BLU Podcast #30 - Kukuis, Bad Spirits, Having a Baby, Single Motherhood & Support Systems

BLU Podcast #56: A Comedy Christmas With Comedian Adriana “Nana” Rodriguez & Attorney Matt Thomassen Tune in now to Episode 56 – A Comedy Christmas Featuring Comedian Adriana “Nana” Rodriguez & Attorney Matt Thomassen 0:00 – South Side Intro 1:20 - The Champurrado Incident 7:12 – China, the Cartel & the Fentanyl Crisis 19:06 - Being Both Gay & Catholic 31:29 - The “Figuring It Out” Phase 35:19 - Grand Parents Reinvigorated When They Have Grand Kids 42:39 - Favorite Activities After Retirement 49:18 - Owning a Restaurant as a Job in Retirement 54:58 – Marijuana as a Positive and a Relaxant 58:08 – Weed – A Plant – No Physical Withdrawal Symptoms – Not Habit Forming or Addictive Like Hard Drugs 1:02:11 - Hosting Comedy Rooms 1:09:58 - The Religious Talk 1:14:31 - The Weed Church 1:19:32 - The Morning Routine 1:23:09 - The Best Gym in the World 1:27:39 – Comedy is One of the Universal Languages 1:29:34 - Nana Rodriguez Upcoming Shows & Social Media 1:32:55 – Kindness & Respect Christmas Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 56 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957254 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download episode 56 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to Episode 55 With Matt Thomassen Matt Thomassen is a Cohost of The Blessed Life University Podcast, a Captain in the U.S. Army and Attorney at Thomassen & Tierney. Topics Covered: 0:00 – South Side Intro 0:59 - A Thanksgiving to Remember 3:15 - The Rolling Stones are Still Doing Shows 7:09 – Thanksgiving Activities 9:42 – Who Makes Fight Scenes for Movies?: Meeting a Combat Choreographer 16:09 – “Scrooge” The Musical 21:55 – Thanksgiving Activities 25:52 - The Instant Pot – An Instant Sensation for Cooking Food Quickly 28:21 – Quitting Vaping: A Really Hard Addiction to Break 30:30 - Dr. Bryan Ardis’ Take on Vaping 33:11 - Vaping Side Effects 35:18 – Kindness and Respect Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 55 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957254 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download episode 55 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to episode 54 of the BLU Podcast featuring Jennifer Hernandez In this Episode, we discuss the book "No One Can Stop Me But Me" by author Jennifer Hernandez. Her book will be available for purchase on Amazon January 16, 2024. It is for all those who want to learn about adversity and overcoming it. You don't want to miss it! Order your copy on presale now at https://a.co/d/e9M3nH9 Jennifer Hernandez is a single mother of four. She has been in the mortgage industry for over 18 years. Her accolades include being named in the top 1 percent of loan officers in the U.S., Scotsman Guide's Top Producer, FHA's Top 50 in the nation and the National Association of Real Estate Professionals’, Top 250 Producer for FHA lending in the state of Illinois 2021 and Top Woman Originator. She manages a branch closing out over 180 million in production and clients praise her for going above and beyond to make their dreams a reality. She is also known for saving deals and finding solutions for issues. "I believe that my life experience is what sets me apart from the competition," she says. "It's also my passion for helping others. It's directly aligned with who I am and the impact I want to make. My motto is the more we do, the greater impact we can make. Giving back and creating change in the neighborhoods in which we lend." Topics covered: 0:00 - South Side Intro 0:51 - New Book "No One Can Stop Me But Me" by podcast guest Jennifer Hernandez 1:35 - Problems in Mortgage Lending and Real Estate: High Interest Rates, Low Housing Inventory and Big Banks Stopping Purchase of Loans From Small Banks 5:47 - Early Payment Defaults Defined 9:33 - Banks & Loan Officers Exiting the Industry 11:43 - Resulting Problems for the Everyday Loan Consumer 16:40 - Continuously Rising Property Taxes 20:34 - Property Taxes in State of Illinois vs other States 26:39 - Motivation for the Book "No One Can Stop Me But Me" 30:29 - Do Not Settle for Less Than You Deserve 35:31 - Creating Your Own Happiness: It's a Must for True Happiness 37:50 - How to Find Self Love?: Thoughts From Jennifer Hernandez 42:00 - The Process of Life 49:41 - The Toughest Parts of The Healing Process 59:35 - Triggers Resulting From Trauma 1:06:19 - Realizing the Truth about Your Relationships 1:10:49 - Having a Positive Perspective 1:19:48 - Words of Wisdom by Jennifer Hernandez 1:22:55 - How to Follow Jennifer Hernandez on Social Media 1:24:29 - Kindness and Respect Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 54 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957254 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download episode 54 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to episode 53 of the BLU Podcast featuring Lupita Valencia Lupita V is an experienced psychotherapist, passionate about healing and creating ripples of positivity. Raised on Chicago's South Side, she overcame great personal adversity to embark on a journey around wellness and psycho-cybernetics (goal achievement). Now, she helps professionals break free from relationship issues and anxiety, achieving profound liberation and flow in work and romance. With her educational background, expertise in psychology, wisdom as a mental health consultant and inspirational speaker, she offers a unique and transformative experience. Follow her on social media, read her book, “The Massive Attraction Journal” (available on Amazon) and join the Lupita V’s program for deep healing, goal-smashing and ultimate freedom. In this episode we discussed relationships, problems arising from them, how problems spill over into the rest of life and how to fix and overcome those problems. Topics covered: 0:00 – South Side Intro 1:15 - Lupita V Introduction & Professional Background 2:54 - Issues Originating from Relationships 7:22 - Helping Clients to Stay Busy 9:53 - The Art of Working with Each Other 13:56 - Preparing Children to Have Real Life Goals 17:16 - Criticism Regarding the American Education Curriculum 21:23 - Suffering From ADHD 27:51 - The Inability to Focus due to ADHD 32:51 - Reason Behind Schizophrenia Patients Acting Violently 35:23 - Doing Guided Meditations 39:07 - Using White Lies in Client Relationships 45:59 - People With ADHD Choosing Bad People on Purpose 52:03 – Narcissism: It’s a Medical Diagnosis 55:07 – What is Self-Esteem and How Do You Define it? 57:11 - How to have Healthy Self-Esteem & Boundaries? 59:17 – Money The Root of All Evil or is the Lack of Money the Root of All Evil? 1:02:42 - How to Get People to Discover and Act on What They Really Want? 1:11:13 - Best Practices to Love Yourself 1:21:25 - Best Ways to Break Out of Toxic Relationships 1:26:10 - The Entrepreneurial Spirit 1:29:57 – Passive Aggressive Defined 1:31:00 – Top 10 Secrets to Success by Investors Business Daily 1:34:37 – Motivations for Lupita V’s Book on Breakups in Relationships? 1:36:41 – Lupita V’s Transformation Program 1:40:56 - Words of Wisdom by Lupita V 1:43:14 – Kindness and Respect Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 53 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download episode 53 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to episode 52 of the BLU Podcast featuring Luis Tayahua. Luis is the owner of Golden Owl Insurance, Studio 63 Nightclub and host of The Night Owl Sessions Podcast. More than anything else, Luis is a good friend. In this episode we discussed what it’s like to be a father. Both of us have now had our first child. Check it out!! Topics covered: 0:00 - Southside Intro 1:46 – Mexican Beers Corona Familiar and Carta Blanca 6:03 - Growth Years of a Baby 12:20 - The Feeling of Becoming a Parent 18:57 - Taking the Newborn Child Home From the Hospital 22:19 - Schedule After Having a Baby 33:49 - Being Aware of Your Surroundings 45:40 - Guiding Principles and Wisdom for Your Child 51:45 - Adjusting in a New Environment 54:24 - Teaching Sports to Kids 1:02:10 – Tips for Communicating With Cops During Traffic Stops 1:11:55 – Poem From the end of the Act of Valor Movie 1:16:18 - Denzel Washington's Graduation Speech About Using Your Gifts and Talents 1:20:01 – “The Prayer” by DMX 1:27:51 – Kindness & Respect Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 52 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download episode 52 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to episode 51 of the BLU Podcast featuring Lizzette Vargas and her sister Maria Vargas. Lizette is a driving instructor and is involved in police related matters. Maria is an owner and general manager of Mainland Corp an Illinois trucking company that has successfully given a second chance to convicts who make up about half of her full time staff. In this episode we discuss the trucking industry in America. Topics covered: 0:00 - Southside Intro 1:15 – Introduction of Guests 1:32 - The Trucking Business 6:34 - Difference Between Small & Large Trucking Business 11:35 – The Life of a Truck Driver 21:22 – The Process of Hiring & Firing of Truck Drivers 30:59 - Small Percentage of Hispanic Truck Drivers 32:37 – Giving a Second Chance to a Person 35:41 - Opportunity for Felons to Make an Honest Living 43:05 - Developing a Business Plan With Your Family 45:44 - People's Interactions With Truck Drivers 53:36 - Yearly Cost and Type of Insurance 1:00:21 - Electronic Logging Devices 1:07:10 - Separate Departments for Logistics & Equipment/Vehicles 1:09:12 - Treating All the Employees Equally 1:14:39 - Everybody Has Their Own Problems 1:18:00 - Choosing Family Over Money 1:25:50 – People Need a Second Chance 1:33:26 - Parting Words by Guests 1:35:18 – Kindness & Respect Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 51 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download Episode 51 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to episode 50 of the BLU Podcast featuring Lizzette Vargas and her sister Maria Vargas. Lizette is a driving instructor and is involved in police related matters. Maria is an owner and general manager of Mainland Corp an Illinois trucking company that has successfully given a second chance to convicts who make up about half of her full time staff. In this episode we discuss Mexican traditions, cultural differences between life in America and life in Mexico, core values, social media - worldwide internet and their effects on social interaction and day to day life. The discussion of Mainland Corp will start in part two of this episode which will be aired as BLU Podcast 51. Tune in for that one too! Topics covered: 0:00 – Southside Intro 1:09 - Topics Covered & Introduction of Guests 2:33 - Horse Racing & Coleaderos on St. Joseph's Day 12:53 - Cultural Differences between America & Mexico 17:27 - Daily Life and Social Customs in Mexico 28:48 - Importance of Going Back to your Core Values 32:16 – The Addictive Nature of Cell Phones 43:41 - Pros and Cons of Starlink the Global Internet Provider 50:07 - The Experience in Mexico 1:00:40 - Mexican People in Texas Hating on Native Mexicans 1:08:25 - Food in Arizona 1:17:25 - Mexican Immigration to the United States 1:24:37 - Mexico Shifting towards Big Agriculture 1:32:58 - The Fight between Mexican Cartels 1:42:46 - Leaving behind Drug Dealing & Drug Addiction 1:45:53 - Taxing Marijuana 1:47:58 - The Art of Selling 1:52:29 - Outro Watch, listen and download Episode 50 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download Episode 50 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!!

Tune in now to Episode 49 With Cohost Captain Matt Thomassen Matt Thomassen is a Cohost of The Blessed Life University Podcast, a Captain in the U.S. Army and Attorney at Thomassen & Tierney. In this episode, we tell a fictional story that would be ABSOLUTELY CRAZY if it were real. The story involves Pippen Texas Ranger. He works in research and development for the Schnauzer Pharmaceutical Company. Pippen is a man who is romantically interested in other men. To get information out of him, Operation Truth sent in an undercover reporter to go on dates with Pippen as part of a honey pot sting operation. Pippen unknowingly opens up to the reporter over drinks and tells him that Schnauzer is planning on or has already engaged in what they call “Directed Evolution” which is experimentation using monkeys where the “Modelo Virus” is made stronger and more contagious. This way Schnauzer Pharmaceuticals can get a head of the Modelo Virus and make vaccines for new strains that have not yet hit the public yet. The reporter seems concerned and questions Directed Evolution as sounding very similar to “gain of function research.” Pippen downplays the similarity. Pippen goes on to state that the U.S. government agency FDD is like a revolving door for Schnauzer and the FDD employees do not come down hard on Schnauzer and there products because Schnauzer will give the FDD employees lucrative jobs after they leave the FDD. After all, how can you bite the hand that feeds you? Pippen states that Schnauzer’s really close relationship with the FDD is good for Schnauzer, but really bad for the rest of America. Could you imagine if this were actually happening in real life???? To find out whether this story is based on real life events, contact us in the comments below! Watch, listen and download Episode 49 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download Episode 49 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!! Time Stamps: 0:00 – South Side Intro 2:35 – The Incredible Fictional Story of Pippen Texas Ranger, Schnauzer Pharmaceuticals & The Modelo Virus Vaccine 12:53 – The Revolving Door Between the U.S. Government & Schnauzer Pharmaceuticals: It’s Good for Schnauzer, but it’s Bad for the Rest of America 17:44 – Schnauzer Pharmaceuticals is Conducting or Planning to Conduct Experiments on the Modelo Virus: Schnauzer is Calling it “Directed Evolution” Using Monkeys as the Subjects – Sounds like Gain of Function Research, But is Somehow Different Because Schnauzer Says So 23:47 - Major Media Outlets Will Not Report the Truth Because Their News is Paid for By Schnauzer Pharmaceuticals 26:20 – Kindness & Respect Outro: Kindness is the World's Most Powerful Resource

Tune in now to Episode 48 With Cohost Captain Matt Thomassen Matt Thomassen is a Cohost of The Blessed Life University Podcast, a Captain in the U.S. Army and Attorney at Thomassen & Tierney. In this episode, we discuss the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio polluting the town and surrounding areas with vinyl chloride, a known cancer causing agent. We also briefly discuss the Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina. More to come on that when more is known. Watch, listen and download Episode 48 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download Episode 48 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!! Time Stamps: 0:00 – South Side Intro 0:52 - Topics to be Covered: The Train Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio & Chinese Spy Balloons 2:21 - Thoughts on Global Warming 8:53 - The Train Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio 25:45 - National Cancer Institute's Report on Vinyl Chloride Exposure 33:04 - Chinese Spy Balloons 43:21 – How Does Radar Work?: How Objects are Spotted on Radar 45:34 - Travelling in a Hot Air Balloons: No Thanks! 54:48 - The Illinois Assault Weapon Ban 1:09:05 – Kindness & Respect Outro

BLU Podcast #47 – Getting to Know Amy Wu, 2023 Chair, Chicago Association of Realtors, Young Professionals Network Tune in now to Episode 47 With Amy Wu and Cohost Captain Matt Thomassen In this episode, we got to know Amy and discussed how you can get involved in the Chicago Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network, that Amy speaks multiple languages, golf, college, owning a restaurant and much, much more. Listen in on the fun conversation!! Watch, listen and download Episode 47 on the following sites: https://theblupodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tierney_chi Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-blu-podcast/PC:75155 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnACSqaI7M2bxK3q6VPHZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blu-podcast/id1568957253 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9VWThwMUk0aw%3D%3D You can also download Episode 47 on the following sites: Amazon Music, Gaana, Deezer, Overcast, Stitcher, IHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, TuneIn and JioSaavn. Please watch, like and share, share, share!!! Timestamps 0:00 – South Side Intro 1:00 – Introduction of Amy Wu 4:26 - It's Not "What" you do, It's "When" you do it 18:56 - Being Involved in Leadership Opportunities 23:34 – The Process of getting Involved with the Chicago Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network 29:35 - Speaking Cantonese, Mandarin and Taishanese 30:10 - Plans for the Future 35:08 - Being Involved With Event Planning 41:37 - Golf 51:01 - Studying in University of Southern California 58:35 - Owning a Restaurant 1:12:30 - Amy's Hobbies 1:19:47 - Not Knowing how to Swim 1:25:41 - Wanting to have a Pet 1:28:12 - Matt's Chicken Story 1:35:48 - Matt's Highschool Prank Story 1:40:35 - Criminal Investigation against Senior Officials for Stealing Alcohol 1:45:16 - Unknown Flying Object Shot Down in Alaska 1:48:46 - Connecting with Amy 1:51:16 – Kindness and Respect Outro