And If Love Remains

Mike Leavitt

people, interests, relationships, ideas, science, culture, art

  1. 09/22/2025

    Episode 231 - The Sweaty Pig: Building Strength, Community & Breaking Barriers | And If Love Remains Podcast

    What happens when passion for strength meets the power of community? 🏋️‍♀️🐷Host Mike Leavitt sits down with filmmaker Josh Badal and the powerhouse duo behind The Sweaty Pig gym, Jenny Draper (pro strongwoman & founder of Athena’s Arena) and Connor Gordon, to dive into the world of strongman training, women breaking barriers, and how a quirky gym with a funny name became a life-changing community.From working in Antarctica, to creating one of the most inclusive gyms in the country, to running all-women competitions that sell out overnight, this episode is packed with stories of grit, humor, and heart.💡 Whether you’re into lifting, documentaries, or just love hearing about people changing lives through authenticity, this one’s for you!⏱ Show Notes & Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to And If Love Remains02:10 – Meet Jenny Draper: pro strongwoman & founder of Athena’s Arena06:30 – What is Strongman? Beyond fitness into functional extremes12:00 – Connor Gordon’s Antarctica story: lifting at the bottom of the world ❄️20:45 – Founding The Sweaty Pig gym in Salt Lake Valley29:15 – Why women deserve better equipment & competitions35:00 – Building a culture of support, humor, and authenticity43:50 – The documentary project: telling The Sweaty Pig story 🎬51:20 – How strongman helps with mental health & community58:00 – Success stories: women going pro and nationals surge1:07:00 – How to connect, support, and join the movement🔗 Links MentionedThe Sweaty Pig Gym (Salt Lake Valley): InstagramAthena’s Arena Competition: Learn MoreGood Works Documentary (Josh Badal’s project): Website | Instagram📢 Call to Action👉 Like, comment, and share to spread the word about this incredible community.👉 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations on And If Love Remains.👉 Support Josh’s documentary by donating at goodworksdoc.com.🏷 Hashtags#AndIfLoveRemains #TheSweatyPig #Strongman #Strongwoman #AthenasArena #CommunityStrength #WomenWhoLift #Powerlifting #Documentary #FitnessMotivation #ViralPodcast

    52 min
  2. 09/16/2025

    Episode 230 - This Piano App Will Change Music Lessons Forever! 🎶 | Clefer Founders

    What if practicing piano actually became FUN—and you got real feedback between lessons? 🎹✨ In this episode of And If Love Remains, host Mike Leavitt sits down with Frits & Victoria van Laarhoven, the visionary husband-and-wife duo behind Clefer, the groundbreaking app revolutionizing piano education. They share their journey of 8 years building Clefer, their recent showcase at NCKP Chicago, and why major institutions like Steinway are paying attention. More than just an app, Clefer is designed to empower teachers, motivate students, and preserve the soul of music in a tech-driven world. 🚀 Whether you’re a piano teacher, student, or music lover, this episode will inspire you to “fall deeper in love with the piano.” 00:00 – Intro: Welcome back Frits & Victoria!02:15 – Why technology scares (and excites) music teachers05:48 – Launching Clefer after 8 years of development10:22 – NCKP Chicago showcase + across from Steinway booth15:40 – Victoria’s piano lessons and testing the app21:05 – How Clefer bridges the gap between lessons28:33 – The fear of AI vs. the value of real teachers36:00 – Clefer’s acoustic + MIDI capabilities41:18 – What makes Clefer different: real coaching, not just red/green notes49:20 – Teacher reactions + Steinway’s interest54:15 – Upcoming Steinway Scottsdale event (October)59:10 – Expanding repertoire, licensing songs, & quality standards1:08:12 – Keeping students motivated with real music they love1:15:47 – New features: teacher module, scales, arpeggios, and more1:23:05 – Free premium access for teachers 🎁1:28:44 – Apple iOS 26 “Liquid Glass” compatibility update1:35:00 – Victoria’s philosophy: compete with yourself, not others1:40:00 – Closing thoughts: Music gives us a voice when we feel voiceless 🎶 🌐 Clefer Website: https://www.clefer.com 📱 Download Clefer on the App Store / Google Play 🎹 Follow Clefer on Instagram: @cleferapp 🎼 Steinway & Sons: https://www.steinway.com 🎧 Subscribe to And If Love Remains: [Podcast Link] #Piano #MusicEducation #Clefer #EdTech #MusicTeachers #Steinway #AndIfLoveRemains #MikeLeavittPodcast #PianoLessons #MusicApp ⏱️ Timestamps🔗 Links Mentioned🏷️ Hashtags

    53 min
  3. 05/28/2025

    Episode 228- Clefer: The Revolutionary App Transforming Piano Lessons

    Explore the journey of innovation and passion as Michael Leavitt introduces Frits and Victoria van Laarhoven. Based in the Netherlands, they share their inspiring story of creating an app that transforms music education. Frits's lifelong love for music began with a violin at age four and evolved into a groundbreaking application that converts acoustic music into sheet music. Victoria, a talented developer with a background in guitar, joined Frits in Brazil, where their shared passion for music and technology blossomed into a successful collaboration. Discover how their app, Clefer, supports piano teachers and students by enhancing practice sessions and bridging the gap between lessons. With a focus on motivation and progress, Clefer offers personalized feedback and exercises, ensuring students feel supported and inspired. Embrace the power of music education and the innovative tools that make learning an instrument a rewarding experience. #PodcastInTheSky #MusicEducation #PianoPractice #AppDevelopment #MusicTech #PianoTeachers #MusicLearning #DigitalMusic #MusicInnovation #PianoApps #MusicMotivation #AcousticMusic #TechInMusic #MusicNotation #MusicJourney #PianoLessons #MusicMentors #MusicCommunity #MusicPassion #MusicApps #PianoStudents #MusicProgress #LearningMusic #MusicInspiration #PianoLife #MusicTeachers #MusicTechnology #PianoPracticeApp #MusicLearningApp #MusicDevelopment #PianoJourney

    54 min
  4. 05/07/2025

    Episode 226 - Mark DeFusco

    Join host Mike Leavitt on And If Love Remains as he chats with Mark DeFusco, a dynamic entrepreneur, musician, and dedicated advocate for personal transformation. Mark shares candid stories of his early life, musical influences, profound journey through addiction and recovery with Alcoholics Anonymous, and the wisdom he's gained through nearly 40 years of successful entrepreneurship. From unforgettable concerts to life-changing personal insights, Mark's story highlights resilience, spirituality, and the power of community. Show NotesIntroduction and background: Mark’s early life, frequent moves, and settling in Arizona. Developing a love for music, significant influences, memorable concerts, and anecdotes from legendary performances. Personal struggles with addiction beginning in adolescence; profound experiences that led Mark to sobriety. Deep dive into Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): the spiritual journey, pivotal moments of clarity, sponsorship roles, and why community meetings matter. Exploration of spirituality versus religion: finding personal peace and identity through faith and fellowship.Insights from nearly four decades of business: Mark shares valuable lessons on leadership, maintaining core values, adaptability, and overcoming economic downturns. Plans for retirement, legacy-building within the family business, and staying creatively active through music and community involvement. #Entrepreneurship #RecoveryJourney #AlcoholicsAnonymous #RockMusic #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #BusinessInsights #Sobriety #CommunitySpirit #PodcastEpisode

    46 min
  5. 04/30/2025

    Episode 225 - Exploring Faith in Action with Ring Them Bells: A Conversation on Serving the Community and Understanding Scripture

    Dive into an inspiring journey of faith, action, and community as Mike Leavitt and Jason Bostow explore the profound narratives of Scripture and their real-world impact. Discover how the Ring Them Bells channel serves as a beacon for those serious about their discipleship, offering a unique blend of storytelling, scholarly insights, and a call to action. Jason shares his experiences of turning faith into tangible acts of love, from hurricane relief to feeding the homeless in Tampa. Witness the transformative power of community and the strength found in serving others, as even those in need become part of a larger mission. This conversation delves into the essence of faith as an active, living force, challenging us to see beyond a simplistic narrative and engage with the deeper story of God's work in uniting heaven and earth. Whether you're a long-time believer or exploring your faith, this discussion offers a fresh perspective on living out one's beliefs with purpose and passion. Join the conversation and be inspired to take part in the grand narrative of faith and service. #PodcastInTheSky #RingThemBells #FaithInAction #FeedingTheHomeless #KingJesus #BibleProject #UnifiedStory #ScriptureNarrative #Discipleship #CommunityService #FaithAndWorks #JesusSacrifice #SupernaturalFocus #ChristianThinking #AllegianceToGod #SpiritualJourney #DivineNarrative #HeavenOnEarth #ServeWithLove #CommunityOutreach #HomelessSupport #FaithJourney #ScriptureWisdom #MessianicLiterature #GodsPlan #SpiritualGrowth #HopeAndFaith #BiblicalThemes #LivingFaith #NTWright #TimMackie #JazzAndTheBible #MelodyOfFaith

    1h 6m
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

people, interests, relationships, ideas, science, culture, art