Guest Friends

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is my family's long-time next-door neighbor: Jim Voigt. I met up with Jim in his home in the metro Detroit area to discuss his experiences having been drafted into the Vietnam War in April of 1966. After being seriously injured by a Viet Cong mortar blast while on ambush patrol during the war, Jim spent several months recovering in hospitals in Saigon and later in Japan. Since he had difficulty physically writing letters from his hospital bed during his recovery, he ended up recording audio letters on a reel-to-reel tape machine to send home to friends and family to keep them updated on his condition, and to keep his spirits up. For the first time in close to 50 years, Jim has resurfaced those tapes, and you can hear some of that content interwoven into our discussion. Amongst other insights, Jim shares the rollercoaster ride of dropping into Vietnam from 20,000 feet to avoid being shot down; how he learned a valuable life-lesson by way of a 3x5 card; and why mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies are welcomed friends when you're a soldier digging into a foxhole. We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman) "Inspired By" Segment Production: Shane Sevo   Recommended Resources: Documentary: Ken Burn's "The Vietnam War": TheGeniusOfPlay.org Database: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall 

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is the youngest of three brothers - all of whom I hope to feature on Guest Friends at some point, as we've basically been more like family - having grown up two doors down from each other: Dan Wells. Dan - along with his wife Jennifer - are parents to a 15-month-old son and a Siberian Husky. Dan is also an accomplished architect, and a wizard at Legend of Zelda for the N64. I met up with Dan and Jennifer at their home - which doubles as the compound for Cousin Camp: a curated gathering of their nieces and nephews that takes place each Memorial Day weekend. What started as simply getting together to watch some movies and eat some food has turned into - having just completed its 6th year - something epic for the cousins. Amongst other insights, Dan and Jennifer share why traditions - like where the pizza is purchased - is of utmost importance to impressionable youth; how Pinterest and other tutorial websites can be a major budget hack when trying to build on themes - especially when creating cool things like Harry Potter wands; and how to encourage imagination and creative play when it doesn't come as naturally to kids born in the digital world.  We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman) "Inspired By" Voiceover: Ella "Inspired By" Production: Joe Wells   Recommended Resources: Website: TheGeniusOfPlay.org Article: If you want your kid to get a good job, let them play more Tutorial: Making Harry Potter wands Video Game: Legend of Zelda for Nintendo 64 Video Game: Rock Band 4 Food: Toramina's Pizza Architecture: National Tennis Center

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is long-time bosom buddy: Ben Davis. Ben is a married father of four, seemingly a life-long soccer coach, and a Veteran who served for over 5 years in the Army (from 2003-2008). He also hosts the Arsenal of Hope podcast which focuses on dietary, fitness, and wellness tips - especially for Veterans. I met up with Ben at the Detroit Foundation Hotel podcast studio (the building was the former site of the Detroit Fire Department headquarters and was built in 1921). Amongst other insights, Ben shares why "sticking it to the man" was at least partial motivation for taking on 12 Ultra Marathons over the course of a year; how the combination of trail running and changing his diet became the most effective medication cocktail; and why planning a 22-hour run on Belle Isle in Detroit is so significant to him. We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman) "Inspired By" Voiceover: Doug Wells   Recommended Resources: Website: Arsenal of Hope Website: Victory Gym Book: Ultra Marathon Man (Dean Karnazes) Documentary: Free to Run Place: Detroit Foundation Hotel Company: Rogue Arc (design)

Our friend Carl Johnson – from our very first episode – takes a turn to host this 7th episode of the Guest Friends podcast where he welcomes friend and fellow small business owner: Rob Woelkers. Rob is the founder, owner, and operator of PLUSkateboarding shop in downtown Farmington, Michigan. He’s had the joy of opening the door to his business for 16 years, and is a legendary figure in his community – especially as an ambassador for the sport of skateboarding through efforts like spearheading the Riley Skate Park project. Carl met up with Rob at his skate shop on a bustling Spring day to discuss the culture and the business of skateboarding. Amongst other insights, Rob shares some skateboarder wisdom of how to reduce the chance of serious injury: “If you can’t jump up it [on foot], you shouldn’t jump down it [on a skateboard]”; the story behind a “big fake check” that lead to a massive return on investment for the community ($$$); and what his answer to the age-old question “Have you met Tony Hawk?” is.  We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected] Instagram: Guest_Friends_Podcast   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  MusicCredit: Of Asaph (James Alleman)   RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: PLUSkateboarding Blog Tony Hawk: Birdhouse demo @Riley Skate Park Article: Mark Gonzales Thrasher Magazine How to: Kick Flip Documentary: Dogtown and Z-boys

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is my former 6th grade teacher at Taylor Elementary School: Tom Gerken. Tom was born in Ohio, but he spent his entire 37-year teaching career and raised his family "North of the boarder" in Livonia, Michigan. Although retired from the classroom now, Tom continues to lead an active and healthy lifestyle - including still running 2-miles every day. I'd imagine that not too many people get the chance to reconnect with one of their favorite teachers later in life - let alone interview them. So I was grateful to have the opportunity to meet up with Tom after running into him at an Al Kaline autograph signing at Comerica Park in Detroit this past Fall. Amongst other insights, Tom shares how little league baseball and his love of the Detroit Tigers influenced his teaching career; how being pink-slipped twelve of his first thirteen years in the profession was an unwelcome introduction to the political process; and how his students in the '70s got an education in the "History of Rock & Roll" as part of his early curriculum stylings. We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE:  Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman)   RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Documentary: American Teacher Book: Tribe of Mentors (by Tim Ferriss) 1999 Teacher of the Year: Andy Baumgartner Article: Michigan K-12 Funding 1968 World Champion: Detroit Tigers Article: The 50s - A Decade of Music That Changed the World (Rolling Stone)

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is a former co-worker who has become a cherished friend over the course of the past ten years: Anjanetta Dorsey. Anjie is a married mother of two, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), and has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership. When she's not on the sidelines at her sons' soccer games, she can be found plotting out what independent restaurant to venture to next. I met up with Anjie just after Thanksgiving to discuss her passion as a Foodie. Amongst other insights, Anjie shares how her Grandma influenced her with invitations into the process of preparing meals; how she's a spice girl (no, not the music group); and how she's thinking of starting a formalized dining club (to which Guy Fieri would probably get the first invite). We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman) "Inspired By" Voiceover: Caleb Dorsey "Food is Our Fast Friend" poem written by: Christopher Waterman   Recommended Resources: Lonely Planet: Detroit   Hour Detroit Magazine Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails (Detroit) Restaurateur: Guy Fieri Documentary: 42 Grams

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is long-time family friend: Eva Wesman - who was born in 1927 (which means she is 91 years young at the time of this interview!) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Yooper!). I met up with Eva in a rehab clinic where she was recovering from a recent injury - and she was especially gracious to be interviewed in between therapies. Truth be told - since we both enjoy telling stories - we talked non-stop for almost 2.5 hours! That conversation has been edited for timely presentation and here you will find Part 2 where we focus on Eva's remembrances during the World War II era and through her young adulthood in the latter part of the 1940s and 50s. Amongst other insights, Eva shares her exploits as a semi-professional hitch-hiker (in a pre-Uber world) in order to attend weekend dances; how spending the night at a funeral home is "spooky as all get out"; and why wearing a borrowed wedding dress is a good strategy to meet your future spouse at a train depot (Michigan Central Station). We'd enjoy your comments or questions: [email protected] Instagram: Guest_Friends_Podcast   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman) "Inspired By" Voiceover: Eric Dorman   RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1941 State of the Union Address "The Four Freedoms" (January 6, 1941) Norman Rockwell's "Four Freedoms" paintings Combat medics of WWII Michigan Central Station (train depot)  

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is long-time family friend: Eva Wesman - who was born in 1927 (which means she is 91 years young at the time of this interview!) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Yooper!). I met up with Eva in a rehab clinic where she was recovering from a recent injury - and she was especially gracious to be interviewed in between therapies. Truth be told - since we both enjoy telling stories - we talked non-stop for almost 2.5 hours! That conversation has been edited for timely presentation and here you will find Part 1 where we focus on Eva's remembrances of The Great Depression - one of the darkest and most desperate times in American history. Amongst other insights, Eva shares the personal struggles that her parents faced in a time of intensely scarce resources; how a mill pond and discarded automobile tires can be luxurious entertainment for children; and a sensible strategy for choosing which political side to support. Comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman)   Recommended Resources: Great Depression history Ken Burns presents The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (documentary) Pure Michigan - Upper Peninsula Plymouth District Library (Plymouth, MI)   

My guest for this episode of the Guest Friends podcast is even closer than a friend because he's family: my brother Jason Waterman. I met up with Jason (during a very brief break in his travels) to discuss his experiences as an expatriate - having spent almost 10 years living internationally in places including Germany, Romania, and Mexico. Amongst other insights, Jason shares how he went from having "zero desire" to travel to having it fundamentally change the way he thinks; when he found out that you can't always drive as fast as you want on the Autobahn; and why you shouldn't just work, work, work, work, work before you take the time to experience the world.      Comments or questions: [email protected]   LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Logo Credit: Saint-Creative.com  Music Credit: Of Asaph (James Alleman) Experiential Travel Website: Afar.com   Locals Mentioned: Regensburg, Germany Timisoara, Romania Guadalajara, Mexico

My guest for this inaugural episode is one of my life-long best friends of over 20 years: Carl S. Johnson. I met up with Carl in between sips of s'mores mocha and designing at his firm Saint Creative to discuss the topics of marriage, friendships, and doing the hard work in relation to passion projects. Amongst other insights, Carl tells us what he didn't learn in marriage books, of being blown away by his son's Lego skills, and to fight the resistance in order to do something significant with our lives.