What does it take to transform an abandoned, raccoon-infested restaurant into a thriving physical therapy practice? For Victor, it's the same determination that helped him navigate the journey from running a small fish and chips stand in Kenya to building a successful life in America.

In this honest, wide-ranging conversation, Victor opens up about the power of male friendship circles that provide essential emotional support. Every Friday night, he connects virtually with college friends scattered across the country—a ritual that's become a lifeline through job losses, family challenges, and even the painful loss of his mother to cancer. "It's more like a therapeutic session for guys," Victor explains. "As men, we don't talk about our emotions...unless we're sitting down actively griping about it."

Victor's commitment to giving back shines through his work with the Gladys Organization, named after his mother. The foundation focuses on renovating a school in his mother's Kenyan village, replacing leaky roofs and broken windows to create better educational opportunities. His passion for this work reflects a deep connection to his roots, despite having lived in America longer than in Kenya.

The conversation takes humorous turns as Victor shares parenting adventures—from the extortionate tactics kids use when dad is distracted by friends to the frustration of teaching parents technology. "My kids give me a hard time about technology," he laughs, describing how his children's impatience contrasts with his desire to learn.

From struggling through Midwest winters without proper boots to becoming a naturalized citizen in 2007, Victor's story exemplifies the immigrant experience at its most inspiring. "I've put in my sweat and this country has been very good to me," he reflects, embodying the spirit of possibility that continues to drive his journey forward.

Check out Dial The Wild on Facebook and Instagram
#dialthewild

Tim Goehl's story is one of redemption through amplifiers and power chords. After spending 22 years in Austin where his band Carbide nearly signed to Prosthetic Records before addiction derailed his dreams, Tim found himself back in Quincy, Illinois with a clean slate and a commitment to sobriety.

When he arrived three and a half years ago, the local music scene was virtually nonexistent. A chance encounter with an old friend's touring band needing a show sparked what would become Midwest Monster Promotions—a labor of love that has now produced over 35 events and breathed life into a dormant musical community. "I turned my addiction from drugs to music," Tim shares, "because when I tried to do both, the drugs took the music away from me."

Now working at a drug rehabilitation center by day while promoting shows and playing in five different bands by night (including his "stoner core" outfit Juggernaut Agenda), Tim has discovered that his second chance at music is sweeter than the first. He's built a DIY empire complete with handmade stages, local business sponsorships, and connections to bands from New York to Indiana. His upcoming fourth annual Metal Fest will feature 22 bands over two days, showcasing the incredible talent he believes is overlooked simply because of geography.

Whether you're a metal enthusiast or simply appreciate stories of transformation and perseverance, check out Timothy's band Juggernaut Agenda this Saturday in Macomb, IL with Sustenance and Pursuit. Witness firsthand how one man's commitment to sobriety and music is reshaping the cultural landscape of the Midwest, one power chord at a time.

Check out Dial The Wild on Facebook and Instagram
#dialthewild

What happens when you trade Hollywood's corporate machine for the creative freedom of the Midwest? Filmmaker Kyle Remminga reveals his journey from editing yoga DVDs and network commercials to creating the award-winning indie horror anthology "Killanois" in Western Illinois.

Walking through a park during the pandemic, Kyle witnessed a massive production spending a fortune to film two people sitting on a bench. That moment crystallized his frustration with the industry: "I could film six features on that." So he packed up his Hollywood knowledge, returned to his Midwestern roots, and assembled a team of passionate local collaborators.

"Killanois" connects four distinct horror stories through a psychopathic host character (brilliantly portrayed by Brandon Watts) who has kidnapped viewers, threatening them with a brick unless they listen to his twisted tales. The anthology format—inspired by classics like John Carpenter's "Body Bags"—allowed Kyle to finally realize short film concepts he'd been developing for over a decade.

The local community in Macomb embraced the project enthusiastically, with municipal leaders, business owners, and talented locals contributing to make the film possible. This collaborative spirit resulted in "Killanois" winning "Best First Time Filmmakers" at the Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival.

Catch a screening of "Killanois" in Macomb or Galesburg this April, and visit cubeofjustice.com to support their Kickstarter campaign for "Curebreed"—their ambitious next project aimed at creating professional film jobs in Western Illinois and establishing the region as a hub for independent filmmaking.

Check out Dial The Wild on Facebook and Instagram
#dialthewild