Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Always has been, always will be.  There is something so great about getting to put on a costume and go around as someone else for the day (or week).  You can get really into it and try to completely personify your character, but even if you don’t its just such a refreshing change from the norm.  The most important thing about Halloween though, the reason it is the inarguable best holiday, is that it really brings people together.  Christmas, Chanukah, Thanksgiving, nah, that just gets you and your family together.  Halloween gets EVERYONE together.  Friends, colleagues, neighbors, complete strangers, it’s all good!  Everyone seems to be on an equal footing and in a mood to talk when you have the ultimate ice breaker, you’re not really you!  So why limit yourself to Halloween?  Today’s guest, Roxanna Meta, ain’t no fool and knows all about dressing up other times of year.  She’s been doing Cosplay for the past 7 years and it’s completely changed her life for the better.  Time to hear about the awesome segment of people making dressing up a full time hobby. 

Do you like to eat?  Everything?  All the time?  I know I sure do!  But there’s something I’ve learned in life, and that’s that you can’t always have it all.  Want to eat some tasty sugary pastries and bliss out from the dopamine hit they give you?  Sounds good, but be prepared to not feel motivated to go to the gym…or do much else after.  Want to have loads of energy every day, have amazing looking skin, and a feel balanced emotionally?  It’s probably gonna take some sort of sacrifice in your diet.  In an almost literal sense, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.  Today we’ll talk to Darlene Adamusik who has one of the more extreme and restrictive diets out there (though that’s not how she thinks about it).  She is a vegan.  She is loving it.  And she is going to tell us why. 

Want to know a secret?  Of course you do!  Right now, in your city or town, there are dozens…perhaps hundreds of hidden treasures just waiting to be found.  Did you go to a park last week?  There may have been one under the bench by that one tree that looks like the pope.  Go for a walk yesterday?  You probably passed by two, but you were just a muggle so you passed by none the wiser.  Have no fear!  Be a muggle no more!  In today’s episode Geocaching.com employee Jon Stanley will give us the lowdown on the wonderful world of geocaching.  He’ll explain to us what geocaches are, why it’s no good to be a muggle, and how you can get started ASAP.  It’s time to take your walks, your hikes…your life to the next level.

What would you say if I asked you to get up in front of a crowded room and give a speech?  Statistics say that you would probably not be too happy about it.  Public speaking is the #1 fear in America; more than bugs (which is mind blowing to me), more than heights, clowns, you name it.  Now multiply that fear times the fear of trying to make a room full of people laugh and having them just sit there, wondering when you’re going to be done so they can get their night back on track.  If only the fear study had asked people about doing stand up comedy, surely it would be in a class all to itself.  Today’s guest, Quincy Johnson II, knows all about that fear, the horror of not having people laugh at your jokes, and the amazing feeling of completely killing it onstage and bringing a whole room together.  So what are those highs and lows like, and would it be worth trying out?

I like to go to the gym.  It helps me clear my head and get my life in order.  Yet, as much as I like going to the gym and appreciate its benefits, I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an evangelist for it.  CrossFit on the other hand has a reputation for evangelical followers.  Do you exercise? I CrossFit.  Do you go to the gym?  I go to a CrossFit box.  Do you like to work out?  I like to do CrossFit.  So, why all the territorial hype? What makes CrossFit so special?  Let’s find out.  Today’s guest, Fat Tony, gives us the details on all things CrossFit.   He’ll explain why he thinks it has the cult following it has and why that has led to a mixed reputation.  Note:  All opinions expressed are Fat Tony and Blake Fletcher’s neither of which has any formal ties to the CrossFit brand and company. 

Exercise is an amazing thing.  It releases endorphins, raises your metabolism, boosts hormone production, and it can help reshape the very body you walk around in.  Some people use exercise to accomplish even more remarkable feats, like pushing the boundaries of the re-sculpting process the body is capable of.  Today’s guest, Alex Olson, is one of these people.  She is a body building fitness competitor, and she totally kicks ass.  She’ll tell us how she used diet, exercise, hard work, and discipline to reach a lofty goal, and how it completely changed her self-confidence in the process.

When was the last time you lived in the moment?  Like, really, really, just lived in the moment.  Did it by any chance happen the last time you were on a dance floor?  It sure did for me!  There’s something about listening to great music and pretending you’re starring in Soul Train that makes you forget about everything else.   No cares, no worries.  It’s just you, the music, and the dance floor.  As far as I’m concerned, that pretty much makes the DJ some sort of transcendental Zen Sherpa.  In today’s episode, Ben Anderson (aka Swookie Monster), tells us all about what it’s like to be a purveyor of presence, and gives us advice for how we can get started DJing as well.  So long Eckhart Tolle, hello funky bass line.   

The ocean is amazing.  Utterly and completely amazing.  Studies have shown that just living near the ocean is good for your health.  But why stop there?  Ancient Polynesians sure didn’t, and neither did today’s guest Rory Parker.  Rory has been surfing nearly his entire life.  And he even managed to land a job writing for an awesome surfing blog for a living.  So why was Rory so drawn to surfing?  And what recommendations would he have for newbies looking to try it out?

Man vs. nature.  It’s a tale as old as time.  Man is full of hubris and tries to conquer nature, nature slaps man down and says, ‘come on dude, I’m nature.’  Then there are those like today’s guest, Andy Pathuis, who try to work with nature to do wonderful things.  Andy works in concert with massive rock structures, and uses the tiniest of nooks, crannies, and ledges to scale them.  Is it scary?  Maybe.  Can you die?  Definitely.  Is it worth it?  Andy sure thinks so.

What does it mean to be a nerd?  Really into Sci-Fi?  Star Wars is the most popular movie franchise of all time.  Love fantasy?  Game of Thrones is the number one rated show on television.  Breathe too loud and have a bizarrely close relationship with your Mom?  Now we’re talking!  In today’s episode we examine the in-between, the Godfather of all things nerd culture, Dungeons and Dragons.  In a sci-fi, parallel dimension twist, we’ll find out about the game from none other than a super badass girl, Lisa Gross.  Lisa will teach us how to play D&D and more importantly, reevaluate what it means to be a nerd.

Ahhhhhh.  Who doesn’t like a little peace and quiet from time to time?  Some time to unwind, give the brain a chance to relax, and connect more with ones self.  What if I told you that there was a way to put that whole process in overdrive…unwind more, relax faster, connect deeper.  Welcome to the world of sensory deprivation floating!  Today’s guest, Mike Garrett was so transformed by floating that he decided to move and open up his own float spa business.  Mike will explain what all the hype is about, his crazy path to get here, and some tips and tricks should you decide to take the plunge.

Bees basically make the world go round.  I mean, if we were to award an Earth MVP to only one species, it would probably have to be bees.  And yet, how much do you know about them?  They fertilize our plants, make us delicious honey, sting us from time to time, and yet most of us don’t really know much about them.  Time to change that and possibly pick up a new hobby at the same time!  Today’s trio of guests will tell us about all different facets of beekeeping.  Whether you live in the city, the countryside, or anywhere in between, our guests have you covered for how to start forming an alliance with our fuzzy friends today. 

Do you like to watch movies?  How about filming yourself and your friends, or your family vacation?  Snapchat?  How about making a feature length independent film and submitting in to film festivals?  Today’s guests are in the process of doing that right now!  Mike Delaney and Ed Gonzales have been making short films together since they were in high school, and last year decided to take all of their experience and connections and roll them up into a full-length indie film.  We’ll learn about what it took to get them here and how you can get started with your vision for the silver screen.

How much do you love your hood?  On a scale of Snoop Dogg to heartbroken teen whose one true love just moved away because their stupid dad got a stupid new job?  Today’s guest, Todd Lappin, is most definitely on the Snoop/Dre end of the scale.  His love, admiration, and fascination with his neighborhood caused him to start a blog about it in 2009.  In the 6 years since, the news, happenings, and interesting residents have kept him going strong, and his connection to his home and neighbors has grown even deeper.  So tell me, how much do you love your hood?

Ever wondered what it would be like to fall towards the earth at terminal velocity?  I for one have, and then imagined what it would be like to pee my pants and terminal velocity…but now I’m thinking maybe I should give it a whirl anyways!  In today’s episode I interview Ross Reichenbach about the hobbies of sky diving and BASE jumping.  We’ll talk about some of his death defying experiences and how his life has changed since he picked up the hobby.  If you’re afraid of heights like I am, you should definitely give this one a listen.

Finally, time for some good old-fashioned horseplay!  Today’s guest, Janelle Swanson, started riding horses at the mature age of 7 years old.  Over the years Janelle has owned horses, rented horses, ridden in competitions, ridden for fun, and even stopped horseback riding to pursue other interests…only to pick it back up again.  She’ll tell us about the special connection between man and horse that make this a truly unique hobby.  We’ll also hear about the costs and options for getting started, no matter where you live.  Time to get back in the saddle.

Remember how terrible arts and crafts time seemed as a little kid?  Who in their right mind would rather be gluing puff balls on construction paper as opposed to being outside playing kickball?!  Have you tried any sorts of crafty activities since?  In today’s episode I interview Mike Steinberger on the hobby of leatherworking.  Mike likes working with his hands, and about a year ago came across a friend that worked with leather, so he decided to give it a shot.  Now, several nice wallets, purses, and a happy girlfriend later, Mike is loving it! 

Bicycle gears and brakes, huh, good god y’all, what are they good for, absolutely nothin’!  Wait…what?  According to today’s interviewee, Sean Martin, riding a bicycle sans multiple gears and brakes is the only way to go!  Well, the best way at least.  Sound a little unsafe?  Well, time to quit being such a wuss and listen to the joys and virtues of fixed gear bicycle riding!

Think you know about bird watching?  Think again!  In this interview I get the low down from bird watcher extraordinaire, Lisa Myers.  We’ll discuss whether or not bird watching is the most boring hobby you can have (hint: it’s not.) and whether or not bird watching is just for old fogies (hint: it’s not).  In fact, I’d now have to say that bird watching sounds downright awesome! Time to dust off those binoculars…