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A quick burst of inspiration can fade by Monday, so I wanted to do something more useful: connect the dots between the guests who moved me and the practical ways you can support what they’re building. This solo roundup from Assorted Conversations spotlights creators, coaches, and makers whose stories prove that joy is not frivolous, it’s fuel, and that momentum usually starts long before you feel “ready.”

We talk about thinking bigger than the room you’re in with Jeff Revilla’s Infinite Seat Theater concept and how live events can reach far beyond a local audience. I revisit Monica Marlat’s puzzle-driven creativity and community building, plus Amy Riley’s grounded take on aphrodisiac foods that centers mood, health, and intimacy without the gimmicks. If you love stories about hobbies becoming meaningful work, creative confidence, and small business ideas for creators, you’ll find plenty to take notes on.

The thread continues with resilience and reinvention: novelist Laura Van Wormer on pivoting after life changes, Devorah Brinkerhoff on art, grief, and trauma, and Joseph Bolton on genealogy and family history that becomes unforgettable storytelling. We also touch confidence training with Kung Fu Kendra, keeping cooking fun with Mr. All Right Chef, redefining luxury travel with Elevate Your Escapes, pricing creativity with Paul Pape, restarting a shelved dream with filmmaker Derek Shaw, relationship communication and consent with Amanda Dames, and BBQ mastery with Hall of Famer Bill Gillespie.

If one of these lessons hits home, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, then subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these guests and the work they’re putting into the world. What passion are you ready to take one small step on next?

Guest Episode Links:

 Ep. 48 – The Infinite Seat Theater Conversation with Jeff Revilla
Episode 48

Ep. 49 – The Puzzled About Everything Conversation with Monica Marlatt
Episode 49

Ep. 50 – The Aphrodisiac Food Conversation with Amy Reiley
Episode 50

Ep. 51 – The Resilience of a Creative Soul Conversation with Laura Van Wormer
Episode 51

Ep. 52 – The Soul Portraits for Healing Conversation with Devorah Brinckerhoff
Episode 52

Ep. 53 – The Old Grandmother's Tree Conversation with Joseph Bolton
Episode 53

Ep. 54 – The Kung Fu Kendra Conversation with Kendra Mahon
Episode 54

Ep. 56 – The Mr. Alright Chef Conversation with Joe Garcia
Episode 56

Ep. 57 – The Elevate Your Escapes Conversation with Eleanor
Episode 57

Ep. 58 – The Santa for Nerds & Coach for Creatives Conversation with Paul Pape
Episode 58

Ep. 59 – The Multitasking Screenwriter Conversation with Derrick Shaw
Episode 59

Ep. 61 – The Kink Consultant Conversation with Amanda Dames
Episode 61

Ep. 62 – The Smokin Hoggz Conversation with Bill Gillespie
Episode 62

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

One great rack of ribs can start a lifelong obsession, and Bill Gillespie proves it. We’re talking with the owner of Smokin Hoggs Barbecue, a highly decorated competitive barbecue pitmaster who’s cooked hundreds of contests across the U.S. and Canada, authored four barbecue cookbooks, and earned one of the sport’s biggest honors: induction into the Kansas City Barbecue Society Hall of Fame.

Bill walks us from his early New England backyard experiments (including the “worst ribs” stage every BBQ fan recognizes) to the moment competition barbecue clicked. We get into what KCBS judges actually score, why taste matters more than appearance, and how the “one bite” reality forces teams to build a controlled flavor punch with finishing techniques like glazes and finishing dust. If you’ve ever wondered how champions make chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket stand out on a crowded judging table, Bill lays out the mindset and the method.

We also dig into the logistics that don’t show up in a recipe: tight turn-in windows, building a repeatable timeline, the shift toward hot-and-fast barbecue cooking at higher pit temps, and the travel grind that comes with chasing trophies. Along the way, Bill shares the losses that sting, the wins that surprise, and the simple backyard barbecue tips that translate immediately to your next cook.

If you enjoy competitive barbecue, BBQ rubs and sauces, smoking brisket, and real-world pitmaster advice, hit play. Subscribe, share this with your favorite grill friend, and leave a review telling us your most proud BBQ moment.

Guest Links

Smokin Hoggz Website

Smokin Hoggz Store

Smokin Hoggz on Facebook

Smokin Hoggz on Instagram

Smokin Hoggz on YouTube

Smokin Hoggz on X (formerly Twitter)

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

Kink has a PR problem, and we’re not helping it when we reduce the whole topic to leather and whips. Helen sits down with Amanda Dames, a certified sex and relationship professional who worked as a dominatrix in a New York City dungeon before building a coaching business for married couples and monogamous partners who want to explore kink safely. What follows is less “shock” and more “oh, that actually makes sense,” because the real subject is trust, boundaries, power dynamics, and the courage to be honest about desire.

Amanda breaks down kink as a spectrum, including the kinds of fantasies many people don’t even realize count: wanting your partner to take charge, craving praise, enjoying service and caretaking, or leaning into romance as a real erotic desire. We talk about how culture shifts what’s considered “normal,” why people feel shame even when nothing is wrong, and what she learned from clients who had successful lives on paper but felt disconnected sexually at home. If you’ve ever wondered why a desire gets louder the longer it’s ignored, this conversation puts words to it.

If you’re curious, skeptical, or trying to talk to a partner without making it weird, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a healthier framework for desire, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.

Guest Links

The Kink Consultant Podcast

Amanda Dames HomePage

The Kink Consultant on Instagram

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

She planned a warm winter escape, hitched up a custom travel trailer, and headed south alone, only to discover that the road doesn’t care about your plans. Helen sits down with Elke Scholz to unpack a solo RV road trip from Canada to Arizona that starts with immediate chaos: tight parking lots, misunderstandings, a trailer lockout, and the kind of stress that makes you wonder if you should have stayed home. 

Then the real test hits. Elke wakes up at a rest stop to a total power crash, learns the hard truth about what “winterized” actually means, and drives through a major blizzard because sometimes the safest choice is to keep going. We get into the practical side of winter RVing and off-grid living: how propane heat still depends on electricity, why solar and battery capacity matter, what she changed to stay warmer, and how she rebuilt her setup with smarter batteries and reliable internet using Starlink roaming. 

Along the way, Elke shares the moments that restore your faith in people, from strangers who step in to help to off-grid digital nomads who’ve engineered trailers into self-sufficient homes. We also talk candid solo female travel safety, roadside assistance and trailer coverage, and why you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, you just need to be willing to learn. 

If you’re planning a travel trailer trip, dreaming about a digital nomad lifestyle, or stuck in endless preparation mode, this story will give you both a laugh and a shove forward. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Helen's First Audiobook Narration:

Let Them Pray by Brittany Johnson, Narrated by Helen

Guest Links:

Elke's Homepage

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

A lot of us have a dream we quietly put away because life gets loud. Today we sit down with Philadelphia-born filmmaker and entrepreneur Derek Shaw, and he’s proof that “later” can still turn into real momentum if you’re willing to start small and keep showing up.

We talk about where Derek’s storytelling starts, from a fifth grade teacher who pushed him to write more, to the years he “sat it in the closet” while working full time, raising a family, and building side businesses. Then comes the turning point that changes everything: he starts writing again after decades, and that decision becomes the bridge to screenplays, production, and building Ruby Street Productions.

Derek breaks down the nuts and bolts of independent filmmaking: buying a cheap camera, making early short films, and turning a weekend hobby into feature projects like Blissfully Unmarried and his dark comedy Bedridden. We get honest about film financing, earning investor trust through reputation, navigating SAG requirements, and why film distribution can be harder than making the movie. Derek also shares what it took to get Bedridden onto Amazon and Apple TV, why he chose self-distribution, and what he’s chasing next with bigger budgets and bigger names.

If you’re into indie film, screenwriting, self-distribution, creative entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable production company, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world perspective. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What’s one daydream you’re ready to dust off?

Guest Links

Ruby Street Productions

Bedridden on Amazon

Derrick on Insta

Assorted Conversations Links

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

You can be wildly talented and still feel stuck financially, and that gap can mess with your confidence fast. I sit down with Paul Pape, a two-time TEDx speaker, author, creative strategist, and the maker many people call “Santa for Nerds,” to unpack what actually changes when a creative stops selling “a thing” and starts selling the value behind it. Paul’s work spans custom collectibles, hidden engagement ring boxes, and high-pressure builds for major brands, and his journey is full of pivots that prove you don’t have to break when the market shifts. 

We get into his roots in theater design, the blunt moment that made him walk away from the Broadway path, and the surprising chain of experiments that led to a full-time creative career. From viral Nintendo-inspired products to one-of-one builds that help people celebrate proposals, fandoms, and even family milestones, Paul explains how pricing handmade work and custom design is really about ideation, craft, and meaning, not just materials or production time. If you’ve ever heard “but it’s just 3D printed,” you’ll feel seen. 

Then we dig into Gamify Business, Paul’s business coaching approach for artists, makers, neurodivergent founders, and burned out solopreneurs. He translates confusing business jargon into game language, uses a quiz to map business roles, and shows how the right “party” of partners can make your strengths matter more. Listen, share this with a creative friend who needs it, and leave a review if the conversation helps you rethink your next move.

Guest Links

Paul Pape Designs

Gameify Buriness

Paul's TedX Talk

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

Luxury travel has a new meaning, and it’s not crystal chandeliers or dressing up for dinner. It’s having the freedom to be yourself, the flexibility to pivot when plans change, and a trusted expert who handles the details so you can actually enjoy the trip you paid for. That’s why we sat down with Eleanor, founder of Elevate Your Escapes, to talk about how she turned a love of travel into a real travel planning business built on curiosity, creativity, and client-first service. 

We get into the origin story, from early trips and a nerve-wracking leap into a group travel company to the moment she realized people were already treating her like their go-to travel advisor. Eleanor breaks down what it takes to make things official, including why host agencies matter, how supplier training works, and what the “not glamorous” side of the travel industry looks like day to day. If you’ve ever wondered what a travel consultant actually does, or whether a travel agent can help you save time and money, her answers are refreshingly specific. 

Then we zoom out to trends shaping travel right now: modern luxury travel focused on comfort and personalization, river cruises gaining popularity, and destinations heating up beyond the usual classics. Eleanor shares how she designs deeply personalized itineraries, where travelers go wrong by cramming too much into one week, and how to choose smarter splurge moments like a catamaran day in Santorini or a once-in-a-lifetime dinner you’ll never forget. We also talk rising spots like Sardinia, Croatia, Norway, and Albania, plus why Greece still tops her list. 

If you’re planning your next vacation, subscribe for more conversations like this, share this episode with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Where are you dreaming of going next?

Guest Links:

Elevate Your Escapes Home

Elevate Your Escapes on Instagram

Elevate Your Escapes on YouTube

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

One Italian sub can change your whole creative career, and Joe Garcia proves it. Joe, better known online as Mr. Allright Chef, joins us for a funny, grounded conversation about building a food community without pretending to be a fine dining chef. His whole vibe is simple: good food does not have to be fancy, and you do not need perfect skills or perfect gear to cook meals people love.

We talk about where his passion actually comes from: an Italian and Colombian family where grandmothers feed everyone as an act of love, and where the kitchen is the center of the house. Joe shares how cooking started as pure necessity in his teens, then became the way he brought friends together, and eventually the way he connected with viewers during the pandemic through Facebook Live cooking shows and easy, practical recipes.

From there, the creator journey gets real. Joe opens up about burnout, trying to copy what “works” online, and the confidence shift that came from leaning back into his personality. He also tells the story of auditioning for Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef, then pivoting into the South Shore Massachusetts Italian sub hunt that took off fast. We dig into the ethics of food reviews, why he avoids paid influence that could erode trust, and how he uses his platform to support small local businesses. If you love local food, Italian subs, social media storytelling, or the behind-the-scenes craft of editing on CapCut, you will get a ton from this conversation.

Subscribe or follow Assorted Conversations, share this with a friend who loves a great sandwich, and leave a review with your favorite local spot so we can add it to the list.

Guest Links

The Alright Chef on Instagram

Mr. Alright Chef on FB

Mr. Alright Chef on TikTok

Mr. Alright Chef on You Tube

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

Four years later, three familiar voices return with the kind of progress that makes you want to re-check your own “someday” list. We catch up with Rua Fay, who turned a film blogging passion into real industry access, landing Cannes and TIFF credentials, interviewing artists she once idolized, and learning the business of film through undergrad work, festivals, networking, and nonstop curiosity. 

Then we reconnect with Josh O’Connell, whose deep library of casino gaming writing reaches a turning point. It’s a real look at calculated risk-taking, career pivots, and how long-term skills can snap together into the job that finally fits. 

We also welcome back Mary Elizabeth Murphy to talk about why so many of us feel overwhelmed and frozen right now and how her RESET Your Buttons model is timeless in helping us maintain solid relationships. We dig into her 90-day reset sprint, pop-up productivity sessions, and the Pomodoro method as practical tools for focus, relationships, and workplace communication in an era of uncertainty and AI disruption. 

Ep. 14. The Film Blogger Conversation with Rua Fay

• Cinemasters Home Page

Ep. 17 - The Gambling Writer Conversation with Josh O'Connell

• Flip the Switch HOME
• Get the Flip the Switch Newsletter
• Brian Christopher BCSlots.com
• Brian Christopher Slots on YouTube

Ep. 37 - The Reset Your Buttons Conversation with Mary Elizabeth Murphy

• RESET Your Buttons
• RESET You Buttons Podcast on YouTube
• Buy RESET Your Buttons

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Text me what you think of today’s episode!

Fear doesn’t disappear because we read the right quote. It fades when we train a new response. I’m joined by Kendra Mahon, aka Kung Fu Kendra, a Wing Chun Kung Fu master and founder of the Global Kung Fu Alliance, to talk about what real confidence looks like when life gets loud, stressful, and unpredictable.

Kendra explains Kung Fu in plain language: skill built through practice. We dig into why Wing Chun is designed for close-range self-defense and economy of motion, and how those same principles translate into everyday life. If you’re trying to be more disciplined, more productive, or more connected to your inner strength, you’ll hear concrete ways to protect your time, stop drifting into herd mentality, and build calm awareness in crowds, on the street, and at home.

If you’ve ever wanted self-defense training, a stronger mindset, or a better way to follow through on your goals, press play. Subscribe or follow, share this with a friend, and leave a five-star written review wherever you listen.

Kung Fu Kendra (Kendra Mahon) is a purple sash Kung fu Master with over 20 years of experience, she’s the Founder of the Global Kung Fu Alliance and author of Amazon book: ‘Push Your Way Through’, a book about using the ancient principles of Kung Fu to get what you want in life.  Kendra also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Wing Chun Magazine and works training high profile clients such as Billionaire Brett Wilson  from the TV Show “Dragons Den”. 

 "Your videos are very helpful for training without an opponent. I'm very
 happy to have found you online!"
 Joachim Igl, Paraguay
 
 "I appreciate the online courses you offer. It is a very good thing
 particularly for me with my schedule."
 Forrest Stockstad, Canada
 
 "I like your education method and videos, it's high quality and good
 teaching"
 Kim S., Denmark
 
 "Sifu Kendra will be a big help in my Wing Chun instruction and
 progression."
 Greg Evans, Australia
 
 "Thank you for your expert insights and recommendations."
 Antonio N. Sherman, USA

Kung Fu Kendra's Wing Chun Certification Online Course

Kung Fu Kendra HOME

Push Your Way Through by Kendra Mahon on Amazon

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Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com