Nonsenseless

Greg, Jeff, JC and Jared interview former D1 running back Tauni Vakapuna.

Tauni grew up in Utah with a passion for sports and family. In 2003, as the running back for Hunter High School, he rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. That year they took the state championship. He served an LDS mission to the Philippines and would go on to play running back for Dixie State, now Utah Tech, and the University of Utah. He would graduate with a BS in Sociology.https://jeff-wheeler.com/writers-block/product/nonsenseless-special-10-store-credits-15-off/

Greg, Jeff, JC and Jared interview brilliant Award-winning author E.K. Johnston. We talk through childhood, writing and the fandoms of Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons.

E.K. Johnston had several jobs and one vocation before she became a published writer. If she’s learned anything, it’s that things turn out weird sometimes, and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Well, that and how to muscle through awkward fanfic because it’s about a pairing she likes. Her books range from contemporary fantasy to fairy-tale reimaginings, from hopeful sci-fi to quiet epics, and from small town Ontario to a galaxy far, far away. She has no plans to rein anything in.

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Greg, Jeff, JC and Jared interview the fun and stylish Jane Sanderson Horne. We talk through childhood, fashion and about the Foundation.

Jane Horne is the Executive Director - The Lightweaver Foundation 

Jane has been the Executive Director (alongside Brandon and Emily Sanderson) of the Lightweaver Foundation since it was founded in 2015. The Lightweaver Foundation currently is a private foundation that’s primary mission is to help individuals locally and internationally gain access to basic needs. Next to the standard basic needs literacy is the next necessity that the foundation feels in necessary for everyone to have access to so a portion of their focus is around literacy and getting books to those that are unable to access them. 

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Jeff, JC, Greg, and Jared interview the incredibly entertaining Kaela Rivera. We talk through childhood, her visit to England and how she got into writing children's books. Kaela Rivera is the multi-award-winning author of the Cece Rios trilogy and LEGO DREAMZzz: Dream Chasers and the Riddle-Spokens. She grew up reading the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents in the forests of Tennessee, but now she writes about them from the soaring mountains of Utah. When not weaving together children’s stories, she works as content strategist in the humanitarian sector. She believes in the power of hope and aims to write adventures that heal. Sign up for her newsletter at kaelarivera.com.

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JC, Greg, Jeff and Jared interview the amazing Jennifer Jenkins. We talk through childhood, books, and volunteer efforts.

Jennifer Jenkins is the author of seven published novels and one non-fiction guide to creative writing. Her work has been optioned for film/tv and she is a two-time Whitney Finalist and Teen Readers' Choice Award finalist. She serves as the Founder/CEO of Operation Literacy, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting children's literacy, and has taught in the Silicon Slopes Lecture Series and at universities across the country on the subjects of creative writing, leadership, career readiness, networking, and leveraging story to connect with stakeholders. 

She received the Honors in Education award from Utah First Lady Abby Cox in 2024 and dedicates her time to building programs that support young creative writers, inspire reluctant readers, and provide impactful educational opportunities to underserved populations. All her efforts are fueled by the belief that literacy unlocks a successful future for every child.

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Greg, Jeff, JC and Jared interview the brilliant Emily Larsen. We talk through childhood, and her passion for art.

Emily Larsen is the Director of the Springville Museum of Art, Utah’s first art museum and a  leader in championing Utah artists. Emily holds degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, and has published and presented widely on Utah's cultural heritage. . In addition to her curatorial and leadership work, she serves on the boards of the Utah Historical Society, Artists of Utah, and Epicenter, and is a passionate advocate for the power of art to shape communities and inspire connection.

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JC, Greg, Jeff and Jared interview the amazing Jennafer Martin. We talk through childhood, how she got into the metaphysical as well as TEDx.

Jennafer Martin is a skilled intuitive, Reiki master, and ordained non-denominational minister who specializes in tarot, past life, and pet psychic readings to give you clarity and guidance. Jennafer also teaches a variety of classes on metaphysical topics, offers one-on-one mentoring sessions, and officiates weddings. Prior to this career incarnation, Jennafer worked in the publishing and child care industries. She volunteers as the lead organizer for the annual  TEDxSaltLakeCity event, loves to travel and is passionate about animal welfare, art, spirituality, and good grammar. Find out more at ReadingsMoreByJennafer.com.https://jeff-wheeler.com/writers-block/product/nonsenseless-special-10-store-credits-15-off/

Jared, Jeff, Greg and JC talk with the brilliant musician Kat Findlay (aka CelloKat). We talk through her Cello career, childhood and fandoms.

Kat Findlay, AKA CelloKat, is a contemporary cellist. She has played on-stage with Lindsey Stirling, Jim Brickman, Jon Batiste and is currently touring with the band Air Supply. Her solo project, CelloKat, is a show of electric covers of popular anime and video game music which she has performed at venues such as Anime Expo in Los Angeles, VGM Con in Minneapolis, and Level Up in Las Vegas to name a few. Kat earned her BA in Commercial Music with an emphasis in performance and uses that knowledge to manage and book for her corporate and wedding event group, String FX. Professionally, she enjoys teaching, performing, arranging and music design for events and in her free time enjoys video games, reading and hanging with her golden retriever, Superfluous. https://jeff-wheeler.com/writers-block/product/nonsenseless-special-10-store-credits-15-off/

Jeff, JC, Greg and Jared chat with one of the OG Snowflake kids that ran around with the team 30+ years ago getting into trouble and mayhem.

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Jared, Jeff, Greg and JC sit down with the amazing Award Winning Best Selling artist and author Jess Smart Smiley to the podcast.

Fun Fact: He is the author/illustrator of more than 20 books for young readers. He is the 2023 recipient of the Krider Prize for Creativity, has completed more than 85 sketchbooks. named a “Top 40” by Utah Valley Magazine, and has created work for DisneyPixar, Cartoon Network, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, IDW, Top Shelf Productions, and Shadow Mountain.

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