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Meet July’s neighbor, Ruben Payan Jr. He is a Marine Corps Veteran, a wellness coach & motivational speaker, and a published author.  Deep gratitude to my friend Beckett, who connected us so he could come into the studio today and share his phenomenal story!

He takes us from childhood abandonment to being a young father who joins the Marines, all the way to the Seven Summits— the worlds highest mountain on each continent.  And Yes, he has climbed them all. And Yes, he lives right here in our valley!

It all began on a day he had been invited by a client to climb Mt. Humphreys in Flagstaff, AZ. While he didn't relish the idea, he went, and as they summited Ruben felt the hit, the high, the drug, of what he calls, “the moment.” It coursed through his body and mind and immediately he knew “the trajectory of my life was changed forever.”  Three weeks later he got the names of each of the highest peaks in the world tattooed on his back, leaving room for the dates upon which he would summit them in succession.

Ruben’s story had us on the edge of our seats, holding our breath, sending chills up and down our spines, as he tells of the life altering journey, that begins 30-min from the summit of Mt. Everest. 

All of which gives birth to his brand, “Powerful Human.”

In today’s episode we talk about:

-Not being afraid to ask for help

-How we have to learn to give and receive Love

-Gratitude as a daily practice 

-The “Powerful Human” concept

-Challenges and joys of parenting

-Seeking guides and conquering your “mountain” (challenge) as a team

Ruben is many things.  Kind, humble, devoted, courageous and without any doubt—strong. We hear through his tears and laughter how he met his demons and came through the clouds to find a life where he searches no more, where gratitude is his anchor and being in service to others— his Purpose. 

He says, “I’m gonna listen, be present, and let the universe guide me.”  You can find Ruben downtown Wenatchee at CrosSport Performance.

Bio:

Ruben Payan Jr. is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Seven Summiteer, internationally recognized performance coach, motivational speaker, published author, and founder of Powerful Human.

For more than 25 years, Ruben has helped thousands of people transform their lives by building strength from the inside out. His coaching experience includes professional athletes, UFC world champions, military veterans, business leaders, and individuals committed to improving their health, confidence, and purpose. As one of the few people in the world to complete the Seven Summits—climbing the highest mountain on each continent—Ruben has experienced firsthand that the greatest mountains we climb are often the ones within ourselves. His journey reinforced his belief that life's greatest challenges become our greatest opportunities for growth.

Through Powerful Human, Ruben inspires people to become the strongest version of themselves—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The organization is built on the belief that true strength is not measured by titles, wealth, or physical ability, but by character, resilience, and a commitment to serving others. Whether coaching individuals, speaking to organizations, or mentoring veterans, Ruben's mission is to help people discover the greatness already within them and empower them to live lives of courage, purpose, and lasting impact.

Resources:

1. Powerful Human: Ruben's website
2. His Book, "We Are War" 
3. An Amazing Video of Ruben  

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In today’s episode we do our very first interview with a non-profit organization to highlight a program. Elder Speak.  Part of the Ripple Foundation, centered in the Upper Wenatchee Valley led by Deb Pobst, Robin Boal, Theresa D-Litzenberger and Dzhan Wiley. 

Deb and Theresa share the bones of the program and the personal and community-based impacts, over the 12-years they’ve been gathering elders in safe and sacred circles to refine and share their wisdom.  

We talk about what it means to be an elder, the term Elderhood and the interplay of personal value and intrinsic wisdom. Theresa and Deb share their discoveries and insights about a time of life we all hope to arrive to.

You may be surprised what richness & possibility lies hidden at this time of life.  Because of their work, they both say how they are valuing their aging experience with new vigor and compassion. 

I have to say friends, this conversation today was like meeting our long lost siblings—we share so many values, geek out about the wisdom and wellness process and have such meaningful and fun conversations. It felt like we sat around the fire today with old friends and warmed up our hearts together as we shared about what it means to be human.

Bio - The Ripple Foundation

We are dedicated to empowering and respecting the unique journey within each individual.  We adventure to explore, discover, and embrace the power and depth of the human heart and the expansiveness of the human spirit.  

At The Ripple Foundation, our goal is to create environments in which we have the opportunity to experience personal transformation. To that end, our course work is diverse, varied, and exciting. Our courses challenge us by expanding the boundaries of how we may define and limit ourselves.   

Elder Speak Journey to Wisdom

Elder Speak is a guided journey that honors, affirms, and brings forth the essential untapped wisdom of our Elders.

As this latent wisdom is brought forward it benefits not only the elder, but their families and the entire community. The heartfelt reflections that the Elders offer connects us to our shared human experience.

Through Elder Speak we gain insight on how to navigate tough times, how to cherish the easy times and how to hold gratitude for it all. Elder Speak teaches us the meaning of resilience.

Our Elders, by exploring their own lives and sharing their life experience with us, honor us with their wisdom, and challenge us to explore our own wisdom and honor our own lives. Elder Speak is facilitated by Deb Pobst, Robin Boal, Theresa D-Litzenberger and Dzhan Wiley

Resources:

1. Elder Speak Community Event:

This year’s community events are October 15th with the Wenatchee Valley Museum from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and October 25th at Snowy Owl Theater in Leavenworth from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

2. Ripple Foundation & Elder Speak

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Today we warmly welcome Frank Cone. A Wenatchee man who with humor and heart tells us what it’s like to have a son with a developmental disability. 

You’ll hear what it was like to get the news hours after Evan was born, at 3-pounds, 2 ounces and 11-weeks early, “we believe he has Down’s Syndrome.”

You won’t hear Frank talk about sacrifice or being a hero, instead you will hear about a man who faced his “my life is over” moment with courage and grace. Who rose to the circumstances of his own life, to provide his son and family with stability and love. 

We discuss the fallible aspects of parenting a child with special needs, when anger feels like a betrayal and OCD behaviors aren’t something to be solved, but simply part of daily life.

Frank is a humble, kind and humorous soul with whom we had the great pleasure to talk to about his life. 

He lives with his wife Patty, and his son Evan, downtown Wenatchee. Frank is known for his local wildlife photography and is in our eyes a model for living well and being wise. 

Bio:

My name is Frank Cone. I am married to Patty, and we have a son named Evan who resides with us at home. Our daughter, Erin resides in Colorado with her husband, Aaron. I was raised in the Wenatchee Valley and attended college in Ellensburg.

During my career, I worked as a medical transcriptionist at the local hospital. Additionally, I worked at the Planning Department at Chelan County.

Currently, I am a stay-at-home dad, while my wife is a retired teacher. I am an avid photographer and enjoy reading. Evan and I enjoy reading, engaging in jigsaw puzzles, and constructing LEGO models. Evan particularly enjoys SpongeBob SquarePants, and I have been watching it with him for over two decades.

Resources:

1. Upper Valley Connection: Enriching the lives of our special needs community

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Meet Naomie Peasley. She is a Survivor. A Teacher. And a beacon for Hope. She shows us how it’s possible to move from victimhood to accountability one day at a time. 

In today’s episode we sit down with Naomie Peasley, a Colville Tribal member from the Okanogan Valley. She shares about her life growing up on the reservation, surviving abuse, poverty, generational trauma, and her own alcoholism. With a non-Native mom and a Tribal member father she tells what it was like to straddle both worlds.

We talk about the unique struggles of a people who carry so much pain and trauma, knowing how and when to honor that pain and when to move forward with empowered choices to heal and prosper in healthy communities. 

Her super power is eliminating excuses for people who need help but can’t quite seem to see, or walk the path, she now walks.

Listeners this conversation is REAL. We talk about the colonization of the Native American people in our region. We talk about the abuse that happened in local boarding schools. We talk about the horrifying statistics of abuse, alcoholism and suicide for Tribal members. 

Yes this may land hard, and maybe that's ok. Maybe we can offer our open hearts and minds to listen to the stories of our Native neighbors, like Naomie. To honor the people who's land we live on, who still live here, whose stories are ready to be heard.

In the midst of this painful reality, trust me when I say, Naomie's story is one of hope. She is a passionate helper in our regional communities and her story will remind you of what potential lies in us all. You won’t want to miss her message —today.

Bio:

Naomie Peasley is a proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, and a member of the Sinixt Nation. Born and raised in Omak, Washington, she carries deep roots in her community and a lifelong commitment to giving back.

After earning her bachelor’s degree from Lewis-Clark State College, Naomie returned home to serve the place that shaped her. Her professional journey has included roles such as managing the Okanogan County Fairgrounds and helping with fire recovery efforts there, as well as working for the Intertribal Agriculture Council to help Tribal producers navigate USDA programs. 

Today, she serves as the Tribal Engagement Manager with Thriving Together NCW, where she works alongside the Tribe and partners to support efforts that support healthy communities. She also wears the volunteer hat for many different groups. Naomie stays actively involved in her community by coaching youth, referring basketball, volunteering on local boards, supporting youth events, and organizing gatherings that create connection, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

While her career and community involvement reflect her deep commitment to service, Naomie considers motherhood her most important role. She is a proud mom to two teenage daughters who attend Brewster High School and keep her busy year-round with sports and activities. Outside of work, their family cares for a 20-acre farm where they raise hay, horses, pigs, and lambs—staying grounded in the land and the values it represents.

Naomie’s journey has not been without challenges. Having faced and overcome significant hardships, she now uses her experiences to uplift others. She is deeply committed to showing her children—and her community—that resilience, growth, and hope are always possible.

Resources:

1. St. Mary's Mission: A news report on the Omak Catholic Indian Boarding School

2. Only 7 Seconds: Local non-profit addressing youth loneliness by encouraging and empowering individuals & partners to connect with others who matter in their lives.

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Today Dorrinda and I sit down to give our thanks to each other, our listeners, and this community of incredible storytellers! To celebrate the first year of Live Well Be Wise.

We reflect back on the year, and share what we're learning through hearing and sharing people's stories of healing through hardship. Additionally what we feel the wisdom process is shaping up to be. Of course we are not social scientists, we are curious humans who are having a conversation about what is bubbling up inside of us. (ps. don't hold us to anything we've said, we are not giving advice of any kind)

We do a really fun "mash-up" of wisdom at the end of the episode, with a small nugget of wisdom from each of our Season-1'ers! Huge shout out to Chandra Villano, Ana Gonzalez, Scott Kreiter, Linda Congdon, Juan Pablo Suarez, Kelly Condefer, Blake Suzelis, Jaime Donegan, Briseldy Hernandez-Ramos, Zo Jaspers, Kim Fowler and Jamie Johnson.

Please listener, let us know what you think, we want to hear how these stories are sparking something inside of you? If so, reach out, we'd love to hear from you!

With gratitude,

Kari & Dorrinda

[email protected]

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We sat down today with Jamie Johnson, a new friend and neighbor in the Upper Valley. She shared with us about how she came to leave the vocation that she loved, teaching. Suffering from overwhelm and demoralization, Jamie says she was no longer willing to be the face of success in an education system that was failing to give it’s students what they needed.

We talk about how systems set us up to fail. How burnout isn’t as much of a personal cause as a systemic one. What is the cost of staying in a system and culture that doesn’t align with your values or allow for you to care for your most basic needs like taking a bathroom break? Hence the title of her book, “Teach and Still have Time to Pee.”

We unpack the deeper threads of overwhelm, motivation and getting comfortable with allowing struggle, for ourselves and those we love and support. 

Her business, is called, Kickass Teacher and she has been involved with education in various ways for over 25 years. 

Bio in English: 

Jamie Johnson is an overwhelm support coach and former bilingual elementary school teacher who spent years working in one of the highest-pressure school districts in the country. After experiencing demoralization inside a system that conflicted with her values, she joined the Peace Corps and discovered that educator overwhelm is a systemic issue, not a personal failure. Jamie has since founded Kickass Teacher, written Teach and Still Have Time to Pee, and directed museum education programs. Today, she helps high-capacity professionals untangle burnout, reclaim agency, and align work with integrity. She believes overwhelm is a signal of misalignment—and that when we get curious instead of critical, we can focus on what truly matters, creating a life rooted in freedom and balance.

In Spanish: 

Jamie Johnson es coach en manejo del agotamiento y fue maestra bilingüe de primaria durante varios años en uno de los distritos escolares de mayor presión en Estados Unidos. Tras enfrentar la desmoralización dentro de un sistema que no estaba alineado con sus valores, se unió al Peace Corps, donde descubrió que el desgaste profesional en la educación es un problema sistémico, no un fracaso personal. A lo largo de los años, fundó Kickass Teacher, escribió Teach and Still Have Time to Pee y dirigió programas educativos en un museo. Hoy acompaña a profesionales comprometidos y de alto desempeño a desenredar el burnout, recuperar su agencia y alinear su trabajo con su integridad. Cree que el agotamiento es una señal de desalineación y que, cuando elegimos la curiosidad en lugar de la autocrítica, podemos enfocarnos en lo que realmente importa y construir una vida con mayor libertad y equilibrio.

Resources:

1. Jamie's Coaching Website: Coaching to overcome Overwork & Overwhelm

2. Kickass Teacher- her business

3. Teach and Still Have Time to Pee her book!

4. NCW Healing Arts -the new Collective where we met Jamie!

Books she recommends: A) "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less"

B) "Demoralized: Why Teachers Leave the Profession They Love and How they Can Stay"

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Welcome back friends for Season 2! 

Dorrinda and I are profoundly grateful for your support (listening & sharing) and are thrilled to be back with a full year worth of episodes that aim to inspire hope, connect us across the divide, and foster learning & growth for ourselves and our communities.

Today we kick off Season 2 with an incredible story as told by community member, Kim Fowler. She is a cancer warrior and now a survivor, in full remission from stage-3 metastatic breast cancer.

Her journey is not just about the fight against cancer, but what was required to heal her life in multiple layers. Kim shares her fiercely won wisdom on the importance of community, what it means to be your own best advocate, when to ask questions and when to rest.

She hides nothing and shares her heart in such a way that will warm your heart and give you hope if you too are living with cancer. 

A fierce advocate, a compassionate ally and the “wig lady” at Cancer Support Community Central Washington, (formerly The Wellness Place of Wenatchee).  She is ready to be of service to those who now stand where she once stood.  

Kim is an inspiration to us all and her “shine,” as she calls it, is truly the product of her life, cancer and all. She even says how grateful she is to have had cancer, "it's like the weirdest thing, but it changed my life inside out."

She closes with saying how cancer has been a mind-altering, soul-altering journey. It helped her find a more meaningful way of living and being in relationship with her body-mind and heart. 

Bio:

Kim is 64 years-old and married to Mr. Wonderful, Kurt Fowler, her 2nd hubby, of 32 years. Her marriage is his, mine and ours on kids. Three kids from her first marriage, twins from his first and a boy and girl together. All together 5 girls, 2 boys and 13 grandchildren. Kim retired from JCPenneys Salon 4 1/2 years ago, where she was the salon manager. She was in the beauty business around 40 years. She loves to read, do yoga, listen to music and play with her grand-babies. Being in nature is always good medicine for Kim. She loves meeting new people, making friends and connecting with like minded people. Life is beautiful!

Local Cancer Care Resources Recommended by Kim:

1. Cancer Support Community Central Washington (formerly The Wellness Place)

2. EASE - Exercise & Survivorship Education

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In episode-11 Briseldy Hernandez - Ramos tells us how growing up Latina in a white world had her constantly wondering what it meant to belong. 

Facing the challenges of growing up in a migrant farm-working family, moving from school to school, in environments of racial bias and prejudice, she struggled to see herself in the spaces she found herself in. After years using heavy cosmetics to lighten her dark skin she says, “I had to learn what it was to really be me.” 

She began writing in middle school, finding an outlet to express her raw feelings and experiences. It was here she could finally give words to what it was like to walk in her "worn out shoes." 

Then she spent 3-years doing community organizing work, with Rural People's Voice. This, she says, helped her fully find her voice and uncover those parts of herself that had previously been hidden. She highlights how she learned to meet conflict with skills of active, intentional listening and personal vulnerability. 

Briseldy shares her first published poem, "Minecraft Audios & I" and how she  brought together Minecraft audios and the insidious fear for Latino families in current times.

Be inspired by this young woman. She models with grace and vulnerability, how we can all choose to grow through hardship on purpose. She plans to fight for social, racial and economic justice.

Bio: Briseldy Herandez-Ramos is a 20-year-old senior at the University of Washington majoring in Law, Economics & Public Policy with a minor in Creative Writing. Briseldy is involved in over six cohorts, multiple political leadership councils, and holds a variety of leadership roles that push for racial, social and economic justice. This includes being a council member for Sage Leader’s Political Leadership Council, a social services intern at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, an Organizer at Rural People’s Voice, a field manager at Environment Washington, an active member for Washington State’s Public Health Association, being awarded the Seattle Poetry Fellowship and selected for the Washington Youth Arts Leadership program and finally, a published author. Briseldy has made a profound impact on the lives of many. Specifically, with in-depth canvassing experience at Rural People’s Voice, she helped stop the repeal of I-2109 and I-2117 (Capital Gains Tax and the Climate Commitment Act) that provided immense support for working families, students, and children. Focusing on creative nonfiction, she writes about immigrant injustices stemming from her own. Briseldy is deeply inspired by her brother, Kevin, who, alongside her, continues paving the way for those who once stood in fear.

Resources:

1. Briseldy's poem "Minecraft Audios & I"  2. Rural People's Voice

En el episodio 11, Briseldy Hernandez-Ramos nos cuenta cómo crecer como latina en un mundo blanco la llevó a preguntarse constantemente qué significaba pertenecer.
Al enfrentarse a los desafíos de crecer en una familia de trabajadores agrícolas migrantes, cambiando de escuela, a menudo en entornos de prejuicios y prejuicios raciales, le costó reconocerse en los espacios en los que se encontraba. Tras años usando maquillaje intenso para aclarar su piel oscura, dice: "Tuve que aprender a ser realmente yo misma."
Comenzó a escribir en la secundaria, encontrando una vía de escape para expresar sus sentimientos y experiencias más crudas. Fue allí donde finalmente pudo expresar con palabras lo que era caminar con sus "zapatos desgastados." Luego, pasó tres años trabajando en la organización comunitaria con Rural People's Voice. Esto, dice, la ayudó a encontrar su voz y a descubrir esas partes de sí misma que antes habían estado ocultas.

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In episode 10, we sit down with community member Zoe Jaspers to talk about the very real intersection in his life between Christian faith and being transgender (someone whose gender is different than the gender they were assumed to be at birth). 

Just as a trans-Atlantic journey crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the trans-gender journey crosses gender (from that assigned at birth). How can we navigate understanding in these waters with grace and curiosity instead of judgment and fear?

With incredible depth and clarity, Zoe tells us the story of how he walked into the Christian faith and how it became the safe and supportive community that allowed him to explore his faithful journey through gender.  

Zoe shows us what it means to be curious, even with fear, and move forward anyway. He shares...

• what it means to have lived as a woman but to never feel at home in his body as such.
• the difference between performing gender norms versus knowing with authenticity who you are.
• how femininity continues to play a role in his life as a man and how he embodies both.
• how he intentionally approached his medical transition and how hormone treatment has brought him clarity and peace of body, mind, and spirit. 

Zoe walks us through multiple pathways to understanding: in terms of Christian scripture and theology, as well as simply through his lived experience. He unpacks concepts around co-creation, resurrection, “knowing a tree by its fruits,” and more.

If there is someone out there who can humbly be in service to connecting the people inside the trans experience and those outside of it--it is Zoe Jaspers.

Please join us friends and neighbors, as we cross this bridge with compassion and understanding —together.

Bio: Zoe Jaspers (he/they) serves as a Christian minister in the Wenatchee Valley, focused especially at the intersection of justice history, contemplative spirituality, and collective liberation. Outside of their work in direct ministry, Zoe loves reading on topics of all sorts (recent topics of note include speleology and mycology), learning various fibercrafts like knitting and embroidery, sipping iced coffee at the farmer’s market, and befriending all cats.

Resources:

1. Sunnyslope Church: https://www.sunnyslopechurch.org/

2. Interfaith Justice Coalition: [email protected] 

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Join us today for Episode-8 as we sit down with Jaime Donegan, a neighbor and creator in the Wenatchee Valley! His story begins and ends with this statement, "this is your day..."

"How do we get off the hamster wheel of life, motivated solely by other people's demands, and return to our own rhythm and pace?" 

Jaime tells us how to do just this! With purpose and passion Jaime shares how he came to his foundational truth --to live a life that he wanted to live, AND how it has helped him fulfill his life's mission.

We talk about:

• how his first grade teacher helped him find his "voice"
• how significant loss took him on a 3-month grief trek in the Himalayas
• the exact moment he decided to get out of "the race" and live for himself
• AND...
• what it means to live a "home-free" life

If you have never met Jaime Donegan or been significantly inspired by someone else's unconventional and creative life, now is your chance.  AND if you are struggling with being the creator of your own life, he gives specific tips to start that journey of finding your own voice and living the life you deserve and desire. Enjoy!

Bio:

Jaime Donegan is a native of Indiana and a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, IN and is the owner of Jaime Donegan Productions. 
Jaime has directed Follies Variety Shows that are used as charity fundraisers for 41 years. He has produced shows in 38 states and has helped to raise over 18 million dollars for various charities and community projects. In addition to his own production company, Jaime has also been the CEO of Meridian Creative Artist Development Company in New York City and continues to work with all types of artists across the country by coaching them and helping them polish their performance skills. 

In 2013, Jaime started the Hot August Nights summer theater series at the Numerica Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee, WA and is also co-creator/director of Holiday Spicier at the PAC.  

When not directing theatrical productions Jaime can be found growing grapes, landscaping, making, drinking and pouring wine at Fielding Hills Winery on beautiful lake Chelan or traveling the world in search of adventure and incredible life experiences.    

Finding balance in life is always the goal.