The Eastern Oregon Connection
By Ryan Smith
The Eastern Oregon ConnectionDec 12, 2022
#28 Sales, Marketing, and MLMs
Ryan, Blake, and Shannon share their thoughts on sales and how it impacts many areas of life. They discuss characteristics of both good and bad sales people and detail their experiences with multi-level marketing. This is a fun one!
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#27 Retirement and Investing
Ryan, Shannon, and Blake discuss planning for retirement and smart ways to invest for your future.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#26 Cold Plunges
Cold plunging is all the rage these days. Ryan, Blake, and Shannon talk through their thoughts on the physical and mental health benefits as well as the different approaches to get results. Thanks for joining us!
#25 - Book Recommendations
Blake and Ryan dive in to some of their favorite fiction and non-fiction books recommendations as well as answer how long you should give a book before you lose interest and put it down.
#24 - Diet and Exercise - ask a Physical Therapist
If you had to choose one, which is better - eating well or exercising regularly? Thoughts on this topic and others in the diet and exercise realm shared between Ryan and Blake, our in-house physical therapist.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#23 - 2024 Goal Setting (mini)
In this mini recoding, Blake and Ryan kick off the new year with a discussion on goal setting. Whether your resolution involves health, finances, or well-being, we've got some engaging thoughts to share.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#22 - Grit, Setting Your Aim, Posture, and Original Thought
Blake opens the discussion with questions on grit, and we share thoughts on the balance between endurance and changing course. Ryan asks about posture and ways to reduce back injuries, and we segue into questions on original thoughts and speculate on how this may change in the future, with Shannon's input throughout.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#21 - Traditions, Values, Image, and a hot take on metabolism
Blake, Shannon and Ryan kick off the discussion with questions about traditions and their role in our lives. We explore values, habits, and more. Don't miss Blake's hot take on misconceptions surrounding metabolism.
#20 Rucking with Guest Alex Lorenz
This week Blake, Ryan, and Shannon are joined by guest Alex Lorenz who shares about his passion for rucking, a low-impact workout based on military training that includes walking while carrying extra weight.
#19 Born For Such a Time as This
Back in the saddle after a short hiatus, Ryan, Blake, and Shannon are joined by JJ Hill. We start by discussing what the phrase "born for such a time as this" means to each of us.
With the holidays coming, Blakes poses the question of how we each find balance in sharing time with friends and family we love.
Later, JJ discuses the expansion of the podcast with the addition of new shows to come. If you or anyone you know has a podcast idea, please contact us at theeoconnection@gmail.com
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
Ellie McBride
Ellie McBride is an Oregon native that has traveled around Europe, among other adventures. She currently resides in Belfast, United Kingdom with her husband, a native to Ireland. We were fortunate enough to have a discussion during her most recent visit to Pendleton.
We highlight Ellie's business Calibrated Concepts, which can help business owners with a variety of online services including website builds, website improvements, and other services that help streamline processes, saving time and money. We encourage listeners to checkout Ellie's free quiz here, which we also discuss on the podcast.
Listeners will appreciate Ellie's candid discussions about mental health, traveling, passion in her work, and much more.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#18 - Really heavy, then really light
We open with thoughts on travel and crowds before transitioning into heavier topics.
Blaine & Ryan share their thoughts on the popular Netflix series "Painkiller," which leads to a larger discussion on addiction, depression, and substance abuse.
After, we share some laughs and lighten up by covering "efficiency hacks," movies, and more.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
Curran Holdman
Sports fans will enjoy this one.
Curran Holdman is a local product of a longstanding farm family. His passions led him into the world of radio, sports broadcasting, and DJ services for weddings and other events.
Tune in for a conversation that covers college speech courses, play by play for EOU and Whitman College, horror stories in the booth, an owl removal, and much more.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#17 - The Great Resignation, and Other Workforce Topics
In this episode we take a deep dive into the workforce.
Roundtable discussion includes the great resignation, staffing shortages, formal education, and thoughts on the impact of lowering barriers to entry in certain professions.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#16 - Carnivore Diet, House Projects and Hawaii
Blake, Blaine, and Shannon are in the studio covering some deep topics, including:
-C.S. Lewis' popular book "Mere Christianity"
-Carnivore diet, and thoughts on how much to spend on food and supplements
-DIY vs pay a professional for home projects
-Our hearts are with Hawaii
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#15 - Field to table, Hunting, Asking for help, and More
Have you heard of field to table? We start with roundtable questions on tasty food from the natural world, and segue into some thoughtful questions about hunting, wolves, and more.
We also explore our willingness to ask for help, giving grace to ourselves, and touch on the common nature vs. nurture topic.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College. Click the link to learn more about academic programs, athletics, and much more!
#14 - Word associations, dreams, and a couple book recommendations
Blaine and Ryan meet for another recording session. They recall times where someone else's story helped provide perspective on their own lives, play a fun word association game, and talk about dreams while speculating their meaning.
If you miss Shannon and Blake, fear not! The whole crew is back in our next episode!
Here are a couple books we recommend during the show:
Anxious People - A fictional suspense that's sure to provide laughs and a greater empathy for our fellow humans.
Factfulness - An empowering read that will factually demonstrate how the world is improving in many important ways.
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
Bret Carter - Family, Faith, and Exploring What Matters
Pendleton residents likely know Bret or the Carter family, who've been strong community members for many years.
This interview is an in-depth discussion with Bret about family, life, and their incredible ability learn and grow in the face of adversity. Listeners will appreciate Bret's honest dialogue and will certainly be inspired by their strength and resilience. Thanks again to Bret and family for sharing their hearts and journey with us!
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#13 - Relationships, mental health, and some fun with time travel
Ryan and Blaine pair up to bring a conversation that opens with time travel and physics, and segues into more tangible topics like relationships, mental health, and more.
#12 From Birth to Death, with Stops in-Between
The four of us record together as we celebrate the birth of Shannon and family's newest member. This conversation starts with infancy and living with a newborn and extends to end of life with thoughts on eulogies and what constitutes a life well lived. Blake shares thoughtful quotes along the way, and we touch on specialization vs. jack of all trades mentality.
#11 Turning Over the Label
Blaine, Ryan, and Blake discuss how money can heavily impact messaging to society, the importance of having common ground conversations and our addiction to screens and how to battle it. They also answer Blaine's question of whether or not there are conversations they are willing to have on the podcast now that they wouldn't have previously.
Jeff Hamilton - Pendleton Parks & Recreation
Jeff Hamilton is a Recreation Supervisor for Pendleton Parks and Recreation. We congratulate Jeff on completing 25 years of service as the Aquatic Center Manager, among other duties. Our conversation also includes:
-Funny stories from life at the pool
-Rec sports including Basketball, Softball, and Cornhole
-The process of operating the local ice-skating rink
-Living in a small community, and much more
For more info on Pendleton Parks and Recreation, click here
This podcast is supported by Blue Mountain Community College
#10 Baby Names, Nighttime Routines, and "I'll Show You" motivation.
It's a duo this week as Blaine and Shannon have a 1-on-1 conversation surrounding selecting baby names, nighttime routines, and the importance of having "I'll show them" motivation. Listen in!
#9 Substance Dependency / Finding Middle Ground When Processing
In episode 9 of ChapPDT the entire crew discusses dependency on substances and finding a balanced homeostasis. Blake then poses the question of finding middle ground in relationships through times of heavy processing. We finish with some fantastic poop stories that you won't want to miss!
#8 Work and the Role It Plays in Our Lives
In this episode of ChatPDT the entire crew (Blaine phones in) talks about the role work plays in our lives. We answer the question: If you could could go back in time and change anything about your educational path, would you and why? We also touch on our relationship with mentorship and its importance in our lives.
EO Think Tank #7
We're back for another edition of EO Think Tank. Highlights from this conversation include:
-Inheritance, transition of wealth, and relationships.
-Burnout and remedies to keep it at bay.
-Maintaining friendships in life's changing seasons.
EO Think Tank #6
In our sixth recording of "EO Think Tank," we take a deep dive. Topics include:
-Blaine's appreciation for civic duty, which is why Blake makes an early departure.
-Artificial Intelligence: why many are calling for a 6-month pause, and other potential concerns.
-Predicaments in government, including the inability to communicate and move the needle.
-Why term limits and removing money from politics would resolve many issues.
EO Think Tank #5
Shannon, Blake, and Blaine are in the studio for another edition of the EO Think Tank.
It's not investment advice, but money is a big piece of this week's discussion. Questions include:
What's the balance between "live your life" and frugality?
How to take the long view, and what forms of investment make the most sense?
What is the impact of inflation and other large-scale factors?
Finally, concluding with thoughts on the changing seasons and perspective.
EO Think Tank #4
Ryan, Blaine, and Blake are back in studio for another edition of the "EO Think Tank." Some highlights include:
Blake's RPE concept, and how it applies to fitness and life.
Our outsourcing of everything, food as one major example.
How Blaine is an expert forager in the grocery store.
Why Ryan believes that hunting and fishing is one of the greatest ways to combat our "outsource everything" lifestyle.
EO Think Tank #3
Music, Hank Aaron, the Dalai Lama, Religion, meaning, and more. We continue to explore important questions in our collective search for meaning and understanding.
Blake, Shannon, Ryan and Blaine are all present for the third recording of the EO Think Tank.
Here are a few links with timestamps as referenced during the show:
13:00 - Jacob Collier Rhythmizes The Audience
16:00 - My Oh My, by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - A tribute the the Mariners and Dave Niehaus
17:30 - Hank Aaron's record-breaking homer, called by Vin Scully
EO Think Tank #2
Shannon, Blaine, and Ryan get together for the second recording of the "EO Think Tank."
What begins with small talk weaves its way into meaningful and thought-provoking topics.
This recording ranges from coaching youth sports to greater dilemmas we face as a society.
Everything is up for discussion in our collective pursuit of the best path forward.
ChatPDT: an EO Think Tank #1
Born from the roots of The Eastern Oregon Connection podcast, this recording is a shift from our traditional interview style episodes.
Ryan, Shannon, Blaine and Blake get together regularly to learn, motivate, inspire, and grow. We cover a wide variety of topics in our collective pursuit of meaningful conversation.
We decided to fire up the mics and share with you, enjoy!
Karlee Wallace
A longtime personal friend, Karlee Wallace is a "Recruitment and Retention Champion" for The Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare.
For those who don't know Karlee, you'll be hard pressed to find a person with a bigger heart. We'll cover Resource Families, the Foster Care system, and much more!
Dwight Johnson - Pendleton Warming Station
Dwight Johnson is the Chairman and Executive Director of Neighbor 2 Neighbor Pendleton. We discuss the Warming Station, which provides shelter for those in need when temperatures fall below freezing. Learn about Dwight and other selfless volunteers who extend a hand to those in need within our community. Thanks for your continued service!
If you'd like to learn more, visit the link below:
Year 1 Recap with Ryan and Shannon
Ryan and Shannon recall big conversations and inspirations from year 1 guests. They also paint a picture of The Eastern Oregon Connection's future. Happy Holidays friends!
Jordan Hillmick
Jordan Hillmick is five years into the head coaching role for BMCC's Women's Soccer team (among other duties). A humble leader that has established a culture of hard work, team chemistry, and chasing more than wins on the Soccer field. Our hats are off in respect!
Jack Remillard
Jack Remillard is a true "Jack of all trades." Hear stories of his adventures as a Navy Seabee while stationed in remote Adak, Alaska, and earning bronze in the All-Navy shooting competition. Jack's roots are in Eastern Oregon and he talks about his involvement with the Old Iron Show and The Heritage Station Museum.
Old Iron Show link: https://travelpendleton.com/pendleton-events/old-iron-show/
Shannon Hartley
Join our intimate conversation of life to this point, from our co-host Shannon's perspective.
Shannon talks about his experience growing up in Pendleton, dating his now wife, Jenny, long-distance for four years during college, and plenty more about life.
Shelby Matthews
Don't miss Shelby's Buti Yoga fundraiser on Saturday, October 22nd at 5:30 PM. Wear your Halloween attire to the Jr. Jam Dance Studio at 435 SE 1st in Pendleton. Donation only in support of the Doherty family, whose son Ronan is battling Leukemia.
Shelby Matthews was born and raised in Pendleton, and aside from her rock n roll vibes, you'd recognize her as an athlete who helped lead Rhythmic Mode to several state titles throughout her tenure. You will enjoy hearing Shelby's passion for moving her body, and loving her family and community, which is now rooted in Heppner.
JJ Hill
JJ Hill has a unique resume. Director of the local film "Out of Character," a recent appearance on The Voice, and magic wand manufacturing only begins to paint the picture.
You won't want to miss a conversation that includes laughs, wisdom, and an inside look at the local arts.
For more information on the film "Out of Character," check it out on social media or online at outofcharactermovie.com
To catch JJ's appearance on the Voice, checkout NBC's The Voice, or check it out on YouTube.
For more info about JJ's wands, keep your eyes out for the upcoming launch of wandculture.com
Blake Franklin
Blake Franklin returned to his hometown of Pendleton after completing his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Tune in for a conversation that spans from Little League All Stars to life as a Physical Therapist.
A guy who's looking to improve every day, listeners will appreciate Blake's "five F" philosophy: Faith, Family, Fitness, Financial goals, Future Self.
He's also launched Kaizen Training and Nutrition, an affordable coaching program for folks who would like to work with an expert on diet and fitness goals.
John Pahlow
John Pahlow and family were not born into ranching, but it was a long-time dream. That all changed in 2020 when they relocated to Elgin, purchased property, and became first generation ranchers. Moreover, they are deeply motivated by the practices of regenerative agriculture. Join a conversation that will inspire, inform, and entertain.
Here's a link to their website: Pahlow Ranch | Pastured Raised Proteins | 100% Chemical Free
Ryan Manning
Recorded from the Umatilla County Fair, tune in for a great conversation with Ryan Manning. We'll cover family life, bull fighting, disc golf, and much more.
Chance Norquist
Born and raised in Pilot Rock, Chance Norquist is the founder of Goat Window Cleaning. We'll talk about his journey as a new entrepreneur. We'll also talk about sports, family, and more.
Kaley Cope
Kaley Cope is the Communications Coordinator for Pendleton Parks and Recreation. She loves horses, good food, and engaging with the local community. We'll talk about Kaley's path to Pendleton, some of the great events put on by Parks and Recreation, and some exciting ideas for the future.
Mitch Thompson
Mitch Thompson is from Hermiston and has coached basketball for a variety of organizations in his young career, currently for a team in Mexico City. We'll talk about coaching, Mitch's love of travel, food, and learning from new cultures. We highlight the upcoming Bilingual Basquetbol camps which begin on July 22nd, and more.
Thanks to OMG Burgers in Hermiston for providing us a space to record!
Here is the link to the go fund me page for Bilingual Basquetbol:
Fundraiser by Adrian Romero : Bilingual Basquetbol (gofundme.com)
Tanner Carey
This episode contains language and adult content, please listen at your discretion.
Tanner Carey is a Firefighter/Paramedic for the City of Pendleton. He's also trying his hand at standup comedy. Tune in for stories that will take you through laughs, hardship, and the value of having the right people around you.
Marty Campbell
Marty Campbell's roles include Rodeo Announcer, Agriculture Teacher and Cowboy Church Minister, just to name a few. Join us in a conversation that includes chasing your passion, fun rodeo stories near and far, hard work and its great rewards.
Blaine Clooten
Blaine Clooten is a local attorney at Clooten Law, LLC. He also hosts a podcast and YouTube channel, both titled "Ask a Lawyer." Join our conversation which covers some fun legal questions, work life balance, and what makes our community a great place to live.
Bob Stangier
Bob Stangier is a WWII veteran, pilot, entrepreneur, former Pendleton Roundup director, and lifetime Pendleton resident. We discuss his courageous military service, growing up in Pendleton, the Pendleton Air Museum and so much more.