The Journey of My Mother's Son

Dan Clouser
The Journey of My Mother's Son

My name is Dan Clouser. I am a podcast host, author and a speaker. I founded and ran a nonprofit youth sports organization for 30 years called the Berkshire Baseball & Softball Club, which later became the BIG Vision Foundation. We ran teams, tournaments and a 130 acre sports complex. I loved every second of what I did. I loved working with kids and teaching them leadership skills and life lessons through sports and community service. I thought that I would have died doing what I loved. Then in 2019, I felt a calling from God for my wife, Sandy, and I. We decided to leave our comfort zone and start a new journey. A literal journey, selling most of our material things and setting out across this beautiful country in an RV with our golden retriever, Youkilis. Sounds crazy, but it was also destined to happen. You see I was raised by a hippy named Loretta Magary, she was a free spirit who quit her job and embarked on her own journey in the mid-1980’s. Her journey started in a 1967 Plymouth Valiant with the back seat removed to make a bed and a .38 Special for protection. She later evolved into a 1978 Toyota camper. After she passed away in 2005, we were able to experience a small part of her journey by going through her old photos and letters. The people that she met along the way were amazing. I’ll be conducting speaking engagements and writing more books on our travels. More importantly, this is our chance to continue my mother’s legacy of giving back through volunteering. We will tell the stories of the people that we meet along the way through this podcast, blogging, and social media. This is truly “The Journey of My Mother’s Son” and as Michael Franti says in the opening verse of his song, “Gloria,” “When many little people in many little places, Do many little things, then the whole world changes.” It will be our job to share and tell the stories of those “Many Little People” through this podcast and my writing. Some of the people that we interview may be famous, most will not be, but they’ll all have a story to tell about the difference they’re making. Some stories will still have a sports theme, others spiritual, some will be about music, others about food, some will talk about travel, but all will be about the many little people, in the many little places who are doing the many little things to make the whole world change. We pray that you enjoy these stories and are inspired to do your own little things to make this world a better place for all of us.

  1. Mike Brennan – Release Creativity

    4 DAYS AGO

    Mike Brennan – Release Creativity

    In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Mike Brennan. I first met Mike back in 2019 at the Growth Now Movement Live Summit hosted by my friend, Justin Schenck in our old hometown of Reading, Pennsyvania.  We reconnected in November of 2024 when we were both speaking at The Thing in Orlando, Florida, which was hosted by Terry Weaver. Mike Brennan, author of Make Fun a Habit: The Creative PLAYbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again, is not just a Creative Consultant and Communicator; he's a passionate advocate for reigniting the lost art of fun and creativity in our lives. In his book, Make Fun a Habit, Mike takes readers on a captivating journey, drawing from personal experiences of resilience and moments of light in the darkest times. Through this journey, he uncovers the secrets to rediscovering fun, infusing every day with play, and unlocking our innate creative potential. Mike's expertise extends beyond the pages of his book, as he has been instrumental in helping renowned clients such as Heineken and Chase Bank infuse creativity, innovation, and yes, fun, into their work. His artwork has graced prestigious spaces like the Ronald McDonald House and the I.D.E.A. Museum in Mesa, Arizona. His educational journey includes studying in New York City and graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology and The School of Visual Arts. What sets Mike apart is his commitment to helping individuals and organizations harness the transformative power of creativity in their daily lives and businesses. He offers a unique Daily Creative Habit process, honed over a decade of personal practice, to empower individuals and businesses to integrate innovation into their routines. His methods encompass time management, goal-driven creativity, and a sustainable approach to making innovation a seamless part of daily life and work. In a world where the daily grind often overshadows the pursuit of happiness, Mike stands as a beacon of hope. His message is clear: embrace the adventure that life offers, and discover how incorporating creativity and fun into your routine can lead to a more vibrant, fulfilling existence. Through his words, art, actions, and unwavering dedication to the cause, Mike inspires us all to make fun not just a habit but a way of life. To find out more about Mike, you can check out his website at https://mikebrennan.me/.

    53 min
  2. Joe Engler – Baseball, Books, and Music

    FEB 21

    Joe Engler – Baseball, Books, and Music

    In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Joe Engler. Joe played for our organization back in 2003.  He was on our Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League (ACBL) team between his sophomore and junior seasons at Minot State University in North Dakota.  I refer to him as one of my old players, but he never actually played a game for me, he just played in our organization.  He was one of the players who I really connected with while he was with us. Joe and I talk about the life lessons that the game of baseball taught him and how he is using them today in both his work and personal life.  Joe is now an Associate Professor and Director of School Psychology at Gonzaga University. Dr. Engler received his BA in psychology at Minot State University in Minot, ND and his Ph.D. in school psychology at The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. Dr. Engler began his professional career as a school psychologist in Tooele, UT and remains active in the profession through advocacy and leadership at the local, state, and national level. Dr. Engler holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential through the National Association of School Psychologists and is a diplomate in school neuropsychology through the American Board of School Neuropsychology. His research interests include preschool assessment, critical evaluation of psychometric tests, and parental involvement. Joe recently co-authored his second book titled, “Essentials of Addressing Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-schoolers.”  It will be released in early April of 2025. We wrap the conversation up by talking about Joe’s recent love for playing music.  He, his wife, and a group of friends recently started the cover band, Close Enough, in which Joe plays lead guitar. Joe was also inducted into the Minot State University Hall of Fame in September of 2024. If you’re ever in the Spokane area and want to see the band play somewhere, check them out on social media on either Instagram or Facebook.

    53 min
  3. Paul Zolman – Role of Love

    FEB 14

    Paul Zolman – Role of Love

    In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Paul Zolman. Paul has created a new way to demonstrate the principles of the love languages.  It's a profound way to learn all five love languages to give them away.  By giving them away, your vision will improve to the point that you can see them coming your way and respond appropriately.  The system is so easy that even young children can be trained in this love giving system.  Spoiler alert:  it's a game where everyone wins. Paul is also the international bestselling author of the Role of Love, but the true author of love is God. In His wisdom, He placed us in a variety of circumstances that require us to find our way back to His pure love. So, what qualifies Paul to speak about love? His childhood experience was the opposite of love. From that austere beginning, and the distaste it formed inside him, He searched for and eventually created a method that transformed his life from anger to loving everyone. Growing up in a family of abuse, physical touch became his preferred love style, only because of the regularity. He could almost count on it. It was consistent. He came to think that was the way to express love. But deep inside, he knew that was a twisted belief. He wanted a better life for himself, which is why he created a paradigm shift that works. In the book, you’ll find what helped him move from a childhood boot camp of abuse to being a person who loves everyone and can find good about anyone in any circumstance. This is truly the role of love. To find out more about Paul, you can check out his website at https://roleoflove.com/.

    38 min
  4. Matthew Lesko – Finding Money

    FEB 7

    Matthew Lesko – Finding Money

    In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Matthew Lesko. Matthew is an energetic, passionate advocate with over 40 years of experience helping Americans access billions in government funding. Known for his colorful suits and infectious enthusiasm, he has made it his mission to reveal hidden pathways to financial support for everyday people. With a background that includes over 100 television appearances on Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America, as well as more than 4 million books sold, Matthew is a captivating storyteller who connects with audiences from all walks of life. Today, at 81, Matthew is not slowing down. His community, Lesko Help, has grown to over 15,000 members, where he empowers individuals to cut through red tape and access funds they may not know exist. In a time of economic uncertainty, he’s dedicated to teaching people how to get the support they need from resources they already pay for with their tax dollars. Matthew’s story is compelling, timely, and actionable. He’s ready to share insights, demystify government programs, and inspire your audience to take advantage of resources designed to uplift them. With a lifetime of proven success and a mission to help everyone access free government support. To find out more about Matthew and some of the resources that are available, you can check out his website at https://www.free.lesko.com/leskohelp. Here are links to some of the resources that Matthew spoke about during the show: www.findhelp.org www.needymeds.org www.careeronestop.org If you’re senior, contact the Office of Aging at 1-800-677-1116 to get information on what resources may be available to you.

    51 min
  5. Larry Schechter – The History of Fantasy Sports

    JAN 24

    Larry Schechter – The History of Fantasy Sports

    In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Larry Schechter. Larry is the author of the 2014 Amazon bestseller “Winning Fantasy Baseball.” He has been called one of the best fantasy baseball players in the world. Larry was a two-time winner of the CDM Sports national salary cap contest, defeating 7,500 teams in 2002 and 6,000 teams in 2005. He has competed in the two most prestigious expert’s leagues, winning the USA Today-sponsored LABR league three times and the Tout Wars experts league six times. One of his keys to success in fantasy baseball is attention to detail. He used that ability in researching, conducting interviews, and writing his most recent book, “The History of Fantasy Sports.” It’s not written as a boring research paper, but rather tells the stories of the entrepreneurs who created an industry that has gone worldwide. More than 50 million men and women in the USA play fantasy sports. 200 million play fantasy Cricket in India. There’s never been a book like this and it’s getting rave reviews. Fantasy sports have become a cultural phenomenon, where five nuns in a convent co-manage a football team, where a plumber and the CEO of a major company sit next to each other at a draft table talking like they’re best buddies. It brings together co-workers, parents and their children, and keeps college friends in touch for years after graduation. Fantasy sports have become as ingrained in American culture as baseball and apple pie. And they have spread worldwide. There are versions of these games for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, cricket, bull riding, bass fishing, Iditarod and many more. It is one of the most popular forms of entertainment today. But the millions who play mostly have no idea about the people and events that created this phenomenon. The History of Fantasy Sports provides the first complete telling of how we got from the spontaneous ideas for games years ago, to the multi-billion-dollar industry of today. Larry spent 18 months researching and interviewing dozens of key players, pioneers, and entrepreneurs to uncover their stories. This reader-friendly book is ready to take its place alongside some of the best in sports history. You will be entertained and inspired by these stories of humble beginnings turned into multi-million-dollar enterprises. Schechter does a great job of capturing the passion, obsession, and love of the game behind these businesses. Larry is now retired and lives in Florida. You can follow him on X @LarrySchechter. To pick up a copy of Larry’s newest book, check it out on Amazon.

    33 min
  6. Christy Forsyth – Listen to Your Soul

    JAN 17

    Christy Forsyth – Listen to Your Soul

    In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Christy Forsyth. Christy is a Soul Therapist, Spiritual Guide, and Energy Queen. She uses her intuitive abilities to help people shine brighter, live with intention, discover their inner magic, and reach their highest potential. On the other side of her own spiritual awakening and reconnecting with her intuitive gifts, she let it guide her to get out of her head and into living the life her soul was calling for! Now she uses the same powerful techniques to help others find their magical life. Christy brings over 20 years of experience in the helping field, blending her skills as an Intuitive, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Life Coach, Energy Healing Practitioner, and Clinical Hypnotherapist into her unique Soul Therapy coaching. Creator of the Clarity by Christy Membership, she uses her gifts to connect with energy and Angels, guiding others toward their most aligned, joyful life. With a passion for spiritual growth, intuitive understanding, and a magical, purpose-filled existence, she has empowered countless individuals through spiritual awakening and energy mastery, transforming lives for the better. Her method for living a more magical life is simple and easy to follow. It combines understanding how your energy field interacts with the world around you, tuning in to your intuitive guidance system, and tapping into your manifestation powers to create your very own heaven on earth. To find out more about Christy, you can check out her website at https://www.claritybychristy.com/.

    36 min
5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

My name is Dan Clouser. I am a podcast host, author and a speaker. I founded and ran a nonprofit youth sports organization for 30 years called the Berkshire Baseball & Softball Club, which later became the BIG Vision Foundation. We ran teams, tournaments and a 130 acre sports complex. I loved every second of what I did. I loved working with kids and teaching them leadership skills and life lessons through sports and community service. I thought that I would have died doing what I loved. Then in 2019, I felt a calling from God for my wife, Sandy, and I. We decided to leave our comfort zone and start a new journey. A literal journey, selling most of our material things and setting out across this beautiful country in an RV with our golden retriever, Youkilis. Sounds crazy, but it was also destined to happen. You see I was raised by a hippy named Loretta Magary, she was a free spirit who quit her job and embarked on her own journey in the mid-1980’s. Her journey started in a 1967 Plymouth Valiant with the back seat removed to make a bed and a .38 Special for protection. She later evolved into a 1978 Toyota camper. After she passed away in 2005, we were able to experience a small part of her journey by going through her old photos and letters. The people that she met along the way were amazing. I’ll be conducting speaking engagements and writing more books on our travels. More importantly, this is our chance to continue my mother’s legacy of giving back through volunteering. We will tell the stories of the people that we meet along the way through this podcast, blogging, and social media. This is truly “The Journey of My Mother’s Son” and as Michael Franti says in the opening verse of his song, “Gloria,” “When many little people in many little places, Do many little things, then the whole world changes.” It will be our job to share and tell the stories of those “Many Little People” through this podcast and my writing. Some of the people that we interview may be famous, most will not be, but they’ll all have a story to tell about the difference they’re making. Some stories will still have a sports theme, others spiritual, some will be about music, others about food, some will talk about travel, but all will be about the many little people, in the many little places who are doing the many little things to make the whole world change. We pray that you enjoy these stories and are inspired to do your own little things to make this world a better place for all of us.

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