Skip to main content
The Broken Dove Podcast

The Broken Dove Podcast

By Broken Dove

The Broken Dove Podcast analyzes what makes Olympic athletes, comedians, writers, and creatives great. Season One delves into the breakthroughs we have in our respective fields when we destigmatize mental health and move past the roadblocks within our minds. Sponsored by kilo.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

#13 Jimmy "The One Man Thrill Ride" Preston

The Broken Dove PodcastMay 11, 2021

00:00
59:03
#13 Jimmy "The One Man Thrill Ride" Preston

#13 Jimmy "The One Man Thrill Ride" Preston

The 1ManThrillride is a professional wrestler better known by his ring name Jimmy Preston. He is best known for his work for N.E.W. Northeast Wrestling. Preston's an Independent Professional Wrestler, Former DIII Baseball Superhero, and an ABSOLUTE SAVAGE! You may know him from the pre-alumni game viral video where he’s in the parking lot hammering a bacon egg and chee, hold the chee. He does more than just make handsome happen, he's writing a feature film based on the ups and downs of being a savage struggling with his mental health.

In this episode, we discuss how the Thrillride's battling depression and anxiety, and how writing, exercise, and fatherhood have helped him become a more stoic man. 

Director: Danny Simmons

Editor: Meagan Solano

Artwork: Niv Bavarsky

-- Help Is Here --

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish

800-273-TALK

800-273-8255

May 11, 202159:03
#12 Zach Dilanzo (The Daily Show) shares how writing for The Daily Show from his remote cabin in the CatSkills has helped his state of mind.

#12 Zach Dilanzo (The Daily Show) shares how writing for The Daily Show from his remote cabin in the CatSkills has helped his state of mind.

Zachary DiLanzo is a writer and actor, known for The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards (2021), Remotely Educational (2021) and The Daily Show (1996).
Director: Danny Simmons
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
-- Help Is Here --
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-TALK
800-273-8255
May 04, 202146:13
#11 Chris Thomas Devlin (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2021), Cobweb)

#11 Chris Thomas Devlin (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2021), Cobweb)

S1.E.11 Chris Thomas Devlin (Texas Chainsaw, Cobweb) details writing during the pandemic, his alliance with destigmatizing mental illness, and his traumatic yet successful 2020.
Chris Thomas Devlin is a writer known for Video Nasty, The Wretched Emily Derringer and Cobweb.
-- CREDITS --
Executive Producer: Ellen Utrecht
Director: Danny Simmons
Editor: Meagan Solano
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
-- Help Is Here --
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-TALK
800-273-8255
Apr 27, 202142:39
#10 Calvin D. Sun, MD (Monsoondiaries)

#10 Calvin D. Sun, MD (Monsoondiaries)

Calvin D. Sun, MD wants you to get your vaccine and wear PPE so we can get back to traveling Dr. Calvin Sun is the multi-talented doctor, bboy badass, writer, photographer, and visionary mind and CEO behind @monsoondiaries. Sun works as an attending physician and clinical assistant professor in Emergency Medicine at multiple emergency departments in the New York City area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he rotates among different hospitals in NYC. During the early days of the pandemic, Sun did first-person reporting of his experiences and his thoughts on how the disease manifests itself on his Instagram. Sun has been personally affected by the pandemic, losing his grandfather to the disease. Today he joins us from zoom in NYC, but his travels have taken him to over 100 countries and counting. With no further adieu, welcome to the Broken Dove podcast, Dr. Calvin D. Sun. Calvin is also the Founder & CEO of The Monsoon Diaries: a blog-turned-travel community that has taken hundreds of readers to 190+ countries in the past 10 years including North Korea, Nauru, Iraq, and Antarctica. The Monsoon Diaries has since been featured on BBC News, ABC News, MSNBC, TED, National Geographic, and USA Today. If you’re interested in going on an adventure, check out The Monsoon Diaries website or send an email to calvin@monsoondiaries.com! About 1 in 4 Americans say they might decline to be immunized. Among them is rocker, gun rights activist and staunch conservative Ted Nugent, who dismissed vaccines while announcing on Facebook that he tested positive Monday after suffering flu-like symptoms for 10 days. “I thought I was dying,” the singer said. “I literally could hardly crawl out of bed the last few days, but I did, I crawled.” Globally, weekly infections are setting records. In the U.S., while cases and hospitalizations have fallen since January, the United States is still reporting more than 400,000 cases per week.
Apr 20, 202154:36
S1.E.9 - Jordan Lawley (After surviving a near-death car accident and brain tumor, Jordan Lawley is getting back in the game)

S1.E.9 - Jordan Lawley (After surviving a near-death car accident and brain tumor, Jordan Lawley is getting back in the game)

UCSD legend Jordan Lawley narrowly survived a car crash, found out he had a Grade 4 brain tumor, and overcame the procedure... Lawley can still dunk a basketball. I'm in sheer awe of his energy, spirit, faith, and pure talent in everything that he does. He's lost the ability to hear out his left ear,  part of his face is limited in functionality, his butt has turned into a pancake from a complication during his brain surgery, and his balance may not ever come back to what it was before his injury...BUT that still doesn't STOP HIM. He can STILL DUNK!!!

He also happens to be hilarious, charming, and always down for a laugh. 

Jordan Lawley was a four-year starter at UC San Diego, where he led his team to their first-ever NCAA tournament berth while becoming UC’s all-time scoring leader, making the most field goals, free throws, and highest field goal percentage in school history. Upon finishing his collegiate career, averaging 21ppg and being named an NCAA All-American and Daktronics West Coast Player of the Year.

@jlawbball Bio: CHILD OF GOD. Brain Tumor Survivor. 🏀 Teacher. 

Lawley played professional basketball in Mexico (16ppg) and New Zealand (18ppg) and was selected by Nike in 2014 as one of the top 16 players in the world to play in Barcelona, Spain for the Nike Summer is Serious II game. Now, as a professional skills trainer, he has found his stride with a training technique that is unrivaled in the industry. He has traveled all over the U.S. to work with and train countless pros in the NBA, overseas (FIBA), WNBA, and thousands of Middle School and High School hoopers all around the world teaching them the most efficient and effective ways to take their game to the next level!

Watch the video on YouTube to see him in action at his new gym in Irvine, California. 

Apr 13, 202118:13
#8 Richard Torrez Jr. likens the sweet science of boxing to a chess match (Team USA Boxing)

#8 Richard Torrez Jr. likens the sweet science of boxing to a chess match (Team USA Boxing)

Richard Torrez Jr. likens the sweet science of boxing to a chess match
Richard Torrez Jr. is the #1 Super Heavyweight for TEAM USA and #3 in the world. Despite the pandemic, despite the adversity of 2020, Torrez Jr. is still going for gold in Tokyo 2021. He has persevered through the adversity by training old school with his father, his longtime coach, and mentor. Both of Richard’s parents work in education. They also own TAC Boxing in Tulare, California, Richard’s hometown located near Visalia. There are many great
Not only does he wish YouTubers like Jake Paul challenged boxers to boxing matches, but Torrez is focused on winning Gold in Tokyo.
Like Richard Torrez Jr. says, “You just have to go out there and give it your all. There’s no point in giving half of your best. There’s no point in doing half the work. It’s always best to give your all or nothing.”
The Broken Dove Podcast analyzes what makes Olympic athletes, comedians, writers, and creatives great. Season One is titled: Breakthroughs. This season of the podcast delves into the breakthroughs we have in our respective fields when we destigmatize mental health and move past the roadblocks within our minds.
Sponsored by kilo
Art by Niv Bavarsky
Name: Richard Torrez Jr., he’s a Super heavyweight boxer
Classification: 91+ kg (200lb +)
DOB: 6/1/1999
Hometown: Tulare, Calif.
Team/Club: Tulare Athletic Boxing CLub
Coach(es): Richard Torrez Sr.
World Championship Experience
2016 Youth World Championships - 3rd
2020 Boxam Tournament - 1st
2019 Pan American Games - 3rd
2019 Pan American Games Qualifier - 3rd
2019 Strandja Tournament - 1st
2018 Chemistry Cup - 1st
2017 Bradenburg Cup
2018 Elite National Championships - 1st
2017 Elite National Championships - 1st
2017 National Golden Gloves - 1st
2015 Youth National Championships - 1st
2015 Youth Open - 1st
2014 Junior National Championships - 1st

About BROKEN DOVE PRODUCTIONS
Broken Dove is a video production company with a focus on sports documentaries, scripted comedy, broadcast commercials, and digital content. Founded in 2020 and based out of Santa Monica California, Broken Dove productions is led by Director/Producer Danny Simmons.
www.brokendove.com
linktr.ee/brokendove Instagram @brokendoveproductions
Facebook www.facebook.com/BrokenDoveProductions

About BROKEN DOVE MISSION
create meaningful content
support diverse voices and story
inspire engagement and craftsmanship
focus on the process and help others

About DANNY SIMMONS
Danny Simmons is a producer/director based out of Los Angeles, Calif. Simmons made his feature-length directorial debut with Suffer For Good. Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios Company, landed worldwide rights to Suffer For Good, the moving story of Ethiopian boxer Seb Zewdie. His Olympic dreams were shattered by Russia's boycott of the LA 1984 Olympics and a vicious near-death stabbing. After a chance encounter with CNN Hero Dr. Rick Hodes, Seb survived as a political refugee in the United States. Thirty-three years later, Director Simmons follows his journey back into the boxing ring. We now find Seb in LA a pro boxing and UFC striking coach still haunted by what could have been.
Apr 08, 202125:03
#7 Kamran Madani (Team USA Karate)

#7 Kamran Madani (Team USA Karate)

S1.E.7 PAN AM Gold Medalist and Team USA's Kamran Madani, is getting his master’s in Sports Psychology and he’s gamified his mental approach to sports and life. In this episode, Kam opens up about how he overcame suicidal thoughts as a teenager and what it was like to narrowly lose to someone who was using PED’s.
We discuss how journaling religiously helps Madani overcome depression and anxiety. In addition to his podcast, Bleav in the Punch on the BLEAV Podcast Network, one lamp lights the next as he continues to teach his academy how to do overcome their battles with mental health by journaling, talk therapy, and meditative exercise.
Director: Danny Simmons
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
-- Help Is Here --
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-TALK
800-273-8255
More about Kam:
Name: Kamran Madani
Position: Male Elite Kumite -84kg
Sport: Karate
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 182lbs
DOB: 9/9/1996
Birthplace: Boulder, Colo.
Hometown: Broomfield, Colo.
High School: Broomfield High School
College: University of Colorado
Team/Club: International Martial Arts Association
Coach(es): Hanshi and Sensei Madani
World Championship Experience

Junior World Championships Bronze Medalist (2011)
2011: Junior WKF- Bronze

Other Career Highlights

7x Junior US Team Member
Competed in 2 North American Cups
15 Total National Championships
Senior Bronze Medal US Open
Gold Medal- University World Championships 2018
Gold Medal- North American Cup 2018
Pan American Championships Bronze Medalist (2017)
Junior Pan American Championships Bronze Medalist (2014)
2013: Junior PKF- Silver
2010: Junior PKF- Bronze

Personal: I started karate officially when I was 6, but I was basically born into the dojo. My mom was training while she was pregnant with me and I have always loved to be in the dojo! ...Three things you may not know about me are that I like cars and racing a lot, I am Iranian, and unlike many people, I really enjoy public speaking!
Apr 06, 202159:18
#6 Krista Simmons (Top Chef Masters)

#6 Krista Simmons (Top Chef Masters)

S1.E.6 Krista Simmons (Top Chef Masters, Fork In The Road Media) discusses creativity in the pandemic, overcoming depression and anxiety, and how exercising religiously helps her mental health.
Director: Danny Simmons
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
-- Help Is Here --
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-TALK
800-273-8255
Mar 30, 202101:02:48
#5 Tri Bourne (Team USA Beach Volleyball)

#5 Tri Bourne (Team USA Beach Volleyball)

S1.E.5 Tri Bourne (Team USA Beach Volleyball) After not playing in 2017 because of a chronic muscle disease, Bourne’s mental fortitude was challenged when he had to relearn the game of volleyball from the feet up.
Tri Bourne played NCAA D1 Men’s Volleyball for the USC Trojans and overseas in Puerto Rico and Turkey. He then switched full-time to the beach and has been playing on the AVP tour since 2013 when he earned Newcomer of the Year and Most Improved awards. In 2014, when Tri began representing the United States on the FIVB World Tour, he won the FIVB Berlin Grand Slam. That season he was named the FIVB Rookie of the Year as well as the AVP Best Offensive Player. Bourne is the only AVP player to rank in the top five in blocks and kills in each of the three seasons from 2013-2015. Tri was a member of the 2015 AVP Team of the Year along with partner, John Hyden. Between 2013-2016, Tri and John made the semifinals in 16 of 20 AVP events they played in while collecting three championships and nine Finals appearances.
A native of Hawaii, Tri is among the world’s elite class of beach volleyball players. At the end of the 2018 season when Tri returned from an almost two-year absence from volleyball due to an autoimmune disease, he partnered up with childhood friend, Trevor Crabb. Trevor and Tri grew up learning how to play volleyball at the Outrigger Canoe Club together. As the only split-blocking team on the US National Team, they quickly got on track to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Tri is the co-host of beach volleyball’s most popular podcast, SANDCAST, and also loves to help out as a beach volleyball broadcaster when time permits. Outside of the sport, Tri is a husband and father who loves to spend his free time in the ocean.
-- CREDITS --
Executive Producer: Ellen Utrecht
Director: Danny Simmons
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
-- Help Is Here --
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-TALK
800-273-8255
Mar 23, 202101:09:04
#4 Christian A. Pierce (Executive Producer of The Real Bros of Simi Valley)

#4 Christian A. Pierce (Executive Producer of The Real Bros of Simi Valley)

S1.E.4 Christian Pierce (Executive Producer of The Real Bros of Simi Valley) discusses overcoming depression, his role in social activism, and how he gets into a flow state creatively and physically.
Best known for his on-screen roles alongside co-star Jimmy Tatro in their YouTube series "Life According to Jimmy," (500 million total views) CAP is one of the minds behind some of the funniest viral videos of recent years. A newcomer to watch, Christian is the co-writer, executive producer, and star of Facebook Watch's scripted comedy series "The Real Bros of Simi Valley."
Mar 16, 202101:31:16
#3 Riji Raja (Founder of Affirmation Darling, The Wrap Women Ambassador)

#3 Riji Raja (Founder of Affirmation Darling, The Wrap Women Ambassador)

A day after news broke of Meghan Markle's struggle with mental health, this episode of The Broken Dove Podcast hits different. Riji Raja (Founder of Affirmation Darling, The Wrap Women Ambassador) discusses how she overcame homelessness, multiple suicide attempts, and cultural stigmas in her journey as a businesswoman and actress. While Riji is not royalty, her struggle with mental health is something I personally admire like the queen she really is. Trust this, she is on her way to the top so put a tiara on her pleeaasse Hollywood.
Riji’s episode perfectly captures the zeitgeist of 2021 and I’m excited for you to see how we cried and laughed our way into unpacking how Riji felt when she was struggling with her personal demons. Now, Riji is on a journey to the top - her business Affirmation Darling was inspired out of her darkest of hours with the intention to help others feel good and stay positive. She believes in the manifestation of thoughts - and her thoughts now are truly positive. Riji’s perseverance and endless smile ground the dark realities of suicide in something approachable and relatable.
I’m not sure why Riji opened to me about this for the first time, but I take it as a true blessing. I’ve been vulnerable about the war I’ve waged in my mind and perhaps one lamp is lighting the next. If you’re feeling down send me a dm or carrier pigeon I’m always here to talk and do my best to lift your spirit. We need YOU here on this planet! Like Glennon Doyle says, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!
This episode is an emotional rollercoaster of feels. If you're ever feeling down please reach out to us here at the podcast - we will always offer open arms and love. If you need more than a hug, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-TALK
800-273-8255
-- CREDITS --
Executive Producer: Ellen Utrecht
Director: Danny Simmons
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
Mar 09, 202101:08:02
#2 Jamal Hill (Team USA Paralympic Swimmer)

#2 Jamal Hill (Team USA Paralympic Swimmer)

S1.E.2 Jamal Hill (Team USA Paralympic Swimmer) tells us the story of how he went from paralysis to Paralympic champion. In addition to a Gold Medal, Hill also has his eye set on teaching one million kids how to swim through his non-profit organization, www.swimuphill.org.
When Jamal Hill made it onto the Team USA Paralympic swimming roster in 2018, Jamal decided the best way to use his expertise, skills, and platform to truly serve others was by teaching one million people to swim around the world. Starting in LA, Hill had a dream of a global community where everyone could safely enjoy the experiences and opportunities that would come as a result of knowing how to swim. In this episode we quote some of our favorite comedy films, discuss how to overcome stigmas, the purpose of routine in exercise, and why we need to give back.
Thanks for tuning in!
Executive Producer: Ellen Utrecht
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Artwork: Niv Bavarsky
Photo: Dan Battista
Mar 02, 202101:11:44
1 Michael Vlamis (CW's Roswell, New Mexico) broke into show business by impersonating a Hollywood exec

1 Michael Vlamis (CW's Roswell, New Mexico) broke into show business by impersonating a Hollywood exec

S1.E1 Michael Vlamis (CW’s Roswell New Mexico, 2019 Blacklist Alum)
Michael Vlamis tells the story of how he broke into show business by pretending to be the assistant of a powerful Hollywood producer. We discuss the baseball player's approach to life, social activism, being a bro with depression, and what it's like to portray a bisexual alien on TV.
Executive Producer: Ellen Utrecht
Editor: Meagan Solano
Sound: Dory Bavarsky
Art: Niv Bavarsky
Feb 23, 202101:15:56
The Broken Dove Podcast Trailer

The Broken Dove Podcast Trailer

The Broken Dove Podcast analyzes what makes Olympic athletes, comedians, writers, and creatives great. Season One is titled: Breakthroughs. This season of the podcast delves into the breakthroughs we have in our respective fields when we destigmatize mental health and move past the roadblocks within our minds. 

If you're looking for the athlete's guide to mental health then you're in the right place. The Broken Dove Podcast is mental health-focused, but we know how to laugh things off. Expect guests ranging from Olympic athletes, comedians, entrepreneurs, writers, to creatives. Thanks for tuning in!

Feb 05, 202100:30