Off Air with Slater and Marjo

Every 3 Hours Someone Dies on Train Tracks – Railroad Cop Breaks Silence

Nicole Ferry spent 12 years as a CSX Railroad Police officer—one of the most dangerous jobs nobody talks about—where every 3 hours in America someone is hit by a train, and she saw the aftermath up close. From chasing armed thieves across moving freight trains and protecting the President’s rail route, to watching a colleague take his own life on duty, being tricked into 140-day rehab for “addiction to leadership,” going temporarily blind from medication, and planning her own suicide (only stopped when her husband intervened), this is her raw, unfiltered story of survival. Today, medically retired, Nicole speaks at the FBI in Quantico 8 times a year, teaching the next generation of first responders how to make it out alive. If you’re a cop, railroad worker, or know someone on the front lines—this one’s for you.

My Co-Host Thinks George McFly is Hot?! (Back to the Future Review)

We pivot a bit for episode 28 - Marjo, for the first time since the movie's release 40 years ago, has watched "Back To The Future". The main takeaway? She has the hots for George McFly! (has anyone ever said this?) We break down the most uncomfortable love story in movie history, and we ask the biggest question of all: Is Biff Tannen a villain the world would still tolerate today?

AI Companions

This episode features Adam Graney, an AI tool expert. Enjoy as we break down the AI landscape - from ChatGPT vs Claude to the creepy FRIEND bracelet that wants to be your companion. Then we tackle what Elon Musk and Joe Rogan got right (and wrong) about AI taking jobs and universal income and more.

Cops & Active Shooter Training

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Maddalena, a retired detective lieutenant with an accomplished 28-year career on the force. He opens up about his journey in law enforcement, the reasons behind his early retirement and the emotional weight he still carries today. Mike also talks about what it’s like working in law enforcement in today's evolving world. Then, we shift gears a bit to learn about what he's doing now, including training businesses of all sizes on active shooter scenarios and various workplace security concerns.

"I thought she was dead."

In this episode, our own Marjo Catalano recounts in detail a horrifying situation that has haunted her for years. In 2003, after being let into her apartment in the wee hours of the morning, her upstairs neighbor, in a botched robbery attempt, stabbed her roommate multiple times. Ronald Kyse was ultimately arrested for the crime, served 22 years in prison and was released last year. 

The Marine Corps & 'Boots'

This episode features Clayton Cowdrey, a 19 year-old U.S. Marine, who recently graduated from boot camp in Parris Island. Cowdrey was injured during infantry school, became depressed and made the mistake of being honest about it - so they kicked him out. He gets candid about his experience, how he handled boot camp, became an expert rifleman, and what the hit Netflix show "Boots" gets right and wrong about the Marines.

Puerto Rico & Women In The Military

This episode features Mig Girard, a mother of three and a small business owner with her husband in Massachusetts. Girard, a native of Puerto Rico, moved to the U.S. mainland when she was an adolescent with her mother and siblings to avoid their abusive father. This is her story of growing up in poverty, having a tenacious drive to learn English, assimilate, become successful, join the military and more is admirable to say the least. Being a woman veteran, we gather her thoughts on Pete Hegseth's new rules for the military, plus Bad Bunny playing the halftime show, and that infamous joke about Puerto Rico that Tony Hinchcliffe made at a Trump rally in New York City.

Child Abduction, Murder & Life After

Robbie Bernardo was 10 years-old when he was told by his parents that he'd probably never see his brother again after he disappeared in October of 1990 from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Bernardo's brother, Jimmy, was abducted, assaulted, and murdered by child serial killer Lewis Lent, who is spending the rest of his life in prison. Robbie recounts that fateful day, how life was for he and his family moving forward and the book that was written about the case in 2023. We hope you can get something from this powerful episode.

Games With Names & Dudes On Dudes

This episode features Kyler Schelling, the showrunner for two popular podcasts featuring former New England Patriots players Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. "Games With Names" and "Dudes on Dudes" are available on all platforms - Schelling, a graduate of Emerson College in Boston who now resides in L.A., tells us the story on how he got connected with the NFL, Edelman, Gronk, Brady, and more. Enjoy.

Ayahuasca & Men's Mental Health

Brendon Tomasi liked to party and would occasionally experience black outs when he was a younger man, but it was his experience with psychedelic drugs that was profound. After consuming ayahuasca in 2009, Tomasi's life was forever changed. In this episode, Brendon, who is now sober, takes you through his journey which ultimately led to helping other men find better mental health.