Epic Ordinary Lives

This is What I've Learned, a segment of the podcast I use to grapple with the lessons learned from earlier episodes. This week we go all the way back to 2017 for episode TWO (!!) of EOL with Carol Berning who reflects on the lessons she has learned in painting that we can apply to the whole of life. Why do the artistic topics of value and squinting matter to someone who does not paint? Check out this episode to find out more! Carol's work can be found at www.carolberning.com. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com!

How does one face the challenges required of their passion, specifically the grind of being an actor in New York City? How does becoming a multi-hyphenate help with the rest of one's life? This week we rejoin James Roberts IV post-tour in Tokyo as he shares his journey of facing the challenges of being an actor, how yoga changed his career, and the power of finding and following one's own path. You can find James at jamesrobertsiv.com or on Instagram @jamesroberts96 (acting) and jrobertsyoga (yoga). For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com.

What is it like to move across the country to become an actor? How do you flip being fired from a job to end up in an even better position? These epic stories and more make up the truly multi-hyphenate journey of James Roberts IV. For more of his work, you can go to jamesrobertsiv.com or check him out on Instagram: @jamesroberts96 and @jrobertsyoga. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com!

This is another segment of What I've Learned, where I reflect on lessons learned from earlier episodes and grapple with key moments in interviews. This week I am considering Seth Budai's epic moment of deciding to leave a job that was not working for him---without any kind of real plan or backup. I love pondering a decision of this nature, because we will all likely find ourselves having to make the challenging decision of when to leave a path vs. when to stay. I spend this episode considering the lessons that can be taken from Seth's journey. If you are enjoying this podcast, please write a review on Apple iTunes.

This week we pick up where we left off with my friend Colton Carroll, who shares his experience of being deployed as a Marine in Iraq. We discuss everything from the great challenges to the unexpected moments of beauty and what his day-to-day experiences looked like during that time. I absolutely loved this conversation, and I hope you do too! For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com.

This week I chat with my old friend Colton Carroll on his journey from college student to becoming a Marine. The conversation begins with a reflection on our early days meeting in our dorm, forging friendships with the group of guys that lived there, and ultimately leading to the news he shared that he would be entering basic training. The lion's share of this podcast is about what it's like to complete Marine basic training. If you have ever wondered about what that process is like, you will enjoy this podcast! For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com.

This is a new segment of EOL intended to share half-baked ideas I am thinking about both from the conversations in the podcast and everyday life. This week I pose the question of how to think about work---is it an epic grind, or is it play? Please let me know what you think!

My friend Emily Stutzman returns for part 2 to share both practical and hopeful methods for living a more environmentally sustainable life. We also discuss a host of other topics including how her challenges have helped her to live in the greatest alignment with her core values, the concept of antifragility, and much more. You will leave this conversation with practical ways to examine the act of buying stuff, perhaps in a way that will increase the likelihood that you only buy what you actually love. Please subscribe to this podcast on Apple iTunes, Stitcher Radio, or wherever you get podcasts!

My friend Emily Stutzman joins the podcast to share her origin story of becoming the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University. Highlights include the spirituality of helping birth a baby calf, traveling to Uganda to conduct research, and all the lessons she has learned on her way to teaching and researching sustainable ways of living. Emily can be reached at eastutzman@lipscomb.edu. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com!

Welcome to a brand new offering of the podcast: What I've Learned---a short solocast segment with me sharing three key lessons I'm digesting from previous guests on the podcast. This week I discuss quotes and ideas from Bobby Jackson, Mariah Ragland, and David Cho. The goal of this podcast is not only to honor the power of story, but to learn from other peope's lives and that is the point of this new segment---to unpack and digest my personal key takeaways from episodes. Please subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get podcasts!

David Cho is an old friend I have known for over 15 years. He holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, but early in college he questioned if he was on the right path while majoring in an entirely different field. This conversation focuses on the chances he took and the changes he made to move in a direction of greater alignment. He can be found at newcarept.com. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple iTunes.

From October 2017 to October 2020, the podcast was on hiatus, a passion that I struggled to place in the whole of my life. To kick off 2021, I wanted to offer a solocast sharing the key lesson I learned that ultimately helped me resurrect the podcast. If you enjoy these episodes, please head to Apple iTunes and write a review or share with a friend. For more episodes head to epicordinarylives.com!

Seth Budai returns for part two of our conversation, this time focusing on his leap into entrepreneurship during the pandemic. We talk at length both about the lessons learned starting the business as well as what the Elemental Trainer is all about. You can find Seth at thelementaltrainer.com. If you enjoy this episode, please review it on Apple iTunes.

Many of us can relate to the feeling that we are perhaps not in the right place during sections of our lives. Seth Budai shares his story of taking the necessary risks required to move toward a path of greater alignment as well as his journey of moving to the place he calls home. He can be found at https://www.theelementaltrainer.com. For more on this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com.

This week Mariah Ragland of Radical Rabbit joins the podcast to share her epic entrepreneurial journey. Her diverse career path, which has included such gigs as selling snacks out of her dorm room and professional DJ'ing, has culminated in the creation of Radical Rabbit serving, delicious, Vegan soul food. For more on Radical Rabbit, you can head to radrab.com. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share it with a friend! More episodes at epicordinarylives.com.

Lauren Palmer the owner of Bloomsbury Farm shares the lessons learned and challenges overcome in creating her farm. This story is particularly powerful because she did not start out in the field of farming, yet pursued her passion and learned along the way. For more of her work, you can go to bloomsburyfarms.com. For more episodes of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com.

Bobby Jackson and I return to discuss the power of conversation in an age of political division. This conversation includes both his personal story interspersed with a dialogue seeking unity among people with politcial differences. You can find more about Bobby at coachbobbyjackson.com. For more on this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com.

This week my Dad (Rick Burcham) joins the podcast to share his journey of going from an aimless college student to finding deep alignment and purpose in his career as a teacher. We discuss a spur-of-the-moment decision he made that radically changed the direction of his career and life. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with your family and friends. If you are feeling particularly generous, please write a review on Apple Itunes.

Epic Ordinary Lives is back! I am joined by Bobby Jackson, Certified Performance Coach and Life Mentor. Bobby tells the story of going from being the last kid picked at neighborhood basketball games, to being a state champion high school football player and earning a 4 year letterman jacket from Northwestern University. You can check out Bobby's website at https://coachbobbyjackson.com. If you wish to support this podcast, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review on iTunes.

This week's podcast features a solocast where I dive into how I am planning to blend my podcast with the other adventures in my life. For more of this work head to epicordinarylives.com. If you've appreciated this podcast, please write me a positive review on iTunes! :)

This is a solocast where I discuss the past, present, and future of Epic Ordinary Lives including the lessons I've learned. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this work please write a positive review on iTunes.

I rapped at work today. Actually, I performed a skit and a rap with another coworker for a special work anniversary. The details are unimportant, but the outcome is. In this solocast, I dive into the topic of ordinary vulnerability, the moment's we speak in front of the entire staff at work, or participate in a softball game, or whatever it is. These are not the moments with dire life and death consequences. They are instead, the ordinary yet highly brave sections of vulnerability that can change everything else in one's life. That is today's topic! If you want to support this work, please be one of the legends who write me a review on iTunes! For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com.

Jim Parker is one of my oldest friends and has lived a truly adventurous life. On the heels of divorce and one of the most challenging periods of his life, Jim embarked on a quest to move to NYC and pursue the career he wanted. We cover a myriad of topics include the love of music, fashion, and the journey itself. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you appreciate this work, please share it with a friend.

My old friend Ben Dawson and I dive into a smorgasbord of topics including: Acting, Moving to NYC, working out, hiking in the dark, developing an indomitable spirit and much more! To support this podcast, please write a positive review on iTunes. For more of this work, please head to epicordinarylives.com.

This week I dive into my key takeaways from the gigantic sporting event that was McGregor vs. Mayweather including courage, vulnerability, and the power of showing up. If you don't know, I'm referring to a boxing match that took place this weekend, but my goal with this solocast was to find themes within a fight that anyone might take something from. If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes.

This week features a solocast on finding the right puzzle pieces to fit your life. Somehow happiness, kettlebells, sleep, my career as a bellhop, and the positive benefits of failure make an appearance. If you're enjoying this podcast, please give me a positive review on iTunes. epicordinarylives.com

We pick up right where we left off last week with Kevin Vaughn. Whereas part one dove heavily into the topic of being a new father, part two leaps into marriage and all the lessons he's learned after six years with his wife. There's also a bonus section at the end where we discuss the humorous beginning of our friendship. If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a five star review on iTunes. For more of this work, head to epicordinarylives.com.

On this epsiode of Epic Ordinary Lives, my old friend Kevin and I dive deep into a smorgasbord of topics including the vulnerability of being an early college student, forging friendships, and becoming a father. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a five star review on iTunes.

On this solocast episode, I ask the question of why we stop viewing our lives as journeys and think through the various ways I've found myself able to return to that view. If you are enjoying this work, please leave me a five star review on iTunes. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com.

We pick up right where we left off with my great old friend, Logan Cook. This time we go deeper. We dive into the topics of failure, boredom, and answer the question, "Should I follow my passion?" We also dive deeply into his process of making knives, so much to the point that you might want to have him comission you a blade. You can find Logan @blindmanbladesmith on Instagram. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this work, please leave me a review on iTunes.

Logan Cook is one of my old, great friends. He is a fabricator at Ferrin Ironworks (ferrinironworks.com) and a semi-pro knife maker and bladesmith. For more of his work, you can find him on Instagram @blindmanbladesmith.

This week, I offer a solocast sharing the different things I think people get from hiking and why I love it. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave me a review on iTunes! For more of this work, head to epicordinarylives.com.

This week we pick up where we left off with Carly Smith, this time diving into the topics of how she met her husband and the power of a mission trip. You can find her on Instagram @smithcarlyb. You can find more of this podcast at epicordinarylives.com. I'd like to extend a special thanks to the good folks at Mayday Brewery for allowing us to record there. For more, head to maydaybrewery.com.

This week I sit down with longtime friend and coworker Carly Smith on her adventures of becoming a Barre instructor while simultaneously working in a Pharmaceutical Sales career.  We discuss overcoming fear, her origin story with Barre, as well as some of her favorite daily routines.  You can find her on Instagram @smithcarlyb. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com.

This week is a departure from the normal format of this podcast where I interview an ordinary person who's living an epic life. This week features a solocast where I discuss the power of morning routines and how I've found a routine that works for me. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com.

Join us for tales of sleeping outside, being cold, weird people with machetes, and the power of human kindness all in this interview. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this episode, please write a review on iTunes!

We pick up where we left off last week with Seth Budai and dive deeply into the practice of MovNat. We discuss what it is and how anyone and everyone can benefit from it. For more on MovNat head to movnat.com. You can find the link for Seth's upcoming MovNat Elements Workshop on June 24th by going to epicordinarylives.com. You can email Seth at sbudai88@gmail.com or find him on Instagram @bare_lyhuman.

This week I sit down with my friend Seth Budai, MovNat Level 2 Certified Trainer, Fitness Coach, Philsopher, and Lover of Radical Honesty. He is leading an upcoming MovNat Elements workshop that you can find out more about by heading to epicordinarylives.com. You can find him on Instagram @bare_lyhuman. To subscribe to this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com/subscribe.

Usually I interview an ordinary person who's living an epic life. This week I sit down and talk about two of the biggest takeaways from my time launching a podcast. For more of this project, head to epicordinarylives.com.

I sit down with a friend who's a true renaissance man. Geoffrey Herring is a Financial Advisor, Nurse, Bee Keeper, Kayaker and Hiker. In this episode we dig into his upcoming quest of hiking a month on the Appalachian Trail. For more of him, head to insuredfinancialsolutions.com. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this, please write a review on whatever platform you're listening!

My old friend Josh Gibson and I discuss power in the pivotal, unplanned moments of one's life including travel and becoming a new father.

Part Two with Cliff Fonseca picks up immediately where we left off with a compelling conversation on overcoming failure, competing, changing one's identity, and the incredible children's program at Jiu Jitsu Nation. For information on Jiu Jitsu Nation head to 1jiujitsunation.com. For more content on this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you would like to support this project, please leave me a positive review on iTunes :). Thanks so much for listening.

This week I sit down with Cliff Fonseca, the owner, creator, and head coach at Jiu Jitsu Nation. We discuss his journey of discovering Jiu Jitsu, following a dream, the necessity of constantly overcoming fear and much more. You can find more of him at 1jiujitsunation.com. You can find more of this podcast at epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe!

This week I sit down with Nancy Broden and discuss her adventures creating the Artful Doughnut, a place I call the "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure of Doughnuts." She became an entrepreneur from a totally different career path and has lived an adventurous, multi-faceted life. You can find her at theartfuldoughnut.com. For more of this podcast go to epicordinarylives.com.

I sit down with Carol Berning and discuss art and how it colors every aspect of her life.

I talk with the founder, creator and family behind Mayday Brewery. For more, go to maydaybrewery.com.

I offer a brief, eight minute prologue of the Epic Ordinary Lives podcast.