{"podcast":{"title":"Perennial Pen (What Matters Most): A Silver Maple Strategies Podcast with Nate Birt","slug":"perennial-pen-what-matters-most-a-silver-maple-strategies-podcast-with-nate-birt-7833224","podcast_index_feed_id":7833224,"rss_url":"https://feeds.libsyn.com/615900/rss","website_url":"https://sites.libsyn.com/615900","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/c/c/f/3/ccf3c6bcee19d5acd959afa2a1bf1c87/Gemini_Generated_Image_cy20fgcy20fgcy20.png","author":"Nate Birt","episode_count":11,"summary":"Perennial Pen is a podcast for people who miss deep conversation and still believe the best questions in life deserve more than a rushed answer. I'm Nate Birt, and each episode is an invitation to slow down, pull up a chair, and listen in on the kinds of stories, memories, and life lessons that usually don't come out unless somebody makes the time and asks with care. We'll talk about family, faith, regret, joy, keepsakes, growing older, what lasts, and what we hope the people we love will remember about us when all is said and done. This isn't polished advice from on high. It's closer to a fireside chat, a front-porch visit, or one of those long conversations that leaves you feeling more awake to your own life. My hope is that you'll hear something here that helps you ask better questions, tell the truth a little more bravely, and start leaving a legacy now, while there's still life in your veins and people to love. If you're hungry for deeper connection—with your parents, your kids, your friends, your own story, or simply the life you're living—welcome. There's a seat for you here.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-21T00:18:16.294929+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/perennial-pen-what-matters-most-a-silver-maple-strategies-podcast-with-nate-birt-7833224"},"episode":{"title":"#3: 'Be Grateful For Every Day That You Have, Because You Never Know When It Might Be Your Last': Vietnam War Veteran Turned Boomer Comedian","slug":"3-be-grateful-for-every-day-that-you-have-because-you-never-know-when-it-might-be-your-last-vietnam-war-veteran-turned-boomer-comedian","published_at":"2026-06-02T02:58:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/perennial-pen-what-matters-most-a-silver-maple-strategies-podcast-with-nate-birt-7833224/3-be-grateful-for-every-day-that-you-have-because-you-never-know-when-it-might-be-your-last-vietnam-war-veteran-turned-boomer-comedian","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/perennial-pen-what-matters-most-a-silver-maple-strategies-podcast-with-nate-birt-7833224","url":"https://2570ab7b-bc69-46ef-85e7-1fcaa2ab09bb.libsyn.com/be-grateful-for-every-day-that-you-have-because-you-never-know-when-it-might-be-your-last-vietnam-war-veteran-turned-boomer-comedian","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/2570ab7b-bc69-46ef-85e7-1fcaa2ab09bb/03_Jay_from_Washington_-_Perennial_Pen_MST_260524.mp3?dest-id=5372295","summary":"In this episode, I talk with Jay, a Washington state-based Vietnam War veteran, longtime benefit auctioneer, entrepreneur, and comedian whose life has been shaped by gratitude, endurance, and the healing power of laughter. Jay shares the sobering lesson he learned as a young helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War: Every day is a gift, and none of us knows how much time we have. That experience has stayed with him ever since, and it eventually shaped the way he approached work, family, risk, service, and humor. We also talk about the unexpected school fundraising meeting that changed the direction of his career. What began as a simple effort to help his son's choir travel overseas became the start of a decades-long calling: helping nonprofits raise money with purpose, structure, and joy. What struck me most is how Jay connects courage and laughter. Whether he's talking about war, entrepreneurship, fundraising, or performing comedy for older adults, Jay always to a series of simple truths: Life is short, fear is real, and some of the best things in life are around the corner if we're only willing to let go. In this episode, we explore: The life-changing lesson Jay learned as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam Why gratitude can become a way of living, not just a feeling How one school fundraiser became a turning point in Jay's career What it means to \"let go of the side of the pool\" when fear is holding us back Why humor helps people focus, connect, and feel alive The importance of telling people what they mean to us while we still can Sincere thanks to Lee Williams for producing this and every episode of Perennial Pen (What Matters Most). Find Jay online: Boomer Comedian on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boomercomedian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-fiske-0966a…","meta_description":"In this episode, I talk with Jay, a Washington state-based Vietnam War veteran, longtime benefit auctioneer, entrepreneur, and comedian whose life has bee…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1987,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/perennial-pen-what-matters-most-a-silver-maple-strategies-podcast-with-nate-birt-7833224/episodes/3-be-grateful-for-every-day-that-you-have-because-you-never-know-when-it-might-be-your-last-vietnam-war-veteran-turned-boomer-comedian/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/perennial-pen-what-matters-most-a-silver-maple-strategies-podcast-with-nate-birt-7833224/3-be-grateful-for-every-day-that-you-have-because-you-never-know-when-it-might-be-your-last-vietnam-war-veteran-turned-boomer-comedian.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}