The Mango Times

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

It all started in Hoopa, California. A tiny motel, a dial-up connection, and a young guy who thought it might be fun to write down a few stories from his life on the Trinity River. That set off a 30-year chain reaction: a monthly family update grew into a website, a blog with running bits, and eventually a podcast that found an audience by telling the truth with a grin. I take you back to the Trinity River bridge where it began and trace the crazy and surprisingly durable path of theMangoTimes, shaped by forward-happy friends, early web experiments, and a Jimmy Buffett ethic to quietly make noise.

You’ll hear how a dentist with an AOL handle became a reluctant publisher, why parental myths and top ten lists helped build a voice, and how friction around faith and church forced a move toward independence that actually made the work stronger. We revisit the homeschool blogging era, the launch of HomeschoolingIRL, and the moment podcasting clicked as a way to say out loud what most people whisper. Along the way, friends drop in: tech lifeline Sven Rafferty, musician John Trost with a coconut-and-machete memory, and longtime pals who remember the forwarded emails that started it all.

The throughline is simple: show up, be real, and create for a tiny crowd that keeps you honest, which in my case was my wife, Kendra, my brother-in-law Jeff, and my long friend Byron Wolfe. Their voices shaped every post and episode, even through grief and long pauses. As we close the loop on three decades, I outline where we’re headed next: a season on change in midlife, featuring people who pivot hard and find new lanes with practical courage. If you’ve ever wondered whether your quiet project matters, this story says yes. Platforms may shift, but practice endures.

If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s plotting a pivot, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Tell me: what change are you setting in motion this year?

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Guest Information
Sven Rafferty
Matt Andrews
James Estes
Jon Troast
Reese Hopper
Byron and Barb Wolfe
Kendra Fletcher

Resources and Links
First Edition of theMangoTimes

Music used in this episode:
Coconut Telegraph - Jimmy Buffett (Buy It Here)
Quietly Making Noise - Jimmy Buffett (Buy It Here)
The Andy Song - Jon Troast
Life of Riley, Bass Walker, Look Busy, Sunny All Day andCarefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Back to Portland by Track Tribe.
Lost and Found by Dan Lebowitz.
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

The spark came back. After years of stop‑start attempts, grief, and a creative blackout, we rebuilt a season anchored in adventure—small, daily acts of courage and a few big ones too. From a solo motorcycle ride to Montana to quiet porch conversations with Pop, this year was about sticking with the craft, telling better stories, and letting a community shape the mic as much as the mic shapes the community.

Fletch discusses the roots of the show and how a year of adventure showed up in  tighter storytelling, richer interviews, and the season’s heartbeat: ordinary people taking brave steps. He then caps it with a moment on the porch as Pop draws the adventure book giveaway winner and adds a handwritten note, because we know that connection matters as much as content.

Then we look ahead. Season 6 turns toward midlife shifts: the real work of change in purpose, identity, career, location, health, and money. We will rethink the tired “midlife crisis” trope, and meet a lineup of people who changed lanes late to hear the costs, the fears, and the unexpected wins. Our goal next season is simple—normalize reinvention, lower the hurdles, and map the first steps so you can try your own pivot with a little less dread and a lot more courage.
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Guest Information
Joe Fletcher (Pop)
Born in Somerville, NJ in 1930, Pop is a regular guest of theMangoTimes Podcast. He spends his days tending to his garden and relaxing on the back porch (summer) and in his smoke shop (winters). He is a voracious reader (1-2 books each week on his favorite Kindle) and focuses on biographies and histories. Pop loves to take your questions, so feel free to contact him here: Let’s Connect.

Resources and Links
Episode 44: Top Five Adventure Books

Music used in this episode:
- Life of Riley and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

Did you ever wish you were a little braver, a little sillier, and a lot more present? 

On this episode, Fletch is joined in the studio by Isaac Gross and Tara Rico from ModPlayers Improv for a conversation about adventure, creativity, and the fine art of being silly. Together they talk about saying yes, and, taking risks, creating characters, and finding freedom in laughter when life doesn’t follow a script.

We break down the four pillars of improv and along the way, talk about adults forgetting how to be silly, the social utility of humor in tense topics, and the way improv trains you to notice offers and make cleaner choices. 

Adventure shows up as a mindset: take a step, accept it, and keep moving until the next decision arrives—on stage, on a 12-hour walk, or in everyday life. What’s one place in your life where you’re ready to say “yes, and”?
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Guest Information
Isaac Gross - teaches sixth grade by day and has been performing with the ModPlayers Improv troupe for the past three years. When he’s not on stage, he can usually be found bird watching, playing guitar, or hanging out with friends — often combining all three in some delightfully chaotic way.

Tara Rico -  loves being on stage almost as much as she loves encouraging others to step into the spotlight. She serves as the inaugural Poet Laureate for the city of Manteca, CA. Founder of MasImprov and the coach of ModPlayers Improv troupe in Modesto, CA. Tara is also the founder and director of Poeticas Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to literacy in the Central Valley. Tara runs a local writing group, open mic, and hosts “I Quit. This Poscast.” Originally a high school English and theater teacher, Tara has been performing around the Central Valley for over 5 years. She’s been published by Tuleburg Press and was the headlining comedienne for the Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness Center’s Queens and Comedy show of 2024.  When she’s not running late for meetings she enjoys being outside with her loved ones! 

Resources and Links
Episode 34: Why You Need More Nonsense In Your Life with Corey Strauss
ModPlayers Improv Troupe
MasImprov209

Music used in this episode:
- Monkeys Spinning Monkeys, Life of Riley and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

What if a book could be the nudge that gets you on a motorcycle, into a canoe, or across the ice?
Join Fletch on the porch as he sits down with Pop to grab their TOP 5 FAVORITE dog-eared adventure books. These are the stories that make you want to lace up your boots or shove off from shore. These aren’t just stories of survival. They’re roadmaps for grit, leadership, curiosity, and courage in the face of the impossible.

This conversation isn’t just a list; it’s a field guide for action. They dig into how big projects get built without modern tech, why mapping the unknown demands questions more than tools, what heartbreak can teach us about starting over, and how a calm leader can carry a crew across impossible odds. If stories have been tugging at you to do something bold—learn a skill, change careers, plan a trek—this is your spark. 

And at the end… Fletch added a little giveaway.

Adventure Book Giveaway: Do you want to win a digital or Audible copy of one of our Top 5 adventure books — your choice? Here’s how:

Send Fletch a message and tell him your favorite adventure book. Act fast and do it before October 15, 2025 and your name goes in the hat. Pop will pick the winner! It's simple!
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Guest Information
Joe Fletcher (Pop)
Born in Somerville, NJ in 1930, Pop is a regular guest of theMangoTimes Podcast. He spends his days tending to his garden and relaxing on the back porch (summer) and in his smoke shop (winters). He is a voracious reader (1-2 books each week on his favorite Kindle) and focuses on biographies and histories. Pop loves to take your questions, so feel free to contact him here: Let’s Connect.

Resources and Links
Nothing Like It In The World by Stephen Ambrose
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Phillbrick
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Dove by Robin Lee Graham
Into Africa by Martin Dugard
Endurance by Alfred Lansing

Music used in this episode:
- Call to Adventure, Life of Riley and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

Could you walk for 12 hours straight with no phone, no music, and no distractions? That's exactly what I'm planning to do this Sunday, October 5th, 2025 to celebrate my 57th birthday, and I'm inviting you along for the journey – metaphorically speaking.

After listening to an interview with Colin O'Brady on The Next Big Idea Podcast, I was captivated by his 12-hour walk concept. The premise is beautifully simple: walk out your door and just keep walking for 12 hours, leaving behind all digital distractions. It's not about the distance covered or the calories burned – it's about creating space for uninterrupted thought and presence. As someone deep in what I've been calling my "midlife reset," this challenge resonates perfectly with my quest for clarity and mindful living.

What I love most about this challenge is how adaptable it is. While I'm planning to do it without technology, you might prefer to bring your dog, stop for meals, or even incorporate short breaks. The essence isn't in following strict rules but in giving yourself the gift of extended presence. For me, this walk represents the culmination of themes I've been exploring on the Mango Times – adventure, reimagining possibilities at midlife, and the power of being fully present.

Have I piqued your curiosity? I'd love for you to try your own version of this challenge – whether for 12 hours or whatever duration pushes your boundaries – and share your experience with me. Your story might even feature in a future episode where I discuss my experience! Text me using the contact information in the show notes, and let's explore how something as simple as walking can transform our perspective. 

And remember, when you get out there, don't forget to quietly make some noise.

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Guest Information
No Guest - All Fletch

Resources and Links
The Next Big Idea Podcast - The 12-Hour Walk with Colin O'Brady
Season 4, Episode 25: Why A Walk Might Be The Most Spiritual Thing You Do

Music used in this episode:
- Take Your Time by Dan Lebowitz

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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

Have you ever wondered if a childhood dream could still shape your life decades later? My journey began at age seven, sitting in a beanbag chair with a book about a teenager who sailed around the world alone. That story planted seeds of adventure that would eventually lead me to a motorcycle, thousands of miles of open road, and remarkably, to the front porch of that very same sailor.

This episode chronicles my solo motorcycle trip from California to Montana – a journey I originally hoped would answer questions about what the next 20 years of my life should look like. What I discovered instead was something far more valuable. The road taught me that answers don't always come neatly packaged, that preparation gives us permission to be present, and that risk-taking sharpens our gratitude for everyday life.

The heart of this story unfolds on a porch in Montana, where I found myself sitting with Robin and Patti Graham – a childhood hero and his wife. What I expected to be a conversation about sailing adventures transformed into a profound lesson about forgiveness, faith, and what constitutes a meaningful legacy. Their revelation that they've spent fifty years "in the business of reconciliation" completely reframed my understanding of adventure itself.

Join me as I share what 10 days on the open road taught me about midlife transitions, finding purpose, and embracing questions as companions rather than problems to solve. This episode marks a turning point for the podcast as well – I'll be focusing upcoming episodes on people who've made significant "second half of life" changes, exploring what happens when we finally decide to make that 180-degree turn toward something new. Have a story to share? I'd love to hear it. Because sometimes the greatest adventures begin not with sailing around the world, but right outside your front door.

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Guest Information
No Guest - All Fletch

Resources and Links
The Good Life Podcast - The 2x20 Project

Music used in this episode:
- Lost and Found and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

- One Particular Harbor - Jimmy Buffett - Buy it here
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

In this episode, Fletch takes you along on his solo motorcycle ride to Montana — the first leg of The Second Half Ride. From Modesto through mountain passes and high desert to Big Sky country, this ride was more than miles; it was a search for clarity, adventure, and what it means to step into the second half of life. Buckle up (or helmet on) for stories from the saddle, reflections on adventure, and a few bug-splattered truths from the road.

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Guest Information
No Guest - All Fletch

Resources and Links
The Good Life Podcast - The 2x20 Project

Music used in this episode:
- Lost and Found and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

- God Gave the Cowboy Montana - Sons of the San Joaquin - Buy it here
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

How do you turn a life of big adventure into lasting impact?

In this episode, I talk with my longtime friend Tom Slater, who’s climbed rocks with routes that bear his name, surfed all over California, skated with style, and then turned his attention toward building things — for others.

Tom shares his journey from physical adventure to community creation: from co-designing a skate park in Nipomo to launching a new disc golf course from scratch.

It’s a conversation about risk, creativity, legacy, and what happens when you live life wide open.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, motivation, or a good kick in the pants to start your own adventure — this episode’s for you.

🌮 Plus: a mid-show visit to the Buy Fletcher a Taco stand. You’re invited.

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Guest Information
Tom Slater  - Tom lives in Nipomo, California, where he’s been a junior high teacher for nearly 30 years. A lifelong adventurer, Tom surfs the Central Coast, mountain bikes local trails, and climbs the granite walls of the Sierra Nevada. He’s led student trips across the U.S. and abroad, and is the visionary behind two major community projects in Nipomo: the town’s skate park and a newly completed disc golf course. Tom is married with two kids — a college-aged son and a teenage daughter.

Resources and Links
The Fletchifesto
Birdwatching and the Glory of God
Nipomo Skatepark Documentary
Nipomo Disc Golf Course
National Parks Traveler Climbing Half Dome in Yosemite

Music used in this episode:
- Lost and Found and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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AFTER YOU LISTEN, PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW BY...
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

What would your life look like if you decided to add a little adventure?
In this first episode of a new series I'm producing about Adventure, I sit down with my old friend James Estes. James has this gift for finding wonder in the ordinary—whether it’s taking a different route to work, walking his neighborhood like a tourist, or saying yes to the unknown.

We talk about:

• Why adventure doesn’t have to be epic to be meaningful
• The Helen Keller quote that guides his approach to life: “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all”
• How fear can be the very place adventure starts
• Simple ways you can create adventure in your own everyday life

This conversation reminded me that adventure isn’t just a destination. It’s a way of looking at the world.

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Guest Information
James Estes - Born and raised mostly in California, James has a deep love for his home state. He’s been married for nearly 33 years and has three adult children. A lifelong professional in IT Telecom, James also draws daily and is a devoted coffee drinker. He’s an avid reader with a soft spot for science fiction and the occasional Pulitzer Prize winner. Whether it’s a quick getaway or a far-off adventure, James loves to travel.

Resources and Links
The Fletchifesto
Life is an Adventure - Live Like It (Season 2, Episode 12)

Music used in this episode:
- Lost and Found and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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AFTER YOU LISTEN, PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW BY...
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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

What if… instead of assuming the worst, you chose to assume the best?

In this episode, Fletch reflects on what it means to give others the benefit of the doubt. He welcomes his wife Kendra and their friend Lisa to talk about a very personal experience where they learned the power of giving others the benefit of the doubt — and why it’s so hard in today’s world. 
Pop rolls up on the back porch to also share his opinions and wisdom with a challenge to choose grace over cynicism.

If you’ve ever struggled to see the good in people — this one’s for you.

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Guest Information
Multiple studio guests

Resources and Links
The Fletchifesto

Music used in this episode:
- Makes Me Happy and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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AFTER YOU LISTEN, PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW BY...
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