Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 41, Elizabeth Johnson

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 40, Mercy Haub

Cancer sucks. Cancer isn't picky. Cancer can take the picture perfect scenario of an amazing young girl helping raise money to fight cancer, and twist it around and cause her entire world to pause with a sudden diagnosis. Mercy's story will make you stop, listen, admire, and immediately make you reach out to everyone you know and love to hug them so hard. Her strength, resiliency, determination, laughter and sense of humor will prove to anyone who doubts out there the power of love, laughter, and amazing organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I was honored to interview Mercy. I felt lucky to hear her story and am proud to call her a friend. Her family, her community, her old soul all come together through her smile to tell others that it can be ok..., there will be a cure, and it's ok to shut up and laugh.

**Disclaimer: my professionalism gets destroyed at the very end with my outtro' that's standard for all my podcasts. I lost my mother years back to cancer, and the rollercoaster of emotion through the entire interview and "strength" in the final words triggered me. Huge thanks to Mercy for gracefully allowing me to lose it, and apologies to the viewers for my unprofessionalism.

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 39, Ashley Gutermuth

Host Brian Trendler interviews the very funny and extremely talented comedian, Ashley Gutermuth. From her own off-brand method of approaching humor, her attire choices, and her ability to run over 2000 days straight, she's all about making her mark and leaving them laughing. Learn about her recent brush with certain "Jerry," running on purpose, how her parent's jobs and workplaces effected her views and approach on humor, and why she treats everyone the way she wants to be treated. You'll walk away wanting to hear and see more of Ashley, and thankfully you can due to her rising star!

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 38, Steve D'Amico

** WARNING, this podcast contains some mildly explicit language and/or humorous stories. This not a "Workplace Safe" broadcast on a speaker**

Host Brian Trendler interviews a friend of his from 40+ years back, from the mean streets of Wickford, Rhode Island, Steve D'Amico. Not only were they childhood best friends, but little did they know that so many years later  they'd reconnect to brand businesses, shop war stories (literally from his point of view) and realize that with the miracles of technology, social medias and video conferencing; really very little has changed since they were 10-year olds playing with Star Wars and GI-joe figures in their front yards.

Steve's served in the military, has an inspiring and entrepreneurial story or two, loves his daughter fiercely and his wife even more, and while this podcast has some EXPLICIT MATERIAL that may not be suitable for a bluetooth speaker, it's filled with laughter, stories about resiliency, humor and joy.

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 37, Shawn Smith

Host Brian Trendler interviews a true survivor and long-lost friend, Shawn Smith. Not to give it all away, but Shawn recently spent 90+ days in a hospital in the middle of a pandemic receiving a double-lung transplant. We think he deserves an award for "crappy timing" if nothing else other than the chance to have his story heard.

He faces his every day with optimism, humor, and his love for his new wife, son and pets. He adores his transplant community, and truly makes every breath count. Listen, enjoy, learn, and maybe take a deep breath or two and just consider what you're grateful for. Shawn does this every day. WE all could learn from him.

If you're feeling generous, please consider a donation of any size to his recovery fund. https://bit.ly/3sxNxpZ  -- Receiving two lungs and maintaining his body's continued non-rejection of them takes vast resources. We know he'd be forever grateful for any donations to put a smile on HIS face as well as the air in his lungs!

Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 36, Dan Mills

Host Brian Trendler interviews Bellingham's funniest Occupational Therapist, Dan Mills. Not only does Dan have to explain to others constantly what he does, but the reasons behind WHY he does may surprise you. Dan's a family man, an amazing Dad and husband, and wants only what's right for his kids and all around him.

He faces his every day grind and the past year of COVID with optimism, pride, and a deep level of care for all he helps. Having recovered from the disease itself, he has a unique view on what it's all about, and why he needs to continue his truly good work..., once you all realize what the hell an Occupational Therapist with a propensity to joke really does.

Also hear about THE GRIND, and amazing live comedy event on Thursday nights via social media, and so much more. Listen, Learn, Watch and LAF with us!

Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 35, Judy Ann Michael. Host Brian Trendler interviews the funny, witty and very tired of being in Indiana guest, Judy Ann Michael. Not only is Judy an accomplished writer and author; but she's also extremely good at people-watching, embracing different US cultures when crossing state-lines, and not letting those subtle differences damage her sensibilities. Learn why she left the pacific northwest, what and who she encountered when she went "home" and why she's got a whole new appreciation for places like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. It's podcasts like this that not only shed light on different parts of the country, but also how gosh-darned different they can really be from one state to the next. Listen, laugh and learn!

Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 34, Rebecca Murray. Host Brian Trendler interviews the newly published Author, Rebecca Murray. Sometimes, interviews embarrassingly start off with some fun ups and downs, namely your host's ability to point out unintentional errors found in bios, but they got through it smiling! Not only is Rebecca an accomplished photographer, video editor, marketer, actor and author - but also extremely funny, humble and insanely smart. Listen to the incredible story behind her new book and it's inception in 1972: how it was rediscovered, and the underlining story threads through her own experiences with her mother as a young child which helped mold her by way of some incredibly scary and heart-felt situations facing pain, abuse, trauma, world travel and adversity. You'll be moved, inspired, and want to hear more.

Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 33, Tyana Kelley. Host Brian Trendler interviews the multi-talented owner of PurpleHorizons .com, Tyana Kelley.  From working the political scene in marketing from her Centralia, WA home with Spokane clients, being a mother, a wife and simultaneously growing her own businesses as a coach, and design/marketing expert; she's got her finger on the pulse of when it's time to lead with humor, and most important - integrity. Her views on what it takes nowadays to maintain a steadfast attitude and still be there for everyone in her world will inspire you, and maybe cause a few laughs as you listen to her extremely blunt and satisfying answers to our end-of-show questions. 

Shut Up and Laugh - Episode 32, Audrey Kohler. Host Brian Trendler interviews newly minted author, Audrey Kohler about her experiences both in being a poet with her book, "Passenger Poet", a bit of an experienced old-soul, and a person who has trained her brain to find the positive in most everything.  From some amusing and curveball-ish questions about her incredibly locked-down personal life, to her 1st grade surprise National Anthem song, Audrey will most surely win you over quickly with her laugh and way of viewing the world. Enjoy, laugh with us, and perhaps end up with a few wisdom-nuggets of your own to take with you!