Good Life Stories

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I sit down with longtime friend Bruce Pflaumer, a professional stylist with a rich history in the fashion industry. Bruce shares his journey from childhood, where his love for style began, to his high school days of being stylish on a budget, and his eventual career at Nordstrom. He also recounts humorous and insightful experiences from his modeling days and t...

Jamila Johnson returns to Good Life Stories to share her personal perspective on the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. As an attorney focused on reproductive rights and criminal justice reform, Jamila shifted her career to help preserve the right to travel for abortion care. She discusses organizing a train trip for Black advocates from the South to Chicago for abortion services, highlightin...

Tracy Crowley interviews Jamila Johnson, an attorney and advocate dedicated to racial equity and criminal justice reform. After the 2016 election, Jamila moved from Seattle to Louisiana to tackle the state's use of non-unanimous jury verdicts, a tool rooted in Jim Crow-era laws. Jamila discusses Louisiana's 1898 constitutional convention, which aimed to maintain "the supremacy of the w...

Jon Acton, an educator and speaker, discusses the power of belief and laughter in overcoming adversity. Jon, a school superintendent in Indiana, inspires others with his positive outlook despite facing health challenges. He emphasizes the importance of making the most of our time and spreading positivity. "If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane." - Jimmy Buffett Jon reflects on h...

Jon Acton, a husband, father, author, and motivational speaker who has been on an extraordinary journey. Jon shares his personal story of being diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer, along with two of his closest teacher friends, all within a 10-month period. I believe Jon Acton is a true inspiration. After a successful career as an educator and school superintendent, he found himself medically ret...

"Be in the room. Even if you don't think you're qualified, you have an opinion. If you feel strong enough to get involved, that gives you an in." In this final episode of my conversation with Krista Kemper, we chat about how to be an effective agent of change by showing up and getting involved, even if you don't feel qualified. Krista Kemper is a mechanical designer and self-pr...

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work" - Emil Zola I am back with Krista Kemper, an engineer who is challenging the misconception that creativity and technical disciplines like math and engineering are mutually exclusive. Krista shares her unique perspective on how art, design, and engineering intersect, and why the skills developed in creative p...

"I have a different operating system. The thing about autism is that it can look so different in every person. It's a spectrum. So I liken it to Linux. Because everybody that really knows, runs and uses Linux, no two setups will look the same." In this episode, I’m back with Krista Kemper, talking about her journey to receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult and how that has impacted...

"To live without you, only that would be torture. I wouldn't torture you with such trivialities." ~ Morticia Addams In this episode, I talk with Krista Kemper about how her relationship with her husband is heavily influenced by the iconic couple, Gomez and Morticia Addams. Krista Kemper is an artist, combat veteran, mother, dancer, QA tech, researcher, army officer's wife, gamer, m...

Our world is getting more complex every day. How can we simplify things? Patrick Allmond is back to help guide the way! In this episode, I talk with marketing expert and "recovering coder" Patrick Allmond about his superpower of making complicated topics simple. Patrick Allmond is a serial entrepreneur, digital marketer, and tech expert who has spent decades helping businesses and individu...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Allmond, founder of Stop Doing Nothing. Patrick shared some fascinating stories and insights from his life and business experiences. "My big philosophy is Stop Doing Nothing. It's the fact that done is better than perfect. If you make constant, forward progress we get so much further in life by being willing...

In this episode of my podcast, I had an insightful discussion with Rory Miller about women's self-defense and finding a qualified instructor. With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Rory offered invaluable perspectives. "Women should not be taught to fight. Women should be taught to assassinate." Rory explained the unique self-defense challenges women face and recommended instru...

Rory Miller is back telling stories about his journey and perspectives in the realm of martial arts. With extensive credentials, Rory shared his evolution from early exposure to mastering disciplines and uncovering the essence of self-control. Born to a boxer and fencer, Rory found his natural home in judo, honing skills under Olympians and learning the value of discipline. He delved into his fasc...

I interviewed my friend Rory Miller in this episode of Good Life Stories. We talked about his amazing transatlantic sailing trip. As someone who has lived an extraordinary life, I was eager to hear Rory's tale from his sailing adventures. Rory's passion for the ocean was first sparked on a high school sailing trip. Years later, despite minimal experience, he eagerly accepted an invitation...

I continue with my discussion with writer Kami Miller about the evolution of her relationship with religion and spirituality. Kami shared how exposure to diverse beliefs, her interest in paganism and stoicism, and the wisdom of age have shaped her personal understanding of the world. As a multi-talented philosopher driven by connections between nature, spirituality, and growth, Kami brought unique...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I am continuing my enlightening conversation with freelance writer Kami Miller. We talk about the realities and challenges of pursuing a writing career. As a talented storyteller, Kami has carved out a rewarding yet complex path in the freelance world. Kami offers candid insights into the pros and cons of freelancing. While she relishes the freedom and potenti...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I sit down with my long-time friend, Kami Miller, to delve into the unique and unpredictable world of farm life. Kami, an author, farmer, and self-proclaimed chatterbox, shares her experiences and stories that will have you laughing, empathizing, and gaining a newfound appreciation for the realities of owning a farm. With her dream of owning a farm in mind, Ka...

In this episode, I talk with Andréa Koehler about the power of coloring and its connection to mindfulness and self-discovery. Andréa Koehler is an expert in using coloring as a tool for relaxation and self-reflection. She shares her own journey with coloring and how it helped her tap into a flow state. "Coloring engages three different types of brain activity, your creative brain, your kinesth...

In this episode, I chat with Andréa Koehler about her three good life stories: her blue hair story, her experience with divorce, and her journey with ADHD. Andréa shares her personal experiences and sheds light on the challenges and misconceptions associated with each topic. "It's absolutely tantamount that you have somebody outside yourself to talk to." ~ Andréa Koehler Andréa Koehler...

Step into the enchanting world of dance, where movement speaks volumes and the body becomes a vessel of storytelling. Brace yourself for a journey of discovery that will challenge everything you thought you knew about performance and mindfulness. Are you ready to unravel the secrets hidden within the power of observation and sensory input? Thanks again and welcome to Good Life Stories. More info:...

In this episode, I talk with the captivating Abby Durr, who takes us on a journey through her unique experiences and profound understanding of life, death, and everything in between. With a decade-long connection, Abby and I delve into the intricacies of relationships, the beauty of heaven, and the art of accomplishing great things. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened as Abby sh...

My special guest today is Maureen O'Shaughnessy, an innovative educator who is passionate about reimagining the education system to empower and include all learners. With extensive experience in founding and leading international schools, she's well-versed in developing inclusive environments that foster belonging and personal growth. Maureen's dedication to youth empowerment extends b...

“Does this inspire me or does this expire me? Does this person inspire me or does this person expire me? This piece of clothing I'm about to wear, do I feel inspired by this? Or expired?” - Wendy Petersen My special guest is Wendy Petersen, a driven entrepreneur with a diverse and inspiring background. She joins me on Good Life Stories to discuss embracing risks for personal and professional g...

"Being underestimated is a superpower. Let them underestimate you because then they will not be on their guard." Maija Solderholm is a martial arts expert with decades of experience training with the likes of Sonny Umpad. Sonny taught her an invaluable lesson: To use being underestimated as a superpower. He would often set up tests, like making her spar with other men. She soon learned tha...

Maija Solderholm has a passion for exploring the world. After being invited by two friends to ride motorcycles across the Himalayas, she spent a year encountering the intense culture and beautiful scenery of India. She learned that people are always willing to help and that the roads are unpredictable. After finally beginning to relax into the rhythm of life’s journey, Maija found a joy in fell ru...