Let's Pause

Ever wish you received the gift of a dirt bike, ATV, or four-wheeler? Me too, but what if the kind of Suzuki you got instead was a type of music lesson? Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Suzuki methods in music instruction - and in building character. Our guest today is James Hutchins - Suzuki violin teacher of teachers (and allegedly personal violin teacher of Cuban leader, Raul Cast...

We've all had them...good ones and bad ones. What separates the good boss from the bad boss? Tune in to this Misfit Podcast episode as we stroll through a professional life of good and bad bosses. We reveal the top 7 characteristics of great bosses. We also identify several pitfalls to avoid as you manage and lead others in the workplace. Climb into the conversation and join us as we "pa...

It's not just a house, it's a home! Join us on this episode of Let's Pause as we host the Sandhill's Habitat for Humanity executive director, Aime Fraley. What do you mean they don't give away homes?! Tune in, learn more, and spread the good news about Habitat and what it does to partner with families ensuring affordable housing for all! Thanks for listening to Let's...

What would you do with a $1 Billion dollars?  With mad-money you could do almost anything...but what would you really do? What if you couldn't spend it on yourself...you had to give it away...how would you choose your charity or recipients? In many ways, what we do with our treasure says something about what we value most. Tune in for this episode of our Misfit podcast series and let's l...

What would you do if a 2000 lbs walrus gave you a hug? More importantly, why are there 240 lemurs living in a Durham, NC forest? Our guest on this episode is Greg Dye, the Executive Director of the Duke Lemur Center, the world's largest concentration of endangered lemurs (outside of their native Madagascar). This amazing habitat and rehabilitation center was home to the beloved Jovian (Zaboo)...

Who do you turn to when you face a major life decision? Tune in and join us for another Misfit podcast series episode as Mark is our host and Jeff is our guest. During this episode we explore several of Jeff's recent major life decision as well as projected future challenges. When do you include your spouse or family in navigating tough decisions? What's the role of prayer or seeking gui...

Join us as we explore the world of craft beer, with business owner, Micah Niehbauer - owner and founding member of the Southern Pines Brewing Company. From Green Beret to entrepreneur to brew master, we chronicle the journey and the joy of building community in a small town and working to extend their branding to a "community of communities" throughout North Carolina.  Learn more about r...

Join us today for another episode of our Island of Misfit Podcast series. In this episode Jeff is our host while Mark is our guest and together they explore the top five picks of three mystery categories. Tune in and find out what makes Mark's top five in each category and why! What would your top five list look like? Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn more, check out www.lets...

Have you ever found a good hooker? What about a great one? If you're a writer or a lover of words...hopefully you have! Joining Let's Pause in this episode is author and psychologist, Dr. Mardy Grothe. Dr. Grothe offers listeners a master-class on the use of literary devices such as first-lines, best quotes, clever quips, resourceful retorts, and final words. It is a fascinating look at...

On this episode from the Island of Misfit Podcast series, we explore what makes Jeff anxious, where his anxiety comes from, and ways to manage worry and irrational beliefs. Whether you struggle with significant anxiety or you just get nervous like most people, our exploration of anxiety life hacks, tactics for challenging worry, and pathways to engage our parasympathetic nervous system (the relaxa...

Join the conversation as we explore the literal "next gen" in people - Native Digitals. A new typology in humankind - they've never known a world without connectivity or the internet. Their very experience of what it means to be human, in community, and a citizen is different than the rest of the species ("the Analogs"). Tune in as we examine engagement strategies for the...

Join us for another episode of our Island of Misfit Podcast series! Tune in as we explore the meaning of dreams, best practices for remembering them, and the value and purpose of dreaming. In this episode, Mark hosts (Jeff guests) and we plum the depths of Jeff's sleeping mind...what is his wildest fantasy dream (IT IS SHOCKING)! Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn more, check...

On this episode of Let's Pause, we explore the intersectionality of racial and ethnic identity in First Nation Indigenous peoples and historical traumas beset by colonialization. Join us as we welcome Dr. Kisha Supernant, Director of the Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archeology and Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alberta. As an indigenous and First Nation member...

 Welcome to another episode of our Island of Misfit Podcast series. In this episode we explore the pros and cons of military service, and somehow find our way into Waffle House to discuss their biggest franchise mistake. If you've ever served (not waffles) or have thought about signing up and shipping out, tune in as we weigh the services against each other - is it better to be an "army...

Join us as we plum the depths of human performance with extreme athlete (and Guinness Book of World Records - holder) Vicki Otmani. Vicki and her rowing partner hold an EXTREME world record - the fastest women to row across the Pacific Ocean (from the Cali coast to Honolulu). In just under 58 days at sea, Vicki Otmani and Megan Biging fought the Kraken...four hurricanes, 60 foot swells, and each o...

On this episode of the Island of Misfit Podcasts, we invite Jeff to explore the age-old question...Is it better to give than receive? Join us as we discover the greatest gift Jeff has ever received and the best gift he's given. This creative, dedicated father and "feeler" doesn't disappoint!  (www.letspause.org) Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn more, check out...

On this episode of Let's Pause, our guest is singer-songwriter and Twitch TV personality, Annelle Staal. As a content creator, reality curator, and someone who makes her living on the balance of social media engagement, we explore the upside and downside of social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Are you authentic or transparent when it comes to your p...

On this episode of our Island of Misfit Podcasts series, Jeff is my guest as we pop the question...what is his greatest "pain gain"? What painful experience has led to the greatest gains (personally or professionally)? Tune in and learn more about why our most painful experiences are often are greatest teachers! Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn more, check out www.letsp...

In this episode we tackle the difficult topic of grief and loss. Ubiquitous to human experience, we can't escape suffering losses and the natural grieving process that results.  Whether its a catastrophic loss like the death of a spouse or something less traumatic like the loss of a job...our ability to "grieve well" requires thoughtful engagement, emotional and physical presence, a...

In this episode, Jeff hosts Mark as guest and we explore, "If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?" Join us as Mark journey's through his misspent youth in search of landmines to avoid, love to secure, and lost opportunities to get rich quick! Ask yourself what would you do? Is the "butterfly effect" real? Is the past better to leave in the pas...

In this episode we explore leadership development and behavioral integrity with a true subject matter expert, Dr. Kevin Basik. Join us as Kevin guides us through the central components of how leaders lead with integrity - an alignment between their habits of excellence and the type of person they've committed to be. We investigate the role of competence, confidence, and commitment - the trife...

Join us as we celebrate our Let's Pausiversary! It's true...we've been on the podcast journey for one year. In this episode we explore the journey while we celebrate the destination. Learn more about the Let's Pause origin story, our humble beginnings, the continued buffoonery, poor audio engineering, and outstanding guests!  Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn m...

In a highly competitive job market, finding the greatest talent is critical for an organization. Good hires not only translate into bottom line profits, but also in talent retention and team morale. Our guest on this episode is Dr. Michelle Ambrose, an expert in Talent Management and the assessment and selection of specialized personnel. Join us as we explore the critical components in personnel s...

Welcome to another episode of our Island of Misfit Podcast series! On this episode Jeff interviews Mark and they explore Mark's "best day ever" - we dive into what makes for a great day for most people and look past the superficial and tangible - it's not about the money or the things, it's about the people, the places, and the peak moments in our lives that make the diffe...

Fear is a natural state...an initial response to threat and loss. During this episode we explore the value of Fear in our lives and ways to overcome its negative effects.  Our guest is SMSgt George Earhart – a Special Operations combat veteran who shares his personal story of tragedy, challenge, and his journey to rise above both. An inspiring story that will motivate you to see setbacks as opport...