Summer Replay Series: Johnny Bananas on The Challenge, Reality TV Secrets, Love Life & Life Behind the Cameras

Summer Replay Series: Johnny Bananas on The Challenge, Reality TV Secrets, Love Life & Life Behind the Cameras

Welcome to Week 1 of the Shut Up! Tell Me More Summer Replay Series! This summer, we are revisiting some of our favorite conversations from the past two years, and there was no better episode to kick things off with than this one. Pam sits down with Johnny Bananas, the longest-running reality television star in entertainment history and the seven-time champion of The Challenge, for an unfiltered conversation about what really happens behind the scenes of one of TV's most iconic competition shows. Johnny shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming The Challenge, reveals what life is actually like when the cameras stop rolling, and opens up about his career beyond reality television. He also talks about dating, relationships, fame, and the person behind the larger-than-life persona fans have watched for years. Funny, honest, and full of unexpected moments, this is one of our favorite interviews and the perfect episode to kick off the Summer Replay Series. From reality TV production secrets to stories about competition, celebrity life, and relationships, this conversation has it all.

How Forbes Riley Sold $2.5 Billion in Products and Became the Queen of the Pitch

Pam sits down with Forbes Riley, the Queen of the Pitch and one of the most successful women in the history of infomercials. Long before social media influencers existed, Forbes was building trust with millions of viewers and selling everything from the ThighMaster and Ab Roller to the Jack LaLanne Juicer, ultimately generating more than $2.5 billion in product sales. But behind the massive success is a story of resilience and reinvention. Forbes opens up about growing up as an awkward kid who struggled to communicate because of extensive orthodontic work, feeling like she never fit in, facing countless rejections, and enduring unimaginable heartbreak after the murder of the little boy she helped raise from the age of 12. Throughout every setback, she found creative ways to keep moving forward and refused to let her past define her future. Pam and Forbes go behind the scenes of the infomercial industry, discuss how Forbes became the original influencer, reveal her favorite product she ever sold, and dive into the lessons from her new book, Pitch Secrets: A to Z. But this conversation is about much more than sales and business. Forbes explains why pitching is the key to getting almost anything you want in life, whether you're asking for a promotion, trying to get buy in for an idea, convincing your spouse to take a dream vacation, or even getting your kids to clean their rooms. Plus, Forbes puts Pam through a live pitch demonstration and let's just say... there was plenty to learn. This episode is about resilience, reinvention, communication, and why learning to pitch yourself may be one of the most valuable skills you can develop in business and in life. Follow the show:  Rate the show ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube: Instagram: @shutuptellmemore [https://www.instagram.com/shutuptellmemore/?hl=en] TikTok: @shutuptellmemorepod [https://www.tiktok.com/@shutuptellmemorepod] Full Video Episodes are Available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast] My Guest: Forbes Riley Instagram: forbes_riley [https://www.instagram.com/forbes_riley/] https://forbesriley.com/ [https://forbesriley.com/] The Secret Pitch Formula to Get Your Voice Heard [https://pitchsalestraining.com/ig?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnBpZ_Zv6VR-duCw3gfEt2m_Yigb50F5ERUAZxx5qgwB5nbKmr64JhKXHJDyg_aem_R7LccMqFzYmwW0Epa1Tb5g]

What Is Happening to My Body? Perimenopause & Menopause Symptoms Explained with Dr. Alexandra Volo

What is happening to my body? If you've suddenly started waking up at 3 a.m., forgetting words, feeling anxious, losing your patience, shedding more hair than usual, turning the thermostat down when everyone else is freezing, or wondering where your libido went, you are not alone. In this episode of Shut Up! Tell Me More, I sit down with board-certified family medicine physician Dr. Alexandra Volo to talk about perimenopause and menopause, two stages of life that so many women enter completely unprepared for. We discuss what perimenopause actually is, the symptoms women often don't realize are hormone-related, including hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, brain fog, sleep issues, hair loss, and low libido, whether there is a blood test for perimenopause, when menopause officially begins, and the treatment options available, from hormone therapy to natural approaches. Dr. Volo sees and treats women experiencing perimenopause and menopause every day in her practice, and she says the good news is this: women do not have to suffer through this transition feeling confused and alone. This episode is for women, and it's also for the people who know and love them. Men, I'm talking to you! Whether it's your wife, mom, sister, friend, loved one, or even your random neighbor (lol), chances are someone in your life is going through this. The more we understand what's happening, the more empathy and support we can give one another. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, or you love someone who is, this conversation may finally answer the question so many women are asking: What is happening to my body? Follow the show:  Rate the show ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube: Instagram: @shutuptellmemore [https://www.instagram.com/shutuptellmemore/?hl=en] TikTok: @shutuptellmemorepod [https://www.tiktok.com/@shutuptellmemorepod] Full Video Episodes are Available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast] My Guest: Dr. Alexandra Volo  Instagram: @drvolo [https://www.instagram.com/drvolo/?hl=en] TikTok: @drvolo [https://www.tiktok.com/@dralexandravolo?_t=ZP-8xAxHaaKiVC&_r=1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnZ3Bqiz7XDwNzI4xCq3Yx15eIc1w_Ha6ItDsnTEx4nUWyG3d4DO6m4ZOXEF4_aem_C-_vTnx0GiYMiglMc6g7mw] The Menopause Society [https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx]

Saving Lives: Louise Altese Isidori's Ovarian Cancer Journey

The risk of developing ovarian cancer in a woman's lifetime is about 1 in 70. Most women don't know the symptoms, and many cases aren't diagnosed until the disease has already spread. Known as the "Whisper Killer," ovarian cancer often presents with subtle signs that are easy to dismiss. But as you'll hear in this episode, some women may have no symptoms at all. In this powerful episode of Shut Up! Tell Me More, host Pam Comiter sits down with ovarian cancer advocate and survivor Louise Altese Isidori to discuss the reality of this devastating disease. Louise has been featured on Good Morning America and in the New York Post, and has taken her advocacy all the way to Capitol Hill, fighting to make ovarian cancer screenings and conversations a routine part of women's healthcare. Together, they discuss Louise's diagnosis, the emotional and physical realities of treatment, and how she continued to show up for her son and her life while battling cancer. They also talk about why ovarian cancer is so difficult to detect, why some women experience little to no symptoms, and the critical importance of advocating for yourself within the healthcare system. Louise shares why she believes every woman should discuss transvaginal ultrasounds during their well-woman visits and why asking questions, seeking answers, and pushing for further evaluation can save lives. Whether you're a woman or know a woman, this episode is an important reminder to listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never be afraid to ask for more information. This episode could save a life. Please share it far and wide. Follow the show:  Rate the show ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube: Instagram: @shutuptellmemore [https://www.instagram.com/shutuptellmemore/?hl=en] TikTok: @shutuptellmemorepod [https://www.tiktok.com/@shutuptellmemorepod] Full Video Episodes are Available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast] My Guest: Louise Altese Isidori Instagram: @louisesmission [https://www.instagram.com/louisesmission/] H.O.W. Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper [https://www.ovariancancerpbc.org/] Donation Link [https://www.ovariancancerpbc.org/donate] Saturday, September 26, 2026 Dreher Park, West Palm Beach H.O.W. Strong 5K Run.Walk [https://www.ovariancancerpbc.org/h-o-w-strong-5k]Second Life: Couture for a Cause [https://www.ovariancancerpbc.org/second-life---couture-for-a-cause]October 15, 2026, 6-9PMThe Colony Hotel, Palm Beach

The Amazing Adventures of an Amish Stripper with Naomi Swartzentruber

Shut Up! Tell Me More Replay! We originally recorded this episode in February 2025, and it remains one of the most fascinating, surprising, and unforgettable conversations we've ever had on the show. Naomi Swartzentruber, grew up in a strict Amish community, living without modern technology, plowing fields with horses, and milking cows by hand. At just 17 years old, she made the life-changing decision to leave that world behind. What followed was something she never could have imagined: a 20-year career as an exotic dancer. In this episode, Naomi shares her incredible journey from Amish life to the world of stripping, the challenges she faced along the way, and the lessons she learned through decades of reinvention. We discuss her Amish childhood, her escape from the community, the culture shock of entering the modern world, and the story behind her memoir, The Amazing Adventures of an Amish Stripper. Naomi is funny, honest, and completely captivating. If you haven't heard this episode before, you're in for a treat. And if you have, it's absolutely worth another listen. Follow the show:  Rate the show ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and SUBSCRIBE on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube: Instagram: @shutuptellmemore [https://www.instagram.com/shutuptellmemore/?hl=en] TikTok: @shutuptellmemorepod [https://www.tiktok.com/@shutuptellmemorepod] Full Video Episodes are Available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@ShutUpTellMeMorePodcast] My Guest: Naomi Swartzentruber IG: @amishinspiration [https://www.instagram.com/amishinspiration/?hl=en] TikTok: @amishinspiration [https://www.tiktok.com/@amishinspiration]