Off The Comma

In this episode, we talk to Bob Thompson. He is someone who does things differently, is not afraid to question, and challenges bullies. Bob lives in the United States.  Bob tells us about sitting on a comma with a major career pivot; not just because he wanted change, but because he never really wanted the first path. At a point of inflection in his career as a chemist, Bob chose to level up his t...

In this episode, we talk to Sophia Demas. She is happy, caring and purpose-driven. Sophia lives in the United States.  Sophia tells us about sitting on a comma with listening to coincidences. From an early age, her mother taught her how to speak to divine entities. As an adult, her first miracle happened from a dream that sent her into a relationship with her dream interpreter. As a result, Sophia...

In this episode, we talk to Teresa Wornstaff. She describes herself as someone who believes legacy is important, values influence and seeks deep interactions with others. Teresa lives in the United States.  Teresa tells us about sitting on a comma with a career pivot during the pandemic. While the career and identity shift was significant in itself, it also created a space for Teresa to unlock and...

In this episode, we talk to Glenn Poulos. He describes himself as an entrepreneur, dog lover, and a charity DJ. Glenn shares time living between Canada and the United States.  Glenn tells us about sitting on a comma after selling his business. What was supposed to be a new start and an opportunity for change ended up being a lesson in core values for Glenn. While agreeing to stay on as part of the...

In this episode, we talk to Vicki James. She is resilient and a connector and supporter of others. Vicki lives in Spain.  Vicki tells us about sitting on a comma after ending a career job in Manhattan. When faced with “what’s next”, Vicki was clear that she no longer wanted to live by the norms of others and decided to “let it all go”. By working through a process of values identification, alignme...

In this episode, we talk to Alexandra Lauren. She describes herself as adventurous, zesty for life and non-traditional. Alexandra lives in the United States.  Alexandra tells us about sitting on a comma with deciding how she wanted to live her life. After growing up as an overachiever who tried to meet external expectations, Alexandra found herself living in dual realities. One part of her chose t...

In this episode, we talk to Vince Hannant. He describes himself as purposeful, determined and reflective. Vince lives in the United Kingdom.  Vince tells us about sitting on two commas from his relationship with alcohol. After a moment where Vince found all the buckets in his life overflowing, he faced his first comma and decided to quit drinking in order to regain control. After a successful time...

In this episode, we talk to Stacy Phillips. She is a mother and grandmother who likes to give back to her community. Stacy lives in the United States.  Stacy tells us about sitting on a comma with running her firm. After years of a rich career and a self-described “snooty resume”, Stacy lost interest in the operational aspects of running her firm. Wanting to have greater reach in her contributions...

In this episode, we talk to Peter Moore. He describes himself as an enthusiastic adventurer with a sense of humor. Peter lives in the United States.  Peter tells us about sitting on a comma after being laid off from an important job role. Identifying so much of his career with his affiliations and access, Peter felt cut off from not only his work, but his colleagues and work friends and more. Whil...

In this episode, we talk to Zylo Marshall. He describes himself as someone who loves people and is passionate about helping others with disabilities. Zylo lives in the United States.  Zylo tells us about sitting on a comma with receiving help and support while living with a disability. Living with a brain injury and growing up in an abusive household led to many challenges for Zylo. Still, he soug...

In this episode, we talk to Raymond Foster. He describes himself with his Myers-Briggs types: openness, disagreeableness, and conscientiousness. Raymond lives in the United States.  Raymond tells us about sitting on a comma with writing two books that each taught him different things about himself and his process. When Raymond was compiling his work stories into his first fiction book, he struggle...

In this episode, we talk to Peter Stavros. He describes himself as creative, resilient and a work in progress. Peter lives in the United States.  Peter tells us about sitting on a comma with colitis, a health condition that rendered him out of commission for an entire year. While battling with his health scare, Peter was inspired to document his recovery by writing about it. Not only did this help...

In this episode, we talk to Jack LaFountain. He describes himself as a vagabond dreamer. Jack lives in the United States.  Jack tells us about sitting on a comma after a back surgery necessitated a career shift. When the prospect of continuing to work as a nurse was no longer possible for Jack, he pivoted through retirement and into writing full time. While writing and creating had always been a p...

In this episode, we talk to Luna Westish. She describes herself as curious, contemplative, and adventurous. Luna lives in the United States.  Luna tells us about sitting on a comma with deciding how she wanted to publish her next book. While facing challenges with attention, Luna worked to get clear on what outcomes she wanted for her book and the process she wanted to use to complete the work nee...

In this episode, we talk to Toni Akin. She describes herself as kind, hard-working and community-focused. Toni lives in the United States.  Toni tells us about being born on a comma. Growing up as LGBTQ in a housing project, Toni’s life was shaped by challenges and stigmatization. Navigating the difficulties of this early life, she looked to her community to shape and support her. Family and coach...

In this episode, we talk to John Rennie. He describes himself as a leader who is empathetic and creates unity. John lives in the United States.  John tells us about sitting on a comma with a transition in his life; winding down a long-term business and propping up a new ministry. Strong in his faith, John tells us about the challenges of losing his identity as a business owner and learning to subm...

In this episode, we talk to Polly Lovell. She describes herself as empathetic, insightful, and driven. Polly lives in the United Kingdom.  Polly tells us about sitting on two commas that were connected. Polly describes setting down alcohol while going through a stressful divorce; needing to have clarity while going through the process. However, after claiming her freedom, she found herself returni...

In this episode, we talk to Mark Blacknell. He describes himself as expansive, flawed and an amalgamation of primordial stuff. Mark lives in the United States.  Mark tells us about sitting on a comma with PTSD and feeling “messy” in life. While his life was threaded with anxiety, depression, and challenging thoughts, Mark found ways to move forward despite the struggles. What was missing for him w...

In this episode, we talk to Aaron Ryan. He describes himself as a dual storyteller, family man and provider/protector. Aaron lives in the United States.  Aaron tells us about sitting on several commas around career and job pivots. As a creator his entire life, Aaron enjoys being a storyteller. While he has told many stories in many ways throughout his life, his passion revolves around writing his...

In this episode, we talk to Kate Hendrickson. She describes herself as family-oriented, southern-proud, and strategic. Kate lives in the United States.  Kate tells us about sitting on many commas and the process she follows each time. Whether it was what to study at school, the work she wanted to do, or a critical life decision in the midst of a natural disaster, Kate learned to trust her gut abou...

In this episode, we talk to Margaux Amie. She is a storyteller at heart who is calm and focused. Margaux lives in the United States.  Margaux tells us about sitting on a comma after the death of her husband following the loss of her mother and grandmother prior. When everything came to a stop for her, she found silence, darkness and depression. Margaux relied on the necessity of moving forward to...

In this episode, we talk to Laura Ballet. She describes herself as consciousness in motion, who is active and a writer. Laura lives in the United States.  Laura tells us about sitting on a comma with self-doubt over the creation of her book. Despite her love of the publishing community and thought leaders, Laura wanted to take the challenging path and publish on her own. When faced with the fear o...

In this episode, our guest shares intimate details about his experience with sexual abuse and suicide ideation. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening.  In this episode, we talk to John Comerford. He describes himself as a mental health advocate and spokesperson for men who have had childhood sexual trauma. John lives in Australia.  John tells us about experien...

In this episode, we talk to Pamela Thibodeaux. She describes herself as a strong woman, good mother & grandmother, and a good person. Pamela lives in the United States.  Pamela tells us about sitting on a comma with the passing of her husband. After a fulfilling life of support roles and shared identities, Pamela found herself alone and discovering who she was as an individual. Now single and...

In this episode, we talk to John Bukowski. He describes himself as a nice guy, good thinker and good writer. John lives in the United States.  John tells us about sitting on a comma after the 2008 recession and writing his first “draft” novel. When unemployment created hardship, John looked at the opportunity in the down time and decided to finally write his first novel. While not published, this...