The Matt Sodnicar Podcast

When SJ agreed to be the event decorator for her friend's wedding, she had no idea it would lead her to the love of her life. As she navigated the stresses of planning the elaborate 180-person affair, SJ found herself instantly drawn to the caterer, John. Despite initial reservations, their undeniable chemistry and connection grew stronger throughout the chaotic wedding day. What started as a chance meeting between two people working the same event quickly blossomed into something much more. As SJ grappled with the end of a long-term relationship, she couldn't deny the pull she felt towards John. Their story is a whirlwind romance, filled with mishaps, laughter, and the magic of finding an unexpected soulmate in the most unlikely of places - a wedding.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

John Lawyer dishes out a hilarious and heartfelt journey through his wild culinary adventures. From corndog chaos to molecular gastronomy experiments, John's passion for food shines through every story. He shares the ups and downs of running food trucks and restaurants, including some crazy encounters with politicians and celebrities. Through it all, John's love for cooking and creating unique flavor combinations keeps him going, even when faced with entitled customers and unreliable staff.Check out where Corndoggies will be here: https://www.corndoggies.com/ and give them a follow on the Gram: https://www.instagram.com/corndoggies/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This powerful conversation explores the deep grief and vulnerability that comes from losing a loved one to suicide. Christy courageously shares her story of losing her sister Teri 17 years ago, and the profound impact it continues to have on her life. While the pain has never gone away, Christy finds strength in being open about her experience and hopes it helps others feel less alone. This intimate discussion highlights both the complexity of chronic mental illness and suicide, as well as the importance of compassion, honesty and community in the grieving process.  Teri is pictured on the left, Christy on the right. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I talk with Stephanie Villavicencio, founder of Tits Deep For Breast Cancer. We go into Stephanie's personal journey that led to starting this impactful organization after losing her best friend Nadine to aggressive breast cancer at just 31 years old. You'll hear the touching story of how Tits Deep got its start through a fundraising effort to help Nadine with medical bills, and how its grown into so much more. We discuss the challenges young women face in accessing early detection screenings and treatment. Stephanie shares powerful lessons learned and advice for women to be their own advocates and not ignore concerning symptoms.  I hope it inspires you as much as it did me. Hear Stephanie's vision for the future of Tits Deep and how you can get involved in this important mission.Support TitsDeep: https://www.titsdeepforbreastcancer.com/Warmfront Buy One, Give One: https://www.thewarmfront.com/pages/buy-one-give-oneBuy a sticker!  https://www.thewarmfront.com/products/tits-deep-fundraising-sticker ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ellen Busch returns for a second conversation and shares her inspiring journey of healing from past abuse through writing her memoir, facing fears of vulnerability, and finding purpose in helping others.  Ellen reflects on her 47-year journey of fighting for her self-esteem and self-worth, culminating in the publication of her book.  My favorite part is her feeling when she describes the emotional impact of completing the book, comparing it to the shock she felt after her mother's death, and feeling a sense of victory and healing. Listen to our first episode from June 2021 here:  https://share.transistor.fm/s/ac1a171c Ellen's website, book info and more: https://www.ellenbusch.com/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Tyler Z takes me through the origin of Biked Goods, making food fun and enjoyable, coaching kids on the bike, the importance of introducing healthy habits to kids, and where his sense of community and servanthood originated.Connect with Tyler at bikedgoods.co, on Instagram @bikedgoods.co, and be sure and check out his blog for all these damn tasty recipes.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Author Wiley Davis takes me through the origin of her memoir, and some powerful stories that comprise "It's Me or the Horse", including: The worst date she's ever been on? Earning trust and the power of a buffer zone. Her process of writing a book. The hardest chapter of her life. And, why didn't she leave when she was terrified? Take a look at her website here: https://www.booksbywd.com/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Grab your white bread, butter and make some Sandwiches of History with Barry Enderwick.  We talk sardines and sandwiches and then dive into his career at Netflix before Netflix was a thing.Enjoy Barry on Instagram @sandwichesofhistory, and his other feeds: @inthechipswithbarry, @barryiscookingagain, @craftbeerbarry and @barrysicecreamoclock. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

GET A TICKET to the July 31 show in LIttleton!I met Stephanie at a Denver event, and wanted to deconstruct her sense of humor - which reminded me so much of Mike Birbiglia.  Stephanie recorded this just a few weeks after her dad passed away, and we talk about his influence on her comedy.Stephanie's journey with comedy began as a child when she learned the power of making people laugh.  Eventually she began pursuing stand up comedy in her 30s, married with 2 small children. Nine months after her first time on stage, Stephanie won a trip to the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and has been on the Denver comedy scene for over 17 years. Stephanie is passionate about empowering and coaching speakers and entrepreneurs on how they can add humor to their presentations to create more engagement with their audience.  She has developed a Be Funnier! Short and Sweet Coaching Package and she offers motivational speaking on the following topics:  Be Funnier! How to Add Humor to Your Presentation and The Importance of Laughter.  ​Stephanie loves dogs, has a recipe for chocolate tofu pie that you will LOVE and can touch her tongue to her nose. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Doug takes me through his life working with wood:  building cabinets with his dad to eventually starting his guitar business.  Shipping pranks with sawdust, just barely making it, riding bikes, and just 2 nerds chatting.Check out these gorgeous instruments here.And here is Otis Rush, Live at The Wise Fools Pub.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Anthony and I talk about the rewards of being cyclists, connecting as friends across the world, and what our little companies have done for ourselves and for each other.  I share the amazing story of a product going from Colorado to Australia and on to Ireland, in the hands of Sonia O'Sullivan, Olympic silver medalist, thanks to Anthony. Take a look at Bespoke Velo.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Emma describes her journey to become a death doula - helping people with holistic end-of-life planning.  She is the founder of Beautiful Life Beautiful Death.  She takes me through watching her dad die - then 11 years later, being pregnant with her first child when her husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness.Learning to live presently, mitigating fears, conscious peaceful dying.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Michel Hogan, Brand Counsel, and author of "The Unheroic Work" generously teaches a masterclass on branding, marketing, values, integrity.We cover the myth of excellence, the difference between expectations and experiences, lessons from her book and why she wrote it, not starting with Why, values misused as a promotional tool, and how values can flip and become a liability.I'm on my second reading of her book, I've shared it with many, and if you're anywhere near your customer and their experience, you need to read it."You are the promises you keep."★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In a continuation of our previous conversation, Michelle takes me thru the trial of the man who abducted her as a young woman in upstate New York.She takes me through falling out with her family over the events, the PTSD and hypervigilance, blending in and not wearing makeup, and the effect the experiences have had on her.  She also helps with talking to therapists, how friends and coworkers can connect and help others who've experienced similar events.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Alternate titles for this episode: A bottle of wine and a donut 2 Idiots in a box I wanted Chris to be a guest because he tells great stories.  While still amusing AF, Chris has a great life philosophy about how to treat people and maximize an opportunity, and recover from adversity.We go through his days as a graveyard shift valet at a Vegas hotel & casino, 9/11 being his second day as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, and starting a premier run store and community here in Denver.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I connect with Michael Cox from Zagworx and TheSalesRecruiter.com. In my book, he is one of the best humans, serving others as a recruiter - doing business the right way. We cover failures, self-doubt and fear - defining fearless along the way, and the book Beyond Band of Brothers. He takes me through leaving the security of working for Xerox, starting his own recruiting firm during the pandemic, then 8 months of no business, and how helping others - truly with honesty - pays off.  Then, his wife is diagnosed with cancer.He teaches me about askholes, push/pull factors, exposure therapy, no ay de otra (there is no other) and the mantra that "things that don't define you, shouldn't shake you."The episode concludes with a new track from Claire Beeler: Mothman.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Jonathan Banks, President and Co-Founder of NCXT.  He takes me through the design philosophy of working with restaurants, and leveraging the right technology for the owners to help them thrive - and how to create our best world.We also talk about how the customer determines the value of the offering, the intersection of values, intentions, and decisions, how design thinking allows true focus on the customer and a fascinating discussion on how to display your values when you're not being tested.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Michelle takes me through leaving the US, moving to Costa Rica to launch a food truck.  "The Salty Pineapple" or La Pina Salina happened to be only the 4th food truck in the whole country - and she hates to cook.  Oh, and then when project was hitting the wall, she found out by accident that her husband was preparing to divorce her.  She takes me through the difference between giving up and giving in.She then takes me though the harrowing story of how she survived a kidnapping by staying in the moment and getting into warrior mode - the embodiment of fortitude.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Jennifer Wreyford CEO and Founder at Courage to Rise, and while she is a life coach, I unequivocally prove that she is not the cringey kind! We cover how she has used her own journey to help others through the trauma of divorce and breakups, with honesty, accountability and zero judgement.  We cover positivity bypassing, how the work is not going to be a happy, fluffy bunny, working herself out of a job with her clients,  and visiting, but not living in, the dark places.  She is also very candid about an event she calls the Dark Night of the Soul, and recovering from that.Find Jennifer, Courage to Rise, and her podcast here:www.jenniferwreyford.comwww.couragetorise.comCourage to Rise Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/courage-to-rise/id1481788604★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Cyd's story, in her own words:I'm a tea and polka dot junkie, bulldog momma, and passionate supporter of women's empowerment…But most of all, I'm a storyteller.As a kid, I would regale friends and family with my retellings of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. As an adult, I still love to tell stories, but now I don't talk about silly goats and trolls. Instead, I tell the stories of people, their passions and brands.In college, I fell in love with the story of mankind: history. I loved researching, writing and presenting about the people and events that shaped our society. After graduating, I decided that it was time to help make history, so I hit up Capital Hill and joined US Senator Jeff Flake's Press Office. It was here that I truly came into my own as a storyteller.In Senator Flake's Press Office, I had the opportunity to see firsthand just how big an impact the right story could have. I managed the Senator's social media accounts, wrote press content and ensured that the right photos were taken at the right time and ensured that the Senator's public image helped build support for his goals and ideas. One of the Senator's projects was to expose and eliminate congressional waste. Unfortunately, most of that waste was described in reports so bland and boring that reading them was downright painful. We needed a story, a narrative that would make people sit up and pay attention.So, we created the Wastebooks. The Wastebooks were digital reports that poked fun at all the strange things Congress spent money on. By translating congressional speak into an engaging, easy-to-read format, we created something people wanted to read. We told a story. As a result, the Wastebooks were a total grand slam being  featured in USA Today and other major news outlets and put Senator Flake's campaign against governmental waste on the map—and all because of good storytelling. (We also were able to end Paid Patriotism at American sporting events which is a tangible win and impact many people cannot say they accomplish in the Senate.)In the years since, my own story has taken unexpected twists and turns. I went through a difficult divorce, but that experience forced me to explore new options on my own. I discovered that I could tell the stories of people through photos and started my own business: Afton Photography. In the early years, I went door-to-door handing out flyers for $25 photo-shoots…Today, my photos and the stories they tell have been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine, the Washington Post, The Hill, and many other major publications. I have worked with major fashion and lifestyle influencers like Danielle of Blonde in the District, Anychi Wei, and Krista Salmon and shot photos for multiple US Senators. I also shot under D.C. lifestyle photographer Tony Powell.I eventually managed PR, social media and fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club National Capital office, where I helped raise millions to support children in need across America. I moved to Utah where I worked at a localized marketing agency helping to bring in millions in new revenue through effective branding, social media management, and great content. I worked for various other organizations and brands including active wear, educational non profits and museums.My secret? Storytelling. Over the years, I've learned how to identify a business's brand story and communicate that story in a compelling way. Whether it's through design, photos or the written word, I know how to tell stories that get people to do something.WASTEBOOK/PAID PATRIOTISM LINKS:https://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/pentagon-contracts-sports-teams-215508https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/05/454834662/pentagon-paid-sports-teams-millions-for-paid-patriotism-eventshttps://www.amazon.com/Senator-Presents-Questions-Government-Scratching/dp/1976422728 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Jessica Rae, VP of Account Management from Blackline to talk about leadership in business, but specifically how she recognized and admitted to fears as a leader - and the transformation that occurred in her teams from that candor and courage.  We also explore facing mortality as a breast cancer survivor; the concepts of neutral curiosity, assuming positive intent, and how her athletic background helped her feel comfortable failing, and forged a mindset of heading forward towards resistance - the dark cave of fear, and Casa Bonita!  Links to her articles: Becoming More Heart Centered in Leadership Connections, Courage and Change Management Books and podcasts:  The Price Of Tomorrow, by Jeff Booth, and  A Rich Life - Tim Ferris with Ramit Sethi ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Christine Wzorek, CEO of White Label Advisors defines how marrying human capital, business strategy, and financial strategy through the lens of human behavior can truly affect the performance of a business.  We also cover the origin of her personal brand deck inspired by Coco Chanel, leaving an abusive relationship and the many attempts to actually do it.  She then describes the elegant puzzle of human behavior, how an HR policy is only as good as the behavior, the right to dignity, fonts (yes, fonts), and how she designed her brother's memorial program to honor his design ethos and style.Other links: Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind Helvetica Documentary Superheroes by The Script ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Samtu Palouki takes me through his incredible journey from a nerdy tech kid in Togo, moving to the US without being fluent in English, joining the US Army, the added challenge of the language barrier during bootcamp, isolation & lonliness, to creating short films to boost his comrades' morale - and becoming a viral video star.  A story of perseverance, creativity, humor, and creating from the heart.Here's his first viral video.And see more of his work on Instagram.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Kelly Schexnaildre, founder and CEO of Murph's Condiments.  And this conversation is not about the hot sauce.  We talk about the journey to allowing yourself to be loved - and accepted, the spirit of forgiveness, defining grace as unearned favor, leaving the church, religion, and the guilt of being gay -  culminating her calling to ponder becoming a minister.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

At a very young age, Ellen Busch was labeled dyslexic.  At the time, it was a death sentence in the educational system.  With the unwavering support and love from her parents, she realized she's not broken and learned to thrive.  We also talk about finding the courage to leave an abusive marriage, the transformation after attending Mark Divine's Navy SEAL Unbeatable Mind program, and the impact and gift of life demonstrated by her parents by being organ donors.  I also read a powerful letter from the family member recipient of the life saved. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with my longtime professional mentor and career guardian angel, Carie Zoellner about how she got involved with Hagar International and their mission to end the cycle of trauma from human trafficking.  Gartner will match your donation for the next month, at 200%: https://hagarusa.org/carie-hagar-fundraiser/★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I chat with Marley Blonsky, Seattle-based bike advocate, bike adventurer and fat cyclist advocate.  We talk about how dealing with retailers assuming she's a beginner, cycling through a crumbling marriage, speaking up for fat cyclists and how this journey ultimately led to being featured in the Shimano documentary All Bodies on Bikes with friend Kailey Kornhauser.  Give them a follow at All Bodies on Bikes.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How you learn to accept that you're worthy of being loved - after addiction, physical trauma and transformation and divorce?I sit down with Quinn Brett (@quinndalina) and Joshua Stevens, (@tumbleweedultra) in advance of the Wings of Life Relay, raising funds for spinal cord research.  Please join the team or consider a donation!We talk about bravery, motivation, love, and naked men in saunas.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Adam Gamboa from Talnua Distillery in Arvada takes me through their Star Wars themed cocktails, including the Yoda Soda, Darth Tater, Wookie Crumbles, and why gravy didn't work in a cocktail - this time around.We go through the history of Single Pot Still Whiskey, and but more importantly, Adam takes me through the leadership in Talnua, and the support for work, family and community - and explains why that magic blends into a wonderful experience for customers and employees.Be sure to come by starting May 4 2021 to enjoy these great bevvys. Thanks to Nick Sodnicar at SodFotog for the great distillery pics.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with friend and sales training consultant Teila Evans from Flockjay.  We talk about how she started her sales consulting business, more out of necessity than by choice, breaking through decision paralysis, impostor syndrome, the unconscious impact of being the only black person in the office, and helping create space to help another show their power. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Cori James, tattooer, triathlete, self-love advocate and founder of Fill The Well Athletics.  We cover her journey of anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder - to start an athletic wear company based on inclusion and self-love.We cover The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, comparison being the theft of joy, learning that an eating disorder is so much more than food.Here's a link to the clothing company, Jakroo.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with friend, fellow cyclocross racer and Principal Architect at Arch11, Ken Andrews.  I have personally been fascinated with design and architecture since I was a kid, but never understood the nuances of why I liked some buildings and not others.  Take a look at the amazing designs on Arch11's Instagram feed: Ken takes me through, with passion, expertise and humility: art, function, style, proportion defining compression and release the interconnected role of construction and architecture site specific response the making of space and how design inhabits the world Arch11's commitment to a built environment and eliminating carbon footprints  Here are the books and movies now on my list from this chat: Charles Eames, Screening Room and Powers of 10 Bjarke Ingels: Abstract on Netflix The Phenomenology of Religious Life (Studies in Continental Thought) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Scott Smeester has been an engineer, developer and a  CIO and founded CIO Mastermind to help companies - and the individuals that lead those companies - manage technology solutions and navigate digital transformation with trusted, unbiased peer advisory. Learn more about CIO Mastermind.To download the case study we spoke about, click here.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In Part 2 of my conversation with Colleen Abdoulah, she describes actionable steps women can take to overcome gender inequity in the workplace.   How to be a better negotiator The difference between assertive and aggressive Being your own worst enemy Loving yourself and respecting yourself enough to GO FOR IT Changing the mindset to overcompensate Working towards total consciousness and awareness How to own the word power as a woman Colleen also takes me through surviving rape at 19, and what impact that has had on her life. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is part 1 of a conversation with Colleen Abdoulah, Ardent Warrior for Gender Equity.  She is also the: Former Chair and CEO of WOW! Internet and Cable Chair Emeritus of World Pulse, a social network for Women to Accelerate Change for Gender Equality Board Chair of Rocky Mountain PBS Board Member of Colorado Women's College We cover courage in the workplace, general awareness of self, staying centered, controlling preparation, how to pay attention to someone else's motivation, judgement vs. discernment, and finding true power as a woman.We close Part 1 with the Cherokee prophecy of the bird of humanity,  that says the bird of humanity has a male wing and a female wing, and it has been flying for centuries with primarily only its male wing. The prophecy says that in time the female wing will extend and express itself fully in men and women. The male energy will relax and the bird of humanity will soar.Part 2 focuses on actionable steps women can take in the workplace for gender equity. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Steve Thompson takes us through how empathy, and progress vs. perfection has lasting results on fitness.  I always knew this cat was deep and thoughtful, and this conversation absolutely reinforced that.  Starting with Steve's Facebook post on changing how he felt rather than how he looked - we dive into being empathetic with himself, and how he takes care of his clients, to better people outside the gym.Steve takes me through how to build a personal castle, not demonizing anything - especially food and drink - changing habits with baby steps, removing opportunities, and the myth of motivation.Take a look at Steve's post and pics here.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Merry Christmas everyone!This was a powerful and amazing episode with Gary Stotler, coach, consultant and author.  I'm releasing this on Christmas Day so that if you, or anyone you love is struggling to simply know that you're not alone in your journey.  Gary takes me through weighing 400 pounds, sucking at selling cars and starting with walking one lap around the block, and getting just a little better each day.  He now incorporates journaling, meditation, yoga nidra, into his transformation.  We talk about taking out the mental and emotional trash and the clutter, and celebrating over 1200 days sober.We're both failures - and while that may sound brutal and raw, it's the truth.   We've failed at jobs, relationships, life, fitness.  But we didn't quit.  And that is the sometimes the hardest thing is to not quit.  It's a fine line between keeping going and not quitting, but that's all it is.  We both understand how easy this is to say, and how challenging it is to do.Gary and I have an emotional and powerful conversation - and made our world a little smaller.  We connected, and I hope after listening to this you feel connected too.  I also share an amazing metaphor about time management from my friend Owen Jones. Please connect with Gary at his website: GaryStotler.com His books are available here at Amazon. If you'd like to try yoga nidra, here is the link to Brianne's guided practice. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Thomas Frey, Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci institute, and he takes us through: The future vs. optimism & pessimism How we will interact with devices in the future Autonomous vehicles / semi trucks and yard operations What is it about the future that scares certain people throughout history Unintended consquences How the Roman numerals were a system problem and how to avoid a similar one Why we should have a 13 month calendar Why we should make our youth feel positive about the future And the average speed of humans in 2050 Connect with Thomas and the DaVinci Institute here at : https://davinciinstitute.com/★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this, the 100th episode of this podcast, I sit down with friend, mentor / mentee Sarah Laughlin.  Sarah pivoted from a career in marketing to earning an MBA and concurrently starting SlopeThreads - Rent The Runway for ski apparel.  Then COVID shuts down ski resorts, essentially destroys her business for the season on March 9 2020, and forced her to issue refunds for over 600 orders.  In an inspiring turn, she starts Garden Gurus - with no previous gardening experience, but leverages the talents of those around her.  And then in the spirit of help and mentorship and reaching back, she co-founded DU Angels.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Alex Elias, taking me through starting his first business at 15 years old, working with real estate agents, building websites.  WE then travel through his philosophy of building assets, not jobs, trust, failure, AI, the fractional rarities business, and my favorite, the forcing function!Keep in mind, Alex and I recorded this March 28, 2020.  Oh how our impressions of COVID and the quarantine have changed!Find and connect with Alex at LinkedIn, and at AE Consulting Solutions.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Christine Hafen to talk about her life on the sea, spanning being a ship's captain, chief mate, and dynamic positioning operator for a drill ship.  This thing is 860 feet long, 150 tall and operates 200 miles offshore in 11,000 feet of ocean - which she has to keep over the drill site in less than 5% variance.  She also tells the tale of nearly going into Davy Jones locker, evacuating during a hurricane.We recorded this episode because Christine is facing what many of us are this year - a career change.  How does one go from the drill ship to corporate America?If you need someone with determination, grace under pressure, and relentless spirit - here is her LinkedIn Profile.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Quinn, Joshua and I talk about their Wings for Life relay in Estes Park - recorded in May 2020, so long ago. As usual, we divert pretty quick from bikes, handcycles and running and chase some deep topics.  Enjoy!★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How does someone go from being a geophysicist to starting a non-profit to create a unique science fair and serve kids? I sit down with Wendy Wempe and talk about her journey to help children -  particularly those who are under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM), namely girls and students of color from low-income families.And you can get involved too - visit https://stemgeneration.org/who-we-are/ and find out how you could simply walk down your street, and start making a difference in a child's life.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with 787 pilot Donna Miller to talk about her journey from flying lessons in Korea to flying one of the most advanced aircraft in the world.  Starting with equating finances and purchases to literal minutes of flying time, then flying and unloading car parts in Mexico during the week and skydivers on the weekend.  Chipping away and continually driving towards becoming an airline pilot - only a few months before September 11, 2001.   Donna then tells amazing stories about meeting and flying some of the largest legends in aviation:  Elray Jeppesen father of modern aviation charts,  Louie Zamparini - subject of Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken, Emily Warner, first woman captain of a US airline, Bob Guilliland, the first pilot of the SR71 Blackbird, Eileen Collins, first woman commander of the Space Shuttle - and the story of one amazing necklace, and Neil Armstrong.  Yes, that Neil Armstrong. Donna is a member of and author for the 99's (International Organization of Women Pilots), Women in Aviation, ISA+21, the Experimental Aircraft Association.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with longtime friend Jean Hadzi to talk about Robotic Process Automation (RPA) - what it is and isn't - and how RPA has a love for humanity, not a contempt for it,  his involvement with NAMIC (National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications), watches, specifically the 1960 Omega Constellation, and more.Connect with Jean on LinkedIn★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Randy Wiafe - poet, musician, developer, father, son.  In this amazing, wide ranging conversation, Randy and I talk about his journey to being a developer in the tech/SaaS space.  He takes me through a near-fatal injury, leaving college, finding another way to pursue his technology goals while ultimately proving his mom wrong in the best way, battling and overcoming depression, and a very interesting discussion on an unexpected type of racism and prejudice.Connect with Randy on LinkedIn. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Beth takes us through growing up as one of 6 kids, working with Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, ultimately traveling to Rio with Team USA as a sports massage therapist.  From there, a drive of "How do I do this" led her to an apprenticeship in the bicycle framebuilding business, and opening an amazing shop in Eudora.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Melissa Stenger from Allegion, and we talk about our similar career paths, through the bike industry, and eventually ending up in tech in Denver. We also dispel the myth that only technical people can run technical businesses, and the 100 year journey of her company transforming from philosophy of strong, literal, physical security - locks - to digital physical control and the cloud, and IOT.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There are two titles for this episode: "Easy Conversations about a Difficult Topic" and "Reparations of The Mind". I invited my friend Mike Jackson to speak about a Facebook post in which he recounts witnessing the fatal car accident of his friend in 1999. The story is not about the accident. The story is about one black man's experience with one police officer that shares too much with what happened to George Floyd. Mike ended up handcuffed, subdued, maced, knelt on and ultimately arrested by a police officer. I wanted to have an open dialog with one person about his experience, to learn, to listen. Two friends, one black and one white - building an understanding and a connection. You can't change the world, but you can change yourself and make a difference in your life and those you know. These are the books Mike recommended: Maya Angelou, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Cornel West, Democracy Matters Michael Eric Dyson - White Fragility: Why Its So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism W.E.B. Dubois, The Talented Tenth Dick Gregory, From the Back of the Bus Jessie Carney Smith, Black Firsts★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Eric and I talk about his journey as co-founder of BracketLabs / TaskRay and the courage needed to be an entrepreneur. We cover the difficult process of layoffs, being a good project manager, and health issues in 2016 that ultimately led him to step away. We then go deep into inherited trauma, specifically the U curve of happiness, the work of Peter Levine, author of "The Body Knows the Score", somatic therapy, MDMA.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I sit down with Rachel Alena - voiceover talent, talent agent and voice acting coach to discuss her path from singing and stage acting to becoming a voiceover talent and coach. I connected with Rachel after searching for a voice coach in an effort to improve my voice for podcasting, improv acting and public speaking, and she is officially my voice coach. I have since learned how skillful a professional voice actor is, how unbelievable hard the job is - especially around tone, emotion, character, timing. Be sure to listen at the end when Rachel reads a script normally and then reads it dark and edgy. The nuance in her voice is amazing.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★