Why Not You? A Self-Made Hustler Gets Raw About Life, Loss & the American Dream with Alec Bornstein

Why Not You? A Self-Made Hustler Gets Raw About Life, Loss & the American Dream with Alec Bornstein

What do a magician, a car broker, a Long Island wise guy, and a new dad all have in common? They're all Alec Bornstein — and he just walked into the Kommunity podcast ready to talk. John sits down with his hilarious and surprisingly deep friend Alec for a conversation that goes from dirty diapers on airplanes and napkin etiquette, to getting ripped off at dealerships, growing up around the Gotti family, and surviving a childhood defined by domestic violence and chaos. Alec — self-described "self-hating Jew from Long Island, born again in Monmouth County" — is equal parts comedian, empath, centrist philosopher, and the most prepared guy in any room (seriously, he carries napkins and mints everywhere). But underneath the jokes is a man who figured out early that the only question worth asking yourself is "Why not you?" A dream job, a dream wife, a baby girl, and a father who never got to meet her — this one's got everything. Funny, real, and unexpectedly moving. Don't sleep on this episode.

Doctor's Orders: A Physician Walks Into a Podcast & Nothing Goes As Expected With Shawn Keating

What do you get when a medical doctor with a stand-up comedy side hustle sits down for a podcast with no script and zero censor button? This episode. John sits down with the hilarious Dr. Shawn Keating — Jersey-born, 33, and somehow both a licensed physician AND the funniest guy in the room — for a wild ride through the most unhinged patient stories you'll ever hear. From the woman who put Clorox on her face because "it's not bleach, it's Clorox," to the Oreo incident that had an entire hospital staff losing it, to a heroin push present in the labor and delivery ward — Shawn has seen it all and lived to joke about it. But underneath the laughs, there's real heart here too. Shawn drops some genuine wisdom on human kindness, finding your people, and why saying please and thank you might just be a revolutionary act in 2025. Equal parts comedy special and motivational talk — this one's a certified banger. Disclaimer: No patients were harmed in the making of this episode. Pedro the sketch artist, however, is a different story.

My Mom and I Get Real About Faith, Prayer and Finding Your Way Back

Some of the most powerful conversations about faith don’t happen in church — they happen at the kitchen table. In this heartfelt episode, John sits down with the woman who started it all — his mom — for an honest, moving, and surprisingly funny conversation about faith, prayer, and what it means to believe in something bigger than yourself. From Catholic school roots to questioning everything at 17, to finding her way back — John’s mom shares the real story of a lifelong faith journey, including the prayer that helped pay for college, and what she’s learned about trusting the process after decades of life experience. John also opens up about his own faith evolution and shares a deeply personal story about a toxic workplace, a bathroom prayer, and the moment God basically said “get out of there.” Whether you’re deeply religious, spiritually curious, or somewhere in between — this one’s for you. You don’t always get what you want. But you get what you need.

Buddy Christ & Bikini Bottom: A Brutally Honest Conversation About Faith With Mike Cherry

What happens when two guys who ditched the pew — but never lost the plot — sit down to talk about faith? John sits down with musician and longtime friend Michael Cherry for one of the most refreshingly unfiltered conversations you’ll hear on the subject. From Catholic school dropouts to agnostic philosophers, they dig into what faith actually means when religion doesn’t fit the mold. Expect SpongeBob references, Star Wars analogies, a George Carlin misquote, and somehow — a surprisingly deep take on heaven, struggle, and what it means to believe in something when you’re not sure what that something is. No judgment, no agenda, just two regular guys figuring it out one episode at a time. Don’t be a d*ck — that’s the only commandment that matters here.

Faith, Purpose & Perspective: Finding Your Own Spiritual Path With Rashan Bryant

In this deeply reflective episode of My Kommunity, John sits down with author Rashaan Bryant to explore the true meaning of faith, spirituality, and self-discovery. Rashaan shares his journey growing up in a deeply religious Baptist household and how life experiences—like a powerful moment working alongside a Muslim coworker—expanded his understanding of faith beyond religion. Together, John and Rashaan dive into: * The difference between religion and spirituality * Why faith is often hardest in our lowest moments * The importance of perspective and personal belief systems * How people enter our lives at the exact moment we need them * And what it truly means to build a relationship with a higher power This episode is about unity, growth, and embracing your own path—without judgment, labels, or limitations.