The Days Between

This week I’m speaking with Chef Sean Sherman. Growing up on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Sean had plenty of time to explore the wide open spaces provided by the South Dakota Badlands. Equipped with a natural curiosity, Sean developed an extensive knowledge of the edible flora surrounding him which he has utilized throughout his career. Self-taught, Sean learned to cook at a young age using available ingredients and a healthy dose of creativity.

Rising through the ranks of the Minneapolis food scene of the early 2000’s, Sean found himself in an executive chef position in just a few short years. Having reached a point of being overworked and burnt out, he packed a bag and headed to Mexico. Encounters with the native Huichol sparked a passion to learn more about his own culinary heritage, which would ultimately result in Sean opening the Tatanka food truck and his restaurant Owamni.

A three time James Beard Award winner, Sean founded the non-profit NĀTIFS with a mission among other goals, to educate tribal communities and younger generations about indigenous culture, in an effort to counter centuries of American Colonialism. During the course of our conversation we discuss hustling sushi, his chosen moniker ‘The Sioux Chef’, and why he doesn’t serve fry bread.

Please enjoy Chef Sean Sherman on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Jeni Britton. Having grown up with a healthy dose of Roald Dahl and encouragement, Jeni learned to connect with her feelings early on, and has dedicated more than half her life to the sensorial art of making ice cream, as the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

Jeni made the choice to become an ice cream maker at a young age, but it was during her time at The Ohio State University where the adventure truly began. Shortly after walking out of an art class her sophomore year, Jeni set up shop at Columbus’s North Market, where she would source the ingredients needed to make her signature creations, gaining an education in both flavor and business.

While financially unsuccessful, her first foray into entreprenurialship provided her with experience and perspective, which set the foundation for the success which would follow, including a James Beard Award, a spot on The New York Times Best Sellers list, and more than 60 scoop shops across the United States.

In the same year she was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People In Business, the bottom dropped out, leaving Jeni faced with a crisis she thought would be the end of her company. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and supported by the community she had nurtured since her days at the North Market, Jeni would weather the storm, and emerge having experienced a sense of love she says changed her view on ‘everything in the world’.

During the course of our conversation, we discuss the fellowship model, B Corps, and how she encourages eating ice cream in winter.

It is with a deep sense of hometown pride that I present Jeni Britton on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Ian Rogers. As a kid growing up Indiana, Ian’s only plan was to smoke weed and ride skateboards for the rest of his life, and while he has managed to accomplish those goals, Ian has also established himself as one of the most influential voices of the digital age. From music, to fashion, to finance his ability to successfully navigate the intersection of human beings and technology is second to none and it is executed with a humility that only the Midwest could produce.

It was as a student at Indiana University where his passions for music and computers would collide, resulting in one of the first music streaming platforms, a feat of engineering that he would continue to refine for more than two decades, culminating in the launch of Apple Music in 2015. Seeking new challenges while catering to his preference for discomfort, Ian made his way to LVMH, where he was tasked with digitizing the world’s largest luxury conglomerate. After working with names like Louis Vuitton, Celine, and Dior, Ian found himself immersed in cryptocurrency, NFT’s, and digital security with French start up, Ledger.

While Ian’s timing has certainly contributed to his wins, it is his curiosity and belief in the mission at hand that has fueled much of his success, and even some of his failures. During the course of our conversation, we discuss the importance of knowing when to leave the party, the niche culture of the Internet, and why Spotify’s Discover Weekly recommendations are so good.

It is my pleasure to present Ian Rogers on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Tatyana McFadden. Born with Spina bifida and paralyzed from the waist down, she spent the first six years of her life in a Russian orphanage with very little medical attention. Without a wheel chair to aid her, Tatyana learned to walk using only her arms, and in doing so began building the physical strength and mental will power that would eventually lead to her becoming the fastest woman in the world.

In 2004, Tatyana made her Paralympic debut in Athens as the youngest member of Team USA, where she took home the first two of her medals at just 15 years old. She has competed in every Paralympics since, and in the summer of 2021 took home the twentieth medal of her career at the Tokyo games.

It was during her freshman year of high school where Tatyana first experienced the discrimination people living with disabilities often face, setting her on a path of advocacy, resulting in the passing of ‘Tatyana’s Law’, which requires schools in the state of Maryland to give students with disabilities equal access and the opportunity to compete in interscholastic athletics. A law which would ultimately became federal legislation.

Having 24 World Major Marathon wins under her belt, including four consecutive Grand Slams, her passion for racing and impact on the sport is undeniable. During the course of our conversation, we discuss her humbling foray into the Winter Games, the drive that keeps her going on and off the track, as well as the importance of perception.

With a natural humility and accomplishments that have at times even surprised herself, please enjoy Tatyana McFadden on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Brian Anderson. During his nearly 25 year career as a professional skateboarder, there is very little Brian hasn’t accomplished. Within his first 3 years in the industry, he was named Thrasher Magazine’s Rookie of the Year, Skater of the Year, and won the World Cup of Skateboarding. Accomplishments made all the more impressive having left his full time job as a line cook just a few years prior.

Known for his aggressive and powerful style, Brian is a skater’s skater and fan favorite having appeared in dozens of films and advertisements. His passion for getting tricks is undeniable, with a history of slams that defy logic, but command respect by those inside and outside of skateboarding. Motivated by a strong work ethic, Brian’s willingness to continually push himself was at one time fueled by the anger and frustration at having to keep a deeply personal part of his life secret, for fear of how it may be received.

After establishing himself as one of the greatest street skaters of all time, Brian made the choice to openly share a long hidden side of himself with the world, having no way to predict the sea change within skateboarding that would follow. Widely admired and respected by his peers for his accomplishments on his board, Brian’s transparency and willingness to completely be himself off of his board may prove to be his lasting legacy.

For a sport inclusive of differences and a shared ethos of progression, for many people, myself included, Brian Anderson is the embodiment of what it truly means to call oneself a ‘skater’.

It is with great pride that I present Brian Anderson on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Liz Lambert. If you’ve visited Austin’s South Congress over the last twenty years, chances are you have Liz to thank, though you may not realize it. While the pandemic certainly escalated the migration to the Live Music Capital of the World, the trend began far earlier, and one could argue that a sea foam green motel was the spark that ignited a wildfire.

Shortly after leaving the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and returning to her home state of Texas, Liz found herself standing in the parking lot of the Hotel San José with a bottle of champagne in one hand and the keys to front door in the other, with nothing more than instinct and her fundamental understanding of what Christopher Alexander called ‘the quality without a name’ to guide her.

A trained storyteller, not even Liz could have written the adventure that would follow, which culminated in her transforming over half a dozen properties throughout Texas and Mexico as well as establishing herself as one of the most influential hoteliers of our time, only to see her legacy taken from her in a twist even Liz admits she didn’t see coming.

It’s easy to draw parallels between Liz’s experience and that of the town she helped to make famous, but as with any hero’s journey, the road back leads to resurrection, and it’s safe to say both stories are far from over.

Often imitated but never duplicated, please enjoy Liz Lambert on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with the Reverend Dr. Donna Schaper. Over the course of her nearly 50 year career in pastoral ministry, Reverend Schaper has led 8 congregations, and in almost every instance was the first woman in that position, starting at the age of 23.

It was at the University of Chicago Divinity School where she connected with community organizer Saul Alinksy, helping to shape her views on leadership as well as fueling her passion for activism, which ultimately led her to organize against the Lutheran Church when they refused to ordain women.

As the Senior Minister of New York City’s Judson Memorial Church, Reverend Schaper’s philosophy of bringing those outside of religion in, saw her lead services for sex workers, opioid users, as well as the undocumented and non-believers.

During our conversation, we discuss her fundamental trust in the goodness of the universe, the power in forgiveness, and the danger in what she calls ‘crappy religion’.

Reverend Schaper’s beliefs may surprise and challenge some, as they have the Me Too movement and the Coral Gable Garden Club, but her wisdom and fundamental understanding of human nature, in addition to her compassion, is undeniable.

It is my pleasure to present the Reverend Dr. Donna Schaper on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Allison Moorer. It would be easy to look at Allison’s life and focus on the details, but in doing so, one may miss the larger picture.

As a singer and songwriter, her efforts have earned her an Academy of Country Music nomination, a Grammy nomination, and her debut single was nominated for an Oscar. Allison has released 11 albums and has also appeared on several collaborations, and toured extensively.

As an author, she has written two books. Her first, ‘Blood: A Memoir’, began in part as the result of a silent spark ignited by Dr. Maya Angelou. The book documents her journey toward understanding a family tragedy that on several levels, defies comprehension, but as she states, is a defining moment, and in some ways, defines everything about her.

Her second book, ‘I Dream He Talks To Me’ is a love letter to her son, and explores her experience raising a child with what she calls ‘extra challenges’ and the gift of earned wisdom and opportunities for grace parenting presents on a daily basis, through heartache as well as victories both big and small.

Allison is a musician, she is a writer, she is a mother, she is a sister, and she is a daughter. She carries all these titles and a couple more which you’ll hear through the course of our conversation. However, if one were to take a few steps back, and look at the collective sum of the roles she plays, it is clear, Allison Moorer is above all else, an artist, with her greatest work being her life.

It is my privilege to present Allison Moorer on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Ethan Suplee. As an actor, Ethan found success almost instantly and has gone on to appear in dozens of films and televisions shows over the span of his three decades in Hollywood. Despite having achieved what many dream of early in his career, Ethan’s private struggle with his weight, his relationship with food, and what he calls his ‘mental garbage’ has at times dominated his personal narrative.

A seemingly well meaning, but misplaced attempt to course correct at the young age of 5, set him on rollercoaster of weight loss and weight gain that not only took a physical toll, but a mental and emotional one as well. In 2017, a short, but impactful TED talk, while simple in message, radically changed Ethan’s mindset and approach to food and nutrition. Armed with this practical information, and in combination with the same work ethic that he has applied professionally, Ethan has now reached a level of physical well-being that can only be described as inspiring.

While his story is unique, the struggle for self-acceptance and the desire to change one’s appearance is not. Everyday, people attempt to navigate the road to physical health, having to sidestep confusing and contradictory information, dead end diets, and miracle cures. Through the course of our conversation, we discuss the importance of small goals, killing your clone, and the affect that words, however well intentioned, can have on shaping a person’s destiny. Everyone is different and every body is different, but as Ethan has shown, through daily practice we all have the ability to transform ourselves, and the long term positive effect of that transformation, can be profound. 

Please enjoy Ethan Suplee on The Days Between..

This week I’m speaking with Ethan Suplee. As an actor, Ethan found success almost instantly and has gone on to appear in dozens of films and televisions shows over the span of his three decades in Hollywood. Despite having achieved what many dream of early in his career, Ethan’s private struggle with his weight, his relationship with food, and what he calls his ‘mental garbage’ has at times dominated his personal narrative.

A seemingly well meaning, but misplaced attempt to course correct at the young age of 5, set him on rollercoaster of weight loss and weight gain that not only took a physical toll, but a mental and emotional one as well. In 2017, a short, but impactful TED talk, while simple in message, radically changed Ethan’s mindset and approach to food and nutrition. Armed with this practical information, and in combination with the same work ethic that he has applied professionally, Ethan has now reached a level of physical well-being that can only be described as inspiring.

While his story is unique, the struggle for self-acceptance and the desire to change one’s appearance is not. Everyday, people attempt to navigate the road to physical health, having to sidestep confusing and contradictory information, dead end diets, and miracle cures. Through the course of our conversation, we discuss the importance of small goals, killing your clone, and the affect that words, however well intentioned, can have on shaping a person’s destiny. Everyone is different and every body is different, but as Ethan has shown, through daily practice we all have the ability to transform ourselves, and the long term positive effect of that transformation, can be profound.

Please enjoy Ethan Suplee on The Days Between..