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Above the bridge

Author: Thaddeus Park

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Entertainment and conversation
190 Episodes
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Five years on the mic feels different when you slow down and look back. We open with gratitude—listeners, guests, and day‑one sponsors—and then dive into a story of reinvention with our friend and radio pro, Becky Mits. She takes us from a tough November layoff to a whirlwind weekend in San Diego that led to a new home, a new team, and a role that finally fits: executive producer who still jumps on the mic with a fresh perspective. The reason she said yes wasn’t a bigger market; it was a heal...
This week we sit down with Maegan, the baker behind Meggles Makes, to trace how a childhood love of crepes and banana bread turned into a dessert brand locals plan their week around. From her first Ziploc brownie sales to sellouts at Whiskey Smoke, she walks us through the honest steps of going full time: tightening costs, pricing for profit, managing inflation, planning bake days, and shooting content that actually converts. What makes this journey pop is the mix of craft and communit...
This week Atbpod sits down with Kyani Bateman model, mentor, and cofounder of Pakolea—to trace her path from kid commercials and pageantry to building a community-first agency with her partner, photographer Darren. She shares how social media became a living portfolio, why brands care about personality as much as pictures, and how a fierce feed can coexist with a grounded, aloha-driven life. Kyani pulls back the curtain on runway realities: quick changes, six-inch heels, and the mental game ...
A coach who builds tougher teams with softer hands. A singer who swapped liquid courage for real conviction. A Hawaii-born artist designing a sound that can live anywhere. That mix is Mahina—grounded, generous, and ready for the world. We dive into her journey from playing shortstop and coaching high school softball to writing radio-ready songs that people can’t stop singing. She explains how standards changed since her playing days and why positive discipline, respect, and real-life account...
What happens when a lifelong passion is suddenly put on hold? In this deeply personal conversation, we journey alongside a former collegiate volleyball player Kayla Kilaulani "KK" whose devastating ACL and MCL tear forced her to reimagine her identity beyond the court. Her story reveals the remarkable resilience that athletes develop and how those qualities translate to unexpected career paths. The conversation takes us through KK's extraordinary childhood battle with meningitis at age 11—a ...
Ever wondered what happens when your dinner companion whips out their phone before you can take your first bite? In this captivating conversation with Landon from High Grindz (@high_grindz), we dive deep into the world of food content creation in Hawaii, revealing the fascinating journey from casual dining to influential posting. Landon shares how his Instagram account began as a simple suggestion from a friend to document the restaurants he was already visiting. What started as casual food ...
What if the secret to lifelong fitness wasn't found in trendy gym routines or cutting-edge equipment, but in movements that make everyday life better? Ky Vuong, owner of Key Fitness Hawaii, brings over three decades of expertise to this eye-opening conversation about functional fitness. Beginning with a touching story of how helping a depressed 70-year-old widower at his local YMCA launched his career, Ky shares why training for real life produces better results than traditional gym ap...
Brad Miura—known to thousands as "Unkoholics"—has transformed Hawaiian social media with his simple yet compelling "what's your name and where you from?" food sampling videos. Behind this viral sensation lies a profound story of cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, and the true meaning of aloha spirit. From his day job as a construction project manager to his evenings spent meticulously preparing lomioio, Brad reveals the exhaustive behind-the-scenes work that goes into his seemingly eff...
Have you ever wondered about the healing power hiding in plain sight within the fungal kingdom? Join us as we welcome back Clint Pahia, founder of Medicinal Mushrooms Hawaii, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of medicinal mushroom that are transforming health outcomes across Hawaii and beyond. What began as a deeply personal quest to help his wife manage an autoimmune condition has blossomed into a thriving business offering five powerful mushroom medicines. Clint walks us through e...
Remember those days when bodyboarding was king? When names like Mike Stewart, Jeff Hubbard, and Kainoa McGee dominated our conversations and magazine covers? Hana Ahn certainly does – and he's bringing it all back through the So Stoked Boogie Series and Triple Crown of Bodyboarding. What started as a pandemic pivot has blossomed into a full-fledged movement. When COVID-19 shut down the football programs Ahn coached, his focus shifted to the ocean. "We turned to the water and while doin...
From someone who once "couldn't even cook rice" to an innovative culinary force transforming Hawaiian ingredients, Chef Mari's story is a delicious journey of passion and perseverance. She reveals how exposure to diverse food cultures in Los Angeles sparked her culinary awakening before returning to Hawaii to study at KCC Culinary. What makes her approach unique is the scientific foundation beneath her creativity – with a master's degree in nutrition and dietetics, she brings deep understandi...
Fresh off his wedding celebration, Thaddeus Park opens up his life to listeners in this intimate Q&A episode, tackling questions submitted through Instagram that range from deeply personal to light-hearted and everything in between. Thad shares the joy of his recent nuptials, describing the red and gold-themed event (a nod to his beloved 49ers) as "one of the best days of my life." With candor and humor, he explains that while marriage hasn't drastically changed his relationship with Sas...
Journey through two decades of island reggae with Walt G of Kawao as he shares the remarkable path from baseball fields to Hawaiian music stardom. What began as neighbors jamming on ukuleles evolved into one of Hawaii's most beloved musical groups, with hits like "Girl, Let Me Know" becoming local classics. Walt offers rare insight into the band's creative process, revealing how China's melodic humming sparks the songwriting that has defined their signature sound. From recording with legenda...
Meet Maci Ono, a fitness influencer who transformed her body and discovered that the physical journey was only half the story. In this raw conversation, Maci reveals how she went from 250 pounds to losing 100 pounds—and the surprising darkness she found at her "after" photo. "I felt like a prisoner to my health when I was at my biggest, and then it's funny because I felt even more like a prisoner when I was at my smallest," Macy shares, pulling back the curtain on the mental health challenge...
What happens when pandemic isolation meets a lifetime passion for cooking and a community built on genuine aloha? For Cory Vidinha, it sparked the birth of Whiskey Smoke 808, a barbecue restaurant that's become much more than a place to eat—it's a testament to family, faith, and the enduring spirit of old Hawaii. Growing up in a family where men were exceptional cooks and processing their own meat was tradition, Vidinha always dreamed of owning a butcher shop. But life took him in countless ...
What does it take for a young DJ to carve out a meaningful career in Hawaii's competitive nightlife scene? CJ Park, son of industry veteran Jay Park, reveals the surprising truth behind his rise from playing $20 house parties to commanding major venue residencies and opening for artists like Little Wayne and T-Pain. The journey begins with humble origins – Park recalls being the kid who always brought speakers to high school parties, gradually honing his skills and musical intuition. But rat...
DJ Mass Funk reveals the dark reality of nightlife success and his transformative journey to sobriety after 15 years of substance abuse in the Hawaii club scene. What begins as a casual conversation between friends quickly delves into the remarkable story of a talented DJ who opened for major artists like Alesso, Chainsmokers, and Cascade while simultaneously battling addiction behind the decks. "There was no real moment when I thought I was actually good," Mass Funk confesses about his care...
What happens when the thing you've done for twenty years suddenly doesn't align with your soul anymore? In this deeply personal conversation, Thaddeus welcomes back his longtime friend and business partner Hanson to discuss his surprising decision to walk away from nightlife promotion after finding renewed faith. Hanson, co-owner of Hawaii Events Unlimited and Level H Promotion, shares the remarkable story of their new nightclub event "Aura" at Eve nightclub. Just as everything aligned perfe...
What drives a person to transform their life from rock bottom to running a successful business? Meet Val, the founder of For My Family brand, whose story of redemption, purpose, and entrepreneurial spirit captures the essence of Hawaii resilience. Val pulls no punches discussing his former life of addiction—mixing fentanyl and other substances until his body literally broke out in hives from toxicity. His pivotal moment came after an overdose that finally forced him to confront the pain he w...
Tyla Reese Mane's journey to the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team unfolds like a perfect sports movie – complete with unexpected twists, heartbreaking setbacks, and triumphant homecomings. Growing up as the daughter of comedian James Mane, Tyla defied gender norms from the start. Not content with just playing soccer and volleyball, she became her high school's football kicker while her father coached the team. "When I first did it, I was kind of joking around," she admits. But after blasting a...
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