There are people in our lives who change us, who build us up, who make us who we are today. In this episode I tell stories about the important people in my life.

Oregon's efforts to protect habitat are destroying rural communities. Those who lean towards the environmental ideology thought the state would bail them out but the state did nothing. One of the county commissioners is so upset she spoke with me earlier this afternoon. I think you will find this conversation enlightening, frightening and inspiring.

For thousands of years cultures around the world have practiced the art of sauna. Now, it's on the comeback here in the United States. But why? Why Hot and Cold? Why Sauna specifically? We talk with an expert out of Portland Oregon about the benefits of sauna.

On Monday the Governor of Oregon gave her state of the state address to members of the legislature. Representative Ed Diehl was in the audience and gives us this hits, runs and lots of errors that were in the speech. For instance, raising taxes, and spending one million to fight our new President Donald Trump. Take a listen and see if you agree.

She risked her life to serve our country by helping as a nurse in New York City at the height of COVID. She got COVID and now has long haul disease. But there's a problem, the Navy won't back her. She tells her story and parts are so maddening you won't believe it.

A big day when the head of Facebook says no more fact checkers and it's time to stop with the censorship. We went live on half a dozen social media pages to talk about that and COVID and much more. The questions are given to me live and I repeat them so you'll be part of the conversation.

I met him 12 years ago. He was in junior high and I was producing an interview with a young man who quite frankly amazed me. Today he is an elected member of the Coburg City Council. Pretty good for a 24 year old who lives much of his life in a wheelchair. Jaymason is one of the most honest people I know and in this conversation he talks about his career, his need for love, his struggle with mental health issues and it gets pretty personal. I so admire this man and am honored to have him on the podcast.

Back in 2007 photographer Ben McKee and me did a trip all over Oregon to document forever, some of Oregon's most amazing Ghost Towns. We take you from Scottsburg to Pacific City and even the tragic town of Bay Ocean. Some of the facts have changed since our story but non of the history is different. You can always count on History to tell the best tales.

Friend and coworker Tim von Schleh talk about Ricks ups and downs, what made him who he is today, important people who shaped his life and other interesting stories.

One of the big voting blocks that put President Trump over the top in the recent election is rural Americans.