Today we talk to Dr. Aimie Apigian, a trauma physician and bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma, that just landed on #6 on the USA Today Bestseller List.
Now, I’ll be honest — when I first saw the title of her book, I thought, oof, that sounds heavy. But then I got into it, and it wasn’t at all what I expected. This book completely reframed what I thought I knew about trauma. It’s not just about the big, obvious moments in life — it’s also the subtle, overlooked experiences that quietly shape our nervous systems and settle into our biology.
Dr. Aimie shares her personal story of adopting a son from the foster system and how that experience held a mirror up to her own past. She explains how trauma can live in the body long after our minds have “moved on,” and how even high performers unknowingly carry trauma responses like people-pleasing, burnout, and chronic fatigue.
But this conversation isn’t just about what trauma is — it’s about how to heal it. Dr. Amy offers a hopeful, practical framework to better understand our bodies, widen our capacity for stress, and show up for ourselves and others with more compassion.
Please enjoy, Dr. Aimie.
Key Takeaways
Trauma isn’t always what we think it is. It’s not just extreme events — trauma is anything that, at the time, overwhelms our ability to process and respond. And most of us are carrying more than we realize.
Our bodies remember. Even if we mentally “get over” something, our biology — at the cellular level — can still be holding onto past trauma in the form of chronic illness, fatigue, anxiety, or depression.
You don’t have to qualify for trauma. Comparing our experiences to others can stop us from acknowledging our own pain. But recognizing our own trauma is the first step toward healing.
Stress grows us, trauma breaks us. The difference is capacity. When a challenge pushes us just far enough, it strengthens us. But when it overwhelms our system, it can lead to shutdown or long-term damage.
The body sends signals before it burns out. Learning to recognize signs like tightness, shallow breathing, or adrenaline overload can help us avoid crossing into overwhelm.
Healing starts with support. Whether it’s creating pause, connecting with others, or simply listening to your own body — the key is not being alone in your stress.
Somatic practices are game changers. Dr. Amy walks us through a simple body-based exercise to show how movement can calm the nervous system and create a sense of safety.
Compassion is key. Whether reflecting on our past or parenting our children, we’re all doing the best we can with what we have. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s understanding, and growth.
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Dr. Aimie’s website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/
Dr. Aimie’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAimieApigian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aimie-apigian
Today we talk to Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, a company she launched while serving time in federal prison for drug smuggling. And if that alone isn’t enough to get you to listen, I give up.
Emily is raw, funny and vulnerable about the choices she made that landed her behind bars. She talks about the moment she saw her parents in the courtroom for the first time, the shame she carried, the strength she found, and the mindset shift that helped her recalibrate her life.
Today, Comeback Snacks is carried in over 1,100 stores across the country and employs a number of formerly incarcerated people. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Emily is proof that joy, humor, and intention can show up in the most unlikely places.
Please enjoy, Emily O’Brien.
Links and Resources
Comeback Snacks Website: https://comebacksnacks.com/
Emily’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emz.obrien
Comeback Snacks Website: https://www.instagram.com/comebacksnacks
Emily’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-o-brien-b628a4132/
Connect with Bob Mathers
Welcome to a solo episode on the fear of starting over.
I talk to people for a living, here on the pod but also in my coaching and speaking career. And in virtually every conversation, I talk to people that want to do something new.
And it’s scary as hell.
But in these conversations, something new emerges. It’s this fear of judgment that so many guests have talked about here on the podcast. So is it really your fear of starting over that’s holding you back, or is it the fear of people seeing you start over?
This topic has been a lightning bolt to the chest for me. So let’s talk about what it really is that’s holding us back, and I’ve come up with 3 specific habits we can build to move through it, and live the bigger life we deserve.
Key Takeaways
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Recommended Episodes
She’s Like the Wind with Sensi Graves
It’s Not Too Late to Create a Career You Love with Alyx Parks
Curiosity, Creativity & Connection with Sylvia Baffour
Throttle Therapy with Karl Allen-Muncey
What the Fxck are You Waiting For? With Greg Boyd
PrettyLynne: Soft Porn, Courage, Judgment and Finding Yourself
Today we talk to Alyx Parks — fly fishing guide, TV host, career coach, photographer, professor, and the self-proclaimed “girl who falls in frog ponds”.
For most of us, the idea of creating a career out of what we love is a promise we gave up on long ago. But Alyx is living proof it can be done. And she’s here to show us it’s not too late to shape a career — and a life — that actually feels like you.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of conviction over confidence, how to answer, “what do you do?” in a way that makes people pay attention, and her lessons from the river that guide her work and her life. We also dive into burnout, imposter syndrome, personal branding, and why we need to rethink our Mondays.
If you’ve ever felt like your job no longer fits, or maybe that you’re running out of time to finally find a career that suits you, this conversation is for you.
Please enjoy, Alyx Parks.
Key Takeaways:
Links and Resources:
Alyx on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyxparks/
Alyx’s website: https://www.ontarioflygirl.com/
Alyx on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontarioflygirl/?hl=en
Alyx on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2DJldSE7hhQTU8rjNHeYw
Connect with Bob Mathers
Today we talk to Mike Michalowicz, bestselling author of Profit First, a revolutionary system implemented by over a million companies around the world to make profit a habit, not a year-end event. As Mike puts it, the entrepreneurial dream of working for yourself, working as much as you want, having complete freedom - it’s a myth for most people. Most business owners I know are stressed out, working their asses off and barely getting by. That was Mike too, so he decided to start writing about it. And that was 10 books ago.
So I’ve got a confession to make. This episode was a bit of a test, a challenge to myself. I was curious…can I make a conversation about finance interesting? What could we possibly say that hasn’t been said? Well, if you know Mike you know I had nothing to worry about. This was one of the most fun conversations I’ve ever had. Mike’s got a story for everything, including the financial rock bottom that inspired his new book, The Money Habit.
I’ve never been great with money, and I know I’ve left a lot of it on the table. As I near what most people call retirement, that’s starting to concern me more than it used to. But honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started. So sure, I could have used this conversation 20 years ago. But it’s also just what I need, right now.
If you’re struggling to make your business work for you, or maybe you want to hear about how someone writes 10 best selling books about something no one wants to talk about - this one’s for you.
Please enjoy, Mike Michalowicz.
Key Takeaways
Entrepreneurial Poverty is Real: Mike defines it as the painful gap between the outward appearance of success and the inner financial struggle many entrepreneurs face. His mission is to eradicate it.
Profit First Philosophy: Instead of treating profit as what’s left over, take it first. The formula changes from Revenue – Expenses = Profit to Revenue – Profit = Expenses. It’s a mindset—and a habit—that shifts everything.
Behavioral Triggers > Discipline: Mike shares how behavioral psychology plays a huge role in money management, and why creating systems (like putting sneakers on the toilet seat) work better than relying on willpower.
Multiple Bank Accounts = Clarity: Whether for your business or personal life, setting up separate bank accounts for different purposes helps remove emotion from financial decisions and creates instant visibility.
Your Business Shouldn’t Depend on You: The entrepreneur’s job isn’t to do the work, but to create jobs. If you're doing everything yourself, you’re stealing an opportunity from someone else—and setting yourself up for burnout.
Build Wealth at Home, Too: The Profit First system isn’t just for business. Mike adapted it for personal finances after realizing he was profitable in his company, but still living paycheck to paycheck at home.
The Power of Starting Small: Mike encourages listeners to take one simple step—open a new bank account and start moving money into it weekly for the thing that causes the most financial stress. That clarity creates momentum.
It’s Never Too Late: Whether you’re 25 or 55, building better financial habits now will absolutely change your future. As Mike says: “Profit is not an event. It’s a habit.”
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Links and Resources
Today we talk to Cindy Gallop, a big-wheeling ad exec from Manhattan that’s worked with the world’s largest brands. Business Insider named her one of the 15 Most Important Marketing Strategists, alongside Malcolm Gladwell and Seth Godin, and #1 on their list of Top 30 People In Advertising. She’s basically Don Draper from MadMen.
Cindy is known for blowing shit up, and her latest target? Sex. As an older woman who loves dating younger men, she was tired of teaching men that had grown up watching porn how real sex works. She launched Make Love Not Porn as a safe place where you can go to see real people having real sex ,in all its silly, messy, beautiful humanness. I’ve done my research and yes - it’s sweaty, saggy, awkward and it feels, well..doable. But it hasn’t been easy. She talks about the structural, cultural and financial obstacles she’s had to overcome, and how she’s used people’s skepticism to fuel her mantra - “I’ll fucking well show you.”
I was also dying to talk to Cindy about her life before MLNP because the things she’s done are exactly the things I struggle with every day. Cindy talks to us about our personal brand, and how to control what people are saying about us when we’re not in the room. She talks about the cure for ageism, and how we can build the confidence we need to do and say whatever we want, without worrying what anyone thinks.
Maybe you’re struggling to figure out your superpower. Maybe you’re concerned about your kids having a healthier relationship with sex. Or maybe you’re just tired of men asking if they can come on your face. Whatever it is, this episode is for you.
Please enjoy Cindy Gallop.
Key Takeaways
The “Michael Bay of Business”: Cindy’s tagline came from a spontaneous moment, but it stuck because it perfectly captured how she helps people and brands radically reinvent themselves by blowing up the status quo.
Finding Your Tagline: We all have a “default throwaway descriptor” — how others describe us when we’re not in the room. Cindy shares how to take ownership of that narrative to build a personal brand that truly reflects who you are.
Confidence Through Values: The key to confidence isn’t “finding your purpose,” it’s identifying your values and making sure you’re living in alignment with them — every day.
Curiosity Over Crisis: When you’re unsure about your next move in life or career, don’t chase a big purpose. Start by doing interesting things, following your curiosity, and letting the path unfold from there.
Say Your Age: Cindy is on a mission to combat ageism by loudly and proudly saying her age (65) — and encouraging others to do the same. Your age is the sum total of your wisdom, experience, and value.
Revolutionizing Sex Ed: Through Make Love Not Porn, Cindy is offering an alternative to porn-as-sex-ed by showcasing real-world, loving, consensual sex — and she’s now building MakeLoveNotPorn.academy to become the Khan Academy of sex education.
Why Men Are Crying (in a Good Way): Many men have written to Cindy saying they cried after watching their first Make Love Not Porn video. It’s a space where men can see vulnerability, intimacy, and emotional connection modeled in a way they’ve never seen before.
The Opposite of Andrew Tate: With Make Love Not Porn, Cindy is quietly dismantling toxic masculinity — showing young men a new model built on empathy, love, and real connection.
The Power of Doing What Everyone Else Says You Can’t: After 16 years of roadblocks from banks, tech platforms, and investors, Cindy is still here. Why? Because she’s fueled by a mission to prove them wrong — and to build a world that’s better for all of us.
Connect with Cindy
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This is a re-release of my original conversation with Greg Bennick from early 2024. It is simply too good not to share again. Greg is a punk rocker, activist, documentary filmmaker, philanthropist, keynote speaker, juggler and expert coin collector. He’s also written a book, “Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now.”
I could have talked to Greg for an hour about any one of these parts of his life - he’s got a way of making everything that interesting. We talk about Seattle’s teen dance ordinance, a real-life Footloose law that he helped overturn. We talk about how punk music is really just love songs. And we explore the central themes that tie all of his various pursuits together.
If you ever struggle with focusing on what matters, finding your purpose or trying to figure out what makes you special in this world - this conversation is for you.
Please enjoy Greg Bennick.
Key Takeaways:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Greg Bennick:
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Today we talk to Chelsea Burns —aka The Marketing Psychologist—about the connection between how our brains are wired and the brands we choose. Chelsea is uniquely qualified to talk about this - she has a Masters in Psych, has spent 17 years in marketing and has been in therapy most of her life.
So spoiler alert: most of the purchasing decisions we make, yeah we make them subconsciously. Savvy marketers know this, so we’re all vulnerable to being manipulated into buying things we don’t need. I have a drawer full of late-night Instagram purchases I’m too embarrassed to return. Chelsea shares real-life examples of some of these bad actors, and arms us with the brain science we need to protect ourselves.
But here’s the exciting part. We can use this knowledge for good.
As employees, we can build personal brands that create authentic connections with the people we work with.
As entrepreneurs, we can build ethical companies that give our customers a true sense of belonging, so they never want to leave.
This isn’t just a conversation for marketers. It’s for anyone who wants to be more conscious about the choices they make and the messages they put out into the world.
Please enjoy, Chelsea Burns
Takeaways
From Trauma to Trust: Chelsea shares how her early therapy work helped her understand the wiring of the brain—and how that same wiring shows up in marketing and branding.
Marketing Is Relationship-Building: Whether you’re selling education or granola bars, Chelsea explains how good marketing is really about building healthy, reciprocal relationships.
The Power of Self-Awareness: Only 5% of our decisions are conscious—Chelsea breaks down how emotional triggers and subconscious pathways shape what we buy and why.
Manipulation vs. Persuasion: The line gets crossed when there's no real value for the customer—especially when companies prey on insecurity, fear, or false urgency.
The Role of Belonging: Chelsea’s research showed that a strong sense of belonging increases well-being and business success. Brands that create belonging don’t just sell more—they change lives.
The Cost of Broken Trust: Chelsea unpacks how Target’s rollback of DEI efforts broke trust with values-driven customers (including her 9-year-old daughter), and why regaining that trust isn’t just about PR.
Ethical Branding Is the Future: Brands that invite instead of sell, co-create with their customers, and stay grounded in values are the ones that build lasting relationships—and loyal communities.
Practical Tools for Conscious Consumers: Chelsea recommends the Yuka app to help identify harmful ingredients in everyday products and encourages people to stay informed and curious.
Connect with Chelsea
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Originally recorded in the spring of 2024, my conversation with Sylvia Baffour stays with me every day. Sylvia is a keynote speaker on emotional intelligence and has worked with leaders in 460 major corporations to help them better connect with their teams and customers. She was voted one of the top 15 female inspirational speakers alongside Mel Robbins and Oprah.
Sylvia’s early journey was already unique and inspiring, but it was a chance meeting with writer and activist Dr. Maja Angelou that launched a life-long relationship that shaped her life.
We dig into what emotional intelligence is and what leaders need to do better if they really care about the culture they’re building.
But probably my favourite takeaway - the power of curiosity. How it’s the secret to making people feel heard and creating a lasting emotional imprint on those around you.
This conversation really stayed with me - one of my favourites so far.
Please enjoy, Sylvia Baffour.
Takeaways
Connect with Sylvia
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Today we talk to Chris Paul Rainbows, a storyteller, strategist and queer educator on a mission to make everyone feel like they belong.
Chris talks about growing up queer in a small border town, struggling with OCD and anxiety, building a successful company only to have a breakdown, and tearing it all apart to start over. We touch on PRIDE as a mix of celebration and rebellion, what it means to be an ally and how this is not the oppression olympics - we all have hard stories that make us who we are. And we need to embrace them to find our people.
But the best part is the stories - every one of them full of joy and hope. We’ve got a pumpkin empire, gay cakes, and a tortoise with a prolapsed butthole named Rock Hudson. If you’re ever struggled to find your voice, or need inspiration to chase a bigger life, Chris will make you believe anything is possible. Or maybe you just need some 100% joy in your life today.
Please enjoy, Chris Paul Rainbows.
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Takeaways
Links and Resources
Connect with Bob Mathers
Todd McTavish is a songwriter and it’s all he’s ever wanted to do. At 23, he left his small town home in Ontario and moved to LA. And at 53, he just signed his first record deal.
Todd’s an old school, rock and roll troubadour. The stories come fast and hard. He recorded a Christmas song with Billy Bob Thornton, had one of his songs played at the Superbowl and he owned a half bear, half wolf named Jazz who was an excellent judge of character.
But this isn’t about sex, drugs and rock and roll. It’s about having the courage to say yes. The music industry is a parable for life. It’s cruel and unfair, and it gave Todd a thousand really good reasons to quit. So how has he survived when so few others have? When an opportunity came up, no matter how crazy, he said yes.
As someone that tends to overthink things until I talk myself out of them, Todd’s journey inspired me. I could look back at the last 20 years of my life and wonder what could have been if I had said yes more often, but I don’t have time for that. What I refuse to do, is look back 10 years from now and wonder the same thing. What would Todd do? He’d say yes.
Please enjoy Todd McTavish.
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Takeaways
Connect with Todd
Judge Jackson (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2WkImSovdJRdvZ8lxn3JtH)
Todd McTavish (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0tjdZLND9lbsHcqWWXSPxo)
Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.
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Today we talk to Chris Hood — speaker, strategist, and author of Infallible, a book that challenges a lot of what we’ve been told about AI. And Chris should know - he’s spent his career working with companies on their digital strategies — from advertising in movie theaters to helping count votes for FOX on American Idol.
I’ve been avoiding talking about AI on the pod because honestly, I didn’t know what else there is to say. But Chris offers something new to the conversation I hadn’t heard before. First, he dispels some myths and suggests that where most people think we are with AI is actually 7 years away. And there is a huge gap between what companies are focused on and what consumers really want. And since we are the consumers, we have the power to decide how fast this moves. The truth is most consumers aren’t crazy about any of this, and Chris has great stories of companies that went too far too fast.
We also talk about what this convenience is costing us, how AI is making us lazy, how it borrows from social media to keep us addicted and why we need less Star Trek and more Columbo.
So what will AI never replace? Curiosity and connection. This conversation is a perfect example of that.
Please enjoy, Chris Hood.
Key Takeaways:
Links and Resources
Connect with Bob Mathers
In this re-released episode, we talk to Rob Carli, a multi-award-winning musician, producer and composer for film and television. Rob has had a storied career in music from his early days touring the country in an Econoline van to most recently co-founding the Awesome Music Project - a not-for-profit dedicated to delivering practical solutions to mental health through the transformative power of music.
It’s conversations like this one with Rob that are the reason I started this podcast. Rob is a giant in his industry, but he’s someone I would never come across in my work as a revenue coach with growing tech companies. The ideas we explored allow me to see my work and my life in a whole new light.
Rob and I talked about how we can all tap into our creative energy and how our best ideas always come from the most unlikely places. Yes, your first draft is going to suck but the most important thing in finding your voice is not judging your ideas, or allowing them to be judged. Rob shares stories of how chasing your curiosity is the key to re-inventing yourself throughout your career, taking you to places you’d never have planned for yourself.
Finally, Rob talks about what we’ve lost as technology has displaced rituals like cooking together and listening to live music. And what would Rob have done differently with the music in Oppenheimer?
Please enjoy, Rob Carli.
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Takeaways
For more information about Rob or to connect with him, check out these links:
Instagram: Awesome Music Project
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Today we talk to Karl Allen-Muncey - a tech innovator, motorcycle enthusiast and now a real-life Instagram influencer.
When I originally talked to Karl about being on the podcast, I wasn’t sure what we’d talk about. He’s a motorcycle guy who talks about throttle therapy and the mental health benefits of riding. I’ve never been on a motorcycle. I was always scared, I was never that cool.
But it turns out this conversation isn’t really about motorcycles at all. Karl was a big success in every way - fancy job working with huge companies, big house - he had it all. Then during the pandemic, all that fell apart. His marriage, his job - and with it, everything he thought he knew about himself.
So he started over. He did what so many of us long to do at some point in our lives. He took all his unique superpowers he’s amassed over his career, and point them in a new direction, something he really cares about. If you think this sounds like a fairy tale, it’s not. Karl is very honest about how painful this has been. He talks about his life being in pieces, and having to decide which parts to pick up and which ones to leave behind.
Now he’s an Instagram influencer - a middle-aged motorcycle dude in black leather, gray beard, baring his soul and being vulnerable about his mental health. And yeah, his audience is exploding.
So sure, if you like riding, you're going to love this. But maybe you're like me and you've never been on a bike. Maybe you think reinventing yourself is something only other people do.
This conversation will change that.
Please enjoy Karl Allen-Muncey.
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Key Takeaways:
Links and Resources
Karl on Instagram
Karl on LinkedIn
Connect with Bob Mathers
The Tragically Hip documentary, “No Dress Rehearsal” recently took home all 7 of the Canadian Screen Awards it was nominated for. We wanted to celebrate this incredible achievement by re-releasing our conversation from October with one of the film’s producers, Jake Gold.
Today I talk to Jake Gold, legendary manager of the Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip. Jake talks about the new film, No Dress Rehearsal, and the 4-year process of bringing The Hip’s raw, emotional story to life.
We go deep into Hip lore with stories that have never been heard before about some of The Hip's iconic songs, their appearance on SNL, touring with the Stones, and the final goodbye tour before Gord Downie's death in 2017.
Now I can’t sit here and pretend that this is just another podcast episode. The Hip has been my favorite band since they released their first album as I was turning 19. It’s no exaggeration to say they provided the soundtrack to my life. I hope you have an artist in your life that means that much to you, because then you can understand what it means to me to sit down with Jake and hear these stories.
But here’s the thing. The film and this conversation, it’s not really about a rock band. It’s about truth, friendship, family, tragedy and reconciliation. It’s also about the power of music and stories to bring us together.
Please enjoy, Jake Gold.
Key Takeaways:
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Resources:
Connect with Bob Mathers
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Today we talk to Greg Boyd — a father of three, a widower, a husband, and now an entrepreneur on a mission to help others live more intentional lives.
Greg shares the deeply personal story of losing his wife, Alison, to brain cancer in 2020. And yes, it’s a heartbreaking story. And yet, this isn’t a sad conversation - we laughed more than we cried. Greg talks about the storybook life he had before all this happened, and how he’s used his trauma to be a better dad, husband, friend - shit, just a better person. And he’s channelling his experience to start a new company with his wife, Whitney, to help people get off autopilot and live the life they’ve always wanted.
This is a conversation you will never forget. Whether you’ve had bad things happen to you, or maybe you haven’t yet - one thing is certain. They’re coming. And that’s not a dire view of the world. It’s life, and nobody gets through it unscathed. When the unexpected happens, you’re going to wake up. You’re going to realize how short life is. You’re going to want to make some changes to live the life you've always wanted. So the question is, why wait?
Or better yet, as Greg says, “What the fuck are you waiting for?”
Please enjoy, Greg Boyd.
Key Takeaways:
Links and Resources
Connect with Bob Mathers
Today we talk to PrettyLynne, and in case you hadn’t guessed - that’s not her real name. You see Lynne writes and records erotic fiction and for reasons we’ll get into, she’s asked that we keep her identity secret.
Lynne describes herself as a Gen Xer in her second act who stumbled into the world of erotic fiction during a period of personal transition. What she found was freedom, a creative outlet that has helped her reconnect with herself - and as it turns out, a growing audience of women and men also hungry for connection.
When I was introduced to Lynne through a mutual friend, I was excited to explore this idea that we all have sides of ourselves that we keep hidden for fear of what people will think. And yes, the opportunity to talk about this through the lens of soft porn, is one I could not pass up. But this conversation was so much more than that. I don't know what I was expecting - Letters to Penthouse from my youth (if you don’t know what this is, look it up but please - use Incognito mode). Much like Lynne’s writing, this conversation was beautiful, vulnerable and nuanced. Lynne opens up about how her writing has helped her better understand herself, be more confident and find a creative voice she had lost.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, like you have more to offer the world and you just need a place to start - this conversation is for you. As Lynne says - no feeling is final. Keep creating. Let yourself be surprised by what emerges.
Please enjoy, Pretty Lynne.
Links & Resources
PrettyLynne on Literotica: https://www.literotica.com/authors/Prettylynne
PrettyLynne on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Prettylynne23/
Connect with Bob Mathers
Key Takeaways:
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Today we talk to Kristi Falturosso, who is a Chief Customer Officer, a LinkedIn Influencer, and CS Strategist. She’s a very big deal. When I started this podcast, it was about talking to people from way outside my comfort zone, to talk about anything other than what I did for a living. And that hasn’t changed. But Kristi and I both work in very similar circles so this conversation was a bit of an experiment - what if two people who did the same thing for a living got together and talked about anything but work? What would we have in common? What could we learn about each other?
And it turns out it was one of the most vulnerable, thoughtful, and emotional conversations I've ever had. And it makes me wonder what I might be missing by staying in my lane, and the conversations I could be having with people if I were as brave as Kristi to talk about things we just never talk about.
Kristi talks about growing up on Long Island, losing her brother in a motorcycle accident, the pain she still carries from family trauma, her complicated relationship with alcohol and her journey with sobriety. We also explore the fragility of self-confidence, and the quiet courage it takes to completely be yourself online.
Full disclosure, the most memorable part of this conversation for me happened after we hung up. I sat in my chair, and cried. I can’t explain why. The closest I can come up with, is that it’s conversations like this I’ve been searching for.
Please enjoy, Kristi Faltorusso.
Key Takeaways
Links & Resources
Kristi’s “The Journey” Newsletter
Connect with Bob Mathers
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Today we talk to Stefanie Peachey, a therapist and mental health advocate about what’s been called, Trump anxiety. Whether it’s tariffs or rhetoric around Canada becoming the 51st state, Canadians are feeling betrayed, bullied and pissed off. And it’s taking a dramatic toll on our mental health.
I wanted to have this conversation because I have dear friends in the US, customers, and partners, and this is an elephant in the room I’ve been avoiding. I don’t even like having the conversation with my Canadian friends because it’s so emotionally charged. At work, we’re told never to talk politics, but here’s the thing - this is not a political issue. It’s deeply personal, and it affects everyone differently.
I’m recording this intro 4 days after Stefanie and I spoke, and there have already been 2 major changes in Trump’s position on tariffs. If you think things will calm down, it won’t. Nobody is coming to save us. The current chaos of the day will simply be replaced by something else because that’s what bullies do. Whether you like it or not, dealing with uncertainty and the anxiety people are feeling - is a core competency you need to build.
Stefanie gives us language for how we’re feeling and practical steps we can take to take back some control in our lives, and feel less powerless. We also talk about the power of collective experiences like concerts and sports that bring us together and remind us that we’re all better than this.
Please enjoy, Stefanie Peachey.
Key Takeaways
Links & Resources
Article: Trump, tariffs, stock market crash: Are politics and finances stressing you out?
Connect with Bob Mathers
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.
Today we talk to Drew Smith – a sailor, storyteller, and seeker who just completed a six-year voyage to the far side of the world on his 32-foot sailboat.
Drew set out to reach his antipode – the exact opposite point on Earth from where he was born. He’s got incredible stories, but the one that still haunts me is getting caught in a storm in 30 foot waves, 750 miles off the coast of Australia, in the middle of the night, all alone.
I grew up around boats and I could listen to Drew’s tales of nautical disaster for hours. There are so many takeaways from this conversation. But the most dramatic is this idea that not only can you spend your life consumed by these big goals that are never as satisfying as you think when you achieve them, but that you come back to a life, friends, a job that no longer fits. Everyone expects you to be the same person but you've changed. You don’t need to sail around the world for years to know what this feels like. If you’re working on yourself and sometimes feels weighted down by an old life that no longer serves you, you’ll love hearing how Drew is navigating his way back to a life that fits this new version of him. You’re never going to forget this conversation.
Batten down the hatches, and please enjoy, Drew Smith.
Key Takeaways
Links & Resources
Jordan Series Drogue - A storm safety device used in extreme offshore conditions.
Ze Frank’s “Earth Sandwich” Concept - The fun idea that inspired Drew’s Earth Sandwich celebration at his antipode.
Connect with Bob Mathers
Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.