Listeners and Readers,

In this week as we celebrate the America’s independence, I feel it is only fitting that we salute our proud men and women, past and present, who have served this country in the Armed Forces.  You’ve heard me talk about them quite a bit on this show.  I believe that what you do in protecting the freedoms that most of us take for granted is incredible, and I can never thank you enough.  But, I can bring you a show devoted to you, which is entitled “Support Our Troops.”  We should be supporting them EVERY DAY, but it starts with one radio broadcast.

Put your politics aside!  This isn’t about politics; it’s about people.  Real people, like you and me.  Individuals who put themselves at risk for our sake in remote places in the world.  Brave men and women who answered when their country asked for their help.

Beyond the two outstanding guests this week, in “Spencer Speaks,” you’ll hear me offer my “two cents” on our troops overseas and their role in the world, John McCain, why Wesley Clark needs to get a clue, and, of course, my sports commentary…featuring Euro 2008 and the majesty that is Fresno State baseball.

The lineup of guests this week is:

Patrick Gray: Co-founder of Take Pride, a highly-successful military-inspired T-shirt manufacturer with some truly innovative designs.  Through art, Take Pride is able to tell the real-life stories of our troops, and the company even donates a portion of its revenue to directly supporting the troops.  Many of the designs for the shirts come from the soldiers themselves…what a great creative outlet for them!  I would also like to say that before I ever knew Patrick would be on the show, I bought one of their shirts.  These things are stylish and send such a great message!

John Hanson: SVP for Marketing and Communications for the USO’s World Heaquarters, which has been providing so many great services and entertainment for our troops around the world for over 65 years!  You will be amazed in this interview at the scope of the USO’s operations and just how many lives they are reaching right now.  John has a refreshing take on the need for an organization like this one, having served our country during the Vietnam War and getting to experience the USO’s benefits himself.

I hope that you enjoy this week’s show.  Be sure to share it with anyone serving our country or the family and friends of those deployed overseas. 

Once again, THANK YOU to all of our troops around the world!

Best,

Eric

Listeners and Readers,

To bring you up to speed, in case you’ve missed the past few shows, some very insightful things (at least I think so) have come from my “creative” mind, with a little help from others.

–In last week’s show, I brought you “Lauren’s Law,” which I came up with after consulting with my ever so witty and charming friend Lauren, a corporate attorney in an unnamed city.  “Lauren’s Law” is: “You must work in the occupation for which you went to school for at least as long as you went to school to prepare for that occupation.”  So, let’s use real examples.  If you went to law school (3 years), you have to work in law for 3 years before you are allowed to change streams and do something interesting that you are passionate about (I’m going to assume “The Law” is not that thing).  Med school (4 years), means that you have to be a Resident/Dr. for 4 years.  Business school (2 years), if you have a specialty, means you must stay in that specialty for 24 months.  Seriously, you can apply this to any advanced degree.  So, for all of you attorneys out there that are 6 years into the “rat race” to try to make partner, take heart; you have officially met my requirements to change occupations.  If your colleagues think that you are out of your mind, just tell them that you are following “Lauren’s Law.”  If they ask you for the legal cases involving “Lauren’s Law,” you will know that you are clearly making the right decision.

–A few weeks ago, I brought you my take on a statement that people make about race, which I think is a tad misstated.  People who consider themselves to be open minded about other races, often say, “I don’t see color.”  I get what they are saying and respect it, but it should be worded differently.  Thus, I bring you my restatement.  “I’m tired of people saying that they ‘don’t see color.’  Everyone, except a blind person, ’sees color.’  The problem is not seeing the color of someone’s skin; it’s when you assign a value or judgment to that person BECAUSE OF that color.”–Eric Spencer.  By the way, Don Imus, you might want to read my statement.  Just a thought.

In addition to my great guests, I hope to bring you more thought-provoking social theories and statements in the future!  If you have any good ideas, let me know.  I will be sure to give you all the credit and mention it “on air” or in the blog.

Best,

Eric

Listeners,

Another week and another show is upon us.  It is my pleasure this week to bring you “Employing Empowerment.”  In case you haven’t noticed, pretty much everyone I’ve had on the show is self-empowered.  It has led them to follow their passion and do great things in the world.  However, there is a subset of these self-empowered people, who take it a step further…they empower OTHERS.  To put it mildly, they are, therefore, the perfect guests for my show.  Thus, I bring you “Employing Empowerment” this Wednesday.

In addition to the two outstanding guests, in “Spencer Speaks” this week, you’ll hear me dish about the miraculous Tiger Woods, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial being constructed, the sad state of airlines, and a new social “theory” that I call “Lauren’s Law” (in reference to my friend who gave me the idea).  Trust me, you’ll want to hear it.

My lineup of guests this week includes:

Suzan Colon: Senior Editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, here to discuss their outstanding new cookbook, O, The Oprah Magazine Cookbook, which is sure to get anyone (hey, maybe even me) in the kitchen and sharing home-cooked meals with family and friends.  We’ll also chat about what it’s like to work in the incredible corporate culture that Oprah Winfrey has created, where empowerment is one of the missions.

Danny Klein: Co-Founder of MeeWee, one of the most innovative music programs in the country, which is helping to develop and connect children from a diverse array of backgrounds through the power of writing lyrics and performing.  Hip-Hop music with positive messages…now that is a brilliant concept.  Outside of MeeWee, Danny is also an accomplished filmmaker, which we will be talking about in the interview.

So, I hope that you like this new theme, and I look forward to your feedback on the show.  Also, just so you know, Show 25 next week couldn’t be more fitting as we celebrate the 4th of July. 

Best,

Eric

Listeners and Readers,

As you heard me bring up in last Wednesday’s show, I wanted to send out my thoughts and prayers to all of those battling the flooding in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa where the damage was quite severe.

It’s hard to see the very heart of our country in such distress and turmoil.  As we saw with Hurricane Katrina (and countless natural disasters globally), Mother Nature can giveth, and it can take away.  Leaving out the BILLIONS in damage that will have dramatic effects on the whole region, these are real people that will have to rebuild with what they have left, if anything. 

For me, what makes all of this devastation, levees breaking, etc. the most disturbing is that it started with simple rains falling in the area.  It didn’t take a 7.2 earthquake, a Category 4 hurricane, or an epic conflagration scorching acres.  That’s the scary thing with flooding that we just don’t realize.  There can be a flash floods in Las Vegas (obviously a very dry area) if just 1 or 2 INCHES of rain come down.

But getting back to all of the states along the Mighty Mississippi, the flood waters will eventually subside and rebuilding will begin.  I do think there are real issues that need to be discussed in terms of safeguarding communities at risk for the future, in the same way that we had to go through some introspection in New Orleans.  In any case, I hope to see the Midwest and all of the communities along the Mississippi, the central vein of our country, come back even stronger than before.

Best,

Eric

Listeners,

We are back once again with a great show.  Even though, due to business travel, I had to record this show a little in advance, I think you will really get into it this week!

This week’s theme is “Award Winners.”  These creative individuals not only entertain us, educate us, and help to shape our thinking and thus influence our progress as a society, but they have received some notable awards in the process.  I’ve had so many creative people on the show, and I’m always so proud to see people “take home the hardware” for putting themselves out there creatively and taking a chance.

In addition to the guests, in “Spencer Speaks” this week, I’ll be discussing the flooding in Iowa, remembering the lives of Jim McKay and Tim Russert, bowing down to the great Tiger Woods (even though I recorded the commentary before the end of his epic Saturday, Sunday, and even Monday run), and sending my wishes on to Justin DeBree (from 2 shows ago), who takes off this week on his expedition to Stand Up Paddle Board the entire state of Florida and raise money for the World Skin Care Foundation.

The lineup of guests this week is:

Kim MacQuarrie: Four-time Emmy Award-winning Filmmaker and Author, here to discuss his outstanding book, The Last Days of the Incas, and his fascinating history in using different creative mediums to reach the masses.  You will be amazed at how many groundbreaking projects that Kim has been a part of and the exotic and remote places in the world that he routinely finds himself.  He was actually in Cambodia for this interview!

Fae Myenne Ng: Bestselling and Award-Winning Author, here to discuss her first novel in 15 years, Steer Toward Rock, which is garnering critical acclaim across the board and is an incredible literary work, infused with important historical and social elements.  Fae has an incredibly rare gift to be able to blend all of these elements together.  I can guarantee that she racks up some additional awards with this novel!

I hope that you enjoy the show this week!

Best,

Eric

Listeners and Readers,

I know that I’m a couple of hours early (well not for those reading overseas), but I wanted to wish all of the dads out there, including mine, a Happy Father’s Day!!

I also wanted to send a special greating to all of the fathers in the Armed Forces serving around the world, who can’t be with their families on Sunday.

In an unrelated comment, I believe I have alienated my neighbors again, as I have been cheering loudly for the past 2  hours watching Tiger Wood put on THE most incredible performance I’ve seen.  With a surgically-repaired knee and grimacing from the pain after every big shot, he just had three of the biggest shots of his career and justly received maybe the largest roar from the crowd in major championship history.  If you missed it, watch the highlights…they will blow your mind!!

Best,

Eric

Listeners,

In my effort to stay creative (I mean “creative” is in the title of the show), I have come up with yet another concept–focusing on one creative work, as seen from multiple viewpoints.  I’ll be doing this every few weeks and calling the theme “Powerful Project.”  This week’s show is “Powerful Project: Big Rig,” a show discussing the incredible new documentary, Big Rig, which is entertaining, socially relevant, and definitely timely.  It just had its DVD release and has perhaps the most interesting sites (and very fitting given the film) where the movie will have screenings.

The two guests this week represent what I am trying to do with this theme.  One of them is the creator of the creative work and the other, because of his platform and fan base, is able to champion the cause of the film.  This is the power of creative works–you never know what will happen when you put them out there!  Other people can run with your efforts and make things happen!

The lineup of guests is:

Doug Pray: Acclaimed Documentary Filmmaker, here to discuss his recently-released film, Big Rig, about life on the road as seen through the eyes of truckers, including some of the things threatening their very existence.  Doug is so talented, and I think you will enjoy learning about this project, as well as his other films.

Ben Jones: Popular Actor who has appeared in scores of plays, films, and television shows, including his role as “Cooter” on the hit Dukes of Hazzard television show, Former U.S. Congressman, and now an Author, with his memoir, Redneck Boy in the Promised Land.  He will discuss his great career and also how someone like him can use Big Rig as a way to shape people’s thinking and open their eyes to this situation.  I’ve had some fascinating people on the show, but I have to say that Ben is right up there with the most entertaining guests EVER!

I hope that you enjoy this important show.  You’ll also catch my take on the candidates for President (ahem, finally), Big Brown, Rafael Nadal, and Euro 2008 in a shortened version of “Spencer Speaks” this week.

Best,

Eric

Listeners and Readers,

Most of you, if you are American, only watch soccer on rare occasions.  More specifically, every 4 years when the World Cup is played or when you happen to flip through the channels at night and catch roughly 14 seconds of an MLS game on ESPN 2.  But, I’m here to tell you that you are missing out on one of the most exciting sports, and I watch them all, so I’m a fair judge.

I’ll be the first to admit it.  I’m addicted to watching the English Premier League soccer games, in particular my Reds from Manchester United, who just won not only the EPL, but also the Champions League (the club championship for ALL OF EUROPE), by beating out English rival Chelsea.  Before I was gainfully employed, there were World Cups where I saw at least a portion of EVERY match.  I have watched games that kicked off at 2:45 A.M. EST.  I have risked my own personal safety and been to a game in person (1994 Quarterfinals in Boston between Italy and Spain).  I think I really should be sportswriter or soccer broadcaster.

And now, Euro 2008 is upon us, as of the today.  Essentially, it’s kind of like the World Cup, except only for European countries.  Also, the field features 16 teams and not the 32 that you get in the World Cup.  The ESPN family of networks is running with every game.  I’m currently watching host country Switzerland on ESPN Deportes.  Good thing my Spanish isn’t half bad.  Later today it will be one of the contenders, Portugal, featuring my favorite player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in their opening match of the campaign.

They’ll be playing this tournament over the course of the rest of June.  I cannot impress upon you how much these players, fans, and countries care about this title.  It’s the next best thing to winning the World Cup, and, like the World Cup, they only play in it every 4 years.  Take whatever you think the loudest, wildest sports crowd you’ve seen and heard is and multiply it by about 5.  That’s how crazy these fans are.  I’ve been in The Swamp watching the Florida Gators play some great teams and been to Kyle Field to watch Texas A&M play rival Oklahoma.  I went to Duke University and was a Cameron Crazy for four years, including against bitter rival North Carolina with an arena packed to the fire marshal limit.  All of the environments were defeaning, with electricity you could just feel in the air.  But again, they pale in comparision to soccer crowds at big time matches.

Hockey is over for the year.  When you are not watching Kobe Bryant and the Lakers take on the “Big Three” and the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, change the channel over to ESPN and check this out.  I promise you that you will not be disappointed.

Forza Italia!

Eric

Listeners,

I’m excited to bring you two young superstars in this week’s show “Young Actionists.”  Both of them are having a positive impact on the world in very different ways.  You will of course remember that the term “actionist” was coined by my friend and former guest on the show, Jess Weiner, so I wanted to be sure to give credit where it was due.

In addition to hearing the stories of both guests, in “Spencer Speaks” this week, I’ll give you my two cents on: Election Mania (now that Primary Mania is finally over), CBS’s judgment call with MMA this past Saturday, why hockey should be on major television again, and some revelations I’ve come to about exercising and young people (not together in this case).

The lineup of guests this week is:

–Justin DeBree: 27-year-old Floridian who is about to set off on an expedition to Stand Up Paddle Board the ENTIRE state of Florida over two weeks, to raise money and build awareness for the World Skin Cancer Foundation.  Even though he doesn’t care about the record as much as he does about the deeper mission with this journey, Justin will have the folks from the Guinness Book of World Records with him as he attempts to break the record for distance traveled in a 24 hour period on a Stand Up Paddle Board.  This is an unbelievable story that you don’t want to miss!

–Casey Beck: Recent Tufts University grad who is already well on her way to becoming a Documentary Filmmaker, both with her previous projects and with the one that we will be discussing on this show, The Rising Tide: Kiribati.  This film is incredible, and it explores life in this small Pacific nation and the dangers they face with rising sea levels threatening their island life, which goes back thousands of years.

I hope you enjoy this week’s show, and I look forward to bringing you some good ones in the coming weeks.

Best,

Eric

Listeners,

Since I’m sure many of you are sports watchers, or, at a minimum, read headlines in the newspaper or online, it is safe to say that you know that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will be meeting each other in the NBA Finals, in what is truly a dream matchup.  Of course everyone is talking about this, but here’s why I like it:

–Both teams are the #1 seed from their conference.  With all of the talk of the parity between teams and the tough road ahead, the cream rose to the top once again.  The Lakers have won tough games, but have cruised to the finals, while the Celtics have been pushed to the brink more than once by inferior teams.

–The series features two of the top three vote getters for MVP (and thus a really, really good player) in Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.

–It is a renewing of the classic battle that we remember between the Celtics and Larry Bird vs. the Lakers and Magic Johnson from the 80’s.  I think the first basketball video game that I ever owned on Nintendo in like ‘87 or ‘88 featured these teams…that’s how long this series has been waiting.

–They are both storied basketball programs in terms of players and titles.  Boston fans are showing their appreciation for finally having a contender in basketball again (they are spoiled from my Red Sox and the Patriots).  But, when it comes to fans, how can you beat the celeb show at a Laker playoff game?  I can’t wait to see Jack Nicholson rocking the sunglasses in his courtside seats for like the 8403 game in a row.  That guy is classic.  He doesn’t wear a Lakers jersey, but they should retire something for him up in the rafters.

–I’m not partial to either team, but I would prefer to see the Lakers win it all.  I like the story of Kobe Bryant leading a young team back to greatness more than Boston bringing in huge names (Garnett and Ray Allen) to try to win.  My prediction is The Lake Show in 6, but we’ll see. 

Whatever happens, I’ll be glued to the set for every game. 

Eric