The Circle of the Panda Podcast

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace This is the third in a three-part series with Barrett Counterman.  In this episode Barrett discusses: - a perception that some have of people with disabilities  - why there are not more people with disabilities in churches - how to pray for someone with a disability  - how a Bible Study would look if Barrett ran one

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace  In this opening episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross lays the foundation for a new 12-week series. Drawing from 1 Timothy 6:11–12, he unpacks what it means to 'fight the good fight of faith.' Life is full of battles—stress, division, even the struggles within our own minds—but the Bible calls us to focus on the one fight th...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Barrett Counterman has Cerebral Palsy but Cerebral Palsy does not have Barrett Counterman.  Barrett has a clear vision, and he shares it in this episode. He also discusses: - What he struggles with - His dream - Why he uses the name Swaggy Life - Advice for those serving or living in assisting living homes Stay tuned for more from Barrett...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace In this episode, JD Ross and Barrett share their motivations for launching the podcast. Barrett emphasizes the importance of showing what’s possible for individuals with disabilities and the vital role of support systems. Reflecting on their first job at ScairoWinds, Barrett recounts challenges with accommodations and the assumptions othe...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace How do we solve the homeless problem? This episode is a conversation with Haley, the location manager at Curbside Flowers in Oklahoma City. They are certainly doing their part to help the homeless and they have been very gracious in sharing the model.  You can find more about them on the website: Curbside Flowers

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Where do most of us place our trust? In ourselves, in other people? This episode was done out on location and I "randomly" met a couple that provided the answer that I needed. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Episode Summary: In this short but powerful episode, JD sits down with Whitley O’Connor, the manager of Curbside Apparel , a nonprofit T-shirt shop in Oklahoma City with a bold mission: to end homelessness through supportive employment . Whitley shares how Curbside Apparel helps people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet by l...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Have you ever felt lost?  In this episode we talk to John Leary about cairns. This is a method that hikers use to stay on track but the concept can be applied to our journey in business and in life. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace John Leary is the Founder of Health Perspectives.  He created the company out of a need that he saw based on his past work experience.  - Medicare is complicated. - On average, 7.4% of a given workforce is over the age of 65 and that number is expected to grow. The combination of these two factors creates an opportunity.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace In the episode we have an on-location interview with Domonique Boone.  Domonique is the Founder and Owner of Leslie's Laundry Care. She also started a non-profit that provides sandwiches for the homeless.  It is clear in the conversation why her business is growing! You can find Domonique at: https://leslieslaundrycare.com/#/

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Marina Ivanov is the Co-Founder and CEO of Apex Transit Solutions.  In this episode Marina talks how she grew up in the industry, her style of leadership and belief in treating others with dignity and respect.  She is a prime example of what it means to have a growth mindset!

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Joe is an expert, trusted advisor, coach, and consultant with a passion for helping business owners and entrepreneurs transform both their personal and professional lives in powerful, unique ways. With a career spanning over 30 years, Joe has had the privilege of working with many dedicated and talented individuals across the globe. His m...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Does anyone miss the fundamental, "old school" values that you can still find in some small towns? Our guest on this episode is James Walters. Mr. Walters is the Town Administrator in Fort Gibson Oklahoma.  Listen in as he talks about how Fort Gibson is "paving the future while preserving the past."

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Christine Spagnuolo isn’t your typical headhunter. With nearly 20 years of experience recruiting for founders and CEOs across industries, from SaaS and construction to legal and even wineries, she has built a reputation for uncovering hidden talent, not just filling roles.  As the Principal of The Sorelle Group, Christine helps businesses...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Hannah Keller is a repeat guest on our podcast and for good reason. Hannah is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina and already has a great view of how to succeed in business at any age.  This episode is packed full of helpful information.  You can find Hannah on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkeller014

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Our guests on this episode are Fred Robinson - Founder of Body Helix and Steve Price - Pastor and Senior Pro Pickleball Player.  In this episode we discuss what it is like to play senior pro pickleball, the state of the game and so much more.  You can find out more from Fred Robinson at: https://www.bodyhelix.com/

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Have you ever been part of something that you knew was very special and will alter your view of life? Maybe even provide a little bit of hope? There is a camp that I attended recently that did both of those things for me, and many others as well.  You can find out more at the link below: https://campblueskies.org/

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Mental toughness is important in any area of life, especially these days.  Our guest on this episode knows a lot about mental toughness.  Fred Robinson is the Founder of Body Helix, a pickleball coach and was at one point the #2 ranked amateur tennis player in the world in his age group. Fred not only teaches mental toughness but has live...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Some companies set the example of how business should be done regardless of the industry, and Selkirk is one of those businesses.  Our guest on this episode is Tom Barnes, Co-Owner and Director of R&D for Selkirk. Listen in as Tom describes the principles, processes, and practices on which Selkirk was founded and continues to operate...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace We have heard how pickleball can change lives, but our guest, Abby Sullivan, takes it one step further!  Listen in as Abby describes the common thread that runs through her experience in the game.  During this recording, Bethany Christian Services is mentioned. You can find them  at the link below: https://bethany.org/

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Our guest on this episode, Blake Mc Murray used pickleball as a springboard for major improvements in her life.  She saw drastic changes in not only her physical health but also her mental health.  Now Blake is helping others!! You can find out more about Blake on: https://www.facebook.com/blakejmcmurray

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace So many of us do not understand the power of prayer; even if we do, we have questions about how to pray.  Praying is a very personal matter, but in this episode, I talk with Ann Harvey about how she prays. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace This is the second episode in our The Power of Pickleball series.  Our guest on this episode is Julia Farella.  Julia discusses how she got started in the sport, how it helped her deal with depression, and why she thinks it is having such a major impact on so many people.  You can find Julia on Facebook or at: https://mypickleballinstruct...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Our guest on this episode is Matthew Marquardt.  Matthew finished 2024 ranked 4th on the Ironman Pro Series Standings! https://proseries.ironman.com/standings/2024#4257225834-447990823 This is certainly impressive and when you add that he is also a medical student - WOW!! In this episode, we discuss how he makes time to train and what he...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Have you ever felt that someone was trying to get a message to you, a similar theme kept showing up in conversations and circumstances? This episode covers something that I have consistently been hearing and seeing.  The "universal language" is what we all want to hear and feel, regardless of our differences.