Harvard Professor: You Won’t Be Happy Until You FIX This | Arthur Brooks

7 Years as a Waiter to TOP-PAID Comedian

Before Sebastian Maniscalco became one of the highest paid comedians in the world — selling out five shows at Madison Square Garden and earning his own Sirius XM channel — he was a waiter at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, spending seven years serving nuts to celebrities while bombing at open mics. Then Mitzi Shore, the legendary owner of the Comedy Store, saw something in him that the rest of the industry had missed. In this deeply personal conversation, Sebastian sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the woman who believed in him when he barely knew her, and how she gave him the one thing he needed most: a place to belong. Sebastian opens up about the moment Mitzi grabbed him after his audition and said the words that changed everything: Come back for 10 minutes next week. He talks about skipping straight to paid regular status, getting hot spots one week and 1:30 a.m. slots in front of four people the next, and how Mitzi manipulated lineups to build his thick skin without him realizing it. His relationship with her was never verbal — her love came through the stage time she gave him, and his came through never letting her down. There's also a raw reflection on family and work ethic. Sebastian's father Cecilion, a 79-year-old hairdresser, still cuts hair and refuses to retire because he believes stopping means dying. He rented Sebastian a lawnmower as a kid to teach him about business expenses — making him cut grass while allergic to it — and after a quadruple bypass, his first question from the hospital bed was when he could go back to work. Sebastian bought his parents cars last year, because the journey was never just his. He covers a lot of ground Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: https://www.thedogoodcrew.com [https://www.thedogoodcrew.com] Chapters ☀️ CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Intro: The Woman Who Gave Him a Stage * 00:03:00 Why Her? The Audition That Changed Everything * 00:09:29 The Hulk Hogan Documentary: A Morning Cry About Family * 00:11:20 From Anger to Disbelief: Finding His Voice on Stage * 00:13:36 Seven Years at the Four Seasons: The Nuts That Never Got Stale * 00:16:18 Renting the Lawnmower: Learning Business from Dad * 00:21:40 Selling Satellite Dishes in the Ghetto: The Kiosk Days * 00:29:54 The Photo That Made Him Cry: When They Were a Unit * 00:33:37 AI and Comedy: Using Technology to Brainstorm Ideas * 00:39:53 The Grind: Boxing Rings, Bowling Alleys, and Blood-Stained Canvas * 00:42:05 The Sandman Moment: Worst Night Ever, Best Lesson Learned * 00:45:40 From 91 People to 91,000 Tickets: The Madison Square Garden Journey * 00:47:39 The Introvert Comedian: Steam Rooms and Recharging Alone * 00:52:36 The SNL Sketch: When Marcello Called * 00:53:59 Thank You, Mitzi: A Relationship From Afar ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew. In each episode, David asks one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? David is also a CBS News contributor and host of Beg Knows America, airing every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Sebastian Maniscalco Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Live Production: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Social: Mariah Maull, Maxim Trofimenko, Kylee Anderson Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast]

Sharon Stone on Abuse, Death, and Who Believed in Her

Before Sharon Stone became one of Hollywood's most iconic stars, she was a kid from rural Pennsylvania getting sent to the principal's office for teaching her classmates cursive and multiplication. Then her father - a blue-collar machine shop worker with the touch of kings - walked in and said: Here's what's going to happen. It's not going to stop. She's going to keep right on doing it. Are we clear? In this unguarded conversation with David Begnaud, Sharon shares the story of the man who believed in her when the world told her to be less - and reflects on the life that followed. She opens up about the nine-day misdiagnosed brain hemorrhage she survived against 1% odds, the assault she didn't understand for a decade, the custody battle she lost to an ex-husband who ran the only newspaper in town, and why being a sex symbol meant the world assumed she was stupid instead of surviving. She talks about being the 13th choice for Basic Instinct, fighting through every makeup test to wipe off the bimbo overlay, and a mother who never once said I love you. And she shares what her father - who died exactly four months to the day after calling to say he had four months left - would want the world to know. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: https://www.thedogoodcrew.com [https://www.thedogoodcrew.com] Chapters ☀️ CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Intro: The Man Who Believed When Nobody Else Did * 00:04:59 The Principal's Office: Here's What's Going to Happen * 00:09:42 The Confrontation at 14: I Will Never Love You Again * 00:15:45 Growing Up in Rural Pennsylvania: The Girl Who Dyed Her Hair * 00:22:30 I'm Not a Quitter: The 1% Chance of Survival * 00:29:59 The Psychic Gift: Babies, Animals, and Knowing Things * 00:49:07 The Attack: What Really Happened That Day * 00:56:39 Not a Sex Symbol: The 13th Choice for Basic Instinct * 00:39:22 The Vanilla Milkshake: A Father's Love in a Mason Jar * 01:00:51 Four Months to the Day: Cleaning Every Can on Her Hands and Knees * 01:04:10 Work Your Own Door: The Legacy of Joseph William Stone III ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Sharon Stone Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Director of Social: Mariah Maull Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast]

Harvard Professor: You Won’t Be Happy Until You FIX This | Arthur Brooks

Before Arthur Brooks became a Harvard professor, bestselling author, and one of the world's most influential voices on happiness and human behavior, he was a 34 year old PhD student standing in front of a room full of Nobel Prize winners, delivering what he calls a catastrophic dissertation defense. Then James Q. Wilson, the most distinguished social scientist of the 20th century, walked up and said the words that changed everything: You know, you got something special here. If I can ever help you, just let me know. In this deeply personal and unguarded conversation, the renowned social scientist sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the man who believed in him when no one else did. There's also a raw reflection on faith, struggle, and the complex problem of God. Arthur talks about the priest who rejected him, why he believes therapy isn't about solving problems but living with complexity, and why your marriage is not a problem to solve. He shares the one regret he carries every day, why he still asks if his father would be proud of him, and how losing his parents too soon led him to move his entire family to one place so he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. He opens up about the meaning crisis destroying young people today, why happiness is love and love is a choice, and why the greatest act of selfishness is refusing someone's generosity. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: https://www.thedogoodcrew.com [https://www.thedogoodcrew.com] Chapters ☀️ CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Intro: The Man Who Changed Everything * 00:01:14 The Catastrophic Dissertation Defense That Led to Destiny * 00:01:46 From French Horn Player to Social Scientist * 00:06:31 The Email That Opened a Door: Will You Let Me Help You? * 00:08:56 The Calling You Can't Articulate: Right Brain vs Left Brain * 00:10:58 Faith, Struggle, and the Complex Problem of God * 00:15:03 Complex vs Complicated: Why Your Marriage Isn't a Problem to Solve * 00:18:19 The Power of Being Present: You Can Only Love Right Now * 00:20:55 Growing Up Brooks: The Mathematician and the Artist * 00:23:29 Why I Quit Music: When You Don't Love the Craft, Only the Dream * 00:25:48 Every Day I Ask: Would My Dad Be Proud of Me? * 00:28:12 Moving the Whole Family to One Place: Learning from Loss * 00:30:03 The Meaning Crisis: Why Young People Are Suffering * 00:31:55 How to Find Your Calling: Earning Your Success and Being Needed * 00:33:05 The I Self vs The Me Self: Why Looking Inward Makes You Miserable * 00:33:41 The Funk and How to Get Out: Forcing Yourself to Serve * 00:36:27 Why We Connect Through Struggle, Not Success * 00:37:58 James Q. Wilson's Legacy: Community Policing and Broken Windows * 00:39:36 Did You Ever Ask Him Why He Believed in You? * 00:46:26 The One Takeaway: Happiness Is Love, and Love Is a Choice ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Arthur Brooks Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Griffin Hamilton Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Director of Social: Mariah Maull Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast]

He LOST His Family Overnight for Being Gay

Before Joel Kim Booster became an Emmy-nominated writer, actor, producer, stand-up comedian, and the star and creator of Fire Island, he was a 17 year old kid living in his car, kicked out by his adoptive parents for being gay, and convinced he was going to hell. Then Sarah Casey, a classmate he barely knew, turned around in choir and said the words that changed everything: If you ever need a place to stay, you can come and stay with me and my family. In this deeply personal and unguarded conversation, one of comedy's sharpest voices sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the girl who became his chosen family when his own family walked away.e can give you is a place to belong when the world says you don't. And sometimes, that's all you need to become exactly who you were meant to be. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: https://www.thedogoodcrew.com [https://www.thedogoodcrew.com] Chapters ☀️ CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Intro: The Girl from Choir Who Saved His Life * 00:01:47 The Offer That Changed Everything: If You Need a Place to Stay * 00:03:32 Coming Out in a Homeschooled Evangelical Home * 00:05:50 The Exorcism: When Your Father Tries to Cast Out Demons * 00:06:56 Bipolar and Undiagnosed: The Difficult Kid Nobody Understood * 00:08:00 Adopted from Korea: The Complex Relationship with Janet and Ken * 00:11:47 Moving In with the Caseys: A Year of Being Seen and Loved * 00:13:16 Pastor Tim's Words: There Is No Biblical Basis for Hell * 00:15:18 A Version of the Future I Never Considered Before * 00:19:33 The Dad Who Showed Up: Quiet Support and Complicated Love * 00:23:05 Neither of Them Have Ever Seen My Work: Making Peace with Distance * 00:24:08 The Cases Helped Me Reconcile: Bridging the Gap with His Parents * 00:25:23 Therapy and Honesty: Why He Gives His Parents Grace Now * 00:27:53 Relationships Are Complex: Arthur Brooks and a Better Word * 00:29:58 Best Friends from Housemates: The Porch Talks That Built a Bond * 00:31:11 She Always Believed I Would Be Right Where I Am * 00:33:10 Sarah the Minister: Following in Her Father's Footsteps * 00:38:10 Rejection from Casting Directors Hurts More Than Family Rejection * 00:39:30 Diagnosed Bipolar Two: Six Months Before the Pandemic * 00:41:00 John Michael: The Man Who Loves Him Unconditionally * 00:51:01 I Never Considered What It Would Be Like to Be Loved * 00:51:51 The Last Six Months: Finding Stability Through Marriage and Medication * 00:52:33 Not a Single Person Would Have Predicted This: Proving It to Himself * 00:53:35 Chosen Family: The People Who Bump Into Your Life and Change It * 00:54:10 She's a Superhero: Real Work That Changes the World * 00:55:59 For the Little Girl: Giving Back to Sarah's Daughter * 00:56:23 Twenty Years from Now: Kids, Stability, and Less Self-Promotion * 00:57:31 To His Younger Self: You Know Jack Shit, But You'll Figure It Out ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Joel Kim Booster Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Director of Social: Mariah Maull Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast]

From Cleaning Airbnbs to a Number 1 Hit Song in 12 Hours | Carly Pearce

Before Carly Pearce became a Grammy-winning country music superstar and a member of the Grand Ole Opry, she was a 24 year old singer who had spent eight years in Nashville being told she wasn't enough. She'd done countless showcases, recorded endless songs, and watched labels pass her by again and again. Then she met Daniel Lee, a music publisher who saw something the entire industry had missed. In this deeply personal and unguarded conversation, the multi-platinum artist sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the man who believed in her when she was cleaning Airbnbs and ready to move home. Carly opens up about the moment Daniel sat her down at a coffee shop and said the words that changed everything: I know your story. I know how long you've been here. I know what the industry thinks. I believe otherwise. She talks about growing up in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, telling her parents at age five she was going to be on the Grand Ole Opry, dropping out of high school in ninth grade to work six shows a day at Dollywood, and spending years in Nashville chasing what everyone else wanted instead of trusting what made her different. She shares what it felt like to play five songs for a manager who told her to her face that they would never work, only to watch one of those exact songs, Every Little Thing, debut at number one on iTunes 12 hours after it hit Sirius XM's The Highway. If you've ever wondered whether one person's belief could actually change the trajectory of your entire life, this episode will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift someone can give you is faith when the world says no. And sometimes, that's all you need to become unstoppable. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter:https://www.thedogoodcrew.com Chapters ☀️ CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Intro: The Publisher Who Believed When Nobody Else Did * 00:02:13 The 12-Hour Period That Changed Everything: Every Little Thing * 00:06:36 I Believe Otherwise: The Coffee Shop Meeting That Saved Her Career * 00:10:20 Stop Chasing Other People: Finding Her True Voice * 00:12:18 These Songs Will Never Work: The Manager Who Said No * 00:07:57 Meeting Busby: The Producer Who Understood the Purist in Her * 00:18:50 The Kentucky Girl's Dream: From Age Five to the Grand Ole Opry * 00:37:36 Cleaning Airbnbs While Her Song Played on the Radio * 00:26:43 Eight Months of Marriage: The Mistake She Knew on Her Wedding Night * 00:25:06 Never Wanted to Be That Girl: The Grammy-Winning Collaboration * 00:39:48 Recurrent Pericarditis: When Doctors Dismissed Her Heart Condition * 00:41:38 The Sacrifices: How Mom and Dad Held It Down * 00:22:57 Dolly's Surprise: Becoming a Member of the Grand Ole Opry * 00:50:10 I Don't Feel Like I've Achieved What I Deserve Yet * 00:54:14 Daniel's Lifeline: You Continue to Make Me Believe I Matter ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Carly Pearce Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Director of Social: Mariah Maull Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast]