Welcome to the Take Life Further podcast, where we dive into the world of fitness, wellness, and inspiring personal stories from our Western Racquet & Fitness Club community.
Hosted by Katie Kane, our Special Projects and Programs Director, and Tad Taggart, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Personal Trainer, each episode explores the unique journeys, challenges, and accomplishments of Western staff, members, and local voices.Join us each month as we uncover the strategies and insights that empower people to push beyond their limits, live life to the fullest, and take life further. Whether
In this episode, Katie and Sophie talk to Steve Baker, owner and operator of Fundamentals and Next Level Grind. Steve talks about how playing basketball shaped his life and how he's taken what he's learned on the court to bring support and healing to youth in the area.
NOTES FROM THE SHOW:
Check out I Am Beautiful by Steve's daughter, Brielle Baker (https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Beautiful-Brielle-Baker/dp/B0FHZTQB66/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1H09ZDT1M6PMZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DID9f5NxPnphP6RfEP7qJ_PGleP-7M5hAS8ImT5oq8M.c9jky6g0Q3LWLowwKtmunTmvasrWLfsEE3YVoNLAicA&dib_tag=se&keywords=i+am+beautiful+brielle+baker&qid=1756489971&sprefix=i+am+beautiful+brielle+bake%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-1)
Find your ACES score (https://americanspcc.org/take-the-aces-quiz/)
25 Jul 2025
EPISODE 9: STAY CURIOUS
In episode 9 of the Take Life Further Podcast, Katie, Tad, and Sophie talk lifelong curiosity, intellectual wellness, and why imagination is our most important tool.
From the episode--
Sophie's List of Podcasts for Lifelong Learning:
Between the Covers (https://open.spotify.com/show/0P9Mwj5XvNZxEpkvJrjAU6?si=f7e0d044a5494e4e)
Ologies (https://open.spotify.com/show/5nvRkVMH58SelKZYZFZx1S?si=b268e6257e804b33)
Invisibilia (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Tgsr2BDHLSQ44YsOwoguj?si=2fc313986b5c4e93)
Myths & Legends (https://open.spotify.com/show/6xqETOvGnSQHH0xdLtgcXU?si=14cb265d0a5046c4)
Decoder Ring (https://open.spotify.com/show/3vYNA0Ki5sUHnYC9QwQnKl?si=601d2f9824a84eea)
On Being (https://open.spotify.com/show/08F60fHBihlcqWZTr7Thzc?si=d0688c9a98c940ad)
Upstream (https://open.spotify.com/show/4KwWOMp24P9cVVR6d0i7Zq?si=63fc9ce933e64819)
Dig: A History Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/3LsyWzSYRIlbtKCozNXSYc?si=38f62b97255743a3)
The Witch Wave (https://open.spotify.com/show/489uNYXM3FGHZtbb3rOOIj?si=a093d8dcb6674ecc)
Maintenance Phase (https://open.spotify.com/show/3rDR8CfpIEMpITG2UC3w5W?si=7051e13237e94e7e)
Poem-a-Day (https://open.spotify.com/show/7rEVm3YLMej7WWvhaIAJya?si=81f59b55dc31438d)
Code Switch (https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV?si=54958027d18a4c8b)
The Partially Examined Life (https://open.spotify.com/show/1APpUKebKOXJZjoCaCfoVk?si=8448fdf60fcc496b)
26 Jun 2025
EPISODE 8: IT'S NOT GOODBYE, IT'S SEE YA LATER
Host Tad discusses his journey to becoming a health and fitness professional, reflecting on his experiences and future career aspirations in this farewell interview episode.
7 May 2025
EPISODE 7: BE THE RECIPIENT OF THE STARS
In this episode, Katie, Tad, and Sophie explore the spiritual nature of art with Norbertine priest and St. Norbert’s art professor Seamus Nielsen.
Want to explore some of the topics discussed in this episode? We’ve linked resources below!
“A Natural History of the Senses” by Diane Ackerman (https://www.dianeackerman.com/a-natural-history-of-the-senses)
Dark Sky Park at Newport Park (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/newport/darksky)
“Letters to a Young Poet” (https://kbachuntitled.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rainer-maria-rilke-letters-to-a-young-poet.pdf) and “Go to the Limits of Your Longing” (https://onbeing.org/poetry/go-to-the-limits-of-your-longing/) by Rainer Maria Rilke
Nature Artist Andy Goldsworthy (https://andygoldsworthystudio.com/)
10 Mar 2025
EPISODE 6: I COULD HAVE BEEN A CHEESE BARON
In this episode, Katie and Tad dive into a new dimension of wellness—occupational health—with ERC Counselors & Consultants owner & CEO Steve Baue.
After successful careers in human resources and communications, which included ten moves domestically and internationally, Steve settled in Green Bay after buying his first company, ERC. This was followed by the founding of four more companies.
In this conversation, Steve blends his professional expertise with his own powerful personal story of transformation and finding career happiness, with a few pit stops along the way (cow coaching, cheese barons, acting awards? oh my!).
Learn more about Steve at his website: https://stevebaue.com/ (https://stevebaue.com/)
Watch Steve's Pivot Point talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoJN2ZLMnJQ&ab_channel=GreaterGreenBayChamber) for the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Steve's recommended reading list:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben (https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project/)
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks?variant=32205677625378)+ The Big Leap podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-leap/id1511306025)
Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson (https://rickhanson.com/writings/books/hardwiring-happiness/)
Die with Zero by Bill Perkins (https://www.diewithzerobook.com/welcome)
7 Feb 2025
EPISODE 5: HEALING IN THE HERE & NOW
With Tad on paternity leave, Katie and Sophie are holding down the fort and diving deep into the world of holistic healing and energy work. This episode features an insightful and inspiring conversation about energy healing, mindfulness, and the power of living in the present moment. Joining us are Ana Kat, Renew Director at Western, owner ofRock & Body Shop (https://www.rockandbody.com/) in De Pere, and energy work practitioner, along with Mette Wassinger (https://precisionhealingstudios.thinkific.com/courses/1-1), a nerve specialist, precision healer, energy reader, and owner of Precision Healing Studios.
Visit Mette's website to learn more about her work. (https://precisionhealingstudios.thinkific.com/courses/1-1)
Check out the books, videos, and other resources we talked about in this episode and curated by Mette for our listeners:
The Truth About Reality with Nassim Haramein and Beth Mcdougall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNpZlpAvtUw&ab_channel=NassimHaramein)
International Space Federation (https://spacefed.com/)
Transforming Vibes, Transforming Lives!: How to Tune Your Inner Frequency From Comfort to Ultimate Success by Dr. Jussi Eerikainen (https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Vibes-Lives-Frequency-Ultimate/dp/1988071291)
Find Ana at Rock & Body Shop (https://www.rockandbody.com/), here at Western in Renew, and join her for her monthly Q&A session, "Coffee with Ana," every first Friday of the month at 9:00am at Western Racquet & Fitness Club.
31 Dec 2024
EPISODE 4: HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, WESTERN!
On this episode of the Take Life Further podcast, we send off 2024 with our 50th anniversary epiosde! Tad and Katie chat with Mary Thomas, Western's owner, about the many changes throughout the years and get a peek at some favorite Western memories from staff and members. Happy birthday, Western! Here's to 50 more years!
16 Nov 2024
EPISODE 3: A LEAP OF FAITH
On this episode of the Take Life Further podcast, Tad and Katie chat with Western's illustrious Programming Director Kari Merrill about protecting your emotional health through life's biggest changes. Kari shares her own perspective of the challenges and rewards that come with taking a leap of faith and following your passion, which sometimes includes naked cats!
Follow Kari on Instagram at @kariofitness (https://soundcloud.com/kariofitness) and stay up to date on all things naked pets on her pet Instagram @kariosnakidnation (https://soundcloud.com/kariosnakidnation).
4 Oct 2024
EPISODE 2: KT SWIZZLE SPARKLE
On this episode of the Take Life Further podcast, Tad and Katie sit down with Western Personal Trainer and Recovery Specialist Katie Fichtenbauer for a conversation that wanders through everything from buffalo and gratitude to the science of fascia and recovery.
For more sparkle, follow Katie F. on Instagram @mindfulness.athletics
10 Sept 2024
EPISODE 1: MUSIC TO LAY EGGS TO
Welcome to the very first episode of the Take Life Further podcast! In this inaugural episode, hosts Katie Kane and Tad Taggart introduce themselves and give listeners a glimpse into their passion for helping people with their fitness and wellness. Tune in for a fun and insightful Q&A session, where Katie and Tad interview each other and share personal stories, their journeys at Western Racquet & Fitness Club, and what fuels their dedication to helping others live life to the fullest.
Get a sneak peek at what's to come in future episodes, and join us on this exciting new podcast adventure!
Learn more about Western Racquet & Fitness Club at westernracquet.com (westernracquet.com).
9 Sept 2024
TAKE LIFE FURTHER - TRAILER
Coming soon!
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
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Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
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