Grade A Nation

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with artist Dan York about his delusionism paintings. What is delusionism, you ask? The paintings are certainly unique; some folks will call them funny, others might call them provocative, while even a few others will potentially label them deranged nonsense. Dan wouldn't have it any other way! We discuss his upbringing, artists and comedians he admires, his opinion on critics, the art scene in Nashville compared to other cities, his love of buck-toothed women with large breasts (or at least his love of painting women that way), and the potential future of art given the blockchain, NFTs, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Daniel Matthew York – if that is his real name – is one interesting cat!To learn more about Dan York's art, go to https://danielmatthewyork.com/

Robbie Burgess lost his father and attempted to take his mind off the grief by starting an online music station. While struggling to make it financially viable, he wanted to press on and interview the musicians that made the 80s music so memorable to him with a podcast show. Robbie's passion for music came about at a very early age. His parents split up when he was one; going along to his dad's gigs in a country music band immersed Robbie into the music world. A self-proclaimed music fanatic, Robbie talks Queen, Phil Collins, Steely Dan, Wang Chung, Duran Duran, Prince, Talk Talk, Tears for Fears, and so many more incredible artists. He also provides great tips for those looking to play the drums or to start a podcast of their own! Somehow, we also cover Benny Hill, Page 3 Girls, J.K. Rowling, the risks of a cancel culture world, and how loathsome the band Oasis happens to be (in our view). We run the whole gamut. To learn more about The 80s Rewind Show Podcast, go to https://www.the80spod.com/ 

On this installment of Grade A Nation, we have the opportunity to hear the amazing life story of author and counselor Marie Mosley. Marie had a difficult childhood which led to rough circumstances in her teenage and adult years, but she was ultimately able to persevere. We discuss: -Her dad passing away from diabetes when she was five years old, living in a shelter after a building fire, then losing one of her sister's and a niece when she was just twelve years old. -Feeling like God hated her and challenges of feeling like there was a cloud hanging over her head. -Her support system while experiencing all of this hardship. -How getting pregnant at 13 and having a baby at 14 years old revitalized her relationship with her mom.  -Not being exposed to sex education in her teenage years and not having interest in sex, but feeling peer pressured into doing it.  -Seeing the positive in toxic times. -Experiencing physical abuse from the father of her children.  -What it was like being a parent while she herself was still growing up. -The father of her children being unfaithful throughout their relationship. -The turmoil of the dynamic with the father of her children leading her to contemplate taking her own life. -Why she stayed in such a dysfunctional relationship with the father of her children for so long.  -Abusing drugs and alcohol leading to tension with her children at times.  -Having her own side relationship where she found happiness and inner peace. -Giving the father of her children multiple chances despite all of the problems. -How the father of her children would be psychologically abusive to them. -Despite his flaws, how her children still have love for her father.  -Her thoughts on whether God sent her into a path of infidelity to save her from hurting herself. -Being a hands-on mom with her children ultimately experiencing so much success. -Losing her mother during COVID but being able to have a beautiful celebration of her life in a massive church. -Finding a new partner, personal fulfillment, and breaking the tumultuous cycle! -How her life experiences helped her in guiding the lives of students as a school counselor. -Why a pretty divorce is ultimately about feeling good about yourself again. To learn more about Marie Mosley and her book, go to https://www.theprettydivorce.com/ 

Grade A Nation has the honor of welcoming Bill Ottman on to the podcast. Bill is the CEO and co-founder of the social networking app called Minds. Bill is definitely a polymath with keen insights into a lot of different things, which makes him a Grade A podcast guest!  We discuss: -Acquiring the Minds.com domain name and the chaotic domain name market -The purpose of Minds as a social platform, with an emphasis on free expression and creator monetization -Minds integrating with the decentralized relay protocol Nostr that can eventually bring about interoperability between a variety of social media platforms to create a broader community of conversation -Minds attempting to facilitate commissioned work in a way different from platforms like Cameo -How Minds might be a viable option for small and medium-sized content creators to develop a larger following -Trying to overcome the skepticism people have about Web3 projects -Preparing oneself for a potential severe collapse in economic markets if that were to occur -The crypto market having long-term benefits in that it is not being propped up, which allows for authentic correction -Energy and financial independence being forms of national security -Willingness to work with Elon Musk and Twitter -Thoughts on mass media portrayals of himself and Elon Musk as enabling those that are politically on the far-right, and whether Twitter has saboteurs from the inside -Why the decisions of people like Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg have undermined an honest and free exchange of ideas -Views on why Hive and Mastodon are darlings of the mass media in recent times -How deplatforming makes radicalization worse -People assuming he is a conservative extremist simply for appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience and Tucker Carlson Tonight -How being a CEO has been a process of personal growth -Whether TikTok should be removed from markets like the U.S. -The inability for artists to stop similar works being created with advances in technology like AI -Concerns for society moving forward -Predictions on the 2024 U.S. presidential election And actually quite a bit more in this extensive and entertaining conversation. To learn more about Minds.com --- go to, you guessed it, https://www.minds.com/ 

On this four year anniversary edition of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Mike Cotayo. There is a famous joke about Mike: "a comic, a social worker, and an escort walk into a bar, and they're all Mike Cotayo." Okay, enough kidding around! Mike Cotayo is a great comic that has done it all and seen it all. From flying through a windshield in a car crash at 18 months old to getting HIV in a West Village sex club, Mike has a ton of life experiences to incorporate in his stand up material. We cover Mike's: -lack of confidence in himself because of the inability to use his left hand and hatred of being treated differently due to having a disability -stand-up comics that he idolized growing up -riding the Staten Island Ferry as a young man hooking up with other men and getting a thrill in encounters with total strangers (don't call him the Staten Island Ferry Fairy....show some respect) -experiencing assault without consent while on a Holocaust museum field trip  -what made him interested in social work -smoking crack; just say no folks! -his thoughts on engaging in behaviors he would tell his social work clients not to do -how getting HIV made him want to pursue his stand-up dreams -having success as a stand-up that became almost too much to handle due to panic attacks -sometimes identifying as gay and sometimes identifying as bisexual over the years -grieving after the passing of his mother -whether he can see his dad being with another woman in the future -a brief stint as an escort  -his sometimes self-destructive tendencies in his comedy career -falling in love with a married woman that is a mom and having her leave her husband for him, only for the ex-husband to end up living in their basement (I smell a My Two Dad's reboot in the works) -being an extra on SNL and his comedy goals A spectacular conversation with an honest and funny man! Go to https://www.funnymanmike.com/ to learn more about Mike Cotayp.

Jack Canfora chats with Grade A Nation about his various pursuits over the years. Although Jack has accomplished quite a bit, his heart is in writing plays and the live theatre. On the show, Jack and Chris Thomas talk about: -Jack's passion for the written word and the musical nature of English -which genre of music matches Jack's voice -how to approach writing and editing in a way that accentuates your strengths -why being paralyzed by depression in his twenties might have inhibited Jack's progress as an actor -what it means to be a natural born pessimist and the challenges of raising children when you don't always have an optimistic mindset -actors Jack would like to work with…apologies in advance to Carrot Top -his parents supporting Jack's career choices despite the fact they did not share as much interest in literature -becoming enamored with The Beatles as a young man -writing plays with dialogue not reflecting Jack's New York upbringing and also with an awareness of the challenges women face -crafting language to sell a product that is not Jack's own -the pluses and minuses of being a ghostwriter for non-writers that can't write but still have something to say -making a living as a writer by diversifying the projects one works in -avoiding writer's block and keeping the professional juices flowing -New Normal Rep creating podcasts as an approach to democratizing theatre -why the arts should not be considered a luxury item and should be prioritized in education -the thrill of observing a live audience reacting to one's creative work -the background of Step 9, an audio drama podcast based loosely on a true story about a woman who receives contact from a man trying to make amends that violated her thirty years ago -how to integrate a bit of humor when artistically discussing serious subject matter -whether theatre might appeal to younger generations of today -the ways in which theatre might capture society in a way that film or television might not -a cool opportunity to watch a play online from New Normal Rep! Check out more about Jack Canfora on his website https://www.jackcanforawriter.com/ or his personal blog https://thewritingonthepaddedwall.com/ . See the New Normal Rep in action at https://www.newnormalrep.org/ 

Grade A Nation is joined by content creator Adelia Acker, who has an OnlyFans account with hundreds of thousands of followers as well as a podcast called That's OFfensive about working on the platform. Adelia has experienced a lot, including: -being kidnapped to go to rehab for smoking weed by her parents -growing up in a controlling and conservative Christian household with a dismissive father -feeling a lack of confidence about herself that led to body image concerns and an eating disorder -having fun times every weekend at the University of Arizona, but still feeling like she wasn't good enough -setting boundaries with her parents, her brother, and friends for her own wellbeing -having disturbing and dark dreams -getting nauseous while around little kids -making a ton of dough on OnlyFans -having mold poisoning for several years -being celibate for a year by choice -- a volcel if you will And that is just a small sample of her experiences and thoughts covered in our talk. Adelia is super honest and engaging. The original chat was about a half hour longer, but Adelia was cursing like a sailor. We'll likely see the unedited chat be available someplace in the future! To check out the latest on Adelia Acker, go to https://www.itsdeelz.com/ 

Best Kept by Kat McCoy is a jewelry consultation and sourcing company that tries to take the anxiety out of the jewelry purchasing process. Chris Thomas talks with Kat about how Best Kept was created and how it operates as a concierge service.  Areas covered include: -why her experience growing up in wealthy Greenwich, CT doesn't mean she unable to connect with a diverse collection of people -how she developed an interest in jewelry from her grandma and her grandma's sense of style -what it was like working at Ernst & Young immediately out of college -moving on to SocialCode creating partnerships with other technology companies -whether the influence of growing up in a family of entrepreneurs made her comfortable transitioning to starting a business as a solopreneur -working with the startup accelerator Tacklebox to get her jewelry business idea fully idealized through mentorship and group feedback, and what people on a budget can do to execute a business idea -the sometimes isolating nature of solopreneur work -how she acquired an in-depth knowledge about jewelry over time to help people find a gift for someone else or to build up their own jewelry collection -how she reacts when receiving a six-figure jewelry order…hint: it involves a lot of breakdancing (okay, maybe breakdancing is exaggerating a bit) -building a reputation where people trust you when doing business -why buying jewelry is often seen as so stressful and how her concierge service can help people from all sorts of backgrounds find a meaningful piece of jewelry -whether there is ever a truly “perfect” piece of jewelry and how jewelry can be seen as an investment -being a hands-on parent while simultaneously being a hands-on business person Interested in starting a business? Interested in learning about jewelry? Interested in addressing the work-life balance challenge? If the answer to all of these is no, get your head examined, because these are all Grade A topics! To learn more about Best Kept by Kat McCoy, visit https://www.bestkept.com/ 

In this fun-filled installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with adult content creator Serenity Cox, who has just exploded on the amateur scene through posting on Pornhub, earning over 200 million views and over 200,000 subscribers to her channel in short time. Serenity was awarded “Favorite Newcomer” at the 2022 Pornhub awards, as well as Pornhub Model of the Month for April 2022. She is a rising star, but you wouldn't guess it with her down-to-earth and personable approach. We discuss: -Serenity attending Catholic school and how that might have sparked interest in the naughty side of life -Working at a cigarette booth in a supermarket while attending college -How her adult content was discovered by her colleagues at her full-time work, and how she responded to the gossiping hens chattering about her -Why both her and her husband have an exhibitionist side to them -Her love of threesomes, and some reflection on whether her love of threesomes is tied to not getting enough attention from others growing up -How she lives a hot wife lifestyle and what that lifestyle entails -Why her husband is not a cuckold -Whether or not she would spend sexy time with Justin Trudeau if he were to ask -Her mad accordion playing skills And a whole lot more. This is Serenity's first ever podcast interview, so it is a big privilege to take her podcast virginity! To see more of Serenity (and you would be foolish not to want to), check out her OnlyFans page: https://onlyfans.com/serenitycox 

During this sometimes combustible chat on Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Matthew Karchner, a man who founded the non-profit ministry known as Castaway Ministries. Matthew operates the ministry out of Cambodia. Raised in the United States, Matthew has struggled for many years with his sexual identity, and also experienced drug dependency for many years. He now identifies as "ex-gay" and works with the youth in Cambodia discussing what he views as the risks tied to LGBTQ life and the value of the Bible. Whether or not you initially agree with Matthew's work or his point of view, listen to the episode with an open mind and come to your own conclusions. During the interview Matthew discusses: -growing up in a religious family -his perspective on gender roles -initial relationships with other men -being dishonest at work while masking drug addictions -why he feels his work is of value and has a purpose -falling romantically for a woman and marrying her -marital and community strife while in Cambodia By the way, the number "69" being featured in the number of the episode is purely coincidental!

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Dr. Soumyadip Rakshit (not pronounced how you think, get your mind out of the gutter) joins the program. Dr. Soum is the co-founder and CEO of sexual health company Mystery Vibe. He discusses the science behind where sexual health issues often stem from and how vibrating devices can improve not just sexual pleasure but also reduce physical pain. We discuss: -earning a PhD in biometrics and doing research using technology combating against terrorism -moving from the management consulting world of a firm like Deloitte into the realm of sexual health devices -if friends and family were supportive in his efforts to get Mystery Vibe started -the importance of blood flow in the body -what the research and development process is like when developing sexual health devices -thoughts on why some parts of the world still view talking about sexual health as taboo -the value of sexual health products winning mainstream awards in areas like design -the challenges of trying to keep sexual health accessible regardless of economic status -whether men are embarrassed buying vibrating devices -why Oprah Winfrey or Kim Kardashian promoting Mystery Vibe might not be as valuable as words of recommendation from respected doctors A stimulating conversation to say the least! To learn more about Mystery Vibe products, go to https://mysteryvibe.com/

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Leigh Marz and Justin Zorn, authors of the book, “Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise.” The book approaches noise and silence in a sophisticated manner that should get people thinking about how the extent of noise and silence in one's life can play a role in personal well-being and work performance, among other aspects of life. We talk about: -where the book fits within studies of human psychology -the concept of justice including a democratization of silence -whether there is a danger in certain cultures embracing silence to an extreme extent -how people selectively tuning out others that think differently can be a potentially counterproductive type of silence -the value in removing the stigma tied to hyperacusis and autism where individuals have noise sensitivity -how shared communal experiences, even at a noisy rock concert, can potentially allow people to tap into a valuable form of internal quiet And lots more on this fun-filled discussion of complex subject matter. Every Grade A Nation interview is a winner in some way, but this one stands out! To learn more about Leigh and Justin's book, check out: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Power-Silence-World-Noise/dp/0063027607/ 

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas talks with Yasmeen Hassan, former local TV news anchor and recent co-founder of communications consulting firm H CUE. Areas covered include: -moving around quite a bit as a child and how that prepared Yasmeen for her work in television -starting work in broadcasting behind the scenes as a producer, and what are the aspects people may not appreciate about what goes into getting a news broadcast together -her vivid memories of the first time doing a field report -managing both work as an anchor and a producer while trying to avoid burnout -why trust in the media has declined in recent years -comparing work in media markets like Phoenix, Chicago, and Las Vegas -what it was like covering the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, and the troubling lack of information about the motive of Stephen Paddock -making the transition from television news to consulting organizations and working professionals on how to craft effective messages -how Winston the dog became a TV news celebrity The chat gives a great glimpse into all the sacrifices and hard work that go into a career in broadcasting!  To learn more about Yasmeen's consulting firm H CUE, go to https://hcue-llc.com 

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas talks with Steve Maher from the band Night Routine. We discuss a lot, including: -big city life in Boston, Chicago, New York, and Denver and living internationally in Uruguay -what it was like working for a roommate matching service -transitioning to pursuing music and how to make a viable living as a musician -operating frugally when touring by sleeping in housing provided by fans that hopefully won't hold you captive against your will -dream gigs and the nightmare shows from hell -maintaining friendships with bandmates -the evolution of Night Routine musically -how people have received the band: the good, the bad, and the indifferent -the importance of trust when doing business  -side work in podcasting and how the podcast industry is like the music industry We clearly run the gamut of topics, so this show is a must listen! You know what else is a must listen? Night Routine's music…they have a real cool vibe that fuses together pop, soul, and rock that is worth getting better acquainted with. To learn more about Steve Maher and Night Routine, check out: https://linktr.ee/nightroutine 

OnlyFans content creator Sarah Juree describes the scary experience of a blogger targeting her in an effort to get her fired from her work as a 5th grade STEM teacher. We discuss what it is like to be at the center of mass media attention, including all the cyberbullying she has experienced. Sarah talks about her challenging upbringing and hardships of being a single parent looking for a new partner. Despite the dark periods, Sarah approaches things with a cheery outlook and this interview is sure to brighten your day! To learn more about Sarah's work, check out https://onlyfans.com/love_misssarah_unlocked 

Chris Thomas talks with Mr. Slade, a recording artist based in Canada. We cover his rough childhood where he experienced bullying, how his time at a school for the arts allowed him to blossom creatively and personally, as well as his musical roots in glam rock, 80s hair metal, and 90s alternative.  Mr. Slade shares how intoxicating an energy-filled live crowd can be, career goals and worries, and why he hopes his creative work can change stereotypes people might possess. The mutual love Chris Thomas and Mr. Slade have for Duran Duran is addressed in detail! To learn more about Mr. Slade's work, go to https://open.spotify.com/artist/2TqQ9VJggVOUwAGXYt19QL?si=7tIfRh5DQjOlYQ3MW2jZ1Q 

Chris Thomas has an excellent chat with Cavil Helm, author of the short book, "A Man's Guide to Tinder as Written By A Woman: A Quick and Easy Guide to Making a Great Profile." Cavil talks about how being homeschooled led her to get acclimated to the digital world at an early age, as well as how her own extensive experience with online dating helped her in developing the book. Cavil's thoughts on love, prejudice, self-esteem, and the future of dating are all covered here, making for a top-notch conversation on Grade A Nation! To learn more about Cavil's book, check it out on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Tinder-other-Dating-Written-ebook/dp/B0B5CHYPHQ 

Mikhael Porter, co-founder and CEO of the social media platform Needle Music, discusses how the idea of a digital community oriented around music came about during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why music serves as a special means of bringing people together and the features of Needle Music not seen elsewhere are key areas of our discussion.  If you are a music fan or someone looking for an alternative social media platform to connect with others, this is one conversation you do not want to miss out on. To learn more about Needle Music, check out https://www.needlemusic.co.

Alex Bystrov, founder of a unique livestreaming app Leam, discusses with the Grade A Nation how content creators can create closer connections to supporters they have cultivated online with Leam. Alex talks about his background in web development and design, how he has tackled self-doubt tied to perfectionism, which type of content creators will most benefit from Leam, and how creators on Leam can earn money through tokens from the Voices governance protocol. We have a neat conversation that should excite creative people of all backgrounds, regardless of your background knowledge of cryptocurrency, NFTs, or Web3 innovations. To learn more about Leam, go to https://leam.xyz/ 

Amy Evans visits to chat about how growing up in Portland, Oregon influenced her as an artist, why Adele is one of several artists she admires, if it is ever possible to turn off the noise of a musical mind thinking about new ideas, her spiritual upbringing, sharing parts of herself in her art, and her new funk fusion EP called Babybird!  Amy has a beautiful voice and her music bridges a variety of genres seamlessly. Check out her soulful music and learn more about her at https://www.evansamy.com/ 

Koen Geron saw that working professionals did not have the time to maintain online dating profiles and communicate with their matches. He has founded an online dating management service called Hovalo, where people that are too busy to seek out a connection can have their photos, profiles, and messages handled by Hovalo staff. The ethical and privacy questions raised by a service like Hovalo are discussed, as well as general tips for creating a successful online dating profile! To learn more about Hovalo, go to https://hovalo.com/ 

Brad Clay, the host of Final Descent Outdoors on the Pursuit Channel and WildTV, talks about conceptualizing and assembling a hunting show that integrates messages of faith and family. We chat about the mechanics of getting a TV show off the ground, difficulties that can arise when mixing friendship with business, and strategies all content creators can apply to their work when having multiple roles getting creative material completed. To learn more about Brad's unique TV concept, go to http://www.finaldescentoutdoors.com/ 

Dex Randall is a professional coach that works with people experiencing burnout. Dex discusses his own experiences with burnout and a health scare that led him to transition into serving as a life coach to help others. We chat about the epidemic of burnout, methods to alleviate burnout, and how to overcome relapsing into burnout. An enriching discussion for the Grade A Nation! To learn more about Dex Randall, go to https://dexrandall.com/ 

Self-proclaimed relationship expert Michael Ficus describes how an airplane trip over the July 4th weekend to see Lionel Richie resulted in him wearing a Depends undergarment to stop his nose from bleeding. He feels anguish after being called a 'Discount Sucka' for not paying for a Big Front ticket on Spirit Airlines -- a spirited chat for all to enjoy!

On this intallment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with all members of the band Stargazy Pie (Jack Stoker, Logan Chernoske, Logan Neville-Neil, and Sulli Olson-Rexroat). The band discusses their roots, aspirations, making a music video, the supportive Pacific Northwest music scene, and why that wild band name was chosen. We go over their thoughts about several tracks on their first album, Butterfly Hand Grenade, which is an incredible debut effort. Come for the great music discussion, stay for the whacking Lightsabers talk! To listen to Stargazy Pie, go to their Spotify page, https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DayzFV9Wwllon33FQmkpQ and find their upcoming gigs on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/stargazypieband/ 

Valerie Trapunsky, CEO and Founder of the company Chatterboss, talks about starting a service that selects remote assistants for entrepreneurs. Valerie discusses why some entrepreneurs have transitioned to remote assistants, the qualities of effective remote assistants, addressing privacy concerns about sensitive information, and challenges as well as triumphs of getting ChatterBoss off the ground. To learn more about ChatterBoss, go to https://www.chatterboss.com/ 

Ruth Rogers is the owner and operator of The Canvas, a dining and creative space in the United Kingdom. The Canvas provides meals to those in need, as well as serving as a meeting place for events like art shows and group networking. It is clear The Canvas performs a lot of good for the community, but it is also clear that the pandemic has put The Canvas in tough economic circumstances. Hear how Ruth has adopted a crowfunding campaign in an attempt to maintain her establishment into the future, as well as her valuable advice for anyone that aspires to open or already runs a small business. Ruth is a wonderful person doing vital work. Support The Canvas by checking out their crowdfunding page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-seats!  

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Marlene Flowers, a fitness guru that recently started participating in competitive bodybuilding at age 65. Marlene (also known as "Granny Guns" to those who follow her on social media) has experienced a life full of ups and downs. Hear how fitness has rejuvenated her physically and emotionally to focus on the bright and fulfilling side of life! A solid listen for people of all ages interested in starting a fitness and nutrition regimen; Marlene shows it is never too late to start. To learn more about Marlene a.k.a. “Granny Guns,” check out her TikTok today: https://www.tiktok.com/@65_strong 

Nadia Turner offers revealing and in-depth details about the many hats she has worn over the years. From being a Miami Dolphins cheerleader, singing at the G8 World Summit in front of Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin, being a Top 8 finalist on American Idol's fourth season, to recording an album featuring music legends like Chester Thompson, it is safe to say Nadia has had some incredible experiences throughout her life. We are fortunate that she is willing to talk about all of these experiences and more with the Grade A Nation! To learn more about Nadia's latest projects, check out https://www.nadiaturner.com/ 

Chef Dennis Littley talks about the ingredients of a great chef, memorable moments in his career, his thoughts on fast food, how the pandemic has impacted the hospitality industry, and why he transitioned to being a blogger. His tips on being a successful blogger will be helpful to anyone interested in doing this kind of work, even if your focus is not on food and/or travel!  Check out Ask Chef Dennis at https://www.askchefdennis.com/ 

Chris Thomas and special guest co-host Kevin Slaughter interview the Ukranian pop-punk band Cardinal Birds about how they formed, their musical influences, the art of constructing a song, their thoughts on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, how they feel about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, what Ukrainian groupies look like, and all the other pressing questions of the day. Lots of ambient noise here, but listen in and enjoy the wild ride! Check out the music of Cardinal Birds on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DPsCiaIwjENusaI2nplsK 

Chris Thomas talks with Kristine Grant, a ghostwriter that has assisted many people in crafting messages. From love letters, eulogies, dating profiles, and everything in between, Kristine discusses how she maintains an authentic voice for each client. The importance of self-confidence in making interpersonal connections is a key theme. To learn more about Kristine's work, visit http://inspiredheartletters.com/ 

A practitioner of sports medicine makes some tasteless remarks about the middle schooler that fell out of the drop tower ride in Orlando. The video is haunting, as are the comments of a so-called Doctor! 

A substitute teacher returns to Grade A Nation to talk about how an acting class reenacting the Will Smith and Chris Rock slapping encounter at the Oscars ceremony did not go according to plan....if there even was a plan to begin with.

Hala Abdul is a licensed psychotherapist in Canada working with clients in the financial technology domain. Hala shares with Grade A Nation the most common psychological concerns expressed by those working in FinTech, tips on how to find a psychotherapist with knowledge about new and emerging technologies, and thoughts on whether the rapidly evolving nature of digital innovations exacerbates mental health concerns. It is a thought-provoking interview that should be engaging for anyone interested in the future of mental health! To learn more about Hala Abdul's work, visit https://www.halatherapy.com/ 

Chris Thomas chats with Jeremiah Stemple, a developer of comic book projects for chronic patients and the charities that serve them. Hear how Jeremiah and his friends are trying to put a smile on the face of those who need it most! Learn more about Jeremiah's work at https://heroesforcauses.com/

Chris Thomas chats with actress and model Ellie Noir about a collection of topics pertaining to the entertainment industry, including: preparing for roles in film and television compared to the live stage moving to pursue career goals how travel allows a performer to experience new cultures getting into the mindset of characters the most and least enjoyable aspects of being an entertainer Ellie already has a cool body of work and she is bound to have a bright future as she climbs atop the showbiz ladder. Keep track of what Ellie is up to by visiting http://www.ellienoir.co!

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Riley Jarvis of TheSleepConsultant.com chats about what initiated his interest in helping others with their sleep, the general ingredients of sleep that enhance personal performance, the potential significance of dreaming, and warning signs of harmful sleeping habits. A good sleep is linked to positive health outcomes, so this conversation should be appointment listenting for many....and it is so engaging that I'm confident you are not going to doze off listening to it! 

Vi Vi Thai is a writer and YouTube content creator. While some may be shocked to learn that a person who earned engineering degrees from Texas A&M and Cornell University currently lives in a van, Vi Vi talks about how the van lifestyle has helped her to focus her mind on living a life of adventure unencumbered by any materialistic mindset. Vi Vi discusses how some perceive her as homeless, and how she responds to that. Vi Vi is a genuinely sweet person, and her story deserves a listen! Check Vi Vi's writing at livingthroughalchemy.com and watch her videos about the van life on her YouTube channel.

Lance Ingram, host of the podcast Yesterday's Concert, joins the Grade A Nation to explain why he has attended so many live concerts from so many different genres of music in recent years. Is this behavior a passion or a compulsion? We discuss that, as well as the financial considerations tied to frequent concert-going, the reaction he has received from loved ones, memories of shows that stand out, and how to protect your hearing when going to so many noisy live events! To learn more about Lance and his podcast, go to http://yesterdaysconcert.com 

Lacey Lehotsky, who runs travel blogging website liveitupwithlacey.com, reveals how she has not let anxiety and CPTSD stop her from exploring destinations around the world. Lacey wants people to know that anxiety is not something that should prevent people from trying new experiences in new places. A candid conversation that will hopefully get people thinking!  Note: This installment contains discussion of traumatic life events that some may find triggering. Please keep this in mind when deciding to listen. Chris Thomas, host of Grade A Nation, will be using the Wisdom app (at this time available on Apple iOS but soon to be available on Android), a new way to have in-depth and meaningful live conversations. The first live meeting on Wisdom will be January 15th, 2022 at 2 pm EST. If you want to interact with Chris Thomas live, download the app and look for Chris at https://joinwisdom.audio/gradeausa 

Michael Unbroken talks to the Grade A Nation about his personal experiences with severe trauma at an early age and how these experiences led to self-destructive behaviors growing up. Michael decided to break the cycle of pain and studied to become a certified life coach to assist adults who also experienced trauma at a young age. Through helping others, he has learned quite a bit about self-improvement and mental health, and he shares his insights in this captivating discussion. Note: Some of the topics mentioned involve traumatic experiences that some may find triggering. To learn more about Michael and his work, check out https://www.thinkunbroken.com/ 

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Sophia Vee shares her experiences finding an audience on Twitch doing sidecasting (watchalong reactions to live material) and interviewing unique people like a spirit medium. Sophia gives tips on how to avoid toxic trolls while attempting to grow a fanbase as a live streamer and social media personality. She has a big appreciation for professional wrestling, so we discuss the general state of affairs with WWE and AEW. Sophia is a rising star on Twitch and you should check out her content at https://www.twitch.tv/Sophia in addition to prior installments of her live interviews at https://www.youtube.com/vocalminds 

Actor Christian Birkenberger talks about his experience on Season 23 of the CBS show Big Brother, as well as his determination to achieve major mainstream acting goals. Christian emphasizes the importance of taking a 'no days off' approach in the pursuit of success. As someone who has done extensive modeling work, he reflects on how having a thick skin helps avoid being pigeonholed as someone that only brings looks to the table. Having cultivated a fanbase from reality television, Christian talks about how he hopes his supporters follow him on his journey to being a leading man...as well as how one fan has already followed him for a 3 am photograph! Chock full of energy and desire, Christian is someone you should definitely be rooting for. Follow up on what Christian is up to on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CBirkenberger and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/christian_birkenberger.

Kanika Issar is host of the new podcast 'You What?!!' and talks about her efforts to take the negativity out of divorce. Getting married at 23 and divorced at 27, she was struck by how divorce is always characterized as a bad thing. Kanika wants to make clear that life after divorce can be personally enriching, as she feels the last two years have been some of the best in her life despite the pandemic. Kanika has the gift of gab which makes for a Grade A interview!  Check out Kanika's podcast at https://www.youwhatpodcast.com/ 

Chris Thomas has an honest and open discussion about mental health with Paul Marlow, founder of the mental health advocacy platform Never Alone. In the discussion, Paul reveals how a challenging breakup and the death of his father led to serious mental health challenges that ultimately led him down a path toward self-improvement and a desire to help others facing mental health challenges. Paul reflects on his prior pursuits as an athlete and a model with candor and relates how these experiences have helped him confront the fear of failure. As someone who has had MDMA therapy, Paul gives his personal point of view on the potential future of this form of treatment. Don't miss this fantastic interview!  Guest Bio: Paul Marlow is a mental health advocate and the founder of Never Alone. Learn more about how to start your therapy journey today to better your mental health with the Therapy Hub. 

In this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Scott Heric, co-founder of the digital transaction platform Unionly. Unionly is designed to facilitate the collection and raising of funds by labor unions. Scott discusses how Unionly works, what inspired the idea, offers his thoughts on the strength of labor unions in the future, as well as his view on online groups potentially preventing labor groups like a law enforcement union from using Unionly. We also talk about the feasibility of a work-life balance when you are creating a start-up business. Another Grade A conversation! To learn more about Unionly, check out unionly.io 

Ed McCormack, founder and CEO of the cryptocurrency education platform Dchained, talks to the Grade A Nation about an array of topics, including: -What Dchained potentially offers to people interested in crypto investing -Why Dchained has popularity with Gen X investors -How Dchained as a startup grows at scale while serving both beginner and veteran crypto investors -Avoiding perceptions of favoritism or pushing specific crypto projects -Concerns investors have about recent cryptocurrency trends -Common misconceptions about cryptocurrency  Ed is a hands-on CEO, and the episode is a great chance to hear from someone immersed in the world of cryptocurrency. To learn more about Dchained, visit dchained.com! 

We chat with Will McKissick, the Chief Chief Strategy Officer for mePrism. mePrism is a service that encrypts and stores your personal data to help you discover insights about your digital identity, as well as facilitating potential sales of information linked to your digital identity that you can opt into. Will shares some background on how he joined the startup, advice for others exploring entrepreneurial avenues in the online realm, and thoughts on complex ethical questions regarding privacy and information ownership. It is a thought-provoking and mentally stimulating conversation that is tied to core issues in our evolving society. To learn more about mePrism and the data economy, check out mePrism.com!

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Nai Nicole, a life coach who has tons of experience with solo travel. Listen in as Nai talks about how traveling alone can foster meaningful personal growth, how her approach to travel has adjusted given the events of the last two years, and then offers us all some valuable travel tips! A perfect episode for people thinking about traveling in the near future. To learn more about Nai Nicole and her work, check out www.thespiritadventure.com 

Chris Thomas chats with author, entrepreneur, and film producer Doug Stebleton. Doug has co-written a historical science-fiction work titled, "It's a Wonderful Time," where the main character is transported back to 1946 while the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life" is being made. The book is the first in the Hollywood Time Travel series. Doug shares his inspiration for the book, tales of his early years in Hollywood pursuing a career in show business, converting a screenplay to a novel, the nuances of the collaborative writing process, and starting an independent book publishing outlet. His story of perseverance and believing in oneself is definitely inspirational! To learn more about the book, visit https://www.hollywoodtimetravel.com/