"We spend a lot of time on things we cannot control," Professor Moore says to her students at the end of each semester in her presentation known as "The Last Lecture" at the ⁠UVA McIntire School of Commerce⁠. She understands that statement well. Her first husband died suddenly only eight months after they married. Her mother died four years later from blood cancer. "I was trying to die," Sherri admits until she met a man who was dying of cancer who told her to let go of things that we can't change. That moment changed her life.

Soon, after realizing that she needed to be with people she left estate work and went into civil litigation. Then, she met Preston Moore, a widower with three children. She left the civil litigation job and took an adjunct professor position at the UVA Darden Business School and also at the School of Law. An opportunity opened for her to teach ⁠full-time⁠ at the UVA McIntire School of Commerce where she is now a respected and beloved law professor. (It is at this moment that Stock says something profound and Hicksy finally realizes that Stock is deep.)

Sherri is married with three grown stepchildren and five grandchildren. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband, Preston. 

Don't mistake Tom Brannock for a boxer, though he looks the part. Yes, he trains five days a week at Madabolic. Yes, he spends hours in a gym preparing for The Beltway Brawl from the Haymakers for Hope charity this September in Washington, D.C. But don't call him a boxer. He's doing this for a good cause not for money or fame.

In fact, Tom is doing all of this training and traveling to Washington, D.C. to raise money for The Paige Fund so that no one should have to fight cancer on their own. Grants help patients pay rent, cover childcare, and buy groceries allowing them to focus completely on getting better. They provide a financial bridge to their recovery. You can sponsor Tom here. Stock and Hicksy find out why he likes to box and what he really thinks about all that fancy boxing attire.

You wouldn't mistake Hicksy for a boxer, either, especially after you hear about his 45-second "boxing match" with a mullet-headed gentleman during his first year at the University of Virginia. Parental discretion is advised.

It's hard to teach but it's great to play! John McAllister, of the podcast "The Setting Trick", gave up his career to play bridge. John didn't do it just for himself, he wanted to see young people play the game, too. In 2012, he took a film crew to China for an international bridge championship. The documentary, available on PBS.org, follows the USA 1 Under 21 team in the prestigious World Youth Team Championships.

Becoming a fan and eventually a passionate bridge player in this highly competitive sport started after an off-hand remark by his aunt one night. John has been hooked on the game ever since. Stock and Hicksy also found out that being called a "Double Dummy" was not a slam on them but actually, it's quite a compliment (in the bridge world).

She has been called "the perfect embodiment" of UVA's athletic program. And while she appreciates the accolades, Anna Williamson, the former trainer for the University of Virginia Basketball Program under NCAA Champion coach, Tony Bennet, says it's really all about servanthood. While she is paralyzed below both knees from spina bifida, it has not stopped her from accomplishing her goals.

Stock and Hicksy are greatly impressed by her accomplishments but even more impressed by her character. Even though Anna had to grow up faster than she had wanted to, she didn't complain. Her family was 100% behind her and she took that encouragement to the bank. She gives all credit to her faith in Christ and points to Him as her reason for living. Now that college is over, Anna has a new project planned and it will debut this fall.

You can read more about Anna Williamson at this Cavalier Daily link.

For Texas native, Dr. Byron Hulsey, becoming the Headmaster of Woodberry Forest School (Madison County, VA) was a natural progression for him. He wanted to teach young men how to work hard, build character and take care of each other just like his father taught him. His father greatly influenced his life by teaching him to be a "servant leader" and to just be there for someone who is hurting.

He also describes the positive changes that he sees in the boys who attend the rural boarding school. There is one massively crucial concept that Dr. Hulsey teaches that he believes will help them get through life. Stock and Hicksy get into American History, which their guest teaches at the school, and their admiration for one particular president.

Dr. Hulsey is married and has two children. You can find out more about Woodberry Forest School on their website.

You say the name "Barry Parkhill" around the University of Virginia Basketball community and immediately you will hear him referred to as a "Legend." Barry still holds the single-season scoring record for most points in a game with 51 (vs. Baldwin-Wallace College, 12/11/1971). The Philadelphia, PA native

Barry says that one major trait makes a great basketball coach. If you can't do it, then nothing else matters. (And he should know after playing for Bobby Knight and Terry Holland in his college career.) He's raising money for the University of Virginia's athletic program, now, and has observed that the kids recruited to play sports are "free agents" who live for today. He also said that when the coach stops doing one particular thing with a player, that player should be very, very concerned.

Parkhill serves as the Associate Director of Athletics for Development at the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Pat, have a son and daughter and four grandchildren. They live in Central Virginia.

Authentic Conversations with Stock and Hicksy is brought to you by Antigua Threads. Visit them at ⁠www.AntiguaThreads.com⁠. Enter "Authentic" to get 20% off your order.

Breathing is the key. We all do it to live, however, did you know that if you breathe into your heart, you could greatly reduce stressful situations and improve your health? Dr. Nora Brookfield, a somatic coach, and therapist, tells and shows Stock and Hicksy how just by changing their way of breathing they can reduce anxiety instead of trying to push it down. Stock, who admittedly talks too much, practices the "twisted tummy technique" that Dr. Brookfield shows him in the studio. Hicksy admits that he cannot meditate but he is a champion napper. Dr. Brookfield recommends to Hicksy what he can do before he naps that will bring great benefits.

Mindfulness practices are for leaders, too, as she explains. Do you find yourself constantly wanting to jump into a conversation? She shows how you can do it in a mindful way. (A tough one to learn for most of us.) After standing on one foot, Hicksy and Stock learn about what inspires awe in most people (it's not what you think) and how you can do it every day. This is one podcast that may change your mind about breathing, forever.

Dr. Nora Brookfield can be contacted through her website for a free consultation. She is a Contemplative Instructor in a Contemplative Leadership and Contemplative Public Policy class at the UVA Batten School. She also provides therapeutic yoga classes for healthcare workers at the UVA hospital and for the UVA Cross Country team. Additionally, she has been a yoga practitioner for 28 years. She has three children, a partner, and several dogs.

Our podcast is brought to you by Antigua Threads. Visit them at www.AntiguaThreads.com. Enter "Authentic" to get 20% off.

Hosts

Rob "Stock" Stockhausen was raised in Buckhead, Georgia. He went to Hampden-Sydney College (barely made it out alive) in Virginia and ultimately grad school at the University of Virginia. Rob has spent most of his adult life in Charlottesville, VA where he has been in the commercial real estate business. He is the ultimate “people” person. He loves to talk and get to know people (understatement of the year), is a prolific texter, and has a strong emoji game. He digs pickleball, golf, and rapping with the boys. Rob loves iced tea but not as much as he loves his greatest gifts, his wife and two college-aged children.

Tom "Hicksy" Hicks was raised in Greenwich, CT, and has lived in Charlottesville, VA for the past 24 years. In a rare moment of spontaneity, (for Tom), he left a corporate job to move with his wife and two young sons to Charlottesville to own a small business. After selling the business in 2014 he moved to Tuscany, Italy, and spent his time, and money, living the good life. Actually….that’s not true. In 2019 Tom began a new career in solar energy and has loved being part of a growing and important industry. Tom is a University of Virginia graduate with a Communications major.

Vinnie Tortorich has truly done it all, but it took a while to get there, and it didn't come easy. The Baton Rouge, LA native, who was legally deaf as a child and has had a speech impediment all his life (he hides it) began working out at eight years old. Childhood obesity became his focus at 15 so after college, he moved to Hollywood to do television. He soon became a celebrity trainer. From working with Playboy models to movie stars, he came to the conclusion that being fat is not your fault. After that experience, Vinnie did several documentaries on being overweight. But he didn't stop there. Vinnie also started his own coffee company, vitamin club, and no sugar, no grains food company.

Even with all of his success, including marrying a Bond Girl (wait until you hear how they met), Vinnie has failed more times than he can count. He tells the story about what a friend and role model told him about the difference between "IQ and FQ". In fact, his best-selling book, "Fitness Confidential" came after a colossal failure. From his overcoming leukemia to starting his own podcast, Vinnie's authentic conversation with Stock and Hicksy is fascinating. (You even find out why you should never drink bottled water. You will not believe it!)

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Rob "Stock" Stockhausen was raised in Buckhead, Georgia. He went to Hampden-Sydney College (barely made it out alive) in Virginia and ultimately grad school at the University of Virginia. Rob has spent most of his adult life in Charlottesville, VA where he has been in the commercial real estate business. He is the ultimate “people” person. He loves to talk and get to know people (understatement of the year), is a prolific texter, and has a strong emoji game. He digs pickleball, golf, and rapping with the boys. Rob loves iced tea but not as much as he loves his greatest gifts, his wife and two college-aged children.

Tom "Hicksy" Hicks was raised in Greenwich, CT, and has lived in Charlottesville, VA for the past 24 years. In a rare moment of spontaneity, (for Tom), he left a corporate job to move with his wife and two young sons to Charlottesville to own a small business. After selling the business in 2014 he moved to Tuscany, Italy, and spent his time, and money, living the good life. Actually….that’s not true. In 2019 Tom began a new career in solar energy and has loved being part of a growing and important industry. Tom is a University of Virginia graduate with a Communications major.

Paul Walker didn't plan to be a minister. In fact, he grew up wanting to be like "Atticus Fitch", the fictional lawyer from the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. That career path, however, changed traumatically one night. While driving recklessly, Paul crashed his car with his best friend, Drew, and three other people in it. Drew was permanently maimed. Paul figured that his dearest friend would hate him forever until he heard Drew say three words in his hospital room that would change Paul's life and career choice forever.

He went on to graduate from the University of Virginia in 1986 with an English Degree and then received his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1995. Paul is grateful to the leaders of Young Life for taking an interest in him and encouraging him to become a minister. Stock, who has a counseling degree, tells Paul about what Stock's wife said is his reason for wanting to counsel others and it all made sense. Hicksy relates how Paul, now Hicksy's pastor, encouraged Hicksy through a traumatic event in his own life. Paul also tells us what a preacher should always do when they are behind the pulpit on Sunday morning and what a church should really be for broken people.

The Rev Paul Walker is the Rector at Christ Episcopal Church, in Charlottesville, Va. He is married to Christie and has three children, Hilary, Glen, and Rob.

We also welcome our new sponsor, www.antiguathreads.com. Listen for a discount code on your first order!

Rob "Stock" Stockhausen was raised in Buckhead, Georgia. He went to Hampden-Sydney College (barely made it out alive) in Virginia and ultimately grad school at the University of Virginia. Rob has spent most of his adult life in Charlottesville, VA where he has been in the commercial real estate business. He is the ultimate “people” person. He loves to talk and get to know people (understatement of the year), is a prolific texter, and has a strong emoji game. He digs pickleball, golf, and rapping with the boys. Rob loves iced tea but not as much as he loves his greatest gifts, his wife and two college-aged children.

Tom "Hicksy" Hicks was raised in Greenwich, CT, and has lived in Charlottesville, VA for the past 24 years. In a rare moment of spontaneity, (for Tom), he left a corporate job to move with his wife and two young sons to Charlottesville to own a small business. After selling the business in 2014 he moved to Tuscany, Italy, and spent his time, and money, living the good life. Actually….that’s not true. In 2019 Tom began a new career in solar energy and has loved being part of a growing and important industry. Tom is a University of Virginia graduate with a Communications major.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America and the bug bit our guest, J.P. Christen, hard. The San Francisco Bay Area native and Wharton School (PA) graduate came to Charlottesville, Virginia in 2008 to work for General Electric after several career jumps to New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Hong Kong. He met his wife and soon made Central Virginia his permanent home.

But it was during Covid in 2020 when he discovered a game that changed his life: Pickleball. As Stock and Hicksy found out, it's more than just a game for J.P. He has a late-night (very late) routine of 3 hours of practice hitting more than a thousand pickle balls. He's been to the Pickleball U.S. Open and wants to turn professional. Why is he so driven to become a pickleball pro? Well, it's actually fairly simple and quite authentic.

Hosts

Rob "Stock" Stockhausen was raised in Buckhead, Georgia. He went to Hampden-Sydney College (barely made it out alive) in Virginia and ultimately grad school at the University of Virginia. Rob has spent most of his adult life in Charlottesville, VA where he has been in the commercial real estate business. He is the ultimate “people” person. He loves to talk and get to know people (understatement of the year), is a prolific texter, and has a strong emoji game. He digs pickleball, golf, and rapping with the boys. Rob loves iced tea but not as much as he loves his greatest gifts, his wife and two college-aged children.

Tom "Hicksy" Hicks was raised in Greenwich, CT, and has lived in Charlottesville, VA for the past 24 years. In a rare moment of spontaneity, (for Tom), he left a corporate job to move with his wife and two young sons to Charlottesville to own a small business. After selling the business in 2014 he moved to Tuscany, Italy, and spent his time, and money, living the good life. Actually….that’s not true. In 2019 Tom began a new career in solar energy and has loved being part of a growing and important industry. Tom is a University of Virginia graduate with a Communications major.