Baggage
by The Baggage Podcast
Latest episode
Carry-On: If You Can't Teach, Impersonate
Carry-On: If You Can't Teach, Impersonate
About this podcast
Baggage brings together the personal, reflective storytelling of "This American Life" with the conversational, often humorous vibe of "SmartLess," delivering compelling, raw narratives from people from all walks of life, offering an intimate and honest look into the weight we carry. Led by an unlikely foursome—a doctor, a prosecutor, a comedian, and a writer—the hosts bring their vastly different backgrounds to the table, unpacking these stories with a unique blend of empathy, wit, and curiosity.
The show is a unique vehicle to highlight and donate to charities who contribute to trauma and mental needs. Collaborating charities include the Dear Jack Foundation (https://www.dearjackfoundation.org/ ) and Canine Companions (https://canine.org/ ), among others. The ultimate goal of the show is to donate profits directly to these charities, as well as give them a platform to get their message out. If you are interested in helping the show achieve this goal, please donate to help with marketing and growth.
To share your story or ask a question, email us at [email protected].
Episodes
The newest 20 of 72 episodes
- Carry-On: If You Can't Teach, Impersonate · 26 min · Episode 71In this episode, Ryan Frank and Eric Shaw discuss recent outbreaks of measles, the importance of vaccines, and very random story about a woman impersonating a substitute teacher…
- Air Traffic Controller (Landon) · 45 min · Episode 70You asked for it, so we interviewed another Air Traffic Controller. Landon, an experienced controller, shares insights into the challenges, responsibilities, and realities of the…
- Remastered - Paramedic & EMT (Eric) · 1 h 11 min · Episode 69In the next month, host Eric Shaw will be featured as a guest on the podcast What Was That Like. In honor of that appearance, we are rereleasing a digitally remastered version of…
- Pediatric Doctors (Sarah & Mike) · 1 h 16 min · Episode 68In this episode, pediatric doctors Sarah and Mike Northrop discuss the complexities of child abuse diagnosis, the science behind abusive head trauma, and the impact of…
- Carry-On: Fantasy Failure · 26 min · Episode 67In this episode, the guys follow up the previous conversation with circus performer Kimberly. The discussion starts with praise for Kimberly’s courage in sharing her story and…
- Circus Performer (Kimberly) · 59 min · Episode 66Being a circus performer is interesting enough. But the guest on this episode tells the guys how pursuing her dream job led to a nightmare relationship. Kimberly shares her…
- Carry-On: Podcast Panhandling · 24 min · Episode 65In this follow-up episode of Carry-On, the guys reflect on their recent firefighter interview before quickly veering into the kind of off-the-rails conversation listeners have…
- Firefighter (Scott) · 60 min · Episode 64It turns out firefighting has little to do with using a hose relative to everything else expected of them. In this episode, the guys interview Scott, a veteran firefighter and…
- Carry-On: Vigilante Justice For All · 20 min · Episode 63In this episode, the guys debate World Cup soccer … Well, not really. Ryan just feels compelled to show how much he knows about it. But they do debate the movie “Watchmen” versus…
- Rape/Kidnapping Survivor (Cheryl) · 52 min · Episode 62This episode is certainly one of the most compelling, terrifying, and heartfelt thus far. Hosts Ryan Frank and Eric Shaw speak to Cheryl about her harrowing experience of being…
- Carry-On: Mindhunted · 32 min · Episode 61In this episode, the guys reflect on the previous episode that featured FBI profilers Melissa and Adrienne. As a special treat from them, they provided a criminal profile of host…
- The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (Melissa & Adrienne) · 1 h 0 min · Episode 60In this episode, recently retired federal agents, Melissa Merola & Adrienne Malin, talk about their years in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Dramatized by shows like…
- Carry-On: Puppy Troubles · 21 min · Episode 59The guys follow up on the last episode that featured Lonnie, a man that had to deal cleaning up after suicides and the like. There’s a large portion of the show dedicated to Ryan…
- Death Scene Cleaner (Lonnie) · 53 min · Episode 58In this episode, the guys delve into the world of disaster restoration with Lonnie Beacham, owner of Restore It Restoration in Jefferson City, Missouri. Lonnie shares intense…
- Carry-On: One Order of CRISPR Bacon Please · 36 min · Episode 57In this episode, the guys do a short update related to the 2018 stolen aircraft incident as well as an update on the Gilgo Beach serial killer. Then, it’s all about science. Eric…
- Cancer Survivor (Erika; ft. Dear Jack Foundation) · 55 min · Episode 56In this second collaboration with the Dear Jack Foundation, Erika shares her inspiring story of navigating a rare blood cancer starting from young adulthood, facing misdiagnosis…
- Carry-On: You Can't Handle the Truth! · 33 min · Episode 55Ryan and Eric talk about the recent retirement of the last guest, the emotional toll of police work, etc. They also talk about how TV and movies portray their professions. Music…
- Police Chief (Capt. Joe Harvey) · 1 h 13 min · Episode 54In this episode, the guys are joined by the Chief of Police for Golden, Colorado, Captain Joe Harvey. He shares his extraordinary life story—from a childhood filled with trauma…
- Carry-On: The Battle of Butcha · 21 min · Episode 53In this episode, the guys delve into the recent history of the Ukraine war, focusing on the Battle of Buccia, its atrocities, and how it has shaped Ukrainian resolve. They also…
- Ukrainian Battlefield Medic (Alina Sarnatska; ft. The Leleka Foundation) · 51 min · Episode 52In this episode, the guys collaborate with the Leleka Foundation on the four-year anniversary of Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine. Leleka’s Head of Strategic Communications…
