The Rotary Spark Podcast

Brian Triger
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Welcome to The Rotary Spark Podcast, Powered by Triger Media - a platform built on real conversations, authentic stories, and meaningful connection. Each episode dives into the journeys of entrepreneurs, community leaders, creators, and everyday people doing extraordinary things. We explore what drives them, the challenges they’ve faced, and the impact they’re making in their communities and beyond. Join us for honest, engaging conversations that inspire growth, spark ideas, and remind us what’s possible when people take action.

  1. 3d ago

    #0036 - Jessica Smith

    Take a teen’s phone away for a few days and something unexpected happens: the conversations get deeper, the awkwardness turns into confidence, and leadership becomes real. We sit down with Jessica Smith, an Oklahoma City Rotarian, past district governor, and school lawyer, to unpack what Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) looks like on the ground and why it keeps students and volunteers coming back year after year. We dig into the parts people don’t always hear about, like the hybrid online team intro before camp, the mindset shift that happens during the first-night bonfire, and how the “Leader in You” curriculum (rooted in Stephen Covey’s habits) helps teens understand themselves and communicate across differences. We also talk about the screen-heavy world students live in, how COVID changed social comfort levels, and why RYLA is evolving while staying intentionally phone-free. And yes, we cover the legendary RYLA chili cook-off. It’s fun, but it’s also the perfect excuse to get Rotarians to camp to meet the campers and Trailblazers, share a meal, and model service above self. Jessica shares what clubs in Rotary District 5750 can do right now to identify students (especially rising sophomores), sponsor them to attend July 16 through 19, and volunteer in ways that make camp safer and stronger. We also touch on all-abilities access, youth protection training, and a quick plug for the upcoming Wings of Rotary anniversary celebrating the district’s youth exchange ties with Japan. If you care about teen leadership development, Rotary youth programs, or meaningful volunteer opportunities in Oklahoma, hit play, subscribe, share this with a Rotarian friend, and leave us a review. Who’s one student in your community you’d nominate for RYLA? Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Support the show

  2. Sep 18

    #0035 - Tarah Green

    Cancer doesn’t just change your calendar, it changes your sense of self in a single sentence: “You have cancer.” Host Brian Triger sits down with Tarah Green from Tenaciously Teal to talk about what happens after that moment, when fear, grit, and community all show up at once, and survivorship starts with the next step out the door. Tarah shares her journey from child welfare work to a stage four ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2012, and how she learned to carry both hope and the heaviness that comes with losing friends along the way.  We get practical about the chemo experience too, including a myth many people don’t realize: treatment can mean sitting in an infusion chair for most of the day. Tarah explains what fills those hours, why chemo rooms run cold, and how tiny comforts can become lifelines. That reality becomes the spark for Tenaciously Teal, an Oklahoma City nonprofit that builds ovarian cancer support through care packages packed with real-world essentials and a handwritten note that tells a stranger, clearly, someone cares.  From there, we dig into what it takes to grow a survivor-led organization, build a team, and create community that isn’t trapped in cancer talk. Tarah highlights Tenacious Together events for survivors and caregivers, new fundraising events, and ways partners and neighbors can help, from donating to showing up for care pack parties. If you’re looking for ovarian cancer resources, cancer care packages, or meaningful ways to support patients during treatment, this conversation points to action. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a lift, and leave a review so more listeners can find stories like this. Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Support the show

  3. Aug 28

    #0034 - Kenzie Borton

    A lot of people talk about “community” like it’s a vibe. Kenzie Borton built it like a job site, one decision at a time, and it’s turned Okie State Room in Harrah, Oklahoma into a live music venue that feels like a living room. We get into her unlikely path from riding motorcycles and building a custom chopper to working construction, earning an engineering background, and even packaging nuclear waste, then walking away from all of it to bet on herself with zero corporate backing.  We talk about what actually makes a local venue work: hospitality that’s consistent, food that brings people together, and a calendar that gives the town something to count on. Kenzie shares how open mic Wednesdays, Tuesday karaoke, free live music on many Sundays, and a rowdy monthly bike night keep the room full of energy, while table reservations and smart booking keep the business alive. She also opens up about the pressure of caring too much, answering every message, and trying to support both local musicians and the bigger shows that help pay the bills.  Worship night adds another layer, built as a first-Monday gathering that’s welcoming to believers, non-believers, and anyone just needing a place to breathe. The heart of the conversation is service: charity events, helping families cover bills, supporting friends with medical needs, and even tracking down an instrument for a kid who wants to join band. If you care about live music in Oklahoma, small business leadership, community events, sobriety-friendly spaces, or building a family-friendly venue near Oklahoma City, this one hits home.  Subscribe for more Rotary Spark Podcast conversations, share this with someone who loves local music, and leave a review so more people can find stories like Kenzie’s. What’s one thing your town needs that you wish someone would build? Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Support the show

  4. Aug 5

    #0033 - Sara Bana

    A single “yes” can change a life, and sometimes it changes your entire definition of leadership. We’re joined by Sara Bana, a civil and human rights advocate and Midwest City Ward 5 council member, to talk about what civic engagement looks like when it’s personal, practical, and rooted in community service rather than politics-as-sport. Sara shares how growing up Iranian-American in the aftermath of revolution and during war, then immigrating to the United States, made her acutely aware of how public systems shape everyday survival and opportunity. From there we get concrete. Sara walks us through the kind of volunteer community advocacy most people never see: navigating bureaucracy, finding mental health care, securing transportation, stabilizing housing, and sticking with a family for the long haul. We also talk about the needs that are easy to ignore until they hit your block: hunger, domestic violence, gaps in job training, and a mental health crisis that leaves people stranded without support or know-how. The big takeaway is leadership that holds two truths at once: we can listen with tolerance and still defend our principles. We dig into serving people who strongly disagree with you, recognizing bias, making space for real debate, and choosing human dignity over labels. We close with a challenge for Rotary clubs and civic organizations: mentor young people consistently, invite them into the work, and even help teen entrepreneurs learn the basics so they can build something real. Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Support the show

  5. Apr 4

    #0032 - Leroy Tucker

    He’s been cutting hair since 1960, and Leroy Tucker can tell you exactly why some barber shops disappear while others become landmarks. We talk with Leroy about how a plan to become a veterinarian turned into a lifelong career in barbering, and what it really takes to stay in business for 60 plus years in Midwest City. We get specific about craft: how listening to a client changes everything, why time in the chair matters, and what separates a good barber from a great barber. Leroy shares memories from professional training and traveling symposiums, including straight razor technique and the enduring influence of the Roffler name. If you care about precision haircuts, clipper over comb, shear over comb, and the fundamentals behind a clean outline, you’ll hear how mastery is built one appointment at a time. We also dig into the industry side of the trade. Leroy explains his decades of service examining barbers for licensure, the role of national meetings in barber education, and why health and safety standards are part of protecting the profession. He walks us through the tough merger between barber and cosmetology boards, what it changed, and where he thinks trends are heading next, including whether the flat top ever fully returns. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more stories from people who’ve built real local businesses, share the episode with someone who loves a great haircut, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. What’s the best haircut you’ve ever had, and why? Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Support the show

  6. 10/24/2025

    #0031 - Dr. Hardeep Saluja

    We sit down with Dr. Hardeep Saluja, pharmacist, educator, and Rotary leader, to unpack how data literacy and service above self are reshaping modern pharmacy education and community health. Hardeep brings us from his roots in New Delhi and early work in clinical trials to Boston for graduate school and on to Oklahoma, where he leads in the College of Pharmacy at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He explains that the most valuable lesson from U.S. education was learning how to unlearn—challenging assumptions, thinking critically, and solving problems with an open mind. That mindset led him to design dual PharmD programs: one with an MBA for leadership and management, and another with a Master of Science in Health Information Management for data, informatics, and quality improvement. The result is a new kind of pharmacist who understands both patient care and the systems that power it. We dig into AI, automation, and the future of pharmacy: precision dosing, real-time biometrics from wearables, and faster diagnostics that make care more personal and effective. Hardeep argues that AI is the modern calculator, a tool that won’t replace pharmacists but will amplify those who know how to use it. He shares how he fosters a culture of openness, consensus, and student-centered growth, and why emotional intelligence and listening are as essential as clinical knowledge. Service ties it all together. Hardeep reflects on Rotary’s global impact, from polio eradication to local vaccination efforts, and how students learn by doing: diabetes education, rural outreach, and charitable clinics. He also shares why he founded the American Association of Indian Pharmacy Professors to mentor new faculty and build an inclusive, international network. If you’re a student, educator, or Rotarian, you’ll leave with practical advice—keep your mind open, observe carefully, ask for opportunities, and get involved. If this conversation sparked ideas, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review. Your feedback helps others find the show and join the work of building smarter care and stronger communities. Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Triger MediaWeb Design, Social Media & Podcast Services.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  7. 05/23/2025

    #0030 - Orson Scott Card

    Orson Scott Card, author of Ender’s Game, joins The Rotary Spark Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, creativity, science fiction, Hollywood, and the experiences that shaped one of the genre’s most influential writers. Card shares stories from his childhood in 1950s California, where exploring creek beds, riding bicycles for miles, and growing up in a family of natural storytellers helped develop the imagination that would eventually produce Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead, and a celebrated career in science fiction. He explains how Ender’s Game evolved from an award-winning short story into a bestselling novel and later a major Hollywood film adaptation. Card also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the movie, including his perspective on Harrison Ford’s influence during filming and why translating a complex novel to the screen can be so difficult. The discussion explores what makes a great book-to-film adaptation, with examples including The Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice. Card explains why some stories thrive on screen while others lose essential elements of character, perspective, and meaning—and why a television miniseries or streaming series could ultimately be the best format for telling the full Ender’s Game story. Beyond science fiction, Card shares lessons for writers, artists, podcasters, and creators about developing an authentic voice, rejecting formulas, improving your craft, and remembering that being a human being comes before being an artist. From the creative process behind Ender’s Game to writing advice, Hollywood adaptations, childhood imagination, and the future of storytelling, this episode offers a rare conversation with Orson Scott Card about the experiences and ideas behind his work. Whether you're a longtime Ender’s Game fan, an aspiring writer, a science fiction reader, or simply fascinated by how great stories are created, this episode of The Rotary Spark Podcast is worth hearing. Topics include: Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game, science fiction writing, storytelling, creative writing, writing advice, book-to-film adaptations, Hollywood, Harrison Ford, Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice, childhood creativity, the creative process, authorship, and the future of Ender’s Game. Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Triger MediaWeb Design, Social Media & Podcast Services.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  8. 04/12/2025

    #0029 - Lori Ferrera

    What happens when a healthcare worker trades restraints for paintbrushes? Lori Ferrera takes us through her remarkable journey from the intensity of bedside nursing to the creative world of TikTok influencing in this candid conversation about career evolution and finding joy. Lori doesn't hold back when describing the realities of nursing life - from the disturbing sight of patients in five-point restraints to treating wounds so severe you could see bone. These stark experiences, invisible to most of us but routine for healthcare workers, shaped her perspective on both gratitude and burnout. Her advice to new nurses cuts through typical career guidance: "Don't wait until you're completely burnt out, because then you're going to be bitter and not going to give the best care." This wisdom applies far beyond healthcare. The conversation shifts dramatically as Lori explains her pivot to TikTok influencing and live shopping. Her impulsive Black Friday purchase of a course on social commerce has blossomed into a creative second career that taps into her passion for painting and connecting with others. Lori's insights into this emerging marketplace reveal why it's becoming the next frontier for digital entrepreneurs. We wrap with a fascinating detour into the science of de-extinction and the recently created dire wolves, combining Lori's healthcare background with her curiosity about these technological breakthroughs. From hospital rooms to social media studios to prehistoric predators, this episode traverses unexpected territory while delivering practical wisdom about career transitions, creative renewal, and the courage to change direction when burnout threatens. Ready to explore your own creative pivots? Listen now and discover how one healthcare worker found her spark beyond the hospital walls. Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast is brought to you by Triger Media — helping individuals and businesses build a solid digital presence. From website design to social media management and podcast production, they provide the tools and support to share your story effectively. Triger Media works closely with clients to create something that feels true to their brand. Give them a call at 978-290-8200 to see how they can help.  http://trigermediaokc.com/ Triger MediaWeb Design, Social Media & Podcast Services.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

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Welcome to The Rotary Spark Podcast, Powered by Triger Media - a platform built on real conversations, authentic stories, and meaningful connection. Each episode dives into the journeys of entrepreneurs, community leaders, creators, and everyday people doing extraordinary things. We explore what drives them, the challenges they’ve faced, and the impact they’re making in their communities and beyond. Join us for honest, engaging conversations that inspire growth, spark ideas, and remind us what’s possible when people take action.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Triger
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Powered by Triger Media
  • Show Website
    The Rotary Spark Podcast