In this podcast we pair a driven beginner, with a seasoned vet, to explain how to learn basically anything!
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Join hosts Gennessa Fisher and Brian Johnson for this youth-led and youth-focused monthly interview series as they talk with young people about their life experiences with homelessness, foster care, disabilities, teen parenting, and more. Each conversation will uncover stories of hope and strength from youth storytellers who will share the best ways we can support youth in similar situations. If you want to know how to do better for youth or simply be inspired, this is your show! Every youth ...
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It's Q&A time! We sourced questions straight from our listeners and tackled as many as we could for your educational enjoyment 😉. This episode is Part One of a two-part series—packed with curiosities, conundrums, and the kinds of real-world fly fishing questions only this community could come up with. Tune in to hear what we had to say about your q…
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Heart Work for the Holidays with Tina Tyler Smith
50:48
50:48
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50:48This December, Youth Voice Amplified heads to Delano, California, for a heartwarming holiday special featuring the beloved "Foster Youth Fairy Godmother" herself—Tina Tyler Smith. As the Director of Student Support Services and Foster & Homeless Youth Liaison for Delano Union School District, Tina shares how she and her team create joy, connection,…
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Ep.3 Fly Fishing Gear Revisited: Part 2 - Tactical Gear
1:21:34
1:21:34
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1:21:34In a world of fire and ice, only one thing can satiate the human spirit..... GEARRRR! In Part 2, we're getting tactical—talking rods, reels, lines, and all the tools to catch fish. We dig into what's new, what's stood the test of time, and the gear that keeps us hooked every season.By Pablo Signori
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Ep.2 Fly Fishing Gear Revisited: Part 1 - Field Prep
1:20:43
1:20:43
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1:20:43Three years after our first gear episode, we're back to see what's changed, what's stayed the same, and what we're still obsessed with. Spoiler alert: we still love GEAR! This time, it's a two-parter—Part 1: Field Prep and Part 2: Tactical Gear. Gear up cause this is a fun one! It also might contain the largest concentration of minutes recorded wit…
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A Youth Roundtable on Homelessness & Hope
39:16
39:16
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39:16In this powerful Homeless Youth Awareness Month episode, we sit down with members of the Youth Action Board (YAB), a group of young leaders with lived experience with homelessness who are driving real change in Kern County. From survival and stigma to policy and peer support, this roundtable dives deep into the realities of youth homelessness, what…
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Ep.1 Have You Plateaued As A Fly Fisher? Break On Through To The Other Side!
1:29:14
1:29:14
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1:29:14You've got a few years under your wading belt — you're comfortable on the river, catching fish, and feeling good. But deep down, you know you've hit that dreaded plateau. It happens to everyone… and it's fixable. In this episode, we break down how to BUST through that ceiling and level up your fly fishing game.…
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Riding the Waves: Pablo’s Journey Through Struggle and Courage (Part 2)
28:59
28:59
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28:59We pick up right where we left off...at Pablo's turning point. After years of bouncing between foster homes, group homes, and incarceration, he shares what helped him break free from the cycle. In this episode, Pablo talks about his college journey, his work supporting other students, and the advice he would give to youth who feel stuck like he onc…
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Riding the Waves: Pablo’s Journey Through Struggle and Courage (Part 1)
29:19
29:19
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29:19In this powerful first half of his two-part episode, we meet Pablo who learned to survive every crashing wave life threw at him. From navigating the foster care system to experiencing incarceration, Pablo opens up about what it was like to grow up feeling invisible, unheard, and alone. But even in the darkest moments, his story is filled with hones…
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Voices Revisited with Gennessa – Human Kindness Through Our Stories
28:28
28:28
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28:28This month on Youth Voice Amplified, Gennessa takes the mic for a special episode highlighting one of her favorite themes—human kindness. She revisits some of the most moving moments from past youth storytellers and the adult allies who walked alongside them, weaving together a powerful compilation of real-life experiences where kindness changed th…
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Angela's Story of Survival, Strength, and Starting Over (Part 2)
39:23
39:23
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39:23After surviving a car crash that nearly ended her life, Angela faced even more challenges. But Angela didn’t just survive—she found her voice. In this powerful conclusion of her story, Angela reflects on forgiveness, healing from trauma, and the quiet strength it takes to rewrite your future. From walking again after her accident to walking into cl…
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Angela's Story of Survival, Strength, and Starting Over (Part 1)
31:19
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31:19In this powerful first episode of a two-part series, Angela reflects on her journey through childhood trauma, navigating life in the streets, and the time she spent in juvenile detention. As a teenager searching for connection and safety, she found herself pulled into a world that made survival feel like the only option. But a near-death experience…
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LIVE from the YES! Conference: Lessons Learned from Our Foster Youth Alumni
55:01
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55:01In honor of National Foster Care Month, this special Youth Voice Amplified episode brings you a powerful live panel from the 10th Annual YES! (Youth Empowering Success) Conference. Host Gennessa joins fellow foster youth alumni Cynthia and Rubi to share raw, real stories of resilience, healing, and hope. Moderated by award-winning speaker and forme…
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For Teens, By Teens: 25 Years of Leaders In Life
35:47
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35:47In this special episode of Youth Voice Amplified, host Gennessa sits down with Alyssa and Siena—two incredible student leaders behind Kern County’s Leaders In Life Conference, a groundbreaking event created by teens, for teens. Now in its 25th year, Leaders In Life is one of California’s largest youth-led conferences and has empowered over 85,000 s…
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In this uplifting episode of Youth Voice Amplified, we sit down with Jordynn, a young mom who turned her experience with homelessness into a powerful voice for change. As a dedicated youth advocate, Jordynn shares how she balances the challenges of parenting, school, and work—all while using her story to support and uplift young parents in her comm…
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The Good Road Ahead: Dakota’s Story of Resilience
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20:15
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20:15In this special episode celebrating Youth Voice Amplified's 2nd anniversary, we’re honored to feature Dakota, a high school senior navigating life as an unaccompanied homeless youth. Dakota shares his incredible journey of resilience and determination, from losing both parents to finding stability through his school’s McKinney-Vento program. His op…
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Leading with Heart: Tita’s Story as Kern County’s First Student Champion
40:28
40:28
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40:28Kick off 2025 with an inspiring story of youth leadership! Tita, the first-ever Student Champion on the Kern County Board of Education, joins us to share how she’s amplifying student voices and making an impact for over 200,000 students. From leading as ASB President to balancing her passion for filmmaking, Tita opens up about her journey, the pres…
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Ep. 10 Fly Lines & Leaders: Advanced Principles
1:08:12
1:08:12
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1:08:12While fly lines & leaders are not the sexiest of subjects, they are still crucial to understand if you ever want to level up your game. In this episode Lance & Pablo go deeper into what makes up these lines and leaders: Materials, theory, formulas and use-cases. If you want to take your fly casting and fishing to the next level...START HERE.…
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Joy for All: Helping Foster Youth in Need This Holiday Season
49:02
49:02
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49:02In this special holiday episode of Youth Voice Amplified, Kristy Torres from Kern County Department of Human Services and Bryanna Wood from the Kern County Dream Center share how they bring joy, support, and hope to foster and homeless youth during the holiday season. Learn how programs like the Holiday Cottage and Dream Center create safe spaces, …
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Inside Youth Homelessness: Voices from the Frontline
14:23
14:23
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14:23This special holiday bonus episode of Youth Voice Amplified wraps up Homeless Youth Awareness Month with a heartfelt roundtable discussion featuring members of the Youth Action Board (YAB), part of Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative. These inspiring young advocates, with lived experiences of homelessness, share the challenges faced by…
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Project I Am From - Playing My Own Game Now
35:32
35:32
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35:32🎙️ In this special episode for Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Youth Voice Amplified features Cynthia, a youth advocate with lived experience of youth homelessness. Through the Project I Am From poetry exercise, Cynthia shares a raw and moving piece reflecting on her roots, resilience, and growth. She opens up about her journey as a homeless high s…
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Project I Am From - The Only Way Out is Through
31:46
31:46
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31:46In this moving episode of Youth Voice Amplified, we welcome back Melie, a dedicated advocate for homeless youth, to kick off our special focus on Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Through Project "I Am From," we dive deep into the power of lived experience and poetry, uncovering unique stories of youth who have experienced homelessness and the places…
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Youth Voice Amplified: Live from the Dream Center Open Mic
43:57
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43:57In this special live-recorded episode of Youth Voice Amplified, we bring you an inspiring Open Mic night at the Dream Center 🎤 , where youth who've faced adversity share their stories through powerful spoken word, poetry, and music. 💪 🗣️🎶 Alongside their adult supporters, these young voices open up about their experiences, creativity, and resilienc…
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Ep. 9 Troutbum Lessons Learned On The Saltwater Flats (Xcalak)
1:45:30
1:45:30
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1:45:30This episode is part of the NATK Journal Series, which highlights skills learned and observations made during fly fishing travels. In this installment, we revisit the trials and tribulations of fishing in and around Xcalak, Mexico—a location nestled against the world's second-largest barrier reef. We explore the challenges of targeting multiple spe…
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In this episode of Youth Voice Amplified, we’re bringing you James’s powerful story. He talks about what it was like to face homelessness at a young age, bouncing from place to place, and how it affected his time in school. James doesn't hold back as he shares the tough realities of trying to keep up with his education while dealing with constant i…
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EP.8 What Makes A Well-Rounded Fly Angler PART 2
44:56
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44:56In this episode we continue PART 2. We talk through the wee hours of night about what truly makes a well-rounded fly angler. Insights, lessons, lesser-covered topics abound...and also leprechauns and a qucking duck maybe.By Pablo Signori
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Taking Your Seat at the Table: Carter Beardsley on Elevating Student Voice in Education
47:24
47:24
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47:24Carter Beardsley, is not just a student—he's a changemaker! As the Region 8 President of the California Association of Student Councils, Chairman of the Kern Literacy Council's Youth Literacy Committee, and a Bakersfield Youth Commissioner, Carter is at the forefront of uplifting student voices in his school and the community. Join us as Carter sha…
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Ep. 7 What Makes A Well-Rounded Fly Angler: PART 1
1:21:38
1:21:38
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1:21:38Join us as we discuss what it means to be a well-rounded angler! Better yet, see how you stack up! We cover what a well-rounded fly anger should have in their skill set including fishing techniques both upstream and downstream, casting, wading safety, communication, time on the water, line management, positioning, gear knowledge, troubleshooting an…
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The Power of Transformative Thinking: Rico's Journey (Part 2)
40:18
40:18
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40:18In the powerful conclusion of our two-part series, we pick up where we left off, diving deeper into Rico's transformative journey. After being harshly judged by his community and witnessing friends succumb to drug use, Rico made the life-changing decision to shift his mindset and, ultimately, his destiny. Now, as a peer support specialist, Rico ded…
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Ep. 6 Should I Ties Flies? If So, What Makes a Well-Rounded Fly Tyer Ft. FLY FISH FOOD
49:37
49:37
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49:37In this week's episode we siphon the combined knowledge of Cheech, Curtis, and Lance from Fly Fish Food to uncover the perks of fly fying, how it improves your fishiness, and what makes a fly tyer well-rounded.By Pablo Signori
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The Power of Transformative Thinking: Rico's Journey (Part 1)
39:49
39:49
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39:49Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life! Join us for an inspiring two-part series on Youth Voice Amplified as we delve into Rico's incredible journey of resilience and transformation. In part one, Rico opens up about his challenging early life, where survival was the only goal. He shares vivid stories of his childhood struggles, from navigating diffi…
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Ep. 5 Competitive Angling Series: Part 2
2:20:09
2:20:09
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2:20:09In Part 2 of this Competitive Angling Series, we cover strategy & technique with Devin Olsen, Pat Weiss and Mr. Lance Egan. Come along and get in the heads of these anglers, see how they push the very limits of our sport in order to compete against the very best anglers across the globe. Lots of fishy stuff in here.…
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His Comeback Season: Himothy's Journey Through Juvenile Justice (Part 2)
36:19
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36:19Join us for the powerful conclusion of Himothy's journey on Youth Voice Amplified.🌟 After the birth of his daughter, Himothy made a complete turnaround, dedicating himself to community service, full-time work, and pursuing higher education. 🎓 In this episode, Himothy reflects on his life after overcoming years of hardship, sharing what he's most pr…
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Ep.4 Competitive Angling Series: Part 1
2:02:54
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2:02:54In part 1 of this 2 part series, we dive into the world of competitive fly fishing with special guests Devin Olson and Pat Weiss, members of Fly Fishing Team USA. We discuss the history of the sport, the structure of the competition, and the culture within the team. We also explore the motivation behind their participation in the competition, how t…
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His Comeback Season: Himothy's Journey Through Juvenile Justice (Part 1)
37:43
37:43
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37:43🌟 Join us on a special two-part episode as we dive into the remarkable story of Himothy on Youth Voice Amplified. From a young age, Himothy faced adversity and challenges head-on, including entering the juvenile detention system at just 12 years old. Despite facing instability in his early years, Himothy discovered a sense of belonging and purpose …
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Ep.3 Fly Fishing Philosophy & How To Use Mindset To Become A Better Angler
1:35:08
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1:35:08In this episode, we delve into the philosophy of fly fishing - from understanding why we fish to examining our mindset when we do. We discuss the duality of man vs. fish, the different types of fly fishers, and the importance of using mindset as a tool to lead to more success on the water. We also pose metaphysical questions about the nature of fis…
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Ep. 2 Fly Fishing Travel, Go Like a Pro!
1:31:56
1:31:56
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1:31:56Go like a pro! The title says it all. There are a lot of questions to be answered when it comes to fly fishing travel. What do you pack? How much do you pack? How do you pack your gear? Where do you pack your gear? And the list goes ON! Tune in to this episode where we break it all down for you, Lance gives us his trade secrets and there's even a s…
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Rising Phoenix: Horus' Unbreakable Spirit (Part 2)
24:13
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24:13In this gripping conclusion to Horus's story on Rising Phoenix, he reveals the profound impact of COVID-19 on his life, detailing the challenges he faced in securing stable housing and employment. Living along the Kern River, he recounts a harrowing near-death experience after being attacked by a group targeting homeless individuals. A chance encou…
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Lance and Pablo return in the first episode of Season 3! This episode delves into winter fishing: when, where, and how to succeed during the cold months from November to March. Join us as Lance shares some useful hacks, fishing secretsm and tips that could enhance your skills and make your next winter jam sesh a success!…
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Rising Phoenix: Horus' Unbreakable Spirit (Part 1)
28:13
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28:13Join us for part one of 'Rising Phoenix: Horus' Unbreakable Sprit,' where we delve into Horus' courageous journey through childhood challenges and homelessness. From a young age, Horus faced the daunting reality of being on his own, constantly shifting from one school to another, and feeling the weight of loneliness. In this raw and honest conversa…
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Shining Bright: Jo's Journey of Courage & Hope
31:52
31:52
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31:52Get ready to be inspired as we dive into 2024 with Jo’s remarkable story on Youth Voice Amplified! Jo's story resonates with the struggles many of us encounter. In this candid conversation, she bares it all, sharing her experiences being homelessness at a young age to facing tough times and foster care in her teenage years. Discover how her connect…
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Voices of Resilience Youth Panel (Live from the 2023 EMBRACE Equity Symposium)
47:06
47:06
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47:06We have a special gift for our listeners this holiday season! 🎁🎉🎙️ In September 2023, we had the honor of moderating the Voices of Resilience student panel at the 2023 EMBRACE Equity Symposium, where educators from across California converged to champion equity and inclusion in schools. In this episode, you'll hear the uplifting conversation we led…
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On the Frontlines of Hope: Supporting Homeless Students in Schools
39:40
39:40
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39:40In honor of Homeless Youth Awareness Month, "Youth Voice Amplified" brings you an inspiring episode featuring Michelle Blalock, the Homeless Education Liaison, and Gabby Britt, a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, both dedicated to making a difference in the lives of homeless students. They are on the front lines, tackling the pressing ne…
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Amplifying Student Voices: A Conversation with Dr. John Mendiburu
51:49
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51:49In celebration of our 10th episode, we have a special guest who brings a unique perspective on the intersection of student voice and equity in education, especially for students facing adversity like those experiencing homelessness and foster care. Join us as we welcome Dr. John Mendiburu, the Superintendent of Kern County Schools, to the "Youth Vo…
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Breaking Barriers: A Foster Youth's College Journey
46:12
46:12
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46:12In this special back-to-school episode, we're diving headfirst into the inspiring story of Tom, a former foster youth who defied the odds to pursue higher education. Join hosts Gennessa and Brian as they unravel the challenges, triumphs, and insights that shaped Tom’s journey to and through college. From navigating the complexities of foster care p…
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Season finale comes in hot with the secrets of fall fishing! Lance and Pablo talk shop around having success through early, mid, and late fall. Lot's of juicy stuff in here and a few laughs as well!By Pablo Signori
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Ep. 9 Listener Question & Answer Series: PART 2
1:16:02
1:16:02
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1:16:02We asked our listeners to send in their deepest fly fishing questions and concerns. They came through. This is 2 part in the series where we answer those questions and also use them to prompt further discussions on topics ranging from general, technique, competition angling, euro-nymphing, etiquette and more! Hope you enjoy!!…
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Resilience Rewritten: Evelette’s Story (Part 2)
36:40
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36:40❤️ In the heartfelt conclusion to our captivating two-part series, Evelette shares her experiences as a teen parent, overcoming challenges during high school, and dealing with homelessness. She reveals the sacrifices she made to provide a stable home for her daughter and her unwavering commitment to being there for her child every step of the way. …
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Ep. 8 Listener Question & Answer Series: PART 1
1:24:39
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1:24:39We asked our listeners to send in their deepest fly fishing questions and concerns. They came through. In this 2 part series we answer those questions and also use them to prompt further discussions on topics ranging from general, technique, competition angling, etiquette and more! Hope you enjoy.By Pablo Signori
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Resilience Rewritten: Evelette’s Story (Part 1)
26:25
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26:25Ever since she could remember, Evelette has battled extraordinary circumstances, made tough decisions, and overcome difficult challenges…all while on her own. In this inspiring two-part series, Evelette takes us on an unforgettable journey through her experiences in foster care, becoming a teen parent, and completing high school despite homelessnes…
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Ep. 7 Fly Rod Construction Through The Lens of Joe Goodspeed Of Diamondback Fly Rods
1:34:25
1:34:25
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1:34:25Learn before you buy! In this episode we chat with one of the modern legends of rod building, Joe Goodspeed. The discussion meanders through the ins-and-outs of rod construction, the history and trajectory of euro nymphing rods, and even what to look out for when selecting a rod. This episode is just stacked with information, and gives you a nice w…
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