"Dying is like falling asleep. You don't realize it until you wake up." Jordon Schroeter

Speaker, Advocate, Comic, Pastor (with a Masters), and Award-Winning Film Maker Jordan Schroeter wasn't supposed to live past the age of 2 years old. 

Here is in, in his third decade - from an electric wheelchair with all the spunk of anyone's new best pal. Schroeter has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type 1. He transparently shares what it means to continue to lose muscle mass and usage and the choice of finding moments to celebrate.

He says his severe disability is not the source of issues. Listen to our chat to learn what is the source, and maybe you'll resonate with much of what he has to say.  I know I did. 

You'll laugh as hard as I did when he answers my infamous question: Do you have a prank or dare story to share?

If you want a speaker who truly can inspire, motivate, affect the group, and evoke some laughter, seek Jordan Schroeter. 

Jordan can be found on most social media, and at Jordan River of Life Coaching & Speaking.

Search for his TEDxOshKosh talk, it was quite incredible and he shares his favorite pick up line, too!  (Of course it's also in this episode because it's a hoot). 

*Adult content, especially about two-thirds of the way in. 

"I love a rowdy bar show, but a packed comedy club is pretty awesome too. It does help to be funny."  Cheri Hardman

Cheri is an award-winning comic, a YouTube and podcast host, and does live shows too, for her Diary of an Ex Ho show!  You won't need to wonder what she's thinking. She is wonderfully direct, bawdy, sassy, and just dang fun. 

Hardman started her comedy career later in life. Learn why and how she took to the stage at age 54. This "menopausal plus-size babe" is a wife and mama who takes her show on the road, making friends along the miles. 

We talk about how to write jokes, casseroles, dirty dark secrets, normalizing being strange, tragedy to comedy, her lady parts, rotary phones, and her show Diary of an Ex Ho where people share it ALL, openly. 

CheriHardman.com
Diary of an Ex Ho on YouTube and wherever you catch your favorite podcasts. 

"Food is us", according to food enthusiast Jared Gleaton.

Jared is an author, food critic, psychologist, blogger, and dog dad. This was such a fun episode. It was a blast going behind the scenes with a food critic psychologist who writes reviews you can practically taste. 

We go over the word Moist, what it means to eat with our eyes, and discuss 'does anxiety determine our perceived taste?'

Learn about Foodology, how often our taste buds renew, (It's not what I thought), and how change creates fear. 

Did you know the eye is first drawn to one item on a plate, before taking the whole entree in?

What's the deal with Jared's dad and his pie passion? How does Jared go out to eat all the time yet stay in shape?

Jared Gleaton's book is "A Feast For The Senses; the psychology of eating well."
Check out his fantastic YouTube Channel:  JaredGleatonEats
Follow him on Facebook, too. 

"If you do the things that make you happier, you also make your community better." Richard Kyte

Richard "Rick" Kyte is Director of the D.B. Reinhard Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He also teaches a variety of courses dealing with ethical issues in business, health care, law, politics, and the environment. 

His most recent book is "Finding Your Third Place; building happier communities and making great friends along the way".

We discuss this book that helps us explore the places that nurture our souls, and make up the bedrock of our communities. I hope, after listening to our conversation, you will consider if you truly have a Third Place. 

Eavesdrop on our chitty chat to discover more about: the correlation between the friends you'll have in your 60's compared to the friends you had in your 20's, your community and why you need to be part of it, how social media has taught us to laugh AT people instead of WITH people, the 13 year old who saved lives because he did not have a cell phone, and that humor is learned socially - meaning - there are younger generations who are humor deprived!

At a time when our nation is facing epic loneliness, are you ready to commit to your Third Place?

"There's so much you can use fragrance for!" ~ Georgia Vanderville is a petite firecracker who truly lights up a room. Whether it's from her energetic personality and giant smile, or from one of the candles made in her ever-growing warehouse, Shorties Candles.
Vanderville is also an author, speaker, and has been inside and outside the TEDx stage. She goes above and beyond with her candle company staff by way of being that approachable leader we all wish we had.

Tune in to hear about the one candle made for a boy she liked, to running a successful candle company.
Check out Lessons from the Ladder, The Fragrance Flip, Why we need to Just Ask, going beyond the product, the struggle of clutter, storytelling that matters, Pattern interrupt, and reframing the five senses.

shortiescandles.com

TEDx "The important silent secret to connect with a teen"

From bouncer to bricklayer to billionaire concierge - Steve Sims is no slacker, saying "For twenty-five years I was the go-to guy for the mega famous. And I learned, if you give it for free, they don't pay attention."

Check out this episode on my You Tube channel to see our pretty faces!

Sims is a digital creator, speaker, author, coach, creative disruptor, and harsh truth dropper. He was once called the Real Life Wizard of Oz, though that's not his favorite tag.

He talks about his accidental rise to hanging with the super stars and uber famous folks. He is the author of Bluefishing (the art of making things happen) and Go For Stupid (the art of achieving ridiculous goals). 
His podcast is The Art of Making Things Happen.

Listen in as I get to learn about how Sims took a submarine to see the actual Titanic (the details in his story left me awe-stuck and nearly speechless). Find out about how he closed a major museum to throw a dinner party for 6 at the feet of a famous sculpture featuring a world renowned singer. 

Steve Sims says he is perpetually curious, and doesn't align with those who tend to overcomplicate things. While we were talking, this formula emerged:  
Curiosity + Aggravation = Creation.    Damn, that's a goosebump giver right there. 

Learn why we should "go for the No" and even 'Ask Why three times".

The Speak Easy:  https://www.stevedsims.com/simsspeakeasy
The Distillery:  https://simsdistillery.com

Do you like to sing?
Talk? 
Breathe?
You can learn a LOT from this week's guest on Stranger Connections podcast. 

What if you were a professional singer who learned two decades into your career that you were singing in the wrong vocal range?
Heide Skok had this gain speed bump in her life.  Finding her true track, she teaches others how to sing 0 whether it's for fun, or on the stage. 
I enjoyed learning more about what Opera really is, why breathing exercises are more than for singing, ho NOT to feel shame as a singer, how self-love is a tool for you voice, and Skok's journey to find what was happening to her voice and vocal chords. 

Her new Opera album is out, and you have to check it out:
   "Mahler: Ruckert Lieder, Heidi Skok and John Simmons. 

Her school is Skokstudio Vocal Instruction (facebook). 
Skok is the founder of Resonance Opera and REST vocal technique!

"I'm not one to buy into the superficial parts of the pageant world." Zoe de Boer - the coolest queen in the midwest. 

Zoe de Boer is bringing stories of social justice, faith, friendship, art, inspiration, and all things in between on her podcast, Hello Good Humans.
She is a speaker, podcaster, supporter to everyone - and happens to be in a pop band with her Pop. (Gertrude and Co). 

Listen to the chit chat about The Beep Boop Queens, Winning Pageants, me getting awkward about Zoe's dad, fake tans, 99 cent gowns, body image, and the very cool story I remembered wrong about how we first met in 2017. 

Zoe is a peach, a keeper, a light, a sweetheart, a Good Human. 

Instagram: @gertrude.co.lax
Facebook: Gertrude & Co

If you're in the La Crosse WI area - check out show dates!

"I needed to do something to celebrate - I showed up."  Speaker, Energizer, Author, Interrupter, King of Cheers . . . . Cameron Hughes.

This Canadian crowd-pleaser has been the spark at otherwise ho-hum events for decades!

You've seen him on many JumboTron screens at sporting events, getting up to dance and making the crowd go wild. He generally has a very serious look on his face and it's hilarious and contagious. 

He has been around the world and back again, paid by sports teams to energize fans at over 1500 events and counting. He's danced on Tennis Courts, in conference rooms, and all places in between. 

Check out his TEDx "Who Are You Cheering For?"

His book is 'King of Cheer; stories of showing up'

Why did he have a large fruit upon his head?
Does he worry what other people think ?
What about the times his interrupting behavior fell short?
What does it mean to actively Show Up?

Website:  CameronHughes.tv

"There is no timeline to grieve, just as there is no timeline to love." Lauren Prior

Lauren is a Trauma Therapist who has a compelling story to share - about losing her husband while she was mere days away from giving birth to their child. 

Join the conversation to see what kind of friend you are when a loved one is grieving. What is the right thing to do? What about the wrong things? 

Lauren shares the story of what led to her husband's fatal accident that night and how she managed to keep going. Grabbing onto the benefit of the shock within grief, how did she handle coming out of the fog when the offers for help started to fade away?

"Be brave enough to ask" is the answer she gives when I enquire about the best way to help someone who is grieving a death. Be there. Show up. "I'm gonna sit here while you cry."

Luckily for all of us, Lauren Prior is working on a book and I have a giant notion it's going to help the masses with how to ask for help, be the right kind of friend, and know that it's ok to simply ask. 

Lauren Prior is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor / Owner at Walking Brave Counseling 

Check out the first guest to ever rebuff my invitation to stay weird (at the very end). I was caught off guard as is Nathan Timmel's specialty. 

Listen in with us, as we discuss Timmel's very cool YouTube comedy special, called Unapologetic. It's funny, it's fast-paced, and it's free! 

Nathan Timmel is a digital creator, author, total influencer, and very fun comic. With a wife and kids, he is one of the good guys who knows where the humor lies. 

We talk about his special and the quirky behind-the-scenes details, why it matters how you tell a joke, can you really read an audience, and why we keep seeking acceptance. 

His podcast is called Idiots on Parade and it's a wild ride with his co-host Jake Vevera (and sometimes extra guests) to jab fun at current events. 

nathantimmel.com
linktree/ntimmel
Facebook too. 

Celebrating the wrap up of humor month, and the super special milestone - episode 200 of Stranger Connections Podcast!

Listen in as Lisa David Olson interviews Lisa David Olson. 
Still trying to connect with Carol Burnett (happy birthday!) but meanwhile, learn about Improvisation, Humor, Strangers, Skills to connect in the workplace, What Great Leaders Know, and how to protect the introverts. 

Book:  From the Spotlight to Real Life

Website: www.lisadavidolson.com

Podcast: Stranger Connections

Coaching and Speaking:  lisa@lisadavidolson.com

Card Game: Dare Zone

"You won't be great until you can learn to love SELF."

Dr. Andrew Temte is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional (La Crosse WI) and the author of two books . . . so far.

He's also the leader of a rock band, a University Teacher, a mentor, a speaker, and a podcaster. 

Listen in as we discuss:
How to inspire Imposter Syndrome
Tools to be present in the work life
How Purpose brings us back to center
The first two words he uses as a teacher
Connecting personal purpose to the work we're doing
Being present. Truly present.
Being comfortable with the human you are
Living your purpose Bringing our whole selves to the world of 'work'.

His band is called The Remainders, and they are active in many fundraisers and committees in the La Crosse WI area.
Go to TheRemainders.com and find them on Facebook

Dr. Temte's books are: Balancing Act; teach, coach, mentor, inspire and
The Balanced Business; building organizational trust and accountability through smooth workflows.

His podcast is Balancing Act Podcast with Andrew Temte and you can also listen to the Saturday Muse show, too.

Check out his website for a free guide called Living a Purposeful Life and join the newsletter.

EVENT:
May 1, 2024 - The Balancing Act podcast will record three episodes live at The Main, An Event Space - in La Crosse WI.
$35 at the door goes toward scholarships at Western Technical College in La Crosse WI

AndrewTemte.com

#AndrewTemte #AndyTemte #TheMain #BalancingAct #Purpose #Grace #dignity #compassion #Kaplan #LaCrosse #LaCrosseWI #strangerconnections #lisadavidolson #speaker #author #Remainders #TheRemainders #band

Retired homicide detective Mike Hammond was with the Chicago Police Department for 22 years. He has SEEN some things . . .  and I get nosy and ask everything I wanted to know more about. 

CAUTION:  Some content may be harder to hear as crimes are discussed, so listen with caution. 

We talk about polygraphs (lie detectors), the main case Hammond can not let go of, mental health, murders in Chicago, interview styles, gaslighting, lies, common sense, and how to get into the mind of a criminal, to help keep others safe. 

Check out Mike Hammond's podcast; Detective Story (with Mike Hammond) which has a focus on victims and their families, as well as talking about actual cases and investigations. 

"I'm like a comedic aging Disney princess." laughs Carla Collins

This episode kicks off Humor Month on the Stranger Connections Podcast.
Carla is THE most charming, hilarious, witty, and gorgeous comic in the US and Canada alike. 
She's grabbed several comedy awards, and you've most likely seen her in shows, or you will soon because she just doesn't stop. 

Carla Collins is an award-winning comic, actor, writer, emcee, auctioneer, and innovator. She does several fun characters on her social media pages and always brings smiles to her fans. 

Learn about Chuckle and Chill, Laugher-mations, Vision Pop Boards, LAAF Podcast, three b*tches in an RV, a year of pranks, the emotional support cougar, and the laugh of attraction. 

Her first book is 'Angels, Vampires, and D*uchbags', and on the flippy flip she is now creating a children's book!  Also soon to be released is her very sassy deck of Tarot Comedy Cards. 

Follow this superb human. Send me a thank you note later. 

CarlaCollins.com
ComedicMediation.com
Facebook
Instagram  CarlaCollinsComedian

"Try to remember that they just hate themselves, and they're takin' it out on you." This beautiful lyric is from Amanda Grace's latest album (her 8th!). The album is Give Me Away and this song is 'Love Yourself'.

Amanda Grace is a Minnesota native who travels, performs, and collaborates to create unique shows and brilliant albums.  

In this episode, you'll find out why Amanda has plans to hold a show at a cemetery, what her musical tastes were growing up, and how she is in a long-term happy marriage with super cool kids. (Tough to write break-up songs with all she has going for her). 

Amanda sings part of a song for us (spoiler - it's beautiful!) and I even inspire a new song for the next album. I'm gifted like that. 

Join the newsletter of Amanda's, and find show and album details on the website: MusicByAmandaGrace.com

On Episode 195 of Stranger Connections Podcast:

Author Aaron Frale's book "My Three Year Old is a Barbarian - and other parenting problems" caught my attention. Frale is a Montana resident whose wi fi happened to work while we recorded this episode. 

Learn about writing, laugh along with us, and hear about the prank that made the news, as well as almost banning him from an online service!

Topics we sort through:
   What it means to 'stop when it's getting good'
   Writing with your spouse (and sometimes the kid)
   Authoring fantasy genre, and adding moments of humor
   Is Frale's three year old actually a Barbarian
   Why he wrote Time Burrito 
   What does it mean to pair food with your book
   We need to be open to our stupid ideas
   Writing the dumbest book you can think of

Grab a free book at Aaron's website, join the newsletter, too. He says he makes it funny. 
We will be the judge of that. 

www.aaronfrale.com

"I like when you taste something and it takes you on a journey." Jen Barney, multi Food
Network baking champion.

Jen Barney grew up on a farm in Stoddard Wisconsin. Unsurprisingly, most of her ingredients are a nod to local dairy farms and products from Wisconsin. But these are not basic potluck cupcakes. Her baked goods are described as Ridiculously Awesome Desserts. 

Learn about how she didn't believe the person calling her to ask that she compete on the Food Network the first time. 
Find out why connections matter to this sweet and brilliant baker. 
Hear about her bakery beginnings with stocking her goodies at a local coffee house and baking in her home basement. 

Barney's story as a pastry chef has been loosely featured in a non-fiction novel series by Amanda Zieba. 

She thanks her wonderful hubby for his photography and tech skills to help run the business which is now the brick-and-mortar "Meringue Bakery and Cafe" in historic downtown La Crosse Wisconsin.

From Canada to New Orleans to Vegas (in no particular order) we get to hear the inside track to being on a network food contest show. 

What are the prizes?
Do people get along?
Does everyone eat all the cakes?

One of a kind wedding cakes with hand painted designs and flecks of gold. Why not?

This show is ala mode style, without the calories. 

"Sometimes helping people is more important than following rules." Kim Korven, retired lawyer, former judge of tenant-landlord disputes, 'conflict queen'.

Welcome to episode 193 of Stranger Connections Podcast, which features weird life stories, quirky careers, and prank & dare stories.

Kim Korven shares her experiences as a lawyer and judge, including how divorce can be a gift you give yourself and your children.
Did you know you can divorce without a lawyer? Korven shares tips on how to spend less and co-parent respectfully. As Korven says, "YOU are the CEO of your life."

Listen in to learn:
- The bat sh*t crazy game
- You can love someone and not like their behavior
- When a couple needed a mediator to divide the absurd item
- What's the deal with lefse
- Can a couple have a respectful divorce
- A prank sprinkled with revenge
- How do we navigate a narcissist
- CAKE life community

Grab a free gift on Kim's website: a flowchart on how to divorce while committing to the kids.

TheConflictQueen.CA

Kim@KimKorven.com

Find more from Kim on Instagram and LinkedIn, too!

After listening to this episode, you will most likely notice the word Vibe. Either hearing it, seeing it on shirts or signage . . . everything will be reminding you about The Vibe. And that's a great thing!

Jason DelGandio has been studying the exchange of energy for nearly 30 years. He's a PhD, an author, a presenter, and an award-winning teacher.

Is Good Vibes Only really in our best interest . . . ?

For his doctoral work, DelGandio developed his own philosophy of the vibe, referred to as "bodily emanation."
He defines vibes in two ways: The exchange of energy between you and the world, and a communicative dynamic involving a variety of affective experiences (emotion, mood, feeling, vocal expression, body language, physical presence, and psychological outlook).

Discover how and why you are vibing each day. Learn why it's important to take the time to define and understand the phenomenon.
Tapping into the vibe helps modulate feelings, moods, and emotions. It helps in relationships, and connects a deeper connection to Self.

20MinuteVibe.com


jasondelgandio.net


20minvibe.teachable.com

Find Jason on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and InstaGram.