What the Puck w/ Elise Burchard

Bonus Ep w/ Bente and Michael

We spent the season Reading The Room, but the real work began when we finally had the courage to look in the mirror. In this Season One bonus episode, Bente and I are dropping the "expert" mask to get raw about the parts of this journey we didn’t see coming—like the subtle pressure to perform for the mic and the trap of sprinting toward forgiveness before the heart has even had a chance to catch its breath. I’ve learned that while it’s a gift to sense the energy of a room, the ultimate mastery is found in the unvarnished honesty we offer ourselves when no one else is watching. We’re diving into the simple, quiet ritual that has completely shifted how we show up for our own lives: the power of the whisper. It’s about lowering the shield, quieting the noise, and building a true internal alliance one breath at a time. We’re taking a little time off so we"ll leave you this question: When was the last time you were truly honest with the person in the reflection—not the teacher, not the coach, but the soul beneath it all?   The IG post I'm referring to on the podcast is ‪@ShayYourLoveDiva‬ [https://www.youtube.com/@ShayYourLoveDiva] . The post is from March 14, 2026. Thank you for a beautiful first season! We'll see you soon.

What the Puck w/ Elise Burchard

In this episode of Reading the Room, Michael and Bente sit down with singer, songwriter, and musician Elise Burchard. In her early twenties, Elise was struck in the throat by a hockey puck during a charity tournament — an accident that damaged her vocal cords and silenced her overnight. What followed was a years-long journey to reclaim not just her voice, but her truth. She's now turning that story into What the Puck, a one-woman musical. In this episode, we discuss: * The Impact: What it feels like to lose your voice in an instant — and what it forces you to face. * The Fifth Grade Silence: Why so many of us stopped raising our hands long before any puck ever hit us. * The Recovery: From blowing bubbles into a water cup to performing at Chicago's House of Blues and New York's Sid Gold's Request Room. * The Show: How Elise is writing her way back onto the stage — and inviting the audience to sing with her. Settle in, find your frequency, and leave with permission.

The Alchemy of the Reveal w/ Nalini Sharma

In this episode of Reading the Room, Michael and Bente sit down with LA-based actress, writer, and clown Nalini Sharma — co-creator of the dark comedy Garbage and the international hit Until Death. Nalini has toured her solo work from LA to the Edinburgh Fringe, but it's her work with clowning that truly hits home — choosing the flawless absurdity of being human over the constant audition for perfection. In this episode, we discuss: * The Leap: From a sensible scientific path to the unpredictable life of an artist. * The Clown: Why clowning is about humanity and vulnerability, not just making people laugh. * The Reveal: How Michael's intuitive vision of Nalini hovering above her own performance unlocked something she already knew. * The Signal: How to stay grounded and find presence in the messy middle of a creative career. Settle in, trust the absurd, and leave with permission.

The Mailbag: Michael Answers Your Questions!

You asked, and we’re answering! In this episode of Reading The Room, co-host Bente Engelstoft is taking over the moderator seat. She’s curated the best, weirdest, and most relatable questions from our listeners and is putting Michael Frontier in the hot seat. Think of this as a "group reading" for our entire community. Bente brings the questions, and Michael brings the intuitive hits. Whether you’re curious about a career pivot, a creative block, or just how to "unlearn" that one annoying habit, there’s a bit of magic in here for everyone. In this episode, we’re chatting about: * The Listener Lightning Round: Bente fires off your top questions on life, love, and "the work." * Trusting the Gut: Michael breaks down how to tell the difference between a real intuitive hit and just plain old nerves. * The Art of Allowing: Why sometimes the best way to get an answer is to stop looking for it so hard. * Synchronicity in Action: How one person’s question might be exactly what you needed to hear today.

The Art of the Gallop w/ Jason Avezzano

In this episode of Reading the Room, Michael conducts his first ever on-air reading — and writer, director, and performer Jason Avezzano is in the chair. Jason is the co-creator of Susan Bones: The Untold Story of a Horsegirl Who Went to Hogwarts — a musical comedy that, as it turns out, may be perfectly timed for the Year of the Horse. In this episode, we discuss: * The Reading: What the kidneys reveal about fear, follow-through, and the energy of creative blocks. * The Calling: Why the universe needs you to want more — and what happens when you stop seeking approval to create. * The Sync: How Jason wrote a show about horse girl energy and accidentally aligned it with 2026. * The Green Light: What it looks like when everything is already in motion — and you just have to get out of your own way. Settle in, trust the timing, and leave with permission.