The Totally Legitimate Business Podcast
The TLB Podcast – Deep Dives into Art & Creativity, Conspiracies, and Culture
The TLB Podcast, hosted by James Oliva, invites listeners on unconventional explorations through obscure history, emergent technology, conspiracy narratives, art & creativity, esoteric traditions, and plenty of ethically charged existential dilemmas. From the inner workings of secretive agencies and speculative science to alternative healing and societal myths, each weekly episode blends thoughtful curiosity with diverse perspectives and a golf ball sized understanding of reality.
Subscribe to unravel hidden threads, question narratives, and blend critical inquiry with imaginative discovery.
Episodes
142 episodes
Watering Dead Plants: The Creative Synergy of Remote Collaboration | Hani and Justin of ‘Counters and Feelers’ | Episode 144
On Episode 144 of The TLB Podcast, James sits down with Hani Latif and Justin Kellner of Counters and Feelers, to talk about their long-awaited debut record, Watering Dead Plants. They break down the unique challenges and unexpected joys of cre...
•
Episode 144
•
1:43:12
Danza V: The Future of The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza | Layne Meylain, Eric Burngruber, and Josh Travis | Episode 143
On Episode 143 of The TLB Podcast, James is joined by all three guitarists of The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza — Layne Meylain, Eric Burngruber, and Josh Travis — for the most in-depth and exclusive breakdown of the band’s past, present, an...
•
Episode 143
•
2:12:30
Using Your Voice: Voice Acting, Audio Engineering, and Parenting | Jeff Tinnean | Episode 142
On Episode 142 of The TLB Podcast, James welcomes long-time friend and voice actor Jeff Tinnean for a deep and honest conversation about creativity, discipline, and fatherhood. They explore their shared history in music and theater, Jeff’s jour...
•
Episode 142
•
2:00:09
Nazis of Long Island: LI’s Hidden History of Sedition and Espionage | Chris Verga | Episode 141
On Episode 141 of The TLB Podcast, James welcomes back Chris Verga to discuss his new book, Nazis of Long Island: Sedition, Espionage and the Plot Against America. Together, they explore the hidden history of Nazi influence across Long Island d...
•
Episode 141
•
1:07:29
The Philosophical Mind: Exploring the Wrinkles of Reality | Skyler Mathis | Episode 140
On Episode 140 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Skyler Mathis, host of The Philosophical Minds Podcast, for a deep dive into the intersections of philosophy, esotericism, and the unknown. Together, they examine the connections between alie...
•
Episode 140
•
2:16:44
Making it Perfect: Life, Art, and the Pursuit of Perfection | Ryan Rado | Episode 139
On Episode 139 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Ryan Rado, artist, musician, and host of Make It Perfect, about what it means to chase perfection in art and life — and why imperfection might be the most beautiful part of the process.
•
Episode 139
•
2:06:18
The Phenomenon: UFO’s, Secrecy, and Skepticism | Jason Samosa | Episode 138
On Episode 138 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Jason Samosa, an explorer of the UFO phenomenon, to unravel how belief, skepticism, and secrecy shape our understanding of reality, the intersection of politics, religion, and technology, how...
•
2:01:51
A Dark Truth: MKULTRA’s Hidden Impact on Society | Grey | Episode 137
On Episode 137 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Grey, a survivor and experiencer of MKUltra-style behavioral modification programs, and the creator of Organize Safety — a platform that enables survivors of covert government and psychologic...
•
Episode 137
•
2:53:10
The Joy of Horror: From Hell House LLC to Locations | Gore Abrams & Danny Bellini | Episode 136
On Episode 136 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Gore Abrams and Danny Bellini about their creative partnership and the making of their new horror short film, Locations. The trio discuss their time working on Hell House LLC, the challenges ...
•
Episode 136
•
1:46:01
Unlocking Consciousness: The Vagus Nerve and Ultrasound | Sterling Cooley | Episode 135
On Episode 135 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Sterling Cooley about the cutting edge of Medical Science, exploring the role of the vagus nerve, ultrasound technology, and microtubules in consciousness and perception, how DMT may interact...
•
Episode 135
•
1:37:07
In-Q-Tel: The CIA’s Investment Firm | Magnum ( @TheSwervePodcast ) | Episode 134
On Episode 134 of The TLB Podcast, James Oliva welcomes back Magnum of The Swerve Podcast to explore In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital arm. They dive into its origins, investment strategies, how dual-use technologies bridge both civilian and ...
•
2:27:46
Esotericism, Egypt & the Modern Search for Truth | Ike Baker | Episode 133
On Episode 133 of The TLB Podcast, James welcomes back Ike Baker for a wide-ranging conversation on esotericism, spirituality, and modern belief systems. They discuss technology’s impact on well-being, the commercialization of spirituality, the...
•
Episode 133
•
2:18:45
Under the Skin: Nashville, Tattooing, & Creative Outlets | Blake Owens | Episode 132
On Episode 132 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Nashville tattoo artist Blake Owens about his journey into the trade, opening his own shop in Green Hills and the realities of running a tattoo business, the evolution of tattoo culture in Na...
•
Episode 132
•
1:29:45
Failed Tech & Future Energy: Betamax, Google Glass, Segway & LENR | Jason Kocher | Episode 131
On Episode 131 of The Totally Legitimate Business Podcast, James welcomes back Jason Kocher for a deep dive into the hype vs. reality of emerging technologies. From iconic tech flops like the Nintendo Virtual Boy, Betamax, LaserDisc, Apple Newt...
•
Episode 131
•
1:55:17
A Vision of Health: MRI & Medical Imaging Innovations | Dr. Michael Pridmore | Episode 130
On Episode 130 of The TLB Podcast, James and returning guest Dr. Michael Pridmore, resident MRI expert and medical physicist, explore the fascinating world of medical imaging technology, the science behind MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), safe...
•
Episode 130
•
2:21:25
Bell Labs: Innovation, Ethics & the Telecom Revolution | Jon Gertner | Episode 129
On Episode 129 of The TLB Podcast, James sits down with New York Times journalist Jon Gertner—author of The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation. They explore the origin story of Bell Labs, how its telecom breakthrou...
•
Episode 129
•
1:10:10
Mortuary Science: Beyond the Funeral Home | Dave Gashaw | Episode 128
On Episode 128 of The TLB Podcast, James reconnects with Dave Gashaw— vocalist and crematory operator—to explore life in the funeral business. From navigating a family-operated funeral home to the process of cremation, and new memorialization t...
•
Episode 128
•
1:35:50
UFOs, Disinformation & AI: Parsing Truth in the Digital Age | Jeremy Rys | Episode 127
On Episode 127 of The TLB Podcast, James chats with Jeremy Rys—the “Alien Scientist”—to unpack UFO conspiracies, counterintelligence operations, and AI’s escalating role in surveillance. They dissect how digital misinformation and MK Ultra tact...
•
Episode 127
•
1:42:01
Astrology, Symbols & Self-Evolution: Ancient Practices Today | Ronnie Pontiac | Episode 126
On Episode 126 of The TLB Podcast, James welcomes Ronnie Pontiac back to the show, to trace astrology’s symbolic history and modern-day relevance. From societal forecasting to self-awareness, they explore how the astral bodies and cosmic symbol...
•
Episode 126
•
1:38:47
The RFK Assassination: CIA, Hypnosis & Media Manipulation | Lisa Pease | Episode 125
On Episode 125 of The TLB Podcast, James interviews author and RFK assassination expert Lisa Pease, and the pair get into the tangled conspiracy theories surrounding RFK’s death—CIA involvement, hypnotic triggers, conflicts in eyewitness testim...
•
Episode 125
•
1:40:28
Spectrochrome Light Therapy & Frequency Healing | Steve Ross | Episode 124
On Episode 124 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Steven Ross to explore the world of Spectrochrome light therapy, the history and science of color healing, Lakhovsky’s Multi-Wave Oscillator, and how these methods can be integrated into pers...
•
Episode 124
•
1:05:25
Existential Risk, AI Ethics & Fungal Communication | Gabriel Torch | Episode 123
On Episode 123 of The TLB Podcast, James Oliva speaks with scientist and science communicator Gabriel Torch ( @bearbaitofficial ) to discuss the realities of scientific r...
•
Episode 123
•
1:44:57
From CIA Analyst to Artist: The Creative Transformation | Jessica Elder | Episode 122
On Episode 122 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with visual artist and former CIA analyst Jessica Elder to explore her journey out of the intelligence community into art, the CIA’s internal culture, the creative potentials of 3D printing, recla...
•
Episode 122
•
1:22:58
XR Creations, Anxiety & Real Connection in Digital Spaces | Caleb Eubanks | Episode 121
On Episode 121 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with XR producer and AI-marketing specialist Caleb Eubanks about growing up in Nebraska, navigating anxiety, the importance of discomfort, honest communication, authenticity in digital content cre...
•
2:25:57
Exploring Classified Sites: Creativity Meets Mystery | Anders Otteson | Episode 120
On Episode 120 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with nomadic explorer Anders Otteson of Uncanny Expeditions to discuss van life, classified "black programs," fascination with the work of Trevor Paglen, exploring hidden locations, and the creati...
•
Episode 120
•
1:30:47