Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 37, Shawn Smith Host Brian Trendler interviews a true survivor and long-lost friend, Shawn Smith. Not to give it all away, but Shawn recently spent 90+ days in a hospital in the middle of a pandemic receiving a double-lung transplant. We think he deserves an award for "crappy timing" if nothing else other than the chance to have his story heard. He faces his every day with optimism, humor, and his love for his new wife, son and pets. He adores his transplant community, and truly makes every breath count. Listen, enjoy, learn, and maybe take a deep breath or two and just consider what you're grateful for. Shawn does this every day. WE all could learn from him. If you're feeling generous, please consider a donation of any size to his recovery fund. https://bit.ly/3sxNxpZ -- Receiving two lungs and maintaining his body's continued non-rejection of them takes vast resources. We know he'd be forever grateful for any donations to put a smile on HIS face as well as the air in his lungs!
Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 36, Dan Mills Host Brian Trendler interviews Bellingham's funniest Occupational Therapist, Dan Mills. Not only does Dan have to explain to others constantly what he does, but the reasons behind WHY he does may surprise you. Dan's a family man, an amazing Dad and husband, and wants only what's right for his kids and all around him. He faces his every day grind and the past year of COVID with optimism, pride, and a deep level of care for all he helps. Having recovered from the disease itself, he has a unique view on what it's all about, and why he needs to continue his truly good work..., once you all realize what the hell an Occupational Therapist with a propensity to joke really does. Also hear about THE GRIND, and amazing live comedy event on Thursday nights via social media, and so much more. Listen, Learn, Watch and LAF with us!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 41, Elizabeth Johnson Meet the sweet, charming, intelligent and big-hearted Elizabeth Johnson and hear about her work with animals, how she handled the COVID lock-down, the truly paws-itively amazing work she does, her connection to Brian through her recent 2020 TEDx experience online and much more. Of course, in Shut Up & Laugh fashion, she's had to face some recent challenges and injuries in her life with laughter, smiles, and learned resiliency, but that's all part of what will make you adore Elizabeth even more. Learn about the incredible work she does for both the animals and people she works with, and enjoy her genuine can-do attitude about life, her work on her upcoming book, and her funny answers to our infamous wrap-up, including our James Lipton tribute 3 questions!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 40, Mercy Haub ... While it took way too long to produce due to some technical issues, this interview is well worth the wait. Cancer sucks. Cancer isn't picky. Cancer can take the picture perfect scenario of an amazing young girl helping raise money to fight cancer, and twist it around and cause her entire world to pause with a sudden diagnosis. Mercy's story will make you stop, listen, admire, and immediately make you reach out to everyone you know and love to hug them so hard. Her strength, resiliency, determination, laughter and sense of humor will prove to anyone who doubts out there the power of love, laughter, and amazing organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I was honored to interview Mercy. I felt lucky to hear her story and am proud to call her a friend. Her family, her community, her old soul all come together through her smile to tell others that it can be ok..., there will be a cure, and it's ok to shut up and laugh. **Disclaimer: my professionalism gets destroyed at the very end with my outtro' that's standard for all my podcasts. I lost my mother years back to cancer, and the rollercoaster of emotion through the entire interview and "strength" in the final words triggered me. Huge thanks to Mercy for gracefully allowing me to lose it, and apologies to the viewers for my unprofessionalism.
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 39, Ashley Gutermuth Host Brian Trendler interviews the very funny and extremely talented comedian, Ashley Gutermuth. From her own off-brand method of approaching humor, her attire choices, and her ability to run over 2000 days straight, she's all about making her mark and leaving them laughing. Learn about her recent brush with certain "Jerry," running on purpose, how her parent's jobs and workplaces effected her views and approach on humor, and why she treats everyone the way she wants to be treated. You'll walk away wanting to hear and see more of Ashley, and thankfully you can due to her rising star!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 38, Steve D'Amico ** WARNING, this podcast contains some mildly explicit language and/or humorous stories. This not a "Workplace Safe" broadcast on a speaker** Host Brian Trendler interviews a friend of his from 40+ years back, from the mean streets of Wickford, Rhode Island, Steve D'Amico. Not only were they childhood best friends, but little did they know that so many years later they'd reconnect to brand businesses, shop war stories (literally from his point of view) and realize that with the miracles of technology, social medias and video conferencing; really very little has changed since they were 10-year olds playing with Star Wars and GI-joe figures in their front yards. Steve's served in the military, has an inspiring and entrepreneurial story or two, loves his daughter fiercely and his wife even more, and while this podcast has some EXPLICIT MATERIAL that may not be suitable for a bluetooth speaker, it's filled with laughter, stories about resiliency, humor and joy.
Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 35, Judy Ann Michael. Host Brian Trendler interviews the funny, witty and very tired of being in Indiana guest, Judy Ann Michael. Not only is Judy an accomplished writer and author; but she's also extremely good at people-watching, embracing different US cultures when crossing state-lines, and not letting those subtle differences damage her sensibilities. Learn why she left the pacific northwest, what and who she encountered when she went "home" and why she's got a whole new appreciation for places like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. It's podcasts like this that not only shed light on different parts of the country, but also how gosh-darned different they can really be from one state to the next. Listen, laugh and learn!
Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 34, Rebecca Murray. Host Brian Trendler interviews the newly published Author, Rebecca Murray. Sometimes, interviews embarrassingly start off with some fun ups and downs, namely your host's ability to point out unintentional errors found in bios, but they got through it smiling! Not only is Rebecca an accomplished photographer, video editor, marketer, actor and author - but also extremely funny, humble and insanely smart. Listen to the incredible story behind her new book and it's inception in 1972: how it was rediscovered, and the underlining story threads through her own experiences with her mother as a young child which helped mold her by way of some incredibly scary and heart-felt situations facing pain, abuse, trauma, world travel and adversity. You'll be moved, inspired, and want to hear more.
Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 33, Tyana Kelley. Host Brian Trendler interviews the multi-talented owner of PurpleHorizons .com, Tyana Kelley. From working the political scene in marketing from her Centralia, WA home with Spokane clients, being a mother, a wife and simultaneously growing her own businesses as a coach, and design/marketing expert; she's got her finger on the pulse of when it's time to lead with humor, and most important - integrity. Her views on what it takes nowadays to maintain a steadfast attitude and still be there for everyone in her world will inspire you, and maybe cause a few laughs as you listen to her extremely blunt and satisfying answers to our end-of-show questions.
Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 32, Audrey Kohler. Host Brian Trendler interviews newly minted author, Audrey Kohler about her experiences both in being a poet with her book, "Passenger Poet", a bit of an experienced old-soul, and a person who has trained her brain to find the positive in most everything. From some amusing and curveball-ish questions about her incredibly locked-down personal life, to her 1st grade surprise National Anthem song, Audrey will most surely win you over quickly with her laugh and way of viewing the world. Enjoy, laugh with us, and perhaps end up with a few wisdom-nuggets of your own to take with you!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 31, John Fahey - Host Brian Trendler interviews the man hailed as "The Most Interesting Man in Seattle," John Fahey. This surprisingly modest and entertaining Author, 3x business owner, recent TEDx Speaker, and genuinely nice guy proves that you can never really get enough of doing the right thing when it comes to creating change and positive experiences in the world. His work through his company, Vacation Angels Network provides locations around the Pacific Northwest where vacation homeowners donate their properties to families to "reset" after traumatic diagnoses/recoveries, and sometimes the loss of a loved one. While not experiencing any particular childhood woes, he's still come out the other side as a focused, giving, and charming entrepreneur who also has a rock-solid grasp on the power of laughter, while helping families celebrate a recovery, or move through bereavement periods with his incredibly charitable and thoughtful organization... Prepare to enjoy, laugh and maybe feel a heart-string tug or two as you listen.
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 30, Gabriel Rutledge - Host Brian Trendler interviews one of the funniest comedians in the country, Gabriel Rutledge. Both Capital High School alums, both share the same love and potentially fear of the Cougar mascot, Gabriel and Brian discuss everything from his comedian contest victories, his "Happiness Isn't Funny" book, being known as "one of the funniest comedians around who isn't famous," and what's it's like being a comedian in today's world with what the pandemic has done to comedy. Gabriel's funny, honest, and really just wants to be able to get away from his kids for a moment or two like the rest of us... His answers to the James Lipton tribute are surprisingly sweet, funny, and spot on. Give him a listen!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 29, Karen Randall - Host Brian Trendler interviews Transition Coach, Karen Randall. This episode is chocked full of humor, an in-depth dive into sub-personalities, dealing with 2020 beyond the Covid news lines and tackles the need for resiliency! Karen breaks down how she connects with her clients as a Transition coach, what her ideal client looks like, AND is looking for. Sometimes, one just needs to participate in an Artsy-Fartsy event! (no, that was no typo!) You'll hear just how big Karen's heart really is when you listen to her approach, motivation - and that's even before you hear her answers to our James Lipton tribute questions!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 28, Kenneth Perry - If a dialogue is to occur, a conversation must begin. please consider giving my interview with my new friend; the amazing, funny, talented, honest and thoughtful Kenneth Perry. While Kenneth and I cover a number of topics with some fun and levity, such as his career, family and more - we also dive deeper into how we connected, the Black Lives Matter movement, what it means to actually be an "Ally," and how to begin creating change. we barely scratch the surface, but you have to in order to grow, right? Kenneth deserves to be heard, and more important - to be LISTENED to.
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 27, Cory Baer - Host Brian Trendler interviews Financial Advisor, Cory Baer. This episode features a new soundtrack intro, a solid 60 min of material, and much more that you can also find online at fb.com/lafechnw. Recorded using a Zoom session to connect, we not only meet to laugh and learn, but also to share some surprisingly deep materials. Cory covers the financial industry, generational life in Texas, what it's like to be a baby in an audience, divorce, alcoholism, weather shock, and so much more. You'll never look at an extra pair of pants again, trust us. Cory's answers to the James Lipton tribute is fun, honest, and surprisingly to the point!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 26, Justin Rupple - Host Brian Trendler interviews Issaquah's very own comedian, voice impressionist, and actor, Justin Rupple. Recorded using a Zoom session to connect, we not only meet one another for the first time, but also experience a ZOOM bomb from an unexpected and shared connection. Throughout we cover the power of humor as comfort, security, armor and more. We laugh over shared comedian heroes, voice imitations, observations about life, careers and more. Justin's answers and willingness to play-along with the James Lipton tribute is fun, and we can promise you that you'll recognize some if not all of his hilarious and spot-on imitations! Listen and LAF friends!
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 25, Fiona Trendler - From the "mouths of babes," comes a refreshingly new podcast with our Host's daughter, Fiona Trendler. We briefly tackle in this 30 min episode what it's like to be a 9 year old, dealing with me as a father, the power of humor, spooky jokes, handling oneself in our current COVID-19 society, and so much more. YES, this was a shameless opportunity to give his daughter some exposure to podcasting, but Fiona actually does share some valuable wisdom & of course, information about a crush she has too. She also tackles the James Lipton Junior questions like a pro! Listen, Laugh and Learn!
We've all been absolutely smacked in the face with the reality of COVID-19 and it's effect on businesses, families, our own physical and mental health, and more. There's no better time to make sure we're checking in with one another, laughing, trying to support one another, but also ourselves during these difficult times. Every person, everywhere is facing a new normal that is not ideal, but we all have to band together and make it work for as long as we need to stay safe, protected, healthy and get through this. This episode is 100% dedicated to the responses from you, my audience with things we can do to stave off loneliness, stir-crazies, help kids cope, adults too, and much more. Listen, laugh, resonate with hopefully some of this, and share this episode to any you think this could help.
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 23, Sherra Jensen Grasser - Host Brian Trendler interviews local Youth Empowerment Coach, Sherra Jensen Grasser. We cover multiple topics such as today's kids, what they're facing, the importance of recognition, what's going "right," her inclusive ME-Powerment camps, stories of impact, the benefits of being loud and so much more. Sherra tackles the James Lipton tribute answers with gusto, and will leave you laughing and wanting more.
Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 22, Larry Snyder - Host Brian Trendler interviews TEDx Everett Speaker, 2 Author, Auctioneer, & loyal Starbucks employee enthusiast Larry Snyder. We cover life in Des Moines, the lasting effect of a Grandfather's words of wisdom, growing up with 5 sisters & surviving, being an entrepreneur, the real definition of Philanthropy, and so much more. Larry's answers to our, now more fitting, James Lipton tribute since his passing, is hilarious. I'm going to stand by my guarantee that you'll appreciate the nuggets you'll take home from this listening.