Stories from the Center of the Universe

Episode 136: Marcus Williams

Marcus Williams joins the podcast mainly via Kevin, but Marcus, Paul and Kevin have all worked at the same RVA based company. Marcus’ parents were both born in Indiana, but he grew up in Glasgow, KY.  His dad wanted a better place to raise his family and his dad was a benefactor of affirmative action and got a job in Glasgow. Marcus talked about his big brother being his best friend and their adventures growing up. Basketball and football were both important growing up. He was recruited for both sports and he decided to play football at Vanderbilt. He talked about one particular play where he faced off against a future 14 season NFL player. The podcast ended with Marcus talking about his family, wife Annie, daughter Mya and his son Tyson, aka T-Money.

Episode 135: Liz Phillips

Liz Phillips is a former colleague of Paul’s. Liz and Paul talked about her early years in South Bend, Indiana and Liz gave some insight into what South Bend is famous for besides Notre Dame. She talked about her big family, a move to Florida in the middle of high school and how she had to become an adult when she was a teenager due to her Mom getting sick. Liz and Paul had a great chat about her daughter Alina who is thirteen. Liz told Paul what her unusual craving was while she was pregnant and details about the party that occurred at the hospital before Alina was born. They ended by talking about Liz and Alina’s next adventure - where they’ll move to and what Liz wants to build and develop when they get there.

Episode 134: Growing Up in Ashland (1970s and 80s)

Duke, Rob and Paul have known each other almost 50 years. On this unique episode, we discussed growing up in Ashland in the 1970s and 80s. We had fun reminiscing and recording stories from our childhood. We hope you will enjoy it as well.

Episode 133: Nick Shedd

Nick Shedd is the head of Strength and Conditioning for the Houston Astros and comes to the podcast via a connection through Kevin Flippen. Paul, Kevin and Nick discussed him growing up in Northern Virginia, playing football in college and his education including currently pursuing his PhD. Nick’s career has taken him many different places and has allowed him to work with military personnel and athletes of all levels and sports as well. They talked about his current job with the Astros organization and Nick fielded some rapid fire questions from Paul and Kevin. They finished by talking about his wife Jackie and their dog Cusco. 

Episode 132: Ali Gustavson and Sidney Campbell - American Bald Eagle Foundation

Ali Gustavson and Sidney Campbell join the podcast via Paul knowing Ali’s dad, Gary. Ali and Sidney both work for the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines, Alaska. They discussed each of their backgrounds and how they found their way to the ABEF. Paul talked to Sidney and Ali about their roles at the ABEF and what a normal work day looks like for the two of them. They talked about the mission of the ABEF, what it’s like to live in Alaska and the effect the pandemic on them personally and on the ABEF. They finished by telling Paul all the ways that people can support the American Bald Eagle Foundation. To learn more or to donate, visit baldeagles.org. (pictured R to L - Ali, Sidney and Hans the Eurasian Eagle Owl)

Episode 131: Amber Klingman

Amber Klingman joins the podcast because she and Paul have a mutual acquaintance, Jennifer Stevens (Episode #101). Amber grew up just outside of New Orleans and in a small town in Georgia. Amber had a pretty normal childhood until her sophomore year in high school when she got pregnant. She talks to Paul about her story and the incredible support she received from her child’s two grandmothers. She talked about her kids, the heartbreaking experience of losing one and what the other two are doing now to keep her busy. She finished by talking about her work and her relationship with Jennifer. 

Episode 130: Tim Sutton - A Better Understanding

Tim Sutton is a thirty plus year law enforcement professional who was born and raised in Hanover County, Virginia. Paul and Tim discussed his childhood, his first jobs and what led him to enter the law enforcement profession. At one point during his career with the Hanover Sheriff’s Office, Tim was put in charge of a program called Project Life Saver.  This has led Tim to become a subject matter expert on Autism and Alzheimer’s. Tim and Paul talk about the groups he has taught and the some of the cases that he has worked on during his career. They finished by talking about Tim’s podcast (A New Perspective) and about his kids (Caleb, Emily and Nicole).

Episode 129: Ahmad Hawkins

Ahmad Hawkins is from the Newport News/Hampton area of Virginia and was a football teammate with Dwight Vick (Episode 122) for a year at Hampton HS. Ahmad was highly recruited at three different positions (WR, CB and RB) depending on the locality of the school. Ahmad stayed in state and played football at UVA. The picture above is Ahmad making the game winning catch versus VT the last time that UVA beat VT in Blacksburg (1998). When he made that catch, he couldn’t hear the crowd and was thinking about something unrelated to football. Paul, Kevin and Ahmad finished by discussing his post playing career and his family. 

Episode 128: Austin Wilson

Austin Wilson is childhood friends with Nick Clark (Episode 120) and Alec Eberle (Episode 107). Like Nick and Alec, Austin played football, but a medical issue in his junior year of high school stopped him from playing anymore. With a push from his dad and after watching Jerry Maguire, Austin decided to become a sports agent when he was only sixteen years old. He has continued down that path and represents players and coaches on the college and professional levels of football. Austin and Paul finished by talking about the coaching vacancies at UVA and VT and his family.

Episode 127: Coach Richard Kemper

Coach Dick Kemper joins the podcast and this episode is a trip down memory lane for Paul. Coach Kemper coached Paul in football and basketball in high School at St. Christopher’s in Richmond. Coach Kemper grew up in Alexandria, but came to St. Christopher’s soon after starting his career.  He spent 40+ years as a coach, athletic director and an educator at St. Christopher’s. Paul and Coach Kemper reminisced about St. Chris sports and the Coach talked about his various philosophies when it comes to coaching and life. They talked about his three kids and five grandkids and how he is looking forward to a time when he can stop raking leaves and go to the beach.