Connecting with Mike & Adrian: Recent Episodes
Mike & Adrian
Connecting… It’s what we all do, it’s what we all need. We long to be connected, to be a part of, and to be valued. Join us as we discuss a deeper/richer/fuller life and the many aspects of it that strengthens our connections to each other, ourselves, and the world around us. Explore these connections with us through the sharing of stories, conversation, and a variety of topics.
Sometimes we're missing details. Sometimes things just don't click, and we need clarity on what we actually heard. In this episode, Mike & Adrian unpack why we avoid asking clarifying questions — and the real cost of staying silent instead: resentment, misaligned expectations, damaged relationships, and projects or tasks that go wrong simply because nobody paused to ask.
They share personal stories, answer and offer simple, non-awkward phrases to use in real conversations — whether it's a relationship, a text message, or getting a project done right the first time.
What happens when you follow a treasure map into the Minnesota woods and come face-to-face with a 42-foot wooden giant? You remember why adventuring matters. In this episode, Mike and Adrian share the story of their troll hunt in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota — home to five massive sculptures by Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo, whose goal of "Trail of a Thousand Trolls" has grown into a global phenomenon.
What makes a hobby a hobby — and not a side hustle or a chore? In this episode, Mike and Adrian explore the joy of doing something purely because you love it and why so many adults feel guilty about it. They also get out their shovels and dig up the hobbies that have been buried in the "Hobby Graveyard."
We were working on an upcoming episode on hobbies and were talking about the ones that we don't do much anymore. Mike went through spurts of writing poetry over the years, and we thought we'd share some today - enjoy!
We live in a culture that's made it acceptable — even sophisticated — to keep your options open. But what happens when your word stops meaning anything? Mike and Adrian go deep on the real anatomy of commitment: what it costs, what it builds, and what it says about who you're becoming.
You know that feeling — it's 2am, you're replaying a conversation from this morning, and your brain absolutely refuses to let it go. That's not thinking. That's rumination. And most of us are way better at it than we'd like to be.
In this episode, Mike and Adrian get honest about their own spirals — the sleepless nights, the decision paralysis, the moments anxiety showed up uninvited and overstayed its welcome. They dig into why overthinkers are usually the people who care the most, why "just stop thinking about it" is the worst advice ever given, and what actually works when your brain won't clock out. This one's for anyone who's ever been exhausted by their own mind.
You've made the pros and cons list. You've asked everyone you know. You've Googled it at 1am, and somehow — you still haven't decided. This week, we get into the psychology of how we make decisions and why we freeze or rush. We cover the hidden biases quietly running the show, real frameworks that work in real life, and the high-stakes decisions we tend to avoid the most — careers, relationships, and who we're becoming. Indecision is never neutral, it always has a cost.
We explore one of life's most uncomfortable — and unavoidable — experiences: the gray area. From moral dilemmas to unclear relationships to not knowing where you stand in your career, ambiguity shows up everywhere. But our brains are wired for certainty, and the mismatch causes real distress. Together we'll dig into why unresolved situations feel so threatening, the hidden costs of forcing clarity too soon, and what it actually looks like to build a healthier relationship with not-knowing.
In this episode, we step into the quiet and take an honest look at the difference between loneliness and solitude in a world that’s more connected — yet more isolated — than ever. Loneliness is the pain of missing connection, while solitude is the intentional choice to be alone and grow from it. We explore why we avoid silence, how that avoidance affects our relationships, and how a lack of self-connection often fuels the loneliness we experience.
We tackle one of life's most personal questions: how much of who you are today is the result of deliberate choices versus the forces — upbringing, trauma, relationships, and circumstance — that shaped you without your permission. The conversation moves from childhood dreams to a genuine debate about agency versus circumstance. We close with a practical framework for closing the gap between who you are and who you want to be, and a reminder that you are not a finished product.
In this episode of Connecting with Mike & Adrian, Mike shares a 3 a.m. moment of inspiration from his company’s annual sales meeting. After days of talking about “Winning with Intention,” he realized something deeper: business empowerment only works when we’re self-empowered.
Living unintentionally is like sailing without a rudder — without it, the winds of life can push you wherever they want. Self-empowerment is choosing to put your rudder in the water and tack the winds of life to where you want to go. Mike talks about some of the tools that have helped him keep on course over the years.
Silence can feel peaceful—or painfully loud. In this episode, Mike and Adrian explore how silence shapes relationships, from unanswered texts to quiet car rides and conversations that suddenly stop. They break down the different kinds of silence—healthy, awkward, petty, and processing—and why we often choose silence as self-protection rather than indifference.
Through personal stories, humor, and honest reflection, they unpack when silence builds trust and safety, when it creates distance and resentment, and how two people can interpret the same silence in completely different ways. The episode ends with gentle, practical ways to break the silence and a reflection question to help listeners notice where silence is helping—or hurting—their relationships.
We’ve all done it—nodding along while secretly planning the perfect response. In this episode, Mike and Adrian unpack the difference between actually listening and just waiting to talk. With humor, honesty, and real-life examples, they explore why we do it, the hidden cost it has on relationships, and how it impacts marriage, friendships, leadership, and trust. They share practical ways to listen better, call out their own bad habits, and challenge listeners to rethink what it really means to be present.
This episode breaks down the idea of third spaces—the places outside of home and work where community naturally forms. We talk about why these spaces matter, how they’ve faded in modern life, and what their loss means for loneliness and connection. From cafés and parks to digital hangouts, we explore what makes a space truly communal and how we can start rebuilding places that foster belonging again.
We're calling Season 2 a wrap and are taking a Fall & Holiday Break. We'll be back with Season 3 on January 13th, so be sure to set a calendar reminder. Send us a message if you've got a topic you'd like us to discuss. We're already working on a couple, but we always appreciate listener input.
We explore the fascinating difference between maximizers—those who strive to make the absolute best choice in every decision—and satisficers—those who are content with “good enough.” We dive into how these two mindsets shape everything from career decisions and relationships to daily habits like choosing what to eat or buy. Maximizers may enjoy the pursuit of perfection but often face decision fatigue, anxiety, and second-guessing. Satisficers, on the other hand, tend to experience more contentment and peace, even if their choices aren’t technically “optimal.” Through real-life examples and research insights, we discuss how to recognize which side you lean toward, the pros and cons of each style, and practical ways to find balance.
If you've got a cell phone or tablet, you've probably spent a lot of time just scrolling, what some would call doom scrolling. Adrian talks about her latest activity, which is "Good Scrolling", an intentional way to use the device to bring positivity to herself and to others.
In this episode, we dive into the powerful role expectations play in our daily lives—both the ones we place on ourselves and the ones we carry for others. Unmet expectations can lead to disappointment, conflict, and frustration, but managed wisely, they can set us up for peace, motivation, and clarity. We’ll explore practical strategies for setting realistic expectations, communicating them effectively, and handling letdowns with grace. Whether it’s in relationships, work, or personal goals, learning to manage expectations can help us reduce stress and increase satisfaction.
Encouragement might sound simple, but it’s one of the most powerful tools we have in relationships. Whether it's family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers, a little encouragement goes a long way in strengthening those bonds.
We often use the words sympathy, empathy, and compassion interchangeably -but they’re not the same. By knowing the difference, we can transform how we connect with others.
In a culture obsessed with hustle, rest is often mistaken for laziness. But true rest is not just a break - it's a vital component of productivity, creativity, and mental well-being.
We've enjoyed the card game Play Nine for many years and it's a mainstay game at many events. Through the years of playing we have found wisdom in its correlations to real life.
Home projects of all sizes benefit from good communication as to the vision, timeline, costs, and the steps required get to the end.
The reality TV show Survivor has been on for 24 years and has over 700 episodes. Our family has enjoyed watching this together over the years and it always brings up discussions about the choices players have made and how they interact with each other. We talk about the show and the many lessons to be learned from it if you are a contestant and in our day-to-day lives.
Bickering is when we argue about trivial and seemingly unimportant things. Working through the reasons for the bickering can help pull us together, but unattended bickering with barbs of personal attacks can push us apart.
We just returned from taking a family vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth and had an Epic adventure. It made us wonder how we can carry the positive vibes of the theme parks forward into our daily lives.
Do you have an interest or hobby that makes you feel alive and connected? Gardening and digging in the dirt does that for me. It connects me to myself, previous generations, and the idea of leaving a space more beautiful. We hope this episode inspires you to connect with your passions.
When we treat each other with respect it opens the door to healthier relationships. There are many facets to this simple word and we talk about stories and experiences from our lives as we try to frame it. Is it earned, given freely, demanded, or mutual?
Identifying our priorities helps us to focus on what we think is important in life. Discussing these with our loved ones helps us to be on the same page or at least have a better understanding of each other.
These times are filled with plenty of opportunity for unrest that can unsettle us and cause personal and family stress. We talk about ways to find peace amidst the chaos.
Our parents, TV, movies, books, and those around us provide many examples of types of partner relationships. It's up to each of us to figure out what works best for ourselves and what we are then looking for in a partner. We unpack some of the many pieces we consider important to a healthy relationship.
The idea of creativity has been bubbling up lately. We chat about how it can help us in our problem solving, furniture layout, or our favorite hobby. We discuss some of our processes and what helps us to be more creative.
There's often more than one way to do something. We discuss some of our favorite methods across many topics.
Mike shares some stories of his brushes with mortality and we discuss how they can be a call to action in our lives.
When you've got aging parents and raising children, you're right in the middle and part of the sandwich generation. We talk about the challenges and offer some ideas to keep in balance.
We're back and kicking off season two! We had an over the top busy year. After a recap Mike then shares being beyond his limits of overwhelmed and working through it.
We're taking a summer break to rejuvenate, spend time outdoors, and connect with family and friends. Be sure to set a calendar reminder for September 10th when our next episode will drop. Thanks for listening and we'll be back soon!
Father's Day focuses us on our father's and how they shaped us and helped us to be who we are today. Mike talks about fathering and what it means to him.
Opportunities for new experiences surround us. Local papers and community calendars often have a list of things to do and explore. Bring your friends, make some memories, and try something new.
We share stories about our mothers and talk about the influence they had on who we are today. Adrian shares her thoughts on being a mother and how important that is to her.
An ancient Jewish ritual connects us to our brokenness and heartache, and helps us to learn that we do not have to try to heal alone. Mike turns to the left as in the ancient ways and shares what's breaking his heart.
Link to Simon Sinek - A Bit of Optimism
We Cannot Heal Alone with Rabbi Sharon Brous
We all have our favorite things, foods, songs, and so much more. Our favorites are often tied to special moments in time. Knowing other people's favorite things can help us connect with them. Today we share some of ours.
We all have internal power. Our awareness helps us to better understand ourselves and the world around us. When we learn and believe in ourselves, our confidence grows and we feel more ready to take on new challenges. As we tie our awareness and confidence together, our internal power flourishes to self reliance.
The naysayer can stop us in our tracks, save us from pitfalls, or even add fuel to the fire of whatever it is we have set our mind to. We first discuss the naysayer and how to handle them, and then move on to the positive affects of validation.
Link to Validation Video
Winning and losing are thrust upon us at an early age and if we let it, everything can become a competition. Whether we choose to continually go for the short term win or for the long game, makes all the difference in our relationships, fulfillment, and happiness.
We talk about being intentional in many of our episodes. A listener asked us to explain the methods of how we can all be more intentional in our daily lives. So we stepped back, took a look, and share some ideas and thinking that has helped us.
Change is hard, and it can seem like as soon as we get used to the new normal it changes again. We discuss why change is so hard sometimes and ways that we can prepare ourselves for it and even work through it.
Autumn joins us in this episode and talks about her passion for architecture and how it and her interest in sustainability has shaped her life and career path.
It's that time of year again when many of us make goals for the new year. We talk about the origin of New Year's resolutions, why they often fail, and some strategies to help increase the likelihood of achieving them.
Emotions help us to communicate what we are feeling to the world around us. Though sometimes they are misread or misunderstood. Adrian breaks down some common emotions and we dig in to discuss how to better communicate our feelings and understand others.
Self-Esteem is at the core of how we perceive ourselves. If we allow the connection, the words of others can lift us up or tear us down. We talk about how life can alter our self-esteem if we let it and ways to safeguard it.
Join us as we discuss a listener's question about how we got our kids to help around the house and how we handled rewards, and encouragement and compliments. Everyone has something to contribute whether at home, work, or groups that we are involved with.
I could try to do it all myself, or we could do it together and share the load. The to-do list is long and sometimes seems never-ending, but when we work together the load is lighter and manageable. We share our experiences and how 1+1 = more.
We love to laugh. It lightens a heavy day, reduces stress, and brings us together. When we gather as friends, laughter is usually part of the mix and that which we remember most.
We live in a big world where we are still discovering the history of past civilizations through ancient ruins. The world is filled with mysteries and things peculiar. We discuss some of these, Mike's favorite shows, and the magic number nine.
The founder of Written Hugs Designs, Christi Kmecik, joins us to share her story and her passion for connecting people by saying the hard things in beautiful and impactful cards.
Be sure to visit Christi's website https://writtenhugsdesigns.com/
Follow Christi on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Writtenhugsdesigns
IG: @writtenhugsdesigns
The loss of a loved one is a tender milestone. It can be challenging to approach the topic of grief and loss with family, friends, and co-workers; let alone process our own personal thoughts and feelings as we experience it.
Honesty…is it a lonely word? Join us as we try to get to the truth about this core value and why it is important to our relationships.
Tanner joins us in this episode and talks about his passion for music and how it and his love for people have shaped his life and career path.
"C'mon, let's go, it'll be fun." These are words often heard just before spontaneity occurs, opening the door to perhaps some new adventure or things not done before. Spontaneity urges us out of our comfort zone and often creates lasting memories.
It's a roll of the dice as to who sits next to you when you get a seat on an airplane. Mike recounts an engaging experience of a morning flight to LAX.
Heroes don't always wear capes, and sometimes they may be hard to spot. But everyday heroes are out there making a difference for sometimes one or sometimes many, but they are doing what needs to be done to help those in need.
Those that we connect with, often become our friends. The deeper the connection - the closer we become, and the more we share, laugh, cry, listen, and are there for each other. Friendships can be the gold thread in the fabric of our lives.
Why did that happen? How does that work? What do you think? What was your experience like? Curiosity is the gateway to understanding why something happened, how things work, and a persons perspective. When we are curious, the door to lifelong learning is wide open.
Timing is everything, a chance encounter or conversation can alter the course of our lives. A glimpse into our personal story shows how a sliding door moment brought our two lives together.
Having a mantra can help us keep focused on what we deem important in life. Sometimes even old adages and sage advice can keep us from trouble. We share our mantras, how they've helped us, and ways we've kept them in the forefront of our thoughts.
We read everyday without really thinking about it. Something magical happens when we read aloud, as the story seems comes to life before us. Our love for reading and the shared story inspired us to share our experiences and why we continue to love to read aloud as adults.
A chance encounter at the Post Office affords the opportunity to lend a helping hand. Adrian recounts her experience and frustration with the situation. Who will step out of line to help?
Patterns, they're all around us and in us. Adrian interviews Mike in this episode and he talks about how patterns have played a big role in how he sees the world, and how they have helped in his relationships.
Our relationships with our pets is another way we connect with each other. Animals have brought us companionship, joy, sometimes heartache, and have lifted us up when we needed it. Pets are part of the family, and we discuss the many benefits they bring to our lives.
At some point the kids leave the nest, and this is a big change for all involved. There are many things we can do to help prepare them, but we also need to prepare ourselves. How do we work through the separation from our adult children, and yet find ways to remain connected?
It's Valentine's Day, what a great day to talk about love. Love exists in many forms in our daily lives. What does love look like? How do we become more loving? Can we create a culture of love daily, giving and receiving love, in all of our relationships?
Sometimes, life or tasks can be extra challenging and require perseverance. We discuss tools that have helped us and how we applied them to keep pushing on.
Oh the family vacation! Camping, road trips with Adrian's family of five squishing into a Dodge Omni, Mike bouncing around in the rear seat of the family station wagon, and high school mission trips. We share our stories and talk about the process of building relationships and making connections along the journey.
Playing games together has been an important way that we connect as a family and spend quality time with friends. Hear about some of the different types and a few of our favorites. Game play is good for keeping our brains active and helps with our cognitive skills. The pandemic reduced our in person play, but there are many ways to play together across the miles, and we discuss how we made it possible.
Come on in, we're glad you're here, make yourself at home. Join us as we talk about hospitality and the impact it can have on those who visit. Adrian shares her stories of growing up in a home where welcoming others was her family culture. We'll talk about how we carried that model forward into our home and also sharing the feeling wherever we go.
Traditions are one of the many threads that run through a family, society, and cultures. When we are intentional about our traditions we create more shared experiences, which can strengthen our connections to each other.
Communication is a vital part of our lives and it's everywhere in advertisements, TV shows, radio, podcasts, social media, and most importantly in our relationships. We identify the different ways we communicate with each other, and discuss methods to be a better communicator and listener.
Happiness & Joy is probably something we could all use a little more of in our lives and many times can be a challenge. Mike talks about his early struggles with finding it and how he turned it around. We discuss the traps we make for ourselves and ways to increase our own happiness