Seemingly Ordinary: Recent Episodes
Tim Wuebker
On the surface, the guests of this podcast are seemingly ordinary. And yet, they have great stories and ideas, and they've done great things. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Dan and Rachel approached love and marriage in a fascinating way. Rock-solid, easygoing, and hard working people, their story and approach to life is deeply inspiring.
(This episode was recorded July 19, 2020.)
Lee Ann Ochs is the co-owner of Level-Up STEM KC, a business that helps students and schools improve their STEM skills. A mom, teacher, and entrepreneur, Lee Ann helps people all day long, on multiple levels. This episode is primarily about education, and the innovative ways Lee Ann's business helps it along.
(This episode was recorded on July 17, 2020.)
Allie Stulzsatz is an entrepreneur from an entrepreneurial family . She is also a beloved teacher, a great wife and mom, and a great cookie artist! Today, we discuss business, family, and more. Enjoy!
(This episode was recorded on July 8, 2020.)
Fasting for five days. Living for a year in a midwestern city without a car. Saving 70 to 95% of his income on a teacher's salary. Getting jacked, and then doing an Ironman. Tyler does experiments that some would call crazy...that even he calls crazy. But he gets results! And he teaches many others to do the same. Go wild with Tyler!
(This episode was recorded July 2, 2020.)
My friends Sean & Jamie Cailteux are healthcare workers, and the parents of three kids, Claire, Josie, and an unborn baby boy!
I’ve interviewed Sean before. He’s a super-fit chiropractor, and he’s my go-to guy when it comes to all things health and fitness.
Jamie Cailteux is a nurse and perhaps the most avid reader I know—and that is saying a lot. I am not sure how many books she goes through in a year, but it could be between one and two hundred.
In the past, I’ve interviewed people who have raised six or seven kids. Some of their kids are in their early twenties, and they’re out of the house, employed, graduated, and getting married. So, I wanted to see how young couples, whose kids are four, two, and unborn, are thinking through some of the complex topics of parenthood! Sean & Jamie are maybe about four miles into this 26.2 mile marathon that they are running. I respect them deeply, and want to know how they think.
This episode was recorded in July 2020.
Sammy Kopecky became the sole proprietor of profitable and professional photography business as a high school student. She’s done senior portraits, special events—and even was trusted enough to be the photographer for a newlywed couple. You can find her at Kopecky photography, at samanthakopeckyphotography.com.
(This episode aired in 2021.)
Whenever I see happy, healthy, accomplished kids, I always wonder how the parents did it. In this episode, Jerry and Lucy Tujague, two very accomplished people, tell fascinating and helpful family stories.
(This episode originally aired on June 1, 2021.)
Emily was a beloved high school teacher at a very demanding school before she became a full-time mom of six children. I've always been fascinated by how great parents raise cheerful kids. Today, Emily explains it all: from romance to engagement to marriage to baby boom. What does it take to raise awesome children? Emily is too modest to say she knows. Even so, enjoy!
This episode originally aired on May 18, 2021.)
Where others see obstacles, Carrie creates opportunities, and makes lasting changes to society and culture.
(This episode originally aired on March 9, 2021.)
Lindsey Weishar is a freelance editor, writer, and college English instructor. Her work has appeared in Verily, Ploughshares, and The Young Catholic Woman. We are speaking today about her hard work, creativity, and published work. Lindsey is an amazingly eloquent wordsmith; she works hard at her craft, and in every piece, her gentle, heartfelt personality shines through.
(This episode originally aired on Jan. 19, 2021.)
Sherri teaches art, and student love her class. We discuss how her life led her to art, the art of her life, and how art can enrich every person’s life.
(This episode originally aired on April 6, 2021.)
Emily Mushinski started dancing at 4 years old. She has a BFA in Dance, trained and performed with Budapest Dance Theatre, and now she works with Owen/Cox Dance Group, Tristian Griffin Dance Company, and Storling Moves. If you ever wanted to work hard at something, or do something beautiful, you’ll love hearing from Emily.
(This episode originally aired on March 16, 2021.)
Clare Larkin is a teacher who traveled to Poland in order to have a transformative personal experience. We discuss what she did to Poland, how that nation is better off for her visiting it, and how you, too, can have a trip of a lifetime.
(This episode originally aired on April 20, 2021.)
Antionette Ishmael is a lifelong teacher. She’s taught many different kinds of English, speech, debate, and theatre. She’s helped put on plays, musicals, concerts. Her debate /forensics teams have often come in first in the state/local tournaments.
She’s also a published author! Check out her stories in “Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul,” “Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart,” “Chocolate for a Woman’s Blessings,” and “Swollen Ankles and Blowfish Kisses.”
Today, we discuss how precise speech, a love of the arts, and a willingness to engage tough topics with other people will sharpen your mind, increase your mental discipline, ramp up your creativity, and help your heart grow.
(This episode originally aired on May 25, 2021.)
Ferd Niemann operates a real estate investment company focusing on mobile home parks. His podcast is: The Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast.
(This episode originally aired on Feb. 23, 2021.)
Tom Ruzicka came in first in his age group in the Ironman. His work ethic and personal ethos will blow your mind.
(This episode originally aired on Feb. 16, 2021.)
Lee Ann Ochs is married, has six kids including one who has had daunting media bills, and she is the co-owner of Level-Up STEM KC, with her husband, Rob, who is ex-military. Together, they add a lot of goodness to the world. How do they do it all?
(This episode originally aired on Feb. 9, 2021.)
In this second interview with a beloved teacher who was voted #1 by his peers, Michael Consiglio discusses his ups and downs in buying and renting six or more houses. His stories are entertaining, and I felt smarter after listening to them.
(This episode is a replay from Jan. 26, 2021.)
Lindsey Weishar is a freelance editor, writer, and college English instructor. Her work has appeared in Verily, Ploughshares, and The Young Catholic Woman. We are speaking today about her hard work, creativity, and published work. Lindsey is an amazingly eloquent wordsmith; she works hard at her craft, and in every piece, her gentle, heartfelt personality shines through.
(This episode originally aired on Jan. 19, 2021.)
A blast from the past. This episode aired five years ago. Carol Mertz, a lifelong actress, singer, musician, and playwright, speaks about a touching WWII play that she directed where everything came together. And she's a generous soul! An expert and finding roles for people, she gave teens a chance who might otherwise not have had one.
These two personal finance advisors are friends, but what they believe couldn't be more opposite.
What's it like to grow up with over a dozen siblings?
(Blast from the past: this episode aired on Dec. 22, 2020.)
Gold = 1,600% gain since 2000. Silver: about the same. The stock market is up 450%. If you had a $1,000 in 2000, you would have been better off putting it in metals, and ignoring the stock market completely. What does this mean?
Author, mystic, monk -- Thomas Merton wrote 70 books, made millions, and never kept a cent. And he had a profound impact on my life. He still does.
From Merton:
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
– Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, page 79.
Jack Carr is my favorite living author. I met him in the summer of 2024. He's very down to earth--and yet he writes the most realistic thrillers possible about combat, the deep state, warriors, and much more. I recommend his work highly! Novels include: "The Terminal List" (also an amazon series with Chris Pratt), "True Believer," "Savage Sun," and six more.
Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, E.R., Twister, and so many more) wrote some of the greatest thrillers of all time. He also discussed and/or predicted things like AI, genetic engineering, worldwide viruses, chaos theory, using fear to manipulate people, and much more. In this episode, I discuss his biography, works, themes, and what he might thrill us with if he were alive today. He was a great man, and his impact is still with us today.
Mary Flannery O'Connor is in my top three authors. She is hilarious!! And satirical. And shocking. And violent. When I read anything she writes the first time, I am startled by what happens. When I finish, I wonder why she ended it that way. So, I reread her, and then I catch all the comic lines.
A world-class author who is considered to be one of the greatest of the 20th Century, Flannery O'Connor will shock you, make you laugh, and turn your world sideways. Enjoy!
I've always liked the party animal author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, although I wouldn't want to be neighbors with him--too dangerous. Even so, I find he and his wife, Zelda's, lives fascinating. Here is a little about his twenties (the party) and his thirties (the hangover). He also has powerful life lessons, inadvertently given, for anyone who wants to be happy.
F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence Retire Early) is a movement where people get $1,000,000 in investments by their early thirties. Tyler Supalla is on this road, and it is working great for him!
(This episode is a blast from the past.)
The Dark Side of the MBTI, Part 2.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator almost always discusses how wonderful people are. And they are! But what about horrible behavior? Dishonesty? Theft? Vandalism? Pointless criticism? Beating people up? Why do people do awful things?
Dr. Eve Delunas & Dr. David Keirsey (who wrote "Please Understand Me") have answers. Last week, I discussed the Blues (ENFP, INFP, ENFJ, INFJ) and the Greens (ENTP, INTP, ENTJ, and INTJ). This week, I discuss the Oranges (ESFP, ISFP, ESTP, & ISTP) and the Golds (ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, & ISTJ). Enjoy!
If you've taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator--and over 100,000,000 Americans have, not to mention millions more people from around the world--you may have noticed its very cheerful tone: It believes every type of person is wonderful.
I believe this, too--but what about crime? Lying? Stealing? Assault? People cheating on their spouses? According to the MBTI, why do people do these things?
Dr. Eve Delunas & Dr. David Keirsey (who wrote "Please Understand Me") have answers. And they are deeply insightful, regarding both the origin--and the solution--for these devastating crimes and sins that can cause so much misery.
Today, I discuss primarily the Blues (ENFP, INFP, ENFJ, INFJ) and the Greens (ENTP, INTP, ENTJ, and INTJ). Next week, I'll discuss the Oranges (ESFP, ISFP, ESTP, & ISTP) and the Golds (ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, & ISTJ).
Allison Mark is nearly a senior in high school. In this episode, we discuss how she likes school (even in late May of her junior year), her lifelong hope of playing sports, her faith life, psychology, friendship, and much more.
Once a TV reporter who survived and covered a hurricane (episode #182), Caroline Burkard has re-invented herself. How did she do it? Enjoy this fun update featuring love, photography, starting your own business, and--bonus--where she rates money, power, fame, love, growth, contribution, and Jesus in her life, these days, on a scale of 1 to 10.
She's always up to something amazing!
For about 1750+ years, Christians thought charging interest was wicked and exploitative. From Jesus (Luke 6:34-35) to Augustine to Aquainus to others, they didn't like it.
But in the 18th Century, things started to change. Even so, many Christians today have severe misgivings about the morality of charging any interest. C.S. Lewis worried it was anti-Christian. And yet, we have it. Can anything be done about it?
I also discuss families. What should we do to help each other with our debts? Teach each other the mechanics of money? Give each other copies of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"? Because, like Proverbs 22:7 says, "The borrower is slave to the lender." And no one should have to be a slave.
Join me for a meditation on this thorny topic.
Adam Clement is a licensed marriage therapist who has worked with all kinds of hard cases, from addiction to trauma to spouses who say no to everything, young men who won't leave their rooms, and people suffering from identity crises (like teens who don't know what to do, or your classic 40 year old who feels lost). In this episode, I ask him about hard cases.
Every day, I notice more and more in many conversations: what isn't being said. It's often the most important part.
Michelle Downard - Birth Parent Peer Support / Birth Mother:
"My name is Michelle Downard, and I am a birth mother who has been working for American Adoptions since 2003. My primary focus is peer support for all the birth mothers that we work with who want to know that they are not alone and that someone else understands how they feel. I placed my son for adoption in February of 1998. He is the love of my life, and I know that it is because of adoption and his wonderful adoptive family that he has had all of the opportunities and experiences that he has been blessed with. I also handle the pictures and letters here at the agency and love being able to talk with both adoptive couples and birth mothers about their experience and contribute in making it a positive experience for everyone."
E-MAIL: michelle.d@americanadoptions.com
Interviewing Michelle was a ton of fun, and very heartwarming. Everyday, she helps people in deep need. Very inspiring.
And if so, how? Some people believe we have to change the system.Note: I am not saying this is his plan. But between President Trump's proposal that income taxes go away for everyone making under $150,000, and the tariffs--who knows just how creative the chief executive will get?
I'm not a great negotiator. But these five keys work. If you've ever wanted to get what you want, and stay 100% honest, this is probably the way to go.
What's fake? Maybe the food, our fuel, a bunch of people in government, the media, the money, the pharma, what some call "bu!!shlit jobs," some of the education, and much more.
People complain about conspiracy theories, but it would help if we got to the bottom of things, instead of just moving on. After all, most Americans don't believe what they've heard about JFK; RFK; MLK, Jr.; 9/11; and so much more.
But every time there's a crisis, we end up with interested parties telling us what they want us to believe. But--how about just the facts?
Is there a solution? I truly believe that honesty and standards solve almost all problems. That's all I want: real investigations. Then I think we'd have real solutions.
(I recorded this episode on March 8, 2025.)
How do you help people who isolate themselves? "Hikikomori" is a worldwide phenomena--where young men (usually ages 18 to 25) isolate themselves. They tend to talk to no one and not have jobs. In Japan, there are 1,200,000 people like this, and there are many in other nations, including the U.S. These people don't have goals and they don't have relationships. Can they be helped?
It takes a lot of work, but popular Catholic Bishop Fulton Sheen, and professional terrorist, and kidnapper-negotiator, Chris Voss, appear to have found a way.
If someone you love is in this situation, and you'd like to help, but you don't know how, this might be an answer.
For more information, look into:
* The William George Agency for Children's Services;
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EverGreen Meadow Academy;
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Boys Republic;
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The Menniger Clinic;
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Yellowbrick;
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and Exposure =Therapy.
Note: I'm not endorsing any of the above. I'm just saying that it's worth looking into.
(I recorded this episode on March 8, 2025.)
Debt on a personal level can easily damage your life, remove your opportunities, give you a spirit of fear and always saying no, and hurt your imagination. LIfe was not meant to be this way. In this episode, I give thoughts on: the psychology of debt, how debt keeps us from being our best, and I offer a few solutions.
The national debt is designed to never be paid off--and it costs us our health, prosperity, and many other good things. And it makes it easier for nations to go to war.
But there are two alternative systems that are worth discussing--a hard money system (like gold, silver, and/or Bitcoin), and something I never heard of until about last week: a Sovereign Monetary System.
Join me for what may be a very healthy solution to our current destructive, dysfunctional, rigged game that hurts us, and also hurts the world. These solutions have worked before. They can work again.
In 1963, Eric Berne wrote a book that still sells well today: "Games People Play." It is about ridiculous, repetitive patterns that people fall into, like "I've Got You Now, You Little S.O.B.," and "Kick Me." In this episode (third in a series), I discuss several more of these self- and other-destructive games, as well as two of Dr. Berne's other insightful concepts: "Rackets" and "Stamps." You'll like it! I also provide resources (like other books on this subject, like "Born to Win" and "Scripts for Life.") This episode is #3; the first two were #227 & #229.
"(I've Got a) Wooden Leg"..."(You've Got a) Blemish"..."Kick Me"...and "Look What You Made Me Do!" These are four more Games that People Play.
In the 1960s, psychologist Eric Berne noticed that some people repeat the same silly arguments &/or patterns over & over again. He called these destructive patterns "games." But even though they prevent people from having fun, solving problems, and getting along, they are common. In this episode, I cover four more, as well as get into Berne's solutions. Careful...you don't want a game to become a life-script.
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 25, 2025.)
Spencer Steinert is a guide at Wonder, an Acton Academy which was featured on Jordan Peterson's podcast when Dr. Peterson interviewed Zach Lahn, the founder of Wonder. And now Spencer is opening his own Acton Academy, in Overland Park, Kansas, in August 2025.
Acton Academies are hard to describe—but they are catching on like wildfire, with over 300 of them in the U.S. and other countries, since the first one opened in 2009.
I’d like to say more about Spencer: he is a startup veteran, Innovation Design Expert (he has an M.A.), and a passionate educator who teaches kids to be entrepreneurial, and to tackle their projects (which they choose) with self-discipline and verve. And he's a great marketer.
Read more about Acton (and Spencer) here:
a) https://www.daringtowonder.com
and also here:
b) https://www.actonacademy.org/find
And listen to episode #221 (“Jacob McKnight Is Opening an Acton Academy”) of this podcast.
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- Contact at spencer@daringtowonder.com * * *
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"Games People Play" is a book that explains the social and relationship games that people play. These are no-win situations that we should avoid. I cover three: "I've Got You Now, You Little $$#@!," "Ain't It Awful," and "Yes, But." I also discuss the author, Dr. Eric Berne's solutions. Even though this book is sixty years old, it still sells well because it's so flippin' good. I found it eye-opening. Enjoy!
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2025.)
Apparently, law school makes people strong, smart, and gives them mesmerizing stories to tell. Reed just completed his third semester; it was agonizing and exhilarating, and (in my view) it made him into a better man in every respect.
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 9, 2025.)
Law school is a stark adjustment for most people. How did Sam Dierberger fare? It lead him to question practically every aspect of his life, and also his beliefs.
(This episode was recorded four days ago.)
Even though I've had a two-drink limit for myself for decades, I decided last March that maybe I'm done. Since then, life has gotten very interesting.
Books & podcast resources included.
(This episode was recorded Jan. 4, 2025. The artwork features athletes drinking water.)
Awarded "Teacher of the Year" by his peers, Michael Consiglio is a teacher and a coach who, all his life, has been willing to take on brand new challenges.
This is a replay of the very first episode of Seemingly Ordinary, which debuted in 2020.
I ask Lee Ann Oches, a smart lady with six kids, what she would do differently if she had $20M and unlimited help in educating her six kids. Plus, we discuss at least eight jobs that one or both of us think every person should have for six months or longer.
(We recorded this episode on Dec. 14, 2024.)
This is a new kind of school, although there are 300 of them, worldwide, and they've been around since 2009. They help kids perform 1, 2, or even 3 grade levels ahead, and they teach kids to start their own businesses, start their own charities, write their own plays, or otherwise build something that matters to the public. They are very different. Jacob & Caitlin McKnight are opening one: OriginsKC, in Pleasant Valley.
You can reach them here:
https://www.originskc.com and heroicorigins@originskc.com
Or use the QR code that is this episode's thumbnail.
Or this: https://qrfy.io/r/KwAk6oDDHL
(This episode was recorded Dec. 6, 2024.)
Jacob McKnight is starting a brand new school, and he's also lived an incredible life. In this episode, I wanted to hear stories from his life--and what a shock! His two young daughters could have died. Not only that, if they lived, the chance that both would recover from what happened to them--nearly drowning--was under 4%. And yet...well, you'll just have to listen.
Jacob also spent time in Iraq, and helped soldiers survive after they'd lost a lot of blood.
We also discuss a little about his new school, which is an Acton Academy. We start with that, because that's his major professional goal, but what an Acton is, and how it's different, is our topic for December 10, 2024.
For more information about Jacob's new Acton Academy in Pleasant Valley, MO, contact him at: https://www.originskc.com and heroicorigins@originskc.com
Or use the QR code that is this episode's thumbnail.
Or this: https://qrfy.io/r/KwAk6oDDHL
(This episode was recorded Dec. 6, 2024.)
Money. Romance. Careers. Love. We all have opinions and attitudes on life's most important topics--but where did we get them? Chances are, we absorbed them when we were too young to do anything else, maybe from family, friends, enemies, the media, and more. And then, by the time were were 25, we have a whole range of beliefs that have shaped our lives--sometimes for greatness, and at other times, for pain.
Adam Clement--marriage therapist, business creator, and personal finance expert--and I discuss subconscious programming: what is it, how can we identify it, and is it possible to change your mind when it would be to your benefit to do so? Our conversation may wander, but everything Adam says is always worth listening to.
What is confidence and how do you get more of it? Marriage, addiction, trauma, and otherwise great therapist Adam Clement explains.
Peter King is a recent graduate of a very unique, traditionalist college in California.
Join Caroline Burkard (former TV reporter & current photographer) for a wide-ranging discussion on imposter syndrome, and how to develop confidence.
Reed Wilkinson didn't just have a faith journey or a faith metamorphosis...he's had a faith revolution. This powerful event changed his life.
Law school is famous for destroying many students, but Reed Wilkinson loved it, and got stronger mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Here's how he did it.
Mark and Ann Marie Wertin raise their seven children in a natural setting that emphasizes family, hard work, faith, and spontaneous fun. But how do you begin to live this dream life? Mark Wertin gives his very first steps.
(This episode was recorded on June 10, 2024.)
Mark and Ann Marie Wertin raise their seven children in an idyllic setting--on a farm with cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens, and horses. They garden, and raise almost all of their own food. Ann also has an M.A., and they homeschool. Their kids are wonderfully happy and social.
How did they come to lead this ideal life? In this episode, Mark covers what their family believes a true education is, and how they achieve it. Next week, in Part II, we get into how to get started on this astonishing lifestyle that many people crave.
(This episode was recorded on June 10, 2024.)
All Caroline Burkard ever wanted to do was be a TV reporter. She succeeded. But when a hurricane hit where she lived, it nearly broke not just the city, but also her. This is the story of an amazing young woman who achieved her dream--only to literally face a natural and very personal disaster.
(This episode was recorded on Feb. 23, 2024.)
Dr. Shane Rapp is the principal of St. James Academy, a school that has prospered since it opened, in 2005. What's in store for it's future?
If You or Someone You Love Has Ever Had a Hard-to-Diagnose Illness, Listen to This!
Holly Wilson is in her mid-twenties, and is managing to live with an under diagnosed disorder called Ehlers Danlos syndrome hypermobile type III! On a quest to get better, she saw numerous doctors and had to do lots of research. Her battle for good health has been intense, and ongoing.
Her story alone is powerful. But if anyone you know has ever had to live a chronic, hard-to-figure-out illness, her story isn't just inspirational--it's helpful.
Andy Flattery does not predict the future. Although I'd love to know if we're heading for...
What do you do when you have everything, and it all gets taken away?
James Arthur Ray is a New York Times bestselling author, philosopher, and consultant who has worked with over 1 million people from 146 countries through his coaching and leadership programs. But he lost it all--you have to hear how--and had to fight his way back to recover.
And what do you do when you were born into a nightmare? Bersabeh Ray was born in Iran in 1981 during the Iran-Iraq War. Growing up, her childhood disappeared into a cloud of death, violence, sexual abuse, and instability. But somehow, she built a great life for herself.
Their stories are one-of-a-kind. You what they say might leave you stunned, and yet, inspired.
Former TV reporter Caroline Burkard discusses the art and phenonema that fascinate her: thrillers, podcasts about the good, bad, and ugly in relationships, EDM---and the paranormal. And we digress into veganism and the Carnivore Lifestyle. With Caroline, it's always an adventure.
(This episode was recorded in April 2024.)
Mike is a former high school baseball coach and summer select baseball coach with 3 Texas State Championships and 1 National Championship. Mike coached the USA 16 International Team 5 years in Australia winning the “Down Under” World Championship all 5 years. Mike has coached the best and played at the highest level. After winning two (2) batting championships in the TX/LA Professional Baseball League, 1977/1978, Mike was offered a minor league baseball contract with the NY Mets.
In this episode, Mike Coy explains how to go from good to great!
Receive a gift from Mike at mikecoyspeaks.com/gift, and learn about his book at ichoselive.com
(This episode was recorded on March 26, 2024.)
Author, musician, and podcaster Sam Dierberger and I have a conversation about five outstanding works of fiction, and why you'd probably like them a lot.
Suttree, by Cormac McCarthy
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson
Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
Dracula, Bram Stoker
The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler
(This episode was recorded on February 3, 2024.)
Check out a story that is at the very beginning! 23-year-old Grace Vannoy is a beautiful soul--kind, smart and adventurous--and she has done something extraordinary: she's devoted her life to serving God and others. The Student Life Coordinator at Christ Church, Grace studied religion in depth for over four years, and is doing her best to build up our society's youth. Hear Grace's story as her adventures begin.
(This episode was recorded on March 4, 2024.)
Sammy Kopecky is only 21, and yet is an extraordinarily good photographer who started her business in high school. She quickly gained a following, and did senior pictures, events, and family gatherings. Now, she's accelerated to a whole new level--the holy grail of wedding photography. How did she do it? How did she rise so quickly? In a compelling interview, she tells her highly unusual story, and gives away how anyone can get good at something--and increase profits--with the right kind of effort.
(This episode was recorded on February 3, 2024.)
Sam Dierberger is a college senior who has worked in many retail environments. He has many stories about shoplifters, crazy people, and bosses who are hell bent to right every wrong.
(This episode was recorded in March 2024.)
See why home schooling has surged in the past few years to over 7 million families. If you want to raise smart, tough, kind, cheerful, hard working, responsible kids equally at home with working with their hands or reading books, home schooling might be for you. Listen to expert Stacie Brown explain how she and her seven amazing kids do it.
(This episode was recorded March 1, 2024.)
Stacie Brown's seven kids perform above grade level, start their own businesses, do workworking, leatherworking, and can make knives. Why are her kids so diversely skilled and active? Why do they love to be outside and read? What makes them get along so well with adults and others? Homeschooling has doubled in size in recent years, to over 7,000,000 students. Find out what this exciting, personal, and unique trend is all about.
(This episode was recorded on March 1, 2024.)
Adam Clement is a successful entrepreneur who leads a team. He is also a licensed marriage therapist who helps couples--although, he helps many others with many things. In this episode, we discuss dealing with: people who are too tight with money, people who are too loose with money, control freaks, and how to keep your marriage intact--as well as what do do when catastrophe strikes (like divorce). We also discuss Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," which is the best selling personal finance book in world history.
(This episode was recorded on February 4, 2024.)
Marriage therapist Adam Clement also is a successful entrepreneur who leads a team and helps others get profitable. We discuss two things: Can money buy happiness, and what is most useful about Dave Ramsey's way of living life?
(This episode was recorded on Feb. 4, 2024.)
After achieving her life's dream of becoming a TV reporter, Caroline Burkard lived through a hurricane and found herself devastated by it. What do you after you achieve your wildest dream--only to have it ripped from you? With grace and tenacity, you start over. This is the story of Caroline Burkard's hard-fought recovery.
(This episode was recorded on February 23, 2024.)
Caroline Burkard was an TV news reporter who was everything the news business ever wanted--telegenic, outgoing, a good storyteller--until she lived through a hurricane, and had to cover the aftermath. The devastation, the stories of people who lost everything, and the reaction of her own executives--nearly broke her. She started off idealistic. Everything changed. She's had to remake herself.
This is a story of devastation--and recovery.
Before Mike Coy’s father passed, he said, “Make a Difference, Son.” That credo has led Mike, a lifelong athlete and a former baseball coach with 3 Texas State Championships and 1 National Championship, to now urging men to take care better care of their health. Never sick a day in his life, Mike had to suffer through cancer—although he bounced back, and now, at age 70, still plays baseball with a bunch of guys in their 40s. An incredible speaker, Mike is a successful author of “I Choose…Live” and “A Random Act of Kindness.” Mike has coached the best and played at the highest level. You can find more about him at https://ichoselive.com
Sammy Kopecky is a professional photographer (episode 28) and a future F.O.C.U.S. missionary. Currently a senior in college, she has traveled to Peru (episode 141) and she has great advice for taking your relationships to a whole new level (episode 97). Always growing, Sammy is disarmingly relaxed. How does she do it all? In this episode, she takes her very successful life in a brand new direction.
In this concluding episode, Sam and I discuss religion, and he continues to mesmerize me with great stories. Don't miss this excellent conversation, in which Sam puts my brain in high gear.
Sam's podcast, "Those Film Nerds," is available on YouTube and other places. His album, "Them Who Haunt," is on Spotify and elsewhere.
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2024.)
The well-read Sam Dierberger joins me to discuss his album, tell me some great stories, and he begins to explain what he really thinks about God.
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2024.)
In this wide-ranging conversation with Sam Dierberger, a brilliant senior from Rockhurst University, we discuss his 700 page novel, the crazy real-life stories that inspired it, religion, how Sam’s had his worldview severely challenged, and much, much more. Sam is a great storyteller with highly unusual observations. You’ll love this.
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2024.)
When college works, it really works. Sam Dierberger is a brilliant, well-read, fascinating senior at Rockhurst University who is going to law school in August, which raises the question: does college make people brilliant? Or do some brilliant people go to college?
But what I find compelling about Sam are his many interests. Sam wrote two novels while in college. He loves literature, politics, philosophy, music, and theology. He has an album, "Them Who Haunt," available on Spotify and other places. For two years, he did the “Those Film Nerds” podcast, which was film criticism, available on YouTube, Spotify, and elsewhere. This and for the next three weeks, Sam mesmerizes me with stories, discourses on life, and much, much more.
(This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2024.)
Everyone wishes he or she were stronger, more self-disciplined, and more courageous; it's the key to life. Adam Clement discusses resilience: what it is, what gets in the way of developing it, and how to grow it to be a better spouse, parent, friend, and everything else that you want to be. A truly great conversation, loaded with insight and practical advice.
A Marriage Therapist Discusses All of Those Petty Personality Traits That Can Drive You Crazy (Part 2): Bossy people. Indecisive people. People who minimize your problems. And many more!
Little white lies. Secretive people. People who have to one-up you. Fake people. A Marriage Therapist Discusses All of Those Petty Personality Traits That Can Drive You Crazy (Part 1). Part 2 arrives on January 23, 2024.
Father Merle Kollasch, 89 1/2, has been a priest for nearly sixty years. I ask him about his parents, childhood, time in Rome, his life as a priest, teacher, coach, and much more. He is a great storyteller and a great, wise man.
(This episode was recorded in Dec. 2023.)
Dr. Blaine Leeds is a dentist, an expert in sleep health, and the author of "What Happens When Your Child Doesn’t Sleep: Unlock the Secret to Happy, Healthy Children." By embracing new technology and AI, Dr. Leeds has pioneered new treatments that help with the many problems sleep apnea can cause, from high blood pressure to ADD, ADHD, bedwetting in kids, large tonsils, adenoids, and many others. The solutions are often non-surgical, and intriguing. If you are interested in all things health--and especially in getting good sleep--this episode is for you.
Mark B. Murphy and his company, Northeast Private Client Group, helps over 4,000 clients do almost anything they want to do in the world of real estate, running your own business, and working in the finance industry. He also helps employees broaden their horizons. More than just a financial firm—although he runs an amazing financial firm—Mark helps entrepreneurs achieve multigenerational wealth. Forbes has ranked him as the #1 financial security professional in New Jersey, and they have also ranked him highly nationwide.
You can find him at: https://markbmurphy.com/
His book is The Ultimate Investment: A Roadmap to Grow Your Business and Build Multigenerational Wealth.
Helene Waldeck has an adventurous spirit. We discuss her time in Alaska, bears, moose, the wild people up north, driving the Alaskan Highway and taking a 5,000 mile roadtrip through deserted lands, and--now--Helene faces the Big Question: What Comes Next?
In search of adventure, 22-year-old Helene Waldeck moved to New Zealand in 2019. The job she had lined up disappeared as soon as she got there. After that, she had many adventures. And then, the world turned upside-down.
Mike and Kristi Dennihan homeschool almost all of their kids--and their key motivation is time. They also run the School of Love--an amazing institution that helps couples stay together, which we will discuss at a later date.
(This episode was recorded in late 2023.)
In an era where many have allergies and asthma, illnesses are high, and people consider eating organic meat, fish, eggs, veggies, and fruits--and consider what's in their water, lotions, and more--Simina Gentry Sells Organic Clothes. For over 30 years, this has been common in Europe. Now, Ms. Gentry is bringing natural clothing to the U.S. Check out what she does at atlanticchildren.com
Brian Fairchild Spent 19 Years in the CIA. In this electrifying conversation, we discuss how his childhood made him want to join; how he met their strict selection criteria; where he was stationed; why he left; and the state of the CIA today--and how Brian believes it is not meeting the challenges of the modern world.
Brian is also the author of "The Hidden," a spy novel that highlights the dangers of our modern world. Prepare yourself for a wild ride.
(This episode was recorded Nov. 13, 2023.)
Tom Paladino is a researcher into scaler energy, a concept attributed in part to Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor best known for the design of modern AC electricity, and the namesake of Tesla Automobiles.
Scaler energy, Tom believes, has astonishing healing properties. You can read about it here: https://www.scalarlight.com.
Tom is a very friendly, highly articulate man who is also a faithful Roman Catholic. He very much wants to bring goodness and health to the world. I don't exactly know what to make of this concept. Like quantum mechanics, it is something I know very little about. But I found the conversation delightful, and deeply thought provoking. Prepare to have your mind blown.
(We recorded this episode on Nov. 7, 2023.)
Brian Curcio is doing generous work. Through his app, Rapunzl, and courses, he is teaching grade schoolers, high school young adults, homeschoolers, individuals, and adults all about investing, saving, income, expenses, and much more involving financial literary. In an era where about half of all Americans are just $500 away from serious problems, he is helping every generation know more and potentially do better with their money. He and his team have visited hundreds of schools, and are making an impact in multiple states.
Download "Rapunzl" in the app store.
View his courses at www.rapunzlinvestments.com .
For me, this conversation was a wild ride. John Gusty needed to help save his wife's life. His biography reads: "After over 30 years in the entertainment industry working “behind the curtain” for some of music’s biggest names, John turned his attention to health and wellness in an effort to help his wife heal from what was originally diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. He soon realized that the same deceit and profit motive that plagued the entertainment media was even worse inside the Medical Industrial Complex. As a devout agorist and champion of individuality, he now devotes his time to producing content that celebrates the spirit of sovereignty in all aspects of life." /
In this episode, I had my mind blown several times as John brought up things that I have never considered. He's a great conversationalist and a very friendly person. Keep an open mind.
Here are three links:
[FREE DOWNLOAD] The Red Pill Revolution "Anti-Dependency Guide":
https://theredpillrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/RedPillRevolutionAntiDependencyGUIDE.pdf
[DOCUMENTARY] SASQUATCH, VIRUSES & VACCINES: NONE HAVE BEEN PROVEN BY SCIENCE:
https://gstyplx.com/2021/03/01/sasquatch/
Purchase the Red Pill book:
https://theredpillrevolution.com/buy-the-book/
Dr. Jamie Bezdek is one of the most vivid people I know. A great storyteller and very well educated, she has great thoughts on family, birth order, psychology, and her being raised in the Catholic faith--but straying--and then coming back, all combined with stories of love and romance--is deeply compelling.
(Part 2 of 2 episodes. These episodes were recorded on Sept. 30, 2023.)
Dr. Jamie Bezdek is one of the most vivid people I know. A great storyteller and very well educated, she has great thoughts on family, birth order, psychology, and her being raised in the Catholic faith--but straying--and then coming back, all combined with stories of love and romance--is deeply compelling.
(Part 1 of 2 episodes. Part 2 comes out Oct. 17, 2023. These episodes were recorded on Sept. 30, 2023.)
Antoinette Ishmael is a lifelong teacher in many areas, including Speech, Debate, and English. In this episode, she discusses three great speeches:
David McCullough Jr.'s Graduation Speech (It's hilarious and challenging);
Barbara Bush's 1990 Graduation Speech (It's inspiring, and focuses on our top priorities); and what might be the greatest speech of all time:
* Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death."
Ish also discusses what goes into a great speech--and a horrible speech. She gives good advice for how to improve.
Links for these speeches:
Bush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl8_St_XzJI
McCullough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lfxYhtf8o4
& Patrick Henry: https://www.historicstjohnschurch.org/the-speech/
(This episode was recorded on August 5, 2023.)
Adam Clement is an excellent therapist who has helped hundreds of people. In this episode, we discuss trauma: what it is, why people get stuck with it, and how to get over it.
This episode is Part 2. Part 1 aired last week. Both were recorded in June 2023.
Adam Clement is an excellent therapist with many licenses and qualifications. He is also a financial planner. In this episode, we discuss trauma: what it is, why people get stuck with it, and how to get over it.
This episode is Part 1. Part 2 will appear on September 26, 2023.
(This episode was recorded in June 2023.)
James Ford tackles life with great energy. In this episode, we discuss James's childhood, dating days, engagement, marriage, careers, opinions, and much more. His enthusiasm is contagious. Enjoy!
(This episode was recorded in 2022, and took me too long to edit.)
Tyler Supalla is a deep thinker who, in the past few years, got married, had a baby, switched jobs, and switched cities. We discuss these many changes, and he reflects on the decade that led to all of this (his twenties), and we discuss my theory that the twenties is the make-or-break decade of most people's lives.
(This episode was recorded in 2022. I took forever to edit it.)
My mom has great stories from her childhood. I love these tales--I hope you will, too.
(This episode was recorded in 2022.)
Abby Barrett & A.J. Espinoza just completed their sophomore year at Benedictine College in Kansas. Bright and motivated, they give me hope for the future.
(This episode was recorded in June 2023.)
Dominique O'Hara has worked in marketing for over twenty years. With her skills and great personality, she gets excellent results. In this episode, we discuss her background, hear her stories, and receive great advice.
(This episode was recorded on July 21, 2023.)
Catherine (Suprenaut) Cheney is the director of City on a Hill in Kansas City, MO, a ministry for Catholics in their twenties, thirties, and forties. Recently married, we discuss what it was like to go from a person who helps others with their relationships to being married herself. And we discuss potential answers to potential skepticism or doubt about the Christian Faith. People thrive deeply when they can articulate their meaning and purpose in life. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with a very pregnant mom to be!
(This episode was recorded on June 23, 2023.)
Dr. Jill Thorne is a licensed psychologist in the state of Kansas. Dr. Thorne enjoys working with people of all ages and has experience helping those who struggle with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and self-harm. She is a member of the APA.
(This episode was recorded on June 24, 2023.)
Sarry Ibrahim of the "Thinking Like a Bank" podcast has helped business owners, real estate investors, and full time employees protect, save, and grow their wealth regardless of market conditions on a tax favored basis. In this episode, we discuss Sarry's different approach the finances, how he can help employees become business owners and/or real estate investors, where he admires and also where he differs with financial guru Dave Ramsey, and more.
(This episode was recorded on June 13, 2023.)
Fear can destroy your relationships with yourself, others, and society at large. It can destroy society. In this episode, therapist Adam Clement discusses a book written by Dr. Mark McDonald, "Freedom from Fear," and offers helpful advice.
(This episode was recorded on June 12, 2023.)
Fear can drop your I.Q. by 40 points. It can paralyze you, and destroy your quality of life. In this episode, therapist Adam Clement discusses what fear is, and how to overcome it.
(This episode was recorded on June 12, 2023.)
Not too many people choose a college with only one major, with under 500 students, nestled outside of the city in a natural setting. But Sal and Jacob, cousins, each 18, chose this unusual institution based on the Great Books, and which uses the Socratic Method of instruction (which is where the professors grill you every class to see what you know). In this episode, we discuss why they're going to St. Thomas Aquinas. We also discuss their biographies, and what they hope to make of their unique, precious lives.
(This episode was recorded on June 4, 2023.)
Sammy Kopecky is a college junior who spent nine days in the poorest part of Peru, the mountains, where people live without water and electricity, and almost without food. They are recovering from years of unrest. Sammy worked with a group of missionaries to help build cement stairs, but also just to play with the kids and speak with the adults. It changed her life and how she sees the world, and she is only beginning to come to terms with what she experienced, and what she now believes. But the heart of her existence is to love individuals like Christ does--radically, and freely, and with joy.
Links to reach Sammy:
Kansas State University | Marketing | President - Women in Business
w: samanthakopeckyphotography.com
e: samanthakopecky@gmail.com
ln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthakopecky/
(This episode was recorded on April 2, 2023.)
Belinda Ellsworth has built three successful businesses over the past 25 years and her podcast show, "Work From Your Happy Place," was picked up by iHeartRadio this year. In this episode, she explains how she helps entrepreneurs, artists, and salespeople take their work to the next level.
(This episode was recorded on March 27, 2023.)
A writer and artist, Nora Ley is a first year college student at Benedictine, in Atchison, Kansas, who is having perhaps the best year year of her life. Christian Valldeparas is a high school sophomore who writes and acts. These good friends are truly growing, and their lives will inspire you to grow, as well.
(This episode was recorded on March 26, 2023.)
Abby Lynch has a very unique daughter with incredible writing ability. However, nothing was simple for daughter or mom when it came to finding a good school. This family's unique story is not only compelling--it has potentially societally wide implications.
(This episode was recorded on March 25, 2023.)
Dr. Maria Benes currently serves as co-director of the Before Gethsemane Initiative (BGI), a Catholic nonprofit for racial reconciliation. She also is a project lead for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage for Modern Catholic Pilgrim.
We discuss Maria's childhood, teen years, college--and the scary trip in the Peruvian Andes that made Maria, who was considering agnosticism, confirm her faith in God.
(This episode was recorded March 14, 2023.)
Aaron Parker went through a gigantic personal event which changed the direction of his life. While freely admitting many of his mistakes, and saying nothing disparaging about the mother of his son, Aaron discusses the custody battle for his son: what led up to it, how it unfolded, the toil it took on him, and the aftermath.
We also discuss Aaron's views on many things, from modern society to the state of masculinity in 2023.
Aaron Parker is a freelance video editor and voice over talent. His podcast is The Daddy Show.
(This episode was recorded on March 12, 2023.)
Part 2 of 2 on Addiction. Last week: the problems. This week: the solutions.
Adam Clement is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). He has had experience and training working with couples, families, and individuals with a wide range of presenting problems including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, marital conflict, divorce, and adjustment disorders.
Last week, we discussed the damage done. This week, Adam proposes a three-part solution. Warning: the solution takes a lot of work, but in terms of saving relationships and giving people something awesome to live for, it is worth it.
(This episode was recorded on March 13, 2023.)
Part 1 of 2 on Addiction. This week: the problems. Next week: the solutions.
Adam Clement is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). He has had experience and training working with couples, families, and individuals with a wide range of presenting problems including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, marital conflict, divorce, and adjustment disorders.
In this episode, we discuss addiction, and the damage it wreaks on individuals, families, and communities. Next week, we discuss Adam's three-part solution to the life-wrecking problems of alcohol, drugs, and behavioral addictions.
(This episode was recorded on March 13, 2023.)
In this second of a two-part discussion, theology teacher and autodidactic Emily Wobker and I discuss how to reach different kinds of people, raising kids Catholic, and much more.
(This episode was recorded on March 11, 2023.)
Emily Wobker is a mom, theology and history teacher, voracious reader, good storyteller, and someone who has dedicated her life to making people's lives better, often through the gift of faith. In this first of a two-part discussion, we discuss the mood of our era, building relationships, and the meaning of life.
(This episode was recorded on March 11, 2023.)
Part two of a discussion with therapist Adam Clement on the topic of leadership. Adam makes the conversation extremely helpful by focusing on leadership in a person's own life: at work, with family, with kids--basically, in our most important relationships. In this episode, we also touch on business leadership and how to get along with that disagreeable person who sees politics in the opposite way from you.
From Adam's website:
Adam Clement is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). He received a B.S. in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University and a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University. He has been practicing in Kansas City since 2014.
Adam has had experience and training working with couples, families, and individuals with a wide range of presenting problems including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, marital conflict, divorce, and adjustment disorders. Adam has had additional training in Emotionally Focused Couples’ Therapy (EFT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Gottman Method Couples’ Therapy, and is Prepare/Enrich certified.
Adam's website is https://www.doorsofhopekc.com/
(This episode was recorded on Feb. 18, 2023.)
Part one of two of a discussion with therapist Adam Clement on the topic of leadership. Adam makes the conversation extremely helpful by focusing on leadership in a person's own life: at work, with family, with kids--basically, in our most important relationships.
From Adam's website:
Adam Clement is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). He received a B.S. in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University and a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University. He has been practicing in Kansas City since 2014.
Adam has had experience and training working with couples, families, and individuals with a wide range of presenting problems including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, marital conflict, divorce, and adjustment disorders. Adam has had additional training in Emotionally Focused Couples’ Therapy (EFT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Gottman Method Couples’ Therapy, and is Prepare/Enrich certified.
Adam's website is https://www.doorsofhopekc.com/
(This episode was recorded on Feb. 18, 2023.)
Sam Arth did Exodus 90, a Lent-style program where you give up sugar, alcohol, tobacco, videos, watching sports, and much more for ninety days so that you can toughen up and focus on prayer and fraternity. We discuss Sam's experience with Exodus 90, and his love of St. Paul's Outreach, an evangelical organization.
(This episode was recorded February 15, 2023.)
Sam Arth is a 2019 graduate of St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS, where he had an awesome career in theatre and music. Since graduating, he has joined St. Paul's Outreach. In this episode, he discusses an incredible witness story that he is writing, and we reflect on the need for community.
(This episode was recorded on February 15, 2023.)
As the grandson of a poor Indian farmer who worked his way to a PhD spending many a night studying by the shallow light of a kerosene lamp, Sahaj Sharda has seen firsthand how education has the remarkable power to uplift lives and create opportunity. But in recent decades, Sahaj now wonders what happened to the original core mission of schools like Harvard and Yale. In this episode, we discuss Sahaj’s book, “The College Cartel: How.” His opinions are controversial, intriguing, and well-researched. Enjoy!
(This episode was recorded Jan. 21, 2023.)
Multi-talented Andres Paradis is a Relationship Coach, NLP Coach, Educator of Effective Communication Strategies, Workshop Leader, Public Speaker. two times Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, and an Ordained Minister. Today, we discuss masculinity, femininity, and relationships, including:
- How to build a healthy, fulfilling, long-term love relationship?
- The dance of Masculine
- Feminine energies that flow in nature
- How our cultural beliefs make love relationships harder than ever
- Why masculinity is not the problem
- Why equality kills intimacy
- What makes a man commit to his one and only
- What women do to keep men from caring, protecting, providing
- How does early sex kill the building of a healthy, long term love relationships
- Why men go their own way
Here are Andre's links:
My story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33PM5ehssWM
Website:
www.projectequinox.net
FB Page:
Project Equinox with Andre Paradis
https://www.facebook.com/Project-Equinox-272490668761/
FB Private Group for Ladies - Free
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=dating%20and%20relationship%20insights
YouTube:
Project Equinox with Andre Paradis
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc-n26dzlCN0dcAXgubSjGQ
Instagram:
@projectequinox
Adam Clement is a marriage and family therapist with many other specialities. He has helped people save their relationships since 2014.
Alan Thomas teaches biology. But two decades ago, he joined the peace corps--and it changed his life.
(This episode was recorded in December 2022.)
Amber Hellwig has a ton of personality. I have a theory that your twenties are the decade that sets the tone for the rest of your life. Amber and I discuss this theory, and tell stories.
(This episode was recorded in June 2022.)
Adam Clement is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). He received a B.S. in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University and a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University. He has been practicing in Kansas City since 2014.
In this interview, Adam goes into depth about several primal emotions, like fear, anger, disgust, hurt, shame, and sadness. What he knows is deeply helpful for many. It's easy to see how he helps everyone from couples to people with a variety of problems.
(This episode was recorded in December 2022.)
Grace Willy is an artist who is working on a college degree in business administration. For fun, she loves playing the violin, running, writing poetry, and enjoying her big family.
If you’ve ever loved any kind of art, like paintings, drawing, sketching, photography, writing, podcasting, music, sculpture, or anything else artistic, or if you just like a good story, you’ll enjoy hearing from Grace.
(This episode was recorded in August 2020.)
This is a repeat episode.
Dave Ramsey is controversial for some, but Tracy Gay and her family loves his philosophy, and they credit him with turning themselves completely around! Her inspiring story is the fusion of entertainment and inspiration.
Emily Wobker, a highly educated voracious reader, has plunged into books discussing Catholicism's ideas about The Feminine Genius. We discuss femininity, masculinity, evolutionary psychology, the Big Five Personality Test, religion, and more to see if we can get to the heart of how women and men can thrive together.
(This episode was recorded in June 2022.)
Since he was ten years old, Scotty Smeltzer grew up on the stage. He's been in play after play, expanding his range from heroes to villains, from passive to take charge, from tragic to comic, and everything in between. You'll find few people as dedicated to their craft. Scotty is very talented; I believe he will go far.
(This episode was recorded on March 13, 2022.)
Alex Bentzinger was making videos so great in grade school that hundreds of people were paying for his work. That led to making commercials for Samsung in high school, and the founding of his own company at age 19. Rising like a rocket, Alex then faced some setbacks, before returning to the activity that he is so good at, and deeply loves. Alex's story is one of early success, struggle, and renewal, and it's awesome.
(This episode was recorded on June 23, 2022.)
This episode is for anyone who ever experienced culture shock.
Kenzie Grimm and I both grew up in West Bend, Iowa. She had 44 kids in her high school class. I had 32. Our town is a mile long, and it has no stoplights. It has far, far, far more cattle than people. And growing up, we both thought this was normal!
But since growing up this way, Kenzie has become intercontinental--she's been to 17 nations.
This interview will be different for me, too, because usually I try to let my guests do 85% of the talking. But I might have a few stories, too.
(This episode was recorded August 11, 2021.)
Lifelong teacher Sam Rockford loved teaching calculus. But to his great surprise, he was promoted. He is now a Director of Innovation for a midwestern high school. The work he does on behalf of the next generation, and the creativity he sees come to life, is astonishing.
(This episode was recorded in June 2022.)
Join Lindsey as she discusses books that changed her life, including "The Scapegoat," "Brideshead Revisited," O Pioneers!", "Persuasion," "And There Was Light: The Extraordinary Memoir of a Blind Hero of the French Resistance in World War II.," and "Anna Karenina." Bonus! Lindsey discusses the weird, hilarious poem that is "TThe Love-Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
(This episode was recorded in 2020.)
Reed WIlkinson's book about the Constitution, which is loaded with great stories about controversial topics, is available on amazon.com
Emily Kaufman was on the academic fast-track, and attained a Master's degree by age 23. Then she left business life for the spiritual world. This is a story of a courage and creativity.
(This episode was recorded in May 2022.)
Father Mark Ostrowski is a hilarious, profound Catholic priest and a great storyteller! His insights and tales are a joy to hear.
(This episode was recorded on July 25, 2021.)
- Sammy Kopecky on Friendship, Boundaries, Networking, and Her Ultimate Secret for Creating Excellent Relationships.
(This episode was recorded on July 19, 2022.)
In his early twenties, Matthew Newkirk is one of the most brilliant men I know. In this episode, he puts a lot of thought into: changing college majors, finding good friends (what a lifelong task this is), combating inflation, and growing more deeply into your faith. And more! He's brilliant. You'll love hearing him.)
(This episode was recorded in May 2022.)
Andy Flattery is the host of The Reformed Financial Advisor Podcast, Catholic Money Mastermind, and a contributor to the Moonlight Graham Show. In this helpful episode, he discusses the origins of our current inflation, compares them to historical bouts of rising prices, and gives helpful suggestions for how we can all cope.
(This episode also appears this week on The Simple Wealth Podcast. It was recorded in July 2022.)
Kate Becker is a practicing, licensed hypnotherapist who helps people overcome bad habits, install good habits, and much, much more.
(This episode was recorded in August 2021.)
Lucia Brancato is an English teacher and a wedding planner. We started off talking about books, but ended up on life's deepest questions. Books include: Sea Biscuit, Unbroken, and Where the Crawdads Sing .
(This episode was recorded in Sept. 2021.)
We started this crazy episode at 9:30 p.m., and went past 12:30 a.m. In it, Emily discusses the topics that mean the most to her: marriage, the Incorruptibles, miracles, saints, mystics, and personality tests. And courage. It's a wild ride.
(This episode was recorded in July 2021.)
Charles Lanza taught theology, and has excellent advice on prayer.
(This episode was recorded in the summer of 2021.)
English teacher Stacey Rains is one of the most artistic people I know. In this episode, we discuss her favorite books, and more.
(This episode was recorded in 2021.)
Marcus Kain's life defies summary. A man in business, volunteer work, and teaching, Marcus can also be a social entrepreneur—he is always figuring out how to get people together, to go out, have fun, and enjoy life.
(This episode was recorded in late 2020.)
Catherine Suprenant is the new director of City on a Hill, a ministry for thousands of people. She's worked as a Marriage Formation Counselor (and has brilliant advice about love and commitment). And she's worked for Mommies Matter, which provides deep emotional and other support for single moms. Wise, friendly, and funny, Catherine has devoted her life to helping as many people as possible.
(This episode was recorded on April 26, 2022.)
Emily Wobker is an athlete, a ridiculously well read person, and a homeschooling mom of six kids. Emily's favorite things include: games, books, musicals, singing (professionally!), the Olympics, sports, and the saints. We discuss each under the theory that how how enjoy life says a great deal about every other aspect of your life!
And--given the state of the world--we could all use a break.
(This episode was recorded in the summer of 2021.)
Charles Lanza is a well-read teacher with multiple degrees. Today, we discuss evolutionary psychology and Roman Catholicism, and see if there is any overlap.
(This episode was recorded on May 25, 2021.)
City on a Hill is a young adult ministry in Kansas City where, over time, thousands of people have participated in its sports, social events, service projects, and spiritual gatherings. Starting in 2006, Carrie essentially built it from the ground up. Now, she is involved as an advisor, although "advisor" doesn't adequately describe her current role. In this special episode, she discusses the past, present, and future of an org. that brings people a life-changing, emotionally powerful offline community that also helps them get closer to God.
(This episode was recorded on March 10, 2022.)
Andy Flattery is the owner of Simple Wealth Planning in North Kansas City, Missouri. He helps young and affluent families in the earlier stages of wealth building. He hosts the podcasts, The Reformed Financial Advisor, and contributes to both Catholic Money Mastermind andThe Moonlight Graham Show.
Joe Hunninghake, a deputy sheriff, knows a lot about saints, from those facing execution to the mystics who know things that startle us all. His podcast is "The Heavenly Social."
Peter King just completed his first year at St. Thomas Aquanis College in California. I interviewed him in late May 2021, and that episode debuted on July 6, 2021. In it, we discussed his life in the arts: acting, singing, writing, and more.
Peter has also been in several local movies! Today, we are going to dive deeply into acting in particular: the movies he’s been in, the projects that he would like to do, the avenues that he perceives most successful actors take to get where they want to go, the best qualities that actors and directors tend to have, the necessary work ethic, and much much more.
(This episode was recorded in late July 2021.)
Brigitte Linford has led the most incredible life. She is a fitness coach for Beach Body, but what she has overcome personally has to be heard to be believed.
(This episode was recorded in July 2021.)
This is a tough era to join the police, but Joe Hunninghake felt compelled to serve as many people as possible. Ever since he made this decision, his life has become incredibly rewarding.
Joe is also a performer for Tan Books, a company that makes audiobooks. With Tan Books, at last count, Joe has contributed to twelve audiobooks, including The Agony of Jesus and Trustful Surrender.
(This episode was recorded in July 2021.)
In 2020 and 2021, St. James Academy won back-to-back football state championships. Coach Matt Joshi gives us the inside story.
(This episode was recorded on March 11, 2022.)
This is an unusual episode: two artists discuss beauty. What it is, how to create it, and why we need it to make life worthwhile. This far-ranging conversation is mediative and thought-provoking, just like Abby and Molly.
Abby Herrick is a senior in college studying to be a teacher. She is an outstanding playwright, and I interviewed her about two of her plays—and a hilarious speech that she wrote—on a previous episode.
Molly Cook dances with the Oklahoma City Ballet. In fact, Molly has been a trained dancer literally her whole life since age three; she has trained for nineteen years, and is now a professional!
(This episode was recorded July 15, 2021.)
Matthew Newkirk is a sophomore at Mizzou. He is also going into a really tough field: journalism. With newsrooms shrinking, how can a student get ahead? Matthew is doing everything possible.
Erin Forbes is the author of "The Elementals," "The Lost Dreamer," and "The Kindred Woods," available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and everywhere books are sold. It’s an epic fantasy trilogy, and the covers are gorgeous. Erin is also a graphic designer, and gives advice to aspiring authors on Instagram.
One other cool thing: she finished her first novel when she was 16!
(This episode was recorded in July 2021.)
Christy Dalke is a psychologist who works for the Veterans’ Administration. She knows a lot about PTSD, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Skills Training in Affect and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE).
We start with a story that hit a little too close to home for her.
(This episode was recorded on July 25, 2021.)
Reed Wilkinson, 22, is a deep thinker who just passed the LSAT. In this wide ranging episode, we discuss life's ultimate questions, including: Is there a God? If so, why does God allow evil to proliferate? And what is driving the rampant anxiety that many people under 25 suffer from, today? We discuss these questions, and more, through the lens of books like "Man's Search for Meaning," "The Coddling of the American Mind," "The Law of Self-Defense," "The Case for Faith," and novels like "Notes from Underground," "Crime and Punishment," and "The Alchemist." And we tell personal stories.
Note: I mark this episode explicit because, when discussing life's biggest questions, we touch on the worst events of the 20th Century, like the Holocaust and the gulags.
(This episode was recorded on Feb. 3, 2022.)
Zoe Schierts has one of the most inspiring stories you can imagine--and despite all of the hardships she has had to work through, her attitude a blend of optimism and realism that has to be heard to be believed. But once you understand this heartening young woman's philosophy of life, you'll want to enact, too, and get Zoe's outsized results, generosity, and happiness.
Jaime Cailteux reflects on a lifetime of nursing and its best moments, and how family changes everything.
The 1930s through the 1950s were a different world. Travel back in time to see what it was like, growing up in two big families of eight kids each. This episode features my parents, Bill & Colleen Wuebker.
Molly, Abby, and I got caught up on December 20, 2021. With these two bright, philosophical, and deeply Christian ladies, it's always a mystical ride. Both ladies demonstrate what it means to try to figure out what life is all about, and to live with the highest ethics possible.
Dave Ramsey is controversial for some, but Tracy Gay and her family loves his philosophy, and they credit him with turning themselves completely around! Her inspiring story is the fusion of entertainment and inspiration.
Olivia Hoseth is a nurse at Restore Hyperwellness, where she helps people aim for optimal fitness. She also works in a regular hospital setting, and has helped people recover from life-threatening events.
(This episode was recorded in August 2021.)
Tom Radke is the head football coach at St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS. On November 27, 2021, SJA won the Kansas 4A State Championship. In this episode, Tom discusses not just the games, but the powerful philosophy that guides the team.
From Europe to Asia, from Mexico to the Big Picture, Kenzie Grimm entertains and inspires with stories from across the globe.
(This episode was recorded in August 2020.)
Theresa Redd was a beloved English teacher, but she gave it all up to make a life-changing decision that many would love to make. But doing so was not easy.
(This episode was recorded in
Only in her twenties, Sarah Wright is an accomplished actress and director. Her first show for St. James Academy debuted this month, and played on Nov. 17, 18, 19, and 20. You won't believe what happened the night of the last show!
Tyler Supalla is a teacher, coach, painter, cabinet installer, repairman, piano-tuner, and all around Mr. Fixit. Although he double majored in college, he teaches three totally different subjects that he didn’t major in. His greatest pleasure in life, outside of his family, his probably challenging himself.
Today, we’re going to discuss something else that is becoming highly unusual in some places: working with your hands!
(This episode was recorded in August 2020.)
I'm a co-host of "Tales Told Inside of School." In this episode, eighteen-year-old Ipo goes on some sweet and innocent--and highly awkward--dates.
Reed Wilkinson, a constant reader of deep books, and discuss free speech, gun rights, and many other topics related to the Constitution, and the Law.
I co-host "Tales Told Inside of School." In this episode, young A.J. and the grade school mafia flush the evidence.
Mary Harpole used to belong to the popular crowd, but wasn't happy. And then everything changed.
I co-host Tales Told Inside of School with football coach Tom Radke. In this episode, he swears it was an accident.
Tales Told is available on Spotify.
Bill Wuebker coached baseball, basketball, and other sports from his early twenties to the age of eighty. A beloved mentor of many, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Bill Wuebker is also my dad.
(This episode was recorded in the summer of 2020.)
I started a new podcast about teens and their work. They tell what they like, what they don't, and if their job has any upward potential. Available on Spotify and--soon--Apple.
From pranks to oddness, these are the stories of students and teachers. Some stories are funny, some will make you cringe, some will make you admire teenagers, and others are just...out there. Featuring three hosts: a football coach, a drama teacher, and me.
Emily Wobker is a beloved teacher and an avid reader. We have a wide-ranging conversation about some of her favorites. Emily will make you want to spend all day and all night with a great book!
Bianca Tropeano is such a one of a kind person that it’s challenging to know how to introduce her. She’s devoted her life to working for extremely unusual charities. And—this is a cool hobby of hers—she really excelled at Title Boxing Company! Currently, she lives in Paris.
(This episode was recorded in July 2020.)
Charles Lanza grew up in New York but moved to the greater Kansas City area, where he taught theology. I wanted to ask Charles what it is like to move from New England to the Midwest? The stories are very entertaining!
(This episode was recorded in July 2020.)
Jamie Cailteux is one of the best-read people whom I know. Her insights into books, and life, are the fusion of entertainment and insight.
(This episode was recorded in July 2020.)
Michael Consiglio was voted teacher of the year by his peers. Beloved by his students, here is Mike speaking about Personal Finance.
(This episode was recorded in July 2020.)
Jamie Cailteux reads so much I find it dizzying. In this episode, we discuss a wide variety of books, from the religious to the classics, including "Gone with the Wind."
(This episode was recorded in July 2020. Part II will appear on Oct. 5, 2021.)
Molly Cook dances for the Oklahoma City Ballet. Starting at age four, Molly has often worked at her craft for: one to five hours a day, and fifty weeks a year. Her work ethic--and her desire to do something beautiful for the world--are deeply inspiring. She is here with her friend, Abby Herrick, who also graduated from SJA.
(This episode was recorded on June 21, 2021.)
Abigail Herrick wrote two plays that 100% floored me. She also wrote one of the funniest speeches I’ve ever heard. Today, we’ve going to talk about all of that, including her writing techniques—because she’s good! A deep-thinking Catholic, Abby studies English and Education. Her friend, Molly Cook, a professional dancer, is joining us for this episode, which was recorded in July 2021.
Christy Dalke has had the most incredible life for the last five years. A major life change led her to: a) Moving across the nation; b) Getting a Ph.D.; c) Switching careers; d) Dating someone great; and e) Winning a prize in a dance competition.
Today, we’re mostly focusing on dance competition because it’s such an incredible story of a person over age 30 not just taking on something brand new, but also unlearning something at which she excelled for sixteen years.
Italy. Japan. Mexico. The United Kingdom. Greece. Switzerland. Austria. The Czech Republic. Netherlands. France. Iceland. Canada. Taiwan. The Philippines. Thailand. Laos. Cambodia. Kenzie Grimm traveled to 18 nations all by the time she was 23 years old! And she did it all in a very affordable way! Today, we discuss how you can add travel and adventure to your life—and do so on a college student’s budget.
Kari Kennedy Ashley co-leads a grief ministry. For anyone who has ever lost someone, this episode has a lot of helpful information. Find her at smallpiecesofjoy.wordpress.com.
(This episode was recorded on June 22, 2021.)
Emily Mushinski loves to dance, and she loves to travel. In previous episodes, I asked her about both because she’s led something of an extreme life. She’s danced professionally in Hungary, lived in Panama, traveled to the jungle, and met snakes and monkeys. She went to college in the The Netherlands, and traveled to Ethiopia and India.
But what is BlinkVerse? It's an amazing idea. Find out!
(This episode was recorded in July 2020.)
Reed Wilkinson, 21, was mostly a nonreader in high school--but since then, he's explored everything from brilliant philosophers (Marcus Aurelius) to self-growth (Dr. Jordan Peterson); from ancient politics (Plato and Aristotle) to religion ("The Case for Christ," by Lee Strobel and "Terror of Demons" by Kennedy Hall). But the conversation really heats up when we talk about how ordinary people became mass murderers (Ordinary Men; Reserve Police Battalion 101, by Christopher Browning) and why societies collapse into monstrous, soul-crushing, family-ending dictatorships ("The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn). We also discuss some fiction, including "The Count of Monte Cristo," by Alexandre Dumas. Reed has learned: books can widen your world, open your eyes, and electrify your existence! May you, too, be lit on fire.
(This episode was recorded on July 29, 2021.)
Note: Originally, I uploaded the wrong episode, but I fixed this error at 1 :05 p.m. on August 13, 2021.
Dan and Rachel approached love and marriage in a fascinating way. Rock-solid, easygoing, and hard working people, their story and approach to life is deeply inspiring.
(This episode was recorded July 19, 2020.)
Lee Ann Ochs is the co-owner of Level-Up STEM KC, a business that helps students and schools improve their STEM skills. A mom, teacher, and entrepreneur, Lee Ann helps people all day long, on multiple levels. This episode is primarily about education, and the innovative ways Lee Ann's business helps it along.
(This episode was recorded on July 17, 2020.)
Andy Flattery is the owner of Simple Wealth Planning. He helps young and affluent families in the earlier stages of wealth building. He also hosts the podcast, The Reformed Financial Advisor, and contributes to two more: Catholic Money Mastermind and the Moonlight Graham Show. We have a long-ranging discussion about all things personal finance.
(This episode was recorded July 14, 2021.)
Matt Surface is a national level bodybuilder. He also runs his own business as a full-time personal trainer. He helps real people get real results. Warning: his dedication and enthusiasm are contagious.
(This episode was recorded June 18, 2021.)
Lucia Brancato is an event planner and an English teacher. Her hobbies include creative writing and travel. There’s something about Lucia that gets your attention. Maybe it’s her high standards. Maybe it’s her crystal-clear thinking. When you hear from her, you’re going to realize instantly that you are speaking with a very organized, hard-working person with a kind heart.
(This episode was recorded on May 26, 2021.)
If you've ever wanted an alternative to life's prescribed choices, this episode is for you. Before she decided to be with her kids full time, Emily Wobker was a beloved high school teacher at a very demanding school, and she taught a class that a lot of schools don’t even offer—but they really should. She taught World War II and Holocaust, as well as many religion classes.
Starting in 2020, Emily and her family took a big leap--now they are homeschooling. They get an incredible amount of academic work done in a short period of time, the kids love to read outside of school, and they prefer playing outside and with each other over electronics. How did they do it? Find out!
(This episode was recorded June 13, 2021.)
Fasting for five days. Living for a year in a midwestern city without a car. Saving 70 to 95% of his income on a teacher's salary. Getting jacked, and then doing an Ironman. Tyler does experiments that some would call crazy...that even he calls crazy. But he gets results! And he teaches many others to do the same. Go wild with Tyler!
(This episode was recorded July 2, 2020.)
Erin Forbes is the author of the Fire and Ice Trilogy, a fantasy trilogy which is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and everywhere books are sold. Her books are loved internationally--and she finished her first novel when was only 16! Erin is also a graphic designer, and gives advice to aspiring authors on Instagram.
(This episode was recorded June 12, 2021.)
Sarah and William Wright host The Playwrights, a podcast about famous authors and their stage works. Also, Sarah teaches drama and puts on the plays at St. James Academy, while William teaches Social Studies and puts on the plays at St. Michael the Archangel High School. They married in 2018. We discuss their lives, why they got into theatre, what their philosophy of good dramas, comedies, and musicals are, and more!
(This episode was recorded June 8, 2021.)
Peter King just completed his first year at St. Thomas Aquanis College in California. His degree is in the arts. He writes, acts, sings, lifts weights, and has a ton of enthusiasm for all of these things. Today, we’re going to talk about his life in the arts, fitness, and what it’s like to move 2,000 miles away from home and pursue a brand new life.
(This episode was recorded May 25, 2021.)
Dr. Shane Rapp became the principal of St. James Academy at the age of 29. The first four years had their challenges--and then 2020 hit. We discuss this year's victories, challenges, the public's reaction mixed reactions, and much more. But my favorite parts were about Dr. Rapp's childhood, and what got him into teaching in the first place! Dr. Rapp also outlines his vision for the future.
(This episode was recorded on June 29, 2021.)
Allie Stulzsatz is an entrepreneur from an entrepreneurial family . She is also a beloved teacher, a great wife and mom, and a great cookie artist! Today, we discuss business, family, and more. Enjoy!
(This episode was recorded on July 8, 2020.)
College life was weird from 2020-21, but many students were not only on campus, they did some really cool things, like travel abroad and create communities of deep friendships. In this inspiring episode Madeline Joerger, 20, grows, acts freely, and inspires others to unleash all of the love in their hearts. This episode was recorded on May 20, 2021.
My friends Sean & Jamie Cailteux are healthcare workers, and the parents of three kids, Claire, Josie, and an unborn baby boy!
I’ve interviewed Sean before. He’s a super-fit chiropractor, and he’s my go-to guy when it comes to all things health and fitness.
Jamie Cailteux is a nurse and perhaps the most avid reader I know—and that is saying a lot. I am not sure how many books she goes through in a year, but it could be between one and two hundred.
In the past, I’ve interviewed people who have raised six or seven kids. Some of their kids are in their early twenties, and they’re out of the house, employed, graduated, and getting married. So, I wanted to see how young couples, whose kids are four, two, and unborn, are thinking through some of the complex topics of parenthood! Sean & Jamie are maybe about four miles into this 26.2 mile marathon that they are running. I respect them deeply, and want to know how they think.
This episode was recorded in July 2020.
Amber Hellwig is the Director of Admissions at St. James Academy. We discuss her life story, and our in-person '20-21 school year, and the benefits and burdens that went with it.
Sammy Kopecky became the sole proprietor of profitable and professional photography business as a high school student. She’s done senior portraits, special events—and even was trusted enough to be the photographer for a newlywed couple. You can find her at Kopecky photography, at samanthakopeckyphotography.com.
Matthew Newkirk is only 18, and yet he is an accomplished singer, actor, sports announcer, performer, and student. His podcast, available on multiple platforms including iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms, is The Young Money Podcast.
This is a story about a person who works extremely hard at what he loves, which is performing and announcing. It’s also the story of a guy who works hard at the rest of life—Matthew takes the time to get all of the technical aspects right—in order to create stellar performances. And he makes A’s. But best of all, he does all of this while bringing art, sports, and financial advice to others—all while having a good time himself!
Whenever I see happy, healthy, accomplished kids, I always wonder how the parents did it. In this episode, Jerry and Lucy Tujague, two very accomplished people, tell fascinating and helpful family stories.
Antionette Ishmael is a lifelong teacher. She’s taught many different kinds of English, speech, debate, and theatre. She’s helped put on plays, musicals, concerts. Her debate /forensics teams have often come in first in the state/local tournaments.
She’s also a published author! Check out her stories in “Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul,” “Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart,” “Chocolate for a Woman’s Blessings,” and “Swollen Ankles and Blowfish Kisses.”
Today, we discuss how precise speech, a love of the arts, and a willingness to engage tough topics with other people will sharpen your mind, increase your mental discipline, ramp up your creativity, and help your heart grow.
Emily was a beloved high school teacher at a very demanding school before she became a full-time mom of six children. I've always been fascinated by how great parents raise cheerful kids. Today, Emily explains it all: from romance to engagement to marriage to baby boom. What does it take to raise awesome children? Emily is too modest to say she knows. Even so, enjoy!
Madeline Joerger, 19, is an accomplished singer, actress, performer, and student. Because of her artistic and academic excellence, she has received over $116,000 in scholarships to attend Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Sean Cailteux is a weightlifter, a runner, and someone who has made a lifelong study of all things health. On Jan. 5, 2021, I published my interview with Sean about his views on Paleo, Whole 30, Vegetarianism, Veganism, the Carnivore Diet, and a few other things. Now, we talk about the rest of fitness: exercise, sleep, water, relationships, and living a balanced life.
Clare Larkin is a teacher who traveled to Poland in order to have a transformative personal experience. We discuss what she did to Poland, how that nation is better off for her visiting it, and how you, too, can have a trip of a lifetime.
Lindsey Weishar is a freelance writer and a world traveler. She's been to India, South Korea, England, France, Prince Edward Island, and Sicily. I hear her stories, and we discuss how travel can not just excite your life, but transform you into a better person.
Sherri teaches art, and student love her class. We discuss how her life led her to art, the art of her life, and how art can enrich every person’s life.
Tyler Supalla is a teacher, coach, philosopher, and a productive side hustler. We go through his incredible and varied work history, how he creates entrepreneurial ventures, and discuss his thoughts on how people can get work in a tough economy, as well as how teachers and parents can get kids excited about work.
I read Chapter 5: "Win the Way," from Vaughn Kohler's amazing book, which finds the intersection between Biblical principles, and principles of business and success literature.
Vaughn Kohler was the co-host of the top 200 podcast, The MFCEO Project, and he is the author of Sacred Drive: Biblical Principles for Pursuing Your God-Given Potential. A hilarious storyteller, Vaughn gives us his wit and wisdom in this extraordinary episode.
Emily Mushinski started dancing at 4 years old. She has a BFA in Dance, trained and performed with Budapest Dance Theatre, and now she works with Owen/Cox Dance Group, Tristian Griffin Dance Company, and Storling Moves. If you ever wanted to work hard at something, or do something beautiful, you’ll love hearing from Emily.
Where others see obstacles, Carrie creates opportunities, and makes lasting changes to society and culture.
Some people don’t just attend the school of hard knocks, they live there. All while struggling to pay her way through college as a first-generation student, Kim coped with a mysterious health problem that took doctors years to resolve. This is a story of mystery, and toughness.
Pour yourself some illegal bootleg liquor and immerse yourself in this scandalous, crime-soaked tale. Overflowing with parties, booze, mob bosses, fights, affairs, and car bombs, Tom Buchanan, Misunderstood is an uproarious homage to Gatsby.
As he copes with marital strife, boxing matches, and explosives, Tom realizes everything he loves is at risk. But doing something about it might just get him killed.
A vivid portrait of a unique era, this surprising novel jolts us to realize that there are always multiple sides to every story, and that the road to love is often blocked with smashed up cars. Tom Buchanan, Misunderstood, reveals a side to a character everyone thought they knew. Buckle up for a wild ride.
(Available on amazon.)
Ferd Niemann operates a real estate investment company focusing on mobile home parks. His podcast is: The Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast.
Tom Ruzicka came in first in his age group in the Ironman. His work ethic and personal ethos will blow your mind.
Jack,20, is shy, and possibly an entrepreneurial wizard. Maggie, 18, is outgoing, and gets elected to many leadership positions, and is involved in multiple clubs and activities. And yet, they both are kind, tough, and disciplined. How did their parents do it?
Lee Ann Ochs is married, has six kids including one who has had daunting media bills, and she is the co-owner of Level-Up STEM KC, with her husband, Rob, who is ex-military. Together, they add a lot of goodness to the world. How do they do it all?
Two days ago, I interviewed Emily Wobker, who teaches a riveting class about WWII and the Holocaust. We touched on the horrific aftermath of WWII. In this mini-episode, I outline the nightmare that followed in many parts of the world, as half of the human race entered into the most nightmarish societies--outside of Nazi Germany--that the world has ever known. These are the true stories that the world needs to know. Sadly, these stories--although of dire importance to everyone--are almost never taught.
Emily Wobker is a mom of six, and a former teacher who taught a class on WWII and the Holocaust twelve times. What she has to say is spellbinding. [Contains discussion of crimes against humanity.]
Pay nothing! Give your renters a bargain! Learn real skills, like how to fix things! Learn leadership! Learn to figure out who to rent to! After all, when you're 18, you're supposed to be an adult. (Some thoughts on all of these things.)
In this second interview with a beloved teacher who was voted #1 by his peers, Michael Consiglio discusses his ups and downs in buying and renting six or more houses. His stories entertaining, and I felt smarter after listening to them.
Mark and Rose are typical high school seniors: afraid to speak, aware of the cameras watching them in every room and on every street, and smart enough to walk away if anyone dares discuss the place known only as “The Island.” // They know how to stay invisible. But on his way to school, Mark gets caught in the crossfire between two revolutionary gangs, and later that day, Rose’s friend…just…disappears. // When violence happens, Mark—who is destined for the NBA—knows the unspoken rule: don’t talk about it. You weren’t there. It didn’t happen. And when someone vanishes, Rose--who gets away with things she shouldn’t—knows denial is the only ways to survive. // But each has reached a breaking point. Mark decides to smuggle his family out of the country. And Rose will risk everything to get her friend back. // The Forbidden Novel is the story of two people who live in a nation hell-bent on domination and control. Will they be crushed beneath the wheel? // Or will freedom strike back?
What does it take to be creative? In this mini-episode, I explain what the book "Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less" advocates, as well as discuss the utterly original life of Ernest Hemingway, whose accomplishments and disasters are both a 9.8 on the Richter Scale.
Lindsey Weishar is a freelance editor, writer, and college English instructor. Her work has appeared in Verily, Ploughshares, and The Young Catholic Woman. We are speaking today about her hard work, creativity, and published work. Lindsey is an amazingly eloquent wordsmith; she works hard at her craft, and in every piece, her gentle, heartfelt personality shines through.
Pamela Caro learned Italian in ten months so she could leave everything she knew to move to Rome and pick up a difficult M.A. in a foreign language. With stories from her sales career, and how to land on your feet after you move 2,000 miles (repeatedly), this episode features a great soul who tackles difficulties with a carefree lilt in her voice. You will be inspired!
Sean Cailteux is the most super-fit man that I know. Today, I ask him his views on multiple eating strategies, including Paleo, Whole 30, Veganism, Vegetarianism, Carnivore, and the Standard American Diet.
If you’ve ever wanted to know how a stellar director brings out the best in her performers, and gives her audience an overwhelmingly emotional experience, you’ll love hearing from Carol Mertz, a lifelong actress, singer, director, and artist.
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to grow up in a small house with 14 sisters and brothers, two parents, and an unknown number of pets, Angela Charlton has stories for you.
What is F.I.R.E.? It’s an acronym that stands for “Financial Independence Retire Early,” but F.I.R.E. is about a lot more than just prosperity. When I interviewed Tyler Supalla, I learned it is even more deeply about developing your character. And character equals freedom. With book recommendations.
Tyler Supalla is a teacher in his twenties who loves to work at many things, and who has figured out incredible ways to save 70% of his income per month.
Mike Consiglio is a teacher and a coach who, all his life, has been willing to take on brand new challenges.
I introduce to you people who, on the surface, are seemingly ordinary—but the minute you get to talking with them, you realize they have great stories.
Career switching. Money moves. Comprehensive fitness. Directing plays. Being that nonstop reader. Being the 18 year old with the profitable business that makes other people happy. That’s what Seemingly Ordinary is about. New episodes every Tuesday.