The Quest Express: Travel, Culture & Untold Stories

BONUS EPISODE: Some thoughts about the current political climate, villainization of parties and individuals, and why dark forces feel compelled to snuff out the truth. Excerpt: JFK's Inaugural Speech.

It will be a rocky five months ahead - we only have control over how we choose to behave.

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." -- James Madison

New Recipes Page

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

BONUS:  Today we sit down with Joyce Brand, Author of Pioneering Prosperity: The Morazan Model for Free Cities. If you've ever wondered if you're actually free, you probably aren't. With so much polarization in America, and with the doom & gloom of global agendas, this conversation is a good reminder that we are at our nature free ('tis not a privilege but a birthright), and we have choice thanks to the work of Titus Gebel, Joyce Brand, and their work around entrepreneurial governance. 

Inside this episode we cover:

• What are Free Cities & what is entrepreneurial governance?
• The peace, prosperity & success of free cities' business models
• Will we move closer to feudalism or closer to free cities? You choose.
• Prospera & Ciudad Morazán, Honduras
• The case for free cities over coercive political governments
• Anarchy, communes, and how free cities are different.
• How to apply for a free city and learn more

Learn more here:
 
https://morazanmodel.com/

https://www.morazan.city/

https://free-cities.org/

BIO:
Author of Pioneering Prosperity: The Morazan Model for Free Cities and co-author of Economics and the Spiritual Life of Free Men, Joyce Brand seamlessly bridges the worlds of entrepreneurship and governance. Residing in Ciudad Morazán, Honduras, a pioneering ZEDE, she pens insights for the Free Cities Foundation and has been featured on platforms like the Foundation for Economic Education. She is the co-founder of the Morazan Model Association.

**Wednesday, July 10th: Our first guest from the Aspen City Series: Valery Kelly, Founder & Creative Director of Snowlight Arts

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

"We honor the memory of our beloved friend and creative collaborator, Tom Dreesen (1939–2026), whose legendary wit and guidance shaped the foundation of our evening events."

Tom Dreesen: September 11, 1939 - June 17, 2026

To share a personal memory of Tom or to read the family's official announcement, you can visit his official Keeper Memorials page. To honor his extraordinary life and continue his dedication to our nation's heroes, please consider making a memorial tribute gift directly through the Gary Sinise Foundation.

BONUS: In today's final episode with comedian, Tom Dreesen, The Quest Express reveals stories from Dreesen's "Sinatra era" when he toured the globe with Frank for over 13 years. You'll hear Sinatra stories from behind the curtain and have the opportunity to join the waiting list for an exclusive private event in your own home or another iconic venue with Tom Dreesen, Sinatra's right-hand man.

Interested in bringing "The Chairman & The Comedian" back together? Host a dinner party that will leave an indelible impression on your guests proving the best is yet to come. Invite a few people to dinner, and blow their minds. Through The Dinner Story's exclusive arrangement, Tom Dreesen will surprise your guests and perform his unique one-man show while each guest travels back in time.

Learn more: THE DINNER STORY

• BOOKS: Buy Tom's book "Still Standing" >> HERE or "Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black & White" >> HERE

BIO:
Tom Dreesen left his hometown of Harvey, Illinois over 45 years ago to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Since that time, he has made over 500 appearances on national television as a standup comedian, including 61 appearances on The Tonight Show.  He was a favorite guest of David Letterman and often hosted the show during David’s absence. For years, he has been a regular in all of the main showrooms in Las Vegas performing with Sammy Davis Jr., Lisa Minnelli, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson, Mac Davis, Tony Orlando and for 14 years toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

"We honor the memory of our beloved friend and creative collaborator, Tom Dreesen (1939–2026), whose legendary wit and guidance shaped the foundation of our philosophy and evening events."

Tom Dreesen: September 11, 1939 - June 17, 2026

To share a personal memory of Tom or to read the family's official announcement, you can visit his official Keeper Memorials page. To honor his extraordinary life and continue his dedication to our nation's heroes, please consider making a memorial tribute gift directly through the Gary Sinise Foundation.

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How did Tom Dreesen, reinvent himself from life insurance salesman, to Carson favorite on the Tonight Show as a stand-up comedian, to opening for Sammy Davis Jr. and later Frank Sinatra?

Tom shares with The Quest Express the powerful mindset that overcame concrete walls, destitution, and frustrating delays during those early days in L.A. before stardom came knocking on his door.

• BOOKS: Buy Tom's book "Still Standing" >> HERE or "Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black & White" >> HERE

BIO:
Tom Dreesen left his hometown of Harvey, Illinois over 45 years ago to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Since that time, he has made over 500 appearances on national television as a standup comedian including 61 appearances on the Tonight Show.  He was a favorite guest of David Letterman and often hosted the show during David’s absence. For years, he has been a regular in all of the main showrooms in Las Vegas performing with Sammy Davis Jr., Lisa Minnelli, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson, Mac Davis, Tony Orlando and for 14 years toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.

As an actor he’s appeared in many motion pictures like Trouble With the Curve, Spaceballs, Man On the Moon, HBO movies Rat Pack and Lansky, and mastered roles on television shows like Columbo, Touched By An Angel, Murder She Wrote, Facts of Life and WKRP in Cincinnati.

The first six years of Tom's career, he shared the stage with Tim Reid as America’s first black-and-white comedy team. The duo recently wrote a book called "Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White" about their escapades touring the nation from 1969 to 1975.

Tom’s current book "Still Standing. My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage and Sinatra" is receiving rave reviews including over 400 Five-star reviews on Amazon.

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

"We honor the memory of our beloved friend and creative collaborator, Tom Dreesen (1939–2026), whose legendary wit and guidance shaped the foundation of our evening events."

Tom Dreesen: September 11, 1939 - June 17, 2026

To share a personal memory of Tom or to read the family's official announcement, you can visit his official Keeper Memorials page. To honor his extraordinary life and continue his dedication to our nation's heroes, please consider making a memorial tribute gift directly through the Gary Sinise Foundation.

BONUS:  Today The Quest Express sits down with Tom Dreesen, who has been in show business for 50 years.  In this episode, Tom shares the personal story of his childhood in poverty before pursuing his dreams to become a successful entertainer. Come back for Part II & III later this week.

BIO:
Tom Dreesen left his hometown of Harvey, Illinois over 45 years ago to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Since that time, he has made over 500 appearances on national television as a standup comedian including 61 appearances on the Tonight Show.  He was a favorite guest of David Letterman and often hosted the show during David’s absence. For years, he has been a regular in all of the main showrooms in Las Vegas performing with Sammy Davis Jr., Lisa Minnelli, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson, Mac Davis, Tony Orlando and for 14 years toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.

As an actor he’s appeared in many motion pictures like Trouble With the Curve, Spaceballs, Man On the Moon, HBO movies Rat Pack and Lansky, and mastered roles on television shows like Columbo, Touched By An Angel, Murder She Wrote, Facts of Life and WKRP in Cincinnati.

The first six years of Tom's career, he shared the stage with Tim Reid as America’s first black-and-white comedy team. The duo recently wrote a book called "Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White" about their escapades touring the nation from 1969 to 1975.

Tom’s current book "Still Standing. My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage and Sinatra" is receiving rave reviews including over 400 Five-star reviews on Amazon.

His manager of over 30 years says, “Tom has lent his talent to over 100 charities including one he founded called Day for Darlene running 26 miles three years in a row to raise money and honor his sister Darlene who was challenged with Multiple Sclerosis.  An ex-GI and strong supporter of our troops, he’s performed in military bases worldwide including Iraq.  On May 14, 2005, Dreesen received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award for humanitarian service to his country.

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

BONUS:  Today we sit down with Nicole Alger, a classically trained realist painter & draftsman creating in a post-classical world, but a world that still honors craft & skills-based art.   She graduated from The Florence Academy of Art.

Learn more at her website:  www.nicolealgerpainting.com

Contact Nicole about her artwork

Follow her on Instagram

Inside this episode we cover:

• Her family of origin
• Rejection immunity for artists
• Social media, avante garde & shortcuts
• Her time spent in Florence
• The vision for a healthy cultural society 

Next Week: Tom Dreesen, Comedian
Week of July 1st:  Joyce Brand, Author & Citizen of one of Titus Gebel's new "Free Cities" in Honduras

**Week of July 8th:  NEW CITY SERIES**

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

YES! I want to take The Big Hill Challenge for 50% off (good until July 31, 2024)
To redeem the coupon, enter QUEST as the Discount Code before purchase. 

BONUS: When you have the right mindset and tenacity anything is possible. Just ask Sean Swarner, a living legend whose conquests defy the limits of human achievement. Becoming the only person in history to conquer Mount Everest, the highest peak on every continent, ski to both Poles, and complete the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championship (after two terminal cancers and with one lung), Sean stands as a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit. Empowering millions with his resilience and unwavering determination, Sean's story transcends borders, showing us all that with boundless courage and the proper tools, anything truly is possible.

Learn more here:  www.seanswarner.com

Join the 21-day Challenge that will make all the difference if you're a high achiever: www.thebighillchallenge.com

Join the next inspedition to Kilimanjaro: www.ultimatelifeclimb.com

 Voted One of the Top 8 Most Inspirational People of All Time
Speaker | Performance Coach | Adventurer | Author: Keep Climbing & Everest, Being Unstoppable
Everest | 7-Summits | Hawaii Ironman | South and North Poles

2-Time Terminal Cancer Survivor | 14-Day Prognosis | Year-Long Coma | 1 Lung
www.seanswarner.com | www.cancerclimber.org

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

JERUSALEM:  We conclude our Jerusalem city series with Lisa Barkan, who has made Jerusalem her home for 35 years. New grandmother, we discuss immersive environments, her magic idea triangle, and her culinary journey

Listen to Part I here: Apple or Spotify

Listen to Part II here: Apple or Spotify

Inside this episode:

• Why immersive environments cause transformation
• Lisa's Idea hack
• Reading books in an action-oriented way
• The Triangle (not Bermuda or Love)
• Lisa's culinary journey

BIO:
Lisa Barkan is an experience designer and has been living in Jerusalem for over 35 years. She was the founder of the Jerusalem Village community which gathered young adults for intimate networking events and is currently working on a new welcome to Israel for American students coming to study in Israeli universities in the Fall of 2024.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

The Quest Express

Up Next, The Quest Express talks to: SEAN SWARNER

Prepare to be astounded by the remarkable Sean Swarner, a living legend whose conquests defy the limits of human achievement. Becoming the only person in history to conquer Mount Everest, the highest peak on every continent, ski to both Poles and complete the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championship (which he did after 2 terminal cancers and with one lung), Sean stands as a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit. Empowering millions with his resilience and unwavering determination, Sean's story transcends borders, showing us all that with boundless courage and the proper tools, anything truly is possible.

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

JERUSALEM:  What can you create when you have no fear and you welcome failure? Lisa shares her successes, tragedies, and triumphs in Part II of this 3-part series.

Listen to Part I here: Apple or Spotify

Inside this episode:

• One of the biggest factors in Lisa's success
• Two secrets of experience design and innovation
• Adversities and blessings
• Lisa's project welcoming American students to Israeli universities this fall

BIO:
Lisa Barkan is an experience designer and has been living in Jerusalem for over 35 years. She was the founder of the Jerusalem Village community which gathered young adults for intimate networking events and is currently working on a new welcome to Israel for American students coming to study in Israeli universities in the Fall of 2024.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

The Quest Express

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

JERUSALEM:  Today we begin a 3-part series with Lisa Barkan who was the Founder & Director of Jerusalem Village as well as the Former Director of Events & Experiences at Aish.com. Lisa is always thinking of new & innovative approaches to problems most would shy away from.  Follow The Quest Express for new episodes. 

Inside this episode:

• Lisa's newest role as of May 14th, 2024
• Lisa's path from New Jersey to Jerusalem
• How to plan a trip to Jerusalem 
• The wisdom of community experiences when you're travelling
• What makes a successful community?

BIO:
Lisa Barkan is an experience designer and has been living in Jerusalem for over 35 years. She was the founder of the Jerusalem Village community which gathered young adults for intimate networking events and is currently working on a new welcome to Israel for American students coming to study in Israeli universities in the Fall of 2024.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

The Quest Express

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel