Hi Everyone, welcome to the Christmas edition of The Authentic You podcast.

In this episode author Jaki Eisman will read from her work "Scrambled Liver" published in “Better Next Year: An Anthology of Christmas Epiphanies” edited by JJ Lee and published by Tidewater Press. There’s some great insights in this episode for anyone suffering the holiday blues, as Jaki shares what the trials and tribulations of trying to fit in for Christmas are all about. She also gives a great strategy on ways to overcome that strange feeling of Christmas loneliness even when you’re in a crowded room.

And as a backup plan, Jaki shares what the greatest superpower in the world actually is – hint: no its not me flying on my magic flying couch. Or why there is no such thing as a bad Christmas gift, or lesser discussed truths – like how height can influence the dynamics of a relationship – especially if the guy is shorter. There’s even a shout-out to Arnold schwarzenegger Donkey Lulu.

If you’re looking for an amazing super last minute hound dog sad yet heartfelt and funny stocking stuffer then get your copy of Better Next Year, and the second edition out now called "Upon a Midnight Clear", full of true Christmas tragedies, more dashed holiday hopes, and Christmas catastrophes, spiced with slender, heartbreaking shards of joy.

Note: I don't use affiliate links and any profits from Upon a Midnight Clear will go to a local charity supporting youth at the 2025 Surrey International Writers Conference, giving underprivileged youth interesting in writing the opportunity to attend this prestigious writing conference event.

Thanks again for stopping by. Until next time take care of yourselves and each other.

My interview with award-winning author Joseph Kakwinokanasum. In this episode, Joseph talks about the anchors of life, the worst jobs he's ever had, writing tips for new or emerging authors, and why everyone on this planet should write. We also get into Cree Time, how to overcome past traumas, ways to avoid past mistakes, the difference between a job and a career, and why both matter. For links to learn more about Joseph and his book club and his upcoming events visit https://starblanketstoryteller.ca or www.the-inspired.com

Joseph Kakwinokanasum is a member of James Smith Cree Nation. He is a graduate from Simon Fraser University’s “The Writer’s Studio.” Kakwinokanasum’s manuscript Woodland Creatures was shortlisted for the 2020 CBC Nonfiction Prize. In 2022, he was selected by Darrel J. McLeod as a Writers’ Trust ‘Rising Star’, and his debut novel, My Indian Summer, was the winner of the 2023-2024 First Nations Communities READ Awards, and it was shortlisted for the 2023 ReLit Award for fiction. Kakwinokanasum was the 2024 Storyteller in Residence at the Vancouver Public Library and the 2024 Writer’s Trust Fiction Mentor. He lives and works on Vancouver Island.

Ola Szczecinska was born in Warsaw, Poland, and moved to Canada with her family in 1984. She earned an MA in History from the University of Toronto and is a graduate of the Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. She’s been published in Narrative Magazine, Geist, SFU’s Emerge, and most recently her short story “Pulled Pork, Brisket, Polish Ham” has been published nationally in “BETTER NEXT YEAR: An Anthology of Christmas Epiphanies,” which hit Amazon’s Top 10 Best Sellers List for Canadian Literature in December 2023. During the interview Ola gives a reading and we talk about her incredible true story of what it means to fall vs live free. Ola shares the time she was homeless in Vancouver, living in her car over Christmas. How a chain of events, from all her possessions in her car being stolen, to almost dying in a car accident, and a chance encounter with a police officer in a stolen car she'd bought by mistaken, changed her perspective in life. Ola’s story is about what happens when our lives get turned upside down. And what it takes for us to find a way to rise, and try again.

1. Fried Chicken & Transformers - A Childhood Story on the Transformative Nature of Principles and Promises.

2. Aristotle - He got a lot of things wrong. But in life we'll all get a lot of things wrong. How do we get the Big Things Right? 

3. Part 2 of my Underdog Story - The Rise & The Dark Shadow Forming.

4. A Paradigm Shifting Idea - The Ultimate Promise.

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

1. Career Mastery & The One Life Changing Idea that has the Power to Transform Your Career - Like it did for me.

2. Self-Awareness, Mullets and My Arrested Development - via my Underdog Story & The Three False Beliefs that Hold Us back. 

3. Incredible True Forgotten Story of The Hell of Serra Pelada Where Men became Slaves to Their Jobs. 

Article & photos: The-Inspired/The Hell of Serra Pelada  

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

Welcome to the podcast filled with incredible, mysterious, and forgotten real life stories brought to you by The Authentic You Podcast! An entertaining, empowering, profound & educational guide to master the authentic you! In this one-of-a-kind Podcast I'll show you HOW living as the "Authentic You" will reduce workplace burnout, transform your career, and help you live your best possible life. I'll also share the world's biggest, best and most mysterious, amazing, forgotten stories, histories lost in the archives - with valuable lessons worth another look. In This Episode: We Talk Flamingos in Acid Lakes, The Greatest Problem Facing Humanity, and we provide an overview of Season 1.

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.  

Thanks to our artists, with music provided by: Frost Waltz by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100516 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Hey everyone, well that’s a wrap for Season 1 of The Authentic You Podcast!  Stay tuned for Season 2 coming soon, in 2022! I hope you enjoyed Season 1. I hope the stories, life lessons, course content, and interviews inspired and empowered you. I hope we were able to give you new ideas and approaches and questions to ask when it comes to work, career, and life. I know I sure learned a lot through these stories and all the great interviews.  And be sure to listen to the end of this season finale episode and one last idea to keep you strong, and moving forward, no matter the obstacles ahead. 

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

Carolyn Green, BSc(PT), PhD, has facilitated over a thousand non ordinary sessions using holotropic breathwork in workshops and individual sessions in BC and Alberta and co-founded thesecretofbreath.com. Carolyn’s research includes areas of pharmaceutical safety and policy. She is a non-practicing physical therapist with decades of experience and has worked in volunteer capacities in China, Africa, the Caribbean and Nepal, training the first Nepalese physical rehabilitation workers. For Carolyn the Holotropic paradigm is powerful and valuable because it blends the best of the western scientific scholarly traditions with the practical wisdom of long standing world spiritual traditions to provide rapid access to the power within. This episode also pays tribute to Remembrance Day traditions old and new, as we continue our way through this pandemic, and find ways to overcome what we have lost. Carolyn also shares some profound insights on where burnout comes from, how burnout relates to our own fears, and why Holotropic breathwork can help us through these difficult times. If you've never heard or tried holotropic breathwork and are dealing with loss, daily work anxiety, or extreme stress, this is your must listen to episode from Season 1!

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

How’s your energy levels these days? How resilient are you feeling knowing the dark rainy days of fall, or cold snowy days of winter are fast approaching? In today’s episode I have the honour of interviewing Canada’s very own Barnet Breathers, this is a group of men with an extraordinary weekly ritual that brings more energy, strength, and resilience to their days. And it’s all related to something called Wim Hof Breathwork, which it turns out, has some ancient eastern origins. We’ll explain what Wim Hof Breathwork is, why you have to add it to your daily routine right away, and we'll cover all of its many mind blowing health benefits. Lastly, we'll cover the time I met Wim Hof himself, Guinness World record holder of many things, and how, I somehow ended up in 300 lbs of ice water. 

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

This week I have the honor of interviewing the owner of an extraordinary Ethiopian restaurant in Montreal to learn how he became master of his soul, taking the chance at the age of 55, walking away from his corporate job to follow his dream of owning and running his own Ethiopian restaurant. This is an immigrant story and a human story, about the great journey called life, the obstacles we face, and how despite it all, we can each find a way to thrive. This week we also talk the mysterious origins of coffee. We take a look inside the real Montreal and just how this great, resilient city has been impacted by the global pandemic, and what that might mean for your next visit. Plus we look at The 5 best Restaurants to visit in Montreal. I’ll explain the 5 Russian woman on our fight home, and the lesson in life they provided. And we'll close with the top 10 happiest and most satisfying jobs in the world! Plus we start with another intro that I hope stirs your soul...

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

Hi everyone, Goran Yerkovich here, and just a quick note to say we’re taking a Canadian thanksgiving interlude this week, and we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programing next monday, including a look inside the real Montreal and just how this great, resilient city has been impacted by the global pandemic, and what that might mean for your next visit. Plus we look at The best restaurants to visit in Montreal. I’ll explain the 5 Russian woman on our fight home, and the lesson in life they provided. The top 10 happiest and most satisfying jobs in the world. We’ll also talk about the intriguing and slightly mysterious story of coffee’s origins … And last but not least, I have the honor of interviewing the owner of an extra-ordinary Ethiopian restaurant in Montreal to learn how he walked away from his corporate job to follow his dream! This is also an immigrants story, and a human story, about the great journey called life, the obstacles we face, and how despite it all, we can each find a way to thrive.

*In this episode we rewrite a missing piece of Canadian Olympic History!* "Sound Mind. Sound Body." This was the late Chun Hon Chan. A Chinese Canadian immigrant who arrived in Montreal, Canada at the age of 19 with little money, he took whatever jobs he could, cleaning bathrooms in restaurants. Years later, learning the business, he'd become a restaurant owner himself, get married, raise a family, and then one day, become an unlikely but fully deserving and pioneering competitor in the Olympics, representing Canada in the 1968 & 1972 Summer Olympics in weightlifting. Chan set five Canadian weightlifting records, breaking stereotypes and barriers placed in his way. This is my interview with his daughter, Debbie Chan, who shines bright in her family's tribute to her late father. Chun Hon Chan is a Canadian who hasn't been recognized yet, but he was the FIRST Chinese-Canadian to represent Canada in the Olympics in mens weightlifting, and the First Chinese Canadian to represent Canada in the Olympics (I did some digging)!  This podcast is all about bringing to light a piece of Canadian history that must not be forgotten and something more...because this is not just a Montreal story about loving life and living it to the fullest. It's a Canadian story in being welcomed into a nation, a sport, and community without racial biased. It is a fathers story, a family's story, and also an underdog story in unwavering determination, despite all odds.  But ultimately this is a human story which proves, the improbable is possible. This is a story about setting big audacious goals, staying true to yourself, and finding a way to shine.  

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

The London Warehouse of Horrors Conclusion, plus why careers fail, the top 5 biggest career mistakes to avoid, and how, by avoiding these mistakes, we can turn a stagnating career into to your next career miracle. Thanks and don't forget to subscribe! New episodes Mondays!

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

1. Ryan Gosling Saves Jazz – Top 5 Questions to Accept A Great Job Opportunity & The Conclusion of London Unilever Part 1.

2. Should you Quit your Job? – How to understand where your job satisfaction comes from & if it's time you leave?

3. London Warehouse of Horrors – How do we take a really bad situation in life and make something good?

4. Lord of the Flies Part 2 – The surprise ending, facts, and ridiculous truths left out from this incredible true story from Part 1.

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

1. How Six Schoolboys survived alone on an island for 15 months! - The Real Life Lord of the Flies!

2. Do you Get Enough Respect at Your Job? And if Not what are the Surprising Ways to Get More Respect?

3. We Go into Story mode with a True Personal Story of the Time I turned Down a Dream Job in London - Unilever, Pit bulls & Cliffhanger Endings

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

Thanks to our music in this episode

For Originz by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100700

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

1. How do I start doing the things you've always wanted to do In Life?  The Tragic True Story With an Urgent Warning For us All.  

2. How do I leverage my personality to live my best life?   

3. How do I unlock my strengths & reduce weaknesses & avoid unhealthy triggers? 

4. What's the most surprising thing when it comes to personality?  

5. Assertiveness Career Training! - For those who struggle to say ‘no’ – it’s time you know more of your RIGHTS…  

6. Elon Musk Top Secret Scooby-doo Ending - The question to listeners, did you like this lecture format or was it too boring?  

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

1. How Do We Overcome an Impossible Situation?  We can look to the Hidden Truth of Venice.

2. What "Hard Lessons" Are Actually A Symptom of HINT: It's not good news.

3. How Self-Evaluation Leads To Unstoppable Personal Growth.

4. Seneca The Stoic - What Stoic Advice REALLY is: Spoiler alert – it’s NOT about putting up with a bad situation.  

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

1. Who were the Lost Stone Age Tribe of cave dwellers that fooled everyone in the world’s greatest lie? 

2. What is Your Greatest Fear? And how is Fear holding you back in your life? 

3. What is the ONE key Principle required to bring more Passion and Purpose to Life? 

4. What are the 12 Essential Questions to Overcome Your Greatest Fears?

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

Thanks to the incredible music in this episode:  Consequence - Wonders by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100283 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Confused State - The Dark Contenent by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100453 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

1. How are the dangerous principles of alchemy still in use today? We start with a real life horror story of a very bad day in Alchemy.

2. A true childhood story about a boy named Sergio, Chuck E Cheese, and the WORST birthday Story Ever.

3. How do we apply one of the most underrated and almost forgotten principles of Stoic philosophy to live a better life?

4. How do you define what a real friend is? What is the importance of friends, real friends, best friends, and why do these friendships matter now more than ever. 

To learn more, show your support, and get free access to over 160 career advice articles visit The-Inspired.com, with articles featured on Fatherly.com, MSN, Yahoo, Flipboard, associated press, newswire and hundreds of other publications.

Special Thanks To our Artists who made some Incredible Music included in this Podcast: Black Vortex - Scoring Action by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300037 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Hero Down by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100880 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Impromptu in Blue by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100456 Artist: http://incompetech.com/