We're Only Human: Recent Episodes
Tim Jahn
We’re Only Human is a podcast of conversations with extraordinary people that explore why we are who we are. Join host Tim Jahn to explore how we define ourselves both personally, professionally, and everything in between. If someone asked you the question “Who are you”, what would you say?
Melissa Joy Kong’s least favorite question is “who are you?”, which is ironic to me, because Melissa is one of the most curious people on this planet. She’s possibly even more curious than me. She thinks deeply about how to become more present in every moment of every day, and yearns to help others do the same. At least, that’s how I would describe Melissa. When I asked Melissa how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how her mission in life is to help people fall in love with the way they spend their lives, what she learned about love from an Nebraska couple who passed away unexpectedly after she interviewed them, and why her biggest fear in life is dying without having a chance to say goodbye. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
David Spinks has been building communities for decades in many areas of his life. He’s a natural at it. You put him at a dinner and he will find those who need to connect and make it happen. At his heart, he loves humanity and strives to make a positive impact on us all each and every day. At least, that’s how I would describe David. When I asked David how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about why he fell down at an ice skating rink to propose to his wife, what he learned from his dad selling stuffed animals, and the surprising role becoming a father has played in his own life. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Katie Parsons has the ability to manifest into reality the life she wants to live. Through hard work and non stop persistence, she became a paid performer and fulfilled her dream of getting paid to do what she loves. At least, that’s how I would describe Katie. When I asked Katie how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how she has been affected by her moms Alzheimer’s diagnosis, why she tries to see the sunrise in person as many days as she can, and how envisioning her face inside a Playbill helped her get paid to do something she loves. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Tracey Wallace welcomes the obstacles that life throws her way. She’s a natural writer with a knack for storytelling, and a cheerful, glass half full person who can make anyone in the room feel comfortable. At least, that’s how I would describe Tracey. When I asked Tracey how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how growing up in a small town in Texas has shaped who she is today, her involvement in her wife’s sketch comedy group videos, and how boredom led to her passion for writing. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Carla Stickler left her life as a Broadway performer for the better part of a decade to become a software engineer. And then one day Broadway called and asked if she could perform the role of Elphaba in Wicked for a weekend. Carla is exactly the type of person who would say yes. She’s someone who adapts, who rolls with it, and who is loyal and reliable. At least, that’s how I would describe Carla. When I asked Carla how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about why she answered the call to perform back on the Broadway stage for a weekend, why Tom Hanks wants to be Tom Cruise, and why having a Wikipedia page is weird. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Trinity Malito loves helping others. With a smile ever present on her face, she’s happy to help at a moment’s notice. And she loves games. She has a huge passion for games. Really, she has a passion for life and finding the moments, the people, and the activities that truly fulfill her. At least, that’s how I would describe Trinity. When I asked Trinity how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about the impact of her ADHD diagnosis later in life, our mutual dislike of mail (it’s the worst!), and why she never pursued the life of an opera singer despite her 9 years of professional training. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Brendan Hufford works every day to create the life he wants to live with his wife and 4 kids. He knows what he’s working towards, but the goal evolves a little bit each day. He has figured life out, yet he’s still figuring it out each day. He’s just now realizing that maybe that’s totally normal. Brendan is somebody who is constantly learning and improving who he wants to be as a human, and I really admire that. At least, that’s how I would describe Brendan. When I asked Brendan how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about what he learned from being a school teacher for 10 years, why he feels he needs to intentionally move through life with a little more grace and empathy, and his thoughts on what a mid life crisis REALLY is. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Adam Tuttle is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. He puts his family first, brings positivity to those he works with, and is always unapologetically his authentic self. Oh, and he also loves cold weather! At least, that’s how I would describe Adam. When I asked Adam how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about his lifelong journey to become the best version of himself, why he loves ice fishing so much, and why he set himself a goal of running 1,000 miles in a year (and how he achieved it). Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Stella Garber believes in direct, honest communication, and is not afraid to jump into the unknown. She has a passion for empowering women and supports women every chance she gets. At least, that’s how I would describe Stella. When I asked Stella how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how becoming a parent has taught her empathy and patience, why she loves that her friends have no idea what she does for work, and the enormous benefit of viewing other people as the humans they really are. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Lizzy Guido is one of the most kind, genuine people you’ll meet. She has a deep love for humanity and using her talents to change the world around her on a micro and macro level. She wants to leave the world better than she found it. At least, that’s how I would describe Lizzy. When I asked Lizzy how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about the crucial question she asks herself every day, her desire to open a local community movie theater, and the importance of partners catching each other when they fall in a relationship. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Will English IV is somebody who is intentionally building the life he wants to live. He’s constantly looking to learn and grow, and expand his skillsets. At least, that’s how I would describe Will. When I asked Will how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about the impact his grandmother had on his life, how his definition of success has shifted from being the first person in the office to being able to go to Cubs day games with season tickets, and his desire to break away from the prescribed life. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Jason Miller is an entertainer, a creative artist who celebrates life and creates a difference with his art. He seeks to find the joy in each moment and keep learning along the way. At least, that’s how I would describe Jason. When I asked Jason how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about getting signed to a record label at age 17, why we all need a solid balance of introvert and extrovert, and the giant record directory book he mastered while working at a record store. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Lauren Hlavin always has a big smile on her face. She lights up every room she enters. She has embarked on a never ending journey to grow as a person and to discover everything she can about the world around her. At least, that’s how I would describe Lauren. When I asked Lauren how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about why she suddenly moved across the country, the talk about helping homeless people she hopes to give one day on the TED stage, and John Mayer’s hit song “No Such Thing”. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Sarah Brooks is here to remind us to show ourselves grace and remember that we’re human beings, not human doings. She’s driven by her love for music and is on an ever evolving journey of personal growth. At least, that’s how I would describe Sarah. When I asked Sarah how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about separating our professional work from our identities, the epiphanies she discovered during her end of year month long sabbatical from her business, and the significance of the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Jill Felska is an eternal optimist. Her glass is always half full and her smile never leaves her face. She’s on a lifelong mission to create positive change in this world, and any obstacle that gets in the way is an opportunity. At least, that’s how I would describe Jill. When I asked Jill how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how her discovery that she is queer has affected her relationship with her pastor dad, the importance of seeking out uncomfortable moments in our lives, and the pressure to play the role of the positive, happy person for those around us. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Allie Siarto has figured life out. She knows what success means to her and has figured out how to transform her dreams into reality. She understands there is a lesson to be learned in each season of life and wants to help those she meets along the way. At least, that’s how I describe Allie. When I asked Allie how she would answer the question “Who are you”, we talked about how success means more to her than money, why she lives her life as a series of experiments and hypotheses, and how she developed a love for sailing. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)
Paige Worthy is smashing the patriarchy. She’s the person in the crowd who jumps up and makes her voice heard above all the noise. Her calling in life is to educate those around her on how to create equality and eradicate unjustness. Well, that’s how I would describe her. When I asked Paige how she would answer the question “Who are you?”, we talked about what it means to let go of the monkey bars, her experience singing a solo at a mass in Italy despite being an atheist, and how she overcame her initial hesitance to be too vulnerable on this podcast. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at https://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com (WereOnlyHumanPodcast.com)
Season 2 of We’re Only Human is coming soon! Join me, your host Tim Jahn, for this season of conversations with extraordinary people that explore why we are who we are. We’ll explore how we define ourselves both personally, professionally, and everything in between. You’ll hear stories, revelations, and lessons learned from people from all walks of life, including rock & roll photographers, parents, business owners, and more. I’ll ask all my guests: If someone asked you the question “Who are you”, what would you say? Season 2 premieres March 30. Subscribe for free today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
A few weeks ago, I texted my friend (and https://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/tracy-samantha-schmidt-we-need-to-be-socially-authentic/ (previous guest)) http://sociallyauthentic.com (Tracy Samantha Goodheart) with a thought that had been swirling in my head recently: I think it's time to hit pause on the podcast. The problem is, I'm not sure what comes next and if I stop, doesn't that mean I've failed? I felt a fitting way to bring this chapter of We're Only Human to a close would be to have somebody interview me. So I invited Tracy back on the podcast to do just that. In this episode, Tracy and I chat about: The power of magic even when we need objective data to make decisions How creators don’t always know the effect they’re having on peoples lives Knowing you're good at something deep down without feeling like you’re bragging Tracy discovers Facebook Messenger for Kids Tracy explains Clubhouse to Tim
If the We're Only Human podcast has made an impact on you, I'd love to hear how! Send me a note https://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/contact/ (via the contact form).
https://darmano.typepad.com/ (David Armano) experienced a major shock to his system in 2020 when he was unexpectedly laid off from his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That was on top of postponing a wedding and navigating family life post-divorce. As someone who isn’t afraid of leaning into a bit of discomfort, David decided to get vulnerable and open up about what was happening in his life with others. He quickly learned that people connect with vulnerability, and they wanted to know that side of him. In this episode, David Armano and I discuss: How we both got married before our brains were fully developed How David’s getting laid off was a positive shock to his system Why it felt uncomfortable for him at first to be honest about getting laid off Why his parents marriage isn’t a model for what he wants out of a relationship His North Star and guiding principles for living life The importance of being vulnerable no matter how uncomfortable it feels
One day, https://www.anewwaveofhr.com/ (Angelica Patlán) asked herself: is this who I am or who I thought I was supposed to be? She realized who she thought she was supposed to be is completely different from who she really is. That realization changed everything for her. In this episode, Angelica Patlán and I discuss: How the lack of closure while working as a 911 dispatcher affected her The ways in which she re-found herself by getting lost and intentionally feeling uncomfortable When she realized she wasn't happy following the prescribed path Dealing with self doubt and fear Why perfection is often stemming from self doubt
Jessica Williams is the founder of https://techbizgurl.com/ (Tech Biz Gurl). She also has a day job and is a caregiver. Like many of us, she's juggling a lot of plates in the air. She has recently realized the importance of pausing and recharging in her life. In this episode, Jessica Williams and I discuss: Why she isn’t trying to escape her day job How being laid off from her job helped her How her day job helps build her side hustle Why comparison engine is the worst and how it's affecting you too! The impact she wants to make on the world What she learned about herself from The Fear Experiment Her experience being a caregiver Her techniques for focusing
https://www.yesyesmarsha.com/wereonlyhuman/ (Marsha Shandur) has a beast who whispers in her ear every day. She used to try to quiet the voice but the voice kept coming back. She also realized she wasn't the only one with this beast whispering. Many of us have this little voice in our head, trying to convince us that we aren't good enough. Marsha is on a mission to show us how to tame this voice and successfully co-exist with it. We're then able to be who we are without fear of the voice tearing us down. In this episode, Marsha Shandur and I discuss: Why she believes there’s a beast whispering in our ears Her preference for a flip phone rather than a smartphone Her passion for making the world more accessible Why she write herself notes on her Christmas tree every year Her favorite Christmas memory that she's never told anyone about before The strength of being alone
From moving in with a roommate for the first time in years to spending a weekend alone in a treehouse with a hot tub, https://www.bridgetpoetker.com/ (Bridget Poetker) experienced a lot of change in 2020. As hard as 2020 was, she has never been more proud of herself for how much she grew as a person that year. In this episode, Bridget Poetker and I discuss: Why she’s not inspired by people who have been in the same career for 30 years How Bridget decides who she wants to be a part of her life How she learned that being alone is good and ok Why she stayed in a treehouse with a hot tub by herself for a weekend after getting laid off The various ways she grew as a person in 2020 The importance of actions over words
When she was nine years old, https://www.untamingthewild.com/ (Angie Cole) wrote a letter to her pen pal expressing her fear that she would never leave her small hometown and never get to travel. Today, Angie travels the world living a nomadic life. She helps people who have been following the rules and realized that's not working for them. People who have always been told to live life a certain way to be successful. Angie discovered at an early age that the rules were never meant for her. That realization led her on a path to live a life beyond her wildest imagination. A life her nine year-old self could never have fathomed when she wrote that letter to her pen pal. In this episode, Angie Cole and I discuss: When she realized the rules aren’t meant for us How she deals with the chaos in her life Why we are all so desperately trying to achieve the hot tub How she created conditions to hear herself and what she wanted her life to be The ways in which fear and desire are two sides of the same coin How she conquered the fear of never leaving her small town as a child What home looks like for her as she lives a nomadic lifestyle
2020 crushed http://emmawolno.com/ (Emma Wolno)'s plans of being a digital nomad who traveled the world while growing her business. Instead, she was grounded in her hometown and forced to stay put. That initial setback evolved into a year of life lessons that she never saw coming. She realized there is so much to learn from slowing down and immersing oneself in each day. In this episode, Emma Wolno and I discuss: The various lessons she learned from 2020 The twists and turns her life took after graduating university Why she “did the whole move for love” thing Her guiding word for 2021 and why she picked it Why she considers past relationships to still be successful relationships Her techniques for practicing self care Why she prefers the process toward achieving goals over the goals themselves What success in life means to her
In June 2020, https://www.badasscrossstitch.com/ (Shannon Downey) gave up her job, sold all of her possessions, bought an RV, and began traveling the United States as a nomadic craftivist. Shannon is here to remind us how simple it can be to change the world. It doesn't have to be epic. Changing the world can be as simple as a single moment or action. In this episode, Shannon Downey and I discuss: The money and power course she took with a dominatrix, and the clarity she derived from that class Why she has a personal board of directors in her life How she's been forced to pace her learning in this chapter of her life The million lives she’s lived and how they’ve all shaped who she is today Why she moves on to the next thing once she feels like she's learned all she can from the current chapter of her life How she saved the unfinished quilt from a 99 year-old quilter with the help of over 1,000 people around the world
http://bruceackerman.com/ (Bruce Ackerman) devoted six years of nights and weekends to building his software company Printavo before he began full time work on it. He's on a mission to push his industry forward and grow custom apparel shops along the way. He sometimes still can't believe he's living his passion every single day now, remembering how he ran his own custom apparel shop in college. Bruce isn't afraid to make significant sacrifices along his journey. He always thinks back to his guiding question: what is the impact you want to make? In this episode, Bruce Ackerman and I discuss: The anxiety that 2020 brought Why Bruce is okay chasing more, better, faster How working on Printavo nights and weekends for 6 years has shaped who he is as a person Where he got the entrepreneurial bug from How being an entrepreneur affects his relationship with his wife Why he didn’t tell his parents about his business for the longest time
When http://www.laurapena.com/about (Laura Peña) came home from her nine-to-five job one evening, she opened the door, saw her husband watching TV, and thought to herself: Is this it? Is this life? There must be more. She felt like she was on a train going a million miles an hour. And then suddenly, she stopped and thought to herself: Is this where I’m supposed to be? Today Laura is the founder of http://www.sheistheuniverse.org/ (She Is The Universe), a global platform that inspires and empowers teenage girls around the world. In this episode, Laura Peña and I discuss: Why it’s ok to feel like there’s more to experience in your life than you have so far The benefits of leaning into discomfort Ways to step outside your comfort zone What it’s like to live a nomadic life Why our gifts don’t always need to make money The inspiration behind She’s The Universe How her parents attempt at starting ideas has inspired her The importance of sharing our own stories and acknowledging that other people do care about our stories
After https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinraheja/ (Kevin Raheja) dropped out of the college his mother taught at, he went to Alaska in search of work on a commercial fishing boat. He was tired of the cubicle walls surrounding him at the job he worked to pay for college. He wanted to be free, challenging himself, doing the opposite of what he was doing. Kevin yearned to connect more with nature and experience more of what it means to be human. His journey working on the commercial fishing boat and his subsequent career managing partnerships at software companies have shown him what he's truly capable of. In this episode, Kevin Raheja and I discuss: Why a psychology class in college forced him to realize he didn't like the future he was heading into The reasons he escaped to Alaska to work on a commercial fishing boat Why the physical demands of crab fishing wasn't actually the challenging part The big lesson he learned from his crab fishing days How his dad’s sudden death affects him each day The effects living in a small village in India for 6 months during his childhood has on him What micro goals and macro goals are How he balances his love for the software industry with his love for connecting with nature outdoors
Late at night on the worst day of his life, https://www.shanesnow.com/ (Shane Snow) found himself with nowhere to sleep. He was homeless. He had just gotten divorced, things were shaky financially, and he hadn’t asked anybody for help yet. He was still pretending that everything was fine. Everything changed after Shane finally asked his friends for help. He learned that he didn’t have to pretend anymore and there was no weakness in asking for help. Shane Snow is the author of multiple books, including https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Teams-Working-Together-Without/dp/0735217793 (Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart). In this episode, Shane and I discuss: What he learned about himself on the worst day of his life His New Years resolution for getting better at sitting through discomfort How growing up with a lot of siblings affected his view of teamwork What changed in his life that made him more comfortable asking for help How we can give others the gift of helping by asking for their help The enormous impact one memorable high school teacher had on Shane’s life Why he chooses impact over power or money Why he kept a journal chronicling the lies he found himself telling
In 2017, https://amieheeter.com/ (Amie Heeter) and her family embarked on a year long journey that she calls a radical sabbatical. They sold their house, quit their jobs, took their kids out of school, and hit the road in a camper trailer. They wanted to relieve burnout, evaluate if they wanted to move to the family farm, and reconnect with nature. Amie paused her life in a seemingly extreme way, but she reminds us that even the smallest intentional pause can help us feel more alive. In this episode, Amie Heeter and I chat about: The 3 main reasons she and her family took a radical sabbatical The lessons she learned in her time working at Isle Royale National Park Showing her children the importance of being immersed in nature and connected to this planet Reorienting her relationship with time Intentionally leaning into discomfort The various ways she has come alive in her life How becoming a mother affected her What hanging out with people older than her has taught her The importance of fresh air baths
https://www.adjunctadvisors.com/about-1 (Meg McKeen) got married, bought the house, and secured the well paying job. She felt like she was living life the way she was supposed to. But when she turned 40, she took a deep breath and hit pause on her prescribed life. She quit her job and embarked on a journey to learn what the next chapter of her life should look like. The one thing she knew for sure is that she wanted to just be. Be in the moment, be in the present, be in this time we have together. It was time to be okay with uncertainty and the unknown. In this episode, Meg McKeen and I discuss: The ways Meg felt like she was living a prescribed life Why she’s more comfortable building a business than a relationship How taking a year off was a massive investment in her life Why the next chapter of her life is uncertain but she's totally ok with that How we often diminish our greatness because of who we think we’re supposed to be Her work on recognizing the control she has over certain things and letting go of what she doesn’t
Caity Rose and her husband were ready to purchase their first home in 2020. But when COVID-19 hit, she realized there was now an opportunity to be more intentional about how they lived the next chapter of their lives. One Sunday, her husband suggested they forgo buying a house and instead buy an Airstream trailer to travel the country in. Four days later, they signed the paperwork and were the proud new owners of an Airstream trailer. Caity and her husband packed their lives into the trailer, bought a truck to pull it, and hit the road two months later. In the time since, Caity has gained newfound perspectives on what really matters to her and how to truly be intentional about how she lives her life. In this episode, Caity Rose and I chat about: The inspiration for her and her husband buying an Airstream and traveling the country Why she felt it was time to be more intentional with choices in life How this journey is going to change the direction of her life in the future The biggest obstacles she’s run into on this journey so far How her perspective on sunrises and sunsets has changed What boondocking is and why Caity wants to do more of it How being a problem solver makes this lifestyle suit Caity and her husband well
Emily Drake left her career in public relations without a plan. She hit her bottom emotionally and professionally in the years that followed. Despite getting paid well to do work that exercised her strengths, she felt she was climbing a ladder she never meant to climb. She was working, but not doing her work. And she wondered…who am I? Emily embarked on a journey to answer that question, a journey that brought answers she wasn’t expecting. Today Emily is a licensed therapist and the owner/CEO of https://www.thecollective-academy.com/ (The Collective Academy). In this episode, Emily Drake and I discuss: Why Emily is a recovering perfectionist How her family jumped in to support Emily when they saw how her job was negatively affecting her life The inspiration her mom has been Why she has a huge care team surrounding her, sponsor, therapist, coach How she views life as a spiral staircase Dealing with imposter syndrome How what we know to be true might not always be what others know to be true Her positive experience with divorce
https://unmistakablecreative.com/ (Srini Rao) hit a major rough patch after the success of his bestseller book. His relationship came to an end, he had to cancel the conference he was organizing, and financial troubles arose. But he didn't want to publicly share any of these failures with the world. He was too well known to do that. Besides, did the world really want to know about his failures? In this episode, Srini Rao and I chat about: Why Srini believes being 100% authentic is inappropriate How there’s a fine line between vulnerability and being a complete train wreck How being in the public eye affects one’s ability to be authentic and vulnerable The ways we are using vulnerability as a marketing tactic The perspective his younger sister’s wedding gave him What he learned from living with his parents for 8 years during his 30s Why he doesn't like listening to podcasts Why he made a documentary about the women in his family The dangers of using outliers as examples and inspiration for people
Pek Pongpaet didn't take the https://www.impekable.com/ (agency) he was building seriously in the early days. The CEO felt the judging eyes of other entrepreneurs in the Bay Area. "Oh that's cute! But what are you really working on?" There was something bigger he was supposed to be chasing after. Something more real. But his agency was attracting more clients and getting more work. It WAS bigger. It WAS real. Why couldn't he just be happy with that? In this episode, https://www.impekable.com/ (Impekable) CEO Pek Pongpaet and I discuss: Why Pek felt like his business wasn’t serious compared to what other people were working on Why he’s always chasing the next shiny thing The importance of providing stability for his tribe His techniques to do fewer things better How he got into the martial art Wushu and performing for the Mortal Kombat video games Why he relates to the Regret Minimization Framework from Jeff Bezos How he thinks about work life integration
Before Dr. Deborah Gilboa (aka, http://askdoctorg.com/ (Dr. G)) became a doctor, she was a performer and stage manager at world-renowned comedy institution Second City. But one day, she felt like she wasn’t earning her oxygen. She yearned to make a bigger contribution to solving the problems of the world. She thought she wanted to fix people. Today Dr. G is a practicing physician and sought after expert on resilience. Her journey is living proof of her belief that resilience isn’t about bouncing back: resilience is about incorporating the change you experience and using it to become the person you want to be. In this episode, Dr. G and I chat about: Why she didn’t feel like she was making a big contribution to solving the problems of the world Her unconventional path to becoming a doctor What she learned about herself from going to summer camp How her parents inspired her to study resilience The dangers of labeling people as sensitive Why it takes 72 small disappointments build resilience Why she is less impressed with herself today
Mari Luangrath-Ullrick was a beacon of hope for me as I went through my divorce. She got divorced, remarried, and successfully blended two families together into a new family. With 50% of marriages ending in divorce, Mari's situation isn't uncommon. But that doesn't make it any easier to live through. Mari is the founder of https://www.blendrebels.com/ (Blend Rebels), a community that helps families around the world make blending families easier with less work, fewer tears, and less contention. In this episode, Mari Luangrath-Ullrick and I chat about: The moment she realized she wasn’t alone in getting a divorce and there were others out there going through the same thing How becoming a parent completely defied her expectations for having a child The ways her wildly successful cupcake business affected her marriage Where her desire to create businesses comes from How she felt the night of her first Thanksgiving post divorce Why we need more inclusion for blended families and divorced partners What she learned from a childhood of playing violin
John Ondrasik has experienced all sorts of ups and downs along his journey as a 20+ year overnight success. He's the singer and songwriter known as https://fiveforfighting.com/ (Five For Fighting) who has written hit songs like "Superman" and "100 Years". He often felt like he was one album away from having to get a real job. When his record label of 10 years dropped him, he asked himself: Is this it? Have I already had my time? Throughout it all, he's found that sometimes the big things are actually little things and the little things are actually the big things. In this episode, John Ondrasik and I discuss: Why he's still afraid to play a new song for his wife The role the desperation of a young artist has played in his life How hard it to accept the realization that you've had your time already His children and the role they've played in his songwriting over their lifetimes His family business that manufactures the shopping carts you've probably used at the store How the family business has grounded him during the height of his musical career Why he ran a marathon after getting dropped from his record label What he believes his legacy will be
Claire Sellers and I have something in common: we're always chasing the next thing. She calls it More, Better, Faster Syndrome. And she feels it's one of the greatest thieves of true joy and peace in our lives. Claire's dream was to make six figures and live in a nice apartment with a dishwasher. But once she achieved that dream, she realized she didn't feel fulfilled. Chasing after more, better, faster hadn't helped her find joy and peace in her life. Instead, the joy and peace were ripped away. Claire Sellers is a life and leadership coach who helps people go from where they are now to where they want to be in their careers, relationships, and other parts of life. In this episode, Claire and I chat about: Techniques for overcoming More, Better, Faster Syndrome The 2 key questions Claire asks herself every day How Claire's entrepreneurial parents inspired her When and how she realized she was a great leader What fulfills Claire about being a great leader The power of enneagrams Why she was excited to celebrate her birthday this year for the first time, when she has dreaded it in past years Her first time eating alone while traveling Where she finds the strength to intentionally face discomfort head on
Follow Claire on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/claire_penelope/ (@claire_penelope) or visit her http://www.clairesellers.com/freedomu (website) for more info on her coaching programs.
When Nicole Sachs was diagnosed with an abnormality of the spine called spondylolisthesis at age 19, she was told she'd never children. She would also need surgery and be on medication for the rest of her life. Nicole was determined to change all of that. Through her work with Dr. John Sarno, she began to understand that you can't just think your way out of chronic pain: you need to act your way there. Today, Nicole has three children, hasn't had any surgeries, and isn't on any medication. In this episode, Nicole Sachs and I chat about: The many reasons why our bodies physically hurt How so many conditions don’t have an obvious origin What are you willing to be curious about if you no longer want to suffer? The ways that desperation leads to surrender and surrender leads to truth How Nicole came to work with Dr. John Sarno How our brain perceives repressed emotions as a greater threat than physical pain What JournalSpeak is and how to use it to surface repressed emotions
You can learn more about Nicole Sachs and the many resources she offers at her website https://www.thecureforchronicpain.com/resources (The Cure For Chronic Pain).
Kari Jo Kelso was living 1,000 miles away when her mom fell ill back in her home state. She needed $600 to cover the plane ticket home every month and that was starting to add up. What began as an online t-shirt side hustle to pay for those plane tickets has grown into a massively popular clothing brand called https://rosebudstees.com/ (Rosebud's Tees). Success today looks different for Kari Jo than back when she first started the business. It's less about the financials and more about intentionally creating the life she truly wants for herself. In this episode, Kari Jo Kelso and I discuss: Where she got the drive to be an entrepreneur The 3 questions her dad had her ask herself before buying something at the store How being challenge driven has benefited her How training to be a veterinarian prepared her to start her own business Her first side hustle selling jewelry at cattle shows and Etsy How she connects personally with her customers The amazing feeling as a creator when somebody buys your creation and appreciates it What her legacy will be and what her impact will be
Do you know what your life purpose is? Why you are on this planet? Hannah Michelotti has found hers. She’s the founder of https://www.articulatewithhannah.com/ (Articulate), where she helps people gain the confidence to be a successful public speaker. Her road to finding her life purpose meant sitting in discomfort at times. She believes we don’t grow if we’re not uncomfortable. In this episode, Hannah Michelotti and I discuss: Hannah’s tips for preparing yourself to sit in discomfort The windy road to how she discovered her life purpose Her moms life changing advice that we should “consider the source” The reasons she was taking advice from anyone early on in her life The major life event that became a lightbulb moment for her after she quit her corporate job Why corporate life demands we construct a facade of ourselves to use at work How Hannah yearned to be in her 30s when she was in middle school How the speaking event The Moth changed it all for her Why she didn’t become a school teacher Why she is a sucker for a good suffer fest
I admire how https://www.lizmcquiston.com/ (Liz McQuiston) consistently reshapes her life to create happiness for herself and those she loves. She's the owner of the Seattle based lifestyle store https://www.willaseattle.com/ (Willa) and founder of http://qamarketplace.com/ (QA Marketplace), a collaborative retail space for women owned businesses. In the time we’ve known each other, she’s shown me how it’s possible to change our course in life when we’re not happy with the direction we’re going. She's shown how to successfully emerge on the other side, not just surviving, but thriving. I'm so inspired by her story of being a single mom, meeting the love of her life, and him adopting her son. She's never felt the need to apologize for redefining what her family and life look like. In this episode, Liz McQuiston and I chat about: Her journey as a single mother How she met the love of her life Why her husband adopted her son before marrying Liz The golden life advice her grandmother gave her The reasons why she felt she was unfixable How to redefine what family is and how we should celebrate it How she doesn’t believe that there’s “the one” for each of us and that we make choices every day to make each other be the one Why therapy needs to be championed more among men
Sure, Jeff Harry may have tried to unionize the flagship Toys R Us store in Times Square after stuffing a Jerry Maguire style manifesto in everyone’s mailbox. Jeff is passionate about toys and play. He’s been yearning to work for a toy company since the fifth grade, when he began writing letters to toy companies begging them to hire him. But he could never have guessed how he'd feel when he finally achieved his dream job at Toys R Us. Until he followed the whisper of his curiosity. Jeff Harry is a speaker and coach at https://www.rediscoveryourplay.com/ (Rediscover Your Play) where he helps individuals and companies rediscover themselves through play. In this episode, Jeff and I discuss: How the movie Big started it all for Jeff The importance of following your curiosity The letter Jeff wrote to Toys R Us that landed him an interview for his dream job His manifesto trying to unionize the flagship Toys R Us store in Times Square How his mom and dad inspired him to always push for what he wanted The concept of red thread work and finding what motivates you each day What Jeff calls affluent deadness and how he's trying to eradicate it
In 1995, Alan Williams wrote and recorded a heartfelt album of songs to process the loss of his record deal and the dissolution of his marriage. When the album was randomly chosen for critique at a South by Southwest panel, the response was bad. Alan's dreams were crushed. He put away his guitar and shelved the album. Now 25 years later, Alan is finally releasing the album. Not much has changed about the album. But maybe there's something about him that has changed? In this episode, Alan and I chat about: Why he lost all faith in the album (and in everything really) when his CD was chosen for critique at South by Southwest Why he carries hundreds of CDs of his failed album with him to this day How he fell into teaching at a university and realized he was meant to be a teacher How the core of who we are might have be there all along and remain within us no matter how much we change The closure he feels now that the album is finally out If Alan was truly ready to release the album, even if the review at South by Southwest had been positive Why it’s important to be in the moment, even if the moment appears very bleak
Dr. Darria Long was in the middle of her residency when the swine flu epidemic completely upended her career. She had just gotten her MBA with plans to work in healthcare finance or digital services. Every day she was comforting and reassuring her patients, who were scared from the stories they were hearing on TV. And that's when the thought hit her: these patients needed a new message. The world needed a new message. What if she could educate and comfort the world with science and empathy? She thought of all the reasons why she couldn't do it and told herself she wasn't the person to do it. But then her mentor said three words that changed everything: why NOT you? Today, in addition to being an ER doctor, Dr. Darria is the author of the bestselling book Mom Hacks and a regular media personality. In this episode, Dr. Darria Long and I chat about: Why Darria has always run toward the emergency How narrowing your focus can be both a good thing and a bad thing The ways in which having her first child made her think about applying her ER skills to everyday life The beauty of James Corden’s Crosswalk Musicals How keeping a gratitude journal helps Dr. Darria find the positive The science behind how gratitude makes us feel Why it’s ok for your mentors to change throughout the course of your life
On an average Saturday night, you’ll find Aubyn Casady on stage performing the perfect soundtrack to the biggest night of a couple’s life: their wedding. She’s the leader and singer of the Chicago wedding band Rush Street Rhythm. What started as a side hustle is now Aubyn’s endgame. And you only need to hear her belt out a bar from a classic pop punk song to understand why: she’s a top notch singer. Aubyn spent her 20s touring the midwest with her pop punk band https://www.youtube.com/user/HeyFarraday (Farraday). She was never in it to get famous though. In this episode, we chat about: How Aubyn and her husband intentionally worked to prioritize their marriage when they had twins Why she didn’t become a teacher, despite earning a masters in education The ways she has surrounded herself with family without going too Everybody Loves Raymond How her experience with the American education system has changed her perspective on her daughter’s future education Why she loves recording her music in the studio even more than live performances How nervous she was auditioning at her first wedding The big lessons she's learned so far from having twins How a new part of your brain awakens when you become a parent What exactly enneagram is and what it means to Aubyn
For 15 years, http://toddcareymusic.com/ (Todd Carey) has been grinding away at his music career, building a community of fans, topping the Billboard and iTunes charts, and performing with Fallout Boy, Train, John Mayer, and Andy Grammer, to name just a few. He's been foot on the gas, full speed ahead, only looking forward and focusing intensely on his music. And then a few years ago, he stops to breathe. Which changes everything. Suddenly, he feels awake. What caused Todd to stop and breathe finally? How did he change in the years after? We answer both these questions and more in this episode, including: Why he bet the farm on his community supporting him on Kickstarter Why he's worked so hard at building a community around his music The hesitation he had in asking his community to help finance his new album The effect his daughter has had on how he views his career The role meditation plays in his life Finding personal fulfillment and a life outside your profession Why he shares his family adventures openly on social media The shows he plays in the backyards of his fans Learning to surrender control sometimes The influence his dad had on his musical career, despite not being a musician
Maggie McClure is a singer/songwriter/pianist and one half of the Americana duo https://www.imaginariesband.com/ (The Imaginaries). Her original songs have been placed in TV shows including Cougar Town, The Real World, The Hills, and in movies including A Cowgirl's Story and Christmas in the Heartland. In November 2019, Maggie and her husband Shane found themselves with a rented sprinter van full of merchandise and gear, a tour manager, and nowhere to go. Their 25 show holiday tour with The Brian Setzer Orchestra was cancelled just a week before the first show due to Brian having tinnitus. The holiday tour was the result of months of Maggie's hard work cold calling, hustling, and creating her own luck. And with one phone call, it was all gone. But as I learned in our conversation, Maggie is no stranger to creating her own luck and this wasn't the first time she's created it. In this episode, we chat about: Why Maggie and her husband make themselves open to all possibilities in life Why she moved to Los Angeles to create opportunities for her future instead of going the more traditional route to Nashville or New York Her mantra of going all in and going big Where she developed the mindset of creating her own luck and going after opportunities Why she believes being an entrepreneur and being driven is just part of who you are at your core How she dealt with the disappointment of not going on tour with Brian Setzer Orchestra How the Brian Setzer disappointment was a great reminder that wer’re not in control of so much in life How Maggie creates opportunities out of thin air The importance of trying something from a different angle and getting a fresh perspective What her endgame is and why it's not becoming a famous star How she knows without a doubt what she’s meant to do What playing at Madison Square Garden meant to her
Alex Wilhelm's second life began the day his body fell apart due to excessive drinking, the primary activity of his first life. He finds it difficult to recognize himself in the life he lived before becoming sober. He feels like he's lived two lives already. Today, Alex is a journalist at TechCrunch, an industry leading technology news site. In May 2020, he celebrated 4 years of sobriety from alcohol. In this episode, we chat about the stark contrast between his two lives and the lessons he's learned along the way, including: What happened when his body fell apart due to excessive drinking How fortunate he is to be a public alcoholic and what that means to him His family’s reaction when Alex called to inform them he was in rehab Where he finds the consistent strength to remain sober The difference between how he thought rehab was a magic hammer to reset his life instantly and what rehab actually was for him How Alex adjusted to a world centered around drinking and alcohol after finishing rehab Why not drinking anymore is the fount of all blessings in his existence How he and his wife managed a bi-coastal long distance relationship The importance of the small wins he’s had since beginning his sobriety Why the biggest lesson he's learned is that kindness is underrated The gravity of how it felt to lose to a substance like alcohol What being an optimist really means and the kind of optimism that he wants in his life
Amber Naslund achieved what so many of us dream of: starting her own company and being her own boss. She was on top of the world until, in her own words, her company "failed spectacularly" a few years in. After she emerged from the ruins of her company, she secured a good job and moved on with her life. Until she was laid off. So she secured another good job. And was laid off....again. That was when it hit her: why are we always chasing the next thing? Why don't we appreciate the important things we have right now? Today, Amber is a senior content marketing evangelist at LinkedIn. In this episode, we dive into: How Amber felt she had a chip on her shoulder to prove herself The key lessons she learned when her company failed The importance of pausing in the moment to evaluate what you need (even when it's as simple as needing a drink of water) How the universe is grabbing us to get our attention What it's like to feel that your best years are behind you at age 40 The sickness Amber felt while her business was falling apart The lessons she’s learned that are shaping how she wants to architect her life Ways to deal with impostor syndrome Appreciating the people who believe in the work you’re doing and not forgetting them The dangers of faking it till you make it
Years ago, Gary Ware felt ashamed at his growing sense of unfulfillment in his career. He had everything he wanted in his career with key responsibilities and important influence as a director at a successful startup. He kept wondering: am I broken? Gary's world changed when a friend invited him to an improv class. He realized he could help others discover the awakening he experienced. Today, Gary Ware is the founder of https://www.breakthroughplay.com/ (Breakthrough Play), where he helps professionals level-up their confidence, creativity, and happiness using play. In this episode, we chat about: Why not everybody should take an improv class but everybody should play regularly Identifying which of the 7 types of play personalities you are What his first improv class taught him about himself How we can play more in our adult lives like we used to as children How we’ve been conditioned to associate play as acceptable to partake in only after work is done How to avoid play shaming Why you might benefit from having some Legos and a timer at your desk The importance of designing an environment that invites play
https://www.chriskroezemusic.com/ (Chris Kroeze) is a singer and songwriter who won 2nd place on the NBC singing competition show “The Voice” in 2018. In the years prior, Chris played 200+ shows a year, sometimes 6-7 nights a week. That's one heck of a work ethic. I had to know: how does one develop that sort of dedication and perseverance even during the times when it feels more like a job than what you love to do? In this episode we chat about: Where Chris developed the work ethic to play more than 200 shows a year, several nights a week Why he's gotten more paid work from playing free charity events than anything else His techniques for booking 200+ shows a year all by himself The ratio of no's to yes's and why he's ok with being told no The importance of keeping perspective and keeping your head straight How his small hometown’s perception of him changed after he was on "The Voice" The biggest lesson he learned from booking his own shows His advice for turning your passion into a career Why it's important to learn to learn and where to find opportunities for that The bittersweet last times for everything we have with our children
Robbie Abed dreaded some Mondays in 2019 so much that he slept in his closet on Sunday night. Literally. The main reason? Overworking. A practice so many of us can relate to. But why? Why do we overwork so much? And how do we stop? Robbie is an executive ghostwriter and author of the book https://firemeibegyou.com/the-book/ (Fire Me I Beg You). We met many years ago when he was having 250 coffee meetings in 400 days in Chicago. In this episode, we chat about: The reasons Robbie overworked in 2019 and how they could have been prevented The importance of finding a happy place to disconnect How to overcome the feeling that you have to dedicate every waking hour to achieving your goals The email that inspired him to write his book Fire Me I Beg You What he learned from 250 coffee meetings in 400 days How he got people to open up to him after he realized people were starting to tell him things they probably shouldn’t be telling him Why he scheduled this podcast interview 4 months in the future from when I initially emailed him How our overworking affects our children The new book Robbie is writing about small talk Robbie's new idea for a podcast recorded at 4am
Lydia Slaby is the author of https://bookshop.org/books/wait-it-gets-worse-love-death-and-my-transformation-from-control-freak-to-human-being/9781633310285 (Wait, It Gets Worse). The book shares the incredible story of how Lydia's seemingly perfect life was actually in a free fall. Her marriage was unraveling and the morning after her husband moved back into their apartment, her doctor's visit about stress turned into a diagnosis of lymphoma. And to top it off, that diagnosis eventually led to an unnecessary open heart surgery. Or maybe the heart surgery was necessary. Maybe it was the universe forcing Lydia to stop for a moment and pay attention. At least that's one of the stories she tells herself to make sense of it all. In this episode, we chat about: How the book is actually an incredible love story between Lydia and her body How cancer saved her marriage Her tips for finding something to get out of your own way when your relationship is falling apart How it's possible to have multiple relationships with the same human The importance of paying attention to the little things Why she believes our bodies will throw up roadblocks if we’re not going in the right direction The similarities to the story of https://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/laura-savage-expressing-feelings-makes-you-stronger/ (Laura Savage) and the potentially career ending injury that forced her to heal what she didn't realize was broken within her Was her unnecessary open heart surgery actually a blessing? How this book may actually be the most beautiful legal argument she's ever written Her brief freak out about how much of her life she was sharing publicly
Learn more about Lydia Slaby at her website: https://lydiaslaby.com/ (https://lydiaslaby.com/) Buy her captivating book "Wait, It Gets Worse": https://bookshop.org/books/wait-it-gets-worse-love-death-and-my-transformation-from-control-freak-to-human-being (https://bookshop.org/books/wait-it-gets-worse-love-death-and-my-transformation-from-control-freak-to-human-being)
Rita Fields is the CEO of two companies: 313 Industries and Copper Phoenix Consulting. She spoke at TEDx with her talk "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_kML98oDLM (How Eating From The Garbage Can Taught Me How to Lead)", which is based on her story of resilience and adversity. Rita's childhood was very difficult due to her mother's mental illness. She ran away from home at age 17 to escape it all. Soon after she became pregnant and homeless. Rita is one of the most resilient and humble people I've had the opportunity to chat with on the podcast. I learned so much from our conversation and I hope you do too. In this episode, we chat about: Why she assembled her son's crib so tight with a butter knife that it couldn't be taken apart How growing up with a mentally ill mother shaped Rita's life Her time living on the street and panhandling Eating out of the garbage can while homeless How life is a series of different trains transporting us from one station to the next Why she considered having her baby on the streets instead of going back home after living in a homeless shelter Why she would sit in her driveway for hours, not wanting to go home to her falling apart marriage How her whole had been working for one goal: don’t go back to the garbage can Why she felt like she was living her life paying homage to fear Our dislike for the standard greeting question “What do you do?” and how Ellen’s Game of Games plays a role Why she sought to get unplugged from the matrix Alternative ideas for measuring the impact of people
Joe Cotela is the lead vocalist for the nu metal band https://www.dedband.com/ (DED). He seeks to be a light in the world through the music he creates and the positive messages they carry. In his mission to make a positive impact on the world, Joe isn't afraid to let anger play an important role in his music and he isn't begging anybody to like his music. In this episode, we chat about: What sort of role anger plays in DED’s music Why Joe doesn't think about his legacy Why he writes songs about anxiety and depression The reason Joe isn't on a mission to get every person on the planet to like his music Why Joe and his bandmates intentionally hide the window to their souls Being aware of how many people we're inspiring or hurting at any given time The power of music to create impact and affect change
You can check out DED’s music video for their recent single "A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA1QD3UCOW0 (here).
Sarah Peck is a 20-time All-American swimmer who successfully swam the Escape from Alcatraz nine separate times. She's also the founder of https://startuppregnant.com/ (Startup Pregnant) where she documents stories of women’s leadership across work and family. In her junior year of college, Sarah fell down a flight of stairs, broke her foot, and decided maybe she was done with her swimming career. She didn't train that entire summer and decided to return to the water the following year. What she experienced upon her return changed who she was as a person. In this episode, we chat about: What Sarah's years as a competitive swimmer taught her about pushing herself to the limit The juicy thoughts she thinks about to distract herself from the sharks swimming around her in open water How open water swimming helped her break the monotony of daily life Her time spent gardening as a child with her mother What inspired her to create Startup Pregnant to reinvent work and parenthood The importance of treating children as people Her relationship with her husband and their way of being equal partners Her passion for investment in women's' futures
Hannah Betts is an award winning competitive skydiver and Hollywood stunt performer in movies like Captain Marvel, The Hunger Games, Jurassic World, and many more. From living in a trailer with no bathroom while working as a police officer to being blindfolded inside a Prius submerged in a lake, Hannah's unique experiences throughout her life have taught her so much about herself. In this episode we chat about: How Hannah's competitive skydiving unknowingly prepared her for her work as a stunt performer The importance of separating the body from the mind in her work What she learned about herself during her time as a competitive skydiver Why she lived on the drop zone in a trailer without a bathroom How she broke into the Hollywood stunt scene Her desire to just be herself Not being able to control things and why it’s not worth spending so much energy trying to control things you can’t control Lessons learned from becoming a stunt performer
Greg Spero is an entrepreneur and professional pianist who toured with pop star Halsey, designing and performing all the synthesizer and keyboard parts for her live shows. In January 2018, on the same day he performed with Halsey on Saturday Night Live, he announced he would be leaving the group. I invited Greg to chat because I had to know: why in the world did he decide to quit a dream job where he was paid well to tour with a world-renowned pop star? In this episode, we chat about: Why Greg recommends everybody live with their grandparents at some point in their lives Playing in jazz bands with his dad in bars at age 14 His habit of creating demand for projects, getting overwhelmed, and having to ask for help Reasons he decided to give up his well paid role with Halsey The struggle throughout his life on whether he should focus his efforts on being a tech entrepreneur or a professional musician Principles he learned from his grandfather's generation Unlikely events that keep showing up in his life The understanding of himself that came from his engagement that fell through Why he practices Buddhism His firm belief in starting every day with journaling, reading, meditation, yoga, and affirmations How our body communicates physically to us what the mind is feeling
Annie Clements is a touring bassist and self described sideman who toured with country music band Sugarland for 6 years and is currently supporting country artist Maren Morris. She started dating her husband while touring with Sugarland (he was the guitarist) and they got married during the tour. Then Sugarland stopped touring, and Annie and her husband were suddenly left wondering who they were off the road and what their relationship looked like without the tour. In this episode, we chat about: Trusting in the various events that happen in your life The parts of being on tour with rockstars that aren't so glamorous The challenges she and her husband faced when they started life together post-tour How the current COVID pandemic has given Annie an unexpected gift Working through the transformation of becoming a mother The crucial ways that she and her husband support each other How important family is to Annie and the role models her divorced parents have been in her life How she learned early on she wanted to be a “sideman” Her engagement and wedding stories
If you enjoy this episode, please help spread the podcast by leaving a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Lauren Calve is an Americana musician, singer, and songwriter. She’s been writing music and playing in bands for much of her life and released her debut EP in 2014. In this episode, we chat about: What she’s seen in her job as a patent examiner How her love of music was shaped by her dad’s subscriptions to the old 12 cds for $1 by mail services What she learned from being in a band with her brother How she was shaped from playing Division I field hockey in college Her time working on a dude ranch in Wyoming The sense connectedness and spirituality she found in playing music How being a perfectionist affects her songwriting
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Kim Kaupe is the co-founder & CEO of The Superfan Company, a company that creates one-of-a-kind products and programs for entertainers, brands, and celebrities. She was featured on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank and secured offers from 4 out of 5 sharks. Kim never set out to found her own company. She had her eyes set on magazines from a young age. She was ready to leave the job she didn't enjoy and ask her previous employer for her old job back when a friend started telling her about an idea she had been thinking about. In this episode, we chat about: What life skills Kim learned from being an only child Her childhood growing up in southern Florida The impact her parents had on her life and her success How her competitive nature plays into what she does How sports was a shaping factor in her life and the life skills she learned from them Why sports are great for learning self discipline, communication skills, teamwork instead of a textbook One of the big mistakes she made in her career How she thinks about the worst case scenario The importance of becoming comfortable with change Her desire to help others through the same struggles she went through
If you enjoy this episode, please help spread the podcast by leaving a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Kat Elizabeth is the creator of The Personal Branding Project, a company that coaches professionals to increase their visibility and authority online. She's an actor and musical theater performer, having performed in the original Australian productions of Jersey Boys and Hairspray, as well as countless other theater productions, films, and TV shows. One day she realized her dream job of being an actor may actually be less of a dream job and more of a regular day job. She struggled with her identity being wrapped up in her acting and if she wasn't acting, then who was she? In this episode, we chat about: How Kat felt when her identity was wrapped up in her acting Her first attempts to transition out of full time acting How reading the book Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk helped her launch The Personal Branding Project Why personal brands are so important for all of us, not just actors How to be aware of our thoughts and our power to change them Knowing that our feelings are controlled by your thoughts The act of journaling and the benefits of it Reframing thoughts to be positive How so many things Kat has achieved happened in the process of her not achieving the original thing she wanted
If you enjoy this episode, please help spread the podcast by leaving a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Jackie Ghedine is the co-founder of The Resting Mind, an online community and coaching company for Gen X women, and host of the Make Your Life Magnificent podcast. In a previous life, Jackie worked for global media brand Ad Age, working for years to rise in the ranks from sales to associate publisher. And then one day, she left it all behind. I invited Jackie on the podcast to learn what changed in her life to make her decide to leave it all behind and take a different path. In our episode, we cover: Why we think our identities shouldn't be tied to our professions Jackie's choice as an adopted child to not know who her biological parents are Why she left such a great job at Ad Age How her daughter's ADHD has affected Jackie and her family's life What life coaching really is and Jackie's scientific approach to it How Jackie and her husband value money, and what that meant for their lifestyle when Jackie switched careers How we're both dealing with COVID-19 and the current lifestyle changes
If you enjoy this episode, please help spread the podcast by leaving a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Jackie Goldberg is a manager of Customer Success at LinkedIn and co-host of the LinkedIn Mindfulness podcast called In The Arena. A few years ago, Jackie realized her life was based on a script she didn't write, and decided it was time to rewrite her script. Jackie and Tim chat about what happened in her life to make her realize she wasn't living the life she wanted and the importance of recognizing that we are at cause for everything around us. They also chat about the various forms stress can take in our minds and bodies, how to adapt to our ever changing life circumstances, and why Jackie believes in sharing her story to help and inspire others. Jackie shares loving memories of her dad, who passed away last year, and the effect he had on her. Please write a review for We're Only Human at https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Ashley Girres is the author of the book “Dear Siena: Letters to Every Daughter”, a collection of letters she's written to her daughter over the past 7 years. She's been writing letters to her daughter since her birth but never intended to for anybody else to read them. In this episode we chat about: Ashley's decision to share her letters to her daughter with the world How rheumatoid arthritis has changed her life The realization that asking for help isn't a weakness Struggling to remember that Why Ashley chooses to live life without any regrets Her choice to be vulnerable with strangers through social media
Please help spread the word about the podcast by writing a review for We're Only Human at https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Scotty Iseri is the creator of The Imagine Neighborhood, a podcast designed to help children and their grown-ups grow their social-emotional skills. A decade ago, Scotty created the Scotty Got An Office Job web video series, which was covered by The New York Times, Laughing Squid, and other media outlets. Tim and Scotty chat about the importance of being present in their lives, what sort of legacies they each want to leave the world, and the advantages of not waiting for perfection before putting your idea out into the world. They discuss the importance of social and emotional intelligence, and how we're all just atoms at the end of the day.
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Gordon Corsetti has suffered from depression much of his life. Today he helps others cope with depression and anxiety through his website Mental Agility. In this episode, Gordon and Tim chat about the strengths Gordon has gained from his depression, the important role therapists play in our lives, how to tap into emotional intelligence at any point in your life, and the various tools Gordon uses along his permanent recovery. Please write a review for We're Only Human at https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh) If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Tim McDonald is the author of the forthcoming book The Fear Advantage. Tim and Tim discuss why we shouldn't overcome our fears or become fearless and ways to use fear to make us stronger. They chat about the big differences between rational fear and irrational fear, how dating can be affected, and how having fears is totally normal. Tim (McDonald) shares the fears he had early in his career that made him leave networking events before even entering them.
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Kara Coraci is a Detroit based comedian who recently celebrated 4 years of sobriety and has run 13 marathons. Kara and Tim discuss why she decided to become sober, how supportive her parents and family are throughout her life, and why she enjoys comedy so much. Kara shares how she tries to appreciate everything happening in this moment and why she thinks about how she fills her time after becoming sober. She also explains why she ran 13 marathons and assumed everybody could run a marathon.
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Learn more about Kara Coraci at https://www.crotchie.com/ (https://www.crotchie.com)
Megan O'Russell is a professional musical theater performer and author of several young adult book series. She had contracts with 5 separate book publishers fall through before deciding to independently publish her books. Megan and Tim discuss the thick skin she developed from her acting career and how that prepared her for the book publishing world. They chat about how Megan accidentally finished high school at age 13, how sometimes accepting no as an answer isn't an option, and how we're not pot committed very often in life. Please write a review for We're Only Human at https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Tracy Samantha Schmidt is a journalist and the founder of Socially Authentic, a content studio for entrepreneurs and executives. Tracy and Tim discuss how important emotional growth is for us and the various tools we can use to grow emotionally, including therapy as a vitamin. They chat about why we need to stop sharing only the highlight reels of our lives and become more authentic online. Tracy shares her thoughts around the effects of social media on our well being. Tim realizes he's become pro-selfie and wonders if leaving social media out of dating is a good thing or not.
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Do you often feel frustrated when situations are outside of your control? Like there's nothing you can do about it and you're powerless to change anything? Turns out, there are things you can do to create impact in these situations. In this episode, Tim revisits conversations he's had on this podcast with Christine Mortensen, Robin May, Nick Stagge, and Eve Simon to learn about four ways to deal with the feeling of not being in control.
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Cody Rich is the founder of Backcountry Fuel Box and host of The Rich Outdoors podcast. In 2009, he broke his neck and was told he'd never walk again. But his childhood growing up on 40 acres of countryside and breaking more than a few bones turned him into a very resilient person who was determined to get back on his feet. Tim and Cody chat about they have both been impacted by the understanding that nobody knows what they're doing in life any more than the next person. Cody explains the need for a balance between being a self sufficient individual and also being willing to ask for help. They also discuss the importance of understanding how our identity is ever changing and not dwelling on our past identity, and how to lead from the front with our children. Please write a review for We're Only Human at https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
Leah Peat is the co-founder of Peat's Original Cider. She runs the business with her husband and their three children, and also has a full time job in advertising. Tim and Leah discuss the parallels between the life she's building for her family and the life her mom built for her, and how much inspiration she derived from the struggles she experienced in her life. They chat about why Leah is so passionate about mental health and helping the homeless, the importance of a support group of family and friends, what scrappiness means to her, and why she's focused on playing the long game.
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Nick Stagge is the Chief Marketing Officer at Wooly. Nick recently publicly shared his 30 year struggle with anxiety and depression and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. He and Tim chat about how anxiety can feel like the movie Groundhog Day and how it can affect family and friends around you. They discuss Nick's year of being personal and his practice of sending handwritten letters to people every day, as well as other ways he's intentionally being more personal with people this year. Tim and Nick also chat about how introverts can be disguised as extroverts, the importance of asking for and accepting help from others, and how having empathy is a superpower.
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I'm terrible at asking others for help. I love helping others and find great joy in helping others, but I don't naturally ask others for their help when I need it. My conversations on this podcast so far have made me realize I'm not alone with this struggle. In this episode, I revisit previous conversations with Laura Savage, Rebecca Lassiter, and Jennifer Dixon to get their advice on asking for help when it doesn't come naturally. We discuss how it can feel uncomfortable to ask others for help, how giving others the opportunity to help you can bring them the same joy you get from helping others, why you'll actually be a better giver if you learn to ask for and accept help, and the role ego plays in it all.
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Eve Simon is the founder of Eve Simon Creative. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009, and soon after lost both her dogs and divorced her husband. Last year, the disease progressed and she left her job of over 13 years. Despite life knocking her down, Eve is full of positivity and optimism. Tim and Eve chat about how there is often no alternative to simply moving forward in life, how to understand what you are and aren't in control of, and the importance of noticing when you're having a good day. Eve shares how ampersands are a symbol of positivity and why she believes there's no value in being negative.
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Jennifer Dixon is the owner of Thrive Yoga & Wellness, a yoga studio in Chattanooga, TN. In the same week in late 2015, Jennifer and her husband were laid off from their corporate jobs. Jennifer and Tim discuss the challenge of suddenly going from a luxury six-figure-plus lifestyle to living in her father-in-laws basement apartment and having to ask family for help. They chat about why Jennifer had a sense of peace walking into the meeting where she was laid off, how both Tim and Jennifer get uncomfortable when it comes to asking for help from others, why keeping the highs really high can help offset the lows, and the importance of opening yourself up to the universe and the opportunities that may come as a result. Please write a review for We're Only Human at https://ratethispodcast.com/woh (https://ratethispodcast.com/woh)
The lives of Robin May and her family shattered into a million pieces when her son was diagnosed with leukemia at just 18 years old. Robin shares her journey of trying to put those million pieces of life back together, including finding the strength to support her son and her family during this time, trying to have control over things we have no control over, and being more considerate of others going through hardships. Tim and Robin discuss how we all seek to be ok when life isn't ok, how it felt for her to be the one to give her son the life changing news, and how she and her family found contentment in the midst of chaos.
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Caleb Gardner is a digital strategist who once managed President Obama's Twitter account and now runs his own strategy & innovation company called 18 Coffees. Caleb met his biological father for the first time five years ago. Tim and Caleb discuss the journey that led Caleb to finally meet his father after thirty years and the events that led up to their separation. Caleb shares why he felt a strong cultural dissonance with the environment he spent his childhood in, his struggles being content with the present, and why helping others is a key part of existing.
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Laura Savage is an actress, singer, dancer, and gymnast who has performed in a myriad of productions both on the stage and on the screen. Two years ago, Laura suffered an injury during a performance that threatened to end her career. Her journey to recovery from that injury forced her to turn inward, pay attention to her emotional health for the first time, and begin to heal what she didn’t realize was broken within her. In this episode, we chat about: The importance of sharing your story with others The realization that your actions have an impact on everybody around you How important it is to ask for and accept help when you need it The struggles of going through a divorce The huge difference expressing emotions can make in feeling more fulfilled as a person How necessary it is to avoid becoming complacent and stagnant in our lives
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Ryan Evans is the founder of Tend. Sixteen years ago, he was indicted by a federal jury for engaging in insider trading and was sent to federal prison. He shares the difficulty of asking his family to write letters to the judge showcasing his character, how that made him realize the impact of his actions on the family and friends he loved, and why he's forever grateful for the love and support of the people he loves. Tim and Ryan discuss how the bankruptcy of his family's pig farm during his childhood completely changed the way he viewed money and the terrible feeling of being frozen in time as you watch life move on without you.
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Edward Domain is an entrepreneur whose dreams were shattered after the taxi he was riding in blew a red light and was t-boned by a van. He shares how his life has changed forever after the accident, where he found the strength to keep going after 10 surgeries, and how he's dealt with multiple instances of PTSD. Tim and Edward discuss how therapy has helped, the many dark moments that followed the accident, why books are Edward's happy place, and how Edward became a political activist when he heard a spokeswoman for the taxi company from his accident claim Uber shouldn't be allowed in St. Louis because of safety.
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Carlo Navarro is an entrepreneur who has seen both success and failure in many ideas he's started over the past decade. Tim and Carlo discuss why it's important, but so hard, to learn to let go. Carlo explains why he discourages people from quitting their day job to become an entrepreneur and instead believes in passion, purpose, and practicality. He also shares the importance of faith in his life and the support of his wife and family.
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Sydney Williams is a former competitive skydiver, author of the book Hiking My Feelings, and founder of a movement by the same name that she created to help others tap into the mind-body connection and healing power of nature. The journey that led Sydney to Hiking My Feelings is full of ups and downs, including competitive skydiving, working her way up at a prestigious marketing agency, becoming CMO at a successful startup, and her diabetes diagnosis. I invited Sydney on the podcast because she is the definition of resiliency in my mind. Life has thrown all sorts of twists and turns at her but she keeps getting back up and pushing forward. In this episode, we cover: How Sydney found the strength to tell somebody about her sexual assault for the first time, over a decade after it happened How the death of 23 of her friends in 4 years affected her Why being diagnosed with Type II diabetes is the best thing that's ever happened to her The tools she used to cope with it all (ice cream being one of them) How her two hikes on the Trans-Catalina Trail changed her life Her reasons for setting boundaries with her family that have resulted in her not speaking with them for over a year
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Rebecca Lassiter is the co-founder of Lassiter Distilling Company, a rum distillery in Knightdale, North Carolina. When I thought about people who showcase what it means to be a resilient person, Rebecca came to mind immediately. She co-founded a business from scratch in an industry she had no experience in while parenting a 1 year old child and helped grow that business while working a full time day job as the breadwinner of the family and helping parent 2 children. In this episode, we chat about: Why Rebecca and her husband decided to move across the country and start a new business in an industry they knew nothing about, while pregnant with their first child The strength Rebecca gets from her father and what she learned after his sudden heart attack a few years ago The importance of setting goals and breaking points Life advice from her husband’s 100 year old grandmother Why it’s so important to acknowledge that things get hard and not everybody’s life is going as perfectly as they portray it to be
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Christine Mortensen is the President and Founder of Sprkd, a digital marketing and strategy agency whose current goal is to help 1,000 women-owned businesses generate $1 million in revenue. When Christine and I first met, her dad was getting a heart transplant. A few years later, I celebrated with her and her husband at their wedding. And not long after, I attended her husband's funeral. In this episode, we chat about: How Christine dealt with her father getting a heart transplant How that affected the business she had just started The tragic unexpected death of her husband The importance of a strong support system of family and friends Feeling that there's always a way through, no matter what Why Christine comes from a place of service The significance of choosing how you react to situations that you didn't create
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