[00:00:00] This podcast is Power by The Plug. Alright, oh, there's my voice! Alright, it's me, Dani Baby. I am in Denver Community Media recording a podcast for you all. To listen to if you want to, you don't have to.
[00:00:20] But anyway, I'm sitting with Drew, one of the most kindred spirits that I've come to know. And we're just going to take a quick little second to stem it out before we get into conversations. So any little noise you want to make, let's let it happen.
[00:00:39] So this is more of me wanting to have a quite sounding, a little voice. I really like it. Yeah, yeah. Awesome. Well thank you so much for having me in your studio that you prepared for me to be in and then me interviewing you. Yeah, absolutely.
[00:00:56] This is incredible. So basically I'm gonna give a little bit of a back story on how we met which was what a whopping like six months ago, me? Because it was at the Bye-pock. Yeah, the creators thing after the podcast movement. Yes, yeah, and
[00:01:14] And then I was like, yep, I'm gonna come back in. I want to record with you all And then it was a few months and then I did fulfill my words. I came in. Yeah, and you have just been one of
[00:01:24] Honestly, it has become like a necessity for me to be in here once a week at the minimum Just the joy that you enhance in my life and how much you contribute to the community It just really resonates within my moral compass and so first of all
[00:01:40] I just want to give you honor words do because you're a very brilliant earnest spirit And I just want you to know that. So thank you Thank you So we're gonna jump into a little bit of a conversation because this is how I do things
[00:01:52] I have to keep looking at the camera because I like to see what button I'm pushing. Look at you up there Okay It is amazing So in the fact that I only know you in this space which is Denver Community Media I would actually love to
[00:02:10] Learn a bit more as to why this became like your path I wouldn't the way that I see you is that this isn't like necessarily that career thing that you feel and
[00:02:20] And drudgery so I'm just kind of wondering like what inspired you to be this part of the community So I I guess I'll turn me get you right. Okay, well I When I was just I like 2006
[00:02:37] I was like an advertising and PR major in college my buddy got like an eye-mack in a video camera And we He's a star-action videos and stuff
[00:02:48] So I and I really like to do that. I was obsessed with that and then I was also working for the visitor center at the school I went to Like gave me campus chores, so I know how to walk backwards. Oh, well
[00:03:02] Funny story about that. I almost got right before we got that video camera I almost got fired for going on slip and slide in the middle of a tour I like to check off my shirt and everything else Baby, I
[00:03:15] So I was like kind of like task with like putting together like these Sort of like visitor center like Videos so I like built together a kind of a cool reel and then this internship at the Broncos popped up
[00:03:26] And I and I got it and then I was like there's no way they're gonna Offer it to me and I Yeah, and I got to get it. It was crazy So and then I just kind of like worked in sports ever since I
[00:03:39] Spend some time there and then I spent some time like doing freelance is kind of just working on TV trucks and stuff And then I took a little C.S.A.S.A from production to work for Apple for a while Oh, geez, like three years
[00:03:52] Yeah, it's cool. Okay, and then and then I Got a job with working at a It's kind of hard. It's kind of a mouthful is the National Cataman's beef association So I was doing like they had a TV show called cattlemen to cattlemen. Okay, so sorry
[00:04:13] And the beef industry and then after that I Just kind of spent some quality years in active addiction And then I Quality and then I got on with the rockies and then I worked there full time and then
[00:04:31] Got the job here and it's just for like working here It was just like something I think that was always missing in live productions like you're behind the scenes And you know, it's there's not a lot of like connection to people and that's like something
[00:04:45] I always like really missed yeah And I knew the person who kind of like started this program From freelancing and she was like I knew here at the rockies now
[00:04:54] I don't know if you're planning on leaving and then it was in the middle of COVID and I was like I absolutely implanted wanting to leave. Yeah, so she told me all about it I was like I kind of bit more perfect fit because like I don't know
[00:05:06] I just miss like being the people and like hearing when it would back to the Apple story When I was working as the Apple story It was like this young group of creatives like all kind of trying to make it right and it was like something
[00:05:17] I always like really missed you know And it was like that was kind of like kind of like the My knowledge of like engineering and production mixed with the people It was like all in here and it's like exceeded all my expectations. It's been so so rad
[00:05:35] So like fulfilling like I feel very useful. Yeah, I think like when I was at cruise field I Just you know you're just like a cog in the machine It's like you're getting the coat signed to work right. Yeah stuff like that But
[00:05:51] This cool. I just hear it's like I really feel like like moving the needle You know, you're just a small needle But I love that. I mean truly is I think that with like kind of the age that we're in now
[00:06:03] It's funny like I sound like a old bogey or something But like the age that we're in now it's like our generation is really Desiring that connection because we had it like when we were younger than we went into this new wave of technology
[00:06:16] That felt like it was connecting us and it absolutely was But then I think that there's like this deep desire to connect further as people are telling their stories and living in their
[00:06:26] Stories and so it's like those two things combined now have us in this space and you do a really fantastic job of Facilitating energy and the just even in this room Being and I don't know if this is fair to say but to me
[00:06:42] You're like the face of Denver community media for me So what I look forward to coming in because I just know it's very safe space and just like your inclusion To like you know Let me just be on as I'm a Spectrum. I'm just a spectrum okay
[00:07:00] And you literally just like give me the room to express that But at the same time showing curiosity to what it is that I do which just lets me know that you're always curious about yourself and so
[00:07:11] That's why it's just so fun to sit with you today because you've taught me how to do some of these things I'm still learning and you don't like You know push like this is how you do it
[00:07:22] You're like oh express it the way you want to and like I can make what I can make happen. I think that that is like Something that a lot of creatives need if you will
[00:07:31] It's just like well, let me show you the tools but move from there. So anyway Since you were that was like the realm you wanted to enter as a young lad
[00:07:41] Do you remember as a young person was there anything like a TV show a commercial or anything that stuck out to you that just like Someday I'm gonna be the voice of that or the behind the scenes are front of that yeah
[00:07:53] I think it's like two things and they're both really obscure I've always been like obsessed with the Olympics. Okay, like it's like a weird thing. That's not weird I love the Olympics. I will so
[00:08:06] Yeah, you know I always just thought like the production of it like especially the opening ceremony It was like the coolest thing and I was always like more into like how it all worked
[00:08:14] Yeah, and so I think that's what really turned me on the like live events. Okay. Are we talking winter or summer Olympics? I think either okay, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[00:08:25] For some reason immediately when I think of the Olympics just for the time period that of my age it was like Nancy Carrigan, Tonya Harding, yeah, Sanna Bayouel They did a triple saver. Yeah, yeah, yeah, like I remember Dominique Moceana
[00:08:41] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I like I remember like you know how like girl or like some girls get around like Boy band members like oh, I'm gonna go to LA and I'm gonna meet and fall in love with this person. Yeah, it's like that real
[00:08:54] Yeah, I like thought that about Dominique Moceana. Oh my I think I was going to San Francisco because I I fence growing up. Oh my god That's so amazing. I love that that is a skill. I've gone to a couple what do they call me?
[00:09:08] Yeah, yeah, I've gone to some because it's so brilliant. So wow that was in like I was in like Santa Clara San Francisco and I'm gonna meet her. We're gonna like become a thing. Yeah, I'll be here to ask
[00:09:20] So anyway the Olympics and then um I thought it was E trade commercial once And it was like um I think it was just like the garage door opened and it was like Like I think it was like a couple monkeys and a dog playing in a band
[00:09:36] And the whole ad was like we just wasted two million dollars on a super bowl of ad But you do in with your money and I just thought that was so good twist. Yeah, yeah, like it was like
[00:09:46] I would be so cool to like I was always like really attracted like a reverent sort of like Had time to like be enabled to be like Like the square peg and they're on hold. Yeah, I think like being like the kind of like punk rock
[00:09:59] Kind of like version in a corporate world That whole thing always really like I don't know jazz me up. I love that yeah, so I say young person
[00:10:10] What like if you could like be in a parallel with yourself as that young version of yourself what would you what would you say to your older version? Man I
[00:10:22] I don't you know I honestly think about this stuff a lot and I think it would just be like Like we'll get there. Yeah, you know the stick to it like don't lose hope and and It'll be a really weird road But we'll get there. Okay
[00:10:41] I love that because it's funny to be in that like that parallel space with like you're like wow I actually did kind of follow just like where that thought even from like the Olympic moment to knowing now
[00:10:52] And now you're working in such a community space. So yeah, just don't lose hope I like that. It's kind of weird you know I think I just like said it yes to a lot of stuff, you know and like I just
[00:11:03] Always been like curious about wife and people and same so it's like the doors open Mike let's try this out for a while You know that's probably like another big connecting piece for me with you is that you have a lot of curiosity
[00:11:15] Yeah, I think as young people we're We initially end up getting robbed of our curiosity and our wonder You know and then there's just instances that like we can't be curious about things It was dangerous but Hence to those beautiful wonderful years of active addiction
[00:11:35] But I think the really brilliant portion of it is that it still Provided a space for you to understand community and why it's necessary You know and however you dealt with your active addiction and things like that because mine was a windy road with that all too
[00:11:50] But anyway to get to get back to the point of curiosity and wonder You know as children we do live by curiously through ourselves until we are you know told like stop that Don't do that and then we have nurture and guidance like come into play
[00:12:06] So out of your nurture and guidance and all of that is there and how you kind of like reframe And continue to Continue becoming yourself is there spaces that you have No, you've learned and there's like a no like an absolute no to things that you won't do
[00:12:26] I don't I don't know I like That's a great question Because I think about like my wife is sober or isn't sober She like drinks and smokes and stuff and and she was always like I was it like concerning for you
[00:12:47] And I was like now it's like my thing you know it's like this is like I should be able to like move in a In a colorful world, you know when my people are doing certain things so like in terms of like nose
[00:13:02] I don't think so really that I can think of just like I think I mean is that what you mean just like Kind of think of like whoa, but I like my hard nose. That's a great question
[00:13:15] Yeah, even like curry your mood. Yeah, yeah, just sure kind of all encompassing because I think sometimes when we're like in an Actividiction way we tend to run over people or we get run over and so when you come out of instances like that
[00:13:30] It's like do you have hard nose to something like yeah Yeah, I mean I Have definitely I No, because like I think like in terms of career. I think I've stopped
[00:13:46] I think men get this a lot is like I'm gonna do my own thing and I'm gonna be my own boss and I'm gonna I don't know just that kind of vibe and I think that grass is always greener thing
[00:13:57] Because kind of left me so like and I tend to like I don't know Just straight away from like people that are really in that I mean that's like Something but I don't know I guess
[00:14:10] I don't know I noticed cynicism I guess that's something that I try to act with stay away from this And let's tough and I know it says it's like Curious it is because I know I almost feel like I'm like sort of like positive to a fault
[00:14:25] Or I'm like Yeah sure right like or like something that could be damaging like it's so awkward with how people can like approach us with it We don't want them to feel because we do that thing where we have so much perspective
[00:14:39] And we don't want to like put them in a in a space of feeling wrong for their doings you know But it like affects us but I think like like you were saying like once you just kind of come to that space and yourself
[00:14:50] You're just like I'm curious. I've already been there But I'm not like it's not a thing for me anymore I'm curious how I operate around there. Yeah, yeah, that's exactly Because like I think that's why I always been like really attracted like comedians
[00:15:02] Yeah, it's like oh, I can be putting any sort of scenario And you can thrive, you know and I think that's I think the power of At least for me is up getting sober is that it's made me way more easy to move about the world
[00:15:17] So it's like I want to think I can like kind of float from tribe to tribe or right Job to you know not job to job but like people you know yeah, I think that was kind of like
[00:15:29] Like in high school and stuff. I was like popular for being the outspoken loser You know like yeah, I you know there's like jocks and the preps Sure, I don't even know if those are terms and schools anymore. I have no idea but
[00:15:44] Yeah, and then there was like you know me just like being the existent weirdo that I was which I Like adore myself for it now but back then it was painful It was so awkward and I was so curious about people but they weren't curious about me
[00:15:59] They just judged me So I didn't get that reciprocation of curiosity as a kid and now I do and so it's like my inner child just gets to come out and be like Let me teach you about what it was like to be me, you know
[00:16:12] But no and I know that You you just spoke to your about your wife and you obviously had you told me too that you have a couple of kiddos
[00:16:21] Does do you think that that enhances the space in you to have more of that tender understanding for your younger self? Yeah, and just kind of staying more in their curious zone too. So Depriving their curiosity. Yeah, absolutely. I think you know I think I like learned
[00:16:37] early on that like as Apparent your like your kids aren't like I don't know like a bucket to put your like auxiliary undelt with bullshit Yeah, you know all that's a really beautiful way to do
[00:16:51] I don't know I just like I just like kind of I don't know I like value my individuality so much and like my independence that I like I That's a big of a jitter promote like my my daughter especially
[00:17:07] And it's really like paid off. I mean she's like one of one and she's just like really thriving and it's just I don't know Loved you know and and I So yeah, I think it's made me a lot more
[00:17:22] I think that's why I've been right here like oh what about it like say no to him like I don't know Like I feel like I have such like an empathetic open mind more Not only being like 10 years sober, but being into ad now
[00:17:35] There's 10 years right that's incredible 11 September 11th we're just so we're just a variety date ever Wow people always like oh we even the service and like no Just that we are now Hey, that's it but you'll never forget that number Never forget that you know
[00:17:55] Was that 10% you know That's really beautiful. I'm it's been amazing. I like I think I was like Skeptical when my wife and I first got married like I were even gonna have kids and and I don't know it's just been unreal You know you're creating a
[00:18:11] wonderful community and I don't As an empathetic person it's also because I kind of feel the same way I feel like I'm not a leader, but I lead by example and that's for my younger self You know like you didn't have this representation and I'm not you know
[00:18:27] We're not gonna dive into all of that because that's super personal, you know Just being in the in the realm of like fatherhood
[00:18:34] There's that sense again of like living by curiously in the nurture that maybe you wish that you had or you did have a young person and you're doing Those things giving your children the ability to remain curious
[00:18:46] Which is our intellect you know and these formidable years of you know are young up bringing Having that leadership without it being leadership really is so important because it gives them the ability to know
[00:18:59] They have power over their own minds governing over their own body the autonomy that they should have and I just we need more Like that yeah, I think like really trying to like
[00:19:13] Be active in that role in my daughters like you know at the twenthing to come from her mom Of course, but anything to come from like a male figure. I think as
[00:19:23] Even like her teacher told me other day she's like I just love that how she defends herself That's so beautiful. I might keep like has agency over or so yeah And she told me the other day she was like
[00:19:37] One of the kids told me that my cheeks look chubby when I smile and I said you tell him That he doesn't even talk about your body. Okay, and then you kick him in the nuts That was like
[00:19:49] She rolls her eyes but like me the first part is like, you know this just trying. It's cool Like learning along the way and just like I don't know
[00:19:56] I just love like this generation of dads too. Yeah, it's like I have such a good group of friends that are like You know raised by boomer dads that like struggle to say I love you right?
[00:20:09] You know and like I mean, I feel like I've hugged my kids like collectively more and 40 years My parents are dead. Yeah, oh it's real It is so I don't know and I just a lot of my friends are just like crying little cuddle puddles
[00:20:25] You know and it's been great. It's been like a good like a kind of have like a little bit of a village Yeah, absolutely and sometimes we can I think
[00:20:35] Kind of like how I'm hearing that you like grew into your community creating it at the same time because I think the The the thought is nice like yes communities out there. I'm just gonna go join a community and sometimes
[00:20:50] It just isn't available for us because you know of Like our nose and our yeses and just our behaviors and who we are and what our moral compasses
[00:20:59] So then to get into a space where it starts gravitating these cool little people to us and then all this on You're like wow, this is like little village of people we're all here like collectively raising the vibration for our children for our younger self
[00:21:13] But to speak to what you were saying about like what it was like to have parents from that generation You know I'm I'm there too I
[00:21:21] Rarely remember my mother really embracing me. It was more out of the obligation or like it was in front of people you know But then like behind the scenes it wasn't so yeah that part was really confusing so like the consistency of like how the
[00:21:35] Nurture exists for you and your kiddos and your wife. That's Really brilliant. I just had to dig into that story a little bit. Yeah, it's cool. I mean Like my you know my dad's like hugged me and kissed me you know but I think it was like
[00:21:51] I think it was like the like conversations and my right I think that was really like the active listening Yeah, boomers. I just all across the board terrible all that It's another level Guys I saw me the other day and it said
[00:22:10] My wife it was like a dad's joke thing and it said my wife said Are you even listening to me? Did you hear anything? I said he goes but that's such a weird way to start a conversation You know
[00:22:22] But a lot of times that you know I I could litter I remember being like Trying to tell my parents something and I could tell that they weren't paying attention
[00:22:30] So I just start talking about soup something super random and be across the board and they'd be like oh, okay. Wow. Okay You know, so I didn't have active listening and I think I find it really peculiar that you're in the industry that you're in and
[00:22:45] You want to connect with people so To that level that you're active listening in a most emotional intelligence really shows You read a room very very well You know like I there's been instances where like I get afraid of like okay I'm gonna
[00:23:00] Introduce people to people and I'm just like oh god if they're not on my moral compasses could be really awkward I don't want to have to preface like they don't use inclusive language. They don't give a shit They're gonna tell you like it is
[00:23:11] You know, because I don't it we're a representation of each other sometimes in like professional ways or Friendship ways and so it's never been the case anybody that comes in here They're like oh my god like Leslie from our vautice center
[00:23:23] Just had a really beautiful experience and again connecting these community pieces to be the voice of our community And the behind-the-scenes is almost more important than the front because it's to me Because it provides safety for me to vocalize which has brought a lot of healing for me
[00:23:42] So if you didn't exist the way that you did that you do I wouldn't be able to Facilitate these kind of Conversations, you know and put you on this spot today talking about your family. Yeah, I did have a no the popped up. Okay. Let's hear it
[00:23:56] I want to hear that I mean I think it's just like this like version of guy I think that I this like Like golf Like don't actively listen to my wife All right, you know like golf to get away kind of like Overworked is the
[00:24:16] That guy yeah, that's a no for you. That's a hard no I like Like when I'm a trip with a bunch of like my friends my school and there was a lot of that and I'm like now
[00:24:28] I don't know I I know I don't yeah, yeah, you know because you just hear I and I don't know the Ander with all of that but I just the vibes. There's a like I'm like I don't not this this person doesn't live here anymore
[00:24:40] I love that you say that because as we become the other versions of ourselves and we really move into that space and become aware of it It almost gives us the egg that we even yeah put up with that before absolutely like I get the
[00:24:52] Ik about like why didn't you say something that was so bad and like you know or like sticking up for another person It's never really about myself. It's just like I was such an observer as a kid that I could see like okay
[00:25:03] That person's getting bullied or that person but if I got it like I could like come out of myself knowing like I wouldn't think about myself first. It was always that instant so I'm sure that like
[00:25:16] Across the I feel like in this age of parenthood like you were just saying like this group of people That you have that's a really beautiful community versus like okay I went to school with these types of folks that are still becoming like the boomer
[00:25:27] Generation but like arrogant and like I still work and my wife works too, but that's their job I'm gonna go over here and be this way. Yeah, it's like the group that doesn't change diapers like those kind of Yeah, we're not doing that
[00:25:43] Yeah, I think that's a great look at it's like they are just becoming Boom we all are yeah and sometimes people really just follow that nurture path
[00:25:52] Again, nurture doesn't always include that it is love. It's just the way we're raised and so some people stray away from that or literally follow the guide book that they were shown You know and because of our curiosity
[00:26:03] We're like now we want to do something a little different like I want to I don't want to yuck this until I you know
[00:26:09] Like I don't want to yuck this young for other people, but it doesn't work for me and I'm getting the egg and I'm gonna move over here
[00:26:14] Yeah, I think those like one of the things I think that it's found a lot of like on or in getting so But it was like this is such a cool opportunity for me to like
[00:26:22] Plum like a new branch of my family. Yeah, you know I go like a different route Yeah, I think like I don't know I think I'm just trying to do that in a natural
[00:26:33] Organic way yeah, it's just be my authentic self, you know yeah and our authentic selves get to change like even the stuff that I did like Five six years ago and then even the stuff I did 20 years ago
[00:26:45] I'm like, oh, I'm so far removed from that behavior, but it definitely brought me to have this behavior now So I want to honor it, but also like why did that yeah, I was part of that
[00:26:57] Yeah, it's that's so beautiful. I think about this whole life thing. This is being able to I don't know keep growing Absolutely, I'm not one way I'm not like I can change absolutely it lets you know you have your mind is yours You know
[00:27:15] Like bound by nothing like right do whatever I want, you know right and I that's a A testament to like you Finding your I guess the word niche finding the things that actually Enhance your joy right because people aren't the source of your joy they can enhance it
[00:27:34] But you just have this very intrinsic way of existing enjoy and so then when I see you and we just You know to a little little pop and around and I'm just like okay, like we're there's like a
[00:27:46] Levity to your spirit that it's like I know that other people don't really control that But we'll also put you in a reflective space. You know So it's just like okay, I know maybe I'm not the source of this
[00:27:59] It doesn't root with me and it's hard to have all that perspective and then be in a parallel with your younger self And be like okay, I know you'd react this way so now I have to like yeah
[00:28:07] You know five people telling you and you're head of the versions that you were like what are you gonna do here? You know and you get to learn that part But just moving in and out of family things
[00:28:19] Into to like career-wise here at DCM just to bring that in you all have a really beautiful team here And I came in like I would say like almost a year and a half ago initially I was I'm recording with Julius and it just didn't seem as
[00:28:41] Like it's something happened in the last year and here that I filled the community so much more vibrant and understanding and Understanding and actively listening to the community and so I think that's kind of a
[00:28:56] Tributing to you because that's kind of like the shift and time I think so Is there anything that you desire to see more of in the development of what Denver community is that you're kind of like
[00:29:10] Pilating forward or just some moves that you'd like to make that maybe we can anybody that's listening might want to connect to that Yeah, I think like I think to you like create more of a space for people to like hang out for Like
[00:29:24] Commun you know yeah, like not to just like drop in I'm not like putting pressure on you know I want to do that. I'm like so I can just come here anytime
[00:29:33] Yeah, but just to like hang out you know and like I think like meet other creators and like I think that's something that I just really benefited my life is just such a diversity of like opinions and ways of life That help me that could like um
[00:29:49] I don't know That's what my love to see more of yeah, I just like it more being just like this chaos like in here And we're just like you come to your point then we got to weave through be yeah
[00:30:00] I like that you're like new people and like you connecting now. I think that would be like I think my ideal situation Okay, yeah, but I think it's just people just wanting to level up
[00:30:13] I think that would be like nice kind of like what take the next step in their podcast And I think rust to provide more resources classes workshops and stuff to help with that Maybe bring in some like other podcasters like that Have more of like an established following
[00:30:30] I don't know you know, it's kind of like that's what I think it's a billion ice found those places that they're the very open to The evolution of this place, you know it's not like
[00:30:40] This one set thing and we're gonna kind of read the storm out. You know, yeah, being nimble is I think essentially That's a great word that's so true though. Yeah, I could I mean you all have like a really great like little entrance Here, it's like safe
[00:30:55] Just down down can be a little funky So I feel very safe around this building But just in general like energetically. I feel a really beautiful Reciprocation but I do agree with you
[00:31:08] I would definitely be here if there was that so maybe we could work on that yeah I know I know right I was like I was like Is it I even footage the idea of like should we go ahead and ice coffee maker
[00:31:20] Like you feel like somebody can sit back there and make lattes and like make it right like a little banter session Yeah, I don't know what the answer is but you know hopefully like when this like budget sort of crisis kind of subsides
[00:31:34] I think we can look into more that's okay. We did like you know How did you know how to Vicorel? I don't he's like a muralist around town You do a lot of like the call about a crush stuff
[00:31:45] Okay, I mean there's a few but he came in and did it towards like doing mural in here Okay You know so we make paint you know It's it's the seeds of plant Yes, absolutely and we're in we're heading into spring
[00:31:59] So yeah, it's like a block so because you'll have like a great parking lot You could do like some outdoor as the summer starts but rooftop. I oh yeah
[00:32:09] I always forget that location exists. Yeah. Oh, that's a great area too. You could do like I have stuff up there Yeah, yeah, I would like to I don't know either saucepot for the you know the addicted and the yeah The
[00:32:25] Dregs yeah, I just say that because I am one but You know it just like kind of reaching out to more like step 13 and like
[00:32:36] You know like Aspenhouse and like places like that that could like you know come in and do content or just like learn that like Just like I don't know like Get your story out there
[00:32:48] Even if it's not I don't I love hearing those stories so I don't know if that would be a cool work program Mm-hmm. Yeah, yeah, I like learn how to do this stuff. I love that I love the heart that you have for active addiction and
[00:33:03] Houseless individuals because I Spent some time in that my my advice was more on alcohol and And then I did have a a stint of time where I was legit on these streets here about 14 years ago
[00:33:20] That was the interesting space and I feel very lucky that I was safe but that's not a lot of People stories especially as you know those that are perceived as female so And I think that just like you're awareness around that there needs to be more of like
[00:33:41] Not just the empathy side, but just like almost like the instructional side of like hey Like here's some steps that maybe will help you find joy again Versus it having like such a religious base and I'm not here to yuck that young for people but again
[00:33:56] just that portion of You know some people just feel very unworthy so bringing like that whole Concept and sometimes really detours people But it's almost like them finding themselves as the nurture themselves and empowering them to do that by Actively listening to their stories, you know
[00:34:16] My purpose being in in podcasting and again I'll say this I didn't I had never listened to a podcast and I recorded my first one without ever having listening to a full podcast That's awesome And I just because I felt like I needed to
[00:34:33] Tell my own story to myself I recognized as I was Starting to like I mean the sober journey is of really interesting one because I
[00:34:44] Didn't I didn't really come like I stopped drinking, but I didn't go into the healing of that portion until like two years after that So I'm like three years actively healing why I chose alcohol you know why I used it as a coping mechanism and I'm asking tool
[00:35:02] And so in that space I Had you know earlier not really had a voice or autonomy over myself and then I came into a space of like becoming aware that I did
[00:35:12] And then started to actively heal and the last thing was was like really just like again telling my story to myself Because I would forget I would sit and listen to people all the time and they'd be like
[00:35:22] I got kicked out because I was gay and I'm like wow I could never imagine that I literally went through that though and I forgot that I did because I had empathy for so many other stories That I just didn't realize I had that and so I
[00:35:38] End up like I need to do something about my voice. So I was like I'm just gonna start recording a podcast and that's for me Been the healing portion like we can all say like well, I don't want to be like oh my gosh
[00:35:49] I'd love to make money off of this I would just love to sustain myself to continue doing this and giving people that option to like hear themselves tell themselves something You know
[00:36:00] So it's more about like I don't want to make money off my community. I want to make money with my community just highlighting You know the existence that we all are Because none of us know the answers. We're also uniquely different none of us know and so
[00:36:15] That was just a healing portion and in me was listening back to my podcast or like even hearing myself say some things like right now I'm like whoa like I hear growth in myself. That's weird You know
[00:36:27] We sometimes just wait for another person to tell us that versus like we can tell ourselves that you know We're in that age where we have that now Yeah, that's so huge and I do think like if we could just I don't know
[00:36:39] I think I mean we would talk about this sort of like before this but just like to get the confidence just to come some To a safe space and just be able to go and express yourself and have the people there Community members
[00:36:54] Like me too man right, but you know, let's hit record and let's like yeah Let's get your story out to the world because I remember when I was like first getting sober
[00:37:03] I was like that's I was so hungry for that. I'm like I need to know that I'm not in this by myself Right I was like Googling like celebrities that are so about my cool Bradley Cooper Yeah, like he seems cool
[00:37:16] But even just that was important. No, that is important and yeah and I when I was Sort of like I just got employed with the Rockies and the guy was the manager at the time 30 years sober and like seeing him just like live out loud about his sobriety
[00:37:34] Yeah, and be like a leader of mung men A thing was also like very huge for me and I like it was really cool like I think like a year Couple years in the sobriety. Oh, I got to meet him and tell him that yeah
[00:37:47] We like had a lot like a long embrace and he saw my wife and was like you get to be here You were always meant to be for her now and all this shit This is really cool moment yeah, but yeah I just think it's important To share
[00:38:03] You know, it doesn't have to be like this award winning podcast Finding means right It's just like I didn't even think that's what this place is No, I think it's just like it's just like a sounding board right for people the
[00:38:16] I don't know feel like they're definitely sparking a lot of minds to those like award winning spaces But the award for myself is like you know like
[00:38:26] The the award and the reward is getting to connect on the community level because I wouldn't be as earnest on this microphone If I didn't have this yeah, like and it's something that you are creating inside of here
[00:38:39] So I just like really hope that you're giving yourself some goddamn credit. Yeah, I do Yeah, I think so I think it's just so funny because I think what it's like It's like built into my DNA and it feels like it's not work
[00:38:53] You know, it's like oh this is just what this place should naturally be yeah, so it's like it doesn't feel like I'm putting it in effort Yeah, but I think it's just a product of my experiences and stuff
[00:39:04] So it's like I love that a product of your experience. I don't know That's really good I mean that's probably because too you're also actively listening to yourself And the thing said maybe you weren't done it's not about like okay. I was denied that as a young person
[00:39:18] It was just like one day. I will have that and I think sometimes we Really kind of put ourselves in a in a space of like I was denied We have a lot of like if you look at the language of where we're at an understanding
[00:39:30] Humanity in mental health is there's a lot of like attachment in abandonment issues There's hardly any secure relationships because we just speak to a past self so much of like I didn't have that but you got your curiosity and you're wondering
[00:39:47] Got taken away so you feel like you're never gonna have that whereas I feel like it's a unique It is unique of people to become their own representation for themselves and so with that I need to know what would your What would you now say to your I
[00:40:09] There's like levels that I would want you to Because he told from your younger self you were like don't give up don't lose hope But now that you're here and where you're at right now
[00:40:18] What would you say to that version that young child now that you're here if we're maybe you didn't know you were gonna get to oh yeah so like Like my younger self was talking to my old yourself well yourself now talking to your younger self
[00:40:35] We didn't lose hope I think it'd be like I don't know that just proud of you I think yeah For sticking with it yeah, yeah that I don't know I'm just I don't know like stay unique you know like being weird is is what makes you powerful
[00:41:08] Yeah, yeah, I think I would be yeah. I love that. Yeah. Thank you for telling me that but I want to know now What is your definition of weird? What is that?
[00:41:17] Well, I don't know I guess more like I was just unique. You know I was like yeah I'm weird I'm just saying yeah, I was like I was in musical theater But I was kind of like I don't know like as part of the popular kids
[00:41:30] Yes, so that was always weird like all my friends were like playing sports and I was Like in theater which was a very beneficial for us Yeah, yeah So literally come on now The pool was but no, but um
[00:41:47] Yeah, I don't know like I said just was always like into weird things and I just was like Different I guess that up is the mascot And I and I like made at my own this is my school, but yeah and college artists just You know a mess
[00:42:05] But I But I think I was still you know on the unique side. I think it was just like I think that I'm just Strattled both lines so much that I was like trying to fit in on both sides
[00:42:17] So it was always like really weird I wish I could have just been like just Be like you are the niche and now you are the uniqueness right? You know, I think that's like really when it hit for me was like that I don't need to like I
[00:42:35] Don't know be always like improving myself or trying to fit in somewhere in order to be valuable Right, you know like I can just be Living by carers like through yourself absolutely you know and it's like it's sort of like
[00:42:50] I don't know like when you like ask a question you already know the answer to I thought I have so I was doing Yeah, that you know the way to go
[00:42:58] But you're like kind of chicken shit to just pick a side or maybe you like have confidence like Maybe there isn't a side maybe you're making a whole new one yeah there you go. I think that's really yet It's like like really carving your own path. Yeah, and
[00:43:14] So yeah, I'm not around about answer. I like it. No, my ADHD follow that So thank you. Oh, yeah Yeah, the amoxetine is kicking it I love it
[00:43:27] Well, I just want to again say thank you so much for the safe space that you've created here at Denver Community Media and I'm not trying to
[00:43:35] Put you just as the you know that's your identity here. It's just so cool that I get to interview you or it's just In a conversation in the council with you today But at the same token just like I just want to
[00:43:47] In a sense give you your flowers and I think that a lot of times relationships that men have with men or you know Assuming females have with men and a male to female whatever as a non-binary person that literally doesn't have a line of follow
[00:44:03] You do a really brilliant job existing as you do I can tell Just in your earnest movement. I don't you know, there's not like a fidgeting or an unease to like How you exist you're just very full in it and it really creates this like
[00:44:22] Experience for everybody that walks through the door, but also as a reflection of just who you are Out in the world and so it's not even like this whole thing your consistency is to remaining
[00:44:35] Kind active listening building on your emotional intelligence and just allowing people to observe that and you don't push that on folks And it's just so brilliant. So I really mean a lot. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you So I just We recording
[00:44:52] Literally was like that I pushed the damn button But this has just been a wonderful conversation. Thank you for sharing all of that and I really like the no space that you spoke to today because it just Also kind of lets me like it's palpable for me
[00:45:07] I'm in that same way and so again I just got to learn a lot about you today And I'm so grateful for that and we're gonna keep growing and let's do the game. We're gonna do it again
[00:45:16] So I just want to remind you all I did a note. I was doing up until like two three months ago drew came in Help me out. This is at Denver Community Media where I am filming recording producing What else do we do? Hosting yeah, yeah, stimming
[00:45:34] You know It's all available at Denver Community Media dot org so if you want to check that out again, I'm not here trying to do that
[00:45:43] Gosh that toxic spirituality and be like this. This is steps you need to follow and this is how you say encouraged and do this I'm just here simply telling my story so if it resonates awesome If it doesn't then we move along but other than that
[00:45:57] I just want she all to know that this is where you can come in find some healing in your voice or listen to voices that may Provide a healing space for you So with that being said
[00:46:08] Just want you all to remember to continue creating earnestly in love. I'll talk to you all soon This is Sarah Hubbard host of you and me kid a podcast about starting and raising a family on your own
[00:46:21] We've just launched season two and I'm speaking with single moms those still considering an expert in relevant fields To give you a real sense of what the day-to-day experience of solo parenting looks and feels like plus this season
[00:46:33] I've partnered with California Cryobink the number ones for making the US so wherever you are in the process These podcasts provide some support humor and helpful information listen to you and me kid wherever you get your podcasts