Leah Gioia, Lunch with Liko, Episode #2 Leah joined me at Genie's Coffee Shop to discuss boundaries, forgiveness, healing, shifting focus to impact, and why knowing who you serve changes everything. From Florida Champion Auctioneer, breaking barriers in a tough industry, to her deep passion for people, spirituality, empathy, and service - Leah shares how a higher moral code, resilience through hardship, and a ginuine love for other shape her life and business. Support local: Visit Genie's Coffee Shop for the best Chai Lattes and Coffee in town. Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5TR… Watch on Youtube: youtu.be/HY3caTJ9Jdk

💯 this is so true.

Using an iPhone 4s as my daily driver in 2026!

Update: after the 3 calls and messaging with the @TMobileHelp T-Force, they finally came clean and refunded the entire amount. I appreciate the T-Force team for actually assisting me. It is unfortunate that I had spend about 4-5 hours of my time trying to resolve this. Also, it wasn’t until I put them on blast that resolutions started to come through. This is nothing against the T-Mobile team members and frontline staff. I believe they do their best and try their hardest to help their customers. It is the parameters and policies put forth by the @TMobile company that force them to screw people over. The policy makers, managers, and execs need to do better.

$399.68 In July of 2024 I bought an @Apple watch from @TMobile. It had the wrong wristband so I returned it and got a replacement with the correct one. I found out recently they have been charging me for that watch and a protection plan for a total of 24.68/month in addition to my replacement watch. When I called, they said they can only refund 3 months because it was my fault I didn’t review my bill and catch it earlier. I have been a T-Mobile customer for many years and have 7 devices from watches, phones, tablets, and home internet. I have referred many people to them in that time. Tomorrow I will end my business relationship with them and never recommend their services again. @TMobileHelp @TMobileLatino @Verizon @VerizonSupport @ATT @GoogleMobile Was it like this under @JohnLegere ?

I was fortunate enough to work with Travis Jackson once again. Our first performances together were in 1995 with the tatehighjazzband and then followed by an indoor drumline competition with the Gulf Coast Color Guard circuit. Over the years I've seen/heard him play with bands like Reddog and Friends with the late and great Reddog, and then recently with True Blue. It has been amazing to watch the transformation and growth from his days playing tenors (quad marching drums) to one of my favorite and most tasteful percussionists along the coast. This photo was taken at @sevilleqtr during a special performance with True Blue with a exclusive cameo with Doc Mixon.

I took this photo with my phone at the @umphreysmcgee show at @vinylmusichall a couple months ago. The music was bumpin', the light show was spectacular, but what do you see that is different from most concert photos these days?

For years I would see @Chanda_Ryan at @PcolaChamber events supporting businesses that were many miles from the @navarrechamber. Last month I was finally able visit one of her events at her chamber's monthly breakfast. They recognized many military personnel and achievements they had made within their community and they had so many door prizes it seemed like more received than not. It was refreshing to see some familiar faces but also meet many new connections while I was there. I highly recommend the Navarre Beach Chamber and go check out what they are doing whenever you get a chance. Thanks Chanda for making me feel welcome to your event!

Recently @TheToastersNYC performed at the The Handlebar and I was fortunate enough to catch the show. They delivered their performance which was marked by punchy horn lines, upstroke guitar rhythms, and energetic, danceable grooves. Lyrically, they mixed humor, social commentary, and working-class grit, reflecting both their NYC roots and ska’s political heritage. The last time I saw them was in 2017 when I played with the opener for them at @VinylMusicHall. A longtime friend and Pensacola musician Jon Sisson asked me to play bass for Dee and the Domestics, a local punk, rockabilly, surf-rock fusion band. Unfortunately, this is the only photo that I know of from that gig. So if any of you music photographers took pics at that show, I'd love to see if you happen to have any of us.

For those who missed the Soundside Splendor event for Children's Home Society of Florida, it was quite a spectacular event with delectable food, groovy music, and a picturesque sunset. However the stars of the show, were Leah Edwards Harrison, the CHS team that put it together, and @brentlanecat the auctioneer. An event is challenging enough to organize and coordinate but to finish off the evening after raising over $400,000 is absolutely phenomenal! The finale of the auction crescendoed with the last auction item going for $18,000, not once, not twice, but three times! Then to top it all off, Brent just started calling out amounts to donate with no prize to be had - the paddles just kept going up. All I can say to that is BRAVO!

Years ago in another life, I worked in the automotive industry painting and refinishing automobiles. While building my sweat equity in life around car city I met a guy by the name of Brendan Wilkes, who was slinging truck-bed liners like they were frisbees. The company I worked for shared a warehouse off of Industrial Blvd. with his employer and even though we didn't work together, it felt like we did. If he had the availability, he was always willing to help anyone that asked, even though it didn't directly benefit himself. The impression he left on me lasted for many years and I was pleasantly surprised to bump into him recently at couple of events. Now he is the owner of Cabinet Depot Pensacola and I know he is providing top level products and services to his customers. If you are looking to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom cabinets/countertops, and want to support a trustworthy local business, pay him and his team a visit and you won't be disappointed.

'Twas a cool day to run into the Jeff Ingram out in the wild while on a photo gig.

The other day I was driving to a photography job for @Liko_ET at Rubber & Specialties, Inc. and I saw this guy lifted up many feet in the air working on the power/communication lines. Lugging my equipment around is cantankerous at times and in some instances the technology is frustrating when it doesn't work. However, I am rarely in danger and my service is rarely essential for everyday life. Minutes later at the event, I was surrounded by individuals who worked for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. I wondered what stories their uniforms could tell as they were stained and tattered from the toils of everyday life of the workers. I reflected with gratitude that there are people in the world that do the hard and dangerous work to make my life comfortable and in many cases, livable. Thank you to the workers who maintain the utilities, sanitation, and communications. Additionally, thanks to LEO's, Firefighters, EMS, and any other first responders. I know there are many more occupations that I have missed and left out that keep the world turning and allow us to live like we do. Thanks to all of them too. So next time you go from morning to night with the only inconvenience and discomfort being your walk from your car to your air conditioned office and vise versa, think of the ones that make it happen and thank them if your see them. All of this reminds me of what @mikeroweworks once said, “I can say the willingness to get dirty has always defined us as a nation, and it’s a hallmark of hard work and a hallmark of fun. Dirt is not the enemy." @insideFPL, @PensacolaEnergy, @PensacolaPolice, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, @bereadyescambia, Waste Management Inc.

I finally was able to sit down with Brad Mullenix and speak with him one-on-one. I learned about his decades of service to Pensacola Christian College and his transition to his new career with New York Life Insurance Company. In our discussion we talked about work-life balance, priorities in life (and death), and how important it is to keep the faith. I love interacting with people who inspire me to achieve more, make good decisions, and keep looking forward. If you are looking to plan for your future or just spend some time with "good people" connect with this guy.

I recently had an opportunity to provide some photography services for @Liko_ET at @HelpFLKids. I would like to thank @theadamdmorris for making this possible and give a special shout out to Leah Harrison and her team at CHS of Florida for their work in the community. For those who are not familiar with this organization, they provide services that help families and vulnerable children find stability, safety, and opportunities for quality of life improvements. Here is a short list of some of the services: - Early Childhood Programs - Counseling and Mental Health Services - Foster Care & Adoption Assistance - Child Welfare Services - Youth Programs - and many more I look forward to working with them again in the future and furthering their mission to Building Bridges to Success for Children.

To help grow our local economy I try to shop local and shop small whenever possible. That's why I am working with Patti Hall, with Flip Flop Publishing & Promotions to get my branded apparel and maintain my financial accounts with Barbara MacNeil and her team at Loyalty Credit Union. Hit them up if you are in the market to show your brand on promo items/uniforms or a new home for your money!

Last week I attended the @PcolaChamber's Good Morning Pensacola Breakfast and had an opportunity to hear from the keynote speaker, Jo Dawn Brown, owner of the @CodeNinjas Pensacola. It is an amazing program that allows children to explore and learn to write computer code, robotics, and computer science in general. My son has participated in the program and can attest to how much it has enriched his interest and experience levels in technology. Additionally, @MadrinaCiano, spoke on behalf of 4EVR DEZ, a non-profit dedicated to empowering students through initiatives that promote inclusion and equality. Founded in honor of Desirea Sierra, an 11-year-old who tragically lost her life to domestic violence, the organization was established by her mother, Taxie Lambert, along with her daughter Katelyn Lambert and a team of volunteers. Their mission is to ensure that all students have access to memorable experiences, regardless of their circumstances. Shout out to Jo Dawn and Madrina for always working towards the betterment of our community and enriching the lives of others.

Thanks to Jack Williams, @jenniferbobo, and the rest of the @JimmyPatronis for Congress campaign team for the opportunity to provide services with @Liko_ET. Also, shout out to Kady Tubbs and the rest of the staff at @FishHousePcola for being so awesome to work with. I look forward to many more events in your venue.

A DJ at a wedding with no dancing and no alcohol? Recently I provided audio support and DJ'd for a wedding at the beautiful Izenstone venue in Spanish Fort, Alabama. The decor and scenery was stunning, the guests were bustling with energy, and the couple was captivated and in love. Notably, this was the first wedding I have DJ'd for that had no adult beverages and no dancing - not even a first dance with the bride and groom. This was not only a choice but a lifestyle that they live and it is one of the ways they provide testimony to their faith and belief system. To what many may find surprising, there was a level of energy and joy that permeated the attendees and the reception room. There was still music playing to keep the momentum and mood up, just no dance floor. One thing that really stood out was during the reception was almost everyone in the room was talking to each other and laughing instead of scrolling through their phone. It was good vibes from beginning to end and it was an honor to be part of such an amazing wedding. Congratulations to the couple and props to them for standing strong in their faith.

It's always cool to go to an event and hear a familiar voice blasting out through the arena. Then I see this mug on the Jumbotron - DJ and MC, Shawn Rowe!