Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

The Incredible Ron Wilkins Story | Surviving COVID & New 2026 Album The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed jazz trombonist, composer, educator, and bandleader Ron Wilkins along with trombone virtuoso, composer, and collaborator Rebecca Patterson.

In this deeply moving and inspiring conversation, we discuss their powerful 2026 album, The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant, a project that explores the nature of time, resilience, healing, and the human experience through the language of jazz.

At its core, the album examines how our perception of time shifts throughout life and how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered that experience for people across the globe. More personally, the music tells the extraordinary story of Ron Wilkins' own battle with COVID.

After contracting the virus, Ron endured a life-threatening medical crisis that resulted in a medically induced coma lasting 32 days. Thirty-seven days later, he was finally able to come off a ventilator and breathe on his own once again. What followed was a remarkable journey of recovery, reflection, gratitude, and renewed creativity.

Through composition and performance, Ron and Rebecca transform this profound experience into a compelling musical narrative filled with emotion, courage, vulnerability, and hope.

In this interview, we discuss the making of the album, their musical partnership, the creative process, surviving COVID, recovery, resilience, jazz composition, trombone artistry, and the lessons learned from facing mortality and finding a renewed appreciation for life.

This is a powerful conversation about music, perseverance, healing, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Get the album:
The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant on Bandcamp

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Crab Crew Life Founder Bryan Blackmon Shares His Powerful Story | From Homelessness to Hope and Purpose

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with inspirational entrepreneur, content creator, recovery advocate, and founder of Crab Crew Life, Bryan Blackmon.

Bryan's story is one of resilience, redemption, and the power of second chances.

After leaving Texas for California in pursuit of a dream, life took an unexpected turn. Bryan found himself homeless, living out of his car, struggling with addiction, alcoholism, and the crushing reality of survival on the streets. At his lowest point, it seemed as though everything had fallen apart.

Then one extraordinary act of kindness changed the trajectory of his life.

An 85-year-old landlord named Elaine offered him more than a place to stay. She offered him hope, dignity, encouragement, and a reason to believe that his future could be different.

Today, Bryan is sober, thriving, and inspiring audiences around the world through Crab Crew Life, a movement built around perseverance, recovery, personal responsibility, and proving that no matter how far someone has fallen, they can still rebuild their life.

In this powerful conversation, Bryan discusses homelessness, addiction recovery, sobriety, resilience, mental health, personal transformation, overcoming adversity, rebuilding confidence, social media success, and the mission behind Crab Crew Life.

His story serves as a reminder that recovery is possible, hope can be found in unexpected places, and one person's belief in another can change everything.

Learn more about Bryan and Crab Crew Life:
Crab Crew Life Official Website

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Daniel Linares Interview | Entrepreneur, Event Strategist & Movement Builder

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with keynote speaker, entrepreneur, creator, event industry strategist, and community builder Daniel Linares.

Born and raised in Queens, Daniel brings the grit, determination, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of New York City into every aspect of his work. He is the founder of the NYC-based DLE Event Group and the Event Pioneers Impact Coalition (EPIC), organizations dedicated to innovation, leadership, and elevating professionals throughout the event industry.

For more than a decade, Daniel has led from the front, building a seven-figure luxury entertainment brand while helping transform expectations for live event experiences. His innovative Hybrid DJ + Live Music model has helped redefine modern entertainment and create unforgettable experiences for clients and audiences alike.

In addition to his entrepreneurial success, Daniel coaches event professionals and business owners through his STAGES™ Framework, providing practical guidance on leadership, growth, branding, operations, and sustainable business success.

At the heart of Daniel's philosophy is an abundance mindset and a commitment to helping others unlock their potential. He believes deeply in community, collaboration, possibility, and empowering people to create meaningful impact through their work.

From his base in Sarasota, Florida, Daniel shares insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, innovation, event strategy, personal development, and building a purpose-driven life and career.

Learn more about Daniel:
Daniel Linares Official Website

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Tuesday, June 9, 2026

KC Chiefs Legend Nick Lowery on the New 2026 Book 'Naked and Alone with 80,000 People'

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer, author, humanitarian, speaker, poet, and NFL legend Nick Lowery.

Nick joins us to discuss his powerful 2026 book, Naked and Alone with 80,000 People, a deeply personal exploration of perseverance, pressure, purpose, and the lessons learned from one of the most remarkable careers in professional football.

Before earning induction into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2009, Nick was cut by eight NFL teams a total of eleven times. Most athletes would have walked away. Instead, he transformed rejection into fuel, eventually becoming the most accurate kicker in NFL history during his era and the all-time leading scorer for the Kansas City Chiefs.

In this revealing conversation, Nick shares the mental strategies that helped him perform under extraordinary pressure in front of tens of thousands of fans, as well as the deeper personal lessons that shaped his journey from the NFL to Harvard, public service, philanthropy, and leadership.

Beyond football, Nick has devoted decades to serving others. He played a role in helping launch AmeriCorps, led Champions for the Homeless, and founded the Nick Lowery Youth Foundation, organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable communities and empowering future generations.

Nick is also an accomplished poet and writer whose work explores resilience, love, loss, service, and the defining moments that shape human lives. His new book captures the mindset, faith, determination, and heart that have characterized every chapter of his journey.

This interview is especially meaningful for Kansas City fans, as Nick reflects on the relationships, memories, and values that made him one of the most beloved figures in Chiefs history.

Get the book and learn more:

If you enjoy inspiring stories about leadership, perseverance, sports psychology, personal growth, NFL history, Kansas City Chiefs football, and overcoming adversity, this conversation is for you.

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Patrick Myers on Bringing Freddie Mercury Back to Life with Killer Queen in Kansas City

Welcome to a special edition of the Famous Interviews & Neon Jazz series featuring vocalist and frontman Patrick Myers of the internationally acclaimed tribute band Killer Queen.

We caught up with Patrick from his home base in the United Kingdom to discuss Killer Queen's ambitious 2026 U.S. tour, their remarkable history, and their upcoming stop in Kansas City on July 2, 2026, as World Cup excitement continues to energize the city.

Founded in 1993, Killer Queen has become one of the most successful and respected Queen tribute acts in the world. Their first performances took place at University of London, mirroring the early history of Queen, who performed there decades earlier. The group's popularity quickly grew, leading to a residency at London's historic Strand Theatre and widespread coverage from the BBC, making them the first tribute act to establish a show in London's West End.

Over the years, Killer Queen has built a worldwide reputation for recreating the energy, musicianship, spectacle, and magic of Queen's legendary live performances. Patrick Myers has earned international recognition for his remarkable portrayal of Freddie Mercury, capturing both the voice and charisma of one of rock music's most iconic performers.

In this interview, we discuss the band's journey, their dedication to preserving Queen's musical legacy, life on tour, performing for audiences across the globe, and what fans can expect during their 2026 American tour.

Get tickets and learn more:

Whether you're a lifelong Queen fan or discovering the music for the first time, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside one of the world's premier tribute acts.

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Spiritual Guide Julie Grimm on Finding Purpose, Authenticity & Living with Joy

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with spiritual guide, color consultant, entrepreneur, author, illustrator, and educator Julie Grimm.

Julie has lived on three continents, earned a Master's degree in Biology, written and illustrated a children's story, and built two successful businesses. Her unique life journey has blended science, spirituality, creativity, and personal growth into a mission focused on helping others discover their authentic selves and live more joyful, meaningful lives.

Based outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Julie is passionate about helping people express their creativity, embrace their natural beauty, and step beyond limiting beliefs that keep them confined to expectations and routines. Through her work as a spiritual guide and color consultant, she encourages individuals to explore new possibilities and create lives aligned with their true purpose.

In this fascinating conversation, we discuss her spiritual awakening, personal transformation, creativity, conscious living, intuition, self-discovery, entrepreneurship, beauty, color psychology, and the daily work she does to help others find greater fulfillment and joy.

Julie also shares insights from her experiences across cultures and continents, her love of animals and reading, and the lessons she has learned throughout her personal and professional evolution.

This is an inspiring discussion about spirituality, creativity, personal growth, and the courage to live authentically.

Learn more about Julie Grimm:
Spiritual Studies Institute

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Creator of Joyering® Ulrika Torquato on Meaning, Presence & Happiness

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Ulrika Torquato, the creator of Joyering®, an innovative practice and app designed to help people notice and appreciate the moments of joy that already exist in their everyday lives.

Based in Switzerland, Ulrika brings a fascinating blend of experience from medicine, opera, the arts, and psychology. Her work explores how seemingly small moments of joy, connection, beauty, and presence can reveal what truly matters and influence the way we live, relate, and grow.

Through Joyering®, Ulrika encourages people to cultivate awareness, gratitude, and meaning by recognizing the positive moments that often go unnoticed in the rush of daily life. Her approach combines science, creativity, mindfulness, and human experience into a practical and uplifting framework for well-being.

In addition to her diverse background in medicine and music, Ulrika is pursuing postgraduate studies in palliative care psychology, where questions surrounding meaning, purpose, presence, resilience, and what truly matters become deeply significant.

In this engaging conversation, we discuss Joyering®, happiness, mindfulness, emotional well-being, psychology, purpose, gratitude, creativity, personal growth, music, medicine, palliative care, and the search for meaning in modern life.

This is an inspiring discussion about joy, human connection, awareness, and finding fulfillment through life's everyday moments.

Learn more about Ulrika and Joyering®:
Joyering Official Website

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