Fishbowl Roulette

Love, Hazmat Suits, and Electric Scooters

Welcome to Fishbowl Roulette, the podcast of random questions and unfiltered conversations. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Bard and Mia—an entrepreneurial power couple whose lives are as different as night and day, yet perfectly synchronized.
Andrew, a self-described Central Florida transplant, Bitcoin enthusiast, and basement "mad scientist," shares his colorful journey from Auburndale to Cape Girardeau. Seeking to escape his prominent family name, Andrew eventually retired to the Philippines. It was there, on Bumble, that he met Mia—a driven Filipina entrepreneur and the talented baker behind Cora's Taste of Manila. Despite Mia’s initial hesitation to date an American, their shared drive and matching work ethic sparked an instant, undeniable connection.
Within just six months of meeting, the duo launched an electric scooter business in Manila. However, their retirement plans took a wild turn when the 2020 lockdowns forced them to flee on one of the last flights out of the country. Mia’s grueling 40-hour journey ended with her arriving in Cape Girardeau in a full hazmat suit, capped off with an unforgettable, late-night welcome to America at a Taco Bell drive-thru.
In this episode, Andrew and Mia dive into our "Guest Bowl" to discuss how they navigate the blurred lines of being married business partners. They candidly share how they maintain their "honeymoon phase," overcome relationship anxieties, and bridge cultural differences, culminating in a thoughtful debate on whether human character is caught or taught.
Tune in for a hilarious, heartwarming, and completely honest look at love, resilience, and the unpredictable roulette of life!

Marriage Without the Filter With Kala Groves

In this candid and hilarious episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Sandra sits down with Kala for an unfiltered conversation about marriage, family wounds, forgiveness, and what it really takes to build a lasting relationship.
Kala shares the honest stories behind more than two decades of marriage, including navigating childhood baggage, disagreements, aging parents, heartbreak, and the everyday chaos of raising a family. She explains how communication, humor, authenticity, and a willingness to “drop the mask” have helped her relationship remain strong—even when the love was feral and the fights got real.
The conversation also takes some unexpected turns into career resilience, the business behind healthcare, troubling social media trends, and the importance of letting go of the past without being ashamed of your story.
Raw, funny, and deeply relatable, this episode is a reminder that real connection does not come from pretending to have a perfect life. It comes from embracing the mess, learning to forgive, and having the courage to be fiercely yourself.

Building a Bigger Table with Brooke Venable

What happens when you choose growth over grudges? On this episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Sandra sits down with Brooke Venable, owner of Relish Sandwich Shop in Cape Girardeau, for an honest conversation about forgiveness, family, entrepreneurship, and starting over.
Brooke shares how she navigated divorce, painful relationship experiences, and the challenges of creating a healthy co-parenting relationship and blended family. Through mature communication, clear boundaries, and a shared commitment to their children, she and her family transformed past hurt into a powerful example of unity and healing.
She also opens up about her deep connection to the community, building a business where people feel safe and welcomed, and creating a life rooted in authenticity and compassion. Brooke’s story is a reminder that letting go of resentment does not erase the past—it creates room for peace, connection, and a better future.

Where Community, History, and Ghosts Intersect with Christy Mershon

What can ghost stories teach us about history, resilience, and the identity of a community? On this episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Sandra talks with historian, community leader, and paranormal enthusiast Christy Mershon about Cape Girardeau’s haunted legends and the surprising role storytelling plays in preserving local culture.
Christy shares how ghost tours helped support historic sites during difficult times, why supernatural stories can inspire people to explore the past, and how communities can honor their history without becoming trapped by nostalgia. From haunted buildings and unexplained energy to cultural change and the cat distribution system, this conversation reveals the extraordinary stories hiding in familiar places.

The Power of Presence: Roger Lipe on Purpose, Faith, and Living Intentionally

In this inspiring episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Sandra sits down with coach, chaplain, speaker, and author Roger Lipe to explore what it really means to live a meaningful life. From his roots in Southern Illinois to training sports chaplains around the world, Roger shares how faith, purpose, and a willingness to follow God's calling shaped his remarkable journey.
Together, they discuss the importance of staying present, discovering the unique intersection of your gifts and calling, and finding purpose in every season of life. Roger opens up about leadership, loss, mentorship, and the lessons he's learned through decades of serving athletes, coaches, and communities.
Whether you're a leader, parent, entrepreneur, or simply searching for greater meaning, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement to help you slow down, focus on what truly matters, and build a legacy that lasts. Sometimes the most profound moments aren't in the future—they're right in front of us.

From Missouri Farm Kid to Broadway Keeper

How does a kid from a small Missouri farm end up helping preserve some of Broadway’s most iconic theaters? In this episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Sandra sits down with Bill Register, Vice President of Operations for Niederlander Theaters, to discuss his incredible journey from rural Missouri to the heart of Times Square.
Bill shares how a childhood love of theater, a passion for history inspired by his grandmother, and a two-year Irish dance tour helped shape the path that led him to Broadway. From major theater renovations and behind-the-scenes challenges to preserving the stories and energy that make these venues special, Bill offers a fascinating look at what it takes to keep Broadway’s magic alive. Along the way, he reflects on his Midwest roots, cultural changes, and why protecting history matters for future generations.

The Burnout Trap: Why Entrepreneurs Must Lead Themselves First

In this episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Brandi Holder opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, burnout, and learning how to lead yourself before leading others. Through personal stories of grief, resilience, and rediscovery, Brandi shares how helping her husband during his final days completely transformed her outlook on life, business, and success.
Together, we dive into why so many entrepreneurs feel exhausted despite their achievements, the warning signs of burnout people ignore, and how self-awareness can completely change the way you approach leadership and happiness.
You’ll discover:• Why burnout often comes from disconnection, not laziness• The importance of self-leadership in business and life• How vulnerability can become a leadership strength• Why redefining success can lead to greater fulfillment
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from your purpose, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on building a life and business that feels sustainable, authentic, and meaningful.

Loud & Unapologetic: Breaking the ‘Just Enough’ Mindset

In this behind the scenes episode of Fishbowl Roulette, Sandra and her guest Kaylee ditch the script to tackle the "just enough" mindset. Moving from the illusions of social media to the raw reality of self-worth, they explore why we play small and how to finally start claiming our space—loudly and unapologetically.  

Start Before You’re Ready

Ten episodes in.Which honestly feels kind of wild.In this episode of Fishbowl Roulette, I talk about what I’ve learned from creating something before feeling fully ready — the awkwardness, the doubt, the momentum, and why starting messy may actually be the point.Then we pull a question from the fishbowl:“How do you and your partner stay emotionally connected?”My answer?Intentional time. Choosing each other first. And protecting your relationship by how you think about — and speak about — one another when the other person isn’t in the room.This episode is about connection.To your dreams.To your people.And to yourself.Pull up a chair.Let’s get real.#FishbowlRoulette #Podcast #Relationships #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #Marriage #Connection #StartBeforeYoureReady

“Community. Cocktails. Beautifully Crafted Chaos.” Welcome to the heart and mind of super entrepreneur Carisa Stark.

From launching a food truck out of an old FedEx truck to building restaurants, live music venues, and unforgettable experiences in Southeast Missouri, Carisa Stark joins Sandra Koenig for a wildly honest episode of Fishbowl Roulette. What starts as a conversation about hospitality and hometown roots quickly turns into a deeper discussion about leadership, vulnerability, growing up in the Midwest, raising adult children, chasing purpose, and the pressure of being misunderstood in a small town.With random Fishbowl questions guiding the conversation, Sandra and Carisa dive into entrepreneurship, community culture, high expectations, dinner-table nostalgia, rumors, relationships, and the emotional reality behind being “the strong one.” Equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and unfiltered, this episode is a reminder that the people who seem fearless often carry the deepest stories.