THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

Dick Beardsley is a lauded American long distance runner. A few of his accomplishments include tying for first place in the first inaugural London Marathon in 1981; winning Grandma's Marathon later that year in Duluth, Minnesota, setting and holding the course record for 33 years; and a close finish with Alberto Salazar running the Boston Marathon in 1982, a race memorialized in the book "Duel in the Sun." Following a series of accidents and subsequent surgeries, Dick became an addict. He has been sober since February 12, 1997. His memoir "Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race" was published in 2002. Dick is now a motivational/inspirational speaker and a fishing guide, and he and his wife Jill own and operate a bed and breakfast in their town, Bemidji, Minnesota.

Desmond Bertrand-Pitts spent his early years in Mamou, Louisiana. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree from Lamar University, as well as an MBA from American Intercontinental University. He was the Director of Business before becoming the CEO of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas. Desmond mentors young men to achieve their maximum potential, and founded M.E.N. Incorporated to do just that. He is married and makes his home in Houston, Texas.

John Nova Lomax has been a journalist in Houston, Texas for 20 years. After graduating from Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee, he had a variety of jobs including oyster shucker, landscape gardener, British Telecom clerk, and field hand in Israel. John settled down in journalism at the Houston Press, where he reviewed and introduced all types of music to his readers as a Music Editor and Staff Writer for nearly 12 years. After working briefly at Swamplot.com, he was a Senior Editor at Texas Monthly for almost 4 years. John is currently a freelance writer with a contract at Texas Highways and lives in Houston, Texas with his children.

Prior to becoming an attorney, David Adler was an officer for the Central Intelligence Agency in conflict zones in Africa. Originally from Long Island, New York, he graduated law school from Texas Southern University before heading into the CIA. Upon his return, he moved to Houston, Texas and began working as a criminal defense lawyer. David is known for his zealous representation on behalf of all his clients and has been recognized for his efforts to provide quality representation to the indigent and underserved. He's handled about 800 criminal cases in Federal court and has even won awards such as Lawyer of the Year and the Judge Thomas M. Reavley Award for Outstanding Public Service. David lives with his son and daughter in Houston.

Greg Funderburk became a Minister of Pastoral Care in 2012 after practicing law for 21 years. He graduated from Baylor University in 1987 and the University of Texas School of Law in 1990, then moved home to Houston, Texas to work as an attorney. After over two decades, Greg began working at South Main Baptist Church and was ordained in 2013. He published "The Mourning Wave" in 2020 and has "Let It Be Said, We've Borne It Well" coming out in Spring 2021. Greg lives in Houston with his wife Kelly and their two sons.

Sarah Lee Guthrie, a gifted folksinger in her own right, is the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of the late Woody Guthrie. Her first recorded appearance as a vocalist was as a toddler, and she later passed on college to tour with her father, first as road manager then as part of the band. In a career that has exceeded two decades, Sarah Lee has written, recorded, and performed as a solo artist, in bands, and with her family and Johnny Irion. In her own words, she is a link in the chain of folk singers. Originally from Massachusetts, Sarah Lee now lives in Austin with her 2 daughters.

Jaye Ramsey Sutter has taught college and University level political science for over three decades. Additionally, she serves students as a pre-law advisor and appears regularly as a political commentator, TV panelist, and public lecturer. She earned both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Baylor University, a secondary teaching certificate at Texas State University, and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. Jaye worked as a clerk for John O'Quinn and was employed by Jim Mattox, the Attorney General of Texas, as a legislative analyst. She has been a professor at Houston Community College, Austin Community College, and the University of Houston throughout the last 32 years. Jaye and her husband of 35 years, Ben, divide their time between Houston, Texas and Rayville, Louisiana.

Dan Cogdell is one of the premier criminal defense attorneys in the United States. After graduating from The University of Texas in 1979, he attended South Texas College of Law. He began his legal career as a briefing attorney for Judge John Onion, Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, then went on to become the youngest attorney to make partner at Haynes & Fullenweider. Dan broke off from the legendary "Racehorse" Haynes in 1988 to open his own firm. He has tried over 300 jury trials and is presently defending the Attorney General of the state of Texas. He is also a frequent lecturer and speaker, appears in local, national, and global media, and even races motorcycles. Dan lives in Houston, Texas with his wife Robin.

Gavin Tabone is a choir director and music teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Music Theory in 1996 and moved to Austin, Texas in 1997. While working as an outreach supervisor for the Parks & Recreation Department, he started working with an elementary school in the area and got recruited to be the music teacher there in 2000. He moved to Barton Hills Elementary in 2009, where he and his choir now specialize in classic rock covers like Grateful Dead and The Beatles, and has been there ever since. Gavin lives in Austin with his wife Danielle and their daughter. Listen to the end for a special treat!

THNX: A Feelgood Podcast wishes our listeners and guests the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year. We will release our next new episode on January 5, 2021. Until then, please listen to and enjoy any of our guest's amazing and inspiring stories published thus far. We also wish to thank everyone who has supported THNX; you have given us the gift of your time and that is greatly appreciated. Stay well, and we will be streaming again soon.