Sparks of Interest

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Sparks of Interest is a new upcoming podcast discussing local issues in and around Sparks, Nevada. This also includes Reno and Washoe County but even if you aren't a local, that's ok too! The topics discussed may apply to your hometown as well. Hosted by former Mayor Candidate, Jeff Bonano; with co-hosts Dennis Bagley II and Peggy Rew to help keep our conversations comparable to 3 friends just talking over a cup of coffee.

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    • Apr 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 159 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sparks of Interest

    SoI 152 Famous Nevadans

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 48:37


    Not many people realize that Nevada has quite the number of famous people that called the Silver State home. Listen in, some of these may surprise you.

    SoI 151 An Epic Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 115:50


    The show has been taken over by Lilyshark! What topic could be so big, so important, so...epic that she would take over? Why, it's Epic the Musical! We go in depth from start to finish over every song as well as some of the animations attached to each one. Needless to say, SPOILERS AHEAD!https://youtu.be/6K-eMKjo1bs?s...

    SoI 150 Jeff vs Geoff

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 64:49


    Our 150th episode! We are back to our roots with some Nevada trivia and what better way to do than for Jeff to face off against a new rival; Geoff the Terrestrial Shark!

    SoI 149 2025 Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 61:22


    It's a new year, a new season, and new goals! We discuss current goals we each have for the upcoming year as well as plans for this season of the show.

    SoI 148 2025 Predictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 55:03


    As we wrap up another season, we decided to predict the future. From the serious, to the silly, to the wishful thinking, we cover it all with our predictions.

    SoI 147 Christmas 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 56:13


    As we near Christmas, we discuss a variety of seasonal things including songs, music, lights, traditions and even Lego!

    SoI 146 Pizza with the Trustees

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 59:47


    It's pizza time and we're not talking Ninja Turtles! Trustees Westlake and Mayberry join us for a variety of pizzas from local parlors and a discussion on various education related topics.Check out these locations for some great pizza!Best Pizza in Reno, NV & Sparks, NV | Boulevard PizzaMamma Celeste's Gastropub & Pizzeria - Sparks, NVHome - Blind Onion - Reno & Sparks PizzaPizza Plus | It's Our Thing... Pizza and Wings!

    SoI 145 Nintendo Nostalgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 75:10


    Jeff has returned in time for us to go back to our childhoods with a chat about Nintendo. We talk about classic games, fond memories, and frustrating gaming moments. Join us!

    SoI 144 Student Absenteeism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 71:57


    Trustee Westlake has returned to discuss a troubling issue for our schools: student absenteeism. What is causing the absenteeism and what can be done to help? Are students engaged in school or just checking out? Tune in?

    SoI 143 The Sparks Marina Monster

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 27:17


    Something lurks beneath the surface of the Sparks Marina, but what is it? Dave and Dennis delve into the murky waters to bring you what we know of the Sparks Marina Monster! Plus, an update on the Annual Nevada Scavenger Hunt

    SoI 142 D's Antelope

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 55:09


    Hunting season is almost gone but we have a tale to tell! D got an antelope tag and he's here to share the whole experience with you!

    SoI 141 Summer 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 65:19


    It was a crazy summer and we touch on most of it. From vacations, to Olympic events, to political strife, and movies galore, we've got it all!

    SoI 140 Brickfest 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 36:06


    The boys join us as we talk about Brickfest when it came to Reno! Ups and downs of the fest, but we provide ideas to improve upon what they have.

    SoI 139 Air Fryers and 3D Printers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 66:35


    We're geeking out big time in this episode as we cover not only air fryers and how amazing they are, but the many aplications of 3D printers!

    SoI 138 Desserts of Interest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 69:41


    We made good on a previous conversation: we are trying out some tasty desserts on air! Joining us this time are WCSD Trustees Adam Mayberry, Alex Woodly, and Colleen Westlake. But there's more than just sweets in this episode as we talk graduation, election results, and a couple stories involving trucks. Note: The message at the begining of this episode was recorded after the initial show had been recorded and edited. RIP Mr. Wilson

    SoI 137 Phobias of Interest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 63:30


    Feel uncomfortable around ducks? Don't like the open water? Do clowns freak you out? Today we have several different phobias to talk about as we butcher the pronunciation and complain about their names.

    SoI 136 D&D with D&D & LJR

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 49:40


    It's the finale of our D&D playthrough and we have the kids join to tell the tale. Did our heroes defeat the villains? Did they get handsomly rewarded? How does Lily open doors? And why is Reed's voice a dolphin sound? All that and more in this episode

    SoI 135 Fallout

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 58:46


    It's time to put on your Pipboy and venture into the wasteland as we talk everything Fallout! How is the show and does it fit within the timeline of the games? Wondering which game is the best in the series? We talk that too. And Dave gives a rundown on Fallout 76 and how much it has evolved in the last few years.

    SoI 134 Digital vs Physical Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 59:47


    Which media is better; digital or physical? We delve into the pros and cons of both types in this episode!https://www.audible.com/search...

    SoI 133 Eggs of Interest

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 45:07


    We are here to spread Easter cheer and Foolish fun in April! Listen in on our Easter holiday and even a few pranks from April Fools past

    SoI 132 Weird Al

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 38:25


    In this episode, we share our love for the one and only Weird Al! Some of our favorite songs were written by this amazing artist and we delve into how talented he is at making parodies.

    SoI 131 Sparks of Avatar

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 59:22


    David and D discuss the live action adaptation of Avatar the Last Airbender. Was the show worth a watch? D provides a rating from the viewpoint of a long time fan and for a person who knows little to nothing about the original show. We also discuss ideas on what future seasons could do as well as films set in the Avatar universe. Needless to say, SPOILER WARNING! Check out Gamelogica from the link below: https://youtube.com/@GamelogicaYT?si=oJ6VMnkKa1Q5H66e

    SoI 130 Dragons of Interest

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 53:57


    In this episode, David and D share their experience with a recent Dungeons and Dragons campaign with the kids. How did the party do and were there shenanigans? Plus, a quick recap of the Superbowl and more gaming stories.

    SoI 129 Sparks of Finterest

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 64:19


    In our season premiere, we make good on our threat to taste fish n chips with a couple of guests: Beth Smith and Colleen Westlake. Want to hear your school board trustees in a new light? Listen in as we chat about food, air fryers, and even a medical issues.

    SoI 128 Holiday Fun 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2024 65:02


    In this season finale Dave and Dennis share their holiday fun as well as tasting a couple cookies. A brief discussion on 3D printers, and plans for next season!

    SoI 127 Charities 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 50:27


    It's that time of year when everyone is a little nicer, a little happier, and a little more generous. We have several charities and good causes to highlight in this episode, but they tend to operate year round so if you can help out during the rest of the year, that goes a long way.St Jude's https://www.stjude.org/ Forever14 https://forever14.org/Veteran's Guesthouse https://www.veteransguesthouse.org/Human Society https://nevadahumanesociety.org/VFW https://www.vfw.org/Ronald McDonald House https://rmhcnnevada.org/Food Bank https://fbnn.org/Assistance League https://www.assistanceleague.org/reno-sparks/Toys for Tots https://secure.toysfortots.org/

    SoI 126 Hunting and Fishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 64:19


    It's time to talk some survival skills as Dave and Dennis talk hunting and fishing! Who is the better fisher between them? Did Dennis get a deer? And what of the Hunter Safety Course? Tune in!

    SoI 125 Jeff's Revenge Part Duex

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2023 84:31


    In this redo episode (new equipment and recording program, please bear with us), Jeff brings the heat with a variety of hotsauces and peppers. Not to be outdone, the rest of the SoI team wrote jokes for Jeff to share with you all. Saucythesauce.com Elijahsxtreme.com Laketahoesauce.com Heatonist.com bohicapepperhut.com

    SoI 124 Reno Sparks Upgrades

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 66:40


    Dennis and Dave discuss the various improvements made around the area, including exciting upcoming projects! The Silver Quill:https://www.silverquillbk.com/ Jazzy Jays:https://www.facebook.com/profi...

    SoI 123 Kirby vs Reno and Sparks

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 58:55


    Big news involving Kirby Wyoming! Plus, we discuss various events around the Reno/Sparks area

    SoI 122 Next Gen ROTC

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2023 76:34


    David and Dennis discuss ROTC for a new generation of cadets as well as other aspects of highschool that have changed since they were in.

    SoI 121 Work Ethic

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 61:14


    In this episode, we talk work ethic. Through our own experiences, we discovered the value of a strong work ethic and decided to talk with our listeners about the benefits of work ethic in the world at large.

    SoI 120 The Wizard Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 90:38


    It's time for a movie review and we are covering the classic film, The Wizard! This fantastic movie from the 80's is significant not just because of our love of classic games, but because part of the movie takes place in Reno. We share our thoughts as we walk through the various scenes and point out a few inconsistencies when the characters get to Reno. Plus, we have a bried chat about Ready Player One. Needless to say, MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

    SoI 119 Vacation 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 72:39


    David and Dennis have gotten some much needed vacation this summer and they've got tales to tell!

    SoI 118 School Board President Beth Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2023 65:15


    Back from vacation and talking education, we've got Washoe County School District Board President Beth Smith! We cover it all; from victories in the legislature, to changes in the upcoming school year, to how certain things are funded, and even a brief chat about fish and chips.

    SoI 117 Lithium Mine in Nevada

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2023 38:57


    It's time to talk about the environment in this episode as we discuss the lithium mine starting up in Nevada. What impact will it have? What can you do to help save this piece of wilderness that is home to many amzing plants and animals? Find out within.https://peopleofredmountain.co...

    SoI 116 Gardening

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 55:52


    Let's get back to nature and talk growing our own food! David and D discuss gardening and cooking in this epiosde. It's a little bit of work but worth it, and you can can grow amazing food too!

    SoI 115 Brithdays and Writer Strike

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 62:09


    It's a celebration for the many people in our lives as we talk May birthdays! What sort of things have our hosts enjoyed during their birthdays? How have things changed over the years? We also have the writer's strike going on as of this episode and we do a dive into the pros and cons of the strike.

    SoI 114 Pastor Louie Stops By

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2023 62:06


    Pastor Louie returns! We had planned talking sports and spirituality but we branched out even further! You get Lord of the Rings talk, pop culture, and the importance of friendship!https://youtube.com/@hillside4https://hillside4.orghttps://www.facebook.com/Hills...

    SoI 113 Viktor Stops By

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 57:52


    We had originally planned on just talking about David's trip to Lego Land, but we had a surprise guest show up: Viktor Smith! We talk about his new book, golf, and food. To cap things off, we've got zombie talk and a fun story from when D worked reservations.

    SoI 112 BIG NEWS

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2023 26:08


    Big news this episode regarding the future of the show and opportunities that have opened up!

    SoI 111 Starwars 2 Attack of the Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 59:02


    New Starwars content means another Starwars centered episode! This time we bring the boys back to talk the new shows, movies, and some of their favorite Starwars things. Minor spoilers are ahead

    Sparks Bits 006 WESP

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 45:34


    The board of WESP (Washoe Education Support Professionals) adresses the trusteeship placed upon them by the NSEA. Interested in the new assosciation? Check out the WASP Facebook page!https://www.facebook.com/profi...

    SoI 110 Adam Mayberry Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 54:36


    Trustee Adam Mayberry has returned! Adam shares with the crew some of the exciting programs available to high school students across Washoe County, as well as some of the triumphs and trials facing the district. Want to help Reed High or Reno High get to DC? Here's how:https://www.paypal.com/donate?... Contact the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement at 702-909-1059. Or donate online here: https://bit.ly/3IB6MJ6

    SoI 109 Believe in Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 21:08


    Dennis recaps an interview with Callen Evans of the WEA regarding education and funding.https://www.nevadaesser.org/pu...?

    SoI 108 Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 61:48


    It's our season premiere and we've got a few things to talk about! We start with a quick rapid fire of subjects that occured whilst we were on vacation. In the second half of the show, we talk all things music; types we enjoy, various fun stories involving playing instruments, and even neat youtube channels Dave listens to.

    SoI 107 Dr. Enfield Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2022 74:58


    It's our season finale and in a first for the show, we have a guest joining us. Dr. Enfield of the Washoe County School District is on to answer some tough questions, as well as share some of the positive changes within the district.

    SoI 106 Holiday Pet Safety 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2022 64:44


    Peggy is back to talk holiday pet safety and we share a few fun pet stories. It's that time of year and we all want our furry friends to be safe. If you have any questions you'd like to direct towards Peggy, be sure to check out the link below.M Peggy A Rew | All Things Pets with a Wordsmith Twist! (rewcrew.com)

    SoI 105 Candymaker Richard

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 31:08


    While Dennis is sick, David continues the show with an interview of local candy maker Richard Butt! Hear about the amazing candies and treats he made, and of the tragic end to his shop up in Virginia City. Big thank you to Victor Smith from Ohio for putting us in contact with this amazing guest!Richard's Treats:French Artisan Raspberry TartPerfectly Ornate Orange ParakeetGlazed Almond SangriaPineapple Enhanced Watermelon

    SoI 104 DMV and Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2022 69:18


    We decided to not cover the mid terms this episode as we were still waiting for results when we recorded. Dave shares his daughter's experience with getting her driver's license. Second half of the show, we dedicate to holiday related topics and share a few favorite charities.https://www.va.gov/southern-nevada-health-care/https://www.stjude.org/https://fbnn.org/https://www.veteransguesthouse.org/http://projectsweetdreamsnv.com/https://rmhc.org/

    SoI 103 Crime and Midterms

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 65:52


    It's spicy episode as we cover crime and the upcoming midterms! But as with the timing of this episode, we have an article from the Atlantic to cover, as well as a HUGE story involving social media and the DHS. Links to the stories below!(Editor's Note: We got flagged for a stray curse word in this episode. Apologies in advance)https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/10/covid-response-forgiveness/671879/https://theintercept.com/2022/10/31/social-media-disinformation-dhs/

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