Always Be Cool (ABC) Podcast - Bobby Kerr & Darren Copeland - #160 Billy Brimblecom | Co-Founder of THUNDERGONG! with Jason Sudeikis, CEO of Steps Of Faith, Actor, & Musician

#160 Billy Brimblecom | Co-Founder of THUNDERGONG! with Jason Sudeikis, CEO of Steps Of Faith, Actor, & Musician

10/04/23 • 60 min

Always Be Cool (ABC) Podcast - Bobby Kerr & Darren Copeland

Kansas City Drummer & CEO of Steps of Faith, Billy Brimblecom

What we love about this show is bringing awareness to awesome organizations and people that our listeners may not otherwise know.

Story is incredible: Musician signed to major record label, former improv comedy actor, best buds with Ted Lasso himself, Jason Sudeikis, CEO of Steps of Faith which has raised over $3 million to pay for prosthetic limbs for uninsured amputees, organizer of one of Kansas City’s largest and sought-after events (Thundergong!), amputee yourself from cancer, appeared in Netflix’s series Girlboss, AND drummer for one of KC’s best tribute bands....Summer Breeze....WOW! We’re going to struggle to find things to talk about today.

If you've been in Kansas City for a bit, you may have been hearing about this recent annual event called "Thundergong!" — involving Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, and Wynonna Judd, alongside other celebrities and musicians.
- NAME - How did you guys come up with the name of the event?
- How did you and Jason come up with the idea of the event?
Failings of the healthcare industry - I’ve read articles where you mention this multiple times so obviously this is at the heart of your WHY with Steps of Faith.
- Can you elaborate on what these failings are?
- Is there a solution besides putting on awesome nonprofit events to help people?
Starting a nonprofit - Lots of listeners and business owners want to do this. What are some key steps you’d recommend for someone wanting to start a nonprofit? Warnings? Must-do’s, right away?
Brendan Hunt - Was just in town a few days ago doing a meet n’ greet at Arthur Bryant’s BBQ for Children’s Mercy & Big Slick benefit
Amputation & Cancer - You’ve obviously accepted this challenge life threw at you and made lemonade from lemons.
- I’ve heard you say that coping with the loss of your leg gave you a “whole new perspective on life.” - HOW and WHY?
- I’ve heard you talk about MISCONCEPTIONS about amputees - Can you explain?
Comedy Sportz - Rivermarket area in the mid-90’s - Love that place!
People often ask me: How did you become good or learn how to start and run businesses?
- I always reply: “Playing in a band was life’s university.”
- I learned about marketing, interpersonal communication, website design, the art of follow-up, rejection, travel, problem solving, routing tour dates, etc
Drums - “Playing the drums rewired your brain as a 12 year old.” Same. How did this change the trajectory of your life?
- “Wipeout” inspired/intrigued you - SAME!

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ABC Podcast
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Summit Lending
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/loantipskc

Kansas City Drummer & CEO of Steps of Faith, Billy Brimblecom

What we love about this show is bringing awareness to awesome organizations and people that our listeners may not otherwise know.

If you've been in Kansas City for a bit, you may have been hearing about this recent annual event called "Thundergong!" — involving Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, and Wynonna Judd, alongside other celebrities and musicians.
- NAME - How did you guys come up with the name of the event?
- How did you and Jason come up with the idea of the event?
Failings of the healthcare industry - I’ve read articles where you mention this multiple times so obviously this is at the heart of your WHY with Steps of Faith.
- Can you elaborate on what these failings are?
- Is there a solution besides putting on awesome nonprofit events to help people?
Starting a nonprofit - Lots of listeners and business owners want to do this. What are some key steps you’d recommend for someone wanting to start a nonprofit? Warnings? Must-do’s, right away?
Brendan Hunt - Was just in town a few days ago doing a meet n’ greet at Arthur Bryant’s BBQ for Children’s Mercy & Big Slick benefit
Amputation & Cancer - You’ve obviously accepted this challenge life threw at you and made lemonade from lemons.
- I’ve heard you say that coping with the loss of your leg gave you a “whole new perspective on life.” - HOW and WHY?
- I’ve heard you talk about MISCONCEPTIONS about amputees - Can you explain?
Comedy Sportz - Rivermarket area in the mid-90’s - Love that place!
People often ask me: How did you become good or learn how to start and run businesses?
- I always reply: “Playing in a band was life’s university.”
- I learned about marketing, interpersonal communication, website design, the art of follow-up, rejection, travel, problem solving, routing tour dates, etc
Drums - “Playing the drums rewired your brain as a 12 year old.” Same. How did this change the trajectory of your life?
- “Wipeout” inspired/intrigued you - SAME!

Support the show

Previous Episode

#159 Michelle Bogowith | FOX 4 Kansas City Meteorologist | Adrenaline Junkie | Super Mom | Sports Enthusiast

Meteorologist @fox4kc • Storm Chaser • @Mizzou Made • Brody & Brock’s Mom • World Traveler • Adrenaline Junkie • Sports Enthusiast • STL Native Calling KC Home

Fitting Twitter description - A meteorologist who is an adrenaline junkie AND stormchaser.
- Craziest storm experience
- What made you want to be a meteorologist?
2012 started at Fox 4 - 11 years with same network
- What makes you want to stay in Kansas City
What's the craziest weather day or night you've covered?
- The single, most deadly tornado in modern day history took the lives of 161 people. You were sent down to Joplin to cover what would be (and to this day still is) the biggest story of my TV career.
Themed days at Fox 4 - Royals, Chiefs, Ted Lasso, Star Wars,
Relationship with co-workers - specifically Karli Ritter
- Competitive nature between co-workers
How’d you get your start in the news world?
What type of education is necessary for a meteorologist?
What’s the hardest thing about forecasting weather?
Do you get calls, tweets, emails from people complaining when a forecast is off?
Do you hope for uneventful weather patterns or do you like to see weather systems and events more often?
- Do you get an adrenaline rush when all those watches and warnings start popping up?
What’s the biggest challenge being a meteorologist and/or news anchor?
What makes a meteorologist for a news anchor unique enough to keep an audience loyal and trusting you as opposed to another news network, etc?
My Cousin Admiral Doug McLain from Oklahoma was a Blue Angels pilot from 1987-1990. Not all news stories are fun to report:
- 2015 - You had the pleasure to fly with another Blue Angels pilot, at the KC Air Show
- 2016, Marine Captain Jeff Kuss - Blue Angels pilot crashed his jet near the Gulf Shores.

Catch her daily on WDAF Fox 4 in Kansas City, weekdays from 4:00-6:30AM| Instagram @meteorologistmichellebogowith | Facebook: MichelleBogowithWX/ | Email: [email protected]

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