Humor and Hurdles: A Life Unveiled

What would you do if an internal company podcast labeled you as "the most interesting person at work"? Join me, Linden Wolfe, as I embark on a journey that began with a satirical nod from my colleagues at Onin and blossomed into a tapestry of life stories. From the unexpected twists of being a fractional owner of racehorses to the deep reflections as a former pastor, this episode of "Here for the Memories" will entertain and inspire, injecting humor and introspection into tales spanning over four decades. I'll share everything from my passion for cooking and bonsais to the sobering encounter with an oncologist who gave me a mere 15% chance of surviving five years.

Step inside my world where ancient languages collide with modern-day challenges, and the joys of adopting a special needs child weave through the fabric of my experiences. Discover how a simple company podcast transformed into a platform for chronicling adventures and values that have shaped my life. Whether you're here for the laughs, the lessons, or the sheer novelty of it all, I promise you'll find something that resonates. So, tune in, and let's make some unforgettable memories together.

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Transcript

Linden: 0:00

Here for the memories thought-provoking audio memoir shorts filled with stories, humor, anecdotes and commentary on social, cultural, business and religious issues. Whatever Linden remembers and thinks will entertain, challenge and inform is a possible subject. The collection of memories about one's life allows for the development and refinement of a sense of self, including who one is, how one has changed and what one might be like in the future.

Linden: 0:34

Greetings and salutations. I'm Linden Wolfe and the host of this podcast here for the memories. Why a podcast? Well, I guess it's because it all started with a podcast. The title of that podcast was simply Linden Wolfe, Onin most interesting man. Onin is the company that I work for, and we have an internal podcast that a variety of people have been featured on, and I guess it was my turn. Nonetheless, I thought the entire thing was satirical, given the title of being Onin most interesting man. Adding to the laughability, it was even advertised with a doctored picture of my head pasted onto the body of actor Jonathan Goldsmith, who, of course, is famous for his portrayal of the most interesting man in the world in the Dos Equis beer commercials and an interesting man he was. In 2017, goldsmith published a memoir Staying Interesting.

Linden: 1:37

I don't always tell stories about my life, but when I do, they are true and amazing. Oh, I wish I could plagiarize that title. Anyway, he appeared in over 45 different television series I did not know that as well as 25 movies. John Wayne once shot in between the eyes in the 1976 film the Shootist, his commercial line of Stay Thirsty, my friend. His commercial line of stay thirsty, my friend is an absolute classic. But let me get back to the story no-transcript I relented. The subject matter was as varied as my life experiences 40 years in the industry and a plethora of tales. Owner of two advanced theological degrees and the author of theological commentaries, a fractional owner of thoroughbred racehorses, a former college athlete, a student of several dead languages yes, three years of Latin, two years of Koine Greek and another of Biblical Hebrew and what remains is a rather impressive inability to remember anything about them In all of my years of language study, including English. The verbiage that echoes in my head is another dang dangling participle or something to that effect. I was also a former pastor and public speaker, a lover of bonsais and cooking, permanently disabled, a person who had adopted a special needs child from China, and one who had been sobered by the stark message of an industry-leading oncologist that I had a 15% chance of living for five years During the actual podcast.

Linden: 3:46

As awkward as I felt, jim's kind, patient manner and the timbre and cadence, if you will, of his voice made me comfortable enough to speak with candor. But that candor was couched in bewilderment. Bewilderment that my life had led me to this place, where people might find my story more interesting than I do. Afterward came a chorus of voices encouraging me to chronicle my experiences and values. I procrastinated for some time, but two to form. Eventually, I began to embark on a journey that I said I would never take, since it was an event at work that prompted this project. Along the way, I will speak often about my career, a career I want to make clear, by the way, that does not define me, but has been an interesting and humorous journey. I hope that the episodes that follow will enlighten you as to what does define me, and maybe in that time you will discover or better describe what defines you. This has been here for the Memories. This is Linden Wolfe, and until next time, keep making memories.