Raff's Brain #24: Riffin' with Raff feat. Rob Ochsendorf, Upward Bound, Elkins, Quincy Lounge, & Spud Guns!

Riffin' with Raff is the interview steam of Raff's Brain podcast. In today's episode, Rob interviews a long-time friend from West Virginia, Rob Ochsendorf.

Raff's Brain is a show about things that are interesting to me, Rob Raffety.
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Episode Summary:
In this episode of Raff's Brain, host Rob Raffety catches up with an old friend, Rob Ochsendorf, in the “Riffin' with Raff” series. The two reminisce about their time together during the summer of 1997, working in the Upward Bound program at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. They share stories about their time as housemates in Arlington, VA, in their early twenties, recounting hilarious memories from the Quincy Lounge—a house they affectionately named—and the various antics they experienced.

They reflect on growing up in small-town West Virginia, the influence of Ochsendorf's close-knit family of six siblings, and how their rural upbringing shaped them into the people they are today. Rob Ochsendorf also talks about the joy of building potato guns with his sons and the simple pleasure of launching spuds into the sky.

This episode is filled with personal stories, humor, and insights into the value of maintaining lifelong friendships.

Links:
Upward Bound
D&E College
Augusta Heritage Festival
Elkins
How to Make a Potato Gun

Outline:

• Introduction 
  • Rob Raffety introduces the "Riffin' with Raff" series and welcomes guest Rob Ochsendorf.
• Summer of ‘97 
  • The two reminisce about meeting during the summer of 1997, working for the Upward Bound program at Davis & Elkins College.
• The Quincy Lounge Era 
  • Stories from their time as housemates in Arlington, VA, at the infamous "Quincy Lounge."
  • Highlights include throwing a fundraising party for Hoop Dreams, creating a band named "Q2," and the chaos that ensued with their eclectic group of roommates.
• Family Life and Growing Up in West Virginia 
  • Ochsendorf shares stories about growing up in a large family, the impact of rural West Virginia living, and his siblings' various accomplishments.
• Potato Gun Fun 
  • A funny detour into Ochsendorf’s recent project of building a potato gun with his son, sparking a conversation about fun, family, and creative engineering.
• Maintaining Friendships 
  • Discussion on staying connected with old friends, social media, and the importance of face-to-face connection.
• Closing Remarks 
  • Rob thanks Rob Ochsendorf for joining and pledges to catch up more frequently.

Links Mentioned in Episode:

• Davis & Elkins College
• Upward Bound Program
• Augusta Heritage Festival

Takeaways:

• Long-term friendships can be some of the most rewarding relationships, even if time and distance separate you for a while.
• Sometimes, the simplest activities, like building a potato gun, can create lasting memories.
• It's important to stay in touch with people who were significant in your life and use tools like podcasts or social media as accountability mechanisms.

Next Episode:
Stay tuned for more episodes of Raff's Brain, including the next installment of "Riffin' with Raff."