What Can You Tell Me

Well friends, it has been a while hasn't it!? So much has changed since I last recorded an episode and took a very unexpected break so that I could MOVE BACK TO CALIFORNIA!If you hadn't heard already, Dr. Roben and I bought a 12 acre farm near where we grew up in San Jose. The place is beyond amazing and we are hard at work to turn it into the place of our dreams. I have uploaded a number of video's documenting the process on Youtube. With a lack of decent internet and even worse cell phone service I may not be able to do as many interviews as I would like so I figured I would make this season about the move back and talk about what I am learning about life on the farm! I hope you stick around and enjoy!

Episode 24 - Amanda Weiler took a class in high school which changed her life forever when she learned to SCUBA dive. After working in some pretty delightful spots around the world doing research, she eventually made her way to Chicago where she began volunteering at and then working at Shedd Aquarium.  She is now working as a dive officer at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.Instagram - scubamandaMusicFather John Misty: “Fear Fun” “I love you, honey bear” & “Pure Comedy”Iration: “Hotting Up” & “Time Bomb”Slightly Stoopid: “Everything you need” & “top of the world”Arcs: “yours, dreamily,”Podcastologies by Alie Wardhttps://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/What Can You Tell Me Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VCQ3STiUJkW0ktT7g73G4?si=Fa6OsJdXRlyDc3Vm0Aqt3w

Episode 23Melani Hoffman was born in Flint, Michigan and as a young adult settled in Chicago alongside her brother. She went to college but it just wasn't for her. She worked in bars and restaurants and quickly worked her way up to management. Melani moved from Chicago to NY and spent several years learning about beers and at the same time running a small theater. A move back to Chicago gave her the opportunity to open her own bar, The Green Lady, a phenomenal beer-focused bar located at 3328 N Lincoln Ave.www.thegreenladychicago.comInstagram:tglchicago Fb:The Green LadyTwitter: TGLChicagoMusicBlack Pumashttps://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/What Can You Tell Me Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VCQ3STiUJkW0ktT7g73G4?si=Fa6OsJdXRlyDc3Vm0Aqt3w

Episode 22 - David Kovac is an incredibly charming and talented actor turned magician who keeps busy entertaining and emceeing at the world-famous Magic Castle. David talks about growing up Buddhist, getting slapped by The Cat in the Hat, how his wedding was almost ruined until some wonderful friends came together to save the day, and how the graceful Neil Patrick Harris spent an evening with his sister while she was flying solo at the Magic Castle.http://www.davidkovac.comMUSICShirley Horn - I Love You Paris (live)Leonard CohenMccoy Tiner with Johnny Hartman and John Coltranehttps://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/What Can You Tell Me Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VCQ3STiUJkW0ktT7g73G4?si=Fa6OsJdXRlyDc3Vm0Aqt3w

Episode 21 -  Ellen Joyce grew up in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, a classic south side Irish neighborhood. She went to school at Eastern Illinois University and earned a degree in Public Health Education and then went to graduate school at University of Illinois for the same.At 25 Ellen moved back to Chicago when her mother had a stroke and she took the test to become a police dispatcher. Two years later she got the call that she was hired. This was in 1998 and 22 years later she is still on the job.Some hilarious calls that she has received while dispatching.MUSICClassic RockBeatlesLed ZeppelinAni DiFrancohttps://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/What Can You Tell Me Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VCQ3STiUJkW0ktT7g73G4?si=Fa6OsJdXRlyDc3Vm0Aqt3w

Episode 20-Samuel Sakehttps://www.tesfacuisine.com/https://www.instagram.com/tesfaethiopiancuisine/https://www.wbez.org/stories/chicagos-beloved-ethiopian-restaurants/d1f87d9d-4355-4116-9dad-bc08c2ab5e54Born and raised in Moyale, Ethiopia in 1990, Samuel moved to Chicago in 2005 speaking about six words of English. Listen as he recounts his amazing first time experiencing snow fall and cold, the hilarious time he was asking for a rubber in a high school class and how we met when he began training circus at Circesteem as a teenager.Samuel now runs a successful restaurant with his mother- TESFA Ethiopian Cuisine, an absolutely delicious restaurant in Uptown, Chicago that you MUST try!Sometimes money cannot buy you anything- Try to get someone to carry a suitcase up a mountain for money in Ethiopia… NO... for a chicken maybe...Ethiopian Music-Teddy AfroYared Neguhttps://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/What Can You Tell Me Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VCQ3STiUJkW0ktT7g73G4?si=Fa6OsJdXRlyDc3Vm0Aqt3w

Episode 19 - Today I interview vocalist Kenny Williams. Since the age of 5 when he began singing into a hair brush, the sound coming out of Kenny’s mouth has made people stop and listen, whether he was on a Broadway stage, performing on a cruise ship, or as lead singer with the Platters.http://www.kennywilliamssings.comhttps://www.instagram.com/kennywilliamssings/MusicGregory PorterLianne La Havas https://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/

Episode 18 - Carnival Owner Bill JohnsonFantasy Amusement Companyhttps://fantasyamusements.com/http://www.showmensleague.org/https://www.oaba.org/Listen to Bill Johnson talk about how, as a child growing up in 1960's Chicago, he stumbled upon a carnival where he was hired to pick up baseballs at one of the games. While working odd jobs in his young adult life Bill always made his way back to the carnival. When he was 24 years old Bill bought his first ride for $20,000 and today owns Fantasy Amusement Company, an Arlington Heights based carnival ride company.https://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/

Episode 17 - Chris DeRose is currently living in Billings, Montana and working as a reporter with KTVQ and the Montana Television Network. Chris started his professional career in Chicago back in 2007. Coming to the Windy City just after college, Chris studied improv and sketch comedy, as well as writing and acting at world famous theaters like The Second City, iO, and Comedy Sportz. He quickly became a staple in the Chicago comedy scene and even help to found the musical improv group Mansical, which still preforms to this day.It was also during this time, that he was “discovered” while working as a Chicago City Tour Guide onboard a double decker bus. A producer from a local television show spotted Chris and offered him a job on TV. The rest is history. That launched Chris’s career as a daily feature reporter on You & Me, a fun morning television show on WCIU-TV.During his time at You & Me, Chris logged hundreds of hours both in front of and behind the camera, working on multiple stories at any given time. He was best known for his live morning features, ‘Did U Know‘ history pieces, comical man-on-the-street ‘Movie Trivia’s,’ and insightful travel segments. At the end of 2016, Chris moved to Los Angeles, California where he freelanced as an actor, writer and producer. While in LA he also worked as an Associate Producer on the Gilbert Gottfried Amazing Colossal Podcast and as a Studio Tour Guide/ VIP Guide at Universal Studios Hollywood.Chris is a graduate of McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, and holds a BA in Theater Arts. He was raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a small town just outside of Pittsburgh, which was also home to golf legend Arnold Palmer and television’s Fred Rogers.Websitehttps://www.thechrisderose.com/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thechrisderose/MusicEclectic Mix- Broadway to Heavy Metal, Rap and Opera PodcastsWTF with Marc Maron PodcastThe Gilbert Gottried Amazing Colossal PodcastMike Rowe - The Way I Heard It Podcasthttps://www.whatcanyoutellme.com/https://www.instagram.com/whatcanyoutellme/https://www.facebook.com/whatcanyoutellme/

Episode 16 - Greg Ellis talks about his career that starts with graphic design and ends with a transition from cutting vegetables to hair. Greg shares his story- the importance of family and why he went from working for James Beard award-winning chef Charlie Trotter to running his own restaurant, and ends with becoming a barber at the renowned Belmont Barber Shop.www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeInstagram @Beaconstreetbarber@BelmontbarberJello video - https://www.instagram.com/p/BIvH3Bfh3G2/?igshid=rih7ana4zligMusicColter WallOrville peck

Episode 15Benny Glossop is a combatives instructor and mixed martial artist who holds black belts in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as being a former professional fighter in American Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA. In episode 14, you heard Bennys incredible story of growing up in Illinois farm country and how at the age of ten a fateful decision to walk back over to the town carnival one evening left him 30 seconds from death after he was, not hit, but run over by a truck. In this episode, you will hear about how these life experiences led Benny to where he is today - teaching combatives and tactical training alongside some of America’s finest heros. www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeBenny GlossopIG: BGCombatTwitter BGCombatFacebook Benny GlossopWebsite: www.BenjaminGlossop.comTampa CombatUFC Gym ClearwaterDave “Boon” Benton andThreat Management Solutions13 HoursKris “Tanto” Paronto and Battleline TacticalBen MorganIntegrated Combatives GroupMusic Sister HazelGin BlossomsFreddie Jones BandJurassic 5Run DMCPearl JamHarry Connick Jr

Episode 14Benny Glossop is a combatives instructor and mixed martial artist who holds black belts in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as being a former professional fighter in American Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA. Today, in part 1, you will hear Bennys incredible story of growing up in Illinois farm country and how at the age of ten a fateful decision to walk back over to the town carnival one evening left him 30 seconds from death after he was, not hit, but run over by a truck. Next week in part 2, you will hear about how  these life experiences led Benny to where he is today - teaching combatives and tactical training alongside some of America’s finest heros. www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeBenny GlossopIG: BGCombatTwitter BGCombatFacebook Benny GlossopWebsite: www.BenjaminGlossop.comTampa CombatUFC Gym ClearwaterDave “Boon” Benton andThreat Management SolutionsKris “Tanto” Paronto and Battleline TacticalBen MorganIntegrated Combatives GroupMusic Sister HazelGin BlossomsFreddie Jones BandJurassic 5Run DMCPearl JamHarry Connick Jr

Episode 13 Pilot Jason Seaman www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeGrew up in Southern California playing baseball throughout college as a left handed pitcher and after multiple shoulder injuries realized he could not play any longer. Received his BA in Fine and Applied Arts- Photography.After college began bartending and waiting tables, partying and “going nowhere in life".Started looking for hobbies to fill his time with and came upon taking private flying lessons.He then realized he wanted to become a commercial pilot and began researching whether going into the military, attending a private pilot school or a university with an aviation program would be the right route.Chose the private pilot school route and began taking lessons. Began working on higher level ratings and learning more complex airplanes.His first job in aviation was being a flight instructor. “You find out a lot of different ways that people will try and kill you”Did that for two years than became I pilot for a regional passenger air carrier in Montana, Florida, Boston and the Bahamas, Cincinnati. (Never got stuck in the Bermuda Triangle…)Started working for a government contractor in Iraq doing aerial surveillance collecting intelligence for ground units.Worked for regional airlines again and then started working for a cargo carrier.Gives a breakdown of pre-flight safety inspections.Favorite childhood food- lasagna Favorite beverage - waterTone deaf! No karaoke for JasonPlaylistClassic RockReggae- Bob Marley, Peter ToshRed Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex MagicWalks, bikes, drives in that order

Episode 12 If you have seen a show on Broadway in the last 20 years its quite possible you have seen Aaron J Albano. We go back to the beginning of his career and talk about all of the shows he has performed in and some of the lessons he learned along the way.www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmehttps://www.instagram.com/aaronjalbano/https://twitter.com/aaronjalbanoCurrently stuck in Toronto with the Hamilton the Musical Tour- Phillip Companyhttps://hamiltonmusical.com/us-tour/tickets1st generation born and raised in San Jose to Philipino parents.Began performing at SJCMT after seeing a school performance and his very first show was Snow White.https://www.cmtsj.org/Started dance class at 13 with Marie Stinnett Dance in San Josehttps://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/06/dancer-81-closing-her-campbell-studio-after-58-years/Performed Music Man at American Musical Theater in San Jose while a freshman at Lincoln High School for the Performing Arts.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Musical_Theatre_of_San_JoseRent the Musical was what made Aaron realize there was a world of theater outside of San Jose.https://lincoln.sjusd.org/Starts auditioning for Colleges(Matt performing Romeo and Juliet at Presentation High School)While performing in a production of A Chorus Line at Sunnyvale Community Players Aaron realized he needed to take character work and therefore performing as a while more seriously. https://sunnyvaleplayers.org/Got into the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music majoring in Musical Theater.https://ccm.uc.edu/theatre/musical_theatre.htmlAt 21 in his junior year of college was cast in the Broadway production of Bombay Dreams and left school. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_DreamsTara Rubin Castinghttps://www.tararubincasting.com/2005 began performing in the original “Emerald City Tour” First National Tour of Wickedhttps://wickedthemusical.com/Was introduced to The Chicago Diner as a vegan restaurant and had his MIND BLOWN!  http://www.veggiediner.com/Auditioned for San Francisco Company of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeePerformed with that for 2.5 years in the cities of SF and Boston and then went to perform it on Broadway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_25th_Annual_Putnam_County_Spelling_BeeIn between Boston and Broadway with Spelling Bee, Aaron performed with the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, covering multiple tracks as a swing and understufy of three main characters, Mark, Paul and Larry.https://amzn.to/2LY4K7P(Matt understudied Lookingglass Alice - never got to perform it - Anthony Fleming III)https://lookingglasstheatre.org/event/lookingglass-alice-2020/Finished Spelling Bee and had a quarter life crisis- I’ve

Episode 11 Today I interview my absolute most FAVORITE person on the entire face of the planet, Doctor Emily Roben. She is an emergency room attending at Lurie Childrens Hospital, she was a field hockey goalie at Stanford University (on a scholarship!), she is an incredible artist and crafter, and she is the best wife and best friend a person could ask for.www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmehttps://www.instagram.com/ranchoroben/https://www.instagram.com/craftastic613/Born in Exeter, NH. Moved to Cupertino, CA and spent many years of her youth attending an extra curricular Hebrew school program ultimately having her Bat Mitzvah at age 13.Began playing field hockey as a goalie at Monta Vista High School.Entered freshman year at Stanford University playing field hockey on a scholarship.Notable students and faculty while she was at Stanford include numerous Olympic and professional athletes, Chelsea Clinton and Ben Savage from Boy Meets World, (BTW Rider Strong played Shawn Hunter on that show)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105958/Jered Diamond author Guns Germs and Steel https://amzn.to/2Tef13CRobert Sapolsky author Why Zebras Dont Get Ulcers https://amzn.to/2y75VyiSan Jose State for premed also had the fun of taking raquet ball, kickboxing and bowling Currently playing pickle ball with mehttps://amzn.to/3g06Gu7Attended Northwestern University Medical School. Started pediatrics residency at Childrens Memorial Hospital in Chicago which became Ann and Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital. Fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital. Became an attending physician in the emergency department at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital https://www.luriechildrens.org/not to be confused withChildrens Hospital (COMEDY TV SHOW)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1325113/SouthLAnd (COP SHOW)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1299368/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1Discussions about what work can be likeBegan learning to crochet and made a 3D anatomicaly correct heart. Has won multiple awards from the National Arts Program. (Picture of heart is here!) https://www.nationalartsprogram.org/nap-spotlight/emily-robenRaises animals in the backyard farm-currently 6 chickens, a duck, 2 goats, a lovebird, 2 pet rats and a salt water aquarium. Check out Emily's instagram account with all of the animals https://www.instagram.com/ranchoroben/“There’s lots of reasons to become a doctor but money is a very bad one.”Favorite food as a kid- steamed Artichoke dipped in butterFavorite beverage- carbonated wateror her invented cocktail The Best in Show- gin, soda, grenadine, limeHates Karaoke and especially HATES the B-52’s (which I LOVE to sing)Podcast Likes-Experts on Expert with Dax ShepherdSerial By the Book Radio Lab FreakonomicsApple Music Playlists- Barefoot Acoustic, Todays CountryIs an incredibly dedicated cyclist who rides a bike 300+ days a year (in Chicago) to work (12 miles round trip)

Episode 10I first learned about Deborah Niemann as I started to research chickens and goats for our backyard and found myself reading her website, Thrifty Homesteader. Then I connected with her, not realizing she was the same person, to buy a pig (to eat)- she raises her own meat and produce and I bought some incredibly delicious pork from her, the whole pig to be exact, from her 32 acre farm, Antiquity Oaks. Recently I learned she has a podcast dedicated to goats, For The Love of Goats. This week I had the pleasure of speaking to her as a guest on my podcast!  www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeThrifty Homesteaderhttps://thriftyhomesteader.com/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thriftyhomesteader/Antiquity Oaks Farmhttps://antiquityoaks.com/Grew up in Texas, sickly as a child. Realized there was a connection between diet and health. Had first child while living in FL and started reading food labels. Became vegetarian, tried gardening.Moved to Chicago area and had a small garden to produce summer salads and tomatoes for canning sauce.Worked as a reporter, 1997 covered the Garfield Farm Rare Breed Show and realized that many were breeds she had seen on her grandparents farm.Chicago Chicken Enthusiastshttps://sites.google.com/site/chicagochickenenthusi/Amish and Healthy Foodshttps://amishhealthyfoods.com/4H Club https://4-h.org/about/what-is-4-h/  Conservation Priority List https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list  Nigerian Dwarf Goat  Mini Scottish Highland Cattlehttp://godscountryranch.net/scottish-highland-cattle/ Deborahs Old Blog about farm lifehttps://antiquityoaks.blogspot.com/Started teaching on the farm, speaking at the Mother Earth News Fair where she was discovered by a publisherhttps://www.motherearthnewsfair.com/Mother Earth News Magazinehttps://amzn.to/2STXygHBook - Homegrown and Handmadehttps://amzn.to/2STL3lpLearning to play the steel tongue drum #75HardCoursera.org online classeshttps://www.coursera.org/If you want to do this don’t wait- you won’t want to be in a barn at 60 when it’s freezing outside.www.whatcanyoutellme.com

Episode 9Tony Grebmeier is a former radio DJ who is now running, Ship Offers, a multi-million dollar company he started with his best friend and a company that he nearly lost when he was close to a million dollars in debt, separated from his wife and kids, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and on the verge of suicide. Tony talks about the changes he made in his life and how you will now find him speaking around the world and helping others to live their best life. And as you will hear, he is the reason WHY this podcast became a realitywww.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmehttps://tonygrebmeier.com/https://www.instagram.com/tonygrebmeier/To order a copy of Tonys Be Fulfilled Journaluse code mattroben at check out to receive 40% off of your orderhttps://www.befulfilledjournal.com/Ship Offers - fulfillment and logistics companyhttps://shipoffers.com/Tonys Free 5 day mini course Drainers and Drivershttp://drainersanddrivers.com/75 HARDwww.75hard.comMichael Bernoff https://michaelbernoff.com/MusicThe Strumbellashttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6ujr1NkqbZpYOhquczUUflRacomahttps://open.spotify.com/artist/3Y3bK9UlgDtqEfIwFUCLH0BooksThe Compound Effect by Darren Hardyhttps://smile.amazon.com/Compound-Effect-Multiply-Success-Simple/dp/B07MWCVQ1T/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+compound+effect&qid=1588557188&sr=8-2Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatthttps://fullfocusplanner.com/AppsMasterclasshttps://www.masterclass.com/BibleThe Bible Rick Warrens Daily Devotionalhttps://www.bible.com/reading-plans/135-rick-warrens-daily-devotional/day/1The Hebrew Bible by Robert Alterhttps://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Bible-Translation-Commentary-Three/dp/0393292495

Episode 8 This is part 2 of last weeks episode with Veterinarian Dr. Ellen Boyd.If you didn’t already listen to episode 7 then go back so episode 8 makes sense.www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeRandy “Big Swole” - Baptized people and did acts of strength for JesusIn Seattle has first baby, Malcolm, while writing PhD dissertation.Moved back to Chicago to be closer to family, started working in contract vet services at various clinics and animal hospitals around the area gets pregnant with her second child Logan.  Began working at Animal House of Chicago http://www.animalhouseofchicago.com/and is now working at Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital https://www.midwestexotichospital.com/Helped us heal Isa when she had an impacted crop and then after she broke her leg. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9b4yzBhbFx/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheetRecently bought a flock of her own chickens.Did rehab work with birds of prey.Belly dancing became a huge part of her life out in Seattle with Delilah and a belly dance troupe named Raqs Serpentine.Loves being a part of the artistic community, Burning Man- https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-burning-man-theme-tickets-dates-outfits-2018-8She-Wolf- https://www.shewolfsacred.org/community Beastwomen- https://beastwomen.com/Foster Beach Chicago Full Moon Jam- https://www.fullmoonjam.org/Tiki Basement Bar circa 1940’sBlackberry Doobie (not Ellens grandmas recipe)https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/fruit-dessert/aunt-joshia-maes-blackberry-doobie.htmlWorld Music/Middle EasternClotaire K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh7pt9FFonY Lebanese rapMelanie Durrant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk2LFpv551M Canadian singer soul/funkRodrigo y Gabriela https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qgum7hFXk Spanish guitar duoZachary J. Mechlem - Sameera  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK7rEOjW6YA Belly dance music

Episode 7  There comes a time in every podcasters life when they have an important decision to make. I had to ask myself, what is the best way to proceed forward when my guest and I have so much to talk about that I can’t squeeze it all into 75 short minutes. So I decided to make this interview into two episodes! You are going to have to wait until next time to hear the rest of her story!www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeI speak with my favorite veterinarian, Dr. Ellen Boyd who shares stories from her life, growing up on the sandy beaches of Pensacola, Florida attending veterinary school, getting her PhD doing reproductive work with animals ranging from birds to full grown elephants, if you ever wanted to know how you stimulate an elephant to ejaculate you are going to find out, and she shares her artistic side with her passion for belly dancing. Realized a passion for animals at a young age. Attended Loyola University in Chicago, then University of Tennessee for veterinary school. Did research studies on sea turtles in Ostional, Costa Rica, also performed semen collection at an elephant sanctuary.Research internship at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans performing artificial insemination on wolves, cranes, antelope.Went to graduate school at the University of Washington for PhD study at Seattle with Professor John C Wingfield.Thats all I have time for this episode - tune in next week for part 2 where I talk to Ellen about her move back to Chicago, meeting this podcast host, healing the loveable Isa the miracle chicken, her passion for belly dancing and some great international music recommendations.

Episode 6 Clown Jeff Jenkins, when he snuck backstage at the circus as a boy a chance encounter with a clown led him to his own life in the big top, Jeff talks about rescuing and training pitbulls and in many ways their owners, and he shares his incredible focus on making the city of Chicago a better place for everyone by working to improve its schools, and its parks. www.whatcanyoutellme.cominstagram @whatcanyoutellmefacebook @whatcanyoutellmetwitter @whatcanutellmeBorn and raised in Chicago. Delivered newspapers for $13 a week and worked at a pizza restaurant.Snuck backstage at Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus and met clown Sean Emery https://seanemery.com/18 years old moved to Florida and went to Ringling Bros. Clown College (harder to get into than Harvard) 12 weeks of juggling, acrobatics, clown, stilts, prop building, sewing, performing material. 9 of 60 people who left clown college were hired as clowns for Ringling. Toured for 2 years in the Blue Unit 1986-1988 (After taxes made $163.18 a week) 21 years old moves back to Chicago, did clowning, comedy, acting, taught and directed for clown college and Ringling. Met wife Julie and started the Midnight Circus shows performed in and around Chicago https://www.midnightcircus.net/30 years later gets an email from Aerial Emery Hula Hoop artist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-djg_TRltAMatts coach from Cirque du Soleil Nouvelle Experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKvmDxdyga8Circus in the Parks- Impacting the community and its members https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wDRwuPXktA&feature=youtu.bePerforms a comedy dog act, began with rescues and training dogs focusing on pitbulls. Worked with the Anti-Cruelty Society and spent time in IL youth correctional facilities using dogs and training as an opportunity to educate these young men about empathy and positive reinforcement - impacting the lives of both dogs and dog owners.In 2018 ran for Alderman of the 47th ward in Chicago.New program K9 Kindness Academy on the West side of Chicago with Breakthrough Ministries https://www.breakthrough.org/Worked on local school council for 6 years. Continues to work actively with local politicians, the parks and schools to make Chicago a better place.