Absolute B.S. continues in quarantine with Shaun Shira, Major and Planned Gifts Director at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Not a big ‘fruit in my beer’ kind of guy, Shaun gets into all things ‘pandemic!’ From new approaches to philanthropy planning to the convenience of curbside pickup; we’ll talk masks, we’ll talk social distancing, and we’ll talk about how Shaun seems to be the only person to lose weight in the past few months. Mow your lawn and give a listen.

Absolute BS Season 2 Episode Episode 9

We’re back…mostly...with our laptops and social distancing. Join us as we speak to restaurant provocateur Paul Lee, and get to hear all his B.S. Take a moment of needed levity and learn how this entrepreneur broke the mold: starting a restaurant revolution in Grand Rapids. From inception to movie inspiration to how food service is going to pivot post-pandemic, your B.S. is served.  

A Pre-Quarantine Swansong. The Cascade Community Foundation’s CEO Justin Swan drops by just ahead of the Covid-19 quarantine to share some insights, some Corona Lights, and some strategy on donating in a time of crisis. It’s sumo babies, Christian artists, and animal testing. Give it a listen. You’ve got nothing else to do. 

Absolute B.S. begins an epic journey as we talk to Jon O’ Connor, co-founder of Long Road Distillers! From humble beginnings in a garage, we trace the Long Road story from Grand Rapid’s West Side, all the way to its newest tasting facility located in *REDACTED* (you’ll have to listen to find out where!) From being a First Ward Commissioner to the burdens of new fatherhood, Jon’s candid demeanor and penchant for singing karaoke Dolly Parton songs, paints a portrait of a man with strange taste.

A true leader and influencer in every sense of the word…..according to LinkedIn…maybe: Jaime Counterman Foundation Director at Metro Health, strolls into the booth and launches into commentary, opinions, and what she thinks her superpower is. We also find out what she’s not passionate about and what haunts her thoughts 98% of the day. Listen in and see where this one takes us. 

This episode finds us improvising our way through the quizzical mind of Laura K. Traxler, Director of Membership Development at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. With a sharp attitude, and an explosive ‘twerk,’ -this hairdresser turned manager throws all the passion, energy, and ‘can-do’ attitude she can at us.

It’s movies, music, and madness as we speak to President of Studio C and Celebration Studios- J.D. Loeks. With a firm eye on taking over the entertainment industry in Grand Rapids, J.D. speaks to the legacy of a family business, explains the origin of the ubiquitous ‘Wilhelm’ scream in cinema, and tries to use philosophy to duck our ‘dating’ questions. 

Petrit Rudi CTO at Designvox, blasts into our studio to record a harrowing tale of greed, lust, and revenge! Actually, none of that-but he does describe growing up in wartime Kosovo, and his eventual escape from Kosovo with saxophone in hand. There’ll be dancing, there’ll be drums, and there will be a bastardization of the English language like only a young Albanian can. Borat would be proud! You don’t know as much about Albania as you think you do, so lean in and get cultured. 

Absolute B.S., Brad and Steve gets cute with our next guest David Darling of Creston Industrial Sales. 

Extremely datable, but extremely unavailable, David challenges our notions of crappy movies, Care-Bears, and what it means to be part Native American in America today. Strap in for some frozen-yogurt mixed with a healthy dose of B.S. 

Kicking off Season 2 of Absolute B.S., Brad and Steve get set on fire by the relentless energy of our first guest of 2020. There’ll be food. There’ll be baskets. Join us as we take a ride on the BCW to find out the power of ‘Electronica’ music, why school uniforms are a must, and just how ‘basic’ a Grand Rapids leader can be!