Assorted Conversations

Helen
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Assorted Conversations is an interview podcast featuring inspiring stories from everyday people doing extraordinary things. Every other Wednesday, host Helen sits down with guests who are pursuing meaningful passions, exploring unusual hobbies, building creative careers, overcoming challenges, and turning long-held dreams into reality.Each episode is a warm, candid conversation about the choices, setbacks, lessons, and moments of courage behind a personal journey. Come for the laughter and fascinating stories; leave with a fresh perspective and inspiration to begin—or keep pursuing—your own path.

  1. 3 ngày trước

    Ep 64 - The Podcasting and Voice Over Conversation with Helen

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! A guest rescheduled, so I did the one thing I’ve somehow avoided for years: I interviewed myself. What followed was a real behind-the-scenes story of how Assorted Conversations went from a pandemic idea to a skill-building machine that changed my relationship with my own voice and eventually pushed me into voiceover work and audiobook narration. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to start a podcast, keep it going, and grow into something bigger, this is the honest version, including the awkward parts.  I talk through the hidden labor of independent podcasting: choosing gear, recording remotely, editing, publishing, writing descriptions, and then learning promotion and SEO when all you wanted was a great conversation. That repetition did something unexpected, it trained my ear. I started noticing pacing, pauses, emphasis, and the difference between reading and communicating. That tiny shift opened a door to voice acting lessons, recording a professional demo reel, and stepping into the strange emotional world of auditioning.  Then I share what audiobook production really looks like: pickups, mouth noise, mispronouncing words you’ve said your whole life, and hitting technical audio specifications like RMS levels and clean exports. I also get candid about rejection, the silence after submissions, and why not booking a job often has nothing to do with talent. Along the way, I flag real risks for new voice actors, including sketchy offers and AI voice cloning, plus the importance of protecting your work and saying no.  We wrap with the message I hope sticks: you’re allowed to be a beginner again, and you don’t need the five-year plan before you start. If this story sparks your own “I wonder if I could,” subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review with the new thing you’re thinking about trying. Show Links Let Them Pray, by Brittany Johnson Helen's Demo Reel Voice Coaches Voice of Logan Competition Website Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  2. 2 thg 9

    Ep 63 The Assorted Guest Gratitude Show

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! A quick burst of inspiration can fade by Monday, so I wanted to do something more useful: connect the dots between the guests who moved me and the practical ways you can support what they’re building. This solo roundup from Assorted Conversations spotlights creators, coaches, and makers whose stories prove that joy is not frivolous, it’s fuel, and that momentum usually starts long before you feel “ready.” We talk about thinking bigger than the room you’re in with Jeff Revilla’s Infinite Seat Theater concept and how live events can reach far beyond a local audience. I revisit Monica Marlat’s puzzle-driven creativity and community building, plus Amy Riley’s grounded take on aphrodisiac foods that centers mood, health, and intimacy without the gimmicks. If you love stories about hobbies becoming meaningful work, creative confidence, and small business ideas for creators, you’ll find plenty to take notes on. The thread continues with resilience and reinvention: novelist Laura Van Wormer on pivoting after life changes, Devorah Brinkerhoff on art, grief, and trauma, and Joseph Bolton on genealogy and family history that becomes unforgettable storytelling. We also touch confidence training with Kung Fu Kendra, keeping cooking fun with Mr. All Right Chef, redefining luxury travel with Elevate Your Escapes, pricing creativity with Paul Pape, restarting a shelved dream with filmmaker Derek Shaw, relationship communication and consent with Amanda Dames, and BBQ mastery with Hall of Famer Bill Gillespie. If one of these lessons hits home, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, then subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these guests and the work they’re putting into the world. What passion are you ready to take one small step on next? Guest Episode Links:  Ep. 48 – The Infinite Seat Theater Conversation with Jeff Revilla Episode 48 Ep. 49 – The Puzzled About Everything Conversation with Monica Marlatt Episode 49 Ep. 50 – The Aphrodisiac Food Conversation with Amy Reiley Episode 50 Ep. 51 – The Resilience of a Creative Soul Conversation with Laura Van Wormer Episode 51 Ep. 52 – The Soul Portraits for Healing Conversation with Devorah Brinckerhoff Episode 52 Ep. 53 – The Old Grandmother's Tree Conversation with Joseph Bolton Episode 53 Ep. 54 – The Kung Fu Kendra Conversation with Kendra Mahon Episode 54 Ep. 56 – The Mr. Alright Chef Conversation with Joe Garcia Episode 56 Ep. 57 – The Elevate Your Escapes Conversation with Eleanor Episode 57 Ep. 58 – The Santa for Nerds & Coach for Creatives Conversation with Paul Pape Episode 58 Ep. 59 – The Multitasking Screenwriter Conversation with Derrick Shaw Episode 59 Ep. 61 – The Kink Consultant Conversation with Amanda Dames Episode 61 Ep. 62 – The Smokin Hoggz Conversation with Bill Gillespie Episode 62 Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  3. 19 thg 8

    Ep. 62 - The Smokin Hoggz Conversation with Bill Gillespie

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! One great rack of ribs can start a lifelong obsession, and Bill Gillespie proves it. We’re talking with the owner of Smokin Hoggs Barbecue, a highly decorated competitive barbecue pitmaster who’s cooked hundreds of contests across the U.S. and Canada, authored four barbecue cookbooks, and earned one of the sport’s biggest honors: induction into the Kansas City Barbecue Society Hall of Fame. Bill walks us from his early New England backyard experiments (including the “worst ribs” stage every BBQ fan recognizes) to the moment competition barbecue clicked. We get into what KCBS judges actually score, why taste matters more than appearance, and how the “one bite” reality forces teams to build a controlled flavor punch with finishing techniques like glazes and finishing dust. If you’ve ever wondered how champions make chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket stand out on a crowded judging table, Bill lays out the mindset and the method. We also dig into the logistics that don’t show up in a recipe: tight turn-in windows, building a repeatable timeline, the shift toward hot-and-fast barbecue cooking at higher pit temps, and the travel grind that comes with chasing trophies. Along the way, Bill shares the losses that sting, the wins that surprise, and the simple backyard barbecue tips that translate immediately to your next cook. If you enjoy competitive barbecue, BBQ rubs and sauces, smoking brisket, and real-world pitmaster advice, hit play. Subscribe, share this with your favorite grill friend, and leave a review telling us your most proud BBQ moment. Guest Links Smokin Hoggz Website Smokin Hoggz Store Smokin Hoggz on Facebook Smokin Hoggz on Instagram Smokin Hoggz on YouTube Smokin Hoggz on X (formerly Twitter) Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  4. 29 thg 7

    Ep. 61 - The Kink Consultant Conversation with Amanda Dames

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! Kink has a PR problem, and we’re not helping it when we reduce the whole topic to leather and whips. Helen sits down with Amanda Dames, a certified sex and relationship professional who worked as a dominatrix in a New York City dungeon before building a coaching business for married couples and monogamous partners who want to explore kink safely. What follows is less “shock” and more “oh, that actually makes sense,” because the real subject is trust, boundaries, power dynamics, and the courage to be honest about desire. Amanda breaks down kink as a spectrum, including the kinds of fantasies many people don’t even realize count: wanting your partner to take charge, craving praise, enjoying service and caretaking, or leaning into romance as a real erotic desire. We talk about how culture shifts what’s considered “normal,” why people feel shame even when nothing is wrong, and what she learned from clients who had successful lives on paper but felt disconnected sexually at home. If you’ve ever wondered why a desire gets louder the longer it’s ignored, this conversation puts words to it. If you’re curious, skeptical, or trying to talk to a partner without making it weird, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a healthier framework for desire, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation. Guest Links The Kink Consultant Podcast Amanda Dames HomePage The Kink Consultant on Instagram Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  5. 15 thg 7

    Ep 60 - The Travel Trailer Journey Conversation with Elke Scholz

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! She planned a warm winter escape, hitched up a custom travel trailer, and headed south alone, only to discover that the road doesn’t care about your plans. Helen sits down with Elke Scholz to unpack a solo RV road trip from Canada to Arizona that starts with immediate chaos: tight parking lots, misunderstandings, a trailer lockout, and the kind of stress that makes you wonder if you should have stayed home.  Then the real test hits. Elke wakes up at a rest stop to a total power crash, learns the hard truth about what “winterized” actually means, and drives through a major blizzard because sometimes the safest choice is to keep going. We get into the practical side of winter RVing and off-grid living: how propane heat still depends on electricity, why solar and battery capacity matter, what she changed to stay warmer, and how she rebuilt her setup with smarter batteries and reliable internet using Starlink roaming.  Along the way, Elke shares the moments that restore your faith in people, from strangers who step in to help to off-grid digital nomads who’ve engineered trailers into self-sufficient homes. We also talk candid solo female travel safety, roadside assistance and trailer coverage, and why you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, you just need to be willing to learn.  If you’re planning a travel trailer trip, dreaming about a digital nomad lifestyle, or stuck in endless preparation mode, this story will give you both a laugh and a shove forward. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Helen's First Audiobook Narration: Let Them Pray by Brittany Johnson, Narrated by Helen Guest Links: Elke's Homepage Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  6. 1 thg 7

    Ep. 59 - The Multitasking Screenwriter Conversation with Derrick Shaw

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! A lot of us have a dream we quietly put away because life gets loud. Today we sit down with Philadelphia-born filmmaker and entrepreneur Derek Shaw, and he’s proof that “later” can still turn into real momentum if you’re willing to start small and keep showing up. We talk about where Derek’s storytelling starts, from a fifth grade teacher who pushed him to write more, to the years he “sat it in the closet” while working full time, raising a family, and building side businesses. Then comes the turning point that changes everything: he starts writing again after decades, and that decision becomes the bridge to screenplays, production, and building Ruby Street Productions. Derek breaks down the nuts and bolts of independent filmmaking: buying a cheap camera, making early short films, and turning a weekend hobby into feature projects like Blissfully Unmarried and his dark comedy Bedridden. We get honest about film financing, earning investor trust through reputation, navigating SAG requirements, and why film distribution can be harder than making the movie. Derek also shares what it took to get Bedridden onto Amazon and Apple TV, why he chose self-distribution, and what he’s chasing next with bigger budgets and bigger names. If you’re into indie film, screenwriting, self-distribution, creative entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable production company, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world perspective. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What’s one daydream you’re ready to dust off? Guest Links Ruby Street Productions Bedridden on Amazon Derrick on Insta Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  7. 17 thg 6

    Ep 58 The Santa for Nerds & Coach for Creatives Conversation with Paul Pape

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! You can be wildly talented and still feel stuck financially, and that gap can mess with your confidence fast. I sit down with Paul Pape, a two-time TEDx speaker, author, creative strategist, and the maker many people call “Santa for Nerds,” to unpack what actually changes when a creative stops selling “a thing” and starts selling the value behind it. Paul’s work spans custom collectibles, hidden engagement ring boxes, and high-pressure builds for major brands, and his journey is full of pivots that prove you don’t have to break when the market shifts.  We get into his roots in theater design, the blunt moment that made him walk away from the Broadway path, and the surprising chain of experiments that led to a full-time creative career. From viral Nintendo-inspired products to one-of-one builds that help people celebrate proposals, fandoms, and even family milestones, Paul explains how pricing handmade work and custom design is really about ideation, craft, and meaning, not just materials or production time. If you’ve ever heard “but it’s just 3D printed,” you’ll feel seen.  Then we dig into Gamify Business, Paul’s business coaching approach for artists, makers, neurodivergent founders, and burned out solopreneurs. He translates confusing business jargon into game language, uses a quiz to map business roles, and shows how the right “party” of partners can make your strengths matter more. Listen, share this with a creative friend who needs it, and leave a review if the conversation helps you rethink your next move. Guest Links Paul Pape Designs Gameify Buriness Paul's TedX Talk Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

  8. 3 thg 6

    Ep. 57 - The Elevate Your Escapes Conversation with Eleanor

    Text me what you think of today’s episode! Luxury travel has a new meaning, and it’s not crystal chandeliers or dressing up for dinner. It’s having the freedom to be yourself, the flexibility to pivot when plans change, and a trusted expert who handles the details so you can actually enjoy the trip you paid for. That’s why we sat down with Eleanor, founder of Elevate Your Escapes, to talk about how she turned a love of travel into a real travel planning business built on curiosity, creativity, and client-first service.  We get into the origin story, from early trips and a nerve-wracking leap into a group travel company to the moment she realized people were already treating her like their go-to travel advisor. Eleanor breaks down what it takes to make things official, including why host agencies matter, how supplier training works, and what the “not glamorous” side of the travel industry looks like day to day. If you’ve ever wondered what a travel consultant actually does, or whether a travel agent can help you save time and money, her answers are refreshingly specific.  Then we zoom out to trends shaping travel right now: modern luxury travel focused on comfort and personalization, river cruises gaining popularity, and destinations heating up beyond the usual classics. Eleanor shares how she designs deeply personalized itineraries, where travelers go wrong by cramming too much into one week, and how to choose smarter splurge moments like a catamaran day in Santorini or a once-in-a-lifetime dinner you’ll never forget. We also talk rising spots like Sardinia, Croatia, Norway, and Albania, plus why Greece still tops her list.  If you’re planning your next vacation, subscribe for more conversations like this, share this episode with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Where are you dreaming of going next? Guest Links: Elevate Your Escapes Home Elevate Your Escapes on Instagram Elevate Your Escapes on YouTube Assorted Conversations Links Podcast Homepage Assorted Conversations Facebook Page Stay up-to-date on podcast happenings and share them with your friendsAssorted Conversations Podcast Facebook Community A collaborative and supportive community for you to engage with us, our guests and other listenersShare your passion, network and connect as we all pursue what makes us happy.Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and infoSpecial online events for community members             NOW on TikTok Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Support Assorted Conversations on Buy Me a Coffee Say hello or ask a question:  aconvospod@gmail.com Credits Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

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Giới Thiệu

Assorted Conversations is an interview podcast featuring inspiring stories from everyday people doing extraordinary things. Every other Wednesday, host Helen sits down with guests who are pursuing meaningful passions, exploring unusual hobbies, building creative careers, overcoming challenges, and turning long-held dreams into reality.Each episode is a warm, candid conversation about the choices, setbacks, lessons, and moments of courage behind a personal journey. Come for the laughter and fascinating stories; leave with a fresh perspective and inspiration to begin—or keep pursuing—your own path.

Thông Tin

  • Nhà sáng tạo
    Helen
  • Năm hoạt động
    2021 - 2026
  • Tập
    65
  • Xếp hạng
    Thô tục
  • Bản quyền
    © 2026 Assorted Conversations
  • Trang web chương trình
    Assorted Conversations