Hold This Thought

Cults | Dopamine | Smartphones | Video Games | Sex | Biology | Faith | Protestantism | Catholicism In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Grant Adams for a raw, wide-ranging conversation that cuts straight through modern life. We talk about why he ditched his smartphone for a flip phone, how technology is quietly reshaping our brains and relationships, and what we lose when convenie...

Sustainable Wellness | Faith & Redemption | Fitness Mindset | Personal Growth | Real Life Transformation This episode explores the deeper layers of health, identity, and transformation through a powerful and honest conversation with Sarah Carter. We begin with her early life, from being born in Spain to growing up in an active family, and how those experiences shaped her independence and minds...

Identity Formation | Competitive Psychology | Cultural Insight | Life Transitions | Human Resilience This episode explores the intersection of identity, competition, and perspective through a wide ranging conversation with Justin Sundara. We begin with his unconventional relationship with anime and storytelling, unpacking how symbolism and character arcs shape the way we interpret meaning in our o...

Immigrant Experience | Cultural Perspective | Global Travel | Generational Responsibility | Aging And Care In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Gonzalo Manotas to explore identity, culture, and what really matters over the course of a lifetime. Gonzalo shares what it was like growing up as an immigrant in the United States, arriving without speaking English and navigating early ch...

Why do some stories stay with us… while others completely fall apart? In this episode of Hold This Thought, we start with childhood favorites like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and follow the thread all the way through modern movies, video games, and adaptations. Along the way, we unpack why certain stories resonate across generations and why others miss the mark entirely. From James Bond...

What happens when you sit down with someone who operates at an extremely high level… and ask them life’s hardest questions? In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Malooley, a 4.5 GPA valedictorian and biomedical engineering student at Georgia Tech, to explore philosophy, ethics, and the kinds of problems that don’t have clear answers. We dive into the trolley problem, the role of AI in decision-m...

Human Behavior | UX Design | AI Future | Gaming Psychology | Digital Life What if the way you think, interact, and make decisions today was shaped long before you realized it? In this episode of Hold This Thought, we explore how the world you grew up in—especially during your teenage years—quietly programs your expectations, behaviors, and even how you use technology. From UX design and human psyc...

Imposter Syndrome | Seat at the Table | First Patient Loss | Comfort Vs Competence What does it really feel like to sit at a table you worked your whole life to reach… and still question if you belong there? In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with a NICU nurse turned Director of Women’s Services, Keri Boatright, to unpack the internal battle of imposter syndrome and the perspective s...

Divorce | Gen-Z | Racism | Slavery | Faith College student Connor Harris joins the show for a thoughtful conversation about identity, perspective, and curiosity. Growing up with divorced parents shaped much of Connor’s early life, and he shares how those experiences influenced the way he approaches responsibility and independence today. We also explore how Gen Z actually uses social media, the rol...

Real Estate Investing | Financial Discipline | Retirement Strategy | Long-Term Wealth What if building real wealth wasn’t about making more money… but using what you already have differently? In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Ray Stewart to unpack how he quietly built a real estate portfolio over decades- and why most people get it completely wrong. We talk about losing money i...

Law Career | 10-Years Sober | Fired | Comeback Story | $40m For Clients What do you do when everything falls apart at once? Eric Sterling’s story isn’t a highlight reel, it’s a collapse, a rebuild, and a refusal to stay down. From getting kicked out of a study abroad program after battling alcohol… to rebuilding his life and finishing law school… to becoming a top performer at a major firm… …and t...

Chemistry | Brewing | Coaching | Evolution By day, Chris works in chemistry. By night, he brews with precision and patience under the name Big Beaker Brewing 🍺🧪. What started in 2020 as a curiosity became a disciplined pursuit of better beer, refining process, dialing in fermentation, and chasing flavor with a scientist’s mindset. But this conversation goes beyond the mash tun. We talk about coa...

Content Strategy | Psychology | Entrepreneurship | Building Systems | Social Media Growth What if the difference between getting ignored and going viral… is just ONE sentence? In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Brock Wagner to break down the psychology behind attention, content, and building something from nothing. We dive into how a single hook generated over 160,000 views, why...

Actor | Builder | Outdoorsman | Defender In this episode of Hold This Thought Podcast, Jeff Tullis joins me and we dive into his time working as an extra on major film sets, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and what you learn observing well-known actors from the background. Then we move into construction and the 2007 - 2008 housing crash, where he experienced firsthand how quickly markets can tur...

Weddings → YouTube | Do It Scared | Creative Burnout | Building Consistency | Find Your Why What happens when you finally “make it” … but still feel like a fraud? In this episode, I sit down with Ben Johnson to talk about the side of content creation no one really prepares you for. We dive into imposter syndrome, burnout, creative fatigue, and the constant question every creator wrestles with: “Is...

Intern to Partner | AI & Autonomous Futures | Investing and FIRE | Fatherhood, Health, & Home Birth Isaiah went from marketing intern to partner at Blueprint Digital Marketing by learning how to think in systems and build income producing assets instead of just chasing clients. We talk business strategy, creative leverage, and then pivot into AI. What happens when systems become autonomous...

Acting | Motherhood (10 Kids) | Fitness for Moms | Addiction Recovery | African Orphanage | This episode is one of the most raw and powerful conversations I have had. From early rebellion and addiction- to life on the streets, near death experiences, and ultimately a complete transformation, this story dives deep into how everything can change when you least expect it. We explore identity, resilie...

Craftsmanship | House Hacking | Conflict & Commitment | Fatherhood In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Jordan Bingham, a craftsman, entrepreneur, investor, and father- to talk about what it really means to build something that lasts. We start with woodworking as an artisan practice and what it teaches about patience, precision, and caring about details most people overlook. F...

Adversity | Identity | Entrepreneurship | Family We start with the moment that changed everything: a near-fatal car crash that left doctors unsure if Jordan would ever walk again. From there, we unpack how adversity reshaped his identity, his ambition, and the way he builds. Chapters: 00:00 | Podcast Intro 00:58 | Adversity Is Inevitable (Core Philosophy) 03:31 | The Near-Fatal Crash That Changed...

Police Service • Military Deployment • Humanitarian Relief • Trauma & Recovery In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Nathaniel Smith to explore a life shaped by service, hardship, and rebuilding. We discuss his early career in law enforcement and the personal impact of the 2007–08 economic crisis. From there, we move into two defining chapters from his military experience: an a...

Star Wars • Startup Transparency • Terms & Conditions Rabbit Hole • Conspiracy Theories or Facts? • Faith & Conviction In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Hunter Hensley for a wide-ranging conversation. Starting with Star Wars, we shift into his company, Simple Check, and the overlooked world of digital terms and conditions most people agree to without a second thought. W...

Being Dad • Life in Israel • EV Culture Debate • AI Futures In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Dr. Richard Aronoff for a dynamic conversation about how technology and identity are reshaping modern life. We explore what it’s like to live in Israel, why electric vehicles have become politically charged, and what the future of AI might mean for everyday people. Richard Aronoff is a...

Technology & Culture | Media & Propaganda | Food & Craft | Society In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Nick Marcarelli to explore the intersection of technology and the human condition — and why something as simple as cooking at home still matters in a world driven by algorithms. Nick leads engineering at an open-source software company, but this conversation quickly...

Firefighter | Big Pharma | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Caring for Mom | Coffee Curator In this conversation, we start with questions about alternative medicine and why we are chronically sick. We pivot into the brotherhood of the firehouse, the discipline behind Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and what changes in a man when he loses his mother. Grief has a way of stripping away noise. What’s left is clarity. And r...

Welcome to Hold This Thought , an open-ended conversation podcast where every week, a new guest joins me for unscripted conversations. We discover their passions, explore curious topics, and gain insights about life along the way. In a world built for constant distraction, this is where things slow down, for thoughts worth holding onto. No scripts. No agenda. Real people. Real stories. Real life....