Joe is a "thirty something" Middle school Guidance Counselor, Coach, Volunteer Firefighter and occasional Bartender, who loves working with children. Needless to say, he is an active member of his community. Preferring to keep his political views to himself however, he admittedly has paid little attention to the fortunes of liberals, conservatives, Democrats, Republicans, Whigs or Tories. He finds political squabbling depressing and in his view, unproductive. That was Joe before a cruel, ICE inspired incident at a school bus stop in Lindenwold, NJ sent terrified children running, screaming for their lives; before he experienced this alleged immigration management strategy gone hopelessly mad. Joe has shared his story with renowned Philadelphia Inquirer political columnist Will Bunch, MSNow host Nicole Wallace, Governor Mikie Sherrill and Congresspersons, Andy Kim and Ted Lieu amongst others. Fortunately, Joe agreed to tell us at Tales from 2nd Street, his transformational story. We are proud to present Joe Zobel.

What happens when a Financial Advisor at retirement age decides to leave the rat race to seek new meaning in life? Joe Scrocca hangs up his pinstripes and embarks on a career as a standup comic! With no comedy experience to speak of, he starts out with a stint at a Biker Bar then finds himself sharing the stage with the likes of Jerry Seinfeld at the Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan. Joe shows us what guts and determination looks like. Joe's journey following his star is as inspirational as it is unconventional.

A self-starting high school student embarks on a career as a restauranteur beginning as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant. Listen to Jay's story as he describes chasing his dream through assorted challenges including Hurricane Sandy and a pandemic named COVID. He found a former restaurant on Ocean City NJ's noted Asbury Ave, purchased it, reinvented it and the rest is history. Listen to this remarkable story of resilience in action.