Stay Tranquilo Podcast Summary

Episode: There Is Still Good in the World 🌎 | Miami Mangroves, 106-Year Skydiver & a $1 Lemonade Stand
Host(s): Stay Tranquilo Network (Aaron & Co-host Aaron)
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This uplifting episode of Stay Tranquilo spotlights inspiring stories that remind us "there is still good in the world." The hosts, Aaron and his co-host, share and discuss feel-good news from both their Miami community and across the country. These stories include a local environmental hero cleaning up mangroves, a record-breaking 106-year-old skydiver, a janitor’s incredible musical breakthrough, and a little girl's lemonade stand that rallies her whole community. The hosts reflect on the power of small acts, resilience, and how one person’s kindness can ripple outward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami Mangrove Cleanup Hero: Andrew Otaso

[01:40 – 05:56]

• Who: Andrew Otaso, a Cuban American writer, runner, and environmental activist.
• What: Since 2018, Andrew has single-handedly (with occasional help) removed over 35,000 pounds of trash from Miami’s mangroves.
  • Retrieved not only plastic bottles/wrappers but also refrigerators, couches, tires, and even an abandoned boat.
• Impact:
  • Reminds listeners that mangroves are vital to South Florida’s ecosystem and home to diverse wildlife.
  • Highlights the dedication, perseverance, and courage required to keep these areas clean given challenges like bugs, narrow branches, and even alligators.
  • The story was recently covered by the Washington Post, elevating the message locally and nationally.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “[Andrew] has a quote here. ‘I just love Miami. If I can leave this place better than I found it, then that's enough.’” — Host Aaron [05:40]
• Takeaway:
  • Individual actions can inspire collective change: “Imagine what a hundred or a thousand people could do.”
  • The hosts encourage small efforts like picking up a bag of trash to make a significant difference.

2. Oldest Skydiver Ever: Alfred Blaschke

[05:57 – 08:13]

• Who: Alfred Blaschke, retired craftsman from Texas.
• What: At 106 years old, he broke his own world record as the oldest person to complete a tandem skydive from 9,000 feet.
  • Previously set the record at 103, and decided to “do it again.”
• Impact:
  • “If you think you can't, you’re underestimating yourself. Everyone is more capable than they think.” — paraphrasing Alfred’s mindset [07:02]
  • The act inspires all ages to pursue adventure and challenge self-imposed limits.
• Memorable Moments:
  • Hosts marvel at the feat, joking about their own hesitations around skydiving.
  • “If I make it 106, leave me alone. I’m not jumping out of any plane.” — Co-host Aaron [07:58]
• Takeaway:
  • Age is no limit to boldness or ambition.
  • “Props to you, Al. You are a legend. You’re an inspiration to many.” — Host Aaron [08:13]

3. Janitor-to-Country Chart Topper: Richard Gadol

[09:09 – 14:36]

• Who: Richard Gadol, middle school janitor from Indiana.
• What:
  • Known as “the nicest guy in the building,” he loves singing as he works.
  • A viral video of him performing “Don’t Stop Believin’” at a school talent show led to national attention.
  • Went on “America’s Got Talent,” released an original song, “A Long Time Coming,” which hit #1 on iTunes’ country chart within 24 hours.
• Impact:
  • Showcases how “your life can turn in a second” through the power of social media and being authentic.
  • “It really is crazy how your life can turn in a second and how… you can go from mopping floors and now performing and singing and writing music.” — Co-host Aaron [10:26]
  • Emphasizes the importance of support and encouragement; sometimes all it takes is someone sharing your talent for your life to change.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “When you love what you do and you're just organic in the way that you go about your day, something like this could happen to you… don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.” — Host Aaron [11:12]
• Takeaway:
  • Dreams can come true at any age or stage; small acts of sharing or encouragement can change lives.
  • The hosts highlight “the true purpose of social media” as sharing uplifting, real stories.

4. Community Kindness: Emory Johnson’s Lemonade Stand

[15:03 – 21:03]

• Who: Emory Johnson, a 7-year-old girl from Alabama.
• What:
  • After her mother passed away at 29, Emory wanted to raise money for her mother’s headstone, so her grandparents helped her set up a lemonade stand (“Lemonade $1: Raising Money for Mommy’s Headstone”).
  • Local attention snowballed into media coverage and over $10,000 in donations.
• Impact:
  • “[Emory] brought an entire community together… she didn’t have to go through it alone.” — Co-host Aaron [18:31]
  • Story demonstrates compassion in strangers and the ripple effects of public kindness.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “It’s a testament that there’s good in the world, right?… there’s actually so much good out there.” — Host Aaron [17:29]
  • “Her memory of her mom passing isn’t going to be having to put her mom — it’s going to be, I brought an entire community together and I had… so much overwhelming support.” — Co-host Aaron [18:31]
• Takeaway:
  • Small, vulnerable gestures can spark immense generosity and healing.
  • Communal support can transform trauma into hope and belonging.

5. Reflections: The Power of Simple Acts

[21:03 – 23:17]

• The hosts urge listeners to recognize the significance of small actions:
  • “A simple, ‘How are you doing?’, opening the door for someone, buying a coffee… you don’t realize how much a little act of kindness can do, and it's like that ripple effect.” — Host Aaron [19:44]
• Ripple Effect: Goodness inspires more goodness — one act can lead to another, shaping lives for the better.
• Final Takeaways:
  • “Do good in the world. Do your part to help however you can. Even in the smallest ways, it has the biggest impact.” — Host Aaron [22:09]
  • The episode concludes as a call to action to “love your neighbor,” “support your neighbor,” and “do whatever you can to make the world better today.” [23:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Andrew Otaso on motivation:
  • “If I can leave this place better than I found it, then that’s enough.” [05:40]
• On age and possibility:
  • “If you think you can't, you’re underestimating yourself. Everyone is more capable than they think.” (paraphrasing Alfred Blaschke) [07:02]
  • “If I make it 106, leave me alone. I’m not jumping out of any plane.” — Co-host Aaron [07:58]
• On viral success and authenticity:
  • “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because you really never know what’s going to happen.” — Host Aaron [11:12]
• On community impact:
  • “She brought an entire community together… so much overwhelming support.” — Co-host Aaron [18:31]
• On the importance of simple acts:
  • “It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant… it’s just little things that can then be passed on to the next person and make such an impact in someone’s day.” — Host Aaron [22:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Miami Mangrove Cleanup (Andrew Otaso): 01:40 – 05:56
• Record-Breaking Skydiver (Alfred Blaschke): 05:57 – 08:13
• Janitor Turned Singer (Richard Gadol): 09:09 – 14:36
• Lemonade Stand Kindness (Emory Johnson): 15:03 – 21:03
• Reflections & Call to Action: 21:03 – 23:17

Tone & Style

The hosts are relaxed, conversational, and encouraging, often peppering their exchanges with humor and warmth. Their Miami flair comes through in the language (“cafesito”), and their hope is contagious: they call for listeners to notice and create the good around them, no matter how small the gesture.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that everyday heroes walk among us and small acts — whether cleaning a coastline, leaping from a plane, sharing a talent, or selling lemonade — have the power to change the world. The hosts encourage everyone to be part of that change, spreading simple kindnesses and believing in the “still good in the world.”