Check out where Corndoggies will be here: https://www.corndoggies.com/ and give them a follow on the Gram: https://www.instagram.com/corndoggies/

While the pain has never gone away, Christy finds strength in being open about her experience and hopes it helps others feel less alone. 

This intimate discussion highlights both the complexity of chronic mental illness and suicide, as well as the importance of compassion, honesty and community in the grieving process.  Teri is pictured on the left, Christy on the right.

We go into Stephanie's personal journey that led to starting this impactful organization after losing her best friend Nadine to aggressive breast cancer at just 31 years old. You'll hear the touching story of how Tits Deep got its start through a fundraising effort to help Nadine with medical bills, and how its grown into so much more.

We discuss the challenges young women face in accessing early detection screenings and treatment. Stephanie shares powerful lessons learned and advice for women to be their own advocates and not ignore concerning symptoms.  I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.

Hear Stephanie's vision for the future of Tits Deep and how you can get involved in this important mission.

Support TitsDeep: https://www.titsdeepforbreastcancer.com/
Warmfront Buy One, Give One: https://www.thewarmfront.com/pages/buy-one-give-one

Buy a sticker!  https://www.thewarmfront.com/products/tits-deep-fundraising-sticker

Ellen reflects on her 47-year journey of fighting for her self-esteem and self-worth, culminating in the publication of her book.  My favorite part is her feeling when she describes the emotional impact of completing the book, comparing it to the shock she felt after her mother's death, and feeling a sense of victory and healing.

• Listen to our first episode from June 2021 here:  https://share.transistor.fm/s/ac1a171c
• Ellen's website, book info and more: https://www.ellenbusch.com/

Connect with Tyler at bikedgoods.co, on Instagram @bikedgoods.co, and be sure and check out his blog for all these damn tasty recipes.
 

• The worst date she's ever been on?
• Earning trust and the power of a buffer zone.
• Her process of writing a book.
• The hardest chapter of her life.
• And, why didn’t she leave when she was terrified?

Take a look at her website here: https://www.booksbywd.com/

Enjoy Barry on Instagram @sandwichesofhistory, and his other feeds: @inthechipswithbarry, @barryiscookingagain, @craftbeerbarry and @barrysicecreamoclock.

I met Stephanie at a Denver event, and wanted to deconstruct her sense of humor - which reminded me so much of Mike Birbiglia.  Stephanie recorded this just a few weeks after her dad passed away, and we talk about his influence on her comedy.

Stephanie’s journey with comedy began as a child when she learned the power of making people laugh.  Eventually she began pursuing stand up comedy in her 30s, married with 2 small children. Nine months after her first time on stage, Stephanie won a trip to the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and has been on the Denver comedy scene for over 17 years.

Stephanie is passionate about empowering and coaching speakers and entrepreneurs on how they can add humor to their presentations to create more engagement with their audience.  She has developed a Be Funnier! Short and Sweet Coaching Package and she offers motivational speaking on the following topics:  Be Funnier! How to Add Humor to Your Presentation and The Importance of Laughter.  

​

Stephanie loves dogs, has a recipe for chocolate tofu pie that you will LOVE and can touch her tongue to her nose. 

Check out these gorgeous instruments here.

And here is Otis Rush, Live at The Wise Fools Pub.

Take a look at Bespoke Velo.  

Learning to live presently, mitigating fears, conscious peaceful dying.

We cover the myth of excellence, the difference between expectations and experiences, lessons from her book and why she wrote it, not starting with Why, values misused as a promotional tool, and how values can flip and become a liability.

I'm on my second reading of her book, I've shared it with many, and if you're anywhere near your customer and their experience, you need to read it.

"You are the promises you keep."

She takes me through falling out with her family over the events, the PTSD and hypervigilance, blending in and not wearing makeup, and the effect the experiences have had on her.  She also helps with talking to therapists, how friends and coworkers can connect and help others who've experienced similar events.

• A bottle of wine and a donut
• 2 Idiots in a box

I wanted Chris to be a guest because he tells great stories.  While still amusing AF, Chris has a great life philosophy about how to treat people and maximize an opportunity, and recover from adversity.

We go through his days as a graveyard shift valet at a Vegas hotel & casino, 9/11 being his second day as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, and starting a premier run store and community here in Denver.

We cover failures, self-doubt and fear - defining fearless along the way, and the book Beyond Band of Brothers.

He takes me through leaving the security of working for Xerox, starting his own recruiting firm during the pandemic, then 8 months of no business, and how helping others - truly with honesty - pays off. 

Then, his wife is diagnosed with cancer.

He teaches me about askholes, push/pull factors, exposure therapy, no ay de otra (there is no other) and the mantra that "things that don't define you, shouldn't shake you."

The episode concludes with a new track from Claire Beeler: Mothman.  

We also talk about how the customer determines the value of the offering, the intersection of values, intentions, and decisions, how design thinking allows true focus on the customer and a fascinating discussion on how to display your values when you're not being tested.

She then takes me though the harrowing story of how she survived a kidnapping by staying in the moment and getting into warrior mode - the embodiment of fortitude.

She is also very candid about an event she calls the Dark Night of the Soul, and recovering from that.

Find Jennifer, Courage to Rise, and her podcast here:

www.jenniferwreyford.com

www.couragetorise.com

Courage to Rise Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/courage-to-rise/id1481788604

I'm a tea and polka dot junkie, bulldog momma, and passionate supporter of women's empowerment…But most of all, I'm a storyteller.

As a kid, I would regale friends and family with my retellings of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. As an adult, I still love to tell stories, but now I don't talk about silly goats and trolls. Instead, I tell the stories of people, their passions and brands.

In college, I fell in love with the story of mankind: history. I loved researching, writing and presenting about the people and events that shaped our society. After graduating, I decided that it was time to help make history, so I hit up Capital Hill and joined US Senator Jeff Flake's Press Office. It was here that I truly came into my own as a storyteller.

In Senator Flake's Press Office, I had the opportunity to see firsthand just how big an impact the right story could have. I managed the Senator's social media accounts, wrote press content and ensured that the right photos were taken at the right time and ensured that the Senator's public image helped build support for his goals and ideas. One of the Senator's projects was to expose and eliminate congressional waste. Unfortunately, most of that waste was described in reports so bland and boring that reading them was downright painful. We needed a story, a narrative that would make people sit up and pay attention.

So, we created the Wastebooks. 

The Wastebooks were digital reports that poked fun at all the strange things Congress spent money on. By translating congressional speak into an engaging, easy-to-read format, we created something people wanted to read. 

We told a story. 

As a result, the Wastebooks were a total grand slam being  featured in USA Today and other major news outlets and put Senator Flake's campaign against governmental waste on the map—and all because of good storytelling. (We also were able to end Paid Patriotism at American sporting events which is a tangible win and impact many people cannot say they accomplish in the Senate.)

In the years since, my own story has taken unexpected twists and turns. I went through a difficult divorce, but that experience forced me to explore new options on my own. I discovered that I could tell the stories of people through photos and started my own business: Afton Photography. In the early years, I went door-to-door handing out flyers for $25 photo-shoots…Today, my photos and the stories they tell have been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine, the Washington Post, The Hill, and many other major publications. I have worked with major fashion and lifestyle influencers like Danielle of Blonde in the District, Anychi Wei, and Krista Salmon and shot photos for multiple US Senators. I also shot under D.C. lifestyle photographer Tony Powell.

I eventually managed PR, social media and fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club National Capital office, where I helped raise millions to support children in need across America. I moved to Utah where I worked at a localized marketing agency helping to bring in millions in new revenue through effective branding, social media management, and great content. I worked for various other organizations and brands including active wear, educational non profits and museums.

My secret? Storytelling. 

Over the years, I've learned how to identify a business's brand story and communicate that story in a compelling way. Whether it's through design, photos or the written word, I know how to tell stories that get people to do something.

WASTEBOOK/PAID PATRIOTISM LINKS:

https://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/pentagon-contracts-sports-teams-215508

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/05/454834662/pentagon-paid-sports-teams-millions-for-paid-patriotism-events

https://www.amazon.com/Senator-Presents-Questions-Government-Scratching/dp/1976422728 

Links to her articles:

• Becoming More Heart Centered in Leadership
• Connections, Courage and Change Management

Books and podcasts: 

• The Price Of Tomorrow, by Jeff Booth, and 
• A Rich Life - Tim Ferris with Ramit Sethi

We also cover the origin of her personal brand deck inspired by Coco Chanel, leaving an abusive relationship and the many attempts to actually do it.  She then describes the elegant puzzle of human behavior, how an HR policy is only as good as the behavior, the right to dignity, fonts (yes, fonts), and how she designed her brother's memorial program to honor his design ethos and style.

Other links:

• Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind
• Helvetica Documentary
• Superheroes by The Script

Here's his first viral video.

And see more of his work on Instagram.

Thanks to Chris Anthony for connecting us.  

Samtu and Chris met at Fort Drum,  on the promo tour for Chris's documentary, Mission Mt. Mangart, about the 10th Mountain Division in WW2. 

With the unwavering support and love from her parents, she realized she's not broken and learned to thrive. 

We also talk about finding the courage to leave an abusive marriage, the transformation after attending Mark Divine's Navy SEAL Unbeatable Mind program, and the impact and gift of life demonstrated by her mom by being an organ donor, and her dad being a tissue donor.  

I also had the privilege of reading a powerful letter from the family member of the life saved. 

Gartner will match your donation for the next month, at 200%: https://hagarusa.org/carie-hagar-fundraiser/

I sit down with Quinn Brett (@quinndalina) and Joshua Stevens, (@tumbleweedultra) in advance of the Wings of Life Relay, raising funds for spinal cord research.  Please join the team or consider a donation!

We talk about bravery, motivation, love, and naked men in saunas.

We go through the history of Single Pot Still Whiskey, and but more importantly, Adam takes me through the leadership in Talnua, and the support for work, family and community - and explains why that magic blends into a wonderful experience for customers and employees.

Be sure to come by starting May 4 2021 to enjoy these great bevvys.

Thanks to Nick Sodnicar at SodFotog for the great distillery pics.

We cover her journey of anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder - to start an athletic wear company based on inclusion and self-love.

We cover The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, comparison being the theft of joy, learning that an eating disorder is so much more than food.

Here's a link to the clothing company, Jakroo.  

Take a look at the amazing designs on Arch11's Instagram feed: 

Ken takes me through, with passion, expertise and humility:

• art, function, style, proportion
• defining compression and release
• the interconnected role of construction and architecture
• site specific response
• the making of space and how design inhabits the world
• Arch11's commitment to a built environment and eliminating carbon footprints 

Here are the books and movies now on my list from this chat:

• Charles Eames, Screening Room and Powers of 10
• Bjarke Ingels: Abstract on Netflix
• The Phenomenology of Religious Life (Studies in Continental Thought)

Learn more about CIO Mastermind.

To download the case study we spoke about, click here.

• How to be a better negotiator
• The difference between assertive and aggressive
• Being your own worst enemy
• Loving yourself and respecting yourself enough to GO FOR IT
• Changing the mindset to overcompensate
• Working towards total consciousness and awareness
• How to own the word power as a woman

Colleen also takes me through surviving rape at 19, and what impact that has had on her life. 

• Former Chair and CEO of WOW! Internet and Cable
• Chair Emeritus of World Pulse, a social network for Women to Accelerate Change for Gender Equality
• Board Chair of Rocky Mountain PBS
• Board Member of Colorado Women's College

We cover courage in the workplace, general awareness of self, staying centered, controlling preparation, how to pay attention to someone else's motivation, judgement vs. discernment, and finding true power as a woman.

We close Part 1 with the Cherokee prophecy of the bird of humanity,  that says the bird of humanity has a male wing and a female wing, and it has been flying for centuries with primarily only its male wing. The prophecy says that in time the female wing will extend and express itself fully in men and women. The male energy will relax and the bird of humanity will soar.

Part 2 focuses on actionable steps women can take in the workplace for gender equity. 

Starting with Steve's Facebook post on changing how he felt rather than how he looked - we dive into being empathetic with himself, and how he takes care of his clients, to better people outside the gym.

Steve takes me through how to build a personal castle, not demonizing anything - especially food and drink - changing habits with baby steps, removing opportunities, and the myth of motivation.

Take a look at Steve's post and pics here.

This was a powerful and amazing episode with Gary Stotler, coach, consultant and author.  

I'm releasing this on Christmas Day so that if you, or anyone you love is struggling to simply know that you're not alone in your journey.  

Gary takes me through weighing 400 pounds, sucking at selling cars and starting with walking one lap around the block, and getting just a little better each day.  He now incorporates journaling, meditation, yoga nidra, into his transformation.  We talk about taking out the mental and emotional trash and the clutter, and celebrating over 1200 days sober.

We're both failures - and while that may sound brutal and raw, it's the truth.   We've failed at jobs, relationships, life, fitness.  But we didn't quit.  And that is the sometimes the hardest thing is to not quit.  It's a fine line between keeping going and not quitting, but that's all it is.  We both understand how easy this is to say, and how challenging it is to do.

Gary and I have an emotional and powerful conversation - and made our world a little smaller.  We connected, and I hope after listening to this you feel connected too.  

I also share an amazing metaphor about time management from my friend Owen Jones.

• Please connect with Gary at his website: GaryStotler.com
• His books are available here at Amazon.
• If you'd like to try yoga nidra, here is the link to Brianne's guided practice.

• The future vs. optimism & pessimism
• How we will interact with devices in the future
• Autonomous vehicles / semi trucks and yard operations
• What is it about the future that scares certain people throughout history
• Unintended consquences
• How the Roman numerals were a system problem and how to avoid a similar one
• Why we should have a 13 month calendar
• Why we should make our youth feel positive about the future
• And the average speed of humans in 2050

Connect with Thomas and the DaVinci Institute here at : https://davinciinstitute.com/

In an inspiring turn, she starts Garden Gurus - with no previous gardening experience, but leverages the talents of those around her.  And then in the spirit of help and mentorship and reaching back, she co-founded DU Angels.

Keep in mind, Alex and I recorded this March 28, 2020.  Oh how our impressions of COVID and the quarantine have changed!

Find and connect with Alex at LinkedIn, and at AE Consulting Solutions.

We recorded this episode because Christine is facing what many of us are this year - a career change.  How does one go from the drill ship to corporate America?

If you need someone with determination, grace under pressure, and relentless spirit - here is her LinkedIn Profile.

And you can get involved too - visit https://stemgeneration.org/who-we-are/ and find out how you could simply walk down your street, and start making a difference in a child's life.

Donna then tells amazing stories about meeting and flying some of the largest legends in aviation: 

• Elray Jeppesen father of modern aviation charts, 
• Louie Zamparini - subject of Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken,
• Emily Warner, first woman captain of a US airline,
• Bob Guilliland, the first pilot of the SR71 Blackbird,
• Eileen Collins, first woman commander of the Space Shuttle - and the story of one amazing necklace,
• and Neil Armstrong.  Yes, that Neil Armstrong.

Donna is a member of and author for the 99's (International Organization of Women Pilots), Women in Aviation, ISA+21, the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Connect with Jean on LinkedIn

Connect with Randy on LinkedIn.