I Used to be Somebody

Everyone please rise this week on I Used to be Somebody. Carl interviews his first judge ever! Jeannine Barr was an assistant district attorney who decided after 9 years to throw her hat in the political ring, (brave move) and then became a criminal district court judge for 24 years. She oversaw cases on "all the people you are afraid of." She tells us what it was like to have a high profile, elected position as a Texas judge. In another big brave move, Jeannine left the bench and has created a fascinating second act as a storyteller/singer and songwriter. She has a beautiful voice and is also a talented writer. In this interview, she details her journey from confidently directing bailiffs in the courtroom to becoming a first-time singer-- scared to death at her first public singing appearance. I think we can all relate to being a newbie in a brand new environment and Jeannine is unstoppable. Bonus: Jeannine surprises host Carl with a song she wrote just for him. Of course it's titled, "I Used to be Somebody".  • More about Jeannine Barr: https://www.jbarrmusic.com/about • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jeannine-Barr-Interview-Here-comes-the-Judge-Now-Singer-Songwriter • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright from Zephyr Adventures and Taste Vacations: https://www.zephyradventures.com • I Used to be Somebody World Tours -- Tuscany, Portugal and Arizona Pickleball Adventure:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Sky Bergman has a zest for life and wants to share it with you. Her positivity is infectious. An accomplished and award-winning photographer and professor, it is no wonder her university students love her! She's also on a passon mission to capture the beauty of life and wisdom of older people as they tell their stories. Sky released her debut documentary, Lives Well Lived to sold-out live audiences and has two more films in the works. There's no stopping this woman's positive energy! Sky started pursuing her second act in her 50's as a filmmaker. She hit it big with her very first movie, now airing on PBS and all the other streaming services. Make sure you listen in for how she financed her documentary. Sky finds solutions in inventive and creative ways, to be sure. • More about Sky Bergman: https://www.skybergmanproductions.com/about2 • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Sky-Bergman-Interview-Professor-Turns-Filmmaker • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright: Zephyr Adventures: https://www.zephyradventures.com • I Used to be Somebody World Tours: Tuscany, Portugal, Arizona Pickleball Adventure: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/tuscany • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

This month we have a very thought provoking conversation with award-winning journalist Adam Bryant. He worked for 30 years as a journalist including 18 years as a reporter, editor and columnist at the New York Times. He's probably most famous for his column at the NYT called, "Corner Office" where he interviewed 500+ CEOs. What he learned during these interviews is fascinating and his insights can help everyone in creating their second act. Adam also shares his personal experience about what it was like to give up his dream job at the  NYT to start his own C-Suite position. And this month we share the debut segment of "Pickleball Chronicles with Traver". • More about Adam Bryant: https://adambryantbooks.com/about-adam/ • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Adam-Bryant-Interview-NYT-Corner-Office-Columnist-moves-to-his-own-C-Suite • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ • I Used to be Somebody World Tour Tuscany + Portugal: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/portugal • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

We start 2024 with a lot of laughs. You're going to love Patty Forehand who was an elementary school teacher for 32 years and now is a successful stand-up comedian who talks about marriage, sex, and growing older. And she is FUNNY! Who doesn't like a 61- year old grandmother who can tell a good dirty joke? Tune in to hear about her chance to work with Michelle Pfeiffer and find out about her weirdest gig ever. Lots of laughs with a woman who has a heart of gold. • More about Patty Forehand: https://www.backstage.com/u/patricia-forehand-1 • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Patty-Forehand-Interview-Elementary-School-Teacher-becomes-Stand-Up-Comedian • Sponsored by How to Retire and Don't Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • I Used to be Somebody World Tour -- First Stop Tuscany: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour • Subscribe to our Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

We're ending 2023 on a very high note with Dewey Forward. He was a highly regarded concert promoter and nightclub owner that organized over 4,000 concerts. He's worked with with groups like Pearl Jam, REM, Donovan, Bon Jovi and countless others. Dewey started and owned Peabody's DownUnder in Cleveland where he created the precursor to the House of Blues concept. After living the crazy music and restaurant business for over 40 years, he now owns and operates the iconic Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop. He's a great storyteller and just funny as hell. What a great way to wrap up year! • More about Dewey Forward and the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop: https://www.chagrinfallspopcorn.com/about • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Dewey-Forward-Interview-Night-Club-Owner-Pivots-to-Popcorn-Shop • Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • I Used to be Somebody World Tour -- First Stop Tuscany: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour • Subscribe to our Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Carl gets his Sideways fix in with his interview with Bob Wolfe. In the movie, actor Paul Giamatti plays a serious Pinot fanatic. In real life, Bob Wolfe is one of the foremost Pinot Noir experts. In fact, people simply refer to Bob simply as The Pinot Guy! There is something for everyone in this fun-filled interview, besides Pinot Noir talk. You'll learn what it's like to grow up in a tiny rural farming town, working on a nuclear submarine, and even what it's like to get a 4:30am call with Donald Trump way back in the day. Bob is totally forthcoming about finding himself at a crossroads in his life. He's figuring out how to step away from the day-to-day of his successful wine business, while also embarking on a completely new second act as a professional pickleball instructor traveling the world. You're going to love this pinot to pickleball story! • More about Bob Wolfe:  https://oregonpinotnoir.com/about-1 • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Bob-Wolfe-Interview-Pinot-Guy-now-Pickleball-Guy • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • I Used to be Somebody World Tour -- First Stop Tuscany: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour • Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

We've all been on vacation to some wonderful places in the world and said to ourselves, "I wonder if I could live here?" That is as far as most of us go. Jed Smith -- actually did it! He made the move to Italy in his mid-50's and has thrived there ever since.  Jed transformed himself from marketing exec into an accomplished painter, photographer and writer. He loves his new-found Italian culture and lifestyle so much that now he helps others who are interested in moving to Italy. He has truly an inspirational story of a boy who grew up in the South with little confidence and now has taken on the world! • More about Jed Smith: https://italywise.com/contact • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jed-Smith-Interview-Creative-Marketing-Exec-Thrives-in-Italy-as-Artist • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by Mike Ownbey COMPASS: https://www.mikeownbey.com • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • I Used to be Somebody World Tour -- First Stop Tuscany: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour • Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

This is one of the best interviews we've ever had. Talk about an unlikely story! Dat Truong grew up in Vietnam and at 5 years old escaped just days before the fall of Saigon. He had careers on Wall Street and Silicon Valley but it wasn't until he moved to Portland, OR that he found his way to a life that he feels truly fits who he is today. What is "Grandma's Secret"? You're going to need to listen to find out! • More about Dat Truong:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/datlinkedin • Lela's Bistro: https://www.lelasbistro.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Dat-Truong-Interview-High-Tech-Exec-to-Best-Pho-and-Grandmas-Secret • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS: https://www.mikeownbey.com • I Used to be Somebody World Tour -- First Stop Tuscany: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour • Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

It took 72 episodes, but Carl finally got a politician on the show. And he got a big time Congressman in Steve Israel. He was an eight-term congressman out of New York who is proud to have been a bi-partisan representative who brought both sides of the aisle together. Since leaving congress, Steve has been a political commentator on CNN, MSNBC and HBO and the author of two critically acclaimed political satires. In 2021, he became a first-time entrepreneur and launched a new dream job--as the owner of an independent bookstore, Theodore's Books in Oyster Bay, NY. Former Congressman Israel is very candid about his political life. He is devastated that his district in New York is currently represented by the infamous George Santos. And he sheds some light on the antics of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis while they both were in Congress together. Steve ran for office 8 times and won 8 times(!) and has managed to retain his great sense of humor. His slogan when leaving office was "unindicted and undefeated". • More about Steve Israel: https://government.cornell.edu/steve-israel • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Steve-Israel-Interview-Eight-Term-Us-Congressman-Now-Cool-Bookstore-Owner • Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS:  https://www.mikeownbey.com/ • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ • Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

We have a celebrity sighting this month on the show......Maxine Clark. She is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. At age 48 she became a first-time entrepreneur and founded Build-A-Bear Workshop. Within just a few years, she took her company public on the New York Stock Exchange. Most importantly, she's had a big impact on millions of children and adults from their Build-A-Bear experience. What makes her story even more amazing is what Maxine is doing now her 70's... • More about Maxine Clark: https://clarkfoxstl.com/team/maxine-clark  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Maxine-Clark-Interview-Build-A-Bear-Mega-Founder-Turns-to-Social-Entrepreneurship  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast  • Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS: https://www.mikeownbey.com  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die  • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

This is a super fun interview with popular NPR radio host and talented interviewer Donna Apidone. Her commitment to her work became a lifestyle, waking up at 1:30am and getting to the studio by 3am and hosting CapRadio's Morning Edition. But, 21 years of hosting the show in a 8 x 8 windowless studio and being consumed by the news led her to a world of meditation. And she is excited now for a new journey and helping others along the way to a calm and complete life. • More about Donna Apidone: https://www.donnaapidone.com  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Donna-Apidone-Interview-Popular-NPR-Host-Now-Helps-New-Audience-Find-Purpose  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast   • Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, Compass Real Estate: https://www.mikeownbey.com  • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Who moves to Sedona, AZ in. their 50's and without any experience in the hospitality business, builds a luxury hotel? Steve Segner did! The same guy at 21 years old buys his first pet store while he has another day job. And then ends up becoming a pet biz mogul, by starting a line of regional pet stores and creating and selling one of the first all-natural healthy pet food lines. Whether it's the pet industry or building the El Portal, a top end adobe style hotel -- Steve is the poster child for our (Un)Retirement good life! • More about Steve Segner: https://elportalsedona.com/the-story-of-el-portal-sedona-hotel-by-steve-segner  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Steve-Segner-Interview-Pet-Biz-Exec-Reinvents-Himself-Builds-Luxury-Hotel • Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, Compass Real Estate: https://www.mikeownbey.com  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast  • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

What a fun interview with the founder of UGG boots! At 29, Brian Smith left the accounting world and Australia and headed to the beaches in Malibu to surf and look for the next big thing. Ever heard of UGG sheepskin boots?  He first targeted surfers and surf shops. You need to hear about the super-crazy ups and downs Brian faced into building a new cultural movement and a brand that is today a billion dollar operation. • More about Brian Smith: https://briansmithspeaker.com/about-brian-smith  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Brian-Smith-Interview-Founder-of-UGG  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die  • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

Carl plays therapist in the tiki bar with guest Doug Villhard, as Doug talks about his mom who was disappointed if he got an A- on a report card. We think it all turned out OK, since Doug and his business partner recently cashed in on the sale of their software platform company for $30 million. Doug's story is an amazing one, which includes the fun fact that Doug and his wife actually started a high school. Who does that? He has found a new passion in his (un)retirement life by teaching 400 MBA students each year on how to create and innovate to make their budding entrepreneurial dreams come true.  • More about Doug Villhard: https://dougvillhard.com/about  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Doug-Villhard- Interview-Big-Time-Entrepreneur-Pays-It-Forward • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how- to-retire-and-not-die  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage:   https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter for free:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

This week's interview is a super fun one! There is something in this episode for everyone. What do the Grateful Dead, high tech 1980's, the advent of drones and psychedelic artwork have in common? Ted Bahr! You'll learn what it was like to be in the middle of the crazy, high tech world of magazine publishing at its explosion in the 1980's.  Plus, Ted's journey from a prestigious media executive with a wife, 3 kids and a big mortgage who went for broke to become an entrepreneur for the first time in his 40's. At the height of the recession, Ted put all his chips on the table again with one of the first trade shows all about world of commercial drones. Today, Ted is living his childhood dream with the coolest second act in the world---as a gallery owner, collector and exhibitor of rare 60's rock vintage posters and artwork.  • More about Ted Bahr and Bahr Gallery: https://www.bahrgallery.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Ted-Bahr-Interview-Drone-King-turns-into-60s-Rock-Art-Gallery-Owner • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die  • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

Carl is a bit out of his all-business comfort zone when he interviews Denise "Larana" Cerreta, who has embarked on amazing spiritual journey and had successful businesses along the way. It all starts when Larana closed her acupuncture practice to open One World Everyone Eats Cafe. Her vision became one of the first community cafes in the world run 100% on donations-- you pay what you wish.  The cafe was a huge success and Larana then founded the non-profit One World Everybody Eats foundation. The culmination was receiving a prestigious James Beard Foundation for Humanitarian of the Year in 2017.  Denise also spent a year following the Dead and Company (formerly the Grateful Dead) and then wrote a book about her experience. Now she's entrepreneur again--listen to hear more! • More about Denise "Larana" Cerreta: https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/2017-james-beard-foundation-humanitarian-of-the-year-denise-cerreta  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Denise-Larana-Cerreta-Interview-James-Beard-Award-for-Humanitarian-of-the-Year • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Carl interviews Drew Evans who has created the most out-of-the-box second/third acts ever.  His story is an interesting one---his dad served in Vietnam and Drew spent his early years growing up in Malaysia. The family eventually lived all over the the world on U.S. Army bases. He grew up always wanting to help others. Drew became a law school graduate who hated being a lawyer. Instead, he followed his passions and became a distinguished law school librarian. (He also happens to be a black belt in martial arts and runs a studio.) Now, Drew has combined his passions (again!) as a librarian and avid pickleballer by becoming a popular social media influencer: The "Pickleball Librarian." • More about Drew Evans, Pickleball Librarian:  https://www.facebook.com/PickleballLibrarian • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Drew-Evans-Interview-Creates-his-own-UnRetirement-The-Pickleball-Librarian • Sponsored by The Monkey Creative:  https://themonkeycreative.com/pickleball-podcast • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

This month's guest was made fun of because he was sooo tall. In 9th grade, Neil Haley was 6'4" and towered over his classmates. He took a lot of teasing and bullying because of it. He says, "When I grew up in the '80's, kids weren't so tolerant of anyone different or odd in anyway".  Neil ended up 6'10" and in his 20's became a profession wrestler. Today he's almost 50 years old, has totally embraced his tallness. He's the CEO of "The Media Giant," a marketing agency. He's also one of the most successful podcasters with the "Neil Haley Show", broadcast around the world and syndicated on 150+ radio stations.  Neil has had to pivot many times in his life and has helpful advice about taking on new challenges. He's fearless and confident and proud to be giant! • More about: Neil "The Media Giant" Halley:  https://www.neilhaley.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Neil-Haley-Interview-Pro-Wrestler-turns-to-The-Media-Giant • Sponsor, How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsor, The Monkey Creative:  https://themonkeycreative.com/pickleball-podcast • Sponsor, Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Carl had the opportunity to meet one of the legends in the personal finance world and a founding father of the (un)Retirement Movement -- Richard Eisenberg. He has spent 40+ years as reporter, editor, writer, producer and popular podcast host for iconic media brands such as Money Magazine, People, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo and MoneyWatch. But what is probably one of the more interesting things we learn about is his advice for others, who are looking to retire now or just recently (un)retired, just like he did just did 9 months ago. A sudden blank calendar can be very scary.......or an exciting opportunity. • More about Richard Eisenberg:  https://www.nextavenue.org/writer/richard-eisenberg • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Richard-Eisenberg-Interview-Journalist-Money-Magazine-People-Yahoo-and-PBSs-Next-Avenue-on-unRetirement • Sponsor Capital Advantage:   https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast • Sponsor How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsor The Monkey Creative:  https://themonkeycreative.com/pickleball-podcast • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Carl (also now a co-author) celebrates the debut of PICKLEBALL FOR DUMMIES, now Amazon's #1 best-selling pickleball book. Super fun lead-in with three past guests: comedian Greg Schwem, pickleball aficionado Bob Franceschelli and pickleball author Mike Branon. They muse about their first pickleball experience and their obsession with today's fastest growing sport in America. Mo Nard (Co-Author) chimes in, totally stoked after stepping off her live television interview on the pickleball court. Chuck Menke of USA Pickleball rounds out the episode with a perspective on the sport's popularity and what the future looks like! We'll return to our normal I Used to be Somebody programming in just two weeks (October 25th). More about Pickleball For Dummies: https://pickleballmediahq.com/book More about USA Pickleball: https://usapickleball.org