The Van Man Podcast

The Van Man Podcast

by Sam Ogles

Self-Improvement Mental Health Hobbies

Michael Nixon: Founder of the Outdoor Adventure Crew

If you know Michael Nixon then it's likely your life has been changed in a meaningful, positive way. My life is drastically better because of my interactions with him and my experiences with the Outdoor Adventure Crew. In reality, without the Crew, there would be no Van Man. I hope you enjoy this episode with one of my greatest heroes. Part of the ship, part of the Crew <3

Spencer Wable: The Enforcer

Spencer has been one of the most influential people to help with my podcast. He sends me recommendations and suggestions on how I can improve the podcast and on how I can work to be a better person. I wanted to bookmark some of his thoughts and experiences and invited him to share with me what he thinks it takes to live a happy life. I hope you enjoy!

Kevin Muirbrook: Healthy Sex Conversations

Sex can be a hard thing to talk about. When passion is high, it can be difficult to step back and have a rational conversation about expectations and safety. Kevin and I talk through our "rubric" for these conversations and share some thoughts from our own experiences on how to create a safe, fun, and passionate space for sex.

Bryan Redd: Electrical Engineer

My favorite thing about Bryan is he has the ability to break down complex problems in a way that even I can understand. Bryan has a passion for learning and in this conversation, we discuss how understanding the basics can go a long way toward solving complex problems.

Becca Weidner: Disneyland Veteran

I've never been to Disneyland. Luckily, I have an incredible sister who is an excellent vacation planner and has a specialty in planning trips to Disneyland. If you're a complete novice like myself, this will be your go-to guide for next trip to the happiest place on Earth. If you are an expert like Becca, DM me so extra tips we missed on Instagram. I hope you enjoy.

Zack Moreno: Traeger Viking

Zack is a one-of-a-kind warrior with a grill as his weapon of choice. After losing his job he strapped on his apron and chased his dream of using food to bring people together. He now has a thriving community of like-minded individuals who emphasize home-cooked everything and feasting together. I had a blast meeting him and having him as a guest on the podcast. Go follow him on Instagram! I hope you enjoy the episode!

Brayden Sampson: Athlete

Brayden and I have been friends, roommates, and climbing partners and I've always admired his consistency with healthy living. While neither of us is an insane athlete or life coach, I'd like to think we've learned one or two things on how to live a healthy lifestyle. In this episode, we each share our top 3 tips on how to improve your health and live a happy life. Maybe you'll find a little nugget of wisdom from two idiots who are trying to better every day. I hope you enjoy!

The Grand Garretts, Part Two: Grandpa Max

It's a good thing I interviewed Grandma first because she came to Grandpa's recording prepared with questions for me to ask him. Grandpa Max has always been a quiet man. All the grandkids in my family know that when you go over to Grandma and Grandpa's house Grandma will grill you with questions and Grandpa will quietly listen and observe. As often as I've gone to go see my grandparents, I think this is the most Grandpa has ever talked with me in one sitting. I hope you enjoy his stories and advice.

The Grand Garretts, Part One: Grandma Maxine

I know not everyone has the opportunity to interview their grandparents. I'm very lucky that I was able to sit down with my 92-year-old grandparents and ask them about their lives. I hope you enjoy their stories and advice as much as I did in this two-part interview with Max and Maxine Garrett. More than anything, I hope this leads you to have a closer connection with your parents and grandparents because the reality is you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Marissa Astill: Firefighter/Skydiver

I don't know who your firefighter/BASE jumper friend is, but mine is Marissa Astill. She's been a firefighter in Weber County for three years and started skydiving just after I did. I'm lucky I met her early in our skydiving lives because she has been an incredible friend. One of my favorite things about Marissa is that there's no such thing as a stupid question. She has a vast range of experiences and has always been open to sharing them with others. Thank you, Marissa, for joining me on the podcast!

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