David Watson

The David Watson Podcast #229 Glam Rock, Anxiety, and Finding Yourself – A Conversation with Jaymes Buckman of Hot Apollo

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, I sit down with Jaymes Buckman, the neurodivergent glam rock singer, poet, and frontman of Canadian glam rock band Hot Apollo.

We dive into what it really feels like to be a high-energy performer who feels most at peace on stage, and yet wrestles with anxiety, overthinking, and self-doubt when the lights go down.

Jaymes talks about growing up between Toronto and London, discovering his love of performance, developing his iconic glam style in Camden, and why he finally went “all in” on music after trying the conventional path of college and day jobs.

We also explore the link between alter egos, addiction, and creativity, how art can channel pain into something powerful, and why staying busy and taking action is one of the most underrated tools for managing mental health and negative inner voices.

If you’re into glam rock, performance, or honest conversations about mental health, anxiety, and what it means to be truly yourself, you’ll get a lot from this one.

Hot Apollo https://hotapollorocks.com

The David Watson Podcast #228 Liam Fitzgerald: From Belfast’s Troubles To Police Corruption, Courts And A Crime Novel

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I sit down with former police detective turned criminal defence lawyer, Liam Fitzgerald (pen name), to explore how corruption really happens – not just at the top, but in everyday decisions, grey areas and human weaknesses.

Born and raised in Belfast during The Troubles, later serving as a police officer in Australia and now working as a criminal defence lawyer in Sydney, Liam brings three decades of frontline experience to his new crime novel about police corruption, culture and power.

We talk about: Growing up in Belfast during The Troubles and how violence, secrecy and “sides” shape your view of the world Moving to Sydney, joining the police, then switching sides to become a criminal defence lawyer

How “small” perks and favours blur into full-blown corruption over time

The hidden subcultures inside police forces and what really changes good officers into “bad apples”

Royal commissions, systemic corruption and why the public is always shocked, despite years of warning signs

The role of the press: what gets exposed, what gets buried and why some scandals never make front-page news

Grooming gangs, cover-ups and why certain crimes seem untouchable

Free will, social conditioning and why class, background and opportunity shape the choices we think we’re making

Friday night violence, “accidental crime” and how one split second can destroy multiple lives

Liam’s novel is a work of fiction, but it is built on real-world experience of policing, wiretaps, court briefs and decades inside the criminal justice system.

 

If you have ever wondered where the line really is between “perk of the job” and corruption, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.

Find out more about Liam and his book Publisher: Austin Macauley (UK) https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/b...

The David Watson Podcast #227 You Won’t Believe What This Former ESPN Anchor Does Now

Anne Montgomery went from being one of the first female TV sports casters at ESPN to a long time sports official, Title I teacher, foster mum to five, and award-winning author.

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, we dive into the messy, funny, painful, and beautiful reality of second chances and reinvention.

We talk about what it was really like for a woman on SportsCenter in the 80s and 90s, working as the only female official on football fields and baseball diamonds, living between Phoenix and St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, and how losing her TV career led her into classrooms, foster care, and novels about war, cults, and trauma.

We also get personal about my own journey: court, bankruptcy, community service, head injury rehab work, and how both of us discovered meaning through helping other people when our original plans fell apart.

If you’re into stories of resilience, women in sports media, teaching, foster care, and the creative life, this one’s for you.

What we cover in this conversation:

– Life in St Croix and Phoenix

– Breaking into sports broadcasting when women “didn’t do that”

– ESPN, ageism, and being told she was “too old” for TV

– Forty years as a sports official in football and baseball

– Being the only woman on the field and in the newsroom

– Punctuality, discipline, and why being late really is disrespectful

– Hitting rock bottom after TV and facing depression

– The Vietnam veteran umpire who changed how she saw her life

– Teaching in a Title I school and discovering real hardship

– Becoming a foster mum to five former students

– Dyslexia, learning to read late, and still becoming an author

– Writing about World War II, religious cults, and trauma

– How to handle criticism, bad reviews, and online comments

– Second chances, stubborn pride, and finding purpose in unexpected work

About Anne Montgomery

Anne Montgomery is a former ESPN SportsCenter anchor, long-time sports official (football, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, basketball), retired high school teacher, foster mum, and author of multiple novels including historical fiction and contemporary stories inspired by real events.

Find Anne here: Website: https://annemontgomerywriter.com/

The David Watson Podcast #226 Rusty Austin: Hell’s Kitchen Producer Turned Children’s Author + Real-World Writing Advice

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, Rusty Austin shares how he rode the early reality-TV wave from Survivor to 16 seasons on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, then reinvented himself as a children’s author and poet. We get into what really happens behind the scenes on long shoot days, why casting drives reality TV, how editing compresses 400 hours into 60 minutes, and the difference between Ramsay the on-camera character and the chef. Rusty also talks through his simple, repeatable writing process, the power of first drafts, and a brilliant classroom collaboration where 40+ students illustrated one of his books. We finish with his baseball history project, his memoir “Dave and Me,” and a fun time-machine question.

Former reality-TV producer/post producer (Survivor, Hell’s Kitchen) • Children’s author and poet focused on short, memorable, rhyming pieces • Classroom collaborator: students illustrated “An Awesome Bird: The Pelican” • Also co-authored a baseball history volume and wrote the memoir “Dave and Me”

Guest site: https://rustyaustin.com

The David Watson Podcast #225 How Pros Avoid Injuries And Keep Winning — Dr. Chris Koutures (Team USA Volleyball Physician)

Today’s guest is Dr. Chris Koutures, a dual-board-certified paediatric and sports-medicine physician who has supported USA Volleyball at the Olympic level and treats everyone from new-borns to elite athletes.

We dig into what separates top performers, how pros actually warm up, the realities of injury prevention, and how to train smarter at any age.

What you’ll learn

• The team behind elite athletes: medical, technical, logistics, and psychology

• Mental skills that separate final-roster athletes: consistency, flexibility, handling failure

• The evolution of injury prevention and why rest and variability matter

• How a good diagnosis starts with the whole person, not just the body part

• Smarter training after injuries and as you get older • Dynamic warm-ups that actually prepare you to train

• Youth sport realities: growth spurts, single-sport risks, and talking with parents

• Life inside the Olympic Village, camaraderie, and focus between sessions

Guest Dr. Chris Koutures, MD, FAAP, Sports Medicine and Paediatrics. Team physician experience with USA Volleyball and extensive work with youth through professional athletes.

Active Kid MD - OC Pediatric and Sports Medicine Practice

The David Watson Podcast #224 From Kodak & Xerox to Bestselling Grandpa: Kevin Hall on Memoir, Marketing, and Mindset

Kevin Hall shares how he sells books every month without paying for ads, and why saying yes beats perfection.

We also dive into Kodak/Xerox history, impostor syndrome, and practical podcasting tips that improve your on-camera presence today.

In this David Watson Podcast episode, Kevin breaks down the steps behind his memoirs, his spiritual book, and his new guide “Book Marketing on a Budget: Simple Steps for New Authors.” If you’re an author or podcaster trying to grow without big spend, this conversation is a blueprint.

Guest Kevin Hall — author of Ilion: My Childhood, My Memories; My Rosemount MN Memories; Signs – The Veil is Thinner Than We Imagine; and Book Marketing on a Budget (forthcoming).

Website: https://www.kevin-hall.com What you’ll learn

• A simple glasses fix to remove on-camera glare
• Why perfection kills momentum (and why the answer is “yes”)
• Local media, libraries, and alumni networks as free marketing channels
• Podcasting basics that boost presence: eye line, lighting, pacing
• A Xerox/Kodak crash course: what empires teach about innovation
• How to pitch without being salesy, and handle rejection easily
• Turning family stories into memoirs that actually get read
• Why feedback isn’t criticism — it’s your growth engine

Timestamps
00:00 Intro and a quick tip to kill glasses glare on camera
01:05 Small talk to confidence: saying yes, not perfect
02:29 Where Kevin grew up and why place matters to story
03:36 Moving states, friendship, marriage, and life lessons
07:05 Kodak and Xerox: toner, film, and the cost of missed pivots
12:16 The office copier era, queues, and culture we’ve lost
18:10 From corporate lessons to author mindset
24:06 New authors: why local press, libraries, and alumni lists work
27:06 Book Marketing on a Budget: staircase strategy overview
33:10 Podcasting tips: eye contact, lighting, voice, and presence
40:14 Impostor syndrome and building confidence through action
47:20 The books: memoirs, spiritual stories, and the new marketing guide
1:04:00 Leaving a legacy for grandkids and your future readers
1:18:45 Viral moments happen to the consistent
1:23:06 Final question: time machine, songs, and perspective
1:26:00 Wrap-up and takeaways

Calls to action
• If this helped, like, comment with your biggest takeaway, and subscribe for weekly conversations.
• Are you an author or podcaster with a story to share? Get in touch to be a guest. • Check Kevin’s books and say hi: https://www.kevin-hall.com

The David Watson Podcast #223 Is There Life After Death? Liz Entin on WTF Just Happened & The Science of the Afterlife

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I talk with Liz Entin, creator of WTF Just Happened?! — a project exploring the possibility of an afterlife through evidence, data, and first hand investigation.

After losing her father, Liz set out to uncover whether consciousness continues after death, combining science, mediumship research, and a sceptical but open mindset. We discuss:
• What inspired WTF Just Happened?!
• How science and spirituality can overlap
• Mediums, psychic research, and critical thinking
• Grief, loss, and the search for meaning
• What evidence (if any) points to life after death

If you’re interested in the intersection of science, spirituality, and the afterlife, this episode offers a grounded look at a subject often dismissed or misunderstood.

Watch, subscribe, and share your thoughts below — do you believe consciousness continues? Links Liz Entin’s website: https://www.wtfjusthappened.net

The David Watson Podcast #222 Healing After Betrayal: Mr Jay on betrayal trauma, rebuilding trust, and self-worth

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, betrayal-trauma practitioner Mr Jay breaks down what really happens to your brain and body after infidelity or a breakup, why the pain can feel worse than grief, and the practical steps to move from shock to stability to rebuilding. We talk about

• Why betrayal trauma is different: it feels personal, it’s a “secret society,” and it even rewrites your past
• The brain on betrayal: amygdala overdrive, prefrontal cortex shutdown, hippocampus and time/place distortions
• Triggers and “emotional flashbacks,” and how to calm the system so you can think again
• The early rule: don’t make major decisions in the first 3–6 months; choose from empowerment, not fear
• Needs assessment 101: what you actually need in week 1 vs. week 12
• Betrayal blindness and the thousand micro-justifications that precede an affair
• Reframing the inner dialogue: separating your worth from someone else’s choices
• Pebbles and raindrops: tiny promises that rebuild self-trust and self-esteem
• Practical tools: journaling, simple meditations, walking, “gratitude with reasons,” and everyday follow-through
• Staying vs leaving in long relationships: finances, family systems, resentment, and compassion without excusing
• The “dash” on the tombstone, bridge-and-volcano analogy, and other mindsets that help you keep going Key takeaways
• Healing time beats time alone. Numbing and avoiding stretch the pain; gentle daily work releases it.
• You are 0% responsible for someone else’s decision to betray. You’re 100% responsible for how you show up next.
• Self-esteem returns through kept promises to yourself. Start very small and be consistent.
• If you stay, rebuild from safety and transparency; if you leave, leave when you feel grounded and resourced. Resources and mentions
• Mr Jay, betrayal-trauma practitioner and relationship coach
• Gratitude journal exercise: list 3 things you’re grateful for, with 3 reasons each
• Music mention: The Lady of Shalott by Loreena McKennitt

If you’re in the thick of it Please don’t do anything rash.

Give yourself days and weeks to settle your nervous system. Talk to someone trained in betrayal/trauma. Being heard and guided changes everything.  Where to find Mr Jay https://mrjayrelationshipcoach.com

The David Watson Podcast #221 How Elite Athletes Master the Mind Dr Jimmy Moley on Sports Psychiatry & Performance

n this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jimmy Moley, MD — a leading sports psychiatrist specializing in the mental health and performance of athletes.

We discuss the unseen psychological battles behind elite competition, the neuroscience of motivation, and practical strategies athletes can use to stay mentally strong under pressure.

Dr. Moley shares insights from his work with top performers, his background in sports psychiatry, and how mental training can be just as crucial as physical conditioning.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or simply interested in mindset and resilience, this conversation delivers practical, science-based takeaways you can apply today.

Topics discussed:
The psychology of elite athletic performance
How to manage pressure, burnout, and competition anxiety
The role of psychiatry and therapy in sports
Mental health stigma in professional athletics
Building mental resilience and recovery habits
What separates the mindset of good athletes from great ones

Guest links: Website: https://www.jimmymoleymd.com

The David Watson Podcast #220 Dr. Peter Kowey: How Big Pharma, Lobbyists, and Insurance Companies Broke American Healthcare

In this powerful episode of The David Watson Podcast, world-renowned cardiologist and author Dr. Peter R. Kowey exposes the truth behind the growing crisis in American healthcare.

Drawing from his new book, Failure to Treat: How a Broken Healthcare System Puts Patients and Practitioners at Risk, Dr. Kowey reveals how decades of political lobbying, pharmaceutical greed, and insurance control have created a system that harms both patients and doctors.

We break down the key reasons why U.S. healthcare is failing — and what must change to fix it. In this episode:

How lobbyists and politicians shaped today’s broken system The hidden influence of pharmaceutical companies on doctors and prescriptions.

How health insurance companies limit care and increase costs.

Why lawsuits and corporate pressure drive doctors out of medicine.

The systemic failures built into the U.S. healthcare model since its creation Real stories from Dr. Kowey’s experience treating patients inside a flawed system.

Practical insights on how to protect yourself and advocate for better care.

About Dr. Peter Kowey: Dr. Kowey is an internationally recognized cardiologist, medical researcher, and author. He currently serves as Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at Thomas Jefferson University and holds the William Wikoff Smith Chair in Cardiovascular Research at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. His decades of experience have made him one of the most respected voices in modern medicine.

About the book: Failure to Treat is a revealing exploration of how money, politics, and bureaucracy have corrupted American medicine — and what can be done to restore trust and integrity in healthcare.

Listen to this episode if you’re interested in: Healthcare reform and policy Big Pharma and political lobbying The U.S. medical system’s hidden costs Doctor burnout and malpractice issues Patient advocacy and healthcare ethics

Guest: Dr. Peter R. Kowey

Home | Peter Kowey Author

Host: David Watson Podcast: The David Watson Podcast