Interviews Episodes

Send us a text Ever wondered what it's like to navigate the world without sight? Meet Jean Marckley, a 79-year-old blind comedian who's turning stereotypes upside down one punchline at a time. "What's it like to be blind?" people often ask Jean. Her response? "Well, everybody close your eyes. Yep, that's it." With disarming wit and wisdom gained from nearly seven decades of blindness, Jean takes us on an enlightening journey through her experiences—from strangers yelling at her (because apparen...

Send us a text What happens when you blend country, rock, Americana, folk, blues, and pop into one distinctive sound? You get what fans call "Pam Music" – the signature style of singer-songwriter Pam Ross. On this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we're joined by the genre-defying Pam Ross, whose musical journey has taken her from Pittsburgh to Houston and now to North Carolina, with frequent creative pilgrimages to her favorite performance destination: Nashville. When asked to catego...

Send us a text Pete Neubig takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career transformation, from IT professional to property management entrepreneur and back to tech innovator. After 25 years in information technology, Pete's life took an unexpected turn at age 41 when he found himself managing 31 properties and three apartment complexes without the proper systems in place. This necessity birthed Empire Industries Property Management, which he eventually grew to manage nearly 1,00...

Send us a text From painfully shy child to prolific songwriter with over twenty albums, Eddy Mann's musical journey defies easy categorization. Growing up in Philadelphia with a bebop pianist father and a mother who valued cultural heritage created the perfect environment for creative growth, though Eddy initially struggled to find his voice. That all changed when he picked up a guitar as a teenager – suddenly, the boy who couldn't read in front of classmates found himself performing in clubs be...

Send us a text Albert Bramante brings a rare combination of talents to his work as a talent agent - over two decades of industry experience plus advanced credentials in psychology, hypnosis, and NLP. This unique perspective has made him an "architect of careers" who understands both the practical and psychological challenges performers face. Albert's journey began unexpectedly. Though originally destined for academic psychology, a brief acting stint revealed his true passion lay behind the scen...

Send us a text What happens when martial arts philosophy meets business leadership and personal development? Jene Burk knows firsthand. Originally planning to become a psychologist, Jene's life took an unexpected turn that launched him into a four-decade operations career while simultaneously deepening his practice of martial arts. The result? A unique perspective on personal growth that blends Eastern wisdom with practical workplace applications. In this conversation, Jene reveals how the mind...

Send us a text Joe Toler takes us on a fascinating journey through his career as an athletic director across six countries in 12 years, culminating in his current role at the International School of London in Qatar. What began as a teaching career in Houston transformed into an international adventure building comprehensive athletic and activity programs for students around the world. At the International School of London Qatar, Joe oversees three vital components of student life beyond academi...

Send us a text Chris Feistl takes us behind the scenes of one of the most dangerous DEA operations in history - the hunt for the Cali Cartel in Colombia during the 1990s. As a 26-year DEA veteran who stood on the frontlines against what was then "the biggest and most powerful crime syndicate in history," Feistl shares firsthand accounts that reveal the real story behind Netflix's Narcos season three. The Cali Cartel, led by four sophisticated "gentlemen" who preferred bribery over bullets, cont...

Send us a text Bee Smith joins us to share her inspiring music journey from a small town in England to rising stardom in country music. With her debut single "Little Girl's Heart," Bee explores her personal experiences and the challenges she overcame to pursue her passion. Discover how she transformed adversity into motivation, using her daughter as a driving force to embody resilience. You'll hear about how social media played a pivotal role in her discovery and what it means to create authenti...

Send us a text What if you traded a prestigious law career for the spotlight? That's the journey of Nico Wan, who left his role as a private equity lawyer to emerge as a talented actor in the Netflix show "The Recruit." In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into Nico's story, exploring his transformational leap from the structured world of law into the unpredictable realm of acting. Nico shares candid insights on how societal expectations shaped his career path and the turning points that l...

Send us a text Embark on a transformative journey with Chris Perron, a former Navy veteran turned resilience coach who is passionate about empowering both veterans and youth. With an impressive career in the Navy Seabees, Chris brings firsthand experiences of service, leadership, and community building to the forefront. In this episode, he reflects on the significance of his military training and how it led him to help others navigate their paths after service. Chris sheds light on the unnotice...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball welcomes actor Matt Drago, known for his compelling role as Fabian in the upcoming indie film Somewhere in Montana. Matt shares his journey from rural Virginia to the bright lights of New York City and ultimately to Hollywood, discussing the importance of storytelling and the impact of film on society. Tune in as they delve into Matt's creative process, his experiences working with seasoned actors, and his passion fo...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball sits down with Ian Shamandy, a purpose-driven expert who has helped over 400 organizations discover their unique identities. Ian shares his simple yet powerful three-part methodology for individuals to define what makes them uniquely remarkable in seven words or less. Discover how understanding your purpose can transform your life and decision-making process, especially during challenging times. Tune in to learn how ...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball welcomes seasoned leader Colby Varley, Vice President and co-owner of Advanced Transportation Services (ATS). Colby shares his journey from growing up in Salinas, California, to leading a successful refrigerated transportation company. He discusses the complexities of logistics in the perishable food industry, the importance of service over cost, and how hands-on experience shaped his career. Join us as we explore th...

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome David Maeda, an author and former Director of Elections for Minnesota. David shares his journey through the world of election administration during a tumultuous time for democracy in America. He discusses his memoir, which delves into his experiences, struggles with depression, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Join us as we explore the intricacies of running elections, the safety of the electoral pr...

Send us a text Join us on the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we explore the captivating journey of Rodney carpentier, a seasoned law enforcement professional and self-published author. Discover how he weaves two decades of police experience into his debut novel, set against the mysterious backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. Rodney shares his passion for writing, his transition from law enforcement, and his love for hiking. Dive into the intriguing stories from his career and learn a...

Send us a text In this compelling episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Patrick O'Donnell, a former Milwaukee Police Department sergeant turned bestselling author and podcast host. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from law enforcement to the literary world, discussing his experiences on the force, including high-stakes standoffs and heartwarming community interactions. He also delves into his transition to writing and podcasting, offering insights into his books like...

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, Curveball sits down with Robert A. Lane, an experienced author, transformationalist, and audiobook coach. Discover how Robert transitioned from a 30-year career in the entertainment industry to founding Robert Lane Coaching, helping nonfiction authors bring their stories to life through audiobooks. Learn about the importance of authors narrating their own work, the key components of producing a compelling audiobook, and the dist...

Send us a text Join us on the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we delve into the multifaceted life of Joel Bouchard. A local government official, business leader, army veteran, author, podcast host, and doctoral student, Joel shares his journey from philosophy podcasting to public service, and from forming a band to becoming a multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Discover his insights on philosophy, science, and creativity, and learn about his latest book, The Sleeper, the Schol...

Send us a text Join us in this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball as we sit down with award-winning author and journalist Roni Robbins. With nearly four decades of experience, Ronnie shares her journey from journalist to author, revealing the challenges and triumphs in writing her novel, "Hands of Gold." Inspired by her grandfather's life, the book spans from the 1920s to the 1990s, weaving tales of love, resilience, and historical events like the Holocaust. Discover the fas...

Send us a text Join us on the Living the Dream with Curveball podcast as we sit down with the multitalented hip hop artist and actress, MZ. Coxx. Discover her journey from aspiring judge to music sensation, and learn about her influences, her latest projects, and her advice on staying true to oneself. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with music, movies, and motivation! www.mzcoxx.com Want to be a guest on Living the Dream with Curveball? Send Curtis Jackson a message on PodMatch, her...

Send us a text Join us on this episode of the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we delve into the inspiring life of author Jean Johnson. Jean shares her incredible journey from growing up in the Yucatan jungle to becoming a celebrated children's book author. Discover how her multicultural upbringing and a deep love for animals shaped her writing career. Jean talks about her book series, "Renny Roo's Adventures," and how it introduces children to diverse cultures and languages. She also...

Send us a text In this enlightening episode of "Living the Dream with Curveball," host Curveball welcomes Bob Martin, an esteemed author, professor, and former criminal trial lawyer. Bob shares his fascinating journey from a carnival upbringing to becoming a successful lawyer, and how an unexpected turn led him to mindfulness and writing. Discover how Bob's unique perspective on spirituality, influenced by both Taoism and Christianity, has shaped his life and work. He also delves into his books...

Send us a text Join us on the Living the Dream with Curveball podcast as we delve into the world of psychology and fiction with clinical psychologist and author, Susan Beth Miller. Discover how Susan's experiences and insights shape her writing, including her latest young adult novel, "By the Way, I Love You." Learn about the intersection of psychology and storytelling, and get inspired by Susan’s journey from a young writer to a seasoned psychologist and novelist. Tune in for a thought-provokin...