The Fire Inside: Stories of Today's Difference Makers

Dr. John Pham stops by the studio to talk with Jason about his immigration to the United States from Vietnam following the fall of Saigon. John shares in depth on his family's acclimation to the US life in Portland, helping his parents operate a food cart in the Portland Saturday Market, and how he decided to pursue a career as a physician. Jason and John discuss the med school lifestyle as well as the difference between osteopathic doctors and medical doctors. Since both guys share a love of Asian food, the two talk about their favorite cuisines, dishes, and restaurants in the Portland area, as well as where to shop for authentic Asian ingredients. John Pham is a real-life example of the American Dream and this interview will give you insight onto the importance of the United States to an immigrant. 

Owner of Briese Custom Concrete, Drew Briese drops by the show to talk about how he helped to complete the Lebanon Skate Park project and what that project meant to him personally as a skater. Jason asks him about how he got into concrete work and what led him to starting his own business. Drew also talks about his work/life balance and how giving up alcohol over 4 years ago gave him clarity and allowed him to better focus on his family and businesss. https://www.briesecustomconcrete.com/https://lebanonskatepark.org/

Kris Latimer joins Jason in studio to talk about her childhood in Lebanon and the special bond she developed with her mother. Jason digs into how Kris ended up leaving a 23-year state job to become the Executive Director or the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam. They both reminisce about the positive experiences of working in a youth development organization, and how much of an impact Club staff members have on the members they serve. Kris also discusses how the Club has adapted to the pandemic and what role they took on to serve their community during the crisis. And did we mention that Kris played a pivotal role in the return of the summer Drive-In in Lebanon? You won't want to miss this episode!https://bgcgreatersantiam.org/welcome.htmlKris' Email: kris@bgcgreatersantiam.orghttps://drivein-lebanon.com/

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and City Councilor Rebecca Grizzle drops by the studio to talk about the struggles of running the chamber during a pandemic, her traumatic year abroad in Venezuela, and her love for champagne. Jason quizzes her about their first meeting (she hired him as a Stockman at Walmart in 1994!) and explores how she felt taking on the role of Chamber Director after long time friend Shelley Garrett died unexpectedly in May of 2019. This episode contains lots of light-hearted jabs between Jason and Rebecca and is likely NSFW thanks to Rebecca's colorful storytelling. Pop in the earbuds for this one!  

Laura Gillott is the owner and principal broker of the Keller WIlliams Realty Mid-Willamette - Lebanon Oregon real estate office. A practicing realtor since 1992, Laura worked her way up in the business by first becoming an agent and eventually opening her own office which now supports a 38 person team of realtors and supporting staff. Jason has plenty of questions about the local real estate market, real estate investment, and also learns about Laura's unique family adoption story. This episode is a great listen for anyone thinking about buying or selling a home, as well as how a business leader can incorporate community activism into a successful business enhancement tactic. Laura on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.gillott.161Laura's Office on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellerwilliamsrealtylebanonorLaura's Website: https://www.teamgillott.com 

Dean of Students and Head Varsity Football Coach of Lebanon (OR) High School Ty Tomlin joins the podcast to discuss his college football playing career at the University of Oregon as well as leading the 2016 Lebanon football team to it's first ever state championship. Jason asks Ty to compare today's college recruiting process to his days as a player, and they talk about what makes high school sports so important for today's youth. Ty also shares about his journey from a walk-on college player to earning a scholarship on the #2 team in the nation and the friendships he developed with athletes like Joey Harrington, Justin Wilcox, and former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. This episode is a great listen for sports fans, athletes, and the parents of young athletes. 

Lebanon Mayor Paul Aziz calls in to talk about his first career as a police officer and the diving accident that made him a paraplegic. Paul recalls his injury, his recovery, and how he had to adapt his life to survive. Jason asks him about how he ended up leaving southern California and what got him interested in local politics. A great conversation with some raw, emotional stories. 

Oregon House District 17 Representative Sherrie Sprenger joins the podcast to discuss her public service career including rural law enforcement, numerous public committees, becoming a State Representative, and her current campaign for the Linn County Board of Commissioners. Jason wants to know more about the people who had influence on Sherrie along the way and what the impact of her public life has on her family life. She also discusses her plans should she become the next Linn County Commissioner. 

Founder and brew master of Conversion Brewing Matt Cowart joins the podcast to discuss the vision and planning needed to open Lebanon's first brew pub. He and Jason talk about growing up in a small town and making the transition from a "home schooled farm kid" to public high school, community college, and eventually entrepreneurship. Matt talks about his influences growing up and how his mechanical skills led to racing in the Gambler 500 and starting his own racing team, Semantics Racing. Jason wants to know more about how a home brewer ends up turning his passion into a business, and Matt shares his plans for the annual Summer Bands and Brews Concert Series.

Singer and songwriter Trevor Tagle sits down in studio to discuss his journey as a promising musician and the struggles of trying to make it in the music business. Trevor has opened for country legends like Toby Keith, Mark Chestnutt, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Tracy Lawrence, to name a few. Jason asks about Trevor's musical beginnings like teaching himself to play the guitar in college, before diving into the future of his music career which includes a move to Nashville to make a serious run at a record deal. Trevor talks about his passion for music and how he views his career as a community-based success, thanks to the immense support for his music at the local level. Jason asks Trevor to play a song in studio, and Trevor surprises Jason with an impromptu theme song for The Fire Inside written the night before his interview. 

Jason's first guest of the podcast is Courtney Paul, who survived a horrific burn injury at age 21 and used the experience to change the course of her life. Courtney shares the events leading up to the night of injury, including her mother's premonition just a few days before, and recalls her experiences in the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Jason wants to know about the mental impact of her burn and asks about the long-term recovery process. Courtney shares how the experience taught her the power of her own influence on other burn victims, and how she used that influence to create the Rise Above The Burn project as a fundraiser for the Oregon Burn Center. 

Teaser episode for The Fire Inside podcast, featuring stories of today's difference makers.