Observeday

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a friendship truly meaningful—and how you can be more intentional about creating good times—this episode is for you. I sat down with Christian W. Schnepf, a TEDx sociologist and founder of the Science of Good Times, to dig into the science behind lasting connections. Christian shares why friendships have shaped his own life, especially in tough times, and how tre...

If you want practical insights on setting boundaries, processing life’s big changes, or just need inspiration to read more, this episode is for you. I sit down with Stephanie Jordan—author, mother of five, and someone who’s lived through incredible highs and lows—to talk about what reading and writing mean to her. You’ll hear us dig into why National Read a New Book Month can be life-changing, and...

If you’re looking for honest, practical advice on supporting mental health—especially during challenging times—today’s episode is for you. In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, I sit down with Jennifer Wilts, a certified clinical trauma specialist and mental health coach. Jennifer shares her own deeply personal story of navigating trauma, PTSD, and coming out the other side with tools tha...

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to recover and keep going — even when life throws you surprises you never trained for — this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds: Ironman triathlete, author, nonprofit leader, and two-time cancer survivor. We get real about the ups and downs of recovery, and Jeffrey shares how the discipline and mindset of endu...

If you’re looking for honest, down-to-earth conversations about resilience and finding hope on the hardest days, you’ll get a lot out of this episode. Today, I talk with Pete A. Turner about the realities many veterans face during National Suicide Prevention Month. Pete shares what it was like being a combat spy, dealing with loss, and living with PTSD, but also how he’s found ways to heal and hel...

If you’re looking for fresh ways to get kids (and even yourself) excited about reading and climate action, this episode is for you. I talk with Laurel Colless, author and sustainability advocate, about how stories can help us make sense of big problems and turn “eco-anxiety” into hope and action. Laurel shares how her fantastical Peter Blue series gives kids relatable heroes and monsters—like the...

If you’ve ever wondered how personal stories can turn into compelling fantasy worlds, you’ll want to listen to this episode. Today, I’m joined by Danielle Orsino—a nurse, martial artist, and fantasy author—who shares how she went from telling stories at a hospital bedside to writing a nine-book series. We chat about the unexpected and sometimes bumpy transitions between careers and how Danielle’s...

If you’ve ever found it hard to talk about mental health, or worried you might say the “wrong thing,” this episode is for you. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and I sat down with Grace Ogren—clinical research specialist, writer, and lived experience advocate—to talk honestly about depression, suicidality, and how we can all play a part in supporting those who struggle. Grace shares...

Looking to build deeper connections in your creative life and community? In this episode, I sit down with David Homan, a composer, author, and what many call a “connection orchestrator.” We chat about building meaningful relationships, why intentional community matters, and how books can open doors to new ideas and relationships—even across generations. David shares how small actions rooted in gra...

If you’ve ever wondered how music and storytelling weave together to create moments that really stick with us, this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Franky Corcoran, a multi-talented Canadian artist, to explore the creative spark found at the crossroads of theater, music, and everyday life. We dig into the lessons Franky learned from directing Tick, Tick... Boom! and how the journey of art...

Curious about how reading and creativity can open new doors at any age? In this episode, I talk with Nancy Napier about her journey from professor to fiction writer — and how it feels to start something brand new, even after decades in academia. If you’re a podcaster or creator, you’ll walk away with thoughtful ways to keep learning and stay curious, plus why trying something completely different...

Looking for ways to spark your love for reading or get inspired as a creator? This episode is for you. I sit down with Michael Strangeland, author of "Junk World: The Ballad of Leroy Brown," to chat about how reading and writing shape our worldview—especially during National Read a New Book Month. Michael opens up about the books that sparked his imagination growing up, and how a lifelon...

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in the mind of a guide dog—or how we can tune in to what our animals are telling us—this episode is for you. I’m talking with Anne Angelo Webb, an animal communicator, about the deep, unseen connections between humans and dogs, especially service animals. You’ll hear about a unique perspective on animal communication beyond simple commands and learn how...

If you’ve ever wondered what draws us back to time-honored tales, you’ll love today’s episode. On this episode, I sit down with Joseph Bolton, author of Old Grandmother's Tree, as we celebrate National Read a New Book Month. Together, we talk about why picking up a folktale can be just as rewarding as reading the latest bestseller. You’ll hear how Joseph blends real family history and cultural mem...

If you’ve ever wondered why childhood obesity is more than just a diet or exercise issue, this episode is for you. I chat with Dr. Evan Nadler, a leading pediatric bariatric surgeon, to dig into what really drives childhood obesity and why it’s so often misunderstood. We talk about how genetics and even the environment before birth play a huge role, and why childhood obesity isn’t just “baby fat”...

If you’ve ever wondered how empathy could be the missing ingredient in your leadership toolkit, this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller to explore why empathy isn’t just a “nice” trait, but a practical skill that can lead to better teams, more innovation, and even higher profits. You’ll learn straightforward, research-backed ways to use empathy in tough situations—...

Thinking about trying something new but feeling stuck? In this episode, I sit down with Debra Bowers, who shares what it really feels like to have a “Debra time” moment and start over—after raising five kids and navigating loss and big changes in her 50s. If you’re hesitant to “have a go,” you’ll hear tangible ways to get past fear, with grounding exercises and small mindset shifts. Debra and I al...

If you’ve ever wondered how to make eating healthy less stressful, this episode is for you. I sat down with nutritionist and health coach Sarah Pettitt to talk about Whole Grains Month, and she shared practical, doable ideas for adding whole grains to meals—without feeling overwhelmed or giving up your favorite foods. You’ll hear some small changes Sarah uses herself and recommends to clients (thi...

If you’ve ever wondered how your daily routines, environment, and even the light around you can shape your mental and physical health, you’ll want to catch this episode. I talk with Jason Yun, a former fitness and nutrition coach turned circadian biology guide, about real-life strategies for resilience, hope, and well-being—timed for National Suicide Prevention Month. Jason opens up about battling...

If you’ve ever wondered how reading can help you grow emotionally and connect with your family on a deeper level, this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, psychologist and author of Read, Reflect, Respond , to talk about the power of books in shaping how we understand ourselves and those around us. This episode touches on why boys actually start out with a wider range of em...

If you’ve ever wondered how a simple act like hugging strangers could lead to powerful lessons on self-acceptance and connection, this episode is for you. I sit down with Melinda Lee, author of Rebel Hugger , to talk about her year-long journey of offering hugs to strangers — and how it ended up changing her relationship with herself even more than with others. Listen in for surprising stories abo...

Curious about how music, books, and mindfulness come together? In this episode, I sit down with Clementine Moss—a drummer, author, and meditation teacher—to talk about the joy and self-discovery that comes from reading new stories. If you’re looking to spark creativity and bring more intention to your daily routine, there’s something here for you. Clementine shares how blending her rock music care...

If you’ve ever wondered why horror stories grab us—or how reading something scary might actually make us braver—this episode is for you. I’m joined by Ashe Woodward, a horror author, teacher, and all-around lover of the macabre, to explore what horror can really teach us about ourselves. We talk about the surprising hope that lives in dark stories, and Ashe explains how facing our fears on the pag...

If you’re looking for ways to find purpose in each day (and especially if you love books), you won’t want to miss this episode. I sit down with author and Christian meditation teacher Leah Crest to talk about how reading new books isn’t just a hobby for National Reading New Book Month — it can actually lead to healing and deeper connection with God. Leah shares her experiences reading over 500 nea...

If you're ready to make each day a little more meaningful—especially if you love books or are working on your own self-growth—this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Michelle Maidenberg, a psychotherapist, author, and mindfulness teacher who believes that personal transformation starts with embracing the sticky, tough feelings we tend to avoid. We talk about why leaning into discomfort (i...