Awaken Hope with Patrick Sangimino on Patrick Sangimino

0:00Are you tired of feeling hopeless? Or do you feel as though you carry around an invisible ball and chain? If so, you are in the right place. It's time now for a wicked hope with Candy Campbell. Candy is a therapist and grief counselor that works with women to help them process and heal from emotional events that can keep them feeling stuck. Let's take this journey together. And now here's your host, Candy Campbell. Welcome back to a wicked hope. I am so super grateful that you are tuning in. I have a fabulous guest here with me today. His name is Patrick San Jemino and he was an award-winning journalist for more than four decades at newspapers in California and throughout the Midwest before retiring in 2024. He covered the National Football League for eight seasons and eventually moved back and forth between news

1:01and sports departments as a columnist and an editor. He was born as San Francisco, raised miles away in Pacifica, a blue-collar ocean town of 39,000 and educated at San Jose State University. Patrick worked his way through college by freelancing high school sporting events for the San Mateo Times. He got his first job as a sports editor of a one-man sports department at the Pacifica Tribune, his hometown weekly paper. Five years later, he was covering the NFL for the O'Lay, O'Lay, Daily News, a suburb of Kansas City. Ah! On the Kansas side of the state line, he did that job for eight seasons before moving onto KMBC, Kansas City's ABC, Affilia, the top-rated station in the city. He served as a senior editor of the website

2:03and has a national column that ran at all 64 of the first Arguile Properties nationwide. Welcome, Patrick. I am so super grateful. I know we're gonna talk about your dog's chase cars and not literally. And so, have a man. It's great to be here. So. Great to be, get to visit Hawaii. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Yes, separately. Ha, ha, ha. So, I am curious. You've had quite the varied experience between NFL and being an editor. What all, I mean, tell us a little more about your experience and what got you into, to writing? I'm guessing it's because you enjoy writing and I just would love to do a deep dive because we want people to acquire the book but give us a brief overview, please. We've been a very sports centric neighborhood

3:07in the little town right side, outside of San Francisco. And, but, you know, we played football in the fall and we played basketball in the winter and baseball in the summertime. And we were always, always had a ball in our hands and we were always playing something whether the school yard or organized games. And I was pretty pragmatic as a young boy where I realized I was small, has kind of slow. And while I loved athletics, I knew I didn't have the skill level to make a living doing this. And so, my friends would sit there and are you a sports fan at all? Myself? Oh, yeah, I have two sons and they played football so I'm very much. So my friends would say, well, I'm going to be a running back for the 49ers and another one would say, I'm going to play third base for the San Francisco Giants and another one would say, I'm going to be a point guard for Golden State Warriors. And I would say, well, I'm going to write about you

4:07because I know that I'm not great. And there was this show on TV when I was growing up called The Odd Couple with the... I remember that. Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. And Jack Klugman played a guy named Oscar Madison who I thought he had the coolest job. And I was a little sloppy for my wellbeing but, you know, he had a tuna fish sandwich under his pillow and stuff like that. But I thought he had the coolest job where he got to go to the ballpark every day, interview people and write a story about it. And I knew at the age of like 10 or 11, that's what I wanted to do. Wow. That's pretty inspirational to, you know, you knew it way back when and you pursued your dreams. That I really did. That's amazing. I love it. Thank you. Oh, yeah. Now I remember The Odd Couple. I used to watch that show and it used to get grossed out by his... his sandwich under his pillow.

5:07I was like, oh! Yes, yeah. And that just clutter of clothes, all of her floor and everything, yeah. He was a lovable character but he was a slop. He was. And completely different from Tony Randall's character. He looks younger, yeah. So, you know, I did enjoy that show. It definitely gave you a bit of a, I would say reality shock because they describe different parts of our human nature. We have, I do believe we have, all of us have a, a, a feel like somewhere in us and we all have a Oscar Madison in us. So it's, which everybody has, everybody has an Oscar Madison place. There's, you're allowed one little place. It could be a closet. It could be the back seat of your car. It could be, you know, your room. But there's one place where you would never let anybody into it because if they saw it, it would be a deal breaker.

6:09Like it's where you're allowed to be disorganized. Yeah, I had that. My mom, I grew up with a perfectionist mom. So my mom, my room always had to be clean. And you had to be able to see the floor. The bed had to be made. Everything had to look just so. But my closet, if you open, I would shove stuff in my closet. And my mom never opened my closet. So, you know, if you open my closet, everything probably would fall out. Well, it's like everything looked good. Well, just about your living room right now, with the keyboard and everything back there, you look like you've done a pretty good job of concealing your clutter or you've become very organized in your adult lives. I have become more balanced. All right. I have tried to become more balanced in life because I know, I knew. And now came a lot about from my youngest son when, we were living on a East Coast. And my mom was coming to visit. And she always used to stress me out when she'd came to visit.

7:12And my son came, this particular trip, he came out and he said, Mommy, we don't live in a magazine. I was getting stressed because my mom was coming out. And so I was making everything. And I didn't realize at the time how much I was creating stress for everybody else in the family because it was so normal for me. Until my son pointed it out and said, this is a great line that your son has. And I'm going to steal it from him. Tell him, we don't live in a magazine. I'm going to, I'm going to, that's why I'm going to wipe it from him. Yeah. No, he was very on point when he said, Mommy, we don't live in a magazine. Everything didn't have to have its place. My house now is, is lived in. It's still, it's not probably if my mother were still alive. She'd be like beside herself because it's still not magazine quality, but it's okay. And look, it looks good. I would love to live in that kind of environment. And I think I do to to an extent.

8:16But yeah, you're doing just fine. You get kudos for me from what I've seen. So tell us about your, that's what we want to get into. What kind of money do you have? Dogs chase cars. I know it's a metaphor, but tell us a little about it without giving it away because we want people to buy it, but just to go for a view. It's the basic premise of story. It's, it's a story about the downturn of the newspaper industry. It's a fiction, mind you, through the eyes of a long time sports columnist who is driving to work after 30 years on the same job, expecting to be the latest casualty in a mass layoff. And the story takes place over a single day, but it flashes back to over his life, his career, either the relationships that matter, the stories he got to cover and the people who made a difference in his life. And his greatest fear of losing his job and what not, that becomes this point of conflict

9:22in the apex of the story throughout. So before we take a break, if you share how someone can acquire the book and how they can reach out to you, should they have questions? It's available on all major platforms, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble. I can be reached on Twitter at P. San Jemino, S-A-N-G-I-M-I-N-O. We call that X now, don't we? Yeah. And then what's other, I have a website, Patrick San Jemino at, or www.patsangemino.com, and Patrick San Jemino is my Instagram account name. So those are the best ways to get me. Perfect. Well, we'll make sure all of that's in the show notes. So I highly recommend that, you know, you like a little bit of, if you're curious, curiosity's going, then definitely reach out and acquire the book. I'll give you a little insight information

10:22on how the title came about to when we come back. Okay, we're going to think of break and we'll be right back and we'll continue this conversation. Tired of trying to lose weight, having low self esteem, not being able to do things with friends or family, don't give up hope. Straight sugar health is here for you. We are a new paradigm in weight loss and health management. We don't follow the traditional methods of weight loss that continue to fail over and over again. We get to know you and find the root cause of your weight problem. And we start from where you are and help you develop a personalized health plan that will not only enable you to achieve the weight loss you desire, but more importantly, we will show you how to be truly nutritionally healthy. Get your life and yourself a steam back. Don't wait. Contact straight to your health today at www.ss-health.com and set up your free consultation. We can't wait to get to know you and help you achieve a deeper or meaningful lifestyle that fits your needs. That's www.ss-health.com.

11:24We're here for you. Welcome back to Awakened Health. Again, I have Patrick Senjamino here. And we are talking about his book, Dogs Chase Cars. Yes, not literally, at least as he put it, not the smart ones. So, and it is about a story about his experiences being, he had quite the, you had quite the experience being in the NFL, writing about it. I imagine you saw all types of teams, experiences and got to see it through a different lens. You know, I mean, for us people that are watching it on TV, it's different than being in the forefront of those experiences. I got to see how the sausage was made. We said it's big. Wow. Well, yeah. I mean, sports in general,

12:25not just the NFL, but sports in general, basketball, baseball, cocky, you name it. Wow. It was a fun job. Yeah, it was in the newsroom. They call the sports section. They call the sports department the toy store. Because we're always playing with all the gadgets. We are going off to watch grown men throw baseballs and footballs and shoot baskets. And it's really not life. We look at it as being so important, but nobody dies from these things. It's just, there's no lifelong ramifications to it. I love the fact that you wrote about it, about your experience. It gives the reader a glimpse into your own life, not completely, but just from a lens.

13:25From a lens. Absolutely. I mean, you write about what you know, what comes naturally. And I think there's always been a fascination to the newsroom because it's a bustling place where people are hustling around. And you're going to have to, everybody wants to see somebody chase in a story. And there's something very exciting about chasing a story calling your sources, getting on the phone and stop the presses, all of that stuff. That's real. You don't get to yell stop the presses very often. But once you're twice. Well, and you know, you've come a long way is because, as you know, time has, times have changed. And the way we report things these days is different from how we used to report things. Absolutely. The job, the job has gotten so much different in reporting, as you said. And it's gotten easier,

14:25but it's also made for more, more accountability to. And it used to be, and everybody can relate to this. Do you remember the days of waiting for a phone call? And you sat by your desk, you sat by your phone for, as long as it took, could be from a boyfriend or girlfriend. And you sat there and waited. And you said, maybe I should go out there and just see them. And you say, well, what's, what happens if they call while I'm in route? And so it became this, what do I do? Nowadays, everyone's got a phone right on their hip pocket. And they're available to you 24, seven. So it's made the reporting part of it that much simpler, especially if you do your job right, you become a really good reporter. You've, you've developed relationships and trusted sources where they will pick up for you. And that's the job gets exponentially easier during, with those situations.

15:25Do you miss it? I mean, I know you were talking about it. Absolutely. Yes, absolutely. I absolutely do. It was, it was, now I will tell you, I've missed it for the last 25 years because the job isn't what it used to be. You know, we're seeing so much, you know, the newspaper industry is in survival mode right now. And, and we're starting that transition into getting rid of print journalism altogether and everything's going online. There are lots of, you know, finding a newspaper nowadays is hard to do. And it's expensive and it's, and it's a resource for most people don't want to put their diamond to. So they're perfectly happy with picking up their phone and reading the news online. It's much the same as when, when the digital camera came into, came into play and they stopped making film. Or when, when, when, when, when, when,

16:25when, which are red colored in some kind of code that you think in your new example. It's really important, work that works on LBS when we listen to vinyl. We didn't stop listening to music because now everything is is online and, and downloaded Lee were, were changing that medium right now? Yeah, yep объ to more, experience like once we paid a lot of costs jING to understand in Different ways and you also had the theme of a little biodiesel, which is good for the story and PCO community. If you speak in a anticor off what's happening in the out and six sticky notes in my books. I mean, people look at my books, so it's like, whatever I had, I've got different colors and notes in the margins. And I like that. I like that. I am a really slow reader because when I see something I like, I want to figure out why I liked it. So I'll read it again, and then I'll read it again, and I'll dissect that paragraph and I'll go, okay, you know, you just learn so much from doing that,

17:26but it becomes more of a fascination with the art of writing, more than anything. You're very true. Wow. I'm impressed. I mean, truly, I'm impressed with your experience and what you got to do. And the fact that you took that and you wrote a book, I mean, when I read it there, I was looking, I was like, dog, chase cars, and I thought, they can't be about dogs. Initially, it can't be about dogs, but sometimes titles are deceptive. It was on podcast last week, and the guy who was introduced me as someone who had an affinity for dogs. And I started going on and I said, hey, I don't want to embarrass you or anything, but the book's not about dogs. And I said, nor is it about cars. And yeah, so he was embarrassed by it all, but I teased him throughout the show about it too.

18:28I love the fact that you wrote about your experience, your experience. So when I was two years ago. Yeah, it was interesting because it all came about pretty organically. I was off work for about, I had a medical leave and I was off work for about nine weeks. And I had come up with the idea for the book about about seven or eight years ago. And when I'd seen a newspaper in Kansas City do a mass layoff in some of my good friends, people I work side by side with competing for stories, lost their jobs in the process. And I was like, wow, he's a good journalist. How did he lose his job? And I was like, I guess it could happen to anybody. And it was kind of like a cautionary tale. So I've jotted down some notes and I put it away and life gets in the way of these things.

19:28And seven or eight years later, I have a medical leave and I'm off work. And I said, you know what? I'm gonna do something really productive with these nine weeks. And I picked up those notes, dusted them off, figured out what I wanted to do. And I wrote for about two hours a day, got up early every morning and would write and constantly thinking about it. But at the end of those nine weeks, I had a first draft read. That's awesome. Are you gonna write more books? Or is this you? I do, I just finished the second one. And it's kind of a sequel to the first one or the same character. And because people have been asking me, they're like, what happened to them? And so the premise of this, the second book is, what do you do in the second chapter of your life to remain relevant? And how do you wake up each day believing you have a purpose?

20:31What gives you purpose in that second chapter? And that's kind of been the fun thing. Because it's something we all deal with once you retire, you're like, okay, now what? Because I'm not gonna sit in front of the TV and watch Judge Judy all day. Nor those odd couple reruns or anything like that. But what do you do? What do you do to give yourself purpose? And life requires purpose and hope and things to look forward to. And that's kind of what I'm going through as a man right now and finding those things and being able to put pen to paper on this subject has been very catholic in many ways. Oh, that sounds amazing. Well, I look forward to, I hope you are amenable to this, but I look forward to having you come back

21:32and talk about your next book and your, that's your conclusion. It may be dog's drive cars and then it is an expert, I don't know. Well, we look forward to learning more. I honor that. I honor the fact that you had quite the varied experiences and you took it to and wrote about it. That speaks volumes. You played paid homage and honor to what you did and to the people that you worked with that have, you know, with changing times, things, like you said, that people watch their jobs because the medium is changing. I appreciate you saying all that. Those are very kind words and, you know, it's been a, there is something very, it's an out of body experience to open a box and see your name on the cover of a book.

22:35And, you know, it's overwhelming and it was, you know, it was emotional and it was, and it felt great. And I think there's a great story that can be gleaned from anybody. You know, it's a cautionary tale about striking that balance between a home and work and making sure you tell the people in your life that you love them every day and that they matter and hang onto them and do the work that you have to do to maintain them because frankly, the type of character in this book, well, he's a good man, he's a flawed man as we all are but he's also someone who allowed his job to become the most prevalent thing in his life and took precedence over everything else and everyone else. And it's sad. It's a story of a boy who never, or a man

23:40who never really appreciated the impact of his father until his father was gone. And you know, someone who has gone through relationship problems, but it was all in the set for the purpose of a job that he loves. Yes. So there's something to be, anybody who has ever gone through a divorce will relate to this story, anybody who has ever lost their job or is in fear of losing their job can relate to this story. And anyone who's ever had a incredible father who is no longer around will relate to this story. And there's some great sports stories in there that you will love and some really funny moments as well about just typical newsroom addicts. So I think there's something in there for everybody. Ah, it sounds amazing. I definitely look forward to reading the book

24:41and highlighting everything and making notes in the margin. Yeah, all of us sticky notes, yeah. Yeah, I, yes, my books are, they look sad. But that's the way I like to read. But like you, I take things, I dissect it slowly, I'll make notes on something that's, you know, in some chapter that stood out to me and I'm like, hmm, you know, my maybe question mark and want to know more, dissect it and understand a little bit more. I, that's the way I wish everybody read like that. You know, it's, it's, when people tell me they go, oh, I loved your story today or I loved your, you know, your column today or I loved, and my first, my question is what did you like about it? I want, I want to hear more about what inspired them to say that to me, what touched you. And when it comes to a book, it was,

25:41I'm having that conversation quite a bit right now, which is fun. Yeah. Well, I, I honor the fact that you bring a real life problem. And I say problem because you're right. So many individuals, people, and they get to the point where they focus, they're so hyper focused on a career or a specific thing. And you lose sight of what's important to you. Absolutely. Those short in however long we're living in this earthly body, you know, time is so short. And if you don't. Yeah, no, I agree. So the title of the book came about when I was in high school, a teacher of mine. Well, I was, I was sweet talking a girl and the, and the Tarty Bell rang. You know, is that very source? The Tarty Bell rang. And I'm like, wow, I had never, this girl has never given me the time of day yet.

26:43And today she is. So I'm not about to leave right now. And I sat there and talked, but across the hall, my teacher was watching me through the doorway the whole time. So I showed up to his class about 10 minutes late and he looked at me and, and I said, sorry, I was, I was talking to someone. And he said dogs chase cars, but they can't drive them. And which was his, his meaning was, you wouldn't know what to do if you caught that girl, that if that girl. And they do, okay. Yeah. And so it became this metaphor, it was something I had never forgotten. And it became what do you do when, when you're been chasing something all your life? And how do you, how do you, um, what do you do if you catch it someday? Do you have the wherewithal to maintain it? You know, the hardest thing, the thing that's harder than getting to the top of the mountain is staying on top. So are you able to hold onto this

27:44and are you able to do all the right things to, to, um, to keep it? And, you know, most of us are not. And clearly the lead character in this, this book is not. So you have to, you have to weigh what's important. I love it. And I highly recommend, ladies and gentlemen, you like to read and you're just curious. Your curiosity is speaking. They'll acquire the book, go check it out, go buy it, read it, learn from it and enjoy. Enjoy the story, enjoy seeing a perspective, the perspective of someone who got hyper focused on, maybe the wrong thing and realized it when it was too late. You know, we don't, you don't want to be that person that gets so wrapped up in something and then before you know it, you've paid the consequences of it, of that choice or that decision. So. Absolutely.

28:44Yeah, well, what? I've enjoyed this conversation. I look forward to having you come back if you're amenable to that. Absolutely. Well, before we conclude today's conversation, Patrick, are there any last minute thoughts or words that you want to impart before we say farewell? Well, we're not going to say a low-ha or anything like that. We can say a low-ha, yes. Because that means hello and goodbye, doesn't it? It does. It also does. Yes, it does. And no, I have enjoyed this and I think I would urge anybody who's looking for a good story, read it. You know, and there's something to be gleaned from it. I think there's a life lesson, whatever you wish to find in there. I truly do affirm that and I believe that with my whole heart. So thank you, Patrick, for being my guest on the Awakened Hope Show and look forward to having you again. And ladies and gentlemen, you want to read this book.

29:45You got curiosity. You want to learn some good storylines and potential lessons about life. Require Patrick's book, dogs, chase cars, and you will not be disappointed. So that being said, you're listening to this. You want to know more. All of Patrick's information will be in the show notes. You can track him. You need, if you don't hear it, you miss it. You can download it, save it. Or you can send me a message at the network. And I will get that information to you. But that being said, as you're listening and someone's popping into your brain, there's always a reason someone's popping into your mind. They need to hear it. They need to learn about the book and they need to read it. So that being said, thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being such loyal listeners. I am supremely grateful for each and every one of you. And thank you, Patrick, for being here today with me.

30:46Thank you for having me. Ladies and gentlemen, you continue to listen and make this an incredible show. You can listen on our podcast. You can listen on everywhere. Apple has a presence. Spotify, Amazon, Apple CarPlay, nine. Don't know all of them. I'm an Android girl. Of course, brushwoodmedianetwork.com. Slash away can help. Thank you for tuning in. Thank you for my guests. Thank you for making this an incredible show. Take care of yourselves. And we'll continue to bring you. Topics and guests that will inspire you and give you. Thanks for listening to Awakened Hope with Candy Campbell. If you find yourself struggling, just know there is help. Please take the first step in contact Candy. To learn more, go to CandyCample.net. If you like our show, please tell your friends and family to listen. Join us again next time for Awakened Hope with Candy Campbell.