June 26, 2025 • 32 mins
This week, we’re speaking with a prominent figure in the Siouxland community, Alex Watters. We’ll discuss his personal journey and how he contributes to helping the Siouxland community every day.
Manhattan
The origin of the Manhattan cocktail is a bit of a mystery. The most popular story says it was created in the 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York. Some believe Dr. Iain Marshall made it for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, while others claim a bartender named "Black" on Broadway was behind it.
Ingredients:
2 oz. rye whiskey
1 oz. sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: brandied cherry (or lemon twist, if preferred)
Directions:
Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or coupe glass.
Garnish with a brandied cherry (or a lemon twist, if preferred).
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Hey, Zach, we are back and we have a special guest
.
We do you booked a guest?
Yay, Zach booked a guest, nodoubt.
So our guest today is AlexWaters.
He's going to talk with usabout community education and
impact and some of the thingshe's done along his life and
career, and impact and some ofthe things he's done along his
life and career.
We'll talk about who he is, whyhe is pretty well known in the
(00:29):
Siouxland community.
Zach, I believe, was callinghim a pillar not to embarrass
you, hey whoa Very active in thecommunity.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
That's quite the title.
I mean it's way better thansome of the negative things that
are normally associated withelected officials.
But I'll take it.
Zach, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
That is true.
That is true.
Okay, so we're going to talkwith him his personal journey,
how he works to help the Sulancommunity every day, what he
does at Morningside University.
I swear I will call itMorningside College at some
point during this.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I understand, I understand.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So yeah, zach, let's get into the drink and then
we'll talk to Alex.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, so every episode we feature a cocktail.
This week's cocktail is aManhattan.
So a little bit of a background.
The origin of the Manhattan isa bit of a mystery.
There's a story that says itwas created in the 1870s at the
Manhattan Club in New York.
Some believe Dr Lane Marshallmade it for a banquet hosted by
Lady Randolph Churchill, whileothers claim a bartender named
(01:29):
Black on Broadway was behind it.
So kind of unclear where itcame from.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So is the bartender's name Black.
Or is the bartender's nameBlack on Broadway?
Just Black.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
The bartender's name was Black.
Okay, the bar was on Broadwaysomewhere, okay.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
I mean, a classic Manhattan is kind of wild.
So this is not my drink by anymeans, and obviously people make
crazy Manhattans these days,but this one is kind of the old,
true classic.
So you just need two ounces ofrye whiskey you could use
Templeton rye, a nice Iowa brandthere One ounce of sweet
vermouth, two dashes ofAngostura bitters and don't
(02:10):
overdo it on the bitters, you'llbe sorry.
Garnish it with a brandiedcherry or a lemon twist if you
prefer.
I think most of the time I seepeople use Luxardo cherries in
these because they're just alittle bit deeper.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
If you put a maraschino cherry in it, I'll
slap it out of your hand becausethat's just not in a Manhattan.
Okay, so you take the whiskeyvermouth, I'm doing the bitters.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
It's meant to be guys .
This is my favorite drink.
Nice, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
My favorite drink is a Manhattan.
So I'm listening to you and I'mlike, yep, I know exactly what
I use and what the ratio is.
It is my absolute favoritedrink that I make at home or
that I order it's one of myfavorites too.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I love it that is a.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
it's not my favorite, but that's okay.
We have all the stuff for ithere, but it's not my favorite,
um.
So you just put all that stuffinto a mixing glass, um with ice
, and you just stir it untilwell chilled.
Um, I suppose you could shake amanhattan, but traditionally
it's stirred Strain into achilled Nick and Nora or a coupe
glass.
You know, I love a good coupeglass and then you garnish it
(03:13):
with your cherry or lemon twistand that's just a straight up
classic Manhattan Super, supergood.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
And one of my favorite sayings that I watch
this influencer that does a lotof cocktails and he always says
you know, don't be a poop,freeze your coop.
You got to throw that coop inthe freezer, get it nice and
chilled and then strain it rightinto there and then it's, it's
chef's kiss.
It's not diluted down too much,it stays nice and cool.
(03:43):
It's delicious, well balanced.
Yeah, it's not diluted down toomuch.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
It stays nice and cool.
It's delicious, well balanced,yeah, and there I mean that's
kind of the better alternativeto putting ice and cold water in
the glass and letting it sitwhile you mix your drink and
then dumping it out.
You see a lot of bars do thatto chill the glass down.
(04:10):
Um, glassware would be, um,like if you had a stand-up
freezer with a glass door thatwas just for, like, all of your
drink glasses.
So, like, every drink glass hadits own shelf all the yeah,
probably not red wine glassesbut white wine glasses.
Could you imagine that a frozenwhite wine glass it's going to
be so good for the white wine.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
All right, Now you're talking rich.
You show me to thatrefrigerator and that bar set up
.
You guide me there, my friend,and it's five o'clock somewhere.
I mean the bougiest we have.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
we have a lot of booze in our house, um, but the
bougiest thing we have is we gota new refrigerator when we
moved here.
Um, and it makes the round largeice balls so good and also we
don't use them a lot.
So I'll take them and dump themin to make iced tea, because
they don't melt as fast, so itstays pretty cold.
I don't know, it's just mything, all right.
(04:56):
So, Alex, just give us thetwo-minute background.
Who are you, what are you, whatdo you do?
What's going on?
I tell you what two minutebackground.
Who are you, what are you like,what do you do?
What's going on?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
I tell you what I was talking to, zach, and I didn't
know how in the world I boildown my background or how I do
this.
So I will do my best to giveyou 30,000 feet and then you
guys let me know where, where Ican take it from there.
But I would just say I mean I'mexcited to be here, first and
foremost, and, like I said, Ithink it's serendipitous that
(05:32):
the cocktail of Manhattan, butnow it has me craving one.
So I might have to, you know,duck out of work a little early.
But I will say that I grew upin Northwest Iowa.
I'm an Iowan through andthrough.
And then I grew up over in atown, tiny town, called Ochetan
Iowa so a town of 500, maybe andthen eventually, in eighth
(05:53):
grade, moved over to Okoboji,which is a little better known
it's the Hamptons of Iowa, ifyou will and so grew up there,
went to high school there andthen ended up coming down to
Sioux City on a golf scholarshipto go to Morningside, then
college I understand Rich and soI came on a golf scholarship,
(06:16):
but two weeks into my freshmanyear at Morningside I actually
returned to Okoboji where I hada diving accident.
And so a diving accident twoweeks in.
Long story short, I was 150feet out on a dock and my hat
blew off into the water and so Idove in to retrieve it and it
(06:38):
was 18 inches deep and so itbroke my C5, c6 vertebrae.
I was able the people I waswith, the two girls I was with,
were trained lifeguards that gotme breathing, called paramedics
and life flighted down to SiouxCity where I would have my
surgery.
Six months of rehab out at CraigHospital in Denver, colorado,
(07:02):
before returning back to go toMorningside and finish my
undergraduate degree, go to gradschool down at Omaha at
Creighton, and then do aninternship at the US Department
of Education yeah, we're goingto get to that one, because I
didn't know anything about thatAll these things and worked for
(07:23):
a presidential campaign, wasinspired to run for office
myself, was eventually electedto the city council, wanted to
make a difference in the worldaround me.
I was inspired by the people ofthe rehab hospital I was at
Shout out to Craig Hospital andthey inspired me to want
something more and to pay itforward.
(07:43):
So I took a job at MorningsideUniversity where I felt that I
could do just that.
And here we are now.
I've been at Morningside forover 11 years and held a couple
different titles there, but thenalso been an elected member of
our city council here in SiouxCity for eight years now.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
So it's been two full terms, okay.
So that is quite a journey.
So and obviously like we'vecrossed paths, we've met, we
don't really we haven't reallytalked a ton, yeah, but I and I
of course I knew you were in awheelchair, I've been at events
with you.
You're in a wheelchair, like Icould see that, but I didn't
know all the history and itsounds like that tragedy, that
accident kind of gave you theexperience of coming out of that
(08:28):
and the people you met throughit and the help you got kind of
drove your life direction afterthat.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Oh 100%.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, I hear you talk about the people in rehab and
inspiring you and then wantingto give back and wanting to do
service.
So let's start in DC, becauseyou've been to DC a couple of
times, yeah, numerous times.
Yeah, you had your internship.
The two that I know about isyou had your internship that you
talked about Department ofEducation, but you also spoke
(08:57):
before the Senate at one point,right?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So I had worked on the Senate well, a couple
different committees and I'vespoke before them before never
speaking to like the full Senateactually being out there.
So I've gotten to attend, youknow, a number of different
events or go to the White Housefor different things.
I actually interviewed at theWhite House at one point in time
(09:23):
Wow, that was interesting.
And then so never before thefull sentence, but I have then
been interviewed or worked withSenator Harkin on a few
different things and wasinterviewed with him regarding
different legislation, for sure.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Yeah, perfect, yeah.
So what did you actually majorin in college?
Like I'm curious, like we joke,I am on my plan A Like I did
marketing.
What did you actually major inin college?
Like I'm curious, like, like wejoke, I am on my plan a like I
did marketing, I did advertising, like that was my thing and
that's what I do.
What?
Did you major in, and how doesthat relate to what you're doing
now?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Well before my accident I actually was really
interested in golf.
I was on a golf scholarship.
Like I said, I wanted toactually be a teaching pro and
so my whole goal was to own agolf course and manage that and
do different things.
Then I ultimately, after myaccident, was obviously not
(10:24):
swinging the sticks anymore andplaying golf and so I had to
kind of pivot and I leaned intosome of my other areas where I
was really passionate and itended up being like political
science and loving the classesthat I had taken.
I was really big into debate inhigh school taken.
I was really big into debate inhigh school and that was really
.
It shaped kind of who I was andhow I was able to think about
(10:45):
and articulate arguments andjust analyze what people were
saying to me.
And so then I ended up studyingpolitical science and then my
master's is in negotiation anddispute resolution from Crate,
so kind of unique, like not onethat a lot of people hear about.
And yeah, then I've been ableto leverage both of those.
I mean just with, obviously, Ithink more of the poli sci in
(11:08):
undergrad gives you context formaybe where we've been, to give
you pause about maybe wherewe're going or what we're
experiencing, and then themaster's degree is like hey, I
mean, you both know this, youdon't have to be in politics or
anything else.
Life is a negotiation andthere's always enough dispute
(11:30):
resolution that you need to tryto navigate that.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
But yeah, we talk a lot in our business about having
difficult conversations, likethere are appropriate ways to
have difficult conversations,for sure, and we business about
having difficult conversations,like there are appropriate ways
to have difficult conversations,for sure, and we have them all
the time Like we have to.
It's just the nature of acreative business and I think
that that's kind of as you getinto negotiations, like when you
get into sort of a formalnegotiation, that's like the
ultimate difficult conversationto me.
(11:55):
But yeah, you've got to find anoutcome.
So, okay, I'm going to give youa plan a, because you've done
stuff in politics and you're anelected official.
So political science and you'rean elected official maybe not
the career piece of it, butthat's cool, that is so neat.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Yeah, it was.
It was really for me.
After my accident I was moreinspired by hey, go after what
you enjoy, you know, and figureout the rest later.
Like the dust will settle,trust that you'll land on your
feet pun intended like but, um,I that you know everything will
(12:36):
work out and it really has.
Like I've just continued tofollow my passions and let it
lead me, and you know I, when Ifirst ran for office, I lost.
That's very common.
Yeah, exactly, it's like hey,come on, so did Abraham Lincoln
Right and he lost a lot and thenhe suddenly became president,
like it was.
(12:57):
Yep, he struggled there, and soit's one of those where you know
whether you think I washardheaded or persistent.
I did it again, and now I'vebeen elected a couple of
different times and so it's it'squite an honor to serve, but
yeah, you just don't know wherelife will take you.
And I would say it's definitelyled me to this point and and it
(13:18):
is kind of a path to A, I mean,even if after you I always say
like the before and after, youknow, like I was on a path and
then the path diverted and I'vebeen kind of following that path
ever since.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Yeah, you're just on a different branch of the path.
I guess Yep like giving backand community and the service
you do like on the council.
Is there any particularcommunity project or an
initiative that's come throughover the last several years that
you've been especially proud ofand really made an impact on
you?
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Gosh, I mean honestly , I could point to a lot of
different things, right, like Ithink, when I was running for
office initially, when I wasrunning to be appointed to the
city council and that firstelection, even in my interview,
I kind of joked like I look, Icrack jokes, I make light of it,
like we life is, you can't takeit too seriously.
(14:12):
And I said to them the reasonI'm applying for this position
is selfishly.
I said I want to see more youngpeople, people my age, that are
not only living and staying inSioux City but finding Sioux
City as their home, that arecoming here for you know, to go
to college or to come here for ajob and deciding you know what.
(14:34):
This is an amazing place and Iwant to stay and I want to raise
a family here.
And I was single at the time,and so I was like, gosh, come on
, I need more people, I wantmore people coming to Sioux City
.
And so I knew that we were onthe verge of change and great
things, and I think that I couldpoint to a number of different
(14:55):
projects that have really movedthe needle in our favor and been
just transformative as acommunity.
I will tell you that, the onethat I am probably most proud of
, and it's one where it's notmaybe not as flashy, maybe not
as well-known, it's not like youwould know, it's not like a
(15:17):
landmark, it's not like theriverfront right, the river is
incredible, it is beautiful orcone park, you know, the
addition of the tubing hill, themountain biking area and now,
like all of those additions,that's all very exciting and you
can see that.
But I would say the part that Iam most proud of is I worked
(15:38):
with the council and someindividuals on just completely
revamping our look at tourismand our convention and visitors
bureau and what that does, howit acts, how it works, how it's
funded, you know, and who thosepeople are.
And we established a moretraditional model of a CVB as
(16:01):
opposed to one in-house.
And the reason that I thinkthis was important, it was
something I was really pushing,but it's because on my council,
on the council since I've beenon there, one of the mantras or
things that I've always thoughtabout is getting a return on
your investment.
If you're going to invest insomething like I want to be
(16:23):
investing in things wisely thatare going to return for us as a
community so we can continue togrow it.
And with the CVB if you don'tknow what that means, it's
basically you have an entitythat is marketing your community
and they work with the areasthat you have an entity that is
marketing your community andthey work with the areas that
you have.
They work with your conventioncenter, your event center, your
(16:45):
event and convention space.
They do all those things tomarket your community, to say
you should come visit here, youshould come in vacation here,
you should host your conferencehere, you should do X here,
conference here, you should do Xhere.
And we've really leaned intothat.
And you can actually show andtrack the growth of the revenue
(17:06):
coming in, the people sitting inhotels I mean think of the
youth sports movement and howit's just exploded and we're
able to tell that narrative.
We're able to bring in all ofthese large-scale tournaments
and that equals a lot of headsin beds, which generates revenue
not only for the organizationbut for the city and for all
(17:29):
these different businesses.
They keep the city going.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah, what's interesting?
I'm in Omaha and, of course,college World Series is going on
right now as we speak, so I'mavoiding downtown like the
plague, yep, because there's alot of people down there.
But it's a huge, huge benefit.
But I think the other thingwhen I think about events like
that and I think about, I'mtrying to remember is it a large
basketball or volleyballtournament you guys host?
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Oh, we do so.
We do multiple.
We actually host the NAIANational Championship.
Yep, I knew that.
And that's in volleyball andbasketball.
Oh, it's both.
Okay, I was right having bothof those for years and they're
celebrating milestones.
But yeah, it's a huge windfallfor the city.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yeah and like, just like the college world series,
like you don't have to know theteam, your team doesn't have to
be there, just going as a city,like as a resident, and
participating.
It's just one more interestingthing to do.
Um, and like I was talking tosomebody the other day and it's
like when you go to a sportingevent like that, that's like a
tournament and you don't haveany, like you have no teeth in
(18:27):
the game, right, you just reallywant a good game.
And then that the no hittercame up at the college world
series first one in like 80years.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
And somebody was like yeah, that can be a boring game
.
I'm like no, because it pivotsand the excitement is like can
he do it?
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Can he like actually pull this out?
And I think that's definitelythat tipping point in the game.
I'm sure, yeah, and I thinkthat that's one of the big
things about it's interesting.
You talk about this behind thescenes, organizational structure
, funding, like.
None of these are excitingthings.
We want to talk about theaccounting of the visitors, like
how we do that, how westructure it, how it's formatted
, but the tangible of that is itactually pays back a revenue
dividend.
The non-tangible is yourinitial like I want more people
(19:12):
to be in Sioux City, I want morepeople to understand Sioux City
, I want more people to want todo things here, and I just look
at, like where it was, because Iwent to college in the 90s at
Morningside.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
No one's asking.
I mean I might have the recordsas the alumni director, but no
one.
I'm not bringing that out here,Not today.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
All good, all good.
My GPA was good.
I think it was like a 3.8 or3.7 or something.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
There you go, there you go.
You've done very well foryourself.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
I've been all right, yeah.
The thing that was interesting,though, is like stuff to do,
like we didn't go downtown,there was nothing to do downtown
, and that has picked up so much, and I think that's one of the
other things is like, if youhave these events happening at
your event centers and thingsespecially the downtown or your
convention center, thatinfrastructure to support it
(19:57):
actually gives more things forthe community to do as well.
Like you know, bars,restaurants deciding to stay
open later, those kinds ofthings.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Or more businesses take a chance, right, like the
more people see this and themore people that are visiting
and are like, oh, I could seethat you're going to have more.
We have more apartments andliving units downtown now than
we've ever had and it's like sothat's growing.
You have the hard rock and theTyson event center, the Orpheum
three theater, the Sioux cityart center I mean the warrior,
(20:31):
the warriors my God love the barBeautiful, I mean and if you
haven't seen the riverfront,that redevelopment was just.
It's absolutely breathtaking andit's packed every single
weekend and it's like.
These are the types of thingsthat you know draws people to a
community and gets them tobelieve in it and have some
(20:53):
pride in it.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yeah, absolutely, and I think that that's it's
interesting for me, because, yousee, these had like struggles
with growth in population,population charts and it was
like flat for a really long time, and I think that it's that
mindset of like and you nailedit.
You know, we're going to invest, we're going to spend money.
Folks like we've got to spendmoney but we're going to get it
(21:17):
back, and then some because,again, like more people moving,
there is more tax revenue, likethere's.
Just it compounds itself.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah, yeah, and that is the challenging dialogue that
you have.
I mean it is look, sioux cityis a blue collar community.
I mean, our roots are in thestockyards and working hard and
so we're not that blue collarsit or the white collar city.
We're not.
But we have so much to be proudof and our people work hard and
(21:44):
the more we invest and areproud of our community, the more
we support those areabusinesses, the more you see it
return and the more you seegrowth, the more jobs you see,
the more people are joining andcoming here and you have more to
do.
I mean you it's funny.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
It all just balloons on us like it is, and people
want more and more different,new.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
I mean, now we're working, we're getting a raising
canes.
That's right.
You know, don't fall out ofyour seat Getting things like
raising canes and all kinds ofdifferent stuff.
But it wouldn't be if therewasn't some growth and some
momentum and we just got to workon some of the other components
.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
But there, I was there for the first taco bell
that came to Sioux city.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Like that was a big deal.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
It was down by sneaky's chicken.
Um yeah, oh God, so awesome, umI could just go memory.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
There was a memory right there.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I know Well because of a college we memory there was
a core memory right there oftaco.
I know well, because of acollege, we're a college student
, we're super poor and you couldshoot right down there and like
that was back in the days oflike 69 cent tacos and things
like nothing like today, um.
So I think that you know I wasborn in St Lucie.
I was born at St Luke's.
I grew up for my first fewyears on Alice Street and
Morningside and then we movedaway to Sergeant Bluff and then
(22:59):
Denison.
So still Siouxland, stillgetting the TV stations from up
there.
But I could gush about it.
Like the Warrior Hotel was a bigone for me and I remember when
that project was happening andtalking to the people who were
doing it.
Doing it because as a kid, likewe would go downtown to shop,
because that's where you wentbefore the mall and all the
skywalks and jc penny and allthat, but that building was so
huge and boarded up for decades,like just forever, and when you
(23:24):
you're in there now and whenI'm like that's where I stay,
when I come up to the office,it's like you can't believe this
was just an abandoned,dangerous building like you know
, so great.
Well, and just going to therooftop bar.
That's like you can't believethis was just an abandoned,
dangerous building.
Like it's so great.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Well, and just going to the rooftop bar, that's like
one of my favorite spots and, iffor nothing else, just the
vantage point, the view, becauseit's just awe-inspiring to look
out at the community and lookover even to South Sioux, or
even the river and the bridgeand city hall is right there.
It's just, it is really aweinspiring and it's just one of
(23:59):
those like it gives you thatsense of pride and I think I
think more community membersneed to have that.
We need to find that I'm not.
I'm not from Sioux city, I'mnot a native of Sioux city,
northwest.
Iowa, we'll give it to you,okoboji.
Of all places, this is theplace that's my home, and I want
to make it better than the wayI found it, and so I'm doing
everything I can to invest in it.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Awesome, that's fantastic.
One last question.
We're going to kind of pivotaway from Sioux City.
This is at age old.
If you could go back in timeand talk to your younger self,
is there a piece of advice you'dgive yourself now, knowing
everything you?
Speaker 2 (24:37):
know now, don't go after the hat.
Speaker 1 (24:40):
Let the hat go.
Just kidding, I mean, that's apretty good one.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Yeah, right, right, no.
I think that I mean honestly.
People ask me all the time if Icould go back and make a
different decision from myaccident, you know, or like
change history, and do thatwould I?
And I always think that's achallenging question because
what I will tell you is nowgranted I, I was 18.
(25:05):
So you're a different personthen and I was much more selfish
.
I was way more focused on golf,money and girls is what I
usually say.
Um, my accident taught me theimportance of people around you
and the impact you can leave onone another.
(25:27):
And so, like, if I could, if Icould go back um in time and
tell my younger self anything,it would just be to cherish the
people around you and themoments you have.
Like, I never really got toconnect with my grandma, um,
(25:47):
either of my grandmas or mygrandpas, for that matter, the
way that I wish I had and hadsome of those memories and you
know, my grandma passed awayfrom Alzheimer's the same year
as my accident and just thisaccident, just in my life ever
since, has taught me how muchthe people around us are a part
(26:11):
of our story, a part of ourjourney and we impact them in
such profound ways, even if youdon't know you're making a
difference.
The way you smile and greetsomeone on the city street can
change their whole outlook forthat day, and I love that and I
think that, like we, we missthat and we forget that, and
(26:32):
especially in today's socialmedia era, I mean it's
technological, screen-based hey,no offense, you know if you're
watching this pod or if you'relistening to it, but it just it
really emphasized to me thedifference we can make in one
another's lives.
You referenced it early on ofhow I was inspired by the
(26:53):
healthcare workers or justeveryone at that hospital, and
it's true, they inspired me andI think we have the ability, the
innate ability, to inspireeveryone around us every single
day, and you just you never knowit could be the smallest way,
and so I would tell my youngerself to really pay attention to
that and don't take thosemoments for granted.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
I feel like that's good advice for anybody you know
, younger self, or even today,just like we get so like you
know, stuck in our screens andyou, just you miss the people
around you.
And I think that, like that'ssomething that, especially if
you're a kid, like a teenager,18, 20, 25, like you're not
necessarily focused on everyonearound you.
(27:36):
You've got your group of peoplethat you care about, but you're
not really noticing the worldand all of that.
And just to be able to openyour eyes and embrace that,
that's really beautiful.
Speaking of screens, like I sawtoday, like I don't know if
you've seen these ads they'recoming at me on social media and
places.
But there's a new camera that isnot a disposable camera, it's a
(27:58):
digital camera, but it has noscreen on the back, so you just
take pictures.
It's $69, I think.
So they're pitching to be like,replace the disposable cameras
at camp and at weddings.
But you take the pictures butthere's no like, is it perfect?
Let's take it again, let'swatch them all.
You take the pictures and thenhave that surprise.
You remember the surprise oflike getting film developed and
(28:19):
you had no idea what you got Ivery much remember that and I
was like.
I was like this is going back tomy very first digital camera.
I had no screen on the back, itwas just you looked through it
and pushed.
It was also like 640 by 480 orsomething on the pictures.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
And then you had to take the drive out and plug it
in and figure it out, put itinto an adapter so that you
could put it into your computer.
Yeah, 100%, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
So I kind of love that, I like that there's this
kind of movement and obviouslypeople would be watching this on
the screen or listening to iton a device.
But taking some time, like I go, sit on my back patio while the
dogs are out there no phone.
Glass of water, glass of winecocktail I had a lychee martini
the other day.
It was delicious, and justwhile they're running around, I
just take that moment to pauseand be outside and not worry
(29:08):
about like getting them backinside, like let them run, let
them play, let them sniff, letthem do stuff inside.
Like let them run, let themplay, let them sniff, let them
do stuff, and I just, I justrelax and I'll do that in the
middle of the day while workingtoo like um wait the martini
part or the the let the dogs out.
I generally don't drink martinisare we getting this hot?
Speaker 2 (29:26):
no, I'm just I mean I could I mean, who's gonna own
the?
Company.
You know, when it's your shipat sale, you you decide, captain
we have done margarita lunchesat chili's.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
I know that's happened.
Oh, there you are.
I mean, when you're at chili's,yeah, I mean and they do those
like you're not getting amargarita.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
You're doing something wrong right, and
they're huge, they're big yes,and I will tell you, um, it's
funny you bring up your dogsbecause I actually, um, I don't
know if you've seen this, but atMorningside we have an animal
ambassador and her name is Bettyand she is my golden retriever.
She's about four years old and,um, she actually is fast asleep
(30:04):
at the chair here next to me inmy office and, but, to your
point, she reminds me to be sopresent and to appreciate the
most little things and because,like, look, I hate the cold.
I hate it because my body justdoesn't adapt well and I get
(30:25):
cold so easily, all these things.
But we're in Iowa, we're in thewinter, this dog, when it is
when there's a foot of snow orthere's fresh snowfall or snow
is falling, she has more funthan anyone would you should
ever have in snowfall.
And it's like, no matter howcold I am, I just smile and it
(30:48):
brings so much joy that it'slike I love how happy you are
and I will be outside and I willlet you play, because that's
what life is about.
Like, I want you to enjoy that.
And it just reminds me thatit's like, look, life is short,
like play in the snow, dance inthe rain, you know, whatever it
is, and I just I love thosemoments that you can reflect.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
Yep, a hundred percent.
I think that's, zach, a greatplace for us to like leave it.
It's like thank you so much,alex.
This was great, like I.
Next time we're at an eventtogether, I need to actually
stop and we need to chat, likeyou've got so much going on in
your background.
I want to hear more about DC.
I want to hear more aboutSenator Harkin.
He was one of my favorites.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Yeah, my dad was in the National Guard, so he did
some stuff with Senator HarkinOK well, and I'll have that
Manhattan, you go ahead and havethat martini or whatever it is.
That sounds, that sounds great.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
We can do it on the rooftop of the Hard Rock or not,
the Hard Rock the Warrior,warrior.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
I'm in Perfect.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
All right, Zach take us home, as always.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
thanks for listening.
Thank you for being here, alex.
You can find our agency atantidote, underscore 71.
And if you have a questionyou'd like to send our way head
to ctapodcastlive.
To shoot us an email or, evenbetter, you can leave us a voice
message on our hotline at402-718-9971.
Your question will make it intoa future episode of the podcast
(32:14):
.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Yeah, and if you can see I don't know if you can see
over my shoulder here, youprobably there's.
This is all books.
This is our cocktail book,ready to go out to people.
You just got to send in aquestion or call in a question,
but, alex, you'll get one.
As for being a guest on theshow, you get our gift.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
Here we go.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Value of 1995.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
So here we go, it is value of $19.95, so no need to
tax on it.
All right, no doubt It'll allbe good.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
All right, Thanks for being here and thanks, Zach.
We'll be back with anotherepisode next week.
Zach is keeping it a mysteryfrom me at the moment, so it's
not in the notes, but until then, enjoy your cocktails and go
have that Manhattan tonight,Alex.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
No doubt, cheers, cheers.
Hey, Zach, we are back and we have a special guest
.
We do you booked a guest?
Yay, Zach booked a guest, nodoubt.
So our guest today is AlexWaters.
He's going to talk with usabout community education and
impact and some of the thingshe's done along his life and
career, and impact and some ofthe things he's done along his
life and career.
We'll talk about who he is, whyhe is pretty well known in the
(00:29):
Siouxland community.
Zach, I believe, was callinghim a pillar not to embarrass
you, hey whoa Very active in thecommunity.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
That's quite the title.
I mean it's way better thansome of the negative things that
are normally associated withelected officials.
But I'll take it.
Zach, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
That is true.
That is true.
Okay, so we're going to talkwith him his personal journey,
how he works to help the Sulancommunity every day, what he
does at Morningside University.
I swear I will call itMorningside College at some
point during this.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I understand, I understand.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So yeah, zach, let's get into the drink and then
we'll talk to Alex.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, so every episode we feature a cocktail.
This week's cocktail is aManhattan.
So a little bit of a background.
The origin of the Manhattan isa bit of a mystery.
There's a story that says itwas created in the 1870s at the
Manhattan Club in New York.
Some believe Dr Lane Marshallmade it for a banquet hosted by
Lady Randolph Churchill, whileothers claim a bartender named
(01:29):
Black on Broadway was behind it.
So kind of unclear where itcame from.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So is the bartender's name Black.
Or is the bartender's nameBlack on Broadway?
Just Black.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
The bartender's name was Black.
Okay, the bar was on Broadwaysomewhere, okay.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
I mean, a classic Manhattan is kind of wild.
So this is not my drink by anymeans, and obviously people make
crazy Manhattans these days,but this one is kind of the old,
true classic.
So you just need two ounces ofrye whiskey you could use
Templeton rye, a nice Iowa brandthere One ounce of sweet
vermouth, two dashes ofAngostura bitters and don't
(02:10):
overdo it on the bitters, you'llbe sorry.
Garnish it with a brandiedcherry or a lemon twist if you
prefer.
I think most of the time I seepeople use Luxardo cherries in
these because they're just alittle bit deeper.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
If you put a maraschino cherry in it, I'll
slap it out of your hand becausethat's just not in a Manhattan.
Okay, so you take the whiskeyvermouth, I'm doing the bitters.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
It's meant to be guys .
This is my favorite drink.
Nice, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
My favorite drink is a Manhattan.
So I'm listening to you and I'mlike, yep, I know exactly what
I use and what the ratio is.
It is my absolute favoritedrink that I make at home or
that I order it's one of myfavorites too.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I love it that is a.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
it's not my favorite, but that's okay.
We have all the stuff for ithere, but it's not my favorite,
um.
So you just put all that stuffinto a mixing glass, um with ice
, and you just stir it untilwell chilled.
Um, I suppose you could shake amanhattan, but traditionally
it's stirred Strain into achilled Nick and Nora or a coupe
glass.
You know, I love a good coupeglass and then you garnish it
(03:13):
with your cherry or lemon twistand that's just a straight up
classic Manhattan Super, supergood.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
And one of my favorite sayings that I watch
this influencer that does a lotof cocktails and he always says
you know, don't be a poop,freeze your coop.
You got to throw that coop inthe freezer, get it nice and
chilled and then strain it rightinto there and then it's, it's
chef's kiss.
It's not diluted down too much,it stays nice and cool.
(03:43):
It's delicious, well balanced.
Yeah, it's not diluted down toomuch.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
It stays nice and cool.
It's delicious, well balanced,yeah, and there I mean that's
kind of the better alternativeto putting ice and cold water in
the glass and letting it sitwhile you mix your drink and
then dumping it out.
You see a lot of bars do thatto chill the glass down.
(04:10):
Um, glassware would be, um,like if you had a stand-up
freezer with a glass door thatwas just for, like, all of your
drink glasses.
So, like, every drink glass hadits own shelf all the yeah,
probably not red wine glassesbut white wine glasses.
Could you imagine that a frozenwhite wine glass it's going to
be so good for the white wine.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
All right, Now you're talking rich.
You show me to thatrefrigerator and that bar set up
.
You guide me there, my friend,and it's five o'clock somewhere.
I mean the bougiest we have.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
we have a lot of booze in our house, um, but the
bougiest thing we have is we gota new refrigerator when we
moved here.
Um, and it makes the round largeice balls so good and also we
don't use them a lot.
So I'll take them and dump themin to make iced tea, because
they don't melt as fast, so itstays pretty cold.
I don't know, it's just mything, all right.
(04:56):
So, Alex, just give us thetwo-minute background.
Who are you, what are you, whatdo you do?
What's going on?
I tell you what two minutebackground.
Who are you, what are you like,what do you do?
What's going on?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
I tell you what I was talking to, zach, and I didn't
know how in the world I boildown my background or how I do
this.
So I will do my best to giveyou 30,000 feet and then you
guys let me know where, where Ican take it from there.
But I would just say I mean I'mexcited to be here, first and
foremost, and, like I said, Ithink it's serendipitous that
(05:32):
the cocktail of Manhattan, butnow it has me craving one.
So I might have to, you know,duck out of work a little early.
But I will say that I grew upin Northwest Iowa.
I'm an Iowan through andthrough.
And then I grew up over in atown, tiny town, called Ochetan
Iowa so a town of 500, maybe andthen eventually, in eighth
(05:53):
grade, moved over to Okoboji,which is a little better known
it's the Hamptons of Iowa, ifyou will and so grew up there,
went to high school there andthen ended up coming down to
Sioux City on a golf scholarshipto go to Morningside, then
college I understand Rich and soI came on a golf scholarship,
(06:16):
but two weeks into my freshmanyear at Morningside I actually
returned to Okoboji where I hada diving accident.
And so a diving accident twoweeks in.
Long story short, I was 150feet out on a dock and my hat
blew off into the water and so Idove in to retrieve it and it
(06:38):
was 18 inches deep and so itbroke my C5, c6 vertebrae.
I was able the people I waswith, the two girls I was with,
were trained lifeguards that gotme breathing, called paramedics
and life flighted down to SiouxCity where I would have my
surgery.
Six months of rehab out at CraigHospital in Denver, colorado,
(07:02):
before returning back to go toMorningside and finish my
undergraduate degree, go to gradschool down at Omaha at
Creighton, and then do aninternship at the US Department
of Education yeah, we're goingto get to that one, because I
didn't know anything about thatAll these things and worked for
(07:23):
a presidential campaign, wasinspired to run for office
myself, was eventually electedto the city council, wanted to
make a difference in the worldaround me.
I was inspired by the people ofthe rehab hospital I was at
Shout out to Craig Hospital andthey inspired me to want
something more and to pay itforward.
(07:43):
So I took a job at MorningsideUniversity where I felt that I
could do just that.
And here we are now.
I've been at Morningside forover 11 years and held a couple
different titles there, but thenalso been an elected member of
our city council here in SiouxCity for eight years now.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
So it's been two full terms, okay.
So that is quite a journey.
So and obviously like we'vecrossed paths, we've met, we
don't really we haven't reallytalked a ton, yeah, but I and I
of course I knew you were in awheelchair, I've been at events
with you.
You're in a wheelchair, like Icould see that, but I didn't
know all the history and itsounds like that tragedy, that
accident kind of gave you theexperience of coming out of that
(08:28):
and the people you met throughit and the help you got kind of
drove your life direction afterthat.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Oh 100%.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, I hear you talk about the people in rehab and
inspiring you and then wantingto give back and wanting to do
service.
So let's start in DC, becauseyou've been to DC a couple of
times, yeah, numerous times.
Yeah, you had your internship.
The two that I know about isyou had your internship that you
talked about Department ofEducation, but you also spoke
(08:57):
before the Senate at one point,right?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So I had worked on the Senate well, a couple
different committees and I'vespoke before them before never
speaking to like the full Senateactually being out there.
So I've gotten to attend, youknow, a number of different
events or go to the White Housefor different things.
I actually interviewed at theWhite House at one point in time
(09:23):
Wow, that was interesting.
And then so never before thefull sentence, but I have then
been interviewed or worked withSenator Harkin on a few
different things and wasinterviewed with him regarding
different legislation, for sure.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Yeah, perfect, yeah.
So what did you actually majorin in college?
Like I'm curious, like we joke,I am on my plan A Like I did
marketing.
What did you actually major inin college?
Like I'm curious, like, like wejoke, I am on my plan a like I
did marketing, I did advertising, like that was my thing and
that's what I do.
What?
Did you major in, and how doesthat relate to what you're doing
now?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Well before my accident I actually was really
interested in golf.
I was on a golf scholarship.
Like I said, I wanted toactually be a teaching pro and
so my whole goal was to own agolf course and manage that and
do different things.
Then I ultimately, after myaccident, was obviously not
(10:24):
swinging the sticks anymore andplaying golf and so I had to
kind of pivot and I leaned intosome of my other areas where I
was really passionate and itended up being like political
science and loving the classesthat I had taken.
I was really big into debate inhigh school taken.
I was really big into debate inhigh school and that was really
.
It shaped kind of who I was andhow I was able to think about
(10:45):
and articulate arguments andjust analyze what people were
saying to me.
And so then I ended up studyingpolitical science and then my
master's is in negotiation anddispute resolution from Crate,
so kind of unique, like not onethat a lot of people hear about.
And yeah, then I've been ableto leverage both of those.
I mean just with, obviously, Ithink more of the poli sci in
(11:08):
undergrad gives you context formaybe where we've been, to give
you pause about maybe wherewe're going or what we're
experiencing, and then themaster's degree is like hey, I
mean, you both know this, youdon't have to be in politics or
anything else.
Life is a negotiation andthere's always enough dispute
(11:30):
resolution that you need to tryto navigate that.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
But yeah, we talk a lot in our business about having
difficult conversations, likethere are appropriate ways to
have difficult conversations,for sure, and we business about
having difficult conversations,like there are appropriate ways
to have difficult conversations,for sure, and we have them all
the time Like we have to.
It's just the nature of acreative business and I think
that that's kind of as you getinto negotiations, like when you
get into sort of a formalnegotiation, that's like the
ultimate difficult conversationto me.
(11:55):
But yeah, you've got to find anoutcome.
So, okay, I'm going to give youa plan a, because you've done
stuff in politics and you're anelected official.
So political science and you'rean elected official maybe not
the career piece of it, butthat's cool, that is so neat.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Yeah, it was.
It was really for me.
After my accident I was moreinspired by hey, go after what
you enjoy, you know, and figureout the rest later.
Like the dust will settle,trust that you'll land on your
feet pun intended like but, um,I that you know everything will
(12:36):
work out and it really has.
Like I've just continued tofollow my passions and let it
lead me, and you know I, when Ifirst ran for office, I lost.
That's very common.
Yeah, exactly, it's like hey,come on, so did Abraham Lincoln
Right and he lost a lot and thenhe suddenly became president,
like it was.
(12:57):
Yep, he struggled there, and soit's one of those where you know
whether you think I washardheaded or persistent.
I did it again, and now I'vebeen elected a couple of
different times and so it's it'squite an honor to serve, but
yeah, you just don't know wherelife will take you.
And I would say it's definitelyled me to this point and and it
(13:18):
is kind of a path to A, I mean,even if after you I always say
like the before and after, youknow, like I was on a path and
then the path diverted and I'vebeen kind of following that path
ever since.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Yeah, you're just on a different branch of the path.
I guess Yep like giving backand community and the service
you do like on the council.
Is there any particularcommunity project or an
initiative that's come throughover the last several years that
you've been especially proud ofand really made an impact on
you?
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Gosh, I mean honestly , I could point to a lot of
different things, right, like Ithink, when I was running for
office initially, when I wasrunning to be appointed to the
city council and that firstelection, even in my interview,
I kind of joked like I look, Icrack jokes, I make light of it,
like we life is, you can't takeit too seriously.
(14:12):
And I said to them the reasonI'm applying for this position
is selfishly.
I said I want to see more youngpeople, people my age, that are
not only living and staying inSioux City but finding Sioux
City as their home, that arecoming here for you know, to go
to college or to come here for ajob and deciding you know what.
(14:34):
This is an amazing place and Iwant to stay and I want to raise
a family here.
And I was single at the time,and so I was like, gosh, come on
, I need more people, I wantmore people coming to Sioux City
.
And so I knew that we were onthe verge of change and great
things, and I think that I couldpoint to a number of different
(14:55):
projects that have really movedthe needle in our favor and been
just transformative as acommunity.
I will tell you that, the onethat I am probably most proud of
, and it's one where it's notmaybe not as flashy, maybe not
as well-known, it's not like youwould know, it's not like a
(15:17):
landmark, it's not like theriverfront right, the river is
incredible, it is beautiful orcone park, you know, the
addition of the tubing hill, themountain biking area and now,
like all of those additions,that's all very exciting and you
can see that.
But I would say the part that Iam most proud of is I worked
(15:38):
with the council and someindividuals on just completely
revamping our look at tourismand our convention and visitors
bureau and what that does, howit acts, how it works, how it's
funded, you know, and who thosepeople are.
And we established a moretraditional model of a CVB as
(16:01):
opposed to one in-house.
And the reason that I thinkthis was important, it was
something I was really pushing,but it's because on my council,
on the council since I've beenon there, one of the mantras or
things that I've always thoughtabout is getting a return on
your investment.
If you're going to invest insomething like I want to be
(16:23):
investing in things wisely thatare going to return for us as a
community so we can continue togrow it.
And with the CVB if you don'tknow what that means, it's
basically you have an entitythat is marketing your community
and they work with the areasthat you have an entity that is
marketing your community andthey work with the areas that
you have.
They work with your conventioncenter, your event center, your
(16:45):
event and convention space.
They do all those things tomarket your community, to say
you should come visit here, youshould come in vacation here,
you should host your conferencehere, you should do X here,
conference here, you should do Xhere.
And we've really leaned intothat.
And you can actually show andtrack the growth of the revenue
(17:06):
coming in, the people sitting inhotels I mean think of the
youth sports movement and howit's just exploded and we're
able to tell that narrative.
We're able to bring in all ofthese large-scale tournaments
and that equals a lot of headsin beds, which generates revenue
not only for the organizationbut for the city and for all
(17:29):
these different businesses.
They keep the city going.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah, what's interesting?
I'm in Omaha and, of course,college World Series is going on
right now as we speak, so I'mavoiding downtown like the
plague, yep, because there's alot of people down there.
But it's a huge, huge benefit.
But I think the other thingwhen I think about events like
that and I think about, I'mtrying to remember is it a large
basketball or volleyballtournament you guys host?
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Oh, we do so.
We do multiple.
We actually host the NAIANational Championship.
Yep, I knew that.
And that's in volleyball andbasketball.
Oh, it's both.
Okay, I was right having bothof those for years and they're
celebrating milestones.
But yeah, it's a huge windfallfor the city.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yeah and like, just like the college world series,
like you don't have to know theteam, your team doesn't have to
be there, just going as a city,like as a resident, and
participating.
It's just one more interestingthing to do.
Um, and like I was talking tosomebody the other day and it's
like when you go to a sportingevent like that, that's like a
tournament and you don't haveany, like you have no teeth in
(18:27):
the game, right, you just reallywant a good game.
And then that the no hittercame up at the college world
series first one in like 80years.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
And somebody was like yeah, that can be a boring game
.
I'm like no, because it pivotsand the excitement is like can
he do it?
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Can he like actually pull this out?
And I think that's definitelythat tipping point in the game.
I'm sure, yeah, and I thinkthat that's one of the big
things about it's interesting.
You talk about this behind thescenes, organizational structure
, funding, like.
None of these are excitingthings.
We want to talk about theaccounting of the visitors, like
how we do that, how westructure it, how it's formatted
, but the tangible of that is itactually pays back a revenue
dividend.
The non-tangible is yourinitial like I want more people
(19:12):
to be in Sioux City, I want morepeople to understand Sioux City
, I want more people to want todo things here, and I just look
at, like where it was, because Iwent to college in the 90s at
Morningside.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
No one's asking.
I mean I might have the recordsas the alumni director, but no
one.
I'm not bringing that out here,Not today.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
All good, all good.
My GPA was good.
I think it was like a 3.8 or3.7 or something.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
There you go, there you go.
You've done very well foryourself.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
I've been all right, yeah.
The thing that was interesting,though, is like stuff to do,
like we didn't go downtown,there was nothing to do downtown
, and that has picked up so much, and I think that's one of the
other things is like, if youhave these events happening at
your event centers and thingsespecially the downtown or your
convention center, thatinfrastructure to support it
(19:57):
actually gives more things forthe community to do as well.
Like you know, bars,restaurants deciding to stay
open later, those kinds ofthings.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Or more businesses take a chance, right, like the
more people see this and themore people that are visiting
and are like, oh, I could seethat you're going to have more.
We have more apartments andliving units downtown now than
we've ever had and it's like sothat's growing.
You have the hard rock and theTyson event center, the Orpheum
three theater, the Sioux cityart center I mean the warrior,
(20:31):
the warriors my God love the barBeautiful, I mean and if you
haven't seen the riverfront,that redevelopment was just.
It's absolutely breathtaking andit's packed every single
weekend and it's like.
These are the types of thingsthat you know draws people to a
community and gets them tobelieve in it and have some
(20:53):
pride in it.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yeah, absolutely, and I think that that's it's
interesting for me, because, yousee, these had like struggles
with growth in population,population charts and it was
like flat for a really long time, and I think that it's that
mindset of like and you nailedit.
You know, we're going to invest, we're going to spend money.
Folks like we've got to spendmoney but we're going to get it
(21:17):
back, and then some because,again, like more people moving,
there is more tax revenue, likethere's.
Just it compounds itself.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah, yeah, and that is the challenging dialogue that
you have.
I mean it is look, sioux cityis a blue collar community.
I mean, our roots are in thestockyards and working hard and
so we're not that blue collarsit or the white collar city.
We're not.
But we have so much to be proudof and our people work hard and
(21:44):
the more we invest and areproud of our community, the more
we support those areabusinesses, the more you see it
return and the more you seegrowth, the more jobs you see,
the more people are joining andcoming here and you have more to
do.
I mean you it's funny.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
It all just balloons on us like it is, and people
want more and more different,new.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
I mean, now we're working, we're getting a raising
canes.
That's right.
You know, don't fall out ofyour seat Getting things like
raising canes and all kinds ofdifferent stuff.
But it wouldn't be if therewasn't some growth and some
momentum and we just got to workon some of the other components
.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
But there, I was there for the first taco bell
that came to Sioux city.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Like that was a big deal.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
It was down by sneaky's chicken.
Um yeah, oh God, so awesome, umI could just go memory.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
There was a memory right there.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I know Well because of a college we memory there was
a core memory right there oftaco.
I know well, because of acollege, we're a college student
, we're super poor and you couldshoot right down there and like
that was back in the days oflike 69 cent tacos and things
like nothing like today, um.
So I think that you know I wasborn in St Lucie.
I was born at St Luke's.
I grew up for my first fewyears on Alice Street and
Morningside and then we movedaway to Sergeant Bluff and then
(22:59):
Denison.
So still Siouxland, stillgetting the TV stations from up
there.
But I could gush about it.
Like the Warrior Hotel was a bigone for me and I remember when
that project was happening andtalking to the people who were
doing it.
Doing it because as a kid, likewe would go downtown to shop,
because that's where you wentbefore the mall and all the
skywalks and jc penny and allthat, but that building was so
huge and boarded up for decades,like just forever, and when you
(23:24):
you're in there now and whenI'm like that's where I stay,
when I come up to the office,it's like you can't believe this
was just an abandoned,dangerous building like you know
, so great.
Well, and just going to therooftop bar.
That's like you can't believethis was just an abandoned,
dangerous building.
Like it's so great.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Well, and just going to the rooftop bar, that's like
one of my favorite spots and, iffor nothing else, just the
vantage point, the view, becauseit's just awe-inspiring to look
out at the community and lookover even to South Sioux, or
even the river and the bridgeand city hall is right there.
It's just, it is really aweinspiring and it's just one of
(23:59):
those like it gives you thatsense of pride and I think I
think more community membersneed to have that.
We need to find that I'm not.
I'm not from Sioux city, I'mnot a native of Sioux city,
northwest.
Iowa, we'll give it to you,okoboji.
Of all places, this is theplace that's my home, and I want
to make it better than the wayI found it, and so I'm doing
everything I can to invest in it.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Awesome, that's fantastic.
One last question.
We're going to kind of pivotaway from Sioux City.
This is at age old.
If you could go back in timeand talk to your younger self,
is there a piece of advice you'dgive yourself now, knowing
everything you?
Speaker 2 (24:37):
know now, don't go after the hat.
Speaker 1 (24:40):
Let the hat go.
Just kidding, I mean, that's apretty good one.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Yeah, right, right, no.
I think that I mean honestly.
People ask me all the time if Icould go back and make a
different decision from myaccident, you know, or like
change history, and do thatwould I?
And I always think that's achallenging question because
what I will tell you is nowgranted I, I was 18.
(25:05):
So you're a different personthen and I was much more selfish
.
I was way more focused on golf,money and girls is what I
usually say.
Um, my accident taught me theimportance of people around you
and the impact you can leave onone another.
(25:27):
And so, like, if I could, if Icould go back um in time and
tell my younger self anything,it would just be to cherish the
people around you and themoments you have.
Like, I never really got toconnect with my grandma, um,
(25:47):
either of my grandmas or mygrandpas, for that matter, the
way that I wish I had and hadsome of those memories and you
know, my grandma passed awayfrom Alzheimer's the same year
as my accident and just thisaccident, just in my life ever
since, has taught me how muchthe people around us are a part
(26:11):
of our story, a part of ourjourney and we impact them in
such profound ways, even if youdon't know you're making a
difference.
The way you smile and greetsomeone on the city street can
change their whole outlook forthat day, and I love that and I
think that, like we, we missthat and we forget that, and
(26:32):
especially in today's socialmedia era, I mean it's
technological, screen-based hey,no offense, you know if you're
watching this pod or if you'relistening to it, but it just it
really emphasized to me thedifference we can make in one
another's lives.
You referenced it early on ofhow I was inspired by the
(26:53):
healthcare workers or justeveryone at that hospital, and
it's true, they inspired me andI think we have the ability, the
innate ability, to inspireeveryone around us every single
day, and you just you never knowit could be the smallest way,
and so I would tell my youngerself to really pay attention to
that and don't take thosemoments for granted.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
I feel like that's good advice for anybody you know
, younger self, or even today,just like we get so like you
know, stuck in our screens andyou, just you miss the people
around you.
And I think that, like that'ssomething that, especially if
you're a kid, like a teenager,18, 20, 25, like you're not
necessarily focused on everyonearound you.
(27:36):
You've got your group of peoplethat you care about, but you're
not really noticing the worldand all of that.
And just to be able to openyour eyes and embrace that,
that's really beautiful.
Speaking of screens, like I sawtoday, like I don't know if
you've seen these ads they'recoming at me on social media and
places.
But there's a new camera that isnot a disposable camera, it's a
(27:58):
digital camera, but it has noscreen on the back, so you just
take pictures.
It's $69, I think.
So they're pitching to be like,replace the disposable cameras
at camp and at weddings.
But you take the pictures butthere's no like, is it perfect?
Let's take it again, let'swatch them all.
You take the pictures and thenhave that surprise.
You remember the surprise oflike getting film developed and
(28:19):
you had no idea what you got Ivery much remember that and I
was like.
I was like this is going back tomy very first digital camera.
I had no screen on the back, itwas just you looked through it
and pushed.
It was also like 640 by 480 orsomething on the pictures.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
And then you had to take the drive out and plug it
in and figure it out, put itinto an adapter so that you
could put it into your computer.
Yeah, 100%, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
So I kind of love that, I like that there's this
kind of movement and obviouslypeople would be watching this on
the screen or listening to iton a device.
But taking some time, like I go, sit on my back patio while the
dogs are out there no phone.
Glass of water, glass of winecocktail I had a lychee martini
the other day.
It was delicious, and justwhile they're running around, I
just take that moment to pauseand be outside and not worry
(29:08):
about like getting them backinside, like let them run, let
them play, let them sniff, letthem do stuff inside.
Like let them run, let themplay, let them sniff, let them
do stuff, and I just, I justrelax and I'll do that in the
middle of the day while workingtoo like um wait the martini
part or the the let the dogs out.
I generally don't drink martinisare we getting this hot?
Speaker 2 (29:26):
no, I'm just I mean I could I mean, who's gonna own
the?
Company.
You know, when it's your shipat sale, you you decide, captain
we have done margarita lunchesat chili's.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
I know that's happened.
Oh, there you are.
I mean, when you're at chili's,yeah, I mean and they do those
like you're not getting amargarita.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
You're doing something wrong right, and
they're huge, they're big yes,and I will tell you, um, it's
funny you bring up your dogsbecause I actually, um, I don't
know if you've seen this, but atMorningside we have an animal
ambassador and her name is Bettyand she is my golden retriever.
She's about four years old and,um, she actually is fast asleep
(30:04):
at the chair here next to me inmy office and, but, to your
point, she reminds me to be sopresent and to appreciate the
most little things and because,like, look, I hate the cold.
I hate it because my body justdoesn't adapt well and I get
(30:25):
cold so easily, all these things.
But we're in Iowa, we're in thewinter, this dog, when it is
when there's a foot of snow orthere's fresh snowfall or snow
is falling, she has more funthan anyone would you should
ever have in snowfall.
And it's like, no matter howcold I am, I just smile and it
(30:48):
brings so much joy that it'slike I love how happy you are
and I will be outside and I willlet you play, because that's
what life is about.
Like, I want you to enjoy that.
And it just reminds me thatit's like, look, life is short,
like play in the snow, dance inthe rain, you know, whatever it
is, and I just I love thosemoments that you can reflect.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
Yep, a hundred percent.
I think that's, zach, a greatplace for us to like leave it.
It's like thank you so much,alex.
This was great, like I.
Next time we're at an eventtogether, I need to actually
stop and we need to chat, likeyou've got so much going on in
your background.
I want to hear more about DC.
I want to hear more aboutSenator Harkin.
He was one of my favorites.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Yeah, my dad was in the National Guard, so he did
some stuff with Senator HarkinOK well, and I'll have that
Manhattan, you go ahead and havethat martini or whatever it is.
That sounds, that sounds great.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
We can do it on the rooftop of the Hard Rock or not,
the Hard Rock the Warrior,warrior.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
I'm in Perfect.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
All right, Zach take us home, as always.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
thanks for listening.
Thank you for being here, alex.
You can find our agency atantidote, underscore 71.
And if you have a questionyou'd like to send our way head
to ctapodcastlive.
To shoot us an email or, evenbetter, you can leave us a voice
message on our hotline at402-718-9971.
Your question will make it intoa future episode of the podcast
(32:14):
.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Yeah, and if you can see I don't know if you can see
over my shoulder here, youprobably there's.
This is all books.
This is our cocktail book,ready to go out to people.
You just got to send in aquestion or call in a question,
but, alex, you'll get one.
As for being a guest on theshow, you get our gift.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
Here we go.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Value of 1995.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
So here we go, it is value of $19.95, so no need to
tax on it.
All right, no doubt It'll allbe good.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
All right, Thanks for being here and thanks, Zach.
We'll be back with anotherepisode next week.
Zach is keeping it a mysteryfrom me at the moment, so it's
not in the notes, but until then, enjoy your cocktails and go
have that Manhattan tonight,Alex.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
No doubt, cheers, cheers.
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