In this episode of That's So Rad! Podcast, host Travis reconnects with his high school classmate Tom Heilman, exploring their shared memories from growing up together in Rugby, North Dakota. Travis and Tom haven't talked since graduation in 1998!

They discuss the importance of curiosity, the impact of small-town life, and the values of community and hard work gained from farm work. The conversation also delves into some fun nostalgic high school sports memories in track and football. There's also a hilarious school bus story, a scary runaway tractor incident, and a crazy memento Tom unveils from their track days.

The discussion shifts to Tom's career in wealth management, emphasizing the emotional aspects of financial decisions. Tom shares insights from his career in finance and all the lessons he's learned about life and people as a result.

They delve into their mountain biking adventures and the joys of trail building. Tom also opens up about his journey of sobriety and the importance of family, marriage, and cool life lessons learned through fatherhood.

Finally, they explore personal growth, the importance of taking risks, and the fleeting nature of life, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges and pursue their passions.

Checkout:

Tom's wife Missy's awesome nonprofit, BIO Girls, helping build self esteem in young girls

https://www.biogirls.org/

Fargo Moorehead Traibuilders: Building and maintaining off road mountain bike trails

https://fmtrailbuilders.org/

In this episode of That's So Rad podcast, host Travis Vangsnes interviews his friend Danny Smith. This episode is loaded up! They discuss the impact of working with kids in foster care and the lessons learned from those experiences. The conversation also touches on nostalgia, particularly around a love of station wagons (Travis' "grocery getter"), humor, and having fun.

Danny shares about his journey from growing up in a camp in Kentucky to becoming a musician. He reflects on the influence of his upbringing, the essence of Kentucky culture, and the importance of humor in navigating life's challenges.

Danny shares insights about his band, Wasperjaws, and their unique style of 'in-law country' music. Travis and Danny discuss Wasperjaws recently jamming with Travis' brother Jeremy (who suffered a traumatic brain injury) and plays a six stringed instrument with his foot called the Feetar. There's some clips of them playing together in this episode.

Danny also shares a great story about the impact of a surprising endorsement from Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers. He emphasizes the significance of community, family, and living a worshipful life through daily actions, while also exploring the creative process behind his songwriting.

WASPERJAWS:

Find their music on all the platforms here:

Instagram: @wasperjaws

Follow Jeremy:

Instagram: @jeremyvangsnes

YouTube: @JeremyVangsnes

In this episode of That's So Rad podcast, host Travis and guest Damon Luke explore their friendship and reflect on the impact of upbringing on personal growth. The two also talk about the significance of family support, and the challenges faced during childhood, particularly in the context of growing up in the Bronx without a father figure. The conversation highlights themes of resilience, creativity, and the importance of embracing life's challenges.

Damon also shares about his journey of personal growth shaped by the hard work of his mother and the influence of sports in his life. He reflects on the challenges he faced, his initial reluctance to stay committed to sports teams, and how he eventually embraced the philosophy of 'Do Damage'—a mantra and business idea that emphasizes hard work and dedication. The discussion also touches on the evolution of his brand and the importance of living out the values he teaches.

They share stories about a really cool t-shirt design inspired by Travis' brother Jeremy who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2009. They also recount a memorable 5k race involving Jeremy.

Damon recounts a serendipitous moment with his wife that led to a deeper understanding of life and faith. Damon emphasizes the transformative power of love and the importance of community and connection in navigating life's challenges. He reflects on the pursuit of peace and the significance of understanding others' stories as a means to foster connection and empathy.

Checkout Do Damage:

On Facebook and Instagram

Checkout Jeremy's website:

https://www.joyindespair.com/