Most Interesting Person You've Never Heard of Podcast

Full Episode out now!

Ellen Travolta, an accomplished Broadway and television star, sat down with Frank this week to share her story. Ellen reflects upon her time in show business, her role models, her path to stardom, and her family life. Additionally, Ellen discusses moving to Coeur d’Alene and participating in the summer theater. This year, she will be returning to General Hospital 30 years after her initial role and has two hallmark movies coming out. Tune in to the full episode to hear the rest of Ellen’s riveting story about show business, life, and love.

What’s it like to grow up black in Spokane, as the son of a legendary Baptist Minister? James Walkins shares his amazing story on this episode of the MIP Podcast. Currently the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, James talks about stepping into his father, Happy Watkins’ shoes and also shares with Frank his remarkable 30+ year career from correctional officer to program manager at Airway Heights Correction Center. James shares his unique insight into the world of the incarcerated population in America and his ideas on how to improve it. Be inspired by this incredible man who has dedicated his life to service in his family, church, and community. Make sure to like and subscribe. 

For MIP’s 30th episode, host Frank Swoboda sat down with Jason Clark, the CEO of Second Harvest Food, the second largest food bank in Washington state. Jason has worked in the food banking industry for over 30 years, and has been with Second Harvest for over 20 years. Jason discusses his journey within the food bank industry and the unprecedented growth Second Harvest has experienced. This year alone they’ve distributed over 34 million pounds of food and fed millions of families. Jason and Frank also discuss Bite2go, a program that Second Harvest partners with, that sends bags of food home with nearly 10,000 students every weekend during the school year. Because he’s a child of the 70’s, Jason even shares his favorite Star Wars episode and critiques the latest Indiana Jones movie. Make sure to like, share and subscribe and check out the entire interview for more information on Second Harvest and Jason’s crusade against hunger. 

To volunteer with Second Harvest, visit https://2-harvest.org/volunteer/. 

Have you ever seen the legendary meme of a cat playing the piano? With over a billion views, “keyboard cat” is one of Charlie Schmidt’s best-known art pieces. Charlie, who was born and raised in Spokane is an accomplished artist, who studied at WSU and later in Tokyo, Japan. Charlie and Frank discuss the viral “keyboard cat” meme, shooting movies in Hollywood in the 80s-90s, and how his work as an artist has taken him around the world. In the episode, Charlie shares for the first time that there is a documentary in process about his life. Join Charlie and Frank for a captivating conversation for Episode 29 of the Most Interesting Person You’ve Never Heard Of podcast.

If you live in Spokane, chances are you’ve heard Grant Shipley. You definitely haven’t ‘heard of’ him, but you’ve heard him –– or, better said, you’ve heard the boom-box-on-wheels he tows around the city on his legendary bike rides. It’s probably blasting a song you’ve never heard before and will never hear again. It probably takes you a moment, actually, to pause and decide whether you even like the song or not –– which is exactly why he’s playing it. And, if you ask nicely, he might bake you a pie, too. Grant knows that every small encounter, moment of joy, and serendipitous bike-ride can have a huge impact.

Join Grant and Frank for a conversation spanning joy, self-reflection, musical festivals, and even Amador whiskey on episode 29 of the 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙊𝙛 podcast.

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Chris Patterson is the Community Solutions Advisor for Hello for Good; a non-profit representing over one hundred businesses in the Spokane area, concerned about the impact the homeless problem is having on commerce, especially in the downtown core. A former foster child himself, Chris is also the National Lead for the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative and was a Former HUD 9 Regional Administrator. Chris shares about his life growing up in Foster care and reuniting with his biological family later in life. Join Chris and Frank for a remarkable conversation on episode 27 of the 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙊𝙛 podcast.

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#podcast #mipynhopodcast #helloforgood #fostercare #fosteryouthtoindependence #homelessness 

No one knows how to tackle the homelessness crisis in America better than Mandy Chapman Semple. Seriously. She started by helping to decrease the homeless population of Houston by 60% in four years. As the Managing Partner of Clutch Consulting Group, she has helped 30,000 people find housing – roughly the population of Pullman, WA. Now, she’s helping Spokane create their own solution to homelessness. Join them for this incredible conversation on episode 27 of the 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙊𝙛 podcast.

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To say Dena Carr likes a challenge is an understatement. She’s tried just about everything, from fencing to Dutch oven cooking, so it comes as no surprise that she’s taken on the ultimate challenge, as Director of House of Charity, Spokane’s downtown homeless shelter. Walk with Frank and Dena on this powerful conversation on episode 25 of the 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙊𝙛 podcast.

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#podcast #mipynhopodcast #houseofcharity #walkwithus #homelessness 

 It’s pretty cool when the first guy who hires you turns out to be a legend in your industry. David Zaccaria is that and more. From Spokane’s local Fox affiliate to Creative Director of Promotions for NBC during the “Must See TV” 90’s, the beginning of the WB network to winning two Emmy’s for his work promoting Ellen’s daytime juggernaut, Zac shares his incredible 30 year career and the amazing people he’s met along the way. Join Frank and Dave for this incredible conversation on episode 24 of the 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙊𝙛 podcast.

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#podcast #mipynhopodcast #nbcpromotions #ellendegeneres #mustseetv