A beard might get someone’s attention, but it’s the choices behind it that tell the real story. Roger DiGangi grew up with instability, missing pieces of family, and the kind of childhood that teaches survival before it teaches joy. When he moved from San Diego to Ellensburg, Washington, the slower rhythm of Central Washington didn’t magically fix everything but it gave him the space to decide who he wanted to become.

We talk candidly about fatherhood as a turning point, what it looks like to stop living on autopilot, and how a kid watching you can become the strongest reason to change. Roger also shares what years in retail at Fred Meyer teach you about people: patterns you can predict, moments you can’t, and the surprising gift of mentoring young employees as they grow from first jobs into real adult lives. If you care about leadership, work ethic, and navigating generational differences, you’ll hear the real-world version without the buzzwords.

Then we get into the work that lights him up: The Bearded Sinners. What started as a social group becomes a nonprofit built around giving back, staying adaptable, and saying yes when the community needs help. We break down the Kittitas Valley Toy Rally, including the November toy drives and the December 5 event with bands, food, auctions, and a clear goal: help local kids get the childhood they deserve.

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