The Experience Podcast: Recent Episodes
Elizabeth Pearson Garr
The Experience Podcast lets you vicariously experience intriguing things you may never get the chance to do. Each week, an insightful, accomplished guest shares personal stories and witty anecdotes with host Elizabeth Pearson Garr.
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In celebration of the Summer Olympics, we're reprising some past episodes featuring guests who have been there!
Sue Humphrey says she was a "not very good" athlete growing up--but she loved sports, and she found her niche early: as a teenager she started helping other athletes. She excelled at coaching track and field, and worked her way up to college coaching (experiencing the beginning of Title IX), and eventually the international stage--although the field wasn't always welcoming to a young woman. At the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, Sue was a member of the coaching staff for USA's Track and Field team--and in 2004, she became head coach, dealing with everything from overseeing schedules to taking media calls in the middle of the night asking about athletes' drug tests. Sue shares what it's like to coach at the Olympics (the glamour of napping under a table on the field, for example), the importance of developing rapport with athletes, and what to do when an athlete is disappointed in a performance.
In this episode:
- What's required of a Head Coach of an Olympic track and field team (03:00)
- The value of developing rapport with your elite athletes (08:45)
- Coalescing competitors into teammates (12:45)
- Olympic coaches vs. personal coaches (15:52)
- Experiencing the Opening Ceremonies (and what Sue did during Closing Ceremonies)(18:44)
- A typical day at the Olympics for Sue (24:16)
- Sue's complaints with the current NCAA and elite coaching systems (27:15)
- Her thoughts on being an Olympic coach vs. college coach vs. age-group coach (30:52)
- What makes her so successful? Coaching philosophy (31:56)
- How to help athletes who are disappointed with their performances (34:47)
- Sue's path to coaching (37:43)
Want to know more about Sue?
- Connect with her on Instagram: sue.humphrey.32
- Find her on Facebook: Sue Humphrey
- Tweet at her on Twitter: humphreyhj
- Send her an email :sue@goldmedalcoaches.com or humphreyhj@gmail.com
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Send us a Text Message.
In celebration of the Summer Olympics, we're reprising some past episodes featuring guests who have been there!
Justin Spring went from tumbling around his neighborhood to later winning NCAA gymnastics titles and eventually earning a place on the 2008 Olympic team. The road getting there had its share of twists and turns (pun intended), including a slew of injuries leading up to the Olympics. Justin shares behind-the-scenes stories of his journey, from the lowest moment in his gymnastics career (when he had to army-crawl to his coach's room due to excruciating pain); to the mental techniques he relied on to get his body back into shape; to what life was really like in the Olympic Village. Justin is now a college gymnastics coach (formerly for the University of Illinois men; now for the University of Alabama women). We learn about pressure, expectations, why men's gymnastics is losing popularity (and college teams) in the U.S., and why competing for "perfect 10s" makes women's gymnastics much more entertaining.
In this episode:
- Why gymnastics is such a difficult sport (05:47)
- How gymnastics suited Justin's personality (08:20)
- Thoughts about pursuing the Olympics and gold medals (09:26)
- Justin's many injuries (15:06)
- The importance of mental training in recovery (15:58)
- His journey through injuries to the Olympic Trials (19:30)
- The darkest moment of Justin's career (21:32)
- The underdog story at the 2008 Olympics (25:07)
- What the Olympic experience was like (31:06)
- The state of men’s gymnastics in the US (34:04)
- What's happening in collegiate sports (36:05)
- Thoughts on coaching (41:42)
Want to know more about Justin?
- Follow him on Instagram: springerzz
- Find him on Twitter: @justinspring
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Support the Show.
Send us a Text Message.
In celebration of the Summer Olympics, we're reprising some past episodes featuring guests who have been there!
Photographer Jeff Cable has had a front-row seat at the past seven Olympic Games--although his seat is cluttered with cameras, lenses, and laptops. As the photographer for the United States Olympic Committee, Jeff has an all-access pass to any event he chooses. In this episode, he shares:
- how he edits 2600 images down to 10 in a matter of minutes
- how social media has changed the pace of his job
- how he stays focused (literally and figuratively) from 9:00 am to 2:00 am every day for nearly three weeks straight
- what Simone Biles and her teammates were talking about in those minutes before the world knew why she pulled out of the Tokyo 2020 Games
- the best angles to shoot a water polo game
- how photographers deal with bathroom breaks (or the lack thereof) in the middle of certain events
- the importance of mastering the Olympic shuttle bus system
- and much more.
There's a whole lot more to photographing Team USA than just settings and shutter speeds. It's an exciting, exhausting gig, and Jeff approaches each Olympics like it's his one and only.
Want to know more about Jeff?
- follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeffcablephotography/
- read his blog: https://blog.jeffcable.com/
- check him out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeffcablephoto
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Interest in "tiny living" is getting bigger. But what is it, really--what are the benefits, and what do you sacrifice by "going small"? Tiny house enthusiast Laura Lynch shares what inspired her to trade in her 2300-square-foot house for a home about one-fifth that size; the process of downsizing ("do you own your stuff, or does your stuff own you?"); and the wonderfully supportive "tiny" community (of people living in not just small homes, but also vans, schoolies, RVs, and more). Laura also is a financial planner and helps others with the practical matters involved in transitioning their lifestyles. Going tiny gave Laura the freedom and opportunities to follow her passions--which she never would have had if she'd been locked in to paying off her big house for years and years. Laura is the host of a podcast called "Less House, More Moola."
In this episode:
02:06--What is tiny living?
05:21--The benefits of having less space
07:46--The process of downsizing: why do I get value out of these things?
11:55--Reasons why people "go tiny": finances, sustainability, simplicity, lifestyle, the housing shortage
14:43--Luxury elements included some tiny homes
15:36--Legalization of building tiny homes
18:50--People of all ages are going tiny
21:12--Focus on your values: what is really important to you?
25:03--Traits common to most tiny living enthusiasts
26:41--What Laura misses from her big house; comparing living in her big house to her tiny house
Want to know more about Laura?
- Check out her website: https://www.thetinyhouseadviser.com/
- Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetinyhouseadviser/
- Touch base on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesshousemoremoolapod/
- Link up on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinyhouseadviser/
- Listen to her podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@lesshousemoremoolapod
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube! Go tohttps://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToPodcast
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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We're revisiting a popular episode from our archives this week!
It's not easy to get to the top of the world. It takes a lot of training and determination, a willingness to endure pain and suffering--and no small amount of luck. Even the most prepared climber can confront a deadly avalanche or fatal turn in the weather.
Our guest, Jeff Gottfurcht, was the first person ever to summit the tallest mountain in the world--Mt. Everest--with rheumatoid arthritis. Hear his incredible tales of ten years of training (including climbing all of the world's biggest mountains); what a climber eats, sleeps, and wears on Everest (you'll never believe Jeff's diet!); what happened on his summit ascent in a -20 degree windstorm; and what it's like to sit at the highest point on earth.
Jeff also shares the lessons that have shaped his life that he learned while he was "dancing with fate" on Mt. Everest.
Want to learn more about Jeff?
- Check out his company's website: cyberdive.co
Want to know more about What It's Like To...?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to whatitsliketo.net
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Lots of people say they “like to travel”... but most probably can’t claim they're “travel addicts.” Karen Gershowitz has earned that title by visiting more than 95 countries–many of them numerous times! She’s worked her career around traveling, and is now a travel writer. She has also published two books about her travels. In this episode Karen shares tales from her adventures and gives tips all travelers can use to have authentic experiences--from taking public transportation, to eating at communal tables with locals, to the benefits of "getting lost."
In this episode:
01:50--How and why Karen found a career to support her travel habit
02:48--The genesis and growth of Karen's love of travel
04:47--Tips for finding your way in a new town (take public transportation, sit at communal tables)
08:37--The beauty of allowing yourself to get lost and pivoting when things go "wrong"
12:40--Karen's thoughts on planned itineraries vs. being spur of the moment
15:08--Plan your trip around what you love (food, sports, art, history, etc.)
17:39--Be curious about a place and about people
18:39--Test case: planning a trip for a fictitious traveler
24:39--Tips for traveling in non-English-speaking countries
26:30--Thoughts on traveling solo vs. with friends vs. with groups
27:55--Journaling while traveling
30:30--Places Karen would like to visit, and places she never wants to return
34:42--Tips for dealing with jet lag
37:20--Becoming a travel writer (books and articles)
Want to know more about Karen?
- Find links to all of her books and articles at her website: https://karengershowitz.com/home/
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube! Go tohttps://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToPodcast
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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EJ Snyder has spent 206 days in very tough, uncompromising environments, having to create his own shelters, forage for food, and keep warm in the elements--all in the nude. EJ--a.k.a. "Skull Crusher"--is an extreme survivalist, and has appeared six times on the reality television show "Naked and Afraid" (as well as other shows). So are reality shows really as challenging as they look? Do the crews ever help out struggling contestants? EJ shares all the dirt (so to speak), and gives lots of practical tips about how we all can survive extreme situations. After all, even those of us who never plan to spend days or weeks in the bush may find ourselves in a hurricane or blizzard--or, as EJ likes to say, a "zombie apocalypse!"
In this episode:
02:09--How EJ got into the Army, and how that led him to "Naked and Afraid"
04:41--Why naked?
06:19--EJ's major "concerns" in the wild, + the four pillars of survival
08:49--Are reality shows rigged? Are they really struggling as much as it appears?
12:28--Dealing with the camera crew
13:14--The beauty of vulnerability, even for "alpha males"
14:01--Story behind the nickname "Skull Crusher"
16:23--Why survival skills are important for everyone, not just adventurers
20:34--What really surprised EJ from doing "Naked and Afraid"
22:37--Losing weight--and what he ate--on the show
25:30--How to keep warm in the wild
28:19--Why we all need to know survival skills
32:18--How EJ's childhood affected who he became
Want to know more about EJ?
* Find him at his website: www.ejsnyder.com
* Follow him on Instagram: @ejsnyder333
* Tweet him on Twitter/X: @ejsnyder333
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
* Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube! Go to https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeTo2023
* Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
* Follow us on social media:
+ Instagram
+ Facebook
+ Twitter
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Todd Jones has crashed into walls, been punched in the face, flown through the air, tumbled down stairs, and fallen off high buildings, numerous times--willingly. He is a professional stuntman for movies and television shows. Todd also is a strongman: among other things, he holds a Guinness World Record for "hearting" horseshoes (bending steel with his hands). Think all of this sounds almost impossible? Todd says he's not superhuman--he has simply worked hard and not given up: the secret to his success is perseverance.
In this episode:
01:56--How and why Todd transitioned from acting to stunt work
02:39--What he learned at "stunt school"--including getting set on fire
04:35--How to land correctly from a fall
06:28--Todd's first stunt gig
08:10--His role on "The Newsroom" that kick-started his career
10:53--A typical day on set
12:30--The two biggest stunts Todd has ever done on screen
17:29--The qualities needed to be a stunt person
21:08--What his family thinks watching him on screen
22:26--How Todd got started bending steel
25:29--The process of setting a Guinness World Record for "hearting" horseshoes
27:33--The power of perseverance: how and why Todd came to believe this so deeply
32:46--As you reach your goals, keep setting the bar higher: what else can I do?
33:24--How Todd stays in shape
34:38--The work schedule of a professional stunt person: "consistently inconsistent"
As promised in the episode, here is a link to the episode of "The Newsroom" in which Todd appeared with Jeff Daniels: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2052565/?ref_=nm_rvi_nm_i_1
Want to know more about Todd?
- Find him on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toddryanjones
- Watch him on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ToddRJones
- Follow him in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddryanjones/
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
* Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
* Follow us on social media:
+ Instagram
+ Facebook
+ Twitter
+ LinkedIn
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Jenell Jones has everything she owns with her at all times, and can travel wherever she chooses (as long as the destination is on this continent!). Jenell is a full-time RV (recreational vehicle) traveler. She spends her life on the road, but Jenell isn't lonely: she runs an RV club for other solo travelers, so they travel "alone, together." In this episode Jenell recounts her transition to the RV life (she didn't even know how to drive an RV when she decided to buy one!), paring down her "stuff" to what she actually needs (one swimsuit and a few highball glasses made the cut), and talks about how she now spends her days: hiking in Alaska, biking in the Grand Canyon, and eating fresh $10 lobster in Maine. "I love this lifestyle," says Jenell. "I feel sorry for my old self"--the person who worked a "regular" job and packed in as much as possible during her all-too-short vacations. Now her work, her life, and travel are all packed into one--one very long vehicle.
Jenell is offering a $10 discount to "What It's Like To..." listeners who join the Wandering Individuals Network RV Club. Go to winsrvclub.com, and use this code: WHATITSLIKETO.
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In this episode:
01:33--How and why Jenell got started RV'ing
03:47--A day in the life of Jenell in her RV
07:13--Exploring: biking, hiking, visiting museums with other solo travelers
09:24--Paring down her belongings to fit in an RV
13:37--Key items to live the RV lifestyle
16:03--Jenell's thoughts on the idea of "home"
18:18--Safety while RV'ing
18:54--Personal and logistical challenges she has encountered along the way
24:42--Some of Jenell's favorite destinations
31:58--The Wandering Individuals Network: what it is, how it works
36:36--What Jenell has learned about the US after traveling around it so much
Want to know more about Jenell and the Wandering Individuals Network RV Club?
Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/winrvsingles
Connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winsrvclub/
Check out her website: www.winsrvclub.com
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Silja Paulus spent a year pounding weights in the gym, tailoring what she ate (and often massively restricting calories), and sculpting her body--all for a few short minutes posing in a bikini and high heels in front of a panel of judges. This is the life of a bikini fitness athlete, a form of bodybuilding that requires a particular form of dedication. Silja had to train her body in a variety of ways--from lifting weights and learning to walk "naturally" in 3-4 inch heels, to dealing with "brain fog," a result of extreme calorie restriction. Silja shares humorous behind-the-scenes stories too: getting spray tanned with other muscular (sometimes unclothed) bodies; 4:00am makeup calls; and why her best friend needed to shave her back. Silja also opens up about the dark side of this endeavor--women often temporarily lose their menstrual periods, and bodies can rebound and put on excess weight in the aftermath of a competition. Silja is now a health coach, and strives to compete in bikini fitness in a "healthier, more positive" way in the future.
In this episode:
01:50--Describing what "bikini fitness" is and how it fits into the bodybuilding world
04:10--The importance of knowing how to pose correctly and walk in high heels
06:55--What it's like backstage at a competition
08:46--Why athletes scrub with dishwasher soap and shave everywhere before competitions
10:32--The layers and layers of spray tans (and occasional naked bodies)
13:22--What Silja would do after a competition
14:32--Why Silja switched from marathon running to bikini fitness competitions
17:40--How her training changed
18:39--How her diet changed
22:06--"Brain fog"--what it is and why it happens
24:34--Silja's sudden, unexpected weight gain after her last competition
26:00--Her new approach: listening to her body, treating it well
28:43--Biggest misconception about bikini fitness athletes
Want to know more about Silja?
- Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticmindcoach/
- Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silja.paulus/
- Link up with her on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silja-paulus/
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
* Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
* Follow us on social media:
+ Instagram
+ Facebook
+ Twitter
+ LinkedIn
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Everybody has a superpower--you don't have to be a superhero to have one or to know what it is. Mary Beth Robinson, a "superpower queen," helps us find out what our special talents are, and how we can best use them to help ourselves and other people. In this episode, Mary Beth describes her own gift of intuition, and then uses her unique ability to "tune in" to evaluate Elizabeth. How accurate was she? We reveal everything during the interview; share how you can find your own superpowers; and show why your creativity, joy and motivation can increase when you're working "in flow" using your own special talents.
In this episode:
01:44--What is a superpower?
03:31--Mary Beth describes her own superpower
06:10--How Mary Beth "tunes in" to help others discover their superpowers
09:30--Her experience going through life being so intuitive about other people
11:43--You can start integrating your superpower into your life right away
21:05--Mary Beth "intuits" some things about Elizabeth
28:44--Elizabeth reads an email Mary Beth wrote to her right after they set up the interview, and responds to its accuracy
32:35--Mary Beth's advice on how Elizabeth can use her superpower moving forward
38:27--How anyone can find their superpowers
Want to know more about Mary Beth?
- Check out her website: https://www.superpowerinc.org/
- Tweet her on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/SuperpowerQueen or @SuperpowerQueen
- Find her on TikTok: TheSuperpowerQueen
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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It's the holidays! So no full new episode this week. Instead, Elizabeth sat down with her daughters and asked them about their favorite Christmas traditions and what they'll be doing over Winter Break. Next new episode coming in the new year--January 10, 2024!
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At age 10, Rachel Zemach lost her her hearing in an accident. That obviously changed her life--but, she says, becoming deaf was one of her life's greatest gifts. In this episode, Rachel shares her experiences going through the world with and without hearing, and offers advice on how hearing people can help and advocate for deaf people (including words and actions both to use and to avoid--hint: don't assume all deaf people can lip read!). Rachel also offers her opinions about cochlear implants; teaching deaf kids and their parents American Sign Language; the strength and humor of the deaf community; and much more. She spent many years as a teacher of deaf children, and recently wrote a book, "The Butterfly Cage," chronicling her experiences and observations.
In this episode:
03:37--Describing coming home from the hospital at age 10 and realizing things were different
05:13--How and why Rachel's love and language stayed strong
07:21--Some of the "great gifts" she has experienced being part of the deaf community
10:49--Frustrations and challenges Rachel faces
14:31--Cochlear implants: what they are, how Rachel feels about them, and the benefits of learning ASL
20:47--Why many doctors tell parents of deaf children not to learn ASL, and the harm that causes
26:01--Rachel's thoughts on the state of advocacy for deaf people
30:26-Rachel's advice to parents of deaf children
31:25--The experience of writing a book about her years teaching deaf children
33:42--Tips on things hearing people should (and should not) do and say to deaf people
Want to know more about Rachel?
- Link up with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-zemach/
- Tweet her on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachel_zemach
- Search up her website: www.rachelzemach.com
- Buy her book, The Butterfly Cage, atwww.bookshop.org
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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For most of us, climate change is a heavy topic. Ethan Brown has made it his mission to make environmental issues more approachable and understandable--by using humor. His website and podcast, aptly titled "The Sweaty Penguin," is able to cut through the noise and the doom-and-gloom of the climate conversation with late-night-comedy-style monologues and in-depth conversations with leading global experts on a variety of environmental issues. In this episode, Ethan shares how he went from being a college student with an interest in satire (but not necessarily climate change) to using his voice--literally--for this important cause. Ethan also gives concrete advice we all can use to help the climate crisis (and no, you don't necessarily have to become vegan and bike to work every day!).
In this episode:
01:48: Why and how Ethan got into taking a humorous approach to climate change
05:04: How The Sweaty Penguin creates episodes--"deep dives," monologues, experts, and more
07:48: How Ethan weaves "the philosophy of comedy" into his podcasts
09:38: Dealing with climate change as a scientific--not a political--issue
12:54: Why Ethan feels optimistic about the future
15:46: Five things we all can do to help the climate crisis
19:59: Addressing the vegan vs. meat-eating debate in the climate change conversation
27:36: What Ethan has learned about himself and about the issues in the past few years
Want to know more about Ethan and The Sweaty Penguin?
- Follow them on Instagram: @ethanbrown5151, @sweatypenguinpod
- Find them on TikTok: @ethanbrown5151, @sweatypenguinpod
- Search for them on X: @ethanbrown5151, @sweatpenguinpod
- Go to The Sweaty Penguin website: www.thesweatypenguin.com
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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In 2008, Celeste Mergens was volunteering at an orphanage in Kenya when she saw an issue that she couldn't ignore, and decided to try to help improve it. Through some trial and error, and lots of listening, humility and determination, she founded Days for Girls, which champions women's health and menstrual equity. Days for Girls has now served 3 million women and girls in 145 countries. In this episode, Celeste shares stories of Days for Girls (including iterations of the washable pads they provide--she says the first one "was a horrible design, and I could say that because I designed it!")--and the other educational and stigma-shattering goals of the organization. Celeste also shares her personal journey from a childhood filled with poverty and shaming, to setbacks in her educational goals. Celeste's insights and perspective into the "seasons" in life, and her belief that all of her experiences taught and led her where she needed to go, are proof that no divide is impossible to bridge. She recently released a book, entitled "The Power of Days."
In this episode:
02:05--How Celeste got the idea to start her organization, Days for Girls, and what it does
06:33--Celeste's childhood, growing up moving often, sometimes homeless, and how that impacted her outlook
11:19--Turning our weaknesses into strengths; reframing our interpretation of experiences
14:39--Celeste's career journey (engineer, roofer, writer's conference founder)
21:58--What inspired her to start an organization to strive for menstrual equity
25:41--The importance of listening, getting feedback from the community to iterate and reiterate on the products and services
31:22--What inspired her to write her book, "The Power of Days"
33:17--Her advice to others interested in starting non-profit organizations
34:35--The importance of gratitude (her license plate even reads GRATA2D!)
Want to know more about Celeste and Days for Girls?
- Find out about Days for Girls: daysforgirls.org
- Celeste's website (including a link to her book, "The Power of Days"): https://celestemergens.com/
- Connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestemergens
- Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celeste.mergens
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Support the show
Andrew Backer decided to enter his first-ever bicycle race--but not just any old competition: the Trans Am Bike Race, a self-supported, ultra-distance ride that takes weeks to complete (21 days, for Andrew). Not only did Andrew do it, and complete the ride (a feat in itself); he was sixth overall, and the first American to finish! In this episode he shares what inspired him to go from weekend rider to racing 4200 miles across 10 states; how he figured out the strategies involved in this particular race (how much--and where--to sleep at night; why it's best to buy food at gas station convenience stores); what it was like to bike through hail, sheets of rain, extreme heat, and driving wind; and how the mental game was as important as the physical preparation to get to the finish line. Andrew also shares snapshots of lovely Americans he met along the route who helped him with encouraging words, an offer to fix a tire spoke, and a meatloaf sandwich.
In this episode:
01:53: What inspired Andrew to take on this challenge
04:06: Describing a "self-supported, ultra-distance" bike race
05:34: Why several racers dropped out, and mechanical issues Andrew faced along the way
12:46: How many miles Andrew rode each day, and how much sleep he got
15:45: The obstacles riders dealt with along the route
18:00: What Andrew ate to fuel himself--but not weigh himself down
21:41: Kind people helping the riders across America
23:33: The times doubt or worry crept into Andrew's mind during the three week-long journey
31:38: How he entertained himself while riding
39:13: Andrew's creative ways to earn money to pay for the race expenses
40:16: "You can't do it alone"
41:38: How it felt to cross the finish line on day 21
Want to know more about Andrew and the Trans Am Bike Race?
- Watch this interview with him during the race: https://youtu.be/vnLy41GFLwA
- Check out the Trans Am Bike Race's website: https://transambikerace.com/
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
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When Adesuwa Elaiho was a little girl, she pretended to be a contestant on cooking shows; now, she actually is one! Adesuwa is one of the 12 bakers competing on the Food Network's "Halloween Baking Championship." On this episode, she shares the inside scoop about life on the set of a baking reality show--from the time pressure to what happens when your cake falls apart; how she felt about being judged for her bakes, and her nervousness about how she'd be portrayed after the show was edited. Adesuwa is a classically-trained chef (she has four degrees from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris), so creating gory, Halloween-themed treats stretched her beyond her comfort zone! But she came away from the experience feeling validated and grateful.
In this episode:
03:33--Adesuwa's childhood dreams about being on the Food Network
04:56--Her strategy to prepare to be on the Halloween Baking Championship
06:30--The challenges of baking under time pressure
10:40--How the contestants worked together and agreed not to "sabotage" each other
13:34--How a classically-trained chef created gory, Halloween-themed desserts
15:42--Adesuwa's thoughts about being judged on the show
20:14--Baking with cameras constantly in your face
27:39--Getting into the right frame of mind each day before taping the show
34:13--Adesuwa's tips for home bakers
Want to know more about Adesuwa?
- Find out about the "Halloween Baking Championship": https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-baking-championship
- Connect with her pastry shop, Asukar: www.myasukar.com
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Barbara Legere experienced every parent's ultimate nightmare: her child died. Her son took his own life, after years of struggling with mental health issues and addiction. After an intense period of feeling "in a fog," Barbara started writing, which eventually became a bestselling book, called "Keven's Choice."
In this episode, Barbara shares very personal stories about Keven's life as a boy; his challenges with drugs and his time incarcerated; his stints in rehab; and her experiences on this journey with her beloved son, including why she never gave him "tough love" and what it has been like to survive his loss and to keep going. Barbara has endured plenty of judgement from others along the way, but her unconditional love for her son, and her empathy for others motivate her to spread awareness of substance abuse and mental illness. She recently released a second book, entitled "Talk to Me I'm Grieving."
In addition to writing, Barbara is a volunteer for for the non-profit TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) where she is called on scene by first responders to give emotional support and help to those involved in traumatic incidents, typically involving the death of a loved one. She also advocates for grief awareness, suicide prevention, and compassion for substance abuse disorder.
If you or anyone you know needs support, text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
In this episode:
02:27: What Keven was like as a child
07:02: The day Keven ended his life
12:20: Best things to say and do--and not to say and do--after someone has lost a loved one
20:08: Keven's experiences in jail and rehab
25:10: Barbara's journey writing her first book
30:29: The TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) for which Barbara volunteers
33:16: Confronting the stigma around mental illness and substance abuse, and judgement from neighbors and strangers
37:48: Barbara's advice for people who are grieving--and their friends
Want to know more about Barbara?
- Find all of her social media, podcasts and articles here: https://linktr.ee/BarbaraLegere925
- Learn about her books: "Keven's Choice, A Mothers Journey Through Her Son's Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide": https://smile.amazon.com/Kevens-Choice-Mothers-Journey-Addiction-ebook/dp/B09WL1QP6G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8; "Talk To Me I'm Grieving: Supportive Ways to Help Someone Through Grief": https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Me-Im-Grieving-Supportive/dp/1957430168
- Sign up for her newsletter: www.barbaralegere.com
- For more information about TIP (the Trauma Intervention Program): https://www.tipnational.org/
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Movies and TV shows often take us behind the scenes of the New York Police Department--but the truth is often stranger than fiction. Vic Ferrari spent 20 memorable years as a member of the NYPD, most of them as a detective. In this episode, he shares stories from his many hours on the job, and on the streets: targeting car thieves; sitting overnight with a just-deceased man; working at Ground Zero on 9/11; and lots of crazy anecdotes too (like how he almost got his gun belt stolen from a bathroom stall). Learn about what goes on during the different shifts--and which one is known for "big game hunting"--and why, despite everything, Vic doesn't consider himself "brave."
In this episode:
- Vic's interest in police work began at a young age (02:04)
- Inside the Police Academy (02:55)
- Qualities you need to be a good police officer (06:36)
- Why you can't play your day (or your week) in the NYPD (09:01)
- How you get yourself to repeatedly go into dangerous situations (13:11)
- One example of "I can't believe this was my work day today"(17:17)
- Day shift vs. 4:00-midnight shift vs. overnight shift (21:09)
- Why a sense of humor is essential in law enforcement (23:32)
- Working in the auto theft division of the NYPD (28:31)
- Being in the NYPD on 9/11 (31:41)
Want to know more about Vic?
- Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicferrarinypd/
- Follow him on X: @VicFerrari50
- Check out his books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01IIQXLBC
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Making a podcast requires a lot more than just sitting in front of a microphone, hitting "record," and talking with a guest--as I've learned over the past few years. To find out what it takes to make a good podcast, and make it grow, I turned to an expert: Colin Gray, the founder and CEO of ThePodcastHost.com. Colin gave me tips and advice that can apply to other podcasters as well--and many of his tips can be used by anyone, in any field: be a good listener, stop being a perfectionist, and more (listen to the interview to get his many other useful tips!).
In this episode:
- Why do most podcasters get into podcasting? (02:42)
- How best to approach launching a podcast (03:42)
- Finding your "niche"--demographics vs. psychographics (07:51)
- Choosing which ways to market a podcast (13:49)
- The "strength" and "sticking points" of podcasting (16:47)
- How Colin got into podcasting and created ThePodcastHost.com (18:46)
- Various ways to make money from podcasting (21:32)
- How to make the process efficient and sustainable (27:09)
- Ideas to cut down on editing time (30:26)
- Marketing with video clips vs. still images (37:50)
- Advice to avoid "podfade" (41:21)
Want to know more about Colin?
- Find out about his company: ThePodcastHost.com
- Link up with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmcgray/?originalSubdomain=uk
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
* Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Debi Silber experienced two major betrayals: first by her family, and then by her husband. What did she do next? She didn't just sit on her couch and wallow. She used her story as her own case study as she embarked on a PhD about betrayal; came up with groundbreaking discoveries; and eventually founded an institute to help others heal and transform from their own betrayals. In this episode, Dr. Silber shares her experiences with betrayal; why it feels so different from other forms of trauma; the discoveries she made about healing from betrayal; why she remarried her husband; and how the whole ordeal affected their kids.
In this episode:
- How and why Debi got into studying betrayal (03:24)
- Where Debi was in her life when all this happened (04:41)
- Why betrayal is different from other traumas (08:13)
- Why she remarried her husband: "rebuilding is always a choice" (10:06)
- How the betrayal affected their kids (12:24)
- Signs of post-betrayal syndrome (15:48)
- The five stages of betrayal (21:32)
- The importance of group support in moving through the stages (37:07)
Want to know more about Debi?
- Check out her website and business: https://thepbtinstitute.com/
- Read her books: https://thepbtinstitute.com/books/
- Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debisilber/?hl=en
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Eleven years ago, Terry Tucker learned he had an extremely unusual form of melanoma. Since then he has had two amputations, one of his foot and later of his leg above the knee. He recently learned he also has tumors in his lungs. Terry has endured physical pain most of us will never know. Yet, as he says, "Suffering is optional." Terry has been more than resilient--he has used his experiences to gain perspectives on life that everyone can use: control your mindset and work towards continual self improvement. In this episode, Terry shares his journey from Division I college basketball athlete to successful careers in law enforcement and business, to his current role as "cancer warrior." He has words of wisdom that you won't soon forget.
In this episode:
- Terry explains his extremely rare form of melanoma (03:28)
- Terry's journey with the medication interferon, and its effect on him (05:01)
- Why Terry believes it's important to ask a lot of questions, be your own best advocate, and stay curious (10:56)
- What led to Terry's foot needing to be amputated (12:23)
- His reaction when he learned his foot would be removed (14:17)
- What led to Terry's second above-the-knee amputation (18:54)
- Where Terry's motivation and positive outlook comes from (24:41)
- Why Terry does at least one thing every day that scares him (29:33)
- Terry's thoughts on people being born "full"--not "empty" (37:02)
- Terry's "Four Truths" (38:15)
- What cancer has taken from Terry--and what it has NOT taken (and never will) (45:58)
Want to know more about Terry?
- Order his book, Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles to Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLGVTVS
- Check out his website, Motivational Check: https://www.motivationalcheck.com/
- Link up with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-tucker-9b5605179/
- Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motivationalcheck
- Tweet him on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/terrytucker201
- Check him out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainableexcellenceauthor/
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Dave Albin knows all the reasons you don't want to walk with bare feet on 1000 degree hot coals--after all, he didn't want to do it either! He was first presented with the opportunity at a Tony Robbins seminar many years ago. But he did it--and soon thereafter was working as the Fire Captain for Robbins. Albin now runs his own company, Firewalk Adventures, where he uses fear-based elements like glasswalking, firewalking, board breaking, arrow breaking, and fire eating to show people what is really possible in life. Albin has seen (thousands of times) how the fears you don't overcome become your limits. Firewalking shows that when you take a first step--don't stop! Keep moving forward.
As mentioned in the episode, here is the link to Oprah Winfrey's firewalk with Tony Robbins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypdbvsDkOo
In this episode:
- What is a firewalk? (02:05)
- Dave's first experience firewalking at a Tony Robbins seminar (08:58)
- The feeling after accomplishing a firewalk (17:17)
- How Dave began working with Tony Robbins (19:28)
- Branching out on his own with Firewalk Adventures (21:58)
- What corporations/employees get out of firewalking and glasswalking experiences (23:31)
- The long-term benefits of breaking through fear (28:05)
- Dave's past experiences as an alcoholic and how he turned his life around (31:28)
- Main lessons Dave learned from working with Tony Robbins (33:44)
- The role gratitude plays in Dave's life today (40:34)
Want to learn more about Dave?
- Find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-albin/
- Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firewalkadventures/
- Explore the Dave Albin Firewalk Academy at https://firewalkadventures.com. On the top row of tabs, click on "Firewalk Academy"--on that page, click on the "Schedule a Call" button. Use this code for a discount: 6 8 28.
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Elizabeth explains why she's replaying the episode, "What It's Like to be a Voice Actor" with John Malone (hint: she's away on vacation--but there's more to it than that); and gives a behind-the-scenes look at what went on during the taping of John's interview.
Show notes from John's episode:
A voice actor can be a silly animated bear one day, the voice on a luxury car commercial the next day, and ALL the characters in an audio book the following day. On this episode, John Malone--an award-winning professional voice talent--shares what it takes to do his job... and do it well: from what a home recording studio should include, to how he finds the voices for his wide-ranging repertoire.
There are two words in the job title: voice actor--and both are critical to success! The acting part is huge; this job is not just about having a "good voice." It also takes a lot of hustle and a lot of training and a lot of hard work. If you think this is an easy money, work-from-home-in-your-pajamas type of job... think again.
John has an inspiring story of shifting to this career mid-life that may inspire you to re-think your path as well.
Want to know more about John?
- Check out his website, Malone Zone (where you can hear lots of samples of his work): malonezone.com
- Connect with him on Facebook: @MaloneZoneVO
- Find him on Twitter: @TheMaloneZone
- Follow him on Instagram: @malonezonevo
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For 24 years, Daniel Dluzneski's job required him to be in the White House and attend events with the President--often with a large, very well-trained dog: Daniel was a lieutenant in the U.S. Secret Service. In this episode he shares behind-the-scenes stories from that position--what it was like to be in the White House on September 11, 2001; his "favorite" President to serve; and what happened when he was giving a tour of rarely-visited areas of the White House and they had an unexpected encounter with President Clinton. After leaving the Secret Service, Daniel began using his skillset to help school systems better prepare for emergency situations, like active shooters or bomb threats. He gives us tips and thoughts on how teachers and students can stay safe: being prepared is better than being scared.
In this episode:
- How the Secret Service came to be (02:09)
- Describing working in the White House and the West Wing (05:37)
- Daniel's favorite President to work with (07:56)
- Working in the White House on 9/11 (12:41)
- What the private residence in the White House is like (19:11)
- Next career: school safety (21:00)
- Explanation of a lockdown drill (23:56)
- "Implicit memory" and how his training in the Secret Service informed his new work (27:30)
- The importance of saving yourself so you can save others (28:37)
- Why Daniel thinks cell phones should be banned from schools (34:44)
- "Security theater" (37:46)
- Don't live in fear; use "situational awareness" (40:17)
Want to know more about Daniel?
- Find him on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldluzneski/
- Check out his book, “The First Five Minutes: School Shooting survival guide for Administrators and Teachers": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLFW5FBK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Sue Humphrey says she was a "not very good" athlete growing up--but she loved sports, and she found her niche early: as a teenager she started helping other athletes. She excelled at coaching track and field, and worked her way up to college coaching (experiencing the beginning of Title IX), and eventually the international stage--although the field wasn't always welcoming to a young woman. At the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, Sue was a member of the coaching staff for USA's Track and Field team--and in 2004, she became head coach, dealing with everything from overseeing schedules to taking media calls in the middle of the night asking about athletes' drug tests. Sue shares what it's like to coach at the Olympics (the glamour of napping under a table on the field, for example), the importance of developing rapport with athletes, and what to do when an athlete is disappointed in a performance.
In this episode:
- What's required of a Head Coach of an Olympic track and field team (03:00)
- The value of developing rapport with your elite athletes (08:45)
- Coalescing competitors into teammates (12:45)
- Olympic coaches vs. personal coaches (15:52)
- Experiencing the Opening Ceremonies (and what Sue did during Closing Ceremonies)(18:44)
- A typical day at the Olympics for Sue (24:16)
- Sue's complaints with the current NCAA and elite coaching systems (27:15)
- Her thoughts on being an Olympic coach vs. college coach vs. age-group coach (30:52)
- What makes her so successful? Coaching philosophy (31:56)
- How to help athletes who are disappointed with their performances (34:47)
- Sue's path to coaching (37:43)
Want to know more about Sue?
- Connect with her on Instagram: sue.humphrey.32
- Find her on Facebook: Sue Humphrey
- Tweet at her on Twitter: humphreyhj
- Send her an email :sue@goldmedalcoaches.com or humphreyhj@gmail.com
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Whether you feel intimidated by art--or visit every museum you can--you will appreciate Nina Katchadourian. Nina approaches the world with wonder and curiosity. She is a world-renowned contemporary artist (her work has been shown all over the world, including at the Met and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Venice Biennale, and the Palais de Tokyo, among many other locales), but her approach to art is so down-to-earth, humorous, and deceptively simple that it is accessible to everyone. Nina often focuses on what is figuratively (or even literally) underfoot: one of her works was about dust in MoMA. Nina has a show at the Morgan Library in New York through May 28, 2023. She is also a professor at New York University. Interacting with Nina's work--and listening to her in this episode--will help you see not just art, but also your everyday world, in a new way.
In this episode:
- How Nina's curiosity guides her into various art projects (03:35)
- Describing the genesis of "Sorted Books" (04:40)
- How she came to focus on dust at MoMA (07:48)
- We overlook a lot of things that are more worthy of attention than we think (13:48)
- Nina's path from high school to professional artist (15:25)
- Why artists need to be nimble and balance "work" with "work work" (19:32)
- Nina's various "other" jobs--and how they informed her art (21:29)
- Nina's process starting something new (29:26)
- How "on hold" music became a piece of art (30:05)
- Behind the scenes of "Lavatory Self-Portraits in the Flemish Style"(33:32)
- Humor as a tool in art (37:03)
- How Nina goes through the world, "finding" material (42:23)
Want to know more about Nina?
- Check out her website (a lot of the works we talk about in the episode are featured here): http://www.ninakatchadourian.com/
- Find out about her show at The Morgan: https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/nina-katchadourian
- See more of her work here: https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/nina-katchadourian/
- Follow her on Instagram: @ninakatchadourian
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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In July 1990, Joyce Mikal-Flynn died after finishing a swimming race and sinking to the bottom of the pool. After 22 minutes of CPR, she was revived--but her recovery took much longer than that. One of her doctors later said, "You are the luckiest person I've ever met." In this episode, Dr. Mikal-Flynn describes her death-defying--and life-altering--experience, her road back to health, and how she found new purpose in helping others grow and thrive. She is now a professor and an expert in resilience and recovery; she also has developed a system called metahabilitation, which helps veterans, first responders, people dealing with addiction, and others with post-traumatic growth. Dr. Mikal-Flynn's story--and her work--are models of courage and resilience.
In this episode:
- Describing the actual event (01:58)
- What happened (medically)? (03:47)
- Waking up in the hospital the first time, and the impact on her kids (09:15)
- Beginning to rehab her body, and her brain (13:19)
- Processing, making sense of (even finding positives in) the experience (17:07)
- Learnings about post-traumatic growth (18:30)
- Coming to appreciate "the little things" (21:49)
- Describing metahabilitation and the steps involved (25:49)
Want to know more about Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn?
- Find out about the upcoming conference: https://www.csus.edu/hhs/ptg-conference
- Check out her website: drjmf.com
- Follow her on Instagram: @dr.jmf
- Find her on Facebook: facebook.com/dr.jmf
- Shop at their store: mkt.com/metahab
- Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1642937274
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Gregory Nottage was a successful businessman when, at age 26, he was wrongfully convicted of first degree murder. He spent 19 years in prison before being exonerated after the killer confessed to the crime. He says he lost everything--except hope. Gregory was released from prison in 2014 with just $200 of "gate money." What Gregory has done since his release is extraordinary: he earned two degrees, and now runs a non-profit that creates full-time, paid transitional jobs for its former homeless clients, often leading to permanent employment. In this episode, Gregory details his daily life behind bars; how and why he decided to stop seeing himself as a victim; and why serving others--while in prison, and now on the "outside"--is his life's purpose. This man's story is a lesson for all of us in perspective and gratitude.
In this episode:
- Gregory recounts his first night in prison and learning prison politics (02:04)
- How he'd get through the days in prison (08:07)
- His lowest point, and how it was a catalyst for changing his perspective (11:08)
- Learning he was finally being released from prison (19:15)
- Reintegrating back into the "real world" (23:54)
- The impact Gregory's imprisonment had on his son (28:25)
- How and why he found his way into the nonprofit work he does now (31:12)
- What Streets Team Enterprises does for its clients (33:58)
- Gregory's work with police cadets on perception and homelessness (39:16)
Want to know more about Gregory, Streets Team Enterprises, and Downtown Streets Team?
- Learn about Streets Team Enterprises on their website (scroll down to read about Gregory): https://www.streetsteam.org/our-work/workforce-development-program
- Read about the Downtown Streets Team on their website: https://www.streetsteam.org/
- Find them on Facebook: downtownstreetsteam
- Connect with them on Instagram: streetsteam
- Tweet them on Twitter: downtownstreets
- Watch videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DowntownStreetsTeam
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Picture this: you lay down on a comfortable surface, close your eyes, and for up to an hour your body and mind are lulled into a state of prime restoration and relaxation by listening to the soothing sounds of crystal bowls being played by a master. Laura Penn Gallerstein, a master sound healer, uses a variety of modalities, including crystal bowls and a harmonium, in her sessions. In this episode, Laura explains the science behind the magic (how the vibrations from the bowls affect the vibrations in our bodies--which are comprised of mostly water); as well as the spiritual and musical aspects of the work. She also gives suggestions for anyone struggling with unending to-do lists, or waking up in the middle of the night with your head spinning--and teaches us why living in our parasympathetic nervous system is a much healthier place to be. Laura's message to all of us is, "You are good enough, just who you are."
In this episode:
- What is sound healing with crystal bowls? (02:15)
- Sample of playing the crystal bowls (06:23)
- Why the bowls affect people like they do (07:39)
- How Laura got interested in this work (10:40)
- What is required to be a master sound healer (12:32)
- Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic nervous systems in our bodies (15:22)
- Where the bowls are made and how much they cost (20:30)
- Describing the experience of being in a sound healing session (23:34)
- The beauty of leaning into things that feel scary and difficult (31:45)
Want to know more about Laura?
- Connect with her on Instagram: @gallersteinl
- Find her on YouTube: @LauraPennGallerstein
- Check our her website: www.laurapenngallerstein.com
- Order her book, "Whispers in Sound": www.whispersinsound.com
- https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Sound-Profound-Vibrations-Meditation/dp/1736559303/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MHVTFOL1FLIZ&keywords=whispers+in+sound+book&qid=1676848944&sprefix=whispers+in+sound+book%2Caps%2C365&sr=8-1
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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There are more than 4000 colleges in the United States--many of them hundreds of years old. Adam Braus decided to create a new one. In this episode he shares why he took this bold step, as well as the many hoops he had to jump through to gain accreditation (and the "corruption" he claims he encountered along the way). Elton College is built on Braus's background in education and philosophy. Elton turns a lot of conventional wisdom about learning on its head--students get one-on-one tutoring about the subjects that most fascinate them; they can start any time of the year (not just in the fall); there are no semesters; and more. It is, as Braus calls it, an "artisanal model of education."
In this episode:
- Why start a new college? (01:40)
- What differentiates Elton from other colleges (05:29)
- How Adam's research into motivation, and background in philosophy, inform Elton (09:54)
- Special attributes of Elton College (13:16)
- Study whatever interests you (17:05)
- Finding professors (19:34)
- Tuition at Elton (24:57)
- Adam's vision for Elton moving forward (28:50)
Want to know more about Adam and Elton College?
* Learn about Adam (and the books he's written): https://www.adambraus.com
* Find out more about Elton College: https://www.eltoncollege.org/
* Listen to Adam's podcast: https://www.solutionsfromthemultiverse.com/
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Last year, Cal Currier decided to try to sail across the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Portugal, alone. But he was only 16--and he didn't know how to sail! With a lot of dedication and determination, and a refusal to take "no" for an answer, Cal overcame every obstacle (including convincing his initially-reluctant mother); and in late June 2022, he set out solo, into the Atlantic Ocean, heading east. The trip wasn't as "exciting" as Cal had hoped, but he did encounter 20-foot waves and potentially deadly jellyfish, and he had to endure day after day of solitude and 90-minute sleep cycles. Along the way, Cal learned that he was setting a world record, as the youngest person ever to solo sail west to east across the Atlantic. But that was never his motivation. Hear Cal's remarkable perspective--and who he says the real heroes are of this remarkable journey.
In this episode:
- Days and nights flowing into each other on the ocean (01:35)
- Why do it when it wasn't "fun"? (04:12)
- What Cal did for entertainment on the boat (05:36)
- How he dealt with sleep deprivation (09:30)
- What he ate at sea (14:35)
- How this idea came became reality (15:45)
- Technology's role in this adventure (18:41)
- Unknowingly setting a world record (21:24)
- How Cal's parents felt about this journey (22:22)
- Characteristics that may make Cal a good candidate for this adventure (24:40)
- Landing in Lagos, Portugal (29:21)
- Reflections on life and the "real heroes" of the journey (30:35)
- What's on the horizon for Cal (32:25)
Want to know more about Cal?
- Watch this video of his journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcct4RgHEsM
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Can you imagine living on a beach, in a bigger house, with more disposable income and more free time, doing work you enjoy? Julia Vitality, the guest on this week's episode, says stop dreaming--make this your reality. Julia and others like her are using a strategy called geoarbitrage: lowering their cost of living, usually by moving to a different town or country, to make their incomes go further. Julia -- a Ukranian-Canadian now living in Cancun, Mexico -- shares her fascinating life story, along with practical strategies and plenty of inspiration for anyone flirting with the idea of making a life change.
In this episode:
- 01:10 Definition of geoarbitrage
- 01:58 Why Julz decided to use this strategy; some of her background
- 05:12 Comparing living costs in Toronto vs. Cancun, Mexico
- 08:53 Things to consider before moving
- 11:12 Language issues (or lack thereof!)
- 13:43 Taking on such an adventure as a single person
- 19:08 Working in a foreign country
- 24:17 Getting rid of unneeded "stuff"
- 26:32 Medical system in Mexico
Want to know more about Julz?
- Find all sorts of information about her here:http://PositiveImpact.TV
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
* Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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When I was 28 years old, I packed up my things and moved to Billings, Montana to become a television news anchor and reporter. I knew I was getting out of my comfort zone, but I had no idea how far. The person who helped me through it--my colleague, Jonathan Marcus--is my guest on this episode. We reminisce about our experiences working in local news; living in Montana; and realize that over the years we've both had the same idea: that we should write a screenplay or a novel--or something... because truly, as our experience working at KULR-8 showed us, the truth can be stranger than fiction. From the one-armed cameraguy who prowled the Montana highways all night long looking for footage, to the inappropriate news director; from drinking on the job to getting hit on in local bars... you can't make this stuff up. And we didn't.
In this episode:
- How Jon ended up in Montana (02:21)
- Elizabeth's initial impressions of the station (and of Jon) (04:04)
- Some of the craziness that took place at the station (09:28)
- How Jon saved Elizabeth her first time anchoring (13:10)
- Being recognized around town (16:00)
- Elizabeth's experience being critiqued for superficial qualities (23:03)
- What should you do if you want to get into the business? (28:48)
- Nerf ball in the newsroom + other stories (31:01)
- Jon's excellent renegotiation skills (34:20)
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Anthony Febo--AKA "Febo"--brings poetry to life as a spoken word artist. He describes spoken word poetry as "poetry written with the intention to perform"--and his performances are deeply personal, emotional, and rich, with touches of signature humor. (He performs two amazing pieces in this episode.) Febo is not only an artist; he is also a teacher--so listeners get to be students, learning how to write and perform spoken word poems. Febo encourages his students to end their poems with hope--he always seeks to choose joy in the face of what is trying to break you.
There are also fun tidbits about Lin Manuel Miranda (Febo is a huge fan), rap, hip hop, and much more.
Poetry has never been so much fun.
In this episode:
- When he started writing in 7th grade (02:42)
- Febo's definition of spoken word poetry (05:01)
- Intersections among hip hop, rap, and spoken word (07:14)
- Febo performs one poem, "Tonight I'm Cooking" (10:27)
- Themes in his work (13:33)
- His process of working--and how/why it evolves (17:26)
- Febo's experience of performing on-stage (20:47)
- What teenagers learn from writing and performing (25:44)
- Writing a spoken word poem (32:20)
- Febo performs a second poem, "Luna's First Birthday Party" (38:42)
Want to know more about Febo?
- Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adobofishsauce/ and https://www.instagram.com/thisisfebo/
- Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.febo/
- Tweet him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisisfebo (note: Febo's Diaper Haikus are posted on his Twitter account!)
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Like lots of other starry-eyed young actors, Barret Swatek moved to Los Angeles right out of college with dreams of making it in Hollywood. Unlike most of them, she succeeded. In this truly behind the "scenes" conversation, Barret shares her journey--from skanky agents, acting classes and sneaking onto studio lots, to finally landing her breakthrough role on "Seventh Heaven," all the way through her recent turn on "Yellowstone" and beyond. She talks about auditioning, life on a set, watching herself onscreen, and hanging out with friends who have become huge recognizable stars. Come backstage with us to find out what it's really like to work in Hollywood.
In this episode:
- When Barret first arrived in Los Angeles (02:33)
- How she got her first (sketchy) agents (06:13)
- How she got her (good) agent (09:08)
- A typical day on the set (12:49)
- What it's like to be a guest star on a TV show (17:52)
- Getting roles now--offers and auditions (20:30)
- Working on "Yellowstone" (22:34)
- Process of finding a character (26:43)
- Dealing with rejection (28:23)
- If she's ever felt intimidated by other actors (31:13)
- Dealing with pressure to always look good (36:00)
- What Barret would tell her younger self (36:59)
- Getting recognized in public (40:50)
Want to know more about Barret?
- Follow her on Instagram: @barretswatek
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Not many people's resumes include "pediatrician, medical philanthropy consultant, and cartoon writer"... but Dr. Cliff Harris clearly is a man of many talents. In this episode, he shares how he got started in cartooning (including a very special childhood story involving "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz); how he got connected with "Bizarro" creator Dan Piraro; and how his careers in medicine and philanthropy affected his writing.
We walk through specific cartoons and discuss how Cliff was inspired to write them (he even tests Elizabeth on a word puzzle!); links below.
This is a story about much more than just cartooning. Cliff takes us on a journey of discovery, self-awareness, and finding joy.
Cliff's "Bizarro" cartoons mentioned in this episode:
- https://www.dropbox.com/s/7nsft0klehinzfj/Address.JPG?dl=0
- https://www.dropbox.com/s/hnbpuezlbdbta08/Grape%20Nuts.jpg?dl=0
- https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdgh1l612dd8of2/4%20to%20104.jpg?dl=0
- https://www.dropbox.com/s/xoabwpuolugkg4m/Air%20Guitar.JPG?dl=0
- https://www.dropbox.com/s/5h0smjn1ec8fuwu/Analogy.gif?dl=0
- https://www.dropbox.com/s/j1j7j43362525ub/Bizarro%2010-24-21%20WEB.jpg?dl=0
Dan Piraro's graphic novel: https://peyotecowboy.net/
In this episode:
Cliff's story of talking with Charles M. Schulz as a child (02:02)
How he connected with Dan Piraro of "Bizarro" (06:51)
Connection between hard times and good joke writing (10:38)
A second link to Charles M. Schulz (13:35)
Going through various cartoons and explaining them (20:20)
Describing word puzzles (29:55)
Leaving the practice of medicine (35:17)
Want to know more about Cliff Harris?
- email him at: doctorcliffharris@yahoo.com
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Justin Spring went from tumbling around his neighborhood to later winning NCAA gymnastics titles and eventually earning a place on the 2008 Olympic team. The road getting there had its share of hurdles (pun intended), including a slew of injuries leading up to the Olympics. Justin shares behind-the-scenes stories of his journey, from the lowest moment in his gymnastics career (when he had to army-crawl to his coach's room due to excruciating pain); to the mental techniques he relied on to get his body back into shape; to what life was really like in the Olympic Village. Justin is now a college gymnastics coach (formerly for the University of Illinois men; now for the University of Alabama women). We learn about pressure, expectations, why men's gymnastics is losing popularity (and college teams) in the U.S., and why competing for "perfect 10s" makes women's gymnastics much more entertaining.
In this episode:
- Why gymnastics is such a difficult sport (05:47)
- How gymnastics suited Justin's personality (08:20)
- Thoughts about pursuing the Olympics and gold medals (09:26)
- Justin's many injuries (15:06)
- The importance of mental training in recovery (15:58)
- His journey through injuries to the Olympic Trials (19:30)
- The darkest moment of Justin's career (21:32)
- The underdog story at the 2008 Olympics (25:07)
- What the Olympic experience was like (31:06)
- The state of men’s gymnastics in the US (34:04)
- What's happening in collegiate sports (36:05)
- Thoughts on coaching (41:42)
Want to know more about Justin?
- Follow him on Instagram: springerzz
- Find him on Twitter: @justinspring
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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We're getting really meta for this episode--Elizabeth usually asks other people what it's like to be in their shoes; now she's chatting with her special guest (who has been her secret weapon behind the scenes of the podcast since Day 1) about what it's like to work on this podcast! There have been a lot of tweaks and changes recently, so we're doing our own State of the Podcast. Find out about the name, the logo, the colors, what's in store for the website and the marketing... and have more than a few laughs with us along the way.
In this episode:
- Why we changed the name (02:30)
- The story behind the new logo (03:31)
- How painful it’s been to get a good designer (06:22)
- What’s coming to the website (07:52)
- Getting the word out about the podcast (09:07)
- Why Elizabeth needs an office (12:07)
- Mark Zuckerberg's security guys and the neighborhood kerfuffle (14:14)
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Brett Anderson never planned on being a rock star. She was in middle school when she and three girlfriends decided to form a band. Just a few years later--while still in high school--they were touring Japan, and soon after that they signed a major record deal and became known worldwide. The Donnas were a hit.
In this episode, we learn what it was really like to be "Donna A."--from why she calls her early vocals “screamy, thrashy, and spazzy,” to the differences between touring in a van and a tour bus. The Donnas were often underestimated for being an all-female group, but their bond helped them get through the times they had to "laugh and cry at the same time." Brett talks about about writing songs, taking care of her voice, performing on "Saturday Night Live," and a lot more stories from backstage.
After The Donnas stopped playing music together, Brett went back to school and found new passions. She shares the joy in discovering second, third, even fourth acts in life.
In this episode:
How the band came together (03:20)
Obstacles faced being an all-female band (05:28)
How the band’s songwriting evolved and how they created their music (08:05)
How the band grew (10:53)
Were they really living the rock and roll life, or did they have onstage personas? (14:45)
What’s the main difference between touring in a van or a tour bus? (18:56)
How Brett would protect her voice--and issues (24:35)
What was it like to be on Saturday Night Live? (25:18)
The importance of being in the moment during a big performance (28:34)
Tips when forgetting lyrics onstage (30:24)
Why the band stopped playing together (34:24)
How it felt going back to school (36:38)
The Donnas music in movies and videogames (41:29)
Want to know more about Brett?
- Follow her on Twitter: @BAndersonnn
- Find her on Facebook: facebook.com/brettelizabethanderson
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Nancy Mueller went from baking petite quiches and other hors d'oeuvres in her home kitchen, to becoming known as the "Queen of Quiche." Through hard work, determination, lots of eggs and flour, and refusing to take "no" for an answer, she built Nancy's Specialty Foods into a multi-million dollar business that eventually produced 1.5 million quiches per day.
In this episode, Nancy reflects back on the early days of the business (when she made each quiche by hand), all the way through to the night she woke up in a cold sweat and knew it was time to sell it. She shares lots of stories, including her big break (the first time her products were in Price Club); taking a rock star's private plane to Bentonville, Arkansas; and being a female boss in the 1970s, '80s and '90s. Nancy made quiche, built a business, and blazed trails along the way.
In Nancy's words, “The reason I didn’t have any problem with the glass ceiling is ‘cause I owned the ceiling!”
In this episode:
- How Nancy decided to start making appetizers (01:26)
- The idea to try to get into Price Club (08:55)
- Running the business (10:32)
- Spreading the word--PR vs. advertising (15:43)
- Dealing with the growing business (20:10)
- When Nancy realized it was time to sell the company (25:41)
- On being a female boss in the '70s-'90s (30:06)
- Developing various products for Nancy's (31:40)
- Words of advice for someone starting a business (34:14)
- Nancy's adventures on her yacht (39:28)
Want to know more about Nancy?
- https://www.nancys.com/aboutus
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
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Christine Meyer spent a lot of her life either trying diets that didn’t work, or feeling guilt and shame about her weight. The pandemic made everything worse, with increased focus on comfort foods and wine any time, because… why not? But then everything changed. In the summer of 2020, Christine reached out to a health coach and began a program that transformed her life. She lost a lot of weight (more than 60 pounds)--and has kept it off; but more crucial than that, she has changed her intentions, her mindset, and her approach to each day.
In this episode, Christine shares her very personal story of living with, and then losing the weight–and how she has gained so much in the process. She gives practical tips that work for her, encouragement, and even a few surprises (yes, she eats ice cream–with intention!).
Christine got so much out of her journey with Optavia that she decided to become a certified health coach herself, so she could help change other peoples’ lives.
In this episode:
- How Christine felt prior to and during the pandemic (02:00)
- Programs she'd tried earlier in her life (07:14)
- What was different about this program? (09:41)
- Addressing the emotional component of the journey (15:42)
- When she realized the power of caramel sauce--food's emotional power (19:27)
- The Drama Triangle (24:09)
- Why she doesn't diet--and the healthy habits she layers into her day (26:54)
- Creating a new morning routine (29:27)
- Does this lifestyle require extra time and extra money? (35:34)
Want to know more about Christine?
- Reach out to her on Instagram: @joyful.health.journey
- Follow her on Facebook: @christinejmeyer
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Jake Locker was a 3-sport star athlete in high school (he was drafted to play Major League Baseball, but turned down the offer because he preferred playing football). He was hailed as a hero when he played quarterback for the University of Washington. He was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the NFL draft. Four years later, he chose to leave the league... and lots of people had questions.
In this episode of "What It's Like To..." we get the full story of what shaped Jake as a boy and as a young man, and what ultimately led him to make big decisions with certainty. It's a story of football, fame, family and faith, and how one man found the right balance for his life.
In this episode:
- Jake's early influences and childhood (01:55)
- Why he made the decision to not sign the MLB contract (08:45)
- Playing football at the University of Washington, and why he didn't enter the NFL draft after his junior year (11:26)
- Healthy and unhealthy ways of dealing with pressure, stress, and expectations (17:28)
- What it felt like to get drafted into the NFL (21:00)
- Playing in college vs. playing in the NFL (23:56)
- How Jake began to see his identity shift (29:37)
- Thoughts on how the media portrayed him (34:04)
- Does he still like football? (38:51)
- How those closest to Jake responded to his decision to leave the NFL (42:03)
Want to know more about Jake?
- check out his gym, Locker Room Fitness: lockerroomfitness.com
Want to know more about the podcast "What It's Like To... ?"
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Ready for a hit of inspiration? Aishetu Fatima Dozie says she's insecure and full of fear, but she also calls herself courageous--and crazy. Aisha (as "everyone" calls her) transitioned from two decades as an investment banker to starting Bossy Cosmetics. Many people said it was a crazy idea; she persevered. A global pandemic hit; she almost folded--but she didn't. Grit, resilience and determination kept Aisha and Bossy Cosmetics going, and now, just a few years old, it is an international sensation. In this episode, Aisha shares What It's Like To do something that feeds your soul, and keep at it even when the going gets rough. (She also dishes on what it felt like to learn her products were chosen to be on the list of Oprah's Favorite Things of 2021!)
In this episode:
Why Aisha transitioned from working in finance to starting a beauty company (01:49)
The steps she took to build the company (04:57)
How Aisha has battled "imposter syndrome" (09:06)
What happened when the global pandemic hit (12:12)
Why Aisha didn't "wave the white flag" and give up (16:28)
Why she named her company Bossy Cosmetics (20:20)
Her process for creating a new product (25:16)
How Aisha manages her time (work, family, friends, personal time...) (31:30)
Her reaction to the news that her product had been chosen as one of Oprah's Favorite Things 2021 (39:47)
Aisha's definition of success (42:27)
Want to know more about Aisha and Bossy Cosmetics?
- Check out their website: www.bossybeauty.com
- Connect with them on Twitter: @bossybeautyinc
- Follow them on Instagram: @bossybeauty
Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
We're hard at work on the upcoming season. Season 4 launches on September 28! We'll release new episodes each Wednesday from then on. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any! Follow us on social media to find out all the latest about our upcoming guests:
Professional baseball playerJoe Biagini is back on The Experience Podcast to continue his revealing, honest, droll take on playing pro ball.
Part 2 of our conversation is filled with quips, anecdotes and insights about the differences between playing in the major league and the minors; what it's like to be teammates with some "big names;" how it feels to be part of the pitching team that threw an historic no-hitter (and where they went to celebrate afterward); what the days are like on the road during the busy baseball season--including when he gets up each day (hint: breakfast is no longer served) and how his days are different when his wife is in town.
Botanical gardens, anyone?
In this episode:
- differences in playing in the major league vs. minor league (01:03)
- how being told he's "just a guy who plays baseball" became motivation (03:19)
- experience of being part of a no-hitter (07:03)
- how it feels to be on the road so often (11:25)
- a day in the life on the road (12:26)
- juggling marriage and baseball (16:07)
- playing with "famous" ball players (19:31)
Want to know more about Joe?
- Link to article about his participation in the no-hitter: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2848383-aaron-sanchez-will-harris-joe-biagini-chris-devenski-throw-astros-no-hitter
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Lots of kids dream of growing up to become pro athletes. Joe Biagini actually became one. He has pitched in the major leagues for the Houston Astros, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Chicago Cubs, and minor league teams as well. He was even part of a pitching team that performed an historic no-hitter for the Astros. In this raw, revealing, humorous interview (part 1 of 2) , Joe reveals the insecurities that have plagued him since childhood, and shares techniques he has used to battle them. He also details how he ended up on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon--a fantastical daydream from many years before.
In this episode:
- Joe's childhood dreams (02:04)
- How baseball helped him deal with his insecurities (05:55)
- Mental techniques he has used pitching at the professional level (10:35)
- Teamwork and chemistry in pro baseball (20:58)
- How he ended up on The Tonight Show (24:43)
Want to know more about Joe?
- Link to his appearance on The Tonight Show: https://globalnews.ca/news/3076825/jimmy-fallon-rights-wrong-with-blue-jays-pitcher-joe-biagini/
- Funny moments from TV interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp4NV5DbIBg
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your stuff? A lot of us have gotten to the place of feeling pretty comfortable living with clutter--even if we don't like having a bunch of extra clothing, gadgets, books, toys and trinkets around, it's easier than getting rid of our things. In this episode, Deanna Yates shows us how to start. She also explains that minimalism is a mindset; you can make a change without being extreme. There is no need to feel like you live in a storage unit! Little habits can make a huge difference in decluttering.
Although it may seem overwhelming, decluttering is possible for anyone, whether it's a change in your wardrobe, or the birthday presents you give your kids. This conversation with Deanna will inspire you to grab some bags and boxes and get started.
In this episode:
Inspiration for going minimalist (4:20)
How to start (8:35)
What is a capsule wardrobe? (22:17)
Advice for kids: the big buyers (26:04)
Why is it hard to get rid of things? (32:46)
Want to know more about Deanna?
- go to her website: wannabeclutterfree.com/wannabe-minimalist-show-1
- follow her on Instagram: wannabeclutterfree
- find her on Facebook: wannabeclutterfree
- search her up on Pinterest: wannabeclutterfree
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Have you ever wanted to sell your house and buy a farm? After listening to Zach Gobeil describe his adventurous lifestyle, you might be tempted to. Zach, a science teacher turned farmer, stay-at-home dad, and Instagram influencer, took the risk of moving with his wife and newborn son onto a farm in New Hampshire during the pandemic.
In this episode, Zach explains the value of taking risks and the importance of making time to appreciate passions.
- What inspired him to start a farm (1:00)
- What is Aquaponics (6:32)
- How to make New Hampshire maple syrup (8:55)
- A day in the life on the farm (16:40)
- Life as a stay-at-home dad (22:03)
- Instagram quotes from New England Dad (26:18)
- Maintaining personal passions with kids and the farm (30:47)
Although it can be scary to try something new, Zach’s advice is simple: take chances and you will figure things out. He is chasing his dream so that his kids will be inspired to chase theirs.
Want to know more about Zach?
- Find him on Instagram: smokyvalleyfarms
- And another Instagram account: new_england_dad
- Tweet him: @New_England_Dad
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
As a teacher, Matt King has always been an advocate for children of all backgrounds. But when he fostered an 11-year-old boy who had endured trauma, his perspective changed. In this episode, Matt describes the common mistakes that schools make in dealing with victims of abuse, and questions some models of discipline. For example, if somebody is acting out, it can be best to bring them in rather than kick them out. Matt explains that much of what is defined as “bad behavior” among adolescents is a result of trauma, and that people’s first experience with violence is almost always as the victim.
Matt creates his classroom to be an example of one that he would like to see in schools across the United States, full of empathy and acceptance.
Now as a parent--having adopted that same 11-year-old boy--Matt shares what can be done to enhance inclusivity and better understand children who have endured trauma.
- What sparked Matt's interest in being an advocate for children of abuse (1:15)
- What is trauma? (6:00)
- How Matt advocates for children (14:00)
- What services are currently available for youth with trauma (17:35)
- Societal issues around trauma and neglect (23:30)
- The dynamics of an abusive relationship (30:50)
- Why Matt became a foster and then an adoptive parent (33:11)
- What can be done to help this issue on a larger scale (38:12)
Want to know more about Matt?
- Read his essays: https://traumainformedteacher.substack.com/?sort=top
- Find him on Instagram: trauma_informed_teacher
- Tweet him: @matthewmatika
- Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076463205008 Send him an email: matthewmkingcoaching@gmail.com
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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There are many ways to create a family. When Mary and Tony McQuinn's two biological sons were 13 and 8 years old, they expanded their family by adopting a baby girl with special needs from Korea. In the years to follow they would adopt another baby boy from Korea, and three girls from China--ages 13, 9, and 7; all with special needs.
In this episode, Mary McQuinn candidly shares her initial reluctance to the idea of adopting as well as the many challenges, rewards, and joys they've experienced along their journey:
- Why they sought out international adoptions rather than domestic (01:34)
- How they decided to adopt an older child (age 13) from China (10:13)
- Challenges for children who have been in an orphanage for years (13:12)
- What life was like in the Chinese orphanage their girls lived in (22:28)
- Keeping cultural ties to Korea and China (30:50)
- Advice for others considering international adoptions (35:30)
Mary pushed herself far outside of her "comfort zone" and ended up with a much fuller house--and a much fuller life--than she ever imagined.
Want to know more about Mary?
- find her on Facebook: @mary.mcquinn
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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What do all of these things have in common: designer, author, teacher, illustrator, creator? One answer: Mike Rohde. Another answer: visual thinking. If you don't know what visual thinking is, or don't think you are a visual person, Mike has made it his mission to convince you--and me--that we all are visual thinkers! He even created a new way of taking notes, called Sketchnoting, that combines words and drawings and already has tens of thousands of converts.
This episode covers:
- description of a visual thinker (01:13)
- definition of sketchnoting and possible templates (03:57)
- examples of Mike sketchnoting meals (at Chez Panisse) and travel experiences (Washington, DC and Alaska) (14:31)
- why listening is a secret weapon of sketchnoting (18:49)
- how Mike approaches illustrating books (21:06)
- how it feels to see others using the technique he created (29:37)
- when is a good age for kids to start learning sketchnoting (30:53)
- possible future of sketchnoting (35:04)
... and why Mike once considered giving people just starting out a "diploma" saying, "You have the permission to suck at sketchnoting"!
As promised in the episode, here are links to some of Mike's sketchnotes:
- from his meal at Chez Panisse: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohdesign/albums/72157624361290783
- from his trip to Washington, DC: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohdesign/albums/72157626454253117
- additional images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohdesign/
- making of The Sketchnote Handbook: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohdesign/albums/72157629385456752
It's always the right time to try something new, and Mike says we are all up to the task!
Want to know more about Mike?
- go to his website: rohdesign.com
- follow him on Instagram: rohdesign
- find him on Twitter: twitter.com/rohdesign
- link up with him on LinkedIn: mikerohde
- watch his YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCe1elri6WQzEOc7tD18EZOg
- information about The Sketchnote Handbook: https://rohdesign.com/handbook
- information about The Sketchnote Workbook: https://rohdesign.com/workbook
- information about The Sketchnote Ideabook: https://sketchnoteideabook.com/
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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The Experience Podcast announces its plans for the summer! Tune in for this mini-episode to hear what's up for the next few months.
One morning last year as a mom was driving home from the gym, her child called and told her some news that would change their lives, their relationship, and reverberate through their extended family for months (perhaps years) to come: they'd made the decision to transition into a female.
In this raw, revealing interview, this mom discusses:
- How her child shared the news (01:33)
- Her husband's reaction--which was (and remains) far different from her own (04:41)
- The process of transitioning (16:40)
- Her view on how parents can best support kids going through the process of transitioning (18:31)
- Gender expectations we put on kids (23:47)
- Her feelings about her child undergoing surgery (31:15)
- Thoughts on transitioning pre-puberty vs. as an older person (32:53)
- How this experience has changed her fundamentally as a parent and as a person (39:10)
- The continuing challenges--but since her child had suicidal thoughts, "not having my child alive is not an option" (41:11)
This is a story of unconditional love for a child; of a mother voicing her needs and establishing her own boundaries; of discovery--not just about someone else but about yourself.
Want to know more about families experiencing transition?
- Check out this website: https://www.genderspectrum.org/
- The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and the Human Rights Campaign's guide for families of transgender children: Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children
- Central Toronto Youth Services' guide for families of trans youth: Families in TRANSition
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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When Meagan Wizceb was just over 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, she went in for a check-up--and began living any parent's worst nightmare. Her baby had stopped moving, and what happened next would forever change her life and her purpose.
In this episode of The Experience Podcast, Meagan bravely and openly shares her story of loss, finding "blessings" throughout the horrendous process, and how she was able to turn her pain into promise for countless other families.
Just a few months after losing her baby Wyatt, Meagan founded Wishes for Wyatt--and over the course of the past five years she has spearheaded creative efforts to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the very items that she found most helpful during her grieving process.
Meagan's story is one of courage, strength and generosity.
Want to know more about Meagan and Wishes for Wyatt?
- go to their website: WishesforWyatt.com
- find them on Facebook: @Wishesforwyatt 1
- follow them on Instagram: wishesforwyatt
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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In the first two seasons of The Experience Podcast, we've interviewed guests with some pretty interesting and intriguing jobs. In this episode, we get a taste of what it's like to be: an Olympics photographer, a Googler, a longtime CBS sports producer, a United States Marine veteran, sexual therapists, a mom of eight children, a novelist/children's book author, and a food blogger/cookbook author.
You can listen to the full episode of each by going to theexperiencepodcast.net!
Here is the complete lineup:
Jeff Cable: What it's like to Photograph the Olympics
- He's the photographer for the United States Olympic Committee
- He has photographed seven Olympic Games
Mike Pegg: What it's like to Work at Google
- He has worked at Google for more than 15 years
- He takes us through a workday at one of the world's most famous companies
Ken Mack: What it's like to Produce NFL Games (and more)
- We get a seat in the production truck as he travels from stadium to stadium producing games
Eric Davids: What it's like to Be in the Military
- Attended the U.S. Naval Academy before becoming an Intelligence Officer
- Describes the day-to-day life in uniform as well as the emotional and physical toll of serving
Cliff and Joyce Penner: What it's like Being Sex Therapists
- Explain how they became "accidental experts" in the field
- Demystify touchy topics; discuss the common issues seen in sex therapy
Jessica Galbraith: What it's like to Raise Eight Children
- She reveals the practical (packing lunches) and the emotional (connecting with so many kids with so many different needs) in this revealing interview
Jess Carpenter: What it's like to Write Novels and Children's Books
- This multi-tasking mom has a full-time job, is a social media influencer, and writes and publishes books on the side
- She gives us tips to self-publish books, and more
Rebecca Firth: What it's like to Be a Food Blogger and Cookbook Writer
- At DisplacedHousewife.com, she creates, writes about, photographs and shares delectable baked goods
- She shares how she built her business, along with lots of inspirational advice
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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We've had so many inspirational guests on The Experience Podcast with so many impactful life experiences. In this episode, we feature a few who have shared their truly life-changing experiences with honesty, vulnerability, and humor.
Included are clips from the following episodes:
Karen Peterson: What it's like to be an Alcoholic
Yousuf Azhar: What it's like to be in a Muslim Cult
Jeff Gottfurcht: What it's like to Summit Mt. Everest
You can listen to the full episodes by going to theexperiencepodcast.net!
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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We've had so many entertaining guests on The Experience Podcast throughout our first two seasons... we decided to compile some of them into this episode! Hear snippets of interviews from people who are involved in the entertainment industry in one way or another: a Broadway lyricist, a television director, an actor/stand-up comedian, a voice-over actor, a TikTok star, and an Academy Awards insider.
You can listen to the full episode of each by going to theexperiencepodcast.net!
Here is the complete lineup:
Amanda Docter: What it's like to attend the Academy Awards
- She's been eight times with her husband, 3-time Oscar winner Pete Docter ("Up," "Inside Out," "Soul")
Ethan Herschenfeld: What it's like to be a stand-up comedian & What it's like to be an actor and opera singer
- comedy album, "Thug Thug Jew," was #1 on Amazon Music
- currently appearing in "Red Notice" on Netflix
John Malone: What it's like to be a voice actor
- voices national commercials, videogames, audio books, animated works, and more
- won a Voice Arts Award
Glenn Slater: What it's like to write lyrics for musicals
- has written the lyrics to the songs in some of the most popular Broadway musicals, animated movies and television shows of all time--including Disney’s Tangled; The Little Mermaid; Sister Act; School of Rock; and many others
- won a Grammy, an Emmy, and been nominated for three Tony awards
- often collaborates with heavyweight composers like Alan Mencken and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Ken Fuchs: What it's like to direct hit television shows
- directs long-running franchises including The Bachelor/ette, Family Feud, and Shark Tank
- Emmy Award winner
Linda Fruits: What it's like to be a social media star
- has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram
- posts about bittersweet, honest, humorous moments of motherhood
Dan Sturman: What it's like to make documentary films
- won Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody Awards
- films have been shown at the world’s most prestigious festivals, from Cannes to Sundance
- films include “Nanking,” “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” “The Hollywood Complex,” and “Twin Towers"
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Like any new mother, Jess Carpenter was used to reading picture books to her kids. As she read, she realized something: she wanted to write her own books. She got to work with her first two novels and later published two children's books based on her two young children. Now that she has a third baby, she’s hard at work on the next book.
In this episode, Jess shares what it’s like to be an author. She walks us through her writing process, marketing strategies, and the way she balances her writing with other jobs. In addition to being an author, Jess is a full-time mom to three young kids, an advertising and marketing freelancer, and a content creator. Jess has more than twenty thousand followers on both TikTok and Instagram, where she posts about her kids, books, and life as a mother. Regardless of what she’s working on at the moment, Jess knows how to juggle a lot at once!
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to publish your own book, tune in to hear Jess’s advice and strategies.
As mentioned in the episode, Jess is currently donating all proceeds from the sales of her children's books to the books' illustrator, Kateryna Mansarliiska, who lives in Ukraine.
Click to purchase Lily Becomes a Weed.
Click to purchase Easton Shoots for the Moon.
Want to know more about Jess?
- go to her website: jesscarpenterwrites.com
- follow her on Instagram: jesscarpenterwrites
- find her on Twitter: @jesscarpwrites
- track her on TikTok: jesscarpenterwrites
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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After just one day on a television set, Ken Fuchs knew that he had found his career path. He was assigned the job of stopping traffic while the director shot scenes, listening for “action!” and “cut!” cues from his walkie talkie. When he returned to the studio at the end of the day, he was asked to come back the following day–and he’s worked in television ever since. Now, decades later, Ken is a renowned television director.
Ken has spent his career directing unscripted reality TV shows, such as Shark Tank, Family Feud, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Ken is a three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee, five-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee and the 2019 Daytime Emmy award winner for Outstanding Directing for a Gameshow. Ken’s jobs have taken him around the globe; he’s been to more than sixty-five countries with The Bachelor franchise. But being a director isn’t all award shows and tropical locations–it’s all-consuming work.
This week on the Experience Podcast, Ken takes us behind the scenes to unpack what it’s really like to direct reality TV. He also answers questions from Experience Podcast listeners about The Bachelor franchise: Is it really unscripted? Are the romantic connections authentic? Do contestants do their own makeup?
Tune in to learn more about Ken’s experience – and to get your reality TV questions answered!
Want to know more about Ken?
- find him on Facebook: ken.fuchs.1
- follow him on Instagram: ken.fuchs
- find him on Twitter: @kennyfuchs
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
What is it really like to start... produce... and host a podcast?
Elizabeth Pearson Garr had been turning this question over in her mind for years before she released the first episode of The Experience Podcast in October 2021. The past year has been a whirlwind of cold calls, editing, researching, and lots of learning.
This week, we’re flipping the script on The Experience Podcast; it’s Elizabeth’s turn to be interviewed. The Experience Podcast social media coordinator, Heather Stenwall, takes the mic to ask Elizabeth what it’s really like to host a podcast.
Independent entrepreneurship can be intimidating; it’s scary to go out on your own, especially in an industry you’ve never worked in before. Pushing past the fear, though, opens the door to endless exciting possibilities. Elizabeth shares her highlights of hosting The Experience Podcast, challenges she’s faced, and tips and tricks of the trade for podcast beginners; if you don’t have a sound booth, for example, a roomful of stuffed animals will suffice. And, of course, you always need a trusty – and quiet – dog by your side.
In the episode, Elizabeth suggested that anyone interested in starting a podcast might want to read some books on the subject . Here are a few she recommends:
"Podcasting" by Amanda Mayo
"So You Want to Start a Podcast" by Kristen Meinzer
"Out on the Wire" by Jessica Abel and Ira Glass
Want to know more about Elizabeth--and The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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You may have come across Linda Fruits (@fruitsofmotherhood) on your TikTok “for you” page or on Instagram. She has more than 380,000 followers between the two platforms. She posts about the messy, beautiful, and bittersweet moments that come with being a mother, and through honesty and vulnerability, she’s been able to inspire and connect with mothers all over the country.
Linda walks us through what it’s like to have a career in content creation, and what it’s been like to open her life to thousands of people. She also shares her experience coming out as a lesbian last year, and how her social media platforms encouraged and supported her through that process.
Being a mother isn’t all sunshine and smiles: it can be exhausting, draining, and extremely challenging. However, Linda has found a way to channel these challenges into something fruitful. Tune in to hear more about how she does it!
Want to learn more about Linda?
- Follow her on Instagram: @fruitsofmotherhood
- Track her on TikTok: @fruitsofmotherhood
- Tweet her on Twitter: @lindafruits
- Check her out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fruitsofmotherhoo
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
In New York City in 1993, a group of people got together: about half of them had experience in television production but knew very little about food or cooking; the other half were "foodies" but were clueless about television. Through trial, error, grit, and a lot of dirty dishes, they created the Television Food Network.
Elizabeth Pearson Garr, host/creator of The Experience Podcast, was one of the first employees of what was then known as TVFN. In this episode she shares personal stories--including actual journal entries from the time!--and details what it was like to be among the crew that patched together early shows while sitting on boards made of splinters, in a studio that didn't even have a kitchen. She recalls meeting and working with then-unknowns such as Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay and Mario Batali, as well as reveling in having legendary Julia Child come to the studio every Friday. Meanwhile, the anchor of the news show was simultaneously the First Lady of New York City--married to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani at the time--which provided extra excitement and drama.
It was an exhilarating, exhausting stew of scripts, cookbooks, long hours, kitchen gadgets, gala events, cramped editing suites, hard work and friendships.
Want to know more about Elizabeth and The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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As any parent knows, having kids is a daily mix of emotional highs and lows, tedious tasks, heart-filling joy, exhaustion, love, frustration, and on and on and on. Imagine multiplying all of this by eight. Our guest on this episode--Jessica Galbraith--is the mother of eight children (as she likes to point out: all planned! no twins! all with the same man!).
What is that like? How does she do it? This personal conversation between two close friends who are raising their kids together is both revealing and (surprisingly) relatable.
We get into the practical:
- packing lunches for eight kids
- traveling (hotels vs. VRBO)
- losing kids at Disneyland
- the marriage-saving importance of date nights
And we get into the emotional:
- how it feels to be compared to an Uber driver + cook + maid; Jessica has a much different perspective on her role
- how to connect on an emotional level with so many kids with so many different needs and personalities
- dealing with other peoples' perceptions and reactions (yes, she knows that a 2-year-old should be wearing shoes; she just made the deliberate decision not to spend 20 minutes looking for those shoes at the cost of missing another child's soccer game)
We cover it all--from the joys to the challenges of motherhood. In the end, though, as Jessica says: "For me, fun is always going to win."
Want to know more about Jessica?
- Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.galbraith
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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It can take Rebecca Firth fifteen tries to get a recipe just right. Even if her cake tastes perfect, she wakes up in the early hours of the morning and bakes late into the night to see how she can improve a recipe. Can she cut down on ingredients? What kinds of substitutions could she play with? How can she make this recipe the easiest it can be for her readers?
On this episode of The Experience Podcast, we’re in for a treat: Rebecca shares her experience as a baker, author, photographer, and entrepreneur. Rebecca is the author of two cookbooks (“The Cookie Book” and “The Cake Book”), runs the baking website DisplacedHousewife.com, and commissions recipes for several brands. She puts her good humor to use not only in her writing but also in our conversation. She also dishes up heaping spoonfuls of inspiration.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a cookbook author, baker, photographer, and blogger, tune into this episode to learn about how Rebecca made her way in this industry.
Want to learn more about Rebecca?
- Check out her blog: www.displacedhousewife.com
- Follow her on Instagram: @displacedhousewife
- Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/displacedhousewife/
- "The Cookie Book": https://www.displacedhousewife.com/the-cookie-book-is-out/
- "The Cake Book": https://www.displacedhousewife.com/the-cake-book/
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Cliff and Joyce Penner never meant to become sexual therapists. They each started down different paths, but became "accidental experts"--and have now published 11 books, spoken about sex around the world, train other sexual therapists, and continue to counsel couples on intimacy. They also specialize in helping religious couples of all creeds to connect with their spirituality through their sex lives.
On this episode of "The Experience Podcast," we’re going to therapy – sex therapy – with the Penners. Joyce and Cliff share stories and lessons from their career, and even give us some tips: What do you do when you and your partner are having intimacy issues? How do you know you should even go to sex therapy? How do you talk to your kids about sex? The Penners demystify touchy topics, discuss the common issues seen in sex therapy, and give us some good laughs. Tune in to hear all about what it’s really like to be a sexual therapist.
Want to know more about Cliff and Joyce?
- check out their website: www.passionatecommitment.com
- find them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DailyPassionTip
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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When Yousuf Azhar first joined a religious Sufi community in Chicago, he felt more connected to his faith and to Allah. He made close friends, and followed the guidance of his shaykh and mentors. Azhar and his family stayed in the community for thirteen years, and lived under the guidance of leaders until Azhar became suspicious that something was amiss.
In this week’s episode, Yousuf shares what it’s like to be in a cult – and what it’s like to leave one.
Yousuf tells us about the ways that cults pull people in, and how they trap their followers with manipulation, fear, and dehumanization. Now that he’s on the other side, he shares the importance of knowing the red flags of these groups, and how to avoid getting sucked into them. He also tells us what it’s like to gain personal and spiritual independence after thirteen years of reliance on others to make his decisions. Yousuf’s story is one of immense resilience, and is a testament to the strength of personal spirituality and self determination.
Want to learn more about Yousuf?
- Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yousufsketchnotes/
- Link up on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yazhar/
- Find him up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yousuf.s.azhar
- Tweet him via Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysazhar
- Check him out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ysazhar
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Documentary filmmaker Dan Sturman has won Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody Awards, and his films have been shown at the world’s most prestigious festivals, from Cannes to Sundance. He has interviewed presidents, war criminals, movie stars, and ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
In this episode, Dan takes us behind the scenes of some of his films, including “Nanking,” “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” “The Hollywood Complex,” and “Twin Towers.”
He gives us an inside look at documentary filmmaking:
- How he comes up with ideas for projects
- How he gets funding for his films
- How he convinces people to be interviewed about controversial subjects
- How awards and festival recognition impact his work
Dan also sings the praises of composers who score films. (Imagine how scary—or rather, how NOT scary—a horror movie would be without the music and sound effects!)
Dan shares the challenges (mostly related to financing independent films) and the joys of being a documentarian (such as getting to meet inspiring people and in turn being inspired by them).
Dan’s films are consistently thoughtful and thought-provoking. Here are some ways you can watch the films discussed in this interview:
"The Hollywood Complex": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1754351/
"Twin Towers": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344503/
"Nanking": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0893356/
"Soundtrack for a Revolution": https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/soundtrack/
Want to know more about Dan?
- check out his website: dansturman.com
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
- Follow us on social media:
Most of us can't even stay awake for an entire day and night, but Sarah Lavender Smith runs races that go for 24 hours straight! Not only that... she also runs 50ks, 100 milers, self-supported stage races (up to 170 miles over several days, carrying everything she needs on her back), trail races, and more. And ... she has won several of them.
In this episode, Sarah shares the "how and why" behind her passion for running:
- the physiological--and mental--benefits of running
- why her training regimen waxes and wanes
- what she eats before, and during, races (sometimes--can you believe it--she'll have chicken noodle soup mid-course!)
- why she doesn't wear earbuds while trail running (what's more dangerous: bears, snakes, or mountain bikers?)
- what it feels like to run through lightning, blistering heat, and downpours
- why she cares so deeply about taking care of one's body and hopes to keep running for at least another 25 years
Sarah's enthusiasm for running is infectious. She just may get you excited to start circling your local track a few times--which is how she started 25 years ago.
Sarah is also a prolific writer. Find links to her works below.
Want to know more about Sarah?
- read her book, The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras
- check out her weekly newsletter: “Colorado Mountain Running & Living”
- follow her on Twitter: @sarahrunning
- find her on Instagram: @sarahrunning
- link up via LinkedIn: sarahlavendersmith
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
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When Karen Petersen was fifteen years old, she got blackout drunk for the first time--at her high school's homecoming dance. In college, the booze really began to flow, and she sometimes ended up with men she didn't even know. Later, as a local TV reporter, she'd drink nearly two bottles of wine each night, alone. One day, she finally admitted to her husband--and to herself--that she was an alcoholic and that she needed and wanted help.
Karen shares her incredible journey of alcohol abuse, treatment, and sobriety--the struggles, the joys, the pain, and the freedom.
It's a story of strength and vulnerability. She takes it one day at a time.
Want to know more about Karen?
- follow her on Twitter: KSPbama
- check out her Instagram: karenspetersen
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersenkaren/
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Photographer Jeff Cable has had a front-row seat at the past seven Olympic Games--although his seat is cluttered with cameras, lenses, and laptops. As the photographer for the United States Olympic Committee, Jeff has an all-access pass to any event he chooses. In this episode, he shares:
- how he edits 2600 images down to 10 in a matter of minutes
- how social media has changed the pace of his job
- how he stays focused (literally and figuratively) from 9:00 am to 2:00 am every day for nearly three weeks straight
- what Simone Biles and her teammates were talking about in those minutes before the world knew why she pulled out of the Tokyo 2020 Games
- the best angles to shoot a water polo game
- how photographers deal with bathroom breaks (or the lack thereof) in the middle of certain events
- the importance of mastering the Olympic shuttle bus system
- and much more.
There's a whole lot more to photographing Team USA than just settings and shutter speeds. It's an exciting, exhausting gig, and Jeff approaches each Olympics like it's his one and only.
Want to know more about Jeff?
- follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeffcablephotography/
- read his blog: https://blog.jeffcable.com/
- check him out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeffcablephoto
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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It's not easy to get to the top of the world. It takes a lot of training and determination, a willingness to endure pain and suffering--and no small amount of luck. Even the most prepared climber can confront a deadly avalanche or fatal turn in the weather.
Our guest, Jeff Gottfurcht, was the first person ever to summit the tallest mountain in the world--Mt. Everest--with rheumatoid arthritis. Hear his incredible tales of ten years of training (including climbing all of the world's biggest mountains); what a climber eats, sleeps, and wears on Everest (you'll never believe Jeff's diet!); what happened on his summit ascent in a -20 degree windstorm; and what it's like to sit at the highest point on earth.
Jeff also shares the lessons that have shaped his life that he learned while he was "dancing with fate" on Mt. Everest.
Want to learn more about Jeff?
- Check out his new company's website: cyberdive.co
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Most of us feel overwhelmed cooking and serving Thanksgiving dinner for our own extended families. Imagine doing it for 25,000 people! That’s what the Raul Jimenez Dinner in San Antonio, Texas does each Thanksgiving. It started in 1979 with an idea to serve senior citizens, and has grown to become the largest Thanksgiving dinner under one roof in the United States. This “feast of the heart” is run by volunteers and funded by donations as small as $5 or some canned goods. One man’s dream has become an entire city’s tradition.
What does it take to pull this off?
- More than a year of planning
- 4000 volunteers
- 3000 pumpkin pies
- 6000+ pounds each of green beans and yams
- 550 24-pound turkeys
- … and a whole community's commitment and love.
Want to know more about the Raul Jimenez Dinner?
- Visit their website at rauljimenezdinner.com
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The multi-talented Ethan Herschenfeld is back! Earlier he was on the podcast to share what it's like to be a stand-up comedian. In this episode, we get an inside look at being an actor and professional opera singer. Ethan explains the audition process--and how he's turned the experience around from seeming tortuous to fun, creative and collaborative. He also goes into how it feels to be typecast; and breaks down a scene he shot for the TV show "Girls"--we go into the cab with him late at night in Brooklyn to find out how it was done. (He also spills on what working with Lena Dunham was really like.) Ethan also spent years as a professional opera singer; he tells us how he perfected his voice and why he stopped performing. Finally, we get into his definition of success. Spoiler: it doesn't have anything to do with money.
Want to know more about Ethan?
- Watch his hour-long special, "Thug Thug Jew"
- Learn more about him at www.ethanherschenfeld.com
- Connect with him at https://www.instagram.com/eherschenfeld/
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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Does being in the military really mean being awakened by bugles at 5:00am, eating stingy rations, and training in tough conditions for hours on end? U.S. Marine Corps veteran Eric Davids shares his experiences in the Naval Academy and on deployment; explains the intelligence behind "intelligence"; describes the physical and mental stresses of the job; talks about gaining leadership skills and life-long friendships; and discusses wrestling with the moral difficulties of war.
It's an eye-opening look into an institution that is steeped in discipline, order, and tradition.
Want to know more about Eric?
- Find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eric.davids.12
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A voice actor can be a silly animated bear one day, the voice on a luxury car commercial the next day, and ALL the characters in an audio book the following day. On this episode, John Malone--an award-winning professional voice talent--shares what it takes to do his job... and do it well: from what a home recording studio should include, to how he finds the voices for his wide-ranging repertoire.
There are two words in the job title: voice actor--and both are critical to success! The acting part is huge; this job is not just about having a "good voice." It also takes a lot of hustle and a lot of training and a lot of hard work. If you think this is an easy money, work-from-home-in-your-pajamas type of job... think again.
John has an inspiring story of shifting to this career mid-life that may inspire you to re-think your path as well.
Want to know more about John?
- Check out his website, Malone Zone (where you can hear lots of samples of his work): malonezone.com
- Connect with him on Facebook: @MaloneZoneVO
- Find him on Twitter: @TheMaloneZone
- Follow him on Instagram: @malonezonevo
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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If you usually watch sports couch potato-style, here's a chance to learn about the work that goes into each television broadcast. In this episode, CBS Sports Producer Ken Mack takes us into his production truck and walks us through a typical week: planning graphics and storylines for the broadcast, travelling from stadium to stadium, meeting with coaches and players ... and then goes into detail about the intense, exhilarating hours of live television he produces each week. We find out:
-When do you break for commercials?
-What if an announcer says something outrageous on air?
-How do you handle six people talking to you at once... during a live broadcast?!
It's the ultimate reality show, and we have the best seat in the stadium.
Want to know more about Ken?
- Connect with him on Twitter: @kenmackcbs
- Follow him on Instagram: @kenmackcbs
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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We continue the conversation with award-winning lyricist Glenn Slater. Love the animated movie "Tangled" or the TV show "Galavant"? Glenn reveals some making-of stories that you need to hear. He also shares the building blocks of creating a song; talks about the differences between writing for stage and screen; and shares how it feels to work on a song for weeks or months and have it end up "in the trunk." You'll also learn the meaning of other showbiz terms like "kill your babies" and "birthing an elephant."
Want to know more about Glenn?
- Connect with him on Twitter: @SlaterLyrics
- Check out his Instagram account: glennslaterlyrics
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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Lyricist Glenn Slater takes us backstage to teach us how musicals are made. Glenn has written the lyrics to the songs in some of the most popular Broadway musicals, animated movies and television shows of all time--including Disney’s Tangled; The Little Mermaid; Sister Act; School of Rock; and many others. He has won a Grammy, an Emmy, and been nominated for three Tony awards, and often collaborates with heavyweight composers like Alan Mencken and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Glenn takes us through the process of writing a song, step by step, and explains why balance and variety are key. He addresses the question: which comes first, the music or the lyrics? And he shares where and how he finds his inspiration (it sometimes comes at 4:00 in the morning after poring through a very-old thesaurus for hours--or days!).
Want to know more about Glenn?
- Connect with him on Twitter: @SlaterLyrics
- Check out his Instagram account: glennslaterlyrics
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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We're going to the Oscars! Amanda Docter takes us onto the red carpet, into the Dolby Theater, and to the swanky after-parties. Amanda has been to the Academy Awards ceremony eight times; her husband, Pete Docter, is the head of Pixar and has had a hand in creating many of the biggest animated movies of all time... and he's won three Oscars (for Up, Inside Out, and Soul)! Amanda dishes about trains on dresses; gifting suites; her glam squad; what happens during commercial breaks; how it feels to be on live TV; why the Oscar is the ultimate social lubricant; and which celebrity sulked when he realized his seat wasn't in the front row. Amanda shares how the Oscars compares to other big awards shows... and how being seated across from Paul McCartney at one show created an opportunity that was just too good to pass up.
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Mike Pegg has been a "Googler" (meaning, he has worked at Google) for fifteen years. He takes us through a typical day at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California--from free made-to-order gourmet breakfasts to riding iconic colorful Google bikes around campus. Mike explains how microkitchens and TGIF--the "crown jewel of Google culture"--date back to the beginning of the company's history. We learn the definition of "Googleyness" (if there is one), and get into the company's arduous interview process. And we take a deep dive into the notorious Google perks, from massages to a bowling alley, and learn which celebrity Mike caught in a nap pod. Bonus points for any listener who catches how many lattes Mike typically drinks each day.
Mike's current role is Head of Google Maps Platform Developer Relations.
Want to know more about Mike?
- There are lots of ways to connect with him on social media listed at the top of this page: https://sites.google.com/view/mpegg
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- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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Stand-up comedian Ethan Herschenfeld takes us backstage and shares how to turn ideas into comedy bits; what it's like to create and perform an hour-long comedy special; how to reframe nerves into positive energy; the importance of jump-starting our own engines; and practicing your set in front of your mom and her friends.
Want to know more about Ethan?
- Watch his hour-long special, "Thug Thug Jew"
- Learn more about him at www.ethanherschenfeld.com
- Connect with him at https://www.instagram.com/eherschenfeld/
Want to know more about The Experience Podcast?
- Sign up to be on our Insiders' List! Go to theexperiencepodcast.net
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