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A lot of people daydream about quitting the sensible job for the thing that actually lights them up. Mark Winters did it and he did it with the same curiosity that made him an aerospace engineer. We talk about how a mind built for math, science, applied physics, and computational fluid dynamics can also be a mind built for poetry, songwriting, and the kind of live shows that feel like a real conversation.

Mark walks us through the turning point that changed his direction: picking up a guitar to sing an anniversary song for his wife and realizing the emotional connection was bigger than anything he’d felt in his career. From there we get into the real work of becoming a musician later in life, teaching yourself music theory, learning performance, writing originals, and eventually releasing multiple albums. If you’re searching for a career change story, an independent artist journey, or practical inspiration for starting creative work now, this ride delivers.

Mark shares the chaos and charm of his first car, a beat-up 1960 Volkswagen Bug held together by grit and duct tape, plus a rain-leak fix involving a milk jug and string. We also dig into his 20,000-mile Good Vibes Highway Tour, towing a live-in trailer for the first time, playing 60 shows in 65 days, collaborating with other musicians, and discovering places like Oregon, Banff, Vancouver, and the other-planet landscape of Moab. He explains why he loves intimate venues, how he builds a trio sound, and what it means to put a little extra positivity into the world.

If you’ve been ignoring that quiet inner nudge to try something new, Mark’s advice is simple: listen for the whisper. Subscribe for more road trip conversations, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one “whisper” you want to follow next?

You can find Mark online at Rock Music, Sugar Land, TX | Mark Winters Music

Find him on social media @markwintersmusic

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A stranger who asks “What time is it?” every ten minutes. A vintage Honda Goldwing pickup that ends with a spear on the wall and a text to family “just in case.” Then a simple confidence exercise that changes everything: introducing yourself as who you are becoming. Our conversation with filmmaker, actor, author, podcaster, and magician Tony Suriano goes from funny road-trip chaos to practical, grounded life advice you can use immediately.

We talk vintage cars and first-ride freedom, then follow Tony through a wild stretch of travel that includes trains, buses, hitchhiking, and buying a classic motorcycle on the road. Along the way, he shares what those moments taught him about reading people, trusting your gut, and staying aware when a situation feels slightly off. If you love road trip stories, motorcycle travel, and real-life “how did I end up here?” moments, you’ll feel right at home.

Tony also opens up about his creative path, from early directing and acting gigs to finding his way onto the set of The Irishman. We dig into identity and confidence, including how his friend Chad pushed him to stop dabbling and start owning the words “I’m an actor.” We even get a quick hit of wonder from Tony’s magician past, including a Houdini exhibit performance that lit up a stranger’s face with pure joy.

Finally, we unpack Tony’s upcoming book, Direct Your Life Or Someone Else Will, and the core framework behind it: self-awareness, alignment, action, and learning through failure. If you’re searching for motivation, personal development that doesn’t feel cheesy, or a creative “life design” approach that borrows from filmmaking structure, this one is for you.

You can find information on Tony and his book at Direct Your Life Or Someone Else Will | Tony Suriano Book

Listen to a live speech by Tony: https://youtu.be/nIAuqfULntE?si=XRsNVey5pstbk5Hm

Find Tony on Social Media @TonySuriano

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A torn bench seat in a ’92 GMC Sierra. A sleepy, ill-advised midnight sprint to Gulf Shores. A kid who couldn’t hit a tee-ball grows into the voice that keeps a ballpark buzzing—and then into the leader preserving one of Cincinnati's legacies. Tyler Bradshaw joins us to trace the road from humble first drives to the leadership at the Joe Nuxhall Foundation and the Miracle League Fields in Fairfield, where inclusive baseball turns Friday nights into pure electricity.

We explore how scholarships across Butler County, character education through “trading cards,” and big-league touches—video boards, stadium seating, an accessible mini golf course—create a culture where every athlete with special needs belongs. Tyler opens the door to the next chapter: the Hope Center, an indoor facility designed for year-round play, sensory-aware experiences, and a fully inclusive campus. If you’ve ever wondered how sports, community, and smart design can change lives, this is your map.

The conversation deepens as Tyler shares the loss of his father to suicide, the anxiety that followed, and the faith and therapy that helped him keep going. We talk stigma, why “it’s okay not to be okay” needs its second clause—“and not okay to stay that way without help”—and the power of naming feelings so they can be managed. Along the way, we celebrate the enduring warmth of Joe Nuxhall, the storytelling genius of Marty Brennaman, and the small rituals—like a child touching Joe’s statue before a Reds game—that keep legacies alive.

Come for baseball, stay for the courage. Hear how a city rallies around access, dignity, and joy, and why simply sitting in the stands to cheer might change you as much as it changes the players. If this moved you, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these stories.

Be sure to check out The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields | Disability Recreation and learn how to get involved.

Follow Tyler's blog at Seeya Bub – A Son Learns to Say Goodbye.