Grade A Nation

After moving out of the public eye for a bit, Jeremy Gardner stops by for a cool conversation. We cover his early years as an only child at tension with his parents for not listening and rebelling against authority; some of this might be attributable to being neurodivergent. Jeremy discusses how his time at the University of Michigan facilitated the development of the Bitcoin Education Network, a nonprofit encouraging blockchain awareness and adoption around the world.

Interacting with more and more people in the crypto space led to the development of the betting platform and prediction market Augur...

William Szamosszegi is the CEO and founder of Sazmining, a project that works with renewable energy hosting facilities in an attempt to provide sustainable powered mining rigs that can be used by individual investors interested in Bitcoin mining. For those concerned about the energy wastefulness and potential environmental harm presented by Bitcoin mining rigs, Sazmining pools money from customers together and places a bulk order on discounted mining rigs along with renewable energy contracts.

William discusses what inspired his work in this area and the logistics of carrying it out. He also states why he views Bitcoin as...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Ari Tulla, the cofounder and CEO of nutrition service Elo checks in to talk about how better food choices are a core part of a strategy to achieve personal wellness and feeling healthier. Elo strives to give personalized nutrition products based on a collection of information about each member, as well as direct video chat consultations with a dietician.

In the course of the conversation, we discuss the fast food epidemic, how so much is spent on wellness each year while more people are increasingly either overweight and feel sick, gaps...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Jeremy Cordon, the founder and CEO of Goldback Inc., joins the program. A Goldback is physical gold money that can be used in transactions small and large in several U.S. states.

Jeremy discusses how his time at a Libertarian think tank shaped his views about precious metals, his prior work on a cryptocurrency project Quintric and how that experience influenced the Goldback project, why Goldbacks grew in popularity during the pandemic, whether the viability of the Goldback project long-term is tied to the political choices made by states to recognize...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with artist Dan York about his delusionism paintings. What is delusionism, you ask? The paintings are certainly unique; some folks will call them funny, others might call them provocative, while even a few others will potentially label them deranged nonsense. Dan wouldn’t have it any other way!

We discuss his upbringing, artists and comedians he admires, his opinion on critics, the art scene in Nashville compared to other cities, his love of buck-toothed women with large breasts (or at least his love of painting women that way), an...

Robbie Burgess lost his father and attempted to take his mind off the grief by starting an online music station. While struggling to make it financially viable, he wanted to press on and interview the musicians that made the 80s music so memorable to him with a podcast show. Robbie’s passion for music came about at a very early age. His parents split up when he was one; going along to his dad’s gigs in a country music band immersed Robbie into the music world. A self-proclaimed music fanatic, Robbie talks Queen, Phil Collins, Steely Dan, Wang Chung, Dura...

Original Summary - On this installment of Grade A Nation, we have the opportunity to hear the amazing life story of Marie Mosley. Marie had a difficult childhood which led to rough circumstances in her teenage and adult years, but she was ultimately able to persevere. We discuss: -Her dad passing away from diabetes when she was five years old, living in a shelter after a building fire, then losing one of her sister’s and a niece when she was just twelve years old. -Feeling like God hated her and challenges of feeling like there was a cloud hanging ov...

Grade A Nation has the honor of welcoming Bill Ottman on to the podcast. Bill is the CEO and co-founder of the social networking app called Minds. Bill is definitely a polymath with keen insights into a lot of different things, which makes him a Grade A podcast guest!  We discuss: -Acquiring the Minds.com domain name and the chaotic domain name market -The purpose of Minds as a social platform, with an emphasis on free expression and creator monetization -Minds integrating with the decentralized relay protocol Nostr that can eventually bring about interoperability between a variety of social media p...

On this four year anniversary edition of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Mike Cotayo. There is a famous joke about Mike: "a comic, a social worker, and an escort walk into a bar, and they're all Mike Cotayo." Okay, enough kidding around! Mike Cotayo is a great comic that has done it all and seen it all. From flying through a windshield in a car crash at 18 months old to getting HIV in a West Village sex club, Mike has a ton of life experiences to incorporate in his stand up material. We cover Mike's: -lack of confidence...

Jack Canfora chats with Grade A Nation about his various pursuits over the years. Although Jack has accomplished quite a bit, his heart is in writing plays and the live theatre. On the show, Jack and Chris Thomas talk about: -Jack's passion for the written word and the musical nature of English -which genre of music matches Jack's voice -how to approach writing and editing in a way that accentuates your strengths -why being paralyzed by depression in his twenties might have inhibited Jack's progress as an actor -what it means to be a natural born pessimist and the challenges...

Grade A Nation is joined by content creator Adelia Acker, who has an OnlyFans account with hundreds of thousands of followers as well as a podcast called That's OFfensive about working on the platform. Adelia has experienced a lot, including: -being kidnapped to go to rehab for smoking weed by her parents -growing up in a controlling and conservative Christian household with a dismissive father -feeling a lack of confidence about herself that led to body image concerns and an eating disorder -having fun times every weekend at the University of Arizona, but still feeling like she wasn't good enough...

Best Kept by Kat McCoy is a jewelry consultation and sourcing company that tries to take the anxiety out of the jewelry purchasing process. Chris Thomas talks with Kat about how Best Kept was created and how it operates as a concierge service.  Areas covered include: -why her experience growing up in wealthy Greenwich, CT doesn't mean she unable to connect with a diverse collection of people -how she developed an interest in jewelry from her grandma and her grandma’s sense of style -what it was like working at Ernst & Young immediately out of college -moving on to SocialCode cre...

In this fun-filled installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with adult content creator Serenity Cox, who has just exploded on the amateur scene through posting on Pornhub, earning over 200 million views and over 200,000 subscribers to her channel in short time. Serenity was awarded “Favorite Newcomer” at the 2022 Pornhub awards, as well as Pornhub Model of the Month for April 2022. She is a rising star, but you wouldn’t guess it with her down-to-earth and personable approach. We discuss: -Serenity attending Catholic school and how that might have sparked interest in the naughty side of life -Working at a cigare...

During this sometimes combustible chat on Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Matthew Karchner, a man who founded the non-profit ministry known as Castaway Ministries. Matthew operates the ministry out of Cambodia. Raised in the United States, Matthew has struggled for many years with his sexual identity, and also experienced drug dependency for many years. He now identifies as "ex-gay" and works with the youth in Cambodia discussing what he views as the risks tied to LGBTQ life and the value of the Bible. Whether or not you initially agree with Matthew's work or his point of view, listen...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Dr. Soumyadip Rakshit (not pronounced how you think, get your mind out of the gutter) joins the program. Dr. Soum is the co-founder and CEO of sexual health company Mystery Vibe. He discusses the science behind where sexual health issues often stem from and how vibrating devices can improve not just sexual pleasure but also reduce physical pain. We discuss: -earning a PhD in biometrics and doing research using technology combating against terrorism -moving from the management consulting world of a firm like Deloitte into the realm of sexual health devices -if friends...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Leigh Marz and Justin Zorn, authors of the book, “Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise.” The book approaches noise and silence in a sophisticated manner that should get people thinking about how the extent of noise and silence in one’s life can play a role in personal well-being and work performance, among other aspects of life. We talk about: -where the book fits within studies of human psychology -the concept of justice including a democratization of silence -whether there is a danger in certain cultur...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas talks with Yasmeen Hassan, former local TV news anchor and recent co-founder of communications consulting firm H CUE. Areas covered include: -moving around quite a bit as a child and how that prepared Yasmeen for her work in television -starting work in broadcasting behind the scenes as a producer, and what are the aspects people may not appreciate about what goes into getting a news broadcast together -her vivid memories of the first time doing a field report -managing both work as an anchor and a producer while trying to avoid...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas talks with Steve Maher from the band Night Routine. We discuss a lot, including: -big city life in Boston, Chicago, New York, and Denver and living internationally in Uruguay -what it was like working for a roommate matching service -transitioning to pursuing music and how to make a viable living as a musician -operating frugally when touring by sleeping in housing provided by fans that hopefully won’t hold you captive against your will -dream gigs and the nightmare shows from hell -maintaining friendships with bandmates -the evolution of Night Routine mu...

OnlyFans content creator Sarah Juree describes the scary experience of a blogger targeting her in an effort to get her fired from her work as a 5th grade STEM teacher. We discuss what it is like to be at the center of mass media attention, including all the cyberbullying she has experienced. Sarah talks about her challenging upbringing and hardships of being a single parent looking for a new partner. Despite the dark periods, Sarah approaches things with a cheery outlook and this interview is sure to brighten your day! To learn more about Sarah's work, check out https://onlyfans...

Chris Thomas talks with Mr. Slade, a recording artist based in Canada. We cover his rough childhood where he experienced bullying, how his time at a school for the arts allowed him to blossom creatively and personally, as well as his musical roots in glam rock, 80s hair metal, and 90s alternative.  Mr. Slade shares how intoxicating an energy-filled live crowd can be, career goals and worries, and why he hopes his creative work can change stereotypes people might possess. The mutual love Chris Thomas and Mr. Slade have for Duran Duran is addressed in detail! To learn more about M...

Chris Thomas has an excellent chat with Cavil Helm, author of the short book, "A Man's Guide to Tinder as Written By A Woman: A Quick and Easy Guide to Making a Great Profile." Cavil talks about how being homeschooled led her to get acclimated to the digital world at an early age, as well as how her own extensive experience with online dating helped her in developing the book. Cavil's thoughts on love, prejudice, self-esteem, and the future of dating are all covered here, making for a top-notch conversation on Grade A Nation! To learn more about Cavil's book...

Mikhael Porter, co-founder and CEO of the social media platform Needle Music, discusses how the idea of a digital community oriented around music came about during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why music serves as a special means of bringing people together and the features of Needle Music not seen elsewhere are key areas of our discussion.  If you are a music fan or someone looking for an alternative social media platform to connect with others, this is one conversation you do not want to miss out on. To learn more about Needle Music, check out https://www.needlemusic.co.

Alex Bystrov, founder of a unique livestreaming app Leam, discusses with the Grade A Nation how content creators can create closer connections to supporters they have cultivated online with Leam. Alex talks about his background in web development and design, how he has tackled self-doubt tied to perfectionism, which type of content creators will most benefit from Leam, and how creators on Leam can earn money through tokens from the Voices governance protocol. We have a neat conversation that should excite creative people of all backgrounds, regardless of your background knowledge of cryptocurrency, NFTs, or Web3 innovations. To learn more...

Amy Evans visits to chat about how growing up in Portland, Oregon influenced her as an artist, why Adele is one of several artists she admires, if it is ever possible to turn off the noise of a musical mind thinking about new ideas, her spiritual upbringing, sharing parts of herself in her art, and her new funk fusion EP called Babybird!  Amy has a beautiful voice and her music bridges a variety of genres seamlessly. Check out her soulful music and learn more about her at https://www.evansamy.com/

Koen Geron saw that working professionals did not have the time to maintain online dating profiles and communicate with their matches. He has founded an online dating management service called Hovalo, where people that are too busy to seek out a connection can have their photos, profiles, and messages handled by Hovalo staff. The ethical and privacy questions raised by a service like Hovalo are discussed, as well as general tips for creating a successful online dating profile! To learn more about Hovalo, go to https://hovalo.com/

Brad Clay, the host of Final Descent Outdoors on the Pursuit Channel and WildTV, talks about conceptualizing and assembling a hunting show that integrates messages of faith and family. We chat about the mechanics of getting a TV show off the ground, difficulties that can arise when mixing friendship with business, and strategies all content creators can apply to their work when having multiple roles getting creative material completed. To learn more about Brad's unique TV concept, go to http://www.finaldescentoutdoors.com/

Dex Randall is a professional coach that works with people experiencing burnout. Dex discusses his own experiences with burnout and a health scare that led him to transition into serving as a life coach to help others. We chat about the epidemic of burnout, methods to alleviate burnout, and how to overcome relapsing into burnout. An enriching discussion for the Grade A Nation! To learn more about Dex Randall, go to https://dexrandall.com/

Self-proclaimed relationship expert Michael Ficus describes how an airplane trip over the July 4th weekend to see Lionel Richie resulted in him wearing a Depends undergarment to stop his nose from bleeding. He feels anguish after being called a 'Discount Sucka' for not paying for a Big Front ticket on Spirit Airlines -- a spirited chat for all to enjoy!

On this intallment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with all members of the band Stargazy Pie (Jack Stoker, Logan Chernoske, Logan Neville-Neil, and Sulli Olson-Rexroat). The band discusses their roots, aspirations, making a music video, the supportive Pacific Northwest music scene, and why that wild band name was chosen. We go over their thoughts about several tracks on their first album, Butterfly Hand Grenade, which is an incredible debut effort. Come for the great music discussion, stay for the whacking Lightsabers talk! To listen to Stargazy Pie, go to their Spotify page, https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DayzFV9...

Valerie Trapunsky, CEO and Founder of the company ChatterBoss, talks about starting a service that selects remote assistants for entrepreneurs. Valerie discusses why some entrepreneurs have transitioned to remote assistants, the qualities of effective remote assistants, addressing privacy concerns about sensitive information, and challenges as well as triumphs of getting ChatterBoss off the ground. To learn more about ChatterBoss, go to https://www.chatterboss.com/

Ruth Rogers is the owner and operator of The Canvas, a dining and creative space in the United Kingdom. The Canvas provides meals to those in need, as well as serving as a meeting place for events like art shows and group networking. It is clear The Canvas performs a lot of good for the community, but it is also clear that the pandemic has put The Canvas in tough economic circumstances. Hear how Ruth adopted a crowfunding campaign in an attempt to maintain her establishment into the future, as well as her valuable advice for anyone that aspires to...

On this installment of Grade A Nation, Chris Thomas chats with Marlene Flowers, a fitness guru that recently started participating in competitive bodybuilding at age 65. Marlene (also known as "Granny Guns" to those who follow her on social media) has experienced a life full of ups and downs. Hear how fitness has rejuvenated her physically and emotionally to focus on the bright and fulfilling side of life! A solid listen for people of all ages interested in starting a fitness and nutrition regimen; Marlene shows it is never too late to start. To learn more about Marlene a.k.a. “Gr...

Nadia Turner offers revealing and in-depth details about the many hats she has worn over the years. From being a Miami Dolphins cheerleader, singing at the G8 World Summit in front of Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin, being a Top 8 finalist on American Idol’s fourth season, to recording an album featuring music legends like Chester Thompson, it is safe to say Nadia has had some incredible experiences throughout her life. We are fortunate that she is willing to talk about all of these experiences and more with the Grade A Nation! To learn more about Nadia’s latest projects, chec...

Chef Dennis Littley talks about the ingredients of a great chef, memorable moments in his career, his thoughts on fast food, how the pandemic has impacted the hospitality industry, and why he transitioned to being a blogger. His tips on being a successful blogger will be helpful to anyone interested in doing this kind of work, even if your focus is not on food and/or travel!  Check out Ask Chef Dennis at https://www.askchefdennis.com/

Chris Thomas and special guest co-host Kevin Slaughter interview the Ukranian pop-punk band Cardinal Birds about how they formed, their musical influences, the art of constructing a song, their thoughts on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, how they feel about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, what Ukrainian groupies look like, and all the other pressing questions of the day. Lots of ambient noise here, but listen in and enjoy the wild ride! Check out the music of Cardinal Birds on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DPsCiaIwjENusaI2nplsK

Chris Thomas talks with Kristine Grant, a ghostwriter that has assisted many people in crafting messages. From love letters, eulogies, dating profiles, and everything in between, Kristine discusses how she maintains an authentic voice for each client. The importance of self-confidence in making interpersonal connections is a key theme. To learn more about Kristine's work, visit http://inspiredheartletters.com/

A practitioner of sports medicine makes some tasteless remarks about the middle schooler that fell out of the drop tower ride in Orlando. The video is haunting, as are the comments of a so-called Doctor!

A substitute teacher returns to Grade A Nation to talk about how an acting class reenacting the Will Smith and Chris Rock slapping encounter at the Oscars ceremony did not go according to plan....if there even was a plan to begin with.

Hala Abdul is a licensed psychotherapist in Canada working with clients in the financial technology domain. Hala shares with Grade A Nation the most common psychological concerns expressed by those working in FinTech, tips on how to find a psychotherapist with knowledge about new and emerging technologies, and thoughts on whether the rapidly evolving nature of digital innovations exacerbates mental health concerns. It is a thought-provoking interview that should be engaging for anyone interested in the future of mental health! To learn more about Hala Abdul's work, visit https://www.halatherapy.com/

Chris Thomas chats with Jeremiah Stemple, a developer of comic book projects for chronic patients and the charities that serve them. Hear how Jeremiah and his friends are trying to put a smile on the face of those who need it most! Learn more about Jeremiah's work at https://heroesforcauses.com/