Podcast
Changing the Rules
Hosted by Wildfire Podcasts, Raymond D. Loewe, "The Luckiest Guy in the World", Ray Loewe · EN
With Ray Loewe — The Luckiest Guy in the World
Every week, Changing the Rules invites you to imagine — and live — a life designed by you. Host Ray Loewe believes every person is a unique original with talents, passions, and quirks that make them one of a kind. When you embrace your uniqueness, you escape the rules others have imposed — and you gain the freedom to flourish.
Our guests are living proof. They come from all walks of life and have each designed lives that look completely different — yet they share one thing in common: pure joy. You’ll feel it in their voices, see it in their choices, and sense it in every story they tell.
Some overcame loss, illness, or transitions. Others broke free from limbo — that gray space where you’re neither happy nor unhappy. Through courage and self-discovery, they each found their way back to joy.
Their stories won’t tell you how to live your life — they’ll inspire you to design your own. Because their joy may be theirs, but the same joy is waiting for you.
Join us each week and become one of The Luckiest People in the World.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E253: Clear Ice & Bitters, Part 2: The Cocktail Was Never the Point
1w ago00:20:34Tap to summarizeGuest: Julia Adams, Clear Ice & Bitters Last week, Julia Adams created a one-of-a-kind cocktail experience for co-host Mary Ann Steinhauer. This week, she turns her attention to Ray Loewe—and the result is entirely different. Rather than asking what someone wants to drink, Julia begins by getting to know who they are. Through thoughtful questions and remarkable listening, she uncovers memories, emotions, and experiences that become the inspiration for a cocktail designed for one person and one moment in time. Ray observes that this isn't an experience you can find just anywhere. Julia's focus on the individual is so complete that he realized he would enjoy the experience—even before he knew whether he'd enjoy the drink. The cocktail became almost secondary to the feeling of being genuinely heard and understood. Julia explains that her goal is simple: "I try to create a space where each person I design for feels special, even if it's only for a short while." This episode goes far beyond mixology. It's a conversation about intentional listening, creating meaningful experiences, and how making one person feel truly seen can become the greatest gift a host has to offer.
Transcribe →E252: Conducting the Perfect Cocktail, Guest, Julia Adams
2w ago00:26:53Tap to summarizeGuest: Julia Adams, Clear Ice & Bitters - What if the most memorable part of a party wasn't the food or the music—but the feeling that someone created just for you? In this episode of Changing the Rules, Ray Loewe and co-host Mary Ann Steinhauer talk with Julia Adams, founder of Clear Ice & Bitters, who is redefining hospitality one guest at a time. Drawing on her background as a classical musician, conductor, and educator, Julia approaches cocktail creation as an art form designed to make every person feel seen, valued, and unforgettable. Rather than asking, "What would you like to drink?" Julia begins by asking questions about your favorite memories, colors, aromas, and flavors. The result isn't simply a custom cocktail—it's a personalized experience that reflects who you are. From crystal-clear ice and handcrafted garnishes to thoughtful conversation and presentation, every detail is orchestrated to create connection. This episode isn't really about cocktails. It's about changing the rules of hospitality, discovering the power of intentional experiences, and learning how small, thoughtful touches can transform an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary memory.
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E251: Taking the Back Seat to History
3w ago00:32:36Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you accept an invitation to experience someone else's passion? In this episode of Changing the Rules, Ray and Sandy Loewe climb into the back seat of a beautifully restored 1911 Stevens-Duryea (a $300,000 antique car) and join a caravan of thirty Brass Era automobiles winding through the Pennsylvania countryside. What began as an invitation from friend Jane Grove quickly became much more than a ride in a rare antique automobile. Along the way, they met fascinating people from ten different states, including travelers from California, Oregon, and even Dubai. They learned the history behind these remarkable machines, discovered the dedication required to keep them running, and experienced the unique camaraderie that develops when people gather around a shared passion. Joining the conversation are Jane Grove, who introduced Ray and Sandy to the tour; Pat Gamble, driver, mechanic, tour leader, and antique automobile enthusiast; and co-host Mary Ann Steinhauer. Together they explore how curiosity, friendship, and a willingness to say "yes" can open doors to unexpected adventures. As Jane likes to describe it, the tour was simply a journey from one food stop to the next—just conducted in magnificent antique style. This episode is a reminder that some of life's best experiences begin when we step into someone else's world and allow ourselves to be surprised. Key Takeaway: You don't have to become an expert in someone else's passion to enjoy it. Sometimes the greatest rewards come from being curious enough to take the ride.
Transcribe →E250: How Did We Ever Survive Childhood
Jun 1600:24:12Tap to summarizeHost: Ray Loewe - A few weeks ago, I had coffee with some friends. We started talking about the incredibly stupid things we did as kids and how we ever survived childhood. Maybe we were just the "Luckiest Kids in the World. "Hopefully, this podcast will take you back a few years to your youth. Enjoy!
Transcribe →E249: Send in the Clown, Guest, Terry Lieb
Jun 200:31:20Tap to summarizeGuest: Terry Lieb - Host: Ray Loewe - Co-Host: May Ann Steinhauer - A journey from coal mine country through trade school, the circus. From college to finding the life he wanted by exploring the counseling world. All told through some of the most fascinating stories you'll ever hear.
Transcribe →E248: Interupting Your Life To Do What You Want, Guest, LaKiesha Tomlin
May 2600:20:53Tap to summarizeLaKiesha Tomlin, Engineer, MBA, Company Owner, just returned from a four-week immersion trip to southern France to learn French. LaKiesha credits intentionality and the ability to seize opportunities. If it's important, just do it! Host: Ray Loewe, Co-Host: Mary Ann Steinhauer
Transcribe →E247: The Stories That Define Us - An Interview With Ray Loewe, Host: Jim Rose, Cohost: Mary Ann Steinhauer
May 1900:34:22Tap to summarizeWhat started as a simple internet TV experiment became something much bigger. In this special episode of Changing the Rules, host Jim Rose — usually the voice behind the engineering console — turns the microphone on Ray Loewe, founder of Changing the Rules, Life Under the Willow Tree, and The Friends Connection Forum. Ray shares the unexpected evolution of these projects: from early internet television, to pandemic-driven podcasting, to a growing movement centered on storytelling, connection, and legacy. Along with co-host Mary Ann Steinhauer, the conversation explores how podcasts have become more than just interviews. They became a way for people to truly know one another — neighbors becoming friends through stories instead of small talk. The episode dives into: The birth and evolution of Changing the Rules How Life Under the Willow Tree created deeper community connections Why storytelling helps combat isolation and build relationships The emergence of storytelling dinners, coffee conversations, and live events How “The Luckiest People in the World” are beginning to build their life stories through a collection of short, meaningful moments At the center of it all is a simple but powerful idea: A life isn’t defined by a résumé. It’s revealed through stories. And sometimes it only takes a handful of stories to understand who someone really is.
Transcribe →E246: Storytelling: How to Tap Your Creative Genius, Guest, Rebecca Hoffman
May 1300:28:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Changing the Rules, hosts Ray Loewe and Mary Ann Steinhauer welcome Rebecca Hoffman, founder of Good Egg Concepts and keynote speaker for the March 2026 Friends Connection Forum. Building on her inspiring presentation from the Forum, Rebecca takes listeners deeper into the art — and power — of storytelling. But this isn’t just about becoming a better speaker or writer. It’s about learning how stories unlock creativity, reveal identity, build connection, and help us make sense of our experiences. Through practical insights and engaging discussion, Rebecca explores how anyone can tap into their “creative genius” by paying attention to memories, emotions, curiosity, and the stories we often overlook. Because great storytelling isn’t reserved for authors, performers, or marketers. It belongs to all of us. And sometimes the story you need to tell most… is your own.
Transcribe →E245: Leadership: What Lou Holtz Taught Navy Vice Admiral Dan Cooper, Guest, Dan Cooper
May 500:20:28Tap to summarizeWhat if the best leadership lessons aren’t found in boardrooms… or even on the battlefield? In this episode of Changing the Rules, Ray Loewe sits down with Vice Admiral Dan Cooper (Ret.) to explore leadership through an unexpected lens—a legendary college football coach. Dan shares personal stories about his friend, Notre Dame’s Lou Holtz—not the public figure, but the man behind the reputation. Through a series of powerful, behind-the-scenes moments, a different picture of leadership emerges: Making hard decisions when it would be easier not to Showing up for people—every time Seeing potential others miss Building loyalty that lasts a lifetime This isn’t a conversation about football. It’s about what real leadership looks like when no one’s keeping score. Because maybe the rule worth changing is this: Leadership isn’t about how many people follow you… It’s about how many people you lift.
Transcribe →E244: What the Obituary Missed: Remembering a Life Through Stories
Apr 2800:17:50Tap to summarize“I lost a friend this week.” That’s how this episode begins—with a simple sentence that opens the door to something much deeper. After reading an impressive obituary filled with accomplishments and milestones, host Ray Loewe is left with an unexpected realization: the most important parts of his friend’s life weren’t there. Not the lunches. Not the conversations. Not the laughter. Not the way Bill could take an idea apart—only to leave you more confident it would succeed. Joined by co-host Mary Ann Steinhauer and guests Don Helin and Jim Rose, this conversation explores what really defines a life well lived. Through stories of wit, friendship, and one final unfinished collaboration—the “Legacy Project”—they reflect on the moments that truly endure. Because in the end, it’s not the résumé that people remember. It’s the stories. The ones that get retold. The ones that make us laugh. The ones that quietly shape who we become. This episode is a tribute to a friend, to the power of storytelling, and to the idea that our real legacy lives on in the lives we touch.
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