Mark McIntosh's Blog, page 26

Pep Talk: "A Path To Success"

Whenever blessed to present a live Pep Talk presentation, rarely do we not discuss the importance of embracing each and every day as the precious gift it truly is. If you don’t believe that statement, talk with a parent, spouse, friend or relative of victims from Newtown, Massachusetts. Life can change dramatically in an instant.
Whether we want to admit it or not, we’re really “day-to-day” in this journey. A dear friend’s world was recently rocked when his brother’s wife took her life and those of the couple’s two darling kids. Life. It’s what gets in the way of our best laid plans, right?
I love to share the story of a past speaking engagement where I was walking through the parking lot afterward. Lost in thought, reflecting back on the experience and wondering if those in attendance received some value from the encouraging words presented. The reflective state was interrupted with, “Hey Mark.”
Somewhat startled, I turned to see a man approaching with determination. I recognized him from the gathered throng. He did not look hostile. In fact, he had a big grin on his good-looking face. He thrust a hand my way and offered, “Mark, my name is Abe Vasquez. I really enjoyed your talk.”
I countered with, “Hey buddy, thanks. Nobody’s getting more from it than me. It challenges me to walk my talk.” The handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard, great tan and Arizona State baseball cap atop his noggin’ then asked, “Can I share with you what’s been my life’s mission statement for the past ten years or so?”
What this man then offered knocked my socks off. Perhaps you’ve heard it before, but it was a first for me. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow’s but a mystery, today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Amen buddy!
I was thinking of that encounter recently while sitting in a volunteer orientation meeting at the Hospice of Saint John. The Lakewood, Colorado based non profit, for almost 40 years, has been providing end-of-life services for individuals and their families. Nobody’s getting out of here alive and the Hospice, founded by visionary priest and nurse Father Paul von Lobkowitz, has a mission to serve the dying with dignity and compassion. I feel called to play on that team and, along with four others, spent two days recently getting ready for our assignments.
The Reverend Dan Hettinger was addressing our group and talking about the last chapter. Hospice care is about the last chapter of life. HOSJ encourages others to traverse the final yards with dignity and compassion atop the priority list. Pretty cool if you ask me. My father died in hospice. It’s had a powerful effect. Hettinger made reference to a book he has recently written and his determination to make sure the final chapter of the book was the best. It was easy to see the similarities. The final chapter in a person’s life. Dying and then death for someone and its emotional, physical, spiritual and financial repercussions for others. It’s the passion of HOSJ staff and volunteers to try like heck to facilitate what Hettinger described as, “sacred moments.” As I sat there listening to this delightful man open our eyes to the responsibility before us, its meaning blasted deep into cranium:  There are no guarantees in life. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.
Victory would like to encourage each and everyone of you to take advantage of the present. Don’t waste another moment in bitterness toward another. Unwrap this gift of today and use it wisely in service to others. And while, at this particular moment, we might not be able to create “sacred” moments, we can sure have our reticular activating system on high alert, while interacting with others, for opportunities. You don’t know till ya try, right? Perhaps the moment might be memorable for its productivity, logic and fairness.
Can you imagine? What would this world look like for most folks if, when asked after an encounter with us, the moment seemed productive, logical and fair? Holy smokes bartender, another round for everybody at the bar, Victory’s buying!
Caring for others. It might be customers, family members, stakeholders, co-workers, staff, neighbors or somebody else, trying to create good experiences and approaching the mission in a productive, logical and fair manner? It seems like a path to success wherever roaming. It don’t know if you’d call it sacred but successful might be a good alternative.
Have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Creating not Compromising"

It’s been a while since Billy Joel in the background accompanied a Pep Talk, but that’s the way it is. It’s a mid-February Sunday in the Mile High City, the body has been pushed, car washed and now it’s time to write about what’s been banging around the ol’  noggin for a few days.
As life has progressed and experience gathered, I’ve become kinda grumpy about something. When hearing folks talk about the beauty of compromise, I cringe a bit and offer, “Can we talk about creating?”
Ya know, those times in life when it just seems there’s no way out. “Irreconcilable Differences” is what, from a two-time participant, it’s called in the divorce world. Those moments, despite best intentions from all, things reach a point of no return when the best practice seems to be compromise. It has always felt like surrender to me.
It seems a far better approach would be to, what’s the old saying, “Keep friends close and enemies even closer?”, gather with those opposed and suggest, “We have to figure out a better way because nobody’s winning here.”
It ain’t easy. We might have to talk with folks we vowed to never utter a word. We might have to forgive and move on. We might have to muster the courage to ask for forgiveness. There are many barriers faced when encouraged to keep working together in achieving goals and overcoming challenges. Like the good sports teams we talk about weekday afternoons on The Odd Couple, the key seems everybody checks egos at the door, jumps into the foxhole as one heart beat and works like heck to emerge from the fray, while battered, better for the effort. Call it victorious if preferred. It seems to be a pretty effective strategy for dealing with the stuff life unexpectedly flings our way with no regard who’s gonna clean up the mess.
Just discovered a dear friend has a body riddled with cancer. I can’t wait to see her and hug a fellow gym rat. I like to joke with folks, but believe it’s the truth, that a “Sweat a day keeps the doctor away.” I’m usually sweat soaked at the end of each workout but this beautiful woman would always give me a hug. She’s got big challenges ahead. Bless you Val.
Anyway, back to the story. Life’s somber reminders to its uncertain fragility. We have issues, challenges and obstacles. The question becomes, will we tackle those annoyances with a spirit of compromise or create? I offer two case studies promoting the latter.
The first is a love story. This guy is in the deep inner circle I’m blessed to have as brothers from another mother. We chat every few weeks or so. Usually with the man with a hearty laugh that’s used often, driving somewhere in support a daughter’s promising water polo career while this simple dude from Missouri driving to support daughter’s promising volleyball pursuit. Separated by distance - Colorado and California - but totally connected to one another. We like to joke, “I’d step in front of a train for you!” We mean it.
This graduate of UCLA, University of Chicago grad school and Wall Street is married to my son’s mother. I was the lead off hitter and Timothy Barton is hitting in the three-hole for the talented television news anchor who was once my wife and gave me an incredible gift: A talented 23-year-old son who is building a nice career in Los Angeles in  the competitive entertainment industry through hard work.
Timothy Barton helped raise Kyle. I will forever be grateful to him for caring for my son like I would care for his daughter. I cherish checking in with him. At some point, we’ll ultimately start singing love songs to one another. I croon Stevie Wonder’s hit, I Just Called To Say I Love You and he’ll counter in similar fashion with the Nat King Cole version of Unforgettable.
I know, we’re weird, get over it.
Dad and Stepdad. United in the effort to raise kids responsibly. I know that ain’t easy either. But we win and so do the kids. Create don’t compromise. Same strategy works for challenges within a business, business district, athletic team, non profit, community or where else roaming. Conflict is part of life. We all know that. What’s unknown is how we’ll deal with it. Student or victim of the experience. Choose the former. It’s a tough struggle, peril is present, and takes everybody, charging from the before-mentioned foxhole, to understand the mission. In this case, loving and mentoring kids through the challenges divorce brings to their lives.
I’m a lucky guy to have a dude who embraced creating, not compromising. The same must be said for the successful businessman who is married to my daughter’s mother. Marriage number two hit the skids but I sure hit the jackpot with the man chosen as successor. We don’t have the goofy relationship Timothy and I have but it’s solid based upon respect for one another in our roles as mentors. My daughter has a very good step father. I’m very thankful 
The point is this. When stuck in a tough situation, as quickly as possible, sit down with the perceived “enemy” and brainstorm about being committed to achieving goals and overcoming challenges. It keeps us locked on creating not compromising. Rarely is that a bad thing.
Have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Tikkun Olam"

Never before had gorging on a hot dog slathered in chili, cold slaw, cheddar cheese and onions, crunchy onion rings and a cold beer been so nutritious - for my soul.
That was the thought rumbling through this old jock’s noggin’ as I sat at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs on Denver’s near east side and listened to a friend describe something he learned long ago.
Tikkun olam.
Attorney Ken Fellman was the buddy doing the educating. And to think, he bought lunch too! It was a Friday, late January, noontime in the Mile High City. It had also been a good week for Victory Productions in fulfilling its mission to encourage others to achieve goals and overcome challenges. Forgive me for starting the weekend celebration a tad early. I try to make that the exception rather than the rule, promise.
As we caught up on life, the former mayor of Arvada, Colorado, a northwest Denver suburb, was describing the foundation of his Jewish faith: Tikkun olam. A Hebrew phrase meaning, “heal the world.” Basically it states it’s our collective responsibility - you, me and everybody else - to heal, transform and repair the world.
That’s a big job.
A big job that starts with each and everyone of us and our little corner of the globe. We could make a conscious decision right now, in our sphere of influence, to focus on healing, transforming and repairing prickly issues - home, work and elsewhere, right?
The history of the phrase dates back to Isaac Luria, born, 1534, in Jerusalem. While still a child, the man credited with heavily influencing the Kaballah school of thought, lost his father and was raised by a rich uncle, a tax collector in Cairo, Egypt. At the tender age of 15, perhaps not so tender an age 500 years ago, the young man married a cousin. Because of his financial security, Luria didn’t work and continued studying under what were considered the best and brightest Jewish teachers, including rabbi scholars.
By the time he was 22, Luria had become a recluse. He retreated to the banks of the Nile, meditated constantly, rarely spoke and only visited with family on the Shabbat. There’s a few people in this world, my two kids and darling girlfriend among them, that probably wish your humble correspondent would adopt some of Luria’s behaviors - go away and leave us alone.
Healing the world ain’t an easy task. There’s a whole lot of bickering going on, always has been, about exactly how to accomplish what many would consider an impossible task. It seems from the daily news, perhaps, there’s many who want anything but peace and harmony to prevail.
The heck with those folks, let’s try anyway. Look around right now, where in our lives could we take steps toward healing fractures in relationships with family, friends and foes?
A recent Pep Talk spoke of the personal angst concerning a long-time friend and the sudden, and bewildering, collapse of a relationship this simple dude from Missouri thought would last a lifetime. I’d sure love a little tikkun olam to appear there. 
Each week on The Odd Couple  sports talk radio show we have a segment, “Excellent Moves” that showcases others performing good works. In my book, that’s healing the world. Kudos to the Denver Public Schools Transportation Department. Over the holidays, the transportation team came up with the cool idea to stuff a school bus full of winter apparel: coats, hats, gloves, socks and underwear to benefit the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center.
The non profit’s mission is to prevent abuse, strengthen families and restore childhoods. In short, healing and repairing.
DPS employees, from multiple departments, helped more than 100 district students and families stay warm through the winter months. Denver Public Schools Transportation Department, excellent move! Tikkun olam.
Each and every day there are tons of examples of healing and repair to exalt. Sadly, we don’t hear much about them since the media likes to dwell on the negative. We should focus more of the nightly news on examples of good works in our communities. Who knows, maybe the notoriety would have a residual effect and inspire others to act in similar fashion? I’m not saying ignore matters of public safety but really, some of the stories featured prominently leave me wondering, “Is that news?”
This week, wherever roaming, let’s make headlines with our devotion to tikkun olam. Never growing weary of doing good for others. Service above self. Practice random acts of kindness. Call it what you want. From any language, religion or region of the globe. The action required to accomplish this noble endeavor shares the same spirit. A spirit against which, there is no law: caring for others.
For when we care for others we can heal the world. Let’s do it this week, next week, forever!

Pep Talk: "It's a Home Run"

There are moments in life when you have to go for it. Throw caution to the wind and jump. Run to daylight. Call it what you want, but there are those moments in life when we’re called. The question becomes, will we answer?
What follows is an example, I hope, saying, “Heck ya!”
All this came crashing into cranium after hanging up the phone from a conversation with Sharon Cooper of the Hospice of Saint John. I had just dropped precious princess for her final driver instruction tuneup in preparation for an approaching 16th birthday. The much-desired freedom from parents. We can all relate, right?
Anyway, back to a conversation, with Cooper, about a place with a spirt to adore and my pending interview to volunteer at a community founded back in 1977. Father Paul von Lobkowitz is a guy after my heart. He allowed courage and wonderment to win in creating the hospice with a mission to ensure the dying were treated with dignity and compassion. Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, don’t they?
The second oldest free-standing hospice in the United States, the Hospice of Saint John has built a reputation of unparalleled excellence in skilled, compassionate care, providing service regardless of age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or the ability to pay for care. Honorable indeed.I’m just a simple dude from Missouri and had never heard of Father Paul von Lobkowitz and went to the cyberworld and learned something very cool about a man from England who come to Colorado and said, “Hey, when people are in the final moments of life we must care for them.”I wanna play on the team with that guy, thus the volunteering. My goodness, am I blessed. I anticipate the stories will be fascinating with lots of joy, regret and a bunch in between. Its founder had a philosophy, least my opinion, to admire. Here’s a bit of it from a Google search that unearthed information about The Holy Orthodox Church Bishop who also founded Orden von Lobkowitz in 2002. Its mission also warms my marrow. I hope it has a similar effect on you. Here it is:“Despite the religious background of our founding father, the Order exists to fill the need for an inclusive secular Order that promotes and sustains charitable works that will help advance culture and society. The OvL is descended from an ancient Christian tradition but has a very modern purpose.”I’ve been called a lot of things in life, smart sometimes, but it sure does make sense, at least to me, to be connected with groups promoting charitable works helping advance culture and society, In the sports talk radio world, the reasonable and sane Odd Couple banter, when discussing such a winning proposition, would be shouting to the rooftops, “That’s a home run!”Let’s try like heck this week to hit home runs when it comes to getting involved with a group promoting charitable works helping advance culture and society. They are everywhere. Service clubs like Kiwanis, chambers of commerce like Glendale, Colorado, wonderful final resting spots for the dying like Hospice of Saint John. Look around folks, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with groups - Mile High City and beyond - fostering goodwill and trying like heck to advance culture and society.But it takes time and effort. Simple, not easy.No, that darn thing called life comes a calling too. Yea, we hear the call for our lives but then the unexpected and unwanted shows up demanding attention. It sucks. That’s where we must somehow, someway find the strength to persevere. Remember, you’re not alone and connect with folks sharing similar experiences and encourage one another to turn lemons, heck with lemonade, into sweet and savory margaritas. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Back to the point. Most of us have good intentions, like contributing to efforts promoting the advancement of goodwill, culture and society but stuff happens that throws us off track. Keep doing it anyway, ride the storm out when physically able.As courtesy to Eric Goodman, who, like many, wonders where in the heck I’m coming from sometimes, I offer a sports twist to the Pep Talk weekly message so it’s appropriate for discussion on our radio show. Thanks to a reminder from a guy who started a hospice intent on caring for all in their dying days, I would say to my partner, “Teams consistently exuding compassion and dignity toward its members usually are successful.” Ironically, my opinion, it’s a winning strategy in just about every endeavor imagined - home, work and elsewhere.It’s a home run. Let’s try and slug a few this week!

Pep Talk: "Fortitude"

The Target clerk and your aging jock-journalist were chuckling about the preceding customer. An attentive mom was juggling paying for items and caring for toddler. The daughter was fascinated with the keypad most of us, with debit or credit, acquire the stuff we need to survive. The darling young girl wanted a sticker from the clerk, who readily agreed, handing the satisfied lass a prized possession. “Sticker.” said the human in the early stages of speech. Very cute.
So the clerk and I are giggling about this young girl’s cuteness. Then the mood changed quickly. It was my fault. “How’s business this morning?” Beautiful eyes bored into me, “It’s been kinda slow.”
It was the day after the Denver Broncos shocking double-overtime playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Mile High City mood was somber. The unexpected and unwanted had happened. Those united behind the orange and blue were quite blue.Heck, while walking around the retail giant’s Glendale, Colorado store, I had separate phone conversations with mother and sister about the game. Two ladies living in Kansas City, Kansas were talking about a thriller that left the Bronco Nation wondering, “What the heck just happened?
Played in bitterly cold temperatures on the Bronco’s home turf, the game reminded me of the 1971 Christmas Day playoff battle in Kansas City between the home-town Chiefs and visiting Miami Dolphins. I was a young man in attendance at that game. In what became the longest playoff game in NFL history, Miami kicker Yaro Yepremian ended the drama with a field goal in the second overtime. It had taken 22 minutes and 40 seconds of extra play to decide matters. In comparison, the recent Ravens/Broncos’ game took 16 minutes and 42 seconds. Close.
During these conversations with family members I kept telling them, “Hey, you gotta call our radio show, The Odd Couple, and talk about this” while they poured heart and soul into excellent narrative’s describing the emotional roller coaster ending with Baltimore’s 47-yard field goal. It was an epic game that left most emotionally drained, happy or heartbroken.
A question from sister Sue struck me like a Mack Truck. “Who’s to blame?”
It would be easy to point out the Broncos safety who allowed a ball to float over his head; a veteran quarterback who turned the ball over three times costing his team 17 points; an equally veteran cornerback allowing a young wide receiver to have too many big plays; a talented young linebacker who did not wreak havoc as expected on the opposition’s quarterback; conservative play calling on offense; the officiating. The point is this: the 70,000-plus who gathered, and shivered, inside Denver’s Sports Authority Field at Mile High, witnessed the Broncos underachieving and falling short of their goal.
The odds, of Denver’s victory, before the miracle bomb from Raven’s quarterback Joe Flacco to wide receiver Jacoby Jones, were 98%. That’s what the television screen at the gym the next morning, courtesy of ESPN, reported. The hay was almost in the barn when disaster struck.
Who’s to blame? Just my opinion, but it was collective. Many could have done better to prevent a sudden end to what most thought, for the Broncos, was a great shot of reaching the Super Bowl and securing the franchise’s third NFL championship. Destiny was calling with Manning at the helm and the Super Bowl in the future Hall of Famer’s hometown of New Orleans. There were many great story lines developing before disaster struck.
Kinda like life ain’t it? Things look damn good. The track ahead looks free of debris and full of hope. Then stuff happens and the dream train derails. The aftermath can be ugly. It’s easy to ask, “Who’s to blame?” It might be a marriage collapsing, a job disappearing an illness reappearing. Life throws us curveballs, expected outcomes fade from reality and we’re left with a question. “What are we going to do about it?”
Blame each other? I’m just a simple dude from Missouri but it seems a far more effective strategy would be to rally around each other and try like heck to learn from, not become a victim of, the experience. The venues may change but the strategy is the same. Yeah, whether we’re talking about securing success in sports, life or business, when disaster strikes we gotta rally around each other and encourage one another to move on in productive, not destructive, ways.
It will be interesting to watch how the Broncos react to this adversity. Back in 1996, after the shocking playoff upset loss to Jacksonville, the John Elway-led teams won back-to-back Super Bowls. What about us? No doubt there’s issues in our lives right now challenging our fortitude. Defined as, “strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage.” The noun is easy to say, except for young kiddos like the one at Target, far more challenging to execute.
Fortitude. Let’s live it this week!

Pep Talk: "Healing Be Done"

I don’t know if it’s just me, perhaps others feel the same, but revelations - ever had one? - can be frightening.
Ya know, those moments in life where it becomes crystal clear what needs to be done? It might concern a relationship, profession, habit or whatever. While certainly the venues vary the reaction to the revelation should, there are exceptions to every rule, rarely diversify. We need to take action.
This aging jock is in the middle of one of those “revelatory” moments in life. It’s become crystal clear the mission of Victory Productions: to encourage others to achieve goals and overcome challenges. I have few skills, just ask my kids or Eric Goodman, my co-host of The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman. I can’t sing, dress fashionably or sit still very long. But I do believe, based upon life’s experiences, this simple dude from Missouri can encourage others to achieve goals and overcome challenges. Now the trick is learning how to make a living from a calling.
Part of that process involves Victory providing small businesses, through partnerships with Mile High Sports, CBS4 Denver and its own networks, platforms to market and promote good products, services and service to community. It’s Victory’s mission to help businesses achieve their goals. In addition, it’s our mission to help these hard-working men and women deal with the unexpected and unwanted challenges life throws our way in pursuit of goals. Illness, injury, relationship meltdown, child sickness and other unwanted and unexpected experiences tend to foil our best laid plans, right?
I’ve got one right now when it comes to relationship meltdown. It’s frustrating and sad. Christmas morning I left another voice message on my buddy’s phone. Used to be such effort would trigger, if he didn’t pick it up immediately, a return call shortly thereafter. Not anymore.
What makes this situation so frustrating and sad is, I don’t know why. This is a middle-aged man who become a “brother from another mother” during our undergraduate days at Mizzou. Man, did we have some fun, what we remember, in one of America’s great college towns, Columbia, Missouri. Digressing a bit here, but for folks reading this musing who have young kids you like to sing songs with? The University of Missouri fight song is kinda long but real fun to sing. It’s one of the first songs my kids learned to sing at an early age. Same for a neighbor’s daughter who would usually sing with them. That young lady now attends Mizzou and is studying journalism. Sure makes Uncle Mac proud.
Anyway, back to the point of the Pep Talk. There is pain from a fractured relationship with a dude near and dear to my heart. Occasionally, there is a voice or email message, in an apologetic tone, stating “I’ll call you soon and explain.” I’m waiting and occasionally reach out to him with “I hope we can talk soon.”
I’m grieving for a cherished relationship. We’ve all been there haven’t we? Those times from life - home, work and elsewhere - leaving us wondering, “What the heck is going on around here?”
This is where your humble correspondent must practice what he preaches: understand we’re not alone. That’s why I’m sharing this with you. I know there are many of you in challenging situations right now. Things ain’t going as planned and it sucks. We need to rally around one another. We need to give hope and confidence to one another that as former CU basketball coach Ricardo Patton loved to say, “This too shall pass.”
As we rally around one another and encourage each other to turn life’s lemons into - heck with lemonade - sweet and savory margaritas, perhaps we could focus on this: In our desire to help each other, keep good thoughts in noggin’ those who are the focus of our attention can experience healing despite the challenge.
We know the challenges will call. As Frank Sinatra sang so famously “That’s Life. “ But as the rock group Journey also sang famously, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Relationships become fractured, that’s life. They can be healed, don’t stop believing. It’s true. The big question for us, at least my opinion, is this: Will we have strength for the journey? Strength to continue to believe there’s hope for thawing relations stuck in deep freeze? 
It doesn’t take much effort to dial a cell phone and call someone in Prairie Village, Kansas but it’s my constant effort to answer the above question in the affirmative. This week make it yours and let’s encourage one another that healing be done.
Have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Miss Ya Pops"

Were he still alive, Marvin Walter McIntosh, Jr., would have turned 82 years young recently, January 9th to be exact. Something happened recently in the world of your correspondent drawing this aging jock’s reticular activating system toward the man, who along with the alive-and-feisty Patsy Perry, created me.
I hope this Pep Talk encourages you to reach out and connect with someone else and do one thing: mentor them.
This tale began innocently with the idea of son Kyle appearing on our radio show, The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman. The 23-year-old comedy writer lives and works in Los Angeles but was in town for the holidays. He’s a big sports fan, has great stories from working in the entertainment industry, is funny and does a great impersonation of British actor/comedian Russell Brand. Kyle has worked on Brand’s variety show among many interesting stops during his early years in the business. Next stop for K-Man is a Comedy Central endeavor, The Nick Kroll Show debuting January 16th. The New York University trained lad’s a hard-working and talented young man with a bright future. I’m proud to be his father and try to let him know without letting him know. Know what I mean? Kids in early adulthood, becoming themselves. As parents, we cheer from the sidelines and hope we’re not perceived as too weird in doing so.
Kyle yukked it up with us on Mile High Sports Radio, we’re on weekdays from 3-6pm, for about 12 minutes. It was a blast. At least for this simple dude from Missouri. The dad. Does it get any better than doing something you love and having those you love along for the ride? We know those moments are precious and few, despite best intentions.
That darn thing called life gets in the way doesn’t it? Yeah, those unexpected and unwanted challenges appear when least expected and most unfortunate. Who wouldn’t want to spend time talking and having fun with loved ones? I know, some would raise their hands insisting, “I like being alone” but most, my opinion, would jump at the chance to spend as much time as possible engaged with those we enjoy. But physical, emotional and financial challenges get in the way. Unfortunate.
Which takes me back to a guy golfing buddies called, “Hacker Mac.” As I sat in studio,  engulfed in joy and banter, with son and friend, co-host Goodman, for whatever reason mind wandered toward my father. He loved to play golf, especially with his sons. Our winter golf trips to Arizona were a blast and have produced great stories I love to share when allowed. Wonderful memories.
If we had the opportunity, considering schedules and health, we would have been on a golf course somewhere to celebrate another year of the journey. The former sales executive, who worked for everything earned in life, would have struck most shots, not long, but right down the middle, while yours truly, trying to crush the ball, would have been erratic off the tee. Later, over beers and surrender of a few bucks, left to wonder, “How in the heck did that happen?”
My father grew up poor, did not have a college degree and suffered a heart attack when just 42-years-old. The father of four battled heart disease but remained active with golf and other stuff, before lung cancer took him almost six years ago at 76.
I learned many things from a man who grew up fast as the oldest boy in a poor family challenged by its father’s abandonment and mother’s death before any of the six kids had graduated from high school. A few things stand out, including, but not limited too: life is rarely fair, keep working hard, be friendly to others and no complaining. Deal with whatever ails you. Be a student, not victim, of life’s experiences.
Miss ya Pops. I hope and pray your grandson, as he grows into his own man, will learn from me what I learned from you. It was a great lesson. Not always easy to follow but so valuable. 
This week, let’s be mentors to someone - home, work or elsewhere - like my old man mentored me. I can guarantee this: we’ll be better for it and, most likely, if the mentoring is productive not destructive, so will the recipients.
Have a great week!

Pep Talk: "Priceless Gifts"

I can only speak for myself in this regard but there was a recent “aha” moment reminding this simple dude from Missouri to the power of an encouraging word.
First, let me say, the word “encourage” has always been a favorite. It’s defined as “to give hope and confidence to. Whenever blessed to have the opportunity to present a live Pep Talk message to a group of folks, we always discuss the importance of gathering with like-minded people and giving hope and confidence to one another. Can you imagine? What with this world look like if we all - despite challenges present - kept an attitude focused on hope and confidence? Bartender, a round for everybody at the bar - twice!
On the first day back from the recent holidays, on our radio show, The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman we were discussing what kept us busy while away from Mile High Sports Radio each weekday from 3-6pm. A highlight for yours truly was helping out Santa.
There is a tradition within family in the Chicago-area where every Christmas, at the family party, Santa Claus makes an appearance, when available. There are some years - party’s been going strong for more than four decades - where Santa, because of his hectic schedule, can’t fit the Kilgallon bash into the social calendar. Thus, with Santa’s approval, a “Santa Helper” is designated to don the resplendent red suit and shower the kids with gifts.
This recent opportunity to serve Santa was my second fill-in role for the jolly old man. I cherish being asked to substitute. However, as I talked about the experience days later on Odd Couple, something crashed hard into cranium: I could have done much better.
I realized afterward, opportunity was missed to have taken time, before donning the Santa suit, quizzing the parents about their kids. So, when the child came to sit on the lap of Santa’s helper - me - the knucklehead sweating profusely inside that warm garb could have known a bit about the child and offered an encouraging word. I knew a few of the kids pretty well and was able to, as they nestled on my lap, brag about them a bit. But not all of them. Darn it.
The look on the faces of the kids who received encouragement like, “Best darn trumpet player in the history of OLPH!” or “the future goalie of the Chicago Blackhawks!” was priceless and you could tell they loved the gathered throng cheering them on.
The power of an encouraging word. It can change a life.
A very powerful reminder to the power of giving hope and confidence to others was burrowed into my marrow long ago. A high school football coach, after his young quarterback made a terrible mistake in his first varsity game, had a choice to rip into the kid or coach him up a bit. Vance Morris chose the latter and I benefited greatly from it. 
It was the opening game of the 1973 season for the Raytown South Cardinals. Raytown is a Kansas City, MO., suburb, just south of Arrowhead and Kaufmann stadiums on the city’s near east side. The Cards were starting a sophomore at quarterback against the North Kansas City Hornets. On the game’s opening drive, the southpaw is leading the Cards down the field and deep into opponent territory. Disaster struck. Pressured, the inexperienced rookie threw an ill-advised pass into the flat, it was intercepted and returned 100 yards for a touchdown.
What’s the old saying, “It’s a quick trip from the penthouse to the outhouse?” Well, I was living it then. While running off the field in shame and looking for a place to hide, instead I was greeted by a coach who had walked several steps onto the field. Mentor wanted to chat with pupil before downtrodden soul reached the bench. “You know what you did wrong don’t you?” I nodded in agreement. He then finished powerfully with, “I know it will never happen again.”
Vance Morris, when I really needed it, encouraged - offered hope and confidence - me! I had a chance, as Santa’s helper, to encourage all those kids and not just a few. No doubt this week, at home, work or elsewhere, there will be an opportunity for us to encourage others.
Let’s keep our reticular activating systems, thanks Billy Mac from Hackensack, on high alert this week for a chance to give hope and confidence to one another. Perhaps it’s a loved one battling illness, a friend with relationship struggles, a co-worker in financial hardship or other ailments. I met a homeless military veteran this week who is trying like heck to get back on his feet. Victory is trying like heck to help him. Consternation knows no boundaries and comes when, and where, least expected.
This much we do know, an encouraging word can, no guarantees, help someone ride the storm out. It’s a gift far more valuable than anything Santa, or one of his helpers, can deliver. 
Shower others with encouraging words this week. They’re priceless gifts!

Pep Talk: "When Duty Calls"

There are moments in life, at least for me, that drill deep into the marrow. Moments where truth, about key aspects of the journey, comes crashing into cranium and embeds itself. Powerful reminders about what’s REALLY important. I had one recently: Let’s never grow weary of doing good things for each other.
The reminder manifested itself in this old jock’s noggin’ during a ride to Denver International Airport, courtesy of a dear friend. As we cruised toward our destination, a powerful, and ultimate, example of never growing weary of good deeds was expressed as the woman - she’s like a sister - talked about her brother. Recently, the 56-year-old father of two, died, unexpectedly, while helping others. Tragic. 
On a snowy and icy stretch of Interstate 90 in Spokane, Washington, Scott Moore was driving when a car ahead spun off the highway and tumbled down an embankment. The Good Samaritan stopped, scurried down the embankment and discovered a family in the vehicle - rattled, but not seriously injured.
A short while later, the grandpa to three was helping the family trudge back up the hill toward the highway, and his warm car, parked along its shoulder. Then the horrific happened. Another car traveling the slick span lost control, slid off the highway and right into a man, who loved to fish, especially for opportunities to serve and help others. He died instantly. 
However, before this man’s life was terminated, far too early, he did something remarkable: shoved from harm’s way, a nine-year-old girl he was escorting to safety. Watching video of Spokane’s KREM-TV, Channel 2, report on the accident brings tears to the eyes to hear the young girl, spared probable death, leave a grateful voice mail at Moore’s son’s home, calling the heroic Moore, “an angel.”
“He died doing what he loved,” this precious friend offered as we cruised toward the airport to pick up her hubby and drop me off for a flight to Chicago. Amen to that. The parents of the child Moore saved went to social media praising and exalting their child’s “angel.” That angel grew up in suburban Denver before heading west and settling in Priest River, Idaho. He was also a son, brother, husband, hard-working railroad general manager and buddy to many. Scott Allan Moore brought great value to others’ lives. Ultimately, sacrificing his to ensure another. Honorable.
How can we bring value to others? Simple question with a plethora of possible answers.  For the crew at Victory Productions, a few things come to mind:  our reticular activating systems must be on alert for value-delivering opportunities and we must have the courage to act once we feel, as Emerson would say, “the vibration of the iron string within.”
I had one earlier in the week, before this drive and conversation but after learning of Moore’s heroism. I was parked in a Denver area coffee shop between meetings and catching up on emails. Minding my own business when duty called to never grow weary of doing good for others.
“I’m in Denver, I have no money, half a tank of gas and the weather is terrible,” a man seated close by emotionally told someone via a cell phone.” Denver was in the midst of its first winter storm of the 2012-13 season and conditions were bad, especially for a guy - learned this also from overhearing the conversation - from south Florida.
He was distraught and trying to drive to Salt Lake City. His 12-year-old son and former wife, who lived in Utah’s capitol city where involved in a terrible vehicle accident. Former wife was killed, son critically injured and now in a medically-induced coma. He was driving a car with front-wheel drive and bald tires. Passable for tropical Florida but disastrous in wintry Colorado.
I introduced myself. I learned the grieving father was a huge sports fan. It brought a smile to his face when informed what keeps me busy each weekday afternoon on The Odd Couple on Mile High Sports Radio. “You host a sports talk show? Wow, that’s always been my dream job!” We dove into strategies concerning getting him to Salt Lake City as quickly as possible.
A wonderful friend at KCNC-TV, CBS4, still have a key to the building after all these years, in Denver gave us updated weather information. It was determined the best route was through the mountains via Interstate 70 because going north to Wyoming and then west, while an easier drive in terms of terrain, would be taking him into the teeth of the storm. Once it was determined to go through the Eisenhower Tunnel that bores through Colorado’s Continental Divide we knew the grieving man needed tire chains. An auto parts store right across the street carried them. Grateful. What next? Gas. Needed to fill up. Service station was another block away. Mission completed.
Ya know it’s been said “God works in mysterious ways” right? What are the odds of being in that coffee shop at just that moment, hearing this man’s needs and then having resources at hand to help?
A man gave his life when duty called. I know Scott Moore’s spirit inspired me to help a desperate soul. This week let’s focus, when duty calls, on never growing weary of doing good things for others wherever we roam. It’s a great way to be remembered. Today, tomorrow, next year, forever.
Happy New Year and have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Act Like A Clown"

Ever been chastised for acting like a clown? I sure have. But if ever accused of acting like Blinky, consider it an honor.
First, some background. Co-hosting three hours of sports talk radio each weekday afternoon from 3-6pm on Mile High Sports Radio is a blast. I am blessed to possess such a job and enjoy the banter about topics with my co-host, Eric Goodman. Officially, we’re known as Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman. Heard at AM1510 and FM93.7, I prefer, The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive.... and enjoy slipping it into the conversation when possible. Eric and I are like Felix and Oscar. I’m Oscar.
Another interesting aspect of life on Lincoln, Mile High Sports’ location in the Beauvallon building, is on-air talents sell their respective shows. Yep. A unique business model. Goodman, yours truly, and other yakkers must find sponsors to help pay for the air time. No salaries. All the men and women hosting shows need satisfied clients. Happy sponsors. 
Victory Productions loves working with Mile High Sports crew, led by James Merilatt and Doug Ottewill, because, collectively, we can offer a multiple marketing strategy to businesses. Through radio, magazine, online, social media, television and community we market businesses. Victory specializes in helping small business owners achieve dreams and overcome challenges. That’s Victory’s mission and job. We’re not perfect but do try.
One of Victory’s clients is Steve’s Snappin Dogs, owned by Linda and Steve Ballas. Wonderful couple. At Colfax and Monroe, just west of National Jewish Hospital, Steve’s is a yummy spot for lunch, quick-and easy dinners and celebrations, like birthday parties, kiddos and adults. I’m gonna have my next birthday party there. The theme is “I can Thrive at 55!” You’re welcome to attend, details to come. I highly recommend the Atlanta Slaw Dog and a Steve’s Snappin’ Ale. I’ve tasted many. Try one sometime and tell the crew Chatty Patty sent ya! For more information on Chatty Patty read the Pep Talk from two weeks ago. 
This one is about Linda’s father, Russell Scott. Many of you will recognize this cool dude as “Blinky the Clown.” For 40 years he entertained children of all ages through a popular television show on Denver’s KWGN, Channel 2. Before pulling his signature red nose off for the final time, Scott, who passed just four months ago 91, became the most tenured host of any television children’s show in American history, second in the world. Sorry for the sports analogy, but a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it comes to providing quality programming for kids.
Victory is working with the Ballas’ in an effort to have Blinky placed in the History Colorado Museum. What this clown represented is deserved of public remembrance. We would be, my opinion, in pretty darn good shape as communities if we practiced what Blinky preached. 
I would encourage you to YouTube “Blinky the Clown” and watch videos captured during Blinky’s Fun Club’s four-decade run deep into the hearts of Centennial State kids and families. Everyone should sing “Happy Birthday” to kids like Blinky. Watch these videos. They’re hilarious and inspirational.
At the end of each show, Blinky would always encourage kids watching to do three things that day: “When mommy comes home, hug her and tell her you love her. When daddy comes home, hug him and tell him you love him. Finally, pick up your toys!”
What a great message to send to kids. What a great message to send to each of us. Love each other, be respectful of one another and clean up your own damn mess.
Can you imagine? What the heck would this community - region, nation, world - look like  this week if each of us made the conscious decision to live that terrific trio?
Bartender, another round for everybody at the bar buying into that!
But unfortunately, that darn thing called life gets in the way of our best laid plans, right? We start out with an attitude of love, respect and responsibility but then the unwanted and unexpected detours rattle our cages. Sometimes with horrific consequences like the tragedy in Connecticut, to name just the latest.
Blinky the Clown reminded kids, and anybody else watching with them, to be loving, respectful and responsible. Whenever we have a moment to immortalize someone like that, we should do it. We hope History Colorado Museum officials agree.
Until next week, focus on being loving, respectful and responsible. No guarantees, but I think I could get John Fox, George Karl, Mike MacIntyre, Tad Boyle, and other successful coaches we have on The Odd Couple, to concur, a team committed to loving, respecting and answering to one another has a good chance, no guarantee, at success.
The venues may change. It might be building a successful business, team or family. It don’t matter. What does matter is realizing opportunity to play like champions, whatever endeavor pursued, diminishes greatly if there’s questions about the right mix of love, respect and responsibility being poured into the foundation. 
Act like a clown and feel good about it.