In this episode, Chris Johnson sits down with Wisconsin’s own Michael Perry—best-selling author of Population 485, celebrated music artist, and humorist known for his wit and wisdom. Mike shares what it was like growing up on a farm and how those rural roots shaped his creative journey.

Discover how Mike hustled his way into a writing career, taking every job he could find, and hear about his early influences—including a unique friendship with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Mike opens up about the inspiration behind his new book, Improbable Mentors, and the surprising story of why he turned down an invitation to appear on the Oprah show.

The conversation also dives into Mike’s relationship with PBS Wisconsin, where he crafts original comedy content, and his personal picks for favorite artists and music venues across the Midwest. From laughter to life lessons, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories and creative inspiration.

Tune in for:

• Growing up on a Wisconsin farm
• Mike’s first steps into writing and storytelling
• Building a career by saying yes to every opportunity
• Friendship and collaboration with Justin Vernon
• Behind the scenes of Improbable Mentors
• Turning down the Oprah show
• Creating comedy for PBS Wisconsin
• Midwest music, venues, and more

Episode 201: Embracing the Okayest—Hunting, Humor, and Community with Eric Clark & Tyler Mieden

Join Chris Johnson as he sits down with Eric Clark and Tyler Mieden, the passionate duo behind the Okayest Hunter brand. In this episode, Eric and Tyler open up about their very first hunting experiences and the serendipitous way they met, leading to the birth of a brand that celebrates authenticity in the hunting community.

Discover the story behind Eric’s "Where to Hunt" app and how it evolved into a podcast, plus the surprising impact of online shaming that inspired the Okayest Hunter movement. The conversation gets real about the power of positive messages from fans who finally feel seen and supported, thanks to Okayest Hunter’s mission.

Expect plenty of laughs as Eric and Tyler share their funniest hunting mistakes, poke fun at industry gimmicks, and reflect on the joy of not taking themselves—or hunting—too seriously. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or just love a good story about turning challenges into community, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace your own “okayest” moments.

Tune in for:

• First hunting stories & how Eric and Tyler met
• The evolution from app to podcast
• How online shaming sparked a movement
• Messages from fans who found confidence through Okayest Hunter
• Gimmicks, goofs, and the funniest hunting mistakes
• And much more!

How do you go from quitting the sport you love to becoming a full-time professional bowler? Kelly Whipple’s journey is all about resilience, rediscovery, and rolling with the punches—literally.

Kelly, a Sheboygan, Wisconsin native, first picked up a bowling ball at age 3, but it wasn’t until a coworker at McDonald’s convinced her to join the middle school team that her true bowling journey began. Despite a rocky start, Kelly’s relentless practice paid off—culminating in a high school state championship and a standout collegiate career at UW Whitewater, where she was named D3 Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year.

But the path wasn’t always smooth. After her worst season as a junior, Kelly nearly walked away from the sport. Instead, she started a bowling Instagram to rediscover the fun, connected with new coaches, and made a stunning comeback her senior year. Now, as a full-time pro bowler, she’s turning heads on the lanes and online.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Kelly’s early years and the unlikely McDonald’s moment that brought her back to bowling
• The grind from middle school beginner to high school state champ
• College bowling highs and lows: awards, setbacks, and comebacks
• Living with and caring for her grandparents while chasing her dreams
• How hating to be bad at anything fueled her growth
• Getting sponsored by Kwik Trip and navigating funny online comments
• Bowling through the pandemic (including some epic Wii Bowling)
• The astonishing comeback that changed her pro career trajectory
• Almost becoming an insurance agent—and why she didn’t
• Using social media jobs to level up her own brand
• What it really means to be a professional bowler
• How to choose the right bowling ball, and so much more

If you’re into stories of perseverance, reinvention, and chasing your passion—this episode is for you. 🎳

From summer camp curiosity to global disc golf pioneer—Terry Miller, aka “The Disc Golf Guy,” shares how a childhood passion became a lifelong career. Terry opens up about discovering the sport as a kid, competing professionally in college, and the Gary Vee spark that pushed him to launch his vlog and personal brand. He walks us through the leap of faith—quitting his IT job at Kohl’s—to pursue disc golf full-time, and the five-year grind it took to make it sustainable.

We dig into:

• Early days: falling in love with disc golf at summer camp
• The Gary Vee book that inspired his content journey
• Quitting corporate IT to chase the dream
• Building The Disc Golf Guy brand and podcast (10+ years running)
• Helping pioneer live disc golf coverage and media standards
• Favorite memories traveling the world for the sport
• The patience, resilience, and community that made it all possible

If you care about turning passion into a career—or you’re part of the disc golf community—this one’s packed with insight, heart, and history.

Episode 198: Grant Anderson – The Journey of a Brewers Relief Pitcher

In this episode, Chris sits down with Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Grant Anderson for an inside look at the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of his baseball journey. Originally from Texas, Grant opens up about growing up with his twin brother—also a pro ballplayer—and the sibling rivalry and support that shaped his early years.

Grant shares his favorite memories from high school and college baseball, the thrill of being drafted by the Seattle Mariners, and the tough moments that nearly made him walk away during his time with the Texas Rangers. He talks about the life-changing trade to the Brewers, how the coaches in Milwaukee have helped him elevate his game, and why the support of his family has been the key to his perseverance.

Hear what makes this Brewers team so special, plus Grant’s favorite memories from his career so far. Whether you’re a baseball fan or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with inspiration, behind-the-scenes insight, and heartfelt moments.

Episode 197: Cristian Strehlow – The Soundtrack to 680 Million Streams

In this episode, Chris sits down with Cristian Strehlow, the creative force behind some of the most recognizable lo-fi and instrumental beats on the internet. With over 680 million streams across his various aliases, Cristian’s music has become the backdrop for countless TV shows—including major hits like RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Cristian shares how his journey began in Milwaukee and how a pivotal track on Chillhop in 2018 became his big break, opening doors to collaborations and opportunities across the globe. Now based in California, Cristian reflects on building a career in music, the evolution of the lo-fi genre, and what it’s like hearing his work on television.

Tune in for insights on creative hustle, the power of streaming, and what it takes to stand out in today’s music industry!

In this powerful episode, Chris sits down with Hansel Canady, owner of Hancan Barbershop and the official barber for the Green Bay Packers—including head coach Matt LaFleur and many of the team’s biggest stars. But Hansel’s journey is about so much more than fresh fades and celebrity clients.

Hansel opens up about his childhood in Chicago, including the traumatic experience of being jumped and beaten so badly he was put into a coma. He shares the challenges of moving to Green Bay, facing racism in school and the community, and the struggles that led him down a path of selling drugs and serving prison time.

This episode dives deep into Hansel’s story of resilience—finding his first job as a felon at a gas station, graduating from beauty school, and building his business from the ground up by handing out business cards to every customer who walked through the door. Hansel’s raw honesty and determination will inspire anyone who’s ever faced adversity or dreamed of a second chance.

Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about redemption, hustle, and the power of believing in yourself—no matter where you start.

Episode 195: Chad Vandegriffe – From Backyard Soccer to the World Stage

Join us for an inspiring conversation with professional soccer player Chad Vandegriffe! Chad shares his journey from kicking a ball around as a kid to competing at the highest levels of the sport. He opens up about his early days in soccer, the nerves and excitement of trying out for pro teams, and what it’s like to win major awards and travel the world as an athlete.

Chad dives into the lessons he’s learned about the intricacies of the game, the stories behind his impressive jersey collection, and the realities of getting older as a player. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and inspiration.

In this episode:

• Chad’s introduction to soccer as a kid
• The challenges of pro team tryouts
• Winning awards and traveling the globe
• Learning the deeper strategies of the game
• Collecting jerseys and the stories behind them
• Navigating the ups and downs of a long career
• Advice for young athletes and more!

Listen now and get inspired by Chad’s passion, perseverance, and love for the beautiful game.

In this episode of Passion Pod, I sit down with Wisconsin’s former Lieutenant Governor, Mandela Barnes, for an inspiring and candid conversation.

Mandela shares his backstory and the pivotal moments that shaped his political journey, from growing up in Milwaukee to becoming the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. He opens up about his favorite memories campaigning alongside Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and Governor Tony Evers, offering behind-the-scenes stories and insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

We also dive into what Mandela is working on now, his thoughts on term limits, and his vision for the future of Wisconsin and beyond. Whether you’re passionate about politics or just love a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and a few laughs along the way.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode!

Connect with us:

Instagram: @passionpod

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YouTube: Passion Pod

Episode 193 – Benjamin Percy: Writing Legends, From Wolverine to Star Wars

This week, Chris sits down with Benjamin Percy—a powerhouse storyteller whose pen brings iconic characters to life. Ben writes the legendary Wolverine and Punisher comics for Marvel, crafts stories for Star Wars, and even dives into the world of Predator comics. He’s also the mind behind several acclaimed novels and the director of a chilling horror short film.

Tune in as Ben shares his creative process, what it’s like shaping the destinies of fan-favorite heroes, and how he balances writing for comics, novels, and film. Whether you’re a comic book superfan, a Star Wars enthusiast, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, behind-the-scenes tales, and creative wisdom.

Don’t miss:

• How Ben approaches writing for legendary franchises
• His journey from novelist to comic book writer
• Stories from the set of his horror short film
• Advice for aspiring writers and storytellers

Hit play and get inspired by one of the most dynamic voices in modern storytelling!