The Sensitive Rebel: Recent Episodes
Steve McCready
You go against the grain and you want to make a difference, but you struggle to stay on course in your quest to do so.
It’s hard to change the world when it touches you deeply, but that sensitivity can be one of your greatest strengths.
Sound familiar? Then you’re a sensitive rebel…and this podcast is for you.
My guest for this episode of Paradoxical is Jessica Mozeico of Et Fille Wines.
I love Jessica’s commitment to sustainable winemaking and how creative Jessica is in her approach to business. We had a great conversation discussing the origin and evolution of Et Fille. Here’s a few of the topics we explore:
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What Cameron Diaz’s mother had to do with her career pivot
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Jessica’s unique approach to describing Et Fille’s wines
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How not having any formal training in winemaking has been an advantage
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How Jessica’s perspective on failure helps her innovate in business
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How curiosity contributes to creativity in business
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Why Jessica chose to make Et Fille a B-Corp, and how her commitment to sustainable winemaking has shaped the business.
If you’re someone who wants to find new ways to serve your audience or make a difference in the world, I think this conversation will spark some ideas for you.
You can learn more about Jessica & Et Fille here:Web: etfillewines.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/etfillewines/Facebook: www.facebook.com/EtFilleWines
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
Today I’m joined by Danielle Ruttenberg. She’s a trained glassblower, entrepreneur and mother of two young children, and co-founder of Remark Glass, a fully-sustainable, zero-waste custom glass studio located in the revitalized Bok Building in South Philadelphia. Combining art and sustainability, Remark Glass fulfills its mission of creating sustainable art and manufacturing practices by employing traditional glassblowing techniques to repurpose discarded bottle glass into small batch home accessories. in 2020, Danielle and her team also formed Bottle Underground, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to increasing their impact in waste reduction and generating jobs for the local community. In our conversation, Danielle discusses how Remark Glass transforms waste materials like bottles and jars into new wares such as barware, lighting, and tabletop accessories. We also explore their recycling methods and their commitment to providing fair employment opportunities.
Along the way, we also explore the various challenges they've faced in blending social responsibility with business growth and explore some of the funding challenges they’ve been working through and creative ways they’re worked to supplement revenue during critical periods such as their popular ‘mystery’ boxes.You can see their beautiful work and learn more about Remark Glass at the following links: Web: remarkglass.comInstagram: instagram.com/remarkglassTikTok: tiktok.com/@remarkglass
Blown Away (Netflix show on glass blowing): netflix.com/title/80215147
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
After having kids, Jessica Mathews made quite the career pivot! As is so often the case, though, there are things from her past career (family law attorney) that have helped her succeed in building Dancing Zebra Safari into a successful business where she helps others plan once (or more) in a lifetime adventures. Beyond the pivot, we also talked about specialization and why it matters for your business, the challenges of running a business from almost half a world away, and a whole lot more.
While you’re listening, you can learn more about Jessica & Dancing Zebra Safari and see some great pictures at the below links:
Web: https://www.dancingzebrasafari.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancingzebrasafari/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
Being a visionary entrepreneur isn’t without it’s challenges, and certainly has it’s ups and downs. Rich Cohen, founder & CEO of Elevate Packaging, is very familiar with these. As someone who was thinking about sustainability long before others in his industry, it took him some time (and some challenging sacrifices) to gain traction, but Elevate is now a leader in the realm of compostable packaging, and Rich continues to be a powerful advocate for the environment who’s products match his values.
In addition to exploring Rich’s journey and how he’s managed to build a successful, innovative business, I coach him on some challenges he’s having with finding the right people for his team, and we discuss the surprising thing that swimsuits and compostable labels have in common.
You can learn more at Elevate Packaging’s website, and connect with Rich on LinkedIn.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
So, I'll admit upfront that I'm a fan of MERGE4's socks, and you'll hear that pretty clearly in this conversation with Cindi Busenhart, their CEO & founder.
Cindi’s a big believer in the power of team and you’ll hear that throughout this episode, as well as how she’s used her past experiences in business and a very clear focus on values to build MERGE4 into a unique sock brand.Bio: Cindi Busenhart, the Founder and CEO of MERGE4, has revolutionized the sock industry for action sports enthusiasts. MERGE4's unparalleled commitment to style and performance has resulted in socks that not only look great but can withstand the most rigorous demands of active individuals and extreme athletes, while providing maximum comfort and functionality. Boasting a list of artists and athletes deeper than Lake Tahoe, MERGE4 has rightfully earned its place as the ultimate sock company.Connect with MERGE4: Web: https://merge4.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/merge4socks
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
Ok, you’re probably not in the wine business … so why listen to this episode? Well, Fritz knows a lot about how to be successful in small business while being efficient with his time & energy and honoring himself and his identity. So, there’s a lot of strategies you can adapt to your business that you’ll hear about in our conversation.
Some of the topics we explored include:
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The magazine article that inspired Fritz’ career path
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Fritz’ journey from employee, to solo business to small business.
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Fritz’ approach to serving his clients and discussing renewals that results in a very high retention rate while saving him time & energy.
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How Fritz took an established model used in other industries and translated it into the world of viticulture as a way of expanding his business.
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Why Fritz does not engage in affiliate relationships.
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Fritz’ challenges in balancing working on and in the business and why his support team is an important part of addressing that challenge.
Connect with Fritz:
Web: Virtual Viticulture Academy
Podcast: Vineyard Underground
Instagram: Westover Viticulture
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
Today’s guest is Mary Jenner, founder of The Butterfly Pig, a business that creates doll-sized medical devices for children, to help them understand medical procedures and lower their anxiety around them.
Here’s some of what we explored in our conversation:
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The intersection of experience, interests, and identity that contributed to the beginning of The Butterfly Pig.
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The origin of ‘The Butterfly Pig’ name.
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How the ‘How hard could it be?’ gene has helped (and hindered) Mary.
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The advantage Mary has over traditional doll makers and larger companies when it comes to developing products.
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The role of family in helping her grow her business
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How social media and Facebook groups have played an important role in the evolution and growth of the business.
Find Mary & The Butterfly Pig online:
Web: https://thebutterflypig.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebutterflypig
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheButterflyPig
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebutterflypig
Liked what you heard? Share it with a friend or colleague who you think would also enjoy it!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
Reid Edgar is thinking differently about his environmentally-focused laundry detergent brand, Spot. He’s not the first one to do laundry detergent sheets, but he’s definitely the first to go about marketing a product like this in the way he is. Why? He’s thinking big. Listen in as we talk about why Reid created Spot, how he’s gone about developing and marketing the product, and his next idea for bringing environmentally-focused products to a wider audience.
Learn more at Spot's website or on their Instagram.
A few people have asked lately why I put my podcast on Substack. Well, it’s because I appreciate and enjoy the community aspects of the platform, and it allows for people to comment on episodes and for us to discuss them, which isn’t possible with most platforms. So, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, eco-friendly products, and how they’re marketed - leave a comment below!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
Elaine Frei is a landscape designer by training, but a balloon … artist? sculptor?(take a look and decide for yourself) in her business. Not wanting to settle for making beautiful, artistic spaces with her work, she’s also found ways to make a difference with it, too.
While listening, check out the Luft website or their Instagram so you can get a sense of the work Elaine and the Luft team do, as I don’t think it can be captured in words!
I really admire Elaine’s openness and vulnerability as she talks about both the ups and downs of her journey and the growth she’s had to undertake along the way.
If you’re looking to have a business that does good in the world, but is fun as well, you’ll definitely want to listen in.
Enjoying the podcast? If so, I’d appreciate your support - please pass it along to someone else you think would enjoy it!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
What happens when a maker who plays disc golf, cares about the environment and has a background in marketing starts experimenting in their garage? Well, in the case of today’s guest, Jesse Stedman, you get Trash Panda Disc Golf, a Colorado business that makes flying discs out of recycled plastic.
Listen in as we talk about Jesse’s journey, including
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Why it took a decade to go from inspiration to action in starting up Trash Panda
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Why what Jesse didn’t know was so important in Trash Panda coming to life
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The benefit of creating a YouTube channel before even having a product
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Trash Panda’s unusual disc names and the meanings behind them
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How Jesse turned a byproduct of the injection molding process into a key design element in Trash Panda’s first disc
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How Jesse has used values & constraints both to simplify his decision making and strengthen the clarity of the brand
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The good and bad of product launches
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Why Jesse decided to pursue B-Corp certification
Learn more at Trash Panda Disc Golf’s YouTube channel and website.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
I’m honored to have author, podcaster, speaker, and new(ish) Substack-er as my guest for this week’s episode of Paradoxical. Her book Pivot was a valuable tool for me in my business journey, and her latest work, Free Time, is another great resource for those of you with small or solo businesses who are looking to get more done in less time (and with less effort). We covered a lot of ground in our conversation, including:
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Jenny’s relentless documentation of her workflow and the central repository she uses for that information
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The ‘whisked away to Fiji’ test she uses to assess her business.
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The importance of time boundaries and constraints as tools to help get things done.
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The value of exploring both sides of fear when navigating business changes
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Her transition to Substack, and how & why she’s balancing free vs. paid content on the platform.
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How (and why) she’s bringing more vulnerability to her work and her strategies for making it a more manageable growth activity.
You can connect with and learn more about Jenny at her Substack.
Thoughts on the episode? Let me know!
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
My guest for this episode of Paradoxical is the CEO & co-founder of Cambium Carbon, Ben Christensen. Ben, a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister and TedX speaker, is a thought-leader and industry expert. Cambium Carbon is a limate-tech start-up that works with cities to divert wood waste, local manufacturers to create sustainable products, and demand partners for offtake they are creating a new regenerative supply chain for urban wood.Listen in and you'll likely be as surprised as I am by some of the data Ben has to share about how wood and the furniture supply chain are (mis) managed in the world and the carbon footprint that results. You'll also learn about the great work Cambium Carbon is doing to keep wood out of landfills, decrease carbon emissions, support local supply chains, and bring more character and beauty to the world.
In our coaching segment, Ben and I explore the challenge of balancing 'I' and 'we' in a team.
Learn more about Cambium Carbon and their Carbon Smart Wood at https://cambiumcarbon.com.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
I think curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we have when it comes to problem solving, creativity, and innovation. If you’re trying to build a successful, innovative business that’s making a difference and serving people powerfully, getting better at being curious will take you a long way in that direction.
Especially when it’s an alternative to judgment, a tool that comes with very limited upside and a whole lot of downside.
Inspired by one of my favorite (misattributed) quotes, this episode will help you understand why we veer into the realm of judgment so quickly and easily, how to stop doing so, and how to get better at the skill of being curious.
Like this episode? Know someone you think would find it helpful? Click below to pass it along.
Links:
Paradoxical, Season 3, Episode 9: Transformation through Truth: Some Thoughts on Personal and Business Development (explains the ‘3 A’s’ framework in more depth.
Ted Lasso - ‘Darts’ scene
Snopes on ‘Be Curious, Not Judgmental’
I’ve moved my podcast to Substack! If you’d like to receive episodes in your inbox (as well as other things I’ll be sharing), hit the button below to subscribe (it’s free!)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stevemccready.substack.com
My guest this week is Aubri Thompson of Rebrand Skincare. Aubri is a cosmetic chemist and sustainable beauty expert. In 2020, she started Rebrand Skincare, a refillable skincare company in the Bay Area. She holds a BS in Chemistry and MS in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley.
Me, I never made it past my first semester of college chemistry, but I love how Aubri has combined her degree, her desire to address some of the issues she saw within the beauty industry, and the goal of creating a business that also supported her desired lifestyle in creating Rebrand.
We covered a lot of ground, including:
The Rebrand 'origin story'.
Issues with the beauty industry - packaging and products - and how Aubri addresses them.
The different channels Aubri has used to build her business (online, social media, retail).
The choices and tradeoffs Aubri's faced and considered in building a business that is profitable, environmentally conscious, and aligned with her values and lifestyle priorities.
* Different options Aubri is considering for future growth and expansion.
Aubri's story, I think, is a great example that highlights that small businesses can indeed do big things.
Resources discussed:
Company of One - Paul Jarvis
The Million-Dollar One Person Business - Elaine Pofeldt
Credo Clean Standard
Get in Touch with Aubri:
Web
Instagram
Imagine setting out on an new business journey after a life-altering loss, and shaping it into a model that challenges traditional corporate structures. That's what you'll hear about today as Elisabeth Barton, the co-founder and CEO of Echo Adventure Cooperative, joins me for this episode of Paradoxical.
If you've ever wondered about how a cooperative differs from a traditional business, this episode will enlighten you. Elisabeth talks about the motivation behind choosing a cooperative model and how it helps to empower their employees, as well as the other benefits (and challenges) that go along with this business model.
In addition, you can listen as we explore her vision for growing Echo and I coach her around some of the challenges she's facing in that area.
Get in touch with Elisabeth:
Web: echocoop.com
Email: adventures@echocoop.com
What does the world of 12-step programs have in common with a famous business book? Well, listen in to this solo episode and you'll find out, learning a useful growth framework along the way.
I'll dig into the complex relationship between denial as a survival skill and the undeniable power of information, exploring one of my favorite lessons from Jim Collins' must-read business book, Good to Great.
Beyond the framework, I also explore some specific strategies you can use to navigate the framework. I hope you'll come away from this episode with some new ideas and a new perspective on uncomfortable truths.
How does someone take a 30-year career in social work and use it as a foundation for a successful business teaching guitar? Well, David Feldstein, my guest for this episode of Paradoxical, has done just that. Listen in for the story of his journey and how he's leveraged his social work experience to create a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment for his young guitar students.
David's values about teaching are a fundamental component of his success, and we explore how he makes learning fun for his students. Many of David's students are 'kiddos with superpowers', as he says, and David also shares about his journey of navigating the world as someone with Tourette's syndrome and how that's helped him connect with and serve his neurodiverse students.
Running a one-to-one service business like Kids Guitar Atlanta isn't without its challenges, of course, and we discuss some of the logistical issues around scheduling in-home lessons in Atlanta and the limits he's encountered around wanting to serve as many kids as possible while still ensuring top-notch service.
Connect with David at kidsguitaratlanta.com.
Listen to David's album on Spotify or Apple Music.
Have you ever been caught in the oversimplified dichotomies of 'good / bad' or 'right / wrong'? Today, I'm talking about the importance of nuance in decision-making. Social media often exacerbates the challenge we can have with finding nuance, favoring simplified, polarized viewpoints. But, the truth is that there's a lot of value and power in the grey areas. By exploring those, we can find creative solutions that help us both get through challenging situations but also can spark growth and innovation.
Connect with Steve:
steve@stevemccready.com
stevemccready.com
In this episode, Lissy Alden, founder of MYNDY, shares the story behind MYNDY and provides a master class on metal fitness; what it is, how to improve yours, and how MYNDY supports people with improving their mental fitness.
Ever wondered how it feels to build a community, or the challenges one faces while starting a company? Lissy goes into detail about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of her entrepreneurial journey.
We also dig into the science behind mental fitness, exploring the importance of both positive and negative interactions in shaping our mental fitness. Get ready to challenge your mental patterns, coping mechanisms, and discover a new perspective that'll help you improve your mental fitness and wellness.
Connect with Lissy:Web: myndy.co
Connect with Steve:
Email: steve@stevemccready.com
Web: stevemccready.com
Instagram: instagram.com/stevebmccready
Join us as we talk with Forest Linden from Clarity Lab about his journey to becoming a strategist and marketing expert for businesses. Discover how Forest's unique approach has helped many entrepreneurs find the right path to success.
Forest and I talk about the challenges and opportunities in online business, myths and truths, and what’s working now when it comes to doing business online.
In this episode, we also discuss Forest's willingness to give entrepreneurs a reality check when starting their journey towards creating a business selling online courses. Plus, learn how Forest's study and practice of Buddhism has influenced his approach to business, helping him to connect deeply with clients and create more meaningful content.
We didn’t end up talking about Zwift, the virtual cycling app, but you can find out more about it at zwift.com.
Oh, and that quote I couldn’t recall in the episode is from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Connect with Forest:Web: claritylab.co
Twitter: @forestlinden
Post.news: @forestlinden
Connect with Steve:
Email: steve@stevemccready.com
Web: stevemccready.com
Instagram: instagram.com/stevebmccready
Holly from Atomic Avocado doesn't have the background you might expect from someone who's running a product business that focuses on Mid-Century Modern-inspired items that range from signs to keychains, but it was an important influence in how she runs that business. We had a great conversation about her story and the evolution of Atomic Avocado where we hit on a bunch of topics, including:
- How and why Holly has evolved her product over time
- The importance of feedback in Holly's process
- The challenges of being one person managing a product company that does customized, individual designs
- The difficulty of setting boundaries while working from home.
- Why she's chosen to make big investments in equipment & facilities for her business
- How her work got featured in her favorite magazine
- How small touches & details make a big impact
- What drives Holly’s product design process
- Holly’s approach to confronting people who copy her designs
- Why Holly uses Etsy for her business
Connect with Holly:
Web - atomicavocadodesigns.com
Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/AtomicAvocadoDesigns
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@stevemccready.com
Web - stevemccready.com
Instagram - instagram.com/stevebmccready
Who doesn't like being in control?
Well, seeking control doesn't always serve us well, and we don't necessarily have as much control as we'd like to think. So, what to do about it? Well, that's one of the things I discuss in this solo episode. I've also got a bit of a rant related to a LinkedIn post I saw recently on the topic of control. Social media is a horrible vehicle for conveying nuance, and this post I saw is an example of it ... and that can have a negative impact on those who read it, which is why I wanted to unpack this a bit.
Thoughts, feedback, stories about your own interactions you'd like to share? Drop me a note: steve@stevemccready.com
Marci's a professional photo organizer who helps people preserve their visual family legacy. She shared a lot of great information as well as discussing some of the strategies she's developed to help her navigate the challenges of being a solopreneur.
Topics include:
- How one of the factors that contributed to her losing her prior job has actually been a strength for her in her business.
- A simple way of accurately estimating how many physical photos you have
- Marci's simple strategy for keeping your photo library from growing out of control.
- The proper way to back up your photos (according to the Smithsonian!)
- Marci's definition of success
- What you need to do to become a certified photo manager
- I coach Marci around her mailing list and her discomfort with and uncertainty around self-promotion.
Connect with Marci:
Email - marci@pastpresentpix.com
Web - pastpresentpix.com
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@stevemccready.com
Web - stevemccready.com
Instagram - instagram.com/stevebmccready
Just a short one today, but I wanted to share my thoughts behind the new title/subtitle, so I took a few minutes to break it down for you.
As a bonus, I've shared some thoughts about The Last of Us, what makes it great, and how there's a lesson there that we can all use in improving our business.
Links:
The Last Of Us Official Homepage
The Million-Dollar One-Person Business
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@stevemccready.com
Web - stevemccready.com
Instagram - instagram.com/stevebmccready
It’s been a while, but I’m back with a refreshed and renamed podcast!
Why 'Paradoxical'? Well, my goal with this refreshed podcast is to help solo and small business owners build the mental toolbox they need to find success, and it turns out that many of those tools and strategies are, well, paradoxical.
You can look forward to conversations with small and solo business owners where we explore their journeys, share success strategies, and unpack current challenges. If you're looking to do more with your small business, this podcast will help you make that happen.
Attention is a precious resource that there's ever more competition for, which makes intention an ever more important thing if we want to stay on course. I've got thoughts about the battle for our attention and ideas for how to fight back.
Then, I share my thoughts on what The Great British Baking Show has to teach us about competition and how to compete in a way that's not just different, but I think ultimately produces better results as well.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Sam Mazzeo of Better, a law firm that I'd love to see others emulate. To give you a sense of Sam, here's his bio: "We like to think of Sam as an approachable renaissance man. Here are some things he can help you better understand: trademark, business formation & securities, contracts, Halloween party planning, how to do a standing backflip, and the proper pronunciation of the word “GIF.” When Sam isn't providing legal advice and empowering his clients, he's either outdoors exercising or working on local policy and social justice initiatives, often through his volunteer positions with Business For Good San Diego. Sam also serves on several Boards of Directors, including A Reason to Survive (ARTS), Space4Art, and The Foundation at Hearst Castle."
We had a great conversation about Sam's journey through the field of law, his work with Invisible Children and how it was transformative for him, and how and why he, and Better, approach the practice of law from a different perspective.
If you're in an industry that you feel needs to be shaken up a little bit, I think you'll definitely get some useful ideas from our conversation.
This is the first solo episode of the podcast. I’m still sorting out what I want to do with these, and I’m interested in your input about what you’d find helpful or valuable for me to focus on as well. I've put the explicit tag on this one only because there's a little swearing.
Topics in today’s episode:
*The awkwardness of the world right now that we’re all feeling and some thought traps we can fall into around it that, while normal, aren’t helpful.
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Unlearning the ‘new normal’ we adopted during COVID and becoming more conscious and intentional again.
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Three ways we can increase our ability to cope with and navigate the multitude of challenges and stressors we’re all facing right now
Send an email to steve@sensitiverebel.com with your feedback, ideas for future topics, and questions.
I’ll see you in a couple of weeks with another interview!
Keep moving forward,
-Steve
Beth Allen is an RN who became a DIY master. She’s the creator of DIYHipChicks, a resource designed to help women (and men) tackle home improvement projects with skill and confidence. Her YouTube channel has had well over a million views and she’s had over 100 TV appearances.
Beth’s smart, fun, no-nonsense attitude makes her a natural fit for this work, and we had a great time discussing her journey.
Some of the topics we covered include:
How Beth went from RN to DIY home repair
Beth’s experience with trying to develop a reality TV show and the role her values played in that journey (and her ongoing work).
Why Beth’s renewing her RN license and her goals and dreams for continuing to support women.
The underlying forces behind Beth’s work.
Connect with Beth online:
Web: https://diyhipchicks.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DIYHIPChicks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diyhipchicks/
Season 2 of the Sensitive Rebel is launching on April 6!
Join me for more interviews with sensitive rebels who are working to make a difference in the world, as well as some solo episodes where I'll share insights from interviews and my work with other sensitive rebels on ways to keep moving forward on the quest to make a difference in the world ... even in dark and difficult times.
Darren Joe is an entrepreneur, writer, and podcast host. In 2012, he started Touch MBA, which has helped thousands of applicants worldwide get into the world’s top business schools. He hosts the Touch MBA Admissions Podcast, one of the top-ranked MBA podcasts. As well as ASE, a podcast which explores how self-employed creators and entrepreneurs manage their well-being and do their best work. In April 2021, he published his first book, The Fail-Safe Solopreneur: 6 Essential practices to manage your well-being working for yourself.
A graduate of Princeton University, he resides in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A former Division 1 tennis player, Darren enjoys salsa dancing and playing Cataan to relax.
I had a great time talking to Darren and really appreciate how genuine he is and the perspective he brings to entrepreneurship and life.
Some of the topics we discussed:
The power of mastermind groups and importance of how they’re facilitated
The power of small groups vs. large ones
The importance of connecting with others on a similar path
The importance and power of ranking your day
The concept of the perfect day & what makes a perfect day
The importance of looking both at the ups and the downs / the light and the dark side of business
The danger (and opportunity) in comparison
How Darren's parents responded to his book
* Darren’s big challenge going forward
Connect with Darren:
Web - https://upstartist.tv
Podcast - https://upstartist.tv/ase
Instagram - https://instagram.com/freeyourinnerguru
The Fail-Safe Solopreneur: https://upstartist.tv/the-fail-safe-solopreneur/
Amazon/Audible link for The Fail-Safe Solopreneur: https://amzn.to/3ghY6bf
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
P.S. One note I want to make is that this interview was recorded a couple of months prior to publication, so Darren’s comments about the COVID-related restrictions in Vietnam do not reflect the current environment there.
Laura Tucker is a writer, photographer, podcaster, and recovering coach. She and I connected a while back, and in discussing our ideas about personal growth, coaching, gurus, and more, came up with the idea of a podcast swap … and then took it to another level by swapping the guest & host roles. So, in this episode, Laura took the host chair and interviewed me!
Here’s some of what we talked about:
- How I accidentally became a professional artist
- My journey from IT to therapy and coaching
- Differences between therapy and coaching
- What I’m rebelling against
- The ‘big why’ behind my coaching work
- What’s a Sensitive rebel, anyway?
- What’s an HSP?
- How sensitivity can be a strength.
- My Instagram ‘strategy’
- Why I started a podcast, and some of my favorite ones to listen to
- The power of music, and some of my favorite music.
- The importance of one’s physical environment
Definitely check out Laura’s Free Your Inner Guru podcast … a good place to start would be the ‘companion’ interview to this one - my interview of her, which is episode 93 of the Free Your Inner Guru podcast. We had a great conversation about her story, her experience with James Arthur Ray, and how the Sedona sweat lodge incident in 2009 which she was a part of affected her and informed her journey.
Connect with Laura:
Web - https://lauratucker.com
Podcast- https://freeyourinnerguru.com
Instagram - https://instagram.com/freeyourinnerguru (podcast)
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thatlauratucker (photography)
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Daniel Arthur Smith is a USA Today & Wall Street Journal best selling author, who’s titles include Spectral Shift, Hugh Howey Lives, The Cathari Treasure and The Somali Deception, among others.
He also curates the short fiction series Tales From The Canyons of The Damned.
Daniel was raised in Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University where he studied philosophy. Along his career journey he’s worked as a bartender, barista, poetry house proprietor, teacher, and technologist for Fortune 100 companies across America & Europe.
Whether or not you’ve read one of Daniel’s works, you probably have made use of a technology he helped develop during his IT career, which is one of the many subjects we cover in our conversation.
Here’s some of the other topics we discussed:
- The role of books in Daniel’s childhood
- The power and importance of perspective
- The unique experience of growing up in Michigan in the 80’s and how it shaped Daniel and his career path
- The problems with ‘settling’
- How Daniel got stuck in his IT career for longer than he wanted to
- The important role writing plays in his life beyond a career
Connect with Daniel:
Email: daniel@danielsarthursmith.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielArthurSmith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielsmi
Connect with Steve:
Email: steve@sensitiverebel.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn is a Professor in the School of Nursing at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). She received her Doctor of Education from St. Mary’s College and Masters of Science in Nursing at CSUS, focusing on trauma-informed care with an emphasis on building resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG).
She developed the word Metahabilitation, to describe a more optimistic and productive outcome in the aftermath of trauma, and her research provided a strengths-based clinical pathway guiding individuals toward PTG. Her post-doctoral research focused on how traumatic experiences also build resilience and bring forth Post-Traumatic Growth in secondary and vicarious trauma survivors as well as communities.
Along with the course she created at CSUS, Traumatology. An Introduction to Post-traumatic Growth, she continues to research, lecture and directly apply Metahabilitation in a variety of rehabilitation and recovery settings.
Her second book on the subject, Anatomy of a Survivor. Building Resilience Grit and Growth After Trauma, was released in April 2021.
Topics discussed include:
- Dr. Mikal-Flynn’s own traumatic event and recovery from it
- What ‘Metahabilitation’ is and how it works
- The importance of support system in any recovery process
- Reframing challenges and struggles as starting points vs. end points
- The power and importance of permission and control in recovery
Get in Touch with Dr. Joyce:
Web - https://metahab.com
Instagram - https://instagram.com/dr.jmf
Get in Touch with Steve:
Email: steve@sensitiverebel.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Joe Perrone is an executive consultant who helps business owners and professionals find freedom from stress & overwhelm. He is an expert in creating free time and eliminating burnout.
Topics covered in this episode:
Joe’s professional journey and eventual burnout.
His recovery and pivot from auto repair to consulting & coaching.
The importance of coaches having coaches
Why a service mindset is critical for success
The power of a smile
Ripple effects
The concept of a ‘day-tight’ compartment for staying present and focused on now.
Using the past to create a better future
Keys to creating more time and time freedom in your life.
Books mentioned:
Stop Worrying & Start Living - Dale Carnegie
Atomic Habits - James Clear
The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg
The Strangest Secret - Earl Nightingale
Start with Why - Simon Sinek
Essentialism - Greg McKeon
Get in Touch with Joe:
Web: https://joeperrone.biz
LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeon34/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/joeperrone.biz
Get in Touch with Steve:
Email: steve@sensitiverebel.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest today is Kim Chernecki, CEO and Founder of Freedom Street. Kim is Canada’s leading expert on helping high-performing freelance executives, consultants, coaches and other experts to land lucrative corporate contracts. She is the creator of the Land Corporate Contracts Fast-Track System, and is a top-rated sales performance executive, facilitator, coach, advisor, speaker and strategist.
She has worked 'shoulder-to-shoulder’ with over 1400 Executives and Small Business Owners to grow their businesses and close Millions of dollars in corporate contracts, started up and helped grow 10 businesses and business divisions ,and personally built 7-figure book of business with corporate clients with 40% year-over-year growth 6 years in a row.
Topics explored in our conversation include:
Why working ‘for the man’ didn’t work for Kim.
Her 'dark night of the soul' and how it changed things for her.
The powerful reframe that was transformative in helping her respond differently to her challenges.
How Kim deals with challenges and stresses in her work.
Kim’s ‘Trojan Horse’ method of selling & serving her clients.
The AI company Kim’s building and how she sees it changing the task of prospecting for business.
You can connect with Kim and learn more about her services at: https://www.freedomstreetinc.com/
Frank Haberle's debut story collection, Shufflers, about minimum wage transients during the Reagan era, will be coming on September 1, 2021 from Flexible Press - https://www.flexiblepub.com/shufflers and can be pre-ordered now through www.indiebound.org and other outlets.
His short stories have won awards from Pen Parentis (2011), Beautiful Loser Magazine (2017) the Sustainable Arts Foundation (2013) and the Rose Warner Prize for Fiction (2021) and appeared in magazines including Stockholm Literary Review, Necessary Fiction, the Adirondack Review, Smokelong Quarterly and the Baltimore Review.
Frank works as a nonprofit administrator, volunteers as a workshop leader with the NY Writers Coalition and the Creative Center at University Settlement; he lives with his wife and three children in Brooklyn, New York.
In this episode, we talk about how Frank started writing, his adventures doing various jobs across the US in his younger years, how he came back to writing, and how he came to create his book. Frank's full of fun and interesting stories and I really enjoyed our conversation.
Frank can be reached via his website, https://frankhaberle.com, and via email at frankhaberle@aol.com.
Note: This episode discusses a number of sensitive topics (sexual assault, substance abuse, suicide) and contains a lot of explicit language.
My guest on this episode is Adam M. Lamb. Adam is a speaker, author, coach, and consultant to the hospitality industry as an expert in mental health and wellness, addiction, organizational culture, and mentorship. Known as “The Quantum Chef”, Adam has been a professional chef for over thirty years and is also the producer and host of the podcast Chef Life Radio, dedicated to inspiring professional chefs working towards a more equitable and sustainable culinary culture.
Adam's published works include: Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable, Profanity & Its Proper Use, and An Initiated Man, Finally. His newest book, Circle Jerk – Lessons of Manhood My Father Never Taught Me, is due in summer 2022. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, In the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he produces a line of Pepper Sauces and makes goat cheese in his spare time.
Topics discussed include:
- Adam’s first restaurant job and the surprising driver that led Adam to pursue a career in hospitality
- Adam's childhood and the tragic event that re-shaped his family
- Why community & connection is so important for Adam
- The prevalance of substance abuse & suicide in the restaurant industry
- Adam’s take on the current crisis facing the restaurant industry
- The origin and re-boot of Adam's podcast
- The importance of self-care and Adam’s regular routine
Connect w/Adam:
Email: adam@foodwerksinc.com
Phone: 828-515-1020
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
As the chief learning officer of Summit Success International, Doug Brown manages the learning programs for Summit Success and also coaches lawyers, entrepreneurs and C-Level executives who are determined to make more money in less time so they can live the life they want and deserve.
Initially inspired to pursue an entrepreneurial path from witnessing his mother sell Tupperware, Doug has spent the last 25 years working as an attorney, MBA professor, and entrepreneur who’s helped create and turn-around multiple 7 and 8 figure businesses.
One of the ways that some sensitive rebels deal with the challenges of their professional lives is by turning out their feelings. While you can do it for a time, it comes with a price, as you’ll hear in our conversation. You’ll also learn about how Doug’s adjusted his approach to find a way that allows him to make a powerful impact in the world while doing meaningful work and finding time and energy for things beyond work.
Topics covered include:
- Acceptance of our limitations and creating a sustainable approach to work
- The importance and value of community to support you on your professional journey
- The power of 'yes and' vs. 'either-or'
- Using your experiences, both good and bad, to more powerfully serve others.
Connect with Doug:
Email: doug@summit-success.com
Web: summit-success.com
Connect with Steve:
Email: steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web: sensitiverebel.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest for this episode is Tzeli Triantafillou. Tzeli is a Toxicologist and a Stress Resilience and Wellness Speaker and Coach. Using the same critical thinking that allowed her to synthesize cancer drugs in the laboratory, she founded MyndZen.com to be the bridge from stress and burnout to your most healthy, whole, powerful self. She helps clients use science and neurobiology to conquer toxic stress, defeat burnout, and live their best life.
As a speaker, trainer, and integrative wellness coach, Tzeli brings science to life by reacquainting audiences with their own amazing internal neurobiology. She teaches practical ways and strategies that empower you to thrive in a stressful world without burning out. Her Brain Reboot: From Burnout to Peak Performance program is a client favorite for changing minds, brains, and lives for the better. You can learn more about it and join the waitlist to be the notified when enrollment opens for the next one here:
myndzen.teachable.com/p/the-myndzen-peak-performance-lab2
You can join her community at http://bit.ly/JoinMyndZen for Tzeli’s free weekly stress reducing tools, tips, and resources delivered directly in your inbox.
Topics we discussed include:
The life mission Tzeli decided on in childhood and how she got diverted from it.
The one thing she wishes was different about her life journey.
Painful events as motivators for transformation
How she got off course and why it took her a long time to course correct
Greek culture and how it’s been influenced by their history
The impact of social media on self-image
The power of pausing
Defining success (related quote: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm” - we weren’t sure who said it, but turns out it was Winston Churchill)
Links:
Epigenetics (CDC) - https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm
Dan Siegel / Mindsight Institute - https://www.mindsightinstitute.com
Connect with Tzeli:
Email: tzeli@myndzen.com
Phone: 916-212-3042
Website: http://www.myndzen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tzelismyndzen
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzeli-triantafillou/
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest for this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Dr. Serena Sterling. Serena is a certified Life Coach who holds a masters degree in International Journalism and a doctorate in clinical psychology, which she pursued because of her own experience of overcoming chronic fatigue syndrome and finding ways to alleviate her own chronic pain from years of living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to her clinical work, which she does virtually with clients across the globe, Serena speaks on the topics of identifying and releasing repressed emotions as a means to alleviate pain and improve health & performance and is the author of the book Pain: A Love Story.
Sensitive Rebels aren’t all people who are highly expressive or overtly emotional. One of the reasons I wanted to have Serena on the podcast is because of her experience of having her emotional side be unsupported and being someone who coped with that by learning to repress her emotions. As you’ll hear, whether or not you allow yourself to feel your feelings, they’re still inside of you, and they’ll make themselves known in some form or other.
Links to topics discussed:
Reed College - https://reed.edu
Louise Hay - https://louisehay.com
Landmark Education Worldwide (Wikipedia) -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Worldwide
Alexithymia (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexithymia
What is an Empath? (Healthline) - https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-an-empath
Connect with Serena:
Website - https://drserenasterling.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drserenasterling/
Book - Pain: A Love Story - https://www.drserenasterling.com/shop/p/pain-a-love-story-by-serena-sterling
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
This episode is a bit different. You’re going to hear a lot about sacred spaces, ritual, and prayer today … but in more of a spiritual sense, not a religious one.
Dr. Tom Garcia describes himself as a shamanic teacher and spiritual guide with a unique gift for helping people clear away the blocks that keep them from reaching their dreams and experiencing peace and happiness.
Through wisdom born of personal experience and genuine humility, he helps people awaken, strengthen and deepen their connection within to rediscover their true voice and unearth their deepest calling.
With the help of the mystical guides who led him to his own spiritual awakening, he uses clear guidance and gentle presence to move past fear and uncertainty into the light of your own wisdom.
He lives with his family in the mountains of Colorado.
Topics discussed in today’s episode:
EST (Erhard Seminars Training), a personal growth program from the 70’s.
Tom’s transition from a Chiropractor to starting to develop fire ceremonies.
The roles of ritual and ceremony and importance of safe spaces in inner / personal growth work.
How our own views and biases distort how we see and interpret the world.
The importance of support system and familiar / comfortable activities in supporting one’s personal growth & development work.
Imposter syndrome and how it can impact and hinder our growth and development.
Links:
“We see the world not as it is, but as we are” - https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/03/09/as-we-are/
EST (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhard_Seminars_Training
Marianne Williamson (author, spiritual leader, creator of A Course in Miracles) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Williamson
Our Greatest Fear (poem by Marianne Williamson) -https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/our-deepest-fear-5/
Gary Renard - http://www.garyrenard.com
Lynne McTaggart - https://lynnemctaggart.com
Connect with Tom:
Web - https://reclaimthesacred.com
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest for this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is author Milda De Voe. In addition to founding Pen Parentis, a literary nonprofit that helps writers stay creative after having kids, Milda (also known as M.M. De Voe), is a Pushcart-nominated author of short fiction, with work in the Shirley Jackson Award-winning anthology Twisted Book of Shadows and in literary journals in Israel, Great Britain, Canada, and the US, and in the anthology Delirium Corridors. Nominated for her fourth Pushcart in 2021, her first full-length nonfiction — Book &Baby: The Complete Guide to Managing Chaos & Becoming a Wildly Successful Writer-Parent (Brooklyn Writers Press, 2021) — is an instructional guide that Midwest Book Review called “a mandatory read.” This book won first place in the 2021 Indie Awards for writing/publishing books. She is a Columbia University MFA graduate (and fellow) who studied under Michael Cunningham. She has also co-written the book of a sci-fi dance musical, won a NYC poet-tweet contest judged by the mayor’s wife, and has danced for the Pope in Vatican City. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, kids, and an urban rabbit.
In this episode, we discuss her rebellion against 'anti-curiosity' (indifference is the word neither she or I could think of during the interview), the impact of growing up as the child of a scientist and an educator on her as it relates to her curiosity and her attitude about mistakes, her career progression to becoming a writer, the impact of 9/11 on her life, her new book, upcoming projects, and more.
Related links:
College Station TX (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Station,_Texas
Aggie Bonfire collapse (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Aggie_Bonfire_collapse
Maria Montessori (American Montessori Society) - https://amshq.org/About-Montessori/History-of-Montessori/Who-Was-Maria-Montessori
Christopher Durang (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Durang
Alexander Calder (SF MOMA) - https://www.sfmoma.org/artist/alexander_calder/
Scribente Maternum - https://www.scribentematernum.com
Tiny Owl Press - https://tinyowl.co.uk
Domenica Ruta - Last Day (Goodreads) - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/41794726-last-day
Sarah Langan - Good Neighbors (Goodreads) - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54304088-good-neighbors
Helen Phillips - The Need - https://www.helencphillips.com/the-need
Connect with Milda:
Web - https://mmdevoe.com
Web (Pen Parentis) - https://www.penparentis.org
Twitter - @mmdevoe
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Regina Graziani, my guest for this episode, describes herself thusly: “I’m an attorney by education and training, and a mentor by passion. I love nothing more, if you don’t count calorie-free ice cream, than to assist learners to successfully transition into the legal profession and reach their professional goals. I am an advocate of, and have extensive experience, with paralegals and paralegal students, which is why I was chosen for my current role - Program Director, Paralegal Studies Program - at the University of Hartford. I regularly present on topics of interest to paralegals and attorneys, locally and nationally. I am a proponent of doing something that is difficult, challenging, and outside your comfort zone, every single day.”
Regina’s story illustrates so many important things about finding success, from the importance and power of advocacy, whether it’s for oneself or for others, why persistence is essential for success, and how the right perspective on failure can make all the difference when life knocks us down.
Topics discussed in today’s episode:
David Goggins (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Goggins
Lymphatic Malformation (NORD) - https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/lymphatic-malformations/
Apraxia (NORD) - [Apraxia - NORD https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/apraxia/
Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal_learning_disorder
Connect with Regina:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginagrazianiesq/
Email - graziani@hartford.edu
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Krysta Dancy. Krysta is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has over seventeen years of experience in the field of psychology and trauma. In her office in Roseville, CA she provides compassionate and evidence-based care for a variety of fertility-related mental health issues with special emphasis on trauma and birth (for both provider and patient). She also serves as Co-Director and Clinical Supervisor at The Place Within (a nonprofit that makes community counseling affordable for those who may not otherwise have access.) Krysta founded The Birth & Trauma Support Center- a nation-wide organization dedicated to providing trauma-informed training to providers and professionals. From her lens as a certified birth doula and mental health professional, Krysta holds great optimism and warmth for each person in the birth room. Her work and passion is to see trauma-informed medical care become the norm, and to see providers and patients thrive.
Topics discussed in today’s episode:
Trauma-informed care - https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/trauma-informed-care-what-it-is-and-why-its-important-2018101613562
EMDR (EMDR Institute) - https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
Brainspotting - https://www.brainspotting.com
NICU (March of Dimes) - https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/the-nicu.aspx
Connect with Krysta:
Birth & Trauma Support Center - https://birthandtraumasupportcenter.org
Private Practice - https://www.counselinginroseville.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/krystadancymft/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DancyTherapy
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Today’s guest on The Sensitive Rebel is Bruce Ross.
Bruce operates in the realm of the “inner game of leadership”.
His proprietary approach to leadership development is research-based and has been honed over 37 years of working directly with the full spectrum of leaders: from emergent through to established.
The resulting Flowpreneur framework integrates brain science and Optimal psychology directly into business to help leaders and teams tap unsuspected reserves of human performance, intelligence and potential.
Bruce has spoken at over 30 annual conferences and been published internationally on the topics of leadership and accessing peak performance states. In addition, he has personally coached over 1200 business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs.
Connect with Bruce:
bruce@ignitebusiness.co.nz
Flowpreneur - https://flowpreneur.co
Ignite Business Leadership - https://ignitebusiness.co.nz
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucesross/
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Walt Hampton. Walt is the Founder and CEO of Summit Success International, a global personal and professional development firm. He is also the President and COO of Book Yourself Solid® Worldwide. He’s an executive business coach, management consultant, and leadership trainer. Founder of the Consultant’s Success Formula®, Walt helps entrepreneurs and business professionals make the impact they want and the income they deserve. He’s the best-selling author of Journeys on the Edge: Living a Life That Matters, a two-time winner of the North American Book Awards. He’s also the author of The Power Principles of Time Mastery: Do Less, Make More, Have Fun.
Topics discussed in today’s episode:
Tony Robbins - https://tonyrobbins.com
Terrence Real - https://terryreal.com
Abraham-Hicks - https://www.abraham-hicks.com
Mount Everest (Wikipedia) - Mount Everest - Wikipedia
Seven Summits - Seven Summits - Wikipedia
Connect with Walt:
Web - https://walthampton.com
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Anthony Stoker. With over 25 years experience in the footwear industry, Anthony Stoker takes inspiration from the world of art and music, and works closely with an Italian family-run factory, to produce shoes worth cherishing. A collection imbued with captivating elegance, and founded on the values of longevity and reverence. Longevity; a quality that will last both physically and emotionally. Reverence; to inspire awareness and respect; for the craft and the craftspeople, and customers too.
I first met Anthony a few months ago when I began my podcast journey. He has his own podcast, "The View From A Shoe", which is definitely worth a listen. In our conversation we talk about Anthony's journey into shoe design, the evolution of his own line of shoes, how he's balanced going with the flow and listening to his gut, and the role a children's book may have played in his career choice, among other things (like, for example, the band New Order and their album covers). Enjoy!
Mentioned / discussed in today's episode:The Elves & The Shoemaker (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elves_and_the_Shoemaker
Alexander McQueen - http://alexandermcqueen.com
Vladimir Kush - https://vladimirkush.com
New Order - https://neworder.com
Power, Corruption & Lies (New Order album - Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power,_Corruption_%26_Lies
Temptation (New Order song - Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temptation_(New_Order_song)
Peter Saville - https://petersaville.info
Bauhaus (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus
Connect with Anthony:Web, Podcast - https://anthonystoker.com
Connect with Steve:Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is David Martin. David is a consultant and business coach with over 25 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and executives achieve results that previously eluded them. Whether or not you're an executive or entrepreneur, David shares a lot in our conversation that will help sensitive rebels navigate the sometimes rough waters of life more effectively. We had a lot of fun riffing on business, humans, and spirituality and I think this episode will have you both learning and laughing. Enjoy!
Mentioned / discussed in today's episode:
- ‘Behold the turtle…’ quote - https://quoteinvestigator.com/2019/09/13/turtle/
- Psychological Safety (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_safety
- James Hillman / "the oak lives in the acorn" (Wikipedia) -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hillman
- San Francisco Zen Center / Shunryu Suzuki: https://www.sfzc.org
- Thanks for Sharing (Official Movie Website) - https://thanksforsharingmovie.com
- Daniel Siegel / hand model of the brain (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-m2YcdMdFw
- What Steve is rebelling against
Connect with David:Web - https://davidmartinco.com
Connect with Steve:Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guests on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel are Karen Betts & Hannah Howerton, the mother-daughter duo behind Lionel's Place and co-creators of the book The Little Lemon that Leapt. I've known them for a number of years and love what they're doing and the important messages they're bringing to the world about identity, self-acceptance, and value.
Karen Sanders is the wordsmith and visionary behind Lionel’s Place. She is a bookworm from way back, and proudly touts the fact that she became a published author at age 7, when Wee Wisdom Magazine printed one of her poems. Karen has her BS in Journalism, with a minor in English. She is currently working on the second book in Lionel the Lemon’s series. Karen loves spreading her dad’s message of acceptance as she continues to use a little lemon to make a big difference.
Hannah Howerton is the illustrator and creative director behind Lionel's Place. She is a lifelong doodler who finds inspiration in the great outdoors. After graduating from UC Berkeley, she knew she wanted to launch a business that would make a difference in this weird and wonderful world. She loves using pop art to promote messages near and dear to her heart.
Topics discussed in our conversation:
- The story (and inspiration) behind Lionel the Lemon
- The ups and downs of creating (and promoting) their book & how their collaborative process works.
- Why 'dead ends' still have value
- The importance of 'embracing your weird'
- The question they ask themselves that helps them keep their motivation up
- The impact of their school presentations on both students and on them.
- Why their book has been a hit with the neurodiverse crowd
- What's next for Lionel the Lemon
- Mr. Rogers - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers
- Kickstarter - https://kickstarter.com
- PBS - https://pbs.org
- Meet the Robinsons - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_the_Robinsons
- ...and more!
Connect with Karen & Hannah:Web - https://lionels.place
Connect with Steve:Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Ann Sheybani. Ann is the founder of Summit Press Publishers. She helps service professionals and entrepreneurs write and publish expert-positioning books that matter, that get read from cover to cover. A sales and marketing certified coach, Harvard-trained writer, Amazon bestselling author, and ghostwriter, she knows which stories get results, and which should be soaked in gasoline and burned on the lawn (her words, not mine!)
Connect with Ann:Web - https://annsheybani.com
Email - ann@annsheybani.com
You can also get her free guide to the 4 Obstacles Between You and a Finished Book here: https://summitsuccess.lpages.co/4-obstacles-between-you-and-a-finished-book/
Connect with Steve:Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Books & Topics mentioned in today's episode (links may be affiliate links):Adult Children of Alcoholics - https://adultchildren.org
Tony Robbins - https://tonyrobbins.com
Vipassna Meditation - http://www.dhamma.org
Shadow (Jungian psychology) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_(psychology)
Michael Bungay Stanier - https://mbs.works
The Coaching Habit - Michael Bungay Stanier
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Maria Granovsky. Maria is a freelance writer for businesses in complex fields like law and medicine. She's also the co-founder of writeandprosper.com, a site dedicated to helping early-stage medical writers grow a sustainable business.
In her former life, Maria was a patent litigator, representing clients in a variety of innovative industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, telecom, and semiconductors. Prior to that, she was a bench scientist, earning a Ph.D. in medical and molecular genetics from the University of Toronto by making a mouse without one of its genes.
Maria is an avid traveler. Among her most memorable trips are a weeklong horseback trek in Iceland, a month's stay at a Florentine convent, a weekend trip to Istanbul, and an exploration of the Canadian wilderness by canoe.
People mentioned in today's episode:
Perry Mason - Wikipedia
Michael Port - Book Yourself Solid
Michael Port - Heroic Public Speaking
Connect with Maria:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-granovsky/
Email - maria@swimmingotter.com
Connect with Steve:Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Michael Legge. Michael had a 20 year career in acting before challenges with anxiety and burnout led him to engage in deep personal exploration and work which led him to pivot into the world of coaching where he now works as the Mindhealth Coach.
Among the topics you'll hear discussed in the episode are Michael's journey through becoming an actor, burning out, and pivoting to coaching, the role of environment in well-being and resilience, the importance of doing meaningful work, how traditional marketing approaches don't always fit, and the one key concept that's been most powerful for Michael in his growth journey.
People, topics, and books mentioned in this episode (note - product links may be affiliate links):Viktor Frankl
Logotherapy - Wikipedia
Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
Louise Hay
What is CBT? - American Psychological Association
NLP - wikipedia
Sue Knight
NLP at work - Sue Knight
Core beliefs - mentalhelp.net
Connect with Michael:
Instagram - https://instagram.com/themindhealthcoach
Web - https://themindhealthcoach.com
Email - michael@themindhealthcoach.com
Connect with Steve:
Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
My guest on this episode of The Sensitive Rebel is Lowry Olafson. Lowry is a Canadian songwriter who has released nine albums and toured the globe. He also plays well with others. He’s led over 500 songwriting sessions with more than 10,000 people most of whom had never written a song before.
He's passionate about helping people find deeper meaning and joy in work and life and loves writing PowerSongs with them to help them do just that.
Lowry lives on the ocean on BC's beautiful Sunshine Coast. He loves to row, laugh and sing at
very opportunity.
Mentioned / discussed in today's episode:The Beatles - All You Need Is Love - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_You_Need_Is_Love
Connect with Lowry:Web - https://powersongs.ca
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ItsYourLifeMakeItSing
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/LowryOlafson
Connect with Steve:Email - steve@sensitiverebel.com
Web - https://sensitiverebel.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7zd5kba1SQZOyM5sKKiVA
Instagram - https://instagram.com/thesensitiverebel
Are you a Sensitive Rebel?
If you don't accept the status quo, you see a way that things not only can, but should be better, and you feel called to do something about it, but you sometimes struggle to follow that calling because you're more attuned to the 'noise & norms' of the world than the average person, then, yes you are. You've probably felt alone and out of place at times, like me and many of my clients have on our journeys.
Here's the thing: you're not alone. There's a lot of Sensitive Rebels out there doing great things, and I'm excited to share our conversations with you.
You'll hear all about the journeys, struggles, and successes of other Sensitive Rebels while we work to make a difference in a world that touches us deeply.