Major apologies for my absence from the podcast… I hope you didn’t unsubscribe. If you did, you’re probably not reading this. If you build it (again), will they come?

I had an opportunity to tag along with our producer, and friend of the podcast, Brad Cooper (of Apex Live) for a night of sanctioned boxing action at the PHS Fieldhouse in Parkersburg, WV.

This was my first chance to take a look at how boxing works at the local level… away from Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley, away from HBO PPV… this is down to the nitty-gritty, at the grassroots level in the Mountain State. It may not be flashy, but it is a professional presentation. And Dawg House Promotions did an excellent job.

This event took place on October 11, 2025. It was fun, and action-packed.

Before the event, I had an opportunity to interview Charity Lambert of “Team Tucker” and “Too Much Love”. This was a fantastic interview, and there was even a brief discussion about her bloody initiation into the boxing business from the judge’s table.

Next up is Coy Whitt of “One More” gym and ministry. Fantastic interview, and he was on the card that night.

Finally, Brad and I wrap up the podcast, and we’re going to try to put out a few more episodes by the end of the year.

Thanks for not unsubscribing!

The Jim’s Journey is part of the APEX LIVE Network; the best is yet to come.

Questions? Comments? Complaints? jimsjourneypodcast@aol.com

We start out cleaning up some mistakes from our “Ya Blew It!” segment, going into WVU sports and the Big 12 Conference standings, and the world of the College Football Playoffs.

I finally give my own surgical update. While this episode is being downloaded to your phone, I am in surgery. Isn’t technology amazing?

We then bring on my guest, my sister, Autumn Ashley. Autumn had Bariatric Surgery in 2020. She discusses her weight struggles, having surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the required “six-month” wait, the prerequisites she had to go through, and why she decided it was time to get it done. We also talked about Autumn “doing diets” to lose weight and whether the diets were effective.

We finally get into what her life is like post-surgery, 4+ years later, how much happier she is, how she’s able to function in everyday life, how she does when she’s on vacations and trips, how clothes shopping is much different, and how she and Lula (her Shiba Inu) regularly hit the great outdoors for exercise.

This is the last episode for 2024. We will return in 2025. We have special guests lined up, we’re going to go into a whole range of topics, it will be fun! Thank you for your listenership, it is much appreciated.

This episode is dedicated to two of our family dogs that have gone to the Rainbow Bridge in 2022 and 2023: Lady and Stella.

This episode details obtaining another citizenship in a different country based on descent, or bloodline.

As discussed on previous episodes of this podcast, I am in the (seemingly long and arduous) process of obtaining my Italian citizenship based on bloodline.

Before we talk about the guest, I give an update on the termination of former WVU Defensive Coordinator Jordan Lesley, and what the future may hold for WVU Football (at the time of this writing: bleak.)

I also go into the stats of where listeners are coming from. We’ve attained Worldwide Status.

There’s also a brief update about the surgery and how I am feeling. (Hint: mixed emotions.)

Finally, our guest today is Dr. Domenico Meschino, owner of Luminosa Global, Inc. His company helps Americans and Canadians obtain their Italian citizenship. He’s also a teacher, author, political scientist, and an Italian Army Veteran.

Dr. Domenico discusses why the Italian citizenship is, in fact, an “asset” that can be passed down for kids, grandkids, so forth and so on.

Dr. Domenico, while making it clear that he is not an attorney (and neither is your host), discusses the laws that made it possible for individuals to finally have dual citizenship in Italy. He also discusses why he runs the business the way he does, why he offers better prices than most companies, as well as criticisms he has faced online.

We then discuss the process of what needs to be done to obtain this beautiful asset, from obtaining paperwork in the US and Italy to how you always have help along the way.

Dr. Domenico and I discuss the recent ruling (circular) from Italy that could restrict citizenship for many people, which both the host and guest believe is discriminatory. We also discuss the rights of minors and why they are very important to this process. Also discussed is how the consulates in the US are when it comes to booking appointments (hint: poor representation of Italy.) Also, Dr. Domenico discusses what he and his company are doing to challenge this discriminatory ruling.

Dr. Domenico is offering those that are descended from Italian citizens a FREE Genealogical check to determine if you may be eligible for Italian Citizenship.

Reach out to him at LuminosaGlobalInc.com or (312) 217-6730, make sure to tell him that Jim Ashley of the Jim’s Journey Podcast sent you!

Before the chat started, your host had a lot to say. The bariatric surgery is now 100% a go for late November. I discuss the emotions I felt when I received the letter in the mail from my insurance company approving my procedure. I discuss the emotions I’ve been feeling since late July when I set out to get this surgery.

Next up is the journey of obtaining Italian citizenship. I rant about the recent “circolare” that came out of the courts in Italy regarding individuals attempting to apply for their citizenship by bloodline. I even speak “un po' di italiano“ and discuss my feelings about this recent ruling from the Italian courts. There’s a family story I briefly touched on regarding my great-grandparents naturalizing in the US. I also discuss my never-ending aggravation with the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia when it comes to obtaining an appointment for my “jure sanguinis” citizenship.

We brought back Ron Payne from Episode 3 (“You Bet”) and Brad Cooper from Episodes 3 (“Talkin Baseball”) and 4 (“WVU Football Season Preview”).

The conversation? What’s going on at the halfway point of the season? Ron proposed the idea for this episode. Brad accepted; the calls were made, connected via Bluetooth, the “Record” button was turned on, and away we went.

We open up the discussion with something very close to home: the WVU Mountaineers season, which has many in the fanbase scratching their heads and, getting downright impatient. What happened in the game against that school north of Morgantown, where no intelligent life can be found anywhere on that campus? Does WVU have the funds, or even the gumption, to terminate Head Football Coach Neal Brown? Does Neal Brown try to save his bacon by sacrificing Defensive Coordinator Jordan Lesley to the mob? Can WVU turn the season around, or are we in for more of the “same ole same ole” that the fanbase has dealt with for 6+ years?

Moving into the Big12 conference, we discuss the biggest surprises vs. the biggest busts of the season. Where do we classify WVU? Colorado? BYU? Utah? Oklahoma State? Iowa State? Kansas State? Gotta listen to find out. Who will ultimately make it to Arlington?

Then, we move into the bigger world of College Football. Again, biggest surprises vs. the biggest busts (and there’s a Dolly Parton pun mixed in there somewhere.) Miami? Florida State? Ohio State? Oregon? Penn State? Alabama? Michigan? Georgia? Gotta listen to see where we place these teams (although one of them on this list is glaringly obvious.) We discuss the “mid-season Heisman” and who will most likely be in New York for the presentation.

There’s also a brief (statistical?) discussion about the happenings in none other than Blacksburg, VA.

Finally, the discussion moves forward regarding the rest of the season, how things will play out in Morgantown, the Big 12 Conference, and beyond. And, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a “few good bets” from Ron and Brad.

Yes, this podcast is 2 hours. But, it’s packed full of information. Enjoy every minute.

The episode starts out with Eric and I figuring out that restaurants we’ve frequented over the last 10+ years in our region have eventually closed down. So, we want to apologize in advance to the Firehouse Subs in Vienna, WV. Then, I let Eric demonstrate his interview skills with me, as we discuss updates to my bariatric surgery.

After that update, Eric and I get into his career by studying broadcasting at WVU… calling WVU baseball games during the Greg Van Zant era for WVU radio station U92, and also calling women’s basketball games. Eric tells us about a time he had to be let off in Compton (yes, that Compton, in California) to get to his next destination while on a trip. We get into who, what, and even when, Eric was influenced to pursue media as a degree program, and later, a career.

We then foray down South as Eric discusses his time working for two different teams in the old South Atlantic League (SALLY League); the Asheville Tourists and the Augusta Greenjackets. Eric goes into some memories and moments down south, including calling rehab starts for several (now) Atlanta Braves legends.

Eric also goes into a story that I’ve never heard before in the 10+ years that I’ve known him. This story involves a West Virginia connection (there’s always one), riding shotgun while the person you’re riding with guns it on some backroads in South Carolina, getting pulled over by the police, and an unfortunate case of mistaken identity.

Moving on, Eric discusses his time in local/regional radio for the Mid-Ohio Valley, local high school sports, and regional colleges around West Virginia and Ohio. Finally, life takes him full circle thanks to WVU’s alliance with the Big 12 and the ESPN+ deal. Eric also has the backing of a couple of WVU Sports legends when it comes to the announce table.

Before Olga joins me, I go into a rant about the WVU Mountaineers season, the head coach and the current staff. I also discuss when I had my breaking point with the previous head coach (you don’t ruin a birthday and expect to be liked by me.)

I briefly veer off to Denver and discuss the Broncos and how it’s been a frustrating season so far (at that point.)

Finally, I go into my rant about the war in Ukraine.

After the break, I welcome my guest. Olga was my translator, guide, and friend when I visited Ukraine in June of 2021. She made sure scammers stayed away from me, made sure the money changers or merchants didn’t try to rip me off, and had to scold me several times. (Find out why.)

We discuss her time in Southern Ukraine (Mykolaiv), growing up shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, going to school, early relations, and perspectives of Russia. We also discussed how shopping for basic food supplies would be an all-day incursion in post-Soviet Ukraine. (Remember that next time you have to wait in line at the Supermarket.)

Then we discuss the mid-2010s: Euromaidan protests, how keeping up with the news can be depressing (doesn’t matter which country, language, or culture), a shift of culture and attitude among different generations of Ukrainians. The beginning of the war is in 2014, and that needs to be noted. We also discuss the election of the current Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Finally, we discuss that fateful day in February of 2022: the “full invasion” orchestrated by Russia: being in Mykolaiv the morning it happened, getting out of Mykolaiv ASAP, leaving for neighboring countries (Moldova and Poland), and finally finding her way to the United States, where she has been for over 2 years now. Olga also states why people should care about Ukraine.

Is this a lengthy episode? Yes. But, there’s a lot to learn if you’re into history and current events.

We went slightly out of order with episode numbers (3, 5, 4.)

Deal with it.

We work with the info from the PSU and UAlbany games (not much, but it’s better than nothing.)

Before I brought my guest on, I delivered a rant against the pitt (never capitalize their name) for the ages. The Backyard Brawl is not just any rivalry—it’s personal beyond measure.

Things we discuss:

-Overreaction much from the WVU faithful over Head Coach Neal Brown and Staff? (Specifically Defensive Coordinator Jordan Lesley. Lesley has taken a LOT of grief over the last few years from Mountaineer Nation. Is it deserved?)

-How good is Penn State?

-Similarities taken from PSU and UAlbany games

-The people who have a Rich Rodriguez Return agenda or a Jimbo Fisher coming to Morgantown agenda

-What makes Neal Brown tick?

-All head coaches are stubborn.

-Previewing the Backyard Brawl and why Neal Brown needed(?) to lose the 2022 Backyard Brawl to understand the true heat of the rivalry.

-Brad’s hatred for the city of Pittsburgh vs. his love of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey (huh?)

-Does the season truly start at the Backyard Brawl or the week after when Big 12 Conference Play starts against Kansas in Morgantown?

-How meat cutting could be entertaining (a question that went off the rails).

-The intellectual laziness of pitt fans.

-Previewing the Big 12 schedule for WVU. Which games are considered “traps”, which games could be brutal, and which games are WVU expected to win?

-What is the true style of WVU football, historically?

Enjoy the episode!

If you believe I’ve earned it, please leave a 5-star review.

We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podcast Addict (Android-only app.)

Email: jimsjourneypodcast@aol.com

LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Today’s episode features Ron Payne, WVU Alumni, Redsk, er, “Commanders” Fan, Orioles Fan, Capitals Fan, and yes, DC Defenders Fan (#BeerSnake).

In this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of sports wagering. The history of sports betting, how it became legal in the US (at least in many states), and we discuss how you don’t necessarily need to go to Las Vegas to gamble.

Ron breaks down the spread, the over and under, moneyline, and why there’s a “.5” in many of the wagers you see.

We also discuss wins and losses, not only with Ron but some of his unnamed (and named) buddies. We talk about his biggest wins, and why he holds a grudge against the Texas Longhorns (and it’s not because they left the Big12 conference.)

We get into why it is wise to bet responsibly.

Finally, Ron gives us a few good bets. Due to when this was taped, I went ahead and posted the Ireland game and the UNC/Minnesota game on here (hint: he went 2-0.) But, we do have some College Football and NFL Future bets which you can still get in on. We also take time to find out what his favorite table is when he goes to the casino.

Do you want to get in on the action? Click my link to sign up at DraftKings, get a bonus, and have some fun!

We open up the first half of the podcast discussing Steelers football and the NFL, NFL storylines, talk briefly about WVU Football, as well as how the Transfer Portal and NIL have a huge effect on college sports as we know it.

In the second half of the podcast, we discuss how he became a fan of the Atlanta Braves, Ted Turner’s ownership of the Braves, as well as AOL-Time Warner destroying a lot of people’s childhoods after the merger, why he also follows certain players on other teams, taking a scorebook to the baseball park for games, and the time he saw a “cycle” in person at a game.

Before the interview, we debut a whole new segment, and it is based on the video linked here at Substack.

Sit back, grab yourself some peanuts and cracker jacks, then a hot dog and a beer, and enjoy “talkin’ baseball.”

This is a brief update to let everyone know what is going on. Nothing bad has happened, but life happens sometimes and people must prioritize things. We promise to have 3 episodes out on our feed between now and August 31st. Brad Cooper, our producer and owner of Apex Combat and Apex Live, will talk baseball in the next episode. The episode after that, Brad will preview the upcoming season for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Can 2024 be the year they FINALLY win the Big 12 in a “wide-open, come and get it” conference minus Oklahoma and Texas? (Good riddance to OU and UT, by the way.)

Week 0 in College Football is about to begin when I am typing this. We talk betting with my friend, and longtime better, Ron Payne in Episode 5. I will post the two “Week 0” bets we discussed just to get them out there, and hopefully make you a little money. These picks are for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone else you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net.

Aer Lingus Classic: Georgia Tech (+11.5) vs. Florida State

Thursday, August 29th: North Carolina (+2.5) at Minnesota (ACC vs. Big 10 matchup)

We’ll have other bets that will be out on the Payne podcast.

Finally, an announcement will be posted on Labor Day. Stay tuned!

Please subscribe, and if you feel I’ve learned it, leave a 5-star review. Thank you for sticking with us!

I’ll go over how I got into this mess known as my weight, my history of weight struggles, and the path of the last two years which led to me being at my highest weight ever recorded on a scale with me standing on one.

I’ll also discuss the requirements and prerequisites for getting the surgery that both my health insurance and surgeon want me to accomplish.

There is also a supplemental links post for this episode, which can be found on my Substack page. That’s if you want to learn more about anything I discussed in the episode.

Thank you for listening!

It's the debut episode of the podcast.

This answers the question that most of y’all probably have: Why in the hell are you doing this?

Enjoy.