The 98 Percent Podcast

In this episode of the 98% Podcast, Chip Sloan shares his journey from a competitive athlete in the Highland Games to navigating the complexities of childhood, bullying, and personal struggles. He reflects on the importance of balance between masculinity and femininity, the impact of his upbringing, and how overcoming adversity has shaped his character. Chip's candid storytelling offers insig...

In this episode of the 98% Podcast, host Ricky Mcdowell interviews John Young, a Midwestern graphic designer and videographer. They discuss John's upbringing in a small Nebraska town, the impact of physical labor on his work ethic, and the creative processes involved in graphic design and problem-solving. The conversation also delves into the emotional connections people have with music, expl...

In this episode, Katesha shares her powerful journey from a tumultuous childhood marked by her mother's addiction to drugs, to her struggles with motherhood and recovery. She reflects on the challenges of overcoming adversity, the importance of personal growth, and the influential figures who have shaped her life. Katesha emphasizes the significance of mindset change and the impact of nurturi...

In this conversation, Nick shares his life journey, reflecting on his childhood, family dynamics, and the struggles he has faced, including health challenges and the loss of loved ones. He emphasizes the importance of faith, resilience, and community support throughout his experiences. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various themes surrounding stress management, resilience, personal...

In this episode, Ricky McDowell hosts the Otto brothers, Nate and Adam, as they share their childhood experiences, family dynamics, and the impact of technology on today's youth. In this conversation, the speakers delve into their personal experiences with separation, parenting, and entrepreneurship. They share insights on the emotional challenges of navigating life changes, the transformativ...

In this episode of the 98% podcast, Ricky McDowell interviews Susan, a mother, grandmother, and wife, who shares her life experiences growing up as the youngest of seven children in a preacher's family. She reflects on the freedom of childhood, the challenges of having a child with a chronic illness, and her involvement with the DMACC Foundation, which supports those affected by Crohn's...

In this episode of the 98 Percent podcast,  Craig and Dennis share their personal stories, focusing on their backgrounds, struggles, and growth. The conversation delves into their experiences growing up in Christian homes, the importance of family, and the challenges they faced, including divorce and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Through humor and vulnerability, they reflect on...

Episode 29: Never Give Up with Linda McDowell-Holcomb.  In this episode of the 98% Podcast, Linda shares her life story that's filled with struggles and resilience. From her childhood in Oklahoma and Missouri to the challenges of growing up in a dysfunctional family, Linda reflects on the impact of her experiences on her life. She discusses the importance of family dynamics, the struggles she...

Episode 28: Figuring It Out with Rob Neil.  In this episode they discuss Rob's journey into fitness, his experiences growing up in a single-parent household, and the influence of father figures in his life.  Rob shares his journey from high school debate and fitness to navigating personal challenges, including family struggles and career transitions. He discusses the importance of being a sup...

Episode 27: The Adventures of Chaos & Monotony with Ryne Seals.  In this conversation, Ryan shares his journey from a childhood in Tennessee to his passion for filmmaking and music. He discusses his family heritage, including interesting historical connections, and how his love for film was sparked by iconic movies. Ryan opens up about his struggles with mental health, particularly depression,...

This is a 20 episode special, where I answer all the quests questions from episode 11-20 and briefly recap each conversation. Support the show

Episode 26: A Mixtape & a Dare with Danny Cubas.  In this episode of the 98% Podcast, Danny shares his journey from a typical upbringing in Chicago to becoming a successful marathon runner and a devoted father. He reflects on the challenges he faced, the influence of his parents, and the lessons learned from his childhood experiences. The conversation delves into themes of gratitude, the impac...

Episode 25: Embracing the Uncertain Path with Greg Penrod.  In this episode of the 98% podcast, Greg discusses his life journey from a small-town upbringing to navigating the complexities of college, career, and mental health. Greg shares his experiences with family dynamics, the challenges of college life, including flunking out and the impact of knee injuries on his athletic pursuits. He opens u...

Episode 24: The Wave with Daniel Lebeck.  In this episode of the 98% Podcast, host Ricky McDowell engages in a heartfelt conversation with Danny Lebeck, exploring his life journey from childhood to adulthood. They discuss family dynamics, the impact of significant life events, and the importance of celebrating small wins. Danny shares his experiences with loss, career transitions, and the lessons...

In this Special Episode the members of the band Nightmare Nevermore come together for the first time in a decade to discuss music, share stories, connect and do a fun metal tier list for the metal head viewers out their.  This is the start of a band reunion which will kick off concerts later this year. Support the show

EPISODE 23: THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY with Rod Stone.  In this episode, Rod shares his remarkable life journey, from his childhood filled with constant moves due to his father's work as a music pastor, to a life-altering accident at the age of six that shaped his perspective on life. He discusses the importance of family, the struggles he faced in his education, and how he overcame adversity to p...

EPISODE 22: THE SLOTH THAT COULD RUN with Alex Leonhart shares his journey of personal growth, resilience, and the impact of loss on his life. He discusses his early life challenges, including the loss of family members, and how these experiences shaped his perspective on relationships and mental health. Alex reflects on his career journey, the importance of time, and the lessons learned from grie...

Episode 21: A JOURNEY OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT with Max Strutman.  Max is a data engineer and shares his background and experiences in this conversation. He discusses his childhood, including his parents' divorce and the challenges he faced in high school. Max emphasizes the importance of taking action and constantly striving to improve oneself. Max encourages individuals to try new things and fin...

EPISODE 20: WHAT'S YOUR LEGACY with Jon Kaus.  Jon shares his background growing up in a strict Christian household with six siblings. He talks about his parents' influence and their love for fishing and hunting. Jon also discusses his career in construction and his passion for playing music.  He discusses the challenges he faced as a teenager, particularly with self-criticism and feelin...

EPISODE 19: DYNAMICS with Tony McKee.  Tony delves into the importance of friendship, early musical experiences, and the evolution of musical interests over the years. Tony reflects on memorable performances, the impact of producers in the music industry, and the significance of authenticity in music. The conversation also touches on the role of luck in music careers and the legacy of iconic bands...

Episode 18: The Personal & Professional Adventures of Justin Wild.  Justin shares his background growing up in North Dakota, playing hockey, and the importance of allowing children to take risks and gain confidence. He discusses the decay of society and the lowering of standards, as well as the need for exposure to both good and bad experiences. Justin emphasizes the importance of confidence i...

Episode 17: THE DUNGEON MASTER OF SELF-REFLECTION with Mike Hall.  Mike talks about his love for crafts, role-playing games, and video games like Dungeons and Dragons and HeroScape. Mike also discusses his work experience at Nike and FedEx, highlighting the challenges he faced at FedEx during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of having a positive mindset and being ambitious in pu...

Episode 16: NEVER GIVING UP with Alani Ergina.  Alani shares her background growing up in Las Vegas and Southern California, being half Chamorro and half Filipino. She discusses the challenges of navigating her cultural identity and the pressure to assimilate. Alani also talks about her love for sports, particularly basketball, and how it shaped her childhood. She reflects on the impact of Kobe Br...

Episode 15: SCAR TISSUE THAT I WISH YOU SAW with Joe Bachelier.  Joe shares his experiences growing up and the struggles he faced, including the loss of his father and his time at a behavior modification program called Midwest Academy. He describes the intense seminars and processes he had to go through, including beating a towel on the floor and imagining scenarios on a sinking ship. He reflects...

Episode 14: DON'T FEAR IT.  RESPECT IT with Seth Cain.  This conversation is a nostalgic reflection on the experiences of the speakers playing music together in a band called Nightmare Nevermore. They discuss their camaraderie, the challenges of playing live, and the fun and memorable moments they shared. The conversation highlights the importance of finding the right people to play with and...