(Extra) Ordinary People

Carolyn Dismuke was living a great life but felt something was missing... Her view changed when she discovered vineyards in her backyard that weren't really on the map in the wine world. She decided to study in a world-renowned wine studies program learning about the classic wine regions, the grape growing process, and more. With her passion on fire she moved out of her home base with the goa...

Dennis Torres grew up in a working class town in New Jersey, where his curiosity and diverse environment molded him into a man driven by adventure. He has worked 64 different jobs and careers including running the merry-go-round at the Santa Monica Pier, bartending, industrial engineer, a dairy farmer, a big rig truck driver, exploring the Amazon, a commercial pilot, mediator and arbitrator of lit...

This episode is a follow up to #13 Joyce McAndrews - An Artist's Life. On this one, she shares the final pieces to the story of her completion of a three year long project named Project Co-Mingle.  This project covers the entire process of building the world's first skyscraper built by a new process called "Speed Core". The tower was erected in downtown Seattle and Joyce's...

I was introduced to Alicia through my friend TK from episode #8 who told me one important fact about Alicia, she is RESILIENT. Alicia struck me as extremely positive and kind right away and as we dug into her story about chasing her dreams and working her way into owning her own business I quickly realized how hard working and resilient she really is. You can find out more about Alicia and her bus...

I think we've all day dreamed of leaving our work lives behind to pick up a nomadic lifestyle. Traveling from place to place, living off of the basics, meeting new people and freeing ourselves from the stress of work. Dreaming is one thing but having the courage to actually follow through with a plan is another... can you see where this is going?  Alison and her fiancé Tyler left their jobs a...

Kooper has sea water running through his veins... okay, corny start to this bio but I'M NOT AN AUTHOR GET OFF ME... In all seriousness, Koop has been boating with his family since he was in diapers. After college, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the boating world and his dream was to work on a National Geographic Boat as a Naturalist but had no idea how he'd do it. Then one day,...

Christine Torres is an amazing woman. She's my wife, but that's not what makes her special (it's just a big part of it). Christine is my rock, she's resilient, she's funny, she's gorgeous, she's the full package and she is the greatest mom the world has ever seen. This episode she shares our infertility journey and the challenges and eventual triumph of going thr...

Roman "Romi" Kristl is a passionate action sport junkie who comes from a line of athletes. His father was an olympic kayaker for his home country Slovakia and Romi's mother was a national collegiate swimmer and water polo player and his uncle Marek Kristl a national squash player in Slovakia who went undefeated for 6 years.    At age 14 Romi started as a slope style rider for the sl...

Glenn Rockowitz is an American writer, filmmaker, comedian and voice actor. His love of comedy started when he joined the infamous improve group "The Second City in Chicago". The group has a long standing history where many comics got their start, including: Steve Carrel, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey just to name a few. After initiating his career in comedy at Second City, G...

Shannon Milner is a Michigan girl who moved to Seattle to study business at the University of Washington. Growing up her, and her family spent time enjoying outdoor activities. But that all came tumbling down when, at the age of 10, she had a terrible skiing accident that affected the way she has lived her life up to this point. Her trauma from this incident has made life difficult for Shannon but...

Charlie is a "City Kid" from the South side of San Francisco. Growing up with parents who worked in art and activism, he was inspired to pursue a career in non-profits and politics. Some of his professional experiences include: Personal Assistant to The Senator of California, Dianne Feinstein Executive Assistant to Attn's CEO rubbing shoulders with celebrities including American rap...

Shivani is an Indian American artist who teaches and performs Hindustani vocals and Kathak dance which are both classical Northern Indian styles of art.  Her career path goes against the grain since Indian women working in the arts has been traditionally stigmatized.  She is an inspirational person and brings a unique perspective to the show.  You can learn more about her work on her website: www....

Maggie is a good friend of mine who is a new mother of a beautiful baby boy named Luka and married to one of my closest friends Kyle.  She grew up on a ranch in Arizona experiencing the life of a country girl raising pigs and helping her family keep things running. She also spent time as a traveling nurse where her world view expanded and led her to where she is today.  You can follow her on Insta...

Udit is a good friend of mine who has a unique background as his family's first generation to grow up in America. He shares what it was like transitioning from his home country of India to Cincinnati, Ohio then what it was like moving to St. Louis, Portland, Phoenix and finally landing in Seattle.  You can connect with Udit on Instagram @uudits  If you like these episodes, please share it wit...

Joseph (Joe) McHugh is a former collegiate baseball player for Pitt and a co-creator of a new comedy podcast called The Big Brown Sack co-hosted with his girlfriend Dayna. On this episode he shares stories from his baseball career including the ups and downs (75 cents per day as a journeyman working through the system). You're going to enjoy his stories it's a fun episode and when you&ap...

Mary Leonard a sales woman by day packs up every weekend to get lost in the mountains for days at a time. Growing up with a mother who wanted to provide experiences for her kids that fit within her means, she fostered Mary's love and passion for the wild and has shaped the woman that she is today.  You can check out all of her adventures on Istagram @larrymenards If you like these episodes, p...

Jillian is an incredible woman who has spent her career in sales and was born to a lovely family in a unique way. Her and her twin sister were both born as the first 35 babies, in the world, via in vitro fertilization or "IVF".  Her story is special. IVF over the years has grown in popularity and the only option many families have in having their own biological children. Without her pare...

Joyce is a lifelong artist who's most recent project "Project Co-Mingle" is a multi-media art project following the erection of the Rainier Square Tower located in the Metropolitan Tract of downtown Seattle. It is the world's first skyscraper to be built on a steel core in lieu of the traditional rebar and formwork between concrete. Her art is a beautiful byproduct of her life&...

Allen Hammer is a sales person, a loving husband and has been taking his sobriety one day at a time going on 10 years this year.  On this episode, he shares his sobriety journey including what it means to be an alcoholic, hitting rock bottom and the mindset and faith it takes to face this disease.  If you would like to talk with Allen about your own struggles with alcoholism, he would love to hear...

Tanner Bond is the grandson of a WWII Lieutenant colonel who's taken all of the best characteristics from his grandfather and implemented them into his own life.  Hard work, determination, love, loyalty and he's sprinkled in a bit of his own unique sense of humor too. This is a fun episode and by the end I'm sure you'll want to grab a drink with Tanner. If you ask him he probab...

After a shot at corporate life Jonathan Royce wanted more from his career; mashing together his entrepreneurial spirit with his interest in social media, streaming/video platforms and self improvement he dove into the influencer world head first. Starting with Twitch, he streamed himself playing video games and was hooked. He had a following but figured he'd have more success on YouTube where...

Ryan Teasell is a good friend and an avid baseball fan. Since he was a child, he was awed by the phenomenal Mariners team of the late 90's and early 2000's. Since then, he's suffered like many Seattle fans with nothing but disappointments; but he continues to show up. Much like his positive attitude with baseball, Teasell brings the same sort of attitude he takes in his life. Throug...

Todd "TK" Kelley is a coworker and a friend who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2013. MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord in which the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or det...

In this episode, I open up about one of my biggest fears coming true, losing my job.  My goal isn't to throw a pity party and invite you and all your friends. In fact, it was difficult for me to share my truth on this because it is vulnerable and that's scary. But, my hope is that someone finds something they can connect with in my story and it alleviates feeling alone when facing simila...

Alex is an ordinary guy but exemplifies extraordinary courage and determination when it comes to the work he's put into himself. We talk about the emotional depths of a breakup, what "working on yourself" really looks like and the benefits of therapy.  If you like these episodes, please share it with friends, enemies and the like. Get the word out. Subscribe and give us a 5 Star Rev...