After spending two years trying (and failing) to discover the original birthplaces and hometowns of my family's European ancestors, I decided to take the plunge and sign up for AncestryDNA. I ordered the kit, spat in a test tube, and mailed it to Ancestry to see what they could find. The results were... not exactly what I expected. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Content Warning: this is an episode about emergency medicine and, as such, contains descriptions of medical scenarios that some listeners might not appreciate. Discretion is advised. Gather round and listen to one of the strangest chapters of my life: how I went to EMS school and became a certified EMT-B, for no reason at all. In an almost completely pointless endeavor, I took the courses, put in the time, aced the tests, became a bona fide medical professional, and then... nothing happened. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is episode 3 of 3 in a series about Richard Wagner's collection of German Operas, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (the "Ring Cycle" in English). In this episode, I share about the overall experience—what it was like spending six days in San Francisco watching a massive, luxurious, expensive show split up into four parts and spread over six days. It was an amazing show worth going to, without a doubt.  Note: here are some resources for free Ring Cycle performances you can watch online: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/the-ring-cycle/ (Opera North), and https://www.metopera.org/season/on-demand/ (Met Opera On Demand - 7 Day Free Trial available). 2021 Ring Festival: the San Francisco Opera has decided to host an online "Ring Festival" streaming this production that I attended. Visit https://sfopera.com/opera-is-on/ringfestival/ to watch the ring cycle in its entirety, starting on March 6-7, 2021. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is episode 2 of 3 in a series about Richard Wagner's collection of German Operas, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (the "Ring Cycle" in English). In this episode, I share about just how the Ring Cycle is superlative in every way: monstrously expensive, notoriously difficult to stage, ridiculously hard to sing. Why? How? And who was the secret patron that made it all possible, when it would have otherwise failed due to the composer's inability to focus and handle his debts? Come learn about how the Ring Cycle is—arguably—the greatest story ever told, at least on stage. (Photo credit: Cory Weaver / San Francisco Opera). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is episode 1 of 3 in a series about Richard Wagner's collection of German Operas, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (the "Ring Cycle" in English). Discussed are Looney Tunes, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, "it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings!" and more. Learn about just how impactful the Ring Cycle has been on western culture, music, and more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is episode 3 of 3 in a series about my time working in the food service industry. In this episode, I'll share about the time I spent working as a bus boy at an Italian restaurant. In my final attempt at making a career in food service, I spent my days cutting bread, filling water glasses, and turning tables, until I had an existential dilemma, realizing that I was stuck in a dead-end job in an industry that had no apparent future for me.

This is episode 2 of 3 in a series about my time working in the foodservice industry. In this episode, I'll share about the time I spent working as a banquet server at a hotel and conference center. It was a pretty great gig, where I met a lot of nice people and learned quite a bit of Spanish. I stayed for a few years until one day; it all came to a shocking end, and I never went back. Come with me as I lift the tablecloth and show some of the good, bad, and ugly of food service.  Do you listen to and enjoy this podcast? Give it a review on Apple Podcasts! It's the most powerful thing you can do to help this little one-man show. Leave a review or rating here: https://micron.fm/review — thanks in advance!

This is episode 1 of 3 in a series about my time working in the foodservice industry. In this episode, I'll share about the time I spent waiting tables at a 1950s-themed American diner. Here, I gained valuable life experience, made a little bit of money, learned a lot about food, customer service and the human condition, and met some fascinating people along the way. Come with me as I lift the tablecloth and show some of the good, bad, and ugly of food service. Do you listen to and enjoy this podcast? Give it a review on Apple Podcasts! It's the most powerful thing you can do to help this little one-man show. Leave a review or rating here: https://micron.fm/review — thanks in advance!

Are you stupid for not buying a home? Are you throwing away your money every month if you pay rent? Are your rent payments just making someone else rich? No, no, and no. Ron Stauffer debunks all these ridiculous myths of homeownership and shows how owning a home is not the ultimate aim of the American dream.

A true story of how joining a Christmas caroling group completely changed my formerly rotten attitude on Christmas. The grumpy old Scrooge is now a changed man. Do you listen to and enjoy this podcast? Give it a review on Apple Podcasts! It's the most powerful thing you can do to help this little one-man show. Leave a review or rating here: https://micron.fm/review and thanks in advance!