Why Are We Friends?

What do Jar Jar Binks, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Iron Man and Walter White from Breaking Bad all have in common?A guy named Jeff from Chicago, of course!How has Jeff become the center of the entertainment world and how can you get in on the action?You don't need The Force,  X-Ray Vision or even a cape. All you need to do is check out this “super” episode of Marketplace the Podcast. To find your favorite collectable Action Figure, click here to see Jeffs entire collection.

Steven Payne’s father once told him “try to do something once in your life that nobody else has done.” That idea, combined with the belief that perseverance and the sense of ridiculous has led Payne on record setting wild adventures that Monty Python couldn't have dreamed up in their wildest dreams.Now as he gets ready for his next quest, Steven selling a part of history. What is Steven selling and where is he headed next?We're taking off to England to find out on this international episode of Marketplace the Podcast.If you want to own a piece of history, check out Steven's sale here on Marketplace- https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3495706203871404/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search

Tee and his family are a part of music history.His family changed the way millions of people dance, sing and celebrate.You can find his instruments in the Smithsonian as well as on stage with some of the most popular musical artists in the world.What does Tee make and how did his family change the world of music?We are about to find out on a special Mardi Gras episode of Marketplace The Podcast!To see Tee's amazing Rubboards and what made him King of the Rubboards, click here.To learn more about Chubby Carrier and his Zydeco Stomp Band, click here.

His weakness is his uniqueness.   Rudi from Colorado has been homeless, survived a civil war in Central America and disabled.   None of that has stopped him from reaching his goals…sharing his unique art and working towards a mindfulness that is a bright spot in dark times. He used his creativity and imagination to escape the brutality of growing up in a civil war and grew that imagination to create something positive and unique for children and families to use and enjoy. Custom made Hobbit Houses.How did Rudi start making Hobbit Houses and how did he manage to survive?  If you’re in a bad mood this should change that… It’s Marketplace…The podcast.To check out more of Rudi's amazing art or get info. on a Hobbit House of your own, click here.

 If you haven’t heard yet, skis, sleds and snowmobiles are the new toilet paper.  Everyone is trying to get their hands on them in an effort to avoid cabin fever and get outside. Sullivan from California has the solution you may be looking for, it’s fast, it’s custom and it gets you outside and flying down a hill of any size.What is this magical contraption?  We are about to find out on Marketplace- The Podcast.Check out Sullivan on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sullivanway/YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/casteater

Ashley from Atlanta is an artist who paints pet portraits but with a “heart” and then does something pretty cool with the money  she makes when she's done. Why did she decide to start painting pet portraits and what motivates her to create her custom works of art? We're about to find out on Marketplace the Podcast.To get a custom made pet portrait that helps the world, check out Ashley's website-https://schanzssketchbook.com/

Tanya from San Francisco sells seaweed on Marketplace.  Yup, seaweed.Tanya says that Seaweeds or sea vegetables, as they are also called, are a major super food, providing health benefits beyond any other substance on the planet.  Believe it or not there are a lot of things you can do with and learn from seaweed, it's not just for hipsters to wrap their dinner in or to give you the heebie jeebies while you're swimming.How did Tanya come to learn so much about seaweed and how can you get your own seaweed...superfood.  We're about to find out on Marketplace-The Podcast.If you want to contact Tanya directly at her website- Seaweed Tours- https://www.seaweedtours.org/?fbclid=IwAR3tq0i3jlp8gvYqohd8wJ-EnWFiobGSX8gy5ovvCSOLXZx6MRC78KgoG5gOr on Marketplace- https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1380356805643700/?ref=search&referral_code=undefinedEnjoy!!

There are a lot of photographers offering boudoir photography sessions on marketplace, but none like Mary from California.Mary offers boudoir photography sessions, but with a twist.  She is an intuitive relationship coach working with boudoir photographers.You see Mary won't take your picture until your mind your body and your spirit are ready.  How do you get your mind body and spirit ready to take it all off in front of the camera were about to find out on Marketplace- The Podcast. If you are interested in working with Mary or learning more, check out her website- https://www.sacredhealers.net/

There is no better place in the entire country to tailgate before a game than Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The fans, the food, the community gathering together, it’s electric, loud, fun, crazy and something every sports fan should experience at least once in their lifetime. For over 20 years Bruce, his brother in law Craig and The Big Cheese have been at the epicenter of the greatest party in sports, but now the party is coming to an end and Bruce is selling his part of NFL and Packer history otherwise knows as The Big Cheese. What is the Big Cheese, why is Bruce selling it and how much does it cost to own a piece of NFL/party lore? Find out on this Green Bay edition of Marketplace- The Podcast. Once you’re done listening and want to buy  a piece of Green Bay PAckers history-The Big Cheese, you can contact Bruce here.https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1204774709916356/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

Susan in Florida has been collecting Cabbage Patch dolls since the 70's.  She has the dolls, bears, bees, horses, fairies, preemies and so much more and now she is selling them all.Vintage, perfect condition Cabbage Patch Dolls for $25!Why is she selling them at the original cost? How did she get into Cabbage Patch collecting?If she can't sell them, she is going to donate them...For free! Susan just may be the ray of sunshine we all need to start 2021.Find out more about Susan ands her collection this episode of Marketplace- The Podcast.To contact Susan- click here- https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/817712835462590/?referralSurface=messenger_lightspeed_banner&referralCode=messenger_banner

The world needs a little bit of James Davis right now and it definitely needs Elaine Lancaster. Don't know who they are, then listen up, because this episode is a lesson in South Beach "cool."James/Elaine is one of the most sought after drag queens in the world. Celebrities, television shows and fans clamor to be by his side, take a picture and even sneak a kiss.Can James and I become "friends?" We cover everything from reality television, to coming out as a gay man, make up tips and the best way for men to "man-scape." Coming out in the 80's. Being cool in South Beach.What celebrities are the best kissers, fashion advice and so much more.Funny, smart, sassy and always entertaining... Ladies and Gentlemen.... I give you...James Davis!!!

Pat Byrnes is one of the top gag cartoonists in the country.  The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal and dozen other media outlets turn to Pat for his talents.   He is a stay at home dad, he has a wife with a very powerful career and his father in law is one of the most powerful men in Illinois.  We discuss "meaning in life" over "happiness" teenaged daughters, our loss of hair, great beer, cartooning and of course try to figure out if we have enough in common to jump the gap from being digital friends to real life, honest to goodness friends.You may not know his face, but it's  safe bet after hearing this episode, you will realize you have heard of Pat Byrnes, his great work and his family.

This is the episode that we let all of the skeletons out of the closet and let our truth flags fly!  Kelly Carroll and I met 30 years ago, but how we met and what we were doing has been s secret until now.  She is an animal rights advocate, an amazing mom and looks great naked.How do I know all of that but didn't know her last name until we became Facebook friends?Check it out.

What is the best cannabis infused sexual lubricant?  We cover it all from love lube, is the publishing industry dead, the future of cannabis in America.  What parents need to know about pot and their kids, sports, beer, the best new tech, motorized surf boards, dating and oh, did I mention cannabis.I am live from the worlds largest cannabis convention in Las Vegas with Charles Warner, one of the most successful publishers in the cannabis and tech industries.We are face to face as we try to find out if we should be friends or unfriend.  Charles is the most interesting man of 2020... You know... So far.Find out for yourself on this new episode.

Everyone has a story to tell...And what better place to learn about someone than from the items they are selling on Facebook Marketplace. The backstory of the thing they are selling can be fascinating, and what is more interesting than poop?Or Alpaca poop.  Nicole Sloan, owns Sandy Neck Farm in Florida and yes, she sells Alpaca poop. Why, does she sell Alpaca poop, is it any good for your garden, why would people buy Alpaca poop, what is the difference between an Alpaca and a Llama, do you drink Alpaca Bean Tea and how does selling Alpaca poop help the environment?All of these questions and more about Nicole and her journey into the world of Alpaca poop are answered in our first episode of Marketplace The Podcast.  

HGTV, A&E, WGN , The Today Show and ABC,  Frank Fontana has been on them all, amazing fans around the world.  He's an author, award winning designer, radio host and now he's on my show...Live, as we try to figure out if we have enough in common to become real world friends.  If you like design, pizza, parenting, Martha Stewart, cigars, working out and general man talking, then this live episode of Why Are We Friends is for you.

Wow!! Super Blogger Cheryl Leahy creator of All Dressed Up With Nothing To Drink and I cover it all!  It's an amazing conversation… But do we become "friends?"  If you like fashion tips , Brene Brown, Parenting Tips, Cocktails, Date night tips how to deal with social anxiety, networking, time management tips, being positive, naked photography, boudoir photo tips,  champagne, charity, cocktail ideas, social media tips, then hold on tight, because we cover it all! 

If you love true crime, mass murder, great food, sports and cop history, then this episode has it all.I had a chance to interview Tim Doonan former Covina, California Detective and we got down to it.  First dead bodies, what's the difference between a TV Cop and a Real Cop and of course the epic show Homicide for the Holidays and a Christmas Eve Mass Murder that brought us together in the first place.

This is a terrifying thought. One in seven Americans ages twelve and older abuse one form of drug, addiction is an epidemic. Luckily there is support, help and people who are willing to fight like hell to make sure it is there for everyone.  Stephanie Zwilling is a therapist an advocate a person who stood up for people who needed a voice and refused to back down as she “dared” to bring a better life to kids in an upscale neighborhood that didn’t’ want her there.Being a child of hippies, I stood with Stephanie, offered my support and fought for her, not knowing much about Stephanie the person, but supporting Stephanie the advocate.Stephanie and I have been Facebook friends for two years, have seven friends in common and despite liking most everything she posts on Facebook, I don’t know a lot about her. But I want to find out.

The Digital Bro-manceCan Omaha Radio personality Crash Davis and I become "friends?"He doesn't like the Chicago Cubs!He doesn't like Chicago pizzaHis favorite beer is Busch Light!I am not sure how my digital bro-mance with Crash Davis started but the way it's going, it may not end well.Check out our latest episode to see if we can go beyond our differences to continue our bro-mance.Support the show