Off The Comma

In this episode, we talk to DJ Stipe. He is thoughtful, creative and versatile. DJ lives in the United States.  DJ tells us about sitting on a matrix of commas. During his early adulthood, he describes his life as “reckless” that involved alcohol, experimentation and the expression of a not-yet diagnosed bipolar disorder. After years of feeling like two different people, DJ’s path eventually broug...

In this episode, we talk to Reina Hosier. She is open, free-spirited, resilient and loyal. Reina lives in the United States.  Reina tells us about sitting on a series of commas with the freedom of choice in her life. Having been raised with expectations about gender roles and norms that boxed her in, she valued freedom, choice and voice in her life. After making a compromise about becoming a paren...

In this episode, we talk to Louisa Fryer. She describes herself as intuitive, spiritual, creative and productive. Louisa lives in the United Kingdom.  Louisa tells us about sitting on a comma with feelings of rejection and shame. After losing contact with her father, she found parts of herself splitting into two paths: “good me” and “reckless me”. While carrying self-doubt, shame and perfectionism...

In this episode, we talk to Janey Lee Grace. She is describes herself as enthusiastic, passionate, bossy (in a good way) and determined. Janey lives in the United Kingdom. Janey tells us about sitting on a comma with authenticity. As the “Queen of natural living”, she also maintained a relationship with alcohol that was holding her back and denying her authentic self. In her journey of discovery,...

In this episode, we talk to Trish Tucker-May. She describes herself as generous, inspirational and resilient. Trish is Australian and lives in the United Kingdom.  Trish tells us about a 7 year comma with getting her book written and published. Not only did the global pandemic interrupt her creative process with massive shifts to her life, but Trish also encountered an abuse of her trust in the pu...

In this episode, we talk to Julie New. She describes herself as kind, caring and empathetic. Julie lives in the United Kingdom. Julie tells us about “hovering” on a comma with the distribution of a book she’s written. She describes feeling frustrated and feeling like she’s wasted time. As she unpacks what’s holding her back, Julie uncovers how beliefs about money and the expectations of others hav...

In this episode, we take a break from the interviews for a catch up on the podcast and some of what Paul’s been noticing over the past year of interview and episodes.  When asked recently, “Is this podcast about telling your darkest secrets?”, it occurred to me that it can seem like that’s the case. However, this podcast is about people sharing stories of how they overcome challenges. Every guest...

In this episode, we talk to Christine Coulson. She is honest, understanding and witty. Christine lives in the UK.  Christine talks about sitting on a comma with her previous house that represented a container for disappointments, unmet expectations and limiting beliefs and self-image. While not seeing the comma she was sitting on, her challenges accumulated until she reached a breaking point. Chri...

In this episode, we talk to Joe Smith. He describes himself as empathetic, having humor and being an advocate. Joe lives in the USA. Joe tells us about sitting on a comma with pulling apart from an earlier world view shaped by his faith of origin. When the political climate began influencing the practices of his church community, he began to audit his faith and experience deep feelings of despair...

In this episode, we talk to Blair. He describes himself as resilient, determined, and compassionate. Blair lives in the US. Blair tells us about sitting on a comma with a work role that did not align with his values and purpose. When faced with unpleasant feedback from his environment and peers, he realized that there was a larger message being delivered that spoke to his sense of ownership, agenc...

In this episode, we talk to Lisa Laugher. She describes herself as supportive, accepting and kind. Lisa lives in the US.  Lisa tells us about sitting on a comma with her “black hole” moment. She describes how her relationship to trust, resistance addiction and people pleasing left her unable to answer the critical question, “what do I want?” As Lisa talks about the journey to connection, peace and...

In this episode, we talk to Kristy Keith. She is resilient, tenacious and a lover of people. Kristy lives in the US.  Kristy tells us about her experience with going public about her experience with being outed at the age of 14 and living into her adult life in an environment religious exclusion. She spent a large part of her life trying to align with beliefs, indoctrination and being told to chan...

In this episode, we talk to Lisa Frydenlund. She describes herself as curious, creative and an artist. Lisa lives in the US.  Lisa tells us about how sitting on a comma brings her comfort. After experiencing deep anxiety from the “ending” of significant roles in her life, Lisa shifts onto a new path that provides her more freedom. Along the way, she embraces the fear that comes from “breaking the...

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 Patrick Monson. He describes himself as mindful, stubborn (as a means to survive) and a storyteller. Patrick lives in the US.  Patrick tells us about his traumatic experiences with s...

In this episode, our guest shares references to rape and suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. In this episode, we talk to Jamie Lee. She describes herself as a “healer of self”, artist and seeker. Jamie lives in the US.  Jamie shares bravely about her experiences with carrying the burden of traumas that led to a breakdown. After years of delayed int...

In this episode, we talk to Brigitte Knight. She describes herself as curious, determined and sensitive. Brigitte lives in the USA.  Brigitte tells us a courageous story about sitting on a comma with how she was raised. Being born into a community that “didn’t fit” felt restrictive and limiting. Brigitte was guided by a deep inner knowing and curiosity to explore new ways of being and taking comma...

In this episode, we talk to Matt Clark. He describes himself (with song lyrics!) as resilient, passionate, adventurous and a maker. Matt lives in the USA. Matt takes us on a journey with three commas in his life. These “epochs” share common themes of unclear destinations, exploration and acknowledging “that I don’t know”. Matt shows us how even a newfound passion can run its course, leaving us sit...

In this episode, we talk to Anna Sudbury. She is a midlife mom who appreciates joy and simple pleasures. Anna lives in the UK. Anna tells us about sitting on a comma while sitting on a plane; where her relationship with alcohol came to a tipping point and she made a decision that changed her life and her relationship with herself and her family. She talks about how she moved from a place of suffer...

In this episode, we talk to Sally Magee. She describes herself as a lifelong learner, driven, introspective and a thinker. Sally lives in the USA. Sally tells us about sitting on a comma without being aware that she was stuck. What she did know was that she was “tired of being tired”, the self-judgment and the regret. Sally tells us about proving to herself that she can do hard things and understa...

In this episode, we hear from Paul again. With the beginning of the new year and season 2, it’s a good time to reintroduce the podcast for new listeners and share some highlights from the past year!   Paul talks about the What and the Why of the podcast: what the podcast is and why it is important. He shares about how creating this space has been a response to a huge life comma he has been on. Pau...

In this episode, we talk to Arlesia McGowan. She describes herself as multifaceted, creative and a “certified hustler”.  Arlesia lives in the USA. Arlesia talks about changing lanes and challenging expectations. While in college studying for the life she thought she would have, her intuition revealed a conflict between a scientific path and a creative one. After checking in with her feelings, she...

In this episode, our guest shares references to suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. In this episode, we talk to Beverley Densham. She is determined, inspiration and teaches from her personal experiences. Beverley lives in the United Kingdom. Beverley tells us about her experiences with rebounding, recovery and rebuilding. When faced with a transiti...

In this episode, we talk to TS Hamilton. He wears labels that describe him as energetic, outgoing, and very real. TS lives in the USA. TS tells us about how he doesn’t really experience commas often or for very long… until he reflects on his musical self. He talks about his experience with teaching himself the musical arts and seeking a community to help him express and share it, only to have his...

In this episode, we talk to Enweazu. He describes himself as optimistic, selfless and able to bring out the best in people. Enweazu lives in the USA. Enweazu tells us about his experience with “living on the comma”. In his story, he tells about taking on the big work of immersing himself into new cultures and countries. What starts with a vision, plan and intention becomes a reality… but only one...

In our first “pairs” episode, we talk to Avery and Brian Baker.  This father and son team describe themselves as authentic, encouraging and funny, with emphasis on the encouragement of others. This shows up in their work together! Avery and Brian live in the USA. Avery and Brian tell us about their shared experience with sitting on a comma about a significant change of career direction. Both of th...