Seemingly Ordinary

My friends Sean & Jamie Cailteux are healthcare workers, and the parents of three kids, Claire, Josie, and an unborn baby boy! I've interviewed Sean before. He's a super-fit chiropractor, and he's my go-to guy when it comes to all things health and fitness.Jamie Cailteux is a nurse and perhaps the most avid reader I know—and that is saying a lot. I am not sure how many books she goes through in a year, but it could be between one and two hundred.In the past, I've interviewed people who have raised six or seven kids. Some of their kids are in their early twenties, and they're out of the house, employed, graduated, and getting married. So, I wanted to see how young couples, whose kids are four, two, and unborn, are thinking through some of the complex topics of parenthood! Sean & Jamie are maybe about four miles into this 26.2 mile marathon that they are running. I respect them deeply, and want to know how they think.This episode was recorded in July 2020.

Sammy Kopecky became the sole proprietor of profitable and professional photography business as a high school student. She's done senior portraits, special events—and even was trusted enough to be the photographer for a newlywed couple. You can find her at Kopecky photography, at samanthakopeckyphotography.com.  (This episode aired in 2021.)

Where others see obstacles, Carrie creates opportunities, and makes lasting changes to society and culture.(This episode originally aired on March 9, 2021.)

Lindsey Weishar is a freelance editor, writer, and college English instructor. Her work has appeared in Verily, Ploughshares, and The Young Catholic Woman. We are speaking today about her hard work, creativity, and published work. Lindsey is an amazingly eloquent wordsmith; she works hard at her craft, and in every piece, her gentle, heartfelt personality shines through.(This episode originally aired on Jan. 19, 2021.)

Sherri teaches art, and student love her class. We discuss how her life led her to art, the art of her life, and how art can enrich every person's life. (This episode originally aired on April 6, 2021.)

Emily Mushinski started dancing at 4 years old. She has a BFA in Dance, trained and performed with Budapest Dance Theatre, and now she works with Owen/Cox Dance Group, Tristian Griffin Dance Company, and Storling Moves.  If you ever wanted to work hard at something, or do something beautiful, you'll love hearing from Emily. (This episode originally aired on March 16, 2021.)

Clare Larkin is a teacher who traveled to Poland in order to have a transformative personal experience. We discuss what she did to Poland, how that nation is better off for her visiting it, and how you, too, can have a trip of a lifetime.(This episode originally aired on April 20, 2021.)

Ferd Niemann operates a real estate investment company focusing on mobile home parks. His podcast is: The Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast.(This episode originally aired on Feb. 23, 2021.)

Tom Ruzicka came in first in his age group in the Ironman. His work ethic and personal ethos will blow your mind.(This episode originally aired on Feb. 16, 2021.)

Lee Ann Ochs is married, has six kids including one who has had daunting media bills, and she is the co-owner of Level-Up STEM KC, with her husband, Rob, who is ex-military. Together, they add a lot of goodness to the world. How do they do it all?(This episode originally aired on Feb. 9, 2021.)

In this second interview with a beloved teacher who was voted #1 by his peers, Michael Consiglio discusses his ups and downs in buying and renting six or more houses. His stories are entertaining, and I felt smarter after listening to them.(This episode is a replay from Jan. 26, 2021.)

Lindsey Weishar is a freelance editor, writer, and college English instructor. Her work has appeared in Verily, Ploughshares, and The Young Catholic Woman. We are speaking today about her hard work, creativity, and published work. Lindsey is an amazingly eloquent wordsmith; she works hard at her craft, and in every piece, her gentle, heartfelt personality shines through.(This episode originally aired on Jan. 19, 2021.)

A replay of an episode from five years ago. Pam leads an adventurous life!

A blast from the past. This episode aired five years ago. Carol Mertz, a lifelong actress, singer, musician, and playwright, speaks about a touching WWII play that she directed where everything came together. And she's a generous soul! An expert and finding roles for people, she gave teens a chance who might otherwise not have had one.

These two personal finance advisors are friends, but what they believe couldn't be more opposite.

What's it like to grow up with over a dozen siblings?(Blast from the past: this episode aired on Dec. 22, 2020.)

Gold = 1,600% gain since 2000. Silver: about the same. The stock market is up 450%. If you had a $1,000 in 2000, you would have been better off putting it in metals, and ignoring the stock market completely. What does this mean?

I'm no theologian and not a particularly good person, but: Bible in a year.

Author, mystic, monk -- Thomas Merton wrote 70 books, made millions, and never kept a cent. And he had a profound impact on my life. He still does.From Merton: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.– Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, page 79.

Jack Carr is my favorite living author. I met him in the summer of 2024. He's very down to earth--and yet he writes the most realistic thrillers possible about combat, the deep state, warriors, and much more. I recommend his work highly! Novels include: "The Terminal List" (also an amazon series with Chris Pratt), "True Believer," "Savage Sun," and six more.

Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, E.R., Twister, and so many more) wrote some of the greatest thrillers of all time. He also discussed and/or predicted things like AI, genetic engineering, worldwide viruses, chaos theory, using fear to manipulate people, and much more. In this episode, I discuss his biography, works, themes, and what he might thrill us with if he were alive today. He was a great man, and his impact is still with us today.