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27. Dear White Women

I believe in the power of communication and conversation. And, I believe in the necessity of uncomfortable conversation. If we can breakdown walls, we can breakthrough with evolution. Besides, looking the other way is so 1990. Like fitness, you tear down the muscle (workout) for it to grow back stronger #itsscience.  On this cast I sit down with the founders and creators of the Dear White Women Podcast, Sara and Misasha, and we get our convo cardio in! These women are POWER PLAYERS. They are equal parts: drive, dedication, experience, and education… ½ white, ½ Asian… 100% influencers IRL. They are true bright lights leading us all to positive change. 

We are all products of our environments- social, cultural… digital norms. We have exposure to very different things. We have different conscious and unconscious bias. This cast is a beautiful love note encouraging us to pause for a moment and think about why we think a certain way and experience things the way we do? As our world and realities further blend (thankfully so), these are hard conversations that we need to have now for our future generations. It’s not about attack, blame, or guilt. It’s about conscious evolution and acknowledgment, thus allowing space, grace, and empathy for someone that experiences life on the daily different that you do.  Collectively, if we can understand one another further, we are one step closer to harmony…. A long way to go, but hope is on the horizon. 

Highlights

Questioning a better way. White women. All women. Everyone. Race and adults. Race and kids. Personal and professional experience, from Harvard to motherhood to the corporate world to podcasting. Our differences and our similarities. Being enough. Breaking outside of what we know and seeing what we don’t know. Teaching moments and learning curves.  Mission, understanding and unity. Communication for the greater good.

Sara Blanchard

Sara Blanchard helps communities build connections through conscious conversations, which she does as a podcaster, facilitator, TEDx speaker, writer, and happiness consultant. Having worked at Goldman Sachs and taught positive psychology at Harvard, Sara speaks the language of traditional accomplishment, but for over 10 years, Sarahas also pursued the science and techniques of well-being as a life coach, mother, and author of Flex Mom. In addition to emceeing events like the World Happiness Summit and facilitating meaningful panel discussions, Sara now co-hosts award-winning Dear White Women, a social justice podcast that highlights the humanity in the history, race, and happiness of the United States. 

Misasha Graham

Misasha Graham has spent her life attempting to bridge gaps, both professionally and personally, and foster understanding among groups of people.  Misasha is an accomplished attorney, specializing in intellectual property law and cross-border work with Asia, with over ten years spent at several international law firms honing these skills.  She is currently a Special Counsel at a Bay Area law firm, having stepped away from BigLaw to focus more on being present at home.  Misasha is also passionate about diversity, equality and inclusion in the practice of law as well as in her communities.  Besides being a Megaformer instructor, she is the proud mom of two very active young boys, and the co-host of the award-winning Dear White Women, a social justice podcast that highlights the humanity in the history, race, and happiness of the United States. 

Dear White Women

Sara & Misasha are the co-hosts of Dear White Women, an award-winning social justice podcast for busy people, who wish they knew more about race, happiness, history & current events in the United States. Their personal drive to leave this world a better place for their children became the impetus for this show, and each episode builds on their shared core beliefs in the humanity of all people, and that we rise by lifting others. 

In a nutshell: they are best friends who met decades ago when they were walking out of a racial identity conversation (they’re both half-White and half-Japanese) as undergraduates at Harvard.  Misasha is married to a Black man, is a lawyer, amateur historian, and Megaformer fitness coach; Sarais married to a White Canadian man, is a life coach, positive psychology aficionado, and happiness consultant. Together they have four very mixed-race school-aged boys and girls.  The podcast brings all these perspectives into consideration, as they dive into uncomfortable, informative conversations that help them – and listeners – know better and do better for themselves and the communities they’re in.

You can listen to their new episodes every Wednesday, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and anywhere you subscribe to podcasts.

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26. Hot Cup #1

HOT CUP…. it’s now a thing. Be ready.

This one is a little different! I sit down with two BFF’s to dig into some HOT topics and share our general opinions around whatever topic gets pulled out of the cup… and I mean WHATEVER topic. How it works: before the convo we each wrote down “topics to discuss” and then put them all in a cup. From there we each pull out a topic one by one and discuss. It can be anything from “if you could be any Disney prince, who would you be?” to “the last time you wore pearls” to “would you take your husbands’ last name”? Simple, ish… as you know we tangent like pros (you’re welcome) and we mix some heavy commentary (work place equality, tails of growing up, and more) alongside our lighthearted topical discussion…you know the drill. Turmeric AND Tequila:) I am not going to give too much more away here, but you should have a little mini ab workout by the conclusion of the cast. We go in… Hot Cup #2 coming soon.

Highlights

General shenanigans. Growing up and youthful experiences. Kanye vs. Taylor.  Gaston, don’t ever choose him for anything! Pearls and first cars. Integrity and workplace equality. Exposure to adult material. Gross pizza and gratitude for zero social media during our college experience. This is a fun one. Enjoy

Ashley Knight 

Ashley Simone Knight is an Esthetician, Model, and Colorado native. She started modeling when she was 20 and gained her experience in the growing Colorado market. She has been an Esthetician for the past 6 years and has recently evolved from working at various spas and salons to starting her own business. Ashley loves balance: Caring for others as a Skin Care Therapist, imparting all of the lessons she’s learned to others who are navigating life in her industries, as well as dancing and singing karaoke

@theashleysimone

@4youeyesonlyesthetics

@4youeyesonlyesthetics

Paula

Former D1 Collegiate athlete, Master’s Degree, and currently in education. She has coached women’s sports for 15+ years. Dog lover and outdoor enthusiasts!

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25. Influencers Under The Influence?

To drink or not to drink? In a social world (literally and digitally), alcohol is EVERYWHERE! You probably don’t even notice all things alcohol is involved with until you stop drinking- for the night, the year, or forever. You drink to celebrate, to mourn, to relax… there is even alcohol at church. When we know all the negative effects of alcohol, why do we not only drink it, but drink it alongside all the emotions of life? It’s a depressant! Is it culture or marketing or just plain social norms? As you know, I am a tequila fan and I love a libation or two:) and rarely say no to a good time. In addition, I am a lover of fitness and wellness- generally aiming to feel as good, healthy, and clear as I can. Hence, Turmeric and Tequila (the brand is authentic folks, the juxtaposition is real:). Many mornings after long party nights, waking up with a hangover and filing through receipts in my purse, I am not pumped about the costs around alcohol (energy, money, calories etc… #noregrets). Finding balance in work and play is a juggling act we all face one way or another and continuous self-check in points on all things that can get excessive, including fitness, wellness, and work, are necessary. 

On this cast, myself and longtime BFF, fellow entrepreneur, and fitness lover, Jessica Crow, rap about the impact of alcohol and discuss where the line is in balancing alcohol in our lives. We also touch on people who have given up alcohol or meat or anything that is “out of the norm” and how to support their decision to do so. Is the social influence so strong that it’s just easier to go with the flow? It can be, but hopefully this convo sheds a little light for those who are seeking balance with booze and/or have people in their lives that are non-drinkers. Proudly, Jessica and I are masters of fun AND love our health, family, and fitness… so on NEW YEAR’S EVE, we discuss the importance of balance. Cheers!

Highlights

Influencers under the Influence, The impact of alcohol. Memory lane back to kindergarten! Drinkers and non-drinkers. The social norms of drinking. Balance in all things. Excess. Your surroundings. Your normal. The things we tell ourselves. Partying, it’s fun. Be responsible. 

Jessica Crow

Jessica Crow is an entrepreneur, a wife, mom of two young boys, a former foster parent, current yoga teacher, a lifelong student, and creator of the M3™ wellness framework (movement, meditation, mindset).  Her mission is to “power transformation by empowering people” through expanded awareness and understanding, whether it’s in the workplace or at the individual level. 

Jessica is the founder of Apogy, an online training company for people who want to up-level their professional skill set and immediately add value in the workplace. Jessica started Apogy in 2019 after spending 15 years climbing the corporate ladder.  She attributes her career success in part to ongoing training and professional development, which gave her the necessary skills and confidence to perform as she took on new opportunities.  Jessica believes that access (time / money) to information should never be a limitation to advancement, and wants to make it easier for more people to acquire the skills they seek by providing high-quality, battle-tested training people can actually afford. 

Apogy also offers wellness awareness (M3™) and “conscious leadership” training to help people bridge the gap between human “doing” and human “being. As a former workaholic and “stress addict”, Jessica leverages M3 to maintain health, alleviate stress, and strengthen her connection to self / others.

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24. Spiritually Basic

Spiritually basic!? Naa, not at all, BUT all of the animals on my cards DID have blowouts- I can’t make this up:) 

Calling all witches, warlocks, scientists, and believers… this is a good one:). I am a strong believer in accountability, mostly from yourself, and then from the people/communities your respect the most around you. SO, I decided to have my cards read on air by longtime, friend, fellow CrossFitter, entrepreneur, and intuitive, Laura Mahony.  Nothing like hearing what’s in store live on air- SCARY! I wanted to see what is swirling in the universe for me- what is next… I am not sure?! Well, actually I know exactly and so do you as all answer are within. We already have the answers? Yup. That is a lot to actually grasp, hence I love readings, coaches, and anyone or thing else that can help you dial into you and your true wants, desires, and goals. I started this podcast quite simply because it was an easy way to seek, discuss, and share truth. Question a better way one gracefully disruptive convo at a time. This really wasn’t a biz angle or a marketing ploy, it is a platform for varsity humans to share their journey and their truths- thus far. The more casts I do, the more I fall in love with it. Completely unedited, heart and passion filled conversation stemming from love, experience, faith, and fun. It’s just so awesome. 

Many times, over the years I have put energy into some of the wrong things. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change one piece of it as I wouldn’t be where I am without it, but it has created a heavy consciousness around the energy spend now. I want to make sure and make sure again I am spending energy (time, money, and effort) on the right things. Of course I think this cast and many of the current projects are on point, but a little affirmation via cards never hurts… sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else:). The signs and answers really ARE all around us and we need to be continuously reminded of that, hence I keep Laura close! Enjoy this peak into my potential future, this cast, and me doing my fave cardio- following the heart #clichesfordays . If you are seeking a little guidance, I highly suggest you reach out to Laura, she is awesome and greatly gifted! Perspective is priceless, anything and all things are possible. Also, blowouts are imports- literally in all my cards. Even spiritually BASIC AYYE.

Highlights

My cards, my thoughts, my future. Full card reading around this podcast- and my general professional leaps. Spiritual awareness, signs, and animals with blowouts. Standing out of the crowd. Taking action and believing what is in front of you. Changing story. More blowouts, ponies, and unicorns. Balance, timing, intuition. Leaning into what you already know, faithfully. Break free from the pack and lead. Impact, our youth, and some hilarious jocks in between heavy cometary… aka Turmeric & Tequila. 

Laura Mahony

Laura  is an intuitive that combines different modalities to connect with spirit and to provide guidance and healing. Laura is also a portrait and commercial photographer. Laura uses natural light, studio lights, strobes, small flashes, ginormous lights, itty bitty lights, existing light, no light, and just about any kind of light she can get her hands on. Her style is playful, warm, and comfy, and she focuses on movement and relationships in her photos. Her photographs range from ethereal to dynamic and always portray the genuine and personal. Laura works with schools, political campaigns, famous people, not so famous people, businesses, professionals, people in Colorado, people outside of Colorado, and anyone who wants exceptional photographs. She feels privileged to capture each amazing slice of life. All sessions are held on location, whether natural light or other. All sessions are fun and playful, whether portrait or commercial.  Laura can be reached at www.thejapaneselantern.com or laura@thejapaneselantern.com

@thejapaneselantern

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23. Responding To The Responder

Rhonda Kelly, Founder of ResponderStrong and Director of Health, Wellness & Resilience for Global Medical Response… AND OG CF BF, joins me on this cast to dig into the lives of our first and emergency responders. 

First responders (definition) typically include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, firefighters, rescuers, and other trained members of organizations connected with this type of work.

Rhonda is where a wealth of education meets a wealth of experience- she has done, lived, and learned it A LOT, across several service careers, continents, and communities. It’s always refreshing to see people start initiatives, foundations, and business from heart space vs. potential capital gain (and I respect the biz person, as you know) and that is exactly what Rhonda did in establishing ResponderStrong. Rhonda shares her journey, career, and her mission to help not only save the lives of the first and emergency responders, but change the way the entire “service and responder industry” hires, maintains, manages, and protects their own. Mental health is a long overdue conversation that is thankfully, becoming more relevant and less stigmatized. Rhonda has seen this need for a focus on mental health for decades, particularly amongst our men and women of service, and that need is finally being recognized and things are being done about it- because of her and many change agents aka community influencers like her.  The occupational stress put on our first and emergency responders does not just impact them, but their families and communities as well. We cover a host of mental health and wellness topics and talk about what is going on right now to make it better and grow the conversation and awareness. There is great information for anyone in service… or anyone that has a brain:). While this convo is specific to responders- it’s great fuel for thought for everyone. It’s ok to not be ok. We all need more selfcare AND maintaining that self-awareness will prevent us all from slipping down an unnecessary, destructive path. People are out there, resources are out there, it matters, you matter, please reach out! 

Highlights

Mental health. The lives of first and emergency responders. Support vs. solution. Wanting to help people, but not having the agency to do so. Disputing the disruptive cycle. Self-care. Childhood trauma to adulthood drama. Mind flexibility. Universe speaking, Rhonda following! Maslow’s Hierarchy. Misunderstood human behavior. Occupational stress. Impact. Take care of yourself, take care of the world. The resources out there to help!

Rhonda Kelly:

Founder ResponderStrong and Director of Health, Wellness & Resilience for Global Medical Response

Rhonda has led a varied life as an oceanographer, firefighter/paramedic, and psych ER nurse among other pursuits. Several years ago, she guided her interest in emergency responder mental health into the creation of ResponderStrong, an initiative aimed at improving mental health supports for responders and their families. Most recently, she has returned to her broader passion of overall wellness and is developing a program encompassing nutrition, sleep, movement and mindset to help emergency medical personnel lead their best lives. Rhonda is an ardent believer in the power and synergy of collaboration to solve big issues. 

ResponderStrong:

The mental, emotional and physical impacts of emergency response work can compromise our ability to be there for our brothers and sisters in uniform, to be engaged with our families, and to protect our communities.  Founded at the National Mental Health Innovation Center of the University of Colorado Anschutz, ResponderStrong is a collaboration between emergency responders and their advocates. Our mission is to improve mental health supports for emergency responders and their families through joint focuses on intervention and prevention. Our site serves as a resource map for responder-informed crisis and clinical services as well as easily accessible educational content and tools for responders, their families, their leaders and the clinicians who work with them. ResponderStrong has also created custom educational content regarding relationships, stress management, and resiliency in response to community needs assessments.

ResponderStrong Facebook

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22. Naval Academy “Fails” Blaze Successful Life Long Leadership Trails

The first cast of 2020 and we are coming in HOT! SO appreciate this cast as Tim shares a detailed journey thus far from being a high school water polo stud, scouts honor (he was a Boy Scout too:), to him chasing the drive to serve which eventually lands him at the Naval Academy. The Naval Academy is not only one of the toughest schools to get into, it’s one of the toughest to stay at… and he pushed his luck, just enough to learn some lifelong lessons that have helped him in his most successful pursuits today. If you have ever wondered what it takes for a young person to make such a commitment, this is a good cast to listen to. It might not provide all the direct answers, but it will provide insight to a young ambitious mind seeking something beyond themselves. Perhaps a great reminder for us all to get back in touch with our young selves, our thoughts, dreams, hopes, and early life lessons. Remember when you thought you could do anything? Back to that.

It is as if every challenge presented in your life was a planned step for the next larger play, one that you don’t even know yet- but subconsciously seek. Who knew? Well, anyone that has failed and thought that it didn’t work out, only to give it some time, look back and see that it did. Every fail leads to success if you can keep you vision clear and helmet on, we are here for long game folks. Larger order in motion, keep the faith. AKA, negatives can be positives if you so choose, it’s not what happens, it’s how we react. 

Highlights

Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react. Voting for different parties, but having the same core values. PATRIOTISM. Your smart, authentic, 18-year-old self. Stereotypes. Influencers and early mentors. NASA as a neighbor and Beyoncé as a home town hero. Continuous life lessons of not being enough, only to make the choice to be more. Choosing your own destiny and rising to the challenge. 9/11. The call to serve. The balance or work and play. 

Tim Tacl (his words:):

If you want some pre-academy stuff I can talk about water polo & swimming varsity all 4 years of High School. Beach Lifeguard as a High School job (6+ rescues NBD) 😉 the attraction to serving our nation and 9/11 being a catalyst….

@hyperlite8

Spire Financial

Tim Tacl

After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, I served as an Officer in the Navy for just over six years. When it came time to leave the service I sought out an industry, and more importantly a company, that aligned well with the traits and values I gained during that time. I joined The Spire Team at AmeriFirst Financial Inc. because it is truly a family environment centered on providing our clients with the best service in the industry. I’m proud to be a part of such a great team and in a career that I can still continue to be a resource to the community around me.