Above the bridge

Send us Fan Mail When grief strikes, it can either paralyze us or propel us into action; for Chad Starr, it became a catalyst for a profound mission. Walking through the pain—quite literally—he embarked on an audacious trek around Hawaii's perimeter, transforming his profound loss into a platform for mental health advocacy after his daughter Sienna's tragic passing. As Chad's story...

Send us Fan Mail Embrace the artistry of imperfection as Kenji Lee takes us through his creative odyssey in "100 Bad Videos." Together, we examine how the Japanese philosophy of accepting flaws can liberate artists from the shackles of traditional perfection. Kenji's personal tales resonate with the essence of authenticity, as he shares the importance of consistent output and the pr...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as the illustrious Augie T takes us on a journey from laughter-filled stages to the heart of community action. Whether he's rallying neighborhoods in Ewa and Waipahu or tickling our funny bones, Augie's dual passions for comedy and civic responsibility shine through. Our discussion paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of community engagement, the tr...

Send us Fan Mail Embrace the heartwarming complexities of being a 'girl dad' with myself, Thaddeus, and my special guest, Russell Kimura, as we share our personal experiences and celebrate the father-daughter bond. Prepare to be moved by tales of daddy daughter experiences, father-daughter proms, and the poignant growth milestones that punctuate this unique journey. Our candid dialogue u...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening and empowering episode as we embark on a journey of political engagement in the vibrant state of Hawaii. We are thrilled to have Brah Kruz, a renowned content creator turned politically engaged, returning as our guest. Brah Kruz shares his inspiring transition and sheds light on the pressing local issues that he passionately advocates for. From grassroo...

Send us Fan Mail Discover what keeps a restaurant like Roy's in Ko Olina at the pinnacle of culinary innovation, as Taisei Lee, the general manager, unpacks the secrets behind their enduring success – secrets that could ignite your own ventures. We traverse the landscape of resilience post-COVID, revealing how Roy's has managed to create an exceptional fine dining experience.  As Taisei...

Send us Fan Mail This week we catch up with former guest  pro boxer Jaybrio "The Hitman" Pe Benito, who joins us fresh from his intensive training and ready to share his journey. From the challenges of a two-year hiatus and embracing fatherhood, to the grind of networking across the States, Jabrio's story is a testament to resilience. He opens up about the personal sacrifices requir...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a journey with Gerritt Vincent, our Hawaiian Keto Dad, who unfolds his family's transformation through a ketogenic lens, all the while preserving the flavors of heritage. Our heart-to-heart uncovers the delicate dance of instilling healthy habits in his children without stripping away the simple pleasures of their palates. As Gerritt  shares the tale of his mother&a...

Send us Fan Mail My guest, Jose Dynamite, and I, your host Thaddeus, whisk you away on a comedic journey through Hawaii's vibrant comedy scene. From the legendary haunts of yesteryear to the fresh punchlines of today's talent, we traverse the islands' unique brand of humor that's as diverse as our landscape. Nostalgia intertwines with the present as we share tales of local lege...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the vibrant world of DJ Toma, the maestro who spun his way to victory at the 2024 "Spin It to Win It" championship. In our latest podcast episode, Toma pulls back the curtain on the electric moments that define the life of a professional DJ. He shares the pulse-quickening challenges on stage, the thrill of mastering new technology while the crowd watches, and t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself at a crossroads, grappling with the choice to either play it safe or chase your dreams? Deah, a singer, songwriter, and model, embraced the latter, wandering from São Paulo to the Hawaiian tropics, and she joins us to share her captivating narrative. Her story is a symphony of signs and serendipities, with numbers orchestrating her every move, propelling her to...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a splash of color and a stroke of a brush can alter not just appearances, but also destinies? Manda Norstrand, Hawaii's admired makeup artist, shares her vibrant journey from tentative beginnings to crafting an illustrious beauty career. Her tale isn't just skin deep; it's an intimate exploration of the courage it takes to transform passion into a...

Send us Fan Mail This week ATBpod chats with IA, whose name is a lyrical homage to his children, and whose heart is as big as his beats. Today, we're unwrapping layers of a life that intertwines the pulsing energy of Hawaii's hip hop scene with the legacy of a boxing legend, Jesus Salud. IA, thrumming with stories of growing up in the shadow of greatness, shares insights into the industr...

Send us Fan Mail This week ATBPOD.com welcomes two of  Damien Memorial School's most influential football coaches.  We chat with head coach and two time ILH coach of the year Anthony " Bones" Tuitele who led his varsity team to  win this years ILH championship. Bones is also joined by Damien's intermediate ILH championship coach Ron Dalmacio.  This episode records with a live a...

Send us Fan Mail Embark with us on an exhilarating exploration of the creative scene as we sit down with the illustrious videographer Vitamin B. His tapestry of experiences, from the neon buzz of Las Vegas to Hawaii's tranquil coasts, illustrates a narrative of adaptation, ingenuity, and a profound connection with his roots. Vitamin B's insightful strategies for leveraging social media t...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine stepping into the octagon, where every punch and grapple is a dance between passion and strategy. That's the world Russell Doane inhabits – a fierce Hawaiian MMA fighter who blends his laid-back island charm with the heart of a lion in the ring. Join us as Russell takes us on a journey into the heart of MMA, reflecting on the serendipitous moments that led him to embr...

Send us Fan Mail Gather 'round the fireplace and let the holiday spirit flow as I'm joined by my favorite guest, my delightful daughter Aria, for a Christmas podcast that's bursting with cheer. As Aria recounts her spike from novice to seasoned player, we're whisked away on a journey of athletic determination, highlighted by her shining moments at a Chicago tournament and the c...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered about the power of positivity on social media? Can it really contribute to a brand's growth? We invite you to find out as we chat with Eric Yamashita, the creator of the Everyday Better brand. Eric has mastered the art of creating authentic and relatable content and spreads it via his social media platforms. He’s not just sharing memes; he's influe...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a podcast host stays consistent, navigates challenges, and enjoys the process while not solely focusing on monetary gain? Tune in as we unlock these answers with our special guest, Gaven Sugai, host of the Kampai Sugai podcast. We kickstart our exchange with a peek into Gaven's Japanese heritage and the inspiration for his podcast's unique name. The con...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when two brothers reflect on their shared past, the lessons they've learned, and the goals they've achieved? The special 100th episode of Above the Bridge is where you'll find out!  This week Dj Hapa Boy hosts Thaddeus, as we take a deep dive into our journey, from the early days on the East Side of Oahu, to the success of this popular podcast.  Growing...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to rise from humble beginnings and shape your dreams into a successful business? Meet Kowa, the owner of the Collective Barbershop, who did exactly that. Through sheer determination, a dash of creativity, and a strong support system, Koa navigated the world of barbering, transforming his passion into a thriving enterprise.  Kowa's journey is not ju...

Send us Fan Mail Our guest today on  ATBpod.com is Jose Raymond, a major comedic force from Maui and the mainland. Jose's tale is one of resilience, humor and an unyielding spirit. He opens up about his beginnings in Mexico, his family's bold transition from Watts to Maui, and how a love for comedy took root in the midst of these changes. His career isn't all laughter and applause t...

Send us Fan Mail Join me for a fascinating chat with the iconic King Eddie, a stalwart in the Hawaiian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community. Eddie's lens has captured the essence of the local Hawaii MMA scene, and in our conversation, we traverse his journey from MMA photographer to the father of three, and comic book creator,  reflecting on how his life has evolved through these roles. This ep...

Send us Fan Mail Hang tight as we journey through the life of Regan Kuali'i, a photographer, MMA fighter and founder of Ku Films and Production. From Hilo to the glitz and glamour of Vegas, Regan's story is one of resilience, perseverance, and ultimate triumph against the odds Our conversation ventures deep as we explore Regan's world of filmmaking; a journey punctuated with challen...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare for a knockout episode as we square off with Kevin Yoshida, a titan in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) refereeing in Hawaii. Not only does Kevin oversee some of the most intense battles in the ring, but he also flexes his entrepreneurial muscles as the owner of Heavy Metal Barbell, a one-stop-shop for weightlifting apparel and equipment. From the rough-and-tumble are...