OK Boomer

Surf Therapy is growing alternative therapy for a multitude of afflictions, including PTSD, chronic pain, autism, depression, grief, among others.  Brian Schoo, Chairman of the Board of the International Surf Therapy Organization, explains the vision of this non-profit and how he and his team hope to improve the lives of people by "hanging ten."  Brian's passion for this effort is highlighted by his recent resignation from the Nestle company where he was a top executive involved with global logistics and then eventually developing The Thrive Network, a branch of Nestle dedicated to mental health.  Enjoy listening to how this young man who grew up in the Midwest is now catching waves and changing lives.

In Potpourri IV, a litany of literary gems await you.  

This edition includes these goodies: philosophy by Charles Schultz, an interview with a cat, advice on how NOT to ruin your life and so much more.

Let the eargasm begin.

My audio holiday gift to you is the story of "A Christmas Rifle."  Ralphie, in the movie A Christmas Story," cries when he almost shoots his eye out with his treasured Red Ryder.  I cried a bit when I read "A Christmas Rifle" in a Facebook post.  I doubt that you'll fare differently.  May the blessings of this season be upon you and your family and may they be shared with others.  Length: 12 minutes

What type of person interacts with United States presidents, military leaders from the U.S. and other countries, along with various dignitaries and leaders throughout Latin America?  Who briefs Colin Powell on Latin America events, has face-to-face meetings with the "Angel of Death," learns hostage escape tactics and reports on coup d'é·tats?  Someone in the CIA?  Possibly.  But it's also Joanna Esty, a barrier breaking courageous lady who for more than a couple of decades was a linchpin in Latin America as a civilian employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency.  This is part two of our conversation.

How to not mix metaphors, details on Annie Sullivan's early life, panic attack hotties-  it's all here with much more in the third potpourri edition of OK Boomer where Boomer and Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous share a litany of literary jewels gleamed from the internet.  You'll laugh, be intrigued, maybe even a little inspired.  Works from Kurt Vonnegut, Jack London, and J.D. Salinger are featured.

"You can't pour from an empty cup."  That's one of the important themes presented in this romance novel "My Way To You" by J. Glassburn.  This 400 page book is set in a small town in western Illinois (where Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous is from) where she grew up.  Abbey is a mother of a young son who is finding her way in a new life.  She has left behind a broken marriage and is forging ahead in discovery about herself.  Her plans for the future are complicated by the sometimes enchanting and sometimes infuriating Sawyer, the still single boy wonder she once knew.   Despite tears and fears, she courageously moves forward, determined to make a life for herself and her son.

This second edition of Potpourri (a collection of unrelated literary extracts) includes Albert Einstein's response to an often posed question of him, "Do you believe in God?"  It concludes with chapter one of a book (maybe?) that Boomer is messing around with.  In between are plenty of humorous and occasionally thought provoking literary gems that Boomer and Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous trust you'll find intriguing.  Enjoy!

"What an opportunity for me to help somebody get their kids back, to repair relationships, to get a job, … so many benefits…"  That's how Mike Shears, Whiteside County Drug Court probation officer, describes his job.  In part II of our conversation, Mike talks about the successes, failures, and new areas of growth in the drug court program and Boomer describes what he observed in his two hour visit in drug court. Alternative/specialized courts are effectively improving how local judicial systems handle people who are likely to be repeat prisoners. 

AND COOL NEW THEME MUSIC FOR THE PODCAST!! YAY YAY YAY.

"No one ever wakes up and says, 'You know, I think I want to be a drug addict,' " says Mike Shears, drug court officer.  That's part of the mind frame that shapes the drug court in Whiteside County, IL.  If you think that drug court, a specialized diversionary court program, is a dark place full of dreary proceedings that involve the dregs of society, you're wrong.  It's a place that regularly celebrates the successes of alcohol and drug addicted felons.  It's a place that transforms lives, mends relationships, and stops the revolving door of recividism- the act of felons being jailed and freed, only to repeat the same crimes as before.  Need some good news?  It's right here. 

In part two of the conversation with Joel Gibbs, a voice over artist extraordinaire, Gibbs explains how Sol Krupnick, currently a YouTube success and soon to be live performance, was created, neglected, and now resurrected.  Joel Gibbs is a multi-skilled artist who has won my admiration and inspires all of us in our later years to continue to create.

Laugh along with Boomer and Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous as Sol spins his take on various aspects of human behavior.

Joel Gibbs, a man of a thousand voices, presents Sol Krupnick, Gibbs' amalgamation of various Jewish comedians and various kibitzers.  Joel shares with Boomer and Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous how he "resurrected" Sol and where he plans to take him.  Enjoy some of the stories Sol performs, including details on his surgery down under, during this interview and on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesolkrupnickchannel8467.  Subscribe to this channel and to the OK Boomer podcast so that you don't miss part 2 our conversation.

Enjoy a hodgepodge of literary delights as Boomer and his cohost Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous share delightful findings from the internet that will make you laugh (you'll love Jimmy's pirate joke), ponder, and maybe even tear up a bit.  It all culminates with their version of Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First?"

"It's just starting [the popularity explosion of pickleball].  TV contracts are being signed.  It's being viewed on the Tennis channel and on ESPN."- so says Mike Shears, an ambassador of pickleball for northwestern Illinois and beyond.  Perhaps the fastest growing sport in America, pickleball is being played by people of all ages and abilities.  Mike Shears gives Boomer and Jimmy Ahmahdoofus the lowdown on this high flying sport.

Shenanigans in shop class continues in part II of our interview with Tim "TR" Rennels, long time Industrial Arts teacher at Wauconda High School.  We also hit upon the value of a college education and discuss our roles as "Superagers" in retirement.  Jimmy Ahmahdoofous gives two thumbs up on this episode.  Apparently, it appeals to his juvenile sense of humor.

Fornication, Fire, Feces: these three elements show up when Tim "TR" Rennels reminisces about teaching high school shop for over thirty years.  Tim shares shenanigans from his three decades ot Wauconda High School along with successes and the transformation that vocational arts has undergone since the 1980s.  

You have to be concerned about long term brain damage.  This is a statement Golden Gloves boxing champion Devin Parrish addresses with honesty and thoughtfulness in the latest OK Boomer episode where we continue to converse with people who have interesting pursuits. Devin talks about financing a World Championship dream, how to use his feet in the ring, and perhaps most importantly how to use his mind on and off the canvas.  Currently ranked number 7 in the nation at his weight class, hear how Devin employs techniques like meditation and yoga to aid him in his quest to be a champion.

Have you ever met ANYONE who voiced to you that s/he has a goal of becoming a world champion?  Well, you can meet Devin Parrish in this episode and hear him talk about advancing from his current ranking of 7th in the nation as a light middleweight boxer to his goals of becoming an Olympic boxer and eventual world champion.  He discusses the challenges of boxing that he fights with: weight loss, concussions, finances, training, and more.  A 2017 graduate of Wauconda high school, Devin is on an exciting journey.

Chancellor Jackson, author of 14 Days in Beijing, preceeds Brittany Griner with a story similar to hers: incarceration in a foreign country for possession of an illegal substance.  Relive Chancellor's bewilderment, confusion, and concern upon being imprisoned without knowing what was going to happen to him.  You will enjoy a few of his lighter moments as when his Chinese cellmates wanted to know if the stereotypes of African men's intimates were true.

Jimmy Ahmahdoofous's New Year resolutions that include dog porn, my guest's experience as a harpy, your chance to be featured on the next episode-  it's all here in this episode with Kris Keppeler, an actor, writer, narrator, and more.

If you were born in the previous century, you might remember noted writers Erma Bombeck or Andy Rooney.  Enjoy Kris Keppeler's podcast Does This Happen To You? which has flavors of Bombeck and Rooney's narratives.