**INTRODUCING A NEW DTALKS PODCAST PRODUCTION: '25 FOR 25'**

In Chapter II: "We liked to win" former starting goalkeeper Jeff Cassar shares his stories of playing for the Miami Fusion. Jeff started in net 25 years ago for the Fusion's first-ever game. Having been one of only a handful of players who were in Miami all 4 seasons, Jeff has a unique perspective on the trajectory of the team.

In this episode, Jeff shares his perspective on what it was like to play soccer in South Florida, what it meant to be part of that Supporter's Shield winning season, and how he helped mentor a young goalie by the name of Nick Rimando all the way up to an eventual MLS Cup Championship performance with Real Salt Lake in 2009.

Enjoy!

25 years ago, on March 15, 1998, the Miami Fusion kicked off their opening game in MLS' 3rd season, becoming one of the 2 expansion teams in this ever-growing professional league.

In 2001, despite putting together one of the best seasons in MLS history (at that point and arguably since), MLS made the decision to fold both the Fusion and their Florida neighbors, the MLS original franchise, Tampa Bay Mutiny.

While MLS soccer has returned to Miami in the form of David Beckham's Inter Miami, much has been discussed of "what could've been?" Had the Miami Fusion been allowed to stay and build. Indeed, what WOULD a Miami Fusion look like in 2023?

This podcast tells the story of the Miami Fusion through the voices of those who actually lived it. 25 interviews across 25 episodes charting the good, the bad, and the unbelievable.

You can subscribe directly to '25 for 25' wherever you get your podcasts or here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/25-for-25-the-story-of-the-miami-fusion-from-those-who-lived-it/id1676374237

How incredible would it be if you would work on a project with one of your closest friends? How incredible would it be if that friend were your brother? How cooler still if the project was a book based on your own adventures growing up?

That's the case with the guests on the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast. Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey have been working on books for years and only recently were able to show the world what a dynamic duo they are. They're publishing the books they wish they had growing up and telling the stories they want to tell.

Our conversation on the podcast covered their backgrounds in writing & illustrating, the decision to make their latest book a "part comic/part written word" book, and what's next.

Enjoy!

About Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey

Jarrett is an award-winning author-illustrator. He makes books for kids with his brother, Jerome. Their books include It’s a Sign!, Somewhere in the Bayou, The Old Boat, and their author-illustrator debut, The Old Truck, which received seven starred reviews, was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, and received the Ezra Jack Keats New Author Honor.

Jerome is a designer, illustrator, and writer, originally from Houston, TX. He studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Austin and has worked as a technical writer, freelance graphic designer, and illustrator.

About Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair

Meet Link and Hud―brothers causing chaos in the first of a new middle grade series from real-life brothers Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey.

Lincoln and Hudson Dupré are brothers with what grown-ups call “active imaginations.” Link and Hud hunt for yetis in the Himalayas and battle orcs on epic quests. Unfortunately, their imaginary adventures wreak havoc in their real world. Dr. and Mrs. Dupré have tried every babysitter in the neighborhood and are at their wits’ end.

Enter Ms. Joyce. Strict and old-fashioned, she proves to be a formidable adversary. The boys don’t like her or her rules and decide she’s got to go. Through a series of escalating events―told as high-action comic panel sequences―the brothers conspire to undermine Ms. Joyce and get her fired. When they go so big that even Ms. Joyce can’t fix it, suddenly she’s out. Finally, success! Or is it?

With warm and authentic humor, Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey have blended prose and graphic novel-style illustrations to craft a unique and subversive new series full of brotherly mischief and mayhem.

Make sure to check out the NEW Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

**INTRODUCING A NEW DTALKS PODCAST PRODUCTION: '25 FOR 25'**

25 years ago, on March 15, 1998, the Miami Fusion kicked off their opening game in MLS' 3rd season, becoming one of the 2 expansion teams in this ever-growing professional league.

In 2001, despite putting together one of the best seasons in MLS history (at that point and arguably since), MLS made the decision to fold both the Fusion and their Florida neighbors, the MLS original franchise, Tampa Bay Mutiny.

While MLS soccer has returned to Miami in the form of David Beckham's Inter Miami, much has been discussed of "what could've been?" Had the Miami Fusion been allowed to stay and build. Indeed, what WOULD a Miami Fusion look like in 2023?

This podcast tells the story of the Miami Fusion through the voices of those who actually lived it. 25 interviews across 25 episodes charting the good, the bad, and the unbelievable.

In Chapter I: "You're the worst coach I've ever had" former captain Jim Rooney shares his perspective on playing for the Miami Fusion. Despite not being an original member of the squad, Rooney immediately asserted himself as the de facto captain from the moment he stepped on the pitch.

In this episode, Jim shares his perspective on why Miami were ahead of their team, what it was like to be coached by Ray Hudson, and the behind the scenes details of THAT iconic sports bra goal celebration moment from the 2001 MLS All-Star game.

Enjoy!

You can subscribe directly to '25 for 25' wherever you get your podcasts or here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/25-for-25-the-story-of-the-miami-fusion-from-those-who-lived-it/id1676374237

Are you looking for light in the darkness? 

Are you having a difficult time forging a path forward?

Do you need to be reminded that you're not alone?

In today's episode of the podcast Reverend Otis Moss III stops by the podcast to discuss his latest book "Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times." 

Joe and the Reverend get into a detailed conversation about various aspects of his book and specific lessons all people can take comfort in as we continue on this path to make a more inclusive world.

Enjoy!

About Otis Moss III

With civil rights advocacy in his DNA, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III built his ministry on community advancement and social justice activism. As Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Moss spent the last two decades practicing and preaching a Black theology that unapologetically calls attention to the problems of mass incarceration, environmental justice, and economic inequality.

With a unique gift to communicate across generations, Dr. Moss’ creative Bible-based messages have inspired young and old alike. His intergenerational preaching gift has made Dr. Moss a popular speaker on college campuses, at conferences, and churches across the globe. He is highly influenced by the works of Zora Neale Hurston, August Wilson, Howard Thurman, Jazz, and Hip-Hop music. The work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the pastoral ministry of his father, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio, have been primary mentors for his spiritual formation.

About Dancing in the Darkness

Dancing in the Darkness is a life-affirming guide to the practical, political, and spiritual challenges of our day. Drawing on the teachings of Dr. King, Howard Thurman, sacred scripture, southern wisdom, global spiritual traditions, Black culture, and his own personal experiences, Dr. Moss instructs you on how to practice spiritual resistance by combining justice and love. This collection helps us tap the spiritual reserves we all possess but too often overlook, so we can slay our personal demon, confront our civic challenges, and reach our highest goals.