Life Story

On this episode, Tyler invites his friend, Holly, to the show to talk about growing up as the oldest of four kids and the sixth oldest of thirty-six grandkids. Holly shares that the family was so big that they’d rent out the nearby church for holiday gatherings! Holly describes her love of Iowa State, traveling, and theater. She also explains how she got to be an extra in a movie, while traveling in college, and how the movie theater she was working at threw her a red carpet event for it’s opening.

On this episode, Tyler invites his friend and former co-worker, Susan, to the show! Susan starts off with describing, for the first time, I might add, her nearly year-long trip across the United States of America. She shares stories of the stops and the people she met or reconnected with along the way. She also reminisces about being the oldest of four, how she got the title of “Coach Norris”, and how life is a collage. Be prepared to laugh!

Life Story presents this back door pilot for The Super Film Club, a new podcast reviewing both Marvel and DC movies and tv shows. Tyler is joined in this new endeavor by Kyle Wilson and John Jaso. Enjoy hearing about the highs and lows of the film, as well as learning more about the MCU’s next big bad, Kang the Conqueror.

On this episode, Tyler invites his friend, Melissa, to the show to share her love of live theater and animals. Melissa describes how birthdays were always a huge event growing up and that she was involved in almost every activity you could be a part of in high school. She explains the path that lead her from being an elementary school teacher to vet tech school and how working with animals has become her true passion in life. Please volunteer and adopt from your local shelters.

In this episode, Tyler does his first check in episode by inviting Donato to come back and share all of the amazing things he’s done, since they last chatted. Donato describes his transition to St Louis, buying his first apartment complex, and working for the Department of Defense. Mainly, Donato discussed his new company, BrightInvestor, and how he hopes it will make finding and buying real estate so much easier.

On this episode, Tyler invites fellow Cyclone and Red Raider alum, Ashley, to the show, to discuss their individual experiences and how both campuses have changed. Ashley describes a childhood straight out of an 80’s movie of riding bike’s with friends until the streetlights turned off and having her dog, Gracie, in tow. Tyler and Ashley also share stories of all the pets they had growing up and Tyler learns not to get a chinchilla wet! She describes how friendships, injuries, and not being afraid of change taught her so many life skills. Finally, Ashley shares how she builds community and why it is so important.

On this episode, Tyler’s friend, Scott, videos in from sunny Florida to reminisce about college days. Scott shares how soccer was an incredibly huge part of his childhood, both to make strong friendships and to bond with his dad. He describes how he met his wife, Allison, and about their first big move to Wichita, together. Finally, Scott and Tyler discuss life after the pandemic and how he is finally getting to live out a lifelong dream.

On this episode, Tyler invites another member of the Bettendorf Gang, Allie, to the podcast! Allie talks about her early years of growing up in Kansas, near many of her extended family members, and summers going to her grandparents’ lake house. She describes how her mom’s daycare and her experiences during elementary school led her to wanting to become an early childhood educator. Finally, Allie describes her college years at Iowa State University, getting to room with her best friend, Rimu, for three years, and spending a semester in Hawaii. The theme of this episode is determination and to follow your passions, no matter the obstacle.

On this episode, one of Tyler’s Student Affairs mentors, Jesus, joins the show. Jesus explains his childhood moving from Mexico, to California, and finally to Iowa and how his close knit family made all of the moves together! Jesus describes the relationships he had growing up with his cousins, mom, and grandmother (Tyler and Jesus take time to share how important both their grandmothers were in there lives). He talks about how he picked up new instruments very quickly, learning to play clarinet, drums, and trombone each during entire summer breaks. He shares how taking time to talk to college recruiters got him his associates paid for, got him to apply to the University of Northern Iowa, and got him one of his jobs at Iowa State. This episode was especially fun as Tyler and Jesus talked about what qualities make up a true friend.

On this episode, one of Tyler’s greatest mentors, Nathan, joins the podcast to talk about their shared experiences of growing up in the Quad Cities and working within higher education. Nathan shares growing up with his close-knit group of friends, how holidays looked a little different after his parents both became pastors, and how losing his perfect school attendance was worth it to get the picture of a lifetime. Nathan describes his transitions through undergrad, to grad school, and into professional life, with all of the many experiences, for good and for bad, that they brought. The main lesson of this episode is that life is truly short, so enjoy time with family and doing what you love.