More In Common

  Culture is an agreed-upon set of values and norms that we accept and embrace. In organizations, if these aren't intentional and established, the company is not likely to operate at its best. Ben and Fitz came to some remarkable conclusions about Culture in the collective time at Google causing them to write their book, Debugging Teams. Their goal is to ensure teams operate at their best by being...

History is always 20/20 if we decide to look.  Looking at history from the present perspective is a flawed exercise loaded with past judgment. Too often, we don't look at history from the present it once represented.  As a result, we don't see the perspectives of those that came before us and what they did to give us what we have today. Paula beautifully discusses this phenomenon relative to those...

We are with award-winning book author, TV writer/producer, and feature screenwriter Paula Yoo.  Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, she loves to spend time hanging with her family and cats.                  Her latest Young Adult narrative non-fiction book, FROM A WHISPER TO A RALLYING CRY: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement, is from Norton Young Reader...

  It's rare these days to get into the field you study in college, especially if you don't go onto a master's or Ph. D. program.  The rising costs of education make it more and more challenging to pursue a field that doesn't set you back financially for a lifetime and aligns with how you want to live your life. Brandon Stover is reimaging how to deliver education.   He envisions a practical approa...

  Time continually evolves our needs and how we access those needs.  We have a thirst for knowledge and education, yet, it is increasingly less accessible to us.  Especially education that captures what we want out of life.  Giving us the practical experience to pursue what we know we are good at, but it falls outside the parameters of traditional education. We now can re-envision what education l...

Pursuing our dreams is not easy, and we want it to be, but it is a grind with daily effort to make our reality what we envision it. Jeremiah Smart is an excellent example of someone living that before his dream is fulfilled.  It is never easy, but it becomes easier when we achieve what we set out to do. However, in the early days, belief and a vision have to drive the perseverance to get where you...

So often, we look in the past to see how people have arrived at the present. It's easy to do because we can pick those we see as a "success" and wonder how they got there. What is impressive about this conversation with Jeremiah Smart is that we get to initially see someone with the dreams and vision for their future that has yet to pan out. We don't know where he will end up, but he does, and he...

  We all have a journey.  On our journey's we take many steps in every direction.  Sometimes, those steps have us walking in a circle, and it seems as if there is no way out. As we talk about Elizabeth's philosophy on taking small pivots, we learn about her story.  We learn about what her first Pivot was that sent her life in a direction she never thought possible. After 20 years in an abusive rel...

  In life, there are significant moments that change the direction we go.  There are also big moments we choose not to take for fear of the unknown and the amount of change all at once.  Many people say it is these moments that are necessary to pursue what you want out of life.  And, there is some truth to that. However, there are so many opportunities to take small steps toward what you want.  Li...

  When we pursue passions, especially in a group, a decision needs to be made that the pursuit of the thing will be a way to make money.  Making sure everyone is aligned to the goal while still maintaining the love for the thing is a challenge many people face.  How do we do this without selling ourselves out? Banana Chant has an amazing outlook on this balance, and as a group, they find that bala...

We all work with people with who we don't always see eye to eye.  Sometimes it's our closest relationships that challenge us the most.  Put those two together, and it can be a challenge to accomplish what you set out to. Banana Chant embodies the struggles and the way to resolve those struggles in order to accomplish the common goal.  A group that produces amazing music has to navigate the nuances...

So many things try to dictate how we act. It's easy to follow when we don't know who we really are.  In Part 2 of this conversation with Jessica, we really get into what it looks like to navigate acting most aligned to who you are and not what you are told. The navigation of self within the social structures of our social ecosystems is a balance many do not achieve.  Jessica gets into what this lo...

Life can be complex, with so many different influences on how we see ourselves.  Our identity is wrapped up in so many things that we can easily lose sight of who we really are. Jessica is a shining example of understanding yourself.  She carries many labels.  Those labels could easily cause her to act in a way that is expected by others. Yet, it doesn't change who she is.  She wears her labels wi...

  Our perspective is dramatically shaped by our personal experiences.  Hearing how other people perceive based on their lived experience is a great way to expand your perspective.   In America, we see change as slow and rarely accomplished.  However, when you talk to someone from another country, their perspective of slowness is very different because it truly does take a lifetime for change to oc...

  We create labels to simplify how we see the world. It's an important part of how our brain works.   However, those labels can, and often do, cheat us out of really getting to know someone.   Carlos is a musician. It's easy to come to this conversation with a lot of biases and assumptions based on that one label alone.   What you learn about Carlos in this episode though will change how you look...

Meditation is amazing.  It helps us focus, learn calm, train being present, and can help us rewire how we think about the world. What if you can't meditate? Is it not for you?     So many actually have a hard time meditating. It's a learned skill, and not everyone can access it.  The truth is, many feel like they are broken because they can't do it.  They are missing out on something people swear...

Meditation is amazing.  It helps us focus, learn calm, train being present, and can help us rewire how we think about the world. What if you can't meditate? Is it not for you?     So many actually have a hard time meditating. It's a learned skill, and not everyone can access it.  The truth is, many feel like they are broken because they can't do it.  They are missing out on something people swear...

What stands in your way of feeling accomplished?   Is it your habits or behaviors?    Our guest Melissa Stecher is a mom, owner, creator, and a master of taking control of her life. She's walked the long road of changing habits, behaviors, and her mindset to bring hope into her life. Her inspiring conversation provides hope to others that they to can do the same.   ///   Today we are with Melissa...

What stands in your way of feeling accomplished?   Is it your habits or behaviors?    Our guest Melissa Stecher is a mom, owner, creator, and a master of taking control of her life. She's walked the long road of changing habits, behaviors, and her mindset to bring hope into her life. Her inspiring conversation provides hope to others that they to can do the same.   ///   Today we are with Melissa...

What is culture?  Do you think we have a common, national culture?   It’s complicated…   Culture is an amalgamation of ideas, histories, life experiences and many other things.  Every culture has subcultures, and the more connected we become the more culture becomes dispersed. This is a challenge for many as we look to define what our common culture is and could be.  In this conversation with Ashw...

What is culture?  Do you think we have a common, national culture?   It’s complicated…   Culture is an amalgamation of ideas, histories, life experiences and many other things.  Every culture has subcultures, and the more connected we become the more culture becomes dispersed. This is a challenge for many as we look to define what our common culture is and could be.  In this conversation with Ashw...

“My goal is not to feel like a good person, my goal is to make sure they're okay right now.” - Natalie Christensen   The power of investing in yourself and your identity is truly powerful.   But do you know how powerful it can be?   Our guest Natalie Christensen demonstrates this power in her chosen domain of film. As a film creator she reimagines ways in which she can implement characters of dive...

“My goal is not to feel like a good person, my goal is to make sure they're okay right now.” - Natalie Christensen   The power of investing in yourself and your identity is truly powerful.   But do you know how powerful it can be?   Our guest Natalie Christensen demonstrates this power in her chosen domain of film. As a film creator she reimagines ways in which she can implement characters of dive...

“No wonder I felt awful, because I was saying awful things to myself” - Yvonne Marchese   What helps you answer and explore the question, who are you?   Answers will vary.   At the most simplistic level, responses to this question can be found in aspects of our life such as passions and self-reflection.   In addition, this question can be reflected in how we respond and treat others, or better yet...

“No wonder I felt awful, because I was saying awful things to myself” - Yvonne Marchese   What helps you answer and explore the question, who are you?   Answers will vary.   At the most simplistic level, responses to this question can be found in aspects of our life such as passions and self-reflection.   In addition, this question can be reflected in how we respond and treat others, or better yet...