A More Brilliant Life: Stories of Reinvention

In this episode, Yolanda Reshemah shares her journey of relocation and cultural adaptation, discussing her experiences moving from the Caribbean to England, and then to the US. She reflects on the challenges of culture shock, the importance of community, and the dynamics of family support during transitions. Yolanda emphasizes the need for intentionality in building friendships and understanding c...

Join us as we "reverse engineer" the success of Dr. Angel Baltodano. Born in Nicaragua and raised by a single mother, Angel’s path took him from a dreams of Olympic swimming to the high-stakes world of orthopedic surgery. Despite his expertise, he faced extreme financial hardship, at one point selling vegetables in the streets of Grecia after losing his work permit. In this episode, Dr....

Sairan Aqrawi – Engineer | Business Strategist | Leadership Mentor What if midlife isn’t the end of the road — but the beginning of your most meaningful chapter? In this powerful episode of A More Brilliant Life , host Jacob Rieke sits down with Sairan Aqrawi , a Kurdish-American engineer turned business strategist, to explore what it really means to reinvent your life in midlife. Sairan shares he...

In this episode of A More Brilliant Life, Jake sits down with Christopher Hill, the founder of Hands Up Holidays. Christopher shares his incredible story of reinvention—moving from a grueling career in investment banking in London to launching the world's first luxury voluntourism company. We dive deep into the twists and turns of Christopher's life, including a harrowing backpacking trip...

In this episode, Jake sits down with Richard Bexon, an entrepreneur who has lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years. From growing up in a military family moving between army estates in the UK and Germany , to negotiating high-stakes business deals, Richard’s life is a masterclass in resilience and pivots. Richard shares his journey from washing cars at age 14 to managing a major travel company throu...

Imagine selling everything, leaving the American grind behind, and starting over in a small French village. That’s exactly what Paul Blanchard did — and in this episode of A More Brilliant Life, he shares how the move reshaped his ideas of freedom, culture, and what truly matters. Paul shares his incredible journey—from decades in high-pressure corporate life to a bold relocation to France with hi...

Content creator and author Jenny Mitich joins "A More Brilliant Life" to share one of the most powerful transformation stories you will ever hear. She details her "normal" 90s childhood and how bullying and depression led her down a path of drug use, culminating in a 6-year heroin addiction. Jenny doesn't hold back, describing the rock bottom moment of a family intervention...

Ana Brenes, a successful relocation expert in Costa Rica, shares her profound story of transformation, resilience, and rebuilding her life from scratch. Ana begins by describing her upbringing in a loving, long-lived family in San Jose and her non-linear career path—from an executive assistant at multinational companies to studying international relations and working at the University for Peace. A...

In this episode of A More Brilliant Life, Mark Connor shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Saint Paul to pursuing boxing, writing, and personal transformation. Mark reflects on his father’s influence, the discipline of sports, his passion for poetry, and the challenges of following his calling. We talk about faith, regrets, resilience, and how to discern what really matters in life. Ma...

In this special episode, we are sharing the first chapter of the new book, A More Brilliant Life, which is set to be released on September 16th. The chapter, titled "Rock Bottom," details the author's personal story of feeling unimportant and trapped in a life that, from the outside, looked like the American dream. She recounts waking up on her 30th birthday to a husband who was too...

After two decades driving buses through the streets of Toronto, Carlos Castelo felt life slipping into a monotonous loop — work, bills, exhaustion, repeat. In this candid conversation, Carlos shares how the pandemic, a brush with midlife crisis, and a fearless recon trip to Costa Rica sparked a bold decision: sell it all and start fresh in a new country. From fears and family adjustments to buildi...

In this conversation, Jacob Rieke interviews Jim Burrows, who shares his transformative journey from obesity to health. Jim discusses the catalysts that prompted his change, including his role as a cross country coach and the realization of needing to be around for his grandkids. He reflects on his weight loss journey, the challenges of dieting, and the importance of strength training. The convers...

Is that the voice of Jesse Ventura? No, Jay Schmidt, shares his transformative journey from a 30-year career in the dairy industry to becoming a tour guide in the UK. Jay discusses the personal challenges he faced, including an unhappy marriage, and how his daughter's encouragement led him to explore tourism. He reflects on the cultural adjustments he made after relocating to the UK, the chall...

In this episode, Jacob Rieke interviews Sophia Reuser, who shares her journey from a corporate job in the Netherlands to a fulfilling life in Costa Rica as an Ayurvedic therapist and tour guide. Sophia discusses her experiences with burnout, the importance of self-discovery, and how traveling has shaped her understanding of health and happiness. She emphasizes the significance of listening to one&...

Olga Brouwer shares her transformative journey from being a teacher in the Netherlands to becoming a life and leadership coach living in the Azores. She discusses the challenges of identity, personal growth, and the importance of embracing change. Olga reflects on her experiences with coaching, art, and the lessons learned through her transitions, emphasizing the significance of speaking one's tru...

In this episode, Chris DT Gordon shares his incredible journey of personal transformation following a life-threatening incident caused by flesh-eating bacteria. He discusses the initial event, the diagnosis, and the extensive treatment he underwent at the Mayo Clinic. Throughout his recovery, Chris emphasizes the importance of community support and the mental shift he experienced, leading to an at...

In this episode, Brie Taralson shares her transformative journey from a career in healthcare to establishing a community hub and bookstore, Ulm Sweet Ulm and Lykke Books. She discusses the impact of COVID-19 on her mental health, the importance of reflection in finding clarity, and the significance of community building. Brie emphasizes the value of aligning one's career with personal values a...

In this conversation, Jacob Rieke and Jeff Toomer discuss the transformative journey of Jeff, who transitioned from a career as a funeral director to becoming a fitness coach. They explore the importance of support from loved ones, the challenges of daily life in a demanding job, and the pivotal moments that led to Jeff's significant weight loss and lifestyle changes. The discussion emphasizes...

In this conversation, Jacob Rieke and Ann Vote explore the transformative journey of Ann from a negative mindset in her teaching career to becoming a motivational speaker and culture coach. They discuss the importance of recognizing when one is stuck, the impact of personal development, and the necessity of surrounding oneself with positivity. Ann shares her experiences of overcoming negativity, t...

Have you ever stared in awe, wondering how some individuals orchestrate a complete metamorphosis of their health, career, and entire life? Gwen doesn't just wonder; she shows you. Discover the powerful journey of how she shed 60 pounds, banished chronic fatigue, and transformed from an unhealthy existence into the thriving fitness and health coach she is today. In this episode, Jacob Rieke intervi...

Kylie Rieke went from living as a farmer's wife in Minnesota to an author and life coach living in Costa Rica.