#32 - Anything But The "H" Word

Character

46:39

“If we march into that village and we start trying to persecute people for using poison, something that's very illegal, nobody's going to talk to us. We're not going to find out where the poison came from. We're not going to be able to shut anything down. We should take the approach that people are using poison because they're desperate, because they see no other alternative.” – Andrew Stein Andrew Stein is a wildlife ecologist who spent the past 25 years studying human carnivore conflict from African wild dogs and lions in Kenya and Botswana to leopards and hyenas in Namibia. His work has long focused on finding ways for people and predators to coexist. He is the founder of CLAWS , an organization based in Botswana that's working at the intersection of cutting-edge wildlife research and community driven conservation. Since its start in 2014 and official launch as an NGO in 2020, CLAWS has been pioneering science-based, tech-forward strategies to reduce conflict between people and carnivores. By collaborating closely with local communities, especially traditional cattle herders, CLAWS supports both species conservation and rural livelihoods—making coexistence not just possible, but sustainable.…

6 years ago 1:33:04

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Once a shy, quiet kid from a middle-class upbringing, Robert changed course drastically in life during his mid-20's. Robert was well educated and pursuing his PhD when he was introduced to the dark world of addiction. Although his friends and family thought he was doing well in his studies, he seemed to be living two separate lives - until it all came crashing down. ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization

39 episodes

#Society #Ben Grynol

#32 - Anything But The "H" Word

Character

published 6 years ago

MP3•Episode home

39 episodes

#Society #Ben Grynol

All episodes

1
#39 – Death of Me 54:10

5 years ago54:10

54:10

In the final episode of Season 3, Skyler talks about overcoming drugs and a recent relapse that lasted until the end of 2019. Skyler is working on his health daily, and is trying to stay clean by surrounding himself with a support network to do so.

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#38 – The Relapse 1:40:33

5 years ago1:40:33

1:40:33

Life changed drastically for Skyler after his story was featured on Startup – a podcast by Gimlet Media – in an episode called Just Hit Record , which had a wide reach around the world. What he had hoped for in sharing his story, didn’t turn out the way he thought it would. In Season 3 of Character, Skyler Gronholz tells the story of how he went from being a creative kid with a loving and supportive family, to a detour in life that he is still trying to make sense of.…

1
#37 – Life On The Outside 1:33:55

5 years ago1:33:55

1:33:55

After Skyler got out of prison, he started to see the world in a new light. Everything was vibrant and colourful. But, his optimism didn’t last for long and he ended up relapsing. In Season 3 of Character, Skyler Gronholz tells the story of how he went from being a creative kid with a loving and supportive family, to a detour in life that he is still trying to make sense of.…

1
#36 – Vouching For A Friend 39:23

5 years ago39:23

39:23

When Skyler first landed in Cedar Creek, he went straight to The Hole. But, it wasn’t the only time he’d head there while incarcerated. After the second time he got out, rumours started to spread around prison that he was a snitch. This didn’t sit well with Skyler, or some of the people who were looking out for him. After reflecting on the things that people did to give him guidance while in prison, he realizes how important those relationships were, and still are, to him. In Season 3 of Character, Skyler Gronholz tells the story of how he went from being a creative kid with a loving and supportive family, to a detour in life that he is still trying to make sense of.…

1
#35 – Pulling Strings To Get Some Strings 51:26

5 years ago51:26

51:26

When Skyler was serving time at Cedar Creek Corrections Center, he longed for playing music again. All he wanted was an acoustic guitar to feel free. But, getting one wasn’t that easy. With the help of an inside source and his dad, he was able to reunite with a 6-string. In Season 3 of Character, Skyler Gronholz tells the story of how he went from being a creative kid with a loving and supportive family, to a detour in life that he is still trying to make sense of.…

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#34 – They Still Didn’t Know It Was Me 57:26

5 years ago57:26

57:26

Skyler reflects on the decisions he made, which eventually landed him in prison. What started out as small steps of self-medicating with prescription pills, turned into a slippery slope of burglary and hard drugs. In Season 3 of Character, Skyler Gronholz tells the story of how he went from being a creative kid with a loving and supportive family, to a detour in life that he is still trying to make sense of.…

1
#33 – Making Sense of the Story 1:26:11

5 years ago1:26:11

1:26:11

Skyler Gronholz grew up in Kent, Washington. As a kid, he loved being creative and immersing himself in the world of art. As he got older, he felt himself drifting away from his true identify. He began doing things to please others, and eventually got lost on his own path in life. In Season 3 of Character, Skyler Gronholz will tell the story of how he went from being a creative kid with a loving and supportive family, to a detour in life that he is still trying to make sense of.…

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#32 - Anything But The "H" Word 1:33:04

6 years ago1:33:04

1:33:04

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#31 - Six Years of Pokemon 1:20:15

7 years ago1:20:15

1:20:15

When you dedicate one quarter of your life to anything, it’s a big commitment. When you dedicate that time to Pokemon, you’re more than an expert; you’re a master. At least that’s the case for Travis Wheeler, a passionate podcaster who grew up in Muskegon, Michigan - a small town in the midwest. And, there’s no doubt that Travis is as articulate as they come. That’s what happens when you dig deep into books and spend the majority of your free time producing three different podcasts each week. Check out Travis & DJ’s podcast, Arbitrary Archive! ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization…

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#30 - Gimme Shelter 2:22:53

7 years ago2:22:53

2:22:53

Growing up in East St. Louis, Mike had two choices - accept the adversity he faced, or remove himself from it and try to make it on his own. Mike chose the latter, and it didn't come easy. Mike was calculated in the decisions he made and conscious of the people surrounded himself with. Was it luck; Was it timing; Was it serendipity; Or was it grit? Say what you want, but Mike persevered to get to where he is today - a Senior Software Engineer, living in Atlanta. Through his perseverance, Mike made it out of East St. Louis, but he never forgot his roots - he never where forgot he came from. And, for that, he'll forever be grateful. Check out Mike’s podcast! We Leave You This ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting EPH Apparel - Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order…

1
#29 - Twenty-Three F's 1:06:13

7 years ago1:06:13

1:06:13

In the last few weeks of high-school, Mike didn't know what he was going to do after graduation. With little time left to apply, he submitted an application to a college in Arkansas. And, thanks to the support of a few mentors, he got a full academic scholarship to attend school. Things were looking up, until everything was taken away. Adversity seemed to haunt Mike; corrupt police officers, unsupportive professors, and a pretty serious injury were only a few of the problems he faced. Check out Mike’s podcast! We Leave You This ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting EPH Apparel - Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order…

1
#28 - What's Love Got To Do With It 1:06:49

7 years ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Mike doesn’t remember too much about his childhood growing up in California. Or at least he doesn’t remember much before his accident. It wasn’t until Mike moved back to his hometown of East St. Louis that he really became imprinted by the socio-economic conditions and culture of the city. Check out Mike’s podcast! We Leave You This ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting EPH Apparel - Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order…

1
#27 - I Saw The Sign 1:16:46

7 years ago1:16:46

1:16:46

Rex Barrett always pictured himself growing up in a big city. And, he did - until his teenage years. However, an unexpected change in his dad's career path led him from the 90's grunge scene in Seattle, to the pig showing circuit in Sulphur, Oklahoma - a town of 5,000 people. Even though he felt like an outcast, he figured out ways to fit in and make new friends in - what he once considered to be - a podunk town, and later felt was right where he belonged. Check out Rex's podcast The Maven Show! ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization EPH Apparel - Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order…

1
#26 - Sewing The Safety Net 25:13

7 years ago25:13

25:13

Dave Wheeler was on his way to 'making it' in hockey before his career ended prematurely, due to an accidental eye injury. However, his new path in life led him to the world of audio, where he quickly became recognized for his talents in radio. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Subscribe to The Word of Wheeler on Apple Podcasts! ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: EPH Apparel - Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order Emtek - Door hardware that makes a statement…

1
#25 - Making It On YouTube 1:30:04

7 years ago1:30:04

1:30:04

In one respect, it's never been so difficult to make it in the music industry. There is no clear path to success. In another respect, there has been no better time to swing the bat. Living in the digital renaissance, Steve Onotera, better known as Samurai Guitarist, wanted to make a living in music. After spending years refining his craft as a guitar player, he stumbled into the world of YouTube - and now it's how he makes his living. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Subscribe to SamuraiGuitarist on YouTube! ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting…

Character

1
#24 - The Pinball Wizard 55:52

8 years ago55:52

55:52

For Tim Cox, moving to Brooklyn proved to be a big departure from the isolated equestrian community in Florida that he grew up in. Despite facing some hardships throughout his life, Tim's faith never deviated. And, to this day, it remains a very important part of his life. A self-proclaimed man-child, who plays on a competitive pinball team and loves to break into sing-song at any time, Tim Cox is a true character. Check out @timncox on the interweb! ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting…

Character

1
#23 - The Maven of Manhattan 1:54:21

8 years ago1:54:21

1:54:21

It's easy to forget why we do the things we do. It's even easier to fall into a rut, personally, creatively, and professionally when we don't feel that we're doing what we should be doing. For Jonesy - an actor & comedian - it meant doing things that he never thought he would do in New York City, before leaving his life behind and moving to Los Angeles to explore the world again. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Check out @funnyjones on the interweb! ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting…

Character

1
#22 - Landing Somewhere Else 1:49:41

8 years ago1:49:41

1:49:41

One of the biggest things Jason Gonzales took away from the Navy was mindset. He learned to appreciate things that seemed foreign to him, and respect the people around him - despite their differences. In the end, teamwork was a big part of the Navy, and it gave Jason a new outlook for the way in which he would navigate the world moving forward. After leaving the Navy, Jason faced a much different world in the materialistic, "every person for themselves" mentality that drove the culture in Los Angeles. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting…

Character

1
#21 - Black Sheep in Navy Clothes 1:41:30

8 years ago1:41:30

1:41:30

When Jason Gonzales decided to join the Navy, he had his mind made up. His brother had painted a picture of Boot Camp, and Jason thought he knew what to expect; a loss of autonomy, driven by power-hungry authoritarians. But, he soon realized that a closed mindset wouldn't allow him to appreciate the positive things he could learn while in the Military. So, rather than go against it, he embraced it, but he did so in his own way - on his own terms. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting…

Character

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#20 - The Path to Somewhere 2:06:02

8 years ago2:06:02

2:06:02

Growing up in Bakersfield, California, Jason Gonzales didn't really know where his path would eventually take him. When he graduated highschool, he decided to join the Navy - only to find out that it's much harder to get out, than it is to get in. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast ---------------------------------- Character is brought to you by: Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting…

Character

1
#19 - Two Different Worlds 1:00:52

8 years ago1:00:52

1:00:52

When a peacock gets loose in a quaint town - where the population hasn't changed much since the 1930's - there's really only one option. Send the authorities. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Theme music by Samurai Guitarist Character is brought to you by: EPH Apparel - Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Onnit - Supplements for total human optimization. Cedar & Moss - Handcrafted, mid-century modern lighting.…

Character

1
#18 – The Puke Shoe 2:03:00

8 years ago2:03:00

2:03:00

After a 3 month hiatus from recording, Chris sheds some light on the things that happened in his life which prevented him from sharing the final chapter in his story. He reflects on everything that has happened with the podcast to date, and how he feels about the stories he's told. During the final Q&A of Season 1, Chris shares a few new stories - some of which he can't believe he never even told. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly.…

Character

1
#17 – The Delinquent Days 1:03:32

8 years ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Chris reflects on his time at Toys 'R Us, where he did things the way he wanted to do them. No matter how hard he tried to get fired, he couldn't. Somehow, his delinquent behaviour ended up getting him promoted. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly. Be sure to check out Daughter Podcast and show them some love!…

Character

1
#16 – Close to Home 8:14

8 years ago8:14

8:14

After taking a couple of weeks off of recording, Chris fills in listeners with some news about things happening in his life in real time. In the game of life, you never know what your next hand will be.

Character

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#15 – Accidents Happen 43:58

8 years ago43:58

43:58

For a period of time, Chris had a few different jobs in Winnipeg. Each of these jobs had a few ups and downs, but eventually Chris decided to go back to school. He was pretty sure of the direction that he was headed in University; however, the career path that he thought he was going to take ended up being quite different from the one that he ended up pursuing. ------------------------ Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly. Be sure to check out Beginner Podcast and show them some love!…

Character

1
#14 – Grabbing Pennies 40:36

8 years ago40:36

40:36

After spending a few years in Gimli, living an autonomous life and going on tour continuously with his band, Chris decided to move back to Winnipeg. When he finally made his way back to Winnipeg, it wasn't by choice. Chris refers to this period as rock bottom - the time when he felt the most alone in his life. ------------------------ Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly.…

Character

1
#13 – The Dropkick 1:02:38

8 years ago1:02:38

1:02:38

During the time that Chris was playing with his first band, Cities I've Never Seen, he and his bandmates spent quite a bit of time touring across Canada. After going on tour 12 separate times, and living in the close quarters of their unreliable van, many band members began to think differently about their future together. ------------------------ Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly.…

Character

1
#12 – From the Outside In 1:10:30

8 years ago1:10:30

1:10:30

After Chris decided to stay in Gimli, he found himself bouncing around between friends' houses, and never really found a stable place to live. Eventually, he met a group of people that welcomed him into their home with open arms. However, despite the warm welcome he received, he never felt like he was truly "part of the group". As time passed, Chris's friends - one of whom was infamously named "D-Bag," of course - let him into their world. Chris no longer felt like an outsider - but that didn't last long. ------------------------ Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly.…

Character

1
#11 – The Crack House 57:15

8 years ago57:15

57:15

When Chris moved to Gimli, it became an escape from his reality. He left behind his life in Winnipeg for a fresh start. However, on multiple occasions, Chris almost picked up and left the small town that he was finding comfort in. Although Chris had become straight-edge for a number of years, the freedom of living on his own exposed him to drugs and alchohol, once again, for a second time in his life. ------------------------ Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly.…

Character

1
#10 – The Phone Tap 46:54

8 years ago46:54

46:54

Prior to Episode 7, Ben chatted with with Owen - Chris's brother, and Miki - Chris's childhood best friend. Each conversation paints a picture, first-hand, for some of the characters that we've heard about from Chris. As well, we learn that most people - including Chris, himself - know very little about his past. Don't forget to follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast…

Character

1
#9 – Dirty Ice Cream 1:02:31

8 years ago1:02:31

1:02:31

In past episodes, Chris referred to his time in Gimli as a "fresh start". And, for some people, starting over isn't necessarily a bad thing. For Chris, however, moving to Gimli became another eye opening experience into the way in which he had naively lived his life up until that point. As Chris reflects on his Gimli-life, he discusses the responsibility that he had to take on as he went from being unemployed, to having three jobs - all at the same time. Follow the story on Instagram! @characterpodcast Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. Theme music by Me and Molly.…

Character

1
#8 – Your Turn To Ask 1:10:35

8 years ago1:10:35

1:10:35

After revealing some heavy news in Episode 7, we take a step back to reflect on some of the things we've learned about Chris's story so far. Episode 8 is a question and answer format, co-hosted by Steve Onotera (Samurai Guitarist) and Declan McGarry (Me and Molly), where Chris answers some of the questions submitted by listeners. In this episode, Chris reflects on the way his story has unfolded through the podcast. As well, he tells us more about some of his interests - like music and video games - that make him who he is. Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. www.ephapparel.com Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. https://www.youtube.com/user/samuraiguit Theme music by Me and Molly. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/old-friend/id1199510671…

Character

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#7 – Lifting The Rug 1:19:49

8 years ago1:19:49

1:19:49

There are many missing puzzle pieces to the life of Chris Friesen. He often feels like details about his past have been "swept under the rug" by various family members - it's the Mennonite way. After digging deeper into Chris's past, more details are uncovered about his childhood. Chris learns new information about his mom - for first time ever. Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. www.ephapparel.com Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. https://www.youtube.com/user/samuraiguit Theme music by Me and Molly. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/old-friend/id1199510671…

Character

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#6 – Brass Knuckles 48:22

8 years ago48:22

48:22

After spending some time with a group of neighbourhood “hooligans,” Chris realized that a life of drugs and misdemeanours was not for him. Around high school, Chris started to clean up his act. It wasn’t long after this period that Chris and his Grandfather no longer saw eye to eye on many issues. Eventually, Chris left his Grandpa’s house - for good, and never returned home. Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. www.ephapparel.com Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. https://www.youtube.com/user/samuraiguit Theme music by Me and Molly. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/old-friend/id1199510671…

Character

1
#5 – Jesus Land 1:01:37

8 years ago1:01:37

1:01:37

After trying to connect with people from Chris's past, a few leads come up short. However, Chris recalls a story about his grandmother and mother trying to "help" his brother, Owen, when he was a young child. The deeper we go into exploring many of Chris’s stories, the more he becomes quite open about some of his past experiences, which he isn't proud of at all. Character is brought to you by EPH Apparel. Enter promo code: character to get 20% off your next order. www.ephapparel.com Production assistance by Samurai Guitarist. https://www.youtube.com/user/samuraiguit Theme music by Me and Molly. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/old-friend/id1199510671…

Character

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#4 – The Sandlot 59:20

8 years ago59:20

59:20

There is lots we don't know about Chris's story. And there is lots he doesn't know either. Trying to find out detailed information proves to be hard when he turns to his own family members to help him put together the missing puzzle pieces about his past. In this episode, we learn more about his childhood friends - Miki, Brad, and Alfredo - and how they impacted his first encounter with marijuana.…

Character

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#3 – Final Fantasy 1:05:51

8 years ago1:05:51

1:05:51

Chris begins to recall more memories about his past. Although unsure about the exact location of the place he lived in with his Grandmother for a period of time, Chris starts to remember details about the residence, which could provide some new direction in uncovering more information about his story. We learn about "when he got out," as well as his relationship with both Stacey and Matthew. Chris has always loved gaming, but he didn't realize that a love affair with Final Fantasy would change his life forever.…

Character

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#2 – Life's A Hardflip 57:50

8 years ago57:50

57:50

The story of Chris Friesen continues, as we learn more about his troubled relationship with his mom, siblings, and family. Chris knows some of his family members well, or so he thinks. And others - he doesn't know at all.

Character

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#1 – Speedballs 58:46

8 years ago58:46