Conversations with Calcaterra

Baseball is as American as apple pie is the old saying and people all over the USA are excited for opening day especially St. Louisans who pride themselves for their sports fandom especially for the beloved Cardinals. Opening day in St. Louis feels like a holiday and it highlights the change of the seasons to spring. This nuanced sport, America’s past time connects us to spring, summer and fall as these gladiators of the diamond grind out 162 regular season games and a long postseason. There is something for every baseball fan in this extended episode.

Our esteemed panel includes:

Steven Walden – Friend of the show and most featured guest. Steven’s amazing artwork can be seen at https://www.stevenwalden.com/ - The thumbnail for this episode is one of his renderings

Jeff Ritter – Has appeared on the Star Wars themed CWC episode and is a reviewer at http://www.criticalblast.com/ and https://www.stllimelight.com/

Steve Flowers – Cohost of the popular weekly St. Louis Cardinals podcast Two Birds on a Bat along with CWC alum Bengie Molina - http://www.twobirdsonabat.com/ and All Star Mortgage Broker. Connect with Steve on Linked in for your mortgage needs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-flowers-07962b7/

Patricia Minute – Retired English teacher and longtime Cardinal fan who has experienced amazing moments in Cardinals history. She was kind enough to grace the panel with a female presence and intimate knowledge of the champion Cardinals teams of the 1960’s.

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

Mike Aubuchon of Premier Insurance Agency – www.premierinsagency.com – 314.729.0054

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

Christy and Tom Holman – For their support of my voice over the years whether it be the podcast or video work. I can’t thank them enough.

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

“I love the pull yourself up by your bootstraps philosophy but that implies that you have boots.” – Jason Cleaveland

“We've created so many barriers to entry for the for these low-level entry-level jobs that were people are really doomed to life a life of poverty.”

- Jason Cleaveland

“So many times what happens is they lose that hope after going to 10, 15, 20, 30 job interviews and being denied that it's very attractive to go back down to the corner and sell dope” – Jason Cleaveland

What type of job opportunities are available for formally incarcerated individuals? They can be few and far between but there is one job title which attributes to many success stories in the tech industry…Entreprenuer. Jason Cleaveland is the founder and CEO of Obodo and a Just Leadership USA - Leading with Conviction Fellow. He is an entrepreneur, teacher and speaker dedicated to creating new opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to develop into the people they want to be.

Jason believes that access to tools, training and technology is one of the biggest barriers that disconnected communities face as they overcome the devastation brought on by mass-incarceration. Most recently, Jason was invited to be a part of the Unlocked Futures accelerator to elevate the mission of Obodo and to bring Obodo's tools, training and technology to the people who so desperately need them.

Links to Jason and Obodo - https://obodo.is

http://blog.newprofit.org/amplify/first-group-of-unlocked-futures-entrepreneurs-announced

https://www.fastcompany.com/40503210/why-john-legend-is-backing-startups-launched-by-these-former-inmates

A few Collaborations between Jason and Ken

Just Add Water – Blind (Music Video) - https://youtu.be/SDT2kwSL7Bw

Nervous Pudding – Time (Music Video) - https://youtu.be/LQAHy2GfWOg

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

Christy and Tom Holman – For their support of my voice over the years whether it be the podcast or video work. I can’t thank them enough.

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. This episode features the song Asleep at the Wheel from his album Step Into My Place. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

“I love the pull yourself up by your bootstraps philosophy but that implies that you have boots.” – Jason Cleaveland

“We've created so many barriers to entry for the for these low-level entry-level jobs that were people are really doomed to life a life of poverty.”

- Jason Cleaveland

“So many times what happens is they lose that hope after going to 10, 15, 20, 30 job interviews and being denied that it's very attractive to go back down to the corner and sell dope” – Jason Cleaveland

What type of job opportunities are available for formally incarcerated individuals? They can be few and far between but there is one job title which attributes to many success stories in the tech industry…Entreprenuer. Jason Cleaveland is the founder and CEO of Obodo and a Just Leadership USA - Leading with Conviction Fellow. He is an entrepreneur, teacher and speaker dedicated to creating new opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to develop into the people they want to be.

Jason believes that access to tools, training and technology is one of the biggest barriers that disconnected communities face as they overcome the devastation brought on by mass-incarceration. Most recently, Jason was invited to be a part of the Unlocked Futures accelerator to elevate the mission of Obodo and to bring Obodo's tools, training and technology to the people who so desperately need them.

Links to Jason and Obodo - https://obodo.is

http://blog.newprofit.org/amplify/first-group-of-unlocked-futures-entrepreneurs-announced

https://www.fastcompany.com/40503210/why-john-legend-is-backing-startups-launched-by-these-former-inmates

A few Collaborations between Jason and Ken

Just Add Water – Blind (Music Video) - https://youtu.be/SDT2kwSL7Bw

Nervous Pudding – Time (Music Video) - https://youtu.be/LQAHy2GfWOg

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

Christy and Tom Holman – For their support of my voice over the years whether it be the podcast or video work. I can’t thank them enough.

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. This episode features the song Asleep at the Wheel from his album Step Into My Place. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

“For me the idea that I was wanted in life is to be a sports voice of the city. In my profession of sports writing, few things are more enamored than the guy or girl who writes something that everybody reads. Who says something everybody hears, that’s pretty cool.” – Benjamin Hochman

“In the Willie McGee chapter in The Big 50 Cardinals I interviewed an old player that not a lot of people remember the name of, David Howard, he was kind of there. Played for a couple of years with the Cardinals in the late 90s and was teammates with Willie. Their lockers were near each other and he went up to Willie after the final game in 1999 and asked if “there was something I can have of yours. I revere you, you’re one of the best teammates I have ever had.” He's thinking he can get an autographed ball. Willie gives him the game worn jersey from Willy's final game and just gives it to this guy. Howard is like, “Willie, no man this is way to much.” Willie says, “no man I respect you as a teammate,” and that's Willie McGee. Will give you the shirt off his back.” – Benjamin Hochman

“It's funny right, with sports even with hundred miles per hour…the idea of hitting triple digits. If I if I could throw 99 you would be impressed but if I could throw a hundred just 1 mph faster. You know suddenly, you're the hottest prospect in baseball with just 1 mph difference” – Benjamin Hochman

Benjamin Hochman’s dream job would be Cheeseburger Eating Will Ferrell Movie Watcherer if that was a thing. The other two of his four favorite things in life are sports and writing and he assumes the title of sportswriter as lead columnist at the St. Louis Post Dispatch a role he took over from his idol Bernie Miklasz.

Ben's columns can be found at

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/

Pre-order his book The Big 50: St. Louis Cardinals: The Men and Moments that Made the St. Louis Cardinals - https://www.amazon.com/Big-50-Louis-Cardinals-Moments/dp/1629375365/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520864767&sr=8-1&keywords=benjamin+hochman

See Benjamin’s movie debut in Must Fool Everyone - https://youtu.be/2rNSfW9rzW8

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

Christy and Tom Holman – For their support of my voice over the years whether it be the podcast or video work. I can’t thank them enough.

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. This episode features the song Crazy Ride from his album Step Into My Place. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

“For me the idea that I was wanted in life is to be a sports voice of the city. In my profession of sports writing, few things are more enamored than the guy or girl who writes something that everybody reads. Who says something everybody hears, that’s pretty cool.” – Benjamin Hochman

“In the Willie McGee chapter in The Big 50 Cardinals I interviewed an old player that not a lot of people remember the name of, David Howard, he was kind of there. Played for a couple of years with the Cardinals in the late 90s and was teammates with Willie. Their lockers were near each other and he went up to Willie after the final game in 1999 and asked if “there was something I can have of yours. I revere you, you’re one of the best teammates I have ever had.” He's thinking he can get an autographed ball. Willie gives him the game worn jersey from Willy's final game and just gives it to this guy. Howard is like, “Willie, no man this is way to much.” Willie says, “no man I respect you as a teammate,” and that's Willie McGee. Will give you the shirt off his back.” – Benjamin Hochman

“It's funny right, with sports even with hundred miles per hour…the idea of hitting triple digits. If I if I could throw 99 you would be impressed but if I could throw a hundred just 1 mph faster. You know suddenly, you're the hottest prospect in baseball with just 1 mph difference” – Benjamin Hochman

Benjamin Hochman’s dream job would be Cheeseburger Eating Will Ferrell Movie Watcherer if that was a thing. The other two of his four favorite things in life are sports and writing and he assumes the title of sportswriter as lead columnist at the St. Louis Post Dispatch a role he took over from his idol Bernie Miklasz.

Ben's columns can be found at

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/

Pre-order his book The Big 50: St. Louis Cardinals: The Men and Moments that Made the St. Louis Cardinals - https://www.amazon.com/Big-50-Louis-Cardinals-Moments/dp/1629375365/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520864767&sr=8-1&keywords=benjamin+hochman

See Benjamin’s movie debut in Must Fool Everyone - https://youtu.be/2rNSfW9rzW8

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

Christy and Tom Holman – For their support of my voice over the years whether it be the podcast or video work. I can’t thank them enough.

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. This episode features the song Crazy Ride from his album Step Into My Place. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

“The whole origin for doing this project was…it gives us an excuse to explore the city. Learn more stuff around us and hopefully be better St. Louisians or just people in general because were going out and exploring something.” – Matt Sims

“Well it's important to think about that the "24 hour news cycle is a new thing in journalism. It used to be there was actually a gap of time. If the 5 o'clock news and the 7 o'clock news came on five days a week you had to wait a full 24 hours before you could get any development on a story and I'm not saying that the journalists of old were necessarily some paragons of virtue who absolutely should be trusted…no. You absolutely should be skeptical within reason and that's the tricky thing.” – Lucas Yochum

“…you gotta go get those facts. Opinions are a dime a dozen. We've all gotten an opinion and were all allowed our opinion, which is fine but I don't ever put anything out onto the airwaves without having first said like, can I prove this. It’s one thing when we have conjecture and the conclusion of our final episode was asking; Is there hope for people in poverty? Is there hope for homeless people and for street-level addicts? The answer in my opinion is yes, absolutely because people are more informed and more aware now ever have been!” – Lucas Yochum

Blinders Off is a podcast which digs deep into the roots of St. Louis to understand why things are as they are. History is an important part of the story and creators Matt Sims and Lucas Yochum work hard to uncover the facts to present a balanced story.

Find Blinders Off through their link at www.hyperurl.co/blindersoff

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

John Webster, Fine Artist – http://johnwebsterpenandink.com/

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

“The whole origin for doing this project was…it gives us an excuse to explore the city. Learn more stuff around us and hopefully be better St. Louisians or just people in general because were going out and exploring something.” – Matt Sims

“Well it's important to think about that the "24 hour news cycle is a new thing in journalism. It used to be there was actually a gap of time. If the 5 o'clock news and the 7 o'clock news came on five days a week you had to wait a full 24 hours before you could get any development on a story and I'm not saying that the journalists of old were necessarily some paragons of virtue who absolutely should be trusted…no. You absolutely should be skeptical within reason and that's the tricky thing.” – Lucas Yochum

“…you gotta go get those facts. Opinions are a dime a dozen. We've all gotten an opinion and were all allowed our opinion, which is fine but I don't ever put anything out onto the airwaves without having first said like, can I prove this. It’s one thing when we have conjecture and the conclusion of our final episode was asking; Is there hope for people in poverty? Is there hope for homeless people and for street-level addicts? The answer in my opinion is yes, absolutely because people are more informed and more aware now ever have been!” – Lucas Yochum

Blinders Off is a podcast which digs deep into the roots of St. Louis to understand why things are as they are. History is an important part of the story and creators Matt Sims and Lucas Yochum work hard to uncover the facts to present a balanced story.

Find Blinders Off through their link at www.hyperurl.co/blindersoff

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

John Webster, Fine Artist – http://johnwebsterpenandink.com/

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear. It takes a couple of attempts to push through the fear to realize you can!” – Matt Hodel

“If you don’t know where to start…it’s forward. Just go! Start…continue!” – Matt Hodel

“On working with other people – “I think a lot of times it’s just planting seeds and the weird thing is that just because you have a vision and you see things your way doesn't mean that when you plant the seed in someone else there going to grow the same tree or flower. You throw it out there and then it's amazing what other people under different circumstances but the same idea and same intent come up with.” – Matt Hodel

“Perfection is almost a demon a certain point. The best work of your life will not be recognized as the best work of your life until later. Until you have the perspective to even appreciate what you did. Nobody says this is going to be my masterpiece. Take the pressure off.” – Matt Hodel

When one enters Ragtime Tattoo they will not only walk out with fresh ink but also a fresh look upon life when encountering the shop’s proprietor Matt Hodel. Ken met Matt via the creation of a commercial campaign for the St. Louis City and County libraries and immediately knew a podcast recording was in their future. Matt is not only an incredible tattoo artist and philosopher but a great mentor with his own podcast focusing on art.

Visit Matt at www.matthodel.com and www.bastardsart.com

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

Songbird Cafe – Where can you listen to a group of uber talented singer/songwriters in St. Louis? Look no further than the Songbird Café a monthly showcase produced by Steve St. Cyr who was inspired by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. For tickets and show listings visit http://www.songbird-stl.com/

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. His song Carry Me Home from the self titled Hobo Cane album opens and closes this episode. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

John Webster, Fine Artist – http://johnwebsterpenandink.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

This episode is dedicated to Ken Calcaterra Sr.

“I believe that we are here to contribute love to the planet each of us in our own way.” – Bernie Siegel

“Mother Theresa said that she would not attend an antiwar rally, and the people who invited her were very upset, but she said to them, “If your ever have a peace rally, call me.” – Bernie Siegel

“I’d say, unfortunately, for the majority of people, most of whom are the authors of multiple books that I interview, they have to have a tragedy to get them to wake up. And I always say, that’s what’s so sad, because what they’re saying has already been written and I say the same thing about my books! I can’t write anything new. I mean over the last thousand years there’ve been a hell of a lot of wonderful, inspiring people who have said it all! But yes, I will modernize it!” – Bernie Siegel

Bernie prefers to be called by his given name and not Dr. Siegel. For over 40 years he has been helping patients by treating their symptoms to help them overcome dis-Ease. This originated in 1978 with Exceptional Cancer Patients, a specific form of individual and group therapy utilizing patients’ drawings, dreams, images and feelings. The physical, spiritual and psychological benefits which followed led to his desire to make everyone aware of his or her own healing potential. Ken Calcaterra had the honor of interviewing Bernie in New Haven Connecticut in 2015 along with his father Ken Sr.

Watch Bernie Bits – The Words and Wisdom of Dr. Bernie Siegel through the following link.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcJt8C7upzPPw2Pt1Mw8Qw5NA9UvDxcv8

Check out Bernie’s offerings at www.berniesiegelmd.com

Ken Calcaterra’s favorite Bernie books

365 Prescriptions for the Soul: Daily Messages of Inspiration, Hope, and Love - http://berniesiegelmd.com/products-page/holistic-healing/365-prescriptions-for-the-soul-daily-messages-of-inspiration-hope-and-love/

Love, Magic and Mudpies: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind and Make a Difference - http://berniesiegelmd.com/products-page/parenting/love-magic-and-mudpies-raising-your-kids-to-feel-loved-be-kind-and-make-a-difference/

Love, Medicine and Miracles - http://berniesiegelmd.com/products-page/holistic-healing/love-medicine-miracles-lessons-learned-about-self-healing-from-a-surgeons-experience-with-exceptional-patients/

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

American Mallard – A start-up company focusing on improving the experience of DIY painting! Riccardo Hayes has invented an ergonomic paint brush. To check out a demo please email [email protected]

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. His song Waiting from the album Step Into My Place opens up this episode. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

John Webster, Fine Artist – http://johnwebsterpenandink.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/

This episode is dedicated to Ken Calcaterra Sr.

“I believe that we are here to contribute love to the planet each of us in our own way.” – Bernie Siegel

“Mother Theresa said that she would not attend an antiwar rally, and the people who invited her were very upset, but she said to them, “If your ever have a peace rally, call me.” – Bernie Siegel

“I’d say, unfortunately, for the majority of people, most of whom are the authors of multiple books that I interview, they have to have a tragedy to get them to wake up. And I always say, that’s what’s so sad, because what they’re saying has already been written and I say the same thing about my books! I can’t write anything new. I mean over the last thousand years there’ve been a hell of a lot of wonderful, inspiring people who have said it all! But yes, I will modernize it!” – Bernie Siegel

Bernie prefers to be called by his given name and not Dr. Siegel. For over 40 years he has been helping patients by treating their symptoms to help them overcome dis-Ease. This originated in 1978 with Exceptional Cancer Patients, a specific form of individual and group therapy utilizing patients’ drawings, dreams, images and feelings. The physical, spiritual and psychological benefits which followed led to his desire to make everyone aware of his or her own healing potential. Ken Calcaterra had the honor of interviewing Bernie in New Haven Connecticut in 2015 along with his father Ken Sr.

Watch Bernie Bits – The Words and Wisdom of Dr. Bernie Siegel through the following link.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcJt8C7upzPPw2Pt1Mw8Qw5NA9UvDxcv8

Check out Bernie’s offerings at www.berniesiegelmd.com

Ken Calcaterra’s favorite Bernie books

365 Prescriptions for the Soul: Daily Messages of Inspiration, Hope, and Love - http://berniesiegelmd.com/products-page/holistic-healing/365-prescriptions-for-the-soul-daily-messages-of-inspiration-hope-and-love/

Love, Magic and Mudpies: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind and Make a Difference - http://berniesiegelmd.com/products-page/parenting/love-magic-and-mudpies-raising-your-kids-to-feel-loved-be-kind-and-make-a-difference/

Love, Medicine and Miracles - http://berniesiegelmd.com/products-page/holistic-healing/love-medicine-miracles-lessons-learned-about-self-healing-from-a-surgeons-experience-with-exceptional-patients/

Visit Ken @ www.kencalcaterra.com and on various social media outlets and please share and comment on this episode. Sign up to our mailing list to receive a discount code for Blue Planet Eyewear products.

Special Thanks to show sponsors:

American Mallard – A start-up company focusing on improving the experience of DIY painting! Riccardo Hayes has invented an ergonomic paint brush. To check out a demo please email [email protected]

Hobo Cane – The artist formally known as Javier Mendoza continues to craft mindful emotional tunes. His song Waiting from the album Step Into My Place opens up this episode. Check out his work at http://www.hobocane.com/

John Webster, Fine Artist – http://johnwebsterpenandink.com/

Dr. Mark Holland – http://chiroandrehab.com/ and http://www.mystlouischiropractor.com/