Real Sh*t With Real Ch*cks

Last week I asked a rhetorical question: “If Rotary’s motto is ‘Service Above Self’, how then do we continue to serve in these uncertain times, when we are all so intensely focused on preserving the Self?” Well. I found my answer when I interviewed my guests for Friday’s upcoming podcast. I do believe each of us will have to formulate our own answer. But the guests I interviewed will undoubtedly help you reach an answer that suits you, while at the same time possibly surprising you. I don’t know... all I ask is you listen when I finally post Episode 3. The structure is different from past episodes as I had to pivot like everyone else to accomplish getting this podcast wrapped. Segment 1: I interview my Stepfather, former City of Carrboro Alderman Hilliard Caldwell, and I also interview my Mom as my Stepfather has been recently diagnosed with dementia. And yet- he still resolves to go to every Rotary meeting. To serve. So there’s that to contemplate... Do I have an excuse to miss any meetings with him setting such an example? Not anymore! Segment 2: Interviews with 3 of the Dog Days Giveback Grant recipients; Mindy Elkan of MDE School, Shamichael Traylor of Loving Arms Cancer Outreach, and Lisa Hatch of East Cobb Robotics. They all depend upon support from the community to do the good works they do... and now since the community is fearful and money is the question mark in everyone’s minds- where and how do these organizations proceed from here? Segment 3: I interview Brock Cline, Business Performance Advisor of Insperity about the impact of the Cares and the FFCRA (Families First Corona Virus Response Act) on Business Owners. Sounds heady, but trust me, the information Brock shared was priceless and he communicated it brilliantly so even I could understand. If you are a business owner, you DEFINITELY need to listen to his segment. Whew! This is going to be one meaty podcast. Soooo... stay tuned! Airs Friday April 3rd!!

This is what we Gen Xers used to jokingly call “A Very Special Episode...” Like when the Network would use a popular 80s sitcom like Punky Brewster to pursue a depressing storyline like the broken foster care system. Walp - here’s Spoken Wheel’s Very Special Episode. (Because of a little thing called Corona) Same format as always - Segment 1, I interview Tammy Palmgren, the Wizard behind our ECR’s 2019 Dog Days Race and the Chair of the Most Inspiring Dog Days Giveback Ceremony in the Entire History of the Club - and yes, all that needed capitalization because it WAS that awesome. Part 2 - like always, I interview a Rotarian outside of the Club and here’s where Kleenex might come in handy - I interview my Stepfather, Hilliard Caldwell, former Carrboro NC Alderman, noted Civil Rights Activist, Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, husband to my fiery Mom, father to myself and 3 siblings, and “Poppy” to various grandkids. We talk about some of these things, but the interview has another level of meaning to it as he was diagnosed a year ago this month with rapid advancing dementia. Again - I warned you guys this was going to be a Very Special Episode. Segment 3 - we end with a collage of interviews of various grant recipients of the Dog Days monies raised. They left the ceremony almost 4 weeks ago with smiles and checks for their various non profit and charitable organizations , but Corona is already putting a strain on resources as many of them deal with homelessness, job security, substance abuse, medical needs. How are they weathering this storm? How are they planning on keeping the wheel turning in this crazy time of uncertainty? Just like you, I’m eager to hear what they have to say and what - if anything - we can all do to help. Stay tuned. Episode will air on or before March 27th 2020.

Wow. This podcast had me feeling “all the things!! First segment: Senator (and Doctor) Kay Kirkpatrick and I literally have a fireside chat, discussing her most recent work in championing the “Save Our Sandwiches” (Bill 345 which in the podcast I incorrectly identify as Bill 346. Sorry 😐!). I also find out the story behind that really tough first election and how her experience as an orthopedic surgeon actually translates very well into her work ethic as an elected official. Segment Two: I have the honor of interviewing one of my personal heroes; Atlanta’s Public Relations Legend Bob Hope. And he proceeds to pretty much blow my mind. It’s beyond my ability to describe. Just listen to it, you can thank me later. And Segment 3 is a kind of follow up to our first podcast segment about East Cobb Robotics. Their hard work on Charibot comes to a close as they finally deliver the custom wheelchair to its new little owner. Caution: this segment is rated “Awwwww”!

Part 1: Joe Murphey shares his passion for the impact our International Project, Lunches for Learning, makes on quality of life for young children in the Hondouras. Part 2: Moultrie Georgia Rotarian Jaclyn Donovan shares why she became a Rotarian, why she loves Sports Medicine, and WHY she loves flying and jumping out of perfectly good planes. Part 3: Lisa Hatch explains how East Cobb Robotics (a Rotary Interact Alliance Club) not only builds cool robots, but actually helps build better humans.

It’s 2020! How do you not know what Rotary is or why we Rotarians love it so! Once (or sometimes even Twice) a month, East Cobb Rotarian Erica Ramsey-Bowen presents her take on why Rotary is incredible- by sharing casual interviews with Rotarians she admires as well as worthy organizations that benefit from the philanthropic efforts of Rotarians. It’s her own irreverent, quirky, but inspiring point of view that spotlights the people who place a priority on “Service Above Self”.