Best Mike Thurston Podcasts (2025)

1
Hung Up and Overdue 22:04

2d ago22:04

22:04

It's curious that the two songs that reference California were both left off the final Wildflowers release; perhaps Tom being self-conscious about being too prescriptive and direct in that vein. Hung Up and Overdue has a very simple, very direct lyric which sits atop a wonderful arrangement and doesn’t need to do too much of the heavy lifting. It’s…

1
E078 - I Grew My Audience From 0 to 6.1 Million Followers With This Four-Step Framework 1:38:50

5d ago1:38:50

1:38:50

When most people talk about creating content, they focus on equipment, expertise, or having something groundbreaking to say. But today's guest demolishes those excuses. Jun Yuh reveals how he built an audience of 8 million followers while studying biomedical engineering—not by creating perfect content, but by simply showing up every day. From filmi…

1
Walls (No. 3) 19:05

9d ago19:05

19:05

I don’t think I’ve ever hidden or tried to hide the fact that Walls is one of my very favourite Tom Petty compositions. I think it’s essentially a perfect song. And this version is, as I say, an exercise in showing how to simplify and condense an arrangement to be as tight as you can make it without losing an ounce of its beauty. Long time listener…

1
E077 - FBI Negotiator Reveals How To Read Anyone In 32 Seconds | Chris Voss 1:21:34

10d ago1:21:34

1:21:34

Negotiation is often depicted in movies as a tense, dramatic showdowns, won through aggressive tactics and mind games. But Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and author of 'Never Split the Difference', joins us to dispel these myths and reveal what truly works. Real negotiation isn't about manipulation—it’s about tactical empathy, trust, and…

1
Hope on Board 18:20

16d ago18:20

18:20

I would love to know if an extended version of this arrangement exists anywhere on the cutting room floor. I know that there was only one violinist, Lili Haydn, who I’m hoping to have on the podcast as it happens, and two cellists, Gerri Stutyak and Michael Severens. But I think if you kept building this into a full orchestral string arrangement wi…

1
E076 - NEW Unsolved Ancient Mysteries That Science Can’t Explain (alien gods?) 1:35:05

18d ago1:35:05

1:35:05

This week's episode is a special one. I’m joined by explorer and author Matt LaCroix, a researcher dedicated to uncovering the secrets of ancient history. With a deep passion for challenging mainstream narratives, Matt explores the lost civilisations, advanced technologies, and forgotten sites that reshape our understanding of the past.In this epis…

1
Bad Monkey + Petty Country 1:17:25

22d ago1:17:25

1:17:25

John and I got together to discuss the Petty Country and Bad Monkey Soundtrack releases and built a 16 track playlist that gives you a good idea of what to expect from each disc. We discussed what makes a good cover version, which contemporay artists are doing the best job of interpereting Tom's work and we also talk about covers not on either albu…

1
California 22:58

23d ago22:58

22:58

There’s a quality to this song that I’ve only really experienced once before. It makes me homesick for a place I’ve never lived in. The other time this has happened to me was, coincidentally, also California. If any of you are Van Halen fans or even just rock n roll fans with an interest in the Pasadena scene in the 70s, you have to read the superb…

1
E075 - Dating Expert Reveals The Biggest Red Flags That RUIN Relationships | Sadia Khan 1:50:43

25d ago1:50:43

1:50:43

After the success of our first meeting, it was only right to get Sadia back on the show for round 2. With years of experience challenging outdated taboos, Sadia provides deep insights into how wealthy men approach relationships, the struggles of long-distance connections, and why emotional vulnerability in men is often misunderstood. Whether you’re…

1
#31 Sahil Bloom - The 5 Types of Wealth Everyone Needs to Have | Sahil Bloom 1:16:12

29d ago1:16:12

1:16:12

Pre-order ‘The 5 Steps of Wealth’ by Sahil Bloom: https://a.co/d/fBZjUvv Welcome back to The Game Plan podcast! In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible @SahilBloom, who shares his journey of redefining wealth. From growing up with insecurities to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Sahil talks about his path to discovering the 5 Types of W…

1
Supernatural Radio 20:09

1M ago20:09

20:09

This one begins with piano as the main melodic focus, with Benmont Tench playing a lounge player style lick over top of a sumptuously dark and foreboding rhythm section. The drums are dry and present and Howie Epstein’s bass guitar adds the bottom end colour to a scene that feels like a dimly lit hotel bar. If you want to check out the song ahead o…

1
E074 - The Broken Fitness Industry: Lies, Scams & Steroids | Greg Doucette 1:40:03

1M ago1:40:03

1:40:03

Joining me today is Greg Doucette, a well-known influential figure in the fitness world, best known for his "Natty or Not" series. From his rise as a global fitness coach to navigating the often turbulent waters of industry drama, Greg offers an unfiltered look into the realities of the fitness scene. In this episode, he dissects what truly defines…

1
Asshole 21:38

1M ago21:38

21:38

Beck’s Asshole is quite tender in places with a certain rustic charm and it’s not something you’d expect a middle aged rocker to want to explore. But when you really delve into it and rummage around in there, you discover its hidden depths and while at first it can come across as unappealing, a close inspection reveals a rather time-worn vulnerabil…

1
E073 - The Anti-Aging Routine That Actually Works (Biohacking Guide) | Dave Asprey 1:44:03

1M ago1:44:03

1:44:03

This week, I’m joined by the father of biohacking, Dave Asprey. The pioneer behind the global movement that has transformed the way people optimise their health and performance. With decades of experience in biohacking, Dave has authored multiple bestsellers and founded companies that have redefined wellness, longevity, and cognitive enhancement.In…

1
Hope You Never 18:11

1M ago18:11

18:11

Hope You Never is a fairly dark, bleak cut from a difficult album for Tom. It fits the timbre of the movie in places and you can see why it was chosen as one of the songs to transfer over to this release. The production is, as always, absolutely superb. The parts are all expertly crafted and arranged and Tom’s vocal delivery has that quiet confiden…

1
E072 - How to Become Irreplaceable in the AI Revolution (Silicon Valley Guide) | Marina Mogilko 1:25:44

2M ago1:25:44

1:25:44

It is with great pleasure to welcome Marina Mogilko onto the show this week, a multilingual entrepreneur, YouTube sensation, and co-founder of LinguaTrip and Fluent Express. Marina has captivated millions with her journey from Russia to Silicon Valley, building a global brand that bridges cultures, languages, and innovation. Her expertise in langua…

1
Angel Dream 22:51

2M ago22:51

22:51

“I dreamed you, I saw your face. Caught my lifeline, went drifting through space”. What an incredible way to say “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you and my life would never be the same again”. I was talking with my pal Corey on our show The Ultimate Catalogue Clash about lyrics a couple of episodes ago and we’ve had an ongoing discussion …

1
E071 - The System Has Trapped You: Here’s Your 90-Day Escape Plan | Simon Squibb 1:17:07

2M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Back again for round two is none other than Simon Squibb. After the success of our first sit-down, we had to reconnect for round two whilst Simon is in Dubai. For those unfamiliar with Simon, he’s an entrepreneur, angel investor, and the founder of Helpbnk. Dedicating his career to empowering the everyday person to follow their dream, regardless of…

1
#30 Joe Delaney - Marriage, Fatherhood, and Life’s Biggest Changes 2:18:40

2M ago2:18:40

2:18:40

This episode is sponsored by Oracle. Harness the power of AI without overspending with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Ideal for AI model training, OCI offers 4-8x more bandwidth than competitors at half the cost. Transform your business like Uber and Cohere with OCI. Try it for free at https://oracle.com/gameplan Welcome back to The Game Plan p…

1
2024 In Review + Favourite Albums 1:00:54

2M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

I wanted to say a quick (well, not that quick!) goodbye to 2024 before kicking off the new year and figured I'd follow the lead of a great many music podcasters by telling you about some of the albums that I discovered this year that I've been enjoying a lot! I own 7 of the 8 on vinyl and have a very close relationship the one I don't through sligh…

1
Christmas All Over Again 17:11

2M ago17:11

17:11

It’s a wonderful little piece of fluffy Christmas fare. There’s no big message here, it’s just a nostalgic, whimsical throwback type song and I’m almost surprised that it wasn’t a co-write with Jeff Lynne because it has a bigger ELO feel to it than it does a Heartbreakers feel! And with the addition of all those additional musicians, I do wonder if…

1
E070 - The Michael Jordan Method: How to Build Self-Discipline for 2025 | Fadi El Khatib 1:45:21

3M ago1:45:21

1:45:21

Joining me today is Fadi El Khatib, legendary athlete turned entrepreneur and one of the most influential figures in sports and business across the Middle East. Known as "The Lebanese Tiger," Fadi shares how he transitioned from basketball stardom to building thriving ventures, including Champs Academies and gym facilities in Dubai.In this episode,…

1
#29 Q&A - What 2024 Taught Me About Life & Fitness 23:21

3M ago23:21

23:21

This episode is sponsored by Oracle. Harness the power of AI without overspending with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Ideal for AI model training, OCI offers 4-8x more bandwidth than competitors at half the cost. Transform your business like Uber and Cohere with OCI. Try it for free at https://oracle.com/gameplan We're diving into a classic Q&A…

1
Matt Jaffe (Gone Enough To Miss) 1:19:14

3M ago1:19:14

1:19:14

The second installment of my Artist Conversation Series sees Matt Jaffe return to the show to talk about his fantastic new album, Gone Enough To Miss. It was a joy to nerd out over broad aspects as well as details of the album and our conversation took in some excellent diversions regarding Tik Tok, superstition (not the Stevie Wonder song!) and ho…

1
E069 - Harvard Professor's 4-Step Method to Find Purpose Through Loneliness | Dr. Arthur Brooks 1:52:13

3M ago1:52:13

1:52:13

Joining me today is Dr. Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor, behavioral scientist, and best-selling author known for his groundbreaking work on the science of happiness. Once a professional classical musician, Dr. Brooks made a transformative leap into academia, where he now guides the next generation of leaders in understanding what it truly means …

1
Change the Locks 20:24

3M ago20:24

20:24

First of all, Changed The Locks by Lucinda Williams is a fantastic song and her delivery of it is sublime and very intimate - a tone that is enhanced by the arrangement that is used on that recording. The Heartbreakers amp up the anger by speeding the track up slightly, making the guitar tones heavier, and adding in that extra guitar phrase. So you…

1
E068 - The Smartest Business Ideas to Become Rich in Your 20s & 30s (Escape Your 9-5) | Codie Sanchez 1:45:40

3M ago1:45:40

1:45:40

Joining me today is @CodieSanchezCT a renowned investor, entrepreneur, and the author of the newly released book Main Street Millionaire, a no-nonsense guide to building wealth. She unpacks pivotal lessons learned during the 2008 financial crisis, her approach to building wealth through buying—not starting—businesses, and the “three C’s” that have …

1
Climb That Hill 21:00

3M ago21:00

21:00

This song was a little bit of a grower for me and it’s one that’s definitely gone up a little since I sat down to pull it apart to see what secrets it’s hiding. The fact that, yet again, there is a density to the guitars on this song along with a real simplicity to the parts themselves all accentuated by Tom’s excellent, at times forceful at times …

1
E067 - How to Buy Stocks & Crypto for Complete Beginners in 2025 (full guide) | Tori Trades 1:24:05

3M ago1:24:05

1:24:05

This weeks episode, I'm joined by Tori Trades. A rising star in the trading world and a dynamic educator helping new traders break into the markets with confidence. Starting her journey under the guidance of her uncle, Tori has developed a unique, simplified approach to futures trading that’s accessible, effective, and perfect for beginners. With a…

1
Zero From Outer Space 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

“You think that you're above me. You think that you're so big. Well, I saw you kick that dog. When the wind blew off your wig” This is Tom’s brilliant whimsy, channeled through Dylan’s cynicism to fantastic effect. It really means nothing at all, just a very broad way of saying “you’re kind of a dick!” Again I’d love to have notes on this one from …

1
Grew Up Fast 23:39

4M ago23:39

23:39

“We grew up fast and no-one seemed to notice. We grew up fast and we grew up alone”. All of us latch key kids can relate very easily to what he’s communicating here. Even though our parents loved and supported us, quite often we were just left to our own devices. During school holidays, once I was 9 or 10 years old we were just left at home, left t…

1
Walls (Circus) 25:54

4M ago25:54

25:54

“Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky”. There’s something so brilliantly grand and epic about that line. The ocean and the sky are both vast and hint at the complexity of being human. You also have the contrast between something that is heavy, and anchored to a point in the ocean and the wide open, limitless possibilities of the sky. We’ve all sa…

1
E066 - 27 Years of Brutally Honest Advice for Young People in 90 Minutes | Andy Elliott 1:30:15

4M ago1:30:15

1:30:15

Joining me today for an unfiltered conversation about transformation, sales mastery, and leadership is Andy Elliot, a powerhouse entrepreneur who built a 9-figure business empire after starting from nothing. Beginning his journey as a car salesman at 18, Andy shattered industry records and managed to scale to over $1 million annually before revolut…

1
The Heartwood Soundstage Crew (Live from Gainesville with Pete Nester) 21:19

4M ago21:19

21:19

Pete Nester is down in Gainesville at the Tom Petty Weekend, subbing in for me as I can't be there. He's been doing a fantastic job of connecting me with the weekend via messages, video clips, and photos and he's even gone the extra mile and interviewed a few folks down there! As well as some of the artists, he caught up with some of the amazing cr…

1
Jake Thistle + Jared Hart (Live from Gainesville with Pete Nester) 26:06

4M ago26:06

26:06

Another roving report from our man on the ground out at the Tom Petty Weekend in Gainesville. This time, my pal Pete Nester catches up with the main man, Jake Thistle, and also chats to Jared Hart, singer and guitarist with the best-named band you're gonna hear in the next ten years; Lowly Worm and the Fantastic Beverages! Sit back, relax and enjoy…

1
MADWOMAN (Live from Gainesville with Pete Nester) 25:25

4M ago25:25

25:25

Surprise! Here's a special episode for you. My pal and roving reporter Pete Nester, from the Honest and Unmerciful Record Review Podcast, is down in Gainesville and grabbed some time with the brilliant MADWOMAN, who blew him away. The conversation talks focuses heavily on artistry, community, and collaboration. This is a fun, breezy, enjoyable chat…

1
10 Questions with Shawn Murphy 16:48

4M ago16:48

16:48

Today’s bonus episode is the second part of my conversation with the wonderful Shawn Murphy. We dug down into which opening act he'd like to see at a Heartbreakers show and his choice for which artist to cover which of Tom's songs is an absolute firecracker! Sit back, relax and enjoy my ten questions with Shawn Murphy. Check out the Tom Petty Trail…

1
Shawn Murphy 1:01:13

4M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Today’s special episode is part of a fantastic conversation I had with the brilliant Shawn Murphy, a lifelong Pettyhead who built and maintains the amazing Tom Petty Trail.com website. Shawn and I chatted about being an outsider growing up and how music can help us through those difficult formative years as well as his recent battle with cancer and…

1
E065 - Cristiano Ronaldo Invested in Our Company: The Future of Peak Health & Performance | Vadim Fedotov 1:36:38

4M ago1:36:38

1:36:38

Joining us today is Vadim Fedotov, former elite athlete turned visionary entrepreneur and founder of Bioniq, a world leading supplement brand that tailors to your individual health needs. Reaching extraordinary success, Bioniq has managed to attract the likes of some of the world's greatest athletes, such as Diogo Dalot & Cristiano Ronaldo. novatio…

1
Ten Questions - Walls (Circus or No 3) 37:28

5M ago37:28

37:28

Before we kick off the season proper, let's listen to which version of Walls my guests so far have picked! When I wrote the question, "Which do you prefer, Walls (Circus) or Walls (No. 3), I assumed everyone would pick that latter. It didn't turn out that way!" Guests included, in order; Dallas Heliker, Jake Thistle, Gwen Jones, Janet Lovell, Jeff …

1
Season 11 Intro - Songs and Music from the Motion Picture "She's The One" 17:53

5M ago17:53

17:53

I enjoyed previewing season ten and talking about Wildflowers before we started digging into the songs and figured, “you know what, let’s do that for each season moving forward!” So I’m going to split this episode into two halves. The first half is a little bit of an intro to this album, in case you’re not familiar or you’re less familiar with it. …

1
#28 Merijn Schoeber - The Dark Side of the Fitness Industry 1:13:10

5M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

This episode is sponsored by Oracle. Harness the power of AI without overspending with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Ideal for AI model training, OCI offers 4-8x more bandwidth than competitors at half the cost. Transform your business like Uber and Cohere with OCI. Try it for free at https://oracle.com/gameplan Welcome back to The Game Plan p…

1
E064 - “Here’s PROOF That We’re Not Alone”: ETs, UFOs & Government Censorship | Dr. Steven Greer 1:55:17

5M ago1:55:17

1:55:17

Dr. Steven Greer is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the subject of UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence and technologies, and initiating peaceful contact with interstellar civilizations. For over more than 35 years, Dr. Greer has provided briefings for senior government officials across the globe, conducted numerous media interviews, and …

1
The Petty 8ight with Ian Winick 1:41:21

5M ago1:41:21

1:41:21

This week's episode is the fourth installment The Petty 8ight! I love talking to Pettyheads, musicians, and other people who have been influenced by Tom or his music in myriad ways, but I thought it would be neat to see what non-fans, or non-hardcore fans think of Tom's music if I threw deeper cuts at them. My latest #Petty8ight guest is the wonder…

1
E063 - World’s #1 Therapist Reveals Secrets to Better Sex & Higher Self-Esteem | Marisa Peer 1:38:10

5M ago1:38:10

1:38:10

Joining me today is Marisa Peer, a world-renowned therapist, best-selling author and the visionary of Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). With over 3 decades of experience, Marisa has helped thousands overcome issues related to self-esteem, confidence and love. Today’s episode touches upon key societal issues, such as the negative impact of socia…

1
10 Questions with Eric Senich 21:00

5M ago21:00

21:00

As the fall leaves come in, Eric Senich starts thinking about listening to his favourite Tom Petty album! Eric is also a fellow drummer so the song he picked to perform with the Heartbreakers is a Stan Lynch part! It's 10 Questions time again and Eric didn't disappoint with his answers! Don't forget to check out Eric's website here, where you can f…

1
Eric Senich 1:50:37

5M ago1:50:37

1:50:37

Today’s episode is a wonderful, sprawling conversation that I had with the inimitable host of the Booked on Rock podcast, Eric Senich. Eric and I met through the Van Halen show, And the Podcast Will Rock, which is hosted by my good pal and Ultimate Catalogue Clash co-host Corey Morrissette. Eric’s knowledge of rock n roll is staggering - and at tim…

1
E062 - Proven Tips for Boosted Health, Confidence & Attractiveness | Menno Henselmanns 1:41:19

5M ago1:41:19

1:41:19

This week, we’re joined by Menno Henselmans, a leading voice in evidence-based fitness. With a unique background in business and fitness, Menno has become a trusted expert for those looking to cut through fitness myths and focus on what really works. As the author of several books and a globally recognized coach, Menno shares actionable insights on…

1
Wildflowers (with John Paulsen) 1:19:04

5M ago1:19:04

1:19:04

Another excellent conversation with John about an album that we both obviously adore. We both talked a little about how the album lands differently for people of a certain age and particularly the way certain songs resonate with parents. We also get into drumming styles, Spotify stats, and for the first time, we don't run through the producer-for-a…

1
E061 - Q&A: My Honest Dating Advice, Morning Routine, Personal Branding, Business Tips + MORE 1:33:40

6M ago1:33:40

1:33:40

This week’s podcast is a special solo Q&A with the head honcho himself, uncle Mike. We invited the First Things THRST community to ask their questions for an unfiltered take on topics such as business, fitness, personal branding and more. Get comfy for an hour of deep reflection as Mike shares his experiences and actionable advice on how to win at …

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Mike Thurston Podcasts

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