Thaddeus
Random tidbits:
I think one of the primary issues when people are facing a challenge, whether it's a potentially positive challenge - like paddling across the Florida Strait, or something difficult - like a home situation or substance abuse - whatever it might be, you're not alone and there are other people who have similar experiences or desires and thoughts. If somebody is considering a challenge, no matter what it might be, talk about it and find people who share the enthusiasm and with that, by definition, it becomes bigger than an individual. To me that is spirituality and in that comes strength and the momentum to make things happen. It's beautiful.
Dan
Random tidbits:
We invested in Born Free baby bottles, which were the first BPA free baby bottles in America. BPA is a cause of cancer. In the beginning we were sued for making claims about BPA. Now, the FDA has changed the law and forbids BPA in baby bottles. So, it was a good business and we could do something good along the way.
David
Random tidbits:
We changed television. We were the first ones who put major talent together and let them just play. The Home Box Office (HBO) people like to know exactly what's going to happen. Putting together talent to jam was a little dangerous. But for me, that was perfect. Having Fats Domino, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis play together on the same stage with Paul Shaffer as music director and Ronnie Wood, from the Stones, on guitar, was pretty wild. It was an iconic show and broke all the records for Home Box Office subscriber satisfaction. Paul Shaffer had 12 year old fans and 80 year-olds love Ray Charles. It had a demographic that was never beat. I also worked with Sarah Vaughan and Dizzy Gillespie, and did a big Latin show in ‘89. My last big production was Aaron Neville's Christmas in New Orleans with Linda Ronstadt; they have pretty cool voices together. I was the executive producer and producer. I not only put the show together, raised the money, made the deals. I also produced the show itself.
Matt
Random tidbits:
We were living in Chicago, my wife and I were dating at the time and I started something in early 2007, called Generation Obama to encourage 20, 30 and 40 year-olds to get involved in the campaign. Following the election, I joined the administration and we moved to Washington. That's where we had our kids, Lila and Grant.
Seth
Random tidbits:
Take a step back and look at the community that you and Adena created, and now people are coming to your new store. Everybody came and lined up. You're nurturing it and stoking the flame. It's really impressive and amazing.
Robbie
Random tidbits:
I think the one that stands out was during president Obama's last year in office. He came to the house and we did a private event for him and about 20 people. I was involved in everything from designing the menu to meeting with secret service. It was an unbelievable and humbling experience. When you hear his motorcade roll up, the house is literally shaking, and then all of a sudden he is standing right there in the house. The biggest thing that I remember is when I said, 'Mr. President, I'd like to introduce you to my wife Julie.' I have a photo of that exact moment hanging in our house.
Adena
Random tidbits:
There are so many ingredients to choose from. My dream is a restaurant in the middle of the farm where you actually pick your meal and cook it. We have chickens now. That's a big project that my brother has undertaken and the organic eggs are phenomenal. There's a bit of a controversy in my family - do we eat the chickens? I'm currently working on a turmeric hummus and I think green jackfruit is next. Green jackfruit can resemble the texture of meat when cooked and seasoned properly but it's hard to process because of all the sap.
Noah
Random tidbits:
In 2013 I had the opportunity to qualify for the CrossFit games - it's like the Superbowl of our sport - 'the world championships.' I wasn't really expecting to be able to do so just yet. But in the middle of the competition I found myself sitting in first place. I was going to earn that qualifying spot and I had one bad workout, with the dead lift, and it took me out of contention. After being able to taste the lead for a little while and then have that taken away made me work really, really hard to not experience that feeling again.
Robyn
Random tidbits:
Right now, I am training a service dog for my daughter. He's a four month old puppy. My daughter has a condition called complex regional pain syndrome. I've trained dogs in the past but not as a service dog. There's a lot of learning on my end going into it and he's super smart and bringing a lot of joy to our family.
Carlos
Random tidbits:
I met then Senator Obama, on May 20th 2008 at an event sponsored by the Cuban American National Foundation, of which I am a member of the Board. We had a conversation about Cuba and Latin America and about Radio and TV Marti. I thought it was a casual conversation. To my surprise, I received a call from the White House in February.