Life Story

On this episode, Tyler invites a fellow Bettendorf High alum, John, to the podcast to discuss his life, post-high school, and all of his successful ventures. John shares about being incredibly involved in grade school and even being student body President. He talks about how his love of bodybuilding began and what going to the gym and fitness mean to him. Finally, John shares about the many mentor...

Welcome to Season 2 of Life Story! On this episode, Tyler invites one of his best friends and former roommate from his days at Iowa State, Joey (With a short cameo from his dad), to start this season off. Joey explains how anyone who shares his last name has to, in some way, be related to him because it was created on Ellis Island. Joey shares the love he has for his tight-knit family and how fami...

On this episode, one of Tyler’s favorite former supervisors, Marie-Louise, joins the podcast to discuss their time at Texas Tech and working together during the start of the pandemic. Marie-Louise describes growing up in Louisiana with her three siblings and how soccer was a huge part of her life all the way through college. She shares how working at her aunts’ bakery allowed her to help them win...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Olivia stops by to catch up and talk about joining the world of adulting! We reminisce about bumping into each other in high school and how we went to the same high school and college, but only attended those schools for two academic years together. Olivia discusses her relationships with her parents and siblings and how she never felt like she had one-true childhoo...

On this episode of Life Story, Tyler’s friend Jaclyn videos in to discuss growing up as only children and how you have to find fun hobbies and activities, like reading and video games, to entertain yourself. Jaclyn shares about being close to most of her family in Arkansas and how her mom and dad’s sides of the family would all get together for holidays. She describes how she joined her sorority,...

On this episode, we celebrate our 25th Episode of Life Story with guest host Anna Fobair! Anna interviews the show’s regular host Tyler about his life story of growing up as an only child and how family has played such an important part in his story. He shares fond memories in grade school, spending time with his grandparents, memorable jobs, and all of the people he’s met along the way. Finally,...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Nate joins the podcast and discusses learning he was adopted and what life had been like with his biological parents. He also describes his relationship with his adoptive parents. Nate explains how he was naturally good at sports from a young age and how weightlifting has become a big part of his life. He shares how he grew immensely during his time at college, how...

On this episode, Tyler travels to Denver, Colorado to interview his long time friend, Nate. The two reminisce about high school days and being a part of The Music Man. Nate discusses growing up with his mom and how she continues to be his biggest supporter. Nate talks about the short time he lived in Florida and how that started his love for theater. Finally, Nate touches on his time at the Univer...

On this episode, did you know that Tyler is not the only person who is on every episode of Life Story? Well, today, we welcome the performer behind the show’s theme song, Kristoffer Poole! Kris describes being the youngest of four and all of the fun they had playing in their neighborhood court as kids, going to birthday parties, and playing board games. Tyler and Kris reminisce about high school d...

Cheers to episode 21 as Tyler’s friend Jacob joins him for a toast and to tell his life story! Jacob shares about growing up and taking on the role of being the man of the house for his mom and three brothers in Cedar Rapids, IA. He describes his love of school and about how his teachers became some of his greatest mentors and advocates in life. Jacob and Tyler discuss their love of Pokémon, how t...

On this episode, Tyler welcomes his first celebrity guest and long-time pen pal Mary to the show. Mary has authored over 75 novels including her two series the Emma Lord /Alpine Mysteries and the Bed & Breakfast Murder Mysteries. Mary discusses how she came up with the ideas for these stories and why she believes people have gravitated to them over the years. Mary describes her family history, bot...

On this episode, Tyler and one of his mentors, Katie, were finally able to sit down for an interview after multiple cancellations. Katie discussed growing up as a non-Mormon in Salt Lake City and how her small, tight-knit family and Girl Scouts helped instill many life skills and her passion for giving back to the community. Katie talks about how the University of Utah was the last place on her mi...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend John Jaso drops by the podcast to talk about the chronicle that is his life’s story. He describes growing up outside of Chicago and how he learned to be self reliant due to his parents’ work schedules. He shares how he discovered his love of video games, WWE, and comic books and how he met his best group of friends in second grade. Jaso talks about school bullies an...

On this episode, one of Tyler’s new co-workers and friend, Micho, joins the podcast to share their incredible story! Micho describes life growing up in an abusive household and how the cycle of abuse followed them through a good part of their life. But, through a love and passion for art at an early age, Micho discovered so much about themselves which lead them to graduating as a Summa Cum Laude f...

On this episode, be prepared for a lot of laughs (and maybe some backhanded compliments) as Ashley Kurtz takes time away from the Texas Tech reunion to talk about her life. Ashley describes the joys of growing up as a California girl, getting to go to the beaches, meeting celebrities, and testing out rides at Disneyland, thanks to her dad working security there. Ashley talks about her relationship...

On this episode, one of Tyler’s best friends from childhood, Trevor, joins the podcast to get each other caught up on life since they last saw each other 10 years ago. Trevor describes life growing up as the son of a pastor and being the oldest of three boys who share the same initials of TLC. Tyler and Trevor reminisce about how they met and middle school days around the lunch table and being avi...

On this episode, the “Ty”ler H.’s of Texas Tech reconnect to share their favorite memories of grad school and how hitting the campus’ lazy river was always the best way to relax! Ty also shares memories of growing up in a religious household, while going to school in a predominately white community. Ty reminisces about how being involved in multiple student organizations, including the marching ba...

On this episode, Tyler gets a chance to catch up with his friend Ceara to laugh about many marching band memories! Ceara discusses how her parents made holidays and birthdays so incredibly fun growing up for her and her three other sisters and how her dad convinced her that the White Sox were shooting off fireworks after the game just because it was her birthday! Ceara describes how softball chang...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Xiomar videos in for a lot of college reminiscing about crazy work situations, getting free furniture, and how Xiomar got away with never having to pay for a single drink at the bars! Xiomar shares life growing up in Baltimore with his two brothers and how education and sports came pretty naturally to him. The two talk about their favorite holiday memories and Xioma...

On this episode, Tyler invited his friends Alec and Bailey Olson to join the show together to talk about not only their life stories, but their love story! Alec and Bailey lived only a few doors down from each other growing up and in fourth grade Alec gave Bailey a note saying he liked her! After dating throughout the roller coaster that is middle and high school, they decided to go to Iowa State...

On this episode, one of Tyler’s mentors, Kyle, stops by to chat about Disney, Nintendo, and how music has been a huge part of their lives. Kyle shares all of the states that he has lived and how his job has allowed him to move back to some favorite locations. Kyle describes how music was his whole life growing up and it even helped him to meet his wife, Lauren! Finally, he explains why he loves wo...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Brandon stops in to share many memories of growing up in a predominately black community before moving to a predominately white community and how that shaped some of his views and memories as a kid. Brandon explains how band was a huge part of middle and high school and all of the many friends he met along the way. He and Tyler also discuss their mutual love for Iow...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Anna joins the podcast to share a lot of laughs and fun memories! Anna describes some of her memories of living in China before being adopted and moving to the United States. She also shares how amazing it was that her best friend growing up in China, Lauren, was adopted by a family only minutes away from her new home in Iowa and how they have kept their friendship...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Matt and he get a chance to reconnect since their high school days. Matt describes his strong bonds with his two sisters and how the love of basketball has helped them all connect. He shares stories of mentors that have helped him learn pivotal life skills and how he wants to impart those skills on the students and clients he works with in his ministry, basketball t...

On this episode, Tyler’s friend Max joins him to discuss how imagination played an important part in his childhood. Max describes how theater helped him meet new friends, grow his confidence, develop new skills, and helped expand his socialite status. He shares his coming out story and how he knew when the right time to come out was. Finally, Tyler and Max explain their dreams of being voice actor...