So Close with Scott Evans

In a world that is as chaotic as now, what we need more is clarity. How do we achieve that? Scott Evans has the perfect guest on the show to help you. He sits down with none other than Jay Shetty, a former monk who's become one of the most sought after mindfulness experts out there with fans from Oprah to Gwyneth Paltrow and more. Sharing some of that wisdom with us, he joins Scott to give us a peek into his newly released book, Think Like A Monk. He breaks down the monkey mind versus the monk mind and shows a breathing technique that shuts down anxiety, nervous jitters and creates clarity and calm. Jay then tells us his own life journey, what led him to leaving a life of detachment and into a life that is now more his own than ever. Follow along and hear the stories, wisdom, and advice from this not your average monk.

Now more than ever, what the world needs is the courage and resilience to deal with tough times. If there is any consolation from all the challenges we faced, it would be the discovery of the parts in us that show how we’re stronger than what we initially thought. In this episode, Scott Evans talks to psychologist, researcher, and author, Dr. Zelana Montminy. She talks about her book, 21 Days to Resilience, and how we can break the habits and patterns that no longer serve us and reinforces ourselves in a way that makes us stronger, more compassionate, and more connected. She takes us through three main parts: self, spirit, and social. Reset and restore as you listen to what Dr. Z has to say in this conversation.

Adam Rippon was America’s sweetheart at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The first openly gay Winter Olympics athlete describes growing up in Scranton dreaming of wearing a medal of his own. Now an outspoken advocate for human rights, he shared with me his latest dream....a muppet dream.

Rashaun Williams is a man who knows how to make it happen. Growing up on the south side of Chicago with a mother on welfare and a father addicted to drugs, he only had one dream early on that he can remember, to make it out of the hood alive. At 13, he witnessed something that he's never gotten over, but it became the motivation to escape his circumstance. The trauma of those days, though, are never too far from his mind. Through therapy, he's found one question that helps him navigate the hard choices in life while making sure his emotions and his connection to something greater all remain in proper balance. The help of a mentor and a book his mother gave him, coupled with his fight to never go back, contributes to his success. He's also got a pretty funny story about applying to a scholarship for black women that screams, “I'm worth the investment.” And it's true. At 23, he is the Morehouse grad who became the youngest VP at Wachovia Bank and would go on to help bring in millions for his clients. Rashaun seems to have a gift for making a dollar out of 15 cents, but he’ll tell you it isn’t magic.

Rashaun Williams is a man who knows how to make it happen. Growing up on the south side of Chicago with a mother on welfare and a father addicted to drugs, he only had one dream early on that he can remember, to make it out of the hood alive. At 13, he witnessed something that he's never gotten over, but it became the motivation to escape his circumstance. The trauma of those days, though, are never too far from his mind. Through therapy, he's found one question that helps him navigate the hard choices in life while making sure his emotions and his connection to something greater all remain in proper balance. The help of a mentor and a book his mother gave him, coupled with his fight to never go back, contributes to his success. He's also got a pretty funny story about applying to a scholarship for black women that screams, “I'm worth the investment.” And it's true. At 23, he is the Morehouse grad who became the youngest VP at Wachovia Bank and would go on to help bring in millions for his clients. Rashaun seems to have a gift for making a dollar out of 15 cents, but he’ll tell you it isn’t magic.

If you don't know the name Jamie Schmidt, then you don't know Schmidt. But you probably do know the line of natural deodorant and products that she created, Schmidt. For a long time, it was the only natural deodorant that worked and smelled good. Wanting to use cleaner products, Jamie started that as a project out of her kitchen while she was pregnant with her son. She grew it into a company with 160 employees and brought in a reported $45 million in revenue all within seven years. On today’s podcast, Jaime tells Scott Evans the story of how she quit her job, drove cross country, and discovered a recipe that would change everything.

The first-generation American born to Nigerian parents, Tunde Oyeneyin is a force of nature. Tunde is one of the most sought after group fitness instructors on the planet and a successful makeup artist. She is a big star on Peloton now, but she wasn't hired the first time around. In today’s episode, she sits down with Scott Evans to tell the story of the two dresses and talk about her journey to a healthier life and becoming a fitness instructor. She also opens up about a vision that struck her like lightning one night after realizing she was dissatisfied with all the accomplishments and the beautiful life afforded her by the beauty industry.

Ever since being catapulted to fame by the TV show Dancing with the Stars, Derek Hough has become an international household name in the world of dance. A Latin ballroom dance superstar who exudes the best kind of primal energy on and off the stage, Derek is an internationally-recognized and multi-awarded professional dancer, choreographer and singer. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Derek was a bullied child and his terribly traumatic experiences led him to make some pretty wrong choices in life. It was dancing that got him back on track and it is dancing that will become his legacy in the years to come. Listen close as Scott Evans catches up with this little ball of energy, who shares the lessons that he learned from a life in motion.

Best known as a Ralph Lauren Polo model, Tyson Beckford is an American model, actor, and the host of both seasons of the Bravo program, Make Me a Supermodel. In an intimate and honest conversation with Scott Evans, Tyson talks about his background story – from performing for his mom’s friends as a kid to getting his big break from Ralph Lauren. Plus, he also gives the lowdown on racism in the modeling industry and credits Ralph Lauren for changing his whole life.

When Cynthia Erivo stood on the Academy Awards stage to sing, she didn’t think about finally getting an Oscar and officially become an EGOT. She just immersed herself in the moment of her dream performance. She wanted it to be perfect. She wanted to sing for everyone who has not been able to sing where she’s singing, speak for those who have not been able to say the word’s she’s saying, and express for those who have not been able to express themselves. That performance marked a pivotal moment in her career – and she had always been ready for it. Thrust to fame for playing Celie in The Color Purple, Cynthia is a multi-awarded English actress, singer, and songwriter. Most recently, she has been given the role of Aretha Franklin in the eponymous biopic, Genius: Aretha. Listen in as she takes us back to her childhood, her introduction to the world of acting, and her rise to fame, success, and significance in this interview with Scott Evans.

Almost every single level up in life requires you to rise to the occasion. If we want to step closer to the life we want, we can't let doubt or fear stop us. Welcome to So Close with Scott Evans, a podcast presenting conversations that will illuminate how some of the most influential and successful people have dared to dream in the face of doubt and fear. Join Scott as he gives an overview of what you can expect from the show. Get inspired by some of the best people out there that could help you on your own journey toward your dreams today.