Ep.130: 2024 in Review - Victories, Lessons, and What’s Next

Ep. 133: Corey Thompson - Lost Dog Tattoo

On this episode of The Curious Jones Podcast, I sit down with my tattoo artist and the owner of Lost Dog Tattoo, Corey Thompson. Corey has been tattooing for nearly 20 years and is widely respected for his work across multiple styles—most notably Japanese traditional tattooing, where he’s earned multiple awards for his craft. After spending close to 50 hours in the chair together, it was great to finally have a formal, long-form conversation about the work, the journey, and the person behind the needle. We dive into my own tattoo journey over the past two years, including the completion of two full sleeves and a chest piece, and we talk about the upcoming full Japanese traditional back piece we’ll be starting in 2026. Corey also shares his story—how he got into tattooing, his apprenticeship, the evolution of his style, what it took to open his own shop, and what it means to mentor the next generation of artists. Along the way, we get into real talk about the tattoo industry, life lessons learned through the craft, stories from the chair, and the mindset required to sustain a long career in a creative profession. Be sure to check out Corey’s work on Instagram and stop by Lost Dog Tattoo in Butler, PA to see why his reputation speaks for itself. Available now on all podcast platforms.

EP. 132: Lester Young - Faith, Redemption & Saving Our Youth

Lester Young, founder of Path to Redemption and a man transformed after a 1990's murder conviction, returns to the show for a powerful second conversation. We dive into his work with at-risk youth inside juvenile detention centers and schools, his faith in God discovered during incarceration, and what real solutions look like for fatherless homes and communities searching for purpose. For Lester’s full backstory, listen to my previous episode with him (Episode 73) where we dove deep into the story of his incarceration, and subsequent release. If this conversation moves you, share it, subscribe, and watch the full video on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@curiousjonespodcast3370?si=il16gl7q91MNljhP [https://youtube.com/@curiousjonespodcast3370?si=il16gl7q91MNljhP]

EP. 131: Steven Kubacki - The Disappearance and Return of Steven Kubacki

In 1978, Steven Kubacki vanished while skiing across frozen Lake Michigan. His gear was found near the ice — but Steven was gone. For fifteen months, his family searched with no trace… until he suddenly reappeared over 700 miles away in Massachusetts, with no memory of what had happened. After 45 years of silence, Steven reached out to me to finally tell his story — publicly, and in his own words. This episode dives deep into one of the most haunting unsolved disappearances in modern history: the mystery of where Steven went, how he survived, and what he believes really happened. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more than you know. Curious Jones is back, and this is just the beginning of a new wave of extraordinary conversations as we move into 2026 and beyond.

Ep.130: 2024 in Review - Victories, Lessons, and What’s Next

In this special solo episode of The Curious Jones Podcast, I take a reflective look back at 2024—celebrating the victories, unpacking the defeats, and highlighting the moments that shaped my year. From personal growth to professional breakthroughs, I share my biggest takeaways and the lessons I’m carrying forward into 2025. I talk about what drives me, the business venture I’ve been building alongside my brother, and how training in jiu-jitsu has been the cornerstone of many of the positive changes I’ve experienced. I also explore the power of accountability—how it’s influenced my success and can inspire yours too. This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about life, growth, and staying motivated as we all strive to reach our full potential. If you enjoy the episode, make sure to hit that subscribe button wherever you’re listening, and if you’re watching on YouTube, head to The Curious Jones Podcast channel [https://www.youtube.com/@curiousjonespodcast3370], subscribe, and leave a comment to let me know your favorite takeaway. Let’s keep the conversation going! Stay Curious, @realcuriousjones

Ep. 129: Hunter Homistek - Behind the Scenes of MMA Promotion

In this episode of The Curious Jones Podcast, I sit down with Hunter Homistek, the General Manager of 247 Fighting Championship [https://www.247fighting.com/], Pittsburgh’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. Hunter shares his journey into the world of MMA, offering an inside look at the challenges of running a successful promotion. We dive into the logistics of organizing events, managing fighter relations, navigating state athletic commissions and local municipalities, and everything in between. Beyond MMA, Hunter opens up about his passion for music and guitars, reflecting on his time as a journalist at West Virginia University and how his love for storytelling has shaped his career. We also preview 247’s highly anticipated Brawl in the Burg 25 event, taking place on Saturday, December 21. Whether you’re an MMA fan or curious about what it takes to run a promotion, this episode has something for everyone. Don’t miss it! Tune in now and make sure you SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW. Stay Curious! @realcuriousjones ****************************************** This episode is brought to you by the ICE POD! The IcePod provides a perfect solution for those looking to reap the benefits of ice baths, with accessories to accommodate both summer & winter plunging! Our mission is very simple, we want to create products that make health and wellness accessible to more people, which is achieved by affordable prices without any compromise on quality. We believe that everyone should have access to the tools they need to live a healthier life, health should not be a luxury. Their commitment to quality, innovation and customer-centric approach, has put them in the forefront of a market now full of knockoffs (flattering, right). They are proud to be the innovators of the original portable ice bath, and can't wait to show the world what they are working on behind the scenes. Let's just say they are leading the change of this industry for the better. Head over to www.podcompany.com/curiousjones [http://www.podcompany.com/curiousjones] and begin your cold exposure journey, once and for all! You won't be disappointed!   This episode is also brought to you by Lit Distribution, a master distributor of custom and exclusive Zippo lighters and accessories, with a focus on alternative brands such as Cannabis, Music, Art and more.