Seemingly Ordinary

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...

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!

23. Emily Mushinski, World Traveler

            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.

Two stories of being abroad.

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. 

A reflection of what makes Carrie Pirouette a successful social entrepreneur.

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...

Ferd Niemann operates a real estate investment company focusing on mobile home parks. His podcast is: The Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast.

Fitness junkie changes his mind.

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 wo...

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.]