On the Banks

In the season 6 finale episode, actor and comedian Rob Riggle (Kansas 1992), best known for his roles in "The Daily Show," “The Hangover" and “Step Brothers,” discusses his new motivational memoir “Grit, Spit, & Never Quit: A Marine’s Guide to Comedy & Life.” Rob also talks about his 20+ year career in the U.S. Marines and being a brother from the Pi Deuteron Chapter. The episode is hosted by Doug Draper (Kansas 1992), Rob's pledge brother and friend. Once you have finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode, Mitch Daniel (Purdue Faculty, Allegheny Affiliate), the former President of Purdue University (2013-22), discusses the state of higher education today, challenges men face in college, trends in Greek life and advice for incoming students. Mitch is also the former Governor of Indiana (2005-13) and the son of Fiji sire, Mitchell E. Daniels, Sr. (Allegheny 1944).  Once you have finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Have you ever wondered how Phi Gamma Delta’s values could prepare someone to help lead one of the most iconic video game companies in the world? In this episode, Paul Sams (California Santa Barbara 1992), former long-time Global COO of Blizzard Entertainment (known for World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft and Hearthstone), shares his journey shaping the modern gaming industry and how that success ultimately helped him fulfill a childhood dream: becoming a minority owner of the six-time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.Once you have finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

After the heartbreaking loss of a daughter in 2020, Jim Eckelberry (Akron 1988) and his family set out to honor Katie’s legacy of caring and kindness. To date they have helped over 2,000 kids through Katie’s Kids. Prepare to be inspired!Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode, we meet Theo Avgerinos (Bucknell 2000), a business owner, film director and cinematic storyteller, who discusses his latest documentary film, “Rising Hope.”Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

The recognition of Fiji Sires & Sons was established 100 years ago. To commemorate this centennial, we visit with the Ieuter family – three generations, seven Fijis, representing five chapters. The episode’s guests are Bill Ieuter (Illinois 1957), with sons, Charlie (Illinois 1983) and Billy (Iowa State 1985), and grandsons, Max (Michigan State 2012) and Rolf (Wisconsin 2014). (Other Ieuter family members who weren’t in attendance are son, Jake (Kansas 1986), and grandson, Charlie (Kansas 2017).)Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode of On the Banks, we meet Maj. Gen. Bill Matz, U.S. Army (Ret.) (Gettysburg 1961), who shares his inspiring life story as a boy stricken with polio who, through persistence, overcame childhood paralysis and achieved a highly decorated 30-year career in the U.S. Army. He also discusses his new book, “My Toughest Battle: A Soldier’s Lifelong Struggle with Polio.”Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode of On the Banks, we meet Cameron Haring (Miami 2004), who discusses how his entrepreneurial spirit led him back to his hometown of Mansfield, Ohio to make an impact on his community. He eventually purchased DECA Manufacturing, where he currently serves as president.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode of On the Banks, we meet Bill Kaiser (MIT 1977), who had a 30-year career in venture capital, a field he describes as “exciting, risky and really fun.” He found reward in helping entrepreneurs take advantage of opportunities created by the waves of change in technology. In addition to many interesting stories, he provides a basic knowledge of venture capital and the role it plays in the economy.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode of On the Banks, we meet Justin Carter, PhD (North Alabama 2002), who discusses how AI reshapes young men’s mental health and the impacts of treating employees’ psychological health the same as physical health and safety. Justin is a professor of management at the University of North Alabama, consultant, executive coach and one of the foremost leaders in the field of human capital management, having spent the last 20 years educating students and business leaders around the world.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

In this episode of On the Banks, we meet Eli Moraru (Penn 2021), co-founder and president of The Community Grocer. Eli discusses how his entrepreneurial spirit guided him into a nonprofit career post-graduation.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Mick Larsen (Washington 2023)In this episode, we meet Mick Larsen (Washington 2023), who discusses Sigma Tau’s commitment to service, which led to the Chapter winning Baker Cup for the 2021 calendar year. The Baker Cup is awarded to the Phi Gam chapter which most effectively focuses attention upon religious, ethical and social service activities in its daily conduct.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975)Guests: Ryan Gottwald (WPI 2024) & Colby Jones (WPI 2024)In this episode, we meet WPI's Philanthropy Chairmen Ryan Gottwald (2024) and Colby Jones (2024), who discuss how the Pi Iota Chapter exemplifies Phi Gamma Delta’s value of service by doing a variety of service projects and keeping brothers engaged. Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guests: Payne Schumann (Chapman 2023) and  Taylor Dintzner (Arizona State 2022)In this episode, we meet Payne Schumann (Chapman 2023) and Taylor Dintzner (Arizona State 2022), who discuss fundraising for Chapman’s Purple Tie Dinner and Arizona State’s Shave to Save philanthropy events, respectively. Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Andrew McCann (Western Ontario 2023)In Season 4, episode 2, we meet Andrew McCann (2023), who discusses Lambda Omega at Western Ontario’s Camp Out for Mental Health. This annual philanthropy event is held in memory of Austen Berlet, who passed ad astra in 2009, and supports the Canadian Mental Health Association. Once you are finish watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975)Guest: Tim Kilduff (Kent State 1968)In this episode, we meet Tim Kilduff, the Founder & President of the 26.2 Foundation. Tim talks about the history of marathoning and explains why marathoning is more than running 26.2 miles. The 26.2 Foundation is a nonprofit that supports and promotes the sport of marathoning, as well as health, wellness and economic development. For more information, visit www.26-2.org.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Hugh Morton (Auburn 1969)In this episode, we meet Hugh Morton (Auburn 1969), the 69th person to complete the Seven Summits Challenge having summited the tallest mountains on seven continents. Hugh talks about mountaineering, his experience climbing the world’s highest mountains (including Mt. Everest) and his new book, Reflections on High Places: https://reflectionsonhighplaces.com.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Hosted By: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Mac Lewison (Akron 1996)In this episode, we meet Mac Lewison (Akron 1996), a former FBI Special Agent. Mac discusses his time in the FBI and how the skills he developed as a hostage negotiator can be used in our daily life. Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975)Guest: James Miervaldis (Johns Hopkins 2006)In this episode, we meet James Miervaldis (Johns Hopkins 2006), a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. James discusses his work helping Afghan and Iraqi interpreters who seek to immigrate to the U.S., his consulting work on the CBS comedy United States of Al and more.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Ryan Taneja (Central Arkansas 2024)In this episode, we meet Ryan Taneja who was recently recognized by AY Magazine and Arkansas Time Magazine for his philanthropic work. Ryan talks about being a citizen scholar, the creation of his domestic survivor initiative called the Mini Taneja Purple Initiative, and what he has learned from becoming a Phi Gam.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1997)Guest: A.J. Catoline (New York 1992)In this episode, we meet A.J. Catoline, the Emmy Award winning editor for the Apple TV+ comedy-drama series Ted Lasso. A.J. discusses the importance of community in his life: from joining Phi Gamma Delta at NYU, to working on a film production team. He also talks about the many lessons fraternity men can learn from Ted Lasso.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Sonnie Wooden (Iowa 2018) In this episode, Sonnie Wooden, a recent graduate from University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Fine Arts program, talks about what it means to be a modern-day Renaissance man. He discusses mental health, race, joining Phi Gamma Delta at Iowa and more.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975)Guest: Bill Lindsay (Gettysburg 1969)  In this episode, Bill Lindsay, former Archon and Vietnam veteran, discusses his book, Pop Smoke: The Story of One Marine Rifle Platoon in Vietnam: Who They Were, What They Did, What They Learned. Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992) Guest: Kevin Kuster (Kansas 1991)  In this episode, Kevin Kuster talks about the nonprofit organization he founded, Watts of Love, which brings solar light to developing countries that do not have access to electricity. Kevin credits the support of his chapter brothers for helping launch Watts of Love at the beginning.Here is the link to the Bill Radcliff (Kansas 1994) Memorial video Kevin created: https://youtu.be/8P56ctJpKSI. Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) Guest: David Priess (Illinois Wesleyan 1993) In this episode, David Priess, former CIA intelligence officer, talks about the presidency, national security and intelligence. He is also the author of The President’s Book of Secrets and How to Get Rid of a President.Once you are finished watching this episode, please take our 5-minute podcast survey at www.phigam.org/PodcastSurvey.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) Guest: Ed Gulewitz (Texas Christian 1990)  In this episode, Ed Gulewitz shares his story about receiving a double-lung transplant. Ed is an organ donation advocate who regularly volunteers with Mid-American Transplant and the Immortal Phi Gam booth at Fiji Academy.The video version of this episode is available on YouTube.Once you are finished listening/watching, please take our 5-minute podcast survey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guest: Bill Snyder (William Jewell 1962)In this episode, host Doug Draper interviews Bill Snyder, the retired Kansas State University head football coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Bill talks about becoming a member of Phi Gamma Delta, lessons learned from his mother and his coaching career, from coaching high school football and college swimming to becoming the head football coach at Kansas State.The video version of this episode is available on YouTube.Once you are finished listening/watching, please take our 5-minute podcast survey.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992) Guest: Victor Cui (Alberta 1994) In this episode, host Doug Draper interviews Victor Cui, the CEO of ONE Championship, a mixed martial arts organization that is regarded as the biggest sports media property in Asia. Victor talks about what it means to be a leader, how to achieve “unreasonable” goals and the leadership skills he learned as an undergraduate brother.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) Guest: Alex Stearns (Florida 1965) In this episode, Bill Martin interviews Alex Stearns about the 1964 University of Florida Football Homecoming prank, which was orchestrated by brothers of the Upsilon Phi Chapter. 

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992) Guests: Tyler Jury (Western Kentucky 2012) & Chaz Vittitow (Western Kentucky 2011)  In this episode, Doug Draper interviews Tyler Jury and Chaz Vittitow about the creation of Bike4Alz, Chi Eta Chapter’s philanthropy. Bike4Alz is a cross-country bike ride that raises money for Alzheimer’s research.  For more information about Bike4Alz, visit www.bike4alz.org/.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) Guest: Memme Onwudiwe (Ohio Wesleyan 2015) In this episode, Memme Onwudiwe shares his experience as a member of Phi Gamma Delta from his time as an undergraduate at Ohio Wesleyan, to a law student at Harvard Law, and now as a leader of a tech start-up, Evisort. Additionally, Memme won the Fraternity's 2015 Wilkinson Award as the most outstanding senior, and he received Harvard Law School's 2019 Dean's Award for Community Leadership.

Host: Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975)Guest: Jim McCloskey (Bucknell 1964)In this episode, Bill Martin interviews Jim McCloskey about his new book, When Truth Is All You Have, and his life’s work exonerating innocent people who were wrongly convicted and received life or death sentences.Jim is the Founder of Centurion Ministries, and he retired in 2015. For more information about Centurion, visit https://centurion.org/.

Host: Doug Draper (Kansas 1992)Guests: Dean Plager (Iowa State 1964) & Rob Wilkes (Iowa State 1964)In this episode, Iowa State brothers Dean Plager and Rob Wilkes share their story when they reunited with fellow pledge brothers to explore the banks of the Sweetwater River. The full back story about their reunion and journey to the Sweetwater River can be found at www.phigam.org/Sweetwater.

Hosts Doug Draper (Kansas 1992) and Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) welcome brothers to Phi Gamma Delta's new podcast, On the Banks. On the Banks is a six-part podcast series, where we will meet brothers through interview and storytelling. On the Banks pays homage to the chance meeting of John Templeton McCarty (Jefferson 1848) and Bolivar G. Krepps (Jefferson 1849) on the banks of the Sweetwater River on July 7, 1849. Two brothers who never met, connected 1,500 miles west of Canonsburg when heading to the California Gold Rush. No GPS and no cell phone…they found each other. On the Banks will focus on the power of that connection, meeting new brothers for the first time and embracing our shared values.