Despite his efforts, Bryce Weiler can’t escape the “stigma” associated with being inspirational. Bryce was born blind, but has found his way through life, in part, by asking for help. He’s now asking individuals and organizations to help The Beautiful Lives Foundation so that disabled people can share in the performing arts.

Charlie Brignak joined us as well. As one might expect, Bryce has inspired Charlie too!

Thank you for your vision Bryce and good luck!

Utah magician Elias "Lefty" Caress joined me in the studio. We quickly established that he was a "good magician", and not a bad one! Lefty left his career in banking and started doing magic at the ripe old age of 25. He trained with my legendary cousin, Jeff (Magnus) McBride, at the McBride Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas. We had a great conversation, . . . but I was disappointed I didn't find any money in my pocket after the show. And, . . . come to think of it, he didn't even offer to convert my $1 bills into $10 bills. Hmm, . . . on reflection . . .  

Lauren Brill, co-founder of The Unsealed, joined us for the second hour. The Unsealed is a movement that encourages people to see the world through diverse perspectives, creating more compassion and unity among us. Happy Birthday Lauren and thanks for sharing your great stories. Unlike Lefty, there's no second-guessing your character.

I visit with Utah Jazz legend Greg Ostertag from his home in rural Texas. Greg talks openly about playing alongside Stockton/Malone and relying too heavily on his God-given talents (7'2", 280 lbs.) alone.  Greg shares some great memories, as well as a few regrets, before he had to go ref a J.V. game, restore a few historic buildings and feed his chickens. Sounds like a good life.

Thanks for sharing your lessons from the game Greg! 

Paralympic Champion Chris Waddell joined me this afternoon and we discussed his amazing life. Chris was a college athlete (Middlebury College) in 1988 when he fell while skiing and sustained a back injury which rendered him paraplegic. Within a year of the accident he was back on skis (mono-ski) and continued to be part of the Middlebury College ski team. Chris went on to become a highly decorated paralympic champion in both the winter AND summer paralympic games. In 2006 Chris retired as a professional athlete and embarked on a journey to deliver a new message by creating a re-newed identity. He summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2009 and re-discovered himself. His story is truly inspirational and a testament to the human spirit. 

Thank you for your "failures" Chris. You're quite a loser! 

“Talk with Ted – A Show About Nothing”

Episode 50 – Let’s Get Updated, James Hadlock, Chase Hansen and Pete Miller

Aired: 11/12/19, 1640AM, Ktalkmedia, Salt Lake City, Utah.

This was a busy (overbooked) show, but Skye Lazaro and I managed to piece it together. We discussed mental health, Veterans’ Court, homelessness, fishing and the Huntsman Foundation’s enormous (150M) gift to the University of Utah toward the treatment of mental health.

James and Alicia Hadlock joined us for the first hour. They founded BluNovus, a Utah company which proactively addresses mental health in the workplace by helping HR departments better understand how to deal with people in crisis and addiction.

Chase Hansen returned to update us about Kid Labs and his efforts to eradicate homelessness. Chase introduced us to Jesse Campbell (Executive Director at Life on the Line) who explained how fishing changed his life and how he’s using it to change other lives as well.

Finally, Pete Miller joined us from Ohio and explained how he was creating a network to help veterans, law enforcement and other first responders with PTSD, TBI, suicide and Veterans’ Treatment Court.

Aired: 11/5/19, 1640AM, Ktalkmedia, Salt Lake City

Weber State University English Professor Rachel Anne Cox joined me to discuss her new dystopian novel A Light from the Ashes in which "society has devolved into a pre-industrial agrarian world devoid of electricity and personal freedom." We discussed history, literature, censorship, Fahrenheit 451, teaching, writing, publishing and politics.

My buddy Andy Brown joined me for a couple of segments and we discussed Bitcoin’s past, present and potential future.

Aired: 10/29/19, 1640AM, Ktalkmedia, Salt Lake City

Skye, Drew and I had a great time "shooting the breeze" as my father used to say. Skye is a trial lawyer at Ray, Quinny & Nebeker in Salt Lake City. Drew is the State Vice Chair for the Utah Veterans Democratic Caucus, and a co-host of "Comic Church" which airs Saturdays at 11 on 1640AM. We discussed medical marijuana, wild horses, the BLM, veterans’ issues, PTSD, politics, advocacy, legal reform, paying college athletes, access to justice and a few other miscellaneous things. Thank you Skye and Drew for sharing your insights on what turned out to be a great show. Let's do it again sooner than later!

Aired: 10/22/19, 1640AM, Ktalkmedia, Salt Lake City

Civil Rights Lawyer Harriet Hageman, of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, joined me this week to discuss her lawsuit challenging the USDA's authority to mandate that cattle ranchers (and others) utilize radiofrequency transmitters to track their livestock. Harriet explains the rule making process under the Administrative Procedure Act, as well as the effect of President Trump's recent executive orders regarding "guidance" documents. Visit www.nclalegal.org to learn more about this non-profit law firm.

Aired 10/15/19, 1640AM, Ktalkmedia, Salt Lake City

Thank you Manny Ohonme and Jeff Burningham for joining me this past week and sharing your great stories. Did you know that you can register at www.samaritansfeet.org and they'll send you pre-paid shipping bags so that you can donate shoes to those in need? It's that easy. Visit www.jeffburningham.com to learn more about Jeff and his run for Governor of Utah, including opportunities to show your support.

Thanks again Manny and Jeff. Good luck!