze of family, community, and self. From childhood, Sia learned to navigate a world where being watched—and judged—was constant, shaping her choices and sense of self. She reveals how she turned the pressure of always being observed into a tool for self-reflection, imagining her life as a story she could edit, rewrite, and ultimately own.In this episode, Sia opens up about the challenges of being the only queer person of color in certain spaces, the weight of family gossip, and the struggle to blend in while staying true to herself. She shares how journaling, skating, and reframing her experiences helped her find light in dark places, and why she believes in extracting meaning and growth from every hardship.If you’ve ever felt the sting of judgment, struggled to fit in, or wondered how to transform shame into strength, Sia’s journey will inspire you to look at your own story with fresh eyes—and maybe even write a new chapter.Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Born into a world where justice feels like an illusion, this week’s guest has spent a lifetime questioning the stories we’re told—and the systems that shape our lives. Raised by a mother who filled their home with books and hard truths, he grew up seeing firsthand how the odds are stacked against Indigenous and Black communities, and how the so-called “American Dream” often leaves the most vulnerable behind. In this episode, we dive deep into the hard realities of growing up as an outsider: the pain of realizing the system isn’t broken, but rigged; the struggle to hold onto hope when you feel outnumbered by indifference; and the search for meaning, identity, and community in a world that often feels hostile to both. From lessons learned in childhood to the influence of the 5% Nation and the power of music as resistance, our guest shares what it means to be a disillusioned truth-seeker—someone who refuses to accept easy answers, even when the truth hurts. If you’ve ever questioned whether justice is possible, wondered if love can really be unconditional, or struggled to find your place in a world that seems determined to keep you out, this conversation is for you. It’s a raw, honest look at survival, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep searching for truth. Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that have shaped our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.

Amy’s story is a raw look at the double-edged sword of early success and the realities behind the spotlight. From a childhood spent performing on national stages to becoming an XFL cheerleader at 20, Amy chased fame and found herself on top of the world—until it all came crashing down. When the applause faded, addiction took hold, forcing Amy to rebuild her life from the ground up.In this episode, Amy opens up about the intoxicating power of attention, the ego’s rise and fall, and the life-saving journey to sobriety. She shares what it’s really like to start over in an industry that never guarantees a second act, and how true fulfillment comes not from fame, but from doing the work and finding peace in the moment.If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, battled addiction, or wondered what happens after the curtain falls, Amy’s journey will inspire you to redefine success on your own terms.Earth Monster is the storytelling podcast that uncovers the real stories and biggest ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe for more episodes that celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human.