Cookin' Up A Story

In part two of our conversation with Jim Totten about his book "Rescue Me," we find out how he got Spin home from Afghanistan, what life with him was like, and why animals are so crucial to human existence. We also get into Christmas presents, city life, and go down various other rabbit holes. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #afghanistan #centralasianshepherd #dogs #horses #citi...

In the first episode of season 5, friend of the show Jim Totten joins us to discuss his new book "Rescue Me," a story about growing up, animals, and bringing home a dog from Afghanistan. In true Cookin' Up a Story style, though, the conversation went totally off the rails into a variety of other topics. Don't worry, though, we actually discuss the book in part two. Part one is...

In our final episode of 2025, we took a step back and let all the listeners who joined us for the white elephant party tell their stories. From portals to, well, portals and box stands to (unregulated) boxing matches, this one has a bit of everything. It's a good one, give it a listen. #newyear #fighting #police #lsd #stories #valueforvalue 

What happens when over 20 people gather in the studio for a white elephant exchange, one that occurs while recording an episode with no real theme? Lots of things, but mainly shenanigans, insults, and lots of theft along with our gift to those of you who weren't able to attend: rabbit hole after rabbit hole. Merry Christmas and give it a listen, it's a good one.  #christmas #dirtysanta #...

For part two of our conversation with Gage Obert, we got into his journey into trap shooting, shotguns, and getting kids into the sport. Ralph Bartley also stopped by to discuss hunting dogs, field trials, and what it takes to make a champion. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #shotguns #clayshooting #trapshooting #dogs #fieldtrials 

What do you do when a friend's son misbehaves? What is OCD? How many times should you say the same prayer a night? Does plastic break wood? And, lastly, how do frozen Airheads compare to shotguns? Find out the answers to those questions, and more, in the latest episode. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #trapshooting #shotguns #samurai #sword #balls #airheads 

In part two of our conversation with Dr. Sarah and Heather Knife Chief, we discuss informed consent, alternative approaches to health, natural remedies, and ancient wisdom. We also get into fasting, toxins, and why simpler is sometimes better when it comes to treatments. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #wolfband #pawnee #NativeAmerican #nativemedicine ##medicineman #hallucinogen 

Audience favorite Dr. Sarah Knife Chief returned for the latest episode, bringing her sister Heather with her. In a wide ranging conversation, we discussed the Outsiders, native healing, the need to be close to our food, speaking to our water, and why mosquitos might serve a purpose. Give it a listen, it's a good one.   #nativeamerican #nativehealing #pawnee #wolfband #NaturalHealing 

After years spent grinding, Fredy Romero left behind the 9-5 life and started his own business. Working alongside his wife, he developed an event venue that can hosts concerts, quinceaneras, weddings, and more. In part two of our discussion with him, we find out how he went from NTI and Campbells to owning the Metroplex, how he celebrated his 50th birthday, and his fondness for classic cars. Give...

Fredy Romero came to the United States when he was five years old and almost immediately went to work with his father. Together, alongside his mother and a growing team, they ran Romero's Produce, a grocery store on wheels that served communities without adequate access to fresh goods. Fredy never stopped working and, over time, built himself up into an entrepreneur running his own business....

John Collins got his start as a security guard. After that, he became a police officer, a career in which he was known for making DUI arrests. There was one incident, though, that changed his outlook on the approach to DUIs and another which dampened his desire to confront bad guys in the wild. Those experiences led him to pursue a career as an attorney, first as a prosecutor and then as a defende...

While the year isn't over, we at Cookin' Up a Story are thankful. We're blessed with great families, great friends, great guests, and great stories. In this one, we debate Thanksgiving foods, discuss alternative recipes, and reflect on the episodes we've put out this year. Happy Thanksgiving and give it a listen, it's a good one.  #thanksgiving #turkey #ham #dressing #pie...

Brad Steele doesn't think of himself as a tweaker even though he is an addict. He works, he won't steal your copper, and he doesn't like associating with people who do. He's also a fan of venomous snakes, taxidermy, and other pursuits that sleeping much less than most affords him the time to do. In part two of our discussion with Brad and his son Keith, we get deeper into the s...

In another time, Brad Steele would've been a bit of an outlaw. He's also a bit of one in the present day. In this episode, listen to him and his son Keith touch on various points of Brad's life, and their life together. From stealing booze to getting into drugs to starting accidental fires to raising his kids by himself, Brad has done a bit of everything and Keith has been around to...

When Mark Holaway found himself struggling to get out the dark places, he decided to give less conventional options a try. This led him down a path of natural medicine, a path which isn't always legal. The success that route have offered him, though, can be replicated in others who are suffering similarly. In this episode, we dive deep into natural medicine, where trauma is held, and ways to...

We thought we were going to discuss PTSD and psychedelics, and eventually we did, but first, we finally found a cult member. Words cannot describe it. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #ptsd #emt #ibogaine #psylocibin #lsd #mdma #medecine #holistic #therapy

In part two of our conversation with Justin Glover, Merrill White, and Duane Wright, we move beyond boot camp and into active service, occupation vs. conquering, trying to restart wars, and what comes after. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #army #marines #desertstorm #waronterror #crayons #veterans #gwot 

In honor of Veterans Day, we hosted three for this week's show: Justin Glover, Merle White, and Duane Wright. Justin and Duane were Marines and Merle was in the Army. Hear them discuss their decision to join, what boot camp was like, and the difficulties of getting trained for combat before being sent to occupy a foreign country. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #army #marines #Vetera...

John Bentley has seen some downs, but he didn't let that define him. Instead, he used those struggles to find success, though he went down a few rabbit holes along the way. In this one, hear him discuss his road from the asylum to trucking to construction to helping build a legendary camp out in the woods. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #trucking #construction #land #storytelling #c...

John Bentley's early life was simple and rural, focused on his family's farm. Once he became a teenager, though, he started finding trouble. Initially, it was typical teenage trouble, but it soon escalated to the point where he was transporting large amounts and contraband over several states in order to feed his appetite. As a result, he found himself in a facility with a Nurse Ratched,...

In part two of our discussion with Tim Shepard, we get into his decision to run for county judge, why we need collaboration, and why there's more to roads than just roads. We also remember hippies living in trees and go down a few rabbit holes. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #timshepard #countyjudge #roads #elections #community

Those who end up enforcement were rarely choir boys, but instead those who spent some time running from the law. Tim Shepard didn't spend much time running from the police. He didn't spend zero time running, either. In this episode, listen to him discuss his upbringing, his career thus far, and why he's deciced to keep running, this time for office. Give it a listen, it's a goo...

Meditation, SpongeBob, colon cancer, and the quest for peace. In part two of our discussion with John Connors, we discuss those things and many, many more. Give it a listen, it's a good one.  #downsyndrome #Cancer #meditation #spongebob #peace 

For this week's episode, we met our match in John Connors. Whether he is a rabbit hole in human form or just the rabbit is open for debate, but to say this one meanders around is a bit of an understatement. From St. Louis to Madison to Mexico, John veered around the first few decades of his life, offering anecdotes, lessons, and observations from his time as a high school seminarian. Give it...

Jonathan Rueppel was born to be a warrior and after boot camp, deployed to the Middle East. Once there, he experienced situations that challenged the toughness inherent to being a Marine, ones that stuck with him after retiring. In this one, hear about his experiences in battles as well as the battles he's still facing as a civilian. This is another episode that's going to help someone e...