In Residence with Keith and Laura

Keith and Laura sift through the messy space between work and home, routine and holidays, intention and reality. Using a full Thanksgiving week of traditions and family time as their backdrop, Laura and Keith explore what it really means to stay grounded when life gets full rather than perfectly balanced. Accountability with CareKeith names the exhaustion that can come from a “vacation that n...

Keith and Laura dive into feedback with the help of Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen’s book, Thanks for the Feedback. Laura introduces the three core types of feedback: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation. Appreciation fuels motivation, coaching aims to build skills, and evaluation measures performance against expectations. Inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s newsletter and the book Thanks for the...

Keith and Laura dive deep into the art and science of journaling—not a simple diary, but a dynamic tool for self-discovery and growth. Journaling can help us move past mental blocks, gain clarity, and chart an intentional path toward our most important goals. Keith’s Perspective Keith frames journaling as part reflection, part action plan. He can feel unproductive or guilty when journaling doesn't...

Keith and Laura dig into the art of managing life’s inevitable interruptions. Unforeseen events can derail even the most intentional routines. And at the same time, we can create our own, scheduled, interruptions that help keep us on the track we have chosen. Interruptions often feel inconvenient for Keith, but they can be an opportunity for real progress. He shares that small chores and tasks, wh...

Keith and Laura explore personal and professional growth, centered on the VIA Institute’s character strengths assessment. As Keith and Laura share their results, listeners are invited to reflect on their own strengths and challenge areas, and learn how self-awareness can fuel progress in life goals. Keith brings a pragmatic lens to the conversation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing n...

Laura and Keith are prioritizing health, embracing life’s unpredictability, and cultivate resilience through their partnership and self-awareness. This episode is a candid reminder that growth—and health—is a winding path, best navigated with both planning and openness. Keith and Laura reconnect after a long week apart and debrief about their respective health appointments and Laura's journey home...

Keith and Laura dive into Brené Brown's book Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit. The conversation explores how foundational leadership principles transform both professional environments and personal relationships. Emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation, Strong Ground and the discussion and reveals practi...

Keith and Laura tackle showing up after you feel you've failed. They explore how consistent effort can lead to high-pressure moments that test your resilience. The Milwaukee Brewers' playoff journey helps lead of this conversation. Keith brings up the power of emotional balance and the importance of not getting "too high or too low" in response to outcomes. Drawing from actor Stephen Tobolows...

Keith and Laura review what gave energy, note what drained it, and remind each other to center themselves. They may have dropped the ball in some ways, but  pausing to reflect allows them to shift back to prioritizing their main goals. Laura’s 2025 theme was “grounded,” prioritizing connection and stability during a year of distance, centering family, and reframing success as showing up...

Doing epic things doesn't need to require extreme or grand gestures. It can simply mean showing up daily with intention and consistency. Keith and Laura explore what it truly means to pursue meaningful goals while maintaining balance and avoiding the traps of perfectionism and limiting beliefs. After observing a bird floating peacefully on Lake Michigan, Keith imagines the bird to likely be paddli...

Keith and Laura discuss the common struggle of being caught in cycles of good intentions followed by inconsistent action. Keith examines the disconnect between where he places his energy and where he wants to direct it. The conversation reveals how perfectionism often disguises itself as high standards while actually preventing progress, rather than supporting growth. Keith's is noticing ener...

Keith and Laura share what they've learned through nearly two decades of marriage. This conversation reveals practical wisdom and insights that strengthen their relationships while maintaining individual growth and shared adventure. Laura champions adventure and spontaneity as vital relationship elements, consistently encouraging new experiences and maintaining curiosity about the world. Her...

Keith and Laura explore ideas from Jon Acuff’s book Soundtracks. Mental soundtracks—the thoughts we repeat to ourselves—shape our decision. Acuff's practical framework for identifying and transforming our limiting thought patterns into forward momentum through intentional environmental design and supportive rituals is simple and actionable. Both Laura and Keith agree that sustainable creative prac...

Keith and Laura celebrate two years of In Residence by examining how comfort supports resilience. Framed by the “cotton” theme of a second anniversary, the conversation blends seasonal coziness, practical habits, and mindset shifts that help sustain energy without compromising pace, and why leaning into discomfort is essential for growth. Laura and Keith seek comfort intentionally through designin...

Keith and Laura open up about the transitions of midlife. There is a mix of excitement, anxiety, and self-discovery that comes as children grow, careers evolve, and our health demands new attention. Recognizing changes so they don’t become hidden stressors takes intention, consistency, and work. Check your blind spots. If you don’t pause to notice the shifts, they’ll catch you off guard. Keit...

Keith and Laura explore the often-overlooked value of wonder—those moments of awe, gratitude, and joy that can shift our perspective and bring us back to the present. Keith shares how a simple moment at a wedding—a magician’s performance—became surprisingly transformative. The Freedom of Letting GoNormally someone who seeks answers and explanations, Keith found himself choosing to not analyze the...

Keith and Laura discovered that the gap between what we say and what others assume we mean during a post-travel communication breakdown. When Laura mentioned being hungry during their drive home, Keith’s tired brain immediately filled in the blanks creating unnecessary tension. His exasperated response shut down the conversation before it could truly begin. But, curiosity offers a powerful so...

Keith and Laura examine how time, money, and attention function as finite resources, while skills like reflection, communication, and self-awareness serve as tools that strengthen through practice. The conversation takes place during their trip to Sweden, where they reflect on personal growth, the importance of "sharpening the saw," and how stepping outside comfort zones reveals opportunities for...

Keith and Laura take a trip to Sweden. Sometimes the most meaningful journeys happen when we step outside our individual comfort zones, together. Record in their hotel’s podcast booth in Stockholm, Sweden, Laura and Keith discuss their family trip which included: Swedish midsummer celebrations, a Green Day and Weezer concert, playing mini golf across multiple towns, connecting with family her...

Keith and Laura explore the power of intentional and practical communication strategies that foster deep connection. True intimacy in relationships isn't built on what we accomplish for each other—it's founded on feeling genuinely seen and valued for who we are at our core. The Foundation of Being SeenLaura brings powerful awareness to the distinction between transactional appreciation and authent...

Keith and Laura explore how setbacks can either derail us or become catalysts for growth. Laura’s tennis journey reveals how setbacks can derail progress and passion. Without proper support systems, we can abandon things we love when faced with challenges. After breaking her leg during her sophomore year of college, Laura found herself struggling with the physical and mental demands of recovery. H...

Keith and Laura explore the powerful lesson of taking action with available resources rather than postponing dreams until everything aligns perfectly. Starting with what you have instead of waiting for perfect conditions can transform how you approach goals and creative projects. Keith shares a pivotal college experience that continues to influence his approach to creative work decades later. His...

Keith and Laura explore lessons from the game of tennis. Both hosts agreed that tennis teaches essential life skills: resilience through adversity, learning from each experience, and maintaining integrity under pressure. These principles apply whether you're pursuing professional goals, personal development, or simply navigating daily challenges. Laura brought her deep tennis experience to the con...

Keith and Laura were looking for a way to recalibrate and energize themselves. Both a little tired and run down, the couple try to focus on the family’s weekend. A trip to a winter market, what could go wrong? Keith’s practicality and sense of obligation can create overwhelm and distract from his practice and creativity. This time around, it threatens the whimsy and sense of play Laura craves whil...

Keith and Laura explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence. Both Laura and Keith acknowledge the challenges and fears surrounding AI, including job displacement and privacy concerns. They also highlight the opportunities AI presents for new roles and creative collaboration. Laura shares her evolution from initial curiosity to actively using AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft...