The Instant Journeyman's Podcast

Sober October 2021

WE ARE BACK! After a nice summer off, I am back to bring you the best of the best. 

Today I have a conversation with return guest Jim Matheis, Falcon and new comer Dennis about this years Sober October Challenge. Then we talk about covid and much more! 

Next week we have Brie!

#soberoctober #Instantjourneyman #3rdannual

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 30 - Megan Guinnup

Today's guest is Megan Guinnup.  Megan is a Travel Agent that squashes the myth that you will pay extra if you use a Travel Agent,  what the benefits of booking through a Travel Agent are and shares her top 3 travel tips. We had a great conversation and learned about some COVID-19 requirements. Do yourself a favor if you are traveling soon, tune in and book your next trip with Megan or a travel agent that can take care of you so you can focus on the fun part of traveling. 

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 29 - Cassidy Nicholas

Today's guest is back by popular demand!  She is the Instant Journeyman 2020 most downloaded guest, Cassidy Nicholas.  

Cassidy popped in to talk about everything postpartum (and really the trick to pre, during and post pregnancy).  What it's like to be back in the competitive racing scene, Breast Feeding as an athlete and that awful 4 letter word that everyone hates.... DIET!  We talk about all this and much much more, so tune in an enjoy!

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 28 - Kevin Jajkowski

Today's guest is Kevin Jajkowski, Kevin has been a Fire Fighter for almost 33 years.  He has been a LT, a Captain, Chief and now Commissioner. We talk about how he got in to firefighting, what it was like to be in well over 35 fires in his career and much much more.   

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 27 - Ella Kociuba

Today's guest is Ella Kociuba!  Ella and I met back when we were running obstacle races heavily.  Ella is one bad a*s chick, she has accomplished a lot in her life and she is not even 30 yet!  Ella started her interest in sports by Endurance Riding where she would compete in riding horses 25 - 50 miles! She ended up breaking her back (now has a metal rod holding things together) after a horse bucked her off.  After recovering, she got in to OCR and became one of the youngest females to win races and get on the Spartan Pro Team. She has completed the Death Race 5 times! Is a massage therapist, a tattoo artist and overall awesome person!  Tune in and enjoy the conversation I had with her and find out what cool things she has planned for June and her near future!

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 26 - Falcon

Today's guest is our good friend Falcon!  Falcon and I discuss a ton of hot topics such as School Reopening's, Mask wearing (or lack of mask wearing in his case), Masculinity, Equality vs Equity and how I fell for a cartoon that showed the both of them, etc. We even answered a question that a live listener asked and I was impressed with Falcon's answer and mine. Today's episode is a long one but good if you like the hot topics. 

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 25 - Alicia Kwiatkowski

Today’s guest it Alicia Kwiatkowski!  Alicia is the Assistant Director of Front Office - Guest Recognition at Faena Hotel in Miami Beach.  Alicia has been in the hotel industry through some pretty crazy times.  She has been through 2008 mortgage crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.  Both had effected the travel industry in a major way.  We talk about how she ended up in Miami, where she thinks the industry is headed and how it has been during the pandemic.  If you are a travel nerd like me, this is a great podcast to learn about hotels and hear about one of my favorite luxury hotels out there.

Monday Motivation Series Episode 25 - Lynne Ruda

Lynne Ruda is a lifelong Lancaster, NY resident and is proud to be running for Mayor of the Village if Lancaster!  She currently serves her community as a Village of Lancaster Trustee. 

Lynne shows her love of her community and her willingness to protect it as a Volunteer Firefighter for the Village of Lancaster. She is proud to be the first female driver and interior firefighter in the Eagle Hose Company.  She serves as the Department Secretary and is regularly a top responder.  Lynne received the 2016 Chief’s Award and the 2015 Administrative Member of the Year Award from the Lancaster Fire Department.

Lynne is a music teacher at Lancaster High School. She has served as the Director of Orchestras at Lancaster High School since 2008. Additionally, Mrs. Ruda is the conductor of the Greater Buffalo Youth String Orchestra. At Lancaster High School, Lynne serves as the advisor of the First Responders Club, which is devoted to bringing First Responder experiences to high school students. As an active cellist in the area and a member of the Buffalo Musicians Association – Local 92, Mrs. Ruda has performed throughout Western New York, including with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and the Clarence Summer Orchestra.  She has also performed with The Who and Weird Al Yankovic in concert.

Lynne is currently a finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year 2021 and was a finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year 2020.  Mrs. Ruda was named a 2020 NYS Woman of Distinction and received the 2020 Agent of Change Award from the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce.  She was the 2019 recipient of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/Erie County Music Educators Association Award for Excellence in Music Education.  In 2018, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce.

Whatever Wednesday Series Episode 24 - Dustin Swaciak

Today's guest is Dustin Swaciak. Dustin is a chef that has worked in many fine dining establishments in Buffalo, FL & Houston.  He shares his struggle with opioid addiction and losing it all, but is now 6 years sober.  Just 1 year ago, he started a knife business at the beginning of the COVID pandemic which worked out well since he was laid off from his chef job. These knives are right from Japan, most with custom made handles that he creates himself and are the highest of quality. Listen in to learn about how these knives are made, how to sharpen a knife, what the difference is between your knives at home and these knives.  I learned a lot and look forward to trying a knife or two myself when I cook. Oh and be on the look out because he will have a storefront in the next three months as well.

Check out his website www.realsharpknife.com or search him on social media.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealSharpKnife 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realsharpknife/?hl=en 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrZTaQCv2m3WFNEfiAPfuDg 

Monday Motivation Series Episode 24 - Don Zappia

Todays guest is Don Zappia. Don is living proof that it doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, you just have to keep getting up.  Don is the father of two past guests (Chad & Shea Zappia).  He left a six figure salary to try other things and ended up owning a small village pub that him and his family turned in to a great Martini Bar that was ahead of its time.  After losing it all and walking away from the restaurant “with $50” he ventured off to Vegas and recalibrated, only to return back home for a great opportunity that fell short again. Now Donnie is crushing it in the real estate game and is climbing back to the top,  so I wanted to have him on since there is no better motivator than a comeback story and he shares it all.  

 

Check out Don Zappia exp Realty at www.donzappia.com or you can find him on Facebook by searching Don Zappia (public person) or Instagram by searching Don Zappia or using his insta handle @zappiadon