Wildcatdojo Conversations

Sensei Michelle
  • 5.0 (16)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Karate is for everyone. So, join us each week for a 20 to 25 minute conversation on all types of subjects. We go from managing the distractions of daily life, through martial arts history and people, and common sense concepts to add to your self defense armor. Plus we have interviews and so much more. After spending over 40 years discussing life's challenges in a dojo, (both as a student and as a teacher) I decided it would be fun to share the conversations with everyone. And it is! We're having a great time with our guests each week thinking, talking and very importantly sharing a laugh or two along the way.

  1. 4D AGO

    Training, Security, Self Defense; An Interview with Mike Andrus

    I'm starting these notes with a shout out to Joy for introducing me to today's guest - Mike Andrus.  We had so much fun learning about his journey, his Security Company - Safe Day Services, and his style - Systems of Combative Arts.  Often, when talking to Martial Artists, the subject of self-control comes up. Of course, we did an episode on that. In fact it was one of our first episodes. ! Here's a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/1815622 Mr. Andrus and I both have Self-Defense books on Amazon. I've posted the link to my book a few times, Here is a link to his: https://www.amazon.com/Staying-Moment-practical-womens-sef-defense-ebook/dp/B00HQ35SZQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2IQIPCKWZAQVE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cNo2iLIv1j-Yom-9b-DngJeVfTNZPTjBkUL2g7ReROcM4Bsl5R7bPBeNsWNg0KGZWtM-KuwHPNOTUCLT10Vz5awSlkFex4J1oM-LzVJv6x1jqEXabeNxj0WXwa6Z2mja1DQRjJ3r4NKmu64DIS-Y_zf4l8-r4s5jS5VnP2uZIRk6U_0GZlRgYBTyLw05qRpkiJ5ppnmofug29XP6UQQ6Wx66nSYKMZ-DgIS2hWNp5JE.9r-Mge2cf6x9PojRTut5BRk6sISCAbvw_UiEi3OVQSM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Staying+in+the+Moment&qid=1772736409&s=books&sprefix=staying+in+the+moment%2Cstripbooks%2C178&sr=1-2 I always appreciate you listening. Thank you. If you want to support us directly- click the link right here:  Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    25 min

  2. MAR 2

    History: Karate comes to America - an Archived Episode

    This episode first aired in 2020. In fact it was our 19th episode! (This is our 330th:) Most of the things we mentioned in this episode we have subsequently discussed. Here are a few. When we talked about Judo, we mentioned women in training back at the beginning of the 1900s. (The memory of that episode makes me smile.) Here's a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/5247724 We mentioned (and how could you not!) Mas Oyama. Here's the epiosde we reorded on him: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8895295 And finally, Elvis, and his teacher Ed Parker are mentioned. How fun to finish up with Elvis: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/6535051 Thank you for being a part of this adventure. If you're feeling like spending a few dollars, support us here: Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    21 min

  3. FEB 23

    P Company (Paratroopers) - Talking with Hanshi McKinnon

    A few weeks ago, after recording the Fear episode with Hanshi, we got to talking about his time as a Paratrooper. Unfortunately, I had turned off the recorder. But fortunately, we realized we needed to invite him back to share the stories. I'm tagging in his first interview. (We met in 2021 and he's been a regular on the show ever since. Thank you so  much Hanshi!) Here's his first interview:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8625686 Thanks for listening today and thanks for continuing to scroll down. If you do you can check out the link to support the show. That would be appreciated.  Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    25 min

  4. FEB 16

    O My, O Words, including One Knuckle Punch

    Sensei Jay joins us today to do a little history and a few personal stories on these terms: Obi, Out of the Line of Fire and One Knuckle Punch.  Sensei Jay has been on the show quite a few times. One of his first visits is an episode called A Real Fight, A Real Mess. Here it is if you'd like to listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/3293584 During our discussions on the belt system, we mention Judo and the founder. Here's a link where we talk about Jigoro Kano: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/10948961 And finally, we mention Masutatsu Oyama in this episode also. How? Listen to find out! Here's the episode we did on him: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8895295 Thank you for visiting us. Got another second? Scroll down and support the show with a small donation. I always write to people who support us. Thanks in advance.  Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    24 min

  5. FEB 9

    Sister Linda Sim

    So much going on in today's episode. Let's start with the fact that I'm using opening drumming furnished by the Fushi Daiko Drummers of South Florida. We interviewed the founder, Ben, and here's a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/15446850 We touched on alot of old episodes discussing the amazing Sister Linda Sim. One of them, an odd connection, was our show on Audie Murphy. Here's that link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/14969721 We also touched on aging. Here's one of the episodes we did on that subject: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/11594095 Somehow, I managed to bring up my presence on Amazon. You can search for my books by typing "Books by Michelle Darbro". Or, here's the link to the book we mention: https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Children-Karate-Michelle-Darbro/dp/0979273609/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ASWGIY6QYOFM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ru-1vaJ2D7bA-r8q82xTaIjdpSqzjXubxTG_CHZ3bJj0I3kBQDhTPo7UgKzv-wZW.x5tlexZb3AaR0DbWW6VPjMpoNHkqZRc2hCoUI-syJKI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Books+by+Michelle+Darbro&qid=1770227129&sprefix=books+by+michelle+darbro%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-2 Boy, that's a long one. Let's close with the episode we did on Sun Tzu's The Art of War. Yes, we mention him also - how?  https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/12656331 As I always do, I'll thank you for being a part of this great adventure and encourage you to click the link below to support the work. Thank you: Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    20 min

  6. FEB 2

    Fear is a Backstabber

    So much to say here....Let's start with the fact that I'm quoting our guest Hanshi TD McKinnon in the title. Thank you Hanshi.  Now I'll include a caveat. When we do episodes like this, we're not claiming to have 'the answer' for anyone. We're just old-timers talking about karate concepts. Therefore, if you have great ideas on how you deal with anything we talk about - Please Share with us!! Hanshi McKinnon has been on the show many times. Here are a few: We met Hanshi back in 2021. Here is his first interview: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8625686 If you're interested in more information about his study of mushin, fudoshin and more. Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/13647079 If you'd like to read Hanshi's blog on sen. Here's a link: https://www.torakankarate.com.au/post/karate-essence-ethical-philosophy-%E5%85%88%E6%89%8B-sen-initiat?fbclid=IwY2xjawPnLr9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe4zBU346slGpb06_B9ebHxjWGS-ZAhe7uyc-OBgsrW3M4UmEzetTG0D43cgo_aem_MQYho66UN3haeWxVaUvEQw I can't finish without saying that we mention common sense safety. We've done a number of episodes on this subject. Here's one: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/11142251 And finally, we mention a saying we learned from Master Kelljchian "Expect the Unexpected" and here's the episode we did on that: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/15762186 Thanks for being part of the show. Get in touch to join us as a guest, or support us below. We appreciate you. Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    24 min

  7. JAN 26

    Ever Heard Anyone Say: "Never say Can't"?

    Is it possible to spend 20 minutes talking about a 4 letter word and have fun? It is if you're as crazy as we are and the word is Can't. Listen and tell us your stories. Sensei Jay joined us today. At one point, the conversation turned to his dad. Back in 2021, Sensei Jay told us a lot about his dad's military experience. Here's the link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8329162  As always we thank you for your support and urge you to go one step surther and click the link with a small donation. Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    25 min

  8. JAN 19

    The Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle

    Yes, talking about a unique and poisonous garden in the UK. Did you all hear our episodes on poisons from 2022? Here's a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/10340583 That link does double duty. Yes, it's about poisons, but it is also one of the other times Sensei Lydia joined in the conversation! Enjoy. We also mention the Yew tree. Both Sensei Jackie and I think it came up in one of our Archery episodes. (We did 3). Here they are. Let us know if we're right and the Yew bark is used in the making of certain bows. https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/6125029 And these two are specific to Kyundo: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/6327931 and: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/6422461 This episode is also special because I reached out to a friend and fellow black belt, Sensei Haya, and she wrote us a poem to end the show. I love it so much, I'm copying it here:  Pick Your Poison The sign says, No touching, smelling, or tasting.  It’s human nature to pick one.  Touch: you’ll get a nasty rash.  Didn’t you learn from when you used Ivy leaves  for toilet paper while camping?  Smell: it will look like botched Botox. And taste: your tongue is now the size of an eggplant.  Breathing might stop altogether. I know the plant names are enticing— Oleander, Donkey tail, Nightshade, Thorn apple. The intoxicating is often toxic. Pick your poison. Thanks to everyone. If you have a moment and a few extra dollars - click our "support the show" link here:  Support the show Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast with friends. Reach us all over the web. Facebook and twitter are simply wildcatdojo. However, insta is wildcatdojo conversations. (There's a story there.) On YouTube (where we are now airing some of our older episodes - complete with a slideshow that I tweak constantly) https://www.youtube.com/@wildcatdojo9869/podcasts And for our webpage, where you can also find all the episodes and see some info about the dojo: http://wildcatdojo.com/025-6/podcast.html . And of course, we love it when you support our sponsor Honor Athletics. Here is their link: https://honor-athletics.com/ Thank you for listening.

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Karate is for everyone. So, join us each week for a 20 to 25 minute conversation on all types of subjects. We go from managing the distractions of daily life, through martial arts history and people, and common sense concepts to add to your self defense armor. Plus we have interviews and so much more. After spending over 40 years discussing life's challenges in a dojo, (both as a student and as a teacher) I decided it would be fun to share the conversations with everyone. And it is! We're having a great time with our guests each week thinking, talking and very importantly sharing a laugh or two along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Sensei Michelle
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    339
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wildcatdojo Conversations
  • Show Website
    Wildcatdojo Conversations