Episode 231 - The Sweaty Pig: Building Strength, Community & Breaking Barriers | And If Love Remains Podcast
What happens when passion for strength meets the power of community? 🏋️♀️🐷Host Mike Leavitt sits down with filmmaker Josh Badal and the powerhouse duo behind The Sweaty Pig gym, Jenny Draper (pro strongwoman & founder of Athena’s Arena) and Connor Gordon, to dive into the world of strongman training, women breaking barriers, and how a quirky gym with a funny name became a life-changing community.From working in Antarctica, to creating one of the most inclusive gyms in the country, to running all-women competitions that sell out overnight, this episode is packed with stories of grit, humor, and heart.💡 Whether you’re into lifting, documentaries, or just love hearing about people changing lives through authenticity, this one’s for you!⏱ Show Notes & Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to And If Love Remains02:10 – Meet Jenny Draper: pro strongwoman & founder of Athena’s Arena06:30 – What is Strongman? Beyond fitness into functional extremes12:00 – Connor Gordon’s Antarctica story: lifting at the bottom of the world ❄️20:45 – Founding The Sweaty Pig gym in Salt Lake Valley29:15 – Why women deserve better equipment & competitions35:00 – Building a culture of support, humor, and authenticity43:50 – The documentary project: telling The Sweaty Pig story 🎬51:20 – How strongman helps with mental health & community58:00 – Success stories: women going pro and nationals surge1:07:00 – How to connect, support, and join the movement🔗 Links MentionedThe Sweaty Pig Gym (Salt Lake Valley): InstagramAthena’s Arena Competition: Learn MoreGood Works Documentary (Josh Badal’s project): Website | Instagram📢 Call to Action👉 Like, comment, and share to spread the word about this incredible community.👉 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations on And If Love Remains.👉 Support Josh’s documentary by donating at goodworksdoc.com.🏷 Hashtags#AndIfLoveRemains #TheSweatyPig #Strongman #Strongwoman #AthenasArena #CommunityStrength #WomenWhoLift #Powerlifting #Documentary #FitnessMotivation #ViralPodcast
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Episode 230 - This Piano App Will Change Music Lessons Forever! 🎶 | Clefer Founders
What if practicing piano actually became FUN—and you got real feedback between lessons? 🎹✨In this episode of And If Love Remains, host Mike Leavitt sits down with Frits & Victoria van Laarhoven, the visionary husband-and-wife duo behind Clefer, the groundbreaking app revolutionizing piano education.They share their journey of 8 years building Clefer, their recent showcase at NCKP Chicago, and why major institutions like Steinway are paying attention. More than just an app, Clefer is designed to empower teachers, motivate students, and preserve the soul of music in a tech-driven world.🚀 Whether you’re a piano teacher, student, or music lover, this episode will inspire you to “fall deeper in love with the piano.”00:00 – Intro: Welcome back Frits & Victoria!02:15 – Why technology scares (and excites) music teachers05:48 – Launching Clefer after 8 years of development10:22 – NCKP Chicago showcase + across from Steinway booth15:40 – Victoria’s piano lessons and testing the app21:05 – How Clefer bridges the gap between lessons28:33 – The fear of AI vs. the value of real teachers36:00 – Clefer’s acoustic + MIDI capabilities41:18 – What makes Clefer different: real coaching, not just red/green notes49:20 – Teacher reactions + Steinway’s interest54:15 – Upcoming Steinway Scottsdale event (October)59:10 – Expanding repertoire, licensing songs, & quality standards1:08:12 – Keeping students motivated with real music they love1:15:47 – New features: teacher module, scales, arpeggios, and more1:23:05 – Free premium access for teachers 🎁1:28:44 – Apple iOS 26 “Liquid Glass” compatibility update1:35:00 – Victoria’s philosophy: compete with yourself, not others1:40:00 – Closing thoughts: Music gives us a voice when we feel voiceless 🎶🌐 Clefer Website: https://www.clefer.com📱 Download Clefer on the App Store / Google Play🎹 Follow Clefer on Instagram: @cleferapp🎼 Steinway & Sons: https://www.steinway.com🎧 Subscribe to And If Love Remains: [Podcast Link]#Piano #MusicEducation #Clefer #EdTech #MusicTeachers #Steinway #AndIfLoveRemains #MikeLeavittPodcast #PianoLessons #MusicApp⏱️ Timestamps🔗 Links Mentioned🏷️ Hashtags
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Episode - 229 Henry Welsby, Aline Boyd, and Steinway Piano
A wonderful conversation with Henry Welsby, manager at Steinway & Sons in Scottsdale, AZ, and renowned pianist, Aline Boyd.#piano #music #Steinway #conversation
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Episode 228- Clefer: The Revolutionary App Transforming Piano Lessons
Explore the journey of innovation and passion as Michael Leavitt introduces Frits and Victoria van Laarhoven. Based in the Netherlands, they share their inspiring story of creating an app that transforms music education. Frits's lifelong love for music began with a violin at age four and evolved into a groundbreaking application that converts acoustic music into sheet music. Victoria, a talented developer with a background in guitar, joined Frits in Brazil, where their shared passion for music and technology blossomed into a successful collaboration. Discover how their app, Clefer, supports piano teachers and students by enhancing practice sessions and bridging the gap between lessons. With a focus on motivation and progress, Clefer offers personalized feedback and exercises, ensuring students feel supported and inspired. Embrace the power of music education and the innovative tools that make learning an instrument a rewarding experience.#PodcastInTheSky #MusicEducation #PianoPractice #AppDevelopment #MusicTech #PianoTeachers #MusicLearning #DigitalMusic #MusicInnovation #PianoApps #MusicMotivation #AcousticMusic #TechInMusic #MusicNotation #MusicJourney #PianoLessons #MusicMentors #MusicCommunity #MusicPassion #MusicApps #PianoStudents #MusicProgress #LearningMusic #MusicInspiration #PianoLife #MusicTeachers #MusicTechnology #PianoPracticeApp #MusicLearningApp #MusicDevelopment #PianoJourney
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Episode 227 - Sister Duo Tajlyn and the Rhythmic Flow
Embark on an inspiring musical journey with Tajlyn and the Rhythmic Flow as they share their unique sound and story. From their roots in Ohio to their creative evolution in rural Arizona, this sister duo blends classic rock influences with cinematic soundscapes, creating an immersive auditory experience. Discover how their diverse musical backgrounds and family dynamics shape their artistry, as they seamlessly integrate instruments like the didgeridoo and an innovative foot drum kit. Gain insight into their creative process and the passion that drives their performances. Whether it's the raw energy of a live show or the intricate layers of their recordings, Tajlyn and the Rhythmic Flow invite you to connect with their music and the emotions it evokes. Join them in embracing the power of music to unite and inspire, as they continue to explore new horizons and share their artistic vision with the world.www.tajlyn.com#MusicJourney #SiblingBand #LiveMusic #IndieMusic #ArizonaMusic #SisterDuo #MusicalInspiration #OneWomanBand #DidgeridooMagic #FootDrums #CinematicSound #MusicalInfluences #TajlinAndTheRhythmicFlow #GrassValleyGigs #RecordingArtist #MusicalEvolution #ArtisticExpression #LivePerformance #InstrumentalInnovation