Stranger Connections

"Dying is like falling asleep. You don't realize it until you wake up." Jordon Schroeter Speaker, Advocate, Comic, Pastor (with a Masters), and Award-Winning Film Maker Jordan Schroeter wasn't supposed to live past the age of 2 years old.  Here is in, in his third decade - from an electric wheelchair with all the spunk of anyone's new best pal. Schroeter has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type 1. He tra...

*Adult content, especially about two-thirds of the way in.  "I love a rowdy bar show, but a packed comedy club is pretty awesome too. It does help to be funny."  Cheri Hardman Cheri is an award-winning comic, a YouTube and podcast host, and does live shows too, for her Diary of an Ex Ho show!  You won't need to wonder what she's thinking. She is wonderfully direct, bawdy, sassy, and just dang fun....

"Food is us", according to food enthusiast Jared Gleaton. Jared is an author, food critic, psychologist, blogger, and dog dad. This was such a fun episode. It was a blast going behind the scenes with a food critic psychologist who writes reviews you can practically taste.  We go over the word Moist, what it means to eat with our eyes, and discuss 'does anxiety determine our perceived taste?' Learn...

"If you do the things that make you happier, you also make your community better." Richard Kyte Richard "Rick" Kyte is Director of the D.B. Reinhard Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He also teaches a variety of courses dealing with ethical issues in business, health care, law, politics, and the environment.  His most...

"There's so much you can use fragrance for!" ~ Georgia Vanderville is a petite firecracker who truly lights up a room. Whether it's from her energetic personality and giant smile, or from one of the candles made in her ever-growing warehouse, Shorties Candles. Vanderville is also an author, speaker, and has been inside and outside the TEDx stage. She goes above and beyond with her candle company s...

From bouncer to bricklayer to billionaire concierge - Steve Sims is no slacker, saying "For twenty-five years I was the go-to guy for the mega famous. And I learned, if you give it for free, they don't pay attention." Check out this episode on my You Tube channel to see our pretty faces! Sims is a digital creator, speaker, author, coach, creative disruptor, and harsh truth dropper. He was once cal...

Do you like to sing? Talk?  Breathe? You can learn a LOT from this week's guest on Stranger Connections podcast.  What if you were a professional singer who learned two decades into your career that you were singing in the wrong vocal range? Heide Skok had this gain speed bump in her life.  Finding her true track, she teaches others how to sing 0 whether it's for fun, or on the stage.  I enjoyed l...

"I'm not one to buy into the superficial parts of the pageant world." Zoe de Boer - the coolest queen in the midwest.  Zoe de Boer is bringing stories of social justice, faith, friendship, art, inspiration, and all things in between on her podcast, Hello Good Humans. She is a speaker, podcaster, supporter to everyone - and happens to be in a pop band with her Pop. (Gertrude and Co).  Listen to the...

"I needed to do something to celebrate - I showed up."  Speaker, Energizer, Author, Interrupter, King of Cheers . . . . Cameron Hughes. This Canadian crowd-pleaser has been the spark at otherwise ho-hum events for decades! You've seen him on many JumboTron screens at sporting events, getting up to dance and making the crowd go wild. He generally has a very serious look on his face and it's hilario...

"There is no timeline to grieve, just as there is no timeline to love." Lauren Prior Lauren is a Trauma Therapist who has a compelling story to share - about losing her husband while she was mere days away from giving birth to their child.  Join the conversation to see what kind of friend you are when a loved one is grieving. What is the right thing to do? What about the wrong things?  Lauren shar...

Check out the first guest to ever rebuff my invitation to stay weird (at the very end). I was caught off guard as is Nathan Timmel's specialty.  Listen in with us, as we discuss Timmel's very cool YouTube comedy special, called Unapologetic. It's funny, it's fast-paced, and it's free!  Nathan Timmel is a digital creator, author, total influencer, and very fun comic. With a wife and kids, he is one...

Celebrating the wrap up of humor month, and the super special milestone - episode 200 of Stranger Connections Podcast! Listen in as Lisa David Olson interviews Lisa David Olson.  Still trying to connect with Carol Burnett (happy birthday!) but meanwhile, learn about Improvisation, Humor, Strangers, Skills to connect in the workplace, What Great Leaders Know, and how to protect the introverts.  Boo...

"You won't be great until you can learn to love SELF." Dr. Andrew Temte is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional (La Crosse WI) and the author of two books . . . so far. He's also the leader of a rock band, a University Teacher, a mentor, a speaker, and a podcaster.  Listen in as we discuss: How to inspire Imposter Syndrome Tools to be present in the work life How Purpose brings us back to center...

Retired homicide detective Mike Hammond was with the Chicago Police Department for 22 years. He has SEEN some things . . .  and I get nosy and ask everything I wanted to know more about.  CAUTION:  Some content may be harder to hear as crimes are discussed, so listen with caution.  We talk about polygraphs (lie detectors), the main case Hammond can not let go of, mental health, murders in Chicago,...

"I'm like a comedic aging Disney princess." laughs Carla Collins This episode kicks off Humor Month on the Stranger Connections Podcast. Carla is THE most charming, hilarious, witty, and gorgeous comic in the US and Canada alike.  She's grabbed several comedy awards, and you've most likely seen her in shows, or you will soon because she just doesn't stop.  Carla Collins is an award-winning comic,...

"Try to remember that they just hate themselves, and they're takin' it out on you." This beautiful lyric is from Amanda Grace's latest album (her 8th!). The album is Give Me Away and this song is 'Love Yourself'. Amanda Grace is a Minnesota native who travels, performs, and collaborates to create unique shows and brilliant albums.   In this episode, you'll find out why Amanda has plans to hold a s...

On Episode 195 of Stranger Connections Podcast: Author Aaron Frale's book "My Three Year Old is a Barbarian - and other parenting problems" caught my attention. Frale is a Montana resident whose wi fi happened to work while we recorded this episode.  Learn about writing, laugh along with us, and hear about the prank that made the news, as well as almost banning him from an online service! Topics w...

"I like when you taste something and it takes you on a journey." Jen Barney, multi Food Network baking champion. Jen Barney grew up on a farm in Stoddard Wisconsin. Unsurprisingly, most of her ingredients are a nod to local dairy farms and products from Wisconsin. But these are not basic potluck cupcakes. Her baked goods are described as Ridiculously Awesome Desserts.  Learn about how she didn't b...

"Sometimes helping people is more important than following rules." Kim Korven, retired lawyer, former judge of tenant-landlord disputes, 'conflict queen'. Welcome to episode 193 of Stranger Connections Podcast, which features weird life stories, quirky careers, and prank & dare stories. Kim Korven shares her experiences as a lawyer and judge, including how divorce can be a gift you give yourse...

After listening to this episode, you will most likely notice the word Vibe. Either hearing it, seeing it on shirts or signage . . . everything will be reminding you about The Vibe. And that's a great thing! Jason DelGandio has been studying the exchange of energy for nearly 30 years. He's a PhD, an author, a presenter, and an award-winning teacher. Is Good Vibes Only really in our best interest ....

"How can I HELP you, not how can I SELL you. It's about how we connect with value." Phil Gerbyshak - author of 7 books, over 300 articles, podcaster, business coach, sales expert, and high energy speaker. Time with Phil is something I recommend to anyone who has ever tried to sell something. Anything. A popsicle, a program, a bike, a building. You just have to listen to Phil tell you the right way...

Imagine trying to sleep on the eve of the morning you know you're going to quit your job to travel the world for nearly two years. "I believe success comes from sharing your journey. So tell everyone!" Katrina McGhee, MBA, Certified Life Coach who helps people design career breaks to create more fulfilling lives. After saving $40k in 18 months, Katrina left her corporate job for a twenty-month bre...

Are you paralyzed by procrastination? Is your confidence lacking? Are decisions difficult at times? Meet Robyn Greenspan; a skilled wordsmith with the soul of a journalist, the mind of a marketer, and the heart of a storyteller. Her book, "Dopamine Hacks; How to Mind Shift and Mood Lift Your Way to Motivation" is an experiential workbook that harnesses the power of imagination, positive self-refle...

"Communication is a love letter, if you write it that way." Dr. Heather Browne While recording this episode the evening of January 24, 2024 we were also checking to see if Dr. Browne's book was live on Amazon. Hours after we recorded, it was !!! This is the power of Stranger Connections. Just kidding. But why not take credit for what you're about to experience? Dr. Browne is a second-time guest on...

For some reason we kicked off our chat with discussions of prisons, but that has nothing to do with Bas Lebesque in general. He's just that easy to chat with. Bas is an executive mindset coach with extensive experience in guiding professionals through transformative journeys. His background is in trading billions. He has lived in 8 countries and 5 continents! A passion of Bas' is including those w...