Off The Comma

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...

In this episode, we talk to Rachel Kerr Schneider. She describes herself as someone who has supernatural joy and hopes to help others find joy. Rachel lives in the United States.  Rachel tells us about sitting on a comma when her husband received a fatal diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. When faced with the reality of his death in 3-5 years, she had to begin the work of helping her husband die....

In this episode, we talk to Nick Foreman. He describes himself as gritty, adventurous and inquisitive. Nick lives in the United States.  Nick tells us about sitting on a comma right now with the next big transition in his life. As an explorer of life, Nick is no stranger to making big career pivots. As his family grew, the pivots took on new forms and with greater caution. Nick’s current pivot has...

In this episode, we talk to Graham Hall. He is a caring, passionate, grounded systems thinker. Graham lives in Canada and the US.  Graham tells us about sitting on a comma when he lost not one, but both parents to the same illness in rapid succession. Graham describes the experience he went through as he reconciled with having different feelings about each loss and what it meant for him as a perso...

How has focusing on others cost you your peace? In this episode, we talk to Kevin Guest. He describes himself as values-based, doing his best, and living with integrity. Kevin lives in the United States.  Kevin tells us about sitting on multiple commas as a result of fears boosted by codependence. Over time, Kevin has lived with being the peace keeper, to people pleasing, to panic attacks. When lo...

What parts of you have been restrained by some of the roles you’ve chosen in life? In this episode, we talk to Lauren Yankoff. She describes herself as courageous, connected and consistent. Lauren lives in the United States.  Lauren tells us about sitting on a comma with a career role that didn’t fit. While grieving from the loss of her father, Lauren took on a work role that enabled her to slow d...

In this episode, we talk to Jeremie Andre. He is curious, nerdy and adventurous. Jeremie lives as a digital nomad and is traveling the world.  Jeremie tells us about sitting on a comma with a life that he didn’t question. He describes living a life that he was content with and wouldn’t challenge. After tragedy struck and took two different children from his wife and him, the traditional life path...

In this episode, our guest shares about his experience with suicide ideation and attempt. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening.  In this episode, we talk to Michael Allison. He is resilient and someone who is known for doing hard things. Michael lives in the United States.   Michael tells us about sitting on a comma with hardships throughout life. While telli...

In this episode, we talk to Rick DellaRatta. He describes himself as insightful, creative, and empathetic. Rick lives in the United States.  Rick tells us about sitting on a comma while watching the second plane fly into the World Trade Center from a rooftop only one-quarter mile away. During this moment, Rick felt words come through him as he witnessed the events of that day unfold. After recordi...

In this episode, we talk to Naima Spencer. She describes herself as disciplined, ambitious, and gratful. Naima lives in the United States.  Naima tells us about sitting on a comma with limiting beliefs about pursuing a dream. After immigrating with the hopes of earning her master’s degree, Naima found herself trapped in low wage jobs and barely making a living. Over time, she came to realize that...

In this episode, we talk to Laura Starky. She herself as compassionate, intuitive and courageous. Laura lives in the United Kingdom.  Laura tells us about sitting on a comma with alcohol. Having lived a difficult life, she turned to alcohol in order to find comfort, release and numbness. As her relationship with alcohol evolved, she began to feel disconnected from her own raw experience of life, j...

In this episode, we talk to Yumi Wilson. She describes herself as a deep listener, whom people can confide in and feel safe with. Yumi lives in the United States.  Yumi tells us about sitting on a comma with career transitions and family goals. Through her career, she made transitions to fulfill her professional needs and to find more time to spend with family. Now, Yumi looks ahead to what might...

In this episode, we talk to Priya Venkatesan. She is kind, compassionate and believes in people. Priya lives in the United States.  Priya tells us about sitting on a comma after a divorce that left her without a job and a means to support herself and her children. While in the depths of loneliness and not knowing how to ask for help and support, Priya leaned on her family, friends and nonprofits f...

In this episode, we talk to Alice Yeh. She describes herself as values-oriented and adventurous, adaptable and resilient. Alice lives in the United States.  Alice tells us about sitting on a comma with the direction of her career. After going to top schools and following the “path of success” to work at large, important companies, Alice found her experience lacking. Her sense that something was mi...

Episode 100 is a special “milestone” episode where we turn the tables and our host, Paul Briley, becomes the guest! We welcome back Austin Skelton from Episode 2. As the first person Paul interviewed on the podcast, he now gets to be the person who interviews Paul for the first time! Check out his episode at: https://youtu.be/qtNoUXjlwx0?si=NXNmzSNxdRZ9ihm-   In this episode, we talk to Paul Brile...

In this episode, we talk to Merlyna Valentine. She describes herself as motivated, empathetic and lives her life to the fullest. Merlyna lives in the United States.  Merlyna tells us about sitting on a comma with a sudden medical emergency that caused her to lose parts of all four of her limbs. As a new quadruple amputee, Merlyna was faced with choices about how to move forward in her life. During...

In this episode, we talk to Lucy Hall. She is enthusiastic and positive. Lucy lives in the UK.  Lucy tells us about sitting on two commas. Early in her adulthood, Lucy wondered about what she should do for a living. While exploring options, experimenting with different roles and trying out different jobs, she found love and began to question what she truly wanted. Along her journey, her relationsh...

In this episode, we talk to Amanda Facio. She describes herself as energetic, focused and with a lot of fun on the side. Amanda lives in the United States.  Amanda tells us about sitting on a comma with “mom guilt”. When the opportunity presented itself to take on a new job with increased opportunity and responsibilities, Amanda was excited for the possibility. While coordinating new routines for...