Shows / Stories from the Center of the Universe
Episodes
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 32: 44 Holes
Al Lester and Kevin Flippen met through a mutual friend, but they deeply connected through their love of all things golf, which they discovered on a very rainy…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 31: Fades for Faith
Kody Miller has lived the kind of challenging life most can't imagine. Kody was born to parents that struggled with heroin addictions, and became a mother and…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 30: The C Stands for Calvin, Christian and Champion
Calvin Duncan has lived an awesome and blessed life. From humble beginnings in Linden, NJ to basketball stardom at Oak Hill Academy and Virginia Commonwealth…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 28: Surfing in Morocco
This week we have my (Daniel's) dear sister Ariel Lantz on the show. A lover of travel & adventure, Ariel spent two years in Casablanca, Morocco as a Fulbright…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 27: Old Time Religion
Aaron Albrecht is an activist, thinker, and accomplished Old Time Missouri Fiddler. This episode, Aaron gives us the lowdown on his love for the deep tradition…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 26: Joe Carroll
This week we had on the accomplished restaurateur, Joe Carroll, the mind behind several Williamsburg Brooklyn mainstays, including BBQ joint Fette Sau, and the…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 25: Percentages
This week we had Craig Grimes (who should probably be a stand up comedian) come on to reminisce with Paul on their 'Salt and Pepper' basketball games, share…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 24: Living the Dream, Surviving the Reality
This week we have Chris Young on to talk about growing up in small town Mississippi, and the string of accolades he has since collected, including being the 3x…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 23: COVID Warrior
Mia Blansett is an ER Nurse who transferred to a hospital in Northern New Jersey to work 12 hour days on the COVID front lines. She's a self-described spitfire…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 22: The Merry Middlebury Pranksters
This is the story of the Middlebury Pranksters, an Ultimate frisbee team that left their home in Vermont's wintry north on a quest for the 2019 Division III…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 21: Their Game, My Truth
Our guest this week is LaToya Robinson, who came on to tell us about becoming a young mother, and how she rose to the occasion to provide the best life for her…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 20: Heady Stuff
This week we've got William Still on to talk on growing up in small town GA at the time of the Atlanta Child Murders, then later moving to DC and working…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 19: Twice Winter Ranger
First Lieutenant Jack Stockhausen is not one for taking the easy road. At 25 years old, he bears the distinction of being a West Point alumnus and U.S. Army…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 18: May the Fourth Be With You
Alexandra Santiago Aguilar, a self-described "Salvado-Rican," grew up in Long Island, NY, and after decades of focusing on her career, found love in her 40s…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 17: Sarah Wall 2048
Sarah Wall has a more diverse career than most Millennials out there. From Democratic campaigns to Republican campaigns; from political think tanks to the food…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 16: Revolutions & Revelations
Yannis Katsaros was born in Athens, Greece as the eldest of three. When he was five years old, his family moved to Cairo, Egypt, where he was raised through…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 15: Wooden Shoes Any Other Podcast
This episode, we are joined by newlyweds Katy and Niels de Koning. Katy, our senior podcast advisor, fills us in on her background, from losing her Miami home…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 14: Why did the Epidemiologist Cross the Road?
Dr. Kiarri Kershaw is a social epidemiologist whose research focuses on how social environments impact health, particularly cardiovascular health. This…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 13: A Versatile Contributor
Tony Szymendera is the Varsity Baseball coach and Head of Upper School for St Christophers Boys School in Richmond. In our conversation, Tony shares his…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 12: Equitable Eclecticism
Ed Miller is the co-founder and President of Marijuana Justice, a new non-profit that advocates for equitable legalization and raises awareness of the history…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 11: A Vegan and a Hunter Walk Into a Bar
Andrew Mauck is a soon-to-be father, former football player, and hunter. This episode, Andrew tells us about his football career and how it was cut short by…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 10: Richie Crabbe
Richie Crabbe is a musician, barbecue enthusiast, former home-brewer, and father of two. This episode, Richie tells us about his upbringing in small-town…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 9: Three Generations Gilman
Brigadier General (Ret) Larry Gilman, father to Paul, is a US Army and Virginia Army National Guard combat veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Desert…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 8: Jim Pecsok
Jim Pecsok is a third year medical student and a happy-go-lucky lover of adventure. With this interview, Jim re-enters the spotlight for the first time since…
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Episode 0: Why We Are Doing This
This episode, we (Daniel & Paul) discuss the purpose of Pod So 1 and the importance of storytelling, meaningful conversation, and being present in an…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 7: CAPT(Ret.) Gene Burke
Gene Burke is a retired Navy Captain and helicopter pilot with over 20 years of experience flying the MH-53, AKA the "Sea Dragon." This episode, we hear about…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 6: Dimitry Droujinsky (pt. 2)
Our conversation continues with FBI Spycatcher Dimitry Droujinsky as he recalls his memories of Kuwait, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall, his…
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Episode 5: Dimitry Droujinsky (pt 1)
Dimitry N. Droujinsky, aka 'Good Old Dimitry,' is a Palestinian-born Russian, U.S. Marine, retired FBI agent, and subject of a 2016 Smithsonian Magazine…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 4: Tom Greco
Tom Greco is a masterful Italian-American storyteller and former debate champion. In our conversation, Tom recounts the story of his grandfather, nicknamed…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 3: No Tank You
COL Bryan Coleman is a 30-year Virginia Army National Guard veteran. In this episode, we discuss Bryan's life and career, including his beginnings in Upstate…
Stories from the Center of the UniverseEpisode 2: CSM Mike Stockhausen (pt 2)
Our conversation with Mike Stockhausen continues as we discuss his work in the Cyber guard, take a detour on football, and learn more about his life and family.
- Stories from the Center of the Universe
Episode 1: CSM Mike Stockhausen (pt 1)
Command Sergeant Major Mike Stockhausen is a decorated US Army and Virginia Army National Guard combat veteran of Operation Just Cause (Panama), Operation…