Shut Up and Laugh

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 31, John Fahey - Host Brian Trendler interviews the man hailed as "The Most Interesting Man in Seattle," John Fahey. This surprisingly modest and entertaining Author, 3x business owner, recent TEDx Speaker, and genuinely nice guy proves that you can never really get enough of doing the right thing when it comes to creating change and positive experiences in the world. His work through his company, Vacation Angels Network provides locations around the Pacific Northwest where vacation homeowners donate their properties to families to "reset" after traumatic diagnoses/recoveries, and sometimes the loss of a loved one. While not experiencing any particular childhood woes, he's still come out the other side as a focused, giving, and charming entrepreneur who also has a rock-solid grasp on the power of laughter, while helping families celebrate a recovery, or move through bereavement periods with his incredibly charitable and thoughtful organization... Prepare to enjoy, laugh and maybe feel a heart-string tug or two as you listen. 

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 30, Gabriel Rutledge - Host Brian Trendler interviews one of the funniest comedians in the country, Gabriel Rutledge. Both Capital High School alums, both share the same love and potentially fear of the Cougar mascot, Gabriel and Brian discuss everything from his comedian contest victories, his "Happiness Isn't Funny" book, being known as "one of the funniest comedians around who isn't famous," and what's it's like being a comedian in today's world with what the pandemic has done to comedy.  Gabriel's funny, honest, and really just wants to be able to get away from his kids for a moment or two like the rest of us...  His answers to the James Lipton tribute are surprisingly sweet, funny, and spot on. Give him a listen!

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 29, Karen Randall - Host Brian Trendler interviews Transition Coach, Karen Randall. This episode is chocked full of humor, an in-depth dive into sub-personalities, dealing with 2020 beyond the Covid news lines and tackles the need for resiliency! Karen breaks down how she connects with her clients as a Transition coach, what her ideal client looks like, AND is looking for. Sometimes, one just needs to participate in an Artsy-Fartsy event! (no, that was no typo!) You'll hear just how big Karen's heart really is when you listen to her approach, motivation - and that's even before you hear her answers to our James Lipton tribute questions! 

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 28, Kenneth Perry - If a dialogue is to occur, a conversation must begin. please consider giving my interview with my new friend; the amazing, funny, talented, honest and thoughtful Kenneth Perry. While Kenneth and I cover a number of topics with some fun and levity, such as his career, family and more - we also dive deeper into how we connected, the Black Lives Matter movement, what it means to actually be an "Ally," and how to begin creating change. we barely scratch the surface, but you have to in order to grow, right?

Kenneth deserves to be heard, and more important - to be LISTENED to.

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 27, Cory Baer - Host Brian Trendler interviews Financial Advisor, Cory Baer. This episode features a new soundtrack intro, a solid 60 min of material, and much more that you can also find online at fb.com/lafechnw. Recorded using a Zoom session to connect, we not only meet to laugh and learn, but also to share some surprisingly deep materials. Cory covers the financial industry, generational life in Texas, what it's like to be a baby in an audience, divorce, alcoholism, weather shock, and so much more.  You'll never look at an extra pair of pants again, trust us. Cory's answers to the James Lipton tribute is fun, honest, and surprisingly to the point! 

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 26, Justin Rupple - Host Brian Trendler interviews Issaquah's very own comedian, voice impressionist, and actor, Justin Rupple. Recorded using a Zoom session to connect, we not only meet one another for the first time, but also experience a ZOOM bomb from an unexpected and shared connection. Throughout we cover the power of humor as comfort, security, armor and more. We laugh over shared comedian heroes, voice imitations, observations about life, careers and more. Justin's answers and willingness to play-along with the James Lipton tribute is fun, and we can promise you that you'll recognize some if not all of his hilarious and spot-on imitations! Listen and LAF friends!

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 25, Fiona Trendler - From the "mouths of babes," comes a refreshingly new podcast with our Host's daughter, Fiona Trendler. We briefly tackle in this 30 min episode what it's like to be a 9 year old, dealing with me as a father, the power of humor, spooky jokes, handling oneself in our current COVID-19 society, and so much more. YES, this was a shameless opportunity to give his daughter some exposure to podcasting, but Fiona actually does share some valuable wisdom & of course, information about a crush she has too. She also tackles the James Lipton Junior questions like a pro! Listen, Laugh and Learn!

We've all been absolutely smacked in the face with the reality of COVID-19 and it's effect on businesses, families, our own physical and mental health, and more. There's no better time to make sure we're checking in with one another, laughing, trying to support one another, but also ourselves during these difficult times. Every person, everywhere is facing a new normal that is not ideal, but we all have to band together and make it work for as long as we need to stay safe, protected, healthy and get through this. This episode is 100% dedicated to the responses from you, my audience with things we can do to stave off loneliness, stir-crazies, help kids cope, adults too, and much more. Listen, laugh, resonate with hopefully some of this, and share this episode to any you think this could help. 

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 23, Sherra Jensen Grasser - Host Brian Trendler interviews local Youth Empowerment Coach, Sherra Jensen Grasser. We cover multiple topics such as today's kids, what they're facing, the importance of recognition, what's going "right," her inclusive ME-Powerment camps, stories of impact, the benefits of being loud and so much more. Sherra tackles the James Lipton tribute answers with gusto, and will leave you laughing and wanting more.

Shut Up & Laugh - Episode 22, Larry Snyder - Host Brian Trendler interviews TEDx Everett Speaker, 2 Author, Auctioneer, & loyal Starbucks employee enthusiast Larry Snyder. We cover life in Des Moines, the lasting effect of a Grandfather's words of wisdom, growing up with 5 sisters & surviving, being an entrepreneur, the real definition of Philanthropy, and so much more. Larry's answers to our, now more fitting, James Lipton tribute since his passing, is hilarious. I'm going to stand by my guarantee that you'll appreciate the nuggets you'll take home from this listening.