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Society & Culture

The Talk Show

CJ Thornburg (Host)

Sometimes life kinda sucks. But the best thing to do, is talk about it. On this talk show we bring on random civilians who have something to talk about. Everything from true crime, to religion, to the teenage mutant ninja turtles, we have it all. So join CJ Thornburg, and talk it out.

(Every Tuesday)

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  • 13 episodes
  • Updated July 21

Episodes13

Newest first
  • July 21 · 45 min

    Dr. Jason Cassibry, Propulsion Engineer

    This week’s episode is a leap into the future as CJ sits down with Dr. Jason Cassibry to explore the world of fusion propulsion, plasma physics, and the next generation of deep space travel. We dive into the mechanics of fusion propulsion and what it will really take to make these spacecraft a reality. From there, we unpack how Dr. Cassibry first got his start at NASA, the complex world of plasma physics, and just how close we are to a breakthrough. Along the way, Dr. Cassibry shares the lessons he’s learned from a career of pushing boundaries, alongside plenty of in-depth breakdowns of some groundbreaking science. So grab your headphones, tune in, and get ready for an amazing episode.

  • June 23 · 30 min

    Crazy Catering

    This week’s episode is a trip back in time as CJ sits down with our guest, Peter Biendit, to look at the aviation world of the 1970s. We dive into how he got his start at O’Hare Flight Kitchens and what airline catering looked like back then. From there, the conversation shifts into cooking up flight meals and the process of delivering food right to the aircraft. Following that, we jump into his time fueling airplanes with Southwest Air Motive, how flying felt different back then compared to now, and a whole load of great stories sprinkled throughout. So grab your headphones, tune in, and get ready for an episode you won’t want to miss. And make sure to check out thetalkshow.org for all of our episodes, and forms to apply to be a guest yourself (or just give us ideas)! Check out our new patreon! go to patreon.org and look up "The Talk Show" to support us and get exclusive content!

  • June 16 · 25 min

    Inside the Life of a TikTok Creator

    On this week’s episode of The Talk Show, CJ interviews Collin from It’s_collin_fr to get an inside look at the world of content creation. We dive into Collin’s start as a creator, his unique thoughts on comedy, and how he really feels about the internet landscape as a whole. From there, the conversation goes into how his viewers see him, his passion for art, and what he’d be doing if he weren't making videos. To top it all off, we unpack Collin’s plans for the future, viral trends, and some fan comments. This makes a great episode to listen and laugh along with CJ and Collin, so don’t miss it.

  • June 9 · 30 min

    Igniting the Future (With Rianna Cassibry)

    On this week’s episode of The Talk Show, CJ sits down with Rianna Cassibry, an intern at NASA. From her start in aerospace engineering and what motivates her, to the application process, the competition, and her unique experiences, there is no shortage of fascinating facts in this episode. We dive into everything that makes her stand out, like her passion for theme park engineering, how she constantly learns from a diverse variety of people around her, and the distinct personality traits that make her, well, her. Throw in a bit of advice here and there, and you’ve got a fantastic episode you won't want to miss. Please note: Everything shared in this episode is Rianna's personal perspective and is not spoken on behalf of NASA. Looking for more? Head over to thetalkshow.org to listen to all past episodes, and you could even submit your own ideas for the future! Listen, explore, and help create our future episodes.

  • June 4 · 25 min

    Amazing Acting (Feat. Grant W. Gunderson)

    This week’s episode is a dive into the world of acting with Cj and our guest, Grant Gunderson. We dive into Grant’s beginnings with acting and his future in the industry. Then, we talk about the industry as it stands now with auditions, AI, and accessibility. Along the way, we talk about how Grant does his process in acting, the advice he’s received and given, and how he’s grown as an actor. Looking for more? Head over to thetalkshow.org to listen to all past episodes, and you could even submit your own ideas for the future! Listen, explore, and help create our future episodes.

  • May 26 · 38 min

    The Monthly Rabbit Trail

    In this episode of The Talk Show, host CJ Thornburg sits down with guests Josiah and Connor Burt for a conversation that was supposed to stay on track… but absolutely doesn’t. What starts as a simple chat quickly unravels into a glorious maze of rabbit trails, unexpected tangents, questionable logic, and laugh‑out‑loud moments. If you enjoy conversations that feel like hanging out with friends who can’t stay on one topic to save their lives, this one’s your vibe. It’s chaotic, it’s entertaining, and it’s exactly the kind of episode that reminds you why unscripted conversations are the best conversations. Want more episodes like this? You can listen to every past episode — and even submit your own topic ideas — over at thetalkshow.org. Dive in, explore, and help shape future episodes.

  • May 12 · 34 min

    Martial Arts, Godzilla, and 2 Topics Oh My!

    Dive into the electrifying world where combat mastery collides with cinematic titans! In this episode, we explore the art, philosophy, and breathtaking techniques of martial arts, linking their influence and inspiration to modern day situations. Next, we talk about Godzilla, its origins, and the new movie coming soon! Make sure to follow, comment, and share!

  • May 5 · 40 min

    Atheism vs Christianity (Feat. Carter Krukiel.)

    This excellent episode of The Talk Show has CJ weighing in his OWN thoughts a fascinating conversation on theology ensues! We really hope you enjoy this one and make sure to follow and share for more quality content! Music- Groove Sauce by Stan Town

  • April 28 · 21 min

    Air Traffic Control Chaos (Feat. Mason R)

    In this episode, we sit down with a virtual air traffic controller from the network VATSIM to explore how closely simulation mirrors the real skies. From managing crowded airspace to handling in-flight emergencies, you’ll hear what it’s like to make high-stakes decisions in real time—even in a virtual environment. We dive into real-world aviation headlines—near misses, weather disruptions, and controller shortages—and ask the big question: what would happen if these situations played out in the sim? How realistic is virtual ATC, and where does it fall short? Along the way, expect intense scenarios, surprising insights, and a few behind-the-scenes stories that reveal just how complex (and human) air traffic control really is. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or just curious about what keeps planes safely separated in the sky, this episode offers a rare perspective from someone who lives it—virtually, but seriously.

  • April 21 · 23 min

    Haunting at the Arlington Hotel (feat. Micaela Sandoval)

    CJ has an excellent guest today, with an even more excellent story! The Arlington is the most haunted hotel in America and today's guest has stories of dread, mysterious figures, and unexplainable events! Fill out the poll to vote on the next episode topic! Post episode notes; For the experiment of the feeling of dread, look into John Keel and his research on moth-man. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_Hotel_(Hot_Springs_National_Park) Into Music- "Groove Sauce" by Stan Town

  • April 14 · 37 min

    Forensics, True Crime, and Rants About the News (Feat. Connor Burt)

    In this thrilling sequel to the original episode (It's not the same topic. At all. Not even close.) We cover the excellent world of forensic science, and its uses! CJ and his guest Connor Burt don't just show you times it has saved lives, but also times it flopped worse than Pixar's "Strange World". They also look into some interesting true crime stories, and some serious, and occasionally funny (because the FBI fumbles HARD) stories of law enforcement fail. Not to mention some banter along the way... Intro/Outro Music- "Groove Sauce" by Stan Town We Greatly encourage listeners to look into the topics themselves as we might miss or mistake some facts, and you should always be investigating the truth!

  • April 7 · 25 min

    Artemis II and a Space Station (feat.Jaxson Jennrich)

    CJ has an excellent topic lined up for the premier! The new Artemis II mission has launched and a moon base is in our future! Make sure to Subscribe for more Episodes! For more information on Artemis Mission visit nasa.gov Tune in next week! Tuesdays.