Bluegrass Region Voices and Views

Some of our most important decisions are related to our jobs, careers, and retirement planning.

In this episode I talk with Caroline Francis, Director of the University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services and a founder of the Central Kentucky Job Club.

Drop in on our conversation as I ask her about her early years.

Complete show notes are at:

https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/careers

Episode 23

F J Messina has published a new novel titled Imagine, A Tale of Faith and Courage in a Dangerous World.

He is also working on book 6 in the Bluegrass Files mystery novel series which we discussed in Episode 7.

In this conversation, we talk about his new novel, how it came about, and how you might benefit from reading it and passing it on to others.

Show notes are on my website HERE.

Episode 22

Bobby Ricks has a deep background in law, law enforcement, teaching, training, and coaching that has led him to be an expert on critical thinking and decision-making.

You'll be entertained, informed, and inspired.

Show notes are on my website HERE.

Jenny Smith was paralyzed from the chest down in High School. In this episode, we talk about her life before the accident, what happened, and how she has rolled on since that morning to build a life that is making a difference around the world. Show notes at Bluegrass Region Voices and Views.

Episode 20

This is a tough episode to produce.

It's in honor and memory of my great friend, Jerry Young. Jerry died this month, December 2021, from Covid.

We met at Lexington Toastmasters in 1979 and enjoyed many adventures, lunches, and conversations over these 42 years.

Jerry was the first guest on this podcast with Episode #1 posted on February 8, 2020. It was about storytelling.

Jerry and I taped this conversation in January 2018. It's about his life including the accident that blinded him, lessons learned, and a life well-lived.

You can see pictures and videos on my website at:

Bluegrass Region Voices and Views

Search for Episode #20 dated December 31, 2021.

Episode 19

The right words make all the difference in a video or radio promotion as well as in a print advertisement or website landing page.

Leo York of Leo York Copywriting, LLC is the guest on this episode.

We talked about writing, and his hobbies which include exotic pets and studying paranormal stuff.

For full show notes go to my website page and search for Episode 19 dated October 30, 2021.

Bluegrass Region Voices and Views WEBSITE

Episode 18

"We exist to offer dignity to those with special needs, to offer inclusion to those often excluded, and to improve the community in which we serve."

That is the Mission Statement for Mcleods Coffee House in Lexington, Kentucky.

In this episode, I talk with Brewster Mcleod about how this beautiful and inspiring space came to be.

Shownotes, photographs, and links are on my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Search for Episode #18 dated 30 September 2021.

Episode 17
Sometimes we find ourselves at a crossroads and going off on a tangent is the best direction. How do we balance family and business for meaningful engagement, service, and income? What can you do when you have family that you love and customers and business associates that you value and who are in different states? Can you successfully have a "split living" arrangement? My guest is Z Newell and he has successfully navigated this issue.

Show Notes are at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 16

What would you do if your body was crushed and splintered, and your back was fried, after being slammed from your expensive high-tech racing wheelchair by a truck?

Would you be able to recover and continue to race in a marathon in Japan? 

My guest could and did. He is Paul Erway from Shelbyville, Kentucky.

Next, he organized and endured a challenge to race in 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks.

Complete show notes including super photographs are on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 15

Radio Eye serves visually and print-impaired people by providing audio readings of a wide variety of publications.

My guests on this episode are Amy Hatter, Executive Director, along with board member and volunteer, Alice Dehner.

Show notes, links, and photographs are on our website at:

https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 14

Where can you have the fun experience of playing baseball when you're in a wheelchair, use crutches, or have other special needs?

The Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League might be what you're looking for.

In this conversation with board member and coach, Rock Newman, we dive into the details about this life-changing program located in Lexington, Kentucky.

For complete show notes along with photographs of the field and a Let's Drive video through Shillito Park, go to the show's website at bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com.

Look for Episode 14 posted on May 31, 2021.

Episode 13

If you enjoy the performing arts in person, you are in luck.

The Lexington Opera House is now open.

In this episode, I talk with their operations manager Tom Habermann.

We get into the history, present, and future of this premier performing arts center that is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

Drop-in on our conversation as we talk about how Tom came to be the Operations Manager.

To read the complete show notes and see some amazing 360 Google Photos, visit the show website at: 

https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 12

How does one go from being an introverted boy tinkering with farm equipment to creating an organization that helps science, technology, and engineering companies find their markets and sell their products and services?

We'll find out in this conversation with Lexington entrepreneur Dwayne Buckles.

Developing a STEM business growth coaching and consulting business has been an interesting and inspiring journey for Dwayne that contains lessons for all of us.

Drop-in on our conversation as we talk about meeting at 6:30 a.m. in 2009 during the recession.

More show notes are on my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 11

Do you want to make a significant impact at work and in your personal life, or just sleepwalk through it all and check off some boxes?

Our guest has given much thought and practice to living with purpose and being in alignment with his values. This practice begins with identifying what your values are. He includes the lessons learned in his workshops, books, recruiting business, and work as a Vistage Chair, along with his community, and family life.

He is Michael Duke from Shelbyville, Kentucky.

We’ll begin by talking about Michael’s background and then get into how we can understand our values and lead a significant life.

Episode 10

Have you wondered what you were thinking? Less than desirable results can be due to bad decisions.

I’m talking with a decision performance expert who can guide us in ways to transform our thinking to get better results. He is Steve Haffner.

We talk about his journey in becoming a magician, then a mentalist, and now a consultant, trainer, coach, and speaker helping individuals and organizations improve their performance results.

Shownotes including pertinent links and photos are at:

https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 9

I Believe that the Toastmasters International club experience is THE BEST personal development program available today to learn and practice communications and leadership skills.

I talk with three dedicated life-long Toastmasters leaders here in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky about the Toastmasters experience.

They are Cynthia Lanham DTM, Steve Lanham DTM, and Rick Sebree DTM.

Show notes and links are on my website at Bluegrass Region Voices and Views

Join us as I ask them about the program and why they joined.

Episode 8

The HOPE is Here Today program was created to help people who are losing hope.

Greg Horn created this non-profit program in 2017 after the suicide of a friend caused Greg to search for a way he could help people who are feeling life-threatening despair.

We talk about how he himself suffered bankruptcy, loss of his business, loss of his home, and loss of his marriage in one day in 1997 and how he found hope to carry on.

Complete show notes, links, and pictures are on my website at

https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 7

My guest is mystery novelist F J Messina.

He just published the fifth book in The Bluegrass Files series, titled Revenge.

He was sixty-eight in 2015 when he decided to write fiction. He will begin the sixth novel in January 2021.

The stories have been mostly based in Central Kentucky featuring real local venues.

We get into his imagining, writing, and publishing processes.

The show notes, pictures, and links are at:

https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 6

Have you considered creating or inventing something or starting a business and wondered what the next best steps are to turn your idea into a reality?

Don Skaggs can help you discover those next steps and actually take them.

He has two organizations here in the Bluegrass Region. They are the Inventors Network KY and Empowered Inventing.

We talk about the challenges that inventors, entrepreneurs, and creatives deal with, and the importance of strategically using time, money, and wisdom. We also talk about scams to watch out for.

Show notes and links are at www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com

Episode 5

Today's conversation is with Joanna Sherrow of Savvy Chic Design.

Joanna created the visuals for my podcast.

She journeyed from the Philippines to the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, where she operates her business in Georgetown.

We talk about branding, entrepreneurship, and the features of this region that she enjoys helping visitors experience.

For complete show notes and pictures, go to my Bluegrass Region Voices and Views website at:

www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com