In this episode, I give specifics on budget items for my Camino including things like meals and accommodations. I also share openly about the toll that this pilgrimage had on my body and some of the physical pain I had to push through. I also discuss how I spent my time on the trail every day and offer I some insight and reflections about many of the things I learned from this adventure. Podcast Links & Resources: -Schedule a free discovery call with me to learn more about my ...

In this episode, I offer a brief history of the Camino, a 776.2 kilometer storied path that runs through a small part of France and stretches across most of Spain. The Camino is often referred to as “The Way of Saint James” There is some anecdotal testimony that James (an apostle of Jesus & the brother of the apostle John) spent a brief period of his life traveling through Spain and ministering to people shortly after the time that Christ dwelled on earth. James is said to hav...

In this episode, I share my perspective about the importance of obtaining travel insurance before venturing overseas. I have been impacted by my own personal illnesses and also family medical emergencies while overseas. I talk about a few specific incidents where I did have insurance coverage and situations where I did not, and the mayhem that it caused. The only thing worse than a claim is not having insurance when you need it. My specific travel insurance stories are based...

Come along for the ride as I share about my research that labeled excessive travel a psychiatric disorder from the mid 1800’s until the early 2000’s. This condition is called Dromomania, and I’m here to talk more about it. I also talk about my friend Cathy Heller’s perspective concerning how choosing to get off the work centered hamster wheel can be so life altering. I agree with Cathy’s observations that we so often buy into the lie that life is about work-work-work, that our wor...

In this episode, I talk about the power we have to change our zip code and how spending time in places different from where we’re used to can spark creativity, help us move beyond the expectations of others, and plug into a fresh perspective. I share 3 short stories about getting chased by different animals while hiking in the countryside. The first story involves my dog and I being pursued by a bull elk in Big Sky Country. In the second account, I talk about the time I encountere...

In this episode, I talk about my very real fear of flying, and how I literally couldn’t bring myself to travel by plane for a couple of years following the September 11th terrorist attacks. I also talk about the ways I got around air travel and then how Greyhound Bus Lines convinced me to give the skies another try! Stepping into my stand-up comedy alter ego, I then pontificate about how personal parachutes would make better seat accessories than personal flotation devices. I also ask t...

In this episode, I share more about the values and reasons why I explore so often and travel so much. I talk about the resistance, negative feedback, and pushback I have often received from friends, family, teachers, and colleagues regarding my travel habits. I delve into the idea that travel is not running away from something. In my life, it represents running towards something that is very life giving, liberating, fun, challenging, and joyful. I briefly discuss why it is so important that w...

In this episode, I kick things off talking about my reasons for loving the open road and how my interest in travel has impacted and improved my life. I share about the goodness that exploring and traveling can offer like fun, adventure, freedom, more empathy and understanding about ourselves and others, and personal growth too…because getting out of our comfort zones is seemingly always a positive thing. I discuss my earliest travel experiences and memories and one misadventure at the a...

If there ever was an episode where I put awkward honesty and uncomfortable truths out front, this is it! In this solo episode, I have a very honest and vulnerable conversation with God as I reflect on some very raw thoughts, feelings, and reflections related to recent tragedies involving young Christ followers. More specifically, this podcast is my personal letter of mourning and lament concerning the kids who died in the central Texas floods and the children who were both injured and k...

Eevi Niemela is an internationally accredited empowerment and mindset coach who helps people build their magnetic selves and an online presence so that they can create real freedom and become the actual owners of their own lives through an online business that they’re building. From rock bottom to red carpets, Eevi has built a life and an online business that is garnering attention around the globe, while also allowing her to be location independent. In part 2 of our conversation, Eevi talks ...

Eevi Niemela is an Internationally Accredited Empowerment & Mindset Coach. She specializes in self-empowerment and helping people build a magnetic sense of self and an online presence, so they can create real freedom and become the actual owners of their own life through an online business they’re building. Along with the importance of focusing on a healthy mindset, much of Eevi’s work is centered on managing our energy levels and showing up for ourselves in the best possible ways. Eevi h...

Cherith Fluker is an author, freelance writer, and educator based in Alabama. She has a passion for self-care and sightseeing. She is the creator of WhatCherithinks, a lifestyle and travel blog that encourages people to explore boldly, prioritize their well-being, and embrace new experiences. Her work has been featured in publications like Food, Wine, & Travel Magazine, Hallmark Mahogany, LakeLife 24/7, and Bham Family Magazine. She has partnered with several tourism boards across t...

In this solo episode, I talk about the milestone of now releasing 34 episodes, and how that journey has taken shape for me. I cover the highlights, the challenges, and how being willing to do B minus work and pushing myself to launch this past April has really been such an important piece of this venture. I briefly discuss how perfectionism can often hold us back, and sometimes “done is better than good.” I also share some updates about what you can expect to hear and experience on PerfectWhe...

In Part 2 of our conversation, Carrie continues sharing with us about the impact of our personal narratives and the power of storytelling. During this second segment, we also discussed the concept of reflecting on the characters in our lives and their relationships to our stories. This is also an important element when it comes changing the plot and rewriting the narratives. Carrie discusses the importance too of paying attention to themes and motivations in our personal stories. If we are to...

In Part 1 of this 2 part conversation, Carrie shares about the challenges of her early life growing up in Pittsburgh and the impact that being rejected, ignored, and often abandoned as a baby and young child had on the first narratives and stories of her childhood. Carrie shares how storytelling and using her imagination to help get her through dark moments as a child was so instrumental for her in finding some level of comfort and building a resilience within herself that contributed to her ...

In this episode, I discuss the recent flooding in central Texas and the heartbreaking tragedy that resulted in several people losing their lives. Many of those who perished were children, mostly young girls who were part of Camp Mystic, a cabin full of young campers and counselors who were there to have fun, learn about their faith, and draw closer to God. Setting the stage with some details about my own religious deconstruction and my break away from organized religion over the past 6-7 year...

Today I break down 4 ideas that I’ve learned during my personal development coaching journey along with one very important story about Focus and Discipline. First, I discuss some thoughts about a component of human personality called the ego and how it can impact our sense of self. Next, I dig in to 7 questions that we might ask ourselves if we are struggling to finish things or if we’re having difficulty with staying on track as we pursue our goals. The third principle I dive into relates to...

During this podcast, I discuss our recent 3 day trip north to the mountains of Park City, a beautiful alpine town we used to call home. I share about a failure to sell and then a sell too early that cost us 600K in real estate profits… as well as my other poorly timed financial decisions involving Amazon and smaller crypto holdings. I discuss my conviction to not make the same mistakes with Bitcoin while avoiding the temptations to chase profits, to not let emotions get to us during up and do...

Today we talk about the cold water immersion and winter swimming and the physical and mental benefits associated with this very Finnish rite of passage. We chat about the link between sauna culture and cold water immersion. We dive into the benefits of being in cold water for just 30 seconds and how the “happy hormones” and endorphins can become activated, thus creating a powerful hormone storm. Other positives associated with spending time in an icy river, a chilly lake, or a winter dip in t...

In this episode, I share 3 more concepts that I absolutely find unique and fascinating about the Finnish culture and way of life. First, I share how the sauna experience influences and shapes Finnish life. A sauna is the place for cleansing the mind and body and Finland has close to 3.5 million of them… which is noteworthy for a country with only 5.5 million people. I discuss some health benefits of the practice along with a story that relates to my first ever sauna experience in Finland. Nex...