You Are The Guest Podcast

Derek "The Bandit" is a radio personality and club DJ living in South Africa and hosts his own podcast at Sound Republic. Derek and I talk about radio from around the world, American music, the record business, we trade radio stories, and talk about where podcasting fits into the media world. We also discuss misconceptions about South Africa and myths about radio programming. Derek asks me why I have a podcast named You Are The Guest, what do I do during the weekends to relax, and if I plan on attending the Portable Media Expo this year.

Ghada is a Canadian who has been living in New Zealand for the past 3 years and runs a multimedia company with her Kiwi husband. Ghada and I talk about Canada, the accessibility of technology and the stress it brings to peoples lives, the bad image that Hollywood portrays about America, cellphone etiquette, and the problem of bullying in New Zealand schools. Ghada asks me what is my perception of New Zealand, what's my favorite gadget and why, and if there was an unforeseeable disaster and I could only save one CD, which one would it be.

David is a college student who created the Gradients of Sight website and podcast. David tells of his experience with losing his site and talks about living with low vision. We also take time to discuss the situation with Iran and an article David wrote about the number of casualties reported in the Iraq War. David asks me what would be the first thing to enter my mind when I encounter a person with blindness or low vision problems, if I agree with his threat assessment of Iran, and would I perceive someone with a cane differently as opposed to being with a guide dog.

Erika lives in Cary, Illinois where she started a nonprofit organization called Giving Real Opportunities to Women (GROW) with the goal to provide a holistic service model to help welfare and single mothers pursue a college degree. Erika and I talk about many issues facing the welfare system, the recipients of welfare, and the social workers who provide counsel. We also talk about a Kentucky Derby winner and it's winnings that are presumed buried in GROW's backyard. Erika asks me what question I would want Oprah Winfrey or Bill Gates to ask me, what do I feel is the biggest misconception about welfare, and what do I think is the biggest cause that is being overlooked here in the United States.

Su Maya is a solitary monk who has traveled the world and studied many of the world's religions, developed a unique style of healing that integrates cognitive therapy, spiritual clairvoyance, and natural remedies, and is an accomplished artist. Su and I have a very deep conversation about religion, spirituality, souls, and evil. Su also tells me about my Deja Vu experiences and reads my birth horoscope. Su asks me what is my definition of evil and what do I think will happen to evil people, what is the purpose of my podcast, and what do I hope that listeners will take away from our conversation.

Monique is originally from New York City, but today lives in Beaverton, Oregon where she works for Intel Corporation and owns her own restaurant Desert Noir Cafe and Bar. Monique and I talk about the corporate world including topics like corporate diversity and where the new talent is coming from. We also talk about the political cartoons which are causing unrest in the Middle East, and state taxes in Oregon. Monique asks me where would I want to live if I couldn't live in the United States, what was my first rock concert, and what is my favorite breakfast cereal..

Danny lives and works in Duluth and is the host of the Wonderful World of Danny Podcast. Danny tells about what's going on in Duluth and we talk about the President's recent State of the Union Address, foreign affairs, healthcare, and The Clinton's. Danny asks me about my least favorite restaurant in Fort Dodge, if I agree with him that the fix is on for Hillary Clinton to become the next President in 2008, and if I own and wear a certain t-shirt while I'm riding my motorcycle..

Leslie is living in San Francisco and is performing her one woman show called Miss-Matches.com based upon her experiences from meeting over 300 men through on-line dating. We talk about on-line & chat room addiction, the games men and women play while dating, we trade dating horror stories, and talk out about her reaction to the Mayor of San Francisco calling the cable car operators thieves. Leslie asks me about what item I would I take with me to a desert island, she asks about my most memorable date, and asks my opinion on which actor or performer hasn't received the credit that they deserve.

Brent and his wife Shirley are the artists behind the brand name of NakedArt where human sculptures are created by taking a mold from a live model. Brent tells how they are able to create their unique sculptures, and we also talk about what's going on in the world including how the average citizen of New Zealand sees the war on terrorism and how they view the recent comments made by the Mayor of New Orleans. Brent asks me what didn't I learn at school that I now wish I had, what kind of motorcycles do I have, and what would someone see in Fort Dodge, Iowa that they couldn't see anywhere else.

Leslea lives in the Louisville, Kentucky area and has both a blog and a podcast. We talk about perceptions of government employees, and I put her in the shoes of President Bush by asking her 2 questions that were asked of the President during a recent visit to Louisville. Leslea asks me what are 5 things that I'm thankful for, what 4 books changed my life, and what 3 places would I like to live in for a short period of time.

Raequel hosts The Triscast Podcast and lives in Norristown which is about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia. Raequel wanted to give her views on Bill Clinton as a point-counterpoint from the last show (Show 26). We discuss Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean, Al Gore, John Kerry, and politics, politics, politics. Did I mention we talk about politics? Raequel asks me what's my favorite soup, what's a cold remedy that I use, and if I could go back in time and have a conversation with myself at age 16, what advice would I give.

Greg lives in Cleveland and runs a very successful BBQ forum and is in the process of making his own brand of BBQ sauce. Greg and I talk about many things going on in Cleveland including the top local news story on a very slow news day, how the Governor of Ohio is doing, Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and you'll hear a tip from the experts when it comes to cooking out, including one meat that does not cook very well. Greg asks me why or why not Stanley "Tookie" Williams should have been executed, if I think that if downtown New Orleans had been populated with affluent white people that the rescue response would have been quicker and handled better, and what legacy do I hope to leave behind.

Vern Beachy returns for our special 2005 Year In Review Show. Some of the categories we talk about include the biggest story of the year, the worst news headline, the biggest taxpayer rip-off, the biggest consumer rip-off, the worst manufactured news story, and who is awarded the "Hosebag Of The Year" for 2005. Vern asks me what I think is in store for podcasting in 2006, what do the networks need to do to lure back viewers for their nightly newscasts, and what was my worst moment of 2005.

Peter Reddy returns for our special Christmas Show from Down Under. Before we get into the Christmas topics, Peter tells about the recent riots in Sydney, the Outback Murder Trial, and the country's reaction to the Australian executed in Singapore. Peter also talks about the shark bell, what Australians eat and drink during the holidays, and tells us how big of an event New Year's Eve is in Sydney. Peter asks me where the name "Yankee" originates, is there a "dangerous banned toy" list in America, and what I want for Christmas.

Suresh lives in Bradenton, Florida but is originally from Ooty, India. Suresh tells what it was like to grow up in India, he shares his experiences working as a chef on a cruise ship, we get his thoughts about Internet marketing and podcasting, and you'll hear why Suresh feels America is a great country to live in. Suresh asks me why I started the show, what was the most interesting question I've been asked on the show so far, and what are my favorite things to cook.