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Junk Refund Show with Alan Cook

Junk Refund Show with Alan Cook

Written by: Alan J. Cook
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1-800-Junk-Refund helps people declutter their homes and businesses with the unique option of getting some cash back! Our radio show, Junk Refund Show, takes it one step further by helping you get the clutter and junk out of your life as well! Listen each week as we help you not only declutter your garage, but we help you declutter your relationships as well! Not only can we help you clean out your dresser drawers, we can help you clean out that extra baggage you are carrying around your waistline too! Not only can we help you find that extra change that is fallen down into the cracks of your couch, but we can also give you some tips on how to make some extra money in your life! Join us as we explore that fascinating world of junk removal both inside and outside of your home, using interesting guests, 20 years of junk removal experience, and an upbeat and optimistic outlook on life!Copyright 2026 Alan Cook Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Junk Refund Show, July 2, 2026

    Junk Refund Show, July 2, 2026
    Jul 3 2026
    Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook Junk, Generosity, and the Freedom to Clear Your Mind Episode Summary A Fourth of July Broadcast From the Nation's Capital Alan J. Cook opens this July 2nd edition of The Junk Refund Show with a personal greeting, a birthday song for his sister Carolyn, and a reflection on the joy of growing up in a large, close-knit family. Broadcasting from the Washington, D.C. area during the Fourth of July season, he describes the heat, the crowds, the increased traffic, bus activity, security changes, and the special atmosphere around the nation's capital as people gather for Independence Day celebrations. Family Traditions That Become Real Success Stories The episode turns toward the value of family traditions, especially through Alan's story about his friend Robert, who gathers dozens of family members every Fourth of July at Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland. Alan frames this kind of yearly gathering as a genuine success story, not because of the location or activities, but because of the love, commitment, and continuity that hold a family together over time. A 50-Year Reunion Built Around Memory, Fun, and Generosity Alan spends a major portion of the show recounting his 50-year high school reunion in Utah. After volunteering to handle the entertainment, he created a Family Feud-style trivia program tied to the class's 1976 bicentennial graduation year. He also contacted political offices for congratulatory videos, brought in a classmate who performs as Abraham Lincoln, arranged a mini concert from musician Kurt Bestor, and helped build an evening designed to be memorable rather than routine. The Gift Card Surprise That Became the Heart of the Night One of the central stories involves Alan purchasing fifty $50 gift cards, paying $2,500 in cash, and secretly preparing to give them away during the reunion trivia game. He describes the comic and memorable experience of buying the cards at Safeway, watching them ring up and activate one by one, and later giving them to classmates. The gesture became a symbol of the evening's spirit, creating joy, surprise, gratitude, and shared memories. Why Reunions Matter More Than Appearances Alan reflects on the emotional power of seeing classmates after 50 years, including old friends, a ninth-grade best friend, and a former girlfriend he had not seen in decades. He acknowledges that people change and may avoid reunions because of age, hardship, or self-consciousness, but he encourages listeners to attend anyway. For him, the deeper value is reconnection, shared history, honoring classmates who have passed away, and creating moments that last. Getting the Junk Out of the Mind In the final part of the show, Alan connects the junk removal business to mental and emotional clutter. Inspired by a 7-Eleven clerk who asked how to get the junk out of one's head, Alan offers advice about seeking truth, focusing only on the next right task, not trying to control the entire future, choosing faith over doubt, and rewarding oneself after hard work. His examples range from golf and business marketing to surviving a hot day of physical labor with a Chick-fil-A peach shake as a simple reward. Faith, Celebration, and the Spirit of America Alan closes with reflections on Independence Day, America, soccer, the excitement of World Cup fans, and the need to look for the good even when the world feels uncertain. He encourages listeners to keep faith ahead of doubt, enjoy the Fourth of July safely, stay cool in the heat, and continue clearing junk not only from homes and garages, but from the mind, heart, and life.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Junk Refund Show, May 21, 2026

    Junk Refund Show, May 21, 2026
    May 22 2026
    Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook Hidden Value in a House Cleanout: Scrap Metal, Norman Rockwell Finds, and the Refund Model A Cleanout Leads to Unexpected Finds Alan Cook broadcasts after working on the cleanout of a home in Damascus, Maryland, following the deaths of the homeowners. He says the job was referred through a real estate contact and describes removing household contents for disposal, recycling, donation, or possible resale. He emphasizes that estate cleanouts can uncover items that initially appear ordinary but may have resale value. How the Refund Model Works Cook explains the premise of 1-800-JUNK-REFUND as he presents it: customers pay for removal, while selected items may be sold and a portion of sales proceeds returned to the customer. He states that the company recycles metal and wire, donates suitable goods, disposes of unusable material, and returns 35 percent of sales proceeds on eligible items selling for more than $20. Building a Business From a Pickup Truck Cook recounts losing a sales position while supporting a family and serving in a volunteer church leadership role. He says he began using his pickup truck to earn income through removal work, eventually expanding the business through realtor referrals, Groupon promotions, affiliates in other regions, and low-cost travel that he says allows him to pursue larger jobs outside Maryland. The Economics of Scrap Metal A large portion of the episode focuses on scrap-metal collection. Cook discusses separating ordinary steel, cast iron, aluminum, wire, brass, and copper because he says each category brings a different price at the scrap yard. He recounts observing regular scrap haulers, including a hardworking local collector using a riding mower and trailer, and two young men enthusiastically cashing in copper. Using Resale Research to Identify Value Cook describes finding two three-dimensional Norman Rockwell Triple Self-Portrait figurines during the cleanout. While parked during the broadcast, he searches completed eBay listings and says one comparable smaller figurine sold for about $25 while a larger version sold for about $125. He uses this example, along with past jewelry and sterling-silver finds, to illustrate why he believes potentially valuable household items should be researched before disposal. Work, Gratitude, and an Everyday Routine As the episode closes, Cook reflects on enjoying the unpredictability of junk removal and the satisfaction clients express after decluttering. He thanks BBS Radio TV, invites listeners to contact the company, and ends with a personal aside about his Wendy’s Cobb Salad, water, and small Frosty routine, which he says is helping him reduce his weight while still enjoying a treat.
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    1 hr
  • Junk Refund Show, May 14, 2026

    Junk Refund Show, May 14, 2026
    May 15 2026
    Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook Celebrate Your Life, Clear the Clutter, and Find Joy in the Journey A Birthday Trip Becomes a Life Lesson Alan Cook opens the episode from a Wendy’s parking lot in North Bethesda, Maryland, explaining that he is back after missing the previous week’s show because he was traveling in Europe for his 68th birthday. He frames the episode around the broader mission of the Junk Refund Show: removing junk from homes, garages, offices, and lives. Instead of focusing only on physical clutter, he uses his birthday trip as a way to talk about joy, personal renewal, and the importance of intentionally celebrating one’s own life. Celebrating Yourself Without Waiting on Others A major theme of the episode is Alan’s belief that people should celebrate their own birthdays and create meaningful memories for themselves. He explains that many people downplay birthdays as just another sign of getting older, but he sees them as opportunities to honor life and make adventures happen. He describes previous birthday trips to Rome and Mérida, Mexico, and says his five-day trip through London, Preston, The Hague, and Frankfurt gave him a birthday he will never forget. Spiritual Renewal Through Travel and Temples Alan connects his travel to his spiritual life as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He describes his personal goal of visiting temples across the United States, Canada, Central America, and Europe, explaining that these visits help him feel spiritually lifted, calmer, and more accepting of others. His trip included visits to several temples in Europe, and he presents this practice as one way he removes emotional and spiritual “junk” from his life. Junk Removal Deals and Business Updates The episode also includes practical updates about 1-800-Junk-Refund, including birthday-related vouchers and a Celebrate America 250th anniversary promotion. Alan explains pickup truck and box truck pricing, the company’s approach to junk removal, recycling, donations, resale, and refunding clients when valuable items sell. He also describes upcoming or potential jobs involving a hoarder home, a garage full of welding equipment, and larger estate-style cleanouts, while noting that smaller jobs may be handled by affiliates. Technology, Travel, and Podcasting Alan spends part of the episode reflecting on how technology has made the world smaller and more connected. He talks about flying across the Atlantic, using an iPhone to host radio shows and podcasts, and discovering that his church-related podcast has been heard in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities. His visit to Frankfurt becomes especially meaningful because Frankfurt’s main train station is the top location for downloads of his podcast, leading him to record an episode there. Kindness as a Way to Remove Life’s Junk The closing portion centers on acts of kindness Alan experienced during his trip. He describes Andre, a young man in the Netherlands who helped him charge his phone, find a power pack, and get on the right train. He also shares how a stranger near The Hague brought him homemade hot chocolate after seeing him waiting outside, and how a temple counselor offered him tea, breakfast, and a place to rest. Alan presents these encounters as examples of how attentiveness, generosity, and service can remove “junk” from people’s lives and create lasting memories.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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