From the Hat: a PONDcast

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! Harvest festivals have been around for millennia. Communities have been gathering to celebrate their bounty and enjoy gathering with others before they hunker down for the winter. Sometimes we get lost thinking it’s about pilgrims and native tribes in 1621. President Lincoln brought it back to the three core purposes: Gratitude, Unity, and their positive influence and support to endure hard times.

Welcome to Season 2 of From the Hat! We are starting this season off with a very special guest: Judy Pond. Judy is a teacher, clothing designer, wilderness survivalist expert, mother of eight, wife of 50 yrs, folk dancer, world traveler, grandmother to many, and friend to more. Most importantly, to me, she is my mother, mentor, and hero. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

We made it!! Episode 50! In this Season 1 finale, we talk about the culminating ideas of how to live life on earth. Our guest for this episode is the most quoted person in the history of this podcast. She had taught me so much about living life, seeing others, and unabashed authenticity: my better half, Sarah Pond. You can check out Sarah and her special effects makeup on the Instagrams at www.instagram.com/stache.of.bones/ Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Fixers of the world, untie! Sometimes fixing a problem will not solve it. How relinquishing control can empower others. Our Featured Guest for this episode is Maryann Larkin. Maryann is one of the most authentic, service minded, and thoughtful people I know. I've learned so much from her over the many years that I have had the pleasure to know her. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Why do we crave the creepy, hunt the haunted, and focus on the frightening? Welcome to From the Hat's Halloween episode! Can you handle the horror? We'd like to welcome The Cosmerenaut, Steven Pond, as our featured guest for this episode. Steven is an actor, content creator, media personality, director, amateur philosopher, and lover of all things Brandon Sanderson. Check him out on all the medias: https://linktr.ee/ReadAndFindOut Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

The Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything! THIS IS 42! In this episode we explore the universes of Douglas Adams. Our featured guests for this episode are two amazing gentlemen. Jon Liu and Aaron Pond. Jon is an incredible human, tenor, photographer, and movie junkie. Aaron has degrees in Astro physics, Business, and Education, and possibly the smartest person I know. With guests with the diversity of backgrounds that they bring to the party, you're going to want to hear where this goes! Don't forget your bath towel. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Children's books, Storytelling, Watercolors, Cars, and Family: Life's necessities. Our featured guest for this episode is author & illustrator, Amy Montana Hitchcock. Amy is an incredible storyteller, author, artist, and poet. We talk about what got her into painting, her creative process, and the inspiration for her stories. Check out her books on Amazon Here are the links to her audiobooks on Audible and iTunes, narrated by Ryan Pond (that's me) Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Accordions & ATM's, Ice Cream in Winter, and challenging conventions. Our Featured Guests for this episode is John Burggraaf. John is an I.T. whiz, proud parent, accordion player, and a walker in the shoes of others. John is kind man, with a lot to say. He looks at the world and situations from a variety of perspectives. His desire to understand others is incomparable. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Where do you come from? Why does it matter? How does this knowledge help you where you're going? Our featured guest for this episode is Iese Wilson. Iese is a community builder, an advocate and ally, a musician, a leader, and friend. As long as I've known him, I've been impressed with his kindness, thoughtfulness, and sincerity. You can keep up with him on the Instagrams @iesewithani Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Forty-Four! 44! Cuarenta y cuatro! сорок четыре! This episode has three of my closest friends: Shane, Blake, & Paul. The adventures we have had are innumerable and the bonds forged are unbreakable. If you like food and hamburgers or have a belly button, you'll want to listen in. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Volatile Geopolitical Relations, Rideshare Liabilities, Donuts, and Space Colonization... Yeah, it's all here, and more! There are people in this world that you need to get to know. Our Featured Guest for this episode is one of those people. Husband, Father, Musician, Lawyer, Culinary Trailblazer, and Seeker of truth. Scott is one of the kindest, genuine, thoughtful people that I know, and it is a pleasure to have him on this episode. You're gonna learn a lot from him. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Motorcycle Gangs, Hitchhiking across the galaxy, Rock Bands, Donny Osmond, and Santa Claus. It's all here. This is episode 41! Our Featured Guest for this episode is Richie Angel. Richie is a prosecutor, musician, movie director, writer, philosopher, and ultra nerd. You're interested in a specific topic? There's a good chance he knows something about it! You're gonna want to listen to this! Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

This episode has nothing to do with... well, very little to do with, the 40th President of the United States. It does, however, talk about roller derby, having the wind in your hair, and getting up when you fall. Our Featured Guest for this week's episode is Regan. She is my second daughter and has been looking forward to being on From The Hat for some time now. I am excited to have her on the show and share her energy, free spirit, and wisdom. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Jean jackets, second-hand coffins, starting fires, and "knowing what your problem is." We talk about these and more, this week on From The Hat! Our Featured Guest is Rachel Noble. Rachel has lived a life that is "outside of the box." She forges her own path and marches to the beat of her own drum. She's also pretty handy with a chainsaw. We talk about pretty much everything. You're gonna want to listen! Support and follow Rachel on the world wide webiverse: Etsy: Strawberry Meatballs Apparel (Super cool Rocker Kidswear) Instagram: @Strawberrymeatballs_apparel Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Do you know what the new 988 number is? You will after listening to this episode. Listen in and learn how you may better empower yourself and those around you. You can become limitless! In this episode, our Featured Guest is mental health therapist, personal trainer, and veteran, Nathan Pond. Nathan comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insights. Check out his website and social medias: www.xlr8therapy.com Facebook.com/xlr8therapy Instagram: @xlr8therapy Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Our Featured Guest for this episode is Lisa Rosborough Simons. Lisa is a wealth of experience and knowledge: from cooking, creativity, literature, and sports. There are few things that she can't do. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Do you have blind-spots in your ability to understand someone or something? We talk about how you can overcome them in the episode. Our Featured Guest for this Episode is Randolf Scott. Randolf is husband, father, soccer aficionado, and gentleman. He is one of the friendliest people I know and someone you want to get to know better. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

What does of box of mac and cheese, a tube of toothpaste, and totaling dad's car, have to do with each other? Listen to this episode to find out. You'll be grateful you did!! On this week's episode of From the Hat, our featured guest is Stephen Larson. Stephen is great friend with a background of everything. A jack-of-all-trades: Sports fan, IT whiz, Coach, and Trumpet player, etc, etc, and etc... Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

What does kidnapping, power chords, and riding a bike cross-country have to do with each other? Find out in this week's episode Our Featured Guest for the week is Rachel Brown, the Metal Soprano: Wife, mother, versatile vocalist, and crime buff. She makes all these work together in an amazing package! Subscribe to her YouTube Channel. Watch, listen, and give feedback. Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com

Sometimes the dead end is to let you know that the other path is the one. Here is a little peek into some of the events that have shaped my perceptions and ways of thinking. It hasn't gone according to plan... It's been even better! Subscribe, read our blog, and most importantly, leave any comment, question, or feedback. Follow us on all the social medias: https://linktr.ee/RyanPondVOA We want future shows to be driven by listeners on topics, questions, and ideas. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts at ryanpondVOA@gmail.com