Extraordinary Ordinary People

This week, Andy talks with the artist behind three enormously-popular wedding songs—Edwin McCain. His hit songs "I'll Be" and "I Could Not Ask For More" are both favorite "first dance" songs, and his song "Walk With You" is always a moving choice for the father/daughter dance. Edwin's songs have formed the soundtrack to some of the most pivotal moments in people's lives, that couples and their fam...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Edwin McCain.)

In this episode we talk with John Soderberg, an artist with a passion for bronze and the human experience, at his Arizona ranch. To say that John has a unique perspective is an understatement. Not only did John graduate from high school in Bangkok, Thailand, but he'd circled the world eight times and visited more than 40 countries before that. During that time, John and his family visited the worl...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with John Soderberg.)

During his more than sixty years in Alaska, Jack Roderick has been a truck-driver, small business entrepreneur, lawyer, teacher, and author of Crude Dreams: A Personal History of Oil & Politics in Alaska. During 1967-68, he served as regional director of the U.S. Peace Corps in India, and in 1970-71, was government relations advisor to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (TAPS). Elected Mayor of the...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Jack Roderick.)

It's hard to overstate how glad I am to share my conversation with Sylvia Weinstock with you. I am thrilled that you'll get to spend some time with her, as I've been lucky enough to. If you're in the wedding business or familiar with it, Sylvia needs no introduction. Sylvia Weinstock reinvented the tradition of the wedding cake, and for 37 years she and her team set a standard for wedding creation...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Sylvia Weinstock.)

Dr. Michael Olding, MD is the director of the Cosmetic Surgery Center at The GW Medical Faculty Associates, and is chief of Plastic Surgery at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. He has over 20 years of experience as a surgeon, is one of Washington's premier cosmetic surgeons, and is ranked in the nation's top 1% of cosmetic surgeons by US News & World Report. In...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Dr. Michael Olding.)

Under the tutelage of Louis Tibbs and Charlie Young, Brent Birckhead has become a dynamically versatile saxophonist of many genres. With a unique style born of his deep passion for the art of music, Birckhead has established himself as one of the bright young musical voices of his generation. Educated at Howard University (BME, MM), Brent was named best blues/pop/rock soloist and outstanding instr...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Brent Birckhead.)

Zoila's story about her child's inner struggle and their relationship is moving and profoundly inspiring. Although English is her second language, she speaks more eloquently than one can possibly imagine. The situation she had to face, embrace and deal with was one of enormous proportions and with various implications. And how she did it was awe-inspiring. Her story is also an opportunity to suppo...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Zoila Fajardo.)

About Jeremy Safron Jeremy Safron is a devout champion of nature, eternal student of the martial, meditative & mystic arts and a musician, author, teacher, and inventor. Jeremy has initiated innovative ideas and alternative angles in the fields of yoga, culinary arts, fitness and sustainable living. Jeremy's permaculture farm known as Avalon offers WWOOFing internship experiences on Maui where the...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Jeremy Safron.)

Windcloud is the definition of an extraordinary person. He is over 90 years old though looking at him one would never know it. Viewing photos of him dancing, you'll see how limber he is and how effortlessly he seems to move. And his memory is razor sharp. Being conceived, in the "summer of love," Windcloud's mother did not know who the father was and she sent him, at a young age, to a Catholic boa...

(An audio prologue to Andy's conversation with Windcloud.)

Links About Extraordinary Ordinary People and Andy Kushner Andy Kushner Entertainment Design SoundConnection band "Live" In Singapore Andy Kushner interviewed by Now Here This president Bruce Wawrzyniak: 38-minute edit, full-length original episode Sean Low [Andy's business consultant] Theme song courtesy of SoundConnection, inspired by Aretha Franklin's recording of Chain Of Fools, written by Don...