Swimming With Narwhals

Dave Matyas

Like Jared Watson from the Dirty Heads says "Ay, ay, ayy I'm on vacation, Every single day 'cause I love my occupation. Ay, ay, ayy, I'm on vacation, If you don't like your life, then, You should go and change it". Swimming With Narwhals is a podcast where I, Dave Matyas your host, interview people who are doing exactly that. They are the few who took the risk and are living their dream life. I want to find out how they did it. They are all passionate about what they do and love to talk about it. I'm on a mission to uncover their stories, whether that is running a small business, success in life or being an influencer online, I want to share their stories with the world.

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16 episodes
Updated July 15

Episodes16

Newest first

July 15 · 55 min
15. Supporting Dreams Through Education In Syria, Founder Takayuki Nakano and Volunteer Akiko Izumi, Piece of Syria
What happened the first time you noticed people in need? From a young age, Takayuki Nakano knew that he needed to do something to help those people, he just wasn't sure what. He built his educational foundation to put himself in a place to help. From there it was his experience through work and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) that he knew he wanted to provide education to children in need in Syria. He set up an NGO called Piece of Syria to make this idea a reality. He needed help, and one of those people who wanted to help was my friend, Akiko Izumi. On this episode we discuss Taka and Akikos journey to create and help run Piece of Syria. Instagram - @piece.of.syria / @piece.of.syria.ngo E-mail - contact@piece-of-syria.org Piece of Syria Websites: https://piece-of-syria.org/ https://piece-of-syria.org/news/info/english.html https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575556774318 https://www.facebook.com/piece.of.syria https://readyfor.jp/projects/syria2026/announcements/434937 https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/building-syrias-future-preschool-education-for-c/
July 1 · 1 hr 33 min
14. Escaped From The War In Laos and The In Between, To Living The American Dream, Dr. Ia Kue, Author and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
The first years of Dr. Ia Kues life was surrounded by war and poverty in Laos. With the leadership of her father, he took the family, by foot, out of Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand. From there the family got the call to immigrate to the United States of America, where she found out about and pursued the American Dream. On this episode I sit down with Dr. Ia Kue to discuss her book, Secret Paths Revealed: A Hmong Woman's Journey from Escaping a Secret War to Becoming a Physician - A Memoir, and her life as a Physician. She proves that it doesn't matter where you come from, if you are determined and have a dream, the sky is the limit. I hope you come away from this episode motivated to make your dream a reality because, dreamers are going to dream, and it's time to go and make your dream a reality, just like she did. Email: iaykue04@gmail.com Instagram: @secretpathsrevealed25 Link to her book: a.co/d/0eL3Ysn5 Meet Dr. Ia Kue : https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=1062231690624760&rdid=Z0TMDltF2BLBH5TF
June 3 · 55 min
13. Spreading Kindness And Joy Through Art, Arianna McAniff, Ariannamation
Have you ever thought what would happen if you started giving away things for free, with no strings attached? Well that is exactly what Arianna decided to do by going door to door trying to give away chalk drawings for free. She records the process and then posts it on her social media accounts. On todays episode I sit down and talk to her about how she started this project and where its headed. She talks about spreading joy, love and kindness and how it all relates to her artwork. It was an absolute blast digging into her background and finding out why she does what she does. Listen to this episode to hear our full conversation. How to get in touch with Arianna: Chalk Skool - https://www.skool.com/chalk-skool-6387/about?ref=325728b8292c414191de40df2bee19b2 Inquiries for interactive chalk drawings or custom commissions: - Ariannamation@gmail.com Instagram - @ariannamation Tik Tok - ariannamation Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1GEW7diQ8F/?mibextid=wwXIfr Youtube - https://youtube.com/@ariannamation?si=IFWV1RomFo-NpQRh Amazon Storefront - https://a.co/d/0fA5k7fi Amazon Wishlist - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1FI7S8GNII75R?ref_=wl_share
April 1 · 53 min
12. Not Just A Tattoo, But An Experience, Kho Lor, Resident Artist At Blvcksheep Culture
Getting your first tattoo can be an intimidating and scary experience. What if there is an artist out there who wants to go above and beyond to create a fun and very positive experience that makes you want to come back and get more? On todays episode I sit down with Kho Lor, who is a tattoo artist at Blvcksheep Culture aiming to do exactly this. We also cover how she got into the tattoo industry, becoming confident in ones work, overcoming an injury that could have ended her career and many other things. Come and see how she does it all and if you don't have a tattoo yet, maybe this episode will inspire you to take that leap to get some ink! Blvcksheep Culture Website - https://www.bsctattoocollective.com/ Instagram - @Kolorinks
February 11 · 59 min
11. Four Years as a Badger Athlete, #18 Brooke Kuffel, UW Womens Softball
Have you ever wondered what it takes to make it as a Division 1 athlete? Today I sit down with Brooke Kuffel, who played four years on the University of Wisconsin Womens Softball team, to discuss her journey from T-ball to playing in stadiums across the country as a Badger athlete. She shares how she dealt with the pressure to perform and how she balanced being a student athlete, emphasis on student, and everything in-between. It was really fun to look at all of her highlights, which included talking about home runs, impressive defensive plays, learning time management skills and giving back to her community with volunteer opportunities. If you dream of one day playing softball at any collegiate level, this episode is for you! Instagram - brookekuffel Graduation Speech to UW Athletes - https://youtu.be/o_gsmakH2Ik?si=jjvrMPI4KlQvlBBW
January 28 · 1 hr 6 min
10. One Of The Hardest Working Bands - Keep Flying
Do you want to know what it takes to be one of the hardest working and highest energy bands? If so, join me as I interview Dave, John, Pete and Rick of the band Keep Flying. From their origin story, to how they record a banger and, of course, discussing their live show. They are great dudes, with an amazing story and a hell of a lot of fun. They care immensely about their passionate fans and welcome all who will embrace them on their journey, so please, jump on and enjoy the ride. https://keepflying.band/ Instagram - keepflyingband Rainy Warped Tour - https://youtube.com/shorts/KElH96IIdYk?si=XWGdpndOWb6tmYsQ
January 7 · 1 hr 17 min
9. Your Honey-Do List Expert - Terry Brust AKA Poppa B - Poppa B Handyman Service
What are you going to do when you retire? Relax, sit back and enjoy the little things in life? Well if that's what you are looking for, you came to the wrong place. On todays episode I sit down with Poppa B who decided to start a business and new career when he retired from the automotive business. Buckle up because Poppa B is going to share the wealth of knowledge he's learned throughout his years and how he became your honey-do list expert. It's a good thing too, because Poppa B cannot just sit down. Why you ask? In the words of his grandfather, Poppa B "would rather wear out than rot out" Instagram - @poppab_handyman https://poppabhandyman.com/ email - poppabhandyman@gmail.com
Oct 8, 2025 · 59 min
8. From the Trading Floor to Behind the Mic, Dave Matyas, Host of Swimming With Narwhals Podcast
We flipped the script on this episode. From the Trading Floor, to the Ironman course and ultimately to the microphone, Guest host Nathan Hart sits down with Dave Matyas to discuss his journey. Early career success in the hedge fund industry to the mental challenges of trying to overcome an unknown injury from his triathlon racing. Attempting to crack the code of professional success by building a side hustle, owning a business and creating this podcast Swimming With Narwhals.
Jul 23, 2025 · 49 min
7. Telling A Story With Music - Vicente Herrera - DJ/Producer
Vicente Herrera explains how he tells a story with music. He breaks down how he got into DJing and producing. How that is always evolving, whether that is through creating his own music, or a set list to get people moving on the dance floor. If you ever wondered what life is like as a DJ/Producer, this interview is for you.
Jul 16, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
6. Starting a Podcast With The Gavel & Gossip Girls - Kristan and Leslie
Want to hear how two besties decided to start a podcast and how their first couple of months went? Well we have the episode for you! I sit down with Kristan and Leslie from the Gavel & Gossip Podcast. We talk about the struggles, stress, laughter, fun and everything in between. Come for the story, leave laughing and hopefully a new podcast you can start binging on. Instagram- @gavel_and_gossip Tik Tok - @gavel.and.gossip gavelandgossip@yahoo.com Kristan's Instagram: @krush18 Leslie's Instagram: @lesliecaesq Patreon - well...... about that...... coming soon
Jul 9, 2025 · 1 hr 54 min
5. When Passion Isn't Enough, The Bumpy Road to Success and Freedom - Krystelle Carroll - The CoHosts
Kicked out of High School to obtaining a 4.0 in college. Making the decision to leave a job she loved to move up the proverbial latter, only to find out she hated it. Making the decision to invest in her first business, only to have to shut it down and admit failure after a couple years. Krystelle shares the long bumpy road that she experienced on her way to creating The Cohosts and the success that comes with finally making it! https://www.thecohosts.com/ Krystelle@thecohosts.com Instagram: @themothahustle
Jun 25, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
4. Turning Good Vibes Into a Career as a Tattoo Artist - Kayla Hang - Blvcksheep Culture
Ever wonder what it's like to create forever art and give tattoos? We got you covered with Kayla Hang of Blvcksheep Culture and formerly K I N X! We discuss her journey from apprentice to tattoo artist to mentor and everything in-between. What started as a tattoo artist seeing her good vibes and informing her she would be a good tattoo artist, to opening her own studio. What clients should be thinking about when choosing an artist to all the crazy aftercare instructions. Leaving you with some closing words that everyone needs to hear! Come for the story and leave with plans for a tattoo! Instagram - k_inx Blvcksheep Culture - www.bsctattoocollective.com Instagram - blvcksheep.culture
Jun 18, 2025 · 55 min
3. There's No Winning in Therapy - Cassandra Sloane - Inner Glow Counseling and Wellness
There's no winning in therapy says Cassandra from Inner Glow Counseling and Wellness. We discuss the highs, the lows and the rawness of therapy. We go deep on the therapists/client relationship and how important it is. Very great insight in what it takes to be a therapist and how to run a solo practice. https://innerglowcw.com
Jun 11, 2025 · 51 min
2. Dreamer to Doer - Dana Brandt - Tampa Wedding Network
From Dreamer to Doer, I sit down with Dana Brandt from the Tampa Wedding Network as we discuss her journey from a volunteer wedding photographer to becoming Venue Management for weddings at two separate venues in Florida. She discusses how building connections and cross promoting has lead her to many awesome opportunities as she started her career as a photographer and expanded her offerings with the Woodstock Wedding Network. A trip to visit family then led to big changes and a move to a new city with zero connections. Solid support and great business skills from the first time around, she built the Tampa Wedding Network after she moved. This provided more opportunities to utilize the skills she has learned along the way and now manages venues. Check out her fabulous story as she explains how she brings your Happily Ever After to each chapter in life. Happily Ever After Photography - www.happilyeverafterphotography.com Instagram - happilyeverafterphotos Tampa Wedding Network - www.tampaweddingnetwork.org Instagram - tampaweddingnetwork Highway Ranch - www.highwayranch.com Instagram - highwayranch Whispering Meadows Estate - www.whisperingmeadowsestate.com Instagram - whisperingmeadowsestate
Jun 4, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
1. Salsa Side Hustle to Full Time Job - Chris Koncki - Mama's Boy Salsa
Who doesn't want to take their side hustle and turn it into their full time job? On this episode I sit down with Chris Koncki, of Mama's Boy Salsa and Market 30, as we go through his journey, taking his salsa side hustle, and turning it into his full time job. We dig deep into Chris's success, challenges, the up and downs, support system and everything else that goes into making his small business run. Mama's Boy Salsa www.mamasboysalsa.com Instagram @mamasboysalsa Market 30 5820 S. Packard Ave, Cudahay, WI 53110 www.market30wi.com Instagram @market30_wi
Jun 3, 2025 · 1 min
Introducing: Swimming With Narwhals
There are so many people who are looking for a way to live their dream life, but just aren't sure how to make that happen. That's what I'm going to explore and try to uncover in this podcast. Each episode I will take a deep dive with a successful and passionate guest as we discuss their journey, covering both the highs and the lows that come with success.

Swimming With Narwhals

15. Supporting Dreams Through Education In Syria, Founder Takayuki Nakano and Volunteer Akiko Izumi, Piece of Syria

14. Escaped From The War In Laos and The In Between, To Living The American Dream, Dr. Ia Kue, Author and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

13. Spreading Kindness And Joy Through Art, Arianna McAniff, Ariannamation

12. Not Just A Tattoo, But An Experience, Kho Lor, Resident Artist At Blvcksheep Culture

11. Four Years as a Badger Athlete, #18 Brooke Kuffel, UW Womens Softball

10. One Of The Hardest Working Bands - Keep Flying

9. Your Honey-Do List Expert - Terry Brust AKA Poppa B - Poppa B Handyman Service

8. From the Trading Floor to Behind the Mic, Dave Matyas, Host of Swimming With Narwhals Podcast

7. Telling A Story With Music - Vicente Herrera - DJ/Producer

6. Starting a Podcast With The Gavel & Gossip Girls - Kristan and Leslie

5. When Passion Isn't Enough, The Bumpy Road to Success and Freedom - Krystelle Carroll - The CoHosts

4. Turning Good Vibes Into a Career as a Tattoo Artist - Kayla Hang - Blvcksheep Culture

3. There's No Winning in Therapy - Cassandra Sloane - Inner Glow Counseling and Wellness

2. Dreamer to Doer - Dana Brandt - Tampa Wedding Network

1. Salsa Side Hustle to Full Time Job - Chris Koncki - Mama's Boy Salsa

Introducing: Swimming With Narwhals