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

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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 single DNA result can feel like trivia until you chase it all the way back to names, places, and documents that prove a life actually happened. That’s where Joseph Bolton’s story gets gripping. He’s a West Point graduate and retired Army paratrooper who starts digging into his family tree, discovers Indigenous and French-Canadian roots he didn’t fully understand, and then turns that research into Old Grandmother’s Tree, a heavily illustrated folk tale series built on real historical anchor points from 17th-century Quebec. 

Joseph explains why he chose the folktale as the “language” for telling his ancestor’s story, how Jesuit records in Trois-Rivières preserve rare details about her life, and how he uses imagination to explore the emotional truth inside documented events. 

The conversation goes deeper than books. Joseph shares how connecting with Algonquin community members and other descendants reshapes his sense of identity and belonging, and how Canadian ancestry laws change the way he sees himself in the present, not just the past. If you’ve ever wondered how to research your family history, how to write historical fiction responsibly, or how ancestry can redraw your idea of who you are, you’ll find a lot to sit with here. 

Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with a friend who loves family history, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Guest Links

Old Grandmother's Tree Homepage

Meet Joseph Bolton

Old Grandmother's Tree Character Wiki

Old Grandmother's Tree Purchase options on Amazon

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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!

Some healing happens by talking, and some healing happens when your hands finally tell the truth your mouth can’t. We sit down with artist Devorah Brinkerhoff, creator of Soul Portraits, a mixed media process that helps people turn trauma, grief, and life transitions into art that feels like relief in the body and clarity in the mind. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not creative,” or you’ve treated creativity like a luxury instead of a tool for survival, this conversation flips that belief on its head. 
 
Devorah shares what it’s like working in the gallery system for decades, why she refuses to create for approval, and how she realized creativity wasn’t just something she did, it was something that helped keep her inner world from “coming out sideways.” From her Oregon studio, she explains how Soul Portraits use the literal materials of your life like letters, photos, journals, and meaningful objects to honor the past, anchor the present, and reveal who you’re becoming. She also breaks down the three ways people work with her: guided workshops, a self-paced course, or sending materials for a commissioned piece when engaging the memories feels too intense. 
 
We also explore worthiness and identity: how painful messages get learned early, how to trace where they started, and how creativity can build self-trust in real time. The big takeaway is simple and brave: what happened to you isn’t who you are, and you can peel back the layers until you feel that truth again. 
 
If this resonates, subscribe or follow, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a five-star written review. What’s one object from your past that still holds emotional weight for you?

Previous Guest Links from episode intro:

RESET Your Buttons with Mary Elizabeth Murphy, S1 Ep1

The Entities of the Emery Estate featuring Christy Parrish - Soulseekers Paranormal NE

Devorah's Links

Soul Portraits Home Page

Inner Voice Creative Exercise

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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!

We talk with best-selling author Laura Van Wormer about building a career in publishing and fiction, then losing her ability to write after a devastating crash. She shares how she rebuilt her creative life through serialized audio storytelling with The Class of 74 and why “pivot” is sometimes the only way back to joy. 
• working through podcast tech issues and learning a quick audio fix 
• Laura’s childhood origin story for becoming a storyteller 
• getting a start at Doubleday and meeting Jaclyn Onassis 
• learning the business through celebrity books and big publishing moments 
• quitting drinking at 27 and returning to writing at night 
• writing fast under pressure on Dynasty then Dallas and Knott’s Landing projects 
• launching Riverside Drive and navigating early breakout success 
• building recurring characters and bringing sexuality into mainstream fiction 
• surviving a wrong-way drunk driver crash and a long ICU recovery 
• how concussions and brain injury changed Laura’s writing capacity 
• using shorter “bite-sized” episodes to write again via a fiction podcast 
• The Class of 74 as escapism with heart and a reminder not to drink and drive 

Guest Links

Laura's Author Page

Class of 74 Podcast Facebook Page

Listen to the Class of 74 Podcast on Podbean

Laura Van Wormer Books on Amazon

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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!

Want to make dinner feel like more than dinner? We sit down with chef, author, and aphrodisiac food expert Amy Reiley to explore how everyday ingredients can lift mood, boost confidence, and deepen connection without turning your kitchen into a lab or your meal into a gimmick. Amy traces her path from wine writing to gastronomy and nutrition, sharing how a health crisis opened her eyes to the power of food and why intention matters as much as what’s on the plate.

We dig into what actually makes a food “aphrodisiac,” from circulation and hormones to endorphins and mood. You’ll hear practical picks you can use tonight—coffee to bridge dinner to intimacy, ginger to soothe digestion and heighten sensation, chili for warmth and a gentle rush, and salmon for steady sexual health support. Amy also disarms the hype, calling out harmful myths like rhino horn, shark fin, and “Spanish fly,” and replaces them with ethical, affordable choices that are easy to love. Dessert fans get good news too: smart swaps like chickpea flour in dark chocolate brownies can add fiber and protein without killing the joy.

Beyond ingredients, we focus on ambiance and agency. Small shifts—pillow picnics on the floor, fairy lights in the yard, a shared espresso—change the experience and help you be present. Amy’s free “What Turns You On at the Table” worksheet guides you to track how food affects your energy and mood and make one weekly upgrade you’ll actually keep. We also talk gender-specific needs, from testosterone support for men to hormone balance, peri- and post-menopause, postpartum, and fertility considerations for women, and how a well-stocked “Passion Pantry” sets you up for better choices every day.

If you’re curious, cautious, or just ready to refresh your routine, this conversation offers science, stories, and simple steps to turn meals into moments. Listen, grab the worksheet at eatsomethingsexy.com/podcast, and tell us the aphrodisiac ingredient you’re trying first. If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—your support helps others find us.

Guest Links

Eat Something Sexy Home Page

Amy's FREE Podcast Worksheet - What Turns You On At The Table

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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!

What if a simple puzzle could rewire your routines, deepen your relationships, and introduce you to a global community? That’s the spark behind our conversation with Monica Marlat, known online as “Puzzled About Everything,” who transformed a quiet hobby into creative storytelling, brand partnerships, and puzzle-filled cruises that bring strangers together.

We trace Monica’s arc from empty nester to Instagram standout: learning stop-motion one tutorial at a time, experimenting with location shoots, and building a feed that feels playful, human, and real. She explains how puzzling became marriage glue—big projects for her, snack-size builds for him—and how walking together to scout scenes reignited curiosity in everyday life. We dig into the pitch that unlocked Royal Caribbean, the logistics of traveling with 200 puzzles, and the thoughtful way she matches each person with the right challenge so every build ends with a win.

You’ll hear why puzzles work so well for families, older adults, and neurodiverse kids; how a husband used whimsy pieces to help his wife with dementia savor success; and where puzzles shine at work—from team bonding and negotiation drills to puzzle-of-the-month tables that turn break rooms into friendly hubs. Monica also shares a realistic social media strategy: focus on one platform, adapt trends without losing your voice, and use giveaways to lift small makers while giving back to followers.

If you’re craving a hobby that blends mindfulness, learning, and community, this story doubles as a blueprint. Grab a puzzle, invite a friend, and see what opens when your hands are busy and your mind clicks into flow. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more curious listeners find the show.

Guest Links:

Puzzled About Everything Website

Puzzled About Everything - Instagram

Puzzled About Everything - FaceBook

Puzzled Aboput Everything - YouTube

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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!

What if a 40-seat room could feel as big as an arena? We sit down with Jeff Revilla to unpack his “infinite seat theater” concept—a creator-first model that blends the electricity of a live audience with the reach of a global stream. Jeff’s journey runs from a teenage skateboarding obsession and a basement skate shop to leading digital marketing by day and building a hybrid podcast venue by night. Along the way he collected the skills—ecommerce, video, email, community—that now power a stage designed for intimacy, interactivity, and scale.

Jeff shares why independent podcasters thrive when they own their format, keep decisions close, and get real-time feedback from people in the room. He breaks down the numbers that matter for most shows: four $10 tickets can rival the value of 1,000 ad-driven downloads, and a single live event can fund months of hosting while generating high-credibility assets—on-stage photos, crowd-lifted clips, and new superfans. We dig into how he bootstrapped the venue with smart finds, why he refuses minimums or surprise A/V fees, and how his 50–50 door split plus targeted local promo gets butts in seats without draining creators.

We also look ahead. Podcasting lacks a true “middle tier” between home studios and arena tours. Jeff outlines a path that mirrors comedy: small clubs, bigger rooms, festivals, and touring weekends that pair local audiences with global viewers. He explains how hybrid interactivity turns a stage into a portal—fielding questions from people in the seats and the stream at once—and why affordable entertainment matters for communities that want a night out without a triple-digit ticket. If you’ve wondered how to grow a show without chasing CPMs, or how to add credibility that sponsors and fans instantly recognize, this conversation will reset your roadmap.

Subscribe for more creator stories, share this with a podcaster who needs a spark, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Guest Links

https://jeffrevilla.com/

Poduty, LLC

Poduty and the News Podcast

Contact Jeff:  [email protected]

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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 shaving-cream beard in Vietnam. A department store gig that turned into a calling. A lifetime spent turning belief into service. Meet National Santa, Timothy Conahan, the storyteller and mentor who has trained thousands of Santas and Mrs. Clauses to keep the magic alive long after the tree comes down. We go behind the red suit to unpack the craft: how to read a room in seconds, create photo moments that feel authentic, and handle the questions that break your heart without breaking a child’s hope.

We talk about the real work families rarely see—background checks, insurance, wardrobe care, and the performance skills that make wonder feel effortless. Tim shares why authenticity matters more than ever as visits run longer and kids notice details, and how small moves turn nervous smiles into keepsakes. He also opens the door to a bigger world of Santa: libraries, tree farms, corporate gatherings, hospitals, convalescent homes, and disaster zones where a simple hello can carry a family through a hard season.

As the official Santa for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, Tim brings candid stories from parades, TV stages, and relief efforts, including how his team pivoted during COVID to deliver books and games to kids without internet access. We also dig into his holiday planning system that starts in July, designed to protect joy, avoid burnout, and give families back their December. The throughline is clear: compassion is a skill, and wonder is a responsibility.

Listen for practical tips, moving stories, and a fresh sense of what the holidays can be when we lead with heart. If this conversation sparked something for you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—then visit ToysForTots.org to help a child feel seen this season. #Santa #Holidays #Christmas #Magic

Guest Links

Tim Connaghan is National Santa

Toys for Tots

School for Santa

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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!

What if a theme park could change the way you lead your life? We sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Barnes—Dr. Disneyland—to explore how Walt Disney transformed setbacks into a story-driven blueprint for vision, risk, and relentless execution. From a disappointing first visit to a deep dive into Walt’s life, Jeffrey traces the moment he realized Disneyland isn’t just rides—it’s a living narrative that invites each of us to become the hero of our own story.

We walk through the four C’s Walt championed—confidence, consistency, curiosity, courage—and how they show up in real decisions: betting on synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie, greenlighting Snow White during the Great Depression, and building a park no one believed in. Jeffrey breaks down why leaders need vision, not just management, and shares how Roy Disney’s caution and Walt’s boldness collided to create something bigger than either brother could do alone. You’ll hear how Fantasyland’s design targets pure emotions—fear, wonder, humor—to shape choices, and how Main Street USA blends memory and momentum to set a powerful opening scene.

Expect practical takeaways. Jeffrey reveals the habit strategy that helped him finish his book during a brain tumor battle, the tiny detail Walt personally fixed with a paintbrush to uphold standards, and a snack-sized innovation that went global: Doritos, born from leftover tortillas at a Disneyland restaurant. We also tackle Epcot’s original city vision, what changed after Walt’s death, and how the parks still reflect America’s evolving culture while keeping his spirit alive.

If you’re craving a nudge to start, this is your 20-foot headlight and your next gas station. Hit play, then tell us the small step you’ll take today toward your bigger dream. Subscribe, share with a fellow Disney lover or leader, and leave a review so more curious listeners can find the show.

Guest Links

The Wisdom of Walt Home Page

The Wisdom of Walt Book

Beyond the Wisdom of Walt Book

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

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 snowstorm at Springer Mountain. Two brothers in their seventies, both Vietnam veterans, staring down 2,190 miles of Appalachian Trail and a tangle of pain that maps can’t solve. That’s where our conversation with Rand Timmerman begins—raw, funny, and unexpectedly tender—as we unpack the hike that stretched into a three‑year passage through grief, addiction, and the kind of honesty only a long trail demands.

Rand walks us through the blueprint that made the miles possible: two vehicles, opposite‑direction section hikes, camps near trailheads. We dig into what the AT really asks of older hikers—elevation, rocks, relentless climbs. The stories are vivid and human: a rattlesnake guarding its meal, seven straight days of bear sightings in Shenandoah, and the day a bad slip on a Massachusetts rock slide turned into blood, shock, and eventually a hip replacement. Through it all, the brothers’ differences become their strength—Ron’s pilot‑precise logs and spiritual reflections, Rand’s people‑first eye and gritty humor, including a running gag where hikers mistake “Ran Bow” for the movie Rambo.

The heart of the episode lives in their inner work. Ron, shattered after losing his wife, stumbles into a literal halo of light on a gray Father’s Day and feels peace wash in. Rand, four years sober when they start, carries recovery into the woods and finds that the rhythm of hiking mirrors the 12 steps: one step at a time, surrender, service. A terrifying night on a knife‑thin ridge in the Smokies becomes a prayer and a turning point. By the end, one brother tags the terminus with his son, the other chooses to stop with integrity—and both finish with something larger than a summit photo.

If you care about the Appalachian Trail, long‑distance hiking, resilience or how to keep moving when the map turns mean, this one’s for you. Share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. 

Guest Links

Rand Timmerman's Home Page.  

Assorted Conversations Links

Podcast Homepage

Assorted Conversations Facebook Page

• Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friends

Assorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community

• A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listeners
• Share your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and info
• Special online events for community members             

NOW on TikTok
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee
Say hello or ask a question:  [email protected]

Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com