What's That Like? Podcast

This is a Classic Rewind episode tying back to our recent new episode with Brad Fiori and Shayne Isbell and their Excellent Adventures!   It originally was posted on 8/17/18.   Enjoy this WTL Classic!  

Brad Fiori made his money, quit his job, and decided to live life NOW, as opposed to waiting for retirement! Crazy to some... and inspiration to others. He tackles adventures as he can and he came on WTL to talk about his biggest journey to date. His circumnavigation the United States at the border... all 11,338 miles!

His journey was not easy, and certainly had challenges, but he found joy, hardships, challenges, the kindness of Americans, and maybe just a bit of the quirkyness as well! You should also check his Facebook group, "Mile, Mile and a Half", for a daily blog, pics, and videos. He will let you join so you can see it all! Just like this podcast... It's FREE! You can also follow his upcoming adventures which he details on this show.

Link to his page below! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1261882397270840/ What's That Like? Podcast -https://www.facebook.com/WhatsThatLikePodcast/ The #WTLNation Discussion Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/377604992746452/

Brad Fiori and Shayne return in this NEW episode, that was actually recorded back in fall 2019.  In this episode, our amazing adventure friends tackle Kayaking the Florida Keys, Biking Vietnam, and Hiking across England.   The ups and downs and joys of travel, and language, hygiene, and food obstacles in Southeast Asia!   

Currently, Brad is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican to Canadian borders, and you can follow this, and the past journeys on Facebook at Mile, Mile and a Half

Its all in the title!   Zach Wygal returns and we cover the decade in review from a Central Illinois perspective... many things happened, we hit the biggest, we probably missed a few for sure... but we did our best to remind all of you of the things that were huge news, places, organizations, events, good things, many sad things, and we end it with predictions about the 2020s. 

Included topics and events discussed:   The Coliseum Fire, Power Plant closing, School Funding, Tornadoes and Weather, the Eclipse, Deer Run, and Country Classic Cars

Sports:  Junior High and High School sports, Kelsey Card Olympics, Justin Allgaier, Matt Hughes, & WSMI's Terry Todt

The Good and the Sad:   Fight the Fight, Stamp Out Cancer, St Francis, Turner Hall, HEIDI, Faith Hartsell, Cancer, Suicide, Opiods, and tragic accidents.

The Businesses:  Theaters, Bills IGA, Blackbird Bakery, Red Rooster, Opera House, Winerys, Restaraunts, Black Rabbit, Litchfield Pickers Market, Atlas 46, AllScripts... and more.

Thanks to all of you in #WTLNation, and feel free to comment on things we may have missed... we aren't perfect!

Brought to you by Opera House Brewing Company, Hillsboro, IL.

On this show, we take a retrospective look at the Coffeen Power Plant through the eyes of one employee, Don Nowell.   He isn't a spokesman for the company, the union, or the plant... he is my friend, and I wanted to know, and share with all of you.   What it is like to make electricity, how it works, how the plant worked, what factors led to it closing, and the impact it had on him and his fellow employees.  

Nothing controversial in the discussion, just two friends talking about the closing of an iconic Central Illinois beacon.  Literally, and Figuratively.    

Thanks to all the current and former employees of the Coffeen Power Station.

Tens of millions of unsuspecting husbands walk around without a clue as to what to do, what just happened, and why am I in the doghouse again with my wife? 

In this episode, we talk to Scott Litch, author of "A Husband's Survival Guide" , a husband of over 28 years offers humorous observations and sound tactics, essentially a field guide, on how to survive a marriage and most importantly to avoid being "dumped on" by your wife for your many real and perceived shortcomings as a husband.

We cover key topics... how to survive the holidays, how to pick a place for dinner, and if your spouse can really be a best your best friend.   Follow his Facebook page - A Husband's Survival Guide

FInd the book on Amazon and at Outskirt Press.   

Paperback - Kindle - Outskirt Press 

On this show... the man who helped start it all, Producer Bobby Krug returns and gives us all an update on his racing season, his future, where is has been, and more importantly... where he may be going!

Then (23:15), Peyton & Mike Bertolis join me to discuss their mission:  Peace, Love, & Bicycles!  The are collecting used bikes, restoring or fixing them, and putting them into the hands of kids in need!   Great little story, and it has grown very fast and very big.   If you would like to donate, use this link: paypal.me/peaceloveandbicycles

When it comes to local adventurers, look no further than Staunton natives Brad Fiori and Shayne Isbell.   In this episode, we tackle the amazing adventure of hiking the Appalachian Trail.   We talk about the people (awesome), the dangers (not much), the bears, the bugs, the food, the beer, the shelter, the difficulty, and awesome journey that it it presents.   

Follow Brad & Shayne's adventurers on their Facebook group:  Mile, Mile and a Half.

Brought to you by Opera House Brewing Co., Hillsboro, IL

Tony Marcolini loves his hometown, he loves revitalizing old buildings, and he loves craft brew.   He and his wife Jennifer took the big leap and started the Opera House Brewing Co in Hillsboro, IL in 2018. 

We cover how he got the brewing bug, the challenges of brewing, restoring a 120 year old building, and bring life back to his boyhood home.  I'm so impressed with his commitment to keeping it local.  

But if that isn't enough... Zach Wygal returns and become the first member of the #FiveTimersClub on the podcast.   Zach is promoting of an upcoming concert by RetroRockit at the Opera House on 10/26 and updates us on some cool changes to Stamp Out Cancer.

They both talk about the resurgence of Hillsboro, and their love of the town they call home.

On Facebook - Opera House Brewing Co.

LISTEN: Central Illinois sent the local legend of Punk Rock & Heavy Metal to the Sunset Strip... and he lived to tell about it. Dennis Carlock, aka Rotten Rod joins John and co-host for the show, Toby Baugher, to discuss his twenty plus years on the LA Sunset Strip. Pick your poison to listen:

Brought to you by Opera House Brewing Company! #DrinkLocal

We talk about his first concert, his inspirations, the origin of the name, the bands, the connections, and we barely scratched the surface. Toby even shows off his on Rotten Sticker on his first guitar case.

I consider this the first of many Rotten Rod's War Stories. I shut the mics off, and he went on for even more. Rod will be back.

Currently, you can see and hear Rod with AZ/DZ  at shows around the area and his monthly radio show The Rockzone Legends Show WDLJ 97.5 FM.

For more Rotten Rod, Search YouTube for:

Rotten Rod Knightmare II AZDZ

The Livingston Road Rallye is a Metro East institution.   For the last 25+ years, October has meant a monster of an event in Livingston, IL.   The Road Rallye, a combination scavenger hunt, trivia contest, Amazing Race, and Survivor has been entertaining hundreds of people since the 90s.   

On this episode, Beth Atwood, Brandon Margaritis, and Cindy Scarsdale sit down with John to discuss the origins, the fun, the planning, the history, the best Rallyes, and the best Rallyers.  

They also promote this years Halloween Fun Fest with some Rallye style challenges and events, in addition to fun for all ages and a Trunk or Treat event?

Are the Rallyes a thing of the past?   Listen and find out.

For more info, see the Livingston Park Association page on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/Livingston-Park-Association-Illinois-892938800827383