Oops I Missed Church

This conversation was recorded on December 18th, 2025. I met Rostam at church, in San Antonio. He has become a fast friend and he is always so encouraging and kind. I'm so grateful to have learned more of his story and I'm hoping to do an episode with him and Roozbeh together.

Thank you for listening!

This conversation was recorded on October 8th, 2025. I met Xelena through my wife, Rupa. It was such a delight getting to know her and learn more about her perspective and creativity! I am so grateful she was able to share with us!

Xelena González practices the healing arts through writing and movement.  She is a storyteller, dancer, and visiting author who centers self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. 

Her debut picture book ALL AROUND US garnered multiple accolades, including the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award and an American Indian Youth Literature Honor Award. Her followup WHERE WONDER GROWS was featured on NPR and earned several awards, including the Pura Belpre Illustrator Award. Xelena’s third collaboration with her dear friend Adriana M. Garcia is a touching tribute to the longtime pets they lost. REMEMBERING has been featured in the New York Times and was named to several “Best of 2024” lists including those by Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and the Chicago Public Library. All three books were named ALSC Notables and received the Texas Institute of Letters award for “Best Picture Book.”

Xelena’s storytelling skills were honed as a public librarian in her hometown of Yanaguana/San Antonio and in Guangzhou, China, where she served as head librarian for an international school. Through her author visits, she has introduced a method of “tai chi storytelling” to more than 100 schools, museums, and libraries around the globe. 

Her writing for adults includes poetry, essays, fiction, and screenwriting. LOTERIA REMEDIOS is her forthcoming oracle deck (Hay House, 2024) featuring icons from her Mestiza culture as expressed in the Lotería card game. This collection of soulful writings offers reflections, divinations, plant and animal medicine, and other tools for self-healing. A member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, Xelena has become a sought-after speaker on topics such as radical self love, creative early literacy strategies, inhabiting story through music and movement, and reclaiming indigenous identity in Latinx communities. 

She has received support from the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, the Luminaria Artist Foundation, the Macondo Writers Workshop, We Need Diverse Books, the Highlights Foundation, and most importantly, her readers. Xelena’s work is informed by her studies in journalism (BSJ, Northwestern University, 2001) and library science (MLS, Texas Woman’s University, 2011). Over the years she has freelanced for numerous publications, taught belly dancing and swimming, performed as a voice and stage actress, led incarcerated teens and teen parents in creating their own picture books, and raised an amazingly strong daughter along the way.

https://www.xelena.space/about

This conversation was recorded on September 4th, 2025. I met Frank in March on karaoke night at The Martini Club, in San Antonio. Frank has been singing karaoke for decades and he is a Texan through and through. He has been on many adventures and gone through many trials and I'm so grateful he was willing to share some time with me. He says singing is one of his greatest pain relievers, as he has had several surgeries and battles constant nerve pain. He hopes to one day sing on America's Got Talent. We all have much to learn from one another and I am so glad I got a chance to learn some from Frank!

Thank you for listening!

Enjoy!

This conversation was recorded on September 1st, 2025. Jarren is a friend from church and currently in seminary. We recorded this conversation the Monday after he shared the sermon at church. He shared much of his personal story of coming to faith and what it means to him to be in relationship with Jesus. The same day he and his wife and son joined us for dinner and it was such an encouragement to be around them. I'm so grateful for his transparency and willingness to share!

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This episode contains some material not suitable for children.

This conversation was recorded July 3rd, 2025. Alonzo is a local comedian in San Antonio and I saw his set at the Dinosaur Dreams show at Tandem, on the southside of the city. He hosts his own show called Bad First Impressions and you can find him at the link below. I'm so grateful he was willing to sit down with me and I enjoyed his perspective and thought process!

https://linktr.ee/alonzocantu

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This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, June 25th 2025. Jake is a local musician and teacher. We share a mutual friend who introduced us and my first time meeting Jake in person was less than five minutes before we began recording. I really enjoyed his passion for conversation and I like his ideas!

This is the first Sunday Oops I Missed Church will be aired on KBOE Radio, in South Central Iowa.

Listen to the radio show every Sunday at 10:30am by going to kboeradio.com.

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This conversation was recorded on June 18th, 2025. Greg Berry is a local worship leader and fellow paraplegic. I first heard of Greg in 2018 because of new friends I made in San Antonio who had gone to church with him. Greg has used a wheelchair for his entire life and he is full of wisdom and grace. I am so grateful we finally met and were able to record a conversation together. We were unable to record two segments so he will be sure to return for a longer conversation.

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This conversation was recorded on June 3rd, 2025. Zac is a dear friend, I've had the privilege of getting to know, through church of all places! He is a member of our community group and he is consistently kind and sincere. He loves comedy and he is exceptionally thoughtful! I'm so glad we were able to share this conversation and I'm excited to share it with you!

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This conversation was recorded on May 21st, 2025. Roozbeh is a new friend I made this year! We met at church! He is a local candle artisan here in San Antonio and he moved to the US when he was sixteen! I'm so grateful we were able to sit down together. His candles are terrific and you can purchase them here: razcandleco.com

Thanks for listening!

This conversation was recorded on May 5th, 2025. Ashley is another dear friend from church! She currently works for the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management. I believe she could easily become a San Antonio city council member in the future. She would certainly have my vote! It was such a delight getting to know her more and learning more about her story and experience!

Enjoy!