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
132 episodes
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 ...
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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...
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Episode 133
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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...
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Episode 132
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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...
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Episode 131
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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...
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Episode 130
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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...
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Episode 129
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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...
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Episode 128
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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...
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Episode 127
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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...
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Episode 126
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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...
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Episode 125
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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...
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Episode 124
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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...
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Episode 123
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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...
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Episode 122
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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...
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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...
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Episode 120
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1:30:47
Orgone Energy & Electromagnetic Health: From Skeptic to Experimenter | Jay Chase | Episode 119
On Episode 119 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with Jay Chase of Orgone Amplifiers to explore orgone energy, his journey from skepticism to experimentation, the science behind electromagnetic wave wellness, high-altitude testing, and implicati...
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Episode 119
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1:43:23
3D Printing, Cosplay & Creative Design | Mauro Balcazar | Episode 118
On Episode 118 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with multi-medium artist Mauro Balcazar about his journey from early influences to professional designer, the intersection of creativity and technology, 3D printing, licensing and IP, community/co...
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Episode 118
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1:23:46
Audio Engineering, Studio Vibe & Music Production | Chris Wilkinson | Episode 117
On Episode 117 of The TLB Podcast, James Oliva talks with Grammy-winning engineer/producer Chris Wilkinson about launching Balcony Recording Company, experimentation vs. templates, analog vs. digital workflows, the psychology of engineering, an...
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Episode 117
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1:59:36
NASA Earth Science, Oceanography, & Science Communication | Laura Tenenbaum | Episode 116
On Episode 116 of The TLB Podcast, James speaks with NASA science communicator Laura Faye Tenenbaum about Earth science and climate work, oceanography, NASA’s research culture, space exploration versus planetary stewardship, and making complex ...
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1:29:34
Event Production, Audio Engineering & Music Industry Lessons | Josh Gannet | Episode 115
On Episode 115 of The TLB Podcast, James sits down with audio engineer and event production expert Josh Gannet to discuss his path from bands to big-stage events, balancing studio and event production work, analog and digital trade-offs, and th...
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Episode 115
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1:45:57
Constructed Languages, Cultural Exchange & Linguistics | Ben Norton | Episode 114
On Episode 114 of The TLB Podcast, James talks with linguist and creator Ben Norton about building the Nurama and Omati languages, the parallels between language and music, immersion in Japanese culture, and revitalizing indigenous languages th...
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Episode 114
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1:36:11
Engineering Experiments, Science Content & LENR | Jason Kocher | Episode 113
On Episode 113 of The TLB Podcast, James talks with engineer and entrepreneur Jason Kocher about making science engaging online, the balance between risk and safety in high-energy experiments, entrepreneurship in engineering, and open-source ap...
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Episode 113
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1:44:26
Genuine Human Connection: Authenticity vs Tech in Entertainment | Mo Motaleb | Episode 112
On Episode 112 of The TLB Podcast, Mo Motaleb returns to talk high-profile live events, balancing technology with humanity, the culture shift toward genuine artistry, Kendrick vs. Drake, accountability after Diddy, and staying positive through ...
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Episode 112
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1:38:56
Cult Dynamics: Bad Groups, Capitalism & Coercion | Daniella Mestyanek Young | The TLB Pod 111
On Episode 111 of The TLB Podcast, James talks with Daniella Mestyanek Young (veteran, organizational psychologist, cult survivor) about recognizing harmful groups, total institutions, charismatic leaders, capitalism’s cult-like incentives, lab...
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Episode 111
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1:32:08
A Diddy Deep Dive: Trauma, Fame, Lawsuits & Accountability | Dakota McCormick | Episode 110
On Episode 110 of The TLB Podcast, Dakota McCormick returns to unpack Diddy’s life—childhood trauma, industry rise, allegations and legal troubles—plus how culture is rethinking accountability and the machinery of public opinion.Support...
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Episode 110
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2:00:06