Against The Norm

Norman Calvo
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It’s all about creating a thrilling, adventurous and extraordinarily healthy life as we continue to age.  Most importantly, it is about living life to the fullest—daring to go against the grain of average and ‘what is expected’.  Instead, to bravely go against the norm to  lead an incredibly exciting life.  

  1. 4 hr ago

    He Lost 14 Years. Then He Found the Punchline.

    Dave Mowry never expected to become a stand-up comedian. After a psychotic break in 1996, Dave spent years struggling with bipolar disorder, severe depression, anxiety, and the devastating financial and personal consequences that followed. For nearly 14 years, simply functioning in everyday life could be a challenge. Then, at 59, something completely unexpected happened: Dave took a stand-up comedy class for people living with mental illness. And he discovered he was funny. Really funny. In this episode of Against the Norm, Dave talks about how comedy became far more than entertainment. By turning some of his most painful experiences into jokes, he began looking at those experiences differently. The trauma that once overwhelmed him became material—and telling his story openly allowed him to stop pretending everything was okay. Dave shares some of his favorite jokes, explains how he finds humor in subjects most people would never dream of joking about, and talks about why honesty is at the heart of his comedy. But this conversation is also about something bigger: what can happen when you're willing to try something completely new later in life. Dave didn't take his first comedy class until he was 59. Today, at 74, he's a comedian, author, teacher, and proof that there can be second acts, third acts—and even fourth acts. His advice is wonderfully simple: Don't get stuck. Keep trying. You never know what you might discover about yourself. Connect with Dave Mowry Website: https://davemowry.wpcomstaging.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davemowry2/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-mowry-2153925a/ Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

  2. 25 Aug

    What Haven't You Done Yet? — Tom Cladis on Adventure, Fear & Staying Curious.

    What happens when you stop asking, “Am I too old for this?” and start asking, “Why not me?” At 70, Tom Cladis has spent a lifetime refusing to let fear—or other people's expectations—decide what he's capable of doing. He's wrestled alligators, jumped out of airplanes, done handstands on the edges of cliffs, learned gymnastics in his 40s, worked as a flight attendant and financial planner, spent nearly two decades as a youth pastor, and reinvented himself again as an author. But this conversation isn't really about doing crazy things. It's about what happens as we get older and slowly stop believing that almost anything is possible. Tom and Norman talk about rediscovering the adventurous person you once were, overcoming fear through small successes, staying curious, and refusing to let age become an excuse for standing still. And Tom offers a wonderful rule for anyone with a bucket list: Every time you cross something off, put something new on. Because perhaps the most important question isn't what you've already accomplished. It's what haven't you done yet? Connect with Tom Cladis Website: https://www.tomcladiswrites.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tom.cladis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomc_writes/ Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

  3. 29 Jul

    Adventure, Courage, and Starting Again with Belinda Corker

    What if retirement wasn't about slowing down—but finally becoming the person you've always wanted to be? This week on “Against the Norm” I sit down with adventurer, writer, and long-distance hiker Belinda Corker, whose life changed dramatically after one simple realization: despite a successful corporate career, something essential was missing. Belinda shares how she traded comfort for challenge, rediscovered her adventurous spirit through hiking, and ultimately transformed not only her health but her entire outlook on life. From trekking across Greenland and Australia's Red Centre to embracing house-sitting as a gateway to global travel, she offers a compelling reminder that meaningful change rarely begins with certainty—it begins with curiosity. We explore why midlife can feel so unsettling, how routine quietly steals our sense of possibility, why nature has such a profound effect on our well-being, and what it takes to reinvent yourself after decades of living according to everyone else's expectations. Whether you're approaching retirement or already living it, this conversation is an invitation to stop asking, "Is it too late?" and start asking, "What's the adventure I've been postponing?" Connect with Belinda Corker: https://soultreader.com/ Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

  4. 21 Jul

    He Lost 190 Pounds and Kept It Off for 17 Years. Here's How.

    At age 49, Stanley Bronstein weighed 367 pounds and was headed down a dangerous path. He had tried diets, quick fixes, and temporary solutions for years. Nothing lasted. Then everything changed. Today, more than 17 years later, Stanley has lost nearly 190 pounds and kept it off—without surgery, without weight-loss drugs, and without the shortcuts that so many people rely on today. In this candid conversation, Stanley shares the mindset shifts that finally worked, why most people regain the weight they lose, and the simple daily habits that transformed his health and his life. We also discuss the growing popularity of GLP-1 medications, the dangers of seeking quick fixes, how to recover after setbacks, and why perfection is often the enemy of progress. If you've ever struggled with weight, fitness, aging, or making lasting changes in your life, this episode offers a powerful reminder that it's never too late to start over. In this episode:  How Stanley lost nearly 190 pounds and kept it off for 17 years  Why most diets fail in the long run  His controversial take on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs  The importance of mindset and personal responsibility  Why "Are you willing?" may be the most important question you'll ever ask yourself  How to recover when you inevitably fall off track  The difference between perfection and excellence  Why getting older doesn't have to mean getting weaker Stanley's final message is simple: "Kick ass. I'm going to get started right now." That's exactly how you'll feel when this episode ends. Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

  5. 1 Jul

    The Courage to Stay Curious with Richard Sparks

    A retired schoolteacher becomes a fantasy hero. A television comedy writer discovers online gaming. A lifelong creator refuses to slow down at 75. Meet Richard Sparks—Oxford graduate, television writer, novelist, and author of the “New Rock” series.  Richard shares stories from a remarkable career that includes writing comedy, working alongside some of Britain's most influential creative talents, and eventually finding inspiration in an unexpected place: online gaming. But this conversation isn't really about fantasy novels or video games. It's about curiosity. It's about remaining open to new experiences long after most people believe they're supposed to have life figured out. Richard offers a refreshing perspective on retirement, creativity, and what it means to continue growing as we age. We discuss why so many people abandon their passions too early, how creativity evolves over a lifetime, the importance of community and adventure, and why "doing what you love" remains some of the best advice at any age. Whether you're approaching retirement, already retired, or simply wondering what your next chapter might look like, Richard's story is a powerful reminder that meaningful work, learning, and personal growth don't have an expiration date. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Against the Norm, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make the next chapter of life their most adventurous yet. To learn more about Richard Sparks, read his writing, and follow his latest adventures, visit him here: Connect with Richard Sparks:  Substack: https://substack.com/@richardsparks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardsparks_author/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSparks_author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550662994731Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

  6. 11 Jun

    Doctors Said “Let Him Go.” Instead, He Built an Extraordinary Life | Ken Kunken

    At age 20, Ken Kunken broke his neck making a routine tackle during a Cornell football game. Doctors told his family he probably wouldn’t survive the week — and if he did, he would spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.They even said: “If he were my son, I’d let him go.”But Ken refused to let that prediction define him. In this deeply moving episode of Against the Norm, Ken shares how he returned to Cornell University just months after becoming paralyzed, eventually became a successful trial attorney, found love, married, and became the father of triplet boys at age 54. This conversation is not just about overcoming adversity. It’s about purpose, resilience, family, identity, and refusing to let other people define what your life can become. Ken’s story is a powerful reminder that even when life changes in an instant, meaning, joy, and contribution are still possible.  We discuss: Surviving a catastrophic spinal cord injury  Depression, hope, and rebuilding identity  Returning to Cornell in a wheelchair before accessibility laws existed  Becoming a lawyer and helping others with disabilities  Marriage, fatherhood, and raising triplets  Why purpose matters at every stage of life  The mindset that kept him moving forward for over 50 years Ken’s Links 📘 Memoir: I Dream of Things That Never Were 🌐 Website: Kenneth Kunken's Website 📸 Instagram: @ken.kunken ▶️ YouTube: Ken Kunken YouTube Channel 📘 Facebook: Ken Kunken Facebook PageContact us:   againstthenorm.net

  7. 16 May

    Reinventing a Life in Paris--American Runaway by Audrey Edwards

    What happens when you reach retirement age… and realize you’re not ready to simply “settle down”? In this fascinating and deeply personal conversation, journalist and author, Audrey Edwards, shares the emotional story behind her decision to leave America after the 2016 election and begin a completely different life in Paris at nearly 70 years old. But this episode is about far more than politics. Audrey opens up about fear, reinvention, aging, risk-taking, identity, race, retirement, loneliness, freedom, and what it really means to create a life that still feels alive and meaningful later in life. We talk about:  Why so many people stay trapped in lives that no longer inspire them  The emotional side of starting over in your 60s and 70s  Learning to live in a foreign culture without speaking the language  Why Paris changed the way she experiences life  The difference between comfort and fulfillment  Retirement, purpose, and the question: “Retire to what?”  Why risk-taking becomes even more important as we age  The surprising cultural differences between America and France  What truly makes a place feel like “home” Audrey’s stories are funny, thoughtful, moving, and incredibly honest — from freezing winters in tiny Paris apartments to discovering a completely different rhythm of life abroad. This is a conversation about courage, reinvention, and refusing to coast through the later chapters of life. Audrey’s memoir:  American Runaway: Black and Free in Paris in the Trump Years https://www.facebook.com/audrey.edwards.260471 If you enjoy stories about reinvention, purpose, travel, and living boldly later in life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

  8. 13 May

    His Life Fell Apart… So He Walked Away for 14 Years

    What would you do if your entire life collapsed all at once? When Ray Martin’s marriage ended, his business unraveled, and his father died within the same period of time, he found himself emotionally shattered and completely lost. What was supposed to be a six-month sabbatical turned into a 14-year journey across Asia, Europe, and deep into himself. In this fascinating conversation, Ray shares how a successful CEO with all the “right” badges of success slowly realized he was living a life built around other people’s expectations—not his own. Along the way, he:  Ran marathons for charity  Worked with elephant sanctuaries and orphanages  Learned meditation in a silent Buddhist retreat  Became a leadership coach in Asia  Randomly auditioned for — and landed — the lead role in a stage play with no acting experience  And ultimately rebuilt his life around meaning, freedom, intuition, and service This episode is about far more than travel or reinvention. It’s about what happens when you finally stop asking:  “What am I supposed to do with my life?” …and start asking:  “What actually feels true to me?” If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, burned out, or quietly disconnected from the life you built, this conversation may hit very close to home. To learn more about Ray Martin, his book, coaching, and his journey of reinvention, visit: Website: https://lifewithoutatie.com/ Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachraymartin/ Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

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It’s all about creating a thrilling, adventurous and extraordinarily healthy life as we continue to age.  Most importantly, it is about living life to the fullest—daring to go against the grain of average and ‘what is expected’.  Instead, to bravely go against the norm to  lead an incredibly exciting life.  

Information

  • Creator
    Norman Calvo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Against The Norm
  • Show Website
    Against The Norm