the ACT OUT podcast

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, a psychologist who specializes in working with men, for an eye-opening conversation about masculinity, emotional expression, childhood development, and why so many men struggle to understand and communicate their feelings. Gloria shares her unexpected journey from studying mathematics to b...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Jon Symes, coach, speaker, and advocate for social and environmental change, for a thought-provoking conversation about the stories we inherit, the beliefs that shape our lives, and what happens when we finally start questioning them. From rugged individualism and success to money, masculinity, and the common goo...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Jon Paul Crimi , breathwork teacher and trainer, for a fascinating conversation about breathwork, trauma, addiction recovery, the nervous system, and what it means to build a life around purpose rather than external success. Jon Paul explains his intense approach to breathwork, why he believes it can help people...

Content Note: This episode includes conversations about mental illness, depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. Please take care while listening and skip this episode if these topics may be difficult for you. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In thi...

Content Note: This episode includes conversations about addiction, mental health, and suicidal thoughts. Please take care while listening and skip this episode if these topics may be difficult for you. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Tim Cywinski, community organizer, former congressional candidate, for a wide-ranging conversation about money, power, data centers, and why our political system often seems designed to work for the people who already have the most. Tim draws on his experience in community organizing and running for Congress to e...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Victoria Broderick, a progressive congressional candidate running in Tennessee’s 4th District, for a candid conversation about rural politics, voter suppression, working-class issues, and what it really takes to run for office while raising a family and working full-time. Victoria shares how a miscarriage, an une...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Alex Rikleen, former candidate for the United States Senate in Massachusetts, for a candid conversation about running for political office, the Democratic Party, campaign finance, and what needs to change if Democrats want to build a stronger political movement. Alex shares how a lifelong interest in politics eve...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In Part 2 of Adam Tomlin's conversation with Kate Powell, the discussion picks up where they left off—taking a deeper dive into religious deconstruction, political identity, and the experiences that shaped Kate's worldview. What starts as a conversation about abundance versus scarcity quickly expands into a thoughtful exploration of how faith, politic...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this special Part 1 of a two-part conversation, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Kate Powell, political content creator, former youth pastor, and advocate for thoughtful civic engagement. Kate shares her journey growing up in evangelical Christianity and how her experiences with faith, politics, and community shaped the person she is today. What begins as a c...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Colonel Bree Fram, former congressional candidate for the Commonwealth of Virginia, active-duty military officer, engineer, and advocate, for a thoughtful conversation about public service, democracy, leadership, constitutional reform, and creating a more inclusive future. Bree shares her journey from military se...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Connor Eppley, Finance Director of the Virginia Young Democrats and President of the Hampton Roads Young Democrats, for an engaging conversation about public speaking, political leadership, civic engagement, and the importance of inspiring more young people to get involved in their communities. Adam and Connor di...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Jayveon Tucker, President of the Norfolk State Young Democrats, for a candid conversation about youth engagement, political leadership, grassroots organizing, and what motivates the next generation to get involved in shaping their communities. Jayveon shares his unlikely journey into politics, explaining how he w...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Steven Swank, president of the ODU Democrats, for a wide-ranging conversation about political identity, civic engagement, religion, education, and what motivates people to get involved in the political process. Steven shares his journey from growing up in a conservative Christian household in Indiana to becoming...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with entrepreneur, broadcaster, and media personality Arrington Gavin for a conversation about entrepreneurship, podcasting, radio, personal branding, and what it takes to build a platform from the ground up. Arrington shares his journey from studying health and wellness in college to launching Rugged Evolution, a bea...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Morgan DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about philanthropy, leadership, global service, and what it really means to create lasting impact. Morgan shares how a life-changing trip to Africa led her away from a career in marketing and into the world of non...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Ty Champion, Vice Chairman of the Norfolk Democratic Committee and President of the Black Caucus of the Virginia Young Democrats, for a candid conversation about politics, public service, leadership, and what motivates people to get involved in their communities. Ty shares his journey from growing up in Norfolk t...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Jason Lange, founder of Evolutionary Men and a longtime men's group facilitator, for a thought-provoking conversation about modern masculinity, men's mental health, community, and the challenges facing men today. Jason shares his personal journey into men's work, which began in 2006, and explains h...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with women’s coach, author, and self-proclaimed “Inner Glow Coach” Angie Hawkins for a powerful conversation about self-trust, fulfillment, personal growth, and what happens when you stop living your life for everyone else. Angie shares her journey from spending 20 years in corporate America checking all the boxes of...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with dyslexia coach Russell Van Brocklen for a fascinating conversation that challenges everything most people think they know about dyslexia, reading, intelligence, and learning. Russell shares his remarkable personal journey from having a first-grade reading and writing level in college to attending law school, cond...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with psychologist and women’s coach Dr. Wendy O’Connor for a relatable and eye-opening conversation about burnout, fulfillment, motherhood, and the pressure so many women feel to “have it all together.” What starts as a discussion about psychology and coaching quickly becomes a deeper exploration of happiness, identit...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with trauma therapist Trisha Wolfe for a fascinating and deeply relatable conversation about the brain, childhood trauma, emotional survival strategies, and why so many people intellectualize their feelings instead of actually processing them. What starts as a discussion about brain development quickly turns into an e...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Lisa Vedernikova Khanna for a compelling conversation about politics, identity, motherhood, and what it’s like running for office while pregnant. Lisa shares her journey from growing up in Russia to building a life in the United States, eventually stepping into the political arena and discovering firsthand how di...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Zolal Habibi for a powerful and insightful conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to navigate life between cultures. Zolal shares her personal story of growing up as an Iranian refugee, offering a raw and honest look at the challenges of displacement, cultural expectations, and finding your pl...

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, Adam Tomlin sits down with Lee Atherton, a hospice chaplain and end-of-life grief coach, for a deeply meaningful and eye-opening conversation about death, dying, and what it truly means to live a complete life. What begins as a discussion about Lee’s unique career quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of grief, spirituality, and the human...