Observeday

If you’ve ever wondered how stories can literally save a life, you’ll want to listen to this episode. I sit down with Alicia Rush, who went from the depths of medical trauma and losing hope to becoming an author who uplifts others facing their own chaos. This conversation isn’t just about reading books; it’s about using the act of storytelling — even simple journaling — to heal, rebuild, and find...

Ever wonder why those classic weight loss tips never seem to stick? In this episode, I sit down with exercise physiologist and longtime gym owner, P J Glassey, for a refreshingly honest look at why “trying harder” might not be the answer. We look past the usual talk about diet and exercise and dive into the real role your brain plays in lasting fitness and fat loss. You’ll hear why so many fitness...

Looking for a deeper connection with reading beyond just finishing another book? In this episode, I sit down with Swami Nityananda, a spiritual teacher and longtime literature professor, to explore how books can shape who we are inside — not just what we know. You’ll hear real stories about how texts like “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” help us find inner freedom and empathy, and...

Curious about what makes YA sci-fi stories really stick with readers, and how creators find meaning (and an audience) for their work? In today’s episode, I chat with bestselling author and creative director Christian Hurst about blending heartfelt themes with bold storytelling. We talk about crafting genuine characters, why it’s okay to share flawed protagonists, and how feedback can shape a serie...

Looking to share science in a way that engages people — not puts them to sleep? This episode puts you in conversation with Jason Dietrich, who specializes in turning technical STEM topics into stories everyone can connect with. We dive into Global Media and Information Literacy Week, but this isn’t just theory; you’ll hear hands-on tips you can use right away. If you’re a podcaster, creator, or co...

If you care about making every day meaningful, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Roger Canaff, a former prosecutor and advocate, to help us all understand the real-world effects of technology and trauma on justice for survivors of violence — especially women and vulnerable communities. You’ll learn why technology like generative AI is much more than just an online trend (and how it’s creating...

If you've ever faced hardship and wondered how to find meaning in the middle of it, you’ll want to listen to this episode. I sit down with Dean Weitenhagen, a two-time acute myeloid leukemia survivor and caregiver who’s walked through life’s toughest stretches — from his wife’s stroke to his own health crisis. Dean opens up about what these challenges taught him about gratitude, purpose, and w...

On this episode, we’re celebrating World Children’s Day by talking about one of the most important milestones in a child’s life: learning to communicate. I sat down with pediatric speech-language pathologist Jessie Kensey, who works daily with parents and toddlers to help them find their voices, even before the first word. If you’ve ever wondered about early intervention, how parents can tell the...

Curious about how to make your days feel productive without giving in to endless hustle? In this episode, I sit down with productivity coach Emily Guerra, who shares fresh, practical advice for creators and entrepreneurs feeling stuck in “busy but not productive” mode. If you ever wonder why your to-do list is getting longer while your goals aren’t moving forward, you’ll want to tune in. We discus...

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to “live the dream,” this episode is for you. I sit down with author, poet, and spiritual director Jessica L. Morris, who didn’t just stumble into her dream — she spent years taking one small step at a time to get there. We talk about the winding road that led her from fundraising and event planning to becoming a writer, including the challenges she fac...

Curious about what really holds us back from progress? In this episode, I sit down with leadership expert Charlie Shepherd for a conversation that might shift the way you think about drama, energy, and the everyday choices that shape our lives and work. We dig into the drama triangle versus the leadership triangle, and you’ll hear Charlie’s surprising take on why leadership isn’t just a title, but...

If you’re looking for ways children’s books can spark real conversations about courage, resilience, and hope, you’ll want to hear this episode. I chat with Jenny Milton, the author of Gail and the Red Kite of Courage. Her touching story, based on her own childhood and her brother’s battle with cancer, shows us how families can find joy and healing through simple, creative play — like flying a kite...

If you want a real, unfiltered look at life beyond statistics during National Suicide Prevention Month, you’ll get that in this episode. Adrienne Caldwell joins me to talk about surviving trauma, addiction, mental illness, and choosing hope in the darkest moments. We talk honestly about warning signs that someone may be struggling, and why shame and stigma keep too many people silent. You’ll hear...

If you love the companionship of animals or want to find more meaning in your relationships with pets, this episode is for you. I sit down with Julie Marty-Pearson, host of The Story of My Pet, to explore real stories about the ways pets — especially rescue animals — shape our lives and inspire everyday advocacy. You’ll get to hear how Golden Retriever Day is more than just pictures on social medi...

If you're looking for ways to honor Cancer Awareness Observance, today's episode will help you see survivorship from a whole new angle. I sit down with Sheila Butler, a longtime cancer survivor and brand-building expert, to talk about what transformation really means when life doesn’t go as planned. We'll dig into how Sheila's experience has shaped her approach to work, purpose, an...

If you want to understand what real inclusion looks like beyond surface-level awareness days, this episode is for you. I sit down with Tracy King, a learning strategist and late-diagnosed autistic entrepreneur who’s building neuro-inclusive systems at work and at home—often before even knowing why her approach was different. Tracy shares honest stories about navigating late diagnosis and why many...

If you’ve ever wondered what International Yoga Day can mean for those of us who don’t spend hours on the mat, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Aaron Hines, an exercise physiologist who helps adults over 45 move pain-free, stay strong, and enjoy life’s everyday moments. We talk about how flexibility and mobility are just as important as strength—especially as we age. Aaron Hines shares what...

If you’ve ever wondered how awareness days like Valentine’s Day shape both culture and business, this episode is for you. I sit down with Joel Miller, a marketer who’s spent 17 years building a thriving agency without hype or hustle culture. Joel unpacks how ordinary holidays evolve from deeply meaningful beginnings to commercial juggernauts, and what we can learn as creators from that transformat...

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means for women to “find their voice,” this episode will leave you thinking differently. I sat down with Amy Lou Jenkins, an award-winning author and advocate, to talk about how reclaiming voice is more than a slogan—it’s a practice rooted in courage, belonging, and honest storytelling. We dive into questions like: Why are women called a minority when they’re...

If you’ve ever wondered why happiness sometimes feels out of reach even when life looks good, this episode is for you. I sat down with social psychologist and author JD Pincus for a thoughtful conversation about the International Day of Happiness and the real meaning behind “feeling happy.” Instead of seeing happiness as a mood or destination, JD invites us to look deeper—at our emotional needs an...

If you’ve ever wondered how we can bring more empathy and comfort into tough medical choices, this episode is one you’ll want to listen to. I’m joined by Dr. Steven Drabek—known as the “comfortologist”—who shares what decades of caring for people at their most vulnerable has taught him about dignity, listening, and treating the whole person, not just symptoms. We talk about how personal survival s...

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter — whether on your desk or in your head — this episode offers practical ideas you can actually use. My guest, Helene Gidley, brings decades of experience helping people move from chaos to clarity through realistic approaches to organization. In our conversation, Helene shares how Clean Off Your Desk Day is more than just a fresh workspace; it’s about unlocki...

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by a mental health label or know someone who struggles with feeling “defined” by a diagnosis, this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Fred Moss, who’s spent decades in psychiatry but calls himself the “Undoctored” doctor. We have an honest conversation about how labels like “bipolar disorder” can sometimes do more harm than good, and why curiosity and real human c...

If you want real talk about how education can shape your life—not just in classrooms, but in who you become—this episode is for you. I sat down with Ed Hajim, whose story goes from a tough childhood in foster homes and orphanages all the way to leading Wall Street firms and becoming a major supporter of education. We get real about what learning really means beyond degrees, and why curiosity and r...

If you’ve ever wondered how bias shows up quietly in healthcare — not just in policies, but in everyday moments and even inside medical records — you’ll want to tune in. In this episode, I talk with Eugene Manley, a cancer scientist and nonprofit founder, about the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, going way beyond the date itself. Eugene shares personal stories, incl...