Cookin' Up A Story - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

COOKIN' UP A STORY: You're Not Alone - Jonathan Rueppel Oct 13, 2025

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Jonathan Rueppel was born to be a warrior and after boot camp, deployed to the Middle East. Once there, he experienced situations that challenged the toughness inherent to being a Marine, ones that stuck with him after retiring. In this one, hear about his experiences in battles as well as the battles he's still facing as a civilian. This is another episode that's going to help someone else out there fighting similar battles. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#marines #mentalhealth #middleeast #ied

COOKIN' UP A STORY: Choir Boy - Jonathan Rueppel Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

For this episode, retired Marine Jonathan Rueppel joined us to discuss growing up on military bases, his passion for education, and the recently announced changes to the military. We also learned why he chose to join and what boot camp was like, with a few trips down rabbit holes along the way. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#marines #iraq #DepartmentofWar #teargas #bootcamp

COOKIN' UP A STORY: We Have Some Questions - Brad Bassham Oct 06, 2025

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In part two of our conversation with Brad Bassham, which arrived late because Rich dropped the ball (dammit, Rich!), hear more rabbit holes upon rabbit holes, as well as Brad's story about an encounter with the FBI. It's another meandering conversation around the campfire and it's a good one. Give it a listen.

#fbi #neworleans #pawnshops #jcrew

COOKIN' UP A STORY: The Guiding Light - Brad Basham Oct 02, 2025

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For this one, listener Brad Basham joined us in the studio for one in which the rabbit holes go down other rabbit holes before heading down another rabbit hole. We also discuss his life, education, and how he tricked his wife into going out on their first date, plus a story that disappointed Wilson because Brad is too dedicated to staying alive. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#alaska #rabbitholes #toyotacamry #alaska

COOKIN' UP A STORY: I Built America - Troy Currens Sep 29, 2025

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Troy Currens didn't get his life together until his 40s, but he did get it back together. He cleaned up, welcomed a new baby, and found his passion for helping people by helping get them into the car they want. Hear him talk construction, sales, and respect in this episode. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#sales #carsalesman #cars #addiction #rehab #prison #ReadTheTape

COOKIN' UP A STORY: No Driver's License - Troy Currens Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

When Troy Currens was a a young man, he was a little bastard, constantly getting in trouble with every authority in his life. But as he grew up, he remained a little bastard, constantly getting in trouble with every authority in his life. In part one of our conversation with him, hear Troy tell how he ended up on the wrong side of the law over and over again and how ultimately shaped him into the man he is today. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#jail #police #prison #DUI #repeatoffender #redemption

COOKIN' UP A STORY: Hard Work Always Wins - Matt Rhodes Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

After college, Matt Rhodes was unemployed for 11 days. Through work ethic and working his network, he landed a coaching job where he earned an astonishing amount of money. From college roles to high school, he's focused his career on teaching kids the value of discipline and dedication. In this episode, hear Matt discuss how he landed in the weight room, pushing kids to makes themselves bigger, and not just in terms of muscle mass. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#GravetteAR #gravettefootball #strengthtraining #youthsports #coaching

COOKIN' UP A STORY: Thursday All American - Matt Rhodes Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

When you think of growing up on 55 acres with horses, a dog, and a .22, you don't think of Massachusetts, but that's exactly the upbringing that Matt Rhodes experienced. In part one of our discussion with him, we hear how his parents instilled discipline, let him suffer, and demanded he have at least one activity. Those three things helped turn Matt into the man he is today, which is one who is helping coach, literally, the next generation. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#gravette #universityofarizona #lacrosse #football #basketball #horses #shooting

COOKIN' UP A STORY: Gary Vernon and Victor Gurel, Part Two Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Gary Vernon and Victor Gurel may love mountain biking, but they're not dirty hippies. Instead, they're focused on fun, health, and the ways the sport can lift up local economies. In part 2 of our conversation with them, hear them lay out why mountain biking has ripple effects, how you can get started, and why dirt is better than pavement. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#oztrailsnwa #trailblazers #bentonville #rogers #fayetteville #lowell #springdale #mountainbiking #starwars

COOKIN' UP A STORY: Trailblazers Pt 1 - Gary Vernon and Victor Gurel Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

If there's one thing we're known for at Cookin' Up a Story, it's our deep and abiding passion for cycling. After part one of our conversation with Gary Vernon and Victor Gurel, our attitudes may have shifted a little bit, pun intended. In this one, we get into the economic and conservational benefits of mountain biking, how Northwest Arkansas became a cycling destination, and why we should root for mountain bikers to continue doing they're thing in the region. Give it a listen, it's a good one.

#biking #mountainbiking #oztrailsnwa #trailblazers #NWA #nwarkansas #onyourleft

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