Out of Whack

Michael grew up in Greer, SC.  He had the luck to learn to how to cook and garden from his grandparents.  As the youngest of 6 children and a house of 10 (parents, grandparents and children), it could be hectic at times.  Helen Mae (grandmother) started showing Michael how to cook.  Francis Marion (grandfather) showed him how to garden.

Every spring, Michael would help his grandfather with the garden.  From tomatoes to potatoes to okra to corn, they planted it.  Many times, he would help harvest from the garden and bring the fresh vegetables to the kitchen for that nights dinner.

His grandparents grew up in the Shreveport, LA area.  Growing up in this area gave them the opportunity to learn the local flare for cooking and smoking meats.  During the holidays, the family would enjoy a smoked turkey, smoked ham, smoked pheasant and smoked quail wrapped in bacon (quail have no fat and would be bone dry if not for the bacon).

Michael counts his blessing that he had the opportunity to learn from two of the greatest people he has ever known.  Now, he takes this love of cooking and regularly cooks for his friends.

Mike's Website: https://mikesinthekitchen.com/
Mikes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrAAQ64yOHHr5MzzU3BLQQ

Robert C. Steele served as a reporter and producer at various radio and television stations in Colorado and Arizona. He was a broadcaster at the Italian National Broadcasting Company (RAI Radio televisione Italiana) in Naples, Italy. 

He was a reporter for Armed Forces Radio and Television along the coast of Vietnam, the Asian Western Pacific and Vicenza, Italy. He was a volunteer and activist in the early gay liberation movement with the Gay Coalition of Denver and with two weekly gay radio shows in Colorado. 

Later, as a federal government public affairs officer, he served as a government spokesperson and managed media relations with reporters who worked for media outlets from across the USA and around the world.

His book, Banned From California - Jim Foshee, is the true story of a 15-year-old gay runaway who finds himself in the 1950s Los Angeles underground world of homosexuals and early queer culture. Experience Jim Foshee's adventures on the West Coast after hitchhiking from his home 800 miles away in a small Idaho town. Jim lives on the edge. Through his adventures and misadventures, he finds himself among kind-hearted strangers, kindred souls and drag queens as well as con artists, liars and ruthless cops. 

At a younger age, Jim is institutionalized, placed in an orphanage by his mother, sentenced to a reform school because he runs away so much, and committed to a mental hospital for diagnosed "sexual deviation and sociopathic personality.

Jim just wants to break away and live a simple gay life, but his future first includes run-ins with authorities, incarceration, and toiling on a prison chain gang. Be ready for a unique and personal journey you won't soon forget. Jim's vivid remembrances paint a first-hand intimate portrait of times now gone--times of McCarthyism, government hunts for homosexuals and routine firings; but also times of the beats, the hippies and liberation protests.

For more information visit our website: BannedCA.com

Brian got his start as a stand-up comedian at the The Comedy Cellar in NYC, and he is most known for his appearances on “CONAN”, his half hour Comedy Central special “COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS: BRIAN SCOLARO”, as Brian on ABC’s “A MILLION LITTLE THINGS”, as Doug on TBS’s “SULLIVAN AND SON”, Uncle Bill on “TEN YEAR OLD TOM”, Gordon on NBC’s “THREE SISTERS”, and as Stuart on FOX’s “STACKED”. About his role of Stuart Miller on “Stacked”, The LA Times said “Scolaro is terrific. An actual sitcom find.” About his role as Doug on “Sullivan and Son”, Brian Doyle-Murray (Caddyshack) said Brian is “one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

Brian has appeared on “DEXTER”, “MAD MEN”, “BONES”, “CASTLE”, “GREY’S ANATOMY,” “THE MIDDLE”, “SUPERIOR DONUTS”, “I’M DYING UP HERE”, “SHAMELESS”,  “ALONE TOGETHER”, “ABBOTT ELEMENTARY”, “HARRY’S LAW,” “MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE”, “THE EXES”, “GIRL MEETS WORLD”,  and has also had recurring roles on “A MILLION LITTLE THINGS”, “KROLL SHOW”, “LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM” and “WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE”.

Brian has four comedy albums available on all platforms and is also the author of the book “How to Punch a Monkey” on Amazon. 

Comedian Tom Rhodes is quoted saying “He has a hugely inventive style and I go out of my way to see him perform whenever I can.” And Marc Maron said on WTF podcast, Brian “might be the funniest fuckin’ person alive.”

Check him out: www.brianscolaro.com

Our friend, the physician and mommy to two beautiful daughters, Dr. Liz Cho drops by to talk about the past two years of COVID madness, takes some questions, and chats about our favorite show, The Crown. 

Liz is not only a front-line worker and hero to us all, she is also the proud mommy of two beautiful daughters. We’ll also talk about the craziness of parenting, working, and all to boo-boos that our kids get and what to do about them. 

Liz was born in Seoul, Korea and moved to the U.S. when she was five years old.  

Her family settled in Long Island, NY which was a huge culture shock for her and her family.  Liz stayed there until she moved to Boston to attend  undergraduate school at Tufts University.  

She wanted to move back to New York so she went to medical school at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She ended up staying there for her residency in emergency medicine which she completed in 2011.  

Liz chose emergency medicine as a career because she loves being able to care for patients when they need care urgently.  Being an emergency physician means she never gets bored at work. She says that It’s definitely not the easiest job in the world, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She says, “watching my children grow up before my eyes is probably one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I also love watching Korean dramas, and I am currently learning how to play the violin.”

My old boss and good friend, Darren Starr, stops by to tell us about StarrData, his successful 12-year Salesforce partner business!

StarrData’s mission is to help businesses navigate the world of Salesforce to be more efficient and more profitable. We help companies improve productivity, increase the efficiency of their sales, marketing, and customer service processes, and increase visibility into their business.

StarrData Website: starrdata.com

StarrData on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarrData

StarrData on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarrData

The two hosts celebrate our 30th episode (actually our 33rd) of Out of Whack by talking about past episodes, outtakes, fart jokes, and anything and everything!

If you'd like to ask Lisa and Scott some questions, or ask our upcoming guest Lori Hardacker, for some bad dating advice (she's been dating forever!), leave a message on our voicemail. You could hear your voice on our podcast!!! If you don't want to hear your voice, shoot us an email with your question and we might read it live on one of our episodes! 

Call Us: (415) 996-5859

Email Us: [email protected]

We hope you enjoy this special episode!

Scott Ayres is the current Content Scientist for the Social Media Lab who conducts extensive tests and research to help social media managers and business owners get the most out of their posts; busting myths along the way.

Scott is the co-author of “Facebook All-in-one for Dummies” and Podcast host for Social Media Lab and Social Media Lab LIVE show. He has written over 2000 blog posts on social media topics and has written for 3 blogs to make Social Media Examiner’s “Top Social Media Blogs” list. 

Scott has been an expert in social media for 10 years. Before Social Media Lab he was the head of content, support, and training at Post Planner where his influence grew their blog to landing the top 10 Social Media Blog list.

Scott loves busting myths about social media marketing, even if that means going against what he was taught in the past or is still being taught by “gurus” today. Unlike many social media "experts" Scott brings a real-world approach and perspective that business owners can relate to.

Website: https://www.agorapulse.com/social-media-lab

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottayres

Stephen joins us again to talk about his new book, The Witch of Amesbury.

Stephen grew up wondering whether his seven-times great grandmother really had been practicing witchcraft back in the seventeenth century, and he finally decided to do something about it.

So he delved into the historical record and found that a great deal of information is available about the Salem witch hysteria. As a result of his research, he suspects at least one of those hanged had been practicing magic.

He also came to believe the oft-given explantation that the so-called victims of the witches faked their symptoms is off the mark.

Based in large measure on recent findings of research into the paranormal, this is the true story from a twenty-first century perspective of his ancestor, Susannah North Martin, as well as the others who were executed in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts.

Stephen's website: https://www.shmartin.com/
Stephen's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shmbooks/
Stephen's Books on Amazon: Click Here!

Philip is a Clinician at the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County.

He is also a proud biracial gay man who grew up in Contra Costa and attended the Rainbow Community Center's youth group as a teenager. He attended UC Santa Cruz for his undergraduate degree before getting his master's degree in counseling at John F. Kennedy University. 

Philip loves the chance to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ teens, adults, and families in area, especially around working through trauma that many in the community experience. 

When he's not working, you can find him singing, cooking, dancing, or spending time with his dog, Iris.

Visit the Rainbow Center at: https://www.rainbowcc.org/

 Our busy friend and Bay Area aerialist stops by for another fun chat!

Thai embodies versatility in his life and performances. He has been professionally training at the Circus Center and with renowned aerial coaches.

Thai focuses on smooth lines, clean technique, and powerful movements all the while giving the audience a taste of that Thai spice (I love this part!).

Check out some of Thai's moves on his Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/thailam_aerialist

Thai’s YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkubzRYWv4N34ma4obu19w

You can also follow him  on his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thai.lam.90