On this episode of the podcast, Laurie Geppert conducts and co-produces a fantastic and conversational interview with me thru Zoom. This is Laurie's debut/first time on the show and with this episode we debut the new intro and outro segments reflecting the funding changes for the 2026-2027 year as my Podbean account gets renewed this week.

After our introductions, Laurie asked me the following questions (more than half of them I've never been asked before):

1. Tell me more about how you chose the Jazz Trio pieces of music used at the beginning and end of your podcast and the voice-overs that go with them?

2. You put in a decent amount of yourself into these podcasts and the time it takes to produce them. What inspires you to put this much time in and have this be something that is your project?

Before the next question, Laurie and I talked about how we grew up for part or nearly all our lives in the Clive area of the DSM Metro.

3. Tell me something from the time you were at Crossroads Park Elementary School that stands out to you as a happy memory?

4. Is there anything you would give as far as advice as far as the best way to support people who are autistic or neurodiverse?

5. Would you rather meet your great-grandparents or your great-grandchildren?

6. Is there any experience you had at Indian Hills Jr High you had that was proven to be really valuable?

7. What other activities were part of during our VHS years besides Bass Clef Choir? I talk quite a bit about my being part of the KWDM radio family during my Junior and Senior years at VHS as well as how my interest in audio equipment goes all the way back to my elementary school days.

8. If you were going to do an advertisement for Drake, what things would you highlight?

9. Before Laurie asks the next question that deals with spirituality, she brings up Rabbi Abraham Heschel's (o.b.m.) book The Sabbath. She asks me if there is anything in practicing Judaism that is a favorite that really connects you more than others? I explain that Judaism is a really comprehensive religion that affects nearly all aspects of daily life and that I don't really have a favorite.

10. Which language besides English would you like to speak fluently and what foreign language did you study during your VHS years?

11. If you were going to name three places in the Des Moines area that someone visiting should definitely check out?

We wrapped up the show with Laurie telling us a favorite memory from her VHS days.

This episode was recorded on Friday morning March 13, 2026 and it runs 1 hour and 4 minutes long. Our opening and closing theme music is provided by Anastasia Chubarova courtesy of Pixabay. Funding for this podcast is provided by RandomKid, Lee Larue, and Rachel Graham. Enjoy!