The Shared Experience: Recent Episodes
The Ability Experience
The Ability Experience is a nonprofit organization with a simple mission: create shared experiences with people with disabilities and members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. We do so through a variety of volunteer events, bringing students together from across the country to bike, build, and create lasting memories. Our host, Zorth Pilonieta is a two-time team event alumnus. Join us as we explore the many unique stories that make up The Ability Experience.
On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview four-time Pi Alpha and current Ability Experience staff member, Patrick Carlson, Iota Kappa (Greeley). Carlson completed Journey of Hope in 2017 and 2018 as crew member and project manager and then Gear Up Florida in 2019 and 2022 as project manager and cyclist. Patrick is the first Pi Alpha from the Iota Kappa chapter, previously worked on Pi Kappa Phi's communication team and is currently working as Program Director for The Ability Experience. His day-to-day responsibilities are connecting with sponsors and volunteers to set up the North Route and Gear Up Florida route and helping Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida team members prepare for their summer.
In this episode, you'll learn why Patrick joined the Iota Kappa Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, why he signed up for his first summer event and about his current role as program director.
Connect with Patrick professionally here -https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjc27/
Connect with Patrick socially here -https://www.instagram.com/patjcarl/
On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 7-time Pi Alpha and Nu Phi Society member, Ruben Talavera, Eta Omega (New Mexico State University), who completed Journey of Hope in 2006 as a crew member and then cycled Gear Up Florida in 2007, 2009, 2019, 2020 and 2022. Since his retirement of summer events (unless his fellow Glo Bros ask him to run it back for another summer), Ruben has been serving the Lowe's associate disability community as a founding member and leader of the A.B.L.E. (A Better Life For Everyone) Business Resource Group, which works to create an inclusive and inspiring culture that empowers and enables people of all abilities.
In this episode, you'll learn how Ruben was introduced to the Journey of Hope while living in New Mexico, how The Ability Experience needed to pivot to host a virtual Gear Up Florida and Journey of Hope during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and what he considers "3 A.M. friends".
Connect with Ruben professionally here -https://www.linkedin.com/in/ncrubent/
Connect with Ruben socially here -https://www.instagram.com/ncrubent/
On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 7-time Pi Alpha and 3-time Bruce Rodgers Award winner, Andre Arman (Zeta Epsilon, George Mason University), who completed his first Pi Alpha event at the age of 35. Within a 10 year span, Andre completed 7 summer events including Journey of Hope in 2002, Gear Up Florida in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, Virtual Gear Up Florida in 2020 and Virtual Journey of Hope in 2020. This past year, Andre celebrated 22 years as a brother of Pi Kapp, while residing in Stafford, VA with his wife Elena and two kids, Ariana and Ryan. In this episode, you'll learn how Andre kept his summer event promise to his late fraternity big brother, Jason Tirado, and how the "Glo Bros" dream team came to be.Connect with Andre professionally here -https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-arman-73bb3543/Connect with Andre socially here -https://www.instagram.com/7xpialpha/Learn about Jason Tirado here-https://fb.watch/qOYbohwhc2/
On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha Austin Gothard (Iota Nu, Mississippi State University), who completed Gear Up Florida as a cyclist in 2022, led the TransAmerica team as Project Manager in 2023 and will be cycling Gear Up Florida a second time in 2024. Austin will also be a Leadership Consultant for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity in 2024.
In this episode, you'll learn how Austin experienced both sides of a summer event: as a crew member and as a cyclist!
Connect with Austin professionally here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-gothard-816439240/
Connect with Austin socially here - https://www.instagram.com/gothard.aj
Welcome to episode 14! On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha and Team AbEx Ambassador, Jeremy Jones (Alpha Gamma, University of Oklahoma), who completed Journey of Hope as a cyclist in 1998, 2001 and as project manager in 2009.
Jeremy has walked across Spain, biked around New Zealand, was a semi-finalist for the show "Survivor," completed an Ironman triathlon, worked for the Today Show, traveled to 6 continents, qualified for the Boston Marathon, served a mission in the Amazon, and won a male pageant since completing Journey of Hope.
Connect with Jeremy professionally here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymoorjones/
Interested in being a Team AbEx Ambassador? Apply here - https://abilityexperience.org/team-abex-ambassadors/
Welcome to episode 13! On this episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 1997 Journey of Hope North Route cyclist, managing director at Merrill Lynch and current AbEx board member, Michael Davis.
Learn how Michael’s Journey of Hope experience led to him hosting the Inaugural Empire State Ride in New York, and saying YES to more adventures like hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024.
Connect with Michael professionally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nymikedavis/
Connect with Michael socially here: https://www.instagram.com/maddog_davis7/
Interested in doing the 2024 Empire State Ride October 10-14? Email Diego at dferradas@abilityexperience.org.
Welcome to episode 12, featuring Rob Raesemann from the Zeta Zeta chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. In this episode, hosts Zorth and Gary talk with Rob about being a 6x Pi Alpha, his involvement for the AbEx Challenge: Gate River Run and the future of the Zeta Zeta Chapter.
A snippet about Rob:
"Rob's initiation into Pi Kappa Phi over 35 years ago set him on a path he could never have imagined. He feels lucky to have joined the only fraternity that could provide him with the types of opportunities Pi Kappa Phi has.
Rob started volunteering for the fraternity as a District Counselor in 2002, which led to attending Pi Kappa Phi’s Supreme Chapter in Washington, D.C. While in D.C., Rob attended the Journey of Hope arrival for the first time. When he learned alumni could participate in Gear Up Florida, he immediately purchased a bike, and applied for his first summer event in 2003. Rob has been active with the Ability Experience for over 20 years!"
Connect with Rob professionally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robraesemann/
Connect with Rob socially here: https://www.instagram.com/robraesemann/
Sign up for the 2024 Gate River Run here: https://give.abilityexperience.org/event/2024-abex-challenge-gate-river-run/e530582
Welcome back! It's been a while. On this return episode, Zorth and Gary talk with Jim Karlovec, cofounder of the Journey of Hope. This is the first episode of a longer series discussing how "A" journey of hope became THE Journey of Hope.
As a Pi Alpha, Cycling Coach and Board Member, it's fair to say that Corey Dillon has impacted the The Ability Experience's cycling events more than just about anyone. Over the years, Corey has dedicated himself to the evolution of our events - particularly in the interest of safety. Join us and we uncover what Corey has added to the Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida experiences since is 1991 cross-country trek.
Paul Drake has done it all. As a seven time Pi Alpha, Paul has cycled all three routes of Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida. Join us as Paul compares and contrasts his experiences depicting the evolution of our programs over the years.
Paul's involvement: Journey of Hope (1989, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005), Gear Up Florida (2004), Pi Alpha Ride Along (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017), Cycling Events Cycling Coach (2018-present)
Twin brothers, Josh and Will Ingram have a lot to unpack when it comes to Ability Experience involvement. Join us as we compare and contrast two unique experiences including the 2019 Journey of Hope.
As a result of a traumatic motorcycle accident, Brent Freeman is a Pi Alpha who is now blind. While injuries have effected his memory, Journey of Hope will never be forgotten. Join us as he shares how his perspective of his 2010 experience has evolved and what he cherishes most about that summer.
(Recorded LIVE as a part of 2021 Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers)
3x Pi Alpha and past-staff member, Mike McBride, Omega (Purdue), is an adventurer. From leading The Ability Experience's only event in Europe, to most recently riding the Blue Ridge Parkway in just five days, Mike reflects on what it truly means to be a Pi Alpha and how your first event shouldn't be the end.
Since 2003, our flagship construction program has been building more than just accessible facilities at our partner camps. Join us as our inaugural Build America Project Manager Jenkins Chan discusses the program and the reasons why many view it as the most impactful program The Ability Experience has to offer.
On this episode of #TheSharedExperience, our host Zorth Pilonieta sits down with Ryan Thibodaux, Gamma Iota (LSU). Learn how Ryan is balancing family, his dental practice, and playing in one of New Orleans' top bands all while taking on the challenge of riding segments of the Journey of Hope South Route in the wake of COVID-19.
Journey of Hope Ride Along Challenge: https://www.classy.org/event/journey-of-hope-ride-along-challenge/e288232
Gear Up Florida 2020 team member and now five-time Pi Alpha, David Dalton, Beta Nu (Houston), reflects on his time with the organization. Find out where this year’s virtual event stacks up against his previous cycling event experiences on this episode of The Shared Experience. (Dalton participated in Gear Up Florida 2001 and 2020 as a cyclist, 2003 and 2004 as a crew member, as well as a cyclist on the 2002 Journey of Hope south team)
"Living in a wheelchair is never easy, but no one said life was easy."
Kyle Pease, Eta Delta (Kennesaw State) is a four-time Iron Man and co-founder of the Kyle Pease Foundation. Listen in as Kyle sheds light on his journey as a competitive athlete and how he continues to push the envelope to inspire and motivate us all.
Referenced Links:
https://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/
https://abilityexperience.org/programs/the-ability-experience-challenges/
Chael Williams, Theta Alpha (Southern Mississippi) is a 2019 Journey of Hope South Route cyclist. Join us for our first episode as our host, Zorth Pilonieta chats with Chael about his unique experience with The Ability Experience, and what being a Pi Kappa Phi means to him.
Learn more: https://abilityexperience.org/