Just Ripe

What happens when you finally reach the life you worked so hard to create and discover it isn't exactly what you expected? Joanne Clark reflects on her journey from marketing executive to retiree, author, and entrepreneur. Several years into retirement, she found herself questioning long-held assumptions about fulfillment and purpose. Through honesty and perspective, Joanne explores the difference...

How do life's early challenges shape the person you become and aspire to be? In this episode, Dr. Alejandro Góngora reflects on growing up fast after his father's incarceration at age 14 and the responsibility that came with it. He shares how those experiences fueled a lifelong passion for helping students and families realize their potential through education. Alejandro also opens up about becomi...

What happens when life forces you to let go of control and see yourself and others differently? In this episode of Just Ripe, Sylvia “Sly” Cosmopoulos shares her journey from growing up and finding her place in the restaurant business to becoming a respected voice in the beverage world. Along the way, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her perspective, including personal struggles, physic...

What happens when life evolves and the traditional path no longer feels like the right fit? In this episode, Lori Castillo reflects on her journey from first-generation college graduate to corporate executive to entrepreneur. She opens up about the influence of her parents, long-distance seasons with her husband, her battle with breast cancer, and helping care for her mother with dementia. Through...

What does it look like to step away from what once defined you and move toward a life that feels more aligned with who you are becoming? In this episode of Just Ripe, Jay Johnson reflects on a journey shaped by his upbringing in Florida, personal challenges, and pivotal life transitions. From supporting his wife through cancer to walking away from a high-level executive role in search of something...

What shapes the path you choose and the purpose you carry forward? Former mayor of San Antonio, Ed Garza reflects on his upbringing, the influence of family and community, and the early loss of his mother that helped shape his perspective on life and service. From those formative experiences, he shares how his passion for public service took root and evolved over time. Along the way, we get to kno...

What does it mean to take better care of something you use every single day, but rarely think about? Dr. Levi Jurich helps us “brush up” on dental hygiene with a conversation that’s light, easy, and surprisingly insightful. From everyday habits to the small things we tend to overlook, he shares practical reminders to keep your teeth—and overall health—in a good place. We laugh a lot along the way,...

What does it mean to travel with intention—not just across the world, but through the seasons of your life? In this episode of Just Ripe , Monica Colby shares her journey from discovering travel by accident to building a 40-year career helping others explore the world. She offers insights into the travel industry, how her perspective has evolved, and why our reasons for traveling shift over time—a...

What does it mean to stay steady through life’s biggest changes? In this episode of Just Ripe , Kurt Martin reflects on a childhood shaped by frequent moves in a U.S. Air Force family, a 34-year career in the beverage industry, and retiring early. He shares perspective on losing his wife to cancer, raising two young daughters on his own, and learning to show up for others while navigating grief. W...

Are you growing by design or by default? In this episode of Just Ripe , we’re joined by John Gellhausen , entrepreneur and owner of Fire Truck Solutions, whose path spans corporate banking leadership to building something new later in life. We explore career transition, entrepreneurship after corporate life, keeping relationships strong, and staying open to opportunity while understanding your lim...

What if you stopped planning for retirement and started planning for life? In this episode of Just Ripe , we’re joined by Chris Powers, Partner at Merit Financial , to explore planning for what’s next —where money supports purpose, not just an exit date. We talk about the evolving role of a CFP® as both financial advisor and life-planning partner , why life doesn’t end after work, and how being in...

In this short teaser, Dr. Rob and Sir Ric introduce Just Ripe — a podcast about life’s seasons, meaningful transitions, and the moments that help us grow wiser, lighter, and more fulfilled along the way. This is where honest conversations live — not preachy, not overly technical — just real talk about purpose, perspective, and the chapters that come after “what’s next.” In this episode you’ll hear...