OK Boomer

Franks for the Memories-  and your service.

“You’ve got to be willing to help people when they are at their worst.”  This firmly held belief by recently retired Prophetstown Police Chief Bruce Franks was enacted many times throughout his career.  Bruce will share with us stories about offering a hand to those he too often had to deal with that were mired in misery.  He’ll also speak about his tireless involvement in community affairs like the Fishing Derby and Light Up the Park, the difficulties and rewards of wearing a badge, how he managed to avoid becoming cynical, and other aspects of wearing a badge, vest, and a weapon.

This episode is part one of our wide-ranging conversation covering his three decades of service.  Part II will be available on the 15th of next month.

Listen at this website or wherever fine podcasts are hosted:  https://okboomer.libsyn.com/site

Other links:

Thomas Nance website for audiobooks and voiceover: https://tommytones.webnode.page/

Email:  [email protected]

How to Live - How to Die-- when you get to be my age, those topics become of interest. And so they are featured in this episode. The episode is in my occasional format of potpourri, an eclectic reading of various literary gems I've found worth sharing, many of them dealing with living and dying. But to be sure, there are plenty of humorous bits from Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous that will tickle you.

Once upon a time a Wauconda High School student, class of 2004, was floundering around, contemplating life as a painter, not terribly ambitious about anything.  He had a below average GPA and a job at Jewel.  He was enjoying life, perhaps a bit much.  But holy about face, Batman!  In a just a few short years, he was excelling in college, scoring a double major while holding down various jobs, all which led to his current position as a top-level executive at the Jim Beam corporation.  Talk about a pivot!  And he does talk about it and how persistence and passion catapulted him into a life that even today amazes him.  Join Boomer and Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous for an inspiring conversation on how Rob Allen turned his life around.

Naysayers:  Kayla, you're too short.  You're too small.  You can't play softball on an elite level.

Kayla:  Hold my Gatorade.

Small of stature, Kayla Wedl has proven herself in a spectacular way on the biggest of softball stages, including a stellar career at the University of Illinois-Chicago and now as a professional softball player for The New York Rise.  She shares with Boomer her memories at Wauconda High School (2016 graduate) and UIC.  She talks about her journey and the challenges it provided, how it has affected her on and off the diamond.

Kayla is just one of a dozen of WHS graduates featured on this podcast.  Check them out along with other people that Boomer interviews in his continuing series of "Tales From The Workplace."

Genesis Hey Krick

You don't have to resign yourself to an unfulfilled life, a life of despair with no sense of purpose.  There are tools available to give structure and meaning to your journey.  Genesis Hey Krick is a life coach, author, and motivational speaker who gives practical advice on how to examine where you are and how to pivot towards a more satisfying life.  She gives Boomer great suggestions on how to manage his time.  This is part two of our interview on how to transform your life.

Connect with Genesis:

Website: https://genesisspeaks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genesisspeaks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/genesishey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genesisheykrick/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisheykrick/

Do you wake up with joy and excitement as you contemplate the day ahead of you, or would you describe your life as stagnant?  Are you running on a hamster wheel and feeling trapped?  Are you being called to do a little bit more? 

Are you simply surviving?  Or are you thriving?  Are you, as stated in the title to a Garth Brooks hit song, “Standing Outside the Fire?”

Our guest, Genesis Hick-Krey, asks us to reflect upon these questions, to be open to self-discovery, to reconsider where you might direct your life.  And she offers practical advice on how to start this transformational journey.  It’s not a fluff ‘n stuff approach to change.

Connect with Genesis:

Website: https://genesisspeaks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genesisspeaks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/genesishey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genesisheykrick/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisheykrick/

Surf Therapy-  Say what?  Say yes to an alternative therapy that successfully treats PTSD, chronic pain, depression, grief, autism, and much more.  Say WOW to the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) that brings together 133 surf therapy groups all over the world to serve hundreds of thousands of clients a year to get into the water, get on a surfboard, and get on with their lives.

This is part II of our conversation with ISTO's Chairman of the Board, Brian School.  Brian explains how their deliberate and analytical approach to surf therapy is a rapidly growing treatment that is changing lives.

Surf Therapy is growing alternative therapy for a multitude of afflictions, including PTSD, chronic pain, autism, depression, grief, among others.  Brian Schoo, Chairman of the Board of the International Surf Therapy Organization, explains the vision of this non-profit and how he and his team hope to improve the lives of people by "hanging ten."  Brian's passion for this effort is highlighted by his recent resignation from the Nestle company where he was a top executive involved with global logistics and then eventually developing The Thrive Network, a branch of Nestle dedicated to mental health.  Enjoy listening to how this young man who grew up in the Midwest is now catching waves and changing lives.

In Potpourri IV, a litany of literary gems await you.  

This edition includes these goodies: philosophy by Charles Schultz, an interview with a cat, advice on how NOT to ruin your life and so much more.

Let the eargasm begin.

My audio holiday gift to you is the story of "A Christmas Rifle."  Ralphie, in the movie A Christmas Story," cries when he almost shoots his eye out with his treasured Red Ryder.  I cried a bit when I read "A Christmas Rifle" in a Facebook post.  I doubt that you'll fare differently.  May the blessings of this season be upon you and your family and may they be shared with others.  Length: 12 minutes