Episode 1:  Introduction

Hello everyone in Podcast land !  

So, a man walks into a bar with a duck on his head …..  oops, wrong podcast …

Welcome to the inaugural “The Boy in the Trash Can” Podcast!   I’m your host, T. Spike Terwilliger in Arlington, Virginia.  My bio is on the “host” tab.  I am both excited and anxious to launch this project.   The basis for the podcast is a journey of my life starting as the boy discarded at birth ——  through twists and turns …. to where I am today. 

The podcast is part oral history …. part story telling …. and part bringing awareness to a global problem affecting lives of innocent babies who cannot fend for themselves and the resilience when given a chance. 

Each episode will be filled with a bit of humor through what many have said are pretty unique experiences.  By the title, though, it is a story about a boy, discarded at birth who found his way to the United States.  It is my hope that in hearing my story, it might give you a new prism to look at yourself and to view and understand others as well —- We will highlight this less than desirable start to life; talk about living as an Asian American in a less diverse world; figuring out one’s feelings and sexuality; and   experiencing a disability that complicated my life.

From being an orphan in war torn Korea, through my childhood as an Asian American; AND my adult life to include two careers in the Air Force and the FDIC was anything but a straight line.  You’ll witness my serving in the military before Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; and my experience of discovery.  One aspect of the podcast will also take a look at my experience with PTSD and moving up, over, and around that obstacle, although not always successfully .  Finally, I’ll integrate my hobbies that include traveling around the world, art, wine, biking, the world of finance, and growing bonsais.  You never know, I may even share some of my poetry with you!  In large measure, while I’ve lived the American dream in many ways; and as you’ll learn that dream has a fairly happy ending with quite a few funny stories along the way; there were certainly a couple of nightmares as well. 

It sounds like a lot to accomplish in one podcast and it very well may be .. please be patient as I make adjustments and transitions along the way.

I like to integrate songs and movies for illustrative purposes in storytelling … The song by Queen goes.. I completed my sentence but committed no crime… for me, other than being born.  …. The song continues

And bad mistakes

I've made a few

I've had my share of sand

Kicked in my face

But I've come through

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

We are the champions

Well, certainly I have made mistakes and have metaphorically had sand kicked in my face — the resilience that I hope will reflect  in this podcast will show that I’ve come through and my sense is that you can also take the lyrics from this song and apply them to your own life …. and it is my fervent hope that YOU TOO, have come through and are a CHAMPION of the world!  

A big thank you to Ken Bryson who created the art cover for my podcast - I am sure you will agree it’s both awesome and descriptive of the anchor for the podcast.  Equally, a thank you to Markus Terwilliger, singer - songwriter who wrote the music that is used as well..

To all of you, Thank you for tuning in.  I appreciate your patience as I get this off the ground.    I hope you enjoy my story and hope you will share.  Finally, the advice given to me is that regardless of your favorite podcasting site, it’ll help with my project and awareness if you would LIKE it on Apple podcasts.  

 
Episode 2:  Where it all began; is being released along with this introduction and that’s next!

The boy in the trash can podcast is a CSJ Associates production.   Through the podcast, from time to time,  images of documents and photos will be posted on boy in the trash can twitter account.   Thank you