Episode 05: Helmet Up! Meet two heroes, and be one yourself!

In 2021, One Off cohost John Urban took a nasty fall off his bike. Not wearing a helmet, he suffered a serious head injury, knocked unconscious and bleeding on the path.

Along came Nick. A passerby on his own bike, Nick stopped, called 911, and most likely saved John’s life.

On Episode 5 of The One Off Podcast, John meets Nick for the very first time. Together, they revisit that day and everything that followed. We’re also joined by Kim, a Nurse Practitioner from UnityPoint Health - Meriter Hospital, who shares why protecting your head isn’t optional — it’s essential whenever you’re riding a bike, scooter, or skateboard.

Determined to turn a hard lesson into something positive, John and cohost Erik created Helmet Up!—a month-long fundraiser dedicated to providing helmets for kids and families who may not otherwise be able to afford them.

All donations made throughout May will go directly toward purchasing helmets, which will be distributed through two incredible nonprofits: Wheels for Winners and the Goodman Community Center.

If you’d like to contribute, smash the big blue donate button. Wanna send a big ol' check?? Reach out to us at info@theoneoffpodcast.com and we’ll help make it happen. At the end of May, we’ll share how many helmets your generosity helped provide.

Along with all the serious stuff, we also get to know Nick a bit better, talk some Milli Vanilli, and celebrate the exciting news that Spring Green, WI, now has a brand-new Kwik Trip (store no. 1915!).

Thanks for listening, for supporting, and for helping make a difference. And remember to always Helmet Up!!

• Donations are 100% tax-deductible. We’re grateful to our 501(c)(3) partner, Big Dreamers United, for managing the donation process.

Helmet Up! is presented by Culver's.

Nick Vitale's Polishing Turds podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@polishing_turds

Episode 04: SPIN OFF - Intro Song Challenge & Helmet Up!

In this first Spin Off episode, Erik answers John's Episode 03 challenge to create a full song out of the podcast's intro music. Listen to “AM Static” unveiled in its entirety for the first time. They also tease episode 05 of the One Off, dropping May 5th 2026. It's Helmet Up, a month-long fundraiser to purchase bike helmets for families that might not be able to afford them.

Check out Erik's band, The Mascot Theory, to hear more of his songs: https://themascottheory.com/

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 03: John McDermott Author, The Last Spirits of Manhattan

A lifetime of doing what you love, blank pages filling up with words, and the overwhelming joy when, finally, the call comes from a large publishing house: “Hi, John. We’d like to publish your novel.” On this episode, author John McDermott reflects on the inner drive that kept him writing for decades, withstanding rejection when it would have been easier to quit, and publishing his first novel at the youthful age of 60.

Featured nonprofit: Writers' League of Texas (WLT) is the largest literary arts organization in Texas, a statewide nonprofit offering programs and services to writers at all stages of their writing careers, from just getting started to publication and beyond. https://writersleague.org/

The Last Spirits of Manhattan novel is available wherever you buy books, and might we recommend: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-spirits-of-manhattan-a-novel-john-a-mcdermott/df58a5ab18283aa3

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 02: Chris Vos Singer/Songwriter, The Record Company

A Wisconsin kid with a guitar, a restless spirit, and a sound rooted in blues and grit — Chris Vos turned a leap of faith into a Grammy-nominated band. In this episode, he opens up about trusting instinct over industry formulas, the grind behind the glow of success, and why the Midwest imprint never really leaves you — no matter how far the tour bus rolls.

Featured nonprofit: Holton’s Heroes provides support, information and rehabilitative devices for children and their families affected by a post-birth brain injury. https://www.holtonsheroes.org/

Give It Back To You deluxe expanded reissue album out now: https://therecordcompany.net/

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 01: Dr. Richard Davidson Founder, Center For Healthy Minds

We sit down with world-renowned neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson to talk about why meditation doesn’t have to be complicated to make a real difference — and why flourishing isn’t some far-off idea, but something we’re all capable of, right where we are.

Featured nonprofits: Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations) is a global nonprofit on a mission to make wellbeing real by translating science into action. https://www.humin.org/

Tergar — transforming hearts and minds by making the ancient wisdom of meditation accessible to the modern world. https://tergar.org/

Born To Flourish book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Born-to-Flourish/Richard-J-Davidson/9781668066232

Presented by Big Dreamers United

Episode 00: The intro. You know what the world absolutely does not need now? Another podcast. It's The One Off Podcast with John Urban and Erik Kjelland. Coming 2026. Presented by Big Dreamers United.

(This thing only happens once, unless it accidentally happens again)