Fired Up Forever!

Chips!

In this episode, special co-host guest, Lindsay Hanson and myself chat it up with Family Feud celebrity, Mr. Chuck Mahone.  Chuck also was a 2 time SGA President during his time at CMU.  Lindsay and I don't hold back with your deep, thought provoking questions such as: does the SGA president have the power to cancel classes on St. Patrick's Day, or was Steve Harvey's mustache as magical as it appears on TV? 

Unknown to Chuck and Lindsay before we recorded, I got my chance to play the role of Steve Harvey with 3 questions I survey from fellow CMU alumni.  Listen in to see what the number one response to this question, what is your favorite bar in Mount Pleasant?

My continue thanks and appreciation to Dan Louisell who wrote and performed the Fired Up Forever! podcast theme song.  Check out Dan's YouTube channel to see some of his original music and sketch shows.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

At the end of this episode is the full song from the musical group, "Paddlebots".  The song is called, " Before We Fade Away" from their album A Mouth Full of Dirt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rQH-h2W_94&list=OLAK5uy_nMjHnMWfVZN2gmgRskNzggROXZxpfZ6xQ&index=3


Stay Fired Up Chips!

Michael Curtiss

Chips!

The episode title says it all! Truly, how many of us "younger" chips know the history of this team? Maybe some of us know by causal conversation among chips, stories posted in newspapers or online, CMU parents who attended during that time retelling stories, or anywhere in between.

My run with this story started with a posting in the CMU group by Justin Newsome, son of 1974 CMU player, Rick Newsome.  It seems that Rick, while serving as a police officer, lost his 1974 National Championship ring during a hot pursuit .  Years later, by a miracle, Rick was able to find his lost ring in the Detroit river, right where the suspect pursuit ended.  Justin posted a newspaper clip in the CMU group and I was curious to know more.

This episode is an inside look to the details of finding that ring and how CMU became to be a dominate force in 1974.  

Enjoy!


Podcast theme song was written and performed by Dan Louisell
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

Music at the end is written and performed by JD Dominowski.  The song is called "Back Up Plan" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Irtg_TD_0&list=OLAK5uy_lmICeN4Xc0yu01-5SZsvwxu_EIdSCNHOY

Link to Tim Chapman's book, "Champion Underdogs: The Improbable Success of the 1995 Northwestern Football Team"

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Underdog-Improbable-Northwestern-Football/dp/B08R6TMVX6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=71QRPXLRTT42&dchild=1&keywords=tim+chapman&qid=1620329493&sprefix=Tim+chap%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1

FIRE UP CHIPS!

Michael 

Chips

In making his return to the podcast, Mr. Dan Louisell from The Burning Bushes, joins in on the Vegan Food Recipe talk as the show's special guest  co-host.  Dan definitely brings his charm, jokes, and story of how he and his family made the choice to go to a plant base diet.  The change drastically transforms his life from the path he was on. 

The spotlight of the show is on CMU Alumni Lindsay Hanson who spent two years transforming all of her plant base recipes into a complete recipe book named, "Graze".  Though I am not Vegan myself, I do like to experiment with different types of foods that fuels my passion for outdoors activities.  I received Lindsay's recipe book after this interview and love the Black Bean Burgers more than I thought I would.

What I love about this conversation with Dan and Lindsay, nobody is here to shame or say "Vegan or nothing!"  It is truly a discussion about our healthy food journeys, and looking forward to how we can spend more time having beers with friends.

One part of the recording does reference the Netflix documentary, "The Game Changer".  The link is to a study on the effects of meat vs plant base on the male erection. 
https://youtu.be/vYsxJ4fgUGU

Links to Lindsay and to find her recipe book:


website: www.sketchandbalance.com

Graze: https://www.blurb.com/b/9672623-graze

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sketchandbalance

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sketchandbalance

Email: [email protected]


And here is a link to a clip from Dan's show Isolated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzdDUfYQqTc

And thanks Dan in writing and performing the Podcast theme song.

Fire Up Chips!

Michael

Chips!

I have seen post after post in the CMU Facebook group with the collective thought, "when did WE get old?!" I, like so many others, is completely content in being in bed by 9PM on a Friday night.  Even as my muscles in my body get older and older, I hope that my heart will forever be young and strong.

Today's episode takes us to a CMU couple (James & Adeline Gonzalas) who mission is to inspire a strong and steady heart to those at any age.  More importantly, they hope to set the example for the young generations with the creation of their illustrated kid's book, "Walley The Fit Kid".  The book series promotes good health practices with the reality of the difficulties young children face in being motivated to work out.

Link to purchase book
https://www.iuniverse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/821538-walley-the-fit-kid

 Instagram link to book illustrator Erihii (Eric) Nyamor
https://www.instagram.com/super_saiyan_e/?hl=en

James Gonzalas is also a certified personal trainer with his own facility and brand "WORK365Fitness" in the Flint, Michigan Area. 

Writing a new chapeter
Overcoming obstacles
Revitalize community
Keep it positive

Visit his website to know more or follow him on Social Media in watching James train students.
https://work365fitness.com
https://www.facebook.com/james.gonzales.146

As always, thank you to Dan Louisell from The Burning Bushes in writing and performing the podcast theme song, "Fired Up Forever!"
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

At the end of the episode, I have the song "Monochrome Love" from the recently interviewed band, "Paddlebots". Check out them on all forms of social media @paddlebotsmusic or click the link to take you to their YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESca4w0PaEY

Stay Fired Up Chips!

Michael 

CHiPs:

 I want to continue to give recognition to all the Chips who chimed in on the FB group during the Texas Winter Storm (February 14-February 19).  There are a lot of Chips who live in the Deep South and had to quickly remember their CMU roots in surviving a week with freezing temps, snow, ice, electricity blackouts, and limited amounts of food and water.  I felt as ease knowing fellow Chips were also in for the win during that week.

Before crap hit the fan and lost power for a whole week, I was able to chat with a younger generation of CMU Chippewas Haruki and Cortez from the musical group, "Paddlebots".  Their days at CMU began during the 2010s and proudly carry on the legacy we established in the 2000s.  

As we get into Paddlebots music, please join us with a cold one and get down with the good time musical vibes the band creates.  To know more and follow the Paddlebots, go to www.paddlebotsmusic.com.  They are @paddlebotsmusic on all social media platforms, and their music is on iTunes, Spotify, and Youtube ready for instant enjoyment. 

Paddlebots sing and music video  "Monochrome Love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESca4w0PaEY

Podcast Theme song written and performed by Dan Louisell from The Burning Bushes.
www.youtube.com/danlouisell

Show Email: [email protected]

Stay Fired Up!

Michael 

Chips!

In this episode, I have on sportswriter and now author to his first book on the 1995 Northwestern football team, Tim Chapman.  An important part to this book is having Tim's brother Chris helping with the process.  We get to chat  up CMU days, how this book came about, and this heart driven story of college athletes coming together to beat the odds.  If I was at a sports bar, these are two brothers I would want to cheer on CMU with while dive deep into weeds of college football history.  Plus, I feel like fireballs would be order as well!

As the cliche goes, "never judge a book by its cover" easily applies to this book.  Once getting past the first few chapters, it was hard in putting it down.  I love reading it and being enthrawed by the detailed accounts Tim was able to draw from players and coaches.  I felt there were a lot parallel between the Northwestern team to CMU when we shifted in the 2000s in being a powerhouse football team.

Tim's book can be found on amazon either print or kindle format.

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Underdog-Improbable-Northwestern-Football/dp/B08R6TMVX6

or you can email Tim directly if you like to get a personalize inscription and autograph

[email protected]

Follow Tim on twitter  @champion_Lit

My continue thanks and gratitude to two CMU musicians that definitely add character to this podcast.

Theme Song written and performed by Dan Louisell
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

Song, "Young and Dumb" is by JD Dominowski
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhDTwj8J-DvopCyBtv7czw

FIRE UP CHIPS!

Michael 

Happy New Year Chips!

In September of 2020, almost at the same time, two podcasts (Fired Up Forever! & Tips From Chips) rooted in the spirit of CMU made their series launch.   Both, I would argue, came from a place to develop community among Chips and lean into each other as the world turned upside down in 2020.

The podcast "Tips from Chips" by Nathan Kopp, had a necessary reason to band together dozen of CMU Chippewas as Nate and his fellow podcast guest(s) come from the Sports Management world.  It is beyond Captain obvious that all of the sports industry has been hit hard economically by the pandemic.   Who, Where, What, and How to turn to others with finding creative solutions to complex challenges is the mission of Tips from Chips.  Even if you are not in the world of sports, Nathan's message revolves around the heart felt feeling in outreach that many are not as alone as they might think.

With Nathan's spirit to help other Chips, it only felt right to have him on to highlight his show and the work he puts into each episode.  I ask any listeners to check out Tips from Chips on Twitter and Instagram.  If you like anything you see or hear, give him a quick wave or shout out.  @TipsFromChips

Show Email [email protected]. Love to hear those fired up shout out stories!

Podcast Theme Song written and performed by Dan Louisell.  Dan can be easily followed on his YouTube channel.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

Music "Stay Runnin'" is by JD Dominowski from his album "Songs From An American Nobody, Volume One." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G02fRleqOHA&list=OLAK5uy_nq3cf6WKCZUiNdJbOdP8FSGV8ZYKHgRsU&index=6

Happy Holidays Chips!

As a little bonus and looking back at what has become of all the renewed and new relationships from the  CMU Facebook group. Here are a few clips from our fellow CMU peers who either illustrate their talents, or bring back the connective tissues of once climbing the hill of Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

As Season 2 is in preps now, if any fellow CMU Alumni wish to come on and share their story or talents, please reach out to the show's email at [email protected].  If you simply want to share your "Fired Up Chips" success or fail shout out I love to hear that as well.  

See y'all in 2021!

Michael

Theme Song written and performed by Dan Louisell from the Burning Bushes.  Dan is about as creative as anybody around.  Check out his YouTube channel for family friendly online performances.  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

Happy Holidays Chips

As the show goes into the holiday break, it could not do so without paying a debt of gratitude to all CMU teachers working in the trenches.  We thank you in doing the very best for our future with the love y'all give.

On this episode, we have two elementary teachers, Ms. Kelly Hodson and Ms. Allyson Grey.  Two became close friends over their shared experience of taking core EDU classes together as well as supporting each other in their respective teaching careers.  Now, if one presumes that this chat is all business and no fun, you be dead wrong.  The laughs, the unforgettable teacher moments, and love for CMU is present all throughout the episode. 

One of many things that Kelly and Allyson shared is a resource tool that numerous teachers are turning to as things have radically shifted this past year: www.teacherspayteacher.com.  This online source of lessons plans are created by teachers for teachers.  This is how teachers can make a little extra money and where teachers can get well crafted material as well.  There is a good chance that a teacher in your area could be using it.  If in the mood for a random act of kindness; I am sure Kelly and Allyson would appreciate the boost of support from fellow chips.  Online gift cards are available for purchase.  As to protect their privacy, I can give you their email addresses by first going through me the show email address [email protected]. 

If nothing else, even words of encouragement can go a long way.  As you'll hear in this episode, these are 2 of Central finest teachers in doing what they love.

Podcast theme song is written and perform by Dan Louisell.  Dan creates unbelievable online skit shows complete with kid friendly music.  Follow Dan through his YouTube channel.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzUd3J3_tT7ETw-fUP80fA

Music Credit : JD Dominowski's song "Bloody Mary" from his album "Songs from American Nobody, Vol 1." 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENe0W32G6vo

Y'all Come back now you hear!

FIRE UP!

Michael