Episode Summary Leadership isn’t about titles, charisma, or being the loudest voice in the room. According to Dr. Matt Kutz — professor, Fulbright scholar, organizational coach, and author of Becoming Epic — leadership begins with learning to lead yourself. In this raw, energizing conversation, Matt challenges the watered-down pop-culture version of “everyone’s a leader” and explains why true leadership demands excellence, contextual intelligence, and self-compassion. He shares how chaos can actually be the doorway to your potential, why perfection kills growth, and why iteration—not talent—is what makes someone excellent. Matt tells the personal story of how a shocking prostate cancer diagnosis forced him to stop, rethink, and write the book he’s always wanted to write. From navigating chaos to cultivating excellence through small courageous actions, this episode offers a practical roadmap for becoming someone who leads with purpose — whether that’s at work, at home, or within yourself. If you’ve been feeling stuck, mediocre, or waiting for the “perfect time,” this one will wake you up. Show Notes  00:00 – The Enemy of ExcellenceMatt explains why perfection is the enemy and why excellence requires iteration: “You have to try, fail, try, fail, redo, redo, redo.”  01:30 – Everyone Thinks They're a LeaderWhy society’s “everyone is a leader” message creates a leadership vacuum.  05:00 – Leadership as a Disappearing ActCultural bias against standing out — the “tallest poppy gets cut down.”  06:30 – Contextual IntelligenceThe leadership skill most people ignore: shifting styles based on the environment.  09:45 – Chaos as a Package for PotentialMatt: “Chaos is often the package that your potential arrives in.”  13:30 – Excellence, Perception, Inspiration, Compassion (EPIC)The 4-part framework of Matt’s new book.  21:00 – Mediocrity as a Social PandemicWhy we embrace “the middle” rather than risk failure.  36:30 – Cancer, Chaos & Writing the BookMatt shares the prostate cancer diagnosis that forced stillness and sparked creativity.  55:00 – The 3D Thinking ModelHow hindsight + insight + foresight = powerful decision-making.   Resources / Links Book (pre-order): Becoming Epic — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and major retailers Website: Home - matthewkutz

Episode Summary Award-winning journalist and novelist John DeDakis joins A Joyful Rebellion to talk about the craft—and catharsis—of writing. From getting tear-gassed in the middle of an anti-war riot during his college days to serving two decades as a White House correspondent and CNN senior editor, John’s 45-year journalism career shaped both his worldview and his fiction. Now, as the author of six political thrillers and a writing coach, he channels those experiences into stories that explore grief, truth, and the resilience of the human spirit. In this conversation, host James Walters and John dive into the evolution of media bias, the emotional cost of news work, and how personal loss informed John’s writing. They discuss his process of creating authentic female protagonists, navigating rejection, and using storytelling as a path toward healing. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a lifelong reader, this episode reminds us that sometimes the best way to understand the world—or ourselves—is to write it down.   Show Notes and Chapters [00:00–02:00] Introduction — Tear gas and the birth of a journalist [02:00–07:00] Early reporting days and first paying gig [07:00–11:00] White House years, Alfred Hitchcock, and lessons from Reagan’s press room [11:00–13:00] Fiction that mirrors reality — when thrillers predict politics [13:00–16:00] Journalism, bias, and truth in the age of disinformation [16:00–20:00] The turning point — grief, burnout, and leaving CNN [20:00–25:00] Writing as healing: turning loss into narrative [25:00–29:00] Empathy, emotion, and writing from a female perspective [29:00–34:00] The creative partnership with his wife Cindy and how “Enemy’s Domestic” was born [34:00–42:00] Writing across differences — empathy, voice, and representation [42:00–49:00] Rejection, perseverance, and the evolving publishing world [49:00–52:00] Why writer’s conferences matter and finding your people [52:00–53:00] John’s advice to anyone with a story to tell: Just write. Resources John DeDakis Official Website: johndedakis.com Book: Enemies Domestic (Grand Prize, Santa Clue Award) Newsletter/Essays: Letters from the Road by historian Heather Cox Richardson Organization: American Forces Radio and Television Network

Episode Summary When his marriage ended and his life unraveled, Melbourne-based entrepreneur Wes Towers found himself sleeping under his desk—emotionally exhausted and completely untethered. What followed wasn’t an overnight transformation but a two-year process of unlearning, rebuilding, and rediscovering what joy actually feels like. In this raw and human conversation, Wes and James unpack what it means to remove the masks we wear, confront our own chaos, and start over from the inside out. From therapy and breathwork to cold plunges, plant medicine, and real friendships, Wes shares how simple, consistent practices reshaped not just his mental health but his entire business and identity. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a version of yourself that no longer fits, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to rebuild—and that peace often starts with something as simple as taking a deep breath. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] – Introduction: When storytelling and self-awareness overlap[00:02] – Wes’s crisis: losing his marriage and identity[00:04] – Compartmentalizing emotions and “performing through pain”[00:06] – The friend who told the hard truth[00:07] – Therapy, breathwork, and micro-habits that changed everything[00:10] – What breathwork really does—and why driven people resist it[00:12] – Cold plunges, breath cycles, and body reset[00:14] – Letting go of who you were “supposed to be”[00:16] – Deconstructing belief systems and early conditioning[00:18] – Building new habits, structure, and emotional tools[00:21] – Growth without changing careers—how inner work transformed his business[00:24] – Exploring plant medicine as emotional rewiring[00:27] – The vision that helped him forgive and heal[00:28] – Friendship, brotherhood, and rebuilding community[00:32] – Business success through balance and humanity[00:38] – AI, storytelling, and staying human[00:40] – Final reflections and where to connect with Wes   Resources Wes Towers’ website: uplift360.com.au Connect with Wes on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/westowers Wim Hof Method (breathwork reference) Box Breathing technique (as discussed)    

Episode Summary Creativity isn’t a lightning strike—it’s a practice. In this candid conversation, songwriter–novelist–systems thinker Mark Firehammer unpacks why creativity is a habit you can train, and how treating it like a system beats waiting for the muse. We get the backstory of his new novel The Echo and the Voice (published under a pen name that honors his mother’s Swedish family), and the companion album he produced with AI to mirror the protagonist’s awakening—two mediums pointing back to each other to help readers reclaim a silenced voice. Mark shares industry war stories (serving lunches in Sony’s boardroom, seeing artists reduced to “commodities”), the craft lessons he got from Songwriters Guild president George David Weiss, and why the best art reflects what’s the same in us—what makes us laugh, cry, and lean in. Then we pivot into feeln️ess, his body-first alternative to traditional fitness: nine everyday movements that restored his mobility and joy in his 60s without chasing aesthetics or gym culture. We close with a simple assignment: make a seven-day list of what you loved as a kid, and do one item every day for 30 days. If your voice has gone quiet—or your body feels stuck—this episode is a roadmap back.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Cold open: “Creativity isn’t magic—it’s a habit you can train.” [03:00] Creativity as muscle + habit; why systems beat chaos. [07:00] The pen name that honors his mother’s Swedish lineage—and why “Firehammer” felt too aggressive for the work. [09:00] Reading the book’s premise: Jonas Wilder, culture’s “flattening,” and the cost of trading truth for belonging. [11:00] AI as bandmate: iterative production to match the song “exactly” as heard in his head; book↔album loop. [20:00] Jonas’s father as metaphor for culture; learning to question everything while finding “the window.” [25:00] New York in the ’90s: Sony boardroom, the commodity conversation, and choosing art over industry. [30:00] Craft lessons from George David Weiss; structure serves story (chorus first, bridges only if there’s something to cross). [33:00] Favorite story-songs: Harry Chapin’s “Mr. Tanner,” Eagles classics, Dan Fogelberg deep cuts—why place + people endure. [45:00] Feeln️ess origin: from “oof” at 58 to pain-free at 62; natural systems > artificial ideals. [48:00] The nine daily tasks (bed/floor, chair, reach, bend, rotate, etc.) and 20 minutes/day to restore function. [55:00] Blue Zones inspiration; designing a low-to-the-floor home that keeps you moving. [57:00] Homework: list what you loved as a kid; do one item daily for 30 days—awareness → action → joy. Resources Novel: The Echo and the Voice (published under a pen name honoring his mother’s family). Companion Album: AI-assisted soundtrack sequenced to “wake you up.” Feeln️ess: Nine natural movements for lifelong mobility (Mark’s framework).

Episode Summary  We’re taught to chase the feeling of love, then panic when the feeling fades. In this wide-open conversation, Christian de la Huerta—spiritual teacher, TEDx speaker, and author of Conscious Love—draws a clean line between worldly (ego) power and soulful (inner) power, and why confusing the two makes us abandon ourselves in relationships. We unpack how early conditioning around power and emotions trains us to say “yes” when our body is screaming “no,” why men are taught to suppress feelings (and pay for it in mental and physical health), and the hard truth that love is an act, not a feeling—especially when the honeymoon ends. Christian shares the personal journey from adolescent depression and religious conflict to an unshakeable sense of self, plus practical ways to stop playing small: name what you want, set clear boundaries, and learn to feel and communicate emotions responsibly. If you’ve ever floated through life on autopilot or handed your power to circumstance, this episode is your nudge to become the author of your own story—on purpose. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Cold open: “Love is the act, not the feeling”—and why the real work starts after the honeymoon. [02:00] From depression and self-loathing to an unshakeable sense of self. [03:30] Power isn’t the problem—our confusion is (worldly vs. soulful power). [06:00] How we give our power away: saying yes when it’s a no; settling for crumbs. [09:00] Faith, identity, and the existential questions that won’t be outrun. [12:00] Everyday examples of power leaks in work and love—and how patterns form. [15:00] Fear of being hurt → sabotaging relationships before they start. [20:00] Boundaries without bravado: expressing truth calmly and clearly. [30:00] Women’s empowerment, men’s crisis, and redefining “provider.” [35:00] Emotions aren’t weakness: feel → express responsibly → return to center. [38:00] Ten relationship challenges and why “completion” thinking breaks love. [42:30] The Scott Peck reframe: love as action; spiritual growth over comfort. Resources Mentioned Book: Conscious Love: Transforming Our Relationship to Relationships — Christian de la Huerta. Website: Soul Healing & Self Discovery | Soulful Power (programs, books, contact).    

Episode Summary Most people try to fix money with tactics—budgets, scripts, spreadsheets. Morgana Rae argues the real block isn’t financial; it’s emotional. In this conversation, Morgana shares how a 2003 rock-bottom moment led her to personify money as a “monster”—then destroy it and build a new, loving relationship with “Money Honey.” That shift turned a lifetime of doing “all the right things” with no results into a repeatable framework she calls Financial Alchemy. We walk through her six steps: uncovering root wounds (unlovable, unsafe, unworthy), giving them form, annihilating the monster, meeting a love-based Money Honey, dialoguing for guidance, and taking a concrete, measurable action—today. Along the way: why change happens at the speed of safety, how the subconscious answers after you journal (often in the shower or car), and client stories that range from first five-figure days to seven-figure turnarounds. Morgana also tells the “29 weddings in 29 countries (to the same husband)” story, the cathedral moment in Puerto Vallarta, and why she believes victim experiences are sacred fuel for evolution—not shame. If spreadsheets never changed your life, this reframe just might. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] “The monster isn’t about money”—what money represents (love, value, safety, power). [03:00] 29 weddings / 29 countries (to the same partner) + the Puerto Vallarta cathedral story. [11:00] Grief is love; money reflects our experience of being loved/safe/valued. [12:30] Rock bottom: doing all the things, still broke; the sales-objection class fail. [16:00] The turning point: “If money were a person, who would it be?” → the biker “Money Monster.” [20:00] Why the monster must hold everything you don’t want (unlovable/unsafe/unworthy). [25:00] Slaying the monster → meeting “Money Honey” (love-based, values-aligned). [30:00] First dialogue: “What do you need from me to allow you to be with me?” (love ≠ worship). [33:00] Immediate results: charging cleanly, clients enroll at double prior rates. [36:00] Why breakthroughs can be fast: pressure behind the wall; safety unlocks flow. [40:00] Universal patterns: inheritance chaos, guilt/shame, “too much/too little” money. [41:00] Six Steps overview: root cause → monster → annihilate → Money Honey → dialogue → action. [54:00] Step 6 in practice: the action is often not “businessy” (Paris with the kid; ice-skating). [57:00] When stuck, ask: “What do I need to learn here to let go of this struggle?” [66:00] Closing: your “victim” experiences are sacred—use them to build a monster worth destroying. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Book: Financial Alchemy: 12 Months of Magic & Manifestation — by Morgana Rae. Website: Make money fall in love with you for Abundance and Prosperity (programs, stories, downloads).  

Episode Summary Baker by day, medium by night, Kate Branagh treats the spirit world like a conversation—not a performance. From a first dorm-room visitation in New York to a Massachusetts guesthouse where an enslaved woman kept shouting “Get out,” Kate shares how she learned to listen, set boundaries, and deliver what people need—not always what they want. Her prep is practical and protective: Epsom-salt baths, a spoken filter (“messages of love and light only”), calling in guides, and jotting names, faces, and symbols before a FaceTime reading. She can’t conjure on demand, and she won’t promise lottery numbers; instead, her readings lean therapeutic—apologies, clarity, encouragement to trust your own instincts. Highlights include a family validation that shook a skeptic, the “hell house” on her walking route with footsteps on the stairs, and a live moment where a Boy Scout–connected spirit briefly steps forward for James. Kate’s core metaphor—everyone is a radio; some pick up more stations than others—invites curiosity without dogma. If you’re cautious but curious, this episode offers discernment, ethics, and a grounded look at what “spooky” can look like in ordinary life.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Set-up at Fuquay Mineral Springs Inn; how Kate and Liz Purdue connected; the “spookiest month.” [03:30] Stick Boy bakery → “Are you spooky?” friendship; why Kate doesn’t lead with “I’m a medium.” [06:00] The Alzheimer’s validation: “Daisy” turns out to have Alzheimer’s—weeks later. [08:00] How messages arrive: mind’s eye, mind’s ear, images/words vs. physical phenomena. [10:30] First big encounter at 21: dorm-room man; grandmother’s visit; handwritten notes that stunned an uncle. [15:00] Empath overload and uninvited scenes; learning to ground and protect energy. [16:00] Massachusetts guesthouse: enslaved woman, “Get out,” recurring dream match from a resident. [21:00] What readings are/aren’t: no conjuring, no guarantees; why messages skew therapeutic. [23:30] Autonomy matters: you won’t always get answers—you’ll get what moves your life forward. [24:30] Ritual: Epsom-salt bath, “love & light only,” call in guides, pre-notes, then FaceTime. [25:30] The puzzle method: conversational validation to assemble the message; imposter-syndrome moments. [28:30] On over-reliance: “They already told you.” Why spirit gets quiet if you ring the bell too often. [33:00] The Margaret story: persistent spirit → genealogy check → exact match (singer/dancer; lung cancer). [36:00] Dark stuff? Boundaries, force-field imagery, and keeping it across the street. [37:00] The “hell house”: shotgun on the stairs, periwinkle dress, footsteps at night corroborated by locals. [40:00] “Everyone’s a radio”: why some pick up more stations; James as open-minded/logic-leaning. [48:00] What people get wrong: fear, judgment, and Kate’s view of “hell” as self-imposed stuckness. [47:30 & 50:00] How to book; purpose of the work: connection, curiosity, and living more honestly. Resources Mentioned Kate on Instagram: @spookytimekate (DM to inquire/book readings). Fuquay Mineral Springs Inn / Pauline’s garden (setting; mentioned during recording). Liz Purdue’s haunted tour/book

Episode Summary Former Fortune 100 exec turned award-winning thriller author Guy Morris writes high-octane fiction that doubles as a field guide to the near future. After leaving home at 13, working his way from janitor to software architect, and spending decades at the edge of enterprise tech, Guy now uses story to connect dots most people never see—across AI, geopolitics, and faith. His “Snow Chronicle” series grew from a real AP report about a program that “escaped” a U.S. lab—an obsession that led to a hit web series and a surprise visit from the FBI. That night? “Best ever,” he laughs. In this conversation, Guy explains why AI is neither evil nor benign—it amplifies who we are—and why the future we get depends less on code than on character. We dig into conscious AI timelines (quantum + neuromorphic computing), lethal autonomous weapons, and the three reasons this tech inflection is unlike anything before. We also talk personal reinvention, complex PTSD, and why he writes courageous, witty, flawed characters who refuse to be victims. If you want a smarter kind of rebellion—one that sharpens your mind and expands your moral imagination—this one’s for you. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Cold open: “AI is neither evil nor benign; it reflects who we are.” [03:00] How he writes: fun, compelling, non-dystopic—and thought-provoking for weeks after. [05:00] Backstory: runaway at 13 → father at 20 → four degrees → models that beat the Fed. [11:30] From Microsoft burnout to a “third-act” career as an author. [17:00] The AP article about a program that “escaped” — and the FBI at his door. [22:00] The Snow Chronicle: Sylvia, mini black holes, 5th-dimension physics, and The Image. [26:00] Core thesis: don’t fear the image; fear the beast it reflects. [29:00] Conscious AI by ~2027–2030? Quantum + neuromorphic + multimodality. [32:00] Utopia vs. dystopia isn’t tech—it’s people, policy, and power. [49:00] Three unprecedented risks: smarter-than-us, self-replicating, and lethal autonomy. [53:00] Where to buy (and why): author-signed copies at Guy Morris Books -Intelligent Action-Thrillers Resource/s Guy’s site/store: http://guymorrisbooks.com (author-signed copies)

Episode Summary When a study showed that only 3.4% of children’s books feature a disabled protagonist, psychiatric nurse and educator T.L. McCoy realized the story her granddaughter needed didn’t exist—and decided to write it. Her middle-grade fantasy, Delilah vs. the Ghastly Grim, follows a 12-year-old with a life-threatening seizure disorder who’s pulled through an “indigo door” into a parallel world mid-seizure—then trapped there when doctors induce a coma back on Earth. The quest isn’t to “fix” her; it’s to live, choose, and become. We unpack why inclusion (not just representation) matters, how to tell the truth about disability without preaching, and what it takes to bring an indie book to market at a professional level (30 self-edits, two pro editors—including The Hunger Games editor—and award-winning cover art). Teal shares the early reception from schools, Boston Children’s Hospital’s epilepsy unit, neurodivergent readers—and adults who see themselves in the story’s themes of belonging. If you’ve ever been told “stay in your lane,” this is a blueprint for building your own road. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] “Sometimes we need to make people uncomfortable” — why discomfort drives change. [01:00] Dravet syndrome explained; why Delilah needed a mirror in fiction. [04:00] The 3.4% stat and the decision to write the book herself. [06:30] Don’t let others decide your life: the counselor, nursing, and coming back stronger. [11:00] Building an imprint: why she self-published and how she kept the bar high (pro edits, cover). [14:00] Plot mechanics: the indigo door, Othersphere, and the medically induced coma. [17:00] Reception: schools, hospital units, neurodivergent readers—and adults who relate. [20:00] Who it’s for: middle grade sweet spot, “goosebumps”-level scary, Easter eggs (3-6-9, Daredevil). [26:00] Inviting other authors; what Blue Round is looking for. [27:00] Progress over perfection: what better inclusion would look like. [31:00] Delilah’s real-life progress; spectrum realities; therapy cadence. [40:00] Craft advice: collaborate with lived experience; research for authenticity. [49:00] Indie realities: POD, marketing grind, timelines, and professionalizing your draft. Resources Book: Delilah vs. the Ghastly Grim — T.L. McCoy Imprint / Contact: Elevate Your Story with Blue Round Book Group, LLC | Blue Round Book Group, LLC (submissions, services, updates)  

Episode Summary At 17, Susan Snow’s father—a Los Angeles robbery–homicide detective—was assassinated while picking up her younger brother from school. Overnight, her life became sirens, cameras, and a brave face that hid years of panic and hyper-vigilance. The first therapist told her she was “fine.” She wasn’t. A decade later, the Columbine shooting triggered flashbacks and a spiral that finally led to a trauma-informed clinician who named it: PTSD—not a moral failing, not something you “get over,” something you learn to manage. In this episode, Susan shares the long arc from shock to strength: choosing safe providers, setting boundaries with media and people, regulating a fried nervous system, and repairing relationships through honest conversation and accountability. Writing her memoir, The Other Side of the Gun, became both a reckoning and a roadmap—for her family and for anyone living in trauma’s wake. This one is practical, steady, and fiercely hopeful: you can’t change what happened, but you can change how you live with it. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Cold open: “Taking your power back” — why naming trauma matters [02:00] 1985: the call, the school lot, and the moment everything changed [06:30] Media glare, armed guards, and the mask of strength [10:30] “You’re fine”: when therapy misses trauma [15:30] Denver & Columbine: flashbacks, panic, and the wake-up call [19:30] “This is PTSD”: validation, vocabulary, and first tools [24:00] Boundaries that heal: news limits, safe people, body-based regulation [30:00] Repairing at home: hard conversations, apologies, accountability [36:00] Writing the book: timelines, memory, and telling the whole story [42:00] Purpose & service: coaching, speaking, and modeling mental health [46:00] Closing: it’s a marathon—how to keep going without burning out Resources Book: The Other Side of the Gun: My Journey from Trauma to Resiliency (print, Kindle, audiobook) Site: Susan Snow Speaks — speaking, coaching, contact & discovery call  

Episode Summary What if the voice that saves your life is your own? In this deeply human conversation, writer and coach David Alan Brown traces the slow erosion of self that came from always being “the good one”—the supportive partner, the present dad, the dependable friend—until one pandemic night he drove in circles, ideating, and realized he needed help. Therapy, awareness, and a surprising validation—“anger is the appropriate reaction here”—reopened his emotional life. From there, David rebuilt with a simple framework: cultivate awareness, honor emotion (without judgment), and take aligned action. That framework became Convergence, his program for weaving three voices—instinct/emotion, active intellect, and a higher-power “I got you” presence—into one integrated way of living. We dig into functional depression, the gifts inside every feeling (“the gift of anger is motivation”), and how to move from autopilot to authorship—on purpose, one step at a time. If you’ve been drifting through your own story, this episode hands the pen back to you.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Cold open + premise: “Find the simple thing that helps you remember you are worthy…” [02:30] Author your life: handing the pen to others vs. taking it back (James & David) [05:00] Backstory → “good guy” identity; slow self-erasure by helpfulness and humility [10:00] Functional depression as numbness; the lyric that revealed “I haven’t felt anything” [11:30] Pandemic triggers; late-night drive and suicidal ideation; choosing to tell the truth in therapy [20:00] Relearning feelings without judgment; “anger is appropriate” + the gifts inside emotion [29:30] The return of the third voice: “I got you” (story of his son + the inner voice) [31:00] Convergence framework: emotion ↔ action ↔ higher-power integration (Venn lens) [39:00] Building the program with community conversations; who it helps most [43:30] What it’s like to work the program: tools, community, authenticity, love in action [48:00] Writing the memoir as unflinching self-inventory; why he knows what he knows [51:30] Big life bet: moving to NYC with faith and practices intact [53:30] Close: worthiness, simple mantras, one step at a time Resources Website: home Program: Convergence (details via website/contact)

Episode Summary In middle school, Laura Bratton looked up at the blackboard and the words had disappeared. A rare retinal disease began taking her sight piece by piece—with no timeline, no roadmap, and no way to “prepare.” What followed was denial, panic attacks, and a daily apprenticeship in grit. With parents who refused to lower the bar (see the now-famous dishwasher story), Laura learned to take life inch by inch: get up, get dressed, get to school—win the day. Later, a guide dog in San Francisco became her first big “I can” moment. In this conversation, Laura reframes two ideas most people get wrong: grief and gratitude. Grief isn’t failure; it’s fuel for grit. And gratitude isn’t loving your trauma—it’s appreciating what helps you navigate it (hello, guide dogs, Siri, and Alexa). Laura shares practical coaching cues for agency (“What’s one step today—one call, one email?”) and leaves listeners with a simple charge for any identity shift: give yourself compassion, then take the first step forward.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Gratitude clarified: not for trauma, but for what helps you navigate it (yes, Siri/Alexa). [01:00] The geography-class moment: the blackboard goes blurry; life tilts. [05:00] Denial → “I can’t do this” → anxiety and depression. [08:30] “Inch by inch”: parents’ day-by-day mantra. [10:00] The dishwasher story: standards stay high; victim identity denied. [14:00] First guide dog in San Francisco: choosing to embody grit. [16:30] Identity + grief: permission to grieve and move forward at once. [21:00] Coaching others: acknowledge loss, then ask for one step today. [31:00] “Grief fuels grit”: holding both at the same time. [32:00] Gratitude practice: three specifics per day, no repeats; the mindset shift. [36:00] Myths: gratitude ≠ forced happiness; keep it embodied, not rote. [38:00] Agency: you can’t control circumstances, but you can control response. [40:00] Core message: “You are still enough” through any identity change. [41:00] Where to find Laura & her work: Laura Bratton | Keynote Speaker . [43:00] Final charge: self-compassion first, then one courageous step. Resources Book: Harnessing Courage: Overcoming Adversity with Grit and Gratitude — Laura Bratton. Speaking/Coaching: Laura Bratton | Keynote Speaker (contact, programs, book info).

Episode Summary What if the feeling you can’t explain is actually the clearest voice you have? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, intuition coach and speaker Anna Quigley breaks down how to recognize, trust, and train your inner guidance—especially in midlife. Anna shares the surprising “shopping test” that convinced her intuition was real (complete with a last-minute nudge to “just ask”), the freeway vs. back-road detour that saved her 30 minutes, and why she believes midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a calling. We dig into the difference between intuition and emotion, why the rational mind can act like a “bully,” and practical ways to create the calm your intuition needs to be heard: two quiet minutes in the car, time in nature, water, yoga, meditation, even a simple tracking sheet to gather “evidence” you can trust. You’ll also learn how intuition shows up—gut feelings, a quiet inner voice, “thin slicing” certainty, and repeating cues—plus questions to rediscover what you loved before life got noisy. This is a gentle, actionable roadmap from distraction to discernment.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Opening: “Have you ever had a hunch so strong it felt like more than a feeling?” [02:00] Why intuition (not “woo-woo”)—Anna’s origin story and early seeking [04:00] The “shopping test” & the inner nudge to “just ask” (it worked) [06:00] Leaving a beloved but toxic job; realizing “it’s my time” [07:00] Midlife crisis as calling; what second-act purpose looks like [12:00] The practice of calm: meditation, yoga, nature, water; turning down the rational mind [13:00] The rational mind as “bully”; emotion vs. intuition (discernment) [16:00] Ideas in motion: a scientist’s best insights while running at Torrey Pines [18:00] The freeway/back-road story: ignoring guidance = 30 minutes of construction [20:00] Client win: “dig a little deeper”—the job that became five times bigger [22:00] How to build trust: use a tracking sheet; notice patterns & results [24:00] How intuition shows up: gut, chills, inner voice, “thin slicing,” repeating cues [31:00] Finding direction: what you loved as a kid; ask friends “what am I really good at?” [33:00] A personal example: importing what she loved (accessories) after feedback clicked [35:00] Tiny practices: two quiet minutes in the car; water as a shortcut to calm [37:00] “Go sit on the mountain”: traveling to an ashram and learning next-step faith [40:00] Closing challenge: review your life’s turning points—where was intuition already guiding? Resources Coaching & speaking with Anna Quigley (San Diego-based; virtual groups and talks) Intuition practice ideas: meditation, yoga, nature/water time, personal tracking sheet

Episode Summary What happens when the identity you built your life around falls apart overnight? In this raw interview, Dean Patrick—Stanford dropout, former crypto fund manager, and now author of God Money: Lost and Found in the Crypto Wilderness—traces the arc from early “prodigy” ambition to addiction, collapse, and a near-suicide on a 30th-floor balcony in Manhattan. Family pulled him into recovery in 2018. The years that followed weren’t linear: relapses, resets, and finally a shift from status to substance—trading a high-profile accelerator role for a humble job that protects the two practices that rebuilt him: writing and Zen meditation. Dean shares how week-long silent retreats and six months living at a Zen monastery gave him a new center, why success without values is a dead-end, and how “boring, systematic” routines actually fuel creative work. If you’ve ever asked, Is this really the life I want?—this conversation is your permission slip to choose differently, start smaller, and build a life that can actually hold you.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Opening: identity, ambition, and the prodigy trap [03:00] Homeschooled faith → atheism → “my new god became money” [05:30] Stanford insecurity, stimulants for confidence, and the crypto fund [07:30] Tripling the fund… then the crash, panic attacks, and the balcony [10:00] The phone call that pulled him back; rehab and the non-linear climb [12:30] Two steps forward, almost two back: relapse, lessons, and four years sober [13:30] Choosing a smaller life to save the bigger dream (service job → space to write) [15:00] COVID as a reset; five years to write God Money [18:30] Thoreau experiments: raw land, a DIY cabin, and what didn’t work [19:30] Zen practice begins: Rochester Zen Center, retreats, and rigor [21:00] Zazen: posture, pain, and why stillness hurts before it heals [26:00] The field beyond thought: “no problems” and taking the edge off life [28:30] Stoicism parallels; spiritual materialism and the ego in robes [33:00] Monastery life: 4:00 a.m. bells, choreographed breakfasts, work as practice [35:00] Designing a “boring, systematic” routine to protect creativity [41:30] Publishing God Money, reader response, and the next (auto)fiction project [43:00] Closing: being as an end in itself Resources Book: God Money: Lost and Found in the Crypto Wilderness — Dean Patrick Audiobook: narrated by the author Website: http://DeanPatrickAuthor.com Community/Practice: Rochester Zen Center (mentioned)

Episode Summary Former Marine officer and bestselling author David Richards shares how a life built on momentum—and other people’s expectations—finally hit a wall. From a childhood head injury and constant relocation to 15 years in the Marines, two divorces, and a pandemic-era low point, David explains how he began taking radical accountability and rebuilt his life from the inside out. The shift started with a simple but potent reframing: awareness creates reality—direct it, or life defaults to autopilot. We trace the “judgment day” meditation that forced a life review, the mysterious “you’ve got a year” nudge from Jack Canfield, and the journaling marathon that became his books—including Love Letters to the Virgin Mary: The Resurrection of King David and Becoming One with Christ. David breaks down his three levels of mastery—intellectual, emotional, physical—and how daily incantations rewired his faith into lived experience. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but drifting, this episode is a compass: awareness, honesty, and everyday practices that create the life you actually want. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] “Your mind is an ocean… your awareness is the lighthouse” — the premise of directed attention [03:00] Military childhood, constant moves, and an early head injury that changed everything [11:00] ROTC to Marine officer; 4 years becomes 15; realizing he’d followed his father’s model [18:00] Marriage, divorce, and the cost of living in two-to-three-year cycles [23:00] Choosing radical accountability; journaling to “reconcile with God” [25:00] The Santa Barbara mastermind; Jack Canfield’s “You’ve got a year” and the emptiness that followed [35:00] A “judgment day” meditation and a life review focused on love and relationships [41:00] From films to faith: patterns, King David, and a turning point toward Christ [44:00] A thousand pages of journaling; the title Love Letters to the Virgin Mary lands [46:00] “Tony wants to read your book” — grace and momentum, then a crash and reset [48:00] Subtitle inspiration and finishing the manuscript; launching Becoming One with Christ [56:00] Three levels of mastery & the power of incantations (from belief to embodiment) [61:00] Who the work is for: the religious, the spiritual, and the curious [64:00] Final note: “Life happens for you, not to you.” Resources Website: http://DavidRichardsAuthor.com Instagram: @‌DavidRichardsAuthor Books: Whiskey and Yoga The Lighthouse Keeper Love Letters to the Virgin Mary: The Resurrection of King David Becoming One with Christ: The Lessons of King David    

Episode Summary What if talk therapy isn’t enough—because your trauma lives in your body? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, world-record tap dancer turned trauma recovery coach Heather-Ann Ferri shares the raw story behind her work: childhood abuse, brain-level injury, and the long road from “performer with a mask” to a woman who uses her voice without apology. Heather-Ann explains why many survivors don’t remember early trauma, how perfectionism and people-pleasing take root, and the practical protocols that helped her heal when life fell apart: involuntary shaking, breath patterns rooted in Sanskrit, “medical-grade” hydration, and neurologically informed routines designed to calm a dysregulated system. We also dig into shadow work, boundaries with family, and the difference between forgiving too soon and actually becoming whole. If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating patterns—or you’ve tried everything and nothing seemed to stick—this conversation offers a grounded way forward: simple tools, consistent practice, and the courage to tell the truth. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Becoming “spiritual people in physical bodies”; why language and behavior matter [03:00] Early home life, generational trauma, and the first cracks in the system [08:00] Abuse, dissociation, and how the body keeps score [12:30] Tap as first voice; when performance becomes protection [15:00] Why talk isn’t enough: shaking, breath, hydration, neurological protocols [19:00] Shadow work, ego death, and rebuilding discipline [22:00] Culture, religion, and the limits of “forgive and forget” [24:30] Addiction as unaddressed trauma; pioneers and influences [28:30] Kids, play, and screens: what the next generation needs [33:00] Past lives, programming, and widening the healing lens [40:00] PTSD in the body: feet, calves, and designing better protocols [42:00] The Guinness record—and when the healing made things look worse [47:00] No guru phase: listening within, then coaching others [49:00] Who shows up: common ages, patterns, and readiness [51:00] Boundaries vs. early forgiveness; becoming your own mother/father [58:00] Where to start: first-chapter download and next steps Resources Website: Home - Heather Ann Ferri (first chapter download available) Books (upcoming): Three-part series on trauma healing with guided practices Influences mentioned: Alice Miller; Gabor Maté; body-based trauma modalities  

Episode Summary What happens when the secret holding you back is one you’ve been keeping from yourself? In this raw, unguarded conversation, writer–producer Alan Katz (HBO’s Tales from the Crypt) traces the arc from early Hollywood wins to a two-decade spiral—then the moment truth became non-negotiable. We dig into the creative birth of the Crypt Keeper, how Tales helped change HBO’s culture, and the studio politics that turned a thriving franchise into the feature fiasco Bordello of Blood. Alan shares the near-suicide that forced him to confront a childhood trauma, the mood-stabilizer that “put the darkness in a box,” and how telling the truth—to himself first—unlocked a second act. Today, he runs Costard & Touchstone Productions and makes story podcasts as activism: How NOT to Make a Movie, The Donor: A DNA Horror Story, The Hall Closet, and Just the Photographer. This episode is a masterclass in creative integrity, personal recovery, and building work that answers to your soul—not the system.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] “The truth will set you free” — telling your story to yourself first [03:00] Early wins, New York to LA, and meeting producer Gil Adler [08:00] Tales from the Crypt: franchise building and the birth of the Crypt Keeper [16:30] “It’s not TV, it’s HBO” — culture shift and creative freedom [19:30] Feature deal at Universal; Demon Knight lands, Dead Easy dies [22:00] The Bordello of Blood pivot: impossible timelines, miscasting, and studio politics [31:00] Fallout: a burned-out crew, shelved integrity, and a friendship broken [33:00] Two decades of depression and the secret underneath it [34:30] Mood stabilizer, therapy, and the moment the rage “clicked off” [35:30] Naming childhood abuse; why truth changes everything [37:00] Podcasting as catharsis: How NOT to Make a Movie reunites old partners [41:00] Owning IP and flipping the Hollywood dynamic [44:00] The slate: The Donor, The Hall Closet, Just the Photographer [56:00] “How to Live Bullshit Free”: purpose, bliss, and helping others Resources Costard & Touchstone Productions: Home Podcasts: How NOT to Make a Movie • The Donor: A DNA Horror Story • The Hall Closet • Just the Photographer Blog/Book: How to Live Bullshit Free (in progress)

Episode Summary  Jack Kammer has spent over four decades asking the uncomfortable questions about gender, power, and fairness—and he’s not done yet. In this episode, the former social worker, parole officer, and longtime advocate for men’s issues joins A Joyful Rebellion to unpack what he calls a “Vitamin M deficiency” in modern life. From stories of fatherlessness and male dropout to the overlooked emotional needs of boys, Kammer offers a perspective that challenges dominant gender narratives—without rejecting the value of feminism. We explore the male and female “power structures,” the cost of being excluded from emotional spaces, and how society might benefit from men reinventing their roles—not with rebellion, but with reintegration. If you’ve ever questioned how we got here—or how we get out—this conversation might just shift your lens. Show Notes with Chapters [00:00:00] Introduction to Jack Kammer and his lifelong work[00:03:00] Challenging the myth of universal male privilege[00:05:30] American vs. French Revolutions as metaphors for gender progress[00:07:00] Jack’s origin story: co-ed softball and aha moments[00:10:30] “The Misfortune 5 Million” and redefining power[00:16:00] The invisible female power structure and the Big Red Heart[00:21:00] The original radio show and what men called in about[00:24:00] Divorce, fatherlessness, and societal bias[00:30:00] Are we struggling because we’ve lost purpose?[00:34:00] Men’s opportunity to reinvent themselves (IBM analogy)[00:39:00] Raising kids, deserving vs. needing, and Vitamin M[00:46:00] Responsible motherhood and fatherhood—what’s missing[00:50:00] Reclaiming the value of masculinity and presence[00:55:00] The need for balance, not backlash[01:00:00] What men and boys are facing today[01:02:00] Final thoughts and the call for shared respect Resources  Male Friendly Media: Jack Kammer’s platform National Fatherhood Initiative: https://www.fatherhood.org Book: No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover Book references: The End of Men, Are Men Even Necessary?

Episode Summary Sometimes the most unexpected stories aren’t about what happens—but how someone chooses to live through it. In this powerful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, disability advocate and author Jennifer Gasner shares what it’s like to receive a life-altering diagnosis at 17—and then keep going. Diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare degenerative disorder, Jennifer was told she’d be in a wheelchair by 20 and gone by 25. She just celebrated her 51st birthday. We talk about her memoir My Unexpected Life, the difference between the medical model and the social model of disability, and how Jennifer learned to embrace her identity and advocate for others. She shares stories of visibility, vulnerability, and an unexpected friendship with Dave Matthews that changed her life. Whether you’re navigating disability or just want to better understand the world around you, this conversation is a powerful reminder that value isn’t tied to ability—it’s about being fully human. Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Medical model vs. social model of disability [01:30] Meet Jennifer Gasner and My Unexpected Life [03:00] Diagnosed at 17: The moment that changed everything [05:00] A grim prognosis—and why it didn’t come true [07:00] From broadcaster dreams to reimagined purpose [09:30] Turning 25 and realizing: “I’m still here” [11:00] Why Jennifer wrote the book—and who it’s for [13:00] Structuring a memoir—and choosing what to include [14:30] Embracing the social model of disability [16:00] Vulnerability, visibility, and reader response [18:00] Judy Heumann, Rebecca Taussig, and other influences [20:00] FA’s wide spectrum—and how connection heals [22:00] Book events, disability orgs, and imposter syndrome [24:00] The Dave Matthews story: friendship and generosity [26:00] What nondisabled people often miss—and how to do better [28:00] Fear, socialization, and why low expectations persist [30:00] Changing the narrative—and being part of the shift [32:00] Final thoughts: Worthiness, identity, and perspective shifts Resources Website: jennifergasner.com Book: My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis Instagram: @‌jennygwriter Facebook: Jennifer Gasner, Author Recommended Books: Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig Being Heumann by Judy Heumann The Anti-Ableist Manifesto by Tinu Abayomi-Paul

Episode Summary What if the hard season you’re in isn’t a detour—but the actual path? Steven Zeller is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and futurist who’s built and lost businesses, found clarity in discomfort, and never stopped chasing what’s next. In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, Steven shares how being broke, unsupported, and underestimated became the foundation for his most innovative work. We talk about building your first million (and losing it fast), navigating entrepreneurship without a safety net, and how failure became his best mentor. Steven opens up about growing up without support, learning business in real time, and why your inner circle matters more than your pitch deck. Then we shift into the future: AI, genetic engineering, wearable tech, deepfakes, and the fine line between human potential and transhumanism. This episode is a rare peek into the mind of someone who sees the future clearly—and isn’t afraid to walk straight into it.   Show Notes & Chapters [00:00] Opening question: Is technology making us dumber—or just more reliant? [01:00] Meet Steven Zeller: serial entrepreneur, tech futurist, self-made risk-taker [03:00] From Midwest middle child to forging his own path—without college [06:00] Choosing neurosurgery… or entrepreneurship? [08:00] Breaking generational expectations without a support system [11:00] Early mistakes, bad influences, and learning business by doing [13:00] Making a million—and losing it fast [15:00] The “woe is me” moment, and what he did differently the second time [18:00] Why iteration matters more than perfection [21:00] Version 3.0 of your life—and why reinvention is your best strategy [24:00] AI, robotics, and why humans were built for more than monotony [28:00] The distinction between usable and distraction tech [33:00] How we think with tools—and why that isn’t always a bad thing [36:00] Deepfakes, disinformation, and the need for AI fact-checkers [39:00] What Steven’s most excited about: genetics, organ regeneration, and life extension [43:00] The ethics of editing embryos—and the danger of designer babies [45:00] Medical disruption vs. medical monetization [47:00] The idea of “downloading a cure” in the not-so-distant future [50:00] Transhumanism, identity, and what makes us human [52:00] Final thoughts: Better tech, better humans, and drawing the line Resources Connect with Steven on LinkedIn  Topics mentioned: ChatGPT, Sora, Quantum Computing, Human Genome Project, IPS cells, Brain-computer interfaces