Katie Pina and Mario Navarro

[00:04] KATIE PIU00F1A: Hey Katie Piña I am 36. Today's date is Tuesday, May 3, 2002. I am in Wichita, Kansas. The name of my conversation partner is Mario and the relationship is stranger for one small step.

[00:27] MARIO NAVARRO: Hi, I'm Mario Navarro. I'm 52. Today's day is May 3, 2022. Location is Wichita, Kansas. Name of my conversation partner is Katie and relationship is stranger but hope to be new friends. So.

[00:47] KATIE PIU00F1A: Mario's bio born in 1969 in Wichita, the youngest of six two mexican american parents whose parents both came from Mexico and worked on the railroad. My dad's family had ten siblings where at one time they lived in two abandoned boxcars in the north end of Wichita that were given to my grandfather for working on the rail system. My mom had four siblings also raised in the north Wichita area. Both parents were Democrats. Of all of us, kids were sent to catholic grade high schools. I am married with four kids, also attend catholic school.

[01:31] MARIO NAVARRO: Katie's bio I've always been from Kansas but I've had a degree in marine biology so I love to visit the ocean at aquariums any chance I get. I did some of my degree work in Maine with my favorite subject being the study of sharks. I'm a mother of two boys, eight and four, so they keep me very busy. We try to go out and do lots of variant activities and being a member of the zoo helps. I love reading so you can usually find my head stuck in a book aka kindle app. Very good. So Katie, so you've always been in Kansas, right? What got you started with the marine biology and kind of ocean being? Of course we're from Kansas so we're kind of away from water. So what kind of got you started with that?

[02:18] KATIE PIU00F1A: It's actually funny. It was actually a tv commercial of a marine biologist out in some tide pools doing work and I don't know, but it sparked an interest about in 7th grade. So it was good timing because then I did based all of my like high school career on science and just made sure I made took every science course available. So it was weird. It was a tv commercial of all.

[02:48] MARIO NAVARRO: Things, but sounds like your focus at a young age, at 7th grade and kind of had your mind set on what you were wanting to do, right?

[02:57] KATIE PIU00F1A: I did. I enjoyed it, which helped.

[03:00] MARIO NAVARRO: That's good. That's good. Did you always think you'd live here in Kansas and be able to do it? Or did you think you'd have to move to the coast or somewhere like that?

[03:10] KATIE PIU00F1A: You know, being young I had no problems wanting to venture out. I ended up finding a college here in Kansas that had a marine biology degree. So that kind of worked in my favor. The chance to, like, you know, stay close and do in state schooling costs, which helped a lot.

[03:29] MARIO NAVARRO: Yes. Right.

[03:31] KATIE PIU00F1A: So, you know, and then you meet people, and then you just end up married and staying in Kansas.

[03:40] MARIO NAVARRO: So you said you live. Did you live in Maine, or did you, like, do online in Maine? The.

[03:45] KATIE PIU00F1A: I stayed out there for a whole summer.

[03:47] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, did you? What was that like?

[03:51] KATIE PIU00F1A: So it was super interesting. I was actually on an island called Alberto island to do all my work.

[03:59] MARIO NAVARRO: Uh huh.

[04:01] KATIE PIU00F1A: Um, and it was just a different life. Like, island life in general. Just very different from Kansas. You know, we just. I think you called it spelunking, where you just went out and walked the coast and rock climbed, and the island was full of birds. And it was funny. The first day, they say, okay, carry a stick above your head.

[04:28] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, geez.

[04:29] KATIE PIU00F1A: And all of us thought it was a joke, and we were laughing. And then, sure enough, few hours in, you had that stick above your head. Otherwise the birds would dive bomb you. And I do not like birds anymore.

[04:41] MARIO NAVARRO: I was gonna say, yeah, hopefully they give you a little heads up before you got there, but.

[04:47] KATIE PIU00F1A: Right. It was their nesting season, so they were protecting their eggs, so. I mean, I. I get it. But now I really could care less for birds.

[04:56] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah. Were they big birds or, like, little.

[04:57] KATIE PIU00F1A: Like, they were seagulls.

[05:00] MARIO NAVARRO: Okay. So they were loud and big.

[05:02] KATIE PIU00F1A: Loud and big. And when I was not doing coursework, I worked. Had a job there, and one of the jobs was literally, like, scraping poop off decks, so.

[05:15] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, really?

[05:16] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, I was. I mean, for a college student, it was fun. I mean, I got hang outside all day.

[05:22] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, yeah.

[05:24] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah. I just don't want to do it again.

[05:26] MARIO NAVARRO: Did your time.

[05:27] KATIE PIU00F1A: Right, right. I did my time, yeah.

[05:29] MARIO NAVARRO: So what was it like? Did you have like a. Were you like, an apartment type deal or they is just like a campus dorm room or something that you got to stay in or.

[05:37] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, they were like, yeah, I would basically think of as a college dorm.

[05:43] MARIO NAVARRO: Yep. Cool. So, very good.

[05:45] KATIE PIU00F1A: And then being on an island, you have to conserve water. So we got one shower a week, and we drank recycled water. And I'm telling you, like, the first day, you did not drink the water, and then eventually you just got used to the taste. It was very different.

[06:03] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, I can imagine. Geez. So how's that worked into, like, you say you have two boys, right? Eight and four. So do they ask you a lot of questions as far as your experience doing that or do they, do they have interest in the. Doing something like that, too, or.

[06:19] KATIE PIU00F1A: No, they just think I'm crazy. When we go to aquariums and I spend like 20 minutes looking at one thing and they want to move on and come on. Yeah, this is interesting. Let me, let me enjoy it for a second.

[06:34] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah. Well, those are good ages because I can imagine they're just constantly asking questions and wanting to know what's going on and, and going to the zoo. That's, that's, uh, that's gotta be a fun time. It was, uh, this past weekend. I saw it was just packed. Did you go this weekend to the zoo?

[06:53] KATIE PIU00F1A: Um, we did not go this weekend.

[06:55] MARIO NAVARRO: I don't know what was going on, but.

[06:56] KATIE PIU00F1A: Gorgeous day four, though.

[06:58] MARIO NAVARRO: Yes. Yeah, it was. I've got an eight year old son and he's. And so I know it's. He's like, dad, what's going on there? I was like, I don't know. And then I think he said something like a stingray or something. A new exhibit, so. Very cool. Maybe that's what it was.

[07:12] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yep. We definitely already hit that up.

[07:14] MARIO NAVARRO: So was it good? Pretty good.

[07:18] KATIE PIU00F1A: It was. I didn't get to see the sharks. I think they were hidden this time. But listen, racer definitely out and about.

[07:27] MARIO NAVARRO: Those sharks are very interesting. That's. I love watching those National Geographic where they've got a. They go and they drop them in. Like, they'll go Australia and drop them in, like, was it coral reef or the great white?

[07:42] KATIE PIU00F1A: The Great Barrier Reef.

[07:45] MARIO NAVARRO: Great barrier Reef, yes. And I'm like, these guys are crazy. He's going down in there and. You done anything crazy like that or.

[07:52] KATIE PIU00F1A: Um. Well, actually, I mean, it wasn't crazy, but when we went to Georgia, their famous aquarium, you can do shark cage diving, and so I did that at the aquarium in Georgia.

[08:05] MARIO NAVARRO: Very good. Good, good. So, um, what's your future hold as far as going forward? And you got young kids and your career and what do you got planned?

[08:23] KATIE PIU00F1A: Um, I actually work at a bank.

[08:26] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, do you?

[08:27] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yes. So, okay. Definitely not marine biology, but I really love it. It's the difference. I'm in the records department, so it really appeases to my organizational side. So I still read up and still do a whole bunch of stuff with my degree, but, like, for work purposes, I'm really content where I am.

[08:50] MARIO NAVARRO: So do you have to do any online training for work or anything to kind of keep those up as far as certifications or anything or not so much.

[09:00] KATIE PIU00F1A: Not so much. I mean, they do give us classes. Like, right now, I'm taking a course with KLC, which is like Kansas Leadership center, and we're learning about, you know, leadership and how to be leaders. And so that has been really, really good for me because kind of an introvert, and it actually gave me the courage to do this and introduced me to one small step, so.

[09:22] MARIO NAVARRO: Well, good. I'm glad you did. I was excited to meet you and get to know you and that KLC is a great program. This place I'm at now, it's been about a year and a half, but before that, we were talking about doing more with KLC, and so interesting, all the programs they have and different things that you can utilize, and this is one of them. They kind of got us together and talking about this. So excited for that. Good. A lot of opportunities, especially here in Wichita with growth of just downtown and then just a lot of self help stuff.

[09:58] KATIE PIU00F1A: So, yeah.

[10:03] MARIO NAVARRO: As far as your, the conversation today, what, what kind of pushed you forward to that as far as part of the KLC? Was that kind of how you kind of got your initiative to reach out and do this, or.

[10:17] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, I actually went to the chambers lunch when they first introduced Storycorps.

[10:22] MARIO NAVARRO: Yes.

[10:22] KATIE PIU00F1A: And just, it was just so fascinating and just to hear all the different stories and hear him talk. And then you didn't cry, did you? I held it in, but it was so close.

[10:36] MARIO NAVARRO: I was like this.

[10:38] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, that's so funny.

[10:41] MARIO NAVARRO: I did. There's a couple of, well, I think all, was it three of them? Four of them. Anyway, I was, yeah, I was kind of going, okay, but I don't want to cry.

[10:51] KATIE PIU00F1A: There's so many people here.

[10:53] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, exactly. I don't know, but actually, I did know a couple of them, but. Well, good. So that was kind of your, your kind of push forward to kind of get looking into this. Yeah, good. Same here. That's kind of what I got. I kind of went on a whim and, and it's good to see so many people and everybody talking about different things, and I think this would be good for just people just getting the word out and talking and discussing, just getting to know people. I mean, you know, so long, we're just kind of closed in. So. So, yeah, very good. See, what are your. Listen, I'm kind of going off some of these questions here, just if that's okay. Let's see. Talk to my parents. Talk about.

[11:44] KATIE PIU00F1A: I was going to ask you about, you know, what stories you hear from your parents about, you know, living, how they did. And working on the railroad.

[11:53] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, it's actually, I kind of wrote that wrong. It was my grandparents that were both from Mexico. My dad is from Wichita, and my mom was from Salina, but my dad had a lot of stories. And matter of fact, right now, I've got. There's a lady here in town that has. Is trying to. She put a book together of stories from families from the north end of Wichita. And there's pictures and stories behind those, and I'm trying to help her with some of the stories that I've got because my dad, he's passed away about five years ago, but he would tell me stories, and I just. I remembered him. But a lot of them were just, you know, working on the railroad. My grandparents, and then they lived in, the ten of them lived in the abandoned boxcars. And he talked about the dust storm walking to school, and he'd have a rag over his mouth and get to school, and he'd have. You still have a mouthful of sand, and his mom would be sweeping, and he couldn't keep the sand out because it would get through the cracks and everything. But just a whole life of. Of that type of, you know, the depression time of years, and, you know, sometimes when I kind of think I've got it tough, I'm like, I really don't have a tough, so. But he lived at 29th and Broadway is where they live, cut near the railroad tracks. And then he would walked to downtown, where the cathedral is at central and Broadway. For ben, for you, that's probably. What would you say, katie? About 5 miles, 10 miles, something like that? I don't know, but, yeah, something like that. And snow. No, I'm just kidding. But he said, oh, he's mexican. So sometimes he wouldn't be able to get on the bus because he was hispanic, so they wouldn't let him on the bus. Things of that nature. And then he also. There was a movie theater that they just are revamping now, but in the upper section, the Hispanics and the blacks had to sit up there, and then the white folks sat downstairs. So he went through that, and that's something I've never really had to experience, which, thank goodness. But it wasn't that long ago that, you know, that was going on. And I think we're better for it now, kind of just for the folks that had to go through it and kind of made it. Made it better for us to segue into how we get along a little bit better. So I think it's kind of helped me with his part learning work ethic and kind of stay focused on, you know, the good things. So how about you, as far as your family life experience from your family?

[14:32] KATIE PIU00F1A: Oh, I mean, it was just typical middle class, you know, nothing special. My parents worked a lot. Definitely a nineties kid, you know, like, there's definitely stuff I would not do with my kids that my parents let me do.

[14:51] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, right.

[14:53] KATIE PIU00F1A: Different times, but, yeah, nothing, nothing too crazy. It makes me realize how, you know, privileged I was because we were probably poor and. But I would never know it type of thing. Like, you know, you had what you needed and you moved on. And so I've kind of taken it to where we didn't go on very many vacations or trips. And so I'm trying to, like, take my kids places and have them experience different things just because I was never exposed to hardly anything. Like, all I knew was living out in the country, going to school. So if anything, it's, you know, trying to expose my, my two boys to more things.

[15:40] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, that's great. And, yeah, on the. It's. My family raised at six, same thing. We, there were six of us kids, and we lived in a two bedroom house, so three girls, three sisters were in one room, mom and dad in the other room. My brother was. He slept on a full couch. My brother and I slept in the basement, but, you know, it was all six at the table. We had seems like we had beans and rice at every and tortillas at every meal, but I didn't know any different. And same thing we were. We lived in the riverside area, but then we went private schools, but I, you know, we weren't, we didn't have the money because my dad, you know, he, he worked hard, but, you know, he had all six or all four of his kids, so. But I never knew any different kind of like yourself. And so we went to a couple places here and there, but I'm. I wasn't super close with my dad. I mean, like, I'm trying to be with my son, so we try and do a lot of stuff together. I mean, a lot of stuff coaching him and all that stuff. Just trying to just kind of be at that level to where I'm not telling him what to do. I'm just trying to help him kind of open his eyes. And my daughters, too, because I've got three daughters, 20 year old, 18 year old and 14 year old. So it's kind of all over the board. So college student, high school, senior, freshman, and then a second grader. So it's pretty much nonstop, as you could probably see with my. Me getting kind of getting set up here this morning, it's kind of the norm, but that's me, I guess so. Let's see. I got a question for you. I'm just kind of reading that just because I brought some questions with me just so I wouldn't lose track, if that's all right with you. Is that okay?

[17:34] KATIE PIU00F1A: That's perfect.

[17:35] MARIO NAVARRO: Okay. For generations listening to this, years from now, is there any wisdom you'd want to pass on to them? What would you want them to know? And, you know, just any type of things that we could pass on as we're going through. You know, we're kind of in the middle. Late, not. You aren't. But I'm just kind of, as I'm getting a little older, I'm like, okay, it's time to start reflecting. And so what would you pass on?

[18:08] KATIE PIU00F1A: I think the biggest thing I see nowadays is, like, just kindness and consideration. I mean, I just, like you said, like, Covid, every. Like, how. How were we out of toilet paper? Like, if people would have been kind and considerate, like, a lot of the stuff happened that happened would never have gone by. Like, did you really need 20 pounds of toilet paper?

[18:38] MARIO NAVARRO: Right.

[18:40] KATIE PIU00F1A: So the biggest thing would just give grace to people and just know that they have a story that you know nothing about. Yeah. Because just looking at someone, they can look like they have it all together, but you don't know what's going inside their head and what's going on in their family life. So my biggest thing would be kindness, graciousness, and just help people out.

[19:05] MARIO NAVARRO: So that's great. Yeah, that's. That's spot on because, you know, going through this, it's through the COVID It was. You realize everybody's going through something, and you just got to be respectful and understand that every trying their best, they're trying to stay focused. They're trying to. What's the old saying? The duck. You know, it's calm up top, but the bottom paddling, going 100 miles an hour. So, yeah, that type of thing. And you as well know, I mean, with the two boys, I mean, that was keeping them busy. And I'm sure, you know, working your career and everything, and that was probably a challenge, and I'm sure it was. So, yeah, it's. I think that's spot on. And not to focus on the distractions. I mean, everything around us, you know, we got our phones, we got the apps, we got everything going on. And because, you know, you can get caught up in everything and. And you got to pay attention to some of the news and stuff like that. But for me, it's just. I'm just focused on my family, career, how things are going. The company I work for, we've got good culture, so. And checking on people, that's another thing, too, because it's always kind of nice if somebody asks, hey, how you doing? And so I thought, well, it'd be kind of nice to check on somebody else, kind of return the favor. And you never know that that one high or how you doing can make a difference. Maybe even just for the day or the week or maybe their life. You don't know. I mean, you don't know what kind of impression you can have. So I try to keep that open. Positive mentality, I guess. So. I don't know if that makes sense. Kind of.

[20:45] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah. It reduces my stress, because I'm like, why? Why would I let the stranger stress me out? Like, there's no reason, right?

[20:54] MARIO NAVARRO: Exactly. It's like this morning I had it all plugged out. I was gonna. I'm actually down here at the library because I was at work. They had something going on at home. We had. Wife was there. It was kind of noisy. So that's. Go to the library. And I had to get a library pass and all this and that. And in the past, I'd let it stress me. I'm like, oh, I'm running short on time. I gotta get up there and I. And then the phone or the speaker. So it's just kind of, you gotta let it go. Things like that are gonna happen. And again, I apologize, but you can't let it stress you out or bring you down. So life's too short. That's one thing. As I get older, it's, you know, thirties, forties, like, oh, yeah, that's good. And then fifties, I'm like, oh, crap. You know, so, I mean, I still got a long time, but you just gotta savor every moment, I guess you could say so, but ask some more questions, if that's all right. Is that all right? I got on the list, you know.

[21:53] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah. Yeah. You were prepared.

[21:54] MARIO NAVARRO: Sorry. Let's see, who were your favorite relatives? Did you have aunt and uncle? Cousins, grandparents?

[22:05] KATIE PIU00F1A: We are. We used to be really close, like, you know, back when everyone was cousin, but, you know, everyone started getting married and, like, you know, everyone drifts apart and someone passed away.

[22:19] MARIO NAVARRO: Right.

[22:20] KATIE PIU00F1A: So. But back then it was probably my uncle Doug.

[22:24] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, yeah.

[22:26] KATIE PIU00F1A: He was just so funny and really took the time to, like, you know, hang out with kids and interact with us and. Yeah, I had a favorite stuffed animal, and he would always threatened to spank him and always, like, you know, get me going, and I would hide them, and you would find them. And it was just really. It was really just nice to have, like, someone not my dad, but still be male.

[22:51] MARIO NAVARRO: Right.

[22:52] KATIE PIU00F1A: Want to hang out and interact with us as kids because I had all female cousins.

[22:56] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, did you?

[22:58] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah. No boys in the family. So when I had two boys, I was like, yes. Because girls suck, right?

[23:05] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, I know.

[23:07] KATIE PIU00F1A: Girls.

[23:09] MARIO NAVARRO: That's funny. Do you think maybe because of that, I mean, the grant. Because I kind of noticed that when my grandparents passed away, because we'd always. Same thing. We. We go to grandma's on Sundays, and my mom and my aunts, and they would all be inside talking in the living room or kitchen, whatever, and then my dad, my uncles grandpa would be on the porch. It was a kind of older house in Riverside, had the big porch, and then those kids were playing run up and down the street, playing catch or whatever. And it seems like once they passed away, my parents became the grandparents, and then, now that was a focus of kind of what we're. What we do now. My dad's gone, but my mom's still alive, and my sister's like, well, we don't need to do it at mom's house, like a holiday. I'm like, no, I'd want to do it there, which she doesn't have to do anything, but I just want to have the. Everybody to meet there and, you know, like a meal or something. We could all. I'll bring. Chip in and bring your own thing. But my whole thought is the thought of being at grandma's house and the matriarch or whatever. Patriarch, whatever may be, but do you think that may kind of be a part of that, as far as kind of. Because I'm the same way. We got a huge family, cousins, and I don't see a lot of them. I mean, Facebook, you see some, but I think that that part of it's kind of gone.

[24:25] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, I think. And maybe just the sign of the times, too, with being able to connect over Facebook or just that even video calling. I, you know, everyone grew up and got married and moved away, and we. I don't think hardly anyone lives in town like the town we all grew up in anymore, so it's just hard to get together.

[24:49] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah. Yeah, it is. And it is nice. That's the one benefit of, you know, the. Today's modern technology, because we can do that. It's. It's nice and, well, my family's group tech, so it's kind of like, okay. Like, I got my sister coming in town, and she's constantly going on, but. But it's good. It's good to keep in touch. Let's see. Got some. There's a couple sections here, like, growing up. I'll go. I'll hit a couple in there. Did you get in trouble and what was the worst thing you did growing up? You don't have to talk about it, but I just kind of just go down the list. So as long as you don't ask me. No, just kidding.

[25:36] KATIE PIU00F1A: I will say I was a really. I was really good kid. I think the only thing I ever did was 9th grade, 8th grade or something. I spent the night at a friend's house, and she wanted to sneak out, and I really didn't want to, but peer pressure. Yeah, we were definitely caught.

[26:01] MARIO NAVARRO: Oh, no.

[26:04] KATIE PIU00F1A: I have to say, I didn't get in trouble, but I was no longer allowed to hang out with that person ever again.

[26:11] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, I could see. And isn't it crazy now that as a parent, you're like, what was I thinking, you know?

[26:18] KATIE PIU00F1A: Right.

[26:18] MARIO NAVARRO: I'm glad my kids don't do that now, but. Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah. Four kids. I'm sure. I've been.

[26:25] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, we know all the tricks, though, so when they try to slide something by.

[26:29] MARIO NAVARRO: Right.

[26:29] KATIE PIU00F1A: How did you know? I'm like, mom knows.

[26:32] MARIO NAVARRO: Exactly.

[26:33] KATIE PIU00F1A: Can't get anything past us.

[26:35] MARIO NAVARRO: I just know. Yep. Exactly.

[26:37] KATIE PIU00F1A: What was yours?

[26:38] MARIO NAVARRO: Mine? Getting in trouble. I was good grade school, then I got high school. And sophomore year, my cousin and a couple friends. It was after a football game. They had beer, and so we started drinking beer. And that was probably my worst year because we'd always had hung out, a couple friends, and we'd always drink beer, and we'd go to sporting events, basketball or. Not football games, but basketball games. And then, um. What else? Um, we're seeing. Oh, I got it. Had a DUI one night. It was the night before thanksgiving, and I knew I was gonna drink, but I thought I told my cousin, I'm not driving. Here's a key. So we went, did. Went to old town, stuff like that, and got back. He was living with me at the time. Got back, and my one friend called and said, you guys forgot me. So I was like, me being, you know, kind of nice guys, like, instead of getting a cab or something, for him, this is years ago, I put my shoes back on, I jumped back in the car, and I ran and hit up our car in the neighbors around the corner. And of course me, I'm like, I went to the guy's door, knocked on the door, said, sir, I just hit your car. And he goes, you're drunk. And I'm like, yes, I understand, but I just want to let you know. He goes, I'm calling the police. I said, do what you got to do. And I go and sit in the pastor's seat and sit back. I'm like, oh, my gosh. So that's how I got it. But thankfully, nothing. Nobody got hurt. His car got dented. But it was just one of those things. I'm like, what was I thinking? And that was a, you know, waking point. So still drink a little bit, but not, not like that. So it's craziness. So let's see. Do you have any favorite stories from your childhood?

[28:32] KATIE PIU00F1A: I have an awful memory. And, like, my sister's like, oh, remember this? And I'll be like, no, I really don't. But I do remember us having this little jeep, like, you know, the. Whatever they're called. Power wheels.

[28:49] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah.

[28:51] KATIE PIU00F1A: And I remember we would put a rotary phone in the back and one of us would drive, and one of us would talk on the phone, driving this little power wheel around all over. I always think back to that, and I had, you know, we had our stuffed animals in the back, and then we switch. And I just think about it now. We're, like, still talking and driving at, you know, four or five years old.

[29:17] MARIO NAVARRO: Started the new mobile phone back there. That's funny. Let's see. What. Was there a teacher or teachers who had a particularly strong influence on your life? And was it the 7th grade teacher or was it the class that kind of influenced, kind of do what you're doing or your interest?

[29:52] KATIE PIU00F1A: I honestly was from a small school, so I was very limited in what I was able to take. I really didn't have a favorite teacher. I enjoyed all my classes, but I think it was just because I was a good student. Yeah, I could definitely tell you some teachers I didn't like, but overall, there was no one that really stood out.

[30:19] MARIO NAVARRO: Okay. Okay what? As far as, if you don't mind answering, I get real quick on political values, as far as what you, what you see working, what not working. You might share that or.

[30:40] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, I don't mind. I'm trying to. I try to stay out of politics because I just get so frustrated with how everything works.

[30:53] MARIO NAVARRO: Sure.

[30:54] KATIE PIU00F1A: And, like, a lot of the hot topics, no one's going to win. You're always going to have differing sides. No one's going to come out a winner. And it's so frustrating to me how everyone tries to argue about it. And so I just stay away from hot topics because I know no good will come out of them.

[31:13] MARIO NAVARRO: Right.

[31:14] KATIE PIU00F1A: No matter what. So I don't, I don't vote. I don't register to vote because I know I will not spend the time researching to be able to make an informed vote. And that's, again, what frustrates me is people register votes. That's what you're supposed to do. And then they get to the polls and all they do is check a name. Oh, I saw this commercial last, so that's check and they don't. So, yeah, I kind of, I feel like I'm in the middle. I think I'm probably more republican than Democrat just because I'm more on the conservative side with certain things. But I definitely feel like I'm a mixture of all. I'm nothing totally one way or the other, but most of the time I'm just so frustrated, not interested in anything that I don't even try anymore.

[32:06] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, no, it sounds exactly my thoughts because for me it's, you know, my parents are Democrat and pretty, pretty vocal on that. I mean, I'm vocal, but, you know, it's as far as what their thoughts were. But me, it's just like a couple of ten year olds, just like, you did it, he did it, she did it. You know, it's like just get, resolve the issues and get things taken care of and what's going on and, you know, make it a better place for the way you and when you found it. So I don't think it ever be perfect, but it's just like right now, like I was saying earlier, just trying to stay focused and on the task at hand and try not to let it stress you out because I know there's stuff, you know, you know, I don't know what's going on in the war and everything, but for me, it's like I can't, I mean, I can do something about it, but it's like it's more or less like if I'm going to stress out and worry about all that and it'll relate, flow over to my family and they can see through that. So I'm, I'm paying attention to what's going on a little bit and I'm just trying to watch the distractions, but which is sad because that's nothing way it should be. It should be, you know, believe in something. And I'm like you. I'm conservative, but a little bit of the Republican. You know, it's like, you know, you want things to the right things and a mixture, I guess I could say. So it's just frustrating. So. But this is the time we're in. I mean, you look back and I go back to my dad again and his. That time frame and all the stuff that was going on at the time, the war, the depression, dust bowl and all that stuff, it's like, they made it through, so we'll make it through. We'll be all right. Because I remember there was an analogy. I think it was the global leadership conference they had. Are you familiar with that? They had it once a year. They have an interest bank, and it's a global leadership, but it's Craig Rochelle, and they talk and have topics, and they have a video, different speakers, and one of them was talking about going through the storm rather than going. Running away from the storm, because you're running away from the storm. It's going to stay with you. You go through the storm, you get through it at some point and come out for the better. So I keep remembering that. But, um, anyway, just kind of thought I'd ask. Just kind of curious. Um, let's see. Yeah, I'm just, again, hitting topics, so if that's all right. If you don't feel comfortable asking, it's fine. Do you have any favorite stories from your marriage or about your spouse or partner?

[34:57] KATIE PIU00F1A: Oh, my.

[35:01] MARIO NAVARRO: You don't have to answer. We can go on to something else.

[35:03] KATIE PIU00F1A: No, it's just funny that you ask these and then your mind, like, goes all these different ways.

[35:08] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah.

[35:09] KATIE PIU00F1A: You try to, like, pin something down, but I definitely think we're opposite, so I think we kind of even. Even ourselves out because he's the one who actually watches the news and informs me and keeps me up to date on everything.

[35:29] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah.

[35:30] KATIE PIU00F1A: And I keep him, like, you know, grounded and organized and keep our life flowing properly. Properly, you know, on the route, so.

[35:41] MARIO NAVARRO: Very good.

[35:42] KATIE PIU00F1A: What about you? Are you guys pretty similar? Do you guys.

[35:49] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, pretty much. I mean, I'm kind of. She didn't really watch the news, but we kind of stay as far as with the kids and all the stuff going on, she keeps track of that, and I'm kind of, everything's gonna be okay. We'll be all right. You know, all this and that, but. And it has been so far, but, yeah, so it's. It's been good. So, yeah. You have any questions that you can think of that you might have?

[36:29] KATIE PIU00F1A: Trying to scroll back up to your bio? I was going to ask. My husband went to catholic school. He's a non practicing catholic. So I was just curious about your experience versus kind of why, what I've heard from him. So, like, just in general, how was Catholics?

[36:54] MARIO NAVARRO: It was good. It was good. I mean, you know, we had it. We had it every day. Like, right now, my son goes twice a day, twice a week to church. But it was a constant. You know, we had religion all the time. But one thing I found out, my sister in law, she was not Catholic, and then she joined the catholic faith. But she's like, you guys don't really know the Bible like she did, because she was. I can't remember her. Methodist, maybe. And that's true. We don't know scripture like Richard, but we know it. I don't that makes sense. But it was good. Went through grade school, high school, and it kind of set the foundation for out in the real world, you know, because we all. We went to church. My mom was pretty. I wouldn't say strict, but she was kind of kept us in line as far as the part. But real quick, my. I was married before, and she was Methodist. I was Catholic. And we tried to make it work. I tried different, you know, we tried different churches, and I was willing to make it work, but we ended up getting divorced. And it was kind of, for me, I came to realization, you know, catholic religion in the only way or the right way. And I'm not saying it is, but that's how I was raised, being Catholic, you know, cradle Catholics, what they call it. So, with that in mind, it's kind of. It was good, but I kind of see where people on the outside would see a difference, and. And I have that in mind now because where I work, we try and implement into the culture. So we have a lot of folks from different realms, from different religions, and so it helps me open my mind. As far as, you know, hey, we're all in this together again, going back to treating others with respect. And I, um. It's helped because we all believe in one God, right? So it's. We may have different analogies or whatever, but, um, if we could just have that frame of mind and try and go from there. And I think it makes. Makes it. It'll make it a better world as best we can. So I don't know if that answered your question, but, um.

[39:01] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, I mean, I was confirmed Lutheran, so that's as close to Catholic as you can get without being Catholic, so.

[39:11] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, very close. So. Yeah.

[39:14] KATIE PIU00F1A: Yeah, but we don't, um. My kids actually go to a daycare that is Lutheran, so they get exposed to the church that way, but we don't really go. But, yeah, I'm glad they have some exposure to it. Not like I'm against it. It's just something that we're just nothing committed to going and putting in that. The effort, but not like we aren't supportive of everything.

[39:45] MARIO NAVARRO: Sure. Yeah, no, it's. I mean, at least you get the right frame of mind and you got, you know, that's the best you could, you know, that you could ask for right now, especially the boys. So. Yeah. What gives you hope about the future, especially political future?

[40:06] KATIE PIU00F1A: Um, I'm hoping that with all the stuff the young kids are going through now, maybe when it's, they're old enough and they can start going into politics and actually making change and kind of get some of that old mindset out, the people who are. Have been in there forever and. And. And maybe experiencing what they are now can really push them to better in the future.

[40:34] MARIO NAVARRO: Right.

[40:35] KATIE PIU00F1A: How about you?

[40:37] MARIO NAVARRO: Yeah, about the same. Just kind of seeing through everything and kind of understanding the processes and know what's right and wrong and. And. Yeah. Just trying to do their best to do their part and as far as for their families and their future, so. Because each generation goes through something and be it government side of things, political or whatever, but hopefully have the right mindset, you know, and not get caught in that struggle. So we always hope for the best for our kids and our family. Right. So. Best we can do. Yep. Well, this has been fun. I hope you enjoyed it. I don't know.

[41:32] KATIE PIU00F1A: No, it's nice that we're talking, like, Wichita people because, you know, we both have the same environment, so it's kind of nice to be able to talk to someone who's experiencing the exact same thing. I'm experiencing the same place, and it's kind of nice to see that there are others out there around town who have the same thoughts and hopes and that, you know, you're just not by yourself, living here, going day to day, and no one else cares, so.

[42:07] MARIO NAVARRO: Right, right. Yeah, it's. I just came back from Nashville from a work thing, and. And there was folks from all over the US, and, I mean, we're all kind of the same, but it's. You're right. It's kind of nice to know somebody from here in the area that kind of seeing the growth in Wichita, because there's a lot going on here and seeing a lot of companies come to town versus, I think, folks from California are coming in. They're not letting them into Austin or, you know, the Texas or Colorado. Now they're starting to spill over here to Kansas, because it's kind of untapped. And there's a lot of building going on, a lot of growth, and especially that chamber of commerce. So that was cool that you were able to go to that, because events like that, the chamber, the couple other things that they have going on around here, that's just opportunity. It's there. And other people are willing to learn. That's what I find is just people are good people just wanting to live their best life so as best they can and help others. Very good.