Welcome to the Plain Ordinary Dragon podcast - or as we like to say - the Plain Ordinary Dragon Cast - PODcast!

We wanted to drop in & let you know the podcast IS coming & almost ready to launch. Here is some of the genesis behind POD & how we hope to serve you!

Enjoy the journey!

Elliott

Welcome Dragons!

Today we go live with the Plain Ordinary Dragon podcast, or as I like to call it the PODcast. When I started learning how to put a podcast together I realized there were technical challenges to be overcome, but also the marketing & PR side of it to learn about. After all, it doesn't matter how brilliant & amazing your show, episode, or speech is if there isn't anyone around to listen to it. An unheard podcast might as well not exist. You know, like, if a tree falls in the forest & no one is there to hear it... SO, I will need your help to spread the word through the underground this is the hottest new show around (okay, so this isn't Todd Snider's Talking Seattle Grunge Blues but it certainly is a nod in that direction). 

For the launch of this podcast today, I wanted the first episode to be me, just talking to you from the heart. Most of this podcast is going to revolve around the journey of other people, but I felt it was a little unfair not to introduce you to the host who will be there each step of the way. Today, I'm going to tell you a little bit about my journey. We'll discuss some highlights & challenges. We'll discuss some failures. We'll discuss some success. As is always the case with me, there will certainly be some philosophical discussion. I'll tell you the story of how breaking my neck in a car accident helped me understand what overcoming adversity really means. We'll talk about some of my failures & how they lead me to success - and how failure is an intimate part of success. I hope you will listen, and more than that, I hope what you hear will be useful to you in some way.

Dragons, here we go!

Welcome Dragons!

Today we get to talk with Tim Jackson. He is a drummer, a veteran, & an accomplished paramedic. We discuss his journey from growing up in small town USA to his current role in hospital administration. Along the way we get to hear stories of challenges he experienced & had to overcome to get to where he wanted to go.

When Tim & I met many years ago, I feel like it was an instant bond that formed between us. We shared a strong love of music, and happened to go to the same church. Later in life, Tim & I were roommates. So, it's safe to say we have known each other well for a good long time. There was a period when we lost touch for a good 15 years or so. Eventually social media allowed us to reconnect.

When I decided to start this podcast I knew Tim's perspective would be one I wanted to share. While we have gone very different directions in our lives and have diametrically opposed views on many topics, I feel the friendship we have, to this day, is based on love & mutual respect for each other. I firmly believe this is something badly MISSING from the national political discussion here in the USA. This is one reason why this is such an important interview. We NEED to break down the barriers of hate & intolerance - from all sides. And we can't do that - we can't begin to heal our homes, lives, and country until we are ready to lay down the disgust & hate for one another's beliefs & embrace the human on the other side of the viewpoint (the story we tell ourselves) as valid & valuable. The more we draw lines in the sand - the more we say "You are not welcome in my house if you believe this way" - the more we try to assume our truth is "the truth" without acknowledging the real living breathing soul across from us - the more our society will break down & devolve into things like mass shootings, conversion therapy, hatred for our fellow humans, and ultimately war or even civil war.

My sincerest hope is this conversation can showcase how love for one another can overcome emotionally dug in dogma.

Welcome Dragons!

Today we are in for a real treat. We are lucky enough to have caught up with the infamous Donnie Lee. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of meeting him in person you are about to have a really fun trip. You see, the truth of it is this: you don't meet Donnie - you experience him. He pulls no punches. None. What you see, or in this case - hear, is what you get. You don't find conversations anywhere any more open & honest than this one - or really, any conversation you have with him. And it is delightfully fun with stories & quatables you are not likely to forget ever. When we get together the conversations can go on for days, and they would if life didn't get in the way.

Donnie is, in my opinion, a YouTube or podcast star in the making. He is gold. He is so money. Okay, I'm sure I should do the respectable thing & tell you we discuss his journey from tiny Western Grove, Arkansas to being the Distance Learning guy in the state & then watching it disappear almost overnight due to the breakneck speed of technological advances. Oh yeah, did I mention he's also a musician? He was one of the first drummers I worked with in a band. Even then, you could tell he was special & had sick talent (for the old fogies, sick is a term that means amazing - for the young ones out there, yes I know that's an old fogie term to you - it's all perspective).

I could go on & on as Donnie is one of my favorite folks ever. He is what I seriously call My Brother from Another Mother. Speaking of mothers - be aware this episode has adult language - NSFW (Not Safe for Work) - not safe for kids under 18. If adult language & themes offend you or your sensibilities you might be exactly the kind of person who should hear this episode, or maybe not - like with everything in life - the choice is yours. Choose wisely.

Welcome Dragons!

I'm super excited for today's episode. Hal Borland is with us! He was one of my first mentors in the Information Technology field & has been a close friend ever since. We discuss challenges & triumphs along his journey, and other fun stories along the way. We discuss the impact we can have on the people around us & in our circle of influence. We discuss other fun & funny things too. But make no mistake, this episode is full of clues about success & life. They say success leaves clues & there are clues a plenty in this discussion, if you are willing to listen for them.

Hal is a very accomplished technology guru. I would use his current title, but it doesn't do him justice. He understands technology on a very complex level. However, part of his genius is being able to explain it in layman's terms to just about anyone. He is a great communicator & his willingness to give back to those around him is second to none. There will be more episodes with Hal, but until then - enjoy the show!

Welcome Dragons!

Homer Keys from Firebird Straps joins us today for the podcast, and you are going to hear some real life things in this episode. We talk with Homer about his new company, his journey, some challenges, and some of the folks who have had an impact on him throughout the years. We run into some of the same characters who have previously been on the podcast in the stories he tells.

Homer is a true artist. He loves to paint, draw, sing, play guitar (he is pretty amazing on the guitar), and so much more. He does it for the love of creating. He is what we would call a "maker". He makes art. And his newest art form is recycling old leather belts into kick ass guitar straps. They are custom made to fit each customer. Oh, and did I mention they are beautiful and unique and one of a kind - just like Homer. Check out his creations & contact him for your own strap or a strap for a friend who needs one. While his website is still a work of art under creation, you can reach him on Instagram at firebird_straps - Rise Above!

I started to reflect on the last few episodes & then I bird-walked in a much different direction. We are going to discuss the giveaways & how the deadline has been extended! I talk a little about why we are doing what we are doing with this podcast & the direction of Plain Ordinary Dragon. We also discuss getting into action on our projects. I may even rant a little....I guess we'll see

What a powerful episode we have for you today. We catch up with the multi-talented Jana Lee Gibson Clifton (yep - she's my wife). From a young age, she has known struggle & tragedy intimately , and today she shares how she keeps coming through it all. From witnessing the tragic death of her older brother to surviving divorce & then losing her father in a motorcycle accident, she bravely discusses her journey with amazing vulnerability. This is one of our most empowering episodes. You don't want to miss it!

Here are some links to The Electronic Cliftons YouTube episodes Jana discusses in the episode - Enjoy!

The Trailer

The birth

Finish