Podcasts about passion projects

In this episode, I'm joined by Chelsie Tamms — artist, educator, and founder of Lettering Works — who blends hand-lettering with marketing to create meaningful, community-rooted work. We dive into her passion for cause-driven projects, especially around mental health, chronic illness, and underrepresented voices.Together, we explore how to contribute to what we believe in, in ways that are both meaningful and sustainable. Chelsie shares the vision behind The Artist Trade, her unique program where creatives can exchange their talents for branding and business support. We also talk about the power of bartering, setting boundaries, and small yet powerful ways artists can prioritize their well-being.Chelsie is also offering listeners 50% off her course “The Power of Passion Projects” with the code DEARCREATIVEMIND :)About ChelsieChelsie Tamms is an artist, educator, and entrepreneur. She founded Lettering Works in 2016, combining her love of hand-lettering with her expertise in marketing. Since then, she's grown her business to offer custom branding packages, courses for artists, and wholesale products and merchandise—all with the mission to bring more creativity into her community and beyond. She is especially drawn to cause-driven projects surrounding mental health, chronic illness, and underrepresented communities.Lettering WorksArtist Trade ProgramInstagramThe Power of Passion Projects CourseAbout mePascale Côté is a creativity guide, therapeutic arts practitioner, artist, and writer who helps creatives meet, understand, and express themselves by guiding them to work *with* their (creative, complex, unconventional) nature instead of against it. She helps artists, visionaries, disruptors and earth stewards break free from the vortex of overthinking and move forward with their bold, rebellious ideas. Her work challenges conventional norms, inviting creatives to explore what's possible when they release outdated narratives and embrace their true, authentic expression. Pascale believes that art is a powerful vehicle for both individual and collective change when it's grounded in truth—created outside the rigid systems that stifle our creative spirit.About the podcastCreative minds are the architects of a new world, and their art holds the keys to reimagining our reality. The challenge is, creative minds often spend just as much time crafting self-limiting narratives as they do creating their art. Dear Creative Mind is a space for creative liberation—a pathway out of the cycle of overthinking, burnout, and stagnation. This podcast is for artists & creative entrepreneurs where Pascale, creativity guide, shares grounding meditations, gentle coaching guidance and heartfelt conversations with inspiring artists. The podcast explores the real challenges that come with being creative—overthinking, self-doubt, burnout—and how to navigate them while staying true to our vision.Get support for your creative mind⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1:1 support for creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠New: email guidance⁠⁠⁠The Creative Liberation Portal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free tool: The Creative Confidence Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book a free clarity call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join community events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive the monthly prompts⁠ on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore the full website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A special thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alexandra Moreno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the original music of the podcast.

Ellen and Mom discuss the projects, past loves, and people of New York in Passion Project by London Sperry!  Plus, back to school and gropey men.  Come hang out with us! Twitter/Instagram: @notyourmomsromFacebook Group: Not Your Mom's Facebook GroupEmail: notyourmomsromancebookclub@gmail.comNot Your Mom's Romance Book Club is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcast

BOSSes, Anne Ganguzza and Lau Lapides join forces in this episode of the VO Boss Podcast for another installment of their Boss Superpower Series. They tackle a topic often considered taboo in the voice acting industry: voiceover as a hobby. This discussion explores whether pursuing voice acting without the pressure of a full-time income carries a stigma. The episode delves into concerns about hobbyists "taking away" jobs, examines the true meaning of commitment, and highlights how to embrace a voiceover journey for pure creative joy, whether it's a primary career or a cherished passion. Listeners will discover why being a BOSS means defining success on one's own terms. 00:01 - Anne (Host) Hey guys, it's Anne from VO Boss here.  00:03 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) And it's George the Tech. We're excited to tell you about the VO Boss. Vip membership, now with even more benefits.  00:10 - Anne (Host) So not only do you get access to exclusive workshops and industry insights, but with our VIP plus tech tier, you'll enjoy specialized tech support from none other than George himself.  00:21 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) You got it. I'll help you tackle all those tricky tech issues so you can focus on what you do best Voice acting. It's tech support tailored for voiceover professionals like you.  00:32 - Anne (Host) Join us guys at VO Boss and let's make your voiceover career soar. Visit voboss.com slash VIP-membership to sign up today.  00:43 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss a VO boss. Now let's welcome your host, Anne Ganguzza.  01:02 - Anne (Host) Hey, hey everyone. Welcome to the VO Boss podcast. I'm your host, Anne Ganguzza, and I am here with the Boss Superpower Series with the one and only Lau Lapides.  01:12 - Lau (Guest) Hey, Anne.  01:13 - Anne (Host) And Lau 01:14 - Lau (Guest) Love being here, as always. Love it, oh, Lau, it's so good to see you. What would a Saturday be without being in the booth with Anne?  01:22 - Anne (Host) Really, I know, right, I mean it would not be a Saturday, I know right it wouldn't, but sometimes on Saturdays I have other hobbies that I like to do, actually, because now it's actually horse show season and every once in a while I have to go out of the studio and go watch my horse shows, because back in the day.  01:39 - Lau (Guest) I used to own a couple of horses and that was like a passion and a love of mine.  01:46 - Anne (Host) Are you a derby girl? Do you get into the Kentucky Derby? I'm not a derby girl, I'm a horse show girl, a jumper. So, yeah, I mean, I can watch a race, but I'm much more enthralled by watching horses jump over things.  01:56 But speaking of hobbies and alternate passions and other passions we talk about voiceover as a full-time career all the time. Passions we talk about voiceover as a full-time career all the time, but there's a taboo topic about voiceover as a hobby. Maybe we should discuss that, laura. How do you feel about that? Is there a stigma around voiceover as a hobby in our industry?  02:19 - Lau (Guest) I think there is and it took me a while to actually let it come to the front of my brain that that was a real thing that people were distancing themselves from the notion of well, I'm in it to win it. I have to do it full time, I have to make a living and I have to do it like now, and the options are really there on the table for you, whether you would call it a full-time or full-time contractor position, whether it's a part-time and fills the holes in your schedule, in between your other lives, or whether it's a hobby, something creative, something joyful, something you love to do, but it's really not about money.  03:01 - Anne (Host) Well, okay, so let's just talk about the elephant in the room, right? Those that do voiceover as a hobby, right, could potentially be seen as taking away jobs from those people who do this for a living. And so those are the people that I think I see other people talk about them in different groups and Facebook groups and forums about how, oh, are you doing voiceover for a career or a hobby? Because if it's a hobby, then poo-poo, and so there's usually kind of a look of disdain upon those people doing it as a hobby. But I like how we're entertaining the thought of it because, I mean, there's lots of reasons why you want to get invested in voiceover, and not all the time is it to make tons of money and pay the mortgage. I mean, sometimes maybe you're in retirement and you just want a creative outlet, or maybe not even retirement, you just want a creative outlet. And do you feel, Lau, that this is taking away jobs from those of us who do it full time? What are your thoughts on that?  04:01 - Lau (Guest) No, in fact I got to be honest with you, Anne that didn't even come to my mind. It didn't come to my mind because I feel like best person wins the game.  04:10 And if you're in the game to win it and you're serious about it, there's going to be work for you, there's going to be jobs for you. To think about people who are not earning money or living as taking away your work to me is very strange, because it's like, well, it's a capitalistic market. It's like I have to train, I have to have my tools in place, I have to have my protocols and etiquette, I have to know everything that I can know to compete. But can I control the market? Can I control who's in the market? No Right, absolutely. That's true of every industry. I mean, how many times? Let's be honest.  04:43 - Anne (Host) And that's a really good point, laura, wait, wait, I got an honest point for you.  04:46 - Lau (Guest) How many times and listeners, be honest with yourself have you had a problem with your light bulb and your Uncle Harry, who's a retired electrician maybe, is going to fix it for you? Okay, well, you say, of course, let him fix it, sure. Well, he said, of course, let him fix it, sure, I don't even have to pay him. That's really great, wonderful. Well, the reality is is he took away a job from an electrician who's on the market right now. Who would love to get that job? Sure. But the reality is it's like we're built on relationships. We're built on the history of knowing people.  05:19 So not everything is going to be about a competitive job.  05:21 - Anne (Host) Such a great point. I mean and we talk about it in casting all the time I mean, sometimes they choose to go a different direction. Well, what is that other direction? Well, maybe their niece or nephew does voiceover, or maybe it's a friend of theirs that wants to give it a shot, and so, in reality, we don't really have control over that aspect of it. As to the decision of the casting, Again it's like who gets the job?  05:46 I mean is it always the best that gets the job? No, not really. No, sometimes it's just the most convenient or the one that's the cheapest.  05:53 And that is not necessarily our decision or under our control, so I love that you brought that up. I'd like to discuss the fact that I've had students who have tried voiceover and they've tried different genres. Of course you know I have specific genres that I work on and they've decided. You know what. I'm not so sure that voiceover is for me because they find out maybe it's not quite as enjoyable as they thought, or maybe I'm given homework, so maybe they're like I don't want to do Anne homework, so you know what I don't think I'm going to do voiceover anymore, but sometimes you don't know until you explore the path of creative journey.  06:29 - Lau (Guest) You just don't know.  06:30 - Anne (Host) And then all of a sudden, it's like you know what? I don't love it as much as I thought I was going to and therefore, maybe they have a great voice and we would be, maybe, as coaches, saying oh my God, you have a fabulous voice and you're natural at it and maybe they're just like you know. Okay, if I get asked to do it, so I mean there are all sorts of reasons.  06:47 - Lau (Guest) It isn't an all or nothing type of a trade. And besides, if you equate it to any other arts that are out there, like, does that mean I can't paint a painting without selling it? Does that mean I can't create a pot without selling the ceramics? Does that mean I can't dance without getting a job at dancing? It sounds kind of silly when you put it that way, but a lot of us consider it not just a trade but an art form. So to do it as an art form for the creative force of strengthening your voice and communicating and doing all the things that we do in voiceover, I think it's a missed opportunity to not do it because you think it is only meant to be a job and make money. It's also an art form.  07:31 - Anne (Host) And again, yeah, I'm a big believer about it's all about the journey, really not about the end point. Sometimes there's a lot of self-discovery in voiceover because it is a creative. Actually, I think all jobs are creative for the most part. Or they can be made creative or they can be thought of as creative. You can construct them as creative if you want, and so some are just a little more. I would say they lean more towards the creative field where you have more freedom of it. But I think a lot of times it's a journey and that's a wonderful journey to be on. I think we all go through some sort of a creative journey in our lives.  08:08 Absolutely and this is one that can really help you get in tune with yourself, because it is something that is directly in tune with ourselves, our voice.  08:17 - Lau (Guest) Yeah, and not only is it a fun challenge, but it is just that it can be just pure fun. If you get in the booth and you're doing, let's say, an animation character and you love character work, you may be doing that for the sheer benefit of doing it, the process of doing it, sharing with others that you've done it, listening back, enjoying the fun factor of it. You may or may not book that, that may or may not be a job for you, but it is part of that. You used the word journey that you can really have in yourself for other things Like what if you're a teacher? What if you're an educator? What?  08:53 if you are someone who is, or a therapist, or even a doctor, well, you would take these pop moments in your life and you can use them as part of your story, to connect with your audience, to connect with your customers, whoever they are.  09:09 - Anne (Host) Absolutely, and you know our journeys as we go along and I talk about this frequently is I use every part of my life experience in voiceover, and so voiceover is also a part of my life experience, and so I can use that in many ways other than just voiceover. I can, just as you mentioned, to be a better communicator, to really learn more about myself and to evolve, and so I really think that voiceover as a hobby is absolutely something we can entertain. And hey look, who's the pot calling the kettle black? Is that the phrase?  09:40 I have lots of different divisions of my business because I follow lots of different passions and that doesn't mean that voiceover is part-time for me. I mean, my main function here is voiceover. But there are lots of passions that I follow and, for example, my little foray into fashion. There's lots of fashion influencers out there that do it full-time. That might think, oh, who's this girl? Every once in a while I see a post from her and she's not really a fashion. I don't even like to say the word influencer. I just say I want to share my passion for fashion and hey, if I can make a little side income that's cool, but if not, it's not a big deal. I love the creative aspect of curating outfits.  10:19 - Lau (Guest) To me, what it comes down to is the gestalt of how much just as human beings, unfortunately we still love labeling.  10:26 We're very much designer in that way. We want to label people. We want to label what they do, what they have, what they are. We want to type them quickly so that it's easy for us to know oh, this is the girl that does that, this is the guy that does that, whatever. And the labeling can be very detrimental to us, because I see this all the time, with new voiceover talent coming in and actors coming in saying, oh, but this coach told me I need to do that and I need to be invested in this way and I need to be put in this net. And I said well, wait a second.  10:57 That is someone's interpretation of what this career is, based on their own subjective frame of reference. It has nothing to do with you. You've got to figure out your life. You've got to figure out your level of commitment, how you feel about it. In copy, we call it point of view. What's your point of view about this? It's sort of like we want to come in and it makes it easy for us if someone can label us. If they can label us, then we can follow the cookie cutter path of what we're supposed to do. But it's not that kind of career. Artistic careers are not that kind of career.  11:33 - Anne (Host) And again along those lines, is there a path to being a part-time voiceover talent? Is it a requirement that they get training, that they get a demo, that they do all of those things? That typically what we would suggest and recommend that they do for full-time?  11:49 - Lau (Guest) I honestly don't think anything is a requirement. I think it's only a requirement if you're trying to reach a particular level of your craft or career, and then you kind of have to do the due diligence of research. Oh well, if I'm going to use this as a career, then I know I need a demo of this kind. But if I'm not, if that's not my objective and I'm honest about that, I feel really good about that I may or may not need that, I may or may not. Right, it's a different level. I mean, a hobbyist has a different level of everything compared to a professional, sure, and the expectations can be very different as well.  12:26 - Anne (Host) Well, I'll tell you something that my level of commitment to back. When I was younger, riding horses right. It wasn't a job for me. I wanted it ultimately someday to be a job.  12:36 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) You loved it, but I loved it.  12:38 - Anne (Host) I followed my passion and I spent hours. I mean hours and hours and hours. I mean thousands of hours, tens of thousands of hours riding and practicing, and so I don't think you can put a label on oh, you're part-time, so it's a DIY demo. They're not training, they're getting their instruction on the internet. I hear a lot of talk like that and it's really it's negative talk. I'd like to say hey, guys, if you want to explore voiceover, if you have other passions that you want to pursue and you just want to do voiceover part-time, it's absolutely okay. There's no straight path to get there. There's no. You have to do this, you must do this to become a part-time voiceover talent. There's only recommendations on what might work for your journey to evolve and to get better.  13:24 - Lau (Guest) Absolutely. I think that's true of probably every profession that's out there. I think it applies to anything that you want to do. It's like as you move up the ladder, as you go level to level, you learn more about what the expectations are, what the industry standards are, what your competition has and utilizes to book work. But to come into it and to have this false or artificial notion of, oh, I should be doing this, I want to be, that Everyone told me I should be doing this. Well, listen, do you want to be in the cool kids group? Do you want to be in the cool clicky? You know everyone is cool or do you want to be true to yourself?  14:04 - Anne (Host) Right Like do you want to be?  14:05 - Lau (Guest) literally true to your own voice is the question. Yeah, absolutely. You can have many experts and professionals helping you along the way, but it's not about being in the cool kids club.  14:15 - Anne (Host) Yeah, and you know, what's so wonderful about that is that it's freeing, right? If I think about my alternative hobbies, that I do, right, I don't care what people think about me when I'm doing my hobby, I mean, and that allows me to experience more joy. I think Sometimes, oh, I've got a dedicated path to a full-time career and therefore here's what I should do in order to achieve that path, and then I can be judged. But when I decide I'm going to just do this for my own fun, for the creative journey of it, guess what? I tend to not think about what other people think of me and that, oh my gosh, as full-time voiceover talent, if we could, as actors, if we could just employ that attitude where you don't necessarily care what other people are saying about you, especially if it's negative, then I think that's a wonderful thing.  15:03 - Lau (Guest) You know, it brings us back to kids being kids, and like I don't mean kids at 10. I mean no, I mean younger, I mean like the under five crowd. It's like they're just not aware of what someone else thinks in regards to their playtime.  15:20 They're so invested in their imagination and their moments in their mind that they can shift and pivot to. I can be a king, I can be a dog, I can be a truck, I can be right, Like the possibilities of the magic. What if right? I can be anything I want to be and I don't have to worry about the outcomes of it, Like we're not into outcomes yet at that stage of the game. If we could have a moment of going back to that and just honestly play and be present and enjoy those moments without worrying about the outcomes, what people are saying, what people are thinking, then you're really going to free yourself to do your best work, yeah.  16:00 - Anne (Host) It just makes me think of like the judgment sometimes that I see that has passed on a part-time voiceover or voiceover people that are not necessarily studying under a coach or they're doing their own demo or they're auditioning for jobs that pay low. And if you're doing it as a hobby and typically if it's a hobby you're not always needing to make money from it. It's really just again, it's your creative expression, it's your enjoyment, your joy. You're not necessarily having to make a huge salary off of it. So then we kind of get to the point where, okay, are they bottom feeding the market? Are they bringing down the value of what it is that we do? Full time Lau.  16:44 - Lau (Guest) I don't know how to answer that, because I think the world is so large. Do full-time Lau? I don't know how to answer that, because I think the world is so large and the compartmentalization of all the different genres, all the different budgets, all the different potential clients are vast. They're huge. So I don't think there's one answer to that.  16:59 One of the biggest problems that I see as a coach is people coming in who are really hobbyists, who are treating it like they're going to make a living at it and really starting to unpeel the onion and decipher. Well, wait a second, can we be honest about this? This is not your career. Why? Because I'm looking at the time you commit, I'm looking at your level of investment, I'm looking at your strategy. I'm looking at your strategy. I'm looking at your talent. I'm looking at all these things that are the pivotal markers of a career person.  17:33 Right, they're not there yet. You're still in hobby mode. Do you realize that? Right, like, well, wait, can't I write this off on my taxes? Can't I get all of that? I said yes, if you work. Yeah, yeah, absolutely yes. If it becomes a business for you, have income against it, right? So I think the bigger issue in my mind not to divert away from your original question, but the bigger issue is that gap in people's minds between what they think they should be doing and want to be doing and what they're actually doing. And what they're actually doing quite oftentimes is what a hobbyist would do.  18:09 - Anne (Host) And then there's a lot of people I know that are like well, I want to be able to pay for my investment. So if they're coaching or if they're, even if they're doing it part-time and they're going to get a demo, they're like, well, I want to work so I can pay for this demo. And that is where I think that gray area is, because it's difficult for people unless they have a certain level of talent that's just innately without coaching or without having a great produced demo, because, you know, I always put my stamp of approval on that, you know, being transparent as a coach and demo producer. But there's a lot of people who don't necessarily. They want to be able to work so that they can pay for their investment in their hobby, because hobbies can be expensive, right, hobbies can be expensive.  18:55 - Lau (Guest) Exactly, exactly. But I asked the question and I always put it in another context because when you're too close to something, you oftentimes can't see it right. So if I say, okay, that makes sense. Now, if you're going to become attorney and you're going to be in Lau school for three or four years, why don't you work as an attorney and make the money so you?  19:14 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) can pay for Lau school. They say well, that's kind of crazy.  19:17 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) They're not going to let me do that.  19:18 - Lau (Guest) I haven't passed the bar. I don't have any credits. I said right, Are you going to work as a dentist as you go through dental? It's the same thing, Exactly.  19:27 - Anne (Host) That mindset, that's a great analogy.  19:29 - Lau (Guest) I'm like this should be easy for me to do. I should be able to get it so I can pay for my coaching. Say no, the investment in the education comes first. Yeah, and then you go out and look for the work, yeah, and it's like any good hobby.  19:41 - Anne (Host) I mean gosh, so many hobbies I had. But when, I think about when I was a young girl riding horses right? Well, I had to pay for my lessons, I had to pay for my own saddle, I had to pay for my riding outfit, I had to pay entry fees into the shows that I was competing in, and so my hobby was competitive. My hobby was I really dove deep and it was expensive, and my parents didn't let me forget that. But, I was so fortunate.  20:08 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) I always tell people.  20:08 - Anne (Host) well, I worked at the stable so I could work off my lessons, and so that took care of maybe a portion of the payment.  20:15 But my parents knew that I was invested because I was like, oh, and I spent all my time at the stables. I mean I shoveled enough manure to get some good background and investment into my passion, yeah. But I mean, in reality, I mean I invested as much, if not more, I think, into my hobby and then kind of knowing, when I got old enough to go to college, well then I had to go study for a real job.  20:39 But times have changed now right A little bit, so it's just gotten to the point where I love that I've always been able to follow my passions. Not everybody is there at a young age or can follow their passions throughout their life. I've always been fortunate, I think, that I've had this kind of gut to follow my passions in lots of different ways and figure out how I can still pay the bills while I do that, but you were very always pragmatic in understanding that you needed a survival job, exactly you needed to be hustling throughout.  21:09 - Lau (Guest) So, whether it was in your field or whether it was something totally unrelated, that was like a given to you. You were taught that you understood the work ethic of that, so that, I think, separates the hobbyists from the professionals in that.  21:22 - Anne (Host) But the good thing is is I feel like I have always been able to follow a passion where the money can help me pay the bills. And so, however, I fixated on that passion, like, for example, I was good at school, right, so I went to college and I studied engineering because people told me I should, right, but then I got into a job where I was designing creative, three-dimensional artificial hip and knee prostheses, and that creative like, oh, I got to be an engineer and that creativity was like it was my passion, right, following a creative, following something that allowed me to be creative and then ultimately getting into teaching.  21:58 After that right, sharing my love of I'm so excited about this, let me share it. And that was following that passion. And then I was able to teach. And so I think there are people at different stages of their life that all of a sudden say, oh, I need a creative outlet. Where they haven't really looked at where is their creative outlet now.  22:18 And I think people always have a creative outlet. They just don't expand upon it if they can or think about it in terms of it being a creative outlet. But at any given stage of life they get to a point where they say I want to be more creative. That's the majority of people that come to me that say they want to learn voiceovers. Gosh, you know, I'm just looking for something. I hate my job or I'm just looking for something that allows me to expand my creativity and that is following a passion. And at whatever stage you're at the passion and at whatever stage you're at, I don't think it matters whether you decide to do that full-time or part-time. It is a journey of creative experience for you.  22:52 - Lau (Guest) Yeah, I just think one of the bigger mistakes that I see happen and it happens all the time as I meet people is that they mistake the idea that they can quit their day job and leave their life and leave everything and just become a full voiceover.  23:06 Talent and as a contractor. It's just not going to happen that way. It really just isn't. It's not going to happen as any kind of a contractor, let alone this kind of. So you really have to be honest about that. And, like I, have a talent who has worked for a company, an insurance company, for like 10 years or a long time as their spokesperson, as their voiceover. She does nothing else. She does nothing else. She does nothing else. She just had a baby. She'll probably have another baby. She aspires to do more, but in my heart of heart I know she won't. I know she won't because when she hits the level of time and energy that it would take to do that, she stops. She can't go past that and I say be happy, be happy, be fulfilled, be okay with that. If that's what you can do and what you want to accomplish, don't keep pushing for the moon and the stars when the reality is is you're not wanting to really do the work to get to the moon and the stars.  24:05 - Anne (Host) I love that you say that, because some people don't realize it. Some people don't realize it that they don't want to do the work and they say they want to and they, but they don't. But they really don't, they really don't. And here's the deal, guys. I mean, I got out of a corporate job, right. I got out of it and you think oh, it's going to be easy.  24:23 Right, this should be easy. Now, if you're performing and you're being the actor and it feels easy to you because I want to make a distinction here and it feels easy, well, you've probably put in the hours and you're definitely in that moment where you are acting and it seems like it's easy. But in reality the amount of hours you had to put in probably to get there may or may not have been easy. That's right. When it becomes easy and it feels good, then you know you're in that creative moment right where you're expressing your creativity. But to get to the moments where you can do that more often than you have to actually run the business because we talk about that's the work.  25:02 A lot of the work that has to go into it is the business aspect of it, which is why we have this podcast right. There's the whole business aspect, which requires more work than I ever put into my corporate job and I put in a lot of work in my corporate job. I worked three jobs, probably overtime, but I put more work into this full-time voice acting gig than I ever put into my corporate job and I put a lot of work in my corporate job.  25:27 - Lau (Guest) Because you love it. Because you love it, there's a passion, there's an honesty about it. You love it, you want to do it right. It's there for you. I got to tell you I'm a little jealous sometimes of the lives lived gone by that I had as well, where we were doing like community theater, we were doing things that had no money involved, no end game involved, other than the actual experience of doing it and just loving it, just like being, and we were rehearsing every night. We would do it for three, four months and then we would do one weekend of shows you know what I mean and I say, oh wow.  26:04 Sometimes I really miss those days, Anne, because that was the most honest, yeah most honest moments of I want to do this, I love doing this, I love being with the people and I'm doing it. That has ever been in many lives. Once we get tainted a little bit with oh, I have to make, money, I have to make money.  26:26 - Anne (Host) We got to pay the bills right. We got to pay the bills. If we didn't have to pay bills in our lifetime, wouldn't it be nice. We've got to pay the bills right, we've got to pay the bills. If we didn't have to pay bills in our lifetime, wouldn't it be nice. What would? Our world look like if we didn't have to pay bills, If we could just do what it was that we felt was our calling and have creative exploration.  26:42 - Lau (Guest) I also think though, if we're being honest, we do use money as a marker.  26:46 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) As a motivator. It's a motivator too it's incentive.  26:49 - Lau (Guest) It also feels really good when you earn money for something you love to do or do. Well, it feels really good. There's a rightness about it. Should it be all about that? Probably not. Yeah, probably not, because I think you can lose the luster very easily of why you came into it in the first place.  27:09 - Anne (Host) Yeah, I feel like the money is a good motivator. And it's interesting because I say to people like for me, I love the business of voiceover, because I love to see how I can make money, like in many different ways. And it's not necessarily that I well, I love money. I can say I love money but it's not important that I have to have a ton of it, but it's the creative challenge of making money. That's a whole other show, Anne. That's a whole—we've got to do a show on that.  27:35 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) How much do you love?  27:36 - Lau (Guest) money, because I'm telling you, this is like one of our top ten taboo lists that we're creating. Yeah, absolutely, the hobbyist on the taboo list Money. It's okay to love money on the taboo list. There's probably other stuff too that we'll think of along the way, but it's like we're trying to dispel this. It's not even a myth. It's true that you are made to feel this way in our society and it's not accurate. You don't have to feel that guilt. You don't have to feel bad about loving to do something and not wanting to make money at it, absolutely.  28:08 - Anne (Host) Or even if you want to make money at it, you don't have to feel bad. And so you guys bosses out there. You don't have to do full-time voiceover to be a boss. You can absolutely pursue part-time voiceover and be a boss and be the best boss that you can. So great conversation, laura.  28:26 - Lau (Guest) I love that we fixed that one.  28:28 - Anne (Host) Yeah right, that was a goodie. I'm going to give a great big shout out to our sponsor, ipdtl. You too can connect and network like bosses. Find out more at IPDTLcom. Bosses have an amazing week and we'll see you next week. See you next time.  28:44 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) Join us next week for another edition of VO Boss with your host, Anne Ganguzza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at vobosscom and receive exclusive content, industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution with permission. Coast-to-coast connectivity via IPDTL.   

Is summer winding down and you're feeling the back-to-school jitters? Wondering how to navigate college admissions, whether you're a freshman just starting out or a senior facing big deadlines? We've got you covered! Today, we're diving into essential August checklists for every high schooler. Since it's already August, this episode is perfectly timed to give you a clear roadmap of what you should be working on as you prepare for the new academic year. We've divided the content into two key categories: a tailored checklist for 9th through 11th graders and a completely different game plan for seniors. If you enjoy this format, keep tuning in! We just might be releasing monthly checklist episodes to keep you on track throughout the year. And of course, if you need more individualized guidance with your college admissions journey, we're always here to help you find the right program within Passion Prep. Ready for close, personalized support? That option is available for August, and you can reach out to our Support Team at info@passionprep.com, and we'll be back with a brand-new podcast episode next week, so don't miss it.  Before we dive into this checklist episode, I wanted to let you know that we are hosting a Free Live Training this Wednesday (August 6th). You can register now at www.passionprep.com/live and I'll walk you through 5 major mistakes that students are making that could decrease their chances of getting accepted, what's changing with the Ivy League and Top-tier college admissions landscape, and the exact 3-step framework my students used to get into Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, UCLA, NYU, and many more. Get ready to open your “Congratulations, You're Accepted!” letter from your dream college! You can reserve your spot for Passion Project Bootcamp, our 1-year group college consulting program to get you ACCEPTED into your dream college using your passion, strength and potential. Start your journey to your dream college https://passionprep.com/bootcamp! If you are looking for a more affordable way to level-up your college admissions strategies, we've officially launched our PPBC: A Self-Paced Online Course. This digital, step-by-step course will help you build a strong college admissions gameplan, select the right extracurriculars, brainstorm & execute your unique Passion Project, create your resume, and much more: https://passionprep.teachable.com/p/ppbc-self-paced-online-course. As always, if you have questions, please reach out to our Support Team at info@passionprep.com. Also, I'd love to connect with you on Instagram – our Instagram handle is: www.instagram.com/passion_prep.

I want to hear your thoughts about the show and this episode. Text us here...In this episode, Julie Collins interviews sisters Amy and Nancy Harrington, founders of The Passion Project and The Passionist Sisterhood. They discuss their evolution from celebrity interviewers to building a global online community for women entrepreneurs and changemakers. The conversation highlights their pivot during the pandemic, the importance of storytelling and sisterhood, and the launch of their online community in March 2024. Amy and Nancy credit Julie's coaching in their journey and share how their collaborative anthology book and supportive workshops empower women to lead, connect, and thrive together.They talk about:The surprising origin of their online sisterhoodHow their book Awakening Your Power was co-created with heartWhy vulnerability is a leadership superpowerThe ripple effect of telling your story authenticallyHow to build a community that centers marginalized voicesThis is more than an interview, it's a reminder that your voice matters, your story matters, and you don't have to do it alone.Get the book: Awakening Your Power →

The island of Kauai continually breeds world class ocean athletes and Kristin Foster is at the top of the outrigger world. A multiple time outrigger World Champion, she has won the Molokai to Oahu solo one-man race twice, has been a part of the top women's 9-man team for more than a decade, has won this same race in the two person relay event, and has a long, long list of paddling accomplishments in big water. Born and raised on Kauai, Kristen calls the North Shore her home; where she juggles work, family and training at the highest level. Her husband is a first responder and outrigger coach, she's a mom of two and as humble as they come. Kristin does not like to be in the limelight… She likes to be “stealth” so I am super stoked and grateful that she shared her rad story on the Passion Project.

In today's conversation, Elena sits down with Saad Bin Shafiq, a relentless serial entrepreneur whose journey takes us from a tiny Himalayan village in Pakistan to scaling companies, overcoming failures, and building innovative products in the heart of the tech world. Saad shares how he went from selling peanut butter sandwiches as a kid, to navigating scholarship life abroad, working every job imaginable, and ultimately founding Nodes.inc—a hiring platform that's turning heads in the recruitment space.This episode is packed with authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey: the real grit behind “overnight success,” the invaluable lessons that come from failure, and the mindset required to keep building, no matter how tough things get. Saad opens up about the drive rooted in family, why passion is sometimes overrated, and how listening to customers can transform not just products, but entire businesses. Whether you're deep in your founder journey, or just dreaming of your first venture, Saad's story will motivate you to think bigger and stick with it—even when no one's watching.Plus, Elena and Saad dive into the future of recruiting technology, including how AI is making hiring smarter and simpler, and what that means for both companies and job seekers. It's a conversation full of actionable advice, entrepreneurial energy, and a reminder that the journey to success is never a straight line.Tune in, share with your fellow builders, and get ready to shift your mindset with Saad Bin Shafiq!Time stamps:00:00 Entrepreneurial Journey with Saad Shafiq03:08 Childhood Ambitions to Entrepreneurship09:12 From Consultant to Automation with GPT10:31 Unexpected Entrepreneurial Success Story12:59 "My Transformative Elite School Experience"17:46 Embracing Independence Through Wealth21:15 Customer-Centric Product Development25:02 AI-Driven Talent Matching System26:12 Candidate Feature Launch with Fit Score29:01 Evaluating Technical Screens and Inclusivity32:07 Think Bigger, Achieve MoreConnect with Saad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saad-bin-shafiq/Website: https://nodes.inc/Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wijIf you like this video, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Your support is extremely valued! #careercoaching #careertips #careerresilience #futureofwork #careerstrategy

In this extended interview, NBC's Liz Kreutz sits with actor Jason Momoa to talk about his new Apple TV Series ‘Chief of War” that sheds light on Hawaiian history.  Jason opens up about what went into creating this labor of love from casting a nearly all-indigenous and polynesian cast, learning the Hawaiian language from a linguistic coach, and the extensive research he did for the series. 

Ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of launching a product or executing on a business concept? We certainly have… multiple times! Today we dive into the world of launching a financial product and entrepreneurship with Julie Bennett, co-founder of Lemonade Standers. Julie shares her journey from a personal revelation about her children's understanding of money to creating an innovative game that teaches credit literacy. Her story is a testament to the power of identifying a gap in the market and taking action, even when the product isn't perfect. The #GoldenBoulders from this episode you don't want to miss: • The importance of teaching financial literacy to young people • How to test and validate your product idea before full-scale launch • Strategies for tapping into existing networks to grow your audience • The value of collaboration in business growth • Why progress trumps perfection in product development Julie's approach to building her business is a masterclass in entrepreneurial thinking. From hosting after-school programs to collaborating with established professionals, she demonstrates how to pivot and adapt your strategy based on market feedback. Join us for this enlightening conversation and learn how to navigate the entrepreneurial journey with confidence and purpose! Timestamped Overview: [00:00] How Julie turned a birthday party moment into a business idea [03:00] The eye-opening conversation that sparked her mission [05:30] Julie's background and why financial literacy became personal [08:15] Teaching kids through entrepreneurship and real-life lessons [10:00] Finding the gap: Why credit is the pain point for most families [13:45] Partnering with experts to scale and inject fun into learning [15:20] Transitioning from enrichment programs to scalable product [17:00] The challenge of keeping things fun and flexible for kids [19:00] How in-person feedback helped shape their product [21:30] The confidence to launch before it's “perfect” [24:00] Leveraging the “Do The Thing” challenge model [26:50] Collaborating with aligned audiences to grow reach [28:45] Applying corporate strategy to entrepreneurial growth [31:00] Saying “no” to noise, focusing on one thing: credit [35:00] Why trying things (and failing fast) is part of the process Connect with Julie: Free community https://www.skool.com/lemonadestanders/about Website https://www.lemonadestanders.org/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebennettseattle/ Connect with Fonzi: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Connect with LUISDA: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Subscribe to the podcast on Youtube, Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, or anywhere you listen to your podcasts. You can find this episode plus all previous episodes here. If this episode was helpful, please don't forget to leave us a review by clicking here, and share it with a friend.

Are you a rising high school student wondering how to tackle the daunting college admissions process? Or perhaps you're a parent seeking insider strategies to help your child stand out? If so, you're going to love this one! These are my favorite types of episodes to bring you, where I pull back the curtain on a live coaching session with a real Passion Prep student and share what happens when planning for Ivy League admission starts early.  Today, you'll hear how I help students overcome the fear of starting high school, strategically selecting 9th-grade classes, and developing those truly compelling Passion Projects that make an impact. This isn't just theory; it's real-time, personalized guidance you can learn from too. Get ready to grab some invaluable insights into building a strong foundation for college success, straight from our student's own journey!  Before we dive into this PPBC coaching call, I wanted to let you know that we are hosting a Free Live Training tomorrow (July 30th). You can register now at www.passionprep.com/live and I'll walk you through 5 major mistakes that students are making that could decrease their chances of getting accepted, what's changing with the Ivy League and Top-tier college admissions landscape, and the exact 3-step framework my students used to get into Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, UCLA, NYU, and many more. Get ready to open your “Congratulations, You're Accepted!” letter from your dream college! You can reserve your spot for Passion Project Bootcamp, our 1-year group college consulting program to get you ACCEPTED into your dream college using your passion, strength and potential. Start your journey to your dream college https://passionprep.com/bootcamp! If you are looking for a more affordable way to level-up your college admissions strategies, we've officially launched our PPBC: A Self-Paced Online Course. This digital, step-by-step course will help you build a strong college admissions gameplan, select the right extracurriculars, brainstorm & execute your unique Passion Project, create your resume, and much more: https://passionprep.teachable.com/p/ppbc-self-paced-online-course.   As always, if you have questions, please reach out to our Support Team at info@passionprep.com. Also, I'd love to connect with you on Instagram – our Instagram handle is: www.instagram.com/passion_prep.  

What if your high school project didn't just end with graduation? In this episode of The Young Collaborators Podcast Series, we meet Kofi Hair-Ralston (16) - a visionary teen founder on a mission to make student-led impact sustainable and scalable.Kofi is the Founder of VenturEd Global, which has connected 320+ underrepresented students to global tech opportunities and a Founding Partner at EGG Labs, an incubator powering 20+ student ventures.This discussion dives into how real infrastructure, mentorship and mission-driven leadership can transform youth projects into movements that last, even after the founders move on.This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of youth entrepreneurship, equity in tech and building systems that outlast individuals.

Click here to book a free strategy session if you want to grow to 5-10k monthly downloads in 6 months or less and have a fully monetized podcast without replying on social media, paid promotions or high profile guests.Still calling your podcast a “passion project”? That mindset might be the very thing killing your growth.In this episode, we expose the hidden damage caused by casually labeling your podcast a passion project — especially when deep down, you want real traction, income, and impact.You'll learn:Why “just for fun” is often a mental shield podcasters use to protect their ego from disappointing resultsHow the passion project label blocks you from taking the bold actions required for podcast growth and monetizationWhat to do instead if you're serious about building an audience, growing downloads, and generating ROIIf you've been stuck for months (or even years) wondering why your show isn't taking off — this episode will hit home.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO QUIT TO BEGIN- Coaching doesn't have to be your full-time job to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, I'm sharing how to start coaching as a side hustle while working full-time, part-time, homeschooling, or simply juggling real life. Whether you're in a corporate role, leading a ministry, or in a season of transition, this episode will help you see how coaching can fit into your current life—not replace it. Key Takeaways: You can start coaching with just a few hours a week—intentionality matters more than time. Coaching isn't a replacement for your career—it's a bridge to deeper connection and impact. You don't need to build fast or big—faithful, small beginnings can grow something beautiful. Listener Challenge: What's one coaching offer you could create that fits into this season of your life? Sketch out a simple idea—a 3-session package, a one-month group, or a Saturday clarity call—and imagine what it could open up for you. APPLY FOR THE NEXT CONSULANT COACH INTENSIVE- A Mastermind for Women Called to Coach and Ready to Build Read this in the Life Coach Blog If you need help with this work, book a session with me here: https://www.sterlingandstonementoring.com/businesscoaching Become a Life Coach Figure Out Who to Coach Start Your Online Coaching Business Join the Coaching FB Community —> HERE Find me @coachlauramalone on IG —> HERE Your 5 star review on Apple Podcasts means a ton✨

This episode is an extra special one as I'm joined by my husband, a Brown University graduate and practicing oral surgeon! He's here to share what he wishes he knew back in high school, from navigating the Ivy League experience to thriving in the intense world of surgical training We've prepared questions that resonate with high school students and parents, including how to handle pressure and burnout, navigating doubt on your college admissions journey, exploring different oral surgery pathways, and how our definitions of success have evolved. Whether you're a high school student dreaming of an Ivy League or Top-tier school, a parent wondering what it really takes to support your child through the process, or someone curious about the journey from high school to surgeon life, this episode is for you.  Before we dive into this fun interview with my husband, I wanted to let you know that we are hosting a free live training this coming Wednesday. You can register now at www.passionprep.com/live and I'll walk you through 5 major mistakes that students are making that could decrease their chances of getting accepted, what's changing with the Ivy League and Top-tier college admissions landscape, and the exact 3-step framework my students used to get into Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, UCLA, NYU, and many more.  Additionally, we've officially launched our Passion Project Bootcamp: A : Self-Paced Online Course. This digital, step-by-step course will help you build a strong college admissions gameplan, select the right extracurriculars, brainstorm & execute your unique Passion Project, create your resume, and much more: https://passionprep.teachable.com/p/ppbc-self-paced-online-course. As always, if you have questions, please reach out to our Support Team at info@passionprep.com. Also, I'd love to connect with you on Instagram – our Instagram handle is: www.instagram.com/passion_prep.

And a lot of times we don't see the value in things that we are passionate about and do really well.It's only when we engage in conversations with others, that we realize that some of the things that they see in us, we often took for granted because it's just what we do.In this episode, we are talking with Crispina ffrench, entrepreneur, online coaching pioneer, and book author how to turn your passion into a successful business with minimal funds and resources and earn a living by doing something that you love.In addition to being an environmental optimist, Crispina ffrench is an OG Used Clothing Recycler/Up-cycler who began using discarded clothing as raw materials for her collection of stuffed toys called Ragamuffins as a college student in 1987.Two years after graduating from Mass College of Art and Design Crispina's recycling company grew to manufacture clothing and home goods and employ 40, serving over 350 international retail outlets.In 2009 ffrench's teaching book The Sweater Chop Shop was published by Storey. Crispina began teaching her craft and sharing her knowledge about the importance of careful textile consumption. She has been awarded the SBA's National Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and been a guest presenter at the Social Venture Network's annual conference. Crispina works with large volume textile waste generating companies turning their waste into marketable product. Her best-known projects are with Patagonia and Eileen Fisher where she initiated the well documented ReWear and ReNew programs.Today Crispina is focused on helping creative textile recycling and up-cycling entrepreneurs build businesses that support their ideal lifestyle while nurturing the planet and building awareness of our textile waste crisis and each individual's ability to affect change.Find the full show notes here: https://onlinemarketingpodcast.com/from-passion-project-to-profitable-business-interview-with-online-coaching-pioneer-crispina-ffrench Resources:Crispina ffrench Website- UPCYCLE, grow impact, live your ideal Life – How to design a thriving upcycled textile business. Adaptive Marketing Program - Adaptive Marketing Program is an exclusive opportunity for online business owners, coaches, course creators, and membership site owners to play bigger and bolder in their business and explode their bank account with more clients!For a list of our resources & recommendations visit: https://onlinemarketingpodcast.com/learn-with-paul-melissa/Connect with Crispina:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crispinaffrench/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crispinaffrench/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crispinaffrenchLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crispinaffrench/Website:...

This week, we're stepping away from our usual format, mixing things up, and focusing on finding our sewjo!Kylie takes us behind the seams of the fabulous dress she made for a 40th birthday party, while Gemma shares what she's been sewing for her daughter and the excitement of getting ready to launch sewing lessons at The Sewing Gem Studio.Kylie:https://www.kylieandthemachine.comGem:https://www.sewinggem.com.auFACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3678270342453518Send your Sewjo definitions here: Share your passion project with us #sewingclubsewjoKylie And The MachineAshton TopRoberts Woods Damsel Dress Sewing GlueKATM HardwareKATM Advent calendarsSewing Gem Sewing Gem LessonsGracie Steel Flirt SkirtKylie and the Machine Mule ToteRailRoad TotePeppermint Magazine Pocket Bag SkirtPaper Theory Pocket Bag SkirtPrym waistband elasticSewline GlueGemma Blog Post: https://www.sewinggem.com.au/blogs/sg-blogKylie Blog Post: https://www.kylieandthemachine.com/blogs/news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Hom, a renowned lettering artist, designer, and muralist joined us for our latest Open Studio episode.Lauren shared her journey from lettering to culinary arts and explained how passion projects can shape a creative career. Lauren blends her interests into her work, the importance of personal branding, and practical tips for aspiring muralists. Whether you're an artist or simply curious about the creative process, this conversation is packed with valuable advice and inspiration.

In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, host Brianna Armstrong interviews Dr. Jack Murray, a recent veterinary graduate who has successfully navigated a non-traditional career path. Dr. Murray shares his journey of paying off student loans in just 10 months, launching a luxury dog crate company, and providing in-home euthanasia services. The conversation explores themes of entrepreneurship, emotional resilience in veterinary practice, and the importance of supportive relationships. Dr. Murray emphasizes the need for veterinarians to challenge traditional career paths and pursue what truly brings them joy and fulfillment. Dr. Jack Murray LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-murray-3b2303237/ Murray Kennel Company: https://murraykennelcompany.com/password  Follow for more:  FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d  IG: https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jack Murray's Journey 02:51 Pursuing Dreams and Passion Projects 05:29 Navigating Emotional Well-being in Veterinary Medicine 08:33 Exploring Non-Traditional Veterinary Paths 11:39 The Gratitude of In-Home Euthanasia 14:21 Balancing Work and Life as a Relief Veterinarian 17:05 Transitioning from General Practice to Relief Work 19:58 Building Confidence in Veterinary Practice 23:04 Financial Strategies for New Graduates 25:56 The Importance of Mentorship and Support 28:55 Launching the Murray Kettle Company 32:21 From Idea to Prototype 39:06 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 45:11 Embracing Change and Overcoming Fear 50:05 Financial Freedom and Smart Investments 01:04:13 Redefining Success in Veterinary Medicine

Having a passion project can contribute a lot to your over all well being and quality of life. Being passionate about something fuels motivation, fosters resilience, leads to success in life, drives innovation, and can help you find joy in challeges. In today's episode I discuss four different avenues you can explore to figure out what your passion is so grab a pen and paper and let's get into it! Follow your energy- what's something that you get fired up about, lose track of time while doing, and get 'in the zone' when you're doing it Follow your curiosity- take a look at the kinds of questions you're asking, the things your googling, the content you're consuming; if there's a common thread there that could be your passion Follow your heart- if there's something that weighs heavily on your heart or mind then it might be a calling to do something about it Follow your fulfilment- what does your authentic self want to wake up every day and spend your time doing Take some time to ask yourself the questions presented in today's episode and see what comes up for you and then explore that and most importantly enjoy it! FREE Goal Setting Guide Daily Planning Notepad

“Can you do it for exposure?” If you've heard that before, you're not alone. Whether you're a designer, coach, accountant, or small business owner, requests for free work are common—and controversial. In this episode of the I Hate Numbers podcast, we unpack when working for free makes sense, when it hurts your business, and how to navigate those tricky requests with professionalism and confidence. Main Topics & Discussion When Saying Yes Might Make Sense Exposure & Visibility Speaking at industry events or collaborating with the right audience might open doors—if the value exchange is clear. Building a Portfolio When starting out or pivoting, unpaid projects can build credibility and act as proof of concept—but only as a short-term strategy. Passion Projects & Volunteering Sometimes, working for free aligns with your values. Whether it's helping a charity or supporting a cause, do it for joy—not obligation. The Real Cost of Free Work Unpaid Bills Exposure doesn't cover rent or fund your business growth. Without income, your business becomes a very expensive hobby. Devaluation of Your Work Free often signals low value. It affects how others see your expertise and sets a difficult precedent when you eventually want to charge. Burnout & Resentment Taking on too many unpaid gigs leads to frustration, exhaustion, and a loss of motivation. 5 Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes What do I get out of this? Am I choosing this, or being emotionally manipulated? Can they actually afford to pay me? Will this set a long-term precedent? What does my gut say? How to Say No Professionally “Thanks for thinking of me. I'd love to help, but I can't take on unpaid work right now.” “If you have a budget in future, I'd be happy to chat.” “It wouldn't be fair to my paying clients.” Be polite but firm. No need to apologise. Read your message aloud before sending. When Free Can Be Strategic Treat it like a marketing expense: proof of concept, brand visibility, or network building. Make sure it aligns with your long-term goals. Ask: “Would I pay for this opportunity if it weren't free?” Real-World Insight Mahmood shares how he's worked for free through volunteering, guest speaking, and events—always with intention and clarity. Sometimes unpaid work brings real returns—but only when it's your choice, not an obligation. Final Takeaway Free work is a strategy, not a habit. Use it selectively. Stay in control. Your work deserves to be valued—financially and professionally. Links Mentioned in This Episode

Commercial and documentary director Tony Franklin returns to share a remarkable journey through his creative world. From his early days in Target's creative department to becoming an acclaimed filmmaker, Tony shares the inspiring story behind his documentary "The Big Green House" - a passion project that took six years to complete and chronicles an extraordinary Minneapolis family who housed 80 people in need. We dive deep into the evolving landscape of commercial directing, and Tony's innovative Filmmakers Forum, next one is July 28th at 6pm. This episode offers a raw, honest look at the creative process and the power of perseverance. Thanks Tony! FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '25 Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 4th year and it's so special, I'd prefer to jump on the phone with you and tell you more. Every year since our first, filmmakers have come back. Pretty much says it all. SIGN UP! ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIR - SAVE w BRADY20Save hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way.  Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

Millions of professionals are balancing side hustles alongside their full-time jobs. But what does it take to turn that extra project into something bigger? In this episode from the Hello Monday archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Side Hustle Pro creator and host Nicaila Matthews Okome to explore how side work can lead to a meaningful, lasting career. Nicaila didn't always see herself as an entrepreneur. She built her résumé with big-name employers, earned her MBA, and followed a traditional career path. But she kept testing new ideas on the side — and eventually turned her podcast into a full-time business. Now, she helps others navigate the same transition. If you've ever dreamed about turning your passion project into something more, this conversation is for you. Jessi and Nicaila discuss: Why side hustles can be a smart career safety net How to know when a side project is ready to grow The difference between hobbies and businesses Building a brand while holding a day job How to manage your time for real progress without burnout What stability looks like when you're your own boss Nicaila also shares her journey from NPR and Google to building Side Hustle Pro, a thriving platform for Black women entrepreneurs. Keep the conversation going at Hello Monday Office Hours. Join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM ET.

Can you really start a side hustle while traveling — and run it from thousands of miles away? David Schafran did. What began as a one-month salsa sabbatical in Colombia turned into a passion-fueled income stream. David shares how he went from health tech founder in Boston to launching Somoloco, a remote-friendly dance immersion business — all while keeping things lean and intentional. In this episode, you'll learn: How to build a side hustle while living abroad (or just working remotely) Why you don't need to “go big” to get started How David tested his idea with a simple prototype The marketing strategies that helped him grow — including paid ads, partnerships, and influencer collabs Why strong relationships are crucial to running a side hustle from another city or country Whether you're thinking of building something creative, travel-based, or just want extra income on your terms, this episode shows you what's possible. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/154 Connect with David: Instagram Somoloco website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

After spending 10 years getting overwhelmed and overthinking all his creative ideas, my client Aitor—a software developer and digital nomad—finally launched his mental health app, and it's already bringing in $1,000 of extra income every month. In this inspiring episode, we explore his journey from burnout to career change and financial freedom.You'll hear how he:Allowed himself to walk away from a PhD and pivot careersUsed his personal struggles as fuel to build something truly helpfulNavigated the fear of failure and perfectionism that blocks so many creativesGrew his app to $1,000/month and found meaningful workWhether you're a creative entrepreneur, an aspiring founder, or on your own mental health journey, this conversation will show you what's possible when you stop trying to do it all alone and start building with support.

Send us a textA native of Hannover, Germany, Felix joined Joel and Duncan to talk parenting, the joys of living in Fukuoka compared to Tokyo, and his passion project that aims to bring more exposure to international businesses in Fukuoka. Be sure to check out the Dad Club Japan Youtube channel to watch this episode and others.As always, thanks for listening!Cheers!

Episode 141: Catalina Margulis & her book, Again, Only More Like You! ABOUT CATCatalina is an author, book coach, publishing consultant, podcast host and mother of four who has written for many of Canada's top publications over the past 20 years. A former journalist and content strategist for brands like ELLE and Walmart, Cat now works with speakers, experts, coaches and thought leaders to help them write, publish and market their book to grow their brand, business and impact. Previously, Cat was an editor at ELLE Canada, Flare, and Today's Parent, she was a regular contributor to Savvymom, Mabel's Labels, and Walmart Canada, and she has written for more than 40 publications, including The Globe and Mail, Reader's Digest, and Yummy Mummy Club. She was also the host of Passion Project (passionprojectpod.com), a podcast about making your dreams happen. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she lives with her family in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada. Cat's book AGAIN, ONLY MORE LIKE YOU arrived in book stores April 29, 2025. Learn more at catmargulis.com.CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS• The power of reinvention and storytelling.• Using bad words.• Writing the book that's needed in that time, era, and generation.• The importance of curation.• Technology & Humanness.• Moving from breakthrough to breakthrough.• The American Dream.• Comfort in uncertainty.• Ambition & drive born from pain.• The art and craft of business content creation.• Trust in God.• We are our own limiting beliefs.• One toxic workplace after another.• "Maybe this is not the right avenue for me anymore."• Being a star maker.• "I have exponential impact."• What does my happily ever after look like?"• The lessons in The David.The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Cat is, How much attention are you paying to your story -- to tell it, to live it, to change it -- in life? FIND CATWebsite: Catmargulis.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-margulis-628bb851/Podcast: http://passionprojectpod.com/LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: CHAPTERS00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast – Cat Margulis00:59 - Introduction & Bio02:30 - Cat's experience working across various publications.10:59 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?12:51 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?18:14 - Balancing in your partnership.25:58 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?27:17 - What do you consider your super power?34:23 - What does leadership mean to you?37:07 - Can you introduce us to the book we're discussing?48:51 - Cat's spiritual awakening later in life.56:31 - What's changed in you in the process of writing this book?00:00 - Is there a certain part of the book that resonates most with people?01:05:35 - What book has inspired you?01:09:14 - What the title of her book Again, Only More Like You! means to Cat.01:11:11 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:· Watch on YouTube· Listen on Spotify· Listen on Apple Podcasts· Read About The Book Leads – Blog PostFor more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's LeadershipLessons, if you haven't already!

296. Finding Your Creative Purpose with Judith Hill   In this episode of Creative Chats, Judith Hill shares her journey to becoming a successful portrait photographer. She discusses the importance of community, facing fears, and the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion full-time. Judith emphasizes the significance of purpose in creative work and how passion projects can reignite momentum. She also highlights the need for connection and support in the creative industry, encouraging others to bet on themselves and follow their dreams. Judith Hill is a Nashville-based portrait photographer and the founder of Judith Hill Photography. With over 13 years of experience in photography—including 8 years running her business full-time—Judith is known for her ability to empower clients through intimate, meaningful portrait sessions. Her work focuses on helping women rediscover their value and confidence, particularly through projects like her "40 Over 40" campaign. Passionate about purpose-driven creativity, Judith is also launching Judith Hill Academy to coach other creatives in building profitable, fulfilling businesses. Top 3 Key Takeaways 1. Purpose Drives Creative Success Judith emphasizes the importance of being deeply rooted in purpose. Knowing your "why" helps you navigate fear, make aligned decisions, and create work that truly resonates—with yourself and others. 2. Embrace the Pivot (and the Fear That Comes With It) Making a major career change is daunting, but Judith shares that fear is usually a biological response to the unknown. Success comes from acknowledging that fear, betting on yourself, and understanding that creativity often means continually reinventing your identity and business. 3. Community Over Competition Building a supportive community, and seeking mentorship, is crucial for creative growth. Isolation can stifle creativity, whereas community helps you stay motivated, share wisdom, and overcome challenges together. Links & Resources Mentioned @JudithHillPhoto (Instagram) - https://instagram.com/JudithHillPhoto Judith Hill Academy - https://judithhillacademy.com/ (sign up for updates and newsletter) Daily Creative Habit - https://dailycreativehabit.com/ Mike Brennan's Website - https://mikebrennon.me/ Thanks for tuning in to another inspiring episode of Creative Chats! If today's conversation with Judith Hill encouraged or challenged you, be sure to follow her at @JudithHillPhoto and sign up for updates at judithhillacademy.com. For more creative resources, check out dailycreativehabit.com and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so more creatives can find these stories and wisdom. Keep creating and remember—when you create, we all win! Copy

295. A Story of Letting Go In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares his journey of writing his new book 'Blue', a story about letting go and transformation. He discusses the emotional challenges he faced while writing, the importance of authenticity in creative work, and encourages listeners to create meaningful projects that resonate with their personal experiences. Top Three Key Takeaways Creativity as a Tool for Processing Pain and Growth Mike opens up about how his latest book was inspired by a difficult personal experience. He emphasizes that creativity can be a therapeutic outlet for processing pain, grief, and major life changes, sometimes, our most meaningful creations come from our most challenging seasons. The Importance of Authenticity in Creative Work While developing the visuals for his book, Mike struggled to find a style that felt true to himself. Through experimentation and self-reflection, he discovered that authentic self-expression resonates more deeply than following someone else's template, encouraging listeners to create with vulnerability and honesty. Releasing Your Work and Letting Go of Expectations Mike discusses the process of letting go, not just as a theme in his new book, but as a creative act itself. He describes the freedom in releasing a project to the world without being attached to outcomes, and how sharing our stories can become a source of hope and connection for others. Mentioned Links & Resources Mike's Website: https://www.mikebrennan.me/ Daily Creative Habits: https://dailycreativehabit.com/ New Book “Blue: A Story of Letting Go”: Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kq6OE3 and Mike's Website: https://www.mikebrennan.me/books/blue If you've been sitting on a creative project, or if there's an idea tucked away that's close to your heart, take inspiration from Mike's story and bring it into the light. Finish the thing. Share it with your community. Your story, told authentically, has power to encourage and connect. Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and let us know what you're working on. Together, let's create work that matters!

Bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, discusses her writing practices and shares the backstory surrounding her latest flex into historical fiction, a passion project titled, Wayward Girls. Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends…and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and in good weather, she commutes to her writers' group in a 21-foot motorboat. She's been featured in the national media, including NPR, PRI, and USA Today, has given programs for the US Embassies in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, and is a popular speaker locally, nationally, internationally, and on the high seas. From the very start, her writings have illuminated the everyday dramas of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her books celebrate the power of love, the timeless bonds of family and the fascinating nuances of human nature. Today, she is an international best-selling, award-winning author, with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries and languages. According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with “refreshingly honest emotion,” and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is “one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book.” Booklist characterizes her books as “real and true and unforgettable.” Susan is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. She lives on an island in Puget Sound, where she divides her time between sleeping and waking. Her latest novel is Wayward Girls. Learn more at SusanWiggs.com Special thanks to Net Galley for an advance reader copy. Intro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table:On Twitter/X: @writingtablepcEverywhere else: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

Kosai Estowani is a Senior Product Marketing Manager on our competitive intelligence team and drives several valuable passion projects, including leading a Dynaspace for People of Color, at Dynatrace.  In this episode, he talks about his path from studying criminal justice to pursuing a career in tech. He shares how career pivots and great leaders have shaped his journey. He also talks about founding the Dynaspace for People of Color and his passion project to help underserved youth see what careers are possible in tech.   Tune in and let us know how you liked it by leaving us a review or a comment on your streaming platform. Where to find us:      Connect with Sue Quackenbush on LinkedIn  Connect with Kosai Estowani on LinkedInDiscover the opportunities at Dynatrace and take your career to the next level: careers.dynatrace.com

Dora talks about how having a passion project outside of work can help energize you throughout the week. Dora Kamau holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Psychiatric Nursing. She is a certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher and is working to complete her Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher training this fall. Before joining forces at Headspace, Dora worked as a psychiatric nurse in a women's addictions facility and organized community events for BIPOC women in Vancouver, BC, Canada. You can reach out to Dora on Instagram here! Try the Headspace app free for 30 days here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Passion projects are becoming a hot topic on student resumes. How important are they? In this first episode of Season 2, we welcome on special guest Dr. Liz Krider, the Founder & CEO of KSA Catalyst. She helps students (ages 14-24) find purpose through projects and internships - experiences that reveal their character to prospective colleges and employers. Hear how to find a passion project, examples of passion projects, why it helps to think local, the fine line between being persistent and being annoying, and why it's a good thing for college and your career to learn from failure. Connect with Liz at PassionProjects.net and on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Lauren and Rachael discuss the importance of managing expectations throughout the creative process and journey. As artists, we can't help but to dream big and plan accordingly; BUT leaving space for unexpected twists and turns can allow us to better enjoy the process and tap into our playfulness. There is so much to gain when we embrace the detours that often occur on the path to where we really want to be. We hope this discussion allows you, dear listener, to be less hard on yourself and develop a healthier relationship with your creative practice. Episode Mentions:Rachael's Creative Visioning WorkbookLauren's Daily Dishonesty ProjectSponsors:Hom Sweet Hom Mural MockupsRachael Renae's Dress For Yourself Course The transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you're working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: chaoticcreativespodcast@gmail.comLauren's links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael's links:WebsiteInstagramPrioritize Play WorkshopStyle Course

In our 27th Dropping a Bruce episode, we tackle the 2022 straight-to-demand action thriller American Siege to decide if Bruce Willis was just phoning it in (Dropping a Deuce) or giving it his all (Dropping a Bruce). We break down this small-town siege flick, where Willis plays a sheriff caught in a messy hostage crisis with militia goons and a shady doctor. From cringe-worthy one-liners to low-rent shootouts, we dig into the best (or least bad) scenes, dialogue, and performances to see if there's any redeeming spark. Is this worth a spot on your watchlist, or should you dodge this Die Hard-in-a-hick-town dud? Join us for our no-holds-barred verdict! Facebook & Instagram @DroppingABruceEmail - DroppingABrucePod@gmail.com

“Why does my wife keep asking me to ‘work on myself' when I already feel buried?”“How am I supposed to grow spiritually when life is already overwhelming?”In Part 5, we break through a painful and often misunderstood tension in marriage and personal growth: when one partner feels like they're drowning in responsibility, and the other just wants them to “get better.”This episode brings clarity to:Why your current life may already be your God-given passion projectHow to know if you're chasing unrealistic goals while missing your divine assignmentsThe lie that says “you're not doing enough” just because you're not doing moreWhy passion projects don't require extra time, but they do require extra intentionHow to invite God's power into the chaos of parenting, partnership, and pressureIf you've ever thought, “My life is too full to add anything else,” this is the conversation you didn't know you needed.Want to read more about this topic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lifechangingservices.org/sons-of-helaman-the-faith-based-self-mastery-program-transforming-lives/Rather Watch Something? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdCVMyrcd7cCheck out the Marriage Repair Workshops: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lifechangingservices.org/marriage-repair/⁠

"Why is she still upset after all the things I've tried to change?""And if I'm trying to fix myself, why does it feel like nothing is ever good enough?"In this episode of Memoirs of an LDS Servant Teacher, we uncover a painful truth: most husbands are working hard—but working on the wrong things. If your wife keeps bringing up issues no matter how much you improve, it's likely because you're setting goals… when you need a Passion Project.We'll break down:Why surface-level improvements never restore emotional trustThe critical difference between a "goal" and a God-powered Passion ProjectWhat miracles actually look like in personal development—and how to expect themHow Satan quietly convinces men they're incapable of deep changeWhy your wife's endless concerns might be valid… and how to organize them into a blueprint for transformationYou'll also hear the miraculous origin story of a brotherhood that helped thousands of young men find purpose, purity, and power—not by talking about problems, but by fighting for passion-driven change.This isn't self-help. It's soul-help.Want to read more about this topic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lifechangingservices.org/reacting-to-toxic-people/Rather Watch Something? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIV8zMKmT5sCheck out the Marriage Repair Workshops: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lifechangingservices.org/marriage-repair/⁠

Jerome Scullino is a Montreal-based photographer and artist who transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. With studios across Canada and the United States, he's built a remarkable career by capturing the unseen connections that make human experiences magical.Tune in as JP and Jerome explore the transformative power of paying attention with love, overcoming perceived failures, living in abundance, entrepreneurial resilience, discipline and freedom, AI's limitations, creative potential, and the extraordinary human spirit that emerges when we choose to see beyond the surface. Connect with Your Host, JP: WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInShow Episode Highlights:01:51 Meet Jerome: Discovering Art10:37 Expanding the Business and Adapting to Challenges23:50 Exploring New Opportunities27:06 Building a Legacy 35:39 AI and Its Limit: Uncovering True Human Potential39:01 No Freedom Without Discipline Resources: Get Your Copy of JP's BookThe Millionaire's Lawyer: Grow and Sell Your Business for Maximum Profitability  

Joe is re-releasing some of his favorite episodes! In this one, he sits down with Beth Le Manach, the founder of the YouTube channel, Entertaining with Beth. Easy recipes elegant enough for entertaining, but also simple enough for a weeknight meal. Beth also happens to be his daughter.Check out Beth's YouTube channel here.www.joeruggiero.comSupport the showwww.joeruggiero.com

If you're a true music fan, you know the best songs are the ones that speak to your soul, and Las Vegas artist Kuttup is doing just that. On this electrifying episode of Music Monday, we sit down with Kuttup to uncover her journey into the music industry and what makes her style impossible to replicate. From her raw lyrics to her captivating stage presence, Kuttup is proving why she's one of the realest voices in the game right now. And to top it off, she takes the stage to perform her hit single, “What It Comes To.” Follow Kuttup: Instagram: @itskuttup TikTok: @kuttupmusic Stream her music on all platforms: Kuttup

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel tackles a big question many students have heading into summer: What should I do for my passion project? The truth? Passion projects can either be a meaningful expression of who you are—or a major red flag. This episode unpacks the difference between performative efforts and authentic impact. Thomas explains why passion projects often fall flat in the admissions process and what to do instead: follow your curiosity, pursue meaningful work, and focus deeply on what actually drives you. He shares real stories of students—some with privilege, some without—who pursued their passions authentically and got into top-tier schools. The difference? Intention, effort, and heart. Key Takeaways: Performative Projects CAN Hurt You: If your project lacks depth, commitment, or clarity of purpose, it can work against you in admissions. Officers can see when something is done just to “check a box.” Do What You're Genuinely Passionate About: The goal isn't to impress—it's to express. Focus on meaningful work that reflects you. This is how you stand out. Less is More: Don't try to do everything. Do fewer things, but do them well. Authenticity and depth beat quantity every time. You Don't Need Funds to Make an Impact: Thomas shares examples of students who made real change with limited resources. Grit, creativity, and initiative matter more than funding. As we head into summer, take a hard look at how you're spending your most valuable resource: your time. This is not about checking a box—it's about building something meaningful, something that reflects who you are and what you truly care about. Ask yourself: What fills your cup? What drains it? Have the courage to step away from the things that no longer serve you. Don't build a project for the sake of appearances. Build something that matters—to you, and to the world. Tell us what you're working on, what you're considering, and what questions you have. We're here for the journey. Start the conversation with us @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok!  

In this episode, Sawyer and Tork sit down with Travis and Torsten, the brains behind Livestock, Water, and Energy (LWE), to dive deep into a revolutionary approach to manure management on modern hog farms. If you've ever wondered about turning manure into profit, reducing hauling costs, recycling water, or making carbon credits actually work for farmers, this is the episode you've been waiting for.Over two years in the making, this conversation sheds light on the cutting-edge technology being implemented to separate manure in real time, transforming waste into dry, pathogen-free fertilizer, creating a new revenue stream with liquid nitrogen, and capturing valuable carbon credits—all without relying on government grants or tax credits. Sawyer and Tork share their own farm's experience as the test site for LWE's first agricultural system, revealing the nitty-gritty of what actually works, the value for everyday farmers, and why so many have failed at this before.Whether you're a livestock producer curious about the future of manure, a skeptic of the carbon credit market, or just interested in how innovation is changing the ag industry from the inside out, this lively and honest episode has you covered. Plus, hear about the challenges, breakthroughs, and the real-life impact on family farms looking to build a more sustainable and profitable future.So pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and let's get into it—because today, everything that happens in the barn is coming out into the open.Use code BARNTALK for 10% OFF your next orderhttps://farmergrade.com/ Learn More About Our New Project

Listen to weekly sermons from Velocity Church in Lawrence, KS. Velocity is a vision-fueled and faith-filled community changing lives and transforming a city with the message of Jesus. For more information visit www.findvelocity.org

Share your Field Stories!Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! On today's episode, we talk with David Schwartz, magazine editor with one foot in the professional audio community and the other in the wonderful world of algae about Music, Algae, and Passion Projects.   Read his full bio below.Help us continue to create great content! If you'd like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form Showtimes: Time - NAEP Member ShoutoutsTime - Nic and Laura dive into marketing yourselfTime - Interview startsTime - Time - Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Guest Bio: David Schwartz is a highly accomplished figure in the world of music production and technology, best known for his work as the editor-in-chief of Mix magazine, a premier publication covering music production and recording technology. Additionally, David has been involved with prestigious events like the TEC Awards and NAMM, where he has facilitated discussions and shared his expertise through the TEC Tracks program. For the past 15 years David has maintained a fascination with algae and edits a webzine, algaeplanet.com, showcasing the expanding applications of micro- and macroalgae as well as documenting the news of the developing algae industry.Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players.

Listen to weekly sermons from Velocity Church in Lawrence, KS. Velocity is a vision-fueled and faith-filled community changing lives and transforming a city with the message of Jesus. For more information visit www.findvelocity.org

Listen to weekly sermons from Velocity Church in Lawrence, KS. Velocity is a vision-fueled and faith-filled community changing lives and transforming a city with the message of Jesus. For more information visit www.findvelocity.org

What if your struggle to follow through isn't a discipline problem — but a signal? This week, Dan unpacks why many entrepreneurs bounce between ideas early on, and how that phase might be necessary, not broken. He shares a simple framework for telling the difference between just another project… and a business worth going all-in on. CHAPTERS (00:00:13) Intro + Listener Question (00:02:03) Why $150/Month Is a Great Start (00:02:58) The 100 Ideas Phase (00:03:48) Recognizing Early Market Signals (00:04:51) Execution Only Matters After Momentum (00:07:18) The Classic Founder Venn Diagram (00:07:59) Pitfalls of Passion Projects (00:11:54) High Ticket vs. Consumer Products (00:13:54) Designing Your First Offer (00:15:04) Why Market Feedback Solves the Focus Problem (00:16:17) Final Advice: Stay Playful and Keep Experimenting CONNECT Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com LINKS Join the DC (http://dynamitecircle.com/) Subscribe to the newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/) MORE EPISODES The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/7-figure-productized-business) The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/exit-founders-disappointed) Success Without Sacrifice? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/success-without-sacrifice) Shiny Object Syndrome (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/shiny-object-syndrome) The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/anti-agency-high-roi)

Morgan Heim is a wildlife conservation photographer and filmmaker based in Astoria, Oregon. She uses her talents to focus on the coexistence between humans and wildlife and how human-influenced change impacts wildlife and their habitat.She's a Senior Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers and in 2024 was named a National Geographic Explorer. She's also the founder of Neon Raven Labs, a storytelling and strategy platform for conservation, and in 2020 co-founded Her Wild Vision Initiative aimed at raising the voices of diverse women in the craft of conservation visual storytelling. Notable Links:Morgan Heim WebsiteA Last Leap Towards Flowers ProjectMorgan Heim Instagram*****This episode is brought to you by Luminar Neo.Powered by AI technologies, Luminar Neo streamlines the editing process and provides everything you could possibly need to get photos that will look amazing on the screen and in print. Luminar Neo was designed for both hobbyists and pros and includes cutting-edge editing tools – all in one intuitive and easy-to-use app.Luminar uses generative AI to intelligently analyze your photos and erase distracting elements in your compositions, add realistic objects that seamlessly blend into the background, or expand the frame in any direction. If that's not your thing, Luminar is still one of the most powerful photo editors for natural and realistic images too. Luminar Neo has all the features you need to enhance your images with precision and ease.And now you can receive a 15% discount on Luminar Neo by using BEYONDTHELENS discount code at checkout when visiting skylum.com.*****This episode is brought to you by Lexar.For more than 25 years, Lexar has  been trusted as a leading global brand of memory solutions so they know first-hand just how quickly content is transforming our world.Their award-winning lineup performs second-to-none and includes professional memory cards, card readers, and solid-state drives for creators of all skill levels.Whether shooting photos, capturing video, or transferring content on the go, Lexar provides the quality and performance you can rely on to get the shot with confidence.I've been using the Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B GOLD memory cards with my Canon mirrorless cameras for years and they deliver the blazing speed and durability for the extreme weather conditions I encounter anywhere in the  world.To learn more about Lexar memory solutions, visit www.lexar.com.*****This episode is brought to you by Kase Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I've tried all of them, but in recent years I've landed on Kase Filters.Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, with zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

This week on From the Front Porch, it's another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the April releases they're excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 524), or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Annie's books: Passion Project by London Sperry (4/8) When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris (4/15) Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones (4/22) Olivia's books: Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake (4/1) Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan (4/15) The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (4/29) Erin's books: A Change of Habit by Sister Monica Clare (4/29) The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner (4/29) The Eights by Joanna Miller (4/15) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Annie is reading Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green.  Olivia is reading Candle Island by Lauren Wolk.  Erin is listening to Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

We all want to be more productive, right? But what does true productivity look like today? In this episode, I dive into how the definition of productivity has evolved—from the Industrial Revolution's quest to do more with less, to today's goal of creating space for what actually matters. I share the systems I rely on to keep my days running smoothly, and how productivity doesn't have to mean sacrificing well-being.For more go to: www.scottmlynch.comLevel up your life by joining my Patreon where you'll get exclusive content every week and more badass offerings (rips t-shirt in half, Hulk Hogan style, and runs around the room). And/or…Unlock practical and tactical insights on how to master your mindset and optimize your happiness directly to your inbox.If you're a glutton for punishment and want more swift kicks in the mind follow me on social:InstagramYouTubeLeave a review and tell me how I suck so I can stop doing that or you can also tell me about things you like. I'd be okay with that, too.Produced by ya boi.Past guests on The Motivated Mind include Chris Voss, Captain Sandy, Dr. Chris Palmer, Joey Thurman, Jason Harris, Koshin Paley Ellison, Rudy Mawer, Molly Fletcher, Kristen Butler, Hasard Lee, Natasha Graziano, ⁠David Hauser⁠, Cheryl Hunter, Michael Brandt, Heather Moyse, Tim Shriver, and Alan Stein, Jr.