Heartbreak & Hot Pot: a memoir

Kevin Steele

Heartbreak & Hot Pot: a memoir is about my tumultuous journey through the last few years of my life. Why will you enjoy this tale? I am sharing a very vulnerable, heart-wrenching, sometimes funny story about how life can go drastically wrong. BUT, with all the bad things that happened I was able to lose unwanted pounds through an unusual dietary change featuring a dish I ’discovered’ while in China. It’s a side benefit of the heartbreak. I hope you enjoy getting a very up-close look into the mind of someone working through challenges and trying to improve every day. This is adapted from a book I wrote. There will be 20 episodes. I will publish an episode or two every week. Diving into this tale you’ll learn about loss of a loved one, loss of love, loss of a business, a restraining order (!) and how I created a new brand of hair salons, as well as many side journeys into my life. I hope you enjoy. If you have any questions or have feedback please email me at kevin@hotpotforlife.com read less

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Episode Twenty: My Prayer Has Always Been Love / Hell If I Know What To Do / Blah Blah Blah

Episode Twenty: My Prayer Has Always Been Love / Hell If I Know What To Do / Blah Blah Blah

Hello! It's time for the last episode, Episode Twenty. How fitting that it is also the last episode alphabetically. Our final episode takes a look at (maybe) leaving this world, the work of Sufjan Stevens, and then gives us two epilogues. We find out about another Hot Pot journey, dreams of a new love, exploring feelings for 'dumpy' Lori, and then a look at what the Hell I Should Do. Then we wrap things up - until next time. Blah blah blah. I'm signing off now. I really hope you found something of value - listening all the way to the end. I tried my best to convey the emotion, the terror, the joy and facing the unknown in this journey of Heartbreak. I hope you are at peace or are at least close to finding peace in your life. I love you. Bye for now!

Episodes

Episode Twenty: My Prayer Has Always Been Love / Hell If I Know What To Do / Blah Blah Blah

Episode Twenty: My Prayer Has Always Been Love / Hell If I Know What To Do / Blah Blah Blah

Hello! It's time for the last episode, Episode Twenty. How fitting that it is also the last episode alphabetically. Our final episode takes a look at (maybe) leaving this world, the work of Sufjan Stevens, and then gives us two epilogues. We find out about another Hot Pot journey, dreams of a new love, exploring feelings for 'dumpy' Lori, and then a look at what the Hell I Should Do. Then we wrap things up - until next time. Blah blah blah. I'm signing off now. I really hope you found something of value - listening all the way to the end. I tried my best to convey the emotion, the terror, the joy and facing the unknown in this journey of Heartbreak. I hope you are at peace or are at least close to finding peace in your life. I love you. Bye for now!

Episode Nineteen: Beauty and Terror

Episode Nineteen: Beauty and Terror

Hi! I hope you're getting something out of all these recordings. I know I did. It's pretty cathartic to spend time recounting all of these events. Episode Nineteen spends some time dwelling on time spent in my hair salons, then explores finding a new marketing position at the age of 57. We touch on Alligators, Nietzsche and living on your own (and how that aids or takes away from personal evolution). I hope you enjoy! Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Episode Eighteen: Leaving Minnesota

Episode Eighteen: Leaving Minnesota

Episode Eighteen. We're getting close to the end of this Audio Book. It has twenty chapters. I hope you're enjoying, and are having a wonderful day! In this episode we'll finish up with Luke the Thief, then explore such topics as great friends, Dan and the talent show, and preparing to leave Minnesota (and deciding where to go for the next part of my life). I hope you enjoy!

Episode Seventeen: Some Romance, Intimacy and a Thief

Episode Seventeen: Some Romance, Intimacy and a Thief

Welcome back. I hope you're enjoying this tale. The book of this tale should be published soon. Very excited! In Episode Seventeen I'll take you into the end of celibacy with some romance and then rejection. And then we journey into the tale of the Thief. My own personal slice of evil from a small Minnesota town. You'll learn how to scam someone as trusting as me (never again, he says). We will also journey back to my scramble to sell assets fast, before they are taken away. I hope you enjoy! Remember to contact me if you have any feedback at kevin@hotpotforlife.com. Thanks!

Episode Sixteen: Nice People, Angry People and Making Payroll

Episode Sixteen: Nice People, Angry People and Making Payroll

Hi listeners! Welcome to Episode Sixteen! In this episode we take a look at some nice people, the people you hopefully run into often in your life. We also encounter how former employees can stop being friends (or friendly) and transition to an adversarial relationship. Finally you'll hear about my second scramble in the time I had running this business to make payroll (or suffer the consequences from the State of MN). I hope you enjoy!

Episode Fifteen: And Now It’s Time for Another Heartbreak

Episode Fifteen: And Now It’s Time for Another Heartbreak

Greetings listeners! Thank you as always for spending time with me and listening to my tale. This episode takes us into my world after the drastic change in our business. We get to learn about how rapidly people can change when circumstances go sideways. There's also an interesting story about drinking wine... too much wine. Thank you for listening, and please share with a friend (or with anyone you vaguely know, for that matter)!

Episode Fourteen: We’re Going to Court!

Episode Fourteen: We’re Going to Court!

Hi everyone! It's time to go to court to defend our freedom from the franchise. Did we succeed? Listen and learn. This is the harrowing journey of a small company trying to do what it can to survive in the face of COVID, hiring problems and a franchise system that is broken. Completely broken. Thank you for listening. Please share with a friend if you enjoy the tale! Thanks!

Episode Thirteen: Introducing SOTA Styles Salon

Episode Thirteen: Introducing SOTA Styles Salon

Hi! I hope you're enjoying the podcast. We have a little ways to go yet. Episode thirteen takes us back to the business after the judge has released us from the Fantastic Sams franchise contracts. This is one of the most exciting parts of the 'business' tale. We create a new brand! SOTA Styles Salon! It's hard to believe we made it to this exciting juncture, and we were going to make the most of it! We had a wonderous platform for success! Sit back and listen to how we launched this new brand of hair salons!

Episode Twelve: A Restraining Order

Episode Twelve: A Restraining Order

Join me as I recount a most amazing part of my journey. It's the part where my ex-fiancé tries to file a restraining order against me! Through the process we get a glimpse inside the mind of my former love. And it's not pretty. I hope you enjoy this odd tale. Oh - and remember, I do not want to kill dogs. I love dogs. You'll understand soon.

Episode Eleven: COVID and Dating

Episode Eleven: COVID and Dating

Hello! Episode Eleven takes us back into the world of COVID and its effects on our business and lives. The episode also spends time looking into the world of dating for our hero, including a bizarre incident at a MN United Soccer match. Finally, we go into bankruptcy. Yes, bankruptcy. Enjoy!

Episode Ten: The Embarrassing Episode

Episode Ten: The Embarrassing Episode

Welcome to Episode Ten of the Podcast. In this episode I relate an extremely embarrassing relationship episode with a friend, some bad dating experiences and bringing some dogs into my life. Warning: There is a kiss or two that I receive in this episode!

Episode Nine: Hot Pot

Episode Nine: Hot Pot

In Episode Nine we get past the heartbreak and into Hot Pot! This change of gears puts you into the fast lane of healthy living and weight loss! You'll also learn about the history of Chinese Hot Pot, and how you can start on this delicious, healthy and economical way to enjoy your next meal.

Episode Eight: Get Out

Episode Eight: Get Out

Welcome to Episode Eight. Following the sudden end of the engagement and the subsequent move, we continue. This episode looks at how I tried to 'fix' things in a very bad way.

Episode Seven: Get Out

Episode Seven: Get Out

Welcome to Episode 7. We explore Lori's obsessions, a bit of COVID and business. And then we get into one of the most heartbreaking incidences in my life. Want to have a listen? It's pretty good.

Episode Six: COVID and More

Episode Six: COVID and More

Welcome to episode six of Heartbreak and Hot Pot: How I Lost 45lbs in Six Months. In this episode we're going to dive into what COVID did to our business and in general. We're also going to get into some of the Fantastic Sams business practices, and we'll also spend a little more time on Lori. Oh, and we'll talk about Ketamine. Yes Ketamine. I hope you enjoy! If you have any questions or comments for me you can always reach me at kevin@hotpotforlife.com. Thank you! Share with a friend!

Episode One: I Always Thought That I’d See You Again

Episode One: I Always Thought That I’d See You Again

Let's jump right into the story! We start the journey with some background on me and my tale, and then we move right into the heart of it all. Thank you for listening and for sharing with a friend!

Episode Five: Introducing Lori

Episode Five: Introducing Lori

We meet the love of my life - Lori. Then we experience a bit of Minnesota living! This is a touching episode filled with hope for the future.

Episode Four: Moving Forward

Episode Four: Moving Forward

Welcome to Episode Four. You'll hear some deep, emotional stories about my boys, Dan and Elliott. My life changed forever. And I relate this story to you here. If you want to reach out to me write to kevin@hotpotforlife.com I'd love your feedback. I'd love your own story. I know we all have stories. Thank you for listening. Tell a friend. Thanks!

Episode Three: About My Sons

Episode Three: About My Sons

Hello. Episode Three dives into the lives of my two sons, Dan and Elliott. It then takes a turn into the worst heartbreak imaginable, at least by me. I know that people all over the world face loss, but that doesn't make it any easier to cope. This is when my life took a substantial turn, some would say for the worse. If you have a question or want to share your story reach out to me at Kevin@hotpotforlife.com As always, thank you for listening. I really appreciate it.

Episode Two: A Prelude - My Early Adult Life

Episode Two: A Prelude - My Early Adult Life

In this episode we jump back in time a little bit to learn more about how I ended up in this tale. You'll learn about my family and my work and a bit more about who I am. Why listen? It provides a little more foundation for the roller coaster you are boarding. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy!!