Above the bridge

Thaddeus Park

Entertainment and conversation 

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    Episode 194 MACKENZIE YOUNG ( Toyota Sales Advisor )

    Send us Fan Mail Car buying has a way of making even confident people second-guess themselves. That’s why I wanted to sit down with Mackie Young, one of Hawaii’s most trusted Toyota sales pros, to talk about what actually lowers the stress and raises the confidence when you’re spending real money on a Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4, or any new vehicle. We get into the nuts and bolts of an easy car buying experience: how rapport beats pressure, why transparency matters more than “closing,” and how small details like gratitude, follow-through, and a memorable handoff can turn a one-time buyer into a long-term referral. Mackie also breaks down the reality of selling Toyotas in Hawaii, where the product is known for reliability and resale value, but the real difference-maker is service and reputation in a small community. Then the conversation goes past the dealership. We talk about long sales hours, nonstop calls and DMs, and the trade-offs that can wreck your family life if you let the job run everything. Mackie shares how becoming a dad changed his priorities, how he builds discipline with his two boys through fitness and jiu jitsu, and why “family first” isn’t a slogan if you’re willing to protect your time. If you care about customer service, sales mindset, social media marketing, or being a present parent while still chasing big goals, this one will hit. Subscribe, share it with a friend who’s shopping for a car, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

    Episode 194 MACKENZIE YOUNG ( Toyota Sales Advisor )
  2. Aug 10 ·  Video

    Episode 193 NICOLE KE'ALA SAKAGUCHI ( MISS INTERNATIONAL HAWAII 2026 )

    Send us Fan Mail A crown can be a photo, or it can be a job. When AliA became Miss International Hawaii, she didn’t just step into a big four pageant title, she stepped into a global responsibility rooted in service, culture, and daily discipline. We talk about what the Miss International system actually is, how Hawaii holds both state and national pathways, and what it feels like to win when pageantry was never “your thing” to begin with.   From there, we get into the work: the United Nations partnership behind Miss International, the Sustainable Development Goals, and why education is the first step before advocacy. Alia shares how she focuses on SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 17 (partnerships), and how her initiative, grows out of disaster relief experiences tied to typhoon recovery in the Pacific and support reaching as far as Venezuela. We also talk about boots-on-the-ground relief in Hawaii after major storms, the reality of limited visibility for island communities, and why leadership means showing up even when it is messy and exhausting.   Then we go personal: the meaning of aloha beyond a catchphrase, how social media can either reward negativity or spread real encouragement, and how taekwondo shaped her identity through respect, self-control, and self-defense. One moment hits especially hard as we explore fear, resilience, and a line worth repeating: self-defense starts with knowing you’re worth defending. If you care about Hawaii culture, women’s leadership, disaster relief, mental health, martial arts mindset, or building a life with purpose, this conversation will stay with you.   Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a little hope, and leave a review if the message of aloha and action resonates with you.

    Episode 193 NICOLE KE'ALA SAKAGUCHI ( MISS INTERNATIONAL HAWAII 2026 )
  3. Aug 3 ·  Video

    Episode 192 UNKO SHANE ( Influencer )

    Send us Fan Mail He looks like the most “local unko” guy you’d ever meet, and then he starts talking and you realize the stories are coming fast and unfiltered. I sit down with Unko Shane, a Hawaii TikTok and Instagram creator whose comedy hits because it’s familiar: the kind of people you see at the store, the lingo you grew up hearing, and the situations you swear you’ve lived through. We get into how he found traction during COVID, why the “uncle” persona took off, and what changes when strangers start asking for photos in real life.   From there we go deeper than jokes. We talk about the line between being entertaining and oversharing, what it means to be a gay friend who’s a real wingman for straight guys, and why respect and privacy matter when it comes to DL men. We also get into Hawaii nightlife culture, how social media changed clubs and socializing, and why being present feels harder when everyone’s filming.   And yeah, we also go there on fitness trends: testosterone, peptides, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and the risks that come with chasing results while nobody wants to share real info. The goal isn’t to preach, it’s to be honest about what people are doing and what it can cost.   If you like Hawaii podcasts with real talk, local humor, and zero fake polish, hit subscribe, share this with one friend who needs a laugh, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of the conversation hit closest to home for you?

    Episode 192 UNKO SHANE ( Influencer )
  4. Jul 27 ·  Video

    Episode 191 MACI ONO ( Fitness Influencer )

    Send us Fan Mail Some conversations hit different because they refuse to pretend. Maci Ono is back, and we go way past gym clips and highlight reels into the messy middle where real change happens: grief, low motivation, depression, identity shifts, and the daily choice to keep showing up anyway. If you’ve ever put on a hoodie, gone full incognito, and tried to talk yourself out of the workout you know you need, you’ll recognize yourself here. We get honest about the pressure of being “the inspirational one” on social media, what it feels like to disappear for months, and the tools that helped Maci climb out: accepting the low without getting stuck, leaning on family and friends, getting back into therapy, and changing the environments that keep you coping in ways that make tomorrow worse. We also talk about how social media can warp your expectations when you’re watching everyone else’s 15% and comparing it to your full 100%. Then we dig into the physical side of setbacks. Macy shares the reality of post-surgery complications after skin removal, how it changed her training, and how body image and body dysmorphia can flare up even after major weight loss. From there we connect it to food, binge eating stigma, and the balance skills that actually help with weight loss maintenance: avoiding extreme restriction, dropping the all-or-nothing mindset, and learning how to reset immediately instead of waiting for Monday. If you want a mindset that lasts, a healthier relationship with food, and a more realistic way to think about discipline and mental health, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.

    Episode 191 MACI ONO ( Fitness Influencer )
  5. Jul 20 ·  Video

    Episode 190 NELSON SUA ( Shield )

    Send us Fan Mail A kid can survive almost anything, but they don’t survive it unchanged. Nelson Sua up in Hawaii inside a home marked by violence, fear, and a family legacy that later gets labeled “Brotherhood of Crime.” He’s honest about what that kind of childhood does to your identity, your nervous system, and your sense of what’s normal. Then he walks us through the moment he finally decides the story ends with him, especially after becoming a father and realizing his kids deserve a different future. Things get even heavier when Nelson learns later in life that the man he called dad is not his biological father. That revelation sends him into a dark spiral of numbness, drinking, and chasing anything that will quiet the pain. What changes the direction isn’t a self-help hack or a perfect plan, but a powerful faith experience he describes as immediate peace the moment he steps into church. From there, we talk about forgiveness, daily discipline, and how to share faith without using it to shame people. Today, he puts that transformation into action through Boss Ministry and SHIELD, his anti-bullying program focused on Strength, Honor, Integrity, Empowerment, Leadership, and Discipline. We get into bullying in Hawaii, cyberbullying that follows kids home, and why real prevention has to involve schools, families, and the community, not just assemblies and slogans. If you care about youth mentorship, breaking generational cycles, and building safer schools, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you heard.

    Episode 190 NELSON SUA  ( Shield )
  6. Jul 13 ·  Video

    Episode 189 DJ JAVI ( Hawaii Dj )

    Send us Fan Mail Most people judge a DJ by the loudest 30 seconds. We wanted to talk about the other 99 percent of the job: the decisions nobody sees that keep a club alive, a dance floor full, and a night moving in waves instead of burning out early. We’re joined by DJ Javi, one of Hawaii’s most versatile DJs, to break down the real mechanics of nightlife. We talk DJ battles, mentorship, and the Hawaii DJ community ethos of showing up for each other’s gigs. Javi explains why “reading the room” is not a vibe-based cliché, it’s a skill: watching who is dancing, who is stuck at the bar, and how to sequence songs so the crowd builds naturally. We also get into the business side of DJing, why cold asks for peak-time slots fail, and how newer DJs can earn bookings through demos, feedback, and consistent presence. Then we go deep on emo nights in Hawaii: how the concept spread from the mainland, why some sets land and others don’t, how to balance mainstream sing-alongs with deeper cuts, and even how to keep mosh pit energy safe in a club environment. Along the way, we touch on how social media changed nightlife behavior, how different venues demand different strategies, and why undercutting rates hurts the whole scene. If you care about Hawaii nightlife, DJ culture, Serato and Rekordbox workflow, or how a great DJ thinks in real time, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a DJ or promoter friend, and leave a review with the best lesson you’ve learned from a night out.

    Episode 189 DJ JAVI ( Hawaii Dj )
  7. Jul 6 ·  Video

    Episode 188 WES NAKANO ( owner: From Above Entertainment )

    Send us Fan Mail The moment Wes said he’s putting down the mic, I felt it in my gut because I’ve known him as the voice that can move a room. We sit down and get real about why stepping back from MC duties can be the exact move a growing business needs, especially when you’re trying to protect your name, your family, and the standard your clients pay for. We talk about the path that got him here, from working a regular job while his emceeing slowed down to building From Above Entertainment into one of the most trusted names in Hawaii wedding entertainment. Wes shares how his wife Julie pushed the original vision, how a one-year “let’s try it” turned into ten years, and what actually separates a wedding DJ and MC team when the pressure is high and the timeline is tight. We also dig into growth challenges after COVID, staying current with wedding trends, and finding people who are willing to put in real work instead of chasing instant gratification. Then we get into the gear and the future: LED video walls, LED DJ booths, and how his new leg, From Above Displays, handles commercial and residential LED screen installs from planning and site visits to full setup and support. If you’re into entrepreneurship, event production, leadership, and building a service business with aloha, there’s a lot here to steal for your own life. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one goal you’re chasing right now that scares you a little?

    Episode 188 WES NAKANO ( owner: From Above Entertainment )
  8. Jun 29 ·  Video

    Episode 187 KEALOHILANI KEA-DAVID (Club Director / Coach of HO'OMAU ATHLETICS)

    Send us Fan Mail A club doesn’t earn trust with matching jerseys. It earns trust when coaches, athletes and parents show up with clarity, consistency, and heart. That’s where this conversation with Coach Kea lands as she shares the story behind rebranding to Ho’omau Athletics, a name rooted in perseverance and shaped by a season of real-life pressure. We get into what it looks like to build a youth volleyball culture in Hawaii that feels like family without getting soft on standards. Coach Kea breaks down the difference between a good coach and a great coach, why accountability matters more than empty praise, and how team-first habits are trained through everyday choices at practice. We also talk about the constant tension every competitive program faces: winning versus player development. Sometimes the best lesson costs points, and she explains why that tradeoff can be worth it for long-term growth. If you’re a sports parent, there’s a lot here for you too: open practices, clear parent meetings, how to handle playing time conversations, and why college recruiting often includes evaluating the parents along with the athlete. Coach Kea also shares what changes as Ho’omau heads into its third season, her move into high school coaching, how travel builds chemistry, and how she integrates faith in a way that invites rather than pressures. If you found value here, subscribe, share this with a coach or parent who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one trait you wish every coach would lead with?

    Episode 187 KEALOHILANI KEA-DAVID (Club Director / Coach of HO'OMAU ATHLETICS)
4.7
out of 5
22 Ratings

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Entertainment and conversation 

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