This is Excessive Baggage. A travel show about age gap, chronic pain and illness, and what it takes to see the world in a body that doesn’t cooperate — the oceans, the planes and trains, her wheelchair, which she lovingly calls her buggy — the long way around when there isn’t a ramp. And two people dedicated to today, not someday.
Lyndsay Soprano-Handel
Lyndsay Soprano-Handel is a bold, unfiltered voice in the chronic pain and trauma recovery space—transforming unimaginable suffering into unstoppable advocacy, as she dives into the realities of living in—and rising from—chronic pain, trauma, and invisible illness.
Diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in 2017, one of the most painful conditions on the McGill Pain Scale—higher than natural childbirth.
She’s walked through hell more than once—and set up a mic right in the middle of it on her other podcast, Giving Pain Purpose.
When she’s not fighting Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), belting out an aria, chillaxin’ with her weenies, Isabella (Izzy) and Tommie, or smooching her sweetie, you can find her at her new start-up The Pain Hub.
Sometimes raspy but always sexy, behind the mic you can catch her throwin’ witty vibes and singing some soul.
Bill Handel
Bill Handel has been in broadcasting since 1985. It was a fluke how he got in, and it’s probably a fluke he’s still here. He’s spoken with murderers, Presidents, titans of business, but best of all, people who are so fucking crazy, it’s almost beyond belief.
His Los Angeles morning drive show broadcasts Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 9:00 am Pacific on KFI AM 640. It is about everything and nothing: politics, history, serious and crazy ass current events, analysis and tons of personal stories. For example, he married someone 26-years younger. “And I’ll follow her wherever my passport will allow.”
His nationally syndicated weekend show, Handel on the Law (is about “marginal” legal advice. As an attorney (strangely enough not disbarred yet), he redefines legal malpractice. The people who call in for legal advice are either extremely old, demented, in mental facilities, living in dumpsters, unintelligible, or any combination of the above.
Awards aren’t too shabby either:
- The Radio & Records Local News/Talk Personality of the Year in 2005, 2007, and 2008
- The NAB Marconi Radio Award for Major Market Personality in 2005
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009
- Induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2017
- Broadcast Legend Award from RTNA in 2024
Rachel Kalmar
Rachel Kalmar is our Director of Marketing + Partnerships. She is responsible for social marketing, promotions, advertising, and partnerships. All the way from the land of maple syrup and endless winters, Toronto’s very own Canuck.
Despite facing chronic disease, she brings resilience and determination to ensure our guests feel not just welcomed, but cherished. She is the community builder and the leader of our marketing team. During her downtime, catch Rachel strolling the city with her Bernedoodle sidekick, Norman, and a cup of coffee in hand.
Steve Koch
Steve Koch is the person ensuring Excessive Baggage makes you want to be dedicated to today, not someday.
Before stepping into podcasting, he spent years producing unscripted TV like The Bachelor and The Biggest Loser, learning how to turn real moments into conversations that connect.
Now, as the founder of Vandalpop Media, he partners with Lyndsay to bring her vision to life each week, ensuring that every episode feels as honest, heartfelt, and human as the conversations themselves.