Other People's Shoes

On my show, I aim to create a space that allows us all to hear each other's points of view. Constructive dialog helps us all realize that truly hearing another person's story can enrich our lives. After all, when you walk in Other People's Shoes, you really do get a different perspective on life.

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NEW EPISODES • EVERY WEDNESDAY

Other People’s Shoes

What have they walked through that you know nothing about?

Real stories. Honest conversations. Different perspectives.

Come curious. Walk away seeing people differently.

MISSION: EMPATHY

ONE SMALL STEP

Neil Armstrong’s first step changed the way we saw what was possible.

Other People’s Shoes asks a different question: What can change when we step into a life that isn’t our own?

Every conversation is an invitation to listen without rushing to judge, understand without needing to agree, and leave with a perspective you didn’t have before.

START WALKING HERE

New to Other People’s Shoes? These conversations are a good place to begin.

Sept. 2, 2026

Choose Your Hard

What happens when the hard in your life isn’t something you chose? In “Choose Your Hard", Cory Young joins Other People's Shoes to share how a surfing accident at just 20 years old left him paralyzed from the neck down and forced him to rethink what life, purpose, and moving forward could look like. As part of our new season, Lost and Found, Cory’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes what we lose changes everything, but it doesn’t have to be the end. We talk about perspective, resilience

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Dec. 28, 2022

SEASON FINALE | WACO

When you read, hear or see the word "Waco" what comes to mind? For some, it's the Waco Siege began in early 1993, when a government raid on a church near Waco, Texas led to a 51-day standoff between federal agents and members of Mount Carmel Center called the Branch Davidians. The siege ended dramatically on April 19, 1993, when fires consumed the church, leaving some 82 people dead, including 25 children. Join me as I walk in David Thibodeau’s shoes. 👟 To learn more about David click the link

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Jan. 22, 2025

Knocking On Doors

It’s a peaceful Saturday, and you’re finally catching up on your favorite show when Alexa interrupts: “Someone is at the front door.” Annoyed, you shuffle over, expecting a salesperson—but it’s not. It’s Jehovah’s Witnesses, clutching their familiar pamphlets. You hesitate, wondering whether to answer. Today, my guest is Amber, a fifth-generation Jehovah’s Witness who made the life-changing decision to leave the faith. Her story is one of courage, heartbreak, and self-discovery as she stepped aw

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July 15, 2026

Pop

🎙 "POP" Season 23: The List 📋👟 📝 🐏🩵🏀 WHAT IS A TAR HEEL? 🏀🩵🐏 After years of searching, we may have finally found someone qualified to answer the most impossible question of all time. 😂🤔 📝 Terrence Newby played four years at the University of North Carolina, competed in "three Final Fours", and shared the court with Carolina legends like Vince Carter, Ed Cota, and Antawn Jamison. 🏀🔥🏆 📝 That is a whole lot of Carolina blue. 🩵🐏🙌 📝 Terrence also played for one of the greatest co

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Sept. 2, 2026

Choose Your Hard

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Aug. 26, 2026

Growth

🎙️ "GROWTH" 🌱 The season finale of "The List" brings us to Greg Pihs and a conversation about something that may be harder than forgiveness itself: growing into forgiveness. 📝 Greg is a U.S. Marine veteran, bestselling author, NLP trainer, and founder of the 4th Dimension Mastermind. His story includes a traumatic childhood, multiple combat deployments, and a journey toward understanding how pain can shape our identity without having to control our future. 📝 The person on Greg's list is

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Aug. 19, 2026

Why

New Episode! "Why" Close your eyes for a moment. Only do that if you are not driving right now. How do you picture your forever? For Oriana Sparks, forever looked like sitting on a dock, sipping a beer, and growing old beside the man she loved. Then, only weeks after giving birth to their third child, her husband was tragically taken from her. 📝 The dream disappeared in a moment. The future she had pictured was gone. How do you rebuild after that? How do you forgive the person responsible

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Aug. 12, 2026

Hate Myself

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This post and episode discuss depression, grief, suicidal ideation, and suicide. 📝 🎙️ HATE MYSELF 📝 These are the words I have been avoiding. For years, I sit behind the microphone and ask other people to share the hardest parts of their stories. This time, I give up the host’s chair. For the first time in the history of Other People’s Shoes, my friend Dr. Amy Watson takes the microphone, asks the difficult questions, and invites me to tell the truth about one of the

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Aug. 5, 2026

Party

| PARTY | EPISODE 400 🎉 I named this episode “Party” long before I realized it would become the 400th episode of Other People’s Shoes. Funny how that worked out. 📝 Four hundred episodes are worth celebrating, but this conversation is about more than a number. It is about the moments that stop us in our tracks. The words we hear at exactly the right time. The decision to grab a pen, find a napkin, and finally begin telling ourselves the truth. 📝 Shā Sparks shares how somethin

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July 29, 2026

Flashlight

🔦 What if the most dangerous lie is the one convincing you it isn’t really that dark? 📝 🎙️FLASHLIGHT 🔦 ⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses depression, grief, suicidal ideation, and suicide. 📝 I start with a simple question: What is the best flashlight on the market? 🔦 According to Ava’s review, the LiteForce produces up to **20,000 lumens**, powerful enough to cut through darkness and help you see what is right in front of you. 📝 But this episode is not really about a flashlight.

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Reviews

Love love love this podcast!

"I love the authenticity, the humor and just the genuine conversation that happens on this podcast. I’ve always thought that the world is messed up because we cannot have good, quality conversations. …"

Coach Francine Ivey | Sept. 14, 2022

One of a kind podcasts

"“Other People’s Shoes” is such a refreshing listen. Each episode really lets you step into a new perspective, and I find myself reflecting on my own life in unexpected ways. The conversations feel au…"

Lauren Pearlingi | Aug. 17, 2025

Love this show

"I always get a fresh perspective on life when I listen to Other People's Shoes. It helps me see things from other people's view points and I understand where someone else is coming from. This show he…"

James Early | Jan. 24, 2023

Don’t Miss This Podcast

"Neil is an excellent host and that voice I often hear when I get judgmental or dismissive of someone. He asks the questions I think in my head but don’t always speak out loud. He’s funny, discerning,…"

Living the Grace Life | Oct. 9, 2025

Time well spent

"When my mother told me to spend a few minutes in other people's shoes, I didn't think she was suggesting that I listen to a podcast. Actually, podcasts didn't exist back then, but if they did, liste…"

Julie Christian | Jan. 4, 2021

Heart

"I truly enjoyed being a guest on Other People's Shoes. Neil is someone who has genuinely created something from his heart, and the work he does on his show is rooted in Love. He has created a beautif…"

Oriana Sparks | May 1, 2026

Fresh and eye opening

"I love that Neil challenges his guests. That is exactly how we get to see others perspectives and views, no right or wrong just points of views. I really enjoyed being a guest and I look forward to…"

Ann O. | Jan. 10, 2026

Walking in Christian Mayberry shoes

"Walking in Christian Mayberry shoes. We had a wonderful experience today being on Neil Matthews Pod Cast (Other People’s Shoes! We found Neil to be very personable, very caring as well as professio…"

Kim and Christian Mayberry | April 27, 2022

Positive and Inspirational

"What a hidden treasure! So glad I discovered this podcast. Neil is an excellent interviewer who attracts a wide array of amazing guests from all over. So nice to listen to something that is positive …"

Speaking247 | Feb. 16, 2023

A consistent dose of empathy

"Neil has a casual and approachable rapport with his guests - he is a vulnerable and affable host that has fun while going beyond the typical interview/personal story questions. An under the radar edu…"

Barbara | April 7, 2023

Awesome Show!

"This podcast is amazing! Neil is a true professional and knows what he is doing. Can't wait to see where the success of this podcast goes."

JaRon Walters | Aug. 15, 2023

Excellent Show

"Neil is an amazing host! He has such a fun personality and everything it takes to be an excellent podcast host. Neil is is a true professional with a wonderful platform that truly inspires and motiva…"

Mary Beth Schrudder | Dec. 17, 2024

Great platform, even better host

"I thought it was amazing how thoughtful and poignant the questions were from Neil. I felt given an open platform to discuss my experiences of growing up in a cult. His way of interviewing guests was…"

Amber | Dec. 31, 2024

Had a great experience!

"I had an awesome time being on this podcast. The questions were thoughtful, different, and went much deeper than the usual surface-level conversations, which I really appreciated. It was refreshing t…"

cory young | June 16, 2026

A heartfelt conversation with a longstanding friend

"Neil has the attentive presence that sparks an authentic, real conversation about the topics in life that matter most to us. Why are we here? What is our purpose? How can we share deeply in this shar…"

Kym Coco | June 18, 2026

Lost and Found Best Friend

"I appreciate the time Neil takes in the per-interview to gain an understanding and connection with me. He is well prepared and conscientious. Neil makes it comfortable by explaining the layout. Th…"

Elke Scholz, MA, RP, REACE | June 19, 2026

The conversations are real, impactful, and filled with hope

"I recently had the honor of being a guest on Other People's Shoes, and it was an incredible experience. The host is engaging, entertaining, and one of the best listeners I've encountered. He has a re…"

Mia Godfrey | June 20, 2026

Vinnie Potestivo

"Neil is a gracious host who wasn’t afraid to pull back his sleeves and ask some hard-hitting, must-listen questions about viability and authenticity. Highly recommend listening to his podcast!"

None | July 27, 2026

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About the Host

Neil Matthews

🎙 Host | 🎬 Producer | 🩵 🐏 Tar Heels Superfan | 🎧 Editor

SHOE SHACK STUDIOS

MISSION CONTROL

Video transmissions from Shoe Shack Studios. Behind-the-scenes updates, what’s coming next, and what’s been on my mind lately.

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