OK Boomer

Leaving a mark With over 30 years of service as a police officer for Prophetstown, Bruce Franks had many experiences that left a mark upon him, some of them quite sad, others inspirational.  He shares these moving moments, his best and worst days as a first responder, his reaction to national events like the George Floyd murder, and his adjustment to retirement.  This is part II of our conversation with Chief Franks.

Franks for the Memories-  and your service. “You’ve got to be willing to help people when they are at their worst.”  This firmly held belief by recently retired Prophetstown Police Chief Bruce Franks was enacted many times throughout his career.  Bruce will share with us stories about offering a hand to those he too often had to deal with that were mired in misery.  He’ll also speak about his tireless involvement in community affairs like the Fishing Derby and Light Up the Park, the difficulties and rewards of wearing a badge, how he managed to avoid becoming cynical, and other aspects of wearing a badge, vest, and a weapon. This episode is part one of our wide-ranging conversation covering his three decades of service.  Part II will be available on the 15th of next month. Listen at this website or wherever fine podcasts are hosted:  https://okboomer.libsyn.com/site [https://okboomer.libsyn.com/site] Other links: Thomas Nance website for audiobooks and voiceover: https://tommytones.webnode.page/ [https://tommytones.webnode.page/] Email:  ttaudioworks@gmail.com

How to Live - How to Die-- when you get to be my age, those topics become of interest. And so they are featured in this episode. The episode is in my occasional format of potpourri, an eclectic reading of various literary gems I've found worth sharing, many of them dealing with living and dying. But to be sure, there are plenty of humorous bits from Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous that will tickle you.

Once upon a time a Wauconda High School student, class of 2004, was floundering around, contemplating life as a painter, not terribly ambitious about anything.  He had a below average GPA and a job at Jewel.  He was enjoying life, perhaps a bit much.  But holy about face, Batman!  In a just a few short years, he was excelling in college, scoring a double major while holding down various jobs, all which led to his current position as a top-level executive at the Jim Beam corporation.  Talk about a pivot!  And he does talk about it and how persistence and passion catapulted him into a life that even today amazes him.  Join Boomer and Jimmy Ahmuhdoofous for an inspiring conversation on how Rob Allen turned his life around.

Naysayers:  Kayla, you're too short.  You're too small.  You can't play softball on an elite level. Kayla:  Hold my Gatorade. Small of stature, Kayla Wedl has proven herself in a spectacular way on the biggest of softball stages, including a stellar career at the University of Illinois-Chicago and now as a professional softball player for The New York Rise.  She shares with Boomer her memories at Wauconda High School (2016 graduate) and UIC.  She talks about her journey and the challenges it provided, how it has affected her on and off the diamond. Kayla is just one of a dozen of WHS graduates featured on this podcast.  Check them out along with other people that Boomer interviews in his continuing series of "Tales From The Workplace."