The Edlow Podcast

Kenny Ballentine Part I - Filmmaking, Faith & Gender - The Story of a Non-Binary Bisexual Ex-Mormon

Kenny Ballentine is a documentary filmmaker, interviewer and podcaster. His latest film, "Healing Us," explores the deficiencies of US Healthcare system and alternatives that are available throughout the world.
 
In addition to filmmaking, Kenny has a fascinating story of his own. Born to a Mormon family of democrats in the 80s, he felt a little out of place in most circles. As he progressed, significant childhood trauma caused mental health issues that would later manifest in significant and impactful ways. That, coupled with closeted bisexuality, caused him to feel further isolated. 
 
Nevertheless, he pushed forward in faith, serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in England. It was there that his testimony was challenged greatly as the veracity of the church's truth claims came into question. 
 
He returned home, married his wife Amber and pursued a career in film. 
 
Hear the rest of the story. Hear in Part I of this two part series about his background, his film career and his passion projects. He also discusses his history of sexual abuse, his sexual and gender identity, and how those, coupled with his views on church history informed his decision to separate from the church.
 
This is Part I...part II drops Thursday
 
You can also find the Edlow Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and everywhere else that Podcasts are published!
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshedlow5046
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cZsLJ92XWq5lguDVyV5qj?si=Uw9UqoWHRGKDOHZ7T7xK-A
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086217048530&mibextid=LQQJ4d
 
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
 
Tik Tok: @j_edlow

Lincoln Edlow - The 125th (or so) Episode Special - Top 7 Video Games

Every 25 episodes I highlight one of my children. This time around Lincoln and I discuss our Top 7 favorite video games (with honorable mentions).
 
As you can imagine, the video game favorites of this 10 year old boy is much different than his 42 year old father. Take a listen and if you are so inclined, drop your top 7 list in the comments!
 
You can also find the Edlow Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and everywhere else that Podcasts are published!
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshedlow5046 
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cZsLJ92XWq5lguDVyV5qj?si=Uw9UqoWHRGKDOHZ7T7xK-A
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086217048530&mibextid=LQQJ4d
 
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
 
Tik Tok: @j_edlow

Lisa Marie Varon - Fitness, Family & Wrestling - Spawning the Women's Wrestling Revolution

Lisa Marie Varon is a retired professional wrestler, fitness competitor and bodybuilder. She is best known for her tenure as "Victoria" in the WWE and "Tara" in Impact Wrestling. She captured both companies' women's championships on several occasions.
 
Lisa Marie was born in San Bernadino to a Puerto Rican father (a vietnam vet) and a Korean-born Turkish mother. She grew up with three older brothers all of whom were amateur wrestlers. 
 
After high school, Lisa Marie became a personal trainer and began entering body building and fitness competitions. It was at a fitness competition that she met and befriended Torrie Wilson. Shortly thereafter she met Chyna. Both enouraged Lisa Marie to become a wrestler, and the rest is history. 
 
Varon is considered a pioner of women's wrestling and one of the most instrumental figures in changing women's wrestling from eye candy to legitimate sports entertainment. 
 
Lisa Marie comes on the podcast to discuss her family life, her wrestling career, the evolution of women's wrestling and what she's learned along the way. 

Just Me #10 - The Kings, Wrestlemania, Best Meals, Strengths/Weaknesses and Is Everything Okay?

Josh Edlow takes time to answer listener questions. He talks the Sacramento Kings, Wrestlemania, his favorite meals, his strengths, his weaknesses and is "everything okay?"
 
If you'd like to ask Josh a question to be answered on the podcast, feel free to reach out on the following social media platforms.
 
Facebook: Edlow Podcast
 
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
 
Tik Tok: @j_edlow
 
You can also find the Edlow Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and everywhere else that Podcasts are published!
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cZsLJ92XWq5lguDVyV5qj?si=Uw9UqoWHRGKDOHZ7T7xK-A

AJ Kirsch - Wrestling, Mindset, Pansexuality & Morality - Living a Passionate Life

AJ Kirsch is an actor, host, MC, wedding officiant and retired professional wrestler. He is the voice of Hoodslam, a WWE Tough Enough contestant, the one and only Rock the Promo champion and a world traveled host for several shows. He has been a host at the Superbowl, CES, Comic Conventions and so much more.
 
AJ Started out dreaming that he would one day be a professional wrestler for the WWE. After many tryouts and several opportunities to work as an extra, the call never came.
 
Some would consider that a failure, but AJ is a positive thinker, and instead used his wrestling connection to expand into the entertainment industry.
 
Hear his story. AJ discusses his successes through the entertainment business. He also discusses some of his deepest struggles. He discusses growing up in the 90s as a "closeted" member of the LGBTQ community. He discusses coming out as pansexual and what that means to him. He discusses the difficulties of keeping a positive mindset.
 
Hear AJ Kirsch as you may have never heard him before.
 
You can also find the Edlow Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and everywhere else that Podcasts are published!
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshedlow5046
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cZsLJ92XWq5lguDVyV5qj?si=Uw9UqoWHRGKDOHZ7T7xK-A
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086217048530&mibextid=LQQJ4d
 
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
 
Tik Tok: @j_edlow

Brian Faulconer - Marriage, Fatherhood and Following the Spirit - A Not So Typical Mormon Story

Brian Faulconer is a husband, a father of 4 children and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
 
Many who know Brian would look at him and think that he had a "standard" LDS upbringing. Brian and his sister were born while their parents were in their 30s. His father, a frenchman who served in the French Legion, was a convert to the church. His mother had "pioneer heritage" and was born and raised in the church. Both had been married before and carried some bad habits into their second marrriage.
 
Brian would grow up with both parents, and loved them both. However, he learned lessons of what to do and what NOT to do when he would find his own wife. While everything appeared good on the outside, several instances were less than ideal growing up.
 
Nevertheless, Brian grew through spiritual experiences, and learned at an early age to rely on God's influence in his life. He would serve a mission for the church, and shortly upon arriving home, fall in love with his wife. They now have four children and are growing together in a trying their best to live a gospel led life.
 
Brian comes on the podcast to tell his story. To discuss his views on spirituality, how to recognize spiritual promptings, dealing with communication in marriage, dealing with the mental health issues of others, and how he keeps his own mental health in proper alignment.

Nikita Koloff -Wrestling With God - How The Russian Nightmare Became a Warrior for Jesus

"The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff is a retired Professional Wrestler, a born again Christian, creator of Koloff for Christ Ministries and Co-Founder of the "Man Up" conference which focuses on Men's ministry.
 
Nikita was born in the projects of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the youngest of four children. Around fifth grade, his mother moved him to the suburbs where he became enamored with bodybuilding and football. 
 
He would embark on a football career. His high school football team included numerous other future pro wrestlers including "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, John Nord (The Berzerker), Barry Darsow (Ax of Demolition) and others. 
 
One day his college football teammate Road Warrior Animal would call him and tell him about an opportunity in wrestling. Without any training, he would have his first match in front of thousands. Ivan Koloff would take him under his wing, teaching him on the job for the next four months. One year later he would be main evening the first Great American Bash against Ric Flair. 
 
Hear the rest of the story. Hear how he retied in 1992 and gave his life to Jesus in 1993. He never looked back to wrestling with the exception of helping several of his friends turn their lives around through Christian ministry. He now runs a camp with Lex Luger to help men become better husbands, fathers and community leaders. 
 
You can also find the Edlow Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and everywhere else that Podcasts are published!
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshedlow5046
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cZsLJ92XWq5lguDVyV5qj?si=Uw9UqoWHRGKDOHZ7T7xK-A
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086217048530&mibextid=LQQJ4d
 
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
 
Tik Tok: @j_edlow

Ryan Dostart - Lawyering, Sobriety & Family - Living A Life Dedicated to Service

Ryan Dostart is an award winning trial attorney. He is also one of my partners at Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood & Campora.
 
Ryan is an El Dorado County native who would probably describe himself as the rebellious type. From an early age he was causing trouble and found himself on the wrong side of the law in several instances. Early alcohol use coupled with some personal issues resulted in him spending some time in jail. It appeared that he was headed for a life of crime and indulgence.
 
Hear the rest of the story. Hear how Ryan cleaned his life up, found sobriety, made better choices, fell in love with combat sports, found the love of his life and turned into one of the top trial attorneys in Northern California.
 
You can also find the Edlow Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and everywhere else that Podcasts are published!
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshedlow5046
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cZsLJ92XWq5lguDVyV5qj?si=Uw9UqoWHRGKDOHZ7T7xK-A
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086217048530&mibextid=LQQJ4d
 
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
 
ik Tok: @j_edlow