Audacious with Chion Wolf

Mascots: They’re furry, funny, and sometimes mischievous. But what's actually going on in there? Tom Burgoyne shares what it’s been like to embody the Phillie Phanatic for over three decades. Mikaela Higgins reveals how her company became a giant in the world of mascot-makers, designing icons from Ronald McDonald to the Energizer Bunny. And hear how one “yes“ changed the life of Conor Geary, whose turn as a mascot led to a dream sports gig he never saw coming. Suggested episode: Banjo Man, 'Woo Woo' Wickers and UConn Huskies superfans share their love of the game GUESTS: Tom BurgoynePheel The Love! How the Most Powerful Force in the Universe Builds Great Companies - Phillie Phanatic Style!Mikaela HigginsOlympus MascotsConor Geary Jessica Severin de Martinez, Meg Fitzgerald, and Robyn Doyon-Aitken contributed to this show, with help from our interns, Coco Cooley and Isaac Moss. Audacious with Chion Wolf is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Tune In, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and email. Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s in a name? For me, “Audacious” was the perfect fit for a show about bold conversations, but I’m not the only one drawn to it. Meet three creators who also built their work around that powerful word. Dr. Jody Jahn hosts The Audacious Year, helping high-achieving women rebuild their self-image from the inside out. Audley Stephenson’s The Audacious Living Podcast shares lessons on resilience from over 500 guests. And Emmy-winner Reece Robinson co-created The Audacious Report, a docuseries on extreme endurance feats. Together, we explore what it really means to live and create audaciously. Suggested episodes: Behind the mic: Gayle King, Ziwe, and Mehdi Hasan on the art of the interviewThe birth of Snap Judgment: How the end of the world became the beginning of Glynn Washington’s storyA conversation with Humans of New York creator Brandon StantonLife advice, one Audacious guest at a timeThe one where all the guests are named Pat Smith GUESTS: Jody Jahn:The Audacious YearAudley Stephenson:The Audacious Living PodcastReece Robinson:The Audacious ReportSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeffrey Marsh is back on Audacious, four years after their interview with Chion Wolf cracked open a new kind of conversation about dignity, identity, and radical love. In this deeply personal follow-up, Jeffrey opens up about self-trust, forgiveness, the spiritual stakes of being visibly nonbinary in America, and why vulnerability is the real magic. Plus, how to keep your heart intact in a time of backlash and burnout. Whether you’re healing, hiding, or just barely holding on, Jeffrey’s voice is a balm and a wake-up call. Suggested episodes: Jeffrey Marsh Loves YouFive years of Audacious: Where are they now? GUEST: Jeffrey Marsh: author of How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life, Take Your Own Advice: Learn to Trust Your Inner Voice and Start Helping Yourself, and creator and host of the self-help podcast, Inner Voice with Jeffrey Marsh; also a coach and digital creator known for advocating nonbinary and LGBTQ+ visibility and promoting radical self-acceptance Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all imagined holding a winning lottery ticket, but what happens next? Hear from a man known as The Lottery Lawyer, who shares the most common mistakes people make when trying to claim their winnings. Plus, a man who scored a $28 million Powerball jackpot at just 21 years old reveals what life was like after the win—the highs, the surprises, and some challenges you might not expect. This episode originally aired on October 26, 2024. Suggested episodes: Aftershocks: Life after getting struck by lightning Welcome to the Punderdome! We're entering NYC's punniest pun competition The Guts & Glory Of Getting Into The Guinness Book Of World Records What it's like to win a Nobel Prize with Andrea Ghez and Martin Chalfie GUESTS: Kurt Panouses: ‘The Lottery Lawyer & CPA’, specializing in helping lottery winners claim their prizes and manage their money Timothy Schultz: Winner of a $28 million Powerball jackpot in 1999. Filmmaker, and host of the podcast, “Lottery, Dreams and Fortune” Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you want your funeral to look like? For Bill Edgar, it’s about crashing someone else’s - with their permission - to reveal secrets they didn’t dare share while alive. For Dr. Matt Morgan, it meant holding his own living funeral in the mountains with his closest friends. And for Ghanaian artist Jacob Ashong, it’s about crafting fantasy coffins shaped like cars, animals, and anything else that captures a life. In this episode, three men take us deep into what it means to rethink death, legacy, and the rituals we create to say goodbye. Suggested episodes: The quest for a good deathViews from the end: David MeyersJayson Greene reflects on grief and parenthood nine years after his daughter's death GUESTS: Bill Edgar:The Coffin ConfessorThe Afterlife Confessional Dr. Matt Morgan: A Second Act: What Nearly Dying Teaches Us About Really Living Jacob Ashong (better known as Paa Joe): Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would you do if someone’s life suddenly depended on you? Meet four everyday people who stepped into crisis and saved a life. A 9-year-old girl calls 911 when her father collapses. A teen athlete performs CPR on a rival player. A librarian administers Narcan to a woman outside the library. A teacher stops the bleeding, and later wrestles with his need to be called a hero. Resources: Stop the Bleed by The American College of Surgeons: training resources, including online classes The American Red Cross: training options, including CPR, first aid, AED, and water safety classes The American Heart Association: training resources, including CPR, first aid, and AED classes Suggested episodes: 911, What’s Your Emergency? Tales From Dispatch More than a bodyguard: Will Geddes on the art of protection GUESTS: Analia and Alex Sinanis: a 9-year-old daughter and her father from New Haven, CT. When Alex, a police officer in North Haven, experienced a medical emergency, Analia called 911 and helped save his life Magnus Miller: an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, who stepped in to help after a fellow athlete went into cardiac arrest during a basketball game in Oklahoma Caroline Mandaro: a Youth Services Librarian in Centereach, NY. She administered Narcan to a woman who had overdosed Patrick O’Connor: a teacher and writer from Massachusetts. He used his Stop the Bleed training after a neighbor's artery was severed by glass Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glynn Washington, the voice behind Snap Judgment, grew up in a white supremacist doomsday cult. In this episode, Glynn opens up about what that did to his worldview, and how walking away from it all eventually led him to storytelling. It’s a conversation about survival, identity, and the magic of stories that refuse to offer any easy endings. Suggested episode: Behind the mic: Gayle King, Ziwe, and Mehdi Hasan on the art of the interview GUEST: Glynn Washington:Snap JudgmentHeaven's GateSpookedSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all acts of courage make headlines. Sometimes, being brave means doing something small, but meaningful. We’re talking about the quiet, low-key moments of bravery that people carry with them for years: saying yes, saying no, starting over, or simply showing up. Listeners and past guests share their stories of everyday courage, from snapping turtles to stolen cars to personal reinvention. Poet and philosopher David Whyte reflects on the true nature of courage - not as grand action, but as deep presence. And Herman Jagpal, creator of Daily Rejection, explains why he’s spending all of 2025 being told “no,” and being OK with that. Plus, Chion takes one of Herman’s challenges into real life... and attempts to deliver a message to shoppers over a grocery store intercom. Suggested episodes: Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines usHow regret teaches us to liveAwe yeah! Exploring the magic of mind-blowing momentsLife advice, one Audacious guest at a timeAre you very superstitious or just a little 'stitious'?Kitchen objects with a story. Listen at your own whiskWhat smells remind you of childhood? Hear eighteen answersWhy you so salty? The anger episodeThe surprising ways we ritual GUESTS: Maggie DownieDavid Whyte Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday WordsConsolations II Herman Jagpal@dailyrejectionListeners and past guestsSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do bread clips, fire alarms, and umbrella covers have in common? Most people toss them, but not our guests. Diana Mendoza has spent nearly 20 years collecting bread clips and helps moderate a global research community dedicated to their study. Tim Zhang, a recent high school grad, has over 400 fire alarms and a booming YouTube channel. And on a small island in Maine, Nancy 3. Hoffman runs the world’s only Umbrella Cover Museum, complete with a disco ball and an adults-only section. These collectors are filled with joy, meaning, and a deep love for the overlooked. Suggested episode: The joy of collecting barf bags, miniature chairs, and bricks GUESTS: Diana Mendoza:Tim Zhang:Nancy 3. Hoffman:The Umbrella Cover Museum Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey, kids! Did you know there are grown ups who are just as obsessed with Disney as you? There's an adult out there who has full-sleeve tattoos of Disney characters, another who’s spent tens of thousands of dollars on merch, and one guy even set a world record for visiting Disneyland for almost 3,000 days in a row! Those are just some of the Disney adults you’ll meet on today’s show. This episode originally aired on May 4, 2023. GUESTS: Eric AasenAbby BroneJeff ReitzErin Dugan & Zach BakkenOpera House PlayersZach is a voice over actorRozy AmblerAJ WolfeDisney Food BlogKatie CharterClairy Floofs TattooSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember how fun roller skating was as a kid? Well, the adults you’ll meet this hour are still having a good time on roller skates, but they take that fun to the next level! Takina Pollack Shafer brings pop-up skating events to her hometown of Bridgeport, CT, where she creates space for people of all stripes to forget their worries and experience the joy of roller skating. It’s a pop-up with a purpose. You'll also meet the 2024 Men’s National Jam Skating Champion, LeRoy Mcsmith, and the designer known as “Rollerman.” He invented a full-body suit covered in wheels: hands, elbows, chest, back, even his butt. He puts the suit on, lays down and bombs down mountains at speeds around 70 miles an hour. Suggested episodes: Extreme ironing, cheese rolling, and shin kicking: The world of weird sportsFrom wingsuit BASE jumping to record-breaking South Pole expeditions with Ellen Brennan Frat and Liv Arnesen GUESTS: Takina Pollock Shafer: SkateportLeRoy Mcsmith: Jean-Yves Blondeau aka Rollerman:Buggy RollinSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was part birthday party, part storytelling spectacle, and 100% Audacious! We threw a live Show & Tell at Dead Language Beer Project in Hartford, and invited public radio fans to bring an object they love, and the story that makes it matter. From a PEZ dispenser with family ties, to a holy (literally) beer mug, to walnut shell art that has mesmerized a family for generations, the night was full of big laughs, tiny treasures, and extraordinary moments. Suggested episodes: Audacious Live! Show & Tell in StamfordFive years of Audacious: Where are they now? GUESTS: Chion Wolf:Audacious with Chion WolfEmily Tracy:Dr. David Shapiro:Stop The BleedMeg Fitzgerald: Larry Klein: Pamela Morrison-Wolf:Christy KovelAlzheimer’s Association's Connecticut ChapterDave Mourad:Robyn Doyon-Aitken: Ashley Cook:Michelle Horsley:Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To celebrate five years of Audacious, we reconnect with a few unforgettable guests. Ari Cobb, now 13, reflects on how his relationship with stuttering has evolved since we first met him at age 8. Toby Dorr shares how the death of her former partner, whom she once broke out of prison, reshaped her purpose. Jeffrey Marsh returns with powerful insights on self-acceptance. And we meet Hannah Joyner, wife of Dr. David Meyers, who joined us before his death from glioblastoma. It’s a heartfelt look back at stories that changed us and the people who continue to inspire us. Suggested episodes: People with speech disfluencies have a lot to sayWhy'd You Do It: I snuck my incarcerated boyfriend out of prison in a dog crateJeffrey Marsh loves youAfter the fire: Stories of what the flames couldn’t destroyViews from the end: David Meyers GUESTS: Ari CobbAudaciousPeople with speech disfluencies have a lot to sayToby DorrWhy'd You Do It: I snuck my incarcerated boyfriend out of prison in a dog crateBeyond Conviction: A Love StoryJeffrey MarshJeffrey Marsh loves youHow to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your LifeTake Your Own Advice: Learn to Trust Your Inner Voice and Start Helping YourselfHannah JoynerViews from the end: David MeyersSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how sometimes you look outside, see a bird, and think, “Oh, hey! A cardinal! A blue jay! A robin!“ Happens all the time. Now imagine what your life would be like if you traveled the world as part of a lifelong quest to become the first person to see 10,000 bird species. Get to know Peter Kaestner. He shares the surprising story of how he came excruciatingly close to missing that once-in-a-lifetime shot. And find out why he believes there are a million ways to be a birder. This episode originally aired August 23, 2024. Resources: eBirdIOC World Bird ListMerlin Suggested episodes: Wings, pouches, and snouts: The world of uncommon emotional support animalsWe, The Dog GUEST: Peter Kaestner:American Bird ConservancyRockjumper Birding AdventuresSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you hear “philanthropy,” you might think of millionaires, black-tie galas, or buildings named after donors. But what if you could be a philanthropist without being wealthy? In this episode, you’ll meet people who donate small amounts to hundreds of places, hand out cash on city streets, and send money directly to people in poverty, no strings attached. Explore the power of small, consistent giving, and how even modest acts of generosity can spark massive ripple effects. Suggested episodes: GOOD NEWS! That’s how we celebrate 100 episodes of AudaciousSocial media, the algorithm, and the state of our hearts"Negativity be gone!": Artists igniting joy on social media GUESTS: Rabbi Jeff & Mindy GlickmanPeter BondTikTokInstagram accountsCaroline TetiGiveDirectlySupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some rituals are spiritual. Some are silly. Some are inherited, and some are self-made. Casper ter Kuile, author of The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices, walks us through how we create all sorts of meaningful, grounding rituals. And you'll hear clips from past two years of Audacious guests who have shared the rituals that matter most to them, from morning journaling and bedtime affirmations to pre-show sign-slapping. Whether you've already got your rituals down pat, or are still developing your own special routine, this episode shows you how to honor the sacred in the everyday. Suggested episodes: Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us Life advice, one Audacious guest at a timeKitchen objects with a story. Listen at your own whiskWhy you so salty? The anger episodeChange Of Art: Stories About Tattoo CoverupsAwe yeah! Exploring the magic of mind-blowing moments GUESTS: Casper ter KuileThe Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices. Sacred Design LabHarry Potter and the Sacred TextAudacious guests who shared their personal rituals (in order of appearance)Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if it wasn’t spiders, heights, or flying… but grass, buttons, or your own reflection that made your hands clammy and your heart race? Meet Bettina, a romantic comedy author who avoids lawns at all costs; Marcos, who dreads reflections and shaves in the shower to escape the mirror; and Mark, who hasn’t worn a shirt with buttons since he was a kid. Connecticut psychologist Dr. David Tolin helps us understand how these fears develop, how they affect daily life, and why some people choose to confront their fears, while others simply adapt. Suggested episodes: Full house: The line between collecting, clutter, and hoarding disorderAre you very superstitious or just a little 'stitious'?Snakes in their mouths and venom in their veins: Why two snake pioneers do what they do GUESTS: Dr. David Tolin: Anxiety Disorders CenterBettina Hunt:MarcosMark CardiaSupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet people whose lives were upended by fire - and transformed by resilience. From the recent Los Angeles fires, we hear from Casey Colvin, who searched for days to find his beloved dog, Oreo, and 10-year-old Grayson Roberts, who lost his home, his Braille materials, and his drum kits - but not his spirit. We also talk to RoseMarie Wallace, who reflects on how losing everything made her stronger, and Leslie Wharton, who shares what 13 years of rebuilding and reflection have taught her after losing her Colorado home to a wildfire. Resources: American Red Cross: Recovering After a Fire Suggested episodes: We, The DogAftershocks: Life after getting struck by lightningThe story of the first African-American face transplant GUESTS: RoseMarie WallaceCasey ColvinOreoTeeka Teekaemotional moment of Casey finding OreoGrayson and Terica RobertsLeslie WhartonPhoenix Rising: Stories of Remarkable Women Walking Through FireHome Fires Burning.Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before a sitcom rolls tape, someone has to turn a roomful of strangers into a laughing, clapping, totally-on-board studio audience. That someone? A warm-up comedian. Meet Mark Sweet, who’s spent nearly 40 years getting audiences hyped for shows like Cheers, Roseanne, and The Big Bang Theory. And Joyelle Nicole Johnson shares how warming up the crowd for Patriot Act was a part of what led her to a huge stand-up career. It’s part comedy, part crowd control, part emotional thermostat, and it might just be the most invisible job in showbiz. Until now. Suggested episodes: Why the world needs comedians with disabilitiesThe meteoric rise of comedian Zarna GargActors Mary Elizabeth Kelly and Dean Edwards on the art of impressions GUESTS: Mark Sweet:The Big Bang Theory, Full House,Two and a Half MenGeorgie & Mandy's First MarriageLeanneJoyelle Nicole Johnson:Patriot ActThe Tonight Show, Late Night with Seth MeyersLove JoySupport the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UPDATE: This episode originally aired June 28, 2024. Since its airing, Chion Wolf and the Audacious team were awarded a Gracie Award in the Portrait/Biography category for this episode. "The Gracie Awards recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. They also acknowledge the individuals who have made inspirational contributions to the industry." Growing up, Pidgeon Pagonis was told a lot about their medical history: They were born with cancerous ovaries, so the doctors removed them to save their life. Except that wasn't true. In reality, they were born intersex. And those were not cancerous ovaries, they were undescended testes. And that was just the beginning of many truths coming out. Hear their story of discovery, and how they played a massive role in getting the hospital where they were born to reverse their policies on how they treat intersex children. Resources: interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth Intersex resource list by Pidgeon Pagonis Statements on Intersex Care at Lurie Children’s Hospital Recommended episodes: Conception deception: The fight for transparency in the fertility industry Jeffrey Marsh Loves You Being a trans woman in the trucking industry GUEST: Pidgeon Pagonis: Intersex speaker, filmmaker, and consultant; Author of the memoir, Nobody Needs to Know Jessica Severin de Martinez, Khaleel Rahman, Meg Fitzgerald, Robyn Doyon-Aitken, Meg Dalton, Catie Talarski, and Reinett Chefu contributed to this show. Audacious with Chion Wolf is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Tune In, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and email. Support the show: https://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.