We're Only Human

Melissa Joy Kong's least favorite question is “who are you?”, which is ironic to me, because Melissa is one of the most curious people on this planet. She's possibly even more curious than me. She thinks deeply about how to become more present in every moment of every day, and yearns to help others do the same. At least, that's how I would describe Melissa. When I asked Melissa how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how her mission in life is to help people fall in love with the way they spend their lives, what she learned about love from an Nebraska couple who passed away unexpectedly after she interviewed them, and why her biggest fear in life is dying without having a chance to say goodbye. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

David Spinks has been building communities for decades in many areas of his life. He's a natural at it. You put him at a dinner and he will find those who need to connect and make it happen. At his heart, he loves humanity and strives to make a positive impact on us all each and every day. At least, that's how I would describe David. When I asked David how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about why he fell down at an ice skating rink to propose to his wife, what he learned from his dad selling stuffed animals, and the surprising role becoming a father has played in his own life. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Katie Parsons has the ability to manifest into reality the life she wants to live. Through hard work and non stop persistence, she became a paid performer and fulfilled her dream of getting paid to do what she loves. At least, that's how I would describe Katie. When I asked Katie how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how she has been affected by her moms Alzheimer's diagnosis, why she tries to see the sunrise in person as many days as she can, and how envisioning her face inside a Playbill helped her get paid to do something she loves. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Tracey Wallace welcomes the obstacles that life throws her way. She's a natural writer with a knack for storytelling, and a cheerful, glass half full person who can make anyone in the room feel comfortable. At least, that's how I would describe Tracey. When I asked Tracey how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how growing up in a small town in Texas has shaped who she is today, her involvement in her wife's sketch comedy group videos, and how boredom led to her passion for writing. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Carla Stickler left her life as a Broadway performer for the better part of a decade to become a software engineer. And then one day Broadway called and asked if she could perform the role of Elphaba in Wicked for a weekend. Carla is exactly the type of person who would say yes. She's someone who adapts, who rolls with it, and who is loyal and reliable. At least, that's how I would describe Carla. When I asked Carla how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about why she answered the call to perform back on the Broadway stage for a weekend, why Tom Hanks wants to be Tom Cruise, and why having a Wikipedia page is weird. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Trinity Malito loves helping others. With a smile ever present on her face, she's happy to help at a moment's notice. And she loves games. She has a huge passion for games. Really, she has a passion for life and finding the moments, the people, and the activities that truly fulfill her. At least, that's how I would describe Trinity. When I asked Trinity how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about the impact of her ADHD diagnosis later in life, our mutual dislike of mail (it's the worst!), and why she never pursued the life of an opera singer despite her 9 years of professional training. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Brendan Hufford works every day to create the life he wants to live with his wife and 4 kids. He knows what he's working towards, but the goal evolves a little bit each day. He has figured life out, yet he's still figuring it out each day. He's just now realizing that maybe that's totally normal. Brendan is somebody who is constantly learning and improving who he wants to be as a human, and I really admire that. At least, that's how I would describe Brendan. When I asked Brendan how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about what he learned from being a school teacher for 10 years, why he feels he needs to intentionally move through life with a little more grace and empathy, and his thoughts on what a mid life crisis REALLY is. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Adam Tuttle is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. He puts his family first, brings positivity to those he works with, and is always unapologetically his authentic self. Oh, and he also loves cold weather! At least, that's how I would describe Adam. When I asked Adam how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about his lifelong journey to become the best version of himself, why he loves ice fishing so much, and why he set himself a goal of running 1,000 miles in a year (and how he achieved it). Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Stella Garber believes in direct, honest communication, and is not afraid to jump into the unknown. She has a passion for empowering women and supports women every chance she gets. At least, that's how I would describe Stella. When I asked Stella how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how becoming a parent has taught her empathy and patience, why she loves that her friends have no idea what she does for work, and the enormous benefit of viewing other people as the humans they really are. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Lizzy Guido is one of the most kind, genuine people you'll meet. She has a deep love for humanity and using her talents to change the world around her on a micro and macro level. She wants to leave the world better than she found it. At least, that's how I would describe Lizzy. When I asked Lizzy how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about the crucial question she asks herself every day, her desire to open a local community movie theater, and the importance of partners catching each other when they fall in a relationship. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Will English IV is somebody who is intentionally building the life he wants to live. He's constantly looking to learn and grow, and expand his skillsets. At least, that's how I would describe Will. When I asked Will how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about the impact his grandmother had on his life, how his definition of success has shifted from being the first person in the office to being able to go to Cubs day games with season tickets, and his desire to break away from the prescribed life. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Jason Miller is an entertainer, a creative artist who celebrates life and creates a difference with his art. He seeks to find the joy in each moment and keep learning along the way. At least, that's how I would describe Jason. When I asked Jason how he would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about getting signed to a record label at age 17, why we all need a solid balance of introvert and extrovert, and the giant record directory book he mastered while working at a record store. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Lauren Hlavin always has a big smile on her face. She lights up every room she enters. She has embarked on a never ending journey to grow as a person and to discover everything she can about the world around her. At least, that's how I would describe Lauren. When I asked Lauren how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about why she suddenly moved across the country, the talk about helping homeless people she hopes to give one day on the TED stage, and John Mayer's hit song “No Such Thing”. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Sarah Brooks is here to remind us to show ourselves grace and remember that we're human beings, not human doings. She's driven by her love for music and is on an ever evolving journey of personal growth. At least, that's how I would describe Sarah. When I asked Sarah how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about separating our professional work from our identities, the epiphanies she discovered during her end of year month long sabbatical from her business, and the significance of the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com/ (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Jill Felska is an eternal optimist. Her glass is always half full and her smile never leaves her face. She's on a lifelong mission to create positive change in this world, and any obstacle that gets in the way is an opportunity. At least, that's how I would describe Jill. When I asked Jill how she would answer the question “who are you”, we chatted about how her discovery that she is queer has affected her relationship with her pastor dad, the importance of seeking out uncomfortable moments in our lives, and the pressure to play the role of the positive, happy person for those around us. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Allie Siarto has figured life out. She knows what success means to her and has figured out how to transform her dreams into reality. She understands there is a lesson to be learned in each season of life and wants to help those she meets along the way. At least, that's how I describe Allie. When I asked Allie how she would answer the question “Who are you”, we talked about how success means more to her than money, why she lives her life as a series of experiments and hypotheses, and how she developed a love for sailing. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at http://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com (wereonlyhumanpodcast.com)

Paige Worthy is smashing the patriarchy. She's the person in the crowd who jumps up and makes her voice heard above all the noise. Her calling in life is to educate those around her on how to create equality and eradicate unjustness. Well, that's how I would describe her. When I asked Paige how she would answer the question “Who are you?”, we talked about what it means to let go of the monkey bars, her experience singing a solo at a mass in Italy despite being an atheist, and how she overcame her initial hesitance to be too vulnerable on this podcast. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show. Check out all our episodes at https://wereonlyhumanpodcast.com (WereOnlyHumanPodcast.com)

Season 2 of We're Only Human is coming soon! Join me, your host Tim Jahn, for this season of conversations with extraordinary people that explore why we are who we are. We'll explore how we define ourselves both personally, professionally, and everything in between. You'll hear stories, revelations, and lessons learned from people from all walks of life, including rock and roll photographers, parents, business owners, and more. I'll ask all my guests: If someone asked you the question “Who are you”, what would you say? Season 2 premieres March 30. Subscribe for free today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

A few weeks ago, I texted my friend (and previous guest) Tracy Samantha Goodheart with a thought that had been swirling in my head recently: I think it's time to hit pause on the podcast. The problem is, I'm not sure what comes next and if I stop, doesn't that mean I've failed? I felt a fitting way to bring this chapter of We're Only Human to a close would be to have somebody interview me. So I invited Tracy back on the podcast to do just that. In this episode, Tracy and I chat about: The power of magic even when we need objective data to make decisions How creators don't always know the effect they're having on peoples lives Knowing you're good at something deep down without feeling like you're bragging Tracy discovers Facebook Messenger for Kids Tracy explains Clubhouse to Tim If the We're Only Human podcast has made an impact on you, I'd love to hear how! Send me a note via the contact form.

David Armano experienced a major shock to his system in 2020 when he was unexpectedly laid off from his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That was on top of postponing a wedding and navigating family life post-divorce. As someone who isn't afraid of leaning into a bit of discomfort, David decided to get vulnerable and open up about what was happening in his life with others. He quickly learned that people connect with vulnerability, and they wanted to know that side of him. In this episode, David Armano and I discuss: How we both got married before our brains were fully developed How David's getting laid off was a positive shock to his system Why it felt uncomfortable for him at first to be honest about getting laid off Why his parents marriage isn't a model for what he wants out of a relationship His North Star and guiding principles for living life The importance of being vulnerable no matter how uncomfortable it feels

One day, Angelica Patlán asked herself: is this who I am or who I thought I was supposed to be? She realized who she thought she was supposed to be is completely different from who she really is. That realization changed everything for her. In this episode, Angelica Patlán and I discuss: How the lack of closure while working as a 911 dispatcher affected her The ways in which she re-found herself by getting lost and intentionally feeling uncomfortable When she realized she wasn't happy following the prescribed path Dealing with self doubt and fear Why perfection is often stemming from self doubt

Jessica Williams is the founder of Tech Biz Gurl. She also has a day job and is a caregiver. Like many of us, she's juggling a lot of plates in the air. She has recently realized the importance of pausing and recharging in her life. In this episode, Jessica Williams and I discuss: Why she isn't trying to escape her day job How being laid off from her job helped her How her day job helps build her side hustle Why comparison engine is the worst and how it's affecting you too! The impact she wants to make on the world What she learned about herself from The Fear Experiment Her experience being a caregiver Her techniques for focusing

Marsha Shandur has a beast who whispers in her ear every day. She used to try to quiet the voice but the voice kept coming back. She also realized she wasn't the only one with this beast whispering. Many of us have this little voice in our head, trying to convince us that we aren't good enough. Marsha is on a mission to show us how to tame this voice and successfully co-exist with it. We're then able to be who we are without fear of the voice tearing us down. In this episode, Marsha Shandur and I discuss: Why she believes there's a beast whispering in our ears Her preference for a flip phone rather than a smartphone Her passion for making the world more accessible Why she write herself notes on her Christmas tree every year Her favorite Christmas memory that she's never told anyone about before The strength of being alone

From moving in with a roommate for the first time in years to spending a weekend alone in a treehouse with a hot tub, Bridget Poetker experienced a lot of change in 2020. As hard as 2020 was, she has never been more proud of herself for how much she grew as a person that year. In this episode, Bridget Poetker and I discuss: Why she's not inspired by people who have been in the same career for 30 years How Bridget decides who she wants to be a part of her life How she learned that being alone is good and ok Why she stayed in a treehouse with a hot tub by herself for a weekend after getting laid off The various ways she grew as a person in 2020 The importance of actions over words

When she was nine years old, Angie Cole wrote a letter to her pen pal expressing her fear that she would never leave her small hometown and never get to travel. Today, Angie travels the world living a nomadic life. She helps people who have been following the rules and realized that's not working for them. People who have always been told to live life a certain way to be successful. Angie discovered at an early age that the rules were never meant for her. That realization led her on a path to live a life beyond her wildest imagination. A life her nine year-old self could never have fathomed when she wrote that letter to her pen pal. In this episode, Angie Cole and I discuss: When she realized the rules aren't meant for us How she deals with the chaos in her life Why we are all so desperately trying to achieve the hot tub How she created conditions to hear herself and what she wanted her life to be The ways in which fear and desire are two sides of the same coin How she conquered the fear of never leaving her small town as a child What home looks like for her as she lives a nomadic lifestyle

2020 crushed Emma Wolno's plans of being a digital nomad who traveled the world while growing her business. Instead, she was grounded in her hometown and forced to stay put. That initial setback evolved into a year of life lessons that she never saw coming. She realized there is so much to learn from slowing down and immersing oneself in each day. In this episode, Emma Wolno and I discuss: The various lessons she learned from 2020 The twists and turns her life took after graduating university Why she “did the whole move for love” thing Her guiding word for 2021 and why she picked it Why she considers past relationships to still be successful relationships Her techniques for practicing self care Why she prefers the process toward achieving goals over the goals themselves What success in life means to her

In June 2020, Shannon Downey gave up her job, sold all of her possessions, bought an RV, and began traveling the United States as a nomadic craftivist. Shannon is here to remind us how simple it can be to change the world. It doesn't have to be epic. Changing the world can be as simple as a single moment or action. In this episode, Shannon Downey and I discuss: The money and power course she took with a dominatrix, and the clarity she derived from that class Why she has a personal board of directors in her life How she's been forced to pace her learning in this chapter of her life The million lives she's lived and how they've all shaped who she is today Why she moves on to the next thing once she feels like she's learned all she can from the current chapter of her life How she saved the unfinished quilt from a 99 year-old quilter with the help of over 1,000 people around the world

Bruce Ackerman devoted six years of nights and weekends to building his software company Printavo before he began full time work on it. He's on a mission to push his industry forward and grow custom apparel shops along the way. He sometimes still can't believe he's living his passion every single day now, remembering how he ran his own custom apparel shop in college. Bruce isn't afraid to make significant sacrifices along his journey. He always thinks back to his guiding question: what is the impact you want to make? In this episode, Bruce Ackerman and I discuss: The anxiety that 2020 brought Why Bruce is okay chasing more, better, faster How working on Printavo nights and weekends for 6 years has shaped who he is as a person Where he got the entrepreneurial bug from How being an entrepreneur affects his relationship with his wife Why he didn't tell his parents about his business for the longest time

When Laura Peña came home from her nine-to-five job one evening, she opened the door, saw her husband watching TV, and thought to herself: Is this it? Is this life? There must be more. She felt like she was on a train going a million miles an hour. And then suddenly, she stopped and thought to herself: Is this where I'm supposed to be? Today Laura is the founder of She Is The Universe, a global platform that inspires and empowers teenage girls around the world. In this episode, Laura Peña and I discuss: Why it's ok to feel like there's more to experience in your life than you have so far The benefits of leaning into discomfort Ways to step outside your comfort zone What it's like to live a nomadic life Why our gifts don't always need to make money The inspiration behind She's The Universe How her parents attempt at starting ideas has inspired her The importance of sharing our own stories and acknowledging that other people do care about our stories

After Kevin Raheja dropped out of the college his mother taught at, he went to Alaska in search of work on a commercial fishing boat. He was tired of the cubicle walls surrounding him at the job he worked to pay for college. He wanted to be free, challenging himself, doing the opposite of what he was doing. Kevin yearned to connect more with nature and experience more of what it means to be human. His journey working on the commercial fishing boat and his subsequent career managing partnerships at software companies have shown him what he's truly capable of. In this episode, Kevin Raheja and I discuss: Why a psychology class in college forced him to realize he didn't like the future he was heading into The reasons he escaped to Alaska to work on a commercial fishing boat Why the physical demands of crab fishing wasn't actually the challenging part The big lesson he learned from his crab fishing days How his dad's sudden death affects him each day The effects living in a small village in India for 6 months during his childhood has on him What micro goals and macro goals are How he balances his love for the software industry with his love for connecting with nature outdoors

Late at night on the worst day of his life, Shane Snow found himself with nowhere to sleep. He was homeless. He had just gotten divorced, things were shaky financially, and he hadn't asked anybody for help yet. He was still pretending that everything was fine. Everything changed after Shane finally asked his friends for help. He learned that he didn't have to pretend anymore and there was no weakness in asking for help. Shane Snow is the author of multiple books, including Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart. In this episode, Shane and I discuss: What he learned about himself on the worst day of his life His New Years resolution for getting better at sitting through discomfort How growing up with a lot of siblings affected his view of teamwork What changed in his life that made him more comfortable asking for help How we can give others the gift of helping by asking for their help The enormous impact one memorable high school teacher had on Shane's life Why he chooses impact over power or money Why he kept a journal chronicling the lies he found himself telling

In 2017, Amie Heeter and her family embarked on a year long journey that she calls a radical sabbatical. They sold their house, quit their jobs, took their kids out of school, and hit the road in a camper trailer. They wanted to relieve burnout, evaluate if they wanted to move to the family farm, and reconnect with nature. Amie paused her life in a seemingly extreme way, but she reminds us that even the smallest intentional pause can help us feel more alive. In this episode, Amie Heeter and I chat about: The 3 main reasons she and her family took a radical sabbatical The lessons she learned in her time working at Isle Royale National Park Showing her children the importance of being immersed in nature and connected to this planet Reorienting her relationship with time Intentionally leaning into discomfort The various ways she has come alive in her life How becoming a mother affected her What hanging out with people older than her has taught her The importance of fresh air baths

Meg McKeen got married, bought the house, and secured the well paying job. She felt like she was living life the way she was supposed to. But when she turned 40, she took a deep breath and hit pause on her prescribed life. She quit her job and embarked on a journey to learn what the next chapter of her life should look like. The one thing she knew for sure is that she wanted to just be. Be in the moment, be in the present, be in this time we have together. It was time to be okay with uncertainty and the unknown. In this episode, Meg McKeen and I discuss: The ways Meg felt like she was living a prescribed life Why she's more comfortable building a business than a relationship How taking a year off was a massive investment in her life Why the next chapter of her life is uncertain but she's totally ok with that How we often diminish our greatness because of who we think we're supposed to be Her work on recognizing the control she has over certain things and letting go of what she doesn't

Caity Rose and her husband were ready to purchase their first home in 2020. But when COVID-19 hit, she realized there was now an opportunity to be more intentional about how they lived the next chapter of their lives. One Sunday, her husband suggested they forgo buying a house and instead buy an Airstream trailer to travel the country in. Four days later, they signed the paperwork and were the proud new owners of an Airstream trailer. Caity and her husband packed their lives into the trailer, bought a truck to pull it, and hit the road two months later. In the time since, Caity has gained newfound perspectives on what really matters to her and how to truly be intentional about how she lives her life. In this episode, Caity Rose and I chat about: The inspiration for her and her husband buying an Airstream and traveling the country Why she felt it was time to be more intentional with choices in life How this journey is going to change the direction of her life in the future The biggest obstacles she's run into on this journey so far How her perspective on sunrises and sunsets has changed What boondocking is and why Caity wants to do more of it How being a problem solver makes this lifestyle suit Caity and her husband well

Emily Drake left her career in public relations without a plan. She hit her bottom emotionally and professionally in the years that followed. Despite getting paid well to do work that exercised her strengths, she felt she was climbing a ladder she never meant to climb. She was working, but not doing her work. And she wondered…who am I? Emily embarked on a journey to answer that question, a journey that brought answers she wasn't expecting. Today Emily is a licensed therapist and the owner/CEO of The Collective Academy. In this episode, Emily Drake and I discuss: Why Emily is a recovering perfectionist How her family jumped in to support Emily when they saw how her job was negatively affecting her life The inspiration her mom has been Why she has a huge care team surrounding her, sponsor, therapist, coach How she views life as a spiral staircase Dealing with imposter syndrome How what we know to be true might not always be what others know to be true Her positive experience with divorce

https://unmistakablecreative.com/ (Srini Rao) hit a major rough patch after the success of his bestseller book. His relationship came to an end, he had to cancel the conference he was organizing, and financial troubles arose. But he didn't want to publicly share any of these failures with the world. He was too well known to do that. Besides, did the world really want to know about his failures? In this episode, Srini Rao and I chat about: Why Srini believes being 100% authentic is inappropriate How there’s a fine line between vulnerability and being a complete train wreck How being in the public eye affects one’s ability to be authentic and vulnerable  The ways we are using vulnerability as a marketing tactic The perspective his younger sister’s wedding gave him What he learned from living with his parents for 8 years during his 30s Why he doesn't like listening to podcasts Why he made a documentary about the women in his family The dangers of using outliers as examples and inspiration for people

Pek Pongpaet didn't take the https://www.impekable.com/ (agency) he was building seriously in the early days. The CEO felt the judging eyes of other entrepreneurs in the Bay Area. "Oh that's cute! But what are you really working on?" There was something bigger he was supposed to be chasing after. Something more real. But his agency was attracting more clients and getting more work. It WAS bigger. It WAS real. Why couldn't he just be happy with that? In this episode, https://www.impekable.com/ (Impekable) CEO Pek Pongpaet and I discuss: Why Pek felt like his business wasn’t serious compared to what other people were working on Why he’s always chasing the next shiny thing The importance of providing stability for his tribe His techniques to do fewer things better How he got into the martial art Wushu and performing for the Mortal Kombat video games Why he relates to the Regret Minimization Framework from Jeff Bezos How he thinks about work life integration

Before Dr. Deborah Gilboa (aka, Dr. G) became a doctor, she was a performer and stage manager at world-renowned comedy institution Second City.But one day, she felt like she wasn’t earning her oxygen. She yearned to make a bigger contribution to solving the problems of the world.She thought she wanted to fix people.Today Dr. G is a practicing physician and sought after expert on resilience. Her journey is living proof of her belief that resilience isn’t about bouncing back: resilience is about incorporating the change you experience and using it to become the person you want to be.In this episode, Dr. G and I chat about:Why she didn’t feel like she was making a big contribution to solving the problems of the worldHer unconventional path to becoming a doctorWhat she learned about herself from going to summer campHow her parents inspired her to study resilienceThe dangers of labeling people as sensitiveWhy it takes 72 small disappointments build resilience Why she is less impressed with herself today

Mari Luangrath-Ullrick was a beacon of hope for me as I went through my divorce. She got divorced, remarried, and successfully blended two families together into a new family.With 50% of marriages ending in divorce, Mari's situation isn't uncommon. But that doesn't make it any easier to live through.Mari is the founder of Blend Rebels, a community that helps families around the world make blending families easier with less work, fewer tears, and less contention.In this episode, Mari Luangrath-Ullrick and I chat about:The moment she realized she wasn’t alone in getting a divorce and there were others out there going through the same thingHow becoming a parent completely defied her expectations for having a childThe ways her wildly successful cupcake business affected her marriageWhere her desire to create businesses comes fromHow she felt the night of her first Thanksgiving post divorceWhy we need more inclusion for blended families and divorced partnersWhat she learned from a childhood of playing violin

John Ondrasik has experienced all sorts of ups and downs along his journey as a 20+ year overnight success.He's the singer and songwriter known as Five For Fighting who has written hit songs like "Superman" and "100 Years".He often felt like he was one album away from having to get a real job. When his record label of 10 years dropped him, he asked himself: Is this it? Have I already had my time?Throughout it all, he's found that sometimes the big things are actually little things and the little things are actually the big things.In this episode, John Ondrasik and I discuss:Why he's still afraid to play a new song for his wifeThe role the desperation of a young artist has played in his lifeHow hard it to accept the realization that you've had your time alreadyHis children and the role they've played in his songwriting over their lifetimesHis family business that manufactures the shopping carts you've probably used at the storeHow the family business has grounded him during the height of his musical careerWhy he ran a marathon after getting dropped from his record labelWhat he believes his legacy will be

Claire Sellers and I have something in common: we're always chasing the next thing.She calls it More, Better, Faster Syndrome. And she feels it's one of the greatest thieves of true joy and peace in our lives.Claire's dream was to make six figures and live in a nice apartment with a dishwasher. But once she achieved that dream, she realized she didn't feel fulfilled. Chasing after more, better, faster hadn't helped her find joy and peace in her life. Instead, the joy and peace were ripped away.Claire Sellers is a life and leadership coach who helps people go from where they are now to where they want to be in their careers, relationships, and other parts of life.In this episode, Claire and I chat about:Techniques for overcoming More, Better, Faster SyndromeThe 2 key questions Claire asks herself every day How Claire's entrepreneurial parents inspired herWhen and how she realized she was a great leaderWhat fulfills Claire about being a great leaderThe power of enneagramsWhy she was excited to celebrate her birthday this year for the first time, when she has dreaded it in past yearsHer first time eating alone while travelingWhere she finds the strength to intentionally face discomfort head onFollow Claire on Instagram at @claire_penelope or visit her website for more info on her coaching programs.

When Nicole Sachs was diagnosed with an abnormality of the spine called spondylolisthesis at age 19, she was told she'd never children. She would also need surgery and be on medication for the rest of her life.Nicole was determined to change all of that. Through her work with Dr. John Sarno, she began to understand that you can't just think your way out of chronic pain: you need to act your way there. Today, Nicole has three children, hasn't had any surgeries, and isn't on any medication.In this episode, Nicole Sachs and I chat about:The many reasons why our bodies physically hurtHow so many conditions don’t have an obvious originWhat are you willing to be curious about if you no longer want to suffer?The ways that desperation leads to surrender and surrender leads to truthHow Nicole came to work with Dr. John SarnoHow our brain perceives repressed emotions as a greater threat than physical painWhat JournalSpeak is and how to use it to surface repressed emotionsYou can learn more about Nicole Sachs and the many resources she offers at her website The Cure For Chronic Pain.

Kari Jo Kelso was living 1,000 miles away when her mom fell ill back in her home state. She needed $600 to cover the plane ticket home every month and that was starting to add up. What began as an online t-shirt side hustle to pay for those plane tickets has grown into a massively popular clothing brand called Rosebud's Tees.Success today looks different for Kari Jo than back when she first started the business. It's less about the financials and more about intentionally creating the life she truly wants for herself.In this episode, Kari Jo Kelso and I discuss:Where she got the drive to be an entrepreneur The 3 questions her dad had her ask herself before buying something at the storeHow being challenge driven has benefited herHow training to be a veterinarian prepared her to start her own businessHer first side hustle selling jewelry at cattle shows and EtsyHow she connects personally with her customersThe amazing feeling as a creator when somebody buys your creation and appreciates itWhat her legacy will be and what her impact will be

Do you know what your life purpose is? Why you are on this planet?Hannah Michelotti has found hers. She’s the founder of Articulate, where she helps people gain the confidence to be a successful public speaker.Her road to finding her life purpose meant sitting in discomfort at times. She believes we don’t grow if we’re not uncomfortable.In this episode, Hannah Michelotti and I discuss:Hannah’s tips for preparing yourself to sit in discomfortThe windy road to how she discovered her life purposeHer moms life changing advice that we should “consider the source”The reasons she was taking advice from anyone early on in her life The major life event that became a lightbulb moment for her after she quit her corporate jobWhy corporate life demands we construct a facade of ourselves to use at workHow Hannah yearned to be in her 30s when she was in middle schoolHow the speaking event The Moth changed it all for herWhy she didn’t become a school teacherWhy she is a sucker for a good suffer fest

I admire how Liz McQuiston consistently reshapes her life to create happiness for herself and those she loves. She's the owner of the Seattle based lifestyle store Willa and founder of QA Marketplace, a collaborative retail space for women owned businesses.In the time we’ve known each other, she’s shown me how it’s possible to change our course in life when we’re not happy with the direction we’re going. She's shown how to successfully emerge on the other side, not just surviving, but thriving.I'm so inspired by her story of being a single mom, meeting the love of her life, and him adopting her son. She's never felt the need to apologize for redefining what her family and life look like.In this episode, Liz McQuiston and I chat about:Her journey as a single motherHow she met the love of her lifeWhy her husband adopted her son before marrying LizThe golden life advice her grandmother gave herThe reasons why she felt she was unfixableHow to redefine what family is and how we should celebrate itHow she doesn’t believe that there’s “the one” for each of us and that we make choices every day to make each other be the oneWhy therapy needs to be championed more among men

Sure, Jeff Harry may have tried to unionize the flagship Toys R Us store in Times Square after stuffing a Jerry Maguire style manifesto in everyone’s mailbox.Jeff is passionate about toys and play. He’s been yearning to work for a toy company since the fifth grade, when he began writing letters to toy companies begging them to hire him.But he could never have guessed how he'd feel when he finally achieved his dream job at Toys R Us.Until he followed the whisper of his curiosity.Jeff Harry is a speaker and coach at Rediscover Your Play where he helps individuals and companies rediscover themselves through play.In this episode, Jeff and I discuss:How the movie Big started it all for JeffThe importance of following your curiosityThe letter Jeff wrote to Toys R Us that landed him an interview for his dream jobHis manifesto trying to unionize the flagship Toys R Us store in Times SquareHow his mom and dad inspired him to always push for what he wantedThe concept of red thread work and finding what motivates you each dayWhat Jeff calls affluent deadness and how he's trying to eradicate it

In 1995, Alan Williams wrote and recorded a heartfelt album of songs to process the loss of his record deal and the dissolution of his marriage.When the album was randomly chosen for critique at a South by Southwest panel, the response was bad. Alan's dreams were crushed. He put away his guitar and shelved the album.Now 25 years later, Alan is finally releasing the album. Not much has changed about the album. But maybe there's something about him that has changed?In this episode, Alan and I chat about:Why he lost all faith in the album (and in everything really) when his CD was chosen for critique at South by SouthwestWhy he carries hundreds of CDs of his failed album with him to this dayHow he fell into teaching at a university and realized he was meant to be a teacherHow the core of who we are might have be there all along and remain within us no matter how much we changeThe closure he feels now that the album is finally outIf Alan was truly ready to release the album, even if the review at South by Southwest had been positiveWhy it’s important to be in the moment, even if the moment appears very bleak

Dr. Darria Long was in the middle of her residency when the swine flu epidemic completely upended her career. She had just gotten her MBA with plans to work in healthcare finance or digital services.Every day she was comforting and reassuring her patients, who were scared from the stories they were hearing on TV.And that's when the thought hit her: these patients needed a new message. The world needed a new message. What if she could educate and comfort the world with science and empathy?She thought of all the reasons why she couldn't do it and told herself she wasn't the person to do it. But then her mentor said three words that changed everything: why NOT you?Today, in addition to being an ER doctor, Dr. Darria is the author of the bestselling book Mom Hacks and a regular media personality.In this episode, Dr. Darria Long and I chat about:Why Darria has always run toward the emergencyHow narrowing your focus can be both a good thing and a bad thingThe ways in which having her first child made her think about applying her ER skills to everyday lifeThe beauty of James Corden’s Crosswalk MusicalsHow keeping a gratitude journal helps Dr. Darria find the positiveThe science behind how gratitude makes us feelWhy it’s ok for your mentors to change throughout the course of your life

On an average Saturday night, you’ll find Aubyn Casady on stage performing the perfect soundtrack to the biggest night of a couple’s life: their wedding.She’s the leader and singer of the Chicago wedding band Rush Street Rhythm. What started as a side hustle is now Aubyn’s endgame.And you only need to hear her belt out a bar from a classic pop punk song to understand why: she’s a top notch singer.Aubyn spent her 20s touring the midwest with her pop punk band Farraday. She was never in it to get famous though.In this episode, we chat about:How Aubyn and her husband intentionally worked to prioritize their marriage when they had twinsWhy she didn’t become a teacher, despite earning a masters in educationThe ways she has surrounded herself with family without going too Everybody Loves RaymondHow her experience with the American education system has changed her perspective on her daughter’s future educationWhy she loves recording her music in the studio even more than live performancesHow nervous she was auditioning at her first weddingThe big lessons she's learned so far from having twinsHow a new part of your brain awakens when you become a parentWhat exactly enneagram is and what it means to Aubyn

For 15 years, Todd Carey has been grinding away at his music career, building a community of fans, topping the Billboard and iTunes charts, and performing with Fallout Boy, Train, John Mayer, and Andy Grammer, to name just a few. He's been foot on the gas, full speed ahead, only looking forward and focusing intensely on his music.And then a few years ago, he stops to breathe. Which changes everything.Suddenly, he feels awake.What caused Todd to stop and breathe finally? How did he change in the years after?We answer both these questions and more in this episode, including:Why he bet the farm on his community supporting him on KickstarterWhy he's worked so hard at building a community around his musicThe hesitation he had in asking his community to help finance his new albumThe effect his daughter has had on how he views his career The role meditation plays in his lifeFinding personal fulfillment and a life outside your professionWhy he shares his family adventures openly on social mediaThe shows he plays in the backyards of his fansLearning to surrender control sometimesThe influence his dad had on his musical career, despite not being a musician

Maggie McClure is a singer/songwriter/pianist and one half of the Americana duo The Imaginaries. Her original songs have been placed in TV shows including Cougar Town, The Real World, The Hills, and in movies including A Cowgirl's Story and Christmas in the Heartland.In November 2019, Maggie and her husband Shane found themselves with a rented sprinter van full of merchandise and gear, a tour manager, and nowhere to go. Their 25 show holiday tour with The Brian Setzer Orchestra was cancelled just a week before the first show due to Brian having tinnitus.The holiday tour was the result of months of Maggie's hard work cold calling, hustling, and creating her own luck. And with one phone call, it was all gone.But as I learned in our conversation, Maggie is no stranger to creating her own luck and this wasn't the first time she's created it.In this episode, we chat about:Why Maggie and her husband make themselves open to all possibilities in lifeWhy she moved to Los Angeles to create opportunities for her future instead of going the more traditional route to Nashville or New YorkHer mantra of going all in and going bigWhere she developed the mindset of creating her own luck and going after opportunitiesWhy she believes being an entrepreneur and being driven is just part of who you are at your coreHow she dealt with the disappointment of not going on tour with Brian Setzer OrchestraHow the Brian Setzer disappointment was a great reminder that wer’re not in control of so much in lifeHow Maggie creates opportunities out of thin airThe importance of trying something from a different angle and getting a fresh perspectiveWhat her endgame is and why it's not becoming a famous starHow she knows without a doubt what she’s meant to doWhat playing at Madison Square Garden meant to her