Rise Above Chaos: Recent Episodes
Erick Rheam
Learn how busy and overwhelmed professionals can rediscover their passion, so they can redefine their purpose, and gain the courage to do something about it. We will discuss how to cut through the whirlwinds of life to rise above the chaos and discover a path to significance and ultimately peace.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/107
Episode Summary In this episode, Erick explores why tradition matters and how it can help us navigate a rapidly changing world.
Using West Point and the Long Gray Line as a powerful example, he explains how healthy traditions connect generations, preserve identity, and give us wisdom when life becomes chaotic. Tradition is not about refusing to change.
At its best, it carries forward what is valuable from the past so we can move into the future with greater clarity and purpose.
Erick breaks the episode into three reasons tradition matters - perspective, a True North, and a bridge between the past and the future - and then offers three practical ways to leverage tradition in your own family, organization, faith, and community.
Key Takeaways * Tradition gives us perspective by connecting us with people who have already walked the road we are traveling. * Healthy traditions provide a True North by reminding us who we are, what we believe, and what matters most. * Tradition honors the past without trapping us in it; it carries forward enduring principles while allowing us to adapt. * The best traditions reinforce identity, values, belonging, and continuity across generations. * Traditions are best understood through people who know their history and meaning. * A tradition only stays alive when we live it, explain it, and pass it on.
Three Reasons Tradition Matters 1. Tradition Gives You Perspective At West Point, the Long Gray Line represents generations of graduates who faced many of the same pressures, obstacles, and formative experiences. Because graduates continue to return, mentor, and support current cadets, tradition creates a living connection between people at different stages of the same journey. Someone who has already traveled the road can help you see that today's overwhelming problem may look very different five years from now.
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Tradition Gives You a True North Life changes constantly. Careers, families, technology, culture, and circumstances all evolve. Healthy traditions provide an anchor in the middle of that movement. They remind us: this is who we are, this is what we believe, this is how we behave, and this is what matters to us. Tradition may not tell you exactly where you are going, but it can remind you who you are while you get there.
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Tradition Honors the Past While Preparing Us for the Future Tradition should not be confused with stagnation. The purpose is not to keep doing something simply because it has always been done that way. Healthy tradition identifies what is worth preserving and carries it forward. Principles such as duty, honor, service, leadership, character, family, faith, and excellence can transcend generations even as the world around them changes.
How to Capitalize on Tradition 1. Don't Roll Your Eyes at It - Embrace It Before dismissing a tradition as outdated, inconvenient, or irrelevant, get curious. Ask why it exists, where it came from, what it was designed to teach, and what principle sits underneath it. Not every tradition should survive forever, but it is worth understanding a tradition before deciding it has no value.
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Find a Guide Traditions are best learned through people. Find someone who has lived within that tradition longer than you have. Ask what it means, why it matters, what they learned from it, and what you may be missing. The deepest wisdom is often not in the ceremony itself, but in the people who understand what the ceremony represents.
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Live It and Pass It On Do not simply observe a tradition. Live the value underneath it. If it represents service, serve. If it represents integrity, demonstrate integrity. If it represents family, invest in your family. Then tell the stories, explain why they matter, and invite the next generation into them. A tradition that is not passed down eventually becomes history.
Memorable Quotes * "Tradition gives us three things we desperately need: perspective, a True North, and a bridge between our past and our future." * "Your current problem might feel enormous because you're standing too close to it." * "Tradition doesn't necessarily tell you exactly where you're going, but it does remind you who you are while you're getting there." * "You aren't the destination of a tradition. You're one of its custodians." * "A tradition that isn't passed down eventually becomes history."
Action Steps Identify one family, organizational, faith, or community tradition that matters to you and learn about it and live it
Final Thought Tradition is not about being stuck in the past. It is about carrying forward the wisdom, values, and identity that help us face the future. When life becomes chaotic, tradition can give us perspective, point us back toward True North, and remind us that we are part of a story larger than ourselves. Embrace the traditions worth keeping, learn from the people who carried them before you, live them well, and then become the guide who passes them on.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Pick a tradtion and embrace it
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/106
Episode Summary Life is unpredictable. The diagnosis, unexpected expense, family crisis, or career disruption rarely arrives when it is convenient. In this episode, Erick explores three resources that can help you absorb those moments with greater resilience: your health, your emergency fund, and your critical relationships.
The central idea is simple: you cannot prepare for the storm during the storm. These three areas take time to build, and each creates a different kind of margin that can reduce fear and give you options when chaos arrives. Erick shares personal examples and practical questions to help you evaluate where you are strong, where you are exposed, and what you can begin building today.
Key Takeaways * Preparation creates peace of mind. You cannot predict every crisis, but you can build capacity before one arrives. * Your health is a physical reserve. Exercise, sleep, nutrition, strength, mobility, and preventive care are deposits you may need to draw from later. * An emergency fund is not just about money - it creates financial margin, breathing room, and options when life becomes expensive. * Critical relationships require deposits too. Community is built before the crisis, not during it. * Health, money, and relationships may look different, but all three are forms of margin. * The goal is not to live afraid of what might happen. The goal is to prepare so fear does not have to be your constant companion.
The Three Things to Build Before You Need Them 1. Build Your Health Your health is a reserve. Every workout, walk, healthy meal, night of quality sleep, and preventive appointment is a deposit into your physical capacity. You may eventually need that reserve during illness, surgery, injury, prolonged stress, or another demanding season. The objective is not to become an elite athlete - it is to prepare your body for life.
Question to Consider: If your body had to carry you through a difficult six months, have you prepared it?
- Build Your Emergency Fund Life gets expensive when things go wrong. A furnace fails, a car breaks down, a client disappears, a medical issue develops, or a family emergency requires immediate travel. Financial margin turns an emergency from something that can overwhelm you into something you may be able to say, 'This is bad, but we can handle it.' The amount will vary by person, but the habit of building margin matters.
Question to Consider: If your income stopped tomorrow or a major unexpected expense hit your family, how much time would your savings buy you?
- Build Your Critical Relationships When life becomes too heavy to carry alone, you need people. Strong relationships are built through ordinary deposits: the phone call, the coffee, the text, remembering important moments, listening, showing up, and being present. Those small investments become relational equity when life gets hard.
Question to Consider: Who are the three to five people you could call at 2:00 a.m. if your world fell apart - and would they feel comfortable calling you?
The Common Thread: Build Margin These three resources are connected by one idea: margin. Your health gives you physical margin. Your emergency fund gives you financial margin. Your critical relationships give you relational and emotional margin. Margin gives you the capacity to absorb the unexpected without allowing one hard moment to destroy everything around it.
Memorable Quotes * "You can't prepare for the storm during the storm." * "Your health is a reserve." * "An emergency fund isn't really about money. It's about margin." * "Relationships require deposits too." * "Prepare so that you don't have to live afraid."
Action Steps Pick one of the three areas: health, emergency fund, or critical relationships and make one deposit in that area this week.
Final Thought You cannot know exactly what the next five years will bring. There will be wonderful moments, and there will be hard ones. The objective is not to prepare out of fear. It is to prepare so that fear does not control you. Build your health, your emergency fund, and your critical relationships before you need them. Those reserves create the margin that helps you rise above the chaos when life inevitably gets difficult.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Chose one of three critical areas and make a deposit in that area
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/105
Episode Summary Have you ever felt like you're living on autopilot? In this episode, Erick Rheam explains why getting out of a rut isn't about finding more motivation—it's about creating intentional disruption.
Drawing from his annual summer stay in Hilton Head, Erick shares how changing his surroundings consistently produces greater clarity, fresh ideas, and renewed energy.
By intentionally changing your environment, your patterns, and your inputs, you can break the cycle of routine thinking and create momentum for meaningful growth.
Key Takeaways * Your environment shapes your thinking. * Predictability creates consistency but can limit creativity. * Healthy routines should be evaluated regularly. * Changing your patterns increases awareness and sparks growth. * Fresh inputs lead to fresh perspectives. * If you're in a rut, create intentional disruption instead of waiting for motivation.
Memorable Quotes * "If you're in a rut, you don't need another motivational quote—you need disruption." * "New surroundings create new observations. New observations create new ideas." * "Growth often requires interruption." * "Sometimes your rut isn't caused by a lack of ability. It's caused by a lack of fresh input."
Action Step * Change one thing from each of the three disrupters (environment, patterns, and inputs)
Final Thought Breakthroughs rarely happen by doing the same things the same way every day. They happen when we intentionally disrupt the familiar, invite fresh perspectives, and create space for new ideas to emerge.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Change one thing from the three disrupters (environment, patterns, inputs)
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/104
Episode Summary In this Independence Day episode, Erick Rheam explores why celebration is more than a tradition—it is a discipline that shapes perspective, preserves identity, and creates momentum for the future.
Using the Fourth of July as the backdrop, Erick shares historical insights before unpacking three timeless principles that explain why intentional celebration helps us rise above the chaos of everyday life.
Whether celebrating a holiday, an anniversary, or a personal milestone, celebration reminds us to focus on what is good, appreciate what we have, and invest in the future we hope to create.
Key Takeaways * Celebration shapes perspective. What you seek is exactly what you'll find. * Celebrate what you have, not what you lack. * Focus on the people and values that matter most. * Celebration preserves identity and reminds us why our values matter. * Great celebrations honor the past while investing in the future.
Memorable Quotes * "What you seek is exactly what you'll find." * "Celebrate what you have, not what you don't have." * "The things we celebrate become the things we remember, and the things we remember shape the people we become." * "Celebration isn't just about honoring the past—it's about investing in the future."
Final Thought Life naturally draws our attention toward problems and unfinished work. Celebration interrupts that pattern by reminding us of what is good, what is worth protecting, and what is possible. As you celebrate your next milestone, pause with gratitude, reflect on your blessings, and recommit yourself to building a better future.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Take the time to celebrate 4th of July this week!
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/103
Episode Summary In this episode of the Rise Above Chaos Podcast, Erick sits down with entrepreneur, systems strategist, and endurance athlete Kaylyca Zarich to explore how tragedy, self-discovery, and intentional change can transform the way we live and work. After losing both of her parents within a matter of months in 2018, Kaylyca was forced to reevaluate her definition of success and confront the cost of a life centered around achievement. Through her experiences as an ultra-runner, operations leader, and entrepreneur, she discovered that many of us unknowingly tie our identity to outcomes, accomplishments, and finish lines. Kaylyca shares how a failed attempt at the Leadville 100 became a pivotal turning point, teaching her that relentless effort alone is not the answer. Instead, sustainable success comes from creating leverage through strategy, people, and systems. Together, Erick and Kaylyca discuss grief, purpose, entrepreneurship, endurance sports, AI, and how to make the shift from grinding harder to expanding smarter.
Key Takeaways * Life has a way of resetting our priorities when we least expect it. * Your worth should never be tied to a finish line, title, revenue goal, or achievement. * Many entrepreneurs unintentionally build businesses that trap them instead of creating freedom. * Sustainable growth requires strategy, people, and systems. * Eventually, every entrepreneur becomes the bottleneck unless they create leverage. * A CEO time audit can uncover where your time is being wasted and where your highest-value activities live. * AI can be used as a coach, strategist, and accountability partner. * The goal is not to work harder forever. The goal is to create greater impact with less friction.
The Expansion Shift Framework Kaylyca's framework for moving from linear growth to exponential growth focuses on three key shifts:
- Strategy – Create clarity around where you are going and why.
- People – Surround yourself with the right team members, partners, and mentors.
- Operational Engine – Build systems that allow the business to scale without relying on you for everything.
Memorable Quotes "There is a better way."
"When life hits you upside the head, it helps you redesign your priorities."
"Eventually, you become the ceiling."
"Many entrepreneurs lose sight of why they started in the first place."
"You can create significantly better results with significantly less effort."
About Kaylyca Zarich Kalyca Zarich is a Business Strategist, Consultant, and Software Founder who helps visionary leaders stop grinding and start expanding. As the founder of Kalyca Zarich Consulting and highMpact, an all-in-one software and strategy platform built specifically for coaches, speakers, and founders, she has helped clients generate millions in revenue by replacing chaos with clarity, and hustle with high-performance systems.
Kalyca's keynote, The Expansion Shift, draws from one of the most unexpected classrooms imaginable: the open road. In a single calendar year, Kalyca ran 4,223.5 miles. That is more than 11 miles every single day. She thought the next mile would make her feel alive. It never did. What that year taught her, and what she now teaches from the stage, is the difference between grinding yourself into dust and operating on an exponential trajectory, where you achieve more with far less effort by getting the right strategy, people, and systems aligned.
Her framework rests on three aligned systems: Strategy (the what), People (the who), and Operational Engine (the how). It is the foundation of everything Kalyca does. It's how a single conversation with her helped one client close a $44,000 deal. It's how another client shifted from trading time for money to landing six-figure contracts with a fully scalable business model. And it's how the speakers she works with go from booking $1,000 gigs to $15,000 gigs.
Kalyca holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a Specialization in Strategic Change Management from Colorado State University. She has spoken on stages and virtual summits for women's masterminds and entrepreneurial communities. She has coached multiple speakers through the process of landing and delivering TEDx talks, and is currently developing her own TEDx talk.
A decade-long ultramarathon runner, Colorado native, and now Phoenix-based, Kalyca speaks to women building personal brands, speakers, authors, coaches, service providers, and leaders who are ready to stop running in circles and start running toward something extraordinary.
Final Thought Success without alignment eventually creates exhaustion. When you reconnect with your purpose, build the right systems, and stop tying your identity to outcomes, you create the freedom to enjoy the journey while still achieving extraordinary results.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. High Impact 7. Claude AI 8. Who Not How by Dan Sullivan 9. Leadville 100 Ultra Marathon 10. AI Time Audit Prompt
Action Step * Execute a time audit using AI
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/102
Episode Summary In this episode, Erick explores a simple but powerful idea: the universal language of human dynamics is not love, communication, or attention—it is respect. Regardless of age, generation, culture, profession, background, or stage of life, every person desires to be respected. Respect is the foundation upon which relationships are built, and the absence of respect is often what causes relationships to break down. Erick unpacks four practical ways respect is communicated every day. Whether you are leading a team, building a marriage, strengthening friendships, serving customers, or navigating conflict, these principles can help you create deeper connection and stronger relationships.
Key Takeaways * Respect is the foundation of all healthy relationships. * People may speak different languages, but everyone understands respect. * The way we spend our time communicates what and who we value. * Listening to someone's perspective is a powerful act of respect. * Acknowledgment helps people feel seen, heard, and valued. * Commitment to a relationship is most visible during times of tension and conflict. * Strong relationships are built through consistent acts of respect over time.
The Four Parts of Respect 1. Respecting Time Time is one of the most valuable resources we possess. When you choose to spend time with someone, you are communicating that they matter. Your attention and presence are powerful signals of respect because time is something you can never get back.
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Respecting Opinions Respect does not require agreement. It requires a willingness to listen. When you hear another person's perspective without immediately dismissing it, you communicate dignity and value. People want to know their thoughts matter, even when opinions differ.
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Acknowledging Others One of the simplest ways to show respect is to acknowledge another person. Maintaining eye contact, asking clarifying questions, nodding, showing curiosity, and being fully present communicates that you see them and hear them. Acknowledgment creates connection.
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Committing to the Relationship The ultimate test of respect often appears during conflict. When tension arises, respectful people lean into the relationship instead of away from it. They seek understanding, ask questions, and work toward resolution. A powerful question to ask is: 'What must be true for us to connect in this moment?' Commitment demonstrates that the relationship matters more than winning the argument.
Erick's Challenge for You Evaluate your level of respect to someone close to you Ask yourself: • Am I giving this person my time? • Am I listening to their opinions? • Am I acknowledging them in meaningful ways? • Am I demonstrating commitment when things get difficult? Identify one area where you can intentionally show greater respect this week and take action.
Final Thought Respect is a language everyone understands. It transcends age, culture, background, and circumstance. When we give respect, we create connection. When we withhold it, we create distance. If you want stronger relationships, healthier teams, and deeper human connection, start with respect.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Identify your level of respect for someone close to you
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/101
Episode Summary In this episode, Erick unpacks the powerful role gratitude plays in helping us regain perspective, reduce emotional chaos, and improve the quality of our relationships.
Drawing from personal experience, neuroscience, psychology, and practical life application, Erick explains why gratitude is far more than positive thinking—it's a disciplined way of seeing. When life gets overwhelming, stressful, or emotionally exhausting, gratitude becomes a tool that helps recalibrate your mind, body, and perspective. Erick walks through three key reasons gratitude matters and how intentionally practicing it can literally change your brain, your emotional state, and your relationships.
Key Takeaways * Gratitude rewires the brain and strengthens emotional resilience. * Your brain naturally defaults toward negativity unless gratitude interrupts the pattern. * Gratitude helps reduce stress hormones and regulate the nervous system. * Perspective changes when you focus on what remains instead of only what is missing. * Gratitude strengthens relationships and deepens human connection. * What you consistently look for is what you will eventually find. * Gratitude is not denial—it is disciplined perspective.
Three Reasons Gratitude Matters 1. Gratitude Rewires the Brain and Improves Mental Health Gratitude literally changes how your brain processes experiences. When you intentionally focus on what is good, your brain strengthens pathways connected to optimism, emotional regulation, and resilience.
- Scientific Evidence:
- Gratitude activates regions of the brain associated with dopamine production, empathy, and emotional balance.
- Research shows gratitude practices can lower anxiety and depression while increasing resilience and optimism.
- Studies from Indiana University found lasting positive brain activity changes in people who practiced gratitude consistently.
- Practical Takeaway:
Gratitude doesn't deny hardship—it reminds you that hardship is not the whole story.
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Gratitude Restores Perspective and Reduces Emotional Chaos When life punches you in the gut, gratitude helps pull you out of emotional tunnel vision. Instead of only focusing on what is wrong, gratitude helps you recognize what is still working, who is still with you, and how far you've already come.
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Scientific Evidence:
- Gratitude practices reduce cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone.
- Gratitude activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping move the body out of fight-or-flight mode.
- Trauma studies show people with higher gratitude levels demonstrate better emotional recovery and resilience.
- Practical Takeaway:
Gratitude restores proportion during adversity. It helps you zoom out and regain perspective.
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Gratitude Improves Relationships and Human Connection Gratitude changes how we interact with others. People who feel appreciated trust more, collaborate better, forgive faster, and stay connected longer.
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Scientific Evidence:
- Studies show gratitude increases trust, emotional bonding, and team performance.
- Organizations with gratitude-centered cultures experience lower burnout and higher engagement.
- Relationship research shows gratitude is one of the strongest predictors of long-term relationship satisfaction.
- Practical Takeaway:
People rarely burn out solely from hard work—they burn out from feeling unseen, unappreciated, and disconnected.
Erick's Challenge for You Think about an area of your life that feels stressful right now:
- a relationship
- work
- school
- family
- your own personal growth
Now ask yourself:
What are three things I appreciate about this situation or person?
When you intentionally shift your focus, you begin changing your emotional state, your perspective, and even your physiology.
Final Thought Gratitude is not passive positivity. It is a disciplined way of seeing. Because what you consistently look for is often what you eventually find.
Action Item – Think about an area of your life your struggling with and think about three things you are grateful for with that area.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * ID a negative area of your life and focus on three positive things about it
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/100
Episode Summary In this milestone Episode 100, Erick reflects on the Rise Above Chaos journey and the patterns he's observed after working with thousands of people across the country. This episode is both a mirror and a challenge. Erick shares eight key areas where people consistently get stuck—and candidly admits that he struggles with many of them himself. If you've ever felt like you start strong but lose momentum, this episode will help you identify what's holding you back and how to move forward with clarity and consistency.
Key Takeaways * Most people jump into tactics before establishing strategy. * Unspoken expectations are a major source of frustration in relationships. * Ownership is the foundation of any meaningful change. * Success is built on boring, repeatable habits—not quick wins. * Believing in something bigger than yourself creates humility and purpose. * You must stop beating yourself up to maintain forward momentum. * Doing less—but better—is the key to real progress. * Consistency is the ultimate separator between success and stagnation.
The 8 Barriers to Rising Above Chaos 1. Getting Tactical Too Early: Jumping into tasks without clarity on your why, vision, and goals leads to misalignment. 2. Failing to Manage Expectations: Unclear expectations damage relationships and create unnecessary friction. 3. Lack of Ownership: Growth begins when you take responsibility for your current situation. 4. Avoiding the Boring Work: Daily habits like reading, planning, and exercising are the real drivers of success. 5. No Higher Purpose: Belief in something bigger than yourself fosters humility and long-term commitment. 6. Beating Yourself Up: Perfectionism and guilt kill momentum—progress requires grace and resilience. 7. Doing Too Much: Overcommitment leads to overwhelm. Focus on fewer, higher-impact priorities. 8. Lack of Consistency: Starting strong is easy—finishing strong is rare. Consistency compounds results.
Why This Matters The Rise Above Chaos system is simple—but not easy. These eight barriers are the most common reasons people stall out. Awareness is the first step. Once you identify where you're getting stuck, you can begin to correct course and build momentum again.
Practical Challenge Ask yourself:
- Which of these 8 areas is holding me back right now?
- Where am I avoiding the work I know I need to do?
- What is ONE adjustment I can make today?
Then commit to one small, consistent action that moves you forward.
Final Thought You don't need to be perfect—you need to be consistent. The journey to rise above chaos isn't about getting it right every time. It's about recognizing when you're off track and having the discipline to get back on.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Focus on one area you can change
Show notes: erickrheam.com/099
Episode Summary In this episode, Erick breaks down one of the most practical systems he used to regain control of his life and productivity—time batching through the Pomodoro Technique. After hitting rock bottom, Erick realized that even with clear goals and vision, execution was the real challenge. This episode walks through how batching focused time blocks helped him eliminate distractions, increase productivity, and consistently move the needle toward his long-term vision. If you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or like your days are controlling you instead of the other way around, this episode provides a simple, actionable system to take back control.
Key Takeaways * Clarity without execution leads to frustration—systems drive results. * Time batching helps you focus on what matters most without overwhelm. * The Pomodoro Technique creates urgency and structure through 25-minute focus blocks. * Constraints actually improve productivity and focus. * Tracking your time reveals your true priorities. * Small, consistent focus sessions compound into major long-term results.
The Framework: Time Batching with Pomodoro Erick uses a simple system:
- 25 minutes of focused work on a single task
- 5–10 minute break
- After 4 sessions, take a longer break
This approach trains your brain to focus, reduces distractions, and creates momentum throughout the day.
Why It Works * It eliminates decision fatigue by giving structure to your day * It trains your brain to sustain focus over time * It creates a clear start and stop, making tasks feel more manageable * It gamifies productivity by tracking progress and results * It aligns daily execution with long-term vision
Practical Challenge Start small:
- Do 1–2 Pomodoros per day (25-minute sessions)
- Focus on one high-leverage task (like prospecting, writing, or planning)
- Track your sessions and review where your time is going
Consistency matters more than volume. Even one focused hour per day can change everything.
Tools Mentioned Focus Time App: https://focustimeapp.com Use any timer, but having a tracking system helps you measure progress and stay accountable.
Final Thought Success doesn't come from doing more—it comes from focusing on the right things consistently. When you master your time in small, focused blocks, you begin to take control of your day—and ultimately, your life.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Execute a pomodoro time batch each day
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/098
Episode Summary What does it really mean to "find your voice"? In this episode, Erick sits down with master voice coach, author, and musician Barbara McAfee to explore how we show up, communicate, and connect. This conversation goes beyond communication tactics—it dives into identity, self-expression, and the hidden power of how we sound. Barbara breaks down how your voice is not fixed, but a dynamic tool that can be developed, expanded, and aligned with your purpose. If you've ever felt like you're holding back or not being fully heard, this episode will challenge how you think about your voice—and what's possible when you unlock it.
Key Takeaways * Your voice is not fixed. It can be developed and expanded over time. * How you say something matters just as much as what you say. * You have more vocal range and flexibility than you think. * Limiting beliefs often restrict how you express yourself. * Your voice reflects your identity and influences your impact. * Expression is a skill that improves through intentional practice.
Practical Challenge This week, pay attention to how you communicate:
- Notice your tone in different situations
- Experiment with how you say things—not just what you say
- Ask yourself: Am I choosing my voice, or defaulting to it?
About Barbara McAfee Barbara is a master voice coach, author, keynote speaker, and singer/songwriter who merges lessons from 12 years in organization development with the transformative power of sound.
Her bestselling book, Full Voice, is based on her 25+ years as a voice coach, supporting people from many professions to find their voice, whatever that means to them.
Since 2013 she has been certifying other Full Voice coaches to carry the sacred work of "midwifing voices" into full expression. Her approach shifts the way people think about and use their voices forever.
Her TEDx talk on Full Voice has received over 100,000 views.
Barbara has produced eight CDs of mostly original music and is founder of the Morning Star Singers, a volunteer hospice choir in the Twin Cities.
She lives up the street from the wild and scenic St Croix River in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin, USA
Connect with Barbara Website: https://barbaramcafee.com TED Talk: Bringing Your Full Voice to Life Books: Full Voice | Vocal Intelligence
Final Thought Your voice is more than a tool—it's a gateway to your identity, influence, and impact. When you learn to fully express it, you don't just communicate better—you show up differently.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Find your voice
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/097
Episode Overview In this episode, Erick sits down with Cameron Allen, Founder & CEO of Neuro Progeny, to explore how your nervous system shapes the way you handle stress, pressure, and chaos. Cameron reframes anxiety and stress not as problems—but as adaptive responses—and explains how building nervous system capacity can unlock performance, resilience, and clarity.
About Our Guest Cameron Allen is the founder of Neuro Progeny and Sensorium Neuro Wellness, where he develops capacity-based nervous system training using VR biofeedback and HRV monitoring. His work focuses on helping individuals expand their nervous system range so they can perform at a higher level under pressure.
In This Episode, You'll Discover: * Why your nervous system has never made a mistake—only adaptations * How to reframe anxiety, stress, and burnout as signals, not problems * What 'capacity' means and why it's critical for performance * The difference between traditional approaches and capacity-based training * How HRV and biofeedback reveal what your body is actually doing * Why some people thrive under pressure while others shut down * Simple ways to expand your nervous system without technology * How your state as a leader impacts everyone around you
Key Topics Discussed Reframing Stress Understanding that stress responses are adaptive and not failures.
Nervous System Capacity Why expanding your range—not eliminating stress—is the goal.
Performance Under Pressure What separates high performers from those who shut down.
Tools & Technology How VR biofeedback and HRV monitoring accelerate awareness and growth.
Practical Application Daily habits and mindset shifts to improve nervous system flexibility.
Key Takeaways Your ability to rise above chaos is directly tied to your nervous system capacity. The goal isn't to eliminate stress—it's to expand your ability to operate effectively within it.
Connect with Cameron Allen 1. Cameron on Instagram 2. Cameron on LinkedIn 3. Cameron on YouTube 4. Neuro Progeny 5. Get started with the program → use the discount code: PODATC
Reflection Question Where is your nervous system limiting your performance—and what would it look like to expand your capacity?
Cameron Allen Cameron Allen is the founder of Neuro Progeny and Sensorium Neuro Wellness, where he develops capacity-based nervous system training programs using VR biofeedback and HRV monitoring.
His work reframes nervous system states as adaptive capacities rather than deficits.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Be currious instead of judging
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/096
Episode Overview One of the most powerful habits in the Rise Above Chaos system is surprisingly simple: write things down. In this episode, Erick explains how the act of physically writing your thoughts, goals, and vision can transform the way your brain processes ideas and recognizes opportunities.
Drawing from personal experience—including the moment he wrote down what a meaningful life looked like during a difficult season—Erick shares why putting pen to paper can shift your perspective, clarify your priorities, and activate momentum in your life.
In This Episode, You'll Discover: * Why writing activates deeper cognitive processing in the brain * How physically writing ideas strengthens neural pathways and memory * Why writing down goals reduces mental clutter and increases focus * The role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in recognizing opportunities * Why ideas trapped in your head create stress and distraction * How writing down your vision helps your brain detect opportunities around you * Why Erick still relies on handwritten planning every day
Three Reasons Writing Things Down Changes Everything 1. Writing Activates Deeper Cognitive Processing When you write something down, your brain engages multiple regions at once—including language, memory, and motor function. This multi‑sensory engagement strengthens neural pathways and helps ideas become more concrete and memorable.
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Writing Clarifies Intent and Reduces Cognitive Load The brain has limited working memory. When goals remain in your head, they compete with dozens of other thoughts. Writing them down removes them from that mental loop and allows your brain to focus on execution instead of storage.
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Writing Programs Your Brain's Reticular Activating System (RAS) The Reticular Activating System filters the millions of pieces of information your brain processes every second. When you write down a goal or vision, your brain tags it as important and begins scanning your environment for opportunities connected to that goal.
Key Takeaway Writing things down works because it strengthens neural pathways, clears mental space, and programs your brain to recognize opportunities. Sometimes the first step toward clarity and momentum is simply picking up a pen and putting your thoughts on paper.
Reflection Question What is one goal, vision, or idea that has been living in your head that you need to write down today?
Final Thought The act of writing is more than organization—it's transformation. When you commit your thoughts to paper, you signal to your brain that this matters. And once that happens, everything begins to change.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Write down what a meaningful life looks like to you
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/095
Episode Overview Life doesn't always unfold the way we plan—and sometimes it hits hard. In this solo episode, Erick shares from personal experience and unpacks five practical principles to help you respond when life punches you in the gut. Whether you're dealing with sudden bad news, a setback, a loss, or a season that feels unfair, this episode will help you move from shock to stability, from confusion to clarity, and from setback to forward motion.
In This Episode, You'll Discover: * Why "gut-punch moments" can knock you off your routines—and how to regain your footing quickly * The difference between reacting emotionally and responding intentionally * How to focus on what you can control when everything feels uncertain * Why isolation makes hard seasons harder—and how to invite the right support in * How to turn pain into perspective without pretending it doesn't hurt * A simple way to take the "next right step" when you don't know what to do next * How to rebuild with stronger boundaries, clearer priorities, and a more resilient mindset
The Five Principles to Follow When Life Doesn't Go Your Way Erick walks through five principles you can lean on when life takes an unexpected turn. These aren't clichés—they're stabilizing moves you can practice in real time.
1) Pause and Stabilize Before you try to solve the entire situation, slow down long enough to regulate your body and emotions. Don't make permanent decisions in a moment of panic. Breathe, name what you're feeling, and give yourself permission to be human.
2) Return to Your Circle of Control When life feels chaotic, your mind will race to the worst-case scenario. Erick encourages you to bring your focus back to what you can actually influence: your choices, your attitude, your schedule, and your next action. Ask: "What's the next controllable step?"
3) Tell the Truth and Get Support Hard seasons aren't meant to be carried alone. The goal isn't to perform strength—it's to access strength. Choose a few trusted people, tell the truth about what's going on, and let community do what community is designed to do: help you carry the weight.
4) Extract the Lesson Without Rushing the Healing There's a difference between meaning-making and minimizing. Erick shares how to look for what a season is teaching you—without forcing yourself to "move on" before you've processed what happened. The question becomes: "What do I want this to produce in me?"
5) Rebuild with Intention Once the initial shock fades, the real work is rebuilding your life with better systems: clearer boundaries, stronger habits, healthier inputs, and priorities that reflect what matters most. You don't have to waste the pain—you can let it sharpen you.
Key Takeaways When life punches you in the gut, the goal isn't to pretend you're fine—it's to respond with wisdom. If you stabilize first, focus on what you can control, invite support, learn at the right pace, and rebuild on purpose, you can move through a hard season without letting it define you.
Reflection Question What is the "gut-punch" you're facing right now—and what is one next controllable step you can take in the next 24 hours?
Final Thought You don't need a perfect plan to move forward. You need steadiness, support, and one intentional step at a time. Hard seasons can break you—or they can build you. The difference is how you respond.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * What can you control in the next 24 hours?
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/094
What if the most powerful podcast you ever create is the one you decide not to launch—until your business model is ready?
In this episode, Erick sits down with podcasting pioneer Cliff Ravenscraft (Podcast Answer Man / Mindset Answer Man) for a candid conversation about building a profitable, sustainable business—without burning out, blowing up your health, or betting your family's future on wishful thinking.
Cliff shares how a Lost fan theory launched his podcasting journey, what it took to walk away from the family insurance business, and why mindset, pricing, and business-model clarity are the real "first steps" for creators who want predictable income and impact.
In this episode, you'll discover: * How a Lost fan podcast (and a bandwidth crash) ignited Cliff's career in podcasting * Why Cliff says: build the business before you build the podcast * The mindset shift from employee thinking to entrepreneur thinking—and why beliefs drive outcomes * What Cliff learned the hard way about relying on sponsors and unpredictable revenue streams * How underpricing can quietly sabotage your credibility (and why higher rates often close faster) * A practical filter for validating an offer: pains people know they have, are actively solving, and will pay to fix * How Cliff recovered from "worst case scenario" stress—and the personal development work that changed everything * What creators should do before launching: clarify the offer, prove demand, then press record * Rapid-fire pop culture: Lost, Twilight, Star Trek vs. Star Wars, and what Cliff's watching now
Cliff Ravenscraft Cliff Ravenscraft started podcasting as a hobby in 2005 and it changed his life forever.
In January 2008, he walked away from a lucrative career in his family's insurance agency, founded by his grandfather in 1937. Though he was next in line to take over the business, Cliff felt called into something deeper. What had begun as a two-year hobby had already grown into a body of work reaching hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
His first year as a self-employed business owner stretched him to the limit. He earned just $11,000 dollars, worked around the clock, and experienced a health scare that landed him in the hospital. That difficult season ignited a lifelong commitment to personal growth and to serving others at the highest level.
Over the following decade, Cliff built a thriving online business and became recognized as the world's leading authority on podcasting. Through his coaching, courses, live events, and workshops, Cliff has helped more than 40,000 people successfully launch a podcast and share their message with clarity and confidence.
His flagship program, Podcasting A to Z, became one of the most successful and respected training experiences in the industry. It set the standard for quality, depth, and hands-on guidance, and helped creators launch shows that reached millions of listeners around the world.
As Cliff's business grew, a deeper pattern emerged. More and more clients began asking questions that extended far beyond equipment, workflow, or launch strategy. They were seeking clarity. They wanted confidence. They needed a roadmap for building a business and a life that reflected who they had become. These conversations revealed a common struggle: many aspiring entrepreneurs assumed that launching a podcast was the natural first step to building a profitable business.
In reality, most had skipped the foundational work needed long before content creation.This realization led Cliff to develop his signature 11-Step Formula for Building an Online Business. His work expanded to help clients simplify their direction, establish the right foundations, and create sustainable offers and income streams that supported the future they wanted to build.
Podcast coaching and consulting remains a meaningful part of how Cliff helps people share their voice. His business strategy and mindset coaching work is how he helps them build a thriving business around their expertise.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. Start here (free training)
Action Step * Explore a problem you want to solve
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/093
Grief is unavoidable—but it does not have to have the last word.
In this episode, Erick sits down with grief, trauma, and mental health coach Marcia Earhart, founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary.
Marcia shares her deeply personal story—including multiple significant losses—and the practical tools she uses to help people move from being "stuck" in grief to breathing, moving, and living again.
Together, they unpack what it means to give yourself permission to grieve, why "time heals all wounds" is a myth, how boundaries protect the grieving process, and what healthy support looks like for friends and family who want to help.
In this episode, you'll discover: * Why permission to grieve is often the first breakthrough * How to "schedule grieving" so emotions can be released without derailing daily life * Simple practices that support healing: gratitude journaling, nature walks, and clean nutrition * How internal vs. external grievers process loss differently—and how families can avoid fracturing * Why the second year after a major loss is often the hardest, and how to prepare for "the firsts" * What to say (and not say) to someone who is grieving—and why platitudes can be harmful * How to set boundaries that protect your grief story, even with well-meaning people * How grief can become a teacher that shapes purpose without defining your future
Marcia Earhart Marcia Earhart is a certified life, trauma, grief, brain, and mental health coach, mediator, author, and HeartSync minister. Her guidance is both professional and personal.
Having navigated the deaths of two sons within the last eleven years—one tragically murdered—she stands as a testament to God's faithfulness in the deepest valleys of grief, and now leads others in healing.
Her powerful new book, "Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief," is a raw and vulnerable chronicle of devastating loss. More than a memoir, it is a lifeline, exploring the fragile threads of love and pain that hold us together and revealing the God-given hope that can rebuild a shattered life.
Marcia's mission extends beyond the page. As the co-founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she is boots-on-the-ground in the mental health crisis. She creates a safe, haven for the grieving to release their trauma and pain so they can Breathe again, Move again, and Live again. Her ministry reaches a diverse community across the United States and six other countries, standing as a powerful reminder that in deep sorrow, no one has to walk alone.
Marcia has been married to her best friend, Scott, for thirty-five years, and together they homeschooled and enjoyed raising their four boys and daughter. Marcia, Scott, and two of their adult children, who live nearby, love spending time together—whether it's making memories at the beach, traveling, playing games, having deep conversations, cooking, supporting their daughter's businesses, or supporting and listening to their son's music Rise Above Everything on Apple and Spotify.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. The Sterling Rose Sanctuary 7. Book: Gripping Grace and the Garden of Grief
Action Step * Give Yourself Permission to Grieve
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/092
As the calendar turns toward a new year, many people hope things will change—yet find themselves repeating the same patterns.
In this solo episode, Erick challenges listeners to move beyond vague resolutions and instead approach 2026 with intentionality, clarity, and purpose.
This conversation centers on three critical considerations that can help you break negative cycles, live more fruitfully, and design a year that actually looks different—in a meaningful way.
In This Episode, You'll Discover: * Why hoping for a better year isn't enough—and what intentional living really requires * How unexamined patterns quietly repeat themselves year after year * The importance of defining what you want 2026 to produce—not just what you want to avoid * Why clarity always precedes change * How to identify the distractions, habits, or commitments that are keeping you stuck * What it means to break negative cycles instead of managing them * How small, focused decisions compound into a dramatically different year
The Three Questions to Consider for 2026 In this episode, Erick walks through three foundational questions designed to help you step into 2026 with clarity and purpose. These questions are not about setting more goals—they're about creating alignment between your values, priorities, and daily decisions so the year produces lasting impact.
Key Takeaways A different year does not happen by accident—it happens by design. When you slow down long enough to evaluate what truly matters, eliminate what no longer serves you, and commit to intentional action, you position yourself to experience growth instead of repetition. 2026 can be different—but only if you decide it will be.
Reflection Question If nothing changes in your thinking, habits, or priorities, what will 2026 actually look like—and what needs to change now to ensure it becomes the year you're hoping for?
Final Thought You don't need a perfect plan to move forward—but you do need clarity, courage, and consistency. Let this episode be the starting point for a year defined not by chaos, but by intention and purpose.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Make 2026 different
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/091
In this episode, Erick sits down with Dr. William Haas—an integrative and regenerative medicine physician based in Charlotte, North Carolina—for a practical conversation on longevity that bridges cutting-edge biomarkers with real-world habits.
Dr. Haas explains why many high performers feel "off" long before conventional labs show a problem, and why longevity is less about doing more and more—and more about building a foundation for cellular repair, metabolic flexibility, and nervous-system recovery.
The discussion covers the "detox–redox–repair" framework, why sleep and HRV are powerful feedback loops, when fasting helps (and when it can backfire), and the simplest ways to get measurable wins through movement, sunlight timing, and smarter carbohydrate strategy.
In this episode, you'll discover: * How to find the right practitioner: why functional/integrative clinicians often interpret advanced labs better and can reduce lab-cost surprises. * Why longevity is about health span—and how cellular health sits underneath energy, resilience, and recovery. * Dr. Haas's 3-pillar framework: Detox, Redox (mitochondrial recharge), and Repair—and why you can't "biohack" your way past a faulty foundation. * What "detox" really means (beyond supplements): reducing environmental chemical load, addressing mold/heavy metals, and lowering psychosocial stressors. * How disrupted sleep drives metabolic chaos (insulin resistance, inflammation) and why sleep quality is non-negotiable for longevity. * Heart Rate Variability (HRV) explained: what it measures, why it matters, and how to interpret your number against your baseline. * The value of deeper bloodwork beyond a standard annual physical—especially micronutrients, inflammatory markers, and metabolic markers like fasting insulin. * Why 72-hour fasts can be powerful for the right person—and harmful for others (insulin resistance, adrenal/thyroid issues, low muscle mass). * What's happening during fasting: hormesis, autophagy, metabolic stress adaptation—and why re-feeding strategy matters. * The closest thing to a "magic pill": exercise, especially strength training—why muscle is a metabolic organ that protects against frailty and mortality. * Longevity markers you can train: grip strength, farmer carries, and the "hang" test—plus why sarcopenia meaningfully raises mortality risk. * Zone 2 vs HIIT: how different intensities train different metabolic pathways and improve overall fuel flexibility. * The minimum effective dose of movement: 150 minutes/week is ideal, but even 10 minutes after long sitting blocks can move the needle. * Sunlight as a circadian lever: why morning and evening light (without sunglasses) helps regulate sleep, hunger cues, and cellular repair timing. * Nutrition at a high level: why carbohydrate quantity and quality matter most for metabolic health—and how continuous glucose data can personalize decisions. * Practical glucose stability: why food order matters (protein/fat/fiber first) to blunt glucose spikes and reduce cellular stress. * "Superfoods" Dr. Haas actually uses: dark chocolate for polyphenols and heart health, plus Mediterranean-style healthy fats (salmon, olive oil, avocado).
Dr. William Haas Dr. Will Haas, MD, MBA is redefining what it means to age well. He is the Founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness in Charlotte, NC, where he helps high-achieving professionals reclaim energy, focus, and vitality through cellular optimization.
Board-certified in Integrative and Family Medicine, Dr. Haas blends advanced therapies—IV nutrient infusions, therapeutic peptides, hyperbaric oxygen, and red light therapy—to deliver measurable results that help patients feel decades younger.
Beyond VYVE, he co-founded OvulifeMD, creating natural fertility protocols, and serves as Chief Medical Officer at Infusive, supporting wellness practices nationwide.
His expertise has been featured in Men's Journal, Daily Mail, Yahoo Life, and Woman's World Magazine. Passionate about bridging science with practical results, Dr. Haas empowers high-performers who want more than just longevity—they want their best years ahead of them.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. Vyve Wellness + Cellular Aging Assessment
Action Step * Do your research
Show Notes: erickheam.com/090
In this episode of the Rise Above Chaos podcast, Erick reflects on a recent 72-hour fast and how the experience reshaped the way he thinks about health, longevity, and the body's natural ability to heal. This was not about weight loss. It wasn't a detox. And it wasn't about proving toughness. It was about giving the body something it rarely gets in modern life—time and space to repair itself. Erick walks through the physiological and mental shifts that occurred over the three days, from the initial transition away from sugar dependence to deep cellular repair driven by autophagy and metabolic flexibility. Along the way, he shares both the subjective experience and the objective data that confirmed what was happening beneath the surface. This episode reframes fasting as a strategic tool for healthspan, resilience, and long-term performance—when done intentionally and sustainably.
In this episode, you'll discover: * Why a 72-hour fast is not about deprivation, but about activating the body's repair mechanisms * What happens during the first 24 hours as the body burns through glycogen and shifts fuel systems * How insulin reduction opens the door to fat metabolism and ketone production * Why hunger comes in waves—and what that reveals about modern eating patterns * What changes during hours 24–48 when fat adaptation and mental clarity increase * How autophagy acts as the body's cellular cleanup system and why it matters for aging * What makes the 48–72 hour window a unique longevity zone few people experience * How fasting activates hormesis, a beneficial stress response * Why ketones act as signaling molecules, not just fuel * Measurable health improvements including lower resting heart rate, higher HRV, and better sleep * Why longevity is built through repair, not constant growth * How fasting improves metabolic flexibility * What made this approach sustainable with monthly 36-hour fasts
Key Takeaway "My 72-hour fast wasn't about deprivation—it was about giving my body time to remember how to heal."
"You don't build longevity by doing more all the time. Sometimes, you build it by doing less—and letting biology do its work."
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Fast one thing from your diet
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/089
In this rich and lively episode, Erick sits down with Elysia Skye—speaker, intuitive guide, former L.A. actor, and creator of The Brilliance Method—for a conversation that weaves together Hollywood stories, healing, mindfulness, and purpose.
Elysia shares her journey from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles to Nashville, chasing the acting dream, working in casting on major films, and learning the art of being fully present through improv and performance. She opens up about being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at 24, how trusting her intuition helped save her life, and how that experience shifted everything about how she lives and leads.
Out of her lived experience came The Brilliance Method—a framework that blends strategy and intuition to help people step into their unique "zone of genius" and live more intentionally. Along the way, Elysia and Erick swap stories about L.A., celebrity encounters, the power of saying yes and figuring it out, and why life isn't about one big moment, but a series of brave, present ones.
In this episode, you'll discover: * How Elysia's acting and improv training taught her the power of presence, listening, and responding in the moment. * Why so many of us have lost the art of being bored—and how that robs us of reflection, creativity, and real memories. * The story of Elysia's move to L.A., her early casting work on major films, and how she learned to see celebrities as humans, not hierarchies. * How a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis at 24 forced her to slow down, listen to her body, and trust her intuition on a whole new level. * The surprising way officiating over 1,000 weddings led her into mindfulness, corporate workshops, and keynote speaking. * The core pillars of The Brilliance Method—intuition, fear vs. love, and discovering your unique brilliance/zone of genius. * Elysia's powerful "lottery question" that helps people uncover what they're truly meant to be doing with their lives. * Why you don't have to quit your job tomorrow—how even 20 minutes a week of "on-purpose" time can start to wake your soul back up. * How presence deepens our relationships, from family and friends to teams and audiences.
Elysia Skye Elysia Skye is a graduate and alumni of the Second City Writing Conservatory, Improv Olympic and The Groundings Writing Lab. Having a background in improv makes her a dynamic speaker and presentation leader.
She is an ongoing Audible voice talent.
Her audiobook credits include The Disappearance of the Universe with author Gary R. Renard's books (published by Hay House), Your Immortal Reality, The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other, and Love Has Forgotten No One; as well as Ann O'Brien's A Woman's Guide to Conscious Love, and Everyone is Psychic.
She has also voiced many commercials and branded digital series. As an actress, Elysia has had so much fun playing roles in Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Confidence with Ed Burns and Rachel Weiz, and many indie films, and commercials.
Elysia is a stage 3 breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at 24, and founded a 501 C3 to raise awareness for young women's cancers. She wrote and starred in a heartfelt, hilarious one-person stage play about breast cancer called, I Got My Tits Done in Beverly Hills which ran in Los Angeles to sold out audiences.
She is also certified through Andrea Quinn's QuinnEssentials for Women's Empowerment and Accomplishment coaching.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. ElysiaSkye.com 7. TheBrillianceMethod.com
Action Step * Take a 20 Minutes and Observe Your Surroundings
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/088
In this heartfelt episode, Erick reminds us that gratitude isn't just a seasonal sentiment—it's a survival tool. As the holidays approach, he poses a powerful question inspired by his pastor:
"What if you woke up today with only the things you were grateful for yesterday?"
That question sparks a deeper conversation about how easily we overlook the blessings right in front of us. From family relationships to work challenges to long road trips home, Erick explores how shifting from frustration to gratitude can completely transform how we experience the holidays.
In this episode, you'll discover: * Why focusing on what's missing keeps you from seeing how far you've come * How gratitude can reframe difficult relationships and situations * Why "what you seek is what you'll find" during the holiday season * How simple acts of appreciation—like sending a thank-you text—can change everything * The surprising way gratitude reduces conflict and increases joy * How to find peace and perspective even when the holidays don't go as planned
As Erick shares stories from his own family and faith journey, he reminds us that gratitude doesn't erase life's chaos—it helps us rise above it. So before you dive into the holiday whirlwind, pause to reflect: What are you truly grateful for today?
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Send a gratitude message to someone
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/087
In this heartfelt and nostalgic episode, Erick reconnects with Jeff Harris, former teammate, friend, and fellow West Point runner.
Together, they revisit the shared experiences that shaped their lives—from growing up in small-town America to competing at the highest collegiate level—and the brotherhood that continues to this day.
Jeff's story begins in Kentucky, where a simple two-mile soccer tryout changed the course of his life. That run would spark a journey that took him from the fields of Elizabethtown to the hills of West Point, where he learned lessons about grit, leadership, and community that still guide him as a husband, father, and coach.
This conversation is full of laughter, storytelling, and wisdom as Erick and Jeff look back on the days that forged their character and discuss how the lessons of running still influence their lives—and their sons'—today.
In this episode, you'll discover: * How a high school soccer tryout unexpectedly launched Jeff's running career * The pivotal role of his mom and coaches in shaping his competitive mindset * What it was really like to balance athletics and academics at West Point * Behind-the-scenes stories of the Army cross-country teams of the early 1990s * How competition, teamwork, and friendship build lifelong brotherhood * The lessons Jeff now shares with his son as a coach and mentor
Jeff's reflections remind us that life is a marathon—filled with challenges, setbacks, and triumphs—and that meaning is found not in the miles themselves, but in who you run them with.
Jeff Harris Jeff Harris is a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a member of the storied 1993 Army Cross Country team that finished sixth in the nation. A consistent top-five runner, Jeff was a three-time All-Patriot League performer and Patriot League 5,000-meter champion as a freshman, with career bests including a sub-24-minute 8k and a 14:18 5k.
He proudly finished second in the infamous "Tour de Beast" during Cadet Basic Training—and equally proudly recorded an "epic failure" in the steeplechase, a personal reminder that humility is a great training plan.
More than individual results, Jeff credits the brotherhood of his teammates as the defining force in his development—men who forged each other through relentless accountability, laughter, and shared suffering in pursuit of something greater than themselves.
After graduating, Jeff served as a U.S. Army officer from 1996 to 2003, earning a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.
Today, he leads Business Development for Kellanova, supporting a $1.7 billion business, and is a passionate practitioner of high-stakes negotiation. Trained through the GAP Partnership and the Black Swan Group, Jeff considers negotiation not just a career skill, but a craft and calling.
A native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Jeff was an individual state champion and captain of the state championship cross country team. Jeff's Middle School team recently cleaned up at the Cincinnati All City Small School Championships, taking home three trophies.
He is a husband of 23 years, father of three, and deeply committed coach and mentor who believes he was guided at every step of his journey and is now called to help others find theirs. His life philosophy remains simple: "Embrace the Suck—stop complaining and get to work."
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. Jeff Harris' LinkedIn
Action Step * Pick a Day to Load in a Theme
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/086
In this practical and thought-provoking episode, Erick explores how adopting themes for your days can help you create structure, margin, and momentum in your life.
As part of the Rise Above Chaos system, Principle #2 — Tame the Beast — teaches the importance of building systems. Erick shares how one simple concept from his "Seven Elements of the Perfect Day" can transform the way you manage your time and energy: element number seven — build systems.
Drawing inspiration from Dr. John C. Maxwell, Franklin Covey, and Michael Hyatt, Erick shares how he's applied the practice of daily themes to regain control, reduce reactivity, and focus on what matters most. From designating meeting days to reserving creative days, he reveals how intentional structure brings freedom and peace of mind.
In this episode, you'll discover: * Why building systems creates margin and helps you think more clearly * How assigning themes to your days increases rhythm and focus * Real-life examples of how Erick structures his week (internal Mondays, external Tuesdays/Thursdays, creative Wednesdays) * How tools like Calendly can help protect your schedule * Why breaking your work into Pomodoro sessions boosts energy and productivity * How intentional rhythms help you "tame the beast" and rise above chaos
Whether you're overwhelmed by a packed schedule or just looking to fine-tune your productivity, this episode will show you how small, repeatable systems can lead to big breakthroughs.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner 6. Pomodoro Technique 7. Focus Time App
Action Step * Pick a Day to Load in a Theme
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/085
In this inspiring episode, Erick sits down with Jay Buchholz, a dedicated Rise Above Chaos user who has applied the principles of the system to transform his work and personal life.
Jay shares his journey from feeling overwhelmed and reactive to regaining control, focus, and peace through intentional structure. As a busy professional juggling leadership responsibilities and personal goals, Jay discovered how small, consistent habits could help him rise above the noise and live with greater clarity.
Throughout the conversation, Erick and Jay discuss what it really means to live the Rise Above Chaos lifestyle—not just as a productivity framework, but as a mindset shift that prioritizes purpose over busyness.
In this episode, you’ll discover: * How Jay first encountered the Rise Above Chaos system and what drew him to it * The specific tools and habits that made the biggest impact in his daily life * How clarity and focus lead to more fulfillment and less burnout * The real-world benefits of structure and accountability in staying consistent * Jay’s advice for anyone just beginning their own Rise Above Chaos journey
This conversation is an authentic look at transformation from the inside out—proof that when you take control of your time and mindset, everything else starts to align.
Jay Buchholz Jay Buchholz is currently the Manager of Public Relations for Sioux Valley Energy, a distribution cooperative in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota metro area.
He leads and coaches a team of four individuals from economic & community development, PR coordinator, to communication specialists. Jay has been involved in SVE’s key account program since 2017.
Before entering utilities, Jay worked for South Dakota’s legacy TV station KELOLAND Media Group for over a decade as a sales executive and promoted to Local Sales Manager.
Jay earned his associate’s degree in satellite communications from Mitchell Technical College in 2000 operating a news satellite truck on the east coast prior to completing his bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University.
Being an adoptee himself, Jay and his wife Sheri have adopted all 5 of their children domestically and are currently licensed foster parents.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com
Action Step * Get Your Rise Above Chaos Planner
Show Notes: erickheam.com/084
In this deeply personal episode, Erick explores how to process and respond when tragedy strikes. None of us are immune to loss, pain, or sudden disruption—but how we choose to face it can either keep us stuck or move us forward.
Drawing on personal reflections and stories, Erick unpacks the importance of acknowledging grief, leaning on supportive relationships, and finding meaning in the midst of hardship. He shares practical insights to help you navigate tragedy without losing yourself in the chaos.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover: * Why denial and avoidance only deepen the wound * The importance of naming and facing your emotions honestly * How to lean on others while still taking ownership of your healing * Three ways to find hope and growth on the other side of tragedy
If you’ve ever wondered how to rise above heartbreak or how to support someone going through loss, this episode will encourage you to walk through pain with courage and compassion.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com
Action Step * Limit Your Outside Influences
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/083
In this energizing episode, Erick unpacks the power of a consistent morning routine and how it sets the tone for the rest of your day.
He shares his own practices—hydration, journaling, exercise, and spiritual reflection—and explains how each one fuels clarity, focus, and balance. You’ll learn why mornings are the key to breaking free from chaos and how even a few intentional minutes can create a ripple effect on your productivity and peace.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover: * Why a strong morning routine sets the tone for the entire day * Erick’s personal routine and how you can adapt it to your lifestyle * Three simple steps to design a morning rhythm that actually sticks * How small daily choices compound into long-term growth and success
If your mornings feel rushed, scattered, or draining, this episode will inspire you to slow down, reset, and create space for what matters most.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com
Action Step * Build Your Morning Routine
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/082
In this inspiring episode, Erick sits down with Nada Lena Nasserdeen—CEO and founder of Rise Up For You, leadership coach, and TEDx speaker—to explore what it really takes to step into the most powerful version of yourself.
What makes Nada’s work so impactful is her energy, her enthusiasm, and her deep commitment to helping people grow. She built an entire company and team around one mission: helping you become better.
During the conversation, Nada unpacks four human skills we’re never taught in school—yet they’re essential to thriving in life and leadership:
- Self-confidence (and why 83% of us struggle with it)
- Emotional intelligence (and the 18 skills that support it)
- Transformational leadership
- Influential communication
Nada and Erick dive deep into practical strategies for moving beyond competence to confidence, and how daily habits shape who we become. One of the most powerful takeaways? The importance of writing down your ideal life. Nada shares her twist on this exercise: don’t just write what you want, but also define your core values, identify your non-negotiables, and commit to saying no to the things that hold you back.
This resonated with Erick personally, since in 2005—at his lowest point—he used the same exercise of writing out what he wanted from life to begin his own transformation.
Action Item for You:Take time today to write down your ideal life. Define what you really want, why you want it, how you’ll get there, and who you’ll do it with. Put your core values on paper and commit to living them daily. Something powerful happens when you write it down.
Neda Lena Nasserdean Nada Nasserdeen is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a global leader in soft skills and leadership development.
As a 2x #1 Best-Selling Author of Rise Up For You and Emotional Intelligence: The Path to Fulfillment, Influence, and Lasting Success, she continues to inspire transformation with her highly anticipated third book launching this year, Self-Confidence: How to Overcome the “I’m Not Enough” Mindset.
A dynamic 2x TEDx speaker and global keynote presenter, Nada has shared the stage with renowned leaders such as Sharon Lechter, Adam Grant, Tony Robbins, John Assaraf, Bill Walsh, and David Meltzer, speaking to audiences across the U.S., Canada, the Middle East, Europe, and South Africa.
Through Rise Up For You, Nada has worked with Fortune 5 companies, leading tech and pharmaceutical giants, growing enterprises, and educational institutions, impacting professionals in over 50 countries. At the heart of this impact is the Rise Power Up Method™—a proprietary, four-step framework for personal and professional transformation that has earned her organization a 95% client renewal rate.
Nada is also the creator of the Rise Power Up Certification, empowering coaches and professionals to implement her proven methodology without having to build content from scratch. Her influence has been featured across major platforms including Apple TV, Bloomberg, Canada’s Global TV, Radio Canada, and Amazon Prime TV. She is one of the few female co-hosts on the groundbreaking talk show Office Hours, where she interviews world-class athletes, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.
In 2023, her contributions were recognized in a monumental way—with her leadership and impact showcased on a Times Square billboard in New York City. Beyond the spotlight, Nada’s heart remains rooted in service. Her philanthropic work with underprivileged youth, including teaching soft skills to incarcerated teens, earned her the OC Sheriff’s Award.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com 6. Learn more about Nada and her work: riseupforyou.com
Action Step * Identify Your Ideal Life
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/081
In this heartfelt episode, Erick gives you permission to release the things in your life that no longer serve you—especially when they start taking a toll on your mental and emotional health.
He shares a personal story of when he first saw someone of great importance intentionally let go in order to prioritize self-care—and how that moment reshaped the way he approaches his own life.
Erick then unpacks three key things you need to leverage so you can let go of the unnecessary, reclaim your energy, and start taking better care of yourself.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why letting go is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom
- How to recognize when something is costing you more than it’s worth
- Three powerful tools to help you release what’s holding you back
- How prioritizing your mental and emotional health leads to greater success
If you’ve been feeling weighed down or stretched too thin, this episode will encourage you to step back, breathe, and make space for what truly matters.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Connect with Erick 5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
Action Step * Identify an area of your life to let go
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/080
In this high-flying episode, Erick sits down with Jeff Bonner—former Naval Aviator and current veteran Captain for a major airline—to explore what it really takes to land on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean... and how those experiences translate into everyday life.
Jeff shares gripping stories from his time in the military, including the violent jolt of carrier landings and the surreal moment of spotting a postage-stamp-sized flight deck from 5,000 feet up. With decades of aviation experience under his belt, Jeff brings a unique perspective on pressure, preparation, and precision.
But this episode goes beyond the cockpit. Jeff unpacks the five-part framework he developed from his time in the skies—a simple but powerful model anyone can apply to elevate their mindset, improve performance, and navigate life with purpose.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What it's really like to land a jet on a moving aircraft carrier
- How flying for the Navy shaped Jeff's leadership and resilience
- The five pillars of Jeff’s personal framework for success
- How to turn high-stakes lessons into everyday wins
Whether you're chasing big goals or looking for a fresh perspective, Jeff's stories and strategies will leave you inspired—and grounded in purpose.
Jeff Bonner Jeff “Bones” Bonner is The Debrief Expert™ — a former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, current airline captain, and Harvard-trained performance strategist who transforms elite teams by equipping them to debrief like a fighter pilot and perform like a champion.
He’s a keynote speaker who is the creator of The Debrief Advantage™ and the author of The Daily Debrief™, a five-step performance habit used by athletes and high-stakes leaders to build clarity, accountability, and trust.
Whether leading missions over Iraq and Afghanistan or flying commercial flights across the country, Jeff has spent his life performing under pressure—and now he helps others do the same.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Jeff's Website 5. Jeff’s LinkedIn profile
Action Step * Take the 7-Day Debrief Challenge
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/079
You’re busy. Life is chaotic. The demands never stop.
In this episode, Erick introduces the brand-new Rise Above Chaos Planner System—a structured yet inspiring tool designed to help you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters.
Built on the proven Five Principles of the Rise Above Chaos Method, this planner is simple, intentional, and effective. Erick explains the purpose behind the system, how it aligns with your values and priorities, and why it’s the perfect companion for busy professionals who want to reclaim their time and energy.
Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or balancing career and family, this planner will help you rise above the chaos and live a more focused, fulfilling, and intentional life.
Highlights from the Episode: * Why traditional planners fail busy professionals—and what makes this one different * How the planner helps you design a weekly plan aligned with your values * Tips on taking consistent, meaningful action without feeling overwhelmed * The power of tracking your wins and building momentum over time * How to reclaim your time and focus on what matters most
Special Offer: Visit www.racplanner.com to order your planner today, and use the discount code "podcast" at checkout for 10% off.
Don’t just manage the chaos—rise above it.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner System
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/078
In this powerful episode, Erick Rheam reveals the five essential elements you need to level up every part of your life—personally and professionally.
Using the metaphor of a cross-country move, Erick shares a surprising truth: we don’t need as much as we think to thrive. In fact, it’s often about letting go of the clutter and focusing on a few key things that fuel purpose, energy, and momentum.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and rise to new heights—starting today.
Key Takeaways: * The power of intentional living in reaching your dream life * Why “starting fresh” is more than a physical move—it’s a mindset * The five non-negotiables that unlock growth and fulfillment * How to simplify your life without sacrificing your ambition
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Identify a mentor
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/077
In this powerful and inspiring episode, Erick Rheam sits down with Reed Barrett—a fighter pilot, professional speaker, and mesmerizing Las Vegas magician—to uncover an extraordinary story of perseverance and determination.
Reed's path was anything but ordinary: after being medically discharged from the Air Force due to a heart condition, he faced seemingly insurmountable barriers. Yet, he refused to let his dream of flying fade away.
Listen as Reed recounts his relentless journey, overcoming formidable odds and fierce competition to secure a coveted spot piloting an F-16 fighter jet for the Air National Guard. His incredible journey is a testament to the power of resilience and unwavering belief in oneself, reminding us all that no obstacle is too great when chasing your dreams.
Tune in to this captivating episode and discover how you, too, can push past the barriers standing between you and your greatest aspirations.
Reed Barrett A man with a background you’d likely not guess was true, Reed Barrett, call sign Roller, is a 33-year-old award-winning Keynote speaker, Magician, and Air Force Fighter Pilot.
With a degree in Psychology, a vast career in the arts, and the United States military, Reed specializes in human potential and communication.
In 2014, Reed was Honorably Discharged from the United States Air Force while attending Pilot Training. Doctors discovered a heart condition that could be fatal if left untreated.
After years of perseverance and dedication, Reed was accepted once again to become a military pilot. In April 2020, Reed graduated from the F-16 B-course in Phoenix, AZ, and now resides in Denver, Colorado, where he’s stationed with the 120th Fighter Squadron.
Reed has been consistently requested across the US to speak with companies, schools, and sports teams due to his less-than-normal background and triumph to be where he is today.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Reed’s website 5. Reed’s LinkedIn Profile
Action Step * Revisit a past "no" and try again
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/076
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Jake Thompson, a professional speaker and author about his concept of competing everyday and how it’s a critical component to success.
In this powerful episode, Jake opens up about the crushing disappointment of walking away from his lifelong dream of playing quarterback at the collegiate level—and the emotional toll that came with it. But his story doesn’t end in defeat.
Jake reveals how hitting rock bottom became the catalyst for redefining what it means to compete—not against others, but with yourself. He introduces a three-part jumpstart process that helped him rebuild his confidence, reshape his mindset, and reclaim control of his life.
If you’re feeling stuck, lost, or ready for a reset, Jake’s journey will inspire you to take the next step and start winning again—on your terms.
Jake Thompson Jake teaches people how to compete every day with themselves. By winning the day, we win in business and in life.
Through lived experiences as an athlete, entrepreneur and speaker, he’s battle-tested and mastered the secret to success.
To achieving goals and making the impossible, possible.
To being great, not just good enough.
From his first ‘sales job’ at 7, going door-to-door selling Christmas cookies, to his initial business selling branded t-shirts in the trunk of his car, and onto today, as a leading keynote speaker and corporate coach, he’s unlocked what it takes to be a winner.
He believes the life we desire is closer than we think. It’s the small shifts in our daily focus, mentally and practically, that build a winning life.
Through his C.E.D. Model, he helps teams, CEOs, athletes and students develop mental toughness, master consistency, and improve day after day.
He believes we all have a gift inside of us, but it takes courage, systems, and a competitive mindset to access it. He’ll show you how, so you’re not sitting on the bench, waiting for life.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Jake’s website 5. Jake’s LinkedIn profile
Action Step * Identify the game you're playing
Show Notes: erickrhream.com/075
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses the importance of building a morning and event routine and the critical roles those two routines play in your significance journey.
Erick discusses how a morning routine saves mental energy and sets you up for an effective day and the importance of shutting down properly at night with an intentional nightly routine.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Build your morning and evening routines
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/074
In this episode, Erick Rheam, reviews the book, Think Ahead by Craig Groeschel
Erick discusses how this book focuses on the power of pre-deciding on seven key areas of your life so that you can maximize your decision making ability and protecting yourself from the pitfalls of resistance and temptation that often derails you from your best self.
Erick highlights three of the seven decisions that Craig recommends you focus on in life.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Check out the Think Ahead book
Action Step * Read the book
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/073
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Bobby Dutton, a professional pilot, speaker, and events creator.
In this episode, Bobby discusses the importance of keeping calm during turbulent times in life and how the pilot philosophy when navigating chaos translates well in everyday life. He walks us through the steps a pilot takes when troubleshooting problems in the air and how to apply that to life.
Bobby Dutton Bobby Dutton is a professional speaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He's also a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor -- for fun.
Thriving at the intersection of engineering and art, Dutton created GrooveBoston in 2004, built on the statement "Music is No Longer a Spectator Sport." His team (now called GBM6) is about making people happy, through legendary events.
Bobby's pioneering work on event design has won him awards internationally, and he was voted one of the "Top 25 Young Event Pros to Watch" by Special Events Magazine.
A creative leader and relentless optimist, Dutton has also served on the SEARCH Foundation Board of Directors, and on the Board of Governors for the International Live Events Association.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Bobby’s website 5. Bobby’s LinkedIn Profile
Action Step * Identify the next action item with something chaotic in your life
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/072
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Melanie Curtis, a world-record professional skydiver and professional speaker.
In this episode, Melanie shares the incredible story of how a failed first attempt at skydiving at just 16 years old almost kept her grounded for good. But instead of giving in to fear, Melanie made a bold decision at 18 that changed the course of her life – leading to over 12,000 jumps around the globe.
Join us as Melanie takes us through her transformative journey of self-discovery, revealing the mindset that helped her face her fears head-on and pursue her passion for skydiving, no matter the obstacles. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to overcome your own fears or curious about the life of a professional skydiver, this episode is packed with motivation and life lessons that will leave you ready to take the leap.
Melanie Curtis Melanie Curtis is a former investment banker turned stunt-woman world-record pro skydiver, turned keynote speaker, life coach, author, activist and entrepreneur.
he has jumped out of an airplane over 12,000 times, competed at the highest levels, and has traveled the globe as a headlining professional athlete coaching thousands of people over the last 30 years.
Melanie has worked with Weird Al Yankovic, Megan Rapinoe, the RedBull Air Force and more. She has spoken on the same TED-Ed stage as Gloria Steinem. She has emceed ahead of Jameela Jamil and in front of 20,000 in the Angel City FC stadium.
Melanie has also landed a parachute in that stadium, as well as Dodger Stadium, Lumen Field in Seattle, and the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Melanie has spoken at Athleta, PNC, NatGeo, Cornell University, Middlebury College (her alma mater), and more.
Melanie has been tapped as an expert on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, NBC Know Your Value, Forbes, Entrepreneurs on Fire, Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman the Founder of LinkedIn, and more. Melanie has authored 3 books, including How to Fly: Life Lessons From a Professional Skydiver.
Melanie co-founded Highlight, an all-female parachute demonstration team, using skydiving as a vehicle to champion equality. She also received the first-ever Mentorship Award for the entire Parachute Industry Association. Melanie co-founded the Trust the Journey podcast, where she and guests share in depth about their deep healing as a crucial part of accessing the true expanse of our human potential.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Melanie’s website 5. Order Melanie’s book - How to Fly - Life Lessons from a Professional Skydiver 6. Melanie’s LinkedIn profile
Action Step * Commit to something you've been putting off
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/071
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses how to manage your chaos.
Erick discusses three primary techniques to manage chaos and also introduces three tools to consider to help manage the daily grind caused by chaos.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. More information on the Pomodoro Technique
Action Step * Try the Pomodoro Technique
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/070
In this episode, Erick Rheam, reviews the book, Good Energy, by Casey Means M.D and Calley Means.
Erick highlights the revealing nature of this book and how it focuses on our cellular health, the fallacy of the American Medical system and how to correct course. He highlights the four primary areas to increase our good energy and heal our cellular health and outlines what he plans to follow from the book.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Check out the Good Energy book
Action Step * Read Good Energy by Casey Means, MD
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/069
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses the importance of finding your “Why” and the importance it places as your foundation for your significant life.
Erick discusses the two major components of your why and how to turn that into a why statement and then how to turn your why into a purpose for your life
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Discover your why
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/068
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses the critical importance of a team and how it contributes to your significance journey.
Erick discusses the five principles of effective team building. He also describes four types of team members and how each type plays an important role in your life.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Get intentional with your team
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/067
In this episode, Erick Rheam, reviews the book, The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute.
Erick highlights the primary tenets of the book around our behaviors and how the acts of betrayal on everyday things leads our hearts down the wrong path and its impact on others.
He describes how the book impacted him and how he approaches the key relationships in his life and the four steps to resolving a heart of conflict.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute 5. Arbinger Institute website
Action Step * Read the book
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/066
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses his most recent annual retreat and what he learned from it and shares his daily schedule during the retreat.
Erick recounts what he did each day of the retreat, the theme for each day and how focused on each day to gain clarity on what he might do going into the new year.
He shows how he leveraged various tools and mechanisms to build a plan going into the new year and how you can do the same in your own annual retreat.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Fantastical calendar application for Mac users
Action Step * Plan your Annual Retreat
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/065
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses the importance of starting your new year with the simple act of clarifying what a meaningful life looks like for you.
Erick recounts the profound impact of writing down what a meaningful life looked like for him and how it impacted his decision making and life choices moving forward.
He discusses the three primary areas of life that must be clarified in order to pursue a meaningful life and what that looks like for him.
Finally, he challenges you to go through the meaningful life exercise so that you can start off the new year with tremendous clarity and hope for a fantastic year!
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Write down what a meaningful life looks like to you
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/064
In this episode, Erick Rheam, reviews the book, Leadership and Self Deception by the Arbinger Institute.
Erick unpacks some of the highlights that stuck out to him from the book, Leadership and Self-Deception. Erick provides a broad stroke on what the book teaches and highlights one area he liked in the book, which focused on the idea self betrayal and its influence in how we see others and how the book describes the impact it has on relationships. He unpacks the seven things he learned from the book and how it matters in our relationships.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute 5. Arbinger Institute website
Action Step * Read the book
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/063
In this episode, Erick Rheam introduces his new keynote talk, The 21st Mile - Run Your Race and Win at Life.
Life can feel like a grind. Like running a marathon it can feel almost impossible at times, especially when done alone.
Studies show that up to 89% of working Americans experienced burnout within the last year. Burnout is costly for employers since it costs up to four times the employee’s annual salary to be replaced.
The American culture, or the rat race, has taken its toll on the average working family and forcing most to sacrifice their ability to not only thrive, but forced most into survival mode that’s not sustainable.
This highly motivational and educational talk pulls from my lifelong passion and success through running as I share the lessons learned about sacrifice, loss, humility, teamwork, and how to develop a willingness to grind for the experience to cross the finish line, but more importantly to learn to embrace the journey.
I share a compelling story of the lessons learned about some of the deepest issues in life, family, and legacy while running over 30,000 miles, and the transformation that can occur in anyone’s life at the 21st mile.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The 21st Mile Teaser Video 5. erick@erickrheam.com
Action Step * Pick a mentor
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/062
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Anne Marie Anderson, a three-time Emmy Award winning broadcaster, keynote speaker and author about adopting an audacious mindset.
In the episode Anne Marie discusses her journey to becoming a 3 time Emmy Award winning broadcaster for ESPN and how she had to learn to embrace audacity as a tool for pursuing her dreams.
We unpack what she believes are the four primary barriers people must overcome in order to embrace audacity and achieve success.
Anne Marie Anderson Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award winning broadcaster, keynote speaker and author.
Having spent more than three decades in sports television both behind and in front of the camera, she has covered six Olympic Games, heavyweight title fights, golf’s majors, NBA/MLB playoffs and the Super Bowl among countless other marquee events.
Over the course of her career, she has become one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country, calling over 75 live sporting events a year on a variety of networks including ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX and TBS.
In addition, she has been recognized nationally for her journalism and leadership in the advancement of sport.
Anne Marie is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and emcee. Delivering keynotes that are alternately funny and touching she seeks to connect with the audience through the power of storytelling.
Her signature keynote, Building an Audacious Mindset, challenges audiences to forget everything they learned about what should happen and create a life built on what could happen if we didn’t accept NO. Anne Marie is a master at helping both corporate and educational audiences discover how to build highly successful teams.
Utilizing the methods observed through behind closed doors coverage of many of sport’s most successful coaches and executives, Anderson delivers concrete tools and entertaining examples of what has worked – and has NOT worked – on some of the biggest stages in sport.
Her first book, Cultivating Audacity – Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win, will be released January of 2025 and is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Anderson walks the reader through a step-by-step process to discover what has been holding them back from doing “the thing” that they have wanted to do.
Whether it is a professional move or a life upgrade, Anne Marie guides the reader through identifying and breaking down their personal barriers to live an audacious life with confidence.
An avid sports fan and participant, and mother of three, Anne Marie enjoys playing beach volleyball, golf, hiking, swimming… and any game in which you keep score!
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Anne Marie’s website - https://annemarieanderson.com/ 5. Order Anne Marie’s book - Cultivating Audacity 6. Anne Marie’s LinkedIn profile
Action Step * Be willing to fail
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/061
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Kayla Logue, an expert communicator, entrepreneur, and author.
In the episode Kayla unpacks your rock bottom moment when she realized she needed to walk away from her marriage that wasn’t working and from a life that she never intended.
She decided to reset her life and started the process of healing and rediscovering herself and her new path in life through the power of journaling.
Kayla walks us through what happened when she walked away from a failing relationship, how she felt, how she worked through it and what life is like for her on the other side.
Kayla Logue Kayla Logue, is an acclaimed Author, Personal Development Expert, and Motivational Speaker.
She is the Founder of Move Into Words, a non-profit advocating for mental and physical health through journaling.
Kayla empowers individuals to define their own success, drawing from her diverse expertise in real estate, web design, and SEO strategy.
Her inspiring book, Always Squeezing Lemons, guides readers through personal and professional growth.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Kayla’s website - https://www.kaylalogue.com/
Action Step * Start the habit of journaling
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/060
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Army West Point XC/Track & Field Hall of Famer Mike Bernstein about his journey at West Point and at the top of the collegiate distance running world.
In this second part of the interview, Mike discusses how losing his father, finding his life partner, and surviving false allegations at West Point shaped his future and how he viewed his world. He talks about how he navigated Army life while still pursuing his dream to compete in the Olympics and how he used a chance meeting to help him reach a lofty running goal.
Mike Bernstein Mike is a West Point graduate and former US Army Captain with decades of expertise in corporate finance, supply chain and contract manufacturing.
At West Point, he was the team captain of the cross country and track teams and a 3-time All American.
Known for his strong work ethic and track record of outperforming expectations, he won six individual Patriot League titles and was the 1994 Patriot League Individual Cross Country Champion and the 1995 Patriot League's Outstanding Indoor Male Performer.
After graduation, Mike continued to compete at the highest levels for the US Army World Class Athlete Program while earning his MBA from Colorado State. In 1996, he became the first soldier to win the Army 10-miler, running the distance in 47:59 and breaking the course record.
He also placed 5th at the US Nationals 5k in 1997 and 6th in the US Nationals Indoor 3k in 1998. He qualified for and competed in the US Olympic Trials where he placed 21st. In 2019, Mike was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame.
Mike served in roles in corporate finance and supply chain at storied food companies such as Mars, Campbell Soup, and Kellogg’s.
He left the workforce a decade ago to focus on raising his two boys while his wife traveled extensively for her job. During that time, he became a prolific investor in several emerging technology companies, and an active real estate investor.
He lives in Lake Forest, IL with his wife Roxanne of 28 years – also a West Point graduate -- and their 2 sons.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Mike Bernstein LinkedIn Profile
Action Step * Surround yourself with the right people to help you achieve your goals
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/059
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Army West Point XC/Track & Field Hall of Famer Mike Bernstein about his journey at West Point and at the top of the collegiate distance running world.
Mike Bernstein shares with Erick his decision to go to West Point and how he proactively wrote letters to the head coach at West Point to secure his spot on the team. He recounts how he went from walking in his first XC meet in high school to becoming All-American collegiate athlete.
Mike Bernstein Mike is a West Point graduate and former US Army Captain with decades of expertise in corporate finance, supply chain and contract manufacturing.
At West Point, he was the team captain of the cross country and track teams and a 3-time All American.
Known for his strong work ethic and track record of outperforming expectations, he won six individual Patriot League titles and was the 1994 Patriot League Individual Cross Country Champion and the 1995 Patriot League's Outstanding Indoor Male Performer.
After graduation, Mike continued to compete at the highest levels for the US Army World Class Athlete Program while earning his MBA from Colorado State. In 1996, he became the first soldier to win the Army 10-miler, running the distance in 47:59 and breaking the course record.
He also placed 5th at the US Nationals 5k in 1997 and 6th in the US Nationals Indoor 3k in 1998. He qualified for and competed in the US Olympic Trials where he placed 21st. In 2019, Mike was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame.
Mike served in roles in corporate finance and supply chain at storied food companies such as Mars, Campbell Soup, and Kellogg’s.
He left the workforce a decade ago to focus on raising his two boys while his wife traveled extensively for her job. During that time, he became a prolific investor in several emerging technology companies, and an active real estate investor.
He lives in Lake Forest, IL with his wife Roxanne of 28 years – also a West Point graduate -- and their 2 sons.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Mike Bernstein LinkedIn Profile
Action Step * Create a goal and identify the next step
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/058
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews former collegiate coach Ron Bazil about his 34 year experience coaching men and women cross-country and track and field programs at a very high level.
Coach Bazil recounts his philosophies and methodologies as he evolved throughout house career coaching athletes at three different universities.
He discusses his intentionality with creating a sense of normalcy and community for his athletes at the United States Military Academy so that they could navigate the chaos of cadet life, while still competing at a very high level.
Ron Bazil Coach Bazil started his career as Head Track Coach and Assistant Dean of Students in 1968.
Bazil spent nine years at the helm of the Adelphi Track Program, achieving some of the most remarkable results in the school’s athletic history.
During that time, he continued to serve as Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Dean of Men, before being named Director of Athletics, Intramurals, and Recreation in 1972.
In 1970, Adelphi won its first national title in the outdoor (college division) mile relay. The following year proved to be the most significant as the mile relay team not only captured its first NCAA Indoor Title, but also established world records for the mile relay on two consecutive weekends.
That same year, the men’s 880 yard relay and the 4x400 relay won the Championship of America at the Penn Relays. In 1978 the women would also capture this prestigious title in the 4x100 relay. From 1970-1975, the men’s track team captured a total of five NCAA individual outdoor titles, two NCAA outdoor meet records, and two individual indoor national titles. Bazil and his relay team put Adelphi on the national stage, culminating in a feature article in Sports Illustrated magazine.
Bazil had forged his winning formula during his 16 years as the head coach of the cross country and track and teams of the US Military Academy at West Point. During his tenure at Army, Bazil molded his men's and women's teams into nationally competitive programs
Army men were introduced to the Patriot League in the spring of 1992, and the cross country team took home the title in the fall of 1993. They went on to take sixth at the NCAA championships that year, and Bazil also took home the District II NCAA Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year title.
Both the men's and women's cross country teams took home Patriot League championship titles in the fall of 1994, and the men came into the 1995 season with a 12-race winning streak behind them. For that effort Bazil was again named Patriot League Coach of the Year.
He held Patriot League coaching honors every season from 1992-95.
The men's indoor track team went undefeated with a 5-0 record in 1994, and the outdoor team checked off their third straight league championship. Bazil left Army with a combined track and cross country career record of 304-116-2 for dual meets and 13 conference championships.
Bazil elevated the Tulane track and field team into a nationally prominent program after his arrival in 1995. Bazil produced 12 All-Americans to include one realty team, eight NCAA national qualifiers, a sprint medley relay team ranked in the top-10 nationally, 64 individual Conference USA champions, the 1996 Conference USA Freshman of the Year in cross country, and the Outstanding Performer at the Conference USA Indoor Championship in 1997. His athletes have also rewritten the Tulane record books by establishing dozens of new school records.
Perhaps Bazil's greatest accomplishment came during the 1998 cross country season. He guided the Green Wave men to four team titles during the season and qualified as a group to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time in school history by virtue of a runner-up finish to eventual National Champion Arkansas in the South Central District Championships. He also had an individual qualifier on the women's side.
Accomplishments
- 34 years coaching men and women’s XC and Track and Field
- 10 Years coaching at Adelphi University
- National title in the mile relay
- Two world records in the mile relay
- Dominated the Penn relays:
- 880 Relay
- 4x400 Relay
- 4x100 Women’s
- 5 NCAA Individual outdoor track titles
- 2 NCAA meet records
- 2 Individual indoor track titles
- Highlighted in Sports Illustrated
- Adelphi HOF
- 16 Years HC at Army
- 304-116-2 record (winningest HC in Army history)
- 15 Conference championships
- 21 All-Americans
- Several HOF runners
- Army HOF
- 7 years HC Tulane University
- 64 Individual titles Conference USA
- 12 relay titles Conference USA
- 4 League championships
- 18 top 3 finishes
- 12 All-Americans
- 1 Relay All-American team
- 1998 took the Green Wave to its first every NCAA National XC Championship
- Louisiana XC coach of the year
- 30 years on the international circuit
- 8 assignments with USA Track & Field
- 1971 coached the US team in a dual meet against the Soviet Union
- Bachelor’s Degree from Springfield Mass in 1958
- Master’s in health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1964
- Wife Bonnie and children and Tami and Lance
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Express your gratitude to a past mentor
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/057
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Dr. Peggy DeLong.
Peggy describes the tragedy she experienced with the loss of her fiance and father and how she learned the power of gratitude and how to leverage it to help her cope with her loss and find a meaningful and joyful life on the other side of it.
She outlines five gratitude steps to take to experience tremendous transformation and manage a chaotic life:
- Saying thank you when you wake up in the morning
- Be aware of your blessings as you start your day
- Send a gratitude letter to someone important in your life
- Use your emotional pain as a trigger to practice gratitude
- At bedtime, think of one or two things that well that day for which you are grateful
Finally, Peggy invites everyone to take her Five Day Gratitude Challenge.
Dr. Peggy DeLong Dr. Peggy DeLong is a professional speaker, psychologist, and author, known as The Gratitude Psychologist. She teaches people how to harness the power of gratitude to build resilience and cultivate joy to live their best lives, especially through difficult times. She does this through keynote speeches, psychotherapy, on-line courses, books, and bracelets.
Peggy is the author of: 1) I Can See Clearly Now: A Memoir about Love, Grief, and Gratitude, 2) The Gratitude Journal: A 365 Day Gratitude Journey, and 3) Feeling Good: 35 Proven Ways to Happiness, Even During Tough Times. She is also the owner of LOVE in a Bracelet, where she designs bracelets for coping with grief and loss, mental health, and inspiration.
She hosts women’s weekly wellness walks and hiking events for connection, spiritual growth, and the healing power of nature.
She is the mother of three young adults, all in college, and the wife of an Air Force Veteran and 6th grade science teacher. When she’s not focused on her businesses, you’ll find Peggy in the mountains, downhill or telemark skiing, kayaking, hiking, or mountain biking.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Peggy’s Website 5. Peggy’s email: drpeggydelongpsych@gmail.com 6. Peggy’s LinkedIn profile 7. Participate in the Five Day - Grateful Day Challenge
Action Step * Take the Five Day Gratitude Challenge
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/056
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses why it’s critical to work within your natural rhythms and why it’s the best way to ensure you move the needle in your pursuit of significance while taming the Beast.
In his book, Rise Above Chaos, Erick outlines the seven elements of the perfect day. These elements are a set of daily habits that, when applied, will provide a vehicle to significance and a natural insulation from the influences of the Beast.
Element #2, Manage Your Energy, prescribes six principles of managing your energy on a daily basis to match the energy of The Beast. One of those principles is working with your natural rhythms. Erick describes three ways to do it so that you may be intentional on how you approach each day that ensures success.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. erick@erickrheam.com
Action Step * Protect your peak time of the day
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/055
In this episode, Erick Rheam the importance of being intentional with your self care during your various phases of life.
As you navigate life’s daily challenges, it’s important to be intentional with critical resources needed to tame the Beast and remain aligned in body, mind and spirit.
This is why Erick unpacks his thoughts on how to manage life in a very healthy way by having these seven elements in what he calls his “Go Bag” for life.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Eat Healthy Snacks
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/054
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses how to manage your comfort zone in times of change.
Whenever something changes in your life, stress can attack your comfort zone causing you to go into survival mode and maybe act out of character or navigate your world in an unhealthy way.
Erick unpacks three activities you can do to help you navigate change in your life in a much healthier way so that you can grow your comfort zone and retain healthy relationships as well.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Apologize to Someone Close to You
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/053
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses the need to pivot when something is not working or you’ve grown beyond it.
Change is our constant companion. Life demands that we evolve and change as things change around us; however, it can be hard to change and it’s not always clear when it’s time to pivot away from something that’s just not working.
Erick unpacks three things to consider that will help you make the necessary pivot and what to do when you decide to pivot from a key area in your life.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Identify something in your life that may require you to pivot
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/052
In this episode, Erick Rheam probes the issues with being a perfectionist in your life.
Many times we’re held back by our expectations of what success should look like in our lives. How many times have you abandoned a dream or a project, because you didn’t feel good about it or you didn’t feel ready? Could you be a perfectionist?
Erick unpacks the problem with perfectionism and explores why all of us have some degree of perfectionism in our lives and why it’s important to overcome up so that we may rise above the chaos.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. On Writing - A Memoir of the Craftby Stephen King 5. Hidden Potential - The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant
Action Step * Rethink your expectations with some key area of your life
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/051
In this episode, Erick Rheam challenges you to live your story.
We’re taught to live a certain story and often we do everything that’s expected of us only to find out we’ve been living someone else’s story and others' expectations of us. Erick debunks that way of thinking by sharing his four key pillars to living our own story:
- Embrace your history;
- Embrace your passion;
- Leverage your superpower;
- Leverage time.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Best Year Ever book 5. Today Matters book 6. The War of Art book 7. Rise Above Chaos Podcast Episode #50: Don’t be Afraid to Start with Ken McCoy
Action Step * Identify your top three fears
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/050
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Rise Above Chaos student Ken McCoy about his experience with the RAC system and how it motivated him to leave his job and start his own business.
Ken describes his experience going through RAC workshop and the vision exercise that planted the seed that would ultimately lead to the decision to leave his job two years later and embark on his new journey owning his own cybersecurity.
Ken shares the role his wife, Tepi, played during the process and what life is like now for him as he starts this new phase.
Ken McCoy Ken McCoy is the founder of Confiance Cybersecurity, a Colorado-based consulting company that believes a strong cybersecurity posture isn’t just for large corporations with unlimited budgets and large teams of IT professionals.
Confiance Cybersecurity offers a variety of cybersecurity services such as Cyber Resiliency Assessments, customized training, program and policy development, and third-party/supply chain risk assessments. Ken spent 32 years in the Information Technology field before starting Confiance Cybersecurity.
Ken and his wife Tepi live in Northern Colorado where they have raised four daughters. They love spending time in the mountains, camping, fly fishing, traveling, and generally spending time outdoors. Ken is an avid fly fisherman and spends time volunteering for Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Veterans through the sport of fly fishing.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Confiance Cyber Security 5. Ken’s email: kmccoy@confiancecyber.com 6. Ken’s LinkedIn Profile
Action Step * Start something today
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/049
In this episode, Erick Rheam, reviews the book, Mindset Shift by Erwin Raphael McManus.
Leaders are readers. It’s important to have a consistent reading habit so you can evolve in your thinking and expand your paradigm of the world.
Erick unpacks some of the highlights that stuck out to him from Erwin Raphael’s book, Mindset Shift. Erick provides a broad stroke on what the book teaches and highlights one area he liked in the book. He covers three of the twelve mindset shifts in the book:
- You Don’t Need an Audience - Focus on your passion and talent and being the best version of yourself and your right audience will appear.
- No One Knows What They Are Doing - Get over yourself and take action. You won’t know what you’re doing when you start something. So, just get started.
- Be Average (At Almost Everything) - You can’t be everything to everyone. Focus on the few key areas of your life that truly matter and let go over everything else.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Mindset Shift by Erwin Raphael McManus 5. Erwin’s website
Action Step * Take an actionable step towards something you've dreaming of doing
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/048
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews philanthropist Tony Anderson about the power of giving to support others.
Tony is the founder of Cooperative Family Fund, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting the children of fallen rural electric cooperative employees. Tony describes how he connected with rural communities over four decades that spanned his career serving five separate electric cooperatives.
Tony shares how he started the charitable organization and how it’s helped over 50 children monetarily and emotionally and his plans for the future of this organization.
Tony Anderson Tony Anderson took over as General Manager of Cherryland Electric Cooperative in March of 2003 and retired on June 15, 2023. Anderson has been in the electric cooperative business for 40 years and previously managed cooperatives in Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Tony has been married to his last prom date, Mary, for nearly 40 years. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren
Anderson is President of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Community activities include recipient of the 2018 Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award, 2012 Governor’s Service Awards Michigan Volunteer of the Year, founder of Marathon4Kids, a charitable fundraiser for BBBS and President of the board of the Cooperative Family Fund.
Hobbies include Green Bay Packers football, writing and running. Tony has completed 51 marathons in 50 states plus D.C., while raising over $900,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW Michigan.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Cooperative Family Fund 5. Tony’s email: support@cooperativefamilyfund.com
Action Step * Donate to the Cooperative Family Fun
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/047
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews successful entrepreneur Brett Snodgrass.
Brett is the founder of Iron Deep, a men’s community with a foundation rooted in Christ for successful business leaders. He discusses why he created the group a year ago and how it solved a problem for him and how he helps other men pause and reflect so that they can learn to be more present in their lives.
We discuss Brett’s desire to enjoy the process more, remove things from his life that are no longer necessary and how helps other men do the same. Brett is open and honest about his own struggles, what keeps him up at night and how he's still a work in progress.
Brett Snodgrass Brett founded Iron Deep in 2021. Iron Deep is a unique men’s community of risk-taking, mission-minded male business leaders who vow to go beyond success to fulfill their significant purpose in Christ.
It’s a band of business brothers who strive to root their identity in the “Father Business” and have everything else flow through that filter.
The Iron Deep community is made up of imperfect, broken, messy, and raw men, channeling a strong desire to come together, encourage one another, and stand in each other’s corner. They prioritize significance over success - even though they love success.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Brett’s LinkedIn 5. Irond Deep website 6. Brett’s book The Secret War Within 7. Brett’s book recommendation The True Measure of a Man
Action Step * Look for ways to be more present in areas of your life
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/046
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews foreign policy expert, Dr. Liam Collins.
Liam describes his journey from the team captain of the cross-country/track team at Army West Point to team leader of a special forces group dropping into Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 terrorist attack, to a significant influencer to US foreign policy.
Liam shares why he chose to go special forces and his journey through the selection process that led to multiple tours in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Finally, Liam describes in detail a high altitude combat jump at 16,000 feet behind enemy lines with a 13 manned special forces group to disrupt terrorist operations. He discusses what it’s like to lead a mission like that and how to lead others in chaos.
Dr. Liam Collins Dr. Liam Collins is the executive director of the Viola Foundation, the executive director of the Madison Policy Forum, a senior fellow with New America, and a permanent member with the Council on Foreign Relations.
He is co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of U.S. Counterterrorism and Irregular Warfare Operations and co-author of Understanding Urban Warfare.
Liam served in the U.S. Army for 27 years. As a career Special Forces officer, he conducted multiple operational and combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, South America, and the Horn of Africa.
Liam retired from the military in 2019 as the founding director of the Modern War Institute and as the director of the Department of Military Instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
From 2016-2018, Liam served as the executive officer to U.S. Senior Defense Advisor to Ukraine. In that position he met with hundreds of Ukrainian officials to include their president, minister of defense, and chief of defense to help them reform their defense establishment. Within the United States he met with numerous officials including the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of Defense, senior Department of State Officials, and the House Armed Services Committee to help shape U.S. policy.
Liam also served as the director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point and is the author of dozens of articles and reports related to terrorism and conflict. Liam’s work has been cited by the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security & Counterterrorism, the White House Press Secretary, The New York Times, Associated Press, CNN, ABC News, Fox News, NPR, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
An expert on the military, defense, and security, Liam routinely provides expert commentary for BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, NPR, Deutsche Welle News TV, India Today, RFE/RL, among others.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace) from the United States Military Academy, and a Master’s in Public Affairs and a PhD from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.
An accomplished athlete and coach, he has competed as an athlete and coached teams in different sports at multiple world championships. He won the Army’s Best Ranger Competition in 2007 and was selected as the Army’s Coach of the Year in 2011. He also has two multi-million dollar winning thoroughbred racehorses named after him.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, three Bronze Star Medals with “V” devices for valor, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and Military Free Fall Badge with Bronze Star (for combat jump).
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Liam on LinkedIn
Action Step * Don't take no for an answer, but instead find your yes
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/045
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews business coach, Deb Feder.
Deb shares her mission to help busy professionals have big careers and big lives and feel they can work togethers. She discusses the four things to stop and rethink how professionals manage their days by being responsive and responsible.
Deb shares thoughts on her new book, Tell Me More, where she discusses how to leverage everyday conversations and turn them into opportunities.
Deb Feder Deb Feder is a business development coach, strategist, and CEO of Feder Development LLC, a consulting firm focused on helping lawyers and professionals bring in consistent clients through curious, confident conversations and changing the way we view productivity for professionals.
For the last decade, she has committed herself to changing the way we think about work-life balance and how we tackle high-stakes work, allowing for big careers while enjoying our free time.
Prior to founding Feder Development, Deb practiced corporate law for 15 years; she holds a history degree from the University of Michigan and her JD/MBA from the University of Iowa.
Deb’s latest book, After Hello: How to Build a Book of Business, One Conversation at a Time is a guide to building a thriving law practice based on a blend of mindset, strategy, and straightforward solutions.
Deb is a frequent speaker at conferences, podcasts, and firm retreats on business development, productivity, networking, authenticity, and communication.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Deb Feder 5. Deb on LinkedIn
Action Step * Be curious of others and look for opportunities to serve
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/044
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews certified leadership coach, Jim Bishop.
Jim shares his story and how coaching helped him find balance in his life and why he feels it’s important for busy, professional leaders to be intentional about their work and lives in a way that allows them to have long and fruitful careers.
Jim discusses why reframing choices and looking at our obstacles with a different paradigm can free us up to make better life and business decisions. He introduces the concept of making a “not” to do list that frees leaders up to focus on the main things.
Jim Bishop With over two decades of immersive experience in executive development, corporate leadership and human performance, Jim Bishop stands as a beacon of transformative leadership through his business, Conjunction Leadership.
Jim's journey has taken him across the globe, coaching executives, diverse teams and orchestrating the modernization of leadership systems for transforming business units.
Having collaborated with industry giants like Eli Lilly, Roche, and Elanco, Jim recognized the pivotal role of a visionary leader willing to first work on themselves while revitalizing their culture. This catalyzed the birth of Conjunction Leadership in 2020, where Jim provides executive coaching and team development solutions.
As a certified coach by the International Coaching Federation and a Certified Leadership Facilitator with Blanchard, Jim's methods are a blend of science and art. He empowers executives through executive coaching, corporate culture consulting, and team effectiveness programs, focusing on holistic development within volatile contexts.
At Conjunction Leadership, transformation starts within. The exclusive DISRUPT, BRIDGE, and GROW process guides leaders on a journey of self-discovery, mindset shifts, and measurable growth.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Conjunction Leadership 5. Jim on LinkedIn
Action Step * Create a "not" to do list
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/043
In this episode, Erick Rheam describes the impact of two annual retreats he just finished in the last month.
Erick describes what he experienced during his retreats and why those experiences are so important to how he approaches the year. He outlines four reasons why you should embrace the idea of a retreat and challenges you to schedule a retreat as well.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Episode 15 on The Importance of Annual Retreat 5. Full Focus Planner System
Action Step * Schedule a retreat this year
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/042
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Joe Schotthoefer, Vice President of Operations at Doetsch Environmental Services, Inc.
Joe discusses what it was like to grow up with the family business as a big part of his young life and how it impacted him to work in the family business full time. Joe describes the business and the importance of the culture of the company and why it means so much to him and his family.
We discuss his family dynamic and their philosophy in how they train and support their team for long term success. Finally, Joe gives insight on how he approaches the human side of supervising others.
Joe Schotthoefer Joe Schotthoefer is VP of Operations for Doetsch Environmental Services, a fifth-generation family owned business located in Detroit Michigan.
Established in 1898, Doetsch is committed to preventing pollution of lakes, rivers and oceans by maintaining underground sewerage systems.
The Doetsch name and reputation have been synonymous with high quality, professional industrial inspection and cleaning services.
Oil spills, hazardous waste, solid waste and sewer line backups are formidable clean-up jobs tackled on a daily basis by Doetsch Environmental Services, a 122-year-old environmental contractor, based in Warren, Michigan.
Doetsch Environmental Services offers professional cleaning services of wet and dry materials, located above or below ground, to municipalities, manufacturing facilities, power plants, foundries, chemical plants and refineries.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Doetsch Environmental Services webpage
Action Step * Be relational when supervising
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/041
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews West Point Athletics Hall-of-Famer Jason Stewart about his journey from his successful conclusion of his collegiate career and how he leveraged that to pursue a world class running career, while serving his country.
Jason recounts the obstacles he faced trying to find his place on the world stage while navigating his Army career as a Field Artillery Officer and being deployed to Bosnia Herzegovina in the mid 1990s.
Jason describes what it was like to be on the front lines of Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia while losing all of his fitness and the struggle to get back into racing shape in time to compete in the United States Olympic Trials for a chance to represent his country in the Olympics.
Jason outlines three key lessons he learned from his decade of elite running from high school, college, and at the olympic levels and why he’s content influencing the next generation to pursue excellence.
Jason Stewart Personal:
Married: Tracy – married 23 years
Children: Lily – 21 – Chemical Engineering Senior at Penn State University Nate – 18 – Freshman at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis
Work:
Vice President – Keurig Dr Pepper
Athletic:
UNITED STATES ARMY WORLD CLASS ATHLETE PROGRAM
- Olympic Trials Track Finalist 5000m run – 7th in 2000 / 11th in 1996
- US National Cross Country Team Member – 1999 / 2000
- Top 10 Ranking US Track & Field 5000m Run – 8th in 2000 / 9th in 1998
- 2nd – 1999 United States Cross Country Championships
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
- West Point Athlete of the Year – 1993 - 1994
- 3-time Division I All-American – First Team (Cross Country / Indoor Track / Outdoor Track)
- 3rd – 1994 NCAA Championships Outdoor - 5000m run
- 5th – 1994 NCAA Championships Indoor – 5000m run
- 1993 – 1994 Army Team Captain – Cross Country / Track
- Led 1993 Army Cross Country Team to 6th place at NCAA Championships
- 1993 IC4A Cross Country Champion
- 5 Time Conference Champion – 1000m / 1500m / Mile / 3000m / 5000m – Heptagonal / Patriot League
- Set 5 Academy Records – Indoor Mile / 3000m / 5000m & Outdoor 1500m / 5000m
CONRAD WEISER HIGH SCHOOL - Robesonia, PA
- 1990 State Champion – 1600m Run
- 1990 State Champion – 3200m Run Indoor
- 1989 Cross Country All-American (12th at National Championships)
- 1989 State Runner-Up – Cross Country
- Member Conrad Weiser High School Sports Hall of Fame
Career Personal Bests:
- 1500m – 3:40.01 (3:57 mile equivalent)
- 5000m – 13:30.63
Other:
- Bosnia Veteran 1996 - 1997
- US Army Paratrooper
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Jason’s LinkedIn 5. Army Hall of Fame Page
Action Step * Become a mentor for someone
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/040
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews West Point Athletics Hall-of-Famer Jason Stewart about his journey from high school soccer star to a world class distance runner for the United States Army.
Jason shares his journey from rising star as a collegiate division I recruit to All-American status and premiere collegiate runner at the United States Military Academy. Jason describes the moment he challenged his Army teammates to commit to a new level of training and mental toughness needed to be one of the best programs in the country.
Jason not only recounts how that pivotal moment on that training run not only changed the trajectory of his team, but in his own career and what lessons he learned from it.
Jason Stewart Personal:
Married: Tracy – married 23 years
Children: Lily – 21 – Chemical Engineering Senior at Penn State University Nate – 18 – Freshman at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis
Work:
Vice President – Keurig Dr Pepper
Athletic:
UNITED STATES ARMY WORLD CLASS ATHLETE PROGRAM
- Olympic Trials Track Finalist 5000m run – 7th in 2000 / 11th in 1996
- US National Cross Country Team Member – 1999 / 2000
- Top 10 Ranking US Track & Field 5000m Run – 8th in 2000 / 9th in 1998
- 2nd – 1999 United States Cross Country Championships
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
- West Point Athlete of the Year – 1993 - 1994
- 3-time Division I All-American – First Team (Cross Country / Indoor Track / Outdoor Track)
- 3rd – 1994 NCAA Championships Outdoor - 5000m run
- 5th – 1994 NCAA Championships Indoor – 5000m run
- 1993 – 1994 Army Team Captain – Cross Country / Track
- Led 1993 Army Cross Country Team to 6th place at NCAA Championships
- 1993 IC4A Cross Country Champion
- 5 Time Conference Champion – 1000m / 1500m / Mile / 3000m / 5000m – Heptagonal / Patriot League
- Set 5 Academy Records – Indoor Mile / 3000m / 5000m & Outdoor 1500m / 5000m
CONRAD WEISER HIGH SCHOOL - Robesonia, PA
- 1990 State Champion – 1600m Run
- 1990 State Champion – 3200m Run Indoor
- 1989 Cross Country All-American (12th at National Championships)
- 1989 State Runner-Up – Cross Country
- Member Conrad Weiser High School Sports Hall of Fame
Career Personal Bests:
- 1500m – 3:40.01 (3:57 mile equivalent)
- 5000m – 13:30.63
Other:
- Bosnia Veteran 1996 - 1997
- US Army Paratrooper
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Jason’s LinkedIn 5. Army Hall of Fame Page
Action Step * Get hyper focused in one area of your life and expand that to others around you
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/039
In this episode, Erick Rheam provides the audience with a process to jumpstart their 2024 using some key ideas from his Rise Above Chaos methodology.
Erick challenges the audience to do a 50 day Rise Above Chaos challenge with seven key things to do over the next 50 days to jumpstart their year. These challenge pieces were carefully selected and arranged so that everyone can start the year focused on the key things to elevate them above the chaos.
Finally, Erick provides a fun exercise that will provide tangible evidence that we have all moved in a positive direction in 2024.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The Annual Retreat podcast episode 5. The Big 3 Post-It notes tool
Action Step * Write a letter to yourself
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/038
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews speaker, author, podcaster, and productivity expert, Jeff Sanders, on his insights on how to approach the daily grind of life in a healthy and meaningful way.
Jeff shares insights on common mistakes most overwhelmed people make when they approach their days. He believes it all starts with a realistic plan and learning to cut out 40% of what you plan to complete for the day to allow space for life to happen.
Jeff gives practical advice on how to manage email and why he believes it’s important to wake up thirty minutes earlier in the day and do something that excites you.
Jeff Sanders Jeff Sanders is the founder and CEO of 5 AM Miracle Media.
He is a keynote speaker, productivity coach, author of The 5 AM Miracle, The Free-Time Formula, and founder of The Rockin’ Productivity Academy.
He also hosts The 5 AM Miracle Podcast, which has ranked #1 in Apple Podcasts in the Self-Improvement and Business categories, been nominated for 7 Podcast Awards, and exceeded 13 million downloads.
Jeff is a productivity junkie, plant-based marathon runner, and personal development fanatic. He also eats a crazy number of bananas. 😉
Jeff also consistently shares new and fascinating content about healthy habits, personal development, and rockin’ productivity. Every week you can find him writing and speaking at JeffSanders.com.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Getting Things Done methodology 5. Nozbe task software system 6. Freedom website blocker 7. 5 AM Miracle podcast 8. Jeff Sanders website
Action Step * Wake up 30 minutes early and do something meaningful
Show notes: erickrheam.com/037
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Scott and Shate Hayes, from the Love Haze, and discusses the hard parts of life we often don’t like to talk about with each other.
Scott and Shate discuss their journey together and their passion for helping others. Erick talks to them about the need for therapy and how Scott and Shate have benefitted from having a professional support them on their journey.
Scott gives practical advice on how to find a therapist and then how to get the most out of the experience.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The Love Haze website 5. Find a Therapist website 6. Psychology Today website
Action Step * Find someone to talk to about your life with to gain support
Show notes: erickrheam.com/036
In this episode, Jack Swift interviews Erick Rheam as they dive deeper into Erick’s story and how he conquered fear over time by leveraging the people around him.
Not many people know Erick more than his lifelong friend, Jack Swift. Jack and Erick discuss how fear shows up in life and the power of others in the battle over fear.
Jack digs deeper into Erick’s relationship with his mother, Patsy, and how she played a major role in building his confidence to face his fears. They discuss how his wife, Alia, filled a major role in his life as he grew and matured in his life and built his speaking empire with Alia.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick
Action Step * Follow/Subscribe to the podcast
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/035
In this episode, Erick Rheam, presents part three of a three part series based on the Discover Significance Assessment.
Erick believes everyone wants to live a life of significance and everyone is on the journey towards significance, but it can be long, arduous, and with many detours along the way. Erick created the Discover Significance Assessment tool so that a busy professional can identify where they are, so that they can formulate an action plan to move forward in the right direction.
In this episode, Erick unpacks the significance mode. People who scored between 535 and 625 on the assessment are in success mode. Within each mode there are three phases. In success mode they are:
Relationship Builder (535 - 560)
Mentor (565 - 590)
Champion (595 - 625)
Erick discusses each phase, steps on how to navigate the phases, and the negative tactics of the Beast and how to mitigate them within each phase.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Discover Significance Assessment 5. The Perfect Day online course
Action Step * Register for The Perfect Day online course
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/034
In this episode, Erick Rheam, presents part two of a three part series based on the Discover Significance Assessment.
Erick believes everyone wants to live a life of significance and everyone is on the journey towards significance, but it can be long, arduous, and with many detours along the way. Erick created the Discover Significance Assessment tool so that a busy professional can identify where they are, so that they can formulate an action plan to move forward in the right direction.
In this episode, Erick unpacks the success mode. People who scored between 380 and 530 on the assessment are in success mode. Within each mode there are three phases. In success mode they are:
Established Professional (380 - 440)
Emerging Leader (445 - 475)
Respected Leader (480 - 530)
Erick discusses each phase, steps on how to navigate the phases, and the negative tactics of the Beast and how to mitigate them within each phase.
Resources Mentioned
- Subscribe to the podcast
- Rise Above Chaos book
- Work with Erick
- Discover Significance Assessment
Action Step * Follow the three steps associated to your phase
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/033
In this episode, Erick Rheam, launches a three part series based on the Discover Significance Assessment.
Erick believes everyone wants to live a life of significance and everyone is on the journey towards significance, but it can be long, arduous, and with many detours along the way. Erick created the Discover Significance Assessment tool so that a busy professional can identify where they are, so that they can formulate an action plan to move forward in the right direction.
In this episode, Erick unpacks the Survival Mode. People who scored between 125 and 375 on the assessment are in survival mode. Within each mode there are three phases. In survival mode they are:
Rock Bottom (125 - 250)
Frustrated Soul (255 - 305)
Hopeful Spirit (310 - 375)
Erick discusses each phase, steps on how to navigate the phases, and the negative tactics of the Beast and how to mitigate them within each phase
Resources Mentioned
- Subscribe to the podcast
- Rise Above Chaos book
- Work with Erick
- Discover Significance Assessment
Action Step * Follow the three steps associated to your phase
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/032
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews long time friend and highly successful entrepreneur Jack Swift.
Erick and Jack discuss their longtime friendship and journey together since they first met at the United States Military Academy as new cadets. Jack shares his thoughts on failing, how to reframe it and how to manage fear while seeking clarity and purpose in life.
Jack Swift Jack Swift is the President and CRO of TIFIN. He also serves on the boards of TIFIN and Bow River Capital’s Evergreen Fund.
Prior to joining TIFIN, Jack was the President of Crestone Capital, a $2.7B multi-family office of entrepreneurs who have started, built, and successfully exited their companies.
A serial entrepreneur, Jack Co-Founded his first company in 2007, Northern Lights Capital, which subsequently grew into Pacific Current Group,
where Jack led global fundraising and acted as an Operating Partner across many of Pacific Current’s companies on four continents. Jack and his partners took Pacific Current public (ASX: PAC) in 2014.
Before embarking on the entrepreneur chapter of his career, Jack led the institutional business development efforts for Janus Capital Group, now Janus Henderson. Under his leadership the institutional team raised over $30B in three years, making it the fastest growing and most profitable business unit at Janus at that time.
Jack is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was Class President, a 12-time letter award winner in Track and Cross-Country, and received the Superintendent’s Award for Achievement. He served in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Ranger.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Jack Swift's LinkedIn Profile
Action Step * Establish a quarterly accountability group
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/031
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Reeve Andrews, a high achieving and successful entrepreneur about his business and how he survived his rock bottom moment and what he did to keep his business and life together during his lowest moment.
Reeve discusses what it felt like when he found himself at his rock bottom after he was arrested while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He shares how he managed to stay sober for over six years, while running a very successful barbershop with his childhood friend and how he found peace in what he calls his “3rd place”.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Bent Hair Website 5. Instagram Profile
Action Step * Identify your 3rd Place
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/030
In this episode, Erick Rheam challenges you to get focused on your priorities.
In his book, Erick discusses the five principles to cut through the whirlwind, rise above the chaos and discover significance. One of the negative forces in your way to your path of significance is the Beast. This is that force that always seems to get in your way and knock you off track.
Erick discusses the tactic of identifying your big three for the day and placing boundaries around your daily tasks that allows you to focus on the three most important things in your life, every single day. More importantly, he shares a tool he created to help you do just that!
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Episode 8 - Managing Your Priorities 5. Purchase the Rise Above Chaos book 6. Get the Big 3 Post-it Notes tool
Action Step * Get the Big 3 Post-it Notes Tool
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/029
In this episode, Erick Rheam reviews the book"How to Grow Your Small Business" by Donald Miller.
Leaders are readers. It’s important to have a consistent reading habit so you can evolve in your thinking and expand your paradigm of the world.
Erick unpacks some of the highlights that stuck out to him from Don Miller’s book, How to Grow your Small Business. Erick provides a broad stroke on what the book teaches and highlights one area he liked in the book. He also provides some insight on how to clarify an idea you might want bring into the world.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. How to Grow Your Small Business book by Donald Miller
Action Step * Identify Your People, Problem You Solve, and Your Solution
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/028
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Army SSG Aaron Hale, on how his passion and family pulled him out of a dark place after experiencing a life altering episode while serving as US Army bomb technician in Afghanistan.
“Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.” Wisdom from Aaron Hale as he describes his life and the challenges he faced after losing his eyesight and hearing because of bomb blast while serving in the US Army.
Aaron opens up about his struggles with depression and loneliness as he struggled to find purpose after his accident. He shares how his family and ultimately his wife, Makala, supported him as he discovered his passion for cooking that turned into a phenomenal business and a life filled with purpose.
Join Erick as he unpacks Aaron’s story and celebrates a real life American hero.
Aaron Hale After serving 14 years in both the Navy as a chef to the Commander of the US 6th Fleet and then transitioning on to becoming an Army team leader in one of the military’s most dangerous jobs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Staff Sergeant Aaron Hale was blinded by an IED.
Not letting his injuries hold him back, Aaron became an EOD instructor, motivational speaker, mountain climber, white water kayaker, and marathon runner. Four years later tragedy struck again when Aaron contracted bacterial meningitis which robbed him of his hearing leaving him not just 100% blind but completely deaf as well.
Again, Aaron picked himself up, dusted off, and continued to chase the best of what life has to offer.
Today, he’s back speaking and sharing his story, running marathons, he’s a proud husband and father of three boys, a 12 year old and three year old identical twins, runs a thriving chocolate company with his wife, partnered with a fellow wounded veteran and friend to form a real estate investment company, a social media influencer, recently completed his third 100 mile ultra marathon, and just launched a podcast.
This 4th of July, Aaron will run what’s called the world’s toughest foot race, Badwater 135, a 135-mile race across Death Valley to Mt. Whitney.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Extra Ordinary Delights website 5. Linked-In Profile 6. Point of Impact podcast
Action Step * Do Something That Challenges You
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/027
In this episode, Erick Rheam, reviews the book, The 12 Traits of the Greats by Dave Martin.
Leaders are readers. It’s important to have a consistent reading habit so you can evolve in your thinking and expand your paradigm of the world.
Erick unpacks some of the highlights that stuck out to him from the The 12 Traits of the Greats book. Erick focuses on three of the 12 traits that he found interesting to include: responsibility, mindset, and courage.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The 12 Traits of the Greats book
Action Step * Read the 12 Traits of the Greats Book
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/026
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Pastor David Norris, on the power of a team and why it matters on a journey of significance.
The reality of life is that we must fast the Beast, that force that’s a constant disruptor. If unchecked the Beast can distract us, frustrate us, and keep us from living our significant life. In his book, Rise Above Chaos, Erick lays out the seven elements of a perfect day. These elements are designed to protect you from the Beast. One of those elements is to build a team or surround yourself with the right people that edify you, support you, and evolve with you.
Pastor David shares his own personal story and how critical it was for him to be intentional with the people he chose to do life with as he pursued a life of ministry.
David Norris David & Sumer Norris are the senior pastors at City Church For All Nations in Bloomington, Indiana. They have been married for seventeen years and have four children: Davin, Adrian, Zaden, and Kendallyn.
Hanging out with family, watching movies, and playing sports are some of their hobbies.
Through their personal ministry, David Norris Ministries, they regularly speak at FamilyLife marriage conferences,
churches, and other venues across Bloomington, the United States, and worldwide. They are honored to lead a church that brings together 40 nationalities, different ethnicities, and multiple church backgrounds.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Pastor David Norris Ministries
Action Step * Assess Your Team
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/025
In this episode, Erick Rheam shares why he carves out time for a weekly retreat.
Pausing weekly for just an hour can have a compounding effect and influence on a healthy mindset. That’s why it’s critical to be intentional with planning a weekly retreat.
Erick discusses the reasons why everyone should consider a personal weekly retreat. He shares the eight questions he asks to help guide him on this journey.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Full Focus Journal 5. Annual Retreat Podcast Episode 6. Quarterly Retreat Podcast Episode
Action Step * Plan a weekly retreat
Show Notes: erickheam.com/024
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews professional speaker and trainer, Traci Cheatham, on the power of the StrengthsFinders test and why it matters in the role it plays in leveraging your strengths.
Traci unpacks the process you go through to understand results obtained from the Gallup StrengthsFinder test and discusses how to use it to live within your authentic space and why it matters.
She explains how the StrengthsFinder customized report is so unique that the odds of anyone else having similar results is 1 in 33,000,000. She encourages people to focus on their top 10 - 12 strengths, out of the 34 overall strengths, and turn that into their “super lane highway” and not focus on their bottom strengths.
Traci discusses Erick’s StrengthsFinder results on this episode and demonstrates how he can leverage his results within his life. She shows how to layer the themes of StrengthsFinder to unpack Erick’s story and personality in a way that he can manage it for good and turn it into a positive experience.
Traci Cheatham Traci is an authentic, inspiring, influential, people-oriented leader. She is a Certified Gallup StrengthsFinder Coach and GiANT leadership consultant.
Traci is passionate about maximizing the potential in others and has 20 years experience developing strong leaders and teams. She is devoted to inspiring and equipping others to become better versions of themselves and learn to lead with love.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. B23 Strategies website 5. Gallup StrengthsFinder website 6. Contact Traci Cheatham at traci@b23strategies.com and mention the Rise Above Chaos podcast to get a discount code to take the StrengthsFinder test 7. StrengthsFinder 2.0 book. 8. Episode 16 - Leverage the Power of the Enneagram
Action Step * Take the StrengthsFinder test
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/023
In this episode, Erick Rheam shares his experience going on his quarterly retreat to a small bed and breakfast and what he learned from the process.
It’s critically important to take strategic pauses in your life so that you may rest, reflect and evolve to stay on track towards significance. Life is messy and exhausting at times, and without a mechanism to protect against the chaos of your life, then burnout and regret will be your constant companion.
Erick discusses the four reasons why everyone should consider a personal quarterly retreat. He shares four best practices and the outline he follows to ensure a successful retreat.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Full Focus Planner 5. Grant Street Inn
Action Step * Plan a quarterly retreat
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/022
In this episode, Erick Rheam discusses the importance of resetting your mindset and how he recently just went through a 75 day process to reset his mindset and what he learned from the experience.
We are a collection of our habits. Good or bad, our habits dictate our future. In other words, we reap what we sow in the form of daily habits.
In this episode, Erick unpacks the program he followed to challenge his habitual self and how he was able to reset his mindset as he approached his 50th birthday and what he learned along the way.
For 75 days Erick focused on the following daily habits to see what transformational benefits he gained as s result:
- Drink a gallon of water
- Participate in two, 45 minute workouts with one of them being outdoors
- Follow a diet
- No alcohol or cheat meals
- Read 30 minutes of a non-fiction
- Take a progress picture
Erick discusses the specific diet and workout plan he followed, what he experienced, and what he learned over the 75 day process.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The 75 Hard Program 5. Gallon Water Bottle 6. FastBlast
Action Step * Add healthy habit and cut out a bad habit for 75 days
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/021
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Mark Leruste, professional speaker, author, and podcaster about his brand-new book, Glow in the Dark – How Sharing Your Personal Story Can Transform Your Business and Change Your Life.
Mark explains how he came up with the title of his book, Glow in the Dark, from a happenstance conversation and the long journey he took to get the book written and ultimately published.
Mark unpacks a dark period he experienced in 2009 after a bad breakup with his girlfriend, quitting his job, and dealing with his grandfather’s illness and the transformation he experienced as he battled depression.
He discusses the core message of his book that we are not alone and why our story matters and how to leverage our stories free of shame.
Mark discusses the importance of authenticity but also clarifying boundaries on when and how we share our stories. He explains his point leveraging Oprah Winfrey as a great example. He specifically mentions how Oprah was able to use her deepest wounds to conjure up the greatest healing.
He talks about the formula he discovered that we could mimic that allows us to explore our own stories to find our authentic self and be seen in the world.
He learned that when people are willing to talk about their low points and to own who they are, it is critical to get on a positive path. He walks us through the four types of stories: Open wound stories, broken record stories, entertaining stories, impact driven stories. He believes impact driven stories are the ones we should all strive for, because they allow us to influence and impact others by leveraging our stories.
Mark unpacks the steps to own your story and make an impact with three simple steps:
Step 1 – Context – Take me somewhere.
Step 2 – Content – Tell me something.
Step 3 – Conclusion – Teach me something.
At the end of the podcast Mark humors me by answering some silly British questions about his thoughts on the Royal family.
Mark Leruste Mark Leruste (@markleruste) is the CEO and Founder of Ministry of Purpose©, best-selling author of “Glow in the Dark” (Hachette UK), keynote speaker, proud dyslexic thinker and the award-winning host of The Unconventionalists© podcast.
A sought-after speaker at industry conferences and Fortune 500 companies, including the Premier League, NHS, L’Oreal, Google, Method & Ecover, Adobe, HEC Paris and Oxford Business School, Mark’s TEDx talk has been watched over a million times (making it the most viewed TEDxCardiff talk of all time) and his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Guardian and Metro.
Mark previously served as Country Manager at the Movember Foundation, where he helped raise €2.8 million for men’s health, inspiring 110,000 fundraisers to sign up, winning multiple awards along the way.
His first book “It’s Not You, It’s Me” (Sifi Publishing) is a modus operandi for unfulfilled professionals looking to find more meaningful, entrepreneurial and fulfilling work.
His new book “Glow in the Dark: How Sharing Your Personal Story Can Transform Your Business and Change Your Life” (Hachette UK) – recently shortlisted for a Business Book Award - is a must read for every entrepreneur and business leader who wants to raise their profile and turn their personal story into a powerful asset that gets noticed.
Mark believes in creating a future worth striving for. That’s why he’s an advisor and early-stage angel investor in purpose-driven startups including Oddbox, Circa5000, Brewdog, Coconut, ScoreApp, Frahm, Farewill and This.
To get in touch with Mark visit MarkLeruste.com or to buy his bestselling book “Glow in the Dark” go to www.glowinthedarkbook.com
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Mark’s new book, Glow in the Dark 5. Mark’s Website 6. The Unconventionalists Podcast 7. Erick’s episode on Mark’s podcast
Action Step * Identify your core story to share
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/020
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews fashion designer and podcaster Roberto Revilla on how he embraced a rough childhood and embraced his experiences to find his calling and create a massively successful bespoke tailoring business.
Roberto discusses his experience growing up in the heart of downtown London in the 80’s and what it was like growing up in an entrepreneur household and how it impacted his views on life. He discusses how his father taught him the value of work ethic early in life and although he hated it, it influenced his own journey to ultimately launching and owning a business.
Roberto shares his experience of breaking away from the family business and his struggle with finding work and the vocation that best fit his talents and passion. He shares an interesting story about how McDonald’s refused to hire him because the manager wanted him to pursue something greater.
Roberto discusses how he began to uncover his passion for helping people after he was laid off from his first full time job. He was offered a job to help the elderly or tailoring suits. He chose the tailoring gig and that launched him into the tailoring and fashion world. After seven years in the tailoring business, he decided to partner with a few others to start a boutique shop. He parted ways with that group after two years and launched his own business.
Roberto shares that his journey was always based on helping others. He discovered that clothing breeds confidence and so he wanted to help others gain confidence by clothing them.
Once he aligned his passion to serve others with his superpower to intuitively understanding people, he was finally able to land on his ultimate vocation of fashion and tailoring for men.
Roberto talks about the more successful he is in business and life, the more resistance he experiences from the Beast and that’s simply a sign that he’s on the right track.
Finally, Roberto humors me by answering my silly British questions and shares some fashion tips for men.
Roberto Revilla Roberto Revilla is a London-based bespoke tailor, menswear designer and owner of Roberto Revilla London Suit & Shirtmakers.
He is also the host of the Tailoring Talk Podcast.
He works with clients to help them be their very best through the clothing he creates for them.
Dubbed “the Rock N Roll Tailor" by the UK’s ShortList Magazine, he loves taking care of people and helping them find their confidence in the clothing they wear.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Roberto’s Podcast/Blog 5. Roberto’s Website 6. The War of Art book by Stephen Pressfield
Action Step * Identify your area of resistance
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/019
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews professional speaker, author and podcaster Daron Earlewine about how to discover your calling.
Daron explains why his mission is to be a pioneer and once found his mission he discovered peace and happiness in his life. He provides a glimpse into what he believes are the five foundational callings that are based on biblical teachings.
He believes that suffering and struggling provide the greatest lessons in life and that was his experience in his own story. He walks us through his life in a band in Arizona and his transition into ministry along the way.
Daron believes that most people have a massive deprivation of imagination and discusses how personally experienced it and how he overcame it. He discussed how he changed his mindset when he began to study an idea of being a “pioneer apostle”.
He talks about the push and pull we all experience as we reach inflection points in life and how he experienced that personally when he decided to lean into ministry. He also discusses two big moments he experienced as he decided to leave the church he founded and how it influenced his decision. He opens up about how he was forced from the church he founded and why he believes it was meant to be and needed to pursue his true calling.
Daron outlines a critical letter that he decided to write to the elders of his church, which outlined his vision of his future and why writing out his vision was a pivotal moment in his pursuit of his calling.
Finally, Daron poses the four questions to ask yourself to find your calling.
Daron Earlewine Daron Earlewine is a passionate, catalytic, influential, and captivating dreamer. He serves as an author, speaker, podcast host, and entrepreneur. Daron’s mission is to help people find passion, purpose, and peace.
In 2016, he started Radio Theology, a weekly radio show on WZPL, 99.5 in Indianapolis. Then the Daron Earlewine Podcast was launched to share stories of diverse people living out their calling.
Daron has also helped more than 4,000 individuals move from feeling insignificant to understanding their worth and creating their future through his online and live workshop. Most recently Daron has written a book called The Death of a Dream.
Daron’s favorite role has been being married to Julie for 21 years and being Cole, Ty and Knox’s dad.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The Death of a Dream - Daron's Book 5. DaronEarlewine.com 6. The Death of a Dream Podcast 7. Spiritual DNA Online Course
Action Step * Craft your five vision
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/018
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews professional speaker, podcaster, and founder of The Speaker Lab, Mr. Grant Baldwin on why he thinks it’s important to seek out mentors in key areas of your life.
Grant discusses how he felt when he decided to make a fundamental shift in his life in 2006 and pursue a career in public speaking. He unpacks how he transitioned into professional speaking and what it was like to earn his first $1,000 for a speaking gig.
Grant talks about the deliberate choice you must make to intentionally rise above the chaos. He’s also a master of surrounding himself with the right people so he can realize success. One of the first people that helped him was his dad when he gave Grant a loan to start his business. It’s a beautiful story about how a father supports his son.
He also talks about the entrepreneur life is really making it up as you go and having the courage to keep moving forward. One way to mitigate that is to realize that most successful entrepreneurs are making up as they go as well!
Grant talks about his pivotal decision to pick up and move his family away from his hometown in Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his speaking dreams. He walks us through his mindset and how he justified such a big move.
He discusses the power of a mastermind group that he leverages to help him navigate major decisions in his life and why it matters so much to him. He shares his thoughts on bringing in people to help him address specific areas in his life from business, health, marriage, and finances.
He tracks key metrics to ensure he’s intentional with relationships like how many date nights he has with his wife, how much time he spends with his daughters, how much time he wastes on his phone, and is he engaging with his primary mastermind group daily.
Grant Baldwin As founder and CEO of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin has helped thousands of people build successful and sustainable speaking businesses. Over the last 15 years, Grant has become a sought-after speaker, podcaster, author, and accomplished entrepreneur.
Featured on the Inc. 5000 list, Forbes, Inc. Entrepreneur, and TheHuffington Post, he has committed his expertise and insight to equip others to share their meaningful message with the masses.
His leadership and dedication to creating a one-of-a-kind organizational culture are evidenced by the impact of the team he leads.
Grant lives near Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Sheila, and their three daughters.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. The Speaker Lab 5. The Speaker Lab Podcast
Action Step * Craft Your Five Vision
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/017
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews professional speaker and podcaster on what it takes to gain the courage to make big moves in your life.
Ravi takes us on a journey on when he got started into sales and how he transitioned into the premier teacher on the art of leveraging storytelling into success in life. He talks about the “gold medal” effect and how he did everything right to get into corporate sales only to be disappointed when he realized the reality of corporate sales didn’t align with his perception of it.
Ravi discusses how his mom taught him the concept of “soul contracts” and why it’s important to look at opportunities as providential and lean into them. He’s passionate about being expressive with your passions and learning to leverage them as part of your spiritual journey.
He believes most fail to make big moves because they miss the signals that life gives us when it’s time for a change. He got to the point where the pain of staying where he was in his corporate life far outweighed the risk of moving on, so it was the pain that gave him the courage to start making big moves.
In the end, it was a series of decisions in his career that was not linear, but gave him the momentum toward his calling. Once he went all in on his own thing and stopped juggling multiple things at the same time, was the moment he finally found his ultimate success.
Finally, Ravi lays out what a meaningful life looks like to him.
Ravi Rajani Ravi Rajani helps B2B sales teams build trust, create a connection with their prospects and sell more by mastering the art of story.
From being enrolled in dance school as a kid, stumbling into theatre as a teen, and delivering hundreds of pitches and presentations during his time in Investment Banking & Sales Leadership, Ravi is here to help you craft stories that sell and deliver presentations that convert
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. TheRaviRajani.com 5. The Influential Communicator podcast 6. Ravi’s LinkedIn profile
Action Step * Passion Question
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/016
In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews professional speaker and trainer, Janelle DeWolf, on the power of the Enneagram and why it matters.
The Enneagram is a great self awareness test and guides you to your “why?”. It gives you a glimpse into your motivations into why you do the things you do. This tool is the first step to get you out of your autopilot mode and begin to discover a deeper meaning into your life purpose.
Contact Janelle DeWolf at janelle@b23strategies.com and mention the Rise Above Chaos podcast and she will provide you an email based assessment for $25.00.
Janelle DeWolf Janelle is an insightful, aware, resourceful, passionate encourager. She is a Certified Enneagram Coach and is passionate about helping people live into their gifts and talents with greater self-awareness. Janelle combines entrepreneurial and corporate experience to help leaders increase their influence and drive employee engagement, performance and overall well being.
Janelle is co-owner of B23 Strategies - a leadership development firm - that partners with forward thinking companies that understand that people are their greatest asset.
Janelle's greatest inspiration comes from her family of 3 grown children and husband of 25 years, as they continue to be her best teachers of life's priorities and blessings.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. B23 Strategies website 5. The Road Back to You - Book by Ian Morgan Cron 6. The Journey Toward Wholeness - Book by Suzanne Stabile
Action Step * Superpower Questions
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/015
In this episode, Erick Rheam, shares his experience going on his annual retreat on a sleeper car train from Indianapolis, Indiana to Seattle Washington.
It’s critically important to take strategic pauses in your life so that you may rest, reflect and evolve to stay on track towards significance.
Life is messy and exhausting at times, and without a mechanism to protect against the chaos of your life, then burnout and regret will be your constant companion.
Erick discusses his personal experience fresh off his latest retreat where he rode an Amtrak sleeper car train across seven states and passed three time zones before he ultimately found himself in downtown Seattle where he stayed an extra two days before flying home to complete his journey.
Erick unpacks what he learned and shares his recommendations if you decide to duplicate his journey for your own personal retreat.
Resources Mentioned 1. Subscribe to the podcast 2. Rise Above Chaos book 3. Work with Erick 4. Full Focus Journal 5. Full Focus Planner 6. Amtrak Train 7. Remarkable 2 Tablet
Action Step * Plan your quarterly retreat
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/014
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #7 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, develop systems.
Building margin in your life so that you can leverage your time, energy, and mental strength to pursue significance is critical. Leveraging systems is how to achieve this goal.
In this episode Erick discusses how to build and manage systems to create margin in your life so you have room to pursue a significant life.
There are five guidelines to follow when developing systems:
- Delegate - Get tasks off your plate so you can focus on purposeful activities.
- Automate - Focus on recurring tasks that can be handled with technology or templates that you develop once then use repeatedly.
- Ping critical areas of your life - Intentionally do a self check on key areas of your life to include your important relationships, personal growth, mental and emotional health.
- Measure success - Measure areas of your life that influence your behavior and identify trends that inform your decisions and actions.
- Record progress - Leverage tools to record progress in the major areas of your life so you can evaluate your life and performance during weekly, quarterly, and annual retreats.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/013
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #6 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, assemble a team.
No one achieves significance without the help of others, which is why it’s critical that you’re intentional with whom you surround yourself with on your journey.
In this episode Erick discusses how to assemble and manage an effective team.
When assembling a team surround yourself with four types of team members:
- Opinion leaders - These are folks with opinions that matter and can influence others’ thoughts and opinions of you.
- Champions - These are your cheerleaders. You need encouragement and these people edify and support you, especially during difficult times.
- Difference makers - They have specific skillsets that you need because they support areas where you’re weak.
- Decision makers - These people have the power to make decisions and have the financial means to back up those decisions.
There are three guiding principles when building a team:
- Awareness - Be aware of the phase of life you’re in and areas of weakness that you need support through carefully selected teammates.
- Attract the right team members - Be willing to grow and evolve by filling your mind with good content through conferences, podcasts, books and articles. By doing this you attract people that are evolving and are in alignment with you.
- Prune your relationships - Be willing to identify and dismiss relationships that are no longer relevant or toxic.
When relating with others, follow these cardinal rules:
- Be curious - Be focused on others and learn their needs, wants and desires.
- Be relational - Be aware when you’ve become too transactional with key people in your life and learn to strike a healthy balance between transactional and relational activities with these people.
- Be organized - Respect the time of others by being organized and intentional in your interactions with them.
When evaluating your current team, use these questions to ensure you have the right people:
- Are the right people in the right spots?
- Do they want to be on your team?
- Are they qualified to do what you’re asking them to do?
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/012
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #5 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, manage expectations.
To live a significant life you need the help of others, which means you must learn to interact with others in a healthy way. This is accomplished by managing the expectations of others.
In this episode Erick discusses why it’s important to be proactive when managing expectations in order to minimize conflict.
There are four guidelines to consider when managing expectations:
- Be proactive - Being aware of your own expectations and your level of stress is critical if you desire to engage in meaningful relationships.
- Be clear with your expectations - Have the courage to engage in proactive discussions with key stakeholders in your life.
- A predictable with your emotions - If others know what to expect from you emotionally that builds trust, which is the foundation for healthy relationships.
- Start with the most respected person - Prioritize your relationships and manage the expectations with your most important stakeholders first.
Your reality - Clarify your reality and embrace the constraints you must manage as you navigate your life.
Show notes: erickrheam.com/011
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #4 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, live with clarity.
It’s beautiful when a person lives a life of clarity; however, this can be hard as the Beast works hard to muddy a person's life to the point they become numb and zombie-like in their daily life.
In this episode Erick discusses what to clarify in order to insulate yourself from the Beast.
There are five areas to clarify:
- A personal vision - A clear vision informs your decisions. It’s easier to make decisions when you know where you want to go with your life.
- A personal mission - A well-crafted mission is the vehicle that gets you where you want to go and helps you realize your vision for your life.
- A purpose - Your purpose fuels your journey and gives you the strength and courage to live your mission.
- A personal value - To live out a life on purpose, you must clarify your value to the world.
- Your reality - Clarify your reality and embrace the constraints you must manage as you navigate your life.
Embracing reality can be the toughest challenge to overcome. Here are three steps to help with that:
- Identify obstacles and problems - Discover what others are suffering from or their pain points.
- Bring solutions by leveraging your superpower - Don’t try to solve problems unless you can leverage your strengths.
- Ease the burden of others - Life is hard. Look for ways to ease someone else’s pain.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/010
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #3 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, Work Within Your Strengths.
The Beast distracts you by filling your days with meaningless activities. By doing this you tend to work outside of your strengths and become frustrated, tired and bored with life.
In this episode Erick discusses how to approach your days so that you may spend more time working within your strengths and less time on your weaknesses.
There are three types of tasks that pull you from your strengths:
- Draining - These tasks drain you of valuable energy because they’re usually weak areas.
- Others - Other people can do the task just as good as you and probably better than you.
- Distraction - You are proficient at the task but it keeps you from focusing on your strengths.
Your goal is to remove as many of those tasks as possible so that you can create more time and focus your energy on your strengths. You do this by identifying the following with each task outside of your strength zone:
- Eliminate - Get rid of the task altogether, because it no longer makes sense to be part of your day and it’s taking up valuable time and energy during your day.
- Delegate - Transfer this task to someone else that can do this task as good if not better than you.
- Trade - Get this task out of your day by giving it to a friend or colleague in exchange for a task that falls within your strengths.
Make a list of your recurring tasks and start looking for tasks you can remove from your list so that you can start living more within your strengths.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/009
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #2 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, Manage Your Energy.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nor do I claim to be one. I’m going to share ideas to help with your energy. I recommend that you consult your doctor before you implement my advice. What I share in this chapter is what’s working for me and may work for you, but it’s not guaranteed.
If you plan to take on the Beast, then you must match its energy.
In this episode Erick outlines the six guidelines or daily habits I recommend to manage your energy to protect yourself from the Beast:
- Get sleep = 7-8 hours each night
- Take a nap = 20-30 minutes during your low energy time of the day
- Embrace your natural rhythms
- Exercise = 30 minutes a day
- Drink water = The rule of thumb is drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day
- Work within your strengths
Install these guidelines into your daily habits and overtime you’ll realize a significant increase in your energy levels that will allow you to navigate the obstacles created by the Beast.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/008
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses Element #1 of the Seven Elements of The Perfect Day, Manage Your Priorities.
The first step to tame the Beast and get your life back is to manage your priorities. We tend to overload our days with so many tasks and activities that we set ourselves up for failure. Yes, life can be overwhelming and the Beast wants to keep you overwhelmed with activities, especially with tasks that don’t really matter in the big picture of your life.
The first step to put the Beast in check is to identify the three most important things you need to focus on each day. This includes all areas of your life! So, start each day with one simple question:
“What are the three most important things I need to get done today?”
Write those three things down and focus on them. Don’t worry about the rest of the items you need to address until you get those primary three tasks done first. Give yourself the gift of this constraint and watch how it will begin to affect your life in a positive way.
It will be hard in the beginning, but your body, mind and soul will adjust and you will reap the benefits of a more focused mindset.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/007
In this episode, Erick Rheam, introduces the seven elements of the perfect day and discusses why he chose to unpack each element over the next seven episodes.
In order to pursue a life of significance then you must install daily habits that insulate you from the Beast. Erick discusses the importance of the seven elements of the perfect day and shares a couple of key attributes of each element:
1. Manage your priorities. Focus on the main thing and eliminate the things that distract.
2. Manage your energy. Create a healthy life and manage your physical resources.
3. Work within your strengths. Eliminate, delegate, and automate areas of weakness.
4. Live with clarity. Clarify key components of your life so that you may live purposefully.
5. Manage expectations. Create healthy relationships by clarifying others’ expectations.
6. Assemble a team. Surround yourself with quality people with a common vision.
7. Build systems. Craft systems to create the necessary margin to pursue significance.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/006
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses some key things to consider when mastering human dynamics and communication.
Significance Principle #5 - Master Human Dynamics & Communication
You’ve mastered human dynamics when you’re no longer surprised by what people do when you interact with them. People are fairly predictable and it’s important to remember that when it comes to connecting with others, emotion always trumps logic.
One primary way to begin to master human dynamics is to understand that every person you meet is living out their own story and within that story they are the hero of that story. When you try to position yourself as the hero in someone else's story then conflict usually occurs. Erick discusses why this type of awareness when connecting with others is vital.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/005
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses the importance of managing change and why it matters when pursuing a life of significance.
Significance Principle #4 - Ignite Your Influence & Manage Change
Change is your constant companion and so you must evolve to stay ahead of the dynamic experience that is your life. This means that you will need to encourage those closest to you to evolve with you as well. This can be hard as no one likes to change.
Erick shares his thoughts on using key measurements of success to influence human behavior and how to make this tool a part of your significance journey.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/004
In this episode, Erick Rheam, discusses why encouragement is critical when developing and maintaining lasting relationships.
Significance Principle #3 - Leverage the Power of Encouragement.
Erick discusses why sacrifice is the number one way we encourage one another. When we sacrifice for each other we recognize that sacrifice, which is encouraging, and builds lasting bonds that cannot be broken.
There are three ways to sacrifice for each other :
1. Time. Giving your time to someone builds the foundation.
2. Money. Giving your hard earned money is life giving.
3. Ego. Never underestimate the power of humility and the positive impact it has on another person.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/003
In this episode, Erick Rheam, introduces the second principle of the five principles to discover significance. Erick identifies the unknown force that he calls, the Beast, that seems to get in the way of anyone desiring to achieve significance. He unpacks a methodology that he uses to tame the Beast.
Erick introduces the seven elements of the perfect day:
1. Manage your priorities. Focus on the main thing and eliminate the things that distract.
2. Manage your energy. Create a healthy life and manage your physical resources.
3. Work within your strengths. Eliminate, delegate, and automate areas of weakness.
4. Live with clarity. Clarify key components of your life so that you may live purposefully.
5. Manage expectations. Create healthy relationships by clarifying others’ expectations.
6. Assemble a team. Surround yourself with quality people with a common vision.
7. Build systems. Craft systems to create the necessary margin to pursue significance.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/002
In this episode, Erick Rheam, introduces the first principle of the five principles to discover significance.
Principle #1 - Embrace your spiritual journey:
1. Rediscover your passion. Identify what stirs your soul and what you’re willing to suffer for in your life.
2. Leverage your superpower. Embrace the skills that you’re uniquely qualified to bring into the world.
3. The three superpower questions:
What do others say about you?
What comes easy to you?
Where are you getting professional opportunities?
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/001
In this episode, Erick Rheam, shares his story and why he decided to write the book, Rise Above Chaos: The Five Principles to Discover Significance and Live in Peace.
Erick introduces the five principles to discover significance:
1. Embrace your spiritual journey. Build a foundation that is necessary to start and embrace your journey of significance.
2. Tame the beast. Utilize the seven elements of the perfect day to cut through the whirlwinds of your life and tame the Beast.
3. Leverage the power of encouragement. Unleash the magic behind encouragement to enhance your most important relationships and attract high achievers.
4. Ignite your influence and manage change. Guide the levers of change to ensure your inner circle takes the journey with you.
5. Master communication and human dynamics. Embrace the art of human dynamics and leverage communication skills to form lasting connections.
Show Notes: erickrheam.com/000
Learn how busy and overwhelmed professionals can rediscover their passion, so they can redefine their purpose, and gain the courage to do something about it. We will discuss how to cut through the whirlwinds of life, to rise above the chaos, and discover a path to significance and ultimately peace.