Off The Comma

In this episode, we talk to Rachel Kerr Schneider. She describes herself as someone who has supernatural joy and hopes to help others find joy. Rachel lives in the United States.  Rachel tells us about sitting on a comma when her husband received a fatal diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. When faced with the reality of his death in 3-5 years, she had to begin the work of helping her husband die....

In this episode, we talk to Nick Foreman. He describes himself as gritty, adventurous and inquisitive. Nick lives in the United States.  Nick tells us about sitting on a comma right now with the next big transition in his life. As an explorer of life, Nick is no stranger to making big career pivots. As his family grew, the pivots took on new forms and with greater caution. Nick’s current pivot has...

In this episode, we talk to Graham Hall. He is a caring, passionate, grounded systems thinker. Graham lives in Canada and the US.  Graham tells us about sitting on a comma when he lost not one, but both parents to the same illness in rapid succession. Graham describes the experience he went through as he reconciled with having different feelings about each loss and what it meant for him as a perso...

How has focusing on others cost you your peace? In this episode, we talk to Kevin Guest. He describes himself as values-based, doing his best, and living with integrity. Kevin lives in the United States.  Kevin tells us about sitting on multiple commas as a result of fears boosted by codependence. Over time, Kevin has lived with being the peace keeper, to people pleasing, to panic attacks. When lo...

What parts of you have been restrained by some of the roles you’ve chosen in life? In this episode, we talk to Lauren Yankoff. She describes herself as courageous, connected and consistent. Lauren lives in the United States.  Lauren tells us about sitting on a comma with a career role that didn’t fit. While grieving from the loss of her father, Lauren took on a work role that enabled her to slow d...

In this episode, we talk to Jeremie Andre. He is curious, nerdy and adventurous. Jeremie lives as a digital nomad and is traveling the world.  Jeremie tells us about sitting on a comma with a life that he didn’t question. He describes living a life that he was content with and wouldn’t challenge. After tragedy struck and took two different children from his wife and him, the traditional life path...

In this episode, our guest shares about his experience with suicide ideation and attempt. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening.  In this episode, we talk to Michael Allison. He is resilient and someone who is known for doing hard things. Michael lives in the United States.   Michael tells us about sitting on a comma with hardships throughout life. While telli...

In this episode, we talk to Rick DellaRatta. He describes himself as insightful, creative, and empathetic. Rick lives in the United States.  Rick tells us about sitting on a comma while watching the second plane fly into the World Trade Center from a rooftop only one-quarter mile away. During this moment, Rick felt words come through him as he witnessed the events of that day unfold. After recordi...

In this episode, we talk to Naima Spencer. She describes herself as disciplined, ambitious, and gratful. Naima lives in the United States.  Naima tells us about sitting on a comma with limiting beliefs about pursuing a dream. After immigrating with the hopes of earning her master’s degree, Naima found herself trapped in low wage jobs and barely making a living. Over time, she came to realize that...

In this episode, we talk to Laura Starky. She herself as compassionate, intuitive and courageous. Laura lives in the United Kingdom.  Laura tells us about sitting on a comma with alcohol. Having lived a difficult life, she turned to alcohol in order to find comfort, release and numbness. As her relationship with alcohol evolved, she began to feel disconnected from her own raw experience of life, j...

In this episode, we talk to Yumi Wilson. She describes herself as a deep listener, whom people can confide in and feel safe with. Yumi lives in the United States.  Yumi tells us about sitting on a comma with career transitions and family goals. Through her career, she made transitions to fulfill her professional needs and to find more time to spend with family. Now, Yumi looks ahead to what might...

In this episode, we talk to Priya Venkatesan. She is kind, compassionate and believes in people. Priya lives in the United States.  Priya tells us about sitting on a comma after a divorce that left her without a job and a means to support herself and her children. While in the depths of loneliness and not knowing how to ask for help and support, Priya leaned on her family, friends and nonprofits f...

In this episode, we talk to Alice Yeh. She describes herself as values-oriented and adventurous, adaptable and resilient. Alice lives in the United States.  Alice tells us about sitting on a comma with the direction of her career. After going to top schools and following the “path of success” to work at large, important companies, Alice found her experience lacking. Her sense that something was mi...

Episode 100 is a special “milestone” episode where we turn the tables and our host, Paul Briley, becomes the guest! We welcome back Austin Skelton from Episode 2. As the first person Paul interviewed on the podcast, he now gets to be the person who interviews Paul for the first time! Check out his episode at: https://youtu.be/qtNoUXjlwx0?si=NXNmzSNxdRZ9ihm-   In this episode, we talk to Paul Brile...

In this episode, we talk to Merlyna Valentine. She describes herself as motivated, empathetic and lives her life to the fullest. Merlyna lives in the United States.  Merlyna tells us about sitting on a comma with a sudden medical emergency that caused her to lose parts of all four of her limbs. As a new quadruple amputee, Merlyna was faced with choices about how to move forward in her life. During...

In this episode, we talk to Lucy Hall. She is enthusiastic and positive. Lucy lives in the UK.  Lucy tells us about sitting on two commas. Early in her adulthood, Lucy wondered about what she should do for a living. While exploring options, experimenting with different roles and trying out different jobs, she found love and began to question what she truly wanted. Along her journey, her relationsh...

In this episode, we talk to Amanda Facio. She describes herself as energetic, focused and with a lot of fun on the side. Amanda lives in the United States.  Amanda tells us about sitting on a comma with “mom guilt”. When the opportunity presented itself to take on a new job with increased opportunity and responsibilities, Amanda was excited for the possibility. While coordinating new routines for...

In this episode, we talk to Patty Cabot.  She is resilient, tenacious and open. Patty lives in the United States.  Patty tells us about sitting on a comma with an eating disorder. After dealing with cycles of weight gain and loss for 20 years, she sought therapy for solutions and came face to face with the root cause, childhood sexual abuse. Through a journey of therapies and self-exploration, Pat...

During this episode, our guest shares about her experience with sexual abuse. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening.  In this episode, we talk to Jalisa Hardy. She is someone who leads with love, compassion and care. Jalisa lives in the United States.  Jalisa tells us about sitting on a comma with a divorce decision. After years of  living in two worlds and se...

In this episode, we talk to Melanie Duriez. She describes herself as a curious nature lover who is empathic and can relate to others’ feelings. Melanie lives in Canada.  Melanie tells us about sitting on a comma with dissatisfaction in her life. During the pandemic and after several major life events, Melanie found herself being drawn away from being an introverted hermit to being curious about ot...

In this episode, we talk to Lucy Hemming. She describes herself as an energy-bringer who is kind and empathetic. Lucy lives in the United Kingdom.  Lucy tells us about sitting on a comma with drinking wine. After living a life where wine was part of negotiating most decisions, Lucy found herself in a 5-year period of sober curiosity and experimentation. She took many steps to improve her health, o...

In this episode, we talk to Christopher. He is a passionate, driven artist. Christopher lives in the United States.  Christopher tells us about sitting on a comma with a bicycle accident that caused him to question the things in his life that he took for granted. After almost losing the use of his legs, Christopher became very present and very focused on the thing he valued most: his ability to mo...

In this episode, we talk to Maricia Johns. She describes herself as likable, warm-hearted, and finds the good in everyone. Maricia lives in the United States.  Maricia tells us about losing her father and sitting on a comma with growing up. When that fateful day happened, Maricia was faced with a decision about who she wanted to be in her family dynamic and how she wanted to be prepared. Through a...

In this episode, we talk to Mark Willis. He describes himself as empathetic, trustworthy and passionate. Mark lives in the United States.  Mark tells us about sitting on a comma when emerging from college with student loan debt, no plan and negative beliefs about money. After a period of choosing to accept his current circumstances, Mark began to see the effects of inaction on his life and family....

In this episode, we talk to Lori Rogers. She is a mom who inspires, teaches and learns to improve life. Lori lives in the United States.  Lori tells us about sitting on a comma with worry and pressure. In 2011, a series of events compounded in her world that created a tremendous amount of stress, worry and pressure. While enduring the fear this created, a random event that she attended became a ca...