Assorted Conversations: Recent Episodes
Helen & Maureen
Are you intrigued, inspired and just have to learn more when you find someone who is boldly embracing their dreams? Make plans to join us every other Wednesday as we share stories from everyday people following their passions and pursuing happiness. Have some laughs with us, learn how and why our guests are turning their dreams into realities and possibly get inspired to begin your own journey!All emojis designed by OpenMoji – the open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
Kink has a PR problem, and we’re not helping it when we reduce the whole topic to leather and whips. Helen sits down with Amanda Dames, a certified sex and relationship professional who worked as a dominatrix in a New York City dungeon before building a coaching business for married couples and monogamous partners who want to explore kink safely. What follows is less “shock” and more “oh, that actually makes sense,” because the real subject is trust, boundaries, power dynamics, and the courage to be honest about desire.
Amanda breaks down kink as a spectrum, including the kinds of fantasies many people don’t even realize count: wanting your partner to take charge, craving praise, enjoying service and caretaking, or leaning into romance as a real erotic desire. We talk about how culture shifts what’s considered “normal,” why people feel shame even when nothing is wrong, and what she learned from clients who had successful lives on paper but felt disconnected sexually at home. If you’ve ever wondered why a desire gets louder the longer it’s ignored, this conversation puts words to it.
If you’re curious, skeptical, or trying to talk to a partner without making it weird, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a healthier framework for desire, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.
Guest Links
The Kink Consultant Podcast
Amanda Dames HomePage
The Kink Consultant on Instagram
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
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Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
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Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
She planned a warm winter escape, hitched up a custom travel trailer, and headed south alone, only to discover that the road doesn’t care about your plans. Helen sits down with Elke Scholz to unpack a solo RV road trip from Canada to Arizona that starts with immediate chaos: tight parking lots, misunderstandings, a trailer lockout, and the kind of stress that makes you wonder if you should have stayed home.
Then the real test hits. Elke wakes up at a rest stop to a total power crash, learns the hard truth about what “winterized” actually means, and drives through a major blizzard because sometimes the safest choice is to keep going. We get into the practical side of winter RVing and off-grid living: how propane heat still depends on electricity, why solar and battery capacity matter, what she changed to stay warmer, and how she rebuilt her setup with smarter batteries and reliable internet using Starlink roaming.
Along the way, Elke shares the moments that restore your faith in people, from strangers who step in to help to off-grid digital nomads who’ve engineered trailers into self-sufficient homes. We also talk candid solo female travel safety, roadside assistance and trailer coverage, and why you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, you just need to be willing to learn.
If you’re planning a travel trailer trip, dreaming about a digital nomad lifestyle, or stuck in endless preparation mode, this story will give you both a laugh and a shove forward. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.
Helen's First Audiobook Narration:
Let Them Pray by Brittany Johnson, Narrated by Helen
Guest Links:
Elke's Homepage
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
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Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
A lot of us have a dream we quietly put away because life gets loud. Today we sit down with Philadelphia-born filmmaker and entrepreneur Derek Shaw, and he’s proof that “later” can still turn into real momentum if you’re willing to start small and keep showing up.
We talk about where Derek’s storytelling starts, from a fifth grade teacher who pushed him to write more, to the years he “sat it in the closet” while working full time, raising a family, and building side businesses. Then comes the turning point that changes everything: he starts writing again after decades, and that decision becomes the bridge to screenplays, production, and building Ruby Street Productions.
Derek breaks down the nuts and bolts of independent filmmaking: buying a cheap camera, making early short films, and turning a weekend hobby into feature projects like Blissfully Unmarried and his dark comedy Bedridden. We get honest about film financing, earning investor trust through reputation, navigating SAG requirements, and why film distribution can be harder than making the movie. Derek also shares what it took to get Bedridden onto Amazon and Apple TV, why he chose self-distribution, and what he’s chasing next with bigger budgets and bigger names.
If you’re into indie film, screenwriting, self-distribution, creative entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable production company, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world perspective. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What’s one daydream you’re ready to dust off?
Guest Links
Ruby Street Productions
Bedridden on Amazon
Derrick on Insta
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
You can be wildly talented and still feel stuck financially, and that gap can mess with your confidence fast. I sit down with Paul Pape, a two-time TEDx speaker, author, creative strategist, and the maker many people call “Santa for Nerds,” to unpack what actually changes when a creative stops selling “a thing” and starts selling the value behind it. Paul’s work spans custom collectibles, hidden engagement ring boxes, and high-pressure builds for major brands, and his journey is full of pivots that prove you don’t have to break when the market shifts.
We get into his roots in theater design, the blunt moment that made him walk away from the Broadway path, and the surprising chain of experiments that led to a full-time creative career. From viral Nintendo-inspired products to one-of-one builds that help people celebrate proposals, fandoms, and even family milestones, Paul explains how pricing handmade work and custom design is really about ideation, craft, and meaning, not just materials or production time. If you’ve ever heard “but it’s just 3D printed,” you’ll feel seen.
Then we dig into Gamify Business, Paul’s business coaching approach for artists, makers, neurodivergent founders, and burned out solopreneurs. He translates confusing business jargon into game language, uses a quiz to map business roles, and shows how the right “party” of partners can make your strengths matter more. Listen, share this with a creative friend who needs it, and leave a review if the conversation helps you rethink your next move.
Guest Links
Paul Pape Designs
Gameify Buriness
Paul's TedX Talk
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
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Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
Luxury travel has a new meaning, and it’s not crystal chandeliers or dressing up for dinner. It’s having the freedom to be yourself, the flexibility to pivot when plans change, and a trusted expert who handles the details so you can actually enjoy the trip you paid for. That’s why we sat down with Eleanor, founder of Elevate Your Escapes, to talk about how she turned a love of travel into a real travel planning business built on curiosity, creativity, and client-first service.
We get into the origin story, from early trips and a nerve-wracking leap into a group travel company to the moment she realized people were already treating her like their go-to travel advisor. Eleanor breaks down what it takes to make things official, including why host agencies matter, how supplier training works, and what the “not glamorous” side of the travel industry looks like day to day. If you’ve ever wondered what a travel consultant actually does, or whether a travel agent can help you save time and money, her answers are refreshingly specific.
Then we zoom out to trends shaping travel right now: modern luxury travel focused on comfort and personalization, river cruises gaining popularity, and destinations heating up beyond the usual classics. Eleanor shares how she designs deeply personalized itineraries, where travelers go wrong by cramming too much into one week, and how to choose smarter splurge moments like a catamaran day in Santorini or a once-in-a-lifetime dinner you’ll never forget. We also talk rising spots like Sardinia, Croatia, Norway, and Albania, plus why Greece still tops her list.
If you’re planning your next vacation, subscribe for more conversations like this, share this episode with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Where are you dreaming of going next?
Guest Links:
Elevate Your Escapes Home
Elevate Your Escapes on Instagram
Elevate Your Escapes on YouTube
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
One Italian sub can change your whole creative career, and Joe Garcia proves it. Joe, better known online as Mr. Allright Chef, joins us for a funny, grounded conversation about building a food community without pretending to be a fine dining chef. His whole vibe is simple: good food does not have to be fancy, and you do not need perfect skills or perfect gear to cook meals people love.
We talk about where his passion actually comes from: an Italian and Colombian family where grandmothers feed everyone as an act of love, and where the kitchen is the center of the house. Joe shares how cooking started as pure necessity in his teens, then became the way he brought friends together, and eventually the way he connected with viewers during the pandemic through Facebook Live cooking shows and easy, practical recipes.
From there, the creator journey gets real. Joe opens up about burnout, trying to copy what “works” online, and the confidence shift that came from leaning back into his personality. He also tells the story of auditioning for Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef, then pivoting into the South Shore Massachusetts Italian sub hunt that took off fast. We dig into the ethics of food reviews, why he avoids paid influence that could erode trust, and how he uses his platform to support small local businesses. If you love local food, Italian subs, social media storytelling, or the behind-the-scenes craft of editing on CapCut, you will get a ton from this conversation.
Subscribe or follow Assorted Conversations, share this with a friend who loves a great sandwich, and leave a review with your favorite local spot so we can add it to the list.
Guest Links
The Alright Chef on Instagram
Mr. Alright Chef on FB
Mr. Alright Chef on TikTok
Mr. Alright Chef on You Tube
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
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Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
Four years later, three familiar voices return with the kind of progress that makes you want to re-check your own “someday” list. We catch up with Rua Fay, who turned a film blogging passion into real industry access, landing Cannes and TIFF credentials, interviewing artists she once idolized, and learning the business of film through undergrad work, festivals, networking, and nonstop curiosity.
Then we reconnect with Josh O’Connell, whose deep library of casino gaming writing reaches a turning point. It’s a real look at calculated risk-taking, career pivots, and how long-term skills can snap together into the job that finally fits.
We also welcome back Mary Elizabeth Murphy to talk about why so many of us feel overwhelmed and frozen right now and how her RESET Your Buttons model is timeless in helping us maintain solid relationships. We dig into her 90-day reset sprint, pop-up productivity sessions, and the Pomodoro method as practical tools for focus, relationships, and workplace communication in an era of uncertainty and AI disruption.
Ep. 14. The Film Blogger Conversation with Rua Fay
- Cinemasters Home Page
Ep. 17 - The Gambling Writer Conversation with Josh O'Connell
- Flip the Switch HOME
- Get the Flip the Switch Newsletter
- Brian Christopher BCSlots.com
- Brian Christopher Slots on YouTube
Ep. 37 - The Reset Your Buttons Conversation with Mary Elizabeth Murphy
- RESET Your Buttons
- RESET You Buttons Podcast on YouTube
- Buy RESET Your Buttons
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
Fear doesn’t disappear because we read the right quote. It fades when we train a new response. I’m joined by Kendra Mahon, aka Kung Fu Kendra, a Wing Chun Kung Fu master and founder of the Global Kung Fu Alliance, to talk about what real confidence looks like when life gets loud, stressful, and unpredictable.
Kendra explains Kung Fu in plain language: skill built through practice. We dig into why Wing Chun is designed for close-range self-defense and economy of motion, and how those same principles translate into everyday life. If you’re trying to be more disciplined, more productive, or more connected to your inner strength, you’ll hear concrete ways to protect your time, stop drifting into herd mentality, and build calm awareness in crowds, on the street, and at home.
If you’ve ever wanted self-defense training, a stronger mindset, or a better way to follow through on your goals, press play. Subscribe or follow, share this with a friend, and leave a five-star written review wherever you listen.
Kung Fu Kendra (Kendra Mahon) is a purple sash Kung fu Master with over 20 years of experience, she’s the Founder of the Global Kung Fu Alliance and author of Amazon book: ‘Push Your Way Through’, a book about using the ancient principles of Kung Fu to get what you want in life. Kendra also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Wing Chun Magazine and works training high profile clients such as Billionaire Brett Wilson from the TV Show “Dragons Den”.
"Your videos are very helpful for training without an opponent. I'm very
happy to have found you online!"
Joachim Igl, Paraguay
"I appreciate the online courses you offer. It is a very good thing
particularly for me with my schedule."
Forrest Stockstad, Canada
"I like your education method and videos, it's high quality and good
teaching"
Kim S., Denmark
"Sifu Kendra will be a big help in my Wing Chun instruction and
progression."
Greg Evans, Australia
"Thank you for your expert insights and recommendations."
Antonio N. Sherman, USA
Kung Fu Kendra's Wing Chun Certification Online Course
Kung Fu Kendra HOME
Push Your Way Through by Kendra Mahon on Amazon
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
A single DNA result can feel like trivia until you chase it all the way back to names, places, and documents that prove a life actually happened. That’s where Joseph Bolton’s story gets gripping. He’s a West Point graduate and retired Army paratrooper who starts digging into his family tree, discovers Indigenous and French-Canadian roots he didn’t fully understand, and then turns that research into Old Grandmother’s Tree, a heavily illustrated folk tale series built on real historical anchor points from 17th-century Quebec.
Joseph explains why he chose the folktale as the “language” for telling his ancestor’s story, how Jesuit records in Trois-Rivières preserve rare details about her life, and how he uses imagination to explore the emotional truth inside documented events.
The conversation goes deeper than books. Joseph shares how connecting with Algonquin community members and other descendants reshapes his sense of identity and belonging, and how Canadian ancestry laws change the way he sees himself in the present, not just the past. If you’ve ever wondered how to research your family history, how to write historical fiction responsibly, or how ancestry can redraw your idea of who you are, you’ll find a lot to sit with here.
Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with a friend who loves family history, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.
Guest Links
Old Grandmother's Tree Homepage
Meet Joseph Bolton
Old Grandmother's Tree Character Wiki
Old Grandmother's Tree Purchase options on Amazon
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
Some healing happens by talking, and some healing happens when your hands finally tell the truth your mouth can’t. We sit down with artist Devorah Brinkerhoff, creator of Soul Portraits, a mixed media process that helps people turn trauma, grief, and life transitions into art that feels like relief in the body and clarity in the mind. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not creative,” or you’ve treated creativity like a luxury instead of a tool for survival, this conversation flips that belief on its head.
Devorah shares what it’s like working in the gallery system for decades, why she refuses to create for approval, and how she realized creativity wasn’t just something she did, it was something that helped keep her inner world from “coming out sideways.” From her Oregon studio, she explains how Soul Portraits use the literal materials of your life like letters, photos, journals, and meaningful objects to honor the past, anchor the present, and reveal who you’re becoming. She also breaks down the three ways people work with her: guided workshops, a self-paced course, or sending materials for a commissioned piece when engaging the memories feels too intense.
We also explore worthiness and identity: how painful messages get learned early, how to trace where they started, and how creativity can build self-trust in real time. The big takeaway is simple and brave: what happened to you isn’t who you are, and you can peel back the layers until you feel that truth again.
If this resonates, subscribe or follow, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a five-star written review. What’s one object from your past that still holds emotional weight for you?
Previous Guest Links from episode intro:
RESET Your Buttons with Mary Elizabeth Murphy, S1 Ep1
The Entities of the Emery Estate featuring Christy Parrish - Soulseekers Paranormal NE
Devorah's Links
Soul Portraits Home Page
Inner Voice Creative Exercise
Soul Portraits Online Course
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
We talk with best-selling author Laura Van Wormer about building a career in publishing and fiction, then losing her ability to write after a devastating crash. She shares how she rebuilt her creative life through serialized audio storytelling with The Class of 74 and why “pivot” is sometimes the only way back to joy.
• working through podcast tech issues and learning a quick audio fix
• Laura’s childhood origin story for becoming a storyteller
• getting a start at Doubleday and meeting Jaclyn Onassis
• learning the business through celebrity books and big publishing moments
• quitting drinking at 27 and returning to writing at night
• writing fast under pressure on Dynasty then Dallas and Knott’s Landing projects
• launching Riverside Drive and navigating early breakout success
• building recurring characters and bringing sexuality into mainstream fiction
• surviving a wrong-way drunk driver crash and a long ICU recovery
• how concussions and brain injury changed Laura’s writing capacity
• using shorter “bite-sized” episodes to write again via a fiction podcast
• The Class of 74 as escapism with heart and a reminder not to drink and drive
Guest Links
Laura's Author Page
Class of 74 Podcast Facebook Page
Listen to the Class of 74 Podcast on Podbean
Laura Van Wormer Books on Amazon
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
Want to make dinner feel like more than dinner? We sit down with chef, author, and aphrodisiac food expert Amy Reiley to explore how everyday ingredients can lift mood, boost confidence, and deepen connection without turning your kitchen into a lab or your meal into a gimmick. Amy traces her path from wine writing to gastronomy and nutrition, sharing how a health crisis opened her eyes to the power of food and why intention matters as much as what’s on the plate.
We dig into what actually makes a food “aphrodisiac,” from circulation and hormones to endorphins and mood. You’ll hear practical picks you can use tonight—coffee to bridge dinner to intimacy, ginger to soothe digestion and heighten sensation, chili for warmth and a gentle rush, and salmon for steady sexual health support. Amy also disarms the hype, calling out harmful myths like rhino horn, shark fin, and “Spanish fly,” and replaces them with ethical, affordable choices that are easy to love. Dessert fans get good news too: smart swaps like chickpea flour in dark chocolate brownies can add fiber and protein without killing the joy.
Beyond ingredients, we focus on ambiance and agency. Small shifts—pillow picnics on the floor, fairy lights in the yard, a shared espresso—change the experience and help you be present. Amy’s free “What Turns You On at the Table” worksheet guides you to track how food affects your energy and mood and make one weekly upgrade you’ll actually keep. We also talk gender-specific needs, from testosterone support for men to hormone balance, peri- and post-menopause, postpartum, and fertility considerations for women, and how a well-stocked “Passion Pantry” sets you up for better choices every day.
If you’re curious, cautious, or just ready to refresh your routine, this conversation offers science, stories, and simple steps to turn meals into moments. Listen, grab the worksheet at eatsomethingsexy.com/podcast, and tell us the aphrodisiac ingredient you’re trying first. If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—your support helps others find us.
Guest Links
Eat Something Sexy Home Page
Amy's FREE Podcast Worksheet - What Turns You On At The Table
Fork me, Spoon me Cookbook
Romancing the Stove Cookbook
Eat Cake Naked Cookbook
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
What if a simple puzzle could rewire your routines, deepen your relationships, and introduce you to a global community? That’s the spark behind our conversation with Monica Marlat, known online as “Puzzled About Everything,” who transformed a quiet hobby into creative storytelling, brand partnerships, and puzzle-filled cruises that bring strangers together.
We trace Monica’s arc from empty nester to Instagram standout: learning stop-motion one tutorial at a time, experimenting with location shoots, and building a feed that feels playful, human, and real. She explains how puzzling became marriage glue—big projects for her, snack-size builds for him—and how walking together to scout scenes reignited curiosity in everyday life. We dig into the pitch that unlocked Royal Caribbean, the logistics of traveling with 200 puzzles, and the thoughtful way she matches each person with the right challenge so every build ends with a win.
You’ll hear why puzzles work so well for families, older adults, and neurodiverse kids; how a husband used whimsy pieces to help his wife with dementia savor success; and where puzzles shine at work—from team bonding and negotiation drills to puzzle-of-the-month tables that turn break rooms into friendly hubs. Monica also shares a realistic social media strategy: focus on one platform, adapt trends without losing your voice, and use giveaways to lift small makers while giving back to followers.
If you’re craving a hobby that blends mindfulness, learning, and community, this story doubles as a blueprint. Grab a puzzle, invite a friend, and see what opens when your hands are busy and your mind clicks into flow. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more curious listeners find the show.
Guest Links:
Puzzled About Everything Website
Puzzled About Everything - Instagram
Puzzled About Everything - FaceBook
Puzzled Aboput Everything - YouTube
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question: aconvospod@gmail.com
Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
What if a 40-seat room could feel as big as an arena? We sit down with Jeff Revilla to unpack his “infinite seat theater” concept—a creator-first model that blends the electricity of a live audience with the reach of a global stream. Jeff’s journey runs from a teenage skateboarding obsession and a basement skate shop to leading digital marketing by day and building a hybrid podcast venue by night. Along the way he collected the skills—ecommerce, video, email, community—that now power a stage designed for intimacy, interactivity, and scale.
Jeff shares why independent podcasters thrive when they own their format, keep decisions close, and get real-time feedback from people in the room. He breaks down the numbers that matter for most shows: four $10 tickets can rival the value of 1,000 ad-driven downloads, and a single live event can fund months of hosting while generating high-credibility assets—on-stage photos, crowd-lifted clips, and new superfans. We dig into how he bootstrapped the venue with smart finds, why he refuses minimums or surprise A/V fees, and how his 50–50 door split plus targeted local promo gets butts in seats without draining creators.
We also look ahead. Podcasting lacks a true “middle tier” between home studios and arena tours. Jeff outlines a path that mirrors comedy: small clubs, bigger rooms, festivals, and touring weekends that pair local audiences with global viewers. He explains how hybrid interactivity turns a stage into a portal—fielding questions from people in the seats and the stream at once—and why affordable entertainment matters for communities that want a night out without a triple-digit ticket. If you’ve wondered how to grow a show without chasing CPMs, or how to add credibility that sponsors and fans instantly recognize, this conversation will reset your roadmap.
Subscribe for more creator stories, share this with a podcaster who needs a spark, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
Guest Links
https://jeffrevilla.com/
Poduty, LLC
Poduty and the News Podcast
Contact Jeff: jeff@poduty.com
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
A shaving-cream beard in Vietnam. A department store gig that turned into a calling. A lifetime spent turning belief into service. Meet National Santa, Timothy Conahan, the storyteller and mentor who has trained thousands of Santas and Mrs. Clauses to keep the magic alive long after the tree comes down. We go behind the red suit to unpack the craft: how to read a room in seconds, create photo moments that feel authentic, and handle the questions that break your heart without breaking a child’s hope.
We talk about the real work families rarely see—background checks, insurance, wardrobe care, and the performance skills that make wonder feel effortless. Tim shares why authenticity matters more than ever as visits run longer and kids notice details, and how small moves turn nervous smiles into keepsakes. He also opens the door to a bigger world of Santa: libraries, tree farms, corporate gatherings, hospitals, convalescent homes, and disaster zones where a simple hello can carry a family through a hard season.
As the official Santa for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, Tim brings candid stories from parades, TV stages, and relief efforts, including how his team pivoted during COVID to deliver books and games to kids without internet access. We also dig into his holiday planning system that starts in July, designed to protect joy, avoid burnout, and give families back their December. The throughline is clear: compassion is a skill, and wonder is a responsibility.
Listen for practical tips, moving stories, and a fresh sense of what the holidays can be when we lead with heart. If this conversation sparked something for you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—then visit ToysForTots.org to help a child feel seen this season. #Santa #Holidays #Christmas #Magic
Guest Links
Tim Connaghan is National Santa
Toys for Tots
School for Santa
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
What if a theme park could change the way you lead your life? We sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Barnes—Dr. Disneyland—to explore how Walt Disney transformed setbacks into a story-driven blueprint for vision, risk, and relentless execution. From a disappointing first visit to a deep dive into Walt’s life, Jeffrey traces the moment he realized Disneyland isn’t just rides—it’s a living narrative that invites each of us to become the hero of our own story.
We walk through the four C’s Walt championed—confidence, consistency, curiosity, courage—and how they show up in real decisions: betting on synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie, greenlighting Snow White during the Great Depression, and building a park no one believed in. Jeffrey breaks down why leaders need vision, not just management, and shares how Roy Disney’s caution and Walt’s boldness collided to create something bigger than either brother could do alone. You’ll hear how Fantasyland’s design targets pure emotions—fear, wonder, humor—to shape choices, and how Main Street USA blends memory and momentum to set a powerful opening scene.
Expect practical takeaways. Jeffrey reveals the habit strategy that helped him finish his book during a brain tumor battle, the tiny detail Walt personally fixed with a paintbrush to uphold standards, and a snack-sized innovation that went global: Doritos, born from leftover tortillas at a Disneyland restaurant. We also tackle Epcot’s original city vision, what changed after Walt’s death, and how the parks still reflect America’s evolving culture while keeping his spirit alive.
If you’re craving a nudge to start, this is your 20-foot headlight and your next gas station. Hit play, then tell us the small step you’ll take today toward your bigger dream. Subscribe, share with a fellow Disney lover or leader, and leave a review so more curious listeners can find the show.
Guest Links
The Wisdom of Walt Home Page
The Wisdom of Walt Book
Beyond the Wisdom of Walt Book
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
A snowstorm at Springer Mountain. Two brothers in their seventies, both Vietnam veterans, staring down 2,190 miles of Appalachian Trail and a tangle of pain that maps can’t solve. That’s where our conversation with Rand Timmerman begins—raw, funny, and unexpectedly tender—as we unpack the hike that stretched into a three‑year passage through grief, addiction, and the kind of honesty only a long trail demands.
Rand walks us through the blueprint that made the miles possible: two vehicles, opposite‑direction section hikes, camps near trailheads. We dig into what the AT really asks of older hikers—elevation, rocks, relentless climbs. The stories are vivid and human: a rattlesnake guarding its meal, seven straight days of bear sightings in Shenandoah, and the day a bad slip on a Massachusetts rock slide turned into blood, shock, and eventually a hip replacement. Through it all, the brothers’ differences become their strength—Ron’s pilot‑precise logs and spiritual reflections, Rand’s people‑first eye and gritty humor, including a running gag where hikers mistake “Ran Bow” for the movie Rambo.
The heart of the episode lives in their inner work. Ron, shattered after losing his wife, stumbles into a literal halo of light on a gray Father’s Day and feels peace wash in. Rand, four years sober when they start, carries recovery into the woods and finds that the rhythm of hiking mirrors the 12 steps: one step at a time, surrender, service. A terrifying night on a knife‑thin ridge in the Smokies becomes a prayer and a turning point. By the end, one brother tags the terminus with his son, the other chooses to stop with integrity—and both finish with something larger than a summit photo.
If you care about the Appalachian Trail, long‑distance hiking, resilience or how to keep moving when the map turns mean, this one’s for you. Share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
Guest Links
Rand Timmerman's Home Page.
Buy "A Spiritual Passage" on Amazon
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
We talk with author and sailor Alison Geischen about leaving corporate life to circumnavigate the globe, the brutal realities that tested her resolve, and the moments of wonder that made it all worth it. From heavy‑weather training to hand‑steering 650 miles, the story blends grit, humor, and hard‑won wisdom.
• deciding to sell up and go in their fifties
• training for storms and safety with John Kretschmer
• seasonal route planning and why timelines fail
• joining an Atlantic rally and the first severe storm
• managing PTSD, fear, and finding mentors
• autopilot loss, steering repairs, and heaving to
• Chinese fishing nets, detours, and a tsunami alert
• COVID delays, Ireland base, and Azores highlights
• Mediterranean chaos, Gibraltar currents, naked anchoring
• budgeting shocks, bad yard work, and parts logistics
• writing two sailing books and building community
• where to follow: allisongieschen.com and sailmates.org
Alison's Links:
Author Page - Grab her first two books about her sailing adventures and check out what else she's written!
Sailmates.org - Follow along through her blog postings and pictures of the high seas adventures she and Dan are having!
Just a reminder hit that subscribe or follow button wherever you downloaded this podcast so you don't miss any of the great episodes coming up!
If you enjoy the podcast, tell a friend about us and don't forget to leave us a 5 star written review wherever you listen. Thos written reviews help the podcast get noticed by more folks so we can share these stories to an even larger audience. Thanks for listening!
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
A house can change your mind—or demand that you finally trust it. We sit down with paranormal investigator and tour manager Christy Parrish to trace her path from a silenced childhood sensitive to the steward of one of Massachusetts’ most active and historic homes: the Oliver House in Middleboro.
Christy recounts the Tennessee years that forced her to take her abilities seriously: a violent strike in an empty bathroom, a chilling 911 call traced to her landline, and a barrage of phenomena that drove her to build her own experiments when outside teams walked away. You’ll hear how “ghost mats,” powder-dusted surfaces, and patient EVP sessions led to one of her most startling cases—Peg Leg Eddie—complete with footprints, a confirmed toe bone, and the peace that followed.
Then we step into the Oliver House, a 1760s landmark where Revolutionary War history collides with careful investigation. Christy and a dedicated volunteer crew blend technical rigor and empathy to document at least fifteen resident spirits, including a chambermaid tied to the saga of Governor Thomas Hutchinson’s letters and Benjamin Franklin’s fateful visit. We explore how Loyalist archives, Franklin’s retrieval, and the judge’s ammunition mill shaped the run-up to revolution—and why telling that story matters as much as any EVP.
What makes this conversation different is the model: accessible public tours, pro nights for seasoned investigators, and daytime history walks that fund preservation without sensationalism. Guests learn to use equipment, separate real signals from noise, and engage with respect. Along the way, we share our own visit highlights, from the “house dog” brushing an ankle to a device blurting “bacon… eggs” at the exact closet linked to Franklin’s letters.
If you care about haunted places, Revolutionary history, or how community-powered programs can keep fragile sites alive, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves ghost stories and archives, and leave a review to help more curious listeners find the show.
Guest Links
Tour the Emery Estate
Emery Estate FB Page
More about the Emery Estate
The History of the Oliver House
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Text me what you think of today’s episode!
We sit down with award-winning indie filmmaker Jason Morris to map the real path from micro-budget ideas to memorable horror-comedy and lasting rights. He shares hard-won lessons on distribution, festivals, team culture, and why owning your work changes everything.
• leaving film school to learn the business
• first feature Hellhouse and distributor pitfalls
• why owning rights keeps films alive
• starting a distribution label and seeing scams
• building reality projects without hype
• Haunted Objects format choices and host value
• Echoes of the Unknown and oversaturation
• Space Rodent concept, tone, and creature design
• improvisation, practical effects, and on-set wins
• making a feature for $2,000 with resources
• passion vs paychecks on teams
• guidance for writers without budgets
• learning by working every crew role
• finding or starting local film communities
• running festivals and rising venue costs
• what festivals taught about audience memory
• awards at HorrorHound and defining success
• favorite collaborators and wow moments
• creature dreams, Pumpkinhead, and influences
• where to watch and how to follow Jason
Space Rodent is in pre-order now at resurrectionfilms.net and deadendfilms.org
buzzsprout #horror #horrorfilm #podmatch #jasonmorris #resurrectionfilms #deadendfilms #interview #podcast
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Imagine taking everything you need for a multi-day backpacking trip in a pack weighing less than 10 pounds. That's ultralight backpacking, and our guest, adventurer Jerry Dugan, is here to share his passion and expertise in this unique outdoor pursuit. With a rich history tracing back to George Sears in the late 1800s and Grandma Gatewood in 1955, ultralight backpacking offers a minimalist approach to exploring the great outdoors. Jerry shares his journey from hammock camping to ultralight backpacking, and provides invaluable advice on what essentials to pack for various trips, all while keeping the load under 10 pounds.
Going solo or in a group, each backpacking trip presents its own challenges and dilemmas. Whether it’s planning for solo trips or managing the dynamics within a group, Jerry imparts his wisdom on these often overlooked aspects of backpacking. He candidly shares stories of wildlife encounters during his solo journeys, and how his ultralight gear enables him to move faster, see more, and have unique experiences off the beaten path. Learn how to adjust your gear based on weather, the importance of knowing your water sources, and crucial safety measures to keep in mind, particularly when camping in wildlife-dense areas.
Taking ultralight backpacking a step further, Jerry also talks about his plans to conquer sections of the Appalachian Trail and shares some of his upcoming trips. Tune in for a compelling exploration of ultralight backpacking and gather invaluable tips for your next outdoor adventure!
Guest Links:Beyond the Rut Podcast
Set up a Lighter Pack Account to assess your gear weight
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Can you imagine a 17-year-old helping his peers navigate the complex world of mental health? Join us as we sit down with the inspiring Filimon Meaza, the creator of The Brief Dive podcast. Filimon shares his personal journey of self-reflection, emotional resilience, and positive self-talk, showing us how he transformed his own mental health and now empowers other teenagers on their journey towards mental well-being.
In this heartfelt conversation, we explore the meditation tools Filimon uses to stay focused, as well as his unique ability to attract an older audience while still focusing on teen mental health. We also discuss his observational skills and script-writing process for his podcast, highlighting the power of open discussions around mental health and the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout. Join us for this incredibly insightful episode where we delve into personal growth and mental health with a young, passionate, and determined individual.
Guest LinksThe Brief Dive on Apple Podcasts
The Brief Dive on Spotify
Follow The Brief Dive on Instagram
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Discover the fascinating world of search and rescue missions in our captivating conversation with Dan Patterson, a founding member of the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group. With over 26 years of experience and participation in more than 300 missions, Dan shares invaluable insights into the immense planning, coordination, and dedication required to save lives in the great outdoors. You won't want to miss his incredible stories of both heart-wrenching and heartwarming outcomes.
Learn about the qualifications and backgrounds of the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group volunteers, as well as the latest technology and processes they use to plan and execute these critical missions. From drones and GPS systems to maps and compasses, the group is dedicated to staying ahead of the game in locating and rescuing missing persons. Hear about the challenges they face in the wilderness, and how they're often called upon to assist with logistics and communications in other emergencies.
Finally, explore the rewarding feeling of reuniting a missing person with their family, and take away some valuable tips for hikers to stay safe on the trails. With Dan's expertise in navigating the rugged outdoors, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the passion and dedication of these search and rescue heroes. Join us for an eye-opening look into the world of wilderness search and rescue, and the incredible volunteers who make it their mission to save lives.
Mountaineer Area Rescue Group LinksMARG WebsiteEMS Joins Forces with Mountaineer Area Rescue Group (article)Mountaineer Area Rescue Group in the news (article)Search and Rescue in the United States
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
We were saddened to learn about the passing of a former guest, Jaimie Sherling. In tribute to the beautiful soul she was, here is her original conversation from April of 2022.
We were deeply honored to have had a conversation with the inspiring Jaimie Sherling before discovering she had passed away from cancer in April of 2023. This is a remastered version of Jaimie's original episode, "The You Do You Conversation" in honor of Jaimie's beautiful soul and bright light she always managed to shine, even when she didn't feel so shiny on the inside.
At the time we sat down with Jaimie she had emerged as a survivor with an incredible story to tell. Through her journey, she created a clothing line called "You Do You Sweets" for women adapting to their new, post double mastectomy bodies and authored the book "From Queen's to Queen's" that captures her unique life experiences with resilience and wit.
We delved into Jamie's life post-double mastectomy, exploring her transition to a new body and the vital support she received from her network of friends, family, and the Madison, Wisconsin drag community. Jamie's creativity shone through as she discussed the conception and development of her clothing line, as well as the writing process for her book. Her strength and determination are a testament to the power of self-acceptance and overcoming adversity.
Lastly, we touched on Jamie's profound connection with the drag queen community and the love and acceptance they extended towards her. Performing as a backup dancer in drag shows and finding solace in the joyous atmosphere, Jamie's spirit remained unbroken. She was transparent in the difficulty dealing with the lows and embraced the highs, not matter what they were.
We encourage you to pick up her books for inspiration and in honor of the beautiful spirit and light that she was to everyone she met.
From Queens to Queens: How the Madison Drag Community Saved My Life
I'm Tough...and I Cry Alot
You Do You Sweets Clothing
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Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Have you ever dreamt of turning your hobby into a full-time passion and experiencing the thrill of personal fulfillment? Then you won't want to miss our latest episode of Assorted Conversations, where we bring you tales of everyday people who did just that - overcoming fears and embracing their creativity in the pursuit of happiness. Join me, your host Helen, as we explore the challenges and triumphs of these brave individuals, from conquering stage fright to expanding a small hobby into something much more significant.
Starting this August, tune in every other Wednesday for inspiring stories from people daring to follow their dreams. We'll learn about unique hobbies, laugh together, and discover how our guests turned their passions into reality. You never know – you might just find the inspiration you need to embark on your own adventure! Don't miss our upcoming episodes filled with laughter, learning, and a whole lot of inspiration.
How do you react when someone pushes your buttons? This week’s guest, author and coach, Mary Elizabeth Murphy, shares her Reset Your Buttons model to help us identify what is happening and how to respond appropriately in the moment.
Mary Elizabeth discusses each piece of the RESET model, helps us understand our personal triggers, how we can apply the RESET model and why her mission is to help people develop the introspection to respond in a way that helps us develop stronger personal and professional relationships.
The uncertainty of the last few years may have taken a toll on you, your loved ones and colleagues so don’t miss this episode!
Episode and Guest Link
Reset Your Buttons Home Page
Buy the Reset Your Buttons Book
Join the Star Resources Community to Continue Resetting Your Buttons
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week’s guest, Brian Anderson, is the only full-time Tick and Lyme Disease Specialist in the US. After seeing the devastating effects of Lyme disease, Brian has devoted several years to educating outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor workers on how to protect themselves from these little blood-sucking critters.
Brian shares with us how and why he took this path, the life cycle of ticks and what to watch out for, what to do if you get bit, the difference between DEET and Permethrin to ensure you are keeping yourself, your pets and your loved ones safe while enjoying the outdoors. Brian’s passion for educating people on Lyme disease prevention and tick safety is evident through the stories he shares, the humor he injects into the conversation and clearly represents why he’s known across the country as The Tick Terminator!
Listen in to our lively conversation with Brian and yes, Maureen and Helen itched through the entire discussion!
Episode and Guest Links
The Tick Terminator Website
The Tick Terminator on You Tube
Connect with The Tick Terminator on LinkedIn
Guest Update Links
Ep. 6 - The Graphic Novelist Conversation - Emma Halloran
Ep. 14 - The Film Blogger Conversation - Rua Fay
Ep. 13 - The Ghost Tour Manager Conversation - Christy Parrish
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Have you ever wanted to just pack your bags and go wander around the globe? This week’s guest, New York Times Best Selling Author and professional traveler, Heather Markel, left the safety and security of her corporate gig and did just that!
Heather shares how she prepared herself, financially and emotionally, to make the leap into exploring the unknown; what she’s learned about herself and others through her travels and why she advocates for folks over 40 to do the same, even if it's for the short term. Being a solo, female traveler, Heather also shares safety tips for overseas travel and resources to help ensure travel scams are avoided.
Through her learning process, Heather has now become an inspiration and a resource for others who aspire to live and explore a nomadic lifestyle, whether it's for a short term or a long term adventure.
Episode and Guest Link
Heather Begins Home Page
Follow Heather on FaceBook
Follow Heather on Instagram
Follow Heather on Twitter
Heather Markel - The Inspired Nomads on YouTube
Voices of the 21st Century on Amazon
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Adversity can make you bitter or you can choose to let it make you better. This week’s guest, Jaimie Shearling, has chosen to make lemonade out of the lemons life has given and she’s added a splash of vodka!
She’s a cancer warrior-turned-entrepreneur helping her sister-breast cancer survivors, she has found acceptance and emotional support through her friends in the Madison Wisconsin drag community and has chronicled her journey of leaning into adversity and coming out stronger with her memoir, “From Queens to Queens: How the Madison Drag Community Saved My Life”.
Truly an inspiration for anyone handling a rough time, regardless of the circumstances!
Episode and Guest Link
You Do You Sweets Clothing Line
From Queens to Queens: How the Madison Drag Community Saved My Life on Amazon
Folllow Jaime on Instagram
Support Jaimie and her daughter Avery's Walk Team
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Bonnie Jean Kuras, has always had a passion for helping children. Throughout her career she’s been an educator and school administrator, seeing and experiencing more than what goes on in the classroom and on the playground.
The behind-the-scenes stressors began to affect her and those around her yet, thanks to a fateful conversation and a hard truth shared by her husband, Bonnie found a path to continue making a difference by helping children and their families deal with and recover from the effects of trauma.
The important work she does as a community educator reaches beyond the children and their families and involves schools, law enforcement, caregivers, coaches, clergy and more. She educates on the behaviors that are associated with the effects of child abuse and neglect to empower communities to spot and advocate on behalf of the children.
Episode and Guest Link
The Tedi Bear Children's Advocacy Center
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Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
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Home Baker, Christine Crisatelli, has been at her passion and side hustle for 29 years! Although she had a dream to own her own bakery, she is no less satisfied with continuing to pursue her baking passion from the comfort of her own kitchen. Her love of baking and the challenges of learning new decorating techniques to keep up with current baking trends are what have kept her motivated and inspired through the years.
She freely shares her passion with others which has led to some very unique opportunities like making Jon Bon Jovi his dessert after a show she attended and even getting advice on how to temper chocolate from the White House pastry chef!
Episode and Guest Link
Wilton - sign up for online classes, see the latest baking trends, buy baking tools/supplies
Wilton Cake Decorating YouTube Channel - basic techniques to kick up your decorating
Tempering Couverture Chocolate - 3 ways to temper this high end chocolate
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
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How do you cope with uncomfortable or stressful situations? This week’s guest actor-writer-director-producer, Meirav Zur shares one of her coping mechanisms: HUMOR. When faced with infertility issues and struggling to talk about and share her experiences, she invited her close friends over for a night of “Wine and Hormones” and acted out what she was going through. To her surprise, many of her friends were in similar situations and her impromptu performance opened the group up to talking and sharing a sense of relief that they were not alone.
Meirav went to work developing the stage show, “Inconceivable: The Totally True, One Woman, Semi Fertile Quasi Musical”. Winner of the 2018 Best Interactive Show at the United Solo Theater Festival, her show has received rave reviews for getting discussions about infertility going. Listen in as Meirav shares her first “producing gig”, why performing drives her, how she wears many hats being a one-woman show and what her plans are for continuing the journey!
Episode and Guest Link
Meirav's Website
Inconceivable Show on Instagram
Inconceivable Show on YouTube
Inconceivable Show on TikTok
Inconceivable Show on Facebook
Inconceivable Show on Twitter
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
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Massage Therapist, Christine Girouard, joins us this week to share why she’s passionate about helping others relax, de-stress or recover from injuries. Through our discussion, Christine shares the benefits of massage, defines different massage techniques and identifies the time you should hold off booking a massage.
Additionally, she shares how she got started in the field, tips for helping your muscles recover, what her next area of focus will be to continue helping clients and her plans for continuing to provide care and comfort to others when her massage days come to a close. Christine’s passion for providing the proper care to ensure relaxation and overall wellness shines throughout our entire conversation!
Episode and Guest Link
Spatique Day Spa
Using a Foam Roller for Muscle Recovery
Compassionate Touch for Elders Article
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
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Ep. 29 - The Custom Wood Carver Conversation
This week’s guest, Tiffany Marchand, has turned a lifelong fascination with wood carving and design into a unique business, Night Carver Designs. Her passion for her craft is only surpassed by her energy and innovation in continuing to explore ways for sharing her skills, knowledge and creations.
Join us to hear how Tiffany has practiced her craft, gives back to the “maker community” and how she has landed a hosting gig for Workbench Con! She works a full time job, is a busy mom of two, a small business owner and custom wood carver, a podcast host and a social media presence to fellow wood carvers - this powerhouse accomplishes more by 9:00am than most, so get ready to be inspired!
Episode and Guest Link
Night Carver Designs
Behind the Maker Podcast with Nickole Davis and Tiff Marchand
Behind the Maker Podcast on Instagram
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
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Brian Kintz, Stump Trivia Game Host, joins us this week and shares how he has lived out his passion for trivia which has shaped his path to becoming a popular trivia game host over the years. Listen in to hear how an unexpected opportunity found on Craig’s List was the first step in Brian becoming a weekly trivia host at bars and restaurants, plus emceeing corporate trivia events.
We have a lot of laughs as Brian tells us how to assemble a winning trivia team, what goes into being a top notch trivia host, why he’s so passionate about what he does and he shares some funny moments he’s experienced while hosting games and announcing team standings! We wrap up this week’s episode with Brian hosting a competitive mini-round of trivia where Maureen and Helen go head-to-head….who will win?
Episode and Guest Links:
Sporcle Trivia - The world’s largest trivia site
Sporcle Live - Find a local game, Compete on Zoom, Schedule an event, Become a Host
The Cottage Bar - Join Brian every Wednesday at 7:00PM at the #bestweepub for Stump Trivia!
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
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Ruby Miner, Blake Barr, joins us this week to talk about his treasure-hunting hobby of mining for gems. A lifelong geology and mining interest has driven him to learn where, how and when to search for hidden gems buried within the earth. His adventures have taken him across the US and have led him to discovering artifacts called Guadalupe tools in addition to an assortment of precious gems and even an 83 karat sapphire! When he and his family were looking to relocate, buying property that would enable them to continue the hunt on their own land was a big consideration.
Listen in as Blake discusses how to understand where to look for precious and semi- precious gems, how to identify when you’ve actually found a gem and answers the question: How much jewelry can you get out of an 83 karat sapphire?!
Episode and Guest Links:
Sheffield Mines
Crater of Diamonds Park
National Geologic Maps Database
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Author, Poet and Outstanding Author Award-winner of the Driftless in CT series, Dianne Bilyak, joins us this week to share her journey to writing the memoir, “Nothing Special, the Mostly True, Sometimes Funny Tales of Two Sisters”. The stories focus on Dianne’s relationship with her older sister and their family’s dynamics. Older sister, Christine, is a happy-go-lucky, extrovert who has Down Syndrome while introverted Diane struggles to shoulder the burdens and grief of their parents, especially their father’s alcoholism.
Dianne discusses her writing journey and the close bond she shares with her sister, explains how her writing has been cathartic and shares how the relationship with her sister has led her to become a disability advocate, highlighting changes needed based on her experiences.
Episode and Guest Links:
"Nothing Special" on Amazon
Dianne Bilyak Author page on Amazon
Dianne on You Tube - Nothing Special
A Conversation Between Sisters: Dianne and Christine
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week’s guest, Michael Hilson Roache, AKA Chef Nupe, joins us to discuss his love of food, cooking and sharing his food experiences. What began when a relative tried to prepare Michael to cook for himself before he went off to college has evolved into a passion he proudly shares with family and friends.
Experimenting with flavors, whipping up the tried and true family recipes he grew up on and enjoying meals wherever he travels, the one constant in all of Chef Nupe’s food adventures is the bonding he enjoys with others through preparing or sharing a meal together. Using social media to demonstrate cooking techniques, recipes and even sharing his food reviews of meals he enjoys while traveling, food and people go hand in hand for this home chef!
Episode and Guest Links:
Chef Nupe on YouTubeChef Nupe on TikTok
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
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In honor of January being National Blood Donor Month, this week’s conversation is with guest Bill Borkowski, who has been a lifelong blood donor and as of our recording with him, has donated over 20 gallons of blood through the years. Plus, this super-hero octogenarian has no intentions of slowing down!
Bill shares how he first got involved with donating blood in the 1970’s, how the entire process has improved since he first began donating, why he makes blood donation a priority for himself and he walks us through the entire screening and donating process. With blood supplies at their lowest in over ten years, if you’re eligible to donate blood and save lives, you're needed now more than ever and Bill is wonderful motivation to get and stay involved. #NationalBloodDonorMonth, #NBDM, #ADRP #RedCross
Episode and Guest Links:
RedCross.org - How/Where to donate, the donation process and FAQ’s about blood donation
Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies
America's Blood Centers
Armed Services Blood Program
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased atsoundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
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Don't miss some of the funniest moments with our guests! We're sharing bonus clips and bloopers from our 2021 episodes. Most clips haven't aired, but we included a few that did to make you laugh all over again. We've also got lots of our own bloopers that let you peek behind the scenes and hear our mess ups, flubs and hysterical laughter when we couldn't keep it together.
We've closed out 2021, which will always stand out to us as the year we launched the podcast! As we've shared before, we are technology-challenged middle-agers so our learning curve was steep! We're living proof you CAN teach an "old chick" new tricks and we'll laugh all the way through the frustrations.
Links to Featured Episodes:
"Be bold, be blind and pursue your passion" clip from Ep. 1 - The Pilot Conversation
"Memory versus Fiction" clip from Ep. 7 - The Short Film Writer Conversation
"African Peanut Soup" clip from Ep. 7 - The Short Film Writer Conversation
"Sticker Shock" clip from Ep. 20 - The Scale Model Builder Conversation
"The Lisp" clip from Ep. 11 - The Horror Film Writer/Director Conversation
"First Time on the Racetrack" clip from Ep. 8 - The Vintage Sports Car Racer Conversation
"First Erotic Short Story Inspiration" clip from Ep. 3 - The Erotica Writer Conversation
"How I Spent My Quarantine" clip from Ep. 19 - The Stand Up Conversation
"Jesus" clip from Ep. 19 - The Standup Conversation
"Thank Her" clip from Ep.10 - The Urban Explorer Conversation
Bloopers from our first time recording
Bloopers from trying to record our intros
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
We have been fortunate to talk to some pretty amazing people this year! Not only did we learn about their passions, in sharing their story each guest taught us a little lesson to take with us.
We are stepping away from the mic over the holidays, so enjoy an abbreviated episode where we reflect back on specific guests and the things we learned from hearing their stories, which we consider gifts in themselves:
“Transition” - Veronica Halloran, Death Doula
“Balance” - Lauren Croteau, Pastry Chef
“When opportunity knocks, answer” - Alisa Conway, Fitness Coach
“Be a student of what you love” - Keith Normand, Bee Keeper
“Be prepared for the next step” - Bridget Tamillow, Cross-stitch Artist
Episode Links:
Ep. 2 - The Death Doula Conversation
Ep. 4 - The Pastry Chef Conversation
Ep. 9 - The Fitness Coach Conversation
Ep. 5 - The Bee Keeper Conversation
Ep. 16 - The Stitcher Conversation
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Music Credit: Auld Lang Syne, courtesy of TheHolidaySpot.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
We've been fortunate to talk to some pretty amazing people this year! Not only did welearn about their passions, in sharing their story, each guest taught us a little lesson to take with us.
We are stepping away from the mic over the holidays, so enjoy an abbreviated episode reflecting back on specific guests and the things we learned from hearing their stories, which we consider gifts in themselves:
“If you build it, they will come.” - Rua Fay, Film Blogger
“Vocational skill + passion = MORE” - Josh O’Connell, Gambling Writer
“Every opportunity is gold” - Savannah Whitten, Actor
“Always look forward and let passion be your guide” - Emma Halloran, Graphic Novelist
“Preserve the past for the future” - Christy Parrish, Ghost Tour Manager
Episode Links:
Ep. 14 - The Film Blogger Conversation
Ep. 17 - The Gambling Writer Conversation
Ep. 12 - The Horror Film Actor Conversation
Ep. 6 - The Graphic Novelist Conversation
Ep. 13 - The Ghost Tour Manager Conversation
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Christmas Music Credit: A Peaceful Winter by Scott Holmes Music
Creative Commons License - Royalty Free Christmas Music
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week’s conversation is with guest Glenn Williams, who recreates moments in time through his passion for scale model building. Focusing on, but not limited to model trains, his precision and attention to detail within the tiny scenes he creates provides the casual observer with much to take in, while evoking memories and stories from those who have actually been to the transit areas his scenes depict. His 1:87 work has been displayed in Chicago and San Francisco and he exhibits at major train shows across the country.
Glenn shares how he got involved with scale model building, some details about his creative building processes, what’s changed within his passion from when he first got started, some of the building innovations he’s experimenting with and how discovering organizations of like-minded scale model builders has helped him expand his skill and opened up new doors of opportunity.
Episode and Guest Links:
Glenn Williams' Scale Model Photo Gallery
The 1/87 Vehicle Club
The Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week’s guest, comedian Stephanie Peters, entered comedy at the age of 40 and hasn’t looked back! Prior to discovering comedy as her calling, she studied and trained as a jazz vocalist at The Berklee School of Music in Boston, yet a serious bout of stage fright cut her music career short - so how did she ever manage to perform comedy?! Tune in to find out!
Winner of the Marshall's Women in Comedy festival, which crowned her one of the top "new" female comics in the country, Stephanie performed as an opening act for one of her comedy idols, Joan Rivers. She’s also worked with Denis Leary, DL Hughley, Colin Quinn, John Pinette and Jackie Mason among others.
Stephanie shares how her comedy career took off, some harsh realities of the business she experienced and discusses when doors of opportunities closed, how she found other doors and even a few windows opened in their place. Her shoot-from-the-hip opinions and hysterical antics will have you laughing along with us as she shares her journey and the many twists and turns she’s navigated.
Episode and Guest Links:
Stephanie Peters Comedy
Connect with Stephanie Peters on Facebook
Stephanie Peters - My Boston
Stephanie Peters on The Steve Katsos Show
Stephanie and Chef Jeff crack up FOX25 Boston News Anchors
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
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Our guest, Elementary school teacher Monica Marks, had several “side hustles” she was involved with in the past, but as she approached motherhood for the first time, she stumbled upon a life-changing opportunity as she was helping out a friend. A fitness enthusiast, Monica was always on the hunt for durable, fun activewear and when she was introduced to Zyia activewear she not only found functional clothing, she also found clothing and a company that built her confidence and helped her change her mindset….now she’s helping others experience the same shift in thought and body acceptance.
Monica shares her journey with us and why, (aside from her teaching career and her young family), connecting with others and introducing them to Zyia is so meaningful to her.
Episode/Guest Links
Activewear with Monica Marks
Zyia Active
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
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Blending his journalistic curiosity with a favorite pastime of visiting casinos, this week’s guest, Josh O’Connell is educating casual and avid gamblers on all things casino-related. Josh’s website, Know Your Slots, focuses on slot education, comps, casino travel and advantage play The site serves many as a valuable educational resource to get the most out of a trip to the casino.
A staunch advocate for responsible gaming, Josh shares his most-published tips for casino budgeting along with ways to maximize reward program perks and comps. His innate curiosity for how gambling and casinos work has led him down the path of sharing his knowledge to help others make informed decisions and enjoy their casino experiences. A contributing writer to many online forums and co-author of the book, “Mr. Big Talks Slots”, Josh is an incredible example of using his skill to share information and experiences surrounding his interest in gaming and provides value to the seasoned as well as the novice casino visitor!
Episode/Guest Links
Know Your Slots website
Follow Know Your Slots on Twitter
Follow Know Your Slots on Instagram
Follow Know Your Slots on Facebook
Mr. Big Talks Slots on Amazon
YouTube Slot Channels mentioned in this episode:
Brian Christopher Slots
Random Slots
The Big Payback
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
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This week’s guest, Cross Stitch artist and budding entrepreneur, Bridget Tamillow shares how she is turning her passion into a small business venture. Bridget discusses how she has honed her skills, incorporated new elements and instead of following patterns, she is now creating custom portraits from clients’ photographs to create heirloom-quality pieces of art.
A successful small business isn’t started just on talent and skill alone; Bridget shares some of the challenges she faced when considering turning her passion into a business. From understanding how to price her pieces to becoming an online marketer, Bridget accepted the challenges, learned from some missteps and is now helping others learn the craft.
Episode and Guest Links:
I Got You in Stitches Homepage and Shop
I Got You in Stitches on Facebook
I Got You in Stitches on Instagram
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Podcast Homepage
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
No guest this week, just Maureen and Helen sharing some fun ideas and traditions to spark creativity and fun into celebrating the holidays by giving you the time to plan!
From family ornament-making, weekly Secret Santa notes and Christmas Eve sleigh bells to channelling all the child-energy on Christmas morning, plus finding ways to give back within your community - we’ve got lots to share!
Grab an egg nog or hot cider, put your feet up and we hope you get inspired by some of our favorite ways to celebrate and have fun during the holiday season!
Our Santa Sensitive Conversation shouldn’t be overheard or listened to by “little believers”, so make sure it's after bedtime or you’ve got your earbuds in before listening!
Pictures, videos and documents referenced in this episode will be available in our Assorted Conversations Facebook Community, so if you're not already a member - what are you waiting for?!
Episode LinksUSO Wish Book
Holiday Cards for the Military Challenge
Holiday Help for Military Families
Toys for Tots
First Responders Children's Foundation
Brighten-A-Day Foundation - Info/Ideas to assist elder care facilities
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Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
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- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Film blogger and cinephile, Rua Fay, shares her passion for film with us and how she has and continues to cultivate her love for the performing arts at the “ripe old age” of just seventeen years old.
Finding herself with very few people to share her love of cinema with, this young lady created a cinema website, virtually connected with and recruited a team of writers, then launched her passion project sharing her insights, opinions and reflections on film. Her love of visual storytelling has provided her the opportunity to direct her first music video; her empathy and sense of collaboration has her engaged with young performing arts students as a mentor and fellow collaborator. For this young woman, the sky’s the limit as she continues to expand her experience and dive into her love of cinema.
Episode and Guest Links:
Cinemasters - A blog for film fans, by film fans
The End of Us - Music Video
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
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Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
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- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week, Ghost Tour Manager and Paranormal Investigator, Christy Parrish, joins us to share her journey into the paranormal which began when she experienced what she terms extreme hauntings at her home in Tennessee. After relocating to Massachusetts for her “day job”, she was drawn to The Oliver House and became heavily involved in ensuring the property and, more importantly, the energies that reside there would never be forgotten.
She is a frequent speaker at paranormal events, highly sought-after for her ingenuity in raising funds to help the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts maintain the property and has a deep connection to all of the families who once called The Oliver House home. She leads a group of volunteers committed to sharing the history of the home, its significance to The Revolutionary War and learning what really happened within those four walls, from the energies who continue to reside there.
Join our Facebook Community below to attend an exclusive online event Halloween night from 8:00 - 9:00PM EST! Attend the event and be entered to win Oliver House giveaways, including an opportunity to be a part of an overnight paranormal investigation of the property!
Episode and Guest Links
Follow The Oliver House on Facebook
Secrets of The Peter Oliver House
Christy Parrish on Chronicle WCVB-TV
Haunt ME Season 6, Episode 1 - The Oliver House
Discover Middleboro MA - The Peter Oliver House
Assorted Conversations Links
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Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
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- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Halloween Music Credit: Plague of the Zombies by Haunted Corpse
Courtesy of The Free Music Archive. License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week Horror Film Actor, Savannah Whitten, joins us to share what it was like to play the title character in the horror/comedy film, Lillith! Savannah discusses how she originally got involved with acting, what led her to New York to pursue her dream at the age of 18 and how she found herself cast as the HBIC, Lilly.
This up-and-comer to watch not only acts, but has also taken a turn at writing, directing and her film “The Grumbling Peapicker” is currently screening at film festivals. We have some laughs with her as she shares funny stories from the set as well as some of the other interesting acting jobs she’s put her heart and “sole” into.
Episode and Guest Links
Lillith Movie Trailer
Savannah Whitten's YouTube Channel
Savannah's Kerasal Foot Therapy Commercial
Follow Savannah on Facebook
**Assorted Conversations Links
Be a part of our upcoming Holiday Episode! Click here to share your holiday stories!**
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Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
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- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Halloween Music Credit: Plague of the Zombies by Haunted Corpse
Courtesy of The Free Music Archive. License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week, Horror Film Writer and Director, Lee Esposito, has a conversation with us to keep “spooky” October rolling! Lee discusses his first feature film writing and directing experience on the horror/comedy movie, “Lillith”: how he came up with the concept, how he worked through the challenges of being a first time director and what it was like to win Best Feature at the 2019 New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival.
Lee’s spin on the legend of the Lillith, begins innocently enough when a young woman unwittingly conjures up a demon to exact revenge on her cheating boyfriend and Lillith’s daughter, Lilly appears. The kind of revenge played out is beyond the original intent! This horror/comedy doesn’t disappoint with horror or laughs!
Episode and Guest Links
Watch Lillith streaming now:
- Kings of Horror, Amazon Prime, Tubi TV, Google Play
- Watch Movies Now, Microsoft Movies, YouTube Movies
Lillith Trailer
Ritterhaus Productions
Terror Films
Follow Lillith on Facebook
Lee Esposito's IMDb
**Assorted Conversations Links
Be a part of our upcoming holiday episode! Click here to share your holiday stories!**
Podcast Homepage
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Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Halloween Music Credit: Plague of the Zombies by Haunted Corpse
Courtesy of The Free Music Archive. License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Kicking off October on Assorted Conversations, Urban Explorer and award-winning photographer, Zoe Fasolo, joins us to share how breaking the rules has led her to capturing hauntingly beautiful photos in abandoned buildings and properties. From cast aside hospitals and morgues to long-forgotten amusement parks, Zoe captures the hidden beauty and eeriness that very few of us will ever see.
We aren’t encouraging anyone to take up urban exploring, however Zoe shares what drew her to this genre of photography and thrill-seeking, the universal rules of urban exploring, some of the energies she has encountered on her quests and the fascinating discoveries she’s made over the past twenty years of exploring abandoned properties.
Episode and Guest Links:
Creepiest Things Discovered By Urban ExplorersVideo
Urban Explorers Give Modern Day Ruins a Second Lifearticle
To view Zoe’s photos, join our private Facebook group HERE
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Alisa Conway accepted a volunteer high school coaching opportunity and had no idea how pivotal that choice would become for her. Coaching high school athletes was the stepping stone for her to move from accounting and into the world of fitness. Alisa is a highly respected and sought after fitness coach who, through her multiple certifications, helps her clients achieve their wellness goals in mind, body and spirit.
Focusing on her clients’ personal achievements, recognizing that on some days just showing up to class is an accomplishment and encouraging each client to outdo themself, not others in class, are the many ways she creates a “no judgement” zone and allows her clients to discover what they are truly capable of achieving.
Episode and Guest Links:
What is TRX? Intro Video
TRX Training YouTube Channel
Whitman Wellness Center
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week, vintage race car enthusiast and owner of Sport and Specialty, John Saccameno, joins us to share how his passion and his work eventually became one in the same. The saying goes, “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life” and although that may be true on some days, John shares the challenges he faces in spite of the fact his business focuses on the cars he grew up admiring.
John discusses his very first race, how he originally got involved with Sport and Specialty to support his “racing habit” and discusses what he does now as it’s owner to ensure his team continues preserving the art and soul of vintage sports cars for their customers.
Episode and Guest Links:
Take a video shop tour and see restoration projects in progress: Sport and Specialty in action
Sport and Specialty Home Page
Sport and Specialty on YouTube
Sport and Specialty on Facebook
Sport and Specialty on Instagram
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
What do you do when you find the Chief Learning Officer of a Change Management and Adoption Services company has gone MIA to tour film festivals in support of the short film she co-wrote and helped bring to life? Simple, you sit her down to learn more about her short film endeavor!
This week our guest, Pamela Conway, shares her co-writing experience on the short film, “Here Lies Joe”. Pam discusses how she stepped away from novel writing and became more of a visual storyteller, what her experience was like collaborating with a writing partner, why the film’s subject matter resonated with them and what it’s like to attend a film festival when your heart and soul project is up for interpretation by an audience of strangers.
Audience Advisory: The short film, “Here Lies Joe” and this week’s conversation touch on the sensitive subjects of depression and suicide.
Episode and Guest Links:Sweven Films(click the link and scroll to "Here Lies Joe"
“Here Lies Joe”
- Joe, a suicidal man, attends a support group where he meets Z, a disarming and troubled young woman who leads him on a series of adventures that change his outlook on life.
Project Semicolon Website: Your story isn’t over
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website: 1-800-273-8255
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Graphic Novelist and storyteller, Emma Halloran, joins us this week to share how she turned her love of creating fan art into a passion for visual storytelling through long-form illustrated stories. Her characters are inspired by her life experiences, yet her story and visuals are all inspired by the music of the band Muse. Emma shares how writing “Chasing a Starlight” has not only been a creative outlet, but her characters reflect what she’s experienced and learned about herself and others along the way.
Episode and Guest Links:
Chasing a Starlight
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
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- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
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Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Beekeeper, Keith Norman, joins us this week to share how his beekeeping experiences with his grandfather came full circle when his daughter expressed an interest in keeping bees. Keith discusses the challenges and the upsides of starting and growing a successful bee colony, what new bee-enthusiasts should be aware of before getting started and how he plans to take his bee keeping passion to the next level.
Episode and Guest Links:
A Canadian Beekeeper Blog - Ian Steppler
Bob Binnie - BeekeeperKaymon Reynolds - Tennessee's Bees
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Lauren Croteau, Pastry Chef and owner of Lully Cakes, joins us this week and shares how her childhood love of baking and cake decorating led her to the pastry program at Johnson and Wales and eventually to starting her own business. Along the way, Lauren struggled to find balance and was wise enough to press pause and chart a slightly different course which may include taking her baking show “on the road”!
This week we’re debuting a new special feature, “Gems with Joey”, musings from the perspective of an eight-year-old. Stick around after our conversation with Lauren to hear Joey explain Bucket Dippers and Bucket Fillers!
Episode and Guest Links
Lully Cakes Website
Lully Cakes on Instagram
Lully Cakes on Facebook
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Gems with Joey Music Credit: Funny Kids by MojoProductions
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This week Erotica Writer, Bre Hill, shares how her mom instilled a love of reading in her, which led her to discover a love for writing. Starting with poetry and short stories, Bre’s writing passion as an adult took her on a journey of escape, self-discovery and self-acceptance, enabling her to live her most authentic life. Publishing her first erotic anthology of stories, not only marked a writing milestone for Bre, but a very personal one as well.
Listen in to hear how she got started writing and exposed to the erotica genre, what she has learned along the way and what her plans are to continue the erotic adventures of her characters.
Episode and Guest Links:
Slippery When Wet: An Erotic Anthology ... - Amazon.com
Bre Hill’s website - COMING SOON
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Death Doula, Veronica Halloran, joins us this week to share how her nursing background led her to tap into to assisting others through their end-of-life transitions. Not only does she provide care, comfort and guidance to those nearing the end of life, she also serves as a support and resource for the loved ones who have to come to terms with the loss and navigating the grieving process
Losing a loved one is painful and difficult, yet Veronica’s mission is to create an environment for the dying to experience a “beautiful death” and for their loved ones to share in celebrating the life their loved one lived.
Episode and Guest Links:
Interested in becoming a Doula?DoulaGivers End of Life Training and Certification Programs
Interested in finding a Doula?DoulaGivers Doula Directory
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
After many months of planning, learning and becoming wiser through our missteps and bloopers, we have finally arrived at the first of many finish lines - the first episode for the podcast that shares stories from everyday people following their passions and pursuing happiness!
Let’s not be friends that haven’t met anymore; Maureen and Helen introduce themselves, the concept for Assorted Conversations and share some of the guests we plan to speak with every Wednesday. We also talk about the passions we’ve followed: Helen pursued stand up comedy and has switched gears to writing humor while Maureen shares her passion for creating across many mediums and bringing her aesthetic into the world through glass designs, fabrics, and furniture, among others. We also share some laughs discovering our new weekly motto! Thanks for listening!
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased atsoundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0
We're Maureen and Helen and we'll be bringing you stories from everyday people who are following their passions and pursuing happiness. Make plans to join us every Wednesday!
Have some laughs with us, learn how and why our guests are turning their dreams into realities and possibly get inspired to begin your own journey!
Assorted Conversations Links
Podcast Homepage
Assorted Conversations Facebook Page
- Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends
Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community
- A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
- Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
- Special online events for community members
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Music and Artwork Credits
Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore
Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com
Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji
The open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0