Jim's Journey Podcast

Night at the Fights

Greetings, all. Major apologies for my absence from the podcast… I hope you didn’t unsubscribe. If you did, you’re probably not reading this. If you build it (again), will they come? I had an opportunity to tag along with our producer, and friend of the podcast, Brad Cooper (of Apex Live [https://substack.com/profile/251103921-apex-live]) for a night of sanctioned boxing action at the PHS Fieldhouse in Parkersburg, WV. This was my first chance to take a look at how boxing works at the local level… away from Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley, away from HBO PPV… this is down to the nitty-gritty, at the grassroots level in the Mountain State. It may not be flashy, but it is a professional presentation. And Dawg House Promotions did an excellent job. This event took place on October 11, 2025. It was fun, and action-packed. Before the event, I had an opportunity to interview Charity Lambert of “Team Tucker” and “Too Much Love”. This was a fantastic interview, and there was even a brief discussion about her bloody initiation into the boxing business from the judge’s table. Next up is Coy Whitt of “One More” gym and ministry. Fantastic interview, and he was on the card that night. Finally, Brad and I wrap up the podcast, and we’re going to try to put out a few more episodes by the end of the year. Thanks for not unsubscribing! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimashleywv.substack.com [https://jimashleywv.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Surgical Update

In the newest episode, I discuss what has happened since I signed off in late November. I discuss WVU re-hiring Rich Rodriguez as Head Coach of the Football team, and how my reaction to it got me a lot of grief from the mindless sheep that live in my area. I talk about the absurdity of coast-to-coast conferences in college sports. I finally give an update on the surgery, how it went, and where I am, health-wise. The Jim’s Journey is part of the APEX LIVE Network; the best is yet to come. Questions? Comments? Complaints? jimsjourneypodcast@aol.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimashleywv.substack.com [https://jimashleywv.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 10 - Another Bariatric Surgery Perspective

We are finally here! Episode 10, and no copyright strikes, no FCC fines, no lawsuits, still working with “clean hands.” We start out cleaning up some mistakes from our “Ya Blew It!” segment, going into WVU sports and the Big 12 Conference standings, and the world of the College Football Playoffs. I finally give my own surgical update. While this episode is being downloaded to your phone, I am in surgery. Isn’t technology amazing? We then bring on my guest, my sister, Autumn Ashley. Autumn had Bariatric Surgery in 2020. She discusses her weight struggles, having surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the required “six-month” wait, the prerequisites she had to go through, and why she decided it was time to get it done. We also talked about Autumn “doing diets” to lose weight and whether the diets were effective. We finally get into what her life is like post-surgery, 4+ years later, how much happier she is, how she’s able to function in everyday life, how she does when she’s on vacations and trips, how clothes shopping is much different, and how she and Lula (her Shiba Inu) regularly hit the great outdoors for exercise. This is the last episode for 2024. We will return in 2025. We have special guests lined up, we’re going to go into a whole range of topics, it will be fun! Thank you for your listenership, it is much appreciated. This episode is dedicated to two of our family dogs that have gone to the Rainbow Bridge in 2022 and 2023: Lady and Stella. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimashleywv.substack.com [https://jimashleywv.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 9 - Citizenship by Descent

Sorry for the delay, friends. But we finally have Episode 9 available on your phone, tablet, or whatever you use to listen to podcasts. This episode details obtaining another citizenship in a different country based on descent, or bloodline. As discussed on previous episodes of this podcast, I am in the (seemingly long and arduous) process of obtaining my Italian citizenship based on bloodline. Before we talk about the guest, I give an update on the termination of former WVU Defensive Coordinator Jordan Lesley, and what the future may hold for WVU Football (at the time of this writing: bleak.) I also go into the stats of where listeners are coming from. We’ve attained Worldwide Status. There’s also a brief update about the surgery and how I am feeling. (Hint: mixed emotions.) Finally, our guest today is Dr. Domenico Meschino, owner of Luminosa Global, Inc [https://luminosaglobalinc.com/]. His company helps Americans and Canadians obtain their Italian citizenship. He’s also a teacher, author, political scientist, and an Italian Army Veteran. Dr. Domenico discusses why the Italian citizenship is, in fact, an “asset” that can be passed down for kids, grandkids, so forth and so on. Dr. Domenico, while making it clear that he is not an attorney (and neither is your host), discusses the laws that made it possible for individuals to finally have dual citizenship in Italy. He also discusses why he runs the business the way he does, why he offers better prices than most companies, as well as criticisms he has faced online. We then discuss the process of what needs to be done to obtain this beautiful asset, from obtaining paperwork in the US and Italy to how you always have help along the way. Dr. Domenico and I discuss the recent ruling (circular) from Italy that could restrict citizenship for many people, which both the host and guest believe is discriminatory. We also discuss the rights of minors and why they are very important to this process. Also discussed is how the consulates in the US are when it comes to booking appointments (hint: poor representation of Italy.) Also, Dr. Domenico discusses what he and his company are doing to challenge this discriminatory ruling. Dr. Domenico is offering those that are descended from Italian citizens a FREE Genealogical check to determine if you may be eligible for Italian Citizenship. Reach out to him at LuminosaGlobalInc.com or (312) 217-6730, make sure to tell him that Jim Ashley of the Jim’s Journey Podcast sent you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimashleywv.substack.com [https://jimashleywv.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 8 - Midseason Football Chat

This is the episode that many have been waiting for. We are halfway through the College Football Season, so it was time to chat. Before the chat started, your host had a lot to say. The bariatric surgery is now 100% a go for late November. I discuss the emotions I felt when I received the letter in the mail from my insurance company approving my procedure. I discuss the emotions I’ve been feeling since late July when I set out to get this surgery. Next up is the journey of obtaining Italian citizenship. I rant about the recent “circolare” that came out of the courts in Italy regarding individuals attempting to apply for their citizenship by bloodline. I even speak “un po' di italiano“ and discuss my feelings about this recent ruling from the Italian courts. There’s a family story I briefly touched on regarding my great-grandparents naturalizing in the US. I also discuss my never-ending aggravation with the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia when it comes to obtaining an appointment for my “jure sanguinis” citizenship. We brought back Ron Payne from Episode 3 (“You Bet”) and Brad Cooper from Episodes 3 (“Talkin Baseball”) and 4 (“WVU Football Season Preview”). The conversation? What’s going on at the halfway point of the season? Ron proposed the idea for this episode. Brad accepted; the calls were made, connected via Bluetooth, the “Record” button was turned on, and away we went. We open up the discussion with something very close to home: the WVU Mountaineers season, which has many in the fanbase scratching their heads and, getting downright impatient. What happened in the game against that school north of Morgantown, where no intelligent life can be found anywhere on that campus? Does WVU have the funds, or even the gumption, to terminate Head Football Coach Neal Brown? Does Neal Brown try to save his bacon by sacrificing Defensive Coordinator Jordan Lesley to the mob? Can WVU turn the season around, or are we in for more of the “same ole same ole” that the fanbase has dealt with for 6+ years? Moving into the Big12 conference, we discuss the biggest surprises vs. the biggest busts of the season. Where do we classify WVU? Colorado? BYU? Utah? Oklahoma State? Iowa State? Kansas State? Gotta listen to find out. Who will ultimately make it to Arlington? Then, we move into the bigger world of College Football. Again, biggest surprises vs. the biggest busts (and there’s a Dolly Parton pun mixed in there somewhere.) Miami? Florida State? Ohio State? Oregon? Penn State? Alabama? Michigan? Georgia? Gotta listen to see where we place these teams (although one of them on this list is glaringly obvious.) We discuss the “mid-season Heisman” and who will most likely be in New York for the presentation. There’s also a brief (statistical?) discussion about the happenings in none other than Blacksburg, VA. Finally, the discussion moves forward regarding the rest of the season, how things will play out in Morgantown, the Big 12 Conference, and beyond. And, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a “few good bets” from Ron and Brad. Yes, this podcast is 2 hours. But, it’s packed full of information. Enjoy every minute. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimashleywv.substack.com [https://jimashleywv.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]