American Tributaries

John Jastremski (“JJ”) has been a sportscaster in New York for more than a decade and currently hosts two of his own podcasts – “ New York, New York ” and “ The Ringer Gambling Show ” – on The Ringer network and is a daily contributor on regional sports television network SNY .  JJ grew up in Staten Island and studied broadcast journalism at Syracuse University, so it is fascinating to learn about...

Darla Burton has been a resident of the Greenville, SC area for almost twenty years after moving there for college after growing up in a small northern Minnesota town.  Host Michael Whidden met Darla in April 2022 during a vacation in the Greenville area when he and his family ventured for their first-ever meal at Cracker Barrel, where she worked and took such gracious and friendly care of them. D...

On the 246th birthday of our great and unavoidably imperfect nation, American Tributaries host Michael Whidden shares some thoughts about choosing to love our country and the reasons for hope that abound. Happy Independence Day! And let's get to work.

Sophie Barrett recently returned to her home state of North Carolina after spending a decade in New York City.  A member of the wine trade since 2005, Sophie is currently the general manager of Haw River Wine Man , which is a wine distributor in the Carolinas. Sophie shares thoughts about many matters, including: *her wine career path from retail to distribution, with a number of enviable stopover...

Kathy Buccio has built a multi-pronged career as a tv show host, lifestyle expert and show producer, primarily, in New York City.  Her path drew inspiration from the sportscasting career of her grandfather, Manolo Alvarez, in Cuba and Miami and from the work ethic and drive to succeed of the rest of her Cuban exile parents and grandparents. You may have encountered Kathy on The Today Show, PIX11 o...

Taryn Williams has been a teacher in the Alutiiq village of Perryville (population, 88 ), located 500 miles southwest of Anchorage on the Alaska Peninsula, since autumn 2021. It’s a remote land of distinct immensity and beauty (even for Alaska) defined by tundra, coastline and nearby mountains crowned by an active volcano, Mt Veniaminof . Taryn talks about many fascinating, unique topics, includin...

Ben Bohen has been a small business owner in Brooklyn, NY since 2011 when he opened his boutique wine shop Waterfront Wines & Spirits in Brooklyn Bridge Park near Pier 5. Host Michael Whidden worked with Ben as his wine sales representative during most of that time and was always impressed with his abilities as an entrepreneur and manager. Ben shares a variety of insights, including *the path...

Leslie Phillips has been a psychoanalyst in the New York metropolitan area for more than twenty years and currently has her own practice in Westchester County. Leslie and host Michael Whidden have been good friends since their high school days when, even back then, it was readily apparent she had a unique aptitude for the subject matter. Leslie covers a broad array of topics relating to her field...

Eric Foret recently became the corporate wine director of Vin Sur Vingt , a 7-unit French wine bar group based in New York City, after two decades in the wholesale wine trade. He grew up in Lyon, France, and moved to the United States in 2000, obtaining citizenship in 2016. Eric shares various observations about life in the United States and working in the wine industry and restaurant world, inclu...

Dr Jacqueline Subka has her own dentistry practice in the city of Thousand Oaks , located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.  For recreation, she and her daughter care for their horse Rollo and compete in equestrian competitions. Jacqueline explains her path and attraction to becoming a dentist after pivoting from her original aspiration to become an airline pilot.  Among other things, you’ll...

Learn about how Njekwa Beasnael successfully and joyfully straddles a wide variety of different worlds. He spent his early years in Chad and Ghana before moving with his family to the Dallas area.  He then attended Texas A&M, where his passion for wine and food took hold, and moved to New York City to pursue his passions professionally and where he ultimately met his wife who hails from Montan...

Learn about the inner workings of local government in the Sunshine State (at least in one locale) and the mindset of someone pursuing public service after a long, accomplished career of naval service. Jake Johansson was born and raised in western New York before embarking on a 35-year career in the U.S. Navy, which included positions as commander of an air squadron, commander of Virginia area nava...

Kyle Pasewark is a Wyoming native, raised in Laramie in the southeast, and began his studies at the University of Wyoming before his interest took him towards studying theology and, ultimately, practicing law in New York City for more than fifteen years. A few years ago, he moved back to Wyoming, settling in the state’s northwest corner near Yellowstone National Park. Kyle and host Michael Whidden...

Devin Davis lives and works in Manhattan, New York City, going between his home in Harlem and the wine shops he has worked in downtown.  Devin and host Michael Whidden have known each other for approximately six years, going back to when Michael started working with one of Devin's shops. Learn about one of NYC’s essential workers who...from receiving, storing and stocking to greeting, advisin...

James Roberson lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he is the lead pastor of  Bridge Church , which he founded in 2014.  James and Michael first met in the fall of 2021 when their children played on the same neighborhood soccer team. Learn how the child of an avowed atheist grew to the cusp of professional football before being called to faith and, eventually, founding a Brooklyn church for people who don...

David Goldsmith has owned Urban Classics Auto Repair , located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, since its founding in 1990.  Host Michael Whidden took his first family car to Urban Classics in 2006 and has never gone anyplace else since. Get an expert’s thoughts on which car manufacturers are trustworthy and how to evaluate the quality of an auto repair shop. David talks about t...

Captain Joshua Himes is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, where he is the Information Warfare Commander at Carrier Strike Group TWELVE, a U.S. Navy force that includes approximately 7,000 sailors, 5 vessels and 100 aircraft, among other assets.  Josh and host Michael Whidden first met as fellow Penn ROTC midshipmen in 1989. Josh discusses his current responsibilities and, more generally, life at sea...

Eric Ireland lives in the Upcountry of South Carolina, near the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he works at Michelin's North American headquarters. Eric and host Michael Whidden (who lives in Brooklyn, NY) became friends through an organization, Braver Angels , which is building bridges across the political spectrum throughout the country.  Eric discusses his life, which has long been based in th...

Dr. Deborah Bass lives in the Los Angeles area and is currently the Psyche Mission Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory , where she started as a research scientist more than two decades ago. Deborah and host Michael Whidden know each other through Michael’s wife Christie. Deborah discusses her inspiring path from high school to university geology major to extraterrestrial geology speci...

Frank Vito lives in Union County, New Jersey and is a teacher of U.S. History at Cranford High School.  Frank and host Michael Whidden have been friends since their high school days.    Frank shares thoughts about the contemporary high school experience compared to his own in the '80s and his mindset for staying current.  He pulls back the curtain a bit on how a teacher goes about their usual...

The American Tributaries podcast will explore the various currents of people in the United States of America, like a modern-day Lewis & Clark journey, talking with...learning from...and being amazed by...people of all stripes from all places doing all sorts of things.  Although a broad mission, the podcast will focus on a particular and very important niche: cultivating hope in – and celebrati...