The Lowe Down

Mike Chapman: A Journey Through History and Storytelling

Join host Jessica Lowe Vokes for an intriguing episode of "The Lowe Down" as she welcomes Mike Chapman, a renowned author, historian, and wrestling expert from Iowa. Mike shares his journey from a high school athlete to an accomplished writer of 32 books, with a passion for history and storytelling. Discover the stories behind his fascination with historical figures like Nile Kinnick and his unique experiences meeting legends such as Muhammad Ali and Ronald Reagan. Mike discusses his creative process and offers insights into his disciplined approach to writing and pursuing one's passions. Learn about his adventures, including a daring trip to the ancient site of Troy, and his ongoing Hollywood screenplay aspirations. This episode is a captivating exploration of how personal passions can lead to remarkable achievements and unforgettable encounters. Learn more at www.mike-chapman.com

Steph (Rich) Dacey - Resilient, Inspiring, Compassionate, Hardworking

Welcome to another episode of The Lowe Down with Jessica Lowe, our host Jessica Lowe interviews her longtime friend Steph (Rich) Dacey. Steph wears many hats including wife, mother, entrepreneur, high school basketball coach, but she is often remembered as one of Iowa’s greatest high school basketball players.  Steph shares her journey from being a high school basketball phenom in Iowa, leading her team to multiple state championships, to playing Division 1 basketball at Wisconsin. Discover how her early success on the court and the support from her community and family shaped her into the person she is today. Now having a successful real estate career and serving as a high school basketball coach, Steph reflects on the lessons learned from her athletic career and how they have translated into her professional life. She also opens up about the personal challenges she has faced, including the loss of her brother and father, and how she has maintained a positive outlook through it all. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Steph (Rich) Dacey about resilience, family, community, and the power of positivity on and off the court.

Sarah Patterson - A Positive Force

In this engaging episode of "The Lowe Down," our host Jessica interviews esteemed teacher, coach and leader, Sarah Patterson, who shares her inspiring journey and unique insights from a rich 30-year career. Starting as a competitive swimmer to earning accolades as a distinguished coach, Sarah discusses her transformative leadership style and elements of successful leadership. Discover Sarah's approach that focuses on inclusivity and empowering each team member. She emphasizes the importance of having a strong, unified message to ensure everyone's buy-in and acknowledgement, no matter their seniority or performance level. She also highlights the unconventional approach of giving every senior a chance to lead and grow. Explore Sarah's philosophy of imparting life skills to students, observing how her students have grown, learned, and stepped into the world with confidence and resilience under it. This episode is a must-listen for educators, coaches, and individuals looking to enhance their leadership style. Sarah Patterson further discusses overcoming pressures, creating meaningful connections, embracing positivity, fostering personal growth, and the role of sports in shaping young minds. Emphasizing her take on the transformative power of positivity, she shares her experiences with high school students, demonstrating the importance of fostering a supportive environment. Her enlightening conversation is infused with personal experiences and reflections on resilience, determination, and the power of gratitude on the journey of recovery. With tales of leadership, resilience, and overcoming struggles, this episode is a conversation with Sarah Patterson that will leave listeners feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to take on the world - one positive step at a time. Host Note: Sarah is truly a POSITIVE FORCE!!!! From the first conversation we had she made me feel like "Jessica Lowe Vokes" is amazing too. That may be her greatest gift or perhaps her super power. As a leader, a coach, a person all her positivity reflects back on and shines a bright light on all those around her. I loved this conversation and I look forward to many more as Sarah continues to inspire, coach and lead those around her. Thank you Sarah for a great conversation. To all the listeners, enjoy this episode!

Travis Gorsch & The IOWA Foundation

“Build it and (they) will come!” Just like the beloved Iowa-based film “Field of Dreams” today’s episode of “The Lowe Down,” features an Iowan with a big dream and a passion to build something special. “The Lowe Down” welcomes guest Travis Gorsch - founder of The IOWA Foundation, a sports-based nonprofit committed to positively impacting youth through athletics. Travis, a driven advocate for youth and lover of sports, shares his experiences from the bustling professional sports scene to taking a leap of faith and establishing The IOWA Foundation. Get ready to be inspired by Travis as he shares his story to build and grow a nonprofit in his native Iowa! Host Notes: Travis has a pretty amazing story and I couldn't wait to have him share. After the interview Travis shared he loves "Field of Dreams" and his foundation's logo is a nod to baseball, Iowa and the movie. I felt those fun facts needed to be shared! And don’t forget to connect with Travis and The IOWA Foundation at www.theiowafoundation.com [http://www.theiowafoundation.com] and www.facebook.com/TheIOWAFoundation [http://www.facebook.com/TheIOWAFoundation].

Stacie Lowe - A Very Good Sister

The very first episode of The Lowe Down features guest Stacie Lowe, sister of the host Jessica Lowe. As the first episode goes we had great conversation but are still learning about recording, audio quality and editing. Thank you for joining us on this journey. And a shout out to our one listener - MOM!!