Stories from the Center of the Universe

Episode 309 - SGT Rodney Davis' Family Trip to Vietnam

John Hollis (Episode 277) returns to the podcast, but this time with a couple of friends, Chuck Casey and Jeremy Bowling. The last 2 times John was on, he and Paul talked about the story of Sergeant Rodney Davis (USMC). They delve more into that story by discussing the Davis family trip to Vietnam for the first time and other incredible stories as well as the 501(c)(3) that the three of them are working on together. Paul first learned how they all met each other and how their mutual interest in helping veterans started as a true grass root development. They have been able to help veterans and their families gain closure through trips to Vietnam. Jeremy in particular talked about the emotional impact and the incredible amount of healing that has taken place not only for the American soldiers, but the Vietnamese soldiers and people as well. They finished by talking about the 501(c)(3) which is called The Longest Climb Foundation. They have a lot of support, but the need is always there and they are working hard using a shared passion and their many connections to help our veterans.

Episode 308 - Teresa Ofoia

Teresa Ofoia comes to the podcast via her Mom and Paul meeting at a networking event. Teresa is a professional dancer and has made that her career for about the last eight years. Teresa was born in Hawaii and raised in Virginia, first moving to northern Virginia and then moving to the Chesterfield/Richmond area. They discussed some of the changes she went through when she moved of which wearing shoes all the time was one of the big ones! Teresa and Paul talked at length about her dancing career including getting her dream job early on as well as other interests such as singing and acting. Teresa told Paul about some of the travel involved and Paul asked her about the favorite places she has been both domestically and internationally. That led to a chat about the differences in food here in the U.S. and other places in the world. Teresa talked about her love of food and how she believes food could very well play a part in her future endeavors. They finished by talking about her time in Los Angeles and how she is welcoming the change of now living in New Jersey/working in New York.

Episode 307: Robyn D'Onofrio

Silent Rob met Robyn D’Onofrio and suggested that she come on the podcast … Paul reached out and here she is! Robyn grew up in rural New Jersey where there were lots of kids around and there was always something to do. She attended high school and told Paul she was an “athletic goof-off” who wasn’t concerned with academics that much. That changed in college where she was a captain of the basketball team, worked very hard academically and was the president of the student senate. She continued her schooling and also received her law degree. She and her family moved to Richmond about eleven years ago and Robyn got a chance to coach basketball at the Steward School and then moved to be the coach at St. Gertrude. Paul and Robyn talked about her coaching philosophy, about their program at St. Gertrude and about one player that is a representation of what their program is all about. Robyn also teaches Government at St. Gertrude and they had a great chat about what it’s like to teach Government in an election year. They finished by talking about the upcoming basketball season and about her family.

Episode 306: 2024 Presidential Election

Tom Greco returns to chat about the 2024 Presidential Election.

 

Happy Veterans Day to all who served!

Episode 305 - Jamesetta Cleveland

Jamesetta Cleveland comes on the podcast to talk about her company Sports Mom University Consulting. Jamesetta and Paul talked about the company on a high level and how and why she founded it. Jamesetta will be joining Paul and Kevin on the Virginia is for Sports Podcast to talk more about her company and on the subject of NIL in particular. In this episode, Paul talked to Jamesetta about a variety of things. They talked about her growing up as a military brat and where her favorite places were to live and visit. This led to discussions about some differences between Europe and the USA when it came to transportation and fashion. Jamesetta also gave her perspective on the way history is approached and Paul got her opinion on the statues that used to be on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. Jamesetta talked about what activities she did growing up, how her parents were away for a good part of her time in high school and about her three kids and her two grandchildren.

Episode 304 (SB5): Woody Hogg

Local real estate legend Woody Hogg joins Paul on the podcast. Woody and Paul talked about his many business ventures in banking, insurance, real estate and jobs he had when he was getting started such as being a taxi driver. They talked about the sports he played in high school and also during his time at East Carolina University. Woody told Paul the main three things that effect a house sale and he even added the fourth key ingredient for good measure! He also gave advice to young people that either want to sell real estate, buy real estate or both! They talked about his family and he and Paul found out they love being at the Rivah and that they are both lovers of blue crabs.

Episode 303: Top 10 episodes from episodes 251-300.

In this next installment of the “Look Back” episodes, Paul, Rob and Brent take a look at Episodes 251-300. They each pick their Top 10 and a fun time was had by all!

Episode 302: James Hagler

James Hagler joins Paul and the first subject they covered was to talk about his relationship with his dad, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. They discussed James growing up with his dad, their differences in adulthood and how they reconciled before his dad passed away in 2021. James talked about going to the gym in his youth and the influence his uncle Robbie had on him. James told Paul about his family and they discussed the path that his son James Jr. has taken and while they get along and talk, they don’t talk about boxing. Paul asked James about his perspective on several of his dad’s most famous fights against boxers like Duran, Hearns and Leonard. Paul told James how much he admired his Dad and they talked about James’ boxing promotion company and what he hopes to achieve in the future. James finished by talking about and telling a story or two about George Foreman.

Episode 301: Paidemoyo Charasika

Paidemoyo Charasika joins Paul courtesy of a connection with Chris Gaskell (Episode 262) as they played football together at Wake Forest. Pai was born in Nashville, but grew up in Louisville. Education was very important to Pai’s parents … especially his Mom! Pai attended Kentucky Country Day, a prep high school in Louisville and then looked at several really good academic colleges. He fell in love with Wake Forest and went there for the education, but also was a walk on for the football team. Pai is proud of the fact that he lettered three out of four years as a walk on. They then discussed his first job out of college which was in banking and then how he ended up in the financial advisor field. He still works as a financial advisor and this led to Pai and Paul talking a great deal on the subject of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). Paul gave Pai some situations and got his opinion on how he would handle those and then he talked about some real people that he currently advises. They had a great conversation about NIL, the NCAA, the collectives and who he has learned to talk to when he is advising young student athletes.

Episode 300: Brent Scopel

Brent Scopel joins the podcast and is the guest for Episode 300! Brent has listened to almost every episode and he brought Paul some “brown water” to celebrate this momentous occasion. Brent grew up in Ohio and was adopted by his parents who raised him and his two brothers who were 14 & 16 years older than Brent . Growing up, Brent was drawn to music and started playing the drums when he was about 15 years old. Paul and Brent explored the role that music has played in his life by discussing types of music, his opinion on the best drummers of all time, Brent playing in bands and going to all kinds of different concerts. They talked about his career and how he and his wife have succeeded and now how that success is allowing them to make memories. They discussed how he and his wife Julie are “foodies” and he told Paul about the lengths they used to go to for ice cream and pizza. Brent also told Paul about a 31 year tradition and how on one trip he had a “life flashing before your eyes” type of incident. He finished by talking about his wife Julie (Red), their two daughters Gabrielle and Annika and how being a grandparent is incredible and the reason that he and Julie moved from Ohio to Virginia.