The Shared Experience

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 7-time Pi Alpha and Nu Phi Society member, Ruben Talavera, Eta Omega (New Mexico State University), who completed Journey of Hope in 2006 as a crew member and then cycled Gear Up Florida in 2007, 2009, 2019, 2020 and 2022. Since his retirement of summer events (unless his fellow Glo Bros ask him to run it back for another summer), Ruben has been serving the Lowe's associate disability community as a founding member and leader of the A.B.L.E. (A Better Life For Everyone) Business Resource Group, which works to create an inclusive and inspiring culture that empowers and enables people of all abilities.

In this episode, you'll learn how Ruben was introduced to the Journey of Hope while living in New Mexico, how The Ability Experience needed to pivot to host a virtual Gear Up Florida and Journey of Hope during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and what he considers "3 A.M. friends".

Connect with Ruben professionally here -https://www.linkedin.com/in/ncrubent/

Connect with Ruben socially here -⁠https://www.instagram.com/ncrubent/

On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha Austin Gothard (Iota Nu, Mississippi State University), who completed Gear Up Florida as a cyclist in 2022, led the TransAmerica team as Project Manager in 2023 and will be cycling Gear Up Florida a second time in 2024. Austin will also be a Leadership Consultant for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity in 2024.

In this episode, you'll learn how Austin experienced both sides of a summer event: as a crew member and as a cyclist!

Connect with Austin professionally here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-gothard-816439240/

Connect with Austin socially here - https://www.instagram.com/gothard.aj

Welcome to episode 14! On the newest episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview Pi Alpha and Team AbEx Ambassador, Jeremy Jones (Alpha Gamma, University of Oklahoma), who completed Journey of Hope as a cyclist in 1998, 2001 and as project manager in 2009. 

Jeremy has walked across Spain, biked around New Zealand, was a semi-finalist for the show "Survivor," completed an Ironman triathlon, worked for the Today Show, traveled to 6 continents, qualified for the Boston Marathon, served a mission in the Amazon, and won a male pageant since completing Journey of Hope.

Connect with Jeremy professionally here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymoorjones/

Interested in being a Team AbEx Ambassador? Apply here - https://abilityexperience.org/team-abex-ambassadors/

Welcome to episode 13! On this episode of “The Shared Experience Podcast,” hosts Zorth and Gary interview 1997 Journey of Hope North Route cyclist, managing director at Merrill Lynch and current AbEx board member, Michael Davis. 

Learn how Michael’s Journey of Hope experience led to him hosting the Inaugural Empire State Ride in New York, and saying YES to more adventures like hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024.

Connect with Michael professionally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nymikedavis/

Connect with Michael socially here: https://www.instagram.com/maddog_davis7/

Interested in doing the 2024 Empire State Ride October 10-14? Email Diego at [email protected].

Welcome to episode 12, featuring Rob Raesemann from the Zeta Zeta chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. In this episode, hosts Zorth and Gary talk with Rob about being a 6x Pi Alpha, his involvement for the AbEx Challenge: Gate River Run and the future of the Zeta Zeta Chapter.

A snippet about Rob:

"Rob's initiation into Pi Kappa Phi over 35 years ago set him on a path he could never have imagined. He feels lucky to have joined the only fraternity that could provide him with the types of opportunities Pi Kappa Phi has.

Rob started volunteering for the fraternity as a District Counselor in 2002, which led to attending Pi Kappa Phi’s Supreme Chapter in Washington, D.C. While in D.C., Rob attended the Journey of Hope arrival for the first time. When he learned alumni could participate in Gear Up Florida, he immediately purchased a bike, and applied for his first summer event in 2003. Rob has been active with the Ability Experience for over 20 years!"

Connect with Rob professionally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robraesemann/

Connect with Rob socially here: https://www.instagram.com/robraesemann/

Sign up for the 2024 Gate River Run here: https://give.abilityexperience.org/event/2024-abex-challenge-gate-river-run/e530582

As a Pi Alpha, Cycling Coach and Board Member, it's fair to say that Corey Dillon has impacted the The Ability Experience's cycling events more than just about anyone. Over the years, Corey has dedicated himself to the evolution of our events - particularly in the interest of safety. Join us and we uncover what Corey has added to the Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida experiences since is 1991 cross-country trek.

Paul Drake has done it all. As a seven time Pi Alpha, Paul has cycled all three routes of Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida. Join us as Paul compares and contrasts his experiences depicting the evolution of our programs over the years.

Paul's involvement: Journey of Hope (1989, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005), Gear Up Florida (2004), Pi Alpha Ride Along (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017), Cycling Events Cycling Coach (2018-present)

Twin brothers, Josh and Will Ingram have a lot to unpack when it comes to Ability Experience involvement. Join us as we compare and contrast two unique experiences including the 2019 Journey of Hope.

As a result of a traumatic motorcycle accident, Brent Freeman is a Pi Alpha who is now blind. While injuries have effected his memory, Journey of Hope will never be forgotten. Join us as he shares how his perspective of his 2010 experience has evolved and what he cherishes most about that summer. 

(Recorded LIVE as a part of 2021 Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers)