Faith journey with Tony Michaels

Host Joanne Fox interviews Tony Michaels, on his segue from employment with KFHC to a new job in Omaha and his reflections on his faith journey. This program replays at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Faith in Action is brought to you by Mary's Choice, a Sioux City Pregnancy Resource Center. Previous Faith in Action programs can be found at siouxlandcatholicradio.com, on YouTube, and on several other podcasting platforms. Programming is subject to change.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hello, listeners of Siouxland Catholic Radio channel 88.1 FM, KFHC Poncassous City, and K O I A Storm Lake, it's time for another edition of Faith in Action. I'm your host, Joanne Fox, and I want to thank you all so much for supporting uh Sioux Land Catholic Radio and being a listener of Faith in Action and the many other programs we have that are so good. And of course, if um you ever want to go back and listen to another Faith in Action, all you got to do is go to our website, Siouxland Catholicradio.com and click on local programs, or we are also on a number of other podcasting platforms like Spotify, and that is all due to the generosity of Mary's Choice, a Sioux City Pregnancy Resource Center, which is the exclusive underwriter of this show. So, listeners, it's spring. Spring has sprung, the grass is riz. I wonder where the flowers is. That was a real long did me quite a bit. But um, you know, with spring comes new beginnings, but also with spring comes some endings as well. Winter is over, uh, thank you, God, so that we can move on to new beginnings. And so that's kind of what this show is focusing on today. And that is I'm interviewing uh my longtime friend, and I'm gonna call him a co-worker, and that is Tony Michaels. And Tony has news to share with everybody. And uh most of you know Tony from um he has stepped up to the plate and done some faith in actions. He is an outstanding presenter of our um social media stuff, and then of course, you may have listened to him at baseball programs for uh Bishop Healan, also some football stuff. So he's been a part of us for uh a while now. But as I hinted, new beginnings. So, Tony, before we get into the new beginnings, I want to welcome you to the program. Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to um to have this interview with me and kind of a big walk down memory lane.

SPEAKER_00 2:03

Absolutely, Joanne. Uh always been a big fan of this show and of you uh professionally. Uh I know uh the great work you did uh back at the globe and then the Sioux City Journal. And uh it's been fun to cross paths with you now for about three decades.

SPEAKER_01 2:17

Oh gosh, yeah, give or take at least. So um, why I have Tony on the program is that he is going to segue into another job. And before we get the big walk down memory lane, maybe you could remind the listeners what your job title actually was with Siouxland Catholic Radio and where are you going next?

SPEAKER_00 2:36

Uh, sure thing. Uh I started uh helping out with baseball. Uh that was two years ago, and then I stepped into uh director of marketing and outreach when uh Lisa left her employment to do great work at Modern Day Parish. And so director of marketing and outreach for the past 18 months, of course I've helped you fill in faith and action. Uh, we had a great show called Symbols of Service, where we talked to so many of those in religious life. And that was just great, just to the point where we talked to pretty much all the individuals we had on our hit list, and we could either decide to go back and and re-interview them or open up to other programs, and that's where a great show like Father Knows Best came in. So that seemed like a better decision. So uh that's uh pretty much uh what I've done here, uh especially the last 18 months. I've been with Siouxland Catholic Radio uh for about two years total.

SPEAKER_01 3:24

Two years total. And what is uh your next job going to be?

SPEAKER_00 3:29

So I'll be moving to the Omaha metro area, and I will be uh a media executive for WWT TV. That's in Omaha. First alert uh six as uh this airs. My first day is uh tomorrow. So hopefully, hopefully they like what they see. And uh, you know, May 6th, it's not hey, uh Tony's back in Sioux Land Catholic Radio. But uh uh I've had conversations with them uh throughout the last couple of weeks, and they're uh a great uh news organization at Omaha, and I know uh journalism is very important to you, and I was a broadcast journalism major as well. Just excited to be uh back in that field and that uh realm, but uh it wasn't a decision that came lightly, and I left before one of my favorite seasons, baseball season. But we'll have those uh games coming up soon here on Sioux Land Catholic Radio. But a lot of thought went into this decision. Yeah, that's kind of where we're at uh this morning.

SPEAKER_01 4:24

Well, let's back up a little bit. Um, why don't you tell the listeners a little bit about yourself? Uh, I believe you grew up in uh Nebraska.

SPEAKER_00 4:32

Yep, I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska in the Ixarbon area of town. Uh went to school at uh Holy Cross Elementary School, and uh two of my best friends today shared uh a room with me and Miss Supich's uh kindergarten class. And of course, uh those of the Catholic faith probably know the name Supich pretty well. Uh I believe that was pretty well. I believe that was her brother that went on to become uh bishop.

SPEAKER_01 4:58

Really?

SPEAKER_00 4:59

And that's what I that's what I was told. You can fact check me. You're better at that than I am, Joanne.

SPEAKER_01 5:05

Uh so well, I don't care. It's a great claim to fame. That's right.

SPEAKER_00 5:08

So we met uh, you know, some of my best friends in that kindergarten class. I uh left Holy Cross after eighth grade, went to Omaha Great and Prep, and uh just a great school, uh, very much like the Healing of Omaha, only it was all boys. Uh my sisters went to Omaha Mercy, the Catholic High School across from Holy Cross. And then I went to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln for broadcast journalism. Uh, graduated in '97, then I moved up here to Sioux City. I had uh the same uh broadcast operation here in town, but I think I had six different titles. I started uh doing evenings on uh the country radio station here in town, Caseo, and then uh I segue to afternoons, mornings, assistant PD, PD, and operations manager um at the that location. And I also taught for about nine years at Morningside University and MassCom.

SPEAKER_01 5:58

Yes, and I know most of that stuff. So none of this is really new to me, listeners, but it's all new to the listeners. And I think it's real interesting to kind of well, you know, going back over the years, and you would have me on the radio show for I don't know, all kinds of oddball things in life. And we gotta share uh the dog stories because Marley and me came out, and I don't even remember the year, I'd have to Google it. And you were talking about it on the radio, and I had gone to see the movie, and I was so incredibly disappointed in the movie because I had read the book, and that started kind of a conversation with you and me back and forth about movies about dogs and uh books about dogs, and how sometimes the the book and the movie didn't mesh well. And I was um, I I would say pretty emphatic about how much I disliked the movie Marley and me. And it was an ongoing joke between the two of us. And listeners, that's what's kind of fun, you know, in being in journalism or the media in Sioux land, is you cross paths with people and you get to be friends with them, and then you have this rapport that's so interesting. So uh, you know, maybe you could tell the listeners a little bit more about the Marley and me thing.

SPEAKER_00 7:12

Yeah, it was uh 2008 that came out, and I uh still to this day have not read the book. I can't lie on Catholic Radio, so Oh gosh, no. I have not read the book, but I uh enjoyed the movie, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston. I I just loved it. Um, but I I did not have the depth of curiosity that you had after reading the book. And uh one of my uh favorite stories, we had a news talk person on uh our AM station, and it was his first day on the air, and he complained about something going on in the city, and he's very passionate about it. And I was like, wow, I I can't believe you feel that strongly about it. He's like, Tony, I was just looking for content. And so whether you love Marley and me or not, uh, I just love those discussion points and just looking for content. And that's uh you know what you do on this show, faith and action, because you're not gonna reach anyone if the uh content is boring and you're not interested in it. And so that's what I learned from a broadcast veteran. Hey, uh, the worst thing you can do is open a mic and then just be really boring. So uh have an opinion, stir some conversations, and and those funny uh conversations about Marley and me, yeah, it was you know, it was silly talk. There's more impactful conversations out there, but at the same time, it's dialogue, and you know, when you take that uh transition over to like faith issues, and I think it all kind of makes sense and it all kind of jives in a uh the perfect kind of way. So uh Marley and me is where we spent a lot of time uh talking about dog movies on uh that radio station. Uh, but uh I I think the the content's uh a little more elevated on uh faith and action. I would hope.

SPEAKER_01 8:53

Well we can only hope sometimes. And listeners, I just want to tell you my big problem with the movie Marley and me, if you have seen it, is it's too much Jennifer Aniston and too much Owen Wilson, yeah, and not enough the dog. And of course, the book is completely about the dog and what a character he was. And so that was my big complaint. Yeah, I can see that. And I think he and you and I have talked about my all-time favorite dog book, dog show, is the art of racing in the rain. I I cannot read that without being moved. It's uh beautifully written, and it the movie stuck to the script um of the book. And so there you go, listeners, in case you're sitting around thinking, well, what should I be looking for, you know, on Netflix or what should I be reading at the library next? There you go. The art of racing in the rain. Absolutely beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 9:47

And something like that, when it comes to movies, yeah, you can't go wrong with either a dog movie or a movie about baseball. Both of those hit. If there was a dog baseball movie, uh I think that would be right up right up my alley. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:59

There must be someplace. Maybe we get when we get done with the interview, we can Google that, see if we can find something on Netflix or Paramount or Prime Video. There's gotta be something somewhere. So again, listeners, you know, we're just kind of you know sharing with you um our friendship over all these years. And what moved me was when Tony reached out to me. Um, well, I guess Tony, why don't we back up a bit? When you stepped away from commercial radio, maybe share with the listeners what went into that decision. Because I think you had been there, what, 25 years? But maybe refresh my memory.

SPEAKER_00 10:37

This is perfect timing. Uh that is my son Trey, who walked into the recording studio here, and he is a 22-year-old man, and uh he needs uh support 24-7. So he walked in when you asked that question. That's one of those god winks, you know. Uh so in uh May of 23, I uh decided to leave full-time employment to become his full-time caregiver uh for my son Trey. And so um with that, that was another difficult decision. But it was to the point where uh he was in school and he wasn't quite maximizing his potential there, and uh he preferred to be at home and we didn't want to put him in a facility. So we thought uh for our family the best option was one of us staying home with him, and so uh that's when we made that decision. And I had have learned so much in these uh three years since that decision that uh probably could be another faith in action. Uh, but you you learn what's important in life, and uh I kind of had to take a step back in the career in order to do what I felt was right and what our family thought was right, and that was to become a caretaker for Trey. So that's um kind of how that uh transpired there. And then uh I did a couple of different uh odd jobs, like uh part-time basis, but my main focus was that of uh caregiver for my son Trey.

SPEAKER_01 11:57

Yes, and I remember going to the farewell party that Powell Broadcasting put out for you, and at that time I I was in admiration. I thought, you know, this is really cool. And listeners know I am also a caregiver for my husband Dean, who had a stroke eight years ago. And so I totally understand the whole caregiving thing. And you're right, you know, we could do a whole faith in action about being caregivers. But at that time I thought, you know what, this this'll be a good move for him. Um, you do what you gotta do, basically, and that is, you know, you're there for your loved ones. So what's interesting, listeners, is you know how it came to be that um, you know, Tony then became kind of associated with Catholic radio. And somehow I had found out, I don't know if it was through social media or actually heard you, and you were doing some oh color commentary or play by play for our baseball team, the C City Explorers.

SPEAKER_00 12:51

Yeah, it was uh public address announcing. So uh, you know, okay. I I'd say now batting uh first baseman, Randy Johnson, you know. And uh and then other ballpark announcements. Um that was actually a job that I I didn't know about and uh my wife's coworker said, hey, they're looking for a PA guy. Would Tony be interested in that? And I was like, I'd have to go to a baseball park and and eat baseball park food and and talk on a microphone. I was like, yeah, so I I tried out. There was probably 20 individuals. I did my tryout, and they're like, uh, yeah, we we want you to start. So that was uh kind of my out in left field uh type career exploration on that one. But uh they were great there, and uh that's another great thing uh the summer support the the Sousse Explorers, they have a great uh organization, and it's a great way to spend uh a summer day there at the ballpark. So that's how I I had that job, and I just uh what do you do when you get a job? You you post about it on LinkedIn. So I I just made a brief post of me. I think I was wearing a Nebraska hoodie in front of a microphone where I tried out. So that's uh that's where I kind of shared the news on social media. And that was uh the big thing is that I went from a job where I was probably talking to you know 50 to 75 people a day when it comes to callers and clients and coworkers. And then um I was here at home with uh my nonverbal son, and it was just me and him for you know 80% of the time. That was uh the transition I didn't uh I wasn't prepared for probably three years ago. So yeah, so that's uh kind of where I was at at that time.

SPEAKER_01 14:23

Yeah, and you mentioned earlier God wink, and I truly believe the Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways, and I've said this repeatedly on my program, and I found out, and it coincidentally at that time, we needed somebody for our own uh airing of Bishop Healing Catholic High School, baseball and softball, baseball primarily, and so I knew how to get a hold of you because again, you know, we had interacted for all these years, and so I did. I thought I'm just gonna reach out to him. You know, this might work, it might not work. Again, I was aware of you being a caregiver. So I thought, but what the heck? Why not? And I'm sure nobody was more surprised than you are when you got the phone call from me.

SPEAKER_00 15:07

Yes, this is Godwink number two. So my son Trey walked in when he asked us uh a question somewhat related to my son. Um, and so now I I we have to talk openly and honestly here on Sioux Line Catholic Radio, and it's a bit of a tale. So I was at Easter Mass uh two years ago, and I was there and I I thought I was there early. I was ten minutes early. For me, that's pretty good. So yeah, I showed up in mass, and uh, you know, when you get to Easter Mass, even if it's ten minutes before Mass starts, it's packed. So they put me in the overflow room, and uh, I was there in the overflow room, and this isn't a a big deal to most people, but it hit me as funny. We're in the overflow room, and of course they sprinkle you with holy water, and I was in the overflow room, the holy water didn't come our way, and uh I went out and I talked to someone. I was like, hey, this room needs holy water, and so uh the deacon was nice enough to sprinkle us with holy water. I think I got a big old splash right on my big forehead because I'm bald, it's all forehead, and uh and so I was sitting there and and once again, just to be honest, I was kind of stewing and I was like, man, you know, a lot of these people here, they probably don't feel welcome in the church, they're late. Maybe this is uh one of two times they come to mass. This is not an awesome experience for me. So I was leaving, I talked to some people uh that were you know wishing everyone happy Easter, and I was like, hey, just so you know, this isn't right. And then I kind of felt like a grumpy old man, but I I thought, you know, these are people you should probably welcome into the church, and these people was me. So I I walked dejectedly to my car. I'm like, well, you know, I I've had various up and downs in my religious life, and and this was part of an effort because I I I pray a lot every single day, just uh with the challenges that come my way with uh my son. But uh I was like, I'm not sure if this church thing is gonna work out for me. And so I went home. And that next morning is when I got a call from you to uh gauge my interest on joining Siouxland Catholic Radio. And I was thinking in the back of my head, I was like, uh, is this God's way of saying that maybe I am welcome and that uh you know Catholic radio should be part of my future? The job interests me tremendously, and I was like, okay, let's give that a shot. So ever since that time, I've had a different relationship with the church, and and even some of the people that didn't come to uh the overflow room, I would later, you know, interview on Sioux Lane Catholic Radio. So it was it was kind of a full circle moment, and and to me that looking back was kind of a godwink that you know maybe there's people looking out for you uh even when you you think like you're alone.

SPEAKER_01 17:54

Well, and listeners, I gotta tell you, I uh when I had called Tony and I said, let's go for coffee, let's talk about this, I had no idea that all this was going on. And in fact, to be quite frank with all of you, this is the first time I've really heard this entire story, which is fine. And I've always said, I've always told the listeners, you're hearing it here first. You're not gonna see it on social media or on, you know, uh uh printed matter or another radio station or a TV station. You're hearing it here first. So that's what you guys are in for is this kind of stuff that you can't find out anywhere else.

SPEAKER_00 18:33

And looking back, I'm I'm not I'm not sure if uh anyone knew we were in the overflow room. Maybe we're just snuck in, they didn't know we were there. I I think it was probably an honest mistake. I just sometimes one of my uh downfalls is I take things too personally, and I definitely did that day on uh Easter morning two years ago.

SPEAKER_01 18:51

Well, and it again, the Holy Spirit working in mysterious ways to position you for having that kind of bad taste in your mouth, which is kind of funny, you know, because you had the water finally all over your face.

SPEAKER_02 19:01

That's right, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:04

And so yeah, I think sometimes we are set up, you know, to have things happen in our lives that kind of take us to another level. So yeah, so we're sitting there and you know, we're having coffee, and I'm explaining to you, you know, that we are in a situation right now where we need somebody to do um the the healing baseball stuff. We don't we don't have anybody. And so I said, You think on it, Tony, and you know, we'll go from there. And um then you did, and eventually you got back to me and said, Yeah, I think this is something that we can work through. Again, I truly believe it is the Holy Spirit working in mysterious ways that brought you to Sioux Land Catholic Radio. Because if I hadn't been aware that you had been doing some um PA stuff for the explorers, I would have just assumed that you, you know, were busy being a caregiver. And I know that's a handful. You know, when it was brought to my attention through social media or whatever it was, I thought, oh my gosh, you know, this is truly a God wink, you know, that uh if he's available, we're gonna benefit from an individual who has radio experience, who understands the game of baseball, and all he's gotta do is become familiar with our equipment. And there you go.

SPEAKER_00 20:21

And uh I was able to do, I think, probably 80% of the uh games that uh first year and between my role at the X's and then uh that as a caregiver. And actually went to school for broadcast journalism and I did um some sports broadcasting, especially the first probably five to ten years here in uh beautiful Sioux City at uh some corporate radio. So it was nice to be able to get back into that. It's funny how if you lose some skill sets, you can get it back, and I felt more and more comfortable with every passing game, and and the staff was great and very encouraging, and uh it was something that I had a lot of joy um covering. And uh the Healam parents are great. They uh as I look out into my patio right now, I'm looking out at uh a lawn chair that was given to me by a Healam parent because it was uh it was in a rainstorm, they brought me an umbrella, they brought me a lawn chair and uh talk about giving me shelter, and so I look out and and they said, you know what, you just keep that lawn chair for when you need it. I tried giving it back. They said, Nope, that's now your lawn chair, and so I'm looking out that lawn chair now, and and that's uh kind of a nice little symbol of when you look out for other people, and uh it just it kind of takes a village and a community, and I got to know a lot of the parents when you show up for you know 25 to 30 games, you kind of know uh you're on the same team in more ways than one. And it was just great to get uh meet those parents and be really sad not to to see those healing games, but I might uh sneak back for a couple at least from the stands.

SPEAKER_01 21:46

Oh, of course, you're always welcome. And then as fate would have it, um you already mentioned Lisa Nieber, who was our um outreach and uh listener relations person, and she moved on to modern day, and we wished her well. But then it was a void uh because she was doing our own social media and promotion and outreach. And so uh you and I chatted and uh you did with the the other board, a few other board members, and you stepped up to the plate and started helping us with that. And that that was a real joy for us because it was like, well, what are we going to do? And honestly, listeners, uh, if you just tuned in, I want to remind you, this is Sioux Land Catholic Radio, and this show is faith in action. I'm Joanne Fox, and with me is Tony Michaels, who um we're talking about uh, you know, new beginnings, and we're gonna get into that a little bit more. But what I found was we had this moment of what are we going to do? And you were there, and luckily you were able to step up and help us with the social media and the website and all those other little things and still serve as a caregiver for your son.

SPEAKER_00 22:59

Yeah, it was funny. On uh, I think it was on the way to the coffee shop or after I I had listened a lot more to 88.1 through baseball, and then actually it kind of creeps into your life after that, too. So change your station, change your life, and I definitely uh added 88.1 FM into the mix. And on the digital readout, I think it's called an RDS, and the tagline was Siouxland's best kept secret, Sioux Latholic Radio, which it is really uh nice when you think about it. From a marketing perspective, you don't want things to be a secret, you know. And so uh uh I think we've done a pretty good job over the last year and a half of at least uh sharing some of those highlights and all those awesome things you hear with uh be it EWTM programming or the local programs like Faith in Action, Father Knows Best and beyond. And so it's been nice to kind of share those uh little secrets with the the Sioux Land community. And that's uh something too where um at least did a great job. I think we trained every day for two weeks, and at the end she's like, you're just gonna have to figure this out yourself. She's like, Make it your own. Yeah, call me, uh, I'd be happy to help, but you have to find your own way. And and it probably took, you know, three to six months to kind of realize what was my uh path. And I'm very happy with some of the successes we've had at Siouxland Catholic Radio. I think there's a little bit more attention paid to the radio station. Like to think that there's more coming in the future as well.

SPEAKER_01 24:26

Well, I must give you credit. The visibility that you have provided for us on social media really has been stellar. And I that's what I hear from people is that, you know, their Facebook or Instagram or whatever that might be, and they see it. And then that moves them in some way to maybe change their station. And and certainly I'm right there with you. Um, you know, when I first came on the board, and it seems like it was, you know, decades ago, but it's probably about 10 years ago. And I I had listened every once in a while, but then I thought, well, I'm a board member, maybe I better listen a little more religiously. And I I was so moved by, you know, the the professionalism and the the great faith that um the programs kind of helped me grow in my faith. And so I think what I have appreciated you for is your ability to make us more visible at Siouxland Catholic Radio to a greater community. And I have um a couple of Protestant friends who, you know, well, they listen to my show. I'm not sure what else they listen to because they're curious about what I'm doing, but who have a better appreciation of the faith in general, just being faith-filled people. And so I think that's been a change, you know, and in having you kind of um take our social media to uh the next level.

SPEAKER_00 25:51

And I think too, with social media, there's so much bad stuff out there, and a lot of the content that's put out there from Sioux Lang Catholic Radio is thought-provoking. A lot of times it's religious base, which um I think Meta might kind of squash down some of those religious things. So it's kind of an uphill battle with uh Facebook and Instagram. But I think as long as we're consistent and we have been, and as long as we keep putting a message that aligns with the radio station, I think that's uh people will discover it eventually, and and hopefully it's uh it's not quite so secretive online. And uh the station's done a really good job of being where people are as audio has changed and it's a lot more on demand now. Uh all the shows you hear, uh local origin, are posted on our website for podcasts, and and I think that's something that's probably gonna trend that way over the next you know five years and beyond. And so uh it's really nice the Sioux Line Catholic Radio can meet listeners not only where they are, but kind of where they're going.

SPEAKER_01 26:47

Yeah, I would agree with you a thousand percent on that. Um, I know from you know my own children who are somewhere between 40 and 50 now, that is the way they get their information, is podcasting. Uh, they do listen in their cars to the radio, but they are um aficionados, I guess, of podcasting. And so they tell me, you know, what they're listening to, and then maybe I'm interested, maybe not. But that's the direction is like you said, meeting people where they are at, at their convenience. So, you know, if they can't listen to Faith in Action at nine o'clock Monday morning or seven o'clock Saturday night, then they can listen at their leisure, you know. Maybe they can't sleep at one in the morning and so they turn it on, or maybe they're early risers and so at five o'clock they sit down with their coffee and turn it on and they can listen to us because all of the the shows, you know, not only mine, but draw near with Fred and Kara and Father Knows Best, Father Mark Stoll, um, they're there and you can listen to them. And that that is a huge uh um segue from the good old days, where if you missed a show, that was it. You were done. You know, you you you never heard it again because it just went away into limbo somewhere. So I think, you know, that has been a big change as well for radio, maybe even television, but certainly for radio, the podcasting aspect of it.

SPEAKER_00 28:21

Yeah, I think uh, you know, TV perspective, we used to gather around for, you know, the latest episode of Seinfeld and Friends, and and now it's uh all completely changed and radio's kind of gone through the same kind of transformation where you want a lot more on demand on your time. And uh as uh someone with a special needs young adult whose sleep pattern is uh somewhat erratic from time to time, uh I might be searching out for some content at 2 a.m. So that's where those podcasts come in handy, and it's been um nice to have that as kind of a companion that follows you along here at Sioux Land Catholic Radio.

SPEAKER_01 28:56

Yeah, and you kind of alluded to this, and I certainly would as well. Like, you know, our growth as faith-filled people has just grown exponentially with listening to all the programs on Sioux Land Catholic Radio and just being enlightened. And a lot of times I think no, no matter if you're a caregiver or not a caregiver, sometimes you feel like, you know, there's nobody else in the situation I'm in. And Lord God, can you please give me some direction? And that's what I have experienced is I'll listen to something and I will be so moved to think somebody else is experiencing some of my questions, some of my concerns, um, some of my beliefs. And it's like, okay, I'm not alone. There's others that feel the same way. And maybe that is um an experience you've had as well.

SPEAKER_00 29:47

Yeah, it's funny. Uh, since uh especially since I left uh full-time employment about three years ago, and even uh to a degree before that, I I think uh I have a compassion and empathy radar where when you meet to maybe another parent of special needs uh child or adult or someone like yourself, he you kind of understand the path of uh being a caregiver is different. And uh it does feel lonely at times, and when you have someone that can kind of share that experience with you, uh I kind of glom on to people that uh kind of go through the same challenges. And and with Trey, uh, I mentioned challenges, but uh he adds so much joy to my life. And I I wish we uh this podcast was a video one. You can see how happy he is, uh just the smile on his face. And he's like that, I would say 95% of the time. It's the 5% that maybe is uh a little bit uh more challenging, and that's where I think prayer life really comes in because I think I have a different reaction when I do have an outburst with him. Um I just kinda quietly uh ask for some um guidance and some prayer, and uh that's kind of how I deal with those outbursts, and that's been good for me. So the feeling of community is is so important in whatever your walk of life is, and and uh if you happen to see me out at High V and Fairway and uh Target, uh come up, and if you're a caregiver, we usually have a nice conversation, and uh it's those genuine conversations I really enjoy more with every passing year. We can't always talk about Marley and me.

SPEAKER_01 31:18

I know we can't. Well, we should tell the listeners now kind of what is motivating you to um segue to Omaha, uh, because this truly is uh faith in action. I I I know you're first stepping away from um the commercial side of radio to to take care of Trey. This is another kind of faith in action. So share with the listeners what's going on now.

SPEAKER_00 31:45

Sure thing. Uh not a decision that came lightly, but uh I I wish on this uh faith in action so many times I think children are representation of uh their parents. And I've been uh so lucky and fortunate to have uh Denny and Rosie in my life, my mom and dad. My father is 90 years old, he's still very active, he still drives, he uh takes care of a little old lady in the neighborhood. And the little old lady is five years older than he is. Um then uh my mom is uh 82 years old, so combined age, about 172. It looks like they'll probably be transitioning into um another living arrangement. I want to be there in the community to kind of help that transition. And so I'll be going down and uh I'll be living in my mom's basement, mom and dad's basement. So uh, you know, just what's God?

SPEAKER_01 32:39

That's a joke, isn't it? Yeah, I know.

SPEAKER_00 32:40

So whenever I failure to launch. That's right. If uh it can be like uh one of those keyboard warriors that just talk about stuff online from my mom's basement. That's kind of the short term, and then my lovely wife and uh Trey and the rest of the family will uh join me once I get settled down there, and I'll probably be doing a split shift. I'll be spending weekdays uh down Omaha and then back here on weekends, or when um something arises, I can be back in about uh an hour and 20 minutes. And so uh we'll make it work and uh hatch this plan. Uh my wife and I have been talking about it for a while, but um, it was actually uh another church story. It was about three weeks ago, and I uh started to go through the process, some interviews. Uh the one of the jobs I was up for, they said they had like 60 applicants. I'm like, did you really am I gonna see the 60 people that apply, or is that just like uh words, you know? Uh so anyway, I was going through this process and kind of disenfranchised again, but I was in church and uh I just asked for some strength going through this process because it's not easy, especially. I mean, I don't job hop. I uh only worked here because I met you for coffee, and before that I had one interview in 1997. So uh the rest and morningside, I didn't really didn't even apply for that. They kind of came and talked to people at the station, they recommended me. So I'm I'm not really good at interviewing for jobs. So I was there at church, and I just wanted some guidance and some strength, and they say, hey, whatever appeals do you have. And at that time, um, I just had this overwhelming sense that everything's gonna be okay. And uh it was gonna be a challenge, and obviously my uh son will be coming home from college, he'll be taking over some of those caregiving duties for my son over the summer, and then we'll kind of see what happens after that. But uh, it just seemed like everything's gonna be fine. There's gonna be challenges, but it's one day at a time, and uh, if you realize where your base is, then hopefully you have that uh foundation of faith uh to lead you down the right path. So I'm gonna help out my mom and dad. And uh they've lived in a house for about uh golly, 60 some years. So uh when you uh spend 60 years in the house, there's a lot of uh stuff that needs to go through, and as they transition to uh their next stage in life, then uh I'll be there for that. And a lot of it's kind of a a leap of faith, and I don't know exactly how it's gonna turn out, but I know this uh is something that uh the family was called to do, and it's not I can't do this because uh uh I'm doing this alone. I I get great support from my lovely wife, Shanna, from uh my youngest son Bo, who is uh very mature 20-year-old, who's uh been uh a champion for his brother, older brother Trey. And of course, those uh close friends and allies that I've relied on. That's the other thing too, you you kind of realize who were co-workers and who were true friends. So those true friends have been long with me in the process and a sounding board to go through this decision. I appreciate uh their companionship for me, especially these last probably three years. And it was funny because when we had that uh going away party at a bar, yes, I uh kind of uh referred to it a couple of times as Tony's active funeral. Because some of the people that were there, I will never see ever again. You know, it was kind of like uh there was one episode of Friends where uh Ross stages his own funeral and then he pops out of the back, and I was like, here I am. So it was uh kind of like that. Uh I didn't realize that at the time, but that's some of the perspective you get after, you know, two, three years. And but I'm very uh happy to have those that are in my inner circle.

SPEAKER_01 36:23

Well, and I'm so glad you mentioned your lovely wife, Shanna, because um her parents are also still alive. And I know in chatting with you about this transition into, you know, another state, another job, you know, you have to think about her parents as well. And the both of you being there for parents, I think that speaks volumes. Um, and that the fact that you are able to do this transition, a lot of times, you know, kids, and I shouldn't say kids, but young adults who have aging parents are not in a position to uproot themselves because they live in Detroit or, you know, Houston, Texas. And this has been something, again, I know you two have talked about and and kind of prayed over, but to be there for your folks, and I know my listeners probably have been in somewhat of the same situation. I know certainly, you know, I was um, you know, when we had to take care of my mom when she was in the last last stages of cancer. Dean couldn't do it because his parents were in Kansas, but his brother um lived right across the street from his parents. And again, you know, we got updates from him all the time. And so it just speaks volumes when you're able to step up to the plate to be there for these people that raised you, gave you a foundation in life so that you could, you know, achieve and thrive and you know, be great uh citizens and taxpayers and children of God and all that good stuff. So, you know, I want to give a shout out to her too.

SPEAKER_00 37:58

Absolutely. And uh, from my front door at my parents' house to uh Shannon's family is 42 minutes. So at this point in the program, we want to thank all those uh engineers on I-80 that uh allowed for all those lanes of traffic to move mostly at a good pace. There's of course, obviously, construction and accidents that happened, but to go from my parents' uh front door to their house in 42 minutes is uh pretty impressive. So it's uh, you know, kind of like going from one side of Sioux City to the other and back. And so uh to have that flexibility, they had just moved back into the area. They moved and retired in Arkansas for over a decade. They decided to move back last year, so that's when uh this just made a lot of sense. So going back home is important for a number of different reasons, but to be around loved ones that uh I I think will be a benefit to them, as long as they don't make too much noise in my mom and dad's basement. Um so uh that's kind of where we're at now, and it's only because of this uh faith journey. And I gotta be honest, when uh I started working at Sioux Lang Catholic Radio, I feel as though my religious life has improved. I took in a lot more masses, listened to the programs produced by Sioux Lang Catholic Radio, and then uh with the chance to talk to, I think we talked to maybe 45 different priests, uh sisters, and those in the diaconate, and uh you get a different uh perspective, and uh it seems like the main uh takeaway was uh the passion and the dedication to services. Funny because uh when I went to Omaha Creighton Prep, our our motto was men for others. And it was one of those things where like I mean it it's a it's a slogan. Uh but then after you leave and after you graduate, you kind of look at what your role is in society and that we really need to look out for those that are underserved. Like I'm looking right now at my 22-year-old son, and um he needs a champion, and uh he's had some of those throughout the course of his education and support, but uh the it kind of ends and begins and ends with uh the parents, and uh we become uh guardians for him. You kind of have to look out for those that uh maybe are the underdogs in society, and and uh Trey's had challenges, and not all of the challenges have been good for him. Um, but uh you need people to look out for. So I keep reminded of that uh Jesuit uh education I received at uh Omaha Creighton Prep and Men for Others. So that's what we're striving to do with this next step.

SPEAKER_01 40:31

And I would agree with you, and that's kind of it, you know, the foundations that our parents gave us, any kind of religious education that we had, and then, you know, as we age in life, you know, the support of our loved ones, of our friends, coworkers, all of that kind of helps position us to maybe really enhance our relationship with God and you know make us better human beings. And really, that's that's all we want to be, I think, is better human beings. Well, listeners, um, that kind of wraps up another edition of Faith in Action. Tony, any parting thoughts before we uh, you know, sign off?

SPEAKER_00 41:11

Yeah, it's uh so funny. When I left uh my full-time employment from uh corporate radio in 2023, uh I was kind of one individual, and now I feel as though I've learned a lot through these last three years in the wilderness, uh be it uh as a caregiver here at home or you know, through a PA job at uh the X's or with baseball and marketing here at Sioux Lane Catholic Radio. And what I realized is that jobs are very important. It can give you a lot of fulfillment. Clearly, I had a lot of uh people I met through the job, but at the end of the day, it's your spiritual journey, it's who you are as a person, it's how uh your family views you that I think is really important. That was something I I didn't probably realize in 2023, and I'm not sure I could have really forecasted how the next three years would go. And as I said here this morning, once again, I I don't officially start the new job till tomorrow, so I made it through the background check, so I think we're okay. But uh, you know, it there's gonna be John Wood. That's right. There's gonna be uh ups and downs, but uh I know that uh if your foundation is strong and you uh look to do the right thing, I I think that uh will benefit you. So um everyone's been great here at Sioux Lane Catholic Radio and uh Joe Andy do a great job of this program, and I'll be uh tuned in uh when I can't sleep at 2 a.m. uh in the future. And um I I think uh it's a great resource to have Sioux Lang Catholic Radio. And my first uh dealing with the people at work, uh there was someone that had an association with Father Harold Cooper that spoke glowingly about him, and uh to think that uh I was involved with uh that was his dream for the station, I think is heartwarming. And uh so very thankful for that opportunity.

SPEAKER_01 42:57

And I would echo all of that as well. And even though you are segueing into another position, I know you and I will always stay in touch, if nothing else, to discuss dog and baseball movies. That's right. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 43:11

Absolutely. Well, Joanne, thank you so much for the uh time on the show and keep up the continued great work.

SPEAKER_01 43:18

All right. So, listeners again, thank you so much for turn tuning in to Siouxland Catholic Radio, channel 88.1 FM, KFHC Ponca Sioux City, and K O I A Storm Lake. If you tuned in late or you would like to listen to this again, you can go to Souland Catholic Radio.com and click on local programs, or we are also on Spotify and a number of other podcasting platforms. And that is all due to the generosity of Mary's Choice, a Sioux City Pregnancy Resource Center, which is the exclusive underwriter for this show. So, on behalf of myself and my guest, Tony Michaels, I want to wish you all a great day and thanks for listening and God bless.

SPEAKER_00 44:01

The baseball movie with the dog is Airbud.

SPEAKER_01 44:04

Yes. Yes, you're right. I remember seeing that movie. Oh God, it was hysterical. Yeah. Because the dog would jump up and grab the ball. And yes. Oh, I got Netflix and Prime and and several other streaming. I might have to go find it and just watch it again. Airbud. Oh, goodness, there's a blast from the past.