Executive Director of JDRF Southern Texas Rick Byrd joins the show today.

This conversation explores the topic of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the work of JDRF in finding a cure for the disease. It covers the basics of T1D, including its autoimmune nature and the differences between T1D and type 2 diabetes. It also delves into the symptoms and early detection of T1D, as well as the challenges faced by families with a loved one who has T1D, such as accessibility and affordability of treatment.

The conversation highlights JDRF's focus on research and community engagement, including their efforts to connect families with resources and support. It also discusses the advancements in T1D treatment, such as artificial pancreas technology and beta cell replacement therapies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:56 Understanding Type 1 Diabetes
04:00 Symptoms and Early Detection
06:59 Challenges for Families with T1D
08:17 Accessibility and Affordability
09:38 JDRF's Focus on Research and Community
12:44 Advancements in T1D Treatment
15:34 The Role of Artificial Intelligence
21:43 Closing Remarks and Hope for a Cure

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Caitie, the founder of Caitie's Foster Fam, shares her journey in animal rescue and the challenges and rewards of fostering dogs and cats. She discusses the misconceptions about mange and the importance of providing proper care and treatment. Caitie also highlights the neglect and cruelty faced by animals on the streets and the need for community support in rescue efforts.

Despite the challenges, she finds inspiration in the adopters and donors who make a difference in the lives of rescued animals. Caitie emphasizes the importance of education and dispels misconceptions about fostering and adoption. She encourages everyone to get involved and support animal rescue in any way they can.

Takeaways

Animal rescue requires dedication, time, and emotional investment, but the rewards are worth it.
Mange is a treatable condition in dogs and should not be a deterrent to adoption or fostering.
Neglect and cruelty towards animals on the streets are ongoing issues that require community support and awareness.
Fostering and adoption require patience and understanding as dogs need time to adjust to their new environment.
Community support, whether through donations, fostering, or spreading awareness, plays a crucial role in animal rescue efforts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and First Pet Rescue
03:11 Starting Caitie's Foster Fam
05:15 Rescuing Marilyn and the Inspiration for the Rescue
08:03 Misconceptions about Mange and Rescue Work
11:04 Challenges and Neglect in Animal Rescue
12:11 Balancing Work and Rescue Efforts
13:19 The Supportive Community in Animal Rescue
14:28 Misconceptions about Fostering and Adoption
16:19 The Emotional Journey of Fostering
20:06 Reasons for French Bulldog Dumping
21:21 Balancing Teaching and Rescue Work
23:34 The Power of Community Support
24:02 Conclusion

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Elizabeth Hale, owner of Cake Fine Pastry, shares her baking journey and experiences running a bakery with her husband. She discusses her inspiration to bake for a living and her favorite and least favorite cakes to make.

Elizabeth also talks about her time on Food Network and a mistake she made during a competition. She emphasizes the importance of charging enough for cakes and shares her vision for the future of Cake Fine Pastry. 

Takeaways

1.) The first thing Elizabeth ever baked was her kid's birthday cake, which sparked her interest in baking.

2.) She was inspired to bake for a living after watching Duff Goldman on the Food Network show Ace of Cakes.
Elizabeth enjoys making custom cakes in unique shapes, but dislikes making sheet cakes.

3.) Running a business with a spouse can be chaotic but rewarding.

4.) The dynamic between the baker and decorator is crucial in creating beautiful and delicious cakes.

5.) Elizabeth's experience on Food Network was fun but nerve-wracking, and she made a mistake by adding too many eggs to a cake.

6.) Home bakers often undercharge for their cakes and should value their time and skills.

Chapters

00:00 First Baking Experience
02:36 Inspiration to Bake for a Living
03:43 Favorite and Least Favorite Cakes to Make
04:06 Running a Business with a Spouse
06:00 Collaboration between Baker and Decorator
07:30 Creating Custom Cakes
08:28 Experience on Food Network
09:25 Mistake on Food Network Show
12:09 Texture of Cake with Too Many Eggs
13:22 Charging Enough for Cakes
18:25 Future Plans for Cake Fine Pastry
19:41 Favorite Ingredients to Cook With

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In this conversation, Todd Burrer and Freddy Cruz reminisce about their time in the Wunderlich Intermediate Jazz Band. They discuss the controlled chaos of jazz band performances and the importance of improvisation. And they also talk about the Prevailing Winds organization, which provides music education and live performances to communities that lack access to such opportunities.

The conversation explores the evolution of musical instruments and the use of unconventional sounds in modern compositions. Mr. Burrer shares his experience balancing his passion for music with his successful career outside of the music industry. He emphasizes the importance of staying involved in education and giving back to the community.

The conversation concludes with advice for educators and individuals considering a career change, emphasizing the value of adaptability and responding positively to life's challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Reminiscing about the past
01:28 The controlled chaos of jazz band
04:51 The Prevailing Winds organization
06:48 The importance of music education
08:04 Finding your tribe through music
09:28 Upcoming concerts and community outreach
14:08 Evolution of musical instruments
20:13 Balancing passion for music and career
22:36 Using music to give back to the community
23:04 Advice for educators and those considering a career change
25:55 Adapting to life's journey
26:37 Promoting upcoming concerts

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In a previous career, my next guest was my boss's boss. His name is Peter Remington, an entrepreneur who spends his time coaching people to lives their best life.

During this episode, you'll learn:

1.) How running with the bulls in Spain taught him about life

2.) Why you shouldn't give up after the first try

3.) The importance of eradicating the word "should" from your vocabulary

Learn more about Peter Remington HERE.

This episode is brought to you by my agency Speke Podcasting, which produces shows like Let’s Talk About Your Breasts, hosted by Dorothy Gibbons, co-founder and CEO of The Rose. If you enjoy this conversation with Peter Remington, you’ll love Dorothy’s conversation with him as well. Be sure to listen to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts at TheRose.org.

If you have an idea for a podcast of your own and would like some help getting off the ground, shoot me a message at [email protected].

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We’re gonna Cruz to the southwest side of town to one of the greatest bookstores in the world, Murder by the Book, where you’ll hear my conversation with legendary storyteller Terry Hayes. You’ll know him as the guy who wrote Mad Max 2 & 3, as well as I am Pilgrim. Terry’s new novel is The Year of the Locust and it took him ten years to complete it.

During this conversation, we talk about the persona experiences that shaped his commitment to writing. He emphasizes the importance of not being afraid and finding dignity in the face of challenges. Terry’s life took an unfortunate turn for the worse when in a short period of time, he lost his brother to cancer, his father to an unforeseen illness, and his mother, who he says may have died of a broken heart. Yet he continued to write as a tribute to those who shared his dream of being an author.

At seven-hundred pages, The Year of the Locust is a monster of a book and it’s on-sale now.

Special thanks to Murder by the Book for allowing me to crash their party for this episode. Be sure to check them out at murderbooks.com.

Heads up that there were some technical issues with Terry’s mic and I made as many adjustments as I could. And you’ll hear a phone go off a couple times. This kind of stuff happens in a live setting. At the end of the day, this is a powerful conversation for those who love thrillers, and those who wish to learn from the giants whose shoulders we stand on.

If you enjoy this episode as much as I did putting it together for you, please share with your family and friends and subscribe to the show from my website, cruzthroughhtx.com. This ensures we continue to score high profile guests like Terry. Thank you.

 

Takeaways

Writing is a journey that requires dedication and hard work.

The editing process may involve discarding a significant amount of words, but it is part of the journey to create the best work possible.

Childhood dreams can shape one's career path and provide motivation to achieve success.

Personal loss can inspire a deeper commitment to writing and a focus on family.

Courage is shown in facing difficult circumstances with dignity and grace.

The power of stories lies in their ability to connect with readers on an emotional level.

Finding the melody and emotion in writing is essential to engage readers.

First and last sentences of books can set the tone and leave a lasting impact on readers.

 

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Writing

03:04 Future of the Edited Work

05:22 The Process of Writing

08:13 Childhood Dream of Becoming a Writer

09:08 Personal Loss and Commitment to Writing

12:54 Prioritizing Family and Career

13:52 Overcoming Challenges and Being Courageous

15:20 The Power of Stories and Not Being Afraid

17:56 Finding Dignity and Grace in Difficult Circumstances

19:44 The Significance of First and Last Sentences

22:17 The Melody and Emotion of Writing

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In this conversation, Michelle Mantor, the publisher of Pet Talk Magazine, discusses the early days of the magazine, the creation of the beloved character Henrietta, and the challenges of print publishing.

She also shares stories about her own pets, including her dog Jetta and her horses and llamas. Michelle highlights the unique aspects of Pet Talk Magazine and its commitment to promoting animal welfare and education. She also mentions upcoming issues of the magazine, including a special feature on the Houston SPCA's 100th anniversary.

Chapters

00:00 The Early Days of Pet Talk Magazine
03:20 Introducing Henrietta
06:33 Henrietta's Antics and Adventures
09:47 Growing Pet Talk Magazine
12:37 The Challenges of Print Publishing
16:23 The January-February Issue and Jetta the Dog
20:54 Michelle's Unusual Animal Choices: Horses and Llamas
32:08 Training Challenges with Llamas
42:02 Encounters with Snakes and Copperheads
44:23 Upcoming Issues of Pet Talk Magazine

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Summary

In this episode, George Blitch interviews Freddy Cruz, a former radio DJ turned author and podcasting consultant. They discuss Freddy's transition to entrepreneurship, the challenges he faced, and his passion for helping others launch their own podcasts. Freddy also shares his experience as an author and his thoughts on the publishing industry. The conversation highlights the importance of perseverance and embracing failure on the path to success. In this conversation, Freddy Cruz discusses the right time to write and the importance of personal experiences in shaping one's work. He also reflects on his legacy and how he wants to be remembered. Freddy emphasizes the impact he hopes to have on future generations and encourages others to pursue their dreams. He concludes by sharing his social media and website information for listeners to connect with him.

Takeaways

Transitioning to entrepreneurship requires trust in your instincts and the willingness to take risks.
Starting a business can be challenging, but it is important to believe in yourself and keep pushing forward.
Writing and publishing books can be a fulfilling creative outlet, but it is essential to understand the publishing industry and be prepared for setbacks.
Podcasting is a powerful tool for personal and business branding, and it offers opportunities for content creation and audience engagement.
Perseverance and a willingness to learn from failure are key to achieving success in any endeavor. The right time to write is when you are in the right set and setting, and when you have enough life experiences to shape your work.
Legacy is important, and Freddy Cruz wants to be remembered for the impact he made on future generations.
Inspiring others to pursue their dreams and giving them the belief that they can accomplish amazing things is a key aspect of Freddy's legacy.
Freddy Cruz encourages listeners to connect with him on social media and visit his website to learn more about his work and projects.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:01 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship
09:13 Challenges of Starting a Business
12:32 Writing and Publishing Books
23:55 Speak Podcasting and Helping Others
37:08 Writing Books and Future Projects
49:40 The Right Time to Write
52:08 Legacy and Future Projects
53:32 The Importance of Legacy
56:26 Inspiring Future Generations
57:25 Closing Remarks and Social Media

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Summary

Monica and Charity, owners of Geronimo Adventure Park, discuss their experience of owning a business together as best friends. They share how their friendship and shared passion for outdoor activities led them to start an adventure park. The park offers zip-lining as its main attraction and aims to provide a space for people to unplug and connect with nature. They also emphasize the importance of environmental conservation and offer team-building experiences at the park. Their advice for starting a business includes finding a passion, building the right team, and having a solid plan and budget.

Takeaways

1.) Owning a business with your best friend can be a fun and rewarding experience.

2.) Choosing a business idea that aligns with your passion is crucial for long-term success.

3.) Providing a unique and memorable experience for customers can help differentiate your business.

4.) Environmental conservation should be a priority for businesses, especially those operating in natural settings.

5.) Team building activities can be a valuable addition to any business, fostering collaboration and personal growth.

6.) Having a solid plan and budget is essential for starting and running a successful business.

Chapters

00:00 Owning a Business with Your Best Friend
03:28 Starting Geronimo Adventure Park
06:49 Choosing Zip-lining as the Main Attraction
08:33 Operating Year-round and in Different Weather Conditions
10:23 Creating Memorable Experiences and Conquering Fears
14:41 Designing and Improving the Park
19:17 Environmental Conservation
20:40 Team Building at Geronimo Adventure Park
23:29 Advice for Starting a Business

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Summary

Dr. Beata Lerman, founder of Sinless Treats, discusses her journey with cacao and the science behind its transformation into chocolate. She explains the fermentation process and the importance of a six-day fermentation duration. Dr. Lerman also debunks the myth that saturated fat is unhealthy and shares her personal experience with cancer and the role of sugar in the disease. She hopes to create a collective consciousness that demands tasty and healthful treats from companies. Overall, Dr. Lerman's passion for creating delicious and nutritious chocolate shines through in this conversation.

Takeaways

1.) The fermentation process is essential in transforming cacao into chocolate, and a six-day fermentation duration is optimal for taste and health benefits.

2.) Saturated fat is not unhealthy and can be part of a balanced diet.

3.) Cutting out sugar can have significant health benefits, including in cancer prevention and treatment.

4.) There is a growing demand for tasty and healthful treats, and companies should strive to meet this demand.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Technical Instructions
01:20 First Experience with Cacao
03:26 The Process of Fermentation
04:15 The Science Behind Cacao Transformation
10:37 Discovering the Six-Day Fermentation Process
11:39 Using Mass Spectrometry to Determine Fermentation Duration
17:30 The Health Benefits of Saturated Fat
19:41 The Journey from Cancer Research to Sinless Treats
25:47 The Decision to Fight Cancer and Cut Out Sugar
43:29 The Challenge of Finding Sugar-Free Chocolate
48:53 Hope for the Future of Chocolate Consumption

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