Those Who Do: Renaissance Man w/James C. Burns

Naomi Swartzentruber was born into the Swartzentruber Amish sect in rural Michigan.  She enjoyed a traditional Amish upbringing working hard in the fields and in the home while being insulated from English culture.  At 17 years old, Naomi ran away from home and into the world of exotic dancing, escorting, and drugs.  Naomi shares how her journey empowered her and allowed her to be a voice for the voiceless through writing her book The Amazing Adventures of an Amish Stripper.  Naomi is kind and insightful and is a testament to how someone from the Amish community can be thrust into American culture and experiences and use trauma and and her personal battles to come out the other side as a healthy, positive mother and partner.  This is the most unique story told on Those Who Do so far!  This IS Those Who Do: Former Amish Ex-Stripper w/Naomi Swartzentruber. Naomi's Book (Click on Image)

Mike Stojic is a Marine Corps veteran and business owner.  He is owner/operator of Revival 1869 222 East Main Street | Clayton, NC27520.  Mike runs us through what he learned from the Marine Corps and the ways it both helped and hindered his approach starting his own business.  He champions mental health and is very frank about how therapy saved his business.  He is also very clear about how important his staff and their happiness and success are to him.  Mike is naturally funny, introspective and down to earth.  He’s exactly the kind of guy you’d like to sit down and have a bourbon with (preferably at his establishment Revival 1869 – A Drinkery https://www.revival1869.com/ which has some of the most beautiful décor and staff you’ll ever see). This is Those Who Do: Starting a Bourbon Bar w/ Mike Stojic 

Sean Kehoe was raised on a farm in Monticello, Iowa.  As he traversed through growing up in a small town, family tragedy and adversary formed some of his earliest memories.  An interest in science and ecology transitioned into a love for theatre leading to his travel across the county to obtain a master's degree from the University of Arizona.  A short stop working in Hollywood and a return to a job with the Aspen Music Festival would have an unexpected permanent impact on his life.  All of this lead to his current position as General Manager for the Defiant Requiem Foundation.  This is Those Who Do: From Farm Boy to Holocaust Education w/Sean Kehoe If you'd like to donate to the Defiant Requiem Foundation - https://donorbox.org/the-defiant-requiem-foundation    

Mike Dennehy is a father originally from the Midwest living in Los Angeles and working in the entertainment industry.  Mike talks about how his childhood led to an interest in the theatre and performance and how that naturally led to him moving to L.A.  He shares how his struggles with alcohol changed the course of his life.  Mike runs campaigns in Dungeons and Dragons as a Dungeon Master.  Mike educates us on the rules of the rolls and the roles.  He also explains the need for community and how Dungeons and Dragons fulfills that need.  He illustrates how the stereotypes and misinformation surround one of the most popular games in the world are just that, stereotypes and misinformation.  Oh...ya...he's just about the nicest guy in the world.  And he has a very controversial opinion about Ghostbusters.  So...Zac takes issue with that.  This is Those Who Do: Dungeon Master w/Mike Dennehy.     

Tim Johnson is a single father, artist, and head brewer.  On this episode, Tim talks about his journey from art and theatre student to designer by way of corporate America and then craft brewing.  Tim worked in the corporate offices of national brands such as Best Buy and Buffalo Wild Wings (where he oversaw the transition from Coke to Pepsi for the national chain).  He explains how he left office life for  brewing and then distilling, with a couple stops in between.  He explains how the rigors of working in the brewing industry led to struggles with his mental health and the decision that ultimately led him out of the world of beverages and back into his first true love, art and design.  Tim educates us on the process of brewing and why, sometimes, a Miller High Life just tastes good.  Vulnerable, honest, and funny, Tim is the kind of guy that knows just a lot of bit about a lot of things.  A natural conversationist, a man in search of knowledge and happiness, and a great father, this is Those Who Do:  The Art of Beverages w/ Tim Johnson.  Video version of the podcast available on YouTube!

Kevin Liang is a first generation Taiwanese American that eschewed cultural norms to go to film school and become a producer (General Education) and P.A. Kevin tells us about his moral struggles with the entertainment industry and the inner battle he fought and won.  Later, he would discover an aptitude and appreciation for firearms and become a tactical firearms instructor with the hope of changing the relationship people have with the tools and a focus on education, responsibility and safety. Kevin is one of the nicest humans in the world, and I challenge you to dislike him...it's impossible. This is Those Who Do: Gunslinger in L.A. w/ Kevin Liang! Video Version available on YouTube!

Before there was Those Who Do, there was Those Who Did.  Prior to beginning Those Who Do: The Podcast, Zac and his buddy Eric traveled to comic book conventions in the hopes of talking to convention goers and industry professionals alike to find out why they did...what they did.  In this episode from the archives, Zac and Eric talk to Chad Lindberg (Supernatural, Fast and the Furious, Sons of Anarchy) about his first Wizard World (Now Fanexpo) convention and why he has enjoyed his time there so thus far.  They also meet friend of the show James C. Burns for the first time (2011) and hold on for the ride then as they do now as James talks about his love for his fans and Michael Bay.  Zac and Eric also chat with two fantastic cosplayers about the inspiration for their characters and...why they did...what they did.  Please enjoy this vault episode of Those Who Did: Wizard World Comic Con w/ Chad Lindberg & James C. Burns!

Dr. Lily Erdahl is a loving single mother of two children originally from Iowa City, Iowa.  She's also an accomplished surgeon, educator, and podcast host.  In this episode, Lily discusses her voyage from Iowa State University as a wide eyed undergrad through her medical training in Pennsylvania and Minnesota to her current position at the acclaimed University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics back in her home town.  She discusses the rigors of working in the medical profession and the challenges of balancing her very important work as a breast surgeon with her equally important work as a mother raising smart and healthy children while sharing her emotional health with both patients and her kids.  Lily talks about how divorced homes can still remain a family, the science of breast cancer, her Lazarus like pet cat, and much much more!  This is Those Who Do: Surgeon w/ Lily Erdahl M.D. 

James C. Burns is an actor (Michael Bay’s Transformers), musician, and voice artist (Sergeant Frank Woods – Call of Duty Black Ops).  Most importantly, he’s a master raconteur.  I’ve known James for over 10 years and he was the first entertainment industry interview back when I was just a podcasting baby.  You don’t interview James.  He’s a force of nature and you just hold on for the ride.  James drops by Zac’s hotel in Burbank so we can discuss politics, gun ownership, philosophy, gender roles, the economy…maybe it would be easier to list what we didn’t discuss.  Penguins never came up.  Please enjoy Those Who Do:  Renaissance Man w/James C. Burns  Available wherever you get your pods casted!                 

David Greenspan is an editor and director known for Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19.  He’s originally from Long Island, NY and followed a somewhat unconventional route from Long Island, through an education in finance and time studying abroad in Japan to finally land on a successful career in the entertainment industry.  David shares his story through thoughtful introspection and levity to explain the duties and responsibilities of both editors and directors revealing that you might not really know what it is that…he does.  This is Those Who Do: Editing/Directing for Television w/David Greenspan. Please stick around following the end of the show as Zac shares his thoughts and emotions following Tony’s Celebration of Life. Those Who Do: The Podcast is available WHEREVER you get your pods casted.