NaPodPoMo - Episode 3: Beverly Hills
NaPodPoMo - Episode 2: The Southern Tip
NaPodPoMo - Episode 1: Why Western?
Episode 30 - Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor
Episode 29 - Pod Birthday!
Hello Friends. September 5th was the 1-year anniversary of Off The Beaten Podcast! It's our Pod Birthday! I'm so excited to reach this milestone, and I wanted to share my excitement with all of you.
Episode 28 - Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Hello Friends. We're still in the middle of a pandemic, and it appears new stressors are coming at us every day. I personally have been struggling with my mental health, so I thought it a perfect time to talk about it, and offer some tips and resources for others who may be struggling also. If you've been down in the doldrums, this episode is for you.
Episode 27 - Talking Superman w/Marq Withers
Hello Friends...This episode, I finally had the pleasure of talking with Marq Withers, co-host of the new podcast Nerd Cage Live. I've been trying to get my life together and talk with Marq since November. The point of getting together was to talk about Superman, and his relevance as a character in 2020, but of course, we touch on a host of other topics, including Chicago life, The DCEU, The Justice League, and of course the upcoming Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League as well.
Episode 26 - Let’s Talk About Juneteenth 2020
Hello Friends...Happy belated Juneteenth! Did you celebrate? This week I talk about my Juneteenth, which was great, as well as some of the issues surrounding the holiday.
Episode 25: In The Wake of the George Floyd Murder: Protests, Uprising and Discussions on Racism
Hello Friends...this week I talk about the aftermath of the George Floyd murder and some of my thoughts as the world continues to mourn and demand justice and equality, and an end to white supremacy.
Episode 23 - Commencement Speech 2020
No fluff this week everyone. I jump right into it with my homage to the class of 2020. As a former educator, I send all positivity and love to all you graduates!!!
Episode 22 - Chicago Bookstores
Hello Friends! This episode we’re talking Chicago bookstores! Independent bookstores are my favorite type of Chicago business, and of course I’ve been concerned about their ability to do business throughout this quarantine period, so I’m talking a few of my favorite independent bookstores, and giving you info so that you can support them. Or, if you’re not in Chicago, definitely support the independent bookstores in your neck of the woods.
Episode 21 - Women in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu w/ Cris Rodriguez
Hello Friends! This episode is the continuation of the conversation I had with Cris Rodriguez back in February. Cris is a former EMT, currently working in a hospital in the Chicagoland area. I was intrigued to hear about Cris' BJJ journey, as well as her perceptive on the activity and sport as a female in a male dominated culture. Cris was vibrant and forthcoming, and offered tons of insight. Check it out!!!
Episode 20 - Pandemic Resources
Hello Friends! With everything going on right now, and with our shelter in place going for at least another 30 days, I thought the best thing now was to offer you some resources and insight to help keep your mind at ease during these tough times. All resources mentioned in the episode are linked below, and if I forgot anything, please let me know and I will be sure to add it. Keep your heads up friends...we got this!
Episode 19 - The New Normal with Mary Catherine Roberson
Hello Friends! Moving into an uncertain period of life, I decided to reach out to Mary Catherine Roberson, former political candidate, activist, mother of 3, and government worker about the new normal as we come to the close of our first week of mass COVID-19 quarantines.
Episode 18 - Off The Beaten Podcast at C2E2
Hello Friends! This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Chicago Comics Convention & Entertainment Expo, popularly known as C2E2. I had an absolutely amazing time! I met so many new people, made some new friends, saw some old ones...man, I can't even say enough good things about the time I had. I felt like a kid again.
Episode 17 - The St. Valentine's Day Massacre w/Cris Rodriguez
Hello Friends! This week I had the pleasure to sit and chat with Cris Rodriguez. Cris is a former EMT, currently working in a hospital in the Chicagoland area. Valentine's Day has just passed, and I reached out on social media for anyone who was interested in talking about the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and Cris answered the call.
Episode 16 - The Divorce Playlist w/ Maria Degillo
Hello Friends! This week I had the pleasure to sit and chat with Maria Degillo. Maria and I met through our 9-5's, and I shortly after one of our first real conversations, I was certain I had to have her on the podcast. She is an amazingly dynamic and colorful personality, much like myself, and I knew we would have some great conversation.
Episode 15 - Why Podcasts and How Can You Support Podcasts You Like?
Happy New Year Everyone!!! This episode I decided to take some to address how I developed a love for podcasts, and what has led me to this in my pod creation journey.
Episode 13 - Basking In The Heartland w/ Heather Calvert
This episode Dion talks with Off The Beaten Podcast Graphic Artist Heather Calvert. Dion and Heather got together recently for the 1st Annual OTBP Podcast Retreat, in the fun and fabulous Quad Cities.
Episode 11 - Throwing Shade w/ Sarah Chung: Paralympian Judoka
This episode Dion talks to Sarah Chung. Sarah is a Paralympian Judoka, having competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic games, as well as a musician, and recent Adler University graduate.