2020 was a circus disaster for sure, but the big top didn’t fully catch fire. Trapeze artists fell, and the resilient got back up to take another swing.
To borrow from what you’ll soon hear, “but if you’re breathing today, you’ve made it this far. That’s no small thing. Incredible, even!” Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing while you listen, kick back and soak it in.
What We Talk About:
0:01:23 Terrie Peterson … discovered that she may not be fast, but she can outlast
0:02:40 David Talbott … running wasn’t canceled, hit mileage goal of 2020
0:03:42 Keith Cartright … finished Georgia Jewel 35 after third attempt
0:07:51 Bradley Ford … pivoting business into new ventures
0:10:31 David Meyers … we made it!
0:12:26 Gregory Byerline … closing remarks
Follow Along:
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
Here’s a between-season update about what I’ve been up to, plans for Collected Clan Season Two, and a special song for the season that I hope hits you like it hit me.
In this episode, I’m flying solo because I have some interesting things to share as a wrap-up to Season 1.
We’re approaching the one year anniversary of recording the first Collected Clan episode, and it’s been an exciting year introducing you to some of the outstanding people in my world that I’ve collected along the way. Collected not as objects, but as treasures from the journey. In each conversation, I learned something new about these people I’ve known for years…and some of them for what seems like a lifetime, but even so I learned something new.
End Slavery Tennessee provides comprehensive aftercare for human trafficking survivors, many of whom are minors…children and teenagers…who were sexually exploited throughout Tennessee. Every month in Tennessee, 94 minors are used for sex trafficking. Beyond sex trafficking, there’s labor trafficking where goods and services are continually produced without compensating the laborer.
The mission of End Slavery Tennessee is to promote healing of human trafficking survivors and strategically confront slavery in in the Volunteer State. Slavery seems like a rather harsh word. Didn’t slavery end after the Civil War? Not exactly. If fact, there are more slaves now than at any time in history.
Learn more about End Slavery Tennessee online at EndSlaveryTN.org. Watch the Voices of Freedom video on the home page. If you’re in the Nashville area on February 1, 2019, you can hear real stories of survivors at the End Slavery Monologues event. Click here for ticket info.
My guest today is Stephen Tedeschi. Stephen is another artist in my world, and we’ve shared many a stage together with him at the helm of numerous dramatic arts performances, which, of course, we talk about here.
“Man, if kids could just find who they are at a young age and stick with it…What a difference!”
~Stephen Tedeschi
He’s very much Italian, and his fantastic family is always nearby. You’ll even hear some of them in the background a time or two enjoying life together, and this will give you an accurate glimpse into a typical Tedeschi family day.
As always, we feature a Non-Profit Spotlight selected by our guest. Two actually.
Stick around to the end where we have a special holiday presentation for you. Stephen is very much a fan of the Christmas season, and we’ve got a special surprise for you. Two surprises. Hint…one of those is The Magnificat spoken in Hebrew.
Unique content you’ll only find right here on Collected Clan.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
0:02:21 Why the dramatic arts?
0:08:19 Stage show history
0:10:39 Our creative paths crossing
0:12:30 Sewing, tailoring, and costume making
0:15:55 Gaining a son-in-law
0:21:06 The Arts Place and performing arts appreciation
0:24:48 How Stephen inspired my father/son relationship
Here’s some additional photos, videos, and a playlist mentioned in this episode.
Stephen’s first espresso cup, given to him at age 2 by his Italian grandfather.
Stephen Tedeschi in custom costume he created
Stephen and his wife Miriam run a non-profit called The Arts Place where they provide budding and established artists with a safe, unique environment where skilled mentors and responsible administrators help them develop and cultivate their God-given talents and projects in various areas of the arts. He discusses their mission and purpose at 0:29:22.
At 44:03 as part of our conversation about life the Italian way, I mentioned a scene from the Eat Pray Love motion picture. Here’s that scene:
Spin some holiday cheer as we collectively long for extending peace on earth and goodwill beyond the month of December.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
This episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight segment features two organizations that Stephen Tedeschi supports through his direct experience with them.
Rejoice School of Ballet offers one of the only available, affordable after-school arts programs in East Nashville for children from low income families. The positive environment offered by Rejoice results in increased self-esteem, valuing teamwork, and an improved respect for self and others. The study of ballet teaches children how to move with poise and grace, instills discipline, and sets standards of excellence. Rejoice provides children and their familes with tools for successful living.
Narrow Gate Foundation offers a transformative experience for young men ages 18-25. Lodge participants live and work together while pursuing biblical training, personal discipleship, challenging adventures, and new life skills. During their 6-8 month stay, young men pause from the distractions of daily life to discover who Jesus says they are and their calling for the future.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
In this bonus episode of Collected Clan, we kick off the holiday season right here at the start of Thanksgiving week with some audio thank you notes from previous guests and a few additional people for whom I’m grateful.Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing while you listen, kick back and soak it in.
Here’s a special Thanksgiving/Gratitude themed playlist to contribute to your daily soundtrack, curated specifically for Collected Clan listeners by your host and by show guest Bradley Ford (from Episode 11 and Episode 13) who makes playlists for a living by serving his wedding and event clients through this DJ and emcee company Snyder Entertainment.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
A recording of the full Ode To Joy poem read by your host is available for your listening pleasure…really great words and theme that’s appropriate for any season…is available in our Producers Circle on Patreon. If you find value with what we’re doing on this show, your financial support creates even more gratitude. So thank you. You’ll find other bonus segments there too.
PATREON to learn how you can financially support this show for as little as $5 a month, or
PAYPAL to make a donation, either one-time or monthly
Lauren Phelps is an accomplished creative entrepreneur. I first knew Lauren as she achieved great success with her clothing line LEONA then as a client when I had the opportunity to photograph several seasonal lookbooks of her fashion designs.
“But for me the art is like my sacred place, and I don’t want it to ever not be because that’s when it becomes something I don’t want it to be in my life.”
~Lauren Phelps
She has continued her creative endeavors since then and now lives in New York where she continued her work in fashion then turned into an even deeper creative direction, which, of course, we talk about here.
And as always, we feature a Non-Profit Spotlight selected by our guest. Kick back and enjoy this conversation with Lauren Phelps.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
0:02:20 Nashville Fashion Week “Nashville Fashion Forward Fund” award
Here’s a small sampling of pieces from Lauren’s clothing line LEONA, discussed in this episode from 0:02:20 – 0:23:14. Over a two-year period, Lauren created 350+ pieces.
Lauren Phelps photographed in her art studio. Photo courtesy of Lauren Phelps.
“Origin” mixed media by Lauren Phelps
“Interface” mixed media by Lauren Phelps
Finally, toward the end of our conversation (at 1:09:13), the topic turns to the give-and-take exchange that makes a good conversation as described in the give-and-take exchange of a photographic portrait session. Here are two film clips from Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. First clip below sets the scene…
…and this clip delivers the magic. Enjoy.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
This episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight supports Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. The mission of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) is to eradicate cancer by funding collaborative cross-institutional research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer. This research is the basis for developing minimally toxic treatments for patients, which is particularly crucial for children and seniors battling cancer.
Learn more about Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation at www.waxmancancer.org.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
My guest today is Tony Caldwell. Tony is a renowned hair dresser, entrepreneur, and fantastic conversationalist, as one would expect to experience when sitting in his salon chair.
We talk about his first-hand experience behind the scenes at many New York Fashion Weeks, his path to owning his own salon, how he approaches each individual client who comes to him to look their best, plus the fragility of the human body, the #MeToo movement, and several other unexpected twists.
“You just have to get personal with people, and you have to tell them the truth.”
~Tony Caldwell
And as always, we feature a Non-Profit Spotlight selected by our guest. Kick back and eavesdrop on this conversation as if you were sitting in a salon chair. Just like his work, this one is a unique one.
And finally, in every conversation we have, I encourage my guests to be real and raw if they so choose. Authenticity is essential. Sometimes that includes certain words or expressions that may not be suitable for young or sensitive ears. This is one of those episodes.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
0:01:56 What Fashion Weeks are like
0:10:30 How Tony entered hair dressing career
0:12:00 Depression ended football career
0:14:31 The Viking gene
0:16:23 Fashion Week’s creative inspiration
0:21:29 How a hair dresser determines hair style direction
Interior of Osho Collective, Tony Caldwell’s salon in Nashville, TN
Here’s a collection of Tony Caldwell hair styles from shoots we’ve worked on together. Make-up by Katrina Brooks. Wardrobe by Makahla Ross. Photos by your host Gregory Byerline.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
This episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight supports Tammy Roth, a traditionally trained psychotherapist specializing in a feminine model of recovery for women alcoholics who has spent 20 years finding many alternative methods to clear the energy, the subconscious, cellular memory and ancestral trauma that goes along with addiction.
The Her Circle Recovery™ model walks women through how they came into the world with a heightened sensitivity and explains the development of a dysregulated nervous system. The sensitive person then absorbs environmental factors such as a dysfunctional family, disrupted attachment with the primary caregiver, generational trauma, etc. and ultimately becomes even more sensitive.
Tony also mentioned his support for Thistle Farms, offering women hope and healing through a holistic residential program, employment with one of our social enterprises, and a growing national and global network dedicated to changing a culture that allows human beings to be bought and sold.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
Welcome to another edition of Collected Clan … the podcast featuring conversational biographies of relatable people with real stories of triumph and tragedy plus successes and setbacks. I’m your host Gregory Byerline. People often come and go, but these people are the company you keep. Everyday people making their mark.
My guest today is Abby Stahlschmidt. Abby is a professional model with whom I’ve worked several times, and she’s also an accomplished violinist playing across the US and Europe. We talk about her music career so far and take a deep dive into the fashion and modeling world as we’ve both seen it, including a look at female objectification and how our work impacts people who see it. Abby also shares about a special organization she supports in this episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight. We end our conversation with an elevating celebration of femininity plus the mention of another playlist related to our conversation.
If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with your friends, go to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations.
As promised in this episode, here’s a collection of photos and videos of topics discussed so you have the full experience of this conversational biography.
We start with a collection of photos Abby and your host Gregory have made together over the years.
Next is a collection of photos, videos, and Instagram posts of Abby for various projects she’s done. Starting off, Abby is currently performing throughout Europe withe Vivaldi Metal Project. See her play in this video of an unplugged arrangement. Hear more about Vivaldi Metal Project at 09:28 in this episode.
Abby stars in and sings “Turntable” in this video below. Here the full story at 10:08 of this episode.
After Prince’s passing, Abby recorded an instrumental version of “Purple Rain” which led to performing live for a St. Louis area dancer who is now paralyzed from a random drive-by shooting. Here here tell the story at 11:53 in this episode.
Here’s a sampling of favorites from Abby’s Instagram feed. Abby discusses her professional modeling career as our main topic at 20:41.
Toward the end of our conversation, around the 0:54:55 mark, I mention a line of intimate portraiture that I have created. The line is called Bellíntima, and you’re invited to learn more by visiting the official website for this photographic experience.
Enjoy this 40-song playlist of songs celebrating how wonderful woman are. Here the backstory of this playlist at 1:04:19 and be sure you listen to these great songs after the show.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Camp Penuel, chartered in 1973, is a non-denominational charity focusing on inner-city and “at risk” children.
Camp Penuel’s headquarters and main location is Ironton, Missouri on Lake Killarney. This camp welcomes children from the St. Louis Metro Area, all Missouri, Illinois, Kensas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Begun in 1994, our East Camp in Eldred, Pennsylvania reaches their local area and includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington D.C. Jeremy and Jena Walter lead this camp.
In January 2003, Penuel dedicated land in Esparaza, Costa Rica. Paul and Thelma Bernhagen, who worked at our main camp for over five years, lead the new operation. Not only Costa Rican children benefit from the camp, it will reach out to other countries in Central America.
Abby shares her affections about Camp Penuel at the 19:14 mark in this episode.
In this episode, we hear from Tiffany Montero and how she’s navigating life through the lens of high-functioning autism and the redemptive power of adoption and how she made a conscious connection with her own birth mom as birth mom herself. This is real life in some honest, candid storytelling and conversation. Plus a special Non-Profit Spotlight that’ll shed some light on how easy it is to help someone else on their journey.
If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with your friends, go to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
0:01:11 How we met
0:01:32 Ragnar Relay experience
0:03:32 High functioning autism & running (Last Ragnar leg).”
0:05:06 Last Ragnar leg and running with Peter
0:08:53 The mental aspect of running
0:10:59 Sidelined by fear of failure and outside overload.1
0:17:03 Trail running vs road running
0:19:49 Trying to fit into Junior High
0:22:59 Tiffany‘s first 50K
0:33:38 Pushing outside your comfort zone
0:36:04 The importance of a tiny village
0:38:52 Getting real with running
0:40:57 The Run Home
0:50:38 Seeing your son again
1:03:20 Adoption and medical DNA
1:08:31 The Run Home and the road to her girls
1:10:16 Writing about her healing
1:13:05 Non-Profit Spotlight: “Sunday Sandwiches”
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
Tiffany Montero during the Shawnee Hills 100 mile trail race. Photo provided.
The Montero Family. Photo provided.
Tiffany is pictured here with her husband Jose (blue shirt), son Adam (black shirt), and cousin David (green shirt). Photo courtesy of Tiffany Montero.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
This month’s Non-Profit Spotight is something near and dear to Tiffany Montero. Listen along at 1:13:05 to hear how Tiffany’s family supports others on their journey this unique and simple process.
In this episode, we have the second half of the conversation with my friend Bradley Ford about his career in music, our love of music and musicals, the impact of music on society through education and so much more, including what it’s like to have experienced a school shooting first hand. This conversation took many twists and turns and returns upon itself into a woven storyline that created the longest episode so far.
“We’ve gotta give our kids something to be happy about. You take the arts away…the arts is joy, the arts are happy, the arts are the way you get the demons out.” ~Bradley Ford
Be sure you listen to Part 1 (aka Episode #11) which delivered the hilarity of two Scotch and Bourbon fueled friends spinning a yarn that continues into Part 2. As you listen to each episode, you’ll hear that thread come through which is the power of empathy and how that is formed through music. So this is Part 2 of the two-part conversational biography.
If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with your friends, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
0:01:23 Turning the tide of separation and racism
0:03:57 “Colored People” by dc Talk
0:06:40 Rediscovery with the Shuffle button
0:14:51 Non-Profit Spotlight: Waves of Grace
0:18:04 Living through a school shooting
0:37:07 Required reading: Martin Luther King, Jr.
0:40:30 The state of American education
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
Learn more about Bradley Ford at these links and dive into his humor-filled world of music. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
RELATED INFO
We talked about many a song in this episode, so it’s only fair that you have a chance to have those at your fingertips for your listening pleasure.
Click the image below to link to the history of school shootings in America that Bradley mentioned.
Any discussion I have about music education includes a mention of the film Mr. Holland’s Opus, and specifically these scenes that speak to the importance of music education as part of a sound education.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Bradley’s selection for this episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight is Waves of Grace. Hear Bradley’s own words about this gracious organization that provides beach vacations for cancer patients and their families.
#015 – Abby Stahlschmidt: On Modeling, Objectification, and A Little Bit of Music
Welcome to another edition of Collected Clan … the podcast featuring conversational biographies of relatable people with real stories of triumph and tragedy plus successes and setbacks. I’m your host Gregory Byerline. People often come and go, but these people are the company you keep. Everyday people making their mark.
My guest today is Abby Stahlschmidt. Abby is a professional model with whom I’ve worked several times, and she’s also an accomplished violinist playing across the US and Europe. We talk about her music career so far and take a deep dive into the fashion and modeling world as we’ve both seen it, including a look at female objectification and how our work impacts people who see it. Abby also shares about a special organization she supports in this episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight. We end our conversation with an elevating celebration of femininity plus the mention of another playlist related to our conversation.
If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with your friends, go to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
FOLLOW ALONG
For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:
FEEDBACK
GUEST SOCIALS
Learn more about Abby Stahlschmidt at these links and savor the decadent deliciousness
Official Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
RELATED INFO
As promised in this episode, here’s a collection of photos and videos of topics discussed so you have the full experience of this conversational biography.
We start with a collection of photos Abby and your host Gregory have made together over the years.
Next is a collection of photos, videos, and Instagram posts of Abby for various projects she’s done. Starting off, Abby is currently performing throughout Europe withe Vivaldi Metal Project. See her play in this video of an unplugged arrangement. Hear more about Vivaldi Metal Project at 09:28 in this episode.
Abby stars in and sings “Turntable” in this video below. Here the full story at 10:08 of this episode.
After Prince’s passing, Abby recorded an instrumental version of “Purple Rain” which led to performing live for a St. Louis area dancer who is now paralyzed from a random drive-by shooting. Here here tell the story at 11:53 in this episode.
Here’s a sampling of favorites from Abby’s Instagram feed. Abby discusses her professional modeling career as our main topic at 20:41.
Toward the end of our conversation, around the 0:54:55 mark, I mention a line of intimate portraiture that I have created. The line is called Bellíntima, and you’re invited to learn more by visiting the official website for this photographic experience.
Enjoy this 40-song playlist of songs celebrating how wonderful woman are. Here the backstory of this playlist at 1:04:19 and be sure you listen to these great songs after the show.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Camp Penuel, chartered in 1973, is a non-denominational charity focusing on inner-city and “at risk” children.
Camp Penuel’s headquarters and main location is Ironton, Missouri on Lake Killarney. This camp welcomes children from the St. Louis Metro Area, all Missouri, Illinois, Kensas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Begun in 1994, our East Camp in Eldred, Pennsylvania reaches their local area and includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington D.C. Jeremy and Jena Walter lead this camp.
In January 2003, Penuel dedicated land in Esparaza, Costa Rica. Paul and Thelma Bernhagen, who worked at our main camp for over five years, lead the new operation. Not only Costa Rican children benefit from the camp, it will reach out to other countries in Central America.
Abby shares her affections about Camp Penuel at the 19:14 mark in this episode.