Seeking Authenticity

The first solo episode of the Seeking Authenticity Podcast.Spotify Podcasts Apple PodcastsLinks:iAlign Website: ialign.appPersonal Website and Book: flintmitchell.comTikTok @flint.mitchellYoutube @ialignInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcomEmail: ialign@ialign.app©Flint Mitchell

#44 - Balancing a life of Entrepreneurship and Surfing with Ryan HellriegeliAlign: Your better life in 60 secondsCurrently in beta and planned to be released to the public October 2023.Links:iAlign Website: ialign.appPersonal Website and Book: flintmitchell.comTikTok @ialign.appYoutube @ialignInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcomEmail: ialign@ialign.app©Flint MitchellSpotify Podcasts Apple PodcastsLinks:iAlign Website: ialign.appPersonal Website and Book: flintmitchell.comTikTok @ialign.appYoutube @ialignInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcomEmail: ialign@ialign.app©Flint Mitchell

#43 - Building Community with Coffee with Abby ClearyiAlign: Your better life in 60 secondsCurrently in beta and planned to be released to the public October 2023.Links:iAlign Website: ialign.appPersonal Website and Book: flintmitchell.comTikTok @ialign.appYoutube @ialignInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcomEmail: ialign@ialign.app©Flint MitchellSpotify Podcasts Apple PodcastsLinks:iAlign Website: ialign.appPersonal Website and Book: flintmitchell.comTikTok @ialign.appYoutube @ialignInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcomEmail: ialign@ialign.app©Flint Mitchell

#42 - Rediscovering the Importance of Connection with Former D1 Athlete and Entrepreneur Joe ConwayiAlign: Your better life in 60 secondsCurrently in beta and planned to be released to the public October 2023.Spotify Podcasts Apple PodcastsLinks:iAlign Website: ialign.appPersonal Website and Book: flintmitchell.comTikTok @ialign.appYoutube @ialignInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcomEmail: ialign@ialign.app©Flint Mitchell

Updates on my book, podcast, and everything else related to Seeking Authenticity: Website: flintmitchell.comInstagram: @flintmitchelldotcom https://www.instagram.com/flintmitchelldotcom/Email: seekingauthenticitypodcast@gmail.com©Flint Mitchell

Andrew Kivett just walked across America! Andrew is only 21 years old and in this episode we talk about his walk across the country, both the positive and experiences from the journey, finding inspiration and friendship from Mike Posner, and about settling back into normal life afterwards. Check it out!You can see more about him on his instagram at https://www.instagram.com/andrewkivett/-----Updates on my book, podcast, and everything else related to Seeking Authenticity: flintmitchell.comPodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/©Flint Mitchell

Find out more about Jeff at his website:https://www.jeffwellen.com-----Updates on my book, podcast, and everything else related to Seeking Authenticity: flintmitchell.comPodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/©Flint Mitchell

Before we jump into this episode, I want to keep you posted about my book, also named Seeking Authenticity. It's coming out later this month, October 2021! I'll have exact dates in the coming weeks. I've been receiving some remarkable feedback about it so far and I'm excited to share it with you. You can find out more at my website flintmitchell.com. I'm always looking for honest feedback so if you leave a review on this podcast cast and then reach out to seekingauthenticitypodcast@gmail.com I'll respond with some information on how to set up a call with me over the phone where we can talk 1 on 1! Now.In this episode I talk with Dr. Ben Bernstein, who also goes by “Dr. B” or “The Stress Doctor”. Ben uses his own personal experiences and formal training in performance psychology to help people overcome stress and performance anxiety and perform at their best. Maybe you have unproductive habits you'd like to kick? Or suffer from an inability to perform when the spotlight is on or the test is put in front of you? Dr. B knows how to handle that. I have known Ben for about two years now and value him in my life not only as a friend but also as an impeccably honest person. When you find people who give you legitimately honest feedback about your work and ideas, you should keep them around! If you want to check out more about Dr. B at any point, check out his website:https://www.drbyourbest.comHis social media pages:InstagramTwitterFacebookPsychology Today post that I mention: http://bit.ly/3cxQmBABen Bernstein on the podcast Kwest On: Margin Call:  https://bit.ly/2MS7yaa

The priorities of life have kept me from posting these podcasts for a while, so I'm excited to bring them back. I have a book coming out this October 2021 and I'll be releasing episodes of this podcast at a slower pace this time during the process of publishing that book. The book is called Seeking Authenticity and follows similar trends from this podcast, providing commentary on things that I find important in life. I'll be releasing more information regarding the book soon! Now, In this episode I talk with Dr. Peter Weber, a surfer and neurosurgeon from the Bay Area, California. Dr. Weber is a super humble and rad dude, I loved having him on. We talk about his path to becoming Doctor and Neurosurgeon, witnessing medicine abroad, balancing both work and play but also meditation and reflection versus action, finding true focus, and making sacrifices in life. I hope you enjoy the conversation!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Roz Savage changed her life in her thirties, when through an environment epiphany, she completely shifted her direction from her current role in management consulting to become a world class adventurer. As you and I spent our days commuting to class or the office, she was rowing across the oceans for many months at a time, completely alone. She has completed the Big 3 oceans - the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian, and consequently become a powerful voice both for the environment and personal development. Appearing on numerous TV channels, talk shows, TED talks, and with 3 published books, the most recent of which, The Gifts of Solitude, being relevant to our situation in the pandemic, she has plenty of wonderful insight. In this conversation, I wanted to hear about her current adventure, where she has taken on a PhD. From this, we talk about her perspective on changing course in life, identifying, even if just through awareness, the areas of our life we want to redirect. She explains these thoughts with examples from her own life, and shares, what I believe to be a very inspiring message of hope - that our futures and the future of our world, are inextricably linked to our internal states of being. I had a lot of fun listening to Roz and her stories and I know you will too. Enjoy.Find out more about Roz here!:https://www.rozsavage.com-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

I was introduced to Philip Godwin by Zach Smith, a former podcast guest who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Like Zach, Philip has found himself crossing the finish line of endurance events, doing several runs from 30 to 50 and even 100 miles at a time. In this conversation, however, before we dive into his path with running, we touch on the beginning of that journey. Dealing with obesity, a disabling injury, and tons of negative self-talk in highschool into college, Philip had to deal with some real personal challenges, mental and physical, before journeying into long-distance running. Likewise we talk about his first 100 mile run, which he used to raise nearly twenty-thousand dollars to start a fund in the name of a friend of his that passed away. If you feel like you’re in a rut, or even just moving a bit slower than normal, I think this conversation might help you turn that around. I loved hearing Philip’s take and I know you will too, enjoy. -----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Mike Sinnott is a forensic biomechanist, determining the true causes of accidents, and the human and mechanical factors that may have contributed to it. In this conversation we talk a bit about how he got into the field and why he loves it, including a really insane story from his graduate school years and the work ethic required at a young age to pursue a field that didn’t really exist yet in industry. After that, however we talk about a transformation he had to undergo, when he and his wife left their all-too comfortable setting of 8 years in Toronto to move to Hawaii. Mike lets me ask about some really solid topics, including effectively the crisis of identity you go through when making large career switches in life and the difficulty of building yourself back up after those periods of change. This is wonderful chat that I found quite impactful in my own life so I hope you enjoy it.Check out Mike's podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/conventionot_podcast/-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Zach Smith hiked the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail, a backpacking trail that extends over 2600 miles from the Mexican border to Canadian border, trekking through deserts and high mountain ranges. He used this trek to raise thousands of dollars of support for Youth Assisting Youth, a non-profit charity aimed at providing mentors to at-risk youth. In this conversation we talk about his experience leaving college to work in construction for a year as he created new intentions, his decision to embark on the Pacific Crest Trail with nearly no prior backpacking experience, and some of the moments of solitude, joy, excitement, and even melancholy that he passed through while hiking it. Likewise we talk about mentorship, creating a mindset of determination and grit, and how the trip changed his perspective to take advantage of each day and the purpose that can be derived from it instead of looking towards finish lines far off in the future. I really appreciated listening to Zach and I think you will too, enjoy.Check out Youth Assisting Youth here:https://youthassistingyouth.comAnd another interview of Zach from Youth Assisting Youth here:https://youthassistingyouth.com/journey-youth-mental-health/-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

John Beede has completed the seven summits, meaning he has climbed the tallest summit on all 7 continents, including Mt. Everest and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. He is also a motivational speaker and author, with his new book, The Warrior Challenge: 8 Quests for Boys to Grow up with Kindness, Courage, and Grit, aimed at using his adventures and experiences to explain some of the values and insight he has learned over the years in order to create a positive impact on the youth. In this conversation John and I talk about how he got into climbing, he shares some experiences from his travels climbing on several continents, feeling the primal forces of nature and his mortality, and the realization that being on the summit of Everest was almost entirely different than any expectation he had for it. Likewise we talk about a way you might shift your perspective on being responsible, about creating positive self-talk and personal honesty, mental and even sexual health, and taking ownership for our outlooks. This really is a wonderful conversation that I thoroughly appreciated having and listening back too. Enjoy.Find John’s Book, The Warrior Challenge: 8 Quests for Boys to Grow up with Kindness, Courage, and Grit, here!:www.WarriorChallengeBook.com to order the book and for additional book resourcesAlso check out www.JohnBeede.com for more information about John, including keynote speaking information and climbing documentaries.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Gaby is both an editor and writer for companies like the Motley Fool and Credit Karma, while also hosting her own podcast, Anthrobiology, a show about her personal passion for physical and biological anthropology. I really enjoyed meeting Gaby because right from the beginning she brought both an enthusiastic and curious mindset into our first chat. In this episode, we dive a bit into that theme, of why it’s so important to be curious and the defining factors of what makes a curious person. Likewise we dive into anthropology, she talks about how she found her niche of physical anthropology during school, some of the surprising roots of the field, academia, dealing with social anxiety, and pursuing opportunities based on the morals you’d like to live out. We really cover a lot of ground in this fun chat, I had a blast listening to Gaby’s perspective, and I know you will too. Enjoy!Check out Gaby's podcast and instagram !-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Claire Wallace is an outdoor expedition guide and polar law specialist who has made over 50 trips to the Arctic and Antarctic. Claire has a fantastic story of finding her passion while actively traveling and searching for a career after college. In this conversation we not only talk about how she became an polar expedition guide, but also what she loves so much about the polar regions, what kind of experiences really change peoples lives and perspectives on conservation, and about her desire to motivate and inspire women to explore and work in the outdoors. She has some incredible stories and knowledge that I appreciated hearing and know you will too. Enjoy!Check out more about what Claire is doing on her instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cwallaaa/-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

In this episode I talk with Oli Russell-Cowan, the founder of Rad Season, which is an event and accommodation planning company for festivals and events that lie a bit out of the mainstream. Oli has a strong passion for action sports and traveling and has found a calling in helping make these types of events that you might not hear about a bit more accessible, so that you might also be able to find and experience the people and culture of new places in a way you wouldn’t have known existed. We talk about how he became so passionate about these types of festivals, the journey he’s taken to starting Rad Season, about some of his favorite events he’s been to, and about his change in perspective as someone who grew up a bit more of a free spirit because of family and the pandemic. Oli has some awesome experiences and stories that I bet you’ll have fun hearing about, enjoy.Check out more about Oli and Rad Season here: https://radseason.comhttps://www.instagram.com/radseason/https://www.instagram.com/olirussellcowan/-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

In this episode, I talk with Greg Akinbiyi. Greg is a former Duke football player, businessman and consultant, who I had the pleasure of connecting with through Ellen Leanse, another guest of this podcast on episode 2. We had a fantastic conversation over the phone somehow spanning masculinity, death and grieving, and success in just 30 minutes so I was really excited to get him on the podcast. Here, we talk about the journey he’s been on with a book he’s writing with the working title ‘Leaders Die First.’ Likewise we cover a wide range of topics I love to talk about, including the current societal discussion about what it means to be a man and how it relates to what it means to be human, about the frameworks we use to define success, and about using death as a framework for life, showing us the ways we might want to change our actions and perspectives on what is truly under our control in this moment. Greg is awesome to listen to and I’m grateful to have him on the podcast. Enjoy! -----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

In this episode I talk with my longtime friend and future roommate Phillip White! Phil and I grew up in the Bay Area, California in the same classrooms, soccer teams, and friend groups. After going to different high schools, we ended up at the same university 1500 miles from home. Though we grew up with similar demeanors, we had fairly different experiences at college and Phil ended up leaving school two years later. In this episode we talk about hard work he put in to both start off his career before returning to college and to alleviate some of his own personal issues. That hard work is what led to the reflective, dedicated, and strong perspective he has now. Likewise we talk about the joys of focus, the impacts of social media, becoming independent, and both the importance and drawbacks of expressing the most authentic form of yourself. -----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

In this episode I talk with Gustavo Camolinga! Gus is the owner of McDermaid Painting in Mountain View California. When he was 16 years old he immigrated to the United States and began a new life of work away from family and friends back in Mexico. In this conversation we talk about Gus' path to the US, paying a coyote to lead him across the Mexico-United States border, the work he pursued as he learned English, the connections he made along the way that helped him establish himself, and his desire to build his own company. Likewise we talk about important of hard work, the attention that needs to be placed on how you spend your time, and the real, underlying reason for all the work we go through in life. Stay tuned to the end to hear what it is! I loved this conversation with Gus and I know you will too. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

An episode reviewing season 1 so that you might find an episode to go listen to!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Robert’s journey with soccer has taken him to the Oakland Roots, where he currently plays professionally. On the field he’s incredibly determined and focused on the game, and while those aspects of his character still come out off the pitch, his laughs and smiles generally take a front seat. In this conversation we talk about quite a bit, ranging from his adventure to becoming a professional soccer player, the practices he used to get through injuries and some darker times, how the reason for his wanting to play soccer has shifted from visions of himself to visions of the changes and motivations he can bring to others, he gives us a bit of his poetry from his current musical project, After Party, and about wanting to take every moment he’s given and see how he can grow from it. His audio switches quality a bit around 10 minutes in but it’s worth continuing to listen because Robert has a great view on life that I think is really valuable to hear. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Find out more about Faith on her website, https://faithfay.com! You can see her art and the films she has been a part of/produced, her new adventure with the FAY (Faith, Art, & Youth) program, which seeks to inspire others through art, and about her wonderful philanthropic endeavors.Episode description: Faith Fay is an artist, athlete, actress, film producer, and conservationist. She and I met while I was on Oahu at a Surfrider Foundation event. For those of you who don’t know, Surfrider is a non-profit that works to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. I had a wonderful time talking with her and hearing about her various adventures and projects around both Hawaii and the globe. From surfing and diving on Oahu to trekking glaciers in Alaska, and filming documentaries in Southern America, she has a vast collection of wicked experiences I was stoked to hear about. In this conversation we really cover a lot of ground, from her entry into surfing through the filming of Soul Surfer, to how her career has revolved around the ocean, the joy she receives from building and creating art that might inspire and connect others, Hawaiian culture, and moving forward in life with faith that actions done with your best intentions will lead you towards a better life. I absolutely loved this chat with Faith and I know you will too. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Taylor Barg is a former division 1 soccer player for SMU who went into engineering after university. She recently shifted her path toward medicine, however, by entering a post-baccalaureate program. I met Taylor when I played as a practice player my sophomore year on the women’s soccer team and as I mention in the episode, even as a younger player, she was a clear leader who brought both the energy and level of play up during games while retaining a composed mindset. That, her ability to balance an engineering degree with soccer, and her recent transition towards medicine all had me pretty excited to talk to her on the podcast. In this episode, we cover all of those topics, as well as the ways her post-bacc has been such a valuable experience, the connections built from vulnerable environments and the hope that can result from them, and on how time is going to pass regardless of what you do. I would stick around till the end of this one because Taylor has a great and motivating message. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

A note from Craig if you're interested in getting more information about volunteering!:My name is Craig Schroeder, Volunteer Services Director at Mission Hospice & Home Care. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Mission Hospice & Home Care! As a local and independent nonprofit, Mission Hospice & Home Care provides personalized, compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families in San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County. Our hospice volunteers are an integral part of our team, providing important emotional and social support. To learn more about Mission Hospice, our mission, as well as volunteering please visit our website at: www.missionhospice.orgBelow please find additional information on the responsibilities of our volunteers, as well as the volunteer training and interview process. If you would like to learn more, or meet our team in person, please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 22nd, from 12-1pm or 5:30-6:30pm at our office at 1670 S. Amphlett Blvd, Suite 300, in San Mateo.Volunteer responsibilities:As a direct care volunteer, you will support our hospice patients and their families with weekly visits - in their homes, in nursing homes, or wherever they live. We ask for a time commitment of 2-4 hours/week, based on your availability and our patients’ schedules. Following each visit, you will submit a brief summary report that is shared with the patient’s care team.Whether you are reading a book, running an errand, taking a short walk, or listening to stories, your time will make a very special difference in the lives of your patients and their families. Next steps:Please complete the application. Someone from our volunteer program will then contact you to schedule an initial interview.Required Training:No prior experience is necessary! Required introductory 6 session training will take place 9:30am-3:30pm on Saturdays, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th, as well as 6pm-8pm Thursday October 15th and 22nd. All six training modules, plus an exit interview, must be completed prior to visiting patients.We also require a TB test (provided at the office) and background check, as well as core competency training annually.Volunteer support:We offer two monthly support groups for volunteers – one on the third Thursday evening of each month, and the other on the first Saturday morning. These support groups are optional and provide time for you to share experiences and receive additional training and resources.Thank you again for your interest,Craig SchroederDirector Volunteer ServicesMission Hospice & Home Care – It’s About LifeOffice - 650-554-1000www.missionhospice.org

Joanne Castillo is a 15 year Air Force veteran and the owner of Infalible Fit who focuses on helping clients lose weight by understanding the underlying reasons why they might be struggling in the first place. Instead of just looking for the perfect diet or workout routine, she places a priority on creating a strong mind and positive habits. This seems to be a more common and positive trend in the overall weight loss and wellness industries and so I was excited to hear her take on it. From the first time we talked over the phone I was stoked to get her on the podcast, as she’s incredibly genuine and focused on helping others through the tools she’s learned by helping herself. In this conversation we talk about joining the Air Force in order to escape her prior life and build discipline, about her experience as an entrepreneur in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, her side-passion with writing and producing hip hop music, where the name Infalible came from, and why she’s bringing it back. Joanne wants her story to be the sounding board for others to see the possibility of change in their own lives. And she has good reason for that, because her story is authentic and inspiring. I loved her message and I know you will too. Enjoy!-----Joanne's Information:https://www.infaliblefit.comhttps://www.facebook.com/infaliblefithttps://www.instagram.com/infaliblefit/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_LQyc1jdKeQnIecv9ErBbQ/featured-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Brandon Maddox is a stud. Just from the several encounters he and I have had over the years, it’s easy to see that Brandon goes through life with a perspective of gratitude. That was one of the main reasons I was stoked to have him on the podcast and why I respect what he has to say. In this conversation we talk about his roots from a small town in Georgia and a bit about the different experiences between there and the Bay Area, California. He shares an emotional yet uplifting story seeing how his mother impacted her community, we talk about how the environment he grew up in/how it shaped who he is today, and how he sees his actions through a lens of personal accountability. Likewise we talk about being an effective salesman by prioritizing building strong relationships over selling and one of my favorite topics: gratefulness. I had a lot of fun listening to Brandon and I know you will too. Enjoy.

Gabby Zanutta is an architect who studied at the University of Kansas. I met Gabby in high school through soccer and wasn’t surprised when I found out she walked onto Kansas’ D1 soccer team. She was always extremely competitive on the field, but also kind and open as a person off the pitch. Having not talked for years, it was fun to reconnect and see how those character traits have stuck with her. Also impressive is seeing those traits paired with her incredible work ethic in her current career. And that’s an impressive combination, being kind and thoughtful, yet still relentlessly competitive and hardworking when the time is right. Here, we talk about her first couple years working out of college and the ways she has seen that architecture can be a vehicle for serving others. Likewise we talk about her passion for traveling that stems from having family in Italy and the balance in life she finds from being out in the wilderness, whether that’s just a couple hours away in the Sierra Nevadas or in extremely remote locations like Patagonia. I enjoyed listening to Gabby’s perspective and excitement and I know you will too. I hope you enjoy it.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Trevor Thomas worked in investment banking in New York before leaving to backpack around SouthEast Asia. Along the trip he worked in hostels, fell in love with SCUBA diving, and realized one of his greatest passions comes from the joy that he receives by building connections. We talk about where he was at before making the decision to leave a hard-earned, intense, and rewarding career, about his return back to the states and what the adventure taught him, about overcoming and even chasing after fears, getting hooked on scuba diving, and building communities. Trevor has a strong message on work ethic and taking risks that I enjoyed listening to and learning from, and I know you will too. Enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

I’ve known Martin my entire life through family, he’s the kind of guy who tells the waiter at a restaurant that it’s your birthday when it’s not… every single time you go out. Martin is loaded with jokes and fun stories, but he’s also incredibly passionate about his field of work. He absolutely loves the movies - from the process of how they’re made, to the experience of watching them, to the impact that they can have on the world. He has a ton of knowledge about the film industry and it was a blast to hear his take on it. In this conversation we talk about his entry into Hollywood as a young kid through his father, about all the hard work, long wait times, and honestly luck of being in the right place at the right time, for films to be made. We talk about the brutal honesty required in the industry, about his adventure seeing the movie Paranormal Activity from before it’s acquisition to when it was played on the big screen, and lastly about the types of strong bonds and relationships that are needed in his line of work. I learned a lot from Martin and had a blast listening to him, and I know you will too.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Kristen and I met through yoga and she helped me embark on my adventure last year. I really value her experience and what she has to say. Over the past several years she’s transitioned from a career in business analytics at companies like Safeway and Sephora to an exciting new journey as an executive and life coach and yoga instructor. Here, we talk a bit about Kristen’s experience of making such a big switch, all while balancing a handful of heavy responsibilities that included being in charge of a newly formed team at a successful company, having a mortgage, and new kids. Likewise we talk about this new adventure of hers, what it means to be a coach and the mindset it requires to make leaps towards a better life. I really enjoyed her take on leading an action-oriented life and I know you will, too. Enjoy.-----Kristen Esquivias is a certified executive coach and supporting individuals, groups and organizations to reach the next level of success. She partners with her clients every step of the way to achieve results, strengthen their resilience and create more fulfillment in work and beyond. Kristen co-created Going After More, a collection of group workshop series designed to guide you towards creating an extraordinary life with meaning, purpose and fulfillment. Get on the path and create MORE for yourself and your life here: GoingAfterMore.comConnect with Kristen on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-esquivias/), on her website: KristenEsquivias.com or Instagram (@CourageousGrowthCoaching)-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Caden Waidyatillika is a really genuine and kind friend of mine I met while I was on Oahu. Our mothers grew up together and so when I went to live on Oahu for a bit, meeting him was like already having a bit of family out on the islands. The first thing I noticed about him, was how connected with the environment and how intentional he is about preserving and protecting it. Anytime we couldn’t meet up, it was usually because he was tending to their garden which he’s walled up with bricks made of plastic he’s collected or making lilikoi bars from the fruit they grew. He sees issues impacting our earth, and wants to help. One other thing that was striking, that I ask about first, is that Caden and his twin brother grew up with different skin colors, which, in Hawaii, leads to different childhoods. Here, we talk about a bunch of interesting topics including racism and respect in the Hawaiian islands, his experience working in wolf sanctuaries in Colorado and volunteering through Central America, and his passion for trying to create and teach about a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly earth. He’s got a ton of positive energy, I loved listening to him, and I know you will too. Enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Juliana Burton is a good friend of mine who has consistently inspired me with her steadfast work ethic, strength, and ambition. At just 25 years old, Juliana is a senior financial analyst for Intel and on the board of directors for the Network of Intel African Americans. Here, we talk about her experience hosting a TED style talk, about trying to find the line between that hard work and exhaustion, and about the long-term perspective it takes to seek out lasting change on larger and heavier issues like social reform. Juliana is a bright, fun, and motivating person to talk with - I left this conversation with better methods for asking questions and reflections on my own personal goals and I hope you do too. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

I met Akinjide Onifade playing club soccer in college, when he was studying pre-med and working as a scribe in local hospitals. Now he is currently a 4th year medical student at UT Southwestern. I think everyone has people in their life that they naturally want to be around. They’re the ones who others want to listen to and honestly care about what they have to say. Akinjide is, hands down, one of those guys. I just naturally respect what he has to say. And this conversation was an opportunity for me to explore a bit more about where he comes from. We talk about his experience immigrating from Nigeria at 13 years old, the similarities and differences between the cultures, some fun and wild stories from his time back in Nigeria, and about the values he has found important because of his journey and history. I always welcome the times I get to spend listening to Akinjide and I know you’ll appreciate his story and perspective as well. Enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Ross Robinson has been leading snowmobiling tours in the United States and South America for the last six years. While on this adventure, he started creating content via vlogs, podcasts, and social media and has accrued a large following. It’s no wonder that people enjoy following him too, his authentic character is absolutely contagious. We talk about putting yourself in the environment where you could succeed in what you want to do, about the struggle of choosing what to do next in life, but committing full throttle once you make the call, about dealing with failure, and about switching your frame of reference in order to connect to others. I had a blast listening to Ross about his journey and perspective and I know you will too. Enjoy.Find out more about him on his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossxrobinson/?hl=en-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Lisa Otsuka is my AP literature teacher from high school and she is one of the most dedicated teachers I’ve ever had the privilege of being taught by. Here, we talk about her time teaching in a township in South Africa during apartheid and about the ensuing passion to help underserved communities. Likewise we talk about the power of building a strong community and of creating an environment that lets the youth grow up with the strength and ability to think and question freely. I absolutely love her take on teaching and life in general. It gets me excited to see what the students who are influenced by her do later in life. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Noah Earland is a friend of mine from college who is currently pursuing his MD-PhD in training to become a medical scientist. Through a variety of research internships and jobs, he found from an early age the excitement that comes from asking good questions. Now in his training, it’s more relevant than ever, as the big questions he’s starting to ask don’t only deal with lab science, but also with how to do ethical research in a clinical setting, dealing with real patients suffering from real diseases. We cover interesting topics like the interaction between researchers and clinical physicians, palliative care, the politics of academic research, the struggle to create trust between the medical system and historically underserved communities, and the true joy of curiosity found from asking the right question. Noah is an energetic, well-spoken, and passionate person. I had so much fun listening to him and I think you will too.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Mike Graczyk is a good friend of mine, who was a goalkeeper for the University of New Mexico before being drafted to play professionally. After several years in the MLS, he coached at Stanford, Harvard, his alma mater, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico United, the state’s first professional soccer team, and now at Notre Dame. Mike was a coach for one of my club soccer teams and his leadership, along with the guys on those teams, played a large role in who I became as an adult. Here, we talk a bit about that experience of creating a strong network that you’re proud to be a part of and serve in, about his transition from college to professional soccer and then into coaching, about recruiting young players, and about the interest which sparked his PhD studies, looking for the flags that might predict a person's success. I had a blast listening to Mike and I know you will too, enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Robin Hauser is a documentary filmmaker who has produced several widely-known and impactful films including Running for Jim, which follows a high-school cross country team as they vie for a state championship for their coach, who was diagnosed with ALS earlier that season, and Code: Debugging the Gender Gap, which looks into the current gender disparities in technology. In our conversation we talk about how Robin got into the field of filmmaking, the learning curve associated with it, and some of her strategies for making a compelling argument. Likewise she tells some powerful stories from her screenings around the world and about the the reasons behind her motivation to create these impactful documentaries. I really enjoyed listening to Robin and I know you will too. Enjoy.Here are some links to Robins TED talks and works!Finish Line Features (where information on her films can be found): https://www.finishlinefeaturefilms.com/TED Talk: Can we protect AI from our biases? https://www.ted.com/talks/robin_hauser_can_we_protect_ai_from_our_biasesTED Talk: The Likability Dilemma for Women https://www.ted.com/talks/robin_hauser_the_likability_dilemma_for_women_leaders-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Madison McKay is a best friend of mine from college. Being completely honest, I don’t think you could find a person who, in conversation with Madison, wouldn’t feel like she truly means well. It’s one of the reasons I have always tried to keep in contact with her, she’s a kind soul who wants to invest in and help the people around her. And that kind of energy is contagious. Growing up in Texas, she dedicated the majority of her spare time out of school to dancing, a passion which she followed into college. Through the years of practice and performances, she found dance not only to be an avenue for joy, but also one that shaped her perspective on connecting with others. By genuinely expressing herself, either on stage or in her personal relationships, she has found that she can form more trustworthy bonds. In this conversation we talk about the intense training required to dance in college, the benefit of interacting with people out of your normal groups, the fulfillment that follows after exhausting effort, and both the great joys and frustrations that come from honestly trusting others. I had a great time listening to Madison, and I think you will too.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Brian Kelley is one of my best friends and former soccer teammates. While playing collegiate soccer at Trinity College, he transitioned from his athletic endeavors as a varsity athlete to another passion of his: music. He’s now a professional DJ and music producer who goes by the stage name BKAYE. We talk about that shift in priorities from soccer to music, some fun and wild stories from the journey in the industry, and the goals he has for his music. I love hearing about his hope to produce songs that provide a stamp in time for his listeners and the vibe he’s trying to put off. And I think you will too. Enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Tyrrell Nelson and I met while I was interning in her group at Roche and I instantly loved her personality. She speaks her mind articulately in a way that not only brings up fun topics and good arguments, but that also supports them and makes you think. To be honest, she was also the greatest teacher I had in microbiology, and I don’t even think she knew she was teaching me. We talk about her curiosity and passion for growing plants, how she’s tread such a wicked career so far, and about the joy that comes from taking risks, whether they be about jumping onto a plane and going to Europe or just facing the fear of a new career. I loved listening to Tyrrell and I know you will too. Enjoy!-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Michael Saunders is a former collegiate cheerleader and professional dancer. In college he worked his way into an athletic scholarship as a cheerleader with no prior cheerleading experience. And then at the end of college he started from scratch again with dancing, going from having no formal dance instruction to performing in front of crowds with 80 or 90 thousand people in just over a year. We talk about living with the notion of today as a gift and about facing the world from a perspective of confidence and appreciation. I left this conversation waking up with thoughts of gratefulness in my head for weeks and I know you will too. Enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Ellen Leanse has a wealth of absolutely wild experiences through a career that seems to parallel much of the technology growth in the Bay Area. She worked with Apple during the Lisa and Macintosh launches, as well as with Google, Facebook, Samsung, and a variety of other fascinating organizations. With these experiences under her belt, Ellen has also taken on leadership and thought-leading roles, serving as an advisor and board member for several companies, as a teacher at Stanford, and an author for the book The Happiness Hack, a best-selling guide to the neuroscience of happiness and life satisfaction, and now as the Chief People Officer at Lucidworks! But on a personal note, Ellen is just extremely kind. She has been willing to give me some of her time to ask questions about her experiences and thoughts and to learn from her and I am extremely grateful for that. In this conversation, she tells a wild story from the early days at Apple. After that, the discussion moves towards the shift in perspective she’s had over the years. We talk about having a nonlinear career, finding satisfaction by chasing what you’re curious or nervous over, about doing work that will lead to leaving a positive legacy, and about innovating in technology. Ellen has eloquent and important thoughts, which I appreciated hearing and I know you will too. Enjoy!Ellen's book, TEDx talk, and some of her articles:The Happiness Hack: How to Take Charge of Your Brain and Program More Happiness into Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Hack-Charge-Brain-Program/dp/1492656917TEDx, Happiness by Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5p3NC9OwB0&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rMXg3tXxQcS_2hmM2JHf-8i&index=17"Just" Say No: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/just-say-ellen-petry-leanse/?src=aff-lilpar&veh=aff_src.aff-lilpar_c.partners_pkw.10078_plc.Skimbit%20Ltd._pcrid.449670_learning&trk=aff_src.aff-lilpar_c.partners_pkw.10078_plc.Skimbit%20Ltd._pcrid.449670_learning&clickid=w7QzGWUmbxyOUo7wUx0Mo34GUkiWs%3ARZuQ-AXI0&irgwc=1Ellen's Medium channel: https://medium.com/@chep2m-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

In this episode I talk with Gary Silberstein, an absolutely fantastic gentleman I met last year. This guy is a legend, honestly. Though he is 79 and I’m 25, when we’re hanging out I always feel like I’m talking to someone younger than me, just much wiser. We’ve surfed the point in Santa Cruz together, he’s introduced me to some of the original members of the Big Stick Surfing club, he's showed me how to cast gold rings in his garage, and we’ve had a lot of great chats over coffee on subjects ranging from science to philosophy. He is a retired professor, who researched and taught developmental biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz for nearly 30 years. Growing up in San Francisco in the 50’s, he got hooked on surfing at Ocean Beach and in Santa Cruz, a passion that became, as he describes it, True North on his compass. His experience as a surfer taught him at a young age what commitment really means. That committed mindset is evident in so many of his stories, from committing to graduate school to intentionally teach himself discipline, committing to his love of surfing, and committing to doing good work on each and every project set before him.. He embodies that ability to focus entirely on what is at hand and exemplifies that living and working hard in the present-moment gives opportunities the chance to find you. I left this conversation ready to take control of my life and I think you will too. Enjoy.-----Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell

Hiya! Welcome to Seeking Authenticity. My name is Flint Mitchell, and I'm really amped about this new adventure. This episode explains who I am, why I am doing this podcast, and what you have to gain from listening. The real episodes will be airing August 3rd, 2020. I will be posting tons of great content over the first two weeks. After that, podcasts will be published every Monday and Wednesday at 5AM EST. Yew!!Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/seekingauthenticitypodcast/Podcast Website: https://seekingauthenticity.buzzsprout.com/©Flint Mitchell