UpaCreekwithNeil

Bonus Episode - "Hockey, Humility, and the Heart of a Champion" with Jim Harrison

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501270/fan_mail/new] Jim Harrison’s name is etched in hockey history — not just for his talent, but for his tenacity. Born in Saskatchewan, Jim rose from humble prairie rinks to the world’s biggest stages, playing alongside legends like Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky. A gifted center known for his fierce competitiveness and quiet leadership, Harrison carved out a remarkable career in both the NHL and WHA, earning respect from teammates and opponents alike. His record-setting performances, including a 10-point game with the Alberta Oilers, remain benchmarks of the sport’s early professional era. Yet for all his accolades, Jim is remembered most for his humility and humor — traits that have made him as beloved off the ice as he was unstoppable on it. Now retired and spending winters at Outdoor Resort Palm Springs (ORPS), Jim continues to inspire those around him with stories that remind us greatness isn’t just about winning — it’s about character, grit, and grace. “Talent gets you noticed. Character keeps you remembered.

Season 1, Episode 10 - "Joy and Faith of Climbing 7 Summits" with Julie Smith

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501270/fan_mail/new] Julie Smith was born in Deadwood, SD; grew up near Black Hawk, SD and graduated from High School in Rapid City, SD. She graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry. After a year-long internship in Medical Laboratory Science, Smith started working at the Hospital laboratory in Centralia Washington for 37 years. Between her Sophomore and Junior years in college, she took a year off to work in a research Laboratory in Nebraska. During her college years, Smith's brothers introduced her to climbing, leading to her applying for internships after college in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, where ultimately she chose Washington state. After getting a job in Centralia, Smith took the Olympia Mountaineers basic and intermediate climbing courses and completed most of her early climbing in the western half of the US.  In her later years, Smith began climbing outside the US and thoroughly enjoyed meeting people from other countries. Smith completed the Seven Summits in 2012, and still enjoys getting out in God’s creation.

Season 1, Episode 9 - "A Life Devoted to Hope" with Casey Gwinn

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501270/fan_mail/new] Casey Gwinn has spent more than three decades standing at the intersection of law, justice, and healing. As the former San Diego City Attorney and the co-founder of the Family Justice Center movement, Casey has helped transform how communities across the world respond to domestic violence, child abuse, and trauma. Under his leadership, the Alliance for HOPE International has become a global network supporting survivors through evidence-based programs and the science of hope — the measurable belief that the future can be better and that we each have the power to make it so. A respected author, advocate, and national speaker, Casey’s work continues to inspire thousands of professionals and families. His message is simple yet profound: when people rediscover hope, they rediscover life. When he’s not traveling or teaching, Casey finds joy in the same desert community where Neil’s podcast is based — Outdoor Resort Palm Springs (ORPS) — where conversations about healing, faith, and community often happen between pickleball matches and mountain sunsets. “Hope is not a wish. It’s a science — and it changes everything.”

Season 1, Episode 8 - "A Game of Winning" with Lyle Overbay

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501270/fan_mail/new] Baseball has a way of revealing character; you can learn a lot about a person by watching how they handle the long season, the travel the slumps, the pressure, and the quiet discipline it takes to show up every day and do your job well. Lyle Overbay, a man who spent 14 seasons in Major League baseball, earned a reputation as a steady presence at first base and played the game with a kind of professionalism teammates trust and fans respect, but this conversation isn't just about box scores; it's about what life looks like after the stadium lights fade, what stays with you, what changes, and what a career and professional sports teaches you about teamwork humility leadership and starting the next chapter. Lyle has stories, some funny, some surprising, and some that carry a real perspective about dedication family and the cost and privilege of doing what you love at the highest level.

Life’s adventures with Neil & Susan Amondson

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501270/fan_mail/new] Life rarely moves in straight lines — and neither have Neil and Susan Amondson. From a small logging community in Washington State to travels across all 50 states and seven countries, Neil’s journey has spanned public service in the Washington State Legislature and a long career in construction and natural resources. His life has been shaped by risk, resilience, and the belief that strong communities matter. Susan’s path has carried her from hospital laboratories to mountain summits, from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the pilgrimage trail of the El Camino de Santiago. Her story is one of endurance, faith, curiosity, and the quiet strength to keep moving forward. Together, their life reflects adventure, loss, growth, and gratitude — experiences that now inspire their podcast, Up a Creek with Neil, recorded here at ORPS.