Adding Context

In this vibrant episode of Adding Context, Leigh Larson, the force behind @followtheleighder, shares the origin of her unique platform blending outdoor adventures, activism, and theological insights. From her theology degree to trekking various mountain ranges, Leigh reveals how her first big hike and seminary skills, like unpacking scripture, shaped her bold voice tackling women’s rights and religious nationalism. She discusses transforming trail chats into viral policy-shifting content, navigating online trolls, and dodging burnout by balancing vulnerability with an explorer’s joy. Her immersive approach, from crashing summits to live-streaming pilgrimages, amplifies marginalized voices while exposing manipulative tactics like fake spiritual retreats.

Leigh’s advocacy weaves spiritual literacy with equity, from LGBTQ+ inclusion to environmental justice, to safeguard democracy against rising theocratic pushes post-2024. Despite risks like doxxing and trail isolation, she keeps her community vibrant with rituals like post-hike toasts, fueled by unexpected allies and a viral thread toppling myths. Listeners can dive deeper at followtheleighder.com and follow her on Instagram for updates on her book tour and rally series. Leigh’s call to action: engage with her content, share your story, and challenge disinformation to join the fight for justice.

In this episode of Adding Context, Darbi Keene, a neurodivergent therapist and founder of Walking with Wildflowers, shares her inspiring journey. Based in Missouri, her virtual practice offers neuroaffirming therapy and adult autism assessments, empowering neurodivergent adults to embrace their identities. Tune in to explore how Darbe’s lived experience shapes her compassionate approach and drives her mission to make mental health care accessible. Feel free to visit Walking with Wildflowers. #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #MentalHealth #NeuroaffirmingTherapy #Neurodivergent

Join Adding Context as we dive into the eclectic career of Peter Moore, a Fort Collins-based writer, cartoonist, and commentator. From editing at Men’s Health and Playboy to crafting KUNC commentaries and Colorado Sun cartoons, Peter shares how he traded national magazines for local storytelling. Discover his creative process, reflections on Colorado’s culture, and insights on journalism’s evolution. Visit petermoore.substack.com for more of Peter’s drawings and commentary. #ColoradoCulture #LocalJournalism

Join us for a vibrant conversation with Jordon Bourgeault (@jboairbrush), the master airbrush artist behind some of the NHL’s most iconic goalie helmets. From superhero-inspired designs to heartfelt tributes, Jordon’s work transforms protective gear into personal storytelling canvases. In this episode, we dive into the heart of his craft, the pressure of painting for elite athletes, and the wild, human moments that make his art unforgettable. Get ready for stories that blend creativity, hockey passion, and raw emotion—plus a hilarious “Would You Rather” closer that’ll leave you laughing!

Jordon shares how he captures a goalie’s personality in designs like his fierce Wolverine claw or glowing neon skull helmets, turning their stories into visual roars that shine under arena lights. Hear about a nail-biting moment when a helmet design nearly went wrong, and how Jordon’s quick thinking saved the day, revealing the intense precision behind his airbrush magic. Jordon reflects on the emotional weight of painting memorial helmets and how he balances bold crowd-pleasers with deeply personal touches for goalies facing NHL pressure. Laugh along as Jordon recounts a time a goalie swore his dragon-themed helmet was a game-changer, or a jinx, and how that shaped his approach to the next project. From quirky studio rituals to the surreal thrill of seeing his art on TV, Jordon opens up about the duality of creating for one athlete and thousands of fans.

Check out Jordon’s jaw-dropping designs on Instagram and other socials at @jboairbrush and see how he brings NHL goalies’ stories to life.

Inspired by Ed’s story? Subscribe to Adding Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or Podbean for more tales that unpack the human experience. Share your thoughts on X with #AddingContext—what’s a moment that changed your path? Stay tuned for our next episode with Jordon Bourgeault. Don’t miss out!

Buckle up for an inspiring ride with Ed Bauter, a paramedic, medical student, and co-host of The Overrun Podcast. From intense EMS calls to the trenches of medic school, Ed’s journey is a masterclass in turning challenges into purpose. In this episode, we explore the life-changing moments that shaped his path, the brotherhood of emergency medicine, and how he’s passing the torch through education and storytelling. With raw honesty and a dose of humor, Ed shares what it means to save lives while finding your own. Plus, we wrap with a laugh-out-loud “Would You Rather” segment that’s pure chaos!

Ed opens up about how medic school transformed him from someone who swore off medicine, despite a family of medics, into a passionate EMS advocate, forging lifelong bonds in the process. Hear about a heart-pounding EMS call that tested Ed’s skills and left a lasting mark, revealing the emotional weight of being a first responder. Ed shares how his love for educating others, from students to peers, fuels his mission to make EMS smarter and more human. Discover how co-hosting The Overrun became Ed’s way to bridge the gap between classroom and chaos, amplifying voices in pre-hospital care. Ed reflects on a moment of doubt that nearly derailed him, and the spark that kept him pushing forward, connecting his story to anyone chasing a dream.

Dive into Ed’s world of EMS and education on The Overrun Podcast at www.overrunproductions.com or on social media.

Inspired by Ed’s story? Subscribe to Adding Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or Podbean for more tales that unpack the human experience. Share your thoughts on X with #AddingContext—what’s a moment that changed your path? Stay tuned for our next episode with Jordon Bourgeault. Don’t miss out!

Kevin Palmieri is the Founder, Host and CSO of Next Level University. He went from a life in which he felt very comfortable to hitting rock bottom. Kevin shares his journey from contemplating taking his own life to running a successful media empire and helping other along the way.

Catch his show here or reach out to him on Instagram or at Next Level University.

Anne Butler Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, author, and amateur/ youth sports official. She has traveled the country sharing her love of sport and fostering integrity in sports officiating. She has authored several books based on her life experiences. She is currently promoting her newest book, Your Forgotten Sons. To learn more about her and her writings, please visit her links: 

https://annemontgomerywriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/anne.montgomery.359/

https://twitter.com/amontgomery8

https://www.instagram.com/annemontgomeryauthor/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-montgomery-1b995b23/,

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14081564.Anne_Montgomery,

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00JOEIL4A,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Montgomery_(sportscaster)

Given recent decisions and tumult surrounding the US Supreme Court, I wanted to dive into the well again with Dr. Stephen Wermiel. We revisited previous topics we had spoken about and how they had played out. Then we discussed his thoughts regarding the current chaos embroiling the court and its sitting justices. Other hot topics were SCOTUS leaks, potential reforms, and the consequences of all the fallout.

Joe Hannan is a writer, journalist, and consultant hunting for the next story to tell or lesson to learn. He's also a husband, father, and martial artist.

As a writer, he wakes up and tries to write better than he did the day before. Journalistically, you’ll find him asking questions and writing stories about health, medicine, cybersecurity, social undercurrents, and how human beings develop. As a consultant, he takes all that he learns along the way and funnels it into peak performance, helping people and organizations operate at their highest levels.

Martial arts are his playground for embodying and training these lessons and principles, specifically Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, in which he is a black belt.

Here you can find Joe's BJJ meditations podcast, Instagram, and Substack

Brandon Foss grew up in the northeastern part of the U.S and is a man of experiences. He left home at 18 and has been living and learning. We spoke about his early upbringing and how that directed him as an adult. Branson is also a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We spoke about how his journey through the martial art has transformed him from who he was about 8 years ago to the man he is now.