GB Staff Picks

Posted June 24, 2008, 11:13 am in News by Growing Bolder

With hundreds of videos and radio interviews to watch and listen to here on GrowingBolder.com, it's hard to know where to start! We could be humble and say some are better than others, but the truth is, every single one is a gem, because every single one tells the story of a person who's proving it's not about age, it's about attitude.

But, we all have favorites, so we thought we'd put together a list of GB staffers' picks for best stories on GrowingBolder.com. If you want to watch or listen to one of the picks, just click on the link! Then feel free to leave a comment about the story to let us know whether it is one of your favorites, too.

Marc Middleton

Roadside Works of Art
A good Bill Shafer story is a timeless gem. And they're all good. Bill not only has an unfailing instinct on what will make a good story, he has a way of bringing out the very best in everyone he interviews. As a frustrated amateur painter, I loved Bill's story about James Gibson, one of The Florida Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were self-trained artists who traveled the state in the '50s and '60s selling paintings along the roadside. Thanks to stories like Bill's, they are finally getting the attention they deserve.

GB Gets Lost
We are fortunate to have one of the best videographers in America. Jason Morrow is at his best creating high-end art, but what really separates Jason from everybody else is his ability to make something out of nothing. A perfect example is GB Gets Lost. It's a story in which the journey unexpectedly turned out to be more interesting than the destination. Most videographers would have only griped. Jason smiled and rolled tape. The result is a story that's fun to watch and an example of why Jason Morrow is the man.

Man on a Mission
We have a small staff so all GB employees have to be versatile. Katy Widrick takes versatility to a new level. Katy was hired because she's incredibly smart, creative and fun to be around. She can write and lead and organize. We learned quickly that she can also report. Katy's profile of a man called "Mr. Bill" will warm your heart and have you believing that we can all make a difference.

Growing "Bull"der
We're very privileged in that we get to meet and hang out with people that are growing bolder. I'll never forget the afternoon we spent with a couple of retired rodeo cowboys. Lyle and Curt Brown are in their 60s going on 16. They're in love with life and it wears off on everyone around them.

Bill Shafer

Pick up a Brush and Paint
Earl Nash was a compelling subject in such an understated way. I loved the warmth that came across in his artwork and how at peace he was when he painted. I can't draw, but I wanted to after meeting Earl.

A Hero For The Planet
Only Marc would interview a world-renowned expert and break him out of academia enough to reflect on the joy in his life! Wonderful man, wonderful cause, wonderful story.

Curtain Up On Theater's Future
Katy reflects on our past through the future dreams of this special couple who preserved a piece of history by creating a landmark.

Joel Selvin
What a gift to listen to stories about the Summer of Love from a man who not only was there, but who documented it for one of the greatest papers in America. I almost felt like I was there!

Gordy Shields
If you see him on the street you think, "There's another hunched over old man." Put him on a bike and he's a road warrior! He just turned 90 and can't wait to undergo back surgery so he can get back on his bike and break some more records. Classic!

Jackie Carlin

Wavy Gravy
A lot of people talked about peace, love and understanding during the '60s, but very few actually devoted their lives to it. Wavy Gravy did, and at age 71, he's still working to make the world a better place. The outrageous entertainer talked to us about his life at the Berkeley Hog Farm commune, the nonprofit organization he's been passionate about for 30 years and why he thinks his fellow Boomers are finally rediscovering the passion and commitment of their youth.

Bob Gruen
I never got to hang out with John Lennon but thanks to the stories and photos of Bob Gruen, I feel like I was walking the streets with him during his final, infamous NYC photo shoot (you know the one where he posed in front of the Statue of Liberty and wore that iconic cut-off New York City t-shirt). Not only was Bob one of the top rock photographers, John and Yoko chose him as their personal photographer in the early '70s. Find out what he considers his favorite picture of all time.

The Big Kazoo
When Growing Bolder heard that the residents of The Villages were going to try and break the world record for the largest kazoo band, we figured it was a big enough occasion to bring out the blue blazers. If you miss the old days of ABC's Wide World of Sports, you have to check out our tongue planted firmly in cheek coverage of the big event.

Katy Widrick

Three Times the Fun
When I showed up with Marc and Jason, practically before the sun was up, I had no idea that it would be a life-changing day. But after watching these athletes push their bodies through the pain, and across the finish line, I knew that I wanted to be a triathlete. I had tears in my eyes when one man stopped before finishing the race, grabbed his young children from the crowd, and ran hand-in-hand with them across the finish line.

The Constant Gardener
Randy Knight is one of the most gentle souls you'll ever meet -- he's a volunteer at the Polasek Museum in Winter Park, Florida, but he's doing the same type of work, and essentially the same amount, as he did when he punched a timecard! There's no question he can't answer, and his love for gardening and landscaping comes through with every word he utters.

A Family Affair
Having one elite athlete in a family isn't enough; every member of the Leech family is a superstar! From a father who's a masters swimming champ, to a daughter who dominates pole vaulting competitions, this story proves that staying in shape physically is a great way to stay in shape as a family.

Calendars for a Cause
Cancer is a big, scary word, and it affects every single one of us. But these women are not only surviving, they're thriving! To celebrate their recovery from breast cancer, and to raise money for research and to help other patients, this group of brave ladies put on their best pin-up pouts and posed for a very special calendar.

Nada Taha

Hot Chicks, Cool Cars
It's so fun to watch Banana George not only ride the water, but ride in his hot, yellow car. He's got such zeal for life, it's inspiring.

Confronting Cancer
This series is so poignant and so well-done that it has to be on my list. Meg is such a lively and strong spirit and GB's Katy did such a great job telling her story. It was a favorite since Part 1.

Matt Goulding
He has to be the author of one of the greatest books that everyone should read. "Eat This, Not That," makes me think twice before going to the nearest fast food restaurant and super-sizing my order.

Jill Middleton

As the radio producer, I am always worried about what gets on the air. Will the guests actually be there and ready to talk? Are they interesting, funny, engaged and up for a good chat? Are they on time and even willing to do a promo for us? It's really hard for me to pick a few of my favorite radio guests, I have so many -- but here are a few:

Davy Jones
I mean what girl of the '60s didn't have a crush on Davy Jones? He turned out to be one of the nicest, most enthusiastic interviews we've had. It was nice to see I hadn't wasted my teen crush on a not-so-nice guy…It was a Marcia Brady experience. And he did a promo for the radio show too.

Frankie Manning
One of my favorites! He is one of the founding fathers of The Lindy Hop. He is just the nicest man, who still loves what he's doing. He just keeps on dancing.

Ciji Ware, Susan Silver and Suzy Cohen
Always favorites of mine. They are always funny, informative, up for anything, and just nice people. I just like to have them on the show.

One of a Kind
A story on Delma Cowart. What a great guy. And, oh yeah, he was a really good radio guest, too.

Righting a Wrong
Just a great story.

Munchkins
Bill's story on one of the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz.

Whippin' the Whippersnappers
Who doesn't like to see the older athletes beating the heck out of the younger ones?

An Amazing Man You've Never Heard Of
A great story about the real first man in space.

Jason Morrow

Here are my picks, in haiku form:

Whippin' the Whippersnappers
Whippin' the youngsters
Age won't determine success
Athletes for all time

We Salute You, Cone Man!
Bill at zaniest
Do not steal our parking space
There will be towing

Confronting Cancer: Part One
No chemo for her
Approaching cancer head-on
Meg always in charge

Songs of a Lifetime
brilliant musician
won't let illness stop his art
songs stick in your mind

Pat Narciso

Four Questions With Guy Kawasaki
"Luck" is the scary answer. Being at the right place at the right time and the quality of the BS.

Banana Battles Back
The man walks through lawn at the rate of maybe 10 feet a minute -- yet has the desire and follow through to attempt barefoot water-skiing. This yellow suited man has no fear.

Growing "Bull"der
These guys are awesome. Walking a bull through a bowling alley is simply unheard of, yet these guys did it with no reservation.

Josh Doolittle

Growing "Bull"der
Something you don't see everyday anymore. People so close with their families, and close with their animals. I hope I have half as an enjoyable life at their age. And ... it's always a good time to see Marc riding a dangerous animal.

A Hero for the Planet
The type of person I would love to sit around with and hear a small sample of real life stories he has experienced. He seems to truly be an amazing person of the world. Plus, I like turtles and it's amazing to see that someone with such a worldly profile can walk around and buy groceries to be noticed by no one. I'm also fascinated with the Rolls Royce story.

GB Staff Picks

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