X-RAYS TEACH US THAT WHAT’S UNSEEN ISN’T UNREAL; IT’S JUST WAITING TO BE UNDERSTOOD.
Other People's Shoes

👟👟Step Into the Unknown👟👟

In 1969, Neil Armstrong left a footprint on the Moon and uttered the iconic words,

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

His step reminds us that entering new spaces can transform travelers and the world around them.

🚀👟  

What Is Other People’s Shoes?

My podcast is a launchpad to empathy.
Each week, I explore the perspectives of individuals from all walks of life, uncovering their challenges, triumphs, and lessons.

Whether navigating self-discovery, overcoming adversity, or finding purpose, the goal is to reveal the heart of the human experience.

At Other People’s Shoes, I invite you on a similar journey not to the Moon, but into the lives of others.

Imagine lacing up someone else’s shoes, stepping into their world, and discovering the stories that shape their lives.

Like an astronaut exploring uncharted terrain, I seek to understand, connect, and learn from the vast expanse of human experience.

🚀👟  

🚀 🚀 Ready for Liftoff? 🚀 🚀
Join me as we take one small step together into someone else’s world.
It might just be the giant leap your perspective has been waiting for.

🚀👟  

Every journey starts with a single step even if it’s into shoes that aren’t your own.

Recent Episodes

March 5, 2025

Lemons Into Tamales

Which would you rather indulge in, lemons or tamales? I feel like it's a pretty easy choice, right? Life has a way of throwing challenges at us when we least expect it. Sometimes, it feels like all we have are lemons—sour, bitter, and hard to swallow. But what if, instead of making lemonade, we mad…
Feb. 26, 2025

STOP! Sayin' This...

What comes to mind when you hear or read "Law of Attraction"? In this episode of Other People's Shoes, we take an X-Ray look into the life and work of Mary Beth Schrudder, a transformational life coach with expertise in the Law of Attraction, relationship coaching, addiction recovery, and spiritual…
Feb. 19, 2025

Tomorrow

In this heartfelt episode of Other People's Shoes, I sit down with my good friend Mike Oppenheim from the podcast Coffin Talk. Mike has become a true friend in this podcasting space, and today he shares a deeply personal journey about anger, grief, and missing his son. He opens up about the invisib…
Feb. 12, 2025

Romeo Where Are You?

Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore Art Thou? - A playful nod to Shakespeare sets the stage for a conversation about love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of healthy relationships. What comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day? With Valentine's Day on the horizon, we're diving into the hilariously relatable…
Feb. 5, 2025

Be A Buffalo

Buffalo instinctively run into storms, facing adversity head-on to minimize their struggle. In life, we have the same choice—we can resist challenges or embrace them for growth. You've tried affirmations and positive thinking, yet true transformation comes from integrating both our light and shadow…
Jan. 29, 2025

Happy Sixth Birthday

Over the past six years of hosting *Other People’s Shoes*, I’ve learned so much about persistence, community, and the power of storytelling. Reaching over 300 episodes has been a journey of growth, both personally and professionally. I’ve been inspired by the incredible people who have supported me…
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 ans…
Jan. 15, 2025

Broken Warrior

What are your thoughts on yoga? I have heard the pants are pretty comfy. Step into Other People’s Shoes and join me as I welcome Lynda Hébert, a true embodiment of strength, balance, and determination—qualities mirrored in the Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana). Inspired by her siblings’ struggles, Lyn…
Jan. 8, 2025

Camouflage

In this episode of Other People’s Shoes, we sit down with LT. COL. Jason G. Pike is a veteran with over 31 years of military service. Continuing our X-Ray season’s theme of seeing beyond the surface, Jason shares insights into the art and science of military camouflage—from blending into environmen…
Jan. 1, 2025

Wait...

This season, I’m diving into the theme of X-Ray "sight beyond sight," exploring the unseen damage and resilience in our lives. It’s about uncovering what lies beneath the surface, understanding our struggles, and discovering the beauty in how God works through even the most challenging moments. As …
Dec. 25, 2024

Christmas Shoebox

🎄 Merry Christmas from Other People’s Shoes! 🎄 This holiday season, we have one last gift for you to unwrap. In our annual tradition, Garrett returns to quiz Neil on the last six years of the show, bringing laughter, reflection, and holiday cheer in the season finale of Homecoming—our 18th season. …
Dec. 18, 2024

I Want A Horse

What’s the greatest Christmas gift you’ve ever received? For many, it might have been a pony or a horse—a dream for countless children. For our guest Kim Tschirret, founder of Hope Reins in Raleigh, horses were more than a gift; they were a lifeline. Growing up in a home marked by her father’s alco…
Dec. 11, 2024

It's A Wonderful Life Sort Of...

What is your favorite Christmas Movie? One of my favorites has to be "It's A Wonderful Life". In *It's a Wonderful Life*, George Bailey discovers his worth and the profound impact of his life on others. Guided by an angel, he sees a world without his influence, realizing how deeply his choices matt…
Dec. 4, 2024

Living Grace

Who do you need a hug from today? Take a moment and read that sentence again: *Who do you need a hug from today?* Now, think carefully—who was the first person that came to mind? Say their name out loud. Chances are, it’s someone you hold close to your heart, someone who means the world to you. It’…
Nov. 27, 2024

Questions About Coming Home

Imagine playing make-believe as a pirate, hunting for buried treasure armed only with a map and sheer determination. My guest today is Matthew Lesko—the energetic, colorful advocate you know, famous for his bold suits covered in question marks. Together, we uncover the hidden treasure of government…
Nov. 20, 2024

Happiness At Home

What would your life look like if you could take control of your happiness and choose joy daily? My guest today, Dannie De Novo, has explored this question and shares her journey in her book, *Get in a Good Mood & Stay There.* After battling a deep spiritual depression and facing numerous setbacks,…

About the Host

Neil Matthews Profile Photo

Neil Matthews

🎬 Producer | 🎙 Host | 🎧 Editor | ☕ Coffee Connoisseur

I don’t just *orbit the orbit*—I *launch into the unknown*... exploring every galaxy of shoes I can find! From cosmic sneakers to stellar sandals, I’m on a mission to step into lives, stories, and perspectives that expand universes and illuminate hearts.

Fueled by my faith in Jesus, the gravitational pull of my amazing wife Elizabeth, and my unwavering loyalty to the University of North Carolina, my journey began in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina but found its trajectory in Southern Oregon. Every day, my curiosity propels me to suit up and dive into the cosmic sparks that ignite people—their passions, struggles, and victories.

I founded *Other People's Shoes* with an interstellar vision: to help listeners across the globe view life through new dimensions. Inspired by Elizabeth’s encouragement and my belief that empathy can traverse even the vastest voids, my podcast is a space where stories are shared, connections are formed, and lives are transformed, one step—or light-year—at a time.

After all, when you step into *Other People's Shoes*, you open a portal to a universe of insight, compassion, and growth. Every episode is an invitation to fasten your boots, ignite your thrusters, and take a walk through perspectives that just might change your world. 🌌👟