Podcasts about Norco

Vechi Mutum: Weaponizing Excuses to Avoid Sobriety | The Hopeaholics PodcastIn this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Vechi Mutum delivers an unflinching and inspiring account of his journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery, offering hope to anyone facing their own battles. Vechi endured a childhood filled with violence and instability, leading to a suicide attempt at 14 and early struggles with mental health. These experiences set the stage for a descent into addiction, starting with compulsive sugar consumption as a child and escalating to prescription drugs like Norco and Valium after a knee injury derailed his firefighter dreams. By his early 20s, Vechi was entangled in methamphetamine use, introduced by a neighbor, which fueled a life of homelessness, criminal activity, and estrangement from family. Now over a decade sober, Vechi shares profound reflections on rebuilding his life, including an 11-year marriage, adopting their son, and raising two boys with intention, teaching them resilience and accountability. The episode also highlights Vechi's passionate advocacy, including a call to treat fentanyl use as attempted suicide and a demand for better support for veterans battling addiction. With raw honesty, Vechi discusses navigating the “dark hallways” of recovery, from false legal accusations to the ongoing wreckage of past mistakes, emphasizing the power of doing “the next right thing.”#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover  #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record', exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:05:19 - Early Addiction to Sugar00:07:04 - Rejecting Higher Power in AA00:08:04 - Struggles as a Teen00:09:13 - Suicide Attempt at 1400:11:11 - Injury Derails Firefighter Dreams00:12:11 - Prescription Drug Abuse Escalates00:14:42 - Introduction to Methamphetamine00:16:30 - Homelessness and Criminal Activity00:17:43 - Losing Custody of Children00:19:19 - Selfish Excuses for Addiction00:21:06 - A Stranger's Compassion01:06:36 - Urgent Call to Treat Fentanyl as Attempted Suicide01:09:57 - Veterans Deserve Better Support01:14:32 - Protecting Kids from Fentanyl01:16:30 - Fatherhood as a Privilege01:18:31 - Rebuilding Family After Mistakes01:19:21 - Teaching Sons Resilience01:20:30 - Navigating Dark Hallways

On the afternoon of May 9, 1980, four heavily armed men walked into the Security Pacific Bank in Norco, California and demanded $20,000 in cash. Having seen the men enter the bank with their guns, employees of a different bank across the street called the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and deputies responded immediately.When the bank robbers were confronted in the parking lot by law enforcement, a shootout began that would ultimately span more than forty miles across two counties, and when it was finally over, one sheriff's deputy and two of the perpetrators were dead, eleven others were wounded. Moreover, the assault caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage from the nearly 2000 rounds that were fired, hitting houses, buildings, cars, among other things.Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!ReferencesBennett, Lorraine. 1980. "Suspects in Norco holdup charged with 120 felonies." Los Angeles Times, May 15: 3.Gorman, Tom. 1982. "Kidnapping victim tells of ordeal at bandits' hands." Los Angeles Times, January 15: 22.Houlahan, Peter. 2020. "Norco '80: Before the bank robbery." Los Angeles Daily News, June 2.—. 2019. "40 years later, the aftermath of a deadly bank robbery still lingers in a small SoCal city." Los Angeles Magazine, May 28.—. 2020. Norco '80: The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint.Malnic, Eric, and Mike Goodman. 1980. "Suspect put up barbed wire at home." Los Angeles Times, May 11: 1.Schaub, Michael. 2019. "Apocalyptic robbers botched a SoCal bank heist." Los Angeles Times, June 7.Stein, Mark. 1980. "Shaken witnesses: 'There was fear...'." Los Angeles Times, May 11: 3.Sun News Service. 1982. "Trio guilty in Norco holdup, deputy's murder." San Bernardino County Sun, July 24: 1.Stay in the know - wondery.fm/morbid-wondery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Stone, Cincinnati Reds Pete "Charlie Hustle" Rose would have been a slam-dunk Hall of Famer if he never bet on baseball and been banned.  The all-time MLB leader with 4,256 hits, Rose won three batting titles and was the 1973 NL MVP.  "Shoeless" Joe Jackson had an all-time career batting average of .356 career -- the fourth highest in MLB history.  But he was banned for life, along with seven of his teammates from the 1919 Chicago "Black Sox" for throwing the World Series.   That all changed yesterday when Commissioner Rob Manfred removed Jackson, Pete Rose, and other deceased players from the MLB's permanently ineligible list. #AlexStone #PeteRose #HOF #ShoelessJoe #MLB // Michael Monks, L.A. council backs $30 minimum wage for hotels, despite warnings from tourism industry #tourism #minimumwage // Seal Beach Police dept ZERO tolerance #DontStealInSeal #crime #theft #arrest #retailtheft // Man charged with murder after 79-year-old was dragged to death during carjacking in Norco. #carjacking / Reputed gang member arrested in connection with fatal shooting spree in Lancaster / More with Dr. Krupp, how long it takes rays to arrive on earth. Griffith Observatory 90th Anniversary The illusion of seeing the sunset. #DrKrupp #space #astronomy 

Mike McCue introduces Surf: Flipboard's founder and CEO demonstrated their new social browser app that aggregates content from ActivityPub, AT Proto, and RSS into unified feeds, allowing users to follow people across platforms and create curated content collections. OpenAI Adjusts Reorganization Plans: OpenAI will maintain its non-profit arm while converting its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation similar to Anthropic, pending regulatory approval. AI Criticism Blog Post: A blog highlighted practical AI concerns beyond the singularity, focusing on coordinated inauthentic behavior, misinformation, and non-consensual pornography. AI Workplace Misuse: Nearly half of workers admit to using AI inappropriately at work according to a Fast Company report. AI Academic Cheating: New York Magazine investigated widespread AI cheating in colleges, including students using AI for all assignments while maintaining excellent grades. "I Smell AI": The team discussed unreliable AI detection methods and embarrassing AI-generated news errors, including Alberta being incorrectly described as "French-speaking." Instagram Co-founder on AI Chatbots: Kevin Systrom claims AI assistants are designed to maximize engagement metrics rather than utility, though Leo demonstrated how these behaviors can be modified. Google Labs' AI Experiments: The hosts explored Google's new AI Mode search interface, language learning tools, and a career recommendation system. New York Times Subscriber Growth: The NYT added 250,000 digital subscribers with a 14% jump in digital subscription revenue, with nearly half subscribing to multiple products. Auburn University's Phone Help Desk: The hosts discussed Auburn's 70-year tradition of librarians answering public phone questions, continuing through technological changes. San Francisco's Orb Store: World opened a downtown storefront where visitors scan their irises with "orbs" to verify humanity and receive WorldCoin cryptocurrency. Driverless Trucks Begin Regular Routes: Aurora launched fully autonomous semi-trucks between Dallas and Houston, raising both safety hopes and public perception concerns. Waymo Safety Study: Data showed Waymo's autonomous vehicles significantly reduced injury crashes, though the hosts questioned aspects of the data presentation. AI-Generated Video in Court: An AI-generated video of a deceased shooting victim "forgiving" his killer was shown in an Arizona courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions. Paris's Game Recommendation - Norco: Paris recommended the Southern Gothic narrative game Norco, set in industrial Louisiana with a surreal atmosphere similar to Disco Elysium. Leo's Game Recommendation - Tippy Coco: Leo shared a simple browser-based ball-bouncing game at TippyCoco.com as an easy option for casual players. Jeff's Pick - World Bank Data Sets: Jeff highlighted World Bank's release of hundreds of public data sets intended for AI training that provide insight into global technology adoption. Google Invests in Wonder: Google Ventures invested in virtual kitchen company Wonder, which raised $600 million despite questions about food delivery business sustainability. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/818 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Mike McCue Sponsors: monarchmoney.com with code IM spaceship.com/twit bigid.com/im Melissa.com/twit

Mike McCue introduces Surf: Flipboard's founder and CEO demonstrated their new social browser app that aggregates content from ActivityPub, AT Proto, and RSS into unified feeds, allowing users to follow people across platforms and create curated content collections. OpenAI Adjusts Reorganization Plans: OpenAI will maintain its non-profit arm while converting its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation similar to Anthropic, pending regulatory approval. AI Criticism Blog Post: A blog highlighted practical AI concerns beyond the singularity, focusing on coordinated inauthentic behavior, misinformation, and non-consensual pornography. AI Workplace Misuse: Nearly half of workers admit to using AI inappropriately at work according to a Fast Company report. AI Academic Cheating: New York Magazine investigated widespread AI cheating in colleges, including students using AI for all assignments while maintaining excellent grades. "I Smell AI": The team discussed unreliable AI detection methods and embarrassing AI-generated news errors, including Alberta being incorrectly described as "French-speaking." Instagram Co-founder on AI Chatbots: Kevin Systrom claims AI assistants are designed to maximize engagement metrics rather than utility, though Leo demonstrated how these behaviors can be modified. Google Labs' AI Experiments: The hosts explored Google's new AI Mode search interface, language learning tools, and a career recommendation system. New York Times Subscriber Growth: The NYT added 250,000 digital subscribers with a 14% jump in digital subscription revenue, with nearly half subscribing to multiple products. Auburn University's Phone Help Desk: The hosts discussed Auburn's 70-year tradition of librarians answering public phone questions, continuing through technological changes. San Francisco's Orb Store: World opened a downtown storefront where visitors scan their irises with "orbs" to verify humanity and receive WorldCoin cryptocurrency. Driverless Trucks Begin Regular Routes: Aurora launched fully autonomous semi-trucks between Dallas and Houston, raising both safety hopes and public perception concerns. Waymo Safety Study: Data showed Waymo's autonomous vehicles significantly reduced injury crashes, though the hosts questioned aspects of the data presentation. AI-Generated Video in Court: An AI-generated video of a deceased shooting victim "forgiving" his killer was shown in an Arizona courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions. Paris's Game Recommendation - Norco: Paris recommended the Southern Gothic narrative game Norco, set in industrial Louisiana with a surreal atmosphere similar to Disco Elysium. Leo's Game Recommendation - Tippy Coco: Leo shared a simple browser-based ball-bouncing game at TippyCoco.com as an easy option for casual players. Jeff's Pick - World Bank Data Sets: Jeff highlighted World Bank's release of hundreds of public data sets intended for AI training that provide insight into global technology adoption. Google Invests in Wonder: Google Ventures invested in virtual kitchen company Wonder, which raised $600 million despite questions about food delivery business sustainability. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/818 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Mike McCue Sponsors: monarchmoney.com with code IM spaceship.com/twit bigid.com/im Melissa.com/twit

Mike McCue introduces Surf: Flipboard's founder and CEO demonstrated their new social browser app that aggregates content from ActivityPub, AT Proto, and RSS into unified feeds, allowing users to follow people across platforms and create curated content collections. OpenAI Adjusts Reorganization Plans: OpenAI will maintain its non-profit arm while converting its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation similar to Anthropic, pending regulatory approval. AI Criticism Blog Post: A blog highlighted practical AI concerns beyond the singularity, focusing on coordinated inauthentic behavior, misinformation, and non-consensual pornography. AI Workplace Misuse: Nearly half of workers admit to using AI inappropriately at work according to a Fast Company report. AI Academic Cheating: New York Magazine investigated widespread AI cheating in colleges, including students using AI for all assignments while maintaining excellent grades. "I Smell AI": The team discussed unreliable AI detection methods and embarrassing AI-generated news errors, including Alberta being incorrectly described as "French-speaking." Instagram Co-founder on AI Chatbots: Kevin Systrom claims AI assistants are designed to maximize engagement metrics rather than utility, though Leo demonstrated how these behaviors can be modified. Google Labs' AI Experiments: The hosts explored Google's new AI Mode search interface, language learning tools, and a career recommendation system. New York Times Subscriber Growth: The NYT added 250,000 digital subscribers with a 14% jump in digital subscription revenue, with nearly half subscribing to multiple products. Auburn University's Phone Help Desk: The hosts discussed Auburn's 70-year tradition of librarians answering public phone questions, continuing through technological changes. San Francisco's Orb Store: World opened a downtown storefront where visitors scan their irises with "orbs" to verify humanity and receive WorldCoin cryptocurrency. Driverless Trucks Begin Regular Routes: Aurora launched fully autonomous semi-trucks between Dallas and Houston, raising both safety hopes and public perception concerns. Waymo Safety Study: Data showed Waymo's autonomous vehicles significantly reduced injury crashes, though the hosts questioned aspects of the data presentation. AI-Generated Video in Court: An AI-generated video of a deceased shooting victim "forgiving" his killer was shown in an Arizona courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions. Paris's Game Recommendation - Norco: Paris recommended the Southern Gothic narrative game Norco, set in industrial Louisiana with a surreal atmosphere similar to Disco Elysium. Leo's Game Recommendation - Tippy Coco: Leo shared a simple browser-based ball-bouncing game at TippyCoco.com as an easy option for casual players. Jeff's Pick - World Bank Data Sets: Jeff highlighted World Bank's release of hundreds of public data sets intended for AI training that provide insight into global technology adoption. Google Invests in Wonder: Google Ventures invested in virtual kitchen company Wonder, which raised $600 million despite questions about food delivery business sustainability. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/818 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Mike McCue Sponsors: monarchmoney.com with code IM spaceship.com/twit bigid.com/im Melissa.com/twit

Mike McCue introduces Surf: Flipboard's founder and CEO demonstrated their new social browser app that aggregates content from ActivityPub, AT Proto, and RSS into unified feeds, allowing users to follow people across platforms and create curated content collections. OpenAI Adjusts Reorganization Plans: OpenAI will maintain its non-profit arm while converting its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation similar to Anthropic, pending regulatory approval. AI Criticism Blog Post: A blog highlighted practical AI concerns beyond the singularity, focusing on coordinated inauthentic behavior, misinformation, and non-consensual pornography. AI Workplace Misuse: Nearly half of workers admit to using AI inappropriately at work according to a Fast Company report. AI Academic Cheating: New York Magazine investigated widespread AI cheating in colleges, including students using AI for all assignments while maintaining excellent grades. "I Smell AI": The team discussed unreliable AI detection methods and embarrassing AI-generated news errors, including Alberta being incorrectly described as "French-speaking." Instagram Co-founder on AI Chatbots: Kevin Systrom claims AI assistants are designed to maximize engagement metrics rather than utility, though Leo demonstrated how these behaviors can be modified. Google Labs' AI Experiments: The hosts explored Google's new AI Mode search interface, language learning tools, and a career recommendation system. New York Times Subscriber Growth: The NYT added 250,000 digital subscribers with a 14% jump in digital subscription revenue, with nearly half subscribing to multiple products. Auburn University's Phone Help Desk: The hosts discussed Auburn's 70-year tradition of librarians answering public phone questions, continuing through technological changes. San Francisco's Orb Store: World opened a downtown storefront where visitors scan their irises with "orbs" to verify humanity and receive WorldCoin cryptocurrency. Driverless Trucks Begin Regular Routes: Aurora launched fully autonomous semi-trucks between Dallas and Houston, raising both safety hopes and public perception concerns. Waymo Safety Study: Data showed Waymo's autonomous vehicles significantly reduced injury crashes, though the hosts questioned aspects of the data presentation. AI-Generated Video in Court: An AI-generated video of a deceased shooting victim "forgiving" his killer was shown in an Arizona courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions. Paris's Game Recommendation - Norco: Paris recommended the Southern Gothic narrative game Norco, set in industrial Louisiana with a surreal atmosphere similar to Disco Elysium. Leo's Game Recommendation - Tippy Coco: Leo shared a simple browser-based ball-bouncing game at TippyCoco.com as an easy option for casual players. Jeff's Pick - World Bank Data Sets: Jeff highlighted World Bank's release of hundreds of public data sets intended for AI training that provide insight into global technology adoption. Google Invests in Wonder: Google Ventures invested in virtual kitchen company Wonder, which raised $600 million despite questions about food delivery business sustainability. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/818 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Mike McCue Sponsors: monarchmoney.com with code IM spaceship.com/twit bigid.com/im Melissa.com/twit

Mike McCue introduces Surf: Flipboard's founder and CEO demonstrated their new social browser app that aggregates content from ActivityPub, AT Proto, and RSS into unified feeds, allowing users to follow people across platforms and create curated content collections. OpenAI Adjusts Reorganization Plans: OpenAI will maintain its non-profit arm while converting its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation similar to Anthropic, pending regulatory approval. AI Criticism Blog Post: A blog highlighted practical AI concerns beyond the singularity, focusing on coordinated inauthentic behavior, misinformation, and non-consensual pornography. AI Workplace Misuse: Nearly half of workers admit to using AI inappropriately at work according to a Fast Company report. AI Academic Cheating: New York Magazine investigated widespread AI cheating in colleges, including students using AI for all assignments while maintaining excellent grades. "I Smell AI": The team discussed unreliable AI detection methods and embarrassing AI-generated news errors, including Alberta being incorrectly described as "French-speaking." Instagram Co-founder on AI Chatbots: Kevin Systrom claims AI assistants are designed to maximize engagement metrics rather than utility, though Leo demonstrated how these behaviors can be modified. Google Labs' AI Experiments: The hosts explored Google's new AI Mode search interface, language learning tools, and a career recommendation system. New York Times Subscriber Growth: The NYT added 250,000 digital subscribers with a 14% jump in digital subscription revenue, with nearly half subscribing to multiple products. Auburn University's Phone Help Desk: The hosts discussed Auburn's 70-year tradition of librarians answering public phone questions, continuing through technological changes. San Francisco's Orb Store: World opened a downtown storefront where visitors scan their irises with "orbs" to verify humanity and receive WorldCoin cryptocurrency. Driverless Trucks Begin Regular Routes: Aurora launched fully autonomous semi-trucks between Dallas and Houston, raising both safety hopes and public perception concerns. Waymo Safety Study: Data showed Waymo's autonomous vehicles significantly reduced injury crashes, though the hosts questioned aspects of the data presentation. AI-Generated Video in Court: An AI-generated video of a deceased shooting victim "forgiving" his killer was shown in an Arizona courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions. Paris's Game Recommendation - Norco: Paris recommended the Southern Gothic narrative game Norco, set in industrial Louisiana with a surreal atmosphere similar to Disco Elysium. Leo's Game Recommendation - Tippy Coco: Leo shared a simple browser-based ball-bouncing game at TippyCoco.com as an easy option for casual players. Jeff's Pick - World Bank Data Sets: Jeff highlighted World Bank's release of hundreds of public data sets intended for AI training that provide insight into global technology adoption. Google Invests in Wonder: Google Ventures invested in virtual kitchen company Wonder, which raised $600 million despite questions about food delivery business sustainability. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/818 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Mike McCue Sponsors: monarchmoney.com with code IM spaceship.com/twit bigid.com/im Melissa.com/twit

Mike McCue introduces Surf: Flipboard's founder and CEO demonstrated their new social browser app that aggregates content from ActivityPub, AT Proto, and RSS into unified feeds, allowing users to follow people across platforms and create curated content collections. OpenAI Adjusts Reorganization Plans: OpenAI will maintain its non-profit arm while converting its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation similar to Anthropic, pending regulatory approval. AI Criticism Blog Post: A blog highlighted practical AI concerns beyond the singularity, focusing on coordinated inauthentic behavior, misinformation, and non-consensual pornography. AI Workplace Misuse: Nearly half of workers admit to using AI inappropriately at work according to a Fast Company report. AI Academic Cheating: New York Magazine investigated widespread AI cheating in colleges, including students using AI for all assignments while maintaining excellent grades. "I Smell AI": The team discussed unreliable AI detection methods and embarrassing AI-generated news errors, including Alberta being incorrectly described as "French-speaking." Instagram Co-founder on AI Chatbots: Kevin Systrom claims AI assistants are designed to maximize engagement metrics rather than utility, though Leo demonstrated how these behaviors can be modified. Google Labs' AI Experiments: The hosts explored Google's new AI Mode search interface, language learning tools, and a career recommendation system. New York Times Subscriber Growth: The NYT added 250,000 digital subscribers with a 14% jump in digital subscription revenue, with nearly half subscribing to multiple products. Auburn University's Phone Help Desk: The hosts discussed Auburn's 70-year tradition of librarians answering public phone questions, continuing through technological changes. San Francisco's Orb Store: World opened a downtown storefront where visitors scan their irises with "orbs" to verify humanity and receive WorldCoin cryptocurrency. Driverless Trucks Begin Regular Routes: Aurora launched fully autonomous semi-trucks between Dallas and Houston, raising both safety hopes and public perception concerns. Waymo Safety Study: Data showed Waymo's autonomous vehicles significantly reduced injury crashes, though the hosts questioned aspects of the data presentation. AI-Generated Video in Court: An AI-generated video of a deceased shooting victim "forgiving" his killer was shown in an Arizona courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions. Paris's Game Recommendation - Norco: Paris recommended the Southern Gothic narrative game Norco, set in industrial Louisiana with a surreal atmosphere similar to Disco Elysium. Leo's Game Recommendation - Tippy Coco: Leo shared a simple browser-based ball-bouncing game at TippyCoco.com as an easy option for casual players. Jeff's Pick - World Bank Data Sets: Jeff highlighted World Bank's release of hundreds of public data sets intended for AI training that provide insight into global technology adoption. Google Invests in Wonder: Google Ventures invested in virtual kitchen company Wonder, which raised $600 million despite questions about food delivery business sustainability. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/818 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Mike McCue Sponsors: monarchmoney.com with code IM spaceship.com/twit bigid.com/im Melissa.com/twit

Josh, Alvin, and Levy unpack a massive week in tech that includes self-inflating tires winning Paris-Roubaix under a mountain biker, Pogačar's fresh V5RS, and an aero road bike that promises forward thrust in any wind conditions. The guys also dig into Allied's new Able that combines speed and tire clearance, the smart geometry of Norco's redesigned Search, and why (or why not) drop-bar mountain bikes make sense.

On Sunday, March 31st, 1985, a group of young Black men drove back to southeastern San Diego after visiting Balboa Park. It was just after 6:00 PM and the sun was retreating into the horizon. As a truck driven by 23-year-old Sagon Penn pulled into a driveway on a quiet street in Encanto, they were followed by two police cars. What happened next would leave one officer dead, another officer and a civilian ride along severely injured, a young man in a years long legal limbo and a city reeling. On the 40th anniversary of the incident, I have author Peter Houlahan in the studio with me. His book, “Reap the Whirlwind: Violence, Race, Justice and the story of Sagon Penn,” is a fascinating deep dive into the case, the compelling figures who drove the story and the impact it all had on San Diego and beyond. SHOW NOTES 10News Story: New book revisits the impact the story of Sagon Penn has had on communities of color in San Diego You can find book from Counterpoint Press here: Reap the Whirlwind Reap the Whirlwind - Violence, Race, Justice, and the Story of Sagon Pennby Peter Houlahan Book DescriptionThe bestselling author of Norco ’80 returns with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California CREDITS Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a series of town halls on Sunday, Bay Area congressman Ro Khanna urged residents of Republican-held congressional districts in California to organize against the Trump administration's proposed cuts to programs like Medicaid and the wider social safety net. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Congressman Khanna's next stop was an amphitheater in the Inland Empire community of Norco, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR A federal rent assistance program that tens of thousands of Californians rely on is running out of money. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 9th, 1980. Norco, California. Four armed robbers entered the Security Pacific Bank and stole $20,000. A bank employee tripped a silent alarm, and the police arrived at the scene within minutes. A shootout and police chase ensued that resulted in the death of a deputy, two of the robbers, and left multiple people injured.Want to see our faces? We release videos several times each month: patreon.com/generationwhyListen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/generationwhy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On commence avec le retour en France du norco-trafficant Mohammed Amra, remis aux autorités françaises après son arrestation en Roumanie après 9 mois de cavales

On commence avec le retour en France du norco-trafficant Mohammed Amra, remis aux autorités françaises après son arrestation en Roumanie après 9 mois de cavales

Presley Tennant California Country Star, to Perform National Anthem at NFL Pro BowlEmerging country music sensation Presley Tennant lights up this week's episode of The Travel Wins podcast with exciting news and heartfelt stories. Known for her soulful voice and vibrant California spirit, Presley shares an exclusive preview of one of the most significant milestones in her career: performing the national anthem at the NFL Pro Bowl on February 2 in Orlando, Florida.Hailing from Norco, CA—famously dubbed Horsetown, USA—Presley has always been immersed in the rich culture of country music. Her passion for the western lifestyle and undeniable talent landed her in the national spotlight at just 16 years old when she competed on The Voice. Since then, Presley has been on a determined journey to craft her unique brand of California-Country music, a perfect blend of her powerhouse vocals, traditional country roots, and contemporary flair.During this episode, Presley opens up about the preparation and emotional significance of singing the national anthem on such a grand stage, a performance set to captivate football fans and music lovers alike. She also discusses her touring schedule, which takes her across California, Utah, Arizona, and regular visits to Nashville—the heart of country music.Listeners will hear about the hard work, sacrifices, and triumphs that define Presley's life on the road, as well as the collaborative creative process behind her distinctive sound. Her journey serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance and passion for aspiring artists everywhere.Don't miss this unforgettable conversation with Presley Tennant as she prepares for a momentous performance at the NFL Pro Bowl, and stay tuned for more inspiring episodes highlighting the stories behind the journeys that shape the world of entertainment and business.

Creating a student internship and empowering student leaders and student voice! National Communications Internship Collab Signup: https://forms.gle/QbouPNHWrBKWJzEE8

Welcome to Eps. 254 Guest Mix! We sent the decks to Los Angeles, CA as we welcome back House Zaddy taking over the decks. Our brother checks back on the show with a banging live set from Electro Fest in Norco. Listen to this mixshow live with any of our Syndicated online radio partners in Club Sabroso Radio Network in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic or listen on demand.    https://www.instagram.com/house_zaddy_/  

Luciana Cisbani"il segreto dei Cardinal"Jocelyne SaucierIperborea Edizioniwww.iperborea.comDall'autrice di Piovevano uccelli, un romanzo polifonico a tensione crescente sulla storia di una famiglia e i suoi segreti. Vincitore del Prix Canada-Reads e del Prix France-Canada.Traduzione a cura di Luciana Cisbani.Ventuno figli, una casa enorme e labirintica, una miniera e una città tutta per loro: sono i Cardinal, la famiglia che ha fondato Norco, sorta intorno a un giacimento di zinco scoperto dal padre in Québec. I Cardinal hanno il loro lessico famigliare e un soprannome per tutti, la tradizione di far esplodere ai figli il primo candelotto di dinamite al settimo compleanno e un odio profondo per gli estranei, i «bifolchi», quelli che hanno invaso Norco e fatto fallire la miniera. Ma ormai i figli sono cresciuti e scappati sempre più lontano, chi più a nord tra gli inuit, come LaTommy, chi sul fronte di guerra in Cecenia, come Geronimo. Finché nel 1995 l'anziano padre riceve un premio alla carriera e tutti sono invitati alla cerimonia. Inizia così il flusso dei ricordi, la nostalgia per i tempi andati di Fanalino, l'ultimo arrivato, cresciuto nel mito della sua enorme famiglia pur non avendolo mai vissuto in prima persona. Ma anche le recriminazioni di LaPulzella, la più anziana, che è stata madre di tutti e anche di se stessa, il dolore di Geronimo, un tempo a capo delle scorribande dei fratelli e tormentato da un segreto, la rabbia di LaTommy. E su tutti aleggia lo spettro di Angèle, gemella di LaTommy, che voleva andarsene in città e di cui nessuno ha saputo più niente dopo che è salita su una macchina diretta a Montréal. Attraverso una sinfonia di voci e punti di vista, con un sottile crescendo di tensione vengono a galla i misteri della famiglia Cardinal e il tabù che a carissimo prezzo l'ha tenuta insieme, in una storia agrodolce come la nostalgia e potente come il coraggio di chi si sacrifica per gli altri.Jocelyne Saucier (1948) è una delle più note scrittrici canadesi di lingua francese. Nata nel 1948 nella provincia del New Brunswick, dopo aver lavorato come giornalista si è dedicata alla narrativa e i suoi romanzi sono tradotti in tutto il mondo. Iperborea ha pubblicato Piovevano uccelli, bestseller internazionale che è anche diventato film. Jocelyne Saucier oggi vive a Clair, un villaggio canadese in mezzo ai boschi abitato da meno di mille anime.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

Passion, perseverance and a genuine heart for people drive this locally owned bike shop in the downtown Ivywild neighborhood. It's the only veteran owned bike shop in Colorado Springs. Todd Hood, a retired, 20-year Army combat veteran has owned the shop since 2013 and when you come to his shop you feel like family. You can even sit at the bar over a Bristol beer and watch their top-notch and friendly mechanics work on your bike. It's also home to Carl the Cat and he even has his own branded merch. While they sell and service a variety of bikes and cater to all types of cyclists from hardcore mountain bikers to families, they're primarily a mountain bike shop carrying brands including Yeti Cycles, Specialized, Norco and Intense. This winter they're also getting into ski bike & board rentals and sales.   Host: Torie Giffin, Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort Owner https://www.bicycleresort.com/ Guests:  Todd Hood, Owner Bicycle Experience https://www.bicyclexperience.com/ Brandon D'Aurelio, Shop Manager “Suspension guru” Danny Soteres & Rob Frisbie, Mountain Bikers & Shop Supporters   Links to show Topics: Carl's Friendsgiving and Mega Give-Away https://www.facebook.com/events/s/carls-friendsgiving-and-mega-g/568783059151400/ Bristol Brewing Company https://www.bristolbrewing.com/ Captain Jacks https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/343956/captain-jacks Happy Cats Haven https://happycatshaven.org/ Leadville 100 https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/ North Cheyenne Canyon https://www.trailforks.com/region/north-cheyenne-canon-park/ Pikes Peak Mountain Biking Trails https://www.trailforks.com/region/pikes-peak/ Pikes Peak APEX Mountain Bike Race https://www.coloradospringssports.org/events/pikes-peak-apex/ Palmer Park https://www.trailforks.com/region/palmer-park/ SRAM https://www.sram.com/en/company/about Stratton Open Space https://www.trailforks.com/region/stratton-open-space/ Trestle Bike Park https://www.trestlebikepark.com/ Pedal the Springs is produced and presented by the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, the only bicycle-themed lodging and must-stay for cyclists coming to Colorado. Check us out at https://www.bicycleresort.com for more information. Episodes are recorded in the Studio 809 Podcasts community podcast studio at The Next Us. https://thenextus.spaces.nexudus.com/?public& Find other great podcasts produced in and for the Pikes Peak Region - at https://studio809podcasts.com Don't miss an episode of Pedal the Springs. Follow on your favorite podcast app:

How do you know when it's time to make a big career change, even if you're not sure what's next?In this episode, I'm excited to reconnect with Jake Conneen, who I know from high school in the little Southern California town we grew up in, Norco. Now based in El Paso, Texas, Jake shares his wild ride of career flips—from construction to journalism, restaurant management, the military, nursing, and now running his own woodworking biz, Doby's Craft House, named after his dog. Jake's all about taking smart risks and following what truly makes you happy, even if it means flipping careers more than once. He opens up about how the stress shifts when you start working for yourself, and why self-care and time management are a game-changer. And to keep it real about how we juggle all the things, you may also hear his daughter, Rosemary, in the background during the episode! He's leading by example for her, showing the importance of chasing passions and making her own choices.If you've been thinking about a career flip but aren't sure how to take the leap, Jake's story will definitely inspire you!Episode TakeawaysTaking calculated risks and following what makes you happy can lead to fulfillment in your career.Working for yourself can bring a different kind of stress, but it can also provide a sense of control and fulfillment.Self-care and time management are crucial when juggling multiple responsibilities.Setting an example for your children by pursuing your passions and making your own choices can inspire them to do the same.Connect with Jakehttps://www.dobbyscrafthouse.com/Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/dobbyscrafthouse/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dobbyscrafthouse Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper podcast!If you loved this episode, spread the word! Share it with a friend, hit that subscribe button and don't forget to leave a review—it really helps spread the word to more career flippers like you. Let's Connect:Join the flippin' fam: thecareerflipper.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com@thecareerflipperInstagram: http://instagram.com/thecareerflipperpodGot a career flip story? I want to hear all about it & have you on an episode! Whether you've flipped or are about to, or right smack in the middle of a flip, drop me a line: hello@thecareerflipper.com Want to support the show? You can hire me to speak at your event about career changes or let's collaborate through affiliates or sponsorships. Interested? Reach out at hello@thecareerflipper.com Take my customer service courses, maybe? Before being laid off, I spent years in customer experience leadership, helping teams improve how they serve their customers. That work didn't stop with my corporate job—it's now helped over 12,000 students worldwide through the online courses I've built. Whether you're looking to switch to customer service or sharpen your skills, these courses are packed with real-world tips, from handling tough conversations to managing customer interactions. Check them out at thecareerflipper.com/courses! Other ways to get involved with the show:Buy me a coffeeCheck out my furniture flipsIntro & outro music by audionautix.com!

Alex is joined by Jack and Tom to discuss the tech behind eight recently launched eMTBs, all fitted with the brand new Bosch Performance Line CX motor.   The bikes include Santa Cruz's new Vala, Trek's updated Rail+ Gen 5, Mondraker's affordable and versatile Chaser, Focus' hydroformed Jam2, Cube's impressively priced Stereo Hybrid One44, Crestline's boutique S180 and LS160, Norco's high-pivot Sight VLT CX and Orbea's all-new Wild. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's guest… Jim Kavanaugh. The CEO and co-founder of World Wide Technology talks about his first true passion… soccer. We discuss his path from North County playing for NORCO, to Rosary High, SLU University, and the biggest trade in Steamers history bringing him back to St. Louis, sending two legends to play on the west coast for a while! We were able to pull back the curtains a little bit on Jim's view on US soccer, the first couple of years for City SC, and his outlook for soccer beyond the upcoming World Cup that is to be hosted right here in the USA. Let's go!!!

That's A CrimeEpisode 85: Arsonist Arrested In California Line Fire (2024)Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez break down the true crime story of Arsonist Arrested In California Line Fire in 2024. On September 5, 2024, the San Bernardino County Line Fire in California ignited and in just a few days burned 34,000 acres, putting residents, homes, businesses, and firefighters at risk. On September 9, 2024, 34-year-old Norco resident and FedEx delivery driver, Justin Wayne Halstenberg, was arrested and charged with 11 arson-related crimes.Recorded: 09-11-24Studio: Just Curious MediaListen:BuzzsproutApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusiciHeartRadioTuneInWatch:YouTubeFollow:FacebookInstagramHosts:Jason ConnellSal Rodriguez#justcuriousmedia #thatsacrime #mrjasonconnell #salvadorlosangeles #truecrime #misdemeanor #murder #mystery #suspense #thriller #horror #criminal #serialkiller #thief #suspect #victim #guilty #jail #prison #arsonistarrested #californialinefireSend us a textSupport the show

Democrats and Republicans are using immigration as a political flashpoint, as we approach election day in November. Meanwhile, California has been on the front lines of the issue for decades, and it has taken some unique approaches to help those that have made the journey to make the Golden State their new home. Police have arrested a man they suspect started the Line Fire that's currently burning in the mountains of San Bernardino. Officials say that 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco ignited the fire on September 5th in Highland near Baseline Road. Prosecutors say he tried to set to other fires that same day. Meanwhile, crews in Southern California are continuing to battle the Airport Fire, which is now burning in both Orange and Riverside Counties. Since igniting on Monday, the wildfire has scorched more than 23,000 acres. It's only 8% contained as of this morning.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LIVE: Airport Fire Presser; Conway show starts! // The Bridge Fire has burned 49,008 acres and is 0% contained, now the largest active fire in CA. // The Line fire has burned almost 35,000 acres and is 14% contained; A Norco man has been arrested for starting the Line Fire in San Bernardino. // Today we remember the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 

A Norco man accused of starting the Line Fire will face a judge today. Residents in San Bernardino's twin peaks community worry about the Bridge and Line fires. We'll take you to the vertical farm in Compton, specializing in leafy greens. Plus more.  Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.com.Support the show: https://laist.com

Amy King and Neil Saavedra join Bill for Handel on the News. Trump-Harris Debate: Starting with a handshake, ending with gloves off. Norco man arrested for allegedly sparking devastating LineBridge Fire in San Bernardino County. Bridge Fire in Angeles National Forest explodes to 34,000 acres; Mount Baldy and Wrightwood communities under evacuation orders. 23 years later, September11 families continue quest for accountability from Saudi Arabia through civil lawsuit. Blinken accuses Iran of sending missiles to Russia. Mental health jobs to grow 3 times the rate of all US jobs over next decade.

Unwinding Pain with Bonnie Lester. Episode 134 Chronic pain is not only debilitating, but also isolating. It can cause depression, feelings of hopelessness, and can be very difficult to treat.  Often, doctors only try to manage the symptoms. But Bonnie Lester came up with a process to unwind the pain through neuroplasticity.  When you've experienced something, there's a there's a huge difference and I often hear from the clients I have my doctor doesn't know what it's like to live every day in pain If they'd only know and then when I meet doctors who have had bad backs or bad necks or some other challenge They are more empathetic And more understanding, that's for sure. So what initially led to your issue with chronic pain? Well, I was a 33 year old mom. I was newly remarried. I had a great relationship with my ex husband. We were co parenting, and my new husband was a great stepdad. I just purchased a house in California, driving home one night, a stop in traffic, and a drunk driver plowed into me and shook up my body. And that my life changed in the blink of an eye.  Yeah, I developed something called complex regional pain syndrome a few months later. That's a trauma to the nervous system. They at the time back in 1986, they had no idea of what to do with it. They did experiments on me, including surgery that spread the condition and the condition is agony and pain and burning and your skin texture changes. You have temperature changes where my left hand, my dominant hand was icy cold.  And even though it didn't feel cold to me, if anyone touched it, it would be icy cold. It would turn red and it swelled. And they did some surgery on me thinking they were going to cure the pain. And it spread that same condition throughout my body, um, all the way down to my left foot. So what I had at that time was a wonderful doctor who looked at me and said, Bonnie, my mom has ALS and she has to have courage to live with it. And I'm telling you with complex regional pain syndrome, you're going to need the same type of courage. And that was the best thing he could tell me. You know, because that's what kept me going. And it's only recently that the American Pain Association identified what pain is and it can have an emotional and psychological basis. Not that it's generating the pain, but it affects all parts of you that way. And when people say, Oh, it's all in your head, they get insulted that I'm making it up. But actually, the brain is in the head part of the nervous system, your spinal column and your brain. So in a way, yes, it's in your head because the actual pain sensations are in your head. You're not imagining it. So I always tell people, your pain is real.  And that's, that's what people say to me. I wish people would understand that it's real.  had things like old fashioned tricyclics, which are antidepressants, and that was for the nerve pain. And then I also had muscle relaxants. None of that touched the pain. But in 2006,  they said, come on in, Bonnie, you're a good candidate for high levels of fentanyl. which you hear about nowadays, and Norco, and I was living on six different things like that. And that's what I was living on, but it was prescribed, um, it was legal, and thank goodness I had great medical insurance because it's very, very expensive.  And so I was on it for nine years. And that's why I say, look at me and say that I look alive because when people hear, you know, most people die, you know, after a year or two, it's a very dangerous medication to be used the way they wanted me to use it.  And so the way I understand it is, does it even really relieve your pain or do you just have Well, that's the ironic thing. Even when they, they kept upping the dose to see what would help the pain. It helped low back from, you know, I used to have, I did have back surgery years before I had my car accident. And so I'd always get kind of spasms. They took care of those spasms quite nicely. but not the CRPS symptoms at all. And it came with a host of other horrendous side effects. Um, you know, hyperhidrosis, which is over sweating in the body. And of course, having to live on laxatives. And then always worried about getting the prescription refilled when holidays would come around and they couldn't give me, you know, refilled like two or three months in a row. I had to go to the clinic every month. And then if I couldn't get it, then I'd start going into withdrawals because, gosh, you know, darn it, uh, Thanksgiving came and the clinic was closed for three days in a row and I was supposed to get my script three days, you know, before. So I was at the mercy of the medications, which really weren't helping me at all. I've been off of all medications since 2015. I'm hearing many stories because the laws have changed and how doctors view prescribing that and they're all really suffering trying to, because they were, some people would do well on opiates. I have to say that I can't say nobody's going to do well. That's between a doctor and a patient, not the legislator, I think has my personal view.  If someone's on opioids, their family members and their caregivers should know about Narcan in case there is an unintentional overdose. And that's really important. How did it make you feel to be in pain 24 seven as a mom, as a wife, as a member of society? I felt like I wasn't part of society. I couldn't, I had lost the use of my dominant hand. So I couldn't be involved on the computer and all this new thing called social media. Yeah. I couldn't participate while the rest of the world was going on. And I think the best way I can describe it is my sister, who's very active and 10 years younger than me would come and visit me. And I'd look at, at her car and it would have a bike hooked up on top and then some other equipment. And she was coming to see me on her way to go to a music show. And then they were going to go bike riding up the mountain. And then they were going to go to the beach. And I was like, I felt like I was 90 years old.  Being a mom in pain is very difficult. But I do have to say that my son and then my eventual stepkids have a lot more empathy and understanding and compassion because they had me in their life when I was in such terrible pain. So even though I felt like a failure as a mom, they're, they're all three are doing really well, but I really judged myself. And I want to point out something about people who have chronic pain. We're often people with really perfectionist attitude. We have to be the best.  And so what I do now is give myself grace. And if I make mistakes and if I don't reach that high level, I wanted to, that's all right. And that's letting go. And that's the mind stuff that you have to start working on when you have chronic pain.  Now, neuroplasticity is this wonderful big long word that everyone's talking about. I discovered neuroplasticity in 2010 when my husband had a medical event. he had transient global amnesia. Now the mind through neuroplasticity is rebooting itself, getting back his memory.  Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability at any age to rewire itself as if you're a highway, picture a highway and you have all these freeways going in your head, but you do a sensory stimulation and you create healthier, more vibrant freeways. And then the old ones that are transmitting the pain, when we're talking in context of chronic pain, then they're not going to be used. So suddenly your pain is going to be going down. And that's how neuroplasticity needs to be applied to any good program with pain management.  But  it's far more complex than mind over matter. It's not a matter of saying, I'm not going to pay attention to this terrible spasm on my back. No, no. You've got to start retraining your body for chronic pain. You have a sensitization  going on, meaning it's overstimulated. And when people hear neuroplasticity, they immediately say, what's the easy way? What do I do? And it's a daily thing that you start giving input into your body using all your five senses. I started inventing ways for myself because I couldn't find any a practitioner who was going to help me. I got off all six pain related medications including Very high dose of fentanyl the Norco and all the tricyclics and plus that does the Prozac I got off of all of that I don't have any medications that I take for pain now So  that is incredible and it does offer such amazing hope for people who are living with chronic pain So if you have someone face to face who's at the very beginning of their journey, maybe they've thought that they were relegated to a life of chronic pain. I'm going to talk to you and give you hope and seeds of hope and seeds of faith. Hope is yes. You're going to be able to feel better and faith in yourself that you have the skills within yourself to work on yourself to feel better. You don't have to spend a lot of money. Time to go ahead and talk about the five senses. My first day out when I told my body, okay, this is it. You've got to change. Here's what you're going to do. I was walking my neighbor's dog at the time. Because I needed some activity, some movement.  And besides my doctor saying to me, courage is going to get you through this. Is that my training back in the day was in what they call lifestyle medicine, which now has six pillars. Back in the day in the 1970s when I was in public health, there were only four pillars. It was physical, mental, social, and spiritual. So I was doing movement under physical. That was my little bit of walking, which was very difficult. So that very first day I grabbed some sugar free mints.  I put them in my pocket, and I was wearing a TENS unit at that time. So that day I changed the side of the electrodes, popped a mint in my mouth, and I would not listen to that voice in my head. And instead I said, Oh, this mint is cold. And I move it around with my time. Oh, it's sharp now. And Oh, it's melting. When I suck in the air through my nose, Oh, it feels cool. And that was, and then, you know, the pain would keep shouting, but I, I'd say, I don't hear you. And I kept, you know, responding to that. And the, the test came when I had to bend down to clean up after the dog and I put another mint in my mouth and I bent down and I didn't feel any pain cause I was talking to myself about the mint. And then I almost forgot to throw the bag into a receptacle. I was so amazed. And so that was the very beginning of, Oh my goodness. I can make a difference with my pain. And so, you know, the five senses, you know, visual, sensation, taste, smell, hearing, so I put special music in the next day. Every day, I kept adding every couple days another thing. But throughout the day I did other things besides just the neuroplasticity. You cannot be grateful and angry at the same time, but it almost seems like you can't hurt and enjoy a pleasant smell, a pleasant taste, a pleasant sound.  I teach people how to do the neuroplasticity and change their thinking patterns. It's not magic and it's not science fiction. It works, it's neurochemical. When you think about things, it's like a cat, you can have a release of neurochemicals that change your mood, which can change your perception of pain. I talk to my clients and in the book I have something called D. O. S. E., which stands for dopamine, oxytocin,  serotonin, and endorphins.  And it's to remind yourself throughout the day to build in things that are going to stimulate, I call them the happy chemicals. Endorphins, endorphins, endorphins. And I call it baking your cake in the morning. Before you get out of bed in the morning, you make layers in your head. These activities are going to improve my day. So you don't live randomly of saying, Oh, I'm in so much pain. I can't move. You can't, you got to get in the head of the pain.  You take charge of it. Well, let's talk about your book. It's called Unwinding Pain and I love the title because to me, it paints a picture of many, many years of neural pathways that are going towards that pain and back and forth. If you have pain in your arm, that pain is getting sent to your brain and then re stimulated back and forth. 50 percent of the proceeds from the book will be donated to animal rescue organizations in the name of my neighbor's dog Jingles. Who walked with me every day, and because of jingles, I peeled myself off the bed, even when I felt really bad because she had gotten used to me walking her,  and I knew she'd wag her tail. 50 percent of the proceeds from the book will be donated to animal rescue organizations in the name of my neighbor's dog Jingles. Who walked with me every day, and because of jingles, I peeled myself off the bed, even when I felt really bad because she had gotten used to me walking her,  and I knew she'd wag her tail. Up until that point in time, I had allergies to dogs. So it was a providential thing that suddenly I didn't have allergies and my neighbor needed someone to be involved with his dog and I was the right person at the right time. So that was a blessing.  that's cool because you didn't have all the tools you needed if you needed to be outside walking a dog, and you didn't have a dog, and you did not need the responsibility of caring for a dog, because cats will take care of themselves. But yet, A neighbor who had a need and you were meeting his need and the dog's need. I want to circle back to another important thing about, when you said when someone comes to talk to me and how can I make them feel better is that having purpose is really important. Having purpose and go beyond a diagnosis label that you don't introduce yourself. Hi, I'm so and so with, with whatever fibromyalgia, neuromotor arthritis, lupus, that's just part of what you're dealing with. And help people find a purpose. And that makes all the difference in the world.  That is so important. And that is something that I teach in lifestyle medicine, to have purpose, to have social connectedness, to manage your stress and even nature. And the reason Dr. Vickie keeps talking about lifestyle medicine is in my book, the two things that I really harp on is neuroplasticity and all the six pillars of lifestyle medicine in conjunction with  cognitive behavioral therapy and some of the other strategies that will really help you. More people are understanding about it and adopting a healthier food plan to cut down on the inflammation in their body. They're learning about the importance of movement. And social connection is so important and sleep. I have a huge, huge chapter on sleep, which really can amplify your pain. And even though you have chronic pain, believe me, you can learn how to sleep as you start lowering your pain levels anyway. So please remember that whether you buy my book or not, learn about sleep.  Cause it's so essential. Like we can't do without sleep and yet we have to educate ourself and train ourself. And so I have an episode on sleep, but I have an upcoming episode just on insomnia.  Well, I'm so excited about your book. I'm excited to share this hope with our listeners. And, you really have a step by step process that I think people who read the book can go through. Oh, definitely. Okay. I, you, because your audio and you're not watching this, but I'm holding up my, a long, a long paper chip or a long paper clip chain. This is to learn a new behavior. And when I started doing my dog walking, I was starting from zero, you know, challenging my body, but I put a nail on the wall. In my kitchen. And I started putting paperclip in and added another paperclip and added another paperclip. So I got a chain and I knew by seventh paperclip, I was going to feel better. And so I've used that ever since with many clients and they send me pictures. I have hundreds of pictures that come in, people's paperclip chain. And they'll tell me I did this new pain management behavior. Thank you for the paperclip chain, you know, idea. And so people really sparkle about that. And so I have them in different colors. One gentleman started doing his in different colors.  Oh, and a neat thing, because he said, well, Bonnie, I have green to do this one. And then I have, you know, that's my food. And then I have purple for my movement one. And then because I'm doing that sleep thing, how many hours a night in, but I'm making sure to down regulate my body. So I fall asleep. So every time I remember that I give myself a paper clip. So you need,  I think  value and marking the journey. And I've heard it referred to as an Ebenezer stone that you pile up those stones and say, this is the place where. Things change, and I know in programs like, um, Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery, you get a reward token to say, you know, it's a mile marker. It's a, I've come this far, and even if you relapse,  you can say, I did it. Yeah, I actually, I saw the clients I work with, I, they consider the work with me as, 12 step enhancement. And I know about their chips. They're very proud. They call them the chips. And someone wrote to me, said, I just got my 25th year chip. I mean, hallelujah, you know, so I know the term chip for that. And it is so true. And it's a dopamine release too. You've achieved something, you know, it's a wonderful celebration. Exactly.  Yeah. Celebrate success is for sure. Well, anything else about the book or about neuroplasticity? Well, I have no financial interest in a company called Trainpain and they, Connected with me, uh, for pain coaching, and they have a targeted app for, um, neuroplasticity training, which I wish I had in 2010. It's a small device with wires and you tape it onto different parts of your body and you start identifying different sensations. And then there's a, it's a gamification where you, on your phone, you download a game and you progress through it, and what you're doing is getting concentration in your brain to start thinking different about the neural pathways that are giving you the messages.  And then I'm at bonnielester. com if you want to go on and find out more information about me. And if you're interested in pre ordering the book, you could go to Amazon or any of your favorite book selling places. Plus I have an online store at unwindingpain. com. So that's another way you could do it. And I'm on Instagram and people love my Instagram postings because I show my exotic birds and I have a famous garden and some, I'm very quirky. I make my own jewelry so that it resonates with some people. I'm at Bon Bon Lester. So follow me on Instagram.  I like it. Well,  I will be sure and put all the links in the show notes so that my listeners know how to find you. Uh, there is a lot of you were through the book and I appreciate that. And, and I've, I look forward to my listeners getting to follow you on Instagram and especially if anyone does have chronic pain knows that there is hope. And to get started moving forward and, and attaching paperclips together and celebrating once in a while. Yes. It's, it's been great. Yeah. Well, so much for sharing your wisdom with me. This has been delightful connecting with you and chatting to your audience. Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.  It was great talking to you too. Learn about Narcan TrainPain App Bonnie Lester Order Unwinding Pain Follow Bonnie on Instagram

The bike industry faced enormous challenges post-COVID, with many brands struggling to keep up. But some, like Norco Bicycles, stayed ahead of the pack! In this special "On the Road" episode of Marketeers Clubhouse, recorded at Norco's Vancouver headquarters, we sit down with MTB legend Greg Minnaar and Norco's brand head Gwen Van Lingen. Discover how this family-owned Canadian brand maintained control, made smart investments, and thrived when others didn't. Don't miss these exclusive insights into Norco's brilliant strategies and success in a turbulent market!

Considering mail order pharmacy? I'm Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard When I was researching this question, I found the 6-8 mail order pharmacies that I thought best fit my needs and developed a list of questions to call and ask each pharmacy. I put the answers in a spreadsheet to see things visually to be able to rate and rank the options. Prior to choosing a mail order pharmacy, think about what your deal breakers are: timeliness? shipping speed? My questions were: Do you auto-renew and send medications every 28 or 84 days? When a script is out of refills, do you contact my doctor for a new prescription? In enough time for my prescription not to lapse? What about Schedule II meds like Fentanyl and Norco that need a new prescription every time, do you fill those? How would you help me ensure there isn't a lapse between prescriptions? How long does it take for you to get me my meds? (best- and worst-case scenario) What's the upside of using your service? What's the downside of using your service? How do I transfer all my current prescriptions to you? How do you make that easy for me? When can I reach you? How do you contact me if there are problems or questions? Do you fill prescriptions in 30/60/90 increments? Anything else it would be helpful to know? These are the pharmacies I included in my research: Amazon, Select RX, BlinkHealth, and Wegman's. In the end, I didn't chose to use mail order. I found only one company who would send Schedule II meds, several told me that they were having availability issues with some of my medications, very few were reachable over the weekend and shipping took 7-10 days. What about you? Are you doing this? Right now I only investigated options that take insurance, but it might be worth doing an examination of the mail order companies that don't. Has this worked out for you? What company are you using? Why do/don't you use mail order pharmacy? I'm Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard About a year ago my pharmacy closed. I was ill-equipped for how disruptive this change was going to be. From none of my prescriptions transferring over automatically, to the new pharmacy hours, to how poor their communication is, there are a myriad of ongoing hassles that have been so frustrating in ways that I don't think many of my peers can relate to or understand. I get one prescription by mail. It's made me wonder whether I should get all my perceptions by mail? I spent several months researching. I didn't have any knowledge about mail order pharmacy. For those of us on anything more than 2 meds a day, I think mail order is worth considering. Especially for those who have difficulty filling their pill box, it's worth knowing that there are ways for those to be auto-filled, pre-packaged, pre-dosed, pill packs. There are a lot of variables to consider from price and availability to shipping times and other considerations. I'll talk about my exploration in my next video. **I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness. Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

Nowadays in particular it's become normal for developers to make truly fantastic debut games such as Norco and The Case of the Golden Idol to mention just two. But it's hard to think of anybody who has made their mark as much as Tom Hardwidge, one half of Tall Story Games. Along with his wife Emma Hardwidge, who also voiced the main character in their debut game, they took the adventure game community by storm with their debut game Lucy Dreaming. But now they're back with their new game Heir of the Dog. With a hugely successful Kickstarter which was funded in less than 2 hours and made close to 5 times its goal it's clear their success is going to continue.Tom was kind enough to speak to Seoirse last December which is why none of this is mentioned but he does speak in more detail about what we can expect from his upcoming game Heir of the Dog including the story, gameplay, puzzles and he talks about his philosophy regarding puzzles and how much help should be given to players and he also has enough time to talk a little about his time voicing the main character in Guga's game The Will of Arthur Flabbington. All this and much more!Tall Story Games Official SiteLucy Dreaming Official SiteHeir of the Dog Official SiteHeir of the Dog Kickatarter PageAdventure Games Podcast Official SiteIf you would like to stay up to date make sure you subscribe to the podcast. You can subscribe and listen to this podcast on Itunes and Spotify and all other major Podcast Platforms! You can also subscribe to our Youtube channel for extra video content such as video reviews, video interviews, trailers and gameplay.You can also support the podcast at our PatreonYou can review this podcast here:https://ratethispodcast.com/adventuregamespodcastYou can also find this podcast on our social media below:FacebookTwitterInstagramDiscordYou can also find the RSS feed here:http://www.adventuregamespodcast.com/podcast?format=rssLogo created by Siobhan. You can find her on Twitter and InstagramMusic is Speedy Delta (ID 917) by Lobo Loco and can be found here:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/Welcome/Speedy_Delta_ID_917_1724

The bestselling author of Norco '80 returns to True Murder with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California.March 31, 1985. Two white patrol officers in search of a gang member followed a pickup truck carrying seven young Black men up a dirt driveway in the Encanto neighborhood of Southeastern San Diego. Minutes later, gunshots rang out, and the truck's driver, Sagon Penn, fled the scene in an officer's patrol car. The incident stunned the city. What followed would change it forever.Penn was an idealist who believed in the power of Buddhist chants to bring about the oneness of humanity. The two police officers were rising stars in one of the most progressive police departments in the country, yet one that had suffered more officers killed in the line of duty than any other. While the facts of the case were never in dispute, what remained unresolved was what, if anything, could justify such a violent confrontation? For over two years, a determined prosecutor and a charismatic defense attorney engaged in a sensational courtroom drama that revolved around matters of mental health, racial biases, and the self-image of a once-sleepy beach town grappling with its transformation into a major metropolitan area. The Sagon Penn incident forever altered how San Diego would respond to incidents involving police and communities of color. REAP THE WHIRLWIND: Violence, Race, Justice, And The Story Of Sagon Penn-Peter Houlahan Follow and comment on Facebook-TRUE MURDER: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064697978510Check out TRUE MURDER PODCAST @ truemurderpodcast.com

Colin Ryan is a Senior Development Engineer at Norco and was involved in the design of the latest Norco Optic trail bike which features a high-pivot design. Prior to joining Norco he worked at General Kinetics testing and developing shock absorbers for military and construction equipment.  At a basic level, what problem does a high pivot design solve? Is there a certain type of riding that benefits from having a high pivot? What are the drawbacks to the design? Does a high pivot design improve longevity for certain components? With less chain wrap on the crank, are dropped chains an issue with a high pivot setup? How does the placement of the idler pulley affect performance? What about the number of teeth on the idler cog? Did moving from a traditional setup to high-pivot change the ride feel of the Norco Optic significantly? The decision to use a high pivot on a short, 125mm travel bike is a controversial one. Why do you think that is? The latest Optic is said to be lighter than the previous version. How much weight does the idler hardware add, and how did you manage to make the bike lighter overall? How is the intended use of the Optic different from the Fluid which has a very similar amount of travel (140/130mm)?  What's next for high pivot mountain bike designs? Cover photo: Matt Miller. See the Norco Optic and other high pivot bikes from the brand at norco.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singletracks/support

Emerging country singer Presley Tennant graces this week's episode of The Travel Wins podcast, bringing her unequivocal talent and vibrant California spirit to the forefront. With an inspiring story and a dynamic career, Presley shares her musical journey and upcoming touring schedule thru California, Utah, Arizona and visiting Nashville on the regular.Hailing from Norco, CA—affectionately known as Horsetown, USA—Presley has been immersed in the world of Country Music from a young age. Her national debut on The Voice at just 16 marked the beginning of her determined quest to carve out a unique space in the industry. Presley has since collaborated with top creatives to craft her distinctive California-Country sound, a harmonious blend of western lifestyle, powerhouse vocals, traditional roots, and modern energy.Join us on The Travel Wins as we dive into Presley Tennant's inspiring journey, exploring the lives of those who travel for their work. Uncover the stories behind their success and their impact on the world, one captivating episode at a time.

Dubbed a “vocal powerhouse” by Taste of Country, my guest this week Presley Tennant is “quickly proving that she is a wild card in the country music industry (People Magazine.” Rooted in the classics, the Horsetown, USA (aka Norco, CA) native immersed herself in Country Music following her national appearance on NBC's The Voice at just 16 years old.Determined to make her own way in the industry, Tennant teamed up with some of the industry's top creatives to produce her own version of California-Country, melding together western lifestyle, her unparalleled powerhouse vocals, traditional roots and a modern energy. Presley has shared the stage with musical heroes such Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton and more. Not only is she immensely talented, she has a heart of gold, donating her time to animal organizations through her Riffs & Rescues virtual charity tour, where she performs live and raises awareness and funds for various animal initiatives. This week talk about it all from her girl girl beginnings to her budding career now.This description was created in part by summarizing and rearranging the biography sent by the guest._____________________________________Her Website: https://www.presleytennant.com/Check out her music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WAnQSoxNf0YiXhWkEAqr7_____________________________________Link to all things Not in a Huff Podcast: https://linktr.ee/notinahuffpodcastPlease follow/subscribe to the podcast to be the first to see new episodes when they come out each week. Be extra awesome and rate us on Apple Podcast and Spotify! :)

MORNING HACK - If you have a first date this weekend...they are going to judge you on these 3 things...so make sure you're ready. We'll tell you those 3 things! HOMETOWN HUSTLER - Out of Norco - When Covid hit…he was laid off immediately…so he started selling BBQ from his porch to make a little extra cash. The business did so great, he decided to open a brick and mortar that offers their Texas Style BBQ in the heart of Norco! @Speak_Easy_BBQ ON INSTAGRAM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Norco Factory Team has a new DH race bike, and the story of its development is an interesting one. So we sat down with engineers Adrian Ward and Kirk McDowall to hear their take on the goals and design intent of the bike; what they learned from the development of the existing Enduro bike, the Range (and its modified DH version); the original test mule for the new race bike; working with Greg Minnaar to continue the bike's development; and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ MembershipBLISTER+ Real World TestimonialsBlister LabsThis Week's Gear GiveawayBlister Mountain Bike Buyer's GuideTOPICS & TIMES:Introducing Adrian and Kirk (2:03)Origins of the DH bike project (3:59)Racing DH on the Range (6:35)The next steps (13:27)Kirk's testing (17:28)Building “the fastest race bike” (22:53)The design of the bike (28:41)Wheel sizes & going MX (32:33)Suspension layout (41:07)Greg Minnaar & reconsidering 29'' wheels (46:52)Future development (56:26)OUR OTHER PODCASTSBlister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Ditch Man want with us?! In this week's episode, Jared, Ky, and Ben wrap up their time with NORCO! They discover a random head in the lake of Norco, accidentally kill an innocent, and venture onto The Ark to showdown with the famous Ditch Man in the hopes of determining what exactly is going on in Norco, Louisiana. Find all of our socials as well as our discord server here!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Episodes of this podcast go up every Tuesday at 9 am PST Intro and outro music is done by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boqeh.bandcamp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Break 1: Head in the Lake --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/playalongpodcast/message

What exactly is Superduck? In this week's episode, Jared, Ky, and Ben continue their playthrough of NORCO, delving more into the strange world of this pixelated point and click game. They gain more insight into what Kay's mother was up to in the months before her passing, and discover the truth about a close friend of Kay! Find all of our socials as well as our discord server here!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Episodes of this podcast go up every Tuesday at 9 am PST Intro and outro music is done by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boqeh.bandcamp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Break 1: Apocryphon of Kenner John --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/playalongpodcast/message

In this week's episode, Jared, Ky, and Ben are discussing the game NORCO, which is based on the real-world town of Norco, Louisiana, and the petroleum industry. The game revolves around the character Kay, who returns home after five years to after her astranged mother passed away due to cancer. Kay's brother is missing, and the town is not welcoming her return. As Kay tries to find her brother, she discovers that her mother was involved in some strange events that might have contributed to her death. Find all of our socials as well as our discord server here!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Episodes of this podcast go up every Tuesday at 9 am PST Intro and outro music is done by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boqeh.bandcamp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Break 1: Endless Eve - Gewgawly --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/playalongpodcast/message

Alan Milway is arguably the most respected strength and conditioning coach in mountain biking. On this episode of The Ride Companion Alan walks us through exactly how he works with the worlds most elite athletes like Greg Minnaar, Danny Hart, Gee Atherton, Charlie Hatton and how he asseses performance to ensure he gets the most out of all his athletes. Alan also discusses the current state of downhill, the data he's acquired on athletes and what it means for the future of the sport, top training tips for pros and amateurs, what he learned from a mysterious horse racing trainer, his role on track walk, his new position at Norco and shares exactly what's going on behind the scenes with the teams plans for 2024. Follow Alan Milway This episode's sponsors & News - Companionship, Crankworx Rotorua returns March 16th to the 24th, celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua! Catch all the action live on Red Bull TV, or follow @Crankworx on Instagram for course previews, daily highlights, and photo recaps of all the best action daily from Crankworx Rotorua. If you're looking to get amongst the action, festival passes are still available for purchase at crankworx.com/rotorua/ Don't forget if you want to take your fandom to the next level and have some horses in the events, You can also head over to theracecompanion.com and play our fantasy downhill and slopestyle games where you could be in with the chance of winning EPIC prizes! - FOCUS Spring Deals are NOW LIVE! What would you do with up to 400€? Pasta? New kit? New helmet? Tyre supply for 2024? The focus spring deals are on and you can grab up to 400€ when buying a new bike! check out the terms, conditions and all the details in the link below ride.focus.bikes/springdealstrc - Every mountain biker needs a WORX Hydroshot, especially this time of year. Get 15% off all WORX tools at uk.worx.com when you use code THERIDECOMPANION   Support our long term partners - Sign up to and follow The Race Companion: https://www.theracecompanion.com https://www.instagram.com/theracecompanion - Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code 'theridecompanion' at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr - Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs at athleticgreens.com/RIDECOMPANION - Compex: Get 20% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION' at compex.com/uk/ - Peak Supps: Get 10% off the TRC bundle and everything on site with code ‘theridecompanion' at  peaksupps.co.uk - Worx: Get 15% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION' at worx.com - LAKA: Get 30 days of FREE insurance with code ‘RIDECOMPANION30' at laka.co - HKT Products: Use code ‘PODCAST' for 10% off the entire site. Follow & Engage Olly Wilkins Instagram @odub_23 YouTube @owilkins23 The Ride Companion Instagram @theridecompanion YouTube @TheRideCompanion YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

In this episode, Craig Dalton interviews Andrew L'Esperance, a professional cyclist from Canada. Andrew shares his journey in the world of cycling, starting from his early days racing with his brothers to becoming a professional athlete. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he has encountered along the way and how he has managed to make a career out of his passion for cycling. Andrew also talks about his transition to gravel racing and the different strategies and equipment choices involved in this discipline. He shares his experiences in races like Unbound and Sea Otter Classic and provides insights into the world of professional cycling. Support the Podcast Join The Ridership  About the Guest(s): Andrew L'Esperance is a professional cyclist from Nova Scotia, Canada. He grew up in a family that spent a lot of time outdoors and started racing bikes at the age of 12. Andrew has been racing ever since, climbing the ladder and participating in various disciplines such as road cycling, cyclocross, and mountain biking. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and has always had ambitions to be a full-time athlete. Andrew has raced for Norco Bicycles and is currently racing for Maxxis Factory Racing. He has also ventured into gravel racing and is excited about the opportunities it presents. Episode Summary: In this episode, Craig Dalton interviews Andrew L'Esperance, a professional cyclist from Canada. Andrew shares his journey in the world of cycling, starting from his early days racing with his brothers to becoming a professional athlete. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he has encountered along the way and how he has managed to make a career out of his passion for cycling. Andrew also talks about his transition to gravel racing and the different strategies and equipment choices involved in this discipline. He shares his experiences in races like Unbound and Sea Otter Classic and provides insights into the world of professional cycling. Key Takeaways: Andrew L'Esperance started racing bikes at a young age and has been racing ever since, participating in various disciplines such as road cycling, cyclocross, and mountain biking. He has always had ambitions to be a full-time athlete and has found ways to make it work alongside his engineering degree. Andrew's transition to gravel racing has opened up new opportunities and challenges, and he enjoys the adventure and technical aspects of this discipline. He emphasizes the importance of equipment choices in gravel racing, including tire selection and the use of suspension forks. Andrew's favorite gravel races include Unbound and Sea Otter Classic, where he enjoys the competitive atmosphere and the chance to showcase his skills. Notable Quotes: "I've always ridden a drop bar bike off-road. My first bikes were mountain bikes, and then I started doing cyclocross, which was my road bike, my winter bike, my cross bike. So, I've always had that mix of riding different disciplines on the same bike." - Andrew L'Esperance "I love the adventure of riding a bike, and it's a lot easier to find adventure on a gravel bike. In general, in the places that I spend the most time riding." - Andrew L'Esperance "If it's going to give you an advantage in the race, sometimes it will, sometimes it won't, and it needs to be at the right time in the race." - Andrew L'Esperance on using a suspension fork in gravel racing "Gravel racing is a combination of endurance, technical skill, and equipment choices. It's about finding the right balance and making the most of each race." - Andrew L'Esperance Transcription:   [TRANSCRIPT] [00:00:00] - (): Craig Dalton: Andrew, welcome to the show. Thanks. Thanks for having me, Craig. Yeah. I'm excited to have this conversation. I know you're, you're off to Europe tomorrow, so I appreciate you squeezing us in before you [00:00:13] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: go. Yeah. Thanks for you making it happen too. I think you were just on traveling as well. So thanks for making it work with your [00:00:20] - (): Craig Dalton: schedule. **** - (): Yeah, absolutely. We always like to start off by learning a little bit more about you. Where, where'd you grow up and how'd you originally find the bike? [00:00:28] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Uh, I grew up on the east coast of Canada, uh, in the province of Nova Scotia, just outside the main city there, which is Halifax. Uh, and yeah, kind of grew up in a family that, you know, spent a lot of time outdoors and we rode bikes together as a family on vacations. **** - (): And I'm the youngest of four boys. In the family, so I have three older brothers, and as you can imagine, like, I just looked up to my brothers big time, and especially my oldest brother, and he did a bike race once, so it was basically like, oh, I've gotta do a bike race, and yeah, I just kind of did my first race when I was 12, and ran, what's that, and, um, I've been racing ever since, kind of climbing the ladder, doing some education in there. **** - (): Uh, but yeah, just been racing ever since and obviously like sprinkling some other sports in there early on. [00:01:27] - (): Craig Dalton: Yeah, was Nova Scotia the type of area where youth cycling was easy to come by? I wouldn't say it [00:01:35] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: was easy to come by. Um, I think, I think I was, like, fairly self motivated, like, to make, to make it happen, and had some good support from my parents to make it happen. **** - (): Um, but there's definitely a tight knit community, and I think they certainly took me under their wing, for whatever reason. And, yeah, helped me, helped me Come up in the sport, but I guess the first race I did was a Tuesday night short track series. So from that perspective, certainly, um, that's like, that's a really great entry point for use. **** - (): To the sport. Um, when you say, um, when you say kind of youth programming, I kind of think about like a bike club or that sort of thing for like specifically for youth, because we see a lot of that around now. And there was certainly nothing like that. But that kind of forced me to kind of ride with the older, older people, uh, that were definitely better than me and that kind of helped pull me along in the sport early on for sure. [00:02:47] - (): Craig Dalton: Were you sort of racing consistently at that young age or did it take some time before you kind of really committed to a season? [00:02:55] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, I mean, I think when I did my first race, I was still doing other sports. Like, so I was definitely not like full on right away. Um, but it was definitely a slow process to get into it. **** - (): Like the, it was more like regional racings first. I don't think I did any provincial level racing when I was 12. It was, it was, the racing I did was the short track series. It was like for, you know, eight or 10 weeks in the summer. And that was, that was the racing and it was, yeah. Like that was the season, uh, and then I just got more and more into it. **** - (): And next year I did provincial, provincial level races. Then probably when I was 15, um, I went outside the province to race. And by that point, it was kind of like doing every kind of racing that I could, uh, coming from a smaller province. You know, there's not, there's not a ton of racing, but, um, so you kind of need to do all the things. **** - (): So like do road, do cyclocross, do the mountain bike racing, do the group rides, all those things. Um, and yeah, that's how it, that's how I kind of started things off there. [00:04:12] - (): Craig Dalton: And at what point did you start to see professional cycling as a career opportunity? [00:04:19] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, I don't, I don't know. To be honest, maybe, maybe I just have started to see it as a legitimate career opportunity in the last couple of years, you know, I, I have a degree in mechanical engineering. **** - (): It was sort of, um, that was always kind of the way I was going to make, And I never really saw bike racing as a way to make money, but I loved it and I could make it work. Um, and I, I do think I did have ambitions to somehow figure it out to be a full time athlete, whether, you know, putting that professional label on it. **** - (): Um, it's kind of, I feel like that's kind of different. Um, but yeah, I definitely wanted to be a full time athlete. It's a really, It's a really great lifestyle and just, I've just been chugging along trying to figure out how to make it work. And I would say in the last five years, um, Yeah, I figured that out and [00:05:27] - (): Craig Dalton: were you figuring that out from a, you know, what's known as a privateer perspective or five years ago, would you enter a team program? **** - (): Um, [00:05:36] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: yeah, not definitely not as a privateer. Uh, so previous, so I'm currently racing for Max's factory racing, uh, and this will be my third year on the team. And prior to that, I raced for Norco bicycles in various capacities for about 10 years. Uh, kind of finishing my career with them on the Norco factory team. **** - (): Those years, there was a period where there was, um, growth in the team and they went to another level. They stepped up to the world cup level and that meant reducing the team size. And that left me without sort of factory team support for a couple of years. Um, and at that time, um, you know, I wanted to keep racing. **** - (): So it was sort of like, okay, how do I do this? How do I keep doing this? And I created, or myself and a teammate created our own team called forward racing, brought in some other sponsors and kept the support from Norco. And so in a sense, that was sort of privateering, but it was also like, okay, I'm putting, we're putting in all this work to organize this sponsorship. **** - (): Hey, let's support another rider to, or, or a couple other riders, like bring them up with us. Um, so myself and my teammate brought on a younger athlete named Sean Fincham. And we supported him for two years. [00:07:10] - (): Craig Dalton: Uh, that sounds like the racing we've been talking about has been on the mountain bike side. And since the listeners of this podcast may not necessarily be as familiar with that part of the sport, can you describe the type of mountain bike racing that you found yourself competing [00:07:25] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: in? **** - (): Yeah, totally. Yeah, so XCO mountain biking, it's, it's what's in the Olympics. It's kind of the short 90 minute race, uh, done on a short course, you know, three to five kilometers. You do, you know, five to seven laps. It's intense, there's technical features, that's the kind of racing I grew up on, and that was sort of, yeah, that, that was the racing that was available when I was coming up in the sport. **** - (): And there's a pretty clear plan within Canada, you know, to do a national series, which is called the Canada Cup, and to perform at those races, and then you might get selected to do something with the national team, like an international race. You kind of just, uh, some opportunities open up that way. Um, and so, so that's, that's the kind of racing I grew up doing. **** - (): That's the kind of racing I did for the majority of my career. And yeah, until I signed with Max's factory racing, uh, three years ago. That was my main thing doing, you know, I did it to the level that I was racing World Cups full time [00:08:40] - (): Craig Dalton: Got it. And so was it [00:08:43] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: yeah, I mean, it's so funny like You know, we've always, ever since I can remember, I've ridden, ridden a drop bar bike off road. **** - (): I, my first, I, you know, my first bikes were mountain bikes. And then, you know, you're, you're doing mountain bike racing and you need to, you need to do some road riding. So that actually started for me with cyclocross. So my, my cyclocross bike was my road bike. It was my winter bike. It was my cross bike. **** - (): And obviously you're riding that off road. Um, yeah, there's where I grew up in Nova Scotia. There's just plenty of bike paths, like gravel bike paths and gravel roads to ride. So, yeah, I would say it started with that early on. Um, and I guess more recently, um, Just like training, like for training opportunities, a gravel bike was just a good tool. **** - (): Um, when I was training for XCO racing gravel bike, it just opens up the routes you can ride. You can ride on potentially safer routes. Uh, with less traffic and it's just a whole lot of fun. And I do, I like, I love the, the adventure of riding a bike and it, it's a lot easier to find adventure on a gravel bike, I feel, um, in general, in the places that I, you know, spend the most time running. **** - (): Gotcha. [00:10:21] - (): Craig Dalton: And was when you signed on with Maxis Factory Racing, was gravel racing an original part of the deal when they looked at you as an athlete? [00:10:32] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Um, it was definitely, um, you know, the team has always been focused on the mountain bike side of things. But, uh, the Uh, yeah, the, the way the market, or like the way the racing is in North America, it's, it's more like this off road racing. **** - (): So it's not all mountain, a lot of the biggest races are no crawl races. So, yeah, I mean, that was definitely part of the conversation. Um, And it was certainly something I was very interested in. I actually, I think I've shared this on a podcast before, but, um, about three years prior to, uh, you know, stopping my Racing World Cups full time and signing with Maxis and doing the off road thing, um, I had an unbound, uh, like lottery, lottery registration Okay. **** - (): That I got. **** - (): I was never able to make it work with my schedule, and then the pandemic got mixed in there too. And I just never got to use it. Um, the year that I could have used it, um, was the year I signed with Maxis and we were going anyways. And Maxis was a sponsor of Unbound, so. You know, we had, we had entries that way, so I ended up giving it away, but, um, long story short, this, this kind of racing was on my radar for a while. **** - (): Um, I think I was just before we started recording here, I was telling you. Um, you know, this adventure, I got, my interest got, uh, shifted towards some of this adventure racing back in 2017 when I did the Croc Trophy. It's an eight day mountain bike stage race across, um, tropical North Queensland in Australia. **** - (): And, yeah, just, just this, uh, very different racing compared to XCO. It's an adventure, um, and I just, I just loved it. Uh, so ever since 2017, I've been, myself and my wife, Haley, have been trying to mix in these different race opportunities that are, that I would categorize as kind of adventure racing. So Stuff like, um, Epic Israel, we've done that a couple times, Swiss Epic, um, BC Bike Race, these sorts of things. **** - (): And it's, I feel so lucky, I mean I'm still, I'm so fired up on what we're doing now, cause it's basically Those adventure races, but that's the full meal deal. Like that's what we're doing full time. Yeah. [00:13:21] - (): Craig Dalton: Amazing. Now I think you've been part of the grand Prix for two years already, and you'll be in it again in 2024. **** - (): Is that [00:13:28] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: right? Yeah, exactly. You got it. How did [00:13:31] - (): Craig Dalton: you manage to kind of make that schedule work and hit those mountain bike races that you like? Obviously the. The Grand Prix itself is not mountain bike heavy. There's a few occasions to ride your mountain bike, but not in the same way you had done in the past. **** - (): I'm just curious, you know, obviously with the different skill sets required for the different types of racing, how you organized your year and your training. So you can do things from, you know, 90 minute XC races to 10 hour unbounds. Yeah, [00:14:00] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: I don't, I honestly don't know how we did that first year. We went in like, okay, let's do all the racing and that's, that's what we did. **** - (): We, that first year we still had, well, I say we, cause Haley and I have been on this journey together and we, we, we jumped from XCO racing to this more off road stuff together, but yeah, that year we did five world cups, uh, alongside. The Grand Prix alongside a smattering of other races. And I think it was a big year of learning, uh, which was amazing. **** - (): It was, there was so much newness to it all, which was also like super refreshing. Um, I think I remember kind of reflecting on the season at the end of the year. And I like, I color coded all the races that I did based on which ones were new. And it was like, over half of them were brand new. And it was a large number of race days. **** - (): It was like, it was above 35 racing days and there was some stage racing in there. So it's a, it's, it's a little different, but, um, just a lot of racing. And yeah, I don't, I don't really know how we did it. I can't, I can't pinpoint to like, there was, there was no, there was no major thought put into the scheduling. **** - (): It was like just saying yes. [00:15:30] - (): Craig Dalton: If we can be there, we'll be there and pedal [00:15:33] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: totally, totally. And it was a ton of fun. Um, it ended up working, it ended up working out in, in general, um, in terms of like performance in the grand Prix. But again, I think the, the love, like the level of all, all this racing is, is increasing and I, I don't think that approach is. **** - (): is going to work again. Um, I mean, yeah, so there's definitely some lessons from the first couple of years and, um, I'm not, I'm not prepared to like throw all my eggs in the You know, just focus on the Grand Prix races. There's so, there's so many great events out there. Um, and you know, I also want to, want to continue to grow as a mountain biker and do challenging mountain bike events that really suit my, um, kind of my natural skillset and some of my best, uh, some of my strengths as an athlete. **** - (): So, so yeah, we're definitely mixing or I'm mixing a lot of different events in this season along the Grand Prix. [00:16:46] - (): Craig Dalton: Yeah, interesting. It'll be great to follow your season. Yeah, it's complicated. I can see, you know, over the last three years, going to the third year of the Grand Prix here. There's definitely been this specialization. **** - (): Obviously, there's a lot of prize money on the line for those who do well and get into the top whatever that gets paid out, but it is Increasingly clear that a lot of athletes are just laser focused on it. And I think it's still going to be interesting this year to see those athletes who are out there doing their own thing and racing some other crazy races, as well as popping into these races and see how the points end up shaking up throughout the year. **** - (): It's, it's an interesting equation. It's fascinating to me, listening to the athletes, figure out how to focus their time and energy. Yeah, totally. [00:17:32] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: And I mean, I think it's, it is, it is interesting because like, you know, the racing that we're doing, it's, uh, the Grand Prix is this, it is the series in North America right now. **** - (): Yeah, so there's just so many other good events. And, you know, I don't think any athlete is just doing the Grand Prix. And it is interesting to see, to spread, um, To see how athletes kind of spread their time and, and where their interests lie and, and all that. So it is cool to follow that, follow each athlete, um, doing what they're doing alongside the, alongside the Grand Prix. [00:18:11] - (): Craig Dalton: I also think it's interesting with the two drop races to just sort of see how the strategies play out. You hope that people aren't dropping them because they're sick or injured and they get an opportunity to strategically say, Hey, I'm not going to peak for that race because in the overall arc of my season, it just doesn't make any sense. [00:18:29] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, totally. Yeah, it is, it is a, I mean, the season, the season goes from April till end of October, and this is a long season. Uh, so, yeah, and you can't, you need to be very good for all these races, and it's not possible to be kind of peaked. For every single race. So yeah, yeah, definitely some strategy involved. **** - (): And, um, I certainly learned a lot the first couple of years. Uh, things went pretty well the first year, not so well last year. And it kind of, uh, it definitely has me. Motivated to try to try to perform kind of do all the right things to perform Well all season long for that. [00:19:14] - (): Craig Dalton: Are there specific races in the Grand Prix that you personally enjoy the most? [00:19:20] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, certainly like sea otter classic. It's definitely the most mountain bikey one. It's at sea level And I I really love the race course to be honest. It's just yes super fast fun riding Um It's not one where you can really, it's not like you can rip, rip this technical section and create a huge separation on, on the people you're truly racing against. **** - (): Obviously there's some big gaps in skills between, um, perhaps those with a mountain bike background and those with a gravel background. But, um, it's, You can't, there's not a huge, huge opportunities for separations there, but, uh, yeah, it's, it's an awesome race and yeah, just the energy at that whole event with the festival alongside of it, it's, it's pretty cool. **** - (): And it's kind of like the season kickoff too. So that's, that's exciting. [00:20:19] - (): Craig Dalton: Yeah, for sure. And anything on the gravel bike side that you look forward to? [00:20:23] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Um, I mean, definitely Unbound, just like the, the scale of it. Uh, I would say that that one's high on the list. And, uh, yeah, Big Sugar's a cool one too. I mean, I, I do, I'm still, like, I feel like I'm a beginner at this gravel stuff, and I'm still, um, I don't really have it figured out yet, to be honest. **** - (): And So all these races still feel like, like opportunities and they're very interesting to me. And, uh, yeah, so, um, yeah, I guess Unbound and, and Big Sugar are probably my favorite gravel races in the series. [00:21:05] - (): Craig Dalton: With Unbound being the longest one on the calendar on the gravel bike, uh, side for the Grand Prix, how do you, how do you approach that as an athlete? **** - (): I mean, obviously you train up to that distance. When you think about being competitive in an event like that, just kind of walk me through briefly, like the mindset of like, you know, are you following the early moves or are you conscious of Hey, this is a 200 mile day. And, you know, maybe I'm not the most in, I don't have the most endurance of everybody in the, in the Peloton. **** - (): I'm just curious, like how you manage that to maximize the best result possible for you. [00:21:42] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, definitely. I mean, when I go into those races, I'm not, there's no, there's no pacing. It's going with the front of the race as long as you can. There's, there's no, I'm, I'm, I'm gonna try to make the front group. I'm gonna try to get on the podium. **** - (): I'm not going to have a deliberate strategy to not follow so I can, you know, finish 20th. Like that's, I'd, I'd much rather go for it and blow up than, than not go for it. Um, that being said, I do, you know, we learned last year that there is definitely some in terms of taking care of equipment in certain, um, conditions like, you know, very rough conditions, muddy conditions, there, there does have to be some strategy surrounding how you ride that stuff. **** - (): Um, so I'm definitely. taking that into Unbound this year, just that, that whole experience. Um, [00:22:45] - (): Craig Dalton: and you caught up in any disastrous way in the mud this past year? [00:22:49] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, just, I lost my derailleur, um, very early on. Um, I just kind of snapped off in the mud and it was, uh, Was [00:22:58] - (): Craig Dalton: that game over for you? [00:23:00] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yes. I, yeah, I, I tried everything I could to try to, um, keep it going, but yeah, it was game over and it was just very, um, that, that was tough, I guess. **** - (): Uh, I definitely learned from that experience because I had never dealt with that kind of mud before and it's really something you need to experience to fully understand. Um, And yeah, so, um, yeah, looking forward to going in there a little more prepared and having those experiences under my belt and yeah, hopefully a little bit of luck too. **** - (): But you know, I think in chatting with my friend, Ian, who did quite well, he was, who's done in Boswell, who's done quite well at that race. His, his strategy was. Just kind of, um, sitting back and watching a little bit how, how those, the first section played out, and definitely a more conservative approach, but I was, I was like third wheel into that mud, riding on Tobin's wheel, um, I think when my derailleur came off, I was sitting on Russell or Keegan's wheel and just run, just run the race as best as I could and going for it. **** - (): Yeah. Those conditions, you know, if my bike can make it through it, it's a huge advantage for me. Um, just cause that is, you know, some technical. Technical ability is a huge asset, just pedaling the bike through that stuff, but you need to have a bike that stays together, um, to take advantage of those, uh, that, that opportunity. **** - (): Yeah, a hundred [00:24:52] - (): Craig Dalton: percent. I'm, I'm one of those sort of people who started out mountain biking like yourself, and I love I love the technical elements of gravel racing and the harder technically the races are, the more fun I think they are. Totally. That's the, that's sort of where I hope the sport would go. **** - (): And frankly, you know, as the Grand Prix got announced, like I've, I've always been hopeful for the mountain bikers to get more of an opportunity, not only in the mountain bike specific races, but in the gravel races to just kind of show that skillset. [00:25:24] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah. Yeah. I'm, I'm with you on this. I, I would really. I would really like to Yeah, maybe just see a little more texture in some of these gravel races I I really like what the bwr does pulling in some single track Uh, yeah, I did A couple years ago. **** - (): I did It's in BC called BCBR Gravel and, you know, BCBR is a BC bike race. So it's the same promoters that do this, you know, um, seven day mountain bike stage race. So the gravel version of it was, was what you can expect from the organizers of a mountain bike stage race. And it was very gnarly. I kind of joked at the race. **** - (): Uh, like I wrote a, I wrote a taper cast, the Fox taper cast fork. During that race and it was like, oh man, if you had a, if you had a truck full of those at the finish line of that race, you could have sold them all. No worries. It was like a huge advantage to have, uh, Uh, yeah, have suspension on the gravel bike. [00:26:31] - (): Craig Dalton: Yeah. It's so interesting. Do you ever, you know, as someone who's obviously well adept with suspension and using it on your mountain bikes, how often do you consider it on your gravel [00:26:41] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: bike? Yeah, it's, it's always a tough, tough decision. And it's like, I've, you know, if I'm not sure if you've ridden it, but riding a suspension fork on a gravel bike is. **** - (): It's an amazing feeling and it's wild how much more capable the bike becomes. It's 100 percent so much more than what you think. [00:27:06] - (): Craig Dalton: I've got one on my bike for Mount Tam here in Marin County, and I can't even explain how much more confidence inspiring it is going downhill and. It's kind of cheating for me because I've got a mountain bike background. **** - (): So generally I ride harder downhill than most of my contemporaries, but putting that suspension fork on, it's just, it's almost unfair at times. Totally. I'm curious to kind of drill into that a little bit as a suspension owner. So what is that? Tell us more about that line for you. I mean, when we would consider it is the main, is the main downside in your mind, just the weight. **** - (): And if it's a climbing race and you need to stay up at the front, you got to shed the weight and otherwise you'd use it. [00:27:50] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah. So I think, uh, I, I reach for it quite often, uh, to be honest, I, my first year at Unbound, I wrote it. Uh, so that was two years ago and it was. It was a huge advantage in the rough stuff, but the thing is, um, that didn't, that kind of just kept me near the front of the group and out of trouble. **** - (): It's not like it, it gave me a huge advantage in the race overall. [00:28:23] - (): Craig Dalton: Do you feel like from a, does it, does fatigue come into play when you think about it? I mean, it's [00:28:28] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: so hard to get a sense of that because You know, no, no matter what bike you ride, if you're riding, riding unbound for 10 hours, fatigue is going to be high. **** - (): Um, I've not done like, I think that would be a fairly hard thing to test. Um, and I've not done like back to back testing on that, but it really does. The way I think about it is if, if it's going to give you an advantage in the race and some, sometimes it will, sometimes it won't, and it needs to be at the right time in the race. **** - (): So like, so I did BWR Vancouver Island last year, and the first, in the first bit, there was, um, some single, some heavy duty single track and I just rode away from the whole race. Uh, And was two minutes off the front by like the bottom, you know, in the first hour of the race, but this isn't super helpful because it's a seven hour race and then I was off on my own for the next few hours. **** - (): Um, so like from a tactical point of view, that wasn't great. Um, but the final descent on that course was one where having like the final descent, a few K from the finish. Having a suspension fork would have been an advantage. So it's sort of like, okay, do I carry this around for the whole race? It's definitely a little bit heavier, not as aerodynamic, but in those sections, it's like a laughable advantage. **** - (): Yeah. Yeah. [00:30:06] - (): Craig Dalton: I think that's, I mean, I think it goes with almost every part of a gravel bike. It seems like you just, you have to make these trade offs. And decide where is it going to benefit you like as a recreational racer, I consider comfort to be a big part of it, right? I got to get through these races to, to enjoy them, but comfort at the cost of, you know, an extra pound or so may come to bite me in the ass climbing 12, 000 feet in a day. [00:30:35] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Maybe. It depends on what your goals are. Like for me, I really need to think this through. But if I was riding my bike for, um, purely for fun and trying to enjoy and especially if I wasn't racing, like suspension fork on the gravel bike, for sure, as long as, as long as the terrain you ride and the way you ride kind of suits it, if you, if you go on to double track and single track, um, and you have access to that in your area and you enjoy that. **** - (): It's like, yes, get yourself a gravel suspension fork. It's going to be great. You're going to have a huge smile on your face. It's going to be fun. Um, and you'll be able to drop your friends. No question. [00:31:20] - (): Craig Dalton: I think you've been training this winter down in Santa Cruz, California. Is [00:31:23] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: that right? Yeah, yeah, we've been, uh, yeah, we did, uh, well, uh, pass through Santa Cruz on, I did this, uh, Rob Britton and I did this ride down the, down the entire coast of California, um, and then spent a week here after that training, and then I've been here for the last couple weeks, so, yeah, uh, basing out of here for quite a bit, and, yeah, just, Yeah. **** - (): Yeah. Yeah. Really enjoying the kind of road riding here. Amazing. [00:31:54] - (): Craig Dalton: Um, before we go, I'm curious to just learn about your bike choices for the year. What, what brands are you riding on the mountain bike and the gravel bike? And what do you like? [00:32:05] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Uh, yeah, I mean, for, so I don't believe our mountain bike. Sponsor has been made public yet. **** - (): So I'm going to stay quiet on that, but, um, yeah, we're on, uh, new drop bars bikes for this year and that's around time bikes. Which is, yeah, kind of, um, exciting new, new brand, uh, well, new to us brand, obviously it's a pretty storied, uh, brand that's been around for a while. Yeah, [00:32:39] - (): Craig Dalton: we just had them on the podcast about a month ago, learning all about the new owner, the manufacturing processes for that bike. **** - (): I think that the ADHX 45 looks like a rad bike to ride. [00:32:53] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah. No, I listened to that episode. It was great. I, I, I really enjoy kind of hearing the background and the business dynamics of, of, of some of these companies in the industry and yeah, the bike looks really great. I've just seen one once, um, I was down in Bentonville at the end of the season and it looks really good. **** - (): Uh, so I, I'm very excited to get on one and yeah, really push it. And, uh, yeah. Yeah, it's going to be fun. [00:33:25] - (): Craig Dalton: Awesome. When do you, when do you think you'll first race on that bike? [00:33:29] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, we're, uh, first race will be BWR Utah. So yeah, once I got back from Spain after the stage race. Uh, probably spend some time on that, get it set up, get it dialed. **** - (): And yeah, it'll be a, that'll be a great first one for it. And yeah, I can't wait. Um, it's gonna be good. And [00:33:49] - (): Craig Dalton: since you're been on the Maxis squad for a few years, which, what are your favorite Maxis gravel tires? [00:33:57] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Well, the, the new, I mean, the tried and true Rambler, um, you really can't go wrong with that. If you know, you have to pick one tire to do it all, that's going to be it. **** - (): It's, um, Yeah, just super predictable. Easy to ride. Casing's very good. There's options there, um, you know, for a super heavy duty casing or a, um, you know, a higher TPI casing that's going to be a little more supple. Um, so yeah, Rambler for sure, but the new favorite is definitely the Reaver. Uh, it was released last year. **** - (): I expect that's going to be the go to, um, for the majority of the racing. And I haven't tried it in a 45 yet. Um, but yeah, really looking forward to that because I do think, um, yeah, just given the tire design, like a fairly kind of a file tread in the middle. I think it's going to scale up pretty good and feel. **** - (): Um, still roll really well in that larger size, um, whereas sometimes when you scale up on a super hobby tire, um, yeah, yeah. Just the, the speed changes quite a bit with your mountain bike skillset. Sorry, just from the casing and the, and the knob design, I guess. [00:35:14] - (): Craig Dalton: Yeah. Yeah. With your mountain bike skillset, do you feel like that file tread provides you enough kind of traction for most of the gravel races? **** - (): Yeah, yeah, [00:35:25] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: I feel like I can, I can run with less for sure just because the, it's, it's just like not a limiting factor for me. Um, I can run, I've, I've raced gravel races on the refuse, which is just a very tough casing, but it's a full, full slick with no shoulder knobs and you, you know, I, I can manage that. **** - (): Um, you have to ride it a certain way. You can't, you can't push, you can't, you can't push it into the ground and expect that it's always going to hook up. Um, but it's, uh, yeah, it's a good tool for, for certain, for certain situations. And if you, I mean, with, with tire choices at the pointy end of things, you're always, um, you're always trying to choose the fastest one. **** - (): Um, and, and. Ride it, basically ride it correctly, like manage the tire well. Um, so yeah, you're never, at least I'm not, I'm always kind of pushing the limits on what I can, what I can run for speed and performance. [00:36:37] - (): Craig Dalton: And what do you think about inserts for gravel racing? [00:36:40] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah, yeah, I've, uh, used inserts quite a bit. **** - (): Um, typically on the Tannis, Tannis Armor inserts. And, yeah, if there, if it's rough and there's a puncture risk, it's, um, yeah, it's a, it's, it's a, I go for it, um, compared to, I mean, I think inserts, they, they kind of came from mountain bike, but they're actually far more applicable for gravel. Bikes just given the the low volume tire. **** - (): Yeah, and how how close the rim Like the tires aren't that tall compared to a mountain bike tire So there is there's kind of very little space for the tire deflect before it before it hits the rim and yeah having that cushion there and Yeah, it makes a huge difference. And, um, yeah, tire pressure obviously like pretty important on the gravel bike. **** - (): And, um, yeah, sometimes lower if you can manage it is, is a lot easier on the body faster. So many, so many little, uh, uh, so many things to think about all the time. And I'm, I feel like I I'm out of practice cause I, I haven't been racing for a few months. Um, so I'm definitely gonna have to brush up on my decision making skills cause the race season's coming and all this stuff really matters. [00:38:09] - (): Craig Dalton: Yeah. A hundred percent. Would you consider Unbound one of those courses that warrants inserts? [00:38:14] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Yeah. One, one hundred percent. Both years I've raced it, I've, I've run inserts. It'll be interesting with the North route this year on tire choices and, uh, on suspension choice as well. Um, yeah. Hoping to get there early and kind of suss it out and, uh, and do some testing there because it is, you know, equipment choice there matters and, um. **** - (): Yeah. North route. I hear it's a little rougher. [00:38:41] - (): Craig Dalton: Interesting. I think that's a good place to end, Andrew. Thanks so much for the time. It was great to get to know you a little bit and excited to follow you throughout the season and maybe run into you at Sea Otter. [00:38:52] - (): Andrew L'Esperance: Sounds good. Thanks very much for having me, Craig. **** - (): And uh, yeah, I appreciate the time and yeah, see you at Sea Otter for sure.      

High-pivot bikes are becoming increasingly common but they're still mostly reserved for longer-travel Enduro and DH models. Given that, Norco's decision to move their 150mm-travel Sight and especially the 125mm-travel Optic to that layout was arguably a bit of a surprise — and it wasn't one Norco made lightly. So we sat down with Norco engineer, Colin Ryan, to get the rundown on the new Optic and Sight, including the decision to go high-pivot and the testing that they used to validate it; how the suspension design of the new bikes differs from their other high-pivot models (and the prior-generation Optic and Sight); their new Ride Aligned setup guides; and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ MembershipBLISTER+ Real World TestimonialsBlister LabsThis Week's Gear GiveawayBlister Mountain Bike Buyer's GuideTOPICS & TIMES:Introducing Colin (2:50)The new Optic & Sight (3:47)Test mules for the new bikes & lessons learned (10:06)Shock spec and developing tunes (19:29)The new Ride Aligned setup guides (23:58)Wheel sizes (31:37)Geometry (37:32)Sprindex springs & making setup easier (42:51)Idler pulley testing (44:23)The Fluid & getting weird with the Optic (46:23)OUR OTHER PODCASTSBlister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally aired in May 2023. In a captivating episode of "Hawaii's Best," you're taken to North Shore Plate Lunch in Norco, California, where hosts Damon Leiataua and Duane Anderson share their journey from a catering business to opening a restaurant that brings Hawaiian cuisine to the mainland. Inspired by a meaningful trip to Hawaii, they decided to create a space where the community could experience authentic Hawaiian plate lunches like garlic shrimp and loco moco, all while planning to expand their unique brand of island hospitality further across Southern California.The story is a blend of culture, cuisine, and ambition, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in their dishes and the dream of spreading Aloha spirit far from the shores of Hawaii. As you listen, you're reminded of the strong ties to heritage and family that drive their venture, illustrating how food can bridge distances and bring people together, encapsulating the essence of Hawaii's warm embrace, even in the heart of "Horsetown USA."Get the show notes here: https://hawaiisbesttravel.com/hawaiian-plate-lunch-so-cal/Support the showSelf-Guided Island ToursKauaiOahuMauiHawaii Island (Big Island)Support the Show Support the Podcast Buy me a coffee Travel with Aloha Pono Pledge Traveling to Hawaii Responsibly Connect Send us your Hawaii questions Instagram Facebook Travel Group Music, Ukulele and Chill, by Coby G (used with permission)Music, Aloha Friday, by Clay D (used with permission) ...

After 16 years together, Greg Minnaar's name was synonymous with that of the Santa Cruz Syndicate, but in a move that surprised everyone this off-season, even Minnaar himself, the Syndicate let go the 42-year-old South African. That left the four-time world champion scrambling to find a ride for 2024 mid-October in a year where budgets were tight. While the past several months have been anything but restful, you don't win 23 World Cups without being a hard worker and Minnaar has signed a three-year contract with Norco Bicycles and has been able to pull together a team at the eleventh hour that sounds more than promising. Minnaar will be racing alongside Gracey Hemstreet and Lucas Cruz this season, but his main focus will be setting up the processes and people to turn Norco Factory Racing into a future-proofed, race-winning team and continue to direct the team beyond his eventual retirement. Sarah sat down with Minnaar yesterday to talk about the team he's formed for 2024, riding Norco's prototype bike, and what his goals are for the coming years. The podcast is above if you'd like to listen to our conversation. Alternatively, a transcript is below.

Downhill mountain bike racing legend, Greg Minnaar, announced that he joined Norco Bicycles after 16 years with the Santa Cruz Syndicate. Minnaar has more Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill victories than any other Elite male racer. While 2023 was supposed to be his farewell season after two-and-a-half decades of racing, a flat tire at World Championships in Fort William left Greg with a poor result and a hunger to end his competitive career on a high note. When Santa Cruz decided to let Greg go, he found a new home at Norco. In this interview we talk with Greg about that change, the possible challenges of working with a new bike and team, as well as his expectations for the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup DH race season.Video Contents0:00 - Intro /  Is He on FOX or RockShox?3:31 - Any Other Sponsor Changes?4:21 - Why Didn't He Retire in 2023?7:55 - Did He Try to Stay with Santa Cruz Syndicate?10:50 - Norco's Race Engineering Program13:09 - How Will He Adapt to the Norco Prototype DH Bike?16:17 - From VPP to High-Pivot to DH Bike20:20 - Does Suspension Platform Really Matter?22:30 - The Source - Norco Junior Development Team25:29 - What If He Doesn't Get Results or Gets an Injury?30:44 - 2024 Race Goals32:48 - Insight into 2024 World Cup DH Format36:06 - Would He Wear the Fox One-piece Suit like Christian Craig?36:58 - What Will He Miss Most about The Syndicate?Thanks to Maxxis Tires, FOX and Jenson USA  for supporting Vital MTB's The Inside Line podcast.#MTB #mountainbike #downhill

“Know it's not what happened but it's what I wanted.” It's the near future. The town of Norco has been driven to the brink of devastation by the Shield Corporation. Ryan, Jesse, Jon and Leah venture back home to uncover the secrets of the town, and the supernatural powers hiding within. In this issue, we discuss point-and-click adventure debut, Norco. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_596.mp3   Music featured in this issue:1. Grainer to Chicago by Gewgawly I2. Delirious Eyes by Gewgawly I Edit by Ryan Zhao You can support Cane and Rinse and in return receive an often extended version of the podcast four weeks early, along with exclusive podcasts, if you subscribe to our Patreon for the minimum of $2 per month (+VAT). Do you have an opinion about a game we're covering that you'd like read on the podcast? Then venture over to our forum and check out the list of upcoming games we're covering. Whilst there you can join in the conversations with our friendly community in discussing all things relating to videogames, along with lots of other stuff too. Sound good? Then come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum

More than 70, 000 Californians are still waiting on support from the state's COVID-19 rent relief program. And now, that program could run out of money before it pays out the remaining eligible applicants. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters Heavier than expected snow is falling this week in the Lake Tahoe area, with some places getting over a foot of "powder".  That, of course, is a good thing for ski resorts, who were worried this year's ski season was getting off to a slow start. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report It's the story of two California cities and two prisons.  One city is Blythe on the border of California and Arizona. It's home to the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. Since the lock up first opened in 1988, Chuckwalla has become synonymous with Blythe, with the prison creating hundreds of local jobs and helping to pump lots of dollars into Blythe's economy. But last year, the state decided to close Chuckawalla. Now, the city of Norco, hundreds of miles away, wants to make a switch, and instead close its prison. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Man accused of killing jewish man identifiedScreening of Israeli film in LA about the 10/7 attacks by Hamas results in brawls outsideLAT's Anita Chabria on Norwegian prisons and happy prison guards thereMan who tried to rob liquor store in Norco and screamed "he shot my arm off " gets 10 years in prisonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.