Dream Loud Podcast

We continue our conversation with Jeff Cieslewicz and his wife Michelle talking about their amazing journey from going on a mission trip to Peru to quitting his full-time job at a bank to serving his community as a head chef in New Kensington, PA. This is part 2 of a two-part episode.

Jeff Cieslewicz and his wife Michelle join us to talk about their amazing journey. From going on a mission trip to Peru to quitting his full-time job at a bank to serving his community as a head chef in New Kensington, PA. Jeff's amazing story is a lesson to us all about the things that are truly important in life.

Join us this week on the Dream Loud Podcast as we interview an old acquaintance of mine, Jeremy Rowe, as he talks about touring as a drummer, following your dreams and his current church-planting endeavor. This is one episode you can't miss if you're still looking to find your place in the world.

Today on the Dream Loud Podcast we have Dan's nephew, Sam Scifo, as our very special guest! Join us as Sam talks about his pursuit of an athletic training, his time at as an undergraduate student at University of Pittsburgh and graduate student at WVU and his opportunities to intern at Duke and for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sam's story is a great example of the challenges and sacrifices that are necessary to make a dream that you have come to life. We hope this episode encourages you to dream loud!

Dan, Amanda and reflect back on 2018 with all the amazing episodes, guests and feedback we've received over the past year. Thank you all for being faithful listeners and supporters of the Dream Loud Podcast! We look forward to seeing you all in 2019!

Welcome listeners to the second annual Christmas Podcast Spectacular! On this Christmas Eve, Dan and I (Ben) talk about our holiday plans and traditions and also make note that the holidays, as fun and joyous as they are for many, are not the merriest time of year for everyone. If you are going through a difficult time this holiday season, Dan and I offer some words of hope and a reminder that you are not alone no matter what situation you find yourself in. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Join us today as we interview Ryan Scarpino, current Spokesman for the Allegheny County Health Department and previously Public Relations Assistant for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as we talk to him about his roller-coaster ride through the crazy world of sports media as he learned to navigate his way as a PR assistant for a professional sports team and (as we later find out) juked his way around avoiding the twitter mob! This is a story you can't miss!

After getting hit by a train while walking through his neighborhood, Greg Powell found himself lying in a hospital room three months later after waking up from a coma caused by the incident. That's where his incredible story begins. Join us in our conversation with Greg as we hear about his past struggles with drug addiction and run-ins with the law to where his is today; a man of faith who shares his story to high-school students and young people all over the region where he speaks about his faith, purpose and his hope for living!

Stefanie Weese is a fellow OCR (obstacle course race) enthusiast along with Dream Loud Podcasting host Dan Scifo. Join our conversation with Stefanie as we discuss her fitness journey, how it relates to physical and emotional well-being, and how she overcame a devastating back injury that tested her mettle and will to succeed. This is one courageous story you can't miss!

Stacy is one of the on-air personality and DJs for Pittsburgh's Rock and Alternative radio station at FM 105.9 the X. Join our conversation as she talks about perseverance, patience and role her faith played in her journey from being a sandwich artist at Subway to radio DJ at a top radio station.

After finishing up his latest recording session for his latest EP; artist and worship pastor Zack Andrews joins us for a conversation about the importance of community for creativity and the development of your artistic gift.

This week on the podcast we interview Shaun Eutsey to talk about his recent experience of going the removal of a brain tumor. We talk in-depth about the role his faith, family and medical doctors played through one of the most life-defining seasons that he has ever gone through in his life! We hope you join us in listening through his incredible story.

We continue our conversation with Marty Lunn (bassist for Zao and guitarist/founder of Young Fox) talking about the roll of his faith when it comes to making music, creativity and his journey in following his dreams. This is part 2 of a 2 part episode.

We sit down with Marty Lunn - the bassist of Zao, founder of music group Young Fox and former tour manager for the Juliana Theory - to talk about music, following your dreams and life!

Ben, Dan, Amanda & special guest Marty Lunn sit down to have a fun conversation about their top bucket list bands: One's they want to see, one's they have seen and a super concert filled with bands that are impossible to see but would be awesome to have together on one bill!

After going through a tragic loss, Dream Loud Podcast co-host's Dan and Amanda decided that they wanted to come on the podcast and talk publicly about dealing with their loss and all of the emotions and questions that come along with it. This was a tough podcast to do, but we hope that it will be encouraging to you listener if you are going through a tragedy as well.

Scott Brown is an author and sports journalist who's covered everything from Penn State to Pittsburgh Steelers football, including a couple of Super Bowls. Today he's on the podcast to talk about his journalistic path, the books that he's written and the upcoming book he wrote with Tunch Ilkin (color commentator for the Steelers broadcast) In the Locker Room.

Dan and I sit down with my old bandmate and friend, Lee Caruso Jr., to talk about his love for music, starting our band Big Atlantic from scratch and how to follow your dreams while keeping a savy business mind!

This episode is a celebration of you!... The listeners who have supported us and helped motivate us to create this podcast and keep it going over the past year! Thank you all so much! Dan and I reflect back over the past year and read some comments that some of our past guests have given us as a way to celebrate one year of the Dream Loud Podcast!!!

Joining us this week are Renaissance Festival Performers, Daniel and Tonya, who play in their Irish/Celtic band The Craic Show. Listen in as they explain their journey of how they became interested in traditional Irish and Celtic music, the story of how they formed The Craic Show and how you can follow your dreams just like they did! This is a great conversation that you don't want to miss!

Here we are at episode 50! Thanks so much for listening and supporting the show! Over the past 49 episodes, we've focused a lot on advice, tips, tricks and encouraging stories all with the goal of helping people to achieve their dreams. But what happens when the door to your dreams is slammed in your face, the door is locked, key thrown away and then the building attached to the door is bulldozed over! How do you pick yourself up after such a devastating defeat? Today in the show we talk to our friend Gina who was on the cusp of achieving her dreams only to have that very thing happen to her. We'll hear how she dealt with the devastating blow, picked herself up from the crushing defeat and how it drastically changed her worldview in making her see the opportunity and blessings right in front of her. This is an episode that you can't afford to miss!

This week on the podcast we sit down with our friend Marty Stouffer to hear his story of how he survived a traumatic childhood of physical abuse, while living through his mother's two divorces to become the man, husband and father that he is today. We know that there are many people out there today (maybe even some listeners of this podcast) who are struggling to live through abusive situations whether past or present. We hope that this interview with Marty helps you remember that there is hope in any situation to overcome and be who you want to be. Thanks for listening!

Today, Dan and I sat down with my sister, Lydia Hull, to talk about all of her interests and the unique freelancing opportunities it has given her!

Dan and I (Ben) sit down with returning guest Josh Doran to talk about his new music project - The Fading Light - how he went about getting involved in the local Pittsburgh music scene and how he's built and continued to build a following for his art.

As a follow up to my solo podcast episode where I discussed finding time to rest, I interview Dan this week for some practical advice to balancing a demanding schedule as a journalist for his local newspaper and sportswriter for the Associated Press. Dan has some great words of wisdom to share about finding time to rest and managing a demanding schedule so as to avoid burnout.

While one of us just got home from vacation and the other is busy working at Steelers training camp; I (Ben) talk about how important it is for Dan and I that we find time to rest from the day-to-day grind so we can continue functioning at the top of our freelancing game!

This week on the podcast I (Ben) sit down with returning guest Josh Sturm to talk about his recent month stint as the guitarist with Shinedown in Europe. In our conversation we covered everything from dealing with insecurity, finding confidence in what you do and making the most of the opportunities that are available to you.

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Alexsis and Tony Fairbanks to talk about how Alexsis went from working a job that was unfulfilling to pursuing and achieving her dream job! We hope her inspiring story is as inspiring to you as it was to us!

In this episode, the Dream Loud podcasters contemplate and discuss advice we would give to our younger selves given the wisdom we have gained in the past 15 odd years.

This week on the podcast we sit down with high school teacher and long-time swimming and diving coach, Jeff Kelly, to talk about his path to becoming a teacher, coach and mentor. Jeff goes into depth about the coaches and mentors that he looked to in order to better himself and his coaching style.

This week on the podcast we sit down with musician and college basketball star Mike Medved to talk about his journey through music and sports, what he learned from both and his philosophy on the purpose of life. This is an episode that you do not want to miss! 

This week on the podcast we (Dan and Ben) sit down to talk "off-the-cuff" about where we've come so far since beginning the podcast. We also venture into the topic regarding the importance of being a life-learner in whatever endeavor you choose in life. We hope that this episode helps encourage you on your journey to follow your dreams!

This week on the podcast we sit down with the assistant coach of the Derry high school volleyball team, Bucky Hull, to get his insights on being a coach and mentor over the past 38 years of his impressive career.After choosing to retire this season, we look back over the past 38 years of involvement that he's had with the volleyball program - everything from playing on the team in its inaugural season, to coaching the team to 2 district championships and 3 state championships. We hope that you're inspired by our conversation with Bucky to leave a legacy doing what you love.

Ben, Dan and returning guest B.C. Steele sit down for an impromptu conversation: commenting on the positives and detriments of social media on business, media and our society.

This episode of the podcast we sit down with Jon Greening, the founder of the Steel City Spartans Facebook group based out of Pittsburgh, PA, to talk about the major role that community plays in helping people to achieve their dreams. We also ask Jon what his motivation was for starting the group and listen to him tell some of the success stories that he's witnessed since it's inception.

On this episode of the podcast we sit down with Brian Cook of Golden Sky Media Company, LLC to talk about his experience in journalism, his passion for telling people's stories and giving back to the community around you!Brian has experience in television, radio, photography, videography, print media and does high level freelance work in all areas. He has formerly appeared on WPXI'S Championship Chase, highlighting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some of his highest achievements include covering numerous Super Bowls, four United States president's commencement addresses and the Democratic & Republican National Conventions in Philadelphia & Washington D.C. respectively.He continuously gives back to his community as a member of National Association of Black Journalists and resides as president of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation. He is heavily involved with his Alma Mater - Clarion University and was recent a Keynote Speaker at graduation earlier this year.  

We continue our interview with Lee Skopp as he shares his journey into videography and experience as a freelancer.

Lee Skopp, photographer and videographer for Lacey Sturm, joins us this week to talk about his experience being to go on the road to do media work. Lee shares his practical tips for delivering a quality product to his clients while maintaining his sense of creativity - no matter what the job is.

After just getting off of tour with Lacey Sturm on her Unstoppable Screams tour, I (Ben) trade places with Dan Scifo as he interviews me about tour life and the experience of traveling the country for the last 6 weeks!

Fresh home from tour, I (Ben) sit down with Nick Kreuter (our drummer on the latest Lacey Sturm tour) to reflect on tour life, our experience playing in the Christian and mainstream markets, and how we go about maintaining honesty and integrity in our music and personal lives.Not all things are as they appear to be as we've both experienced and had interaction with artists that appear dark on the surface wind up being the kindest and most generous individuals we've met. We hope this episode is enlightening as we explore the old adage: Don't judge a book by its cover.

Fresh off of their latest tour, I (Ben) sat down with Ryan Hayes, Justin Olmstead and Riley Haynie of the band Righteous Vendetta to talk about how they met each other, the journey, joys and struggles of playing in a touring band and how they keep a great attitude while on the road so much. Listen in as they go into depth about the importance of balancing confidence with humility in pursuit of your dreams. These guys are the real deal: great musicians, great performers and true friends! We hope you get a lot out of this episode from these incredible humans! Righteous Vendetta - a New Wave Metalcore band based out of Cody, Wyoming - has just finished up a six-week US tour as the opening band on the Unstoppable Screams tour featuring Red and Lacey Sturm (whom I played bass for). They are currently working on new music, but you can check out their current album "Cursed" on all the streaming platforms, iTunes or wherever good music is sold!

Today on the Dream Loud Podcast we have a special guest; the owner of FineLine - Weddings & Studio: Fred Findley. Listen in to hear about his experience in starting a photography business - how he saw a need and created a business to serve his community around him.Fred talks about how the role of a business owner is to solve problems everyday. When you have a problem you have an opportunity to contain it or permanently solve it. Problems are opportunities to make your business better.Fred's mindset is contagious and he talks in depth about how mindset is key to changing your outlook on life. AKA: your words write your story. You have to realize that negativity will be the largest hindrance to being successful. You must surround yourself with people that have your best interest in mind and silence the voices that doubt you and only talk about the negative things that could come from pursuing your dream!A final warning from Fred is that pleasure can replace the desire to achieve a goal. Our daily entertainment can actually be keeping you from achieving success!We hope that your life is energized by this conversation with Fred!

On the Podcast today, we have special guest Amber Audia (pastor at City Reach Westmoreland along with her husband Frank) to discuss her journey in founding a new church and the leap of faith it took to become a church-planter. Join us as we ask Amber what it looks like to found something bigger than yourself or what you think is possible and the struggles and victories that came from taking a huge leap of faith!

Today it's just me (Ben) and my dear friend Josh Doran as our special guest on the podcast. Josh is a friend that I make way back when I was a sophomore in college; playing in our school Jazz band. Josh is a computer software engineer and a very talented musician who I have worked with on a number of projects. Join us in our conversation as we discuss topics of science, art, overcoming our most daunting mistakes and our attempt to leave a legacy in this world that is worth being remembered!

Josh Sturm, guitarst for and husband to Lacey Sturm, is on the podcast today! Together we discuss the pros, cons and challenges of being your own boss in a creative field - as Josh has lots of years of experience doing that exact thing!

Zak Lee, drummer of Lacey Sturm, and I sit down to talk about getting started in audio production. From the stages of music production to the gear you need to get quality results; we lay out the information you need to start making music!

Zak and I reminisce about the adventures we had in Oslo, Norway when we played at the Festival of Hope with Lacey Sturm. Through a lot of craziness in traveling there and back, our faith was tested to the max in numerous ways and it was amazing to look back and see how it all worked out in the end!

For our second top-5 episode ever, we decided to talk about the top-5 favorite concerts we have ever seen and why they left such an impact on us.

Matthew Fordyce joins us again on the podcast were we sit down to discuss how and why we should be striving to become the best version of ourselves as possible. We also touch on some times in our life where we didn't feel motivated to be our best and what got us back on track.

Dan and I sit down for a fun conversation with our returning guest Matthew Fordyce for a chat about what inspires us. We explore what types of media gives us inspiration and helps motivate us to be creative in our daily lives!

Joining us this week on the Dream Loud Podcast is podcaster and owner of Sidekick Media Services: Michael SorgMichael talks about how he started podcasting 12 years ago and how it has lead to the opportunities he has today. Stemming from his love of professional wrestling, he jumped head first into creating through the medium of podcasting and hasn't looked back since. Michael's passion and dedication to creating great content is contagious, inspiring and tangible as you will hear through the episode. Through trial and hardship, he talks about his incessant urge to create and do what he loves and now, the fruit of his labor is apparent in the various podcasts and business endeavors he is doing today. We hope this talk with Micheal inspires you, whether you are just starting or years down the road, to do what you love to do!Michael Sorg is the owner/operator of Sorgatron Media Services where he provides creative media solutions to clients and the owner operator of Sorgatron Media where he creates and produces numerous podcasts including Wrestling Meyhem Show and AwesomeCast. You can learn more about Mike on his website: http://sorgatronmedia.com/ and be sure to catch the AwesomeCast on iTunes and other podcast outlets as it is one of our favorite podcasts!