When you imagine a pawn shop, what do you think of? Maybe a gruff dude behind the counter, giving you as little money - and as much attitude - as possible. After all, it's a male-dominated industry, and t.v. shows like Pawn Stars reinforce the stereotype.

But in this episode of Audacious, join Chion as she gets to know the kindness, compassion and sense of humor of Sandy Meier. She runs Pawn Queen on the Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield.

Then, meet Lauren Kaminsky, a third-generation pawnbroker who is playing a huge role in changing the vibe of the pawn industry.

GUESTS: 

• Sandy Meier: Owner/operator of Pawn Queen on the Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield, CT. She is joined by her friend, Cathy Risigo-Wikline from Wolcott
• Lauren Kaminsky: President of EZ Pawn Corp, and founder of ByGOLDGIRL. She also runs the pawn shops at Beauty & Essex in various locations where visitors can shop before heading to the restaurant or lounge. In 2023, she launched a vintage-inspired jewelry collection  

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Most of the time, the stunts you see in television and movies go perfectly. But when something goes wrong, the athletes who have spent their lives perfecting their craft can get permanently injured.

David Holmes was Daniel Radcliffe's main stunt double in the Harry Potter movies. In 2009, an accident on-set paralyzed him.

Jonathan Goodwin was a regular stunt performer on t.v. shows, but in 2021, he became paralyzed after being crushed between two cars while in a straight jacket.

Hear how these two stunt performers have adapted to the new challenges they face since their lives changed completely.

For a full transcript of this show, click here.

GUESTS: 

• Jonathan Goodwin: Retired stunt performer, screenwriter, keynote speaker, hypnotherapist, and ambassador for the Spinal Injuries Association in the UK. In 2021, he was paralyzed while rehearsing a stunt for America's Got Talent: Extreme
• David Holmes: Retired stunt performer, best known for being Daniel Radcliffe’s main stunt double in all eight Harry Potter movies. In 2009, he was paralyzed while filming a stunt test for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The 2023 MAX documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived captures David’s life before and after the incident and his bond with Daniel Radcliffe 

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On July 12, 2022, Dawn Wright (aka "Deepsea Dawn") became the first and only Black person to dive to the lowest known point on the Earth's seabed, "Challenger Deep".

Hear about her journey down into the Mariana Trench, why she went, and what she found at the bottom that shocked her.

You also may enjoy these episodes:

Below the surface: The stories behind underwater world records

Extreme allergies and rare conditions can teach us a lot about human tolerance

What's in that note? Stories about messages in bottles

GUEST: 

• Dawn Wright (aka "Deepsea Dawn"): Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and a professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University. On July 12, 2022, she became the first and only Black person to dive to "Challenger Deep", which is the deepest known point on the Earth's seabed

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Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are considered to be two of the most important performers of this or any generation.

A Swiftie and a leader of the BeyHive talk about the lengths they go to to experience - and share the love - of their favorite performer.

Suggested companion episode:

• 'I Will Always Love You': Jada Star’s musical bond with her aunt Dolly Parton

GUESTS: 

• Molly Swindall: has been a Taylor Swift superfan, concertgoer, and merch collector since 2006
• Maverick Flood: a Beyoncé superfan based in New York who has been to 50 of her concerts around the world (and she recognizes him!)

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When you imagine an emotional support animal, what comes to mind? A dog?

Well how about a pigeon? A sugar glider? Or an emotional support pig?

Meet people who’ve paired up with these animals to make their lives - and mental health conditions - better.

This episode originally aired on May 26, 2023.

GUESTS: 

• Cynthia Zhou: Miu was her emotional support pigeon from 2016 to 2021. She is an advocate for Palomacy Pigeon and Dove Adoptions based out of San Francisco
• Arianna Preuss: Zaboo is her emotional support sugar glider, who also helps Arianna’s brother, who has Autism
• Megan Peabody: Hamlet is her 70 pound emotional support pig

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Pranking on television has been around for over 70 years. Starting with Candid Camera in the late 40s all the way through to Punk'd in the early 2000s.

Pranking has evolved to not only entertain, but to show off the goodness in people!

The directors of the movie Bad Trip, and the tv series, Jury Duty, talk about how they pull off physical stunts that leave a positive emotional impact.

Previous episode mentioned in the show: What's jury duty like? The verdict, well, it's case by case

GUESTS: 

• Jake Szymanski: Director of the 2023 Amazon FreeVee series, "Jury Duty"
• Kitao Sakurai: Director of the 2021 movie "Bad Trip", starring Eric Andre

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Have you ever tried doing an impression of a famous person... And failed miserably? That's because impressions are really hard to pull off!

On this episode, you'll meet two of the best in the business: Mary Elizabeth Kelly, who is known for her mouth acting impressions, and Dean Edwards from Saturday Night Live.

Shows referenced:

• What is foreign accent syndrome? After a stroke, one man’s southern drawl turned British
• The meteoric rise of comedian Zarna Garg
• Why the world needs comedians with disabilities

GUESTS: 

• Mary Elizabeth Kelly: (below right) Actor, writer, and comedian famous for her viral impressions of celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Coolidge, and Winona Ryder
• Dean Edwards: (below left) Actor, comedian, writer, and Saturday Night Live cast member from 2001-2003. Best known for his celebrity impressions including Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z, Mo’Nique, Chris Rock, 50 Cent, and Eddie Murphy

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Remember the joy of “Show and Tell” at school? Now why should only the kids have all the fun?

Listeners to Audacious (and staff members of Connecticut Public!) gathered at Third Place by Half Full Brewery on March 13th for an opportunity to share their story!

For a full transcript of this show, click here.

GUESTS: 

• Elaine Braithwaite: Electric violinist and City Librarian of Bridgeport
• Faisal Saleh: Founder of Palestine Museum US in Woodbridge, CT
• Paul Bluestein: Husband of Lynda Shannon Bluestein, advocate for LyndasPhones.org
• Chion Wolf: Host of Audacious
• Jessica Severin de Martinez: Producer of Audacious
• Khaleel Rahman: Producer of Audacious
• Lucy Nalpathanchil: Vice President of Community Engagement at Connecticut Public 
• Jennifer Reilly and Stephanie Convey: Wethersfield residents who brought a brass sculpture
• Cjet Raymond: West Haven resident who brought a jar of cat whiskers
• Cynthia Bowser: Stamford resident who brought her mothers hat
• Kristen Cusato: Director of Communications for the Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut, and host of the podcast, Speaking of Alzheimer's

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How do you define forgiveness?

Turns out, the definition tends to be as different as every person. And that definition changes depending on where you are in the process, too!

On this episode of Audacious, Chion talks about it with a best friend, a pastor, a philosopher, and a man who lost his face after getting hit by a drunk driver.

You’ll also hear ponderings on forgiveness from some of our Audacious listeners!

And since this is a rebroadcast of an episode from two years ago, Chion offers a few new personal reflections on forgiveness after all this time.

This show originally aired on March 25, 2022 and was updated on March 15, 2024.

For a full transcript of this episode, click here.

Hear the extended interview with David Whyte.

Listen to our previous episodes with Robert Chelsea about his face transplant and his experience as part of the “disabled diaspora”.

GUESTS: 

• Sarah Eyre: A Willimantic-based textile artist
• Rev. Dr. Shelley Best: CEO of the Greater Hartford Arts Council
• Robert Chelsea: The first African-American full-face transplant recipient
• Everick Brown: Robert Chelsea’s godson and the spokesperson for the Robert Chelsea Foundation
• David Whyte: Poet, philosopher, speaker, and author of Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment, and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words

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If you've ever wondered where the CIA finds inspiration to disguise their agents, you'd think maybe… Hollywood with their special effects?

Turns out, it was the magic community that helped them develop technology that may have saved lives and uncovered secrets!

Hear stories from retired CIA Chief of Disguise, Jonna Mendez, including how she used this technology to surprise the former head of the CIA, President George HW Bush.

For a full transcript of this show, click here.

GUEST: 

• Jonna Mendez: Retired CIA Chief of Disguise, and author of the new memoir, In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.