Story & Lesson Highlights with Michael Litten of Roswell, GA

We recently had the chance to connect with Michael Litten and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I start my day with an early morning paddle on my SUP (stand up paddle board) on beautiful Lake Nottley in the North Georgia mountains, Watching the sun crest the horizon in the east with the moon setting in the west in truly magical. After my paddle I take a leisurely swim in the cool refreshing lake water.

The rest of my day is spent tending the garden, doing chores and listening to music, all day long. And, if I have a Ride The Vibe show coming up I focus on the guests music in particular. For me, the Tower Records tag line is my mantra, NO MUSIC, NO LIFE. My day ends with cocktails watching the sunset over the lake, listening to my favorite sunset playlist, featuring Bob Marley and Robbie Robertson.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I host a podcast, Ride The Vibe, as “The Last DJ”, “…Who plays what he wants to play And says what he wants to say…” The show is produced by Mike Natchus and Giuseppe Colato from the one of a kind, state of the art Sandbox Studio South. Social media is coordinated by James Thomas.

The show format is that of an “old school” listening party. We encourage listeners to sit back with a glass of their favorite beverage, while we play a sample of the guest’s original songs, if the guest is in the studio they perform two songs live. During the show we chat about all things music, think digital liner notes.

The show features a wide range of local, national and international artists. In the studio we enjoy Cathead Distillery and Drinkmate beverages. The theme music is taken from the song “Better Late Than Never” off the debut album, of the same name, written by my dear friend Peter Perkins.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My father, whose expressions still resonate with me today:
“If you are going to do something, do it right.”
“Do something, even if it is wrong.”
“Being on time is being 15 minutes early.”
“Bring me a problem early and you have a partner in finding a solution, bring me a problem late and you have a judge and jury.”

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Being divorced twice, the first time with the mother of my two sons and the second with my supposed “soul mate.” Those wounds, in addition to loosing my job a myriad of times, taught me that nothing is forever and life is about the journey. Time and a positive attitude are the ultimate healers. To heal a wound, either emotional or physical you must stay healthy. So, I have worked very hard to maintain my optimal health journey with a keen focus (80%) on good nutrition and a mix (20%) of fitness. The expression HEALTH is WEALTH is an absolute.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Tree, trees and more trees. I am very passionate about protecting these beautiful sentient beings. Dr. Seuss’s iconic line from the Lorax, “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees, I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.” really resonates with me.

I live in, what I call, my tree house on a one acre very wooded lot over looking the 5o acre Martin Lake. I have fought more battles than I care to count to successfully prevent my local Roswell government from clear cutting various properties. I am involved in a fight now to protect +90 acres from destruction.

And, I have 4′ tall wood carved Lorax greeting visitors at my front door.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I lived the life I love and loved the life I lived.

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