The Shared Experience

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host Zorth and Gary interview 2-time Pi Alpha, Chad Coltrane from Epsilon Iota (University of North Carolina – Greensboro). Chad completed Journey of Hope (JOH) South Route as a cyclist in 1991 and as Project Manager in 1992. Chad was the CEO of The Ability Experience (formerly known as PUSH America) from July 1997 to January 2015. In this episode, you'll learn about the history of The Ability Experience and how it started with play units for children with disabilities. Chad is the President and CEO of Victory Junction, a camp that enriches the lives of children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions by providing life-changing camp experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering; all in a medically-safe environment at no cost to the camper or their family. He currently resides in High Point, North Carolina with his wife, Tami, and is a father of two. Connect with Chad professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-coltrane-9392491/ Connect with Chad socially here -https://www.instagram.com/chadcoltrane/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host, Zorth, interviews Pi Alpha, Nolan Carpenter, Kappa Omega (University of Utah). Nolan completed Journey of Hope (JOH) North Route as a cyclist in 2023 . Nolan is currently a Senior and has served his chapter as Philanthropy Chair, Archon, and Warden. Nolan is the first Pi Alpha and Leadership Consultant from Kappa Omega. In this episode, you'll learn how Nolan draws motivation from his brother, Travis, who has Neurofibromatosis (NF) and what he looks forward to as a Leadership Consultant next year. Nolan currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. Connect with Nolan professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-carpenter-844746201/ Connect with Nolan socially here -https://www.instagram.com/nolancarp21/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host Zorth interviews Pi Alpha, Richard Pierce, Alpha (College of Charleston). Richard completed Gear Up Florida (GUF) as a cyclist in 2023. He is currently the Chapter Advisor for the Alpha chapter and serves on the standing committee of the Ritual and Insignia Committee of Pi Kappa Phi. In this episode, you'll learn how Richard completed his first summer event as a alumni! Richard is the Senior Vice President for Pinnacle Financial Partners and currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina. Connect with Richard professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-pierce-3366206/ Connect with Richard socially here -https://www.instagram.com/rpp0963/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host, Zorth, interviews 2-time Pi Alpha and the 2024 "Thomas Sayre Philanthropist of the Year Award" recipient, Chase DuMond, Alpha Iota (Auburn University). Chase completed Gear Up Florida (GUF) as cyclist in 2022 and Journey of Hope (JOH) TransAmerica Route as a cyclists in 2024. Chase joined the fraternity staff as a Leadership Consultant after his graduation to expand Pi Kappa Phi and provide resources to associate chapters so they can build a successful chapter for years to come. In this episode, you'll learn what it takes to be a Leadership Consultant for Pi Kappa Phi and what Chase appreciates about his role. Chase currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina but will transition to Nashville, Tennessee to start his new job as a Supply Chain Development Program Analyst at Tractor Supply Company. Connect with Chase professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cndumond/ Connect with Chase socially here -https://www.instagram.com/chasedumond/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host Zorth and Gary interview 2-time Pi Alpha, Ethan Norman Delta Lambda (University of North Carolina - Charlotte). Ethan completed Journey of Hope (JOH) North Route as a cyclist in 2018 and Gear Up Florida (GUF) as a cyclist in 2024. Ethan joined the Fraternity staff after 3+ years working at Lowe's corporate, a top-50 Fortune 500 company. In this episode, you'll learn how Ethan is engaging with Pi Kappa Phi alumni and how he believes fraternity will adapt to continue to provide a positive and fulfilling experience for undergraduate Pi Kappa Phis. Ethan is the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Macy, and daughter, Emerson. Connect with Ethan professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/epnorman/ Connect with Ethan socially here -https://www.instagram.com/ethanpnorman/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha, Evan Austin, Eta Beta (Indiana State University). Evan completed Gear Up Florida (GUF) as a cyclist in 2023. Evan is a keynote speaker for ForCollegeForLife, and a team member of Team USA. He is a 4-time Paralympian in swimming (London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and earned bronze and gold medals in Tokyo. In this episode, you'll learn how Evan got into competitive swimming and what it takes to be a Paralympian. Evan is the Development Officer of The Ability Experience and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. Connect with Evan professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-ryan-austin-ply-522b50227/ Connect with Evan socially here -https://www.instagram.com/e_a_swim/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” host Zorth interviews two-time Pi Alpha, Michael Harvey, Kappa Eta (SUNY Geneseo). Michael completed Build America (BAM) as a foreman in 2019 and project managed in 2020. In this episode, you'll learn how Michael incorporates the values he learned as a Pi Alpha into his career as a high school teacher. Michael teaches Living Environment (Biology) and several Science elective courses in Huntington Station, New York. Connect with Michael professionally here -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-q-harvey/ Connect with Michael socially here -https://www.instagram.com/mike_q97/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview three-time Pi Alpha, Drake Lloyd, Eta Psi (University of Central Florida). Drake completed Gear Up Florida as a cyclist in 2021, project managed in 2024 and Journey of Hope as a cyclist in 2023 on the North Route. In this episode, you'll learn how Drake stays connected with The Ability Experience through Challenge events like the Gate River Run and he shares how his summer event experiences shaped who he is today! Connect with Drake professionally here -⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drake-lloyd/ Connect with Drake socially here -https://www.instagram.com/drakewlloyd/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 7-time Pi Alpha and 3-time Bruce Rodgers Award winner, Andre Arman (Zeta Epsilon, George Mason University), who completed his first Pi Alpha event at the age of 35. Within a 10 year span, Andre completed 7 summer events including Journey of Hope in 2002, Gear Up Florida in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, Virtual Gear Up Florida in 2020 and Virtual Journey of Hope in 2020. This past year, Andre celebrated 22 years as a brother of Pi Kapp, while residing in Stafford, VA with his wife Elena and two kids, Ariana and Ryan.   In this episode, you'll learn how Andre kept his summer event promise to his late fraternity big brother, Jason Tirado, and how the "Glo Bros" dream team came to be. Connect with Andre professionally here -https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-arman-73bb3543/ Connect with Andre socially here -https://www.instagram.com/7xpialpha/ Learn about Jason Tirado here -https://fb.watch/qOYbohwhc2/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview four-time Pi Alpha and current Ability Experience staff member, Patrick Carlson, Iota Kappa (Greeley). Carlson completed Journey of Hope in 2017 and 2018 as crew member and project manager and then Gear Up Florida in 2019 and 2022 as project manager and cyclist. Patrick is the first Pi Alpha from the Iota Kappa chapter, previously worked on Pi Kappa Phi's communication team and is currently working as Program Director for The Ability Experience. His day-to-day responsibilities are connecting with sponsors and volunteers to set up the North Route and Gear Up Florida route and helping Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida team members prepare for their summer.   In this episode, you'll learn why Patrick joined the Iota Kappa Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, why he signed up for his first summer event and about his current role as program director. Connect with Patrick professionally here -⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjc27/ Connect with Patrick socially here -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/patjcarl/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 7-time Pi Alpha and Nu Phi Society member, Ruben Talavera, Eta Omega (New Mexico State University), who completed Journey of Hope in 2006 as a crew member and then cycled Gear Up Florida in 2007, 2009, 2019, 2020 and 2022. Since his retirement of summer events (unless his fellow Glo Bros ask him to run it back for another summer), Ruben has been serving the Lowe's associate disability community as a founding member and leader of the A.B.L.E. (A Better Life For Everyone) Business Resource Group, which works to create an inclusive and inspiring culture that empowers and enables people of all abilities.   In this episode, you'll learn how Ruben was introduced to the Journey of Hope while living in New Mexico, how The Ability Experience needed to pivot to host a virtual Gear Up Florida and Journey of Hope during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and what he considers "3 A.M. friends". Connect with Ruben professionally here -https://www.linkedin.com/in/ncrubent/ Connect with Ruben socially here -⁠https://www.instagram.com/ncrubent/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha Austin Gothard (Iota Nu, Mississippi State University), who completed Gear Up Florida as a cyclist in 2022, led the TransAmerica team as Project Manager in 2023 and will be cycling Gear Up Florida a second time in 2024. Austin will also be a Leadership Consultant for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity in 2024.   In this episode, you'll learn how Austin experienced both sides of a summer event: as a crew member and as a cyclist! Connect with Austin professionally here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-gothard-816439240/ Connect with Austin socially here - https://www.instagram.com/gothard.aj

Welcome to episode 14! On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha and Team AbEx Ambassador, Jeremy Jones (Alpha Gamma, University of Oklahoma), who completed Journey of Hope as a cyclist in 1998, 2001 and as project manager in 2009.    Jeremy has walked across Spain, biked around New Zealand, was a semi-finalist for the show "Survivor," completed an Ironman triathlon, worked for the Today Show, traveled to 6 continents, qualified for the Boston Marathon, served a mission in the Amazon, and won a male pageant since completing Journey of Hope.   Connect with Jeremy professionally here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymoorjones/ Interested in being a Team AbEx Ambassador? Apply here - https://abilityexperience.org/team-abex-ambassadors/

Welcome to episode 13! On this episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 1997 Journey of Hope North Route cyclist, managing director at Merrill Lynch and current AbEx board member, Michael Davis.  Learn how Michael’s Journey of Hope experience led to him hosting the Inaugural Empire State Ride in New York, and saying YES to more adventures like hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024. Connect with Michael professionally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nymikedavis/ Connect with Michael socially here: https://www.instagram.com/maddog_davis7/ Interested in doing the 2024 Empire State Ride October 10-14? Email Diego at dferradas@abilityexperience.org.

Welcome to episode 12, featuring Rob Raesemann from the Zeta Zeta chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. In this episode, hosts Zorth and Gary talk with Rob about being a 6x Pi Alpha, his involvement for the AbEx Challenge: Gate River Run and the future of the Zeta Zeta Chapter. A snippet about Rob: "Rob's initiation into Pi Kappa Phi over 35 years ago set him on a path he could never have imagined. He feels lucky to have joined the only fraternity that could provide him with the types of opportunities Pi Kappa Phi has. Rob started volunteering for the fraternity as a District Counselor in 2002, which led to attending Pi Kappa Phi’s Supreme Chapter in Washington, D.C. While in D.C., Rob attended the Journey of Hope arrival for the first time. When he learned alumni could participate in Gear Up Florida, he immediately purchased a bike, and applied for his first summer event in 2003. Rob has been active with the Ability Experience for over 20 years!" Connect with Rob professionally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robraesemann/ Connect with Rob socially here: https://www.instagram.com/robraesemann/ Sign up for the 2024 Gate River Run here: https://give.abilityexperience.org/event/2024-abex-challenge-gate-river-run/e530582

Paul Drake has done it all. As a seven time Pi Alpha, Paul has cycled all three routes of Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida. Join us as Paul compares and contrasts his experiences depicting the evolution of our programs over the years. Paul's involvement: Journey of Hope (1989, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005), Gear Up Florida (2004), Pi Alpha Ride Along (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017), Cycling Events Cycling Coach (2018-present)

As a result of a traumatic motorcycle accident, Brent Freeman is a Pi Alpha who is now blind. While injuries have effected his memory, Journey of Hope will never be forgotten. Join us as he shares how his perspective of his 2010 experience has evolved and what he cherishes most about that summer.  (Recorded LIVE as a part of 2021 Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers)

Welcome back! It's been a while. On this return episode, Zorth and Gary talk with Jim Karlovec, cofounder of the Journey of Hope. This is the first episode of a longer series discussing how "A" journey of hope became THE Journey of Hope.

As a Pi Alpha, Cycling Coach and Board Member, it's fair to say that Corey Dillon has impacted the The Ability Experience's cycling events more than just about anyone. Over the years, Corey has dedicated himself to the evolution of our events - particularly in the interest of safety. Join us and we uncover what Corey has added to the Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida experiences since is 1991 cross-country trek.

Twin brothers, Josh and Will Ingram have a lot to unpack when it comes to Ability Experience involvement. Join us as we compare and contrast two unique experiences including the 2019 Journey of Hope.