Episodes

Send us a text What does it take to transform an ordinary backyard into a personal sanctuary that feels uniquely yours? Steve Griggs, landscape architect to athletes and celebrities with 40 years of experience, reveals the secret isn't just about luxury—it's about emotional connection. "When you're designing a space, you want to ask them how do you want to feel when you're in that space?" Griggs explains, dismantling the misconception that beautiful outdoor spaces require massive budgets or ...

Send us a text Dive deep into the fascinating world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with Lizbeth De Sa, a writer, educator, and IFS practitioner who shares how understanding your "multiple mind" can transform your life. The concept sounds deceptively simple - we're all made up of different "parts" or sub-personalities. But as Lizbeth reveals, recognizing and working with these parts creates profound healing opportunities that traditional therapy often misses. "It's really about lovi...

Send us a text What happens when an eight-year-old girl from communist Bulgaria decides she's going to be a poet? Katerina Stoykova joins us to share her remarkable journey from the shores of the Black Sea to becoming a published author, publisher, and literary community builder in Kentucky. Katerina's story begins with a pivotal childhood moment when a visiting poet sparked an unshakable desire to write poetry. With disarming honesty, she recounts telling her mother about her dream and imme...

Send us a text Songwriter Gabe Schillman truly embodies the "living on the road" lifestyle—he doesn't even own a home. With 232 shows performed nationwide last year alone, this professional songwriter and touring artist has turned his nomadic existence into both an art form and a mission. During our candid conversation, Gabe reveals the fascinating world of contract songwriting, where artists craft music to fit specific commercial, film, and entertainment needs. "Music is everywhere," he exp...

Send us a text The mental health landscape has fundamentally shifted, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Rhonda Hodge, founder of Harmony Psychiatric Services, offers a refreshing alternative to the conventional 15-minute medication check-ups that have dominated psychiatric care. With dual credentials as both a therapist and nurse practitioner, Hodge created her practice to treat patients holistically—combining medication management with therapy, movement, and nutrition support. What sets H...

Send us a text Dr. John Poothullil revolutionizes our understanding of weight management and diabetes prevention by challenging conventional wisdom with science-backed insights from his decades of medical practice. As an award-winning author and nationally syndicated health expert, Dr. Poothulill observed patterns that led him to question why patients continued developing complications despite medication and traditional treatments. The concept of "authentic weight" stands at the center of hi...

Send us a text Meet Omdia Memwequa, also known as "The Candy Man" – a name earned from his addictively delicious pecan candy that customers jokingly call "legal crack." But behind this sweet success story lies an extraordinary journey of transformation that will leave you inspired. Omdia's story begins with his name itself – a creative combination formed from a monk's chant and a West African word, while his last name emerged during a Scrabble game. This creativity extends throughout every a...

Send us a text What happens when a robot begins to experience human emotions? This fascinating question drives artist John Windzilak (known professionally as J-Dubs) in his groundbreaking project that blends art therapy, storytelling, and community building in surprising ways. On this episode, J-Dubs reveals how personal struggles with ADHD, heart issues, and childhood experiences led him to therapy, which ultimately inspired his character Voltage – a robot navigating the complex world of hu...

Send us a text When Marine veteran Jim Rojas found himself in an acting scene opposite Linden Ashby, something unexpected happened. Though Jim wasn't even on camera or in character, Ashby reached across with profound gratitude after the scene wrapped. This moment revealed to Jim that his lifelong mental habits—creating different versions of himself in various scenarios—had perfectly prepared him for acting. What began as childhood coping mechanisms had become a sophisticated operating system ...

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 p...

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 apparent...

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 categor...

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...