In this deeply human conversation, Jared Thomas, Director of You Are Seen, joins The Gordie Tamayo Show to explore what it truly means to be seen; not as a case file or statistic, but as a whole person.

Jared shares the origin story behind You Are Seen and the lived experiences that shaped its mission: restoring dignity, belonging, and purpose within systems designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The discussion examines where well-intentioned systems fall short, how Direct Support Professionals carry unseen emotional weight, and why relational care, not transactional services, is the future of sustainable support.

This episode is a powerful reflection on leadership, empathy, and building organizations that honor humanity at every level. Whether you work in social services, healthcare, education, or community development, this conversation challenges how we define success, and who gets truly seen along the way.

Milwaukee-based songwriter Orlando Peña, frontman of The Midnight Purchase, joins The Gordie Tamayo Show for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about building a modern Americana band from the ground up. What started as a simple Craigslist musician ad turned into an award-winning soul-folk project, a deal with Spectra Music Group, and the release of the band’s debut album, Young/Naive.

In this episode, Orlando breaks down the real moments behind the music; leaving Chicago, rebuilding a band in Milwaukee, recording live and analog, and using songwriting as a way to process mental health, ambition, and personal growth. He opens up about standout tracks like “Good Days,” “Caged Bird,” and “Looking Ahead,” the band’s “all gas, no brakes” live philosophy, and what it actually takes to keep pushing when progress isn’t guaranteed.

This conversation is a must-listen for fans of Americana, soul-folk, indie rock, and for independent artists navigating the realities of today’s music industry.

In this episode of The Gordie Tamayo Show, Gordie sits down with rising indie artist Sydney Dale, whose genre-bending blend of pop, jazz, R&B, and folk is quickly gaining attention across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Sydney opens up about releasing her first single at just 14 years old, navigating life as a young artist in Coeur d’Alene, and the creative journey that continues to shape her evolving sound.

From childhood moves and military family roots to jazz choir, musical theater, and songwriting on her downstairs piano, Sydney shares the real stories behind her artistry. She speaks candidly about juggling gigs, day jobs, and social media, building a loyal audience, and learning to choose performances that truly fuel her creativity.

Sydney also breaks down the inspirations behind her sonic palette; Etta James, Norah Jones, Olivia Dean, John Mayer, Lizzy McAlpine, and gives listeners an inside look at her upcoming releases, including her holiday EP and a deeply personal, story-driven project currently in the works.

Whether you’re an artist, music lover, or someone inspired by creative resilience, this conversation offers an intimate, refreshing look at one of Idaho’s most promising young voices.

Nampa’s own Esteban Jimenez makes his professional debut at Caldwell Fight Night 3 in a welterweight showdown against Brandon Hughes (1-0-1). In this exclusive interview, Jimenez shares his training camp insights, how he’s preparing for his opponent, and what fans can expect when he steps into the ring for the first time as a pro.

What if every beautiful space could also change a life?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Borum’s personal story of resilience fuels a movement for “career redemption”

Ji’s perspective on precision, sustainability, and blending design with purpose

Why their clients aren’t just buying furniture or spaces, but joining a mission to restore dignity and inspire hope

This is more than a business story; it’s a testament to the power of design, partnership, and vision to transform lives.

Alan Rea is a determined fighter representing Team No Excuse MMA in Nampa, Idaho. In this interview, Alan opens up about his martial arts journey, his training environment, his fighting style, and what keeps him motivated both inside and outside the ring. A personal look at a rising name in the world of combat sports.

Catch more at the Boise Beat.

In this episode, we sit down with Chavar Dontae, the alt-pop singer-songwriter and producer whose journey stretches from the streets of Saginaw, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio to the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles. With Brazilian heritage, Midwest grit, and a sound that fuses pop, R&B, rock, and electronic influences, Chavar opens up about the backstory behind his artistry, the importance of staying authentic, and the creative vision behind his latest project Too Much.

Listeners will hear:

How his Midwest upbringing and Brazilian roots shaped his genre-defying style

The lessons from navigating between being known as an artist vs. being known as a person

The inspiration behind Too Much and what’s next for his evolving sound

If you’ve ever wondered how a rising artist balances heritage, hustle, and heart while carving out space in today’s music world, this conversation with Chavar Dontae will leave you inspired.

Coach Louie Neagle, head of Tomorrow’s Champions Boxing Club, shares his perspective as he prepares both Esteban Jimenez, Ruben Manrajos, Christian Palomo and others for their fights at Caldwell Fight Night 3. Hear how he balances coaching multiple fighters on the same card, his training philosophy, and what fans can expect from his athletes.

At just 20 years old, Ethan Gillanders already holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and has been training martial arts since the age of 4. After adding kickboxing and Muay Thai to his arsenal, he’s now making waves in full-contact competition. In this interview, Ethan talks about his fighting journey, his style, and his goals for the future.

Catch more at the Boise Beat.

Moe “Machete” Williams, a Jackson, Michigan native and former pro MMA fighter with black belts in Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate, shares his powerful journey from the cage to the coaching corner. Now a cornerstone of Murcielago MMA, Moe discusses his fighting roots, the transition to training, and what it takes to shape top talent like Khaos Williams and Joaquin Buckley. This episode dives into discipline, resilience, and the evolving fight culture in Michigan’s MMA scene.