Adding Context

Josh Thomas

MMA Coach

Writer & Podcast Host

Josh Thomas is a Mixed Martial Arts coach, former fighter, and a fellow wrestler and podcaster. We spoke about his life, life lessons from wrestling, fighting in a cage, and the community podcasting can bring. You can follow him at the links below for his shows.

IG:

@thetakedownpodcast

@theweeklyforecast

@roshambophotos

https://linktr.ee/Thomasjawwsh

Apple Podcasts:

The Weekly Forecast

The Takedown

Sean Kipe is a musician and storyteller. He narrates the podcast, “ In the Red Clay,” about the Georgia Dixie Mafia. We spoke about his music career, his transition from the stage to behind the camera, and the by chance meeting that led him to an incredible story about a larger-than-life man. Enjoy the conversation and check out “In The Red Clay.” 

Links: 

Twitter: @SeanKipe 

IG: @Sean.kipe In the Red Clay 

Podcast: In the Red Clay

This episode’s guest was Jesse Cramer. Jesse is an engineer, a writer, and knows a thing or two about personal financing. We spoke at length about personal finance, our ideas of how to improve various aspects of the burdens of being an adult, and chickens. Jesse runs an award-winning blog (www.bestinterest.blog) that has been featured on a number of financial sources. He is also on Twitter at @BestInterest_JC or on Reddit at u/BestInterestDotBlog.

This episode’s guests are Tyler and his mother, Marie Haney. Tyler has navigated life with Asperger’s Syndrome. Marie, along with her husband, Tyler, and few friends opened the Hope Learning Center. A place where young adults with Asperger’s could go to develop the skills they need to maneuver through their journey of life. We talked about some of the hurdles Tyler and Marie have faced and the skills they help provide the center’s participants. I urge you to visit them on their social media pages (see links below) to see the amazing mission they are on!       

FB: Hope Learning Center at Sunset Ridge Farm Perkasie

IG: Hope Learning Center Perkasie 

Hopelearningcenterperkasie.org 

In this episode, I spoke with Michelle Dickinson. Michelle Mental Health Advocate, an author, and a TED Speaker. She is passionate about destigmatizing mental health to effect a positive change. We discussed ways to decrease the mental health stigma and shame that prevents people from accessing care, why we should invest in brain health for first responders and within the workplace along with her own personal story of perseverance and triumph. She will also share important tips and strategies to help us all stay mentally empowered during the current uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic.    

You can follow her at the below links: 

Websites: www.michelleedickinson.com, www.breakingintomylife.com,  https://www.michelleedickinson.com/first-responder/

Also, follow her on:

Instagram: @michelledickinson71 & @firstrespondertactics 

Twitter- @mdickinson13 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dickinson.146?ref=bookmarks

Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-e-dickinson-7882013

This episode was with Jon Vigorito. Jon is a professional Airline Pilot. We have been friends since our high school years. We spoke about his life since leaving our little town, his path to his aviation career, and life in general.

This episode’s guest is Dustin Miller, Polyinnovator. Dustin is PolyInnovator, an OmniContent Creator, and host of the Polymath PolyCast. A multidisciplinary person on the journey of becoming a polymath of innovation.” We spoke about what a polyinnovator is, avenues he’s exploring to find ways to innovate our lives, education, and some pillars to ponder to pursue your purpose. 

Find Dustin at the following:

https://polyinnovator.space

https://twitter.com/polyinnovator

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CiDSb1peL5f8XD45ErmnQ

https://www.instagram.com/polyinnovator/

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Maria Haberfeld. She is a criminal justice professor at John Jay College in NYC. She spent time as a member of both the Israeli Army and Israeli National Police Force. As a professor, she dives deep into training, leadership, integrity, and ethics of law enforcement agencies around the United States and the world. We spoke about the current state of law enforcement in the US and a few ideas of what could be done to improve the profession. You can read a short biography and see the books she has authored or co-authored here. 

This episode was with Dr. Stephen Vertano. Stephen is an Emergency Physician who wears a number of hats in the field of emergency medicine. Starting as an EMT while in school, he has maintained his EMT certification through his career as a physician. We spoke about his career and COVID. You can check him out on LinkedIn.

This episode I spoke with Stephen Koepfer. Steve is a world class martial artist and coach. He is also a stunt performer in TV and Film. We spoke about many things martial arts, stunt work and other various aspects of the film industry, and how COVID has changed his world. Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed chatting with him. You can follow “SamboSteve” on youtube, twitter, and Instagram

Links to some of his work: 

NY MMA Documentary

“Choke” pilot 

Stephen’s stunt reel 

NY Combat Sambo/Breakfall Studios

Stephen’s IMDB