Best Silat Podcasts (2025)

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Faith Over Fear: Jen’s Powerful Story of Healing & Redemption 1:03:59

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1d ago1:03:59

1:03:59

On this episode of the Rising Above Podcast, David Hess sits down with Jennifer T. McClure—author of Wisdom from the Wilderness, empowerment coach, and speaker. Jen’s powerful story takes us through her journey of pain, redemption, and the healing grace that brought her into the light. With raw transparency and faith-filled determination, she share…

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TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF - STUNT COORDINATORS, THOM WILLIAMS and CHRIS ROMRELL 27:17

9d ago27:17

27:17

Gritty, gripping, grounded military action thriller TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF is streaming now on Prime Video. Series Stunt Coordinators THOM WILLIAMS and CHRIS ROMRELL join the show to talk about designing the military action for the show, working with talented stunt teams around the world, and keeping the action realistic and raw. 2-Time Emmy nomi…

1
VR Mishap to Healing Mastery: How Birch Tree Wellness Owner Courtney Wargo Rose Above 57:47

1M ago57:47

57:47

Join host David Hess on this episode of Rising Above Podcast as he sits down with Courtney Wargo, owner of a health and wellness studio in Bath, MI, where the motto is simple: Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. Courtney shares her path into holistic healing, the inspiration behind her wide range of services—from massage, Reiki, and Ashiatsu ba…

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Interview with Jose Sanchez | Uechi-Ryu Black Belt and Retired Judge 44:11

2M ago44:11

44:11

Today on the podcast I sit down and talk with 5th degree Uechi-Ryu Karate black belt and retired federal judge, Jose Sanchez. Jose began his martial arts practice in 1983, starting in Seido Karate in New York City, later moving to Massachusetts and beginning his Uechi-Ryu Karate training. He received his Shodan in 1988 and is testing for his 6th de…

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The FDA, Big Pharma & Your Gut: What They’re Not Telling You 1:10:09

2M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

In this eye-opening follow-up episode of the Rising Above Podcast, Dr. Becky Natrajan returns to dive deeper into the truth about gut health, Big Pharma, and the FDA. We explore what mainstream medicine often overlooks, the natural ways to heal your gut, and why so many health solutions are suppressed. Dr. Becky shares her candid thoughts on how ph…

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Kent Nelson’s Martial Arts Journey & KSK’s 25th Anniversary With Silat Camp 1:25:54

3M ago1:25:54

1:25:54

Join us on Rising Above Podcast as we sit down with Kent Nelson, martial arts master and passionate owner of KSK Martial Arts Studio. From teaching in his garage to building a legacy, Kent shares the gritty early days, costly business mistakes, and the resilience that shaped his journey. As a parent of KSK students, I’ve seen firsthand how Kent’s c…

1
OSCAR GE: KARATE KID - LEGENDS "Bo Fong" 33:33

3M ago33:33

33:33

Actor, martial artist, and now on screen as "Bo Fong" in KARATE KID: LEGENDS, OSACR GE joins the show to talk about joining the iconic Karate Kid franchise! Oscar talks about working with his childhood hero Jackie Chan, and working with the talented stunt team to bring the Dragon Kick to life on the big screen! FOLOW OSCAR HERE: https://www.instagr…

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ROBERT PARHAM: Bullets, Blades, and Blood 27:21

4M ago27:21

27:21

Actor, producer, director, martial artist, and filmmaker ROBERT PARHAM joins the show from to talk about his newest film BULLETS, BLADES, AND BLOOD, a rough and tumble action piece that draws inspiration from the Blacksploitation era, and The Bodyguard! FOLOW THE FILM HERE: https://www.facebook.com/BulletsBladesAndBlood NEW MERCH AND KUNG FU DRIVE-…

1
ACTION 365 STUNT TEAM: Bringing New Blood Into the Game 8:13

4M ago8:13

8:13

Master Jose Torres, Felix Cortes, and Lawrence Walther are teaming up to bring film fans the action they crave 365 days a year with the formation of the ACTION 365 STUNT TEAM! JOIN THE JOURNEY HERE: www.action-365.com NEW MERCH AND KUNG FU DRIVE-IN COFFEE HERE! https://kungfudrivein-shop.fourthwall.com/ https://brewdragoncoffee.com/collections/pois…

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Inside the Farrier Trade with Noah Ballard | Building a Business from the Ground Up 55:50

4M ago55:50

55:50

In this powerful episode of the Rising Above Podcast, host David Hess sits down with Noah Ballard, owner and CEO of Ballard Ferrier Service, to dive into the world of professional horse care and hoof maintenance. Noah shares what it really takes to succeed in the farrier industry, the challenges he's faced, and how he's built a thriving business. T…

1
BRIAN TAKAHASHI: Young Miyagi, Cobra Kai 15:31

4M ago15:31

15:31

Actor, martial artist, and stunt performer BRIAN TAKAHASHI joins the show from the NAFMA Championships to talk about his role as YOUNG MR. MIYAGI in the hit Netflix series, COBRA KAI! Brian goes into bearing the weight of the role established buy the late, great Pat Morita, drawing on his martial arts training to bring the character to life, and st…

1
Sensei Dan Dovidio 40:17

4M ago40:17

40:17

Today I am sitting down with one of my Uechi-Ryu Karate mentors, Sensei Dan Dovidio. Sensei Dan Dovidio began Uechi-Ryu Karate training in 1975 under the tutelage of Buzz Durkin. He is now a ninth degree black belt and the owner of Dan Dovidio's Karate in Londonderry, NH. Dan Dovidio is a tournament champion who was ranked number one in the state o…

1
Karate Mindset: Embracing Failure as a Martial Artist 2:31

5M ago2:31

2:31

Failure is often seen as something negative, something to be avoided at all costs. But I want to convince you to embrace failure and more importantly the fear of failure. That’s because I believe that failure is a valuable teacher that can lead us to growth and success. Some failures are big and some are so small that you may not realize how much t…

1
Karate Mindset: Unlocking the Benefits of Karate Through Cooperative Training 2:09

5M ago2:09

2:09

I wanted to talk about a quote I read today that I believe captures the essence of cooperative training in a karate class. The quote is by Paulo Coelho and it reads, “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” I think this quote is really relatable to how a karate class should be run and how all students …

1
Karate Mindset: Am I Too Old to Start Martial Art Training? 2:53

5M ago2:53

2:53

Am I too old to start karate or any other martial art? This is one of the questions I often see while spending a little too much time browsing martial arts forums. It's asked so much that I thought I would make a quick video explaining why students of any age can benefit from karate and the martial arts regardless of age, current fitness level, or …

1
Grandmaster Judy Durkin 41:32

5M ago41:32

41:32

Originally Released July 2024 Today we have a special treat as I sit down and talk with Uechi-Ryu Karate pioneer Judy Durkin. Sensei Judy Durkin began her Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1971 under George Mattson and is a ninth degree black belt. In 1974 she founded Buzz Durkin's Uechi Karate School with her husband, Buzz Durkin. This fall she is test…

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Karate Mindset: Be the Best Version of YOU! 1:30

5M ago1:30

1:30

When it comes to karate training, it's common to feel pressure to perform at a high level and to constantly compare ourselves to others. However, this mindset can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement. That's why it's important to keep in mind these words from John Wooden, "Do the best you can. No one can do more than that." It’s a simp…

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Sensei Neil Stone 32:41

5M ago32:41

32:41

Neil Stone is a Uechi-Ryu Karate practitioner who I believe is one of the finest teachers I have worked with. Sensei Neil Stone began his Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1986 under Mike Rozumek. Today he trains under Uechi-Ryu Karate Grandmaster Buzz Durkin and runs a dojo in Hollis, NH. This fall he is testing for his 9th degree black belt. In this i…

1
Sensei Bob Beal 44:26

5M ago44:26

44:26

Today on the podcast we have someone who has been incredibly instrumental to my martial arts and life in and out of the dojo - Sensei Bob Beal. Mr. Beal began his Uechi-Ryu Karate practice in 1975 under Richard Pinkham. Since 1989 he has been a student of Buzz Durkin. He is an eighth degree black belt and has been teaching at Mr. Durkin's school si…

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Sensei Marcus Traynor 41:38

5M ago41:38

41:38

Welcome to our podcast! Today we have on a Uechi-Ryu practitioner who was instrumental in my development as a martial artist and instructor, Sensei Marcus Traynor Sensei Traynor began his Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1990 under Grandmaster Buzz Durkin. Since 1997 he has been the head instructor at Buzz Durkin's Karate School. In this interview we t…

1
Dottie Endres - 81 Year Old Martial Artist 33:12

5M ago33:12

33:12

Today we have a delightful guest who I have trained with for many years, Uechi-Ryu Karate Black Dottie Endres. Dottie began her Uechi-Ryu karate training in 2006 under with Sensei Alan Kessler at the age of 62. She now trains with Sensei Buzz Durkin. This fall she is testing for her sixth degree Uechi-Ryu Karate black belt. During our discussion we…

1
Shihan Gene Dunn 55:02

5M ago55:02

55:02

Shihan Dunn is a lifelong martial arts practitioner, beginning his martial arts training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 11 and achieving the rank of Black Belt under Toyotaro Miyazaki. He is also a black belt in judo under Kyoshi Shiina and in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie. He is the owner of Gene Dunn's Shotokan Karate Dojo and Brooklyn…

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Sensei David Kelley 57:50

5M ago57:50

57:50

David Kelley is a Uechi-Ryu Karate Hanshi 9th Degree Black Belt under Grandmaster Buzz Durkin. David Kelley began his Uechi-Ryu Karate practice at the age of 17 in 1974 under Buzz Durkin - who remains his sensei to this day. David Kelley was in law enforcement for twenty five years, and credits the martial arts for giving him the confidence to face…

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Grandmaster Leyn Burrows 56:56

5M ago56:56

56:56

Originally Released June 2024 Soon to be promoted Uechi-Ryu 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster Leyn Burrows shares the story of how he started his Uechi-Ryu training. From his time growing up in Bermuda, training with Al Wharton and George Mattson, to becoming the senior student of Buzz Durkin's Uechi-Ryu Karate School. Leyn Burrows also shares…

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MALAY KIM: Director/ Writer ASHES: A KUNG FU STORY 31:47

5M ago31:47

31:47

Martial artist, stunt performer, and filmmaker MALAY KIM chats with me about the making of his upcoming short film ASHES: A KUNG FU STORY! Malay's work has been seen in such blockbusters as SHANG CHI, THE CONTINENTAL, and the upcoming MORTAL KOMBAT 2 and now he brings his stroytelling-via-action skill to a modern take on a classic kung fu story abo…

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BOBO LE, Actress, "Kendall" in THE WEDDING BANQUET in theaters April 18 2025 25:08

6M ago25:08

25:08

Actress BOBO LE joins the show to talk about her role as "Kendall" in The Wedding Banquet, in theaters April 18! Bobo talks about her journey to the screen, via dance and Guitar Hero, the evolution and development of her role as Kendall in the film, and what she dreams of doing with her martial arts skills on screen. NEW MERCH AND KUNG FU DRIVE-IN …

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FREDDIE POOLE, Emmy-Nominated Stunt Coordinator, Tulsa King 24:01

6M ago24:01

24:01

Emmy-Nominated Stunt Coordinator for TULSA KING, FREDDIE POOLE, returns to the show to talk about the epic scale of the action for Tulsa King S2, working with Sylvester Stallone for nearly two decades, and being a triple threat on set as Stunt Coordinator, 2nd Unit Director, and Stunt Double for Sly himself! NEW MERCH AND KUNG FU DRIVE-IN COFFEE HE…

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CORY DeMEYERS: SUPERVISING STUNT COORDINATOR - "THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES" 45:18

6M ago45:18

45:18

Cory DeMeyers, the Emmy-nominated Stunt Coordinator of the fourth and final season of HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones returns to the show to talk about jaw-dropping stunts from an epic Civil War battle to an indoor jetpack sequence with no green screens! NEW MERCH AND KUNG FU DRIVE-IN COFFEE HERE! https://kungfudrivein-shop.fourthwall.com/ https://br…

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Grandmaster Buzz Durkin 23:23

6M ago23:23

23:23

I had the honor to interview my sensei, Mr. Buzz Durkin of Buzz Durkin’s Uechi Karate School in Atkinson, NH. Sensei Durkin began his karate training in 1966 in Boston, MA under the tutelage of American karate pioneer George Mattson. Mr. Durkin opened his dojo in 1974 and since then has trained thousands of students in the New England area. He is t…

1
Finding Budo Trailer 3:08

6M ago3:08

3:08

Hello, my name is Bill Leith and this is my podcast about the martial arts, Finding Budo. This podcast is a journey exploring budo, also known as the martial way. I ask you to join me as we embark on a journey to uncover the deeper meaning behind martial arts training. We will sit down with renowned martial arts experts, instructors, and dedicated …

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DY SAO: "SHAOLIN AVENGER", "BANGKOK DOG" 1:19:46

6M ago1:19:46

1:19:46

DY SAO, martial artist, actor, action designer for such films as BANGKOK DOG and SHAOLIN AVENGERS from @MartialClub joins the show to talk about his continuing journey in martial arts, what drives him to keep evolving, and his goals as a filmmaker and a father. DY's work can be seen in films like #ShangChi from @marvel and #EverythingEverywhereAllA…

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Transform Your Health with Dr. Becky & Coach Tony 1:02:31

7M ago1:02:31

1:02:31

Join Host David Hess and Co-Host Coach Tony as they sit down with Dr. Becky Natrajan, a retired gastroenterologist turned GI Health and Life Coach. In each episode, Dr. Becky shares her expertise on the life-changing benefits of safe, high-end nutritional products and cutting-edge nutritional approaches. Discover how to support your microbiome, opt…

1
MARTIAL CLUB: SHAOLIN AVENGERS PREMIERE with ANDY LE and BRIAN LE 35:48

7M ago35:48

35:48

ANDY LE and BRIAN LE of @MartialClub join the show to premiere the new trailer to their #martialarts love letter SHAOLIN AVENGERS! We also go into their amazing work to continue spreading the warrior spirit through films like #ShangChi from @marvel and #EverythingEverywhereAllAtOnce from @A24 SUPPORT THE KUNG FU DRIVE-IN PODCAST WITH A KO-FI: htt…

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Mastering the Basics: Building the Mindset to Crush Your Goals- David Hess & Coach Tony 1:03:41

7M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

In this video, David and Coach Tony break down five essential talking points for setting the right mindset in your fitness journey and beyond. Learn how to align your goals and stay motivated with these key principles: Your Why: Discover the power of knowing your purpose and using it to fuel your motivation. Pros and Cons: Understand the importance…

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: COFFEE & KUNG FU MERCH! 7:54

9M ago7:54

7:54

The Kung Fu Drive-In Podcast has partnered with @brewdragoncoffee Brewdragon Coffee to bring you The Poison Clan Collection! A specially curated selection of coffees from around the world! PLUS the show has a new MERCH SITE! Go check it out and rock some KFDI gear! GET THE POISON CLAN COLLECTION OF COFFEES HERE: https://brewdragoncoffee.com/collect…

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ISABEL LAMERS, Actor, Filmmaker - FILIPINO KARATE KID 34:47

10M ago34:47

34:47

Actor, filmmaker, martial artist ISABEL LAMERS chats witth us about her new Kicksttarter funded projectt, FILIPINO KARATE KID! Lamers goes into the inspiration and drive behinnd the personal, passion project that addresses representation backed by some cool matial arts action! BACK THE KICKSTARTER HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/isabel-l…

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MARK STRANGE, Martial Artist, Star of KUNG FU GAMES from Republic Pictures and Tiger Style Media 26:05

11M ago26:05

26:05

Martial artist, actor, and star of KUNG FU GAMES, MARK STRANGE joins the show to talk about his leading man role on one of the new martial arts films from Republic Pictures and Tiger Style Media. Mark goes into his preparation for the role, the camaraderie he built with the cast, and feeling the nostalgia of bringing the 80s/90s martial arts action…

1
SHARLENE ROYER, Assistant Stunt Coordinator, SHOGUN 25:20

1y ago25:20

25:20

Actress, Model, Stuntwoman and now Assistant Stunt Coordinator on FX's epic SHOGUN, SHARLENE ROYER joins the show to talk about her work on the multiple Emmy award-winning show! Sharlene, the first black woman to win a Leo Award for Stunts, shares her insights into the industry, how she got her start, and what it takes to succeed despite any obstac…

1
BRUCE DEL CASTILLO, Writer, Director, "Lady Scorpions" 32:06

1y ago32:06

32:06

Writer, Director, Filmmaker BRUCE DEL CASTILLO joins the show to talk about bringing LADY SCORPIONS to the big screen. Bruce "Lee" talks about balancing action and story while working with martial arts superstars like CYNTHIA ROTHROCK, CAITLIN DeCHELLE, and JOSE MANUEL in the Republic Pictures release of the new era of martial arts cinema! SUPPORT …

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CYNTHIA ROTHROCK & CAITLIN DeCHELLE: "Lady Scorpions" from Republic Pictures and Tiger Style Media 20:50

1y ago20:50

20:50

The Lady Dragon herself, CYNTHIA ROTHROCK and CAITLIN DeCHELLE from "The Mandalorian", "Wonder Woman", and "Descendans: The Rise of Red" join forces in the most lethal mother/daughter combo ever put on screen in the Republic Pictures release of the new era of martial arts cinema with LADY SCORPIONS! SUPPORT THE KUNG FU DRIVE-IN PODCAST WITH A KO-FI…

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NICHOLAS HAMMOND, "Art of Eight Limbs" from Republic Pictures and Tiger Style Media 20:58

1y ago20:58

20:58

Nicholas Hammond, international star of stage and screen (Sound of Music, Spider-Man, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) talks with me about the Republic Pictures release of the new era of martial arts cinema with the muay thai epic, ART OF EIGHT LIMBS! SUPPORT THE KUNG FU DRIVE-IN PODCAST WITH A KO-FI: https://ko-fi.com/kungfudrivein The Brightest Sta…

1
BRETT CHAN, JOHNNY YANG, Stunt Coordinators and Action Directors of "WARRIOR" 34:56

1y ago34:56

34:56

INTERVIEW with the STUNT COORDINATORS and ACTION DIRECTORS for the action packed epic, WARRIOR, a series conceived by Bruce Lee himself, BRETT CHAN and JOHNNY YANG. Brett and Johnny go into the teamwork that they emply to bring the heat on Warrior, be it explosive martial arts action or explosive fire stunts. The duo also go intoo fostering camarad…

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CORY DeMEYERS: SUPERVISING STUNT COORDINATOR - "THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES" 36:24

1y ago36:24

36:24

INTERVIEW with the SUPERVISING STUNT COORDINATOR for the absurdly hilarious THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES, CORY DeMEYERS! Cory talks with us about shaping the action from the MAX comedy series be it a high speed car chase, a monster truck derby, or a nude fight scene! Plus, we learn how martial arts led to stunts as well as some of Cory's approaches to f…

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FREDDIE POOLE, STUNT COORDINATOR - "THE BIKERIDERS" 32:00

1y ago32:00

32:00

INTERVIEW with the STUNT COORDINATOR for the gritty motorcycle club movie, THE BIKERIDERS, FREDDIE POOLE! Freddie talks about working with cast and crew to bring the raw action of motorcycle gang life to the big screen. We also chat about Freddie's martial arts background and how that not only fostered trust with the cast but also informed his film…

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KRISTA PERRY, Stunt Coordinator, RESERVATION DOGS 22:52

1+ y ago22:52

22:52

INTERVIEW with the STUNT COORDINATOR for the FX comedy, RESERVATION DOGS, KRISTA PERRY! Krista shares her journey from the makeup chair to the stunt coordinator's chair and what it takes to keep advancing in an industry that is predominantly male. Plus, Krista talks about some of her adventures on the set of RESERVATION DOGS with horses, conquistad…

1
"SHOGUN" on FX, Stunt Coordinator, LAURO CHARTRAND DEL VALLE 28:03

1+ y ago28:03

28:03

INTERVIEW with the STUNT COORDINATOR for the epic FX series "SHOGUN", LAURO DAVID CHARTRAND DEL VALLE! Lauro shares some behind the scenes insight on what went into crafting the epic story set in feudal japan amidst samurai, shinobi, katanas, and kimonos. We talk about the comprehensive research that went into making sure that the authenticity of t…

1
"CONSTELLATION" on AppleTV - MARTIN GOERES, Stunt Coordinator and SFX Supervisor 32:20

1+ y ago32:20

32:20

INTERVIEW with STUNT COORDINATOR and SFX SUPERVISOR for APPLE TV's latest sci-fi thriller, CONSTELLATION, MARTIN GOERES! Martin joins the show to talk about designing the gravity defying scenes, training the actors for the often grueling shoots, and maintaining the depth of emotion in the spooky, gripping, and sometimes terrifying space saga. SUPPO…

1
Unveiling the Mystery: The Journey of Discovery with Ed Gangi 1:07:28

1+ y ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Step into the compelling narrative of Ed Gangi's extraordinary life journey on the Rising Above Podcast. As a child of the Baby Scoop Era, Ed's adoption story is a blend of secrecy, resilience, and unexpected revelations. Delve into his experiences as he unravels the enigma surrounding his birth, uncovering a tale intertwined with fame, secrecy, an…

1
Elevating Comics Culture: Inside Michigan's Premier Summer Comic Convention With Tim Hunt 1:05:44

1+ y ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Join us on this electrifying episode of the Rising Above Podcast as we explore the dynamic world of Capital City Comic Con with local entrepreneur Tim Hunt at the helm. Discover why Capital City Comic Con has earned its reputation as Michigan's ultimate summer comic convention, boasting an extensive array of exhibitor booths, special guests, artist…

1
Empowering Accessibility: A Visionary Journey with Evan Winters of AbleVu 1:45:50

1+ y ago1:45:50

1:45:50

Join us on the Rising Above Podcast as we delve into the innovative world of accessibility with Evan Winters, Co-Founder & Vice President of Able Eyes. Discover how Able Eyes is revolutionizing the landscape for individuals with disabilities by providing cutting-edge experiences and teaching tools. Explore their mission to make cities, businesses, …