The Gonsior Show

Today I am pumped to introduce Robbie Scudder, head distiller at Round Barn Distillery in Baroda, Michigan! After a initially pursuing a career in sports photojournalism, Scudder fell into a very different career path: distilling. Now he is winning awards and competing with distillers across the country. Enjoy Robbie's story and make sure to try his products by visiting https://roundbarn.com/! 

I am excited to introduce Kellee Kortas! A Michigan native, now based in Virginia, Kellee is a certified nutritional therapy practitioner (NTP) and student of functional blood chemistry (MBCE) with a background in psychology. She's never been afraid to try new things and explore new career paths. Now she is running her own business focused on discovering the "real root cause of what prevents you from feeling your best." Enjoy Kellee's story and learn more about working with her here!

Today I sit down with DJ Casey Rusch of Rusch Entertainment. DJ Casey has been making people dance since he was a middle school student. With a handful of burned CDs, he was in charge of school dances for his peers. Since then he has been developing his skills like crazy, getting comfortable in front of the microphone and investing in all kinds of modern technology - mixing boards, lights, and even a photo booth. DJ Casey's goal is take the club DJ experience and bring it to weddings. In essence, modernize weddings. There is no "Hokey Pokey" played on his watch. He stays up on all the trends across the country and brings them to the Midwest. Enjoy DJ Casey's story! 

Today I sit down with Brian Mulder, a therapist at The Fountain Hill Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brian currently works with individuals, groups, and couples.

During our conversation, the Canadian native talks about moving to a new country, changing schools, and trying to find a place he felt comfortable. Brian fell in love with music back then and has produced a series of interesting albums, each signifying the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. 

After about 10 years in churches, schools, and community organizations in Holland, Michigan, he knew it was time to pursue a new direction. He went all in on creative projects - touring the world with his music, starting a woodworking business, and even running a barber night in his own home. 

In this episode, Brian shares his thoughts about paying attention to yourself and knowing when to quit. Enjoy Brian's story! 

Today I sit down with a very special guest ... Von Kaiser! The Vocal Synthwave band based in Grand Rapids has already produced three albums and two EPs. It’s made up of David Mouatt, Kaylin Heydenburg, and Jake Van Ravenswaay

If Tears for Fears kept making music and evolving and added a woman, that’s Von Kaiser, according to the band. A retro feel, but new music.

I have seen them play live three times and never been disappointed. They are high energy and committed to their craft. Von Kaiser also happens to be hilarious, as you will discover during this fun interview.

During the transition between segments, enjoy clips from the song “Animals,” the title track of the band’s latest album. Enjoy Von Kaiser's story!

Check out the band's social media and streaming links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1YbvjUhx31uz8L8Kq6O8Sd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVGEvHdmNC_6GPNRv2i1Sw

Instagram: https://www.instagram/vonkaiserband

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VonKaiserMusic?scrlybrkr=21655505

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vonkaisermusic?fbclid=IwAR1nVXWFUEoadXpOLgsrosyCeiZajhGotroPpwlyoQo_NCIKS-hEJd4mtkI

Now she has high-end clients across Michigan. She speaks at events. In fact, her firm, Lauren Figueroa Interior Design, is Google's highest-rated interior design firm in Michigan. Boom. In this episode, Lauren shares tips about networking, side projects, and why it’s okay to leave your college major behind.

Enjoy Lauren's story!

And she practices something really interesting: Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. She provides acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to horse and canine patients through her practice, Del Dios Veterinary Acupuncture.

Throughout this episode she provides incredible career advice for young professionals based on her own fascinating life. Enjoy Ann-Marie's story!

It's Episode #10 and today I am joined by a very special guest: Chuck Miracle, drummer for the band Summer 97! The Nashville-based group toured the country for years under the Jerry Jacobs solo project name. Last year, however, they decided to pursue a new rock band project. Then COVID hit. Chuck and the three other members hunkered down and wrote songs like it was their job, because, well it was.

Fast forward to earlier this year and I discovered Summer 97 during a trip to Nashville. As I walked down Broadway Street with thousands of live music fans one Saturday night, I noticed a drummer singing an awesome, high-energy cover of the Foo Fighters “Best of You.” I stopped in my tracks to watch. A few minutes later I was hooked as I enjoyed their seamless transition between rock songs, their lead singer dancing on the bar, and the crowd going WILD. I started talking to Chuck in between songs and the rest is history.

During my hilarious podcast conversation with Chuck, we talk about how he ended up in Nashville, his favorite venues, how their songs are produced, where the band is going and his crazy encounters with celebrities like Bill Murray and Johnny Knoxville. Oh, and Chuck’s love for tequila.

Enjoy Chuck's story! 

Today I sit down with Jenny Van Veen, owner of Frances Jaye, a clothing store in downtown Holland, Michigan. The store, which serves men and women, has nearly all 5-star reviews thanks to Jenny’s incredible leadership. Frances Jaye has the best window displays and the best service in all of West Michigan, hands down.

Jenny grew up in Grand Rapids, watching both her parents run businesses of their own. After college she moved to Chicago and developed an impressive career at Urban Outfitters, finishing there as the District Merchandiser of the Midwest. But she was on the brink of burnout. So she decided to open her own store. Nine years later and post-pandemic she’s excited about how her business continues to give back to the community.

Enjoy Jenny's story! 

Today I sit down with Jeff Troutman. He is the frontman of Jeff Troutman and the Parachute Adams Band, which released its first album, Heaven, on Feb. 15. 

Growing up in Texas, Jeff's passion for music began after a car accident, caused by a drunk driver, shattered his hip at the age of 11. Lying on his back during the recovery, the upbeat Troutman learned to play the guitar and sing. Years later he moved to Michigan to become a worship pastor at a church.

Jeff's faith has evolved since then and he reinvented himself by pursuing a business career. But Troutman never stopped playing music. He also became an angling expert and the host of the popular fly fishing podcast, "Remote. No Pressure."

So excited to share Jeff's powerful story about his faith journey, his music, and his fly fishing ... PLUS an exclusive musical performance midway through the show!

Today I sit down with Michelle Mooney, a Clinical Mental Health Therapist, MA, LMHC, NCC. She focuses on "strengthening couple’s relationships, healing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, self-esteem, grief, OCD, and addiction disorders." Michelle also co-hosts the Holding Ground Podcast, which is aired every Monday on KKNW 1150 AM in Seattle. 

She grew up in Clawson, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, before moving to Seattle a few years after graduating from THE Central Michigan University. 

Michelle began her career in Animal Welfare, before pivoting into grad school and then working in various mental health settings. Enjoy Michelle's story!

Today I sit down with Jon Ornee. Some might call him "The Most Interesting Man in West Michigan." He’s a musician, athlete, designer, realtor, fitness coach, and dad. It’s a lot to juggle, but he does it with style. His motto this year is "have more fun, do more good."

Jon’s life changed dramatically in May 2019 when he was hit by a car while cycling. Thankfully, he recovered, but the incident forced him to rethink the direction of his life.

Since then he's achieved epic goals like swimming to North Manitou Island, breaking a cycling speed record across Michigan, and organizing a Sub-2 hour Marathon Relay, which I happened to be a part of. It was incredible.

This episode is 30 minutes of pure fire. Enjoy Jon's story!

Now he is even selling a kit to people who are interested in constructing their own. Find it here.

Here more about Phil’s story now!

Today I sit down with Dr. Amanda Holdsworth, founder and CEO of Holdsworth Communications.

For more than 20 years, Amanda has spearheaded the PR, communications, and marketing of K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, including the University of Michigan. She was an early adopter to blogging. She’s published research on burnout. She has been assistant professor in two countries.

In this episode, Amanda shares why it’s important to take risks, explore new jobs, and how she’s successfully built a communications career in metro areas across the country.

Listen now!

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