The Circle of the Panda Podcast

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace There is something special about the sport of pickleball, and our guest on this episode put it to the test in some of the most difficult circumstances. Roger BelAir had a vision to take pickleball into the prison system. He has taken it into not just any prison system, but some of the toughest in the world. The reaction that he is getting...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Have you ever considered going into the missions field but don't know where to start? This episode will help you.  Tom Harvey has been in the missions field almost his entire career and started a non-profit called Released the Oppressed Ministries that provides support for those interested in a ministry. This episode covers some impo...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Many of us are looking for a purpose in life.  Scott (Doc) Varn found his and it is a purpose worth pursuing for sure!! Scott is the Founder and Executive Director of Preserving a Picturesque America.  This episode covers his journey and is loaded with words of wisdom. Now we know why he is called Doc! You can find out more at: https://pr...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Bees are a super hot topic these days.  Our guest on this episode is Karen Avetisyan. He is the Founder of Beekeeping Services. In this episode, Karen talks about: - What makes bees special  - His unique business offers and  - What we can learn from bees You can find out more at:  https://www.beekeepingservices.com/

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Life can be an adventure, even a great one.  This episode discusses how it can be the greatest adventure.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace What do you do if you have an existing business or want to start one and need help? There are plenty of resources out there and many are free. This is a conversation with Jim Funk about leveraging some free resources. You can find out more about a resource in South Carolina at the link below. Many states have similar offerings.  https://w...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Are you considering jumping out of the corporate world and starting your own business? There are some things that you should know first.  This conversation is with Jim Funk, a Business Consultant with the South Carolina Small Business Development Center.  You can reach Jim at: https://www.scsbdc.com/

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace We can all be "creatures of habit," and many of us have set aside time daily to pray, meditate, and read the Bible.  Is there a best way to engage with Him daily? Alex Leus has recorded with us once before and has agreed to join us for another discussion on this topic. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Our guest on this episode is Jamie Moffett. Jamie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her current role is one that most people do not want to do, but she loves it.  Listen in as Jamie describes why she loves her work and makes some key points that apply to any situation. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Some of us know what life is like in a small town, and these days, that way of life can be appealing. Our guest on this episode is Gabe Watson. Gabe lives in Chesterfield, SC. He moved away from there when he went to college but returned to the life and values he knew in the small town.  Listen in and enjoy. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Stephanie Poludniak is the founder of a class in entrepreneurship at Philips Academy in Charlotte, NC.  It is a class designed to teach students who are overlooked but have great value in business the skill sets needed to succeed in business and entrepreneurship.  Stephanie's background makes her the perfect person to get this new pr...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace John Douglas is the Town Administrator in Kershaw, SC. Before this assignment, he was the Mayor of Chesterfield, SC, a role he held for over twenty years.  In the episode, John describes living in a small town and his life of dedication to public service. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Kyle Cummins made some decisions early on in life that put him in a difficult situation.  But he turned things around in a big way and now starts each day intending to give more than he receives.  Kyle's story is an amazing example of how to turn things around!

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace There are just some people you notice a difference when you see them.  I have known Alex Leus for over 28 years, and we take the time to catch up in this episode. What she shares in this will provide a clear example of what it means to walk in faith daily.  

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace We often overlook the wisdom that can come from those much younger than us.  This episode is a converation with Hannah Keller and altough I have been in business much longer than she has been alive, I learn a ton from what she talks about in this episode.  You can find Hannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-keller-55020128...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports around, and for good reason.  Our guest on this episode is Beth Eberhard. She is the Co-Director and Board Vice-President of Southern Pickleball Academy. They are taking pickleball into the school systems!  You can find out more about them by checking out https://www.southernpickleballacadem...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Bernie May is the Founder of Beyond Bees. They sell bee-related products and train Bee Keepers. Bernie started the business with a very clear vision and a desire to give back. Oh, and he started the business after he turned 90 years young. Find out more at: Home | Beeyond Bees

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace There is so much division in our culture these days. Our guest on this episode is Joe Humphries. Joe is a business executive, an author, and a public speaker. He sees the problem as a heart issue. How healthy is your heart? You can find Joe at  Joe Humphries - JDH3C

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace This episode is a conversation with Alex Evers.  Alex owns two martial arts studios and is the Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at two business incubators in Oklahoma.  Alex discusses the similarities between leadership in martial arts and business, describes what a business incubator is, and discusses his view of faith in...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace Jane Blount is the co-founder of Philips Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen in as Jane discusses the vision that started Philips Academy and the steps taken to ensure the students' success. You can find more information at: Philips Academy - Life-Centered, Hands-On Special Education (philipsacademync.org)

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace This episode describes a joy-filled experience that JD has at  Philips Academy - Life-Centered, Hands-On Special Education (philipsacademync.org)  the first day of their new pickleball club. 

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace  This episode is a discussion with Kalee Muller Denny.  Kalee is a high-level pickleball player, a coach, and one of the key leaders in the new pickleball-related business called mypickleballinstructor.com  Kalee has a very effective coaching style, as discussed in this episode.  We also discuss what she sees as the reason for the fast gr...

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace This recording was done "trackside" with Philip Blount.  Philip won a Gold Medal at the 2023 World Special Olympics Games in Berlin, Germany.  In this episode, we discuss how it felt to win a gold medal and Philip's training methods.  Congratulations Philip!

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace