Shows
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronKelli and Mike EllisWhile Myron had decided to end his bike trip across the country, he and Dana are still out there making new friends and having unfiltered conversations. Mike and Kelli Ellis share their journey to the First Baptist Church of Sanderson. Visit the Electric Brew2025-04-2859 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronJocelyn and Ernie in RoswellMyron and Dana made their way to Roswell, yes, that Roswell. While there, they met Jocelyn and Ernie at “Food Not Bombs.” A nonprofit that recovers food that would otherwise be discarded. Both Jocelyn and Ernie share where their deeply personal relationship with food insecurity began. Visit the Electric Brew2025-04-2146 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronJason and Jackie ReamesAs Myron and Dana travel across the country, they can't help but meet and have Unfiltered Conversations with folks they meet. This week, Jason and Jackie Reames share overcoming many personal difficulties to find love for each other, their children, and their community. They are also owners of a BBQ and Burger food truck in New Waverly, TX. Check them out on Facebook! Double J's Burgers & BBQVisit the Electric Brew2025-04-1449 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronHeidi JacksonAfter retirement, Myron and Dana hit the road! This special BONUS episode is one of the first Unfiltered episodes born on the road. We hope there are many more to follow!Heidi Jackson is an extraordinary individual! Standing tall at 6'8", she made waves during her college basketball career at Vanderbilt University. Heidi was a dominant force on the court, earning numerous accolades, including being named a Kodak First Team All-American in 1993 and leading Vanderbilt to its only Final Four appearance that same year. Off the court, she was admired for her charisma...2025-04-0145 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronE-ManThe author shares the story of his name, "E-Man," derived from the show Family Matters. Born and raised in Goshen, Indiana, he attended Catholic schools and adopted the nickname "E-Man" (God with us), inspired by his mother's story as a refugee from Nicaragua. Growing up in Indiana with a Catholic background, his childhood included playing with G.I. Joes and watching pro wrestling. His professional career began with making custom orthotics in South Bend, then shifted to working with personal fitness at Goshen Anytime Fitness. He felt called to become a personal trainer. ...2025-03-1744 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronTed SwartzIn this episode of Unfiltered Conversations with Myron, Ted Swartz shares his journey as a storyteller and comedian. He grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he was a part of a rural community that was influenced by Mennonite values. His brother and sister were part of a group that shared a love for baseball and comedy.Ted was married at 19 and worked as a meat cutter until his father's store closed. He attended Eastern Mennonite University and seminary because it was the quickest path to Pastoral Ministry. He signed up for an acting class at the college...2025-03-1049 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronTami HicksTammy Hicks, a native of Goshen, shares her journey from growing up in Florida to becoming a teacher. Born in Colorado Springs, she moved to Florida at nine and attended Model Elementary and Goshen Middle Schools. She graduated from Goshen High School. Tammy's hardworking parents supported her interests in music and cheerleading.After high school, Tammy attended IUSB but paused her education upon learning she was pregnant with her son, Ethan. Balancing work, college, and raising a child with special needs, she received a lot of support from her community and family, fueling her passion for helping...2025-03-0345 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronBen SywulkaSywulka is the Founder and Chief Dot Connector of HAPI, with expertise in national innovation ecosystems, corporate innovation management, and social innovation. He is a Guatemalan linguist and author, translated the Bible into Mam, an indigenous language. Inspired by his missionary grandparents, he studied linguistics. Sywulka emphasizes addressing smaller issues to tackle bigger problems and advocates for simplifying life's complexities to find straightforward solutions. His family moved between Guatemala City, California, and Boston before settling in Goshen. His experiences in Guatemala shaped his views on poverty and reality, stressing the importance of simple solutions.Visit the Electric...2025-02-2453 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronTwila AlbrechtTwila, born in Goshen, grew up by Gorham Woods. One of her earliest memories was biking downtown to the brew, meeting friends, and begging for chocolate-covered espresso beans. This space inspired her creative work. Twila, from a creative family, expressed herself through writing and poetry, admiring her siblings' skills in photography and drawing. Realizing writing was her identity, she focused on writing papers and articles in college. After graduating from Goshen College in 2015, Twila joined the Community Resilience Guild. Her passion for writing and community work continues to grow, leading to a fulfilling career.Visit the Electric...2025-02-1738 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronJess KoscherJess, the Founder and CEO of Write Connections | strategy + design, talks about growing up in Wakarusa as a first-generation international adoptee. Born in Seoul, Korea, and adopted at three months old, she was one of the few minority students in her school. She left but found her way back to Elkhart County, where she now embraces it as her community, where we build together. Visit the Electric Brew2025-02-1045 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronMarshall KingIn this episode of Unfiltered Conversations with Myron, Marshall King recounts his upbringing in Southern Arkansas and his ties to the Mennonite community. Born in El Dorado, he grew up in a Mennonite church and experienced community building. After attending Eastern Mennonite College, he worked in journalism in Indiana. His ecumenical background and diverse community influenced his worldview, including his family's brief ventures in food businesses and connections with the local Jewish synagogue. King's story underscores the importance of community, heritage, and openness to different experiences and perspectives.Visit the Electric Brew2025-02-0341 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronAbby Bontrager and Dana BontragerThis week, it's Dana's turn as the guest on Unfiltered. Granddaughter Abby Bontrager takes a turn as host. Visit the Electric Brew2025-01-2746 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronMyron and JosiahThis week, Josiah (Myron's grandson) takes over the hosting mic and turns the tables as he interviews Myron. "The man, the myth, the legend." Visit the Electric Brew2025-01-201h 09
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronRitch HochstetlerIn this episode, Myron chats with friend Ritch Hochstetler about retirement. Ritch will also be hanging up his work hat this fall. Join them as they discuss their thoughts and feelings in the next chapter. Visit the Electric Brew2025-01-1344 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronCory MartinIn this episode of Unfiltered Conversations with Myron, Cory Martin, the chaplain of the Elkhart jail ministry, shares his journey from a privileged childhood in Elkhart County to forming a lasting friendship with Shannon and Dana. He discusses the contrast between peace and chaos, emphasizing that a "boring" upbringing can be beneficial and that embracing different experiences and perspectives is important. Cory reflects on his fortunate upbringing and how it shaped his understanding of a good life, even as he acknowledges the diversity of others' experiences.Visit the Electric Brew2025-01-0648 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronMatthew GillanMatthew Gillan, a Goshen-born artist, sat down with Myron; he has a multicultural background shaped by his Puerto Rican heritage and frequent visits to the island. These trips inspired his appreciation for family connections and cultural traditions, such as the sounds of coquilles at night. Homeschooled by a doctor mother, he values curiosity and learning, fostering a love for drawing, reading, and nature. Quiet and shy as a child, he spent time exploring the woods and developing his artistic identity. For him, meaningful connections and simple experiences, like being present in new spaces, define both his personal life and...2024-12-3044 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronAlison GarciaAllison Garcia Romero shared her life story with Myron, highlighting her upbringing in Goshen, Indiana, and her diverse heritage. She described her charmed childhood, influenced by her Amish and Mexican roots, and the impact of owning land on her sense of belonging. Allison discussed her educational journey, including studying social work and Spanish at Nazarene University, and her career in education, where she worked as an ESL instructor and parent liaison. She transitioned to real estate during the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging her bilingual skills. Allison emphasized the importance of embracing one's identity and not conforming to others' expectations.2024-12-2343 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronRafael BarahonaRafael Barahona, an immigrant from Canada with Chilean roots, sat down with Myron and discussed his journey from feeling disconnected in Goshen at 13 to becoming a strong advocate for the community. He shared his experiences of cultural identity, moving frequently due to his father's pastoral work, and the challenges of integrating into different communities. Rafael also talked about his musical past, his multicultural family, and the complexities of raising children in a digital age. He emphasized the importance of balancing technology use with real-life experiences and the ongoing process of personal growth and identity exploration.Visit the...2024-12-1644 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronKim PedlerKim Pedler shared her challenging childhood in Middlebury, marked by emotional and physical abuse from her alcoholic father. Despite these traumas, Kim developed empathy and resilience, choosing a path of understanding over anger. Her father's violent life and eventual suicide profoundly impacted her, leading her to advocate for financial education to break cycles of financial ignorance. Kim transitioned from banking to Edward Jones in 2021, driven by a desire to help others. She emphasized the importance of creating positive memories for her son and envisions a thriving, connected Goshen community. Her story highlights resilience and the power of empathy. Check...2024-12-0941 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronIris and Myron ReflectIn this final episode of Season One, Iris and Myron sit down to discuss what they've learned through this experience. Visit the Electric Brew2024-10-2142 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronEybob Zeleke and Melat YilkalMyron sits down with Eyob and Melat, both born in Ethiopia. Their dream for Goshen is that we grow as a community and help one another thrive, not just survive. They wish for us to show more kindness and open up to strangers in our community. Visit the Electric Brew2024-10-1456 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronAna AvilaMyron sits down with Ana Avila, a former Brew employee. Ana graduated from Goshen College. She loves to read, and her diverse background (Ana is of Mexican descent) and education reflect her commitment to her community and all she encounters. Visit the Electric Brew2024-10-0736 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronKaty SonnerMyron talks with Goshen native Katy Sonner this week. Her dream for Goshen is for it to be a place where people want to grow old. Visit the Electric Brew2024-10-0138 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronKaruu NjoguThis week, Myron sits down with Karuu Njogu, the branch manager at 1st Source Bank in downtown Goshen. Karuu was born in Kenya and moved to the US when he was 39. He is passionate about Goshen and dreams that someday, everyone will have more access to affordable housing. Visit the Electric Brew2024-09-2356 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronChet PeacheyThis week, Myron sits down with his friend Chet Peachy, who talks about paving the way as a male nurse, growing up in Pennsylvania as an only child who never felt like an only child, and making it through graduate school. Visit the Electric Brew2024-09-1644 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronTrevor DaughertyThis week on Unfiltered: Conversations with Myron he chats with his friend Trevor Daugherty. You may know Trevor as the owner/publisher of Edible Michiana. Visit the Electric Brew2024-09-0941 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronAlex DuggerMyron sits down with Alex Dugger, a long-time loyal Electric Brew customer. Myron talks about how the idea of this podcast emerged from a conversation he had when at the coffee show. Alex shares how art is a conversation, memories from his childhood, and his dream for Goshen. Visit the Electric Brew2024-09-0239 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronAnastasia TsybulinkMyron sits down with Anastasia Tsybulink, who works at The Electric Brew. Anastasia's parents are immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, making her a 1st gen. She talks about the challenges of not fitting in and traversing the cultures at home and in her community. Visit the Electric Brew2024-08-2625 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronBiz BontragerMyron sits down with his nephew, Biz who was born in Ethiopia and was adopted when he was eight. Biz talks with Myron about his childhood, living in two orphanages, and his life now as he looks forward. Visit the Electric Brew2024-08-1936 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronBarbara StahleyMyron sits down with Barbara Stahley. Barbara comes from a family of graduates from Goshen College. From an early age, she set her sights on attending Goshen College, as well. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher and began teaching high school at Fairfield (in Goshen, Indiana) before leaving teaching to raise her family. After a 12-year hiatus, she returned to teaching, this time kindergarten. Her dream for Goshen is to have the opportunity to work with new cultures, know that schools care about children's wellbeing, and for ALL children to be put first. Visit t...2024-08-1236 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronJoshua CooperMyron sits down for a conversation with Joshua Cooper. Joshua is a local artist in Goshen, Indiana, who is known for his murals. His love for art began early and evolved over time. It wasn't until high school that he discovered graffiti. After his wife's passing, art helped him heal. Visit the Electric Brew2024-08-0525 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronYolo Lopez-DeMarcoThis week, Myron sits down with Yolo Lopez-DeMarco for something they both love, conversation! Yolo’s business, Yolo Vox, provides translation services to help bridge the communication gap. Her dream is to help others less fortunate around the world by giving back and spreading love, kindness, and empathy. Visit the Electric Brew2024-07-2933 min
Unfiltered: Conversations with MyronDarrell GaschoEPISODE 1:1 | Myron’s first Unfiltered Conversation was with his friend Darrell Gascho. His dream for Goshen is for everyone to CONNECT on deeper levels, truly understand one another as people, and for the younger generations to be involved in the community.Visit the Electric Brew2024-07-2928 min
Sound of GoshenEP36: Sounds of Success with Myron Bontrager of The Electric Brewmmmmmm Coffee!! We sat down with the owner of The Electric Brew, Myron Bontrager, to listen to his story and how he has grown a successful business in Goshen over the years.2022-06-2915 min
Goshen News NowS2E28: Myron and Dana Bontrager's bike tripHost Sheila Selman talks with Myron and Dana Bontrager about their recent bicycle trip from the U.S.-Canadian border in Maine to Key West, Florida.2021-10-1747 min