Episode 55 of the Jason Turner Podcast.Sitting down with Mama, Ginger Passarelli, after my friend Daniel crossed paths with her and insisted we meet. I'm grateful he did because she has lived one of the most incredible lives of anyone I've had on the podcast.Ginger is the founder of the Soup Ladies, a nonprofit organization that serves first responders by bringing hot meals directly to emergency scenes. Whether it's wildfires, natural disasters, search and rescue missions, or other major emergencies, she and her team show up to support the men and women working through some of humanity's most difficult moments.Because of that work, Ginger has witnessed both the darkest and the best sides of human nature. We talk about the unbelievable experiences she's had alongside first responders, the acts of courage she's witnessed, and the perspective she's gained from spending years around people who dedicate their lives to serving others.We also dive into her personal journey, what brought her to Idaho, the experiences that shaped her, and even explore a little politics along the way. Throughout the conversation she shares incredible stories, hard lessons, and the philosophy that continues to drive her mission.This is a conversation about service, sacrifice, resilience, compassion, and the extraordinary people who quietly make our communities stronger every day.I'm grateful to have people like Ginger in Idaho, and in my eyes, people like her are heroes.You can support the Soup Ladies and their mission at:https://www.soupladies.org/Follow along:https://www.instagram.com/jasonturnervideoSubscribe for long form conversations exploring philosophy, religion, creativity, and real life experiences through honest dialogue.Topics in this episode:Soup Ladies, first responders, nonprofit work, emergency response, wildfires, search and rescue, volunteerism, community service, Idaho, humanitarian work, resilience, compassion, leadership, personal stories, service, sacrifice, heroes, life experiences, Mike Row, Returning the Favor, SWAT, Border Patrol, Portland, Protests, Cops, Police, Firefighters, hurricane Katrina.

Episode 54 of the Jason Turner Podcast.Sitting down with Shanti Johnson for a conversation that felt long overdue after crossing paths through the world of jiu jitsu and podcasting. From the moment I met her at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu, she stood out. Fully tattooed, confident, and carrying a unique energy that made it obvious there was a deeper story underneath the surface.Shanti has built much of her life around jiu jitsu and combat sports, not just as a hobby but as a source of personal growth, discipline, and transformation. We get deep into why martial arts can impact people so strongly and what makes combat sports such a unique environment for building confidence, resilience, and self awareness.This episode moves between martial arts philosophy, spirituality, competition, and personal evolution. We talk about the mentality behind fighting, the respect both of us have for high level competitors, and the strange balance between violence, discipline, and self control that exists inside combat sports culture.One of the biggest surprises of the conversation was how much we connected over parenthood. We get into the realities of becoming better people through responsibility, how having children changes your perspective, and the lessons life forces onto you as you grow older.At its core, this is a conversation about growth, identity, discipline, spirituality, and the pursuit of becoming stronger both physically and mentally.Follow along:https://www.instagram.com/jasonturnervideohttps://www.instagram.com/shantijohnsonrealtorSubscribe for long form conversations exploring philosophy, religion, creativity, and real life experiences through honest dialogue.Topics in this episode:jiu jitsu, martial arts culture, combat sports philosophy, parenthood, spirituality, religion, discipline, tattoos, self growth, podcasting, competition mindset, fighting psychology, personal transformation, resilience, life experience, identity, training culture, becoming a better parent

Reconnecting with my childhood friend Mark Tonge for a long overdue conversation. The last time he was on the podcast, everything looked different. Different setup, different stage of life. This time, we sit down with a fresh perspective and dig a lot deeper.

We get into what it actually means to grow up. From childhood memories and bro time to real life responsibilities, relationships, and the shifting priorities that come with it. Mark opens up about his time as a missionary, what changed after, and how those experiences shaped his current worldview.

This episode moves between fun, chaos, and real reflection. We talk about weight gain and personal goals, discipline, and the struggle to follow through. There are wild stories, including drugs, reckless decisions, and moments that could have gone very differently. At the same time, we get into bigger questions around good and bad, purpose, religion, and the search for truth.

We also touch on cultural and philosophical topics, from religious experiences to controversial conversations like the Epstein files, all through the lens of trying to make sense of the world and our place in it.

At its core, this is a conversation about friendship, belief, mistakes, and figuring life out as you go.

Topics in this episode:

childhood friendship, growing up, life after a mission, Mormon missionary experiences, faith and doubt, personal philosophy, purpose, discipline, weight loss journey, relationships, marriage, crazy life stories, drugs and consequences, religion and spirituality, truth seeking, Epstein discussion, real life decisions

Follow along:

/ jasonturnervideo

/ markshredfat

Follow for long form conversations exploring philosophy, religion, creativity, and real life experiences through honest dialogue.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Lion King Lawsuit

03:56 - Early YouTube Days

06:32 - Motorcycle Crash Story

17:26 - Trying To Be Inspiring

27:31 - Why Mark Gained Weight

34:58 - Crazy DoorDash Stories

36:18 - Living On A Sailboat

39:20 - Setting Annual Goals

52:02 - Talking Politics

56:47 - Life As A Missionary

1:03:00 - Gym Life And Training

1:08:17 - Epstein Discussion

1:15:27 - Empires And History

1:20:00 - Favorite 90s Movies

1:27:29 - What Does It Mean To Be Good

1:34:17 - Fighting And Discipline

1:37:45 - Wild Drunk Stories

1:43:23 - Thoughts On Suicide

1:50:31 - Mental Health Tools

1:55:58 - Gnostic Gospel Story