Talk with Ted - A Show About Nothing

Manny Ohonme joined me to discuss his journey from Nigeria to North Carolina, with a stop in North Dakota where he played hoops and maximized the value of his college scholarship.In 2003, after re-visiting the extreme poverty in his homeland, Manny set out on a mission to provide “shoes as the foundation to a spiritual and healthy life resulting in the advancement of education and economic opportunities.” Samaritan’s Feet and its partners have distributed over 7.5 million pairs of shoes in 108 countries and over 420 U.S. cities.We talked about conflict, history, Nigeria, peaceful protest, corporate sponsors and fundraising. Manny shared some sobering stats about shoeless children and described how easy it is for you to help.Husaya Hama (pictured) joined me for the second hour. I met Husaya on a hiking trail and invited him on the show to discuss his journey from Sudan to Utah (through Washington State). Husaya talked about the struggle to find his identity after his family won a lottery in 1999 allowing them to escape war violence and enter the U.S. - American culture. He tells a story about getting his shoes stepped on and noting that his response (indifference) didn’t sit well with his new “friends” who expected him to feel, and act, more disrespected if he expected to “fit in.” (confusing, right?)  After running with the wrong crowd for a bit, Husaya's back on the right path and is fortunate to call Utah home. He’s a newlywed (9/10/20) and is working on building his family’s future.Visit Samaritansfeet.org to help.

Hmmm, yesterday while I was talking about censorship the FBLive feed to my radio show stopped working. Maybe it's because I was talking about Antifa and QAnon. If that's what it was, Mark Zuckerberg (the machine) should have listened to the entire show, instead of cutting off the live feed after 30 minutes. He (it) might have learned something that didn't fit the "profile."Stupid computers! Photo by Annie Spratt at Unsplashed 

I managed to conjure up Tobias Beckwith’s appearance in Salt Lake City this past week through the Spirit of Radio. It was a pretty simple trick. (1. invite, 2. provide call-in number, 3. answer phone, 4. listen.)Tobias is an author, consultant, teacher, manager and faculty member at McBride's Magic and Mystery School. We spoke about his book, The Wizard’s Way, which examines commonalities among transformational people and tools for incorporating those characteristics into your own life.This show is sort of hard to described. We shuffled through a bunch of topics, including the secrets of magic, mirroring, radical responsibility, autosuggestion and re-programming your memory through magic.(Re-programming someone’s memory to trigger a different emotional response? C’mon Tobias, are we really supposed to believe that’s possible?)Oh, I almost forgot. We also spoke about techniques to improve your memory and how to overcome limiting beliefs.Hmmm? .

Local politician Julie Jackson knocked on my door a couple of weeks ago and asked whether I'd place a sign in my front yard supporting her campaign for a position on the Granite School Board. I chatted with her for a few minutes, told her I'd do a little more research, invited her on my podcast and took the sign inside before promising to commit.The next day I put the sign up.Yesterday I caught up with Julie again. We talked about local politics, public schools, special education plans, on-line learning, as well as her experiences/perspectives as an educator and mother. (She has four students of her own at home.)It's that time of year again, and it was real "treat" getting to know Julie.Knock-knock.VoteJulieJackson.com

Former executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Kristen Cox joined me yesterday to discuss her life story and experiences in applying the Theory of Constraints to government. She describes the government procurement processes (RFP vs. emergency spending powers) and how our state (Utah) maximized efficiency and effectiveness in an environment of heightened demand and dwindling resources.Kris is an author (Stop Decorating the Fish) educator (Professor UofU), consultant and founder of The Fulcrum, “a one-of-a-kind community of cutting-edge leaders and practitioners from around the globe that are all going for it.  We share.  We learn.  We support.  We bring out the best in one another.”We discussed the public’s expectations of government, civil discourse, mandates vs. incentives, traffic, public transportation, the press, manufacturing, pollution, Tesla, recycling and the potential for the rebound effect - cheaper costs resulting in greater consumption.I start the show talking about the upcoming VP debate here in Salt Lake City and taking a look back at Geraldine Ferraro being called a “witch” before her 1984 debate with VP George Bush.Wow, time flies!Seems like 1984 was just yesterday . . . or today for that matter. 

Second Chance 4 Youth CEO Melissa Moss joined me to discuss the Utah based non-profit program founded by Superbowl Champion and Republican nominee for Utah's 4th congressional district Burgess Owens. SC4Y is dedicated to helping incarcerated youth during their post release phase.  "SC4Y provides the tools, support, environment and post-incarceration career opportunities to those seeking to be productive citizens. Highlighted throughout this initiative is the recognition of the blessing of being an America, where the concept of second chances is innate and within the core of its DNA." To support its mission Second Chance 4 Youth relies on its corporate sponsors, private donations, volunteers and special annual events. We need volunteers to serve as mentors and money to help support the program. Follow the lead of companies like Perry Homes, Hamlet Homes and The Sagamore Institute and donate today! www.secondchance4youth.org          

My buddy Darren McCarthy and his colleague Gayle Moyers joined me to discuss education/parenting techniques proven to help children learn and grow.Darren co-founded Sound Foundations for Parenting, a platform connecting parents with innovators from around the world to “teach the why and how of learning and education.” One of the programs that Darren uses is The Learning Ears System created by Gayle Moyers.Darren and Gayle explain how the system, using music and sound, teaches your brain how to connect the pieces that disrupt your thinking.  “From ADHD to Dyslexia to Spectrum classifications, The Learning Ears® System will teach your brain how to overcome challenges that have been diagnosed as insurmountable.”“Not only does our auditory system protect us from noises and sounds we do not want to hear, it also provides energy to the brain and body that results in effective processing and thinking necessary for coordination, movement, balance, language and literacy. In order to be a functional learner, an individual must be able to listen and think, read and think, and say what he wants to say in a few words. The ability to accurately read and receive oral language is critical.We talked about the importance of listening. (ironic, right?)I start the show discussing the Supreme Court of the United States, Amy Coney Barrett, stare decisis, separation of powers, due process, Dred Scott v. Sanford, the 1858 Lincoln/Douglas debates and a couple of executive orders.I got home and tuned in to watch the presidential debate, but it was too hard to listen to, so I turned it off to protect myself from noise and sound that I don’t want to hear.

Mike Duhacek joined me this morning from Ontario, Canada.“In the coldest month of the year, February 2013, one man took a journey of approximately a million steps across Ontario from Windsor to Ottawa, pulling a 125-pound sled with the letters CANCER on it, to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. When Mike Duhacek lost both of his grandparents to cancer and watched his mother diagnosed with a rare cancer, undergoing a grueling three-year battle, he knew it was time to act and helpmeburycancer was born. Duhacek, who is the newly appointed Canadian Ambassador for Cops for Cancer, has now written a book about his journey.”Mike spent more than three weeks enduring the elements and testing his physical and mental capacities. This book chronicles the overwhelming support he received from his fellow Canadians along the way, including family, students, politicians, police, first responders and kids willing to empty their piggybanks to support the cause. On day 7 he crossed paths with his mother, who's still alive today - 7 years later. And, when it was over, he was even honored by the Queen.Take off, eh! 

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' frontman (1981-1991) and Rock 'n' Roll HOFer (2015) Ricky Byrd joined me from Queens to discuss the release of his new album - Sobering Times - which is another “straight up Rock ‘n’ Roll record with a message that speaks to addiction, recovery, hope and a life beyond your wildest dreams.”On this project, Ricky collaborates with musicians Bob Stander, Jeff Kazee, Steve Holley, Liberty DeVitto, Rich Pagano, Christine (The Beehive Queen) Ohlman and more in supporting the recovery (Rock 'n' Roll) lifestyle.We spoke about his playing days, early gigs in the Catskills, record deals, benefit concerts and the meaning behind his HOF acceptance speech, including whether it was entirely scripted, or not.Keep on rockin' Ricky!Photo credit: Frankie Byrd 

Deborah Coviello (The Drop In CEO) dropped in on me this morning.In her article “Losing Your Way is Part of your Growth Journey . . .” she writes: “So what is your path that you have started on? Have you come to a place where you don’t recognize yourself or you had well intended goals but at mid-year, you’re not on track? Do you move to a place of disappointment in yourself or do you see it as a positive opportunity to reflect and get back on track; or even better adjust your compass? You have choices and depending upon how you feel about yourself, you can set you up for failure or I like to focus on; your success for the rest of 2020.”We spoke about corporate responsibility/management, leadership, podcasting, career changes and her family life in Ohio.I also took the opportunity to ask her for directions.

I spoke with former pimp turned advocate/author/mentor Armand King about surviving childhood in the marginalized neighborhoods of San Diego during the crack epidemic in the 1990s.“Fueled by his experiences in the streets, Armand co-founded Paving Great Futures and now works to guide others out of the systemic prison pipeline. As a young man, Armand was misguided by the streets and, in turn, misguided others, blind to the detriment of his actions. His life mission now is detouring individuals from the many socio-economic pitfalls faced by the underserved communities in San Diego.”Armand’s making a difference in the exact world that almost ruined his life and that took the lives of so many of his friends. We spoke about his unique experiences and new book Raised in Pimp City: The Uncut Truth About Human Sex Trafficking.Tune in the hear Armand’s suggestions for permanently sprucing up the neighborhood, so to speak.

University of Utah Law Professor Amos Guiora joined me this morning to discuss his new book, Armies of Enablers – Survival Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assaults. The book examines cases of sexual assault at Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, USA Gymnastics, the Catholic Church and Penn State University. Professor Guiora “illuminates how enablers protect their institutions and the perpetrators at the expense of the survivors.”The question Professor Guiora posed to the survivors was, “What did you expect from the enabler?” Throughout his conversations, the role of the enabler was front and center because the survivors reported the abuse to the person they believed was best positioned to protect them, and the systems repeatedly failed. He explains how this breach of trust/abandonment stands out as a separate and distinct trauma.The book examines these shortcomings and proposes changes to the criminal law to better protect future victims from sexual assault. 

Chad Hymas joined me this morning from his elk ranch in Rush Valley, Utah to discuss how he’s been finding his way through the covid-19 crisis, which he describes as worse than the accident leading to his quadriplegia.In 2001, at the age of 27, Chad broke his neck and severed his spinal cord while attempting to transfer a 2,000 bale of hay with a tractor. Chad explains how he had gotten into the habit of ignoring the warning light that came on that fateful day which indicated low hydrolytic fuel and how, as a result, he didn’t get to witness his youngest son take his first steps. Ironic, right?Chad is a member of the National Speaker Association Hall Of Fame and travels the world, mostly solo, despite his seemingly insurmountable physical limitations. He explains how he’s able to do it, and how grateful he is for it.We discussed his inspiring journey (author, elk rancher, athlete, motivational speaker, father, husband) some local politics (subdivisions), Covid-19, anxiety, travel (less), working his ranch, safe social gatherings, new dynamics in relationships, adoption, national politics, as well as his newly constructed recording/broadcasting studio where he intends to keep Doing What Must Be Done.

Robb Kelly, PhD (psychology, Oxford, 1984) joined me this morning and shared his remarkable story.Dr. Kelly is an addiction expert. He provides one-on-one coaching which focuses on “healing the body, mind and spirit of our clients” by teaching addicts to change their thought patterns, which manifests in changed behaviors.  He “pulls the disease out of his clients and empowers them to fight their disease head on.”In this episode, Dr. Kelly discusses growing up in England and drinking when he was just 9-years old.  He describes his early career as a bass player and “partying” with Elton John and Freddie Mercury before scraping his way through college/graduate school, starting a family and then losing it all by age 26. After several failed suicide attempts, he was “led” into Alcoholics Anonymous, which changed his life.We spoke about anxiety, fear, covid-19, mental health, AA and his unconventional approach to permanently closing the revolving door of recovery.Good thinking Coach!! 

Melissa Marsted, the founder and publisher of Lucky Penny Publications, joined me this morning and spoke about her “hero’s journey” in becoming a children’s book author/publisher.“It really all began on the night of the Santa Barbara Tea Fire in November, 2008. My two boys, three pets and I lost nearly everything after having an hour to evacuate. After the fire a friend asked if I could do anything to start my life over, what would I do? Without hesitation, I wanted to finish self-publish a children's book, I was working on. I set my intentions and within a year that book was finished at the end of 2009. In March, 2010 the iPad was released, and I had the idea to start an eBook publishing company. TEN years ago! Over the years I have hit road blocks but as a long distance runner I have learned to go the distance. There is no giving up!I am re-writing this now in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, and re-evaluating how far Lucky Penny has come in ten years and what's next? It's a time for us to believe in our dreams!”We discussed A Hero with a Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell, 1949) and her personal transformation which included obstacles, trials, allies and a little luck!  

Technology and Science Futurist Rebecca Costa joined me from her home in Oregon. She’s voluntarily participating in her own social experiment which is designed to cultivate increased probabilities of being happy. It seems to be working, and now she’s in the process of writing a new book about it. (Her friends know not to "drop in" on her when the flag is out, . . . because she's busy, which is a big part of being happy.)Rebecca explains how we can “leverage what we know about everyday behaviors which produce resiliency, enjoyment and hopefulness” and “fortify positive emotions and change the outlook millions of Americans have on life.”We discussed sociobiology, vaccines, facts vs. beliefs, science, Covid-19 treatments, unemployment, mental health, artificial intelligence, political philosophy, as well as her books The Watchman's Rattle (2010) and On The Verge (2017).She’s a futurist, so naturally I took the opportunity to ask her . . . 

Brad Schreiber's introduction to his book, Music is Power: Popular Songs, Social Justice and the Will to Change, states:"Music is sound waves. It is energy made entertaining, mathematics inservice to the human ear. It is power—but not just sonic power or powerin consumer currency or the power to evoke an emotional response ormemory. Music, when it is crafted to address the ills of the world, becomes a special kind of force."Brad joined me from his home in California and we rapped about music  (Joe Hill, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Ozzy Osbourne and Rush (of course)), as well as history, politics, social change, Covid-19, symbolism, big money, etc.  I start the show discussing my break from social media, a two month roadtrip across the country and the origin of the term "hippie." 

Traci Neal isn’t only inspirational, she’s funny too. Traci is a poet, cook and so much more, including a teacher.Former NBA Champion and University of Utah legend Mike Doleac joined me for the second hour and reminisced about his glory days. He’s considering “home school” this fall if things don’t change. 

                I’m taking the liberty of blending some of Jason’s story (Author, Deliberate Discomfort) with my own. _________                I was uncomfortable.                There was no denying it. Unnerved, stressed, under pressure, what-ever you wanted to call it. That was, of course, by design.                I was at the crossroads of “how the hell did I get here?” and “what will happen next?”________                I reached for my M60 and immediately began panicking when I realized it felt light. It struck me - I’d forgotten to load my weapon before (tandem) jumping out of the C-5 into this place with Commander Van Camp.                 Instinct took over. I jumped to my feet and began running across the beach while yelling “Don’t Shoot, Don’t Shoot!” I made it to the cliff, looked back, saw nobody and asked myself “where the hell is Commander Van Camp?" and "what will he do next?" _______                Jeramy Lund, Managing Director at Sorenson Impact Institute joined me for the second hour and shared some war stories of his own – literally.

Park City Mayor Andy Beerman joined me this afternoon and shared some of his history, both personal and professional. Andy served on the City Counsel before responding to a call from former-Mayor Dana Williams to run himself.  In October of 2017 the City Council of Park City voted unanimously to approve a net-zero energy performance requirements for all municipal buildings and facilities. According to the City’s website, “[a]s of 2017, we are offsetting approximately half of our electricity consumption with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) through our utility. Our goal is to bring new renewables online to power 100% of our municipal operations by 2022, and hence bring our Scope 2 emissions to zero. In the meantime, we are electrifying our bus fleet, which temporarily raises our footprint, but will drop it to zero once the renewables come online.”Andy shared his passion about Park City, the environment, history, climbing, philosophy and the old Wednesday evening concerts in the Park, next to the old Miner’s Hospital. He also spoke candidly about the uncertain challenges we face, and optimistically about those same things.I started the show discussing my 1997 move to Utah, moose(s) sightings and a 1986 United States Department of Interior Nomination Form - National Register Historic Places (Ecker Hill Ski Jump, Summit County, Utah).