Episode 03: John McDermott Author, The Last Spirits of Manhattan

A lifetime of doing what you love, blank pages filling up with words, and the overwhelming joy when, finally, the call comes from a large publishing house: “Hi, John. We’d like to publish your novel.” On this episode, author John McDermott reflects on the inner drive that kept him writing for decades, withstanding rejection when it would have been easier to quit, and publishing his first novel at the youthful age of 60.

Featured nonprofit: Writers' League of Texas (WLT) is the largest literary arts organization in Texas, a statewide nonprofit offering programs and services to writers at all stages of their writing careers, from just getting started to publication and beyond. https://writersleague.org/

The Last Spirits of Manhattan novel is available wherever you buy books, and might we recommend: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-spirits-of-manhattan-a-novel-john-a-mcdermott/df58a5ab18283aa3

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 02: Chris Vos Singer/Songwriter, The Record Company

A Wisconsin kid with a guitar, a restless spirit, and a sound rooted in blues and grit — Chris Vos turned a leap of faith into a Grammy-nominated band. In this episode, he opens up about trusting instinct over industry formulas, the grind behind the glow of success, and why the Midwest imprint never really leaves you — no matter how far the tour bus rolls.

Featured nonprofit: Holton’s Heroes provides support, information and rehabilitative devices for children and their families affected by a post-birth brain injury. https://www.holtonsheroes.org/

Give It Back To You deluxe expanded reissue album out now: https://therecordcompany.net/

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 01: Dr. Richard Davidson Founder, Center For Healthy Minds

We sit down with world-renowned neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson to talk about why meditation doesn’t have to be complicated to make a real difference — and why flourishing isn’t some far-off idea, but something we’re all capable of, right where we are.

Featured nonprofits: Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations) is a global nonprofit on a mission to make wellbeing real by translating science into action. https://www.humin.org/

Tergar — transforming hearts and minds by making the ancient wisdom of meditation accessible to the modern world. https://tergar.org/

Born To Flourish book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Born-to-Flourish/Richard-J-Davidson/9781668066232

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 00: The intro. You know what the world absolutely does not need now? Another podcast. It's The One Off Podcast with John Urban and Erik Kjelland. Coming 2026. Presented by Big Dreamers United.

(This thing only happens once, unless it accidentally happens again)