THE UNSIDED PODCAST

This week, I’m thrilled to sit down with my friend Jill Wagner for a heartfelt conversation about the importance of practicing compassion in our lives and the lives of others.  Besides being a successful actor and entrepreneur, she's a woman devoted to her family and she shares her journey of finding peace returning to a small-town life and what she's learned about herself along the way....

How curious are you about the differing beliefs of those others? Are you able to engage in meaningful conversations and hold space for those differences, even when they challenge your own perspective? In this episode of The Unsided Podcast , I delve into the transformative power of curiosity and the importance of making room for others’ stories. Together, we’ll unpack the barriers that prevent us...

This week I’m back with my longtime friend, Gabrielle Stone , for an unfiltered conversation about showing ourselves some much-needed compassion. We also dive into her recent health scare and how it shifted her view on vulnerability—not just in life, but especially in parenting. Gabrielle shares the raw realities of juggling motherhood and personal struggles, reminding us that it’s okay to not hav...

What happens when the parenting playbook we thought we had all figured out suddenly feels like it’s missing pages? In this episode of Unsided, I dive deep into the emotional landscape of raising teenage daughters, where joy and heartache coexist in unexpected ways. This isn’t just about the challenges; it’s about the profound growth we experience as we learn to let go and trust the process. If you...

In a world more connected than ever, why do we struggle so much to have real conversations? In this episode of Unsided , we dig deep into the reasons behind our reluctance to engage in meaningful discussions. We confront the discomfort and fear that often keep us silent and explore the power of active listening and open-heartedness in bridging divides. By understanding our barriers, we can create...

Emotions shape every part of our lives—but too often, we aren’t given the tools to understand or express them fully - especially men. In this episode, I sit down with my friend, actor/producer Robert Buckley, to explore what it really means to be emotionally available in a world that prizes strength over vulnerability. We dive into the differences between being nice and being kind, the subtle pull...

Have you ever carried the quiet (or not-so-quiet) belief that you’re supposed to do something extraordinary with your life? That if you don’t hit some invisible mark of greatness, you’ve somehow fallen short?  Yup… me too. In this episode, I’m unpacking a thought that stopped me in my tracks: What if I’m not here to do anything “special” at all? I share how growing up praised for potential, chasin...

Have you ever looked at the world of beliefs you've built your life around  and thought..."something about this just isn’t sitting right anymore."  But actually saying that out loud feels risky?  Yeah. Your'e not alone.  In this episode, I sit down with returning guest and Congressional candidate from Arkansas's 3rd Congressional District, Robb Ryerse, to talk about what h...

Have you ever woken up on New Year’s Day—or any “big” day—and thought, This is it. I’m finally going to be different …and by the afternoon, you’re exactly the same? Yeah, me too. In this episode, I’m ditching the guilt, ditching the resolutions, and leaning into something far more powerful: curiosity and grace . I’ll share how I noticed my patterns without judgment, how I gave myself a little brea...

Recently I sat down with my friend and colleague Brandon Routh—you know, SUPERMAN Brandon Routh—and it wasn’t about movies or stunts or about Hollywood at all really. It was about life. About being vulnerable and brave enough to show up fully and lean into who you really are. About figuring out what matters to you when no one’s watching and how you can make the world a better place for those aroun...

Sometimes it's just about showing up. It's not about perfection or greatness.  It's not about having it all figured out or controlling the outcome.  And that's not an easy pill to swallow if you have centered your life around planning everything out and following a prescribed path like I have.  The hard part of just showing up and allowing things to unfold is that it can feel i...

If you have anything in your life that you feel like you are often asked to explain  or educate others about, this is the perfect podcast for you.  While my particular experience in this dynamic revolves around my sexuality, you could insert any word into that space; Race, Religion, Culture, Gender  - whatever the case is for you.   Our world operates in a binary understanding of most things, whic...

Free will is real.  At least as it relates to our freedom to make decisions in every moment. The freedom to choose to do things differently than we have in the past or to react with a different emotional choice to patterns we recognize in our lives.  No matter what is happening outside of us, we have the power to choose.  To simply decide.  It's not a new concept, and seems to have gathered a...

If you find yourself needing a bit of encouragement to forge your own path towards authenticity - no matter what others think of your plan - this is the podcast for you.  From growing up a queer kid in the suburbs of Ohio to leading a national conversation on LGBTQIA2+ awareness and acceptance, Jonathan Bennett has a wealth of wisdom to share with us about the road less travelled, and the rewards...

The internet is terrible. Social media is ruining our children.  It was better before all of this.  That's where my brain was today before is sat down to record this podcast.  And, lucky you, I decided to bring you along as I try to make sense of all of the conflicting thoughts in my head.  Is it really that bad?  Is it ruining our mental health? Or are we simply approaching it the wrong way?...

I find the best conversations - the kind of conversations that are expansive and  life-changing - come with at least a bit of discomfort.  A bit of uncertainty. Because expansion of any kind involves growth and growth stretches us to look beyond what we think we know to be true.   Today's conversation with my friends Devin & Rowan will absolutely challenge you to step outside your structu...

If ever there were an episode that encapsulates the reason I started this podcast, this would be the one.  I recently had the opportunity to sit down with my dear friend, Tiffany Cooper, and just talk - my favorite thing to do, as you know.  Tiffany and I could not have come from more varied backgrounds and yet we have managed to forge a bond over decades that has allowed me to challenge and grow...

If ever there were a time for us to put aside our preconceived notions about others and truly think critically, that time is now.  Through the mediums of social media and the 24 hour news cycle, the weaponizing of belief systems to divide us and to shut down connective conversations is more prevalent and persuasive than ever.  If you've ever listened to an episode of this podcast you will kno...

Do you have a fear of being perceived? Of putting yourself out into the world? Are you ever afraid of what people will think of you if you show up as your full, authentic self? Because same. And despite hosting a podcast and working in a very public industry for much of my life, sometimes it can all just become too much and the safest option feels like blending into the background of life.  But wh...

My guest for this episode is a man of many, many hats  - author, pastor, politician, husband, father to name a few.  Aside from being the current Political Strategist and Political Director at VOTE COMMON GOOD , he has been an outspoken thought leader  encouraging and embracing inclusion within the Christian Church. He is also currently a candidate for the United States House of Representatives  f...

There are very few statements I make with absolute certainty, and this is one of them: You will never find happiness from the perspective of blaming yourself or another.  Blame in any form is a soul killer. Trust me - I've tried it for much of my life. The key is to shift away from an "at-fault" mentality and really come to understand that blame leaves you powerless. That thing you...

On this episode I had the pleasure to sit down with musician, actor, father and my friend,  Marvin Jones III  - aka Krondon to his music fans -  and to dive into a topic that is often seen in western society as too vulnerable or weak to be discussed with the seriousness that it deserves - Men's Mental Health.  Speaking from my own personal experience I have spent much of my life resigned to m...

Calling all my people pleasers out there!   You may think it's helping others or keeping the peace by sacrificing  your own happiness for another person or group of people, but trust me it's not.  And I speak from decades of experience.  It's actually quite harmful to everyone involved.  No shame, btw.  It's a pretty remarkable survival tactic and it probably helped you make it...

Let me ask you a few questions - and be honest.  How much do you REALLY know about US Immigration Policy?   Do you think you have enough of an education to have a solid opinion on the matter?   Do you think everything you hear about the current state of immigration in the United States is accurately portrayed in the media and by politicians?   Need more information? Luckily we have Immigration Att...

Have you spent your life thinking one day you would FINALLY get to a place where you would just BE HAPPY?  Where all of your particular puzzle pieces would fall into place and you could kick back and coast on the good vibes? Yeah. Me too. That might just be a huge myth.  Or it might not. Let's get into it and you can decide for yourself. Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a...