Episodes

Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when life throws you major curveballs? Markey Blue's remarkable journey from Las Vegas showgirl to acclaimed singer-songwriter proves that creative reinvention isn't just possible—it's transformative. The moment Markey watched 30-year-old dancers receive pink slips for being "too old," she knew adaptation was essential for survival in the entertainment industry. Her pivot to stand-up comedy led to singing through impressions, eventually landing her i...

Send us a text What happens when a grandfather's impromptu bedtime stories transform into a mission to combat childhood illiteracy? Ron Kinscherf's journey from burned-out IT consultant to children's author began with a simple request: "Papa, tell me a book." When his grandson stomped on anthills in their backyard, Ron saw more than destroyed insect homes—he saw a storytelling opportunity. That moment sparked a series about an ant colony facing challenges that paralleled Ron's own childhood ...

Send us a text What if everything you thought you knew about couples therapy was wrong? Dr. Bruce Chalmer joins us to turn conventional relationship wisdom on its head with refreshingly practical insights gained from over three decades working with couples in crisis. The heart of our conversation centers on a radical redefinition of forgiveness. "Forgiveness is an inside job," Dr. Chalmer explains, separating the personal healing process from the decision to restore trust. This perspective o...

Send us a text The hidden musical gems in your own backyard might just be the best-kept secret in entertainment. Utah Burgess, founder of Shady Lady Studio and the American rock/alt country band Noble Hops, joins us to reveal how local music scenes thrive beneath the mainstream radar. Utah's musical journey began with his mother's guitar playing, introducing him to country and bluegrass before he found his own path through saxophone, drums, and eventually guitar. After founding Noble Hops in...

Send us a text Vulnerability becomes a superpower in this raw, emotional conversation with author Terrell Latchinson, who transforms personal tragedy into purpose through writing and advocacy. After losing his brother to PTSD-related complications a decade ago, Latchinson found himself turning to writing as a therapeutic outlet – eventually launching a career crafting fiction that tackles mental health issues within minority communities. The power of Latchinson's story lies in its authentici...

Send us a text What would compel a successful executive to walk away from his career to build beds for children? For Luke Mickelson, it was the shocking discovery that kids in his community were sleeping on the floor. That realization sparked a mission that has since transformed into Sleep in Heavenly Peace, now the world's largest bed-building charity with 400+ chapters across four countries. Luke's journey began in 2012 when he learned about a family whose children had no beds. What starte...

Send us a text Few people have witnessed global security challenges from as many perspectives as Chris Brewer. In this riveting conversation, the veteran Ranger Battalion NCO and Special Forces Officer pulls back the curtain on covert operations and international security work spanning decades and continents. Brewer's extraordinary career trajectory took him from the elite Ranger Battalion formed in 1974 to the Department of State's Office of Security Assistance, then into the most dangerous...

Send us a text Pete Price's musical journey began in a church choir where elderly parishioners would compliment his singing after service. That early encouragement sparked a lifetime devoted to music that's taken him from singing an octave too high in his first band at age 12 to performing with the Fry's Band for crowds of 5,000 people thirty years later. As Pete reveals in this intimate conversation, his path wasn't always straightforward. Recognizing his shyer temperament didn't suit the f...

Send us a text Ever wondered how scribbling in a journal could transform your mental health? In this captivating conversation, Susan Hensley shares her remarkable journey from bullied TV journalist to transformational coach and author of "Art for Your Sanity: How to Manage Chaos and Unleash Joy." Susan's story begins with anonymous notes left on her desk criticizing her on-air performance—a painful experience that could have derailed her dream career but instead taught her profound lessons a...

Send us a text Extraordinary talent meets unwavering determination in this captivating conversation with Miss Freddye, Pittsburgh's Lady of the Blues. From her roots singing in church to becoming a celebrated blues vocalist with two bands, Miss Freddye shares her remarkable journey with the authenticity that defines both her music and her approach to life. Behind the powerful voice that graces stages across Pennsylvania lies an equally powerful story of resilience. Miss Freddye wears many ha...

Send us a text What happens when life suddenly changes course and everything you know disappears? Laura Bratton's world transformed between second and third grade when a routine eye appointment revealed she would lose her sight due to a degenerative eye disease. While the full impact didn't hit immediately, by age fourteen, Laura found herself staring at indecipherable black blobs on her classroom board instead of letters—a moment that launched her into a profound journey through grief, anxie...

Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when theatrical magic collides with punk rock energy? Sasha Mereu embodies this fascinating intersection as the self-styled "punk rock Willy Wonka" - and he's on a mission to transform how musicians earn a living. Sasha takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career spanning over 1,000 stages worldwide, including a Broadway run in 2016 with "The Illusionists: Turn of the Century" - which became Broadway's highest-grossing magic show. His ...

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 Grief doesn't follow a timeline. This powerful truth anchors our profound conversation with grief expert, author, and life transition coach Ligia Houben, who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work helping the bereaved navigate life's most challenging transitions. Ligia shatters common misconceptions about grief, particularly the harmful belief that mourning should end after an arbitrary period. "Our love doesn't have a timeline," she explains, illu...

Send us a text What happens when you've checked all the boxes of success but still feel something's missing? James Walters, photographer, author, and host of "A Joyful Rebellion" podcast, joins us to explore the transformative power of creative risk-taking and authentic living. James shares his fascinating journey from commercial photographer (who initially used photography to escape math class) to wedding photographer capturing unpredictable moments, to helping others tell their brand stories....

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 What happens when cultural identity, activism, and groundbreaking storytelling converge? Amber Afzali brings this powerful intersection to life as she joins us to discuss her starring role in "Rule Breakers," the inspiring Angel Studios film that chronicles Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team. Born to Afghan immigrant parents and raised in America, Amber shares her unique journey of balancing dual identities while developing a deep passion for her cultural heritage. This ...

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 What if you could access the 90-95% of your mind power that remains dormant? Dr. Alain Salas takes us on a remarkable journey from his days as a sun-chasing boat rental operator in the South of France to becoming a revolutionary healer who helps people transform their lives by reprogramming their subconscious minds. The turning point in Dr. Salas's life came after a personal crisis trifecta—divorce, failing practice, and cancer diagnosis—forced him to question everything he thoug...

Send us a text Stories have power—especially when they challenge expectations and break barriers. This is exactly what novelist Nkrumah Mensah demonstrates through her fantasy series that starts with "Anne of Survivor," featuring a young woman who flees an arranged marriage in the 1500s and finds herself entangled in kingdom-wide intrigue. During our captivating conversation, Nkrumah reveals how her own background shaped her storytelling journey. Despite facing dyslexia as a child, she comes fr...

Send us a text The kitchen transforms from a place of anxiety to a hub of independence in this revealing conversation with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 28, Debra shares her remarkable journey from someone who barely cooked to becoming the only blind student in culinary school, and ultimately, an innovative entrepreneur revolutionizing cooking for the visually impaired. What does adaptive cooking actually look like? Debra demystifies the pr...