The MILD OUT podcast

012: Life updates with Morgan Riddel

In this episode, my daughter, Morgan, joins again to just riff. We started down a path discussing if Top Gun: Mavrick is a "good" movie or not.
Then, we got into Morgan's update on her life and career path and spent time digging in on what is really important - Joy!
It's a good lens into our relationship. We hope you like it!
 - M. & m. 

011: How Matty lost 8.5 toes...and still hasn't found them

In episode 11, my daughter Morgan joins to continue our discussion around SJAS (St. John's School of Alberta) and my experience there.
We dive into the rigorous outdoor program, how it was not only a replacement for physical education but a way of life. Morgan prompts me on how the seasons dictated outdoor activities and how the school curriculum played was built around hiking, snowshoeing, dogsledding and canoeing.
This sets the table for one of my stories of trauma, where I sustained severe frostbite while on a winter expedition which resulted in the amputation of most of my toes during the winter of 1996.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoyed talking about it.
 - M. & m.

010: Morgan Riddel - Revisiting St. John's School of Alberta 30 years later

On episode 10, I'm finally joined by my daughter, Morgan Riddel.
During a brief trip back to Alberta (Western Canada), we intended to discuss my experiences in reform school during the mid-90's. However, on a whim, we decided to take a drive to see the place that is a source of pain and trauma. Not just for me, but for so many others during their time there.
Having Morgan and I see the place for visual context really inspired this discussion. I'm so grateful for this experience and look forward to recording more with her soon.
Enjoy!
 - M. & m.
 

009: Jimmy Xie - Sociology of Cars

In episode 009, I interview my friend and fellow auto enthusiast, Jimmy Xie. We met at Good Vibes Breakfast Club (a club that's not a club) up on Angeles Crest where we congregate with more good people who happen to share a love for driving. 
Jimmy has challenged the status quo in automotive media by changing how "car people" are perceived by providing a unique platform to tell their story. Whether external perception or internal fulfillment, Jimmy shines a spotlight on the people that make up this subculture while highlighting that wealth, number of followers, resume, driving prowess, ego or name on the badge of the car do not dictate your value in the car community as much as your personality, humility and care for others.
Come learn how Sociology of Cars started and what's in store for future seasons!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sociology_of_Cars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars/
Enjoy!
 - M. 

008: Karlyle Tomms - Every Life is Worth a Novel

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Karlyle Tomms - Author of Edge of Smoke and The Calling Dream. We spent some time discussing his life, career and pivotal moments that shaped him. From being orphaned at an early age when he tragically lost his mother, torture and torment from various sources that caused physical/emotional/mental trauma, his relationships that allowed him to alchemize his pain and coming to terms with his own identity and sexuality.
We discuss his career in Social Work before penning his first novel & his book of poetry: The Gulls are Always Laughing, his upbringing in a Christian community, being told what's allowed...more importantly what's NOT allowed, his quest to break stigmas and stereotypes and encourage others to tell their story in effort to heal.  As Karlyle said in our talk: "Every life is worth a novel..."
Please check out Karlyle's site for more info on his books and story - https://www.karlyletomms.com/
Enjoy!
M.

007: Yanna Lorence: No mistakes....just happy accidents

Through adversity, childhood trauma, late diagnosed ADHD and Bipolar II Disorder, this week's guest has some stories.  We barely scratched the surface with Yanna Lorence and still managed to get a summary of their life, their struggles and coming into the light in the last year.
Yanna reached out to me to share their story after Alicia Blackburn had shared some of their journey. Inspired by Alicia and already being connected to them, Yanna wanted to contribute to their healing journey and other's, but shining a light on themselves...being vulnerable, holding space and finding a sense of self.
It's an incredible journey, one that Yanna is still on (as we all are) and I can't wait to have them back. Enjoy!
-M.

006: The Mild Outlaw - Matty's story from 30K feet

In episode 006, I wanted to share a bit about myself.  Come along for a Sunday morning drive to Malibu as I provide a summation on what got me to...well, here!  
First, another explanation of how the MILD OUT podcast came to be.  Then, I'll recount some of the early trauma's in my life, the "rise to success" or what I thought success was, and the radical changes the have brought me to a place where I'm choosing to dedicate my life to helping other people connect with themselves.
Enjoy!
-M.

005: Alicia Blackburn Pt. 3 - Identity, Growth and Partnership

In the conclusion of my interview with Alicia, we cover so many impactful points in their life that inspired growth. We dive into searching for identity and struggling to connect with self through loss, sexuality, gender conformity, spirituality and of course, loving all parts of ourselves.
I've truly been inspired by Alicia's story and their unwillingness to give up on themselves. I can't wait to have them back to share more tales of growth and gain new perspectives in the continued pursuit to MILD OUT.
Enjoy!
- M.

004: Alicia Blackburn, Pt 2 - an Inevitable Appointment

Part two of my interview with Alicia dives deeper into their trauma and experiences with life, death, religion vs. spirituality and how they continued to push for acceptance, existence and purpose.
It's an inspiring story, and it's far from over. So, join us as we learn more about Alicia!
- M.

003: Alicia Blackburn (Part 1) - Music, Trauma and Church...oh my!

In this episode, I get to interview Alicia Blackburn (She/They), on their various traumas and how they have persevered.  
Starting at an early age, Alicia found coping mechanisms for their anxiety.  This laid a foundation for finding new modalities to connect with emotion and survive a gauntlet of trauma for the past couple decades.  
We share in these experiences and unpack in an effort to edify, educate and entertain. We wouldn't shut up...so we've cut this into 3 parts for easy consumption.
Please enjoy Part 1 of my interview with Alicia!
 - M.