Awkwardly Awesome w/ Jason Freeman

“The only thing I wanted for my son was the best opportunities to have access to what he needed.” ~ Sarah Anthony   Sarah Anthony was well along her path to becoming a lawyer when her son, Aden, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.  At that time, “austim” was a word Sarah had hardly heard, as the condition was not widely known or discussed.   Like many things in life, a diagnosis of autism...

“You mean there’re other things besides having fun?  Unless it’s fun on some fundamental level, for me, it’s not going to happen.  Humans play.  On a spiritual level, I think it’s our job as humans to find joy.  Whatever you pick, try to find some joy in it.  Just have some fun.”  ~ Anne Porter   Since retiring from a career passionately supporting the arts in various capacities, Anne Porter, AP a...

“I think for so many people guilt is a paralyzing thing which gives them blinders.  At the bottom of it all we are one humanity, all with dignity.”  ~ Sarah Meagher Sarah Meagher was 18 years old when she first came face to face with mass scale poverty. She was on a youth group service trip to Mexico, and for Sarah the experience was not only overwhelming, it brought about deep feelings of guilt a...

We all have challenges, which is why we need people like Tom Clute to remind us that we matter greatly.  That what we are doing is worth the effort.  That we’re free to choose challenges, to struggle, to be resilient and to try and try again.   Tom Clute walks his talk.  He’s an honorably discharged, disabled US Air Force Veteran, he has a Master of Social Work (MSW), is an advocate and resource i...

“I want middle school, high school and college students to feel loved and cared for.  That they are more than just the talent they bring to the stage.  I want them to feel that they are worth knowing and treasuring.” ~ Emily Magera Emily Magera caught her first big break in third grade.  She was cast in “Honk!”, a popular, Olivier Award-winning musical that retells Hans Christian Andersen’s classi...

Whether you are graduating from high school, college or just another day of work, congratulations on being you and navigating this unpredictable and crazy life.     Wherever you happen to be, I have a question for you about questions.  Specifically, are the questions you find yourself repeatedly asking empowering you to grow or are they keeping you struggling and miserable?   I ask because I’ve fo...

“The number one mission for Parks and Recreation should be building community, but, the unfortunate reality is that engagement is often treated as an afterthought.”  ~ Joe Batcheller   Have you ever stopped to think about all the boxes that need to be checked in order for a town, city, or county to be appealing?  There is so much that needs to be planned, from housing, to transportation, to land u...

“I believe that on a very fundamental level humans are meant to find purpose in doing challenging things.  I believe that AI can enhance what we do, but we must start with a baseline of willingness to learn and think.  I believe starting with a high baseline is very important.  Use AI to push you and give you feedback that challenges you to be your very best.” ~ Luke Cumbee When I think about AI,...

“Sometimes you have to let go of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are living.” ~ Flo Mina I met Flo Mina through my late friend Bob Donnell.  Bob had been elated to introduce us because after a life filled with tremendous loss, he’d finally met the love of his life and had rediscovered the joy of happiness.  Bob and Flo’s happiness together was somewhat ir...

Jason sits down with photographer Serge Van Neck to trace his journey from Amsterdam to Phoenix and the Rosebud Reservation.  Together they explore how he discovered and refined his craft—from mastering exposure and lenses to embracing film and long exposures. Serge shares how his Baha'i belief in unity and diversity informs his work, and he reflects on timing, composition, and doing one’s imperfe...

“Art has the power to tell stories, change perspectives, and help unite communities on various causes and issues. I use art to engage people in dialogue on current events, advocacy issues, disability rights issues and much more.” ~ Alicia Hopkins, from her artist statement   It’s far too tempting to fall into the trap of thinking that true creativity talent is reserved for the lucky few with astou...

“I’m not Taylor Swift or an opera singer but I can still go out there and sing.  The invitation is to walk through the ring of fire that our fears have lit.”  ~ Sandi Kimmel   Sandi Kimmel makes her third appearance on Awkwardly Awesome Podcast as her story and creative genius keep expanding.   Growing up in Sandi’s family, being academic was the prize.  As a creative person, she knew in her heart...

“There is something in many ancient practices, be it acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic, that works or helps, but none of them are a one-stop-shop.  None of them can cure everything all the time.”  ~ Mike Huber   In college, Mike Huber decided on an accounting degree for a very logical reason:  He  knew having a definitive skill would make for a lasting career.  Then he joined the military in order t...

“Going through a tough time definitely makes you a sharper person.  I think back to being in the hospital because I had a grapefruit-sized tumor in my head.  I kept waiting and waiting.  My surgery was delayed three times.  During that time, so much of my emotional well-being depended on my inner circle.  For example, my best friend Jake texted everyday.  Being alone was and still is one of my gre...

“Just as I was about to reach the top of the mountain I’d been climbing for years, I caught a glimpse of the view—and realized I was on the wrong mountain. So I jumped.”  ~ Paul Abel   This week, we’re joined by Paul Abel, Ph. D., who takes us on a deep dive into the high-stakes world of academia and the "awkward" courage it takes to pivot once you’re about to reach the summit of everything you th...

In this Fan Favorite episode, Tiffani Brooke Fest shares her journey from a childhood marked by abuse and hardship to finding sanctuary in theater, success as an actress, and healing through Buddhism. She explains how her pain became the fuel for her craft and the catalyst of her compassion. Over time, Tiffani has turned her personal suffering into service—supporting survivors and volunteering at...

“There’s often a misconception about confidence.  It’s not that I don’t feel scared, it’s that I do it anyway.” ~ Chandler Price   The parents of Chandler Price knew she was meant for the arts after seeing her dance around on the soccer field instead of helping her teammates win the game one too many times.  So, they decided to enroll her in dancing, acting, and singing classes instead and young C...

When I, Jason Freeman, host of Awkwardly Awesome Podcast, began talking about the power of doing my Imperfect Best in 2015, I somehow assumed I was the expert on it thanks to the adversity my speech impediment and coordination issues caused me.  But, the more I spoke and wrote about it, the more I found that far from being an expert on Imperfect Best, I was very much still an eager student learnin...

QUESTION: What do you do when the sofa in your home becomes way too comfortable? ANSWER: You rent out your home for half a year and become a part-time nomad.   This is precisely the type of change Breezy is continually innovating her life with. When I met Breezy, her name was Briana.  She came into my life as a mentor when I was relatively new to San Diego and needed some kind, insightful guidance...

“To me money isn’t a big deal.  I was a pastor.  I was a teacher.  I’ve worked with the homeless.  My wife is an artist.  We get by on less.  My house tilts to the east, but it’s classy.” ~ Steve Boint   If you’ve listened to this podcast long enough, you know how much I love a good tale.  Fortunately for all of us, Steve Boint, has had a life chock full of great ones.  Take this one for example: ...

“Pop culture isn’t just a source of entertainment; it’s a powerful force in society. It influences our beliefs, it affects our personality, and it often reflects the importance of our lives.” ~ Aiza Shahid as published on Medium   Between kindergarten and 12th grade, Chris Taylor moved five times, attended four different elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, across four sta...

David Sunde is a former firefighter and avid adventurer whose career was cut short when he suffered a stroke at the age of 56.  Not content with the prospect of being mostly stuck at home while others cared for him, David leaned into his determination to continue on with his life of adventure and service.  David was fortunate that he was young and in shape but still recovery was immensely challeng...

“Why people? People just need a little inspiration, a positive and supportive voice in their head, because when people get out of their own way, they can change the world.” ~ Aaron Johnson   Sometimes the most defining opportunities show up long before we understand their impact. Aaron Johnson was twelve years old when his father stepped away from the business that had long supported his family an...

I met Jason Ranek in high school.  We bonded over our shared interest in writing poetry.   He challenged and inspired me to become the best poet I could be.  Through the years Jason has invited me to think deeply about life, to explore meditation and rigorously reflect on what it means to be human.  I’ve also had the privilege of getting to witness his epic journey of transformation.  I’ll never f...

“The person who is supposed to love me most is saying I’m stupid.  When you are told you're a bad person for a long time, it takes awhile to learn to love yourself again.” ~ Carol Beth Nelson, MD   Carol Beth Nelson, MD is a neurologist, a mother to four adult children and five adult step children, a life-long avid swimmer, and a lover of the small South Dakota town she grew up in.  Since 2018, sh...