Stories from the Center of the Universe

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.

Episode 126: CW3 Rich Brown

In Part 5 of our Honoring the Military Series, Rich Brown (USMC) joins us. Rich was born in Knoxville, TN, but moved around a bit due to his Dad’s job. Growing up, Rich did martial arts and spent a lot of time with the best grandparents a guy could have! Paul and Rich talked about Rich’s family lineage and then why he chose to join the United States Marine Corps. They discussed his 23 year USMC career which included some travel and September 11th. Rich then chatted with Paul about his life post USMC and how he started his own podcast in 2015.  They finished by talking about his wife and four kids.

Episode 125: SSgt Stuart Wiley

Stuart Wiley is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force and continues our series honoring members of our U.S.Military. Stuart grew up in Fluvanna County, Va. and when Paul asked him about growing up, he said it was all about baseball from tee ball through playing travel and for high school. They talked about what he did after high school and why he decided to join the USAF.  Stuart did admit that he really didn’t have any idea what he was getting into! They ended by discussing his career and where he went which included a tour in Korea where he discovered his love for Korean Barbecue.

Episode 124: Dr Richard Sander

Dr. Richard Sander joins the podcast today via a connection with former VCU Basketball player Rodney Ashby (Episode #115). Dr. Sander is from Cincinnati and Paul, Kevin and Richard talked about his childhood and then playing sports in high school. This led to playing football and basketball in college where he also participated in ROTC. Richard discussed his time in the U.S. Army and his career path afterwards which led him to VCU. Richard was the Athletic Director at VCU for twenty plus years. They talked about his fondest memories and his proudest moment at VCU. Richard finished up by talking about raising money for a charity related to one of his grandkids and about his family.

Episode 123: Captain Jeff Davila, USN, Retired

Jeff Davila come to the podcast via a connection with Jeff Burke (Episode #7). Jeff grew up in Richmond, Va. He played a lot of sports growing up and he was a three sport athlete in high school.  After graduating from high school, Jeff attended the United States Naval Academy where he majored in Math. Jeff went to fight training school, learned how to fly jets and became a Naval Aviator. Paul and Jeff discussed his various assignments in the U.S. Navy and finished by talking about his wife and four children.