4 JUL 2024 · Do you like to sing? Talk?  Breathe? You can learn a LOT from this week's guest on Stranger Connections podcast.  What if you were a professional singer who learned two decades into your career that you were singing in the wrong vocal range? Heide Skok had this gain speed bump in her life.  Finding her true track, she teaches others how to sing 0 whether it's for fun, or on the stage.  I enjoyed learning more about what Opera really is, why breathing exercises are more than for singing, ho NOT to feel shame as a singer, how self-love is a tool for you voice, and Skok's journey to find what was happening to her voice and vocal chords.  Her new Opera album is out, and you have to check it out:    "Mahler: Ruckert Lieder, Heidi Skok and John Simmons.  Her school is Skokstudio Vocal Instruction (facebook).  Skok is the founder of Resonance Opera and REST vocal technique!

4 JUL 2024 · "I'm not one to buy into the superficial parts of the pageant world." Zoe de Boer - the coolest queen in the midwest.  Zoe de Boer is bringing stories of social justice, faith, friendship, art, inspiration, and all things in between on her podcast, Hello Good Humans. She is a speaker, podcaster, supporter to everyone - and happens to be in a pop band with her Pop. (Gertrude and Co).  Listen to the chit chat about The Beep Boop Queens, Winning Pageants, me getting awkward about Zoe's dad, fake tans, 99 cent gowns, body image, and the very cool story I remembered wrong about how we first met in 2017.  Zoe is a peach, a keeper, a light, a sweetheart, a Good Human.  Instagram: @gertrude.co.lax Facebook: Gertrude & Co If you're in the La Crosse WI area - check out show dates!

19 JUN 2024 · "I needed to do something to celebrate - I showed up."  Speaker, Energizer, Author, Interrupter, King of Cheers . . . . Cameron Hughes. This Canadian crowd-pleaser has been the spark at otherwise ho-hum events for decades! You've seen him on many JumboTron screens at sporting events, getting up to dance and making the crowd go wild. He generally has a very serious look on his face and it's hilarious and contagious.  He has been around the world and back again, paid by sports teams to energize fans at over 1500 events and counting. He's danced on Tennis Courts, in conference rooms, and all places in between.  Check out his TEDx "Who Are You Cheering For?" His book is 'King of Cheer; stories of showing up' Why did he have a large fruit upon his head? Does he worry what other people think ? What about the times his interrupting behavior fell short? What does it mean to actively Show Up? Website:  CameronHughes.tv

14 JUN 2024 · "There is no timeline to grieve, just as there is no timeline to love." Lauren Prior Lauren is a Trauma Therapist who has a compelling story to share - about losing her husband while she was mere days away from giving birth to their child.  Join the conversation to see what kind of friend you are when a loved one is grieving. What is the right thing to do? What about the wrong things?  Lauren shares the story of what led to her husband's fatal accident that night and how she managed to keep going. Grabbing onto the benefit of the shock within grief, how did she handle coming out of the fog when the offers for help started to fade away? "Be brave enough to ask" is the answer she gives when I enquire about the best way to help someone who is grieving a death. Be there. Show up. "I'm gonna sit here while you cry." Luckily for all of us, Lauren Prior is working on a book and I have a giant notion it's going to help the masses with how to ask for help, be the right kind of friend, and know that it's ok to simply ask.  Lauren Prior is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor / Owner at Walking Brave Counseling 

13 MAY 2024 · Check out the first guest to ever rebuff my invitation to stay weird (at the very end). I was caught off guard as is Nathan Timmel's specialty.  Listen in with us, as we discuss Timmel's very cool YouTube comedy special, called Unapologetic. It's funny, it's fast-paced, and it's free!  Nathan Timmel is a digital creator, author, total influencer, and very fun comic. With a wife and kids, he is one of the good guys who knows where the humor lies.  We talk about his special and the quirky behind-the-scenes details, why it matters how you tell a joke, can you really read an audience, and why we keep seeking acceptance.  His podcast is called Idiots on Parade and it's a wild ride with his co-host Jake Vevera (and sometimes extra guests) to jab fun at current events.  nathantimmel.com linktree/ntimmel Facebook too. 

29 APR 2024 · Celebrating the wrap up of humor month, and the super special milestone - episode 200 of Stranger Connections Podcast! Listen in as Lisa David Olson interviews Lisa David Olson.  Still trying to connect with Carol Burnett (happy birthday!) but meanwhile, learn about Improvisation, Humor, Strangers, Skills to connect in the workplace, What Great Leaders Know, and how to protect the introverts.  Book:  From the Spotlight to Real Life Website: www.lisadavidolson.com Podcast: Stranger Connections Coaching and Speaking:  lisa@lisadavidolson.com Card Game: Dare Zone

20 APR 2024 · "You won't be great until you can learn to love SELF." Dr. Andrew Temte is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional (La Crosse WI) and the author of two books . . . so far. He's also the leader of a rock band, a University Teacher, a mentor, a speaker, and a podcaster.  Listen in as we discuss: How to inspire Imposter Syndrome Tools to be present in the work life How Purpose brings us back to center The first two words he uses as a teacher Connecting personal purpose to the work we're doing Being present. Truly present. Being comfortable with the human you are Living your purpose Bringing our whole selves to the world of 'work'. His band is called The Remainders, and they are active in many fundraisers and committees in the La Crosse WI area. Go to TheRemainders.com and find them on Facebook Dr. Temte's books are: Balancing Act; teach, coach, mentor, inspire and The Balanced Business; building organizational trust and accountability through smooth workflows. His podcast is Balancing Act Podcast with Andrew Temte and you can also listen to the Saturday Muse show, too. Check out his website for a free guide called Living a Purposeful Life and join the newsletter. EVENT: May 1, 2024 - The Balancing Act podcast will record three episodes live at The Main, An Event Space - in La Crosse WI. $35 at the door goes toward scholarships at Western Technical College in La Crosse WI AndrewTemte.com #AndrewTemte #AndyTemte #TheMain #BalancingAct #Purpose #Grace #dignity #compassion #Kaplan #LaCrosse #LaCrosseWI #strangerconnections #lisadavidolson #speaker #author #Remainders #TheRemainders #band

16 APR 2024 · Retired homicide detective Mike Hammond was with the Chicago Police Department for 22 years. He has SEEN some things . . .  and I get nosy and ask everything I wanted to know more about.  CAUTION:  Some content may be harder to hear as crimes are discussed, so listen with caution.  We talk about polygraphs (lie detectors), the main case Hammond can not let go of, mental health, murders in Chicago, interview styles, gaslighting, lies, common sense, and how to get into the mind of a criminal, to help keep others safe.  Check out Mike Hammond's podcast; Detective Story (with Mike Hammond) which has a focus on victims and their families, as well as talking about actual cases and investigations. 

6 APR 2024 · "I'm like a comedic aging Disney princess." laughs Carla Collins This episode kicks off Humor Month on the Stranger Connections Podcast. Carla is THE most charming, hilarious, witty, and gorgeous comic in the US and Canada alike.  She's grabbed several comedy awards, and you've most likely seen her in shows, or you will soon because she just doesn't stop.  Carla Collins is an award-winning comic, actor, writer, emcee, auctioneer, and innovator. She does several fun characters on her social media pages and always brings smiles to her fans.  Learn about Chuckle and Chill, Laugher-mations, Vision Pop Boards, LAAF Podcast, three b*tches in an RV, a year of pranks, the emotional support cougar, and the laugh of attraction.  Her first book is 'Angels, Vampires, and D*uchbags', and on the flippy flip she is now creating a children's book!  Also soon to be released is her very sassy deck of Tarot Comedy Cards.  Follow this superb human. Send me a thank you note later.  CarlaCollins.com ComedicMediation.com Facebook Instagram  CarlaCollinsComedian

26 MAR 2024 · "Try to remember that they just hate themselves, and they're takin' it out on you." This beautiful lyric is from Amanda Grace's latest album (her 8th!). The album is Give Me Away and this song is 'Love Yourself'. Amanda Grace is a Minnesota native who travels, performs, and collaborates to create unique shows and brilliant albums.   In this episode, you'll find out why Amanda has plans to hold a show at a cemetery, what her musical tastes were growing up, and how she is in a long-term happy marriage with super cool kids. (Tough to write break-up songs with all she has going for her).  Amanda sings part of a song for us (spoiler - it's beautiful!) and I even inspire a new song for the next album. I'm gifted like that.  Join the newsletter of Amanda's, and find show and album details on the website: MusicByAmandaGrace.com