Off The Comma

In this episode, we talk to Joe Smith. He describes himself as empathetic, having humor and being an advocate. Joe lives in the USA. Joe tells us about sitting on a comma with pulling apart from an earlier world view shaped by his faith of origin. When the political climate began influencing the practices of his church community, he began to audit his faith and experience deep feelings of despair...

In this episode, we talk to Blair. He describes himself as resilient, determined, and compassionate. Blair lives in the US. Blair tells us about sitting on a comma with a work role that did not align with his values and purpose. When faced with unpleasant feedback from his environment and peers, he realized that there was a larger message being delivered that spoke to his sense of ownership, agenc...

In this episode, we talk to Lisa Laugher. She describes herself as supportive, accepting and kind. Lisa lives in the US.  Lisa tells us about sitting on a comma with her “black hole” moment. She describes how her relationship to trust, resistance addiction and people pleasing left her unable to answer the critical question, “what do I want?” As Lisa talks about the journey to connection, peace and...

In this episode, we talk to Kristy Keith. She is resilient, tenacious and a lover of people. Kristy lives in the US.  Kristy tells us about her experience with going public about her experience with being outed at the age of 14 and living into her adult life in an environment religious exclusion. She spent a large part of her life trying to align with beliefs, indoctrination and being told to chan...

In this episode, we talk to Lisa Frydenlund. She describes herself as curious, creative and an artist. Lisa lives in the US.  Lisa tells us about how sitting on a comma brings her comfort. After experiencing deep anxiety from the “ending” of significant roles in her life, Lisa shifts onto a new path that provides her more freedom. Along the way, she embraces the fear that comes from “breaking the...

In this episode, our guest shares intimate details about his experience with sexual abuse and suicide ideation. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening.  In this episode, we talk to Patrick Monson. He describes himself as mindful, stubborn (as a means to survive) and a storyteller. Patrick lives in the US.  Patrick tells us about his traumatic experiences with s...

In this episode, our guest shares references to rape and suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. In this episode, we talk to Jamie Lee. She describes herself as a “healer of self”, artist and seeker. Jamie lives in the US.  Jamie shares bravely about her experiences with carrying the burden of traumas that led to a breakdown. After years of delayed int...

In this episode, we talk to Brigitte Knight. She describes herself as curious, determined and sensitive. Brigitte lives in the USA.  Brigitte tells us a courageous story about sitting on a comma with how she was raised. Being born into a community that “didn’t fit” felt restrictive and limiting. Brigitte was guided by a deep inner knowing and curiosity to explore new ways of being and taking comma...

In this episode, we talk to Matt Clark. He describes himself (with song lyrics!) as resilient, passionate, adventurous and a maker. Matt lives in the USA. Matt takes us on a journey with three commas in his life. These “epochs” share common themes of unclear destinations, exploration and acknowledging “that I don’t know”. Matt shows us how even a newfound passion can run its course, leaving us sit...

In this episode, we talk to Anna Sudbury. She is a midlife mom who appreciates joy and simple pleasures. Anna lives in the UK. Anna tells us about sitting on a comma while sitting on a plane; where her relationship with alcohol came to a tipping point and she made a decision that changed her life and her relationship with herself and her family. She talks about how she moved from a place of suffer...

In this episode, we talk to Sally Magee. She describes herself as a lifelong learner, driven, introspective and a thinker. Sally lives in the USA. Sally tells us about sitting on a comma without being aware that she was stuck. What she did know was that she was “tired of being tired”, the self-judgment and the regret. Sally tells us about proving to herself that she can do hard things and understa...

In this episode, we hear from Paul again. With the beginning of the new year and season 2, it’s a good time to reintroduce the podcast for new listeners and share some highlights from the past year!   Paul talks about the What and the Why of the podcast: what the podcast is and why it is important. He shares about how creating this space has been a response to a huge life comma he has been on. Pau...

In this episode, we talk to Arlesia McGowan. She describes herself as multifaceted, creative and a “certified hustler”.  Arlesia lives in the USA. Arlesia talks about changing lanes and challenging expectations. While in college studying for the life she thought she would have, her intuition revealed a conflict between a scientific path and a creative one. After checking in with her feelings, she...

In this episode, our guest shares references to suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. In this episode, we talk to Beverley Densham. She is determined, inspiration and teaches from her personal experiences. Beverley lives in the United Kingdom. Beverley tells us about her experiences with rebounding, recovery and rebuilding. When faced with a transiti...

In this episode, we talk to TS Hamilton. He wears labels that describe him as energetic, outgoing, and very real. TS lives in the USA. TS tells us about how he doesn’t really experience commas often or for very long… until he reflects on his musical self. He talks about his experience with teaching himself the musical arts and seeking a community to help him express and share it, only to have his...

In this episode, we talk to Enweazu. He describes himself as optimistic, selfless and able to bring out the best in people. Enweazu lives in the USA. Enweazu tells us about his experience with “living on the comma”. In his story, he tells about taking on the big work of immersing himself into new cultures and countries. What starts with a vision, plan and intention becomes a reality… but only one...

In our first “pairs” episode, we talk to Avery and Brian Baker.  This father and son team describe themselves as authentic, encouraging and funny, with emphasis on the encouragement of others. This shows up in their work together! Avery and Brian live in the USA. Avery and Brian tell us about their shared experience with sitting on a comma about a significant change of career direction. Both of th...

In this episode, we take a break from the interviews for a few moments of reflection and to share some thoughts about what’s currently going on in Paul’s life. First, Paul takes some time to reflect on the first 20 episodes of the podcast: what he’s learned, what he’s noticed and what the podcast means to him. Next, he talks about his first month-long trip. This represents a big leap for him and h...

In this episode, we talk to Amy Shuman. She describes herself as creative, confident, communicative and driven. Amy lives in California in the US. Amy describes her relationship to commas as “standing or walking on them”. Being future-focused, she explains how she doesn’t often stop moving enough to pause and explore. However, when she does, something powerful happens. Amy shares how life brought...

In this episode, we talk to Casey Lipka. She describes herself as curious and kind. Casey lives in California in the USA.  Casey shares about her experiences with uncertainty and the unknown. She takes us on a journey of a series of commas, that she looks at from different angles, exciting and frustrating. Casey tells about her experience with showing up for these challenges and asking questions o...

In this episode, our guest shares about her experience with suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. In this episode, we talk to Darniece Simon. She is resilient, brave, brilliant, supportive and “obsessively organized”. Darniece lives in California in the USA.  Darniece describes sitting on a comma with a college experience that had her come face to fa...

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Kris Lea. She describes herself as lively, inquisitive and compassionate. Kris lives in Texas in the USA.  Kris tells us about her experience sitting on a comma with a book she is writing. As a project management professional she knows how to create structure and outcomes for others, but wrestles with feeling overwhelmed in her own significant project. She describes...

In this episode, we talk to Cami McLaren. She is a creator, explorer, and conductor, holding space for people to create for themselves. Cami lives in Sacramento, CA in the US. Cami tells us about her experience pursuing a dream that is “that big” while acknowledging “who she would have to be” to achieve it. In her pursuit of safety, she traditionally played small and invisible. Cami challenges the...

In this episode, we talk to Ranger Kielak. He describes himself as a person who’s “doing their best to make their best better and help others do the same”. Ranger lives in Northern California in the USA.   Ranger tells us about his experience with a massive shift in his expectations and identity during the formative college years. He arrived at college with a dream and found that dream called into...

In this episode, we talk to Joan Virginia Allen. She describes herself as an explorer, genuinely curious and someone who makes a difference.  Joan lives in Ojai, California in the USA.    At the age of 85, Joan wants to get people excited about changing the paradigm of aging. She opens up about her sabotaging voice and all the ways it tries to undermine her ability and to limit her. She describes...