Off The Comma

In this episode, we take a break from the interviews for a few moments of reflection and to share some thoughts about what’s currently going on in Paul’s life. First, Paul takes some time to reflect on the first 20 episodes of the podcast: what he’s learned, what he’s noticed and what the podcast means to him. Next, he talks about his first month-long trip. This represents a big leap for him and h...

In this episode, we talk to Amy Shuman. She describes herself as creative, confident, communicative and driven. Amy lives in California in the US. Amy describes her relationship to commas as “standing or walking on them”. Being future-focused, she explains how she doesn’t often stop moving enough to pause and explore. However, when she does, something powerful happens. Amy shares how life brought...

In this episode, we talk to Casey Lipka. She describes herself as curious and kind. Casey lives in California in the USA.  Casey shares about her experiences with uncertainty and the unknown. She takes us on a journey of a series of commas, that she looks at from different angles, exciting and frustrating. Casey tells about her experience with showing up for these challenges and asking questions o...

In this episode, our guest shares about her experience with suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. In this episode, we talk to Darniece Simon. She is resilient, brave, brilliant, supportive and “obsessively organized”. Darniece lives in California in the USA.  Darniece describes sitting on a comma with a college experience that had her come face to fa...

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Kris Lea. She describes herself as lively, inquisitive and compassionate. Kris lives in Texas in the USA.  Kris tells us about her experience sitting on a comma with a book she is writing. As a project management professional she knows how to create structure and outcomes for others, but wrestles with feeling overwhelmed in her own significant project. She describes...

In this episode, we talk to Cami McLaren. She is a creator, explorer, and conductor, holding space for people to create for themselves. Cami lives in Sacramento, CA in the US. Cami tells us about her experience pursuing a dream that is “that big” while acknowledging “who she would have to be” to achieve it. In her pursuit of safety, she traditionally played small and invisible. Cami challenges the...

In this episode, we talk to Ranger Kielak. He describes himself as a person who’s “doing their best to make their best better and help others do the same”. Ranger lives in Northern California in the USA.   Ranger tells us about his experience with a massive shift in his expectations and identity during the formative college years. He arrived at college with a dream and found that dream called into...

In this episode, we talk to Joan Virginia Allen. She describes herself as an explorer, genuinely curious and someone who makes a difference.  Joan lives in Ojai, California in the USA.    At the age of 85, Joan wants to get people excited about changing the paradigm of aging. She opens up about her sabotaging voice and all the ways it tries to undermine her ability and to limit her. She describes...

In this episode, we talk to Emily Bennington. She is a lover of laugher, lover of fun and a connector. Emily lives in San Diego, CA in the US.  Emily tells us about her experience with comparison and what it’s like to envision success through the lens of other peoples’ perceived realities. She opens up to the vulnerability of feeling like she’s held herself back from opportunities because of what...

In this episode, we talk to Dell-Amina Mwongozi, a creative, an analyst and a lover of beautiful things. Dell-Amina lives in California in the USA. Dell-Amina speaks from her perspective as an artist on how her creative approach helps her to process, analyze, and learn from the commas in her life. When she experiences isolation, she seeks and discovers connection through her art, a vehicle through...

In this episode, we talk to Erin Lebacqz. She is a lifelong educator who describes herself as silly, curious and likes to take action. Erin lives in Sacramento, CA in the US.  Erin describes her transition from being an educator in the academic world to starting her own business and becoming self-employed. She faces not only the challenges of how to identify with her new role, but also setting bou...

In this episode, we talk to Tony Worsdall. He describes himself as genuine, living to his values and tru to himself. Tony lives Reading in the UK.  Tony finds himself sitting on a comma in two major life decisions, both triggered by worldwide events. He describes what it was like for him to make difficult decisions, and how each of them occurs on different timelines. Tony shows us what it means to...

In this episode, we talk to Carissa Karban. She identifies as a walking paradox and proud weirdo, who loves discussions about humanity. Carissa lives near Denver, CO in the US.  Carissa describes sitting on a comma with purpose in her life. As someone who is doing the deep work of personal transformation, she talks about what it’s like to live with great awareness and the the questioning that come...

In this episode, we talk to Wendy Green. She is a curious, creative and compassionate wanderer. A cultivator of community and connection. Wendy lives in Sacramento, CA in the US.  Wendy opens up a new way to look at sitting on a comma for us. Wendy doesn’t feel stuck; she is taking the pause in her life with intention. Wendy tells about coming to a place of rest, respite, exploration and recovery...

In this episode, our guest shares about her experience with domestic abuse. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening.  In this episode, we talk to Emily Horwood. She is a mom, caregiver, connector and a recluse. She also greatly values her return to sobriety as a major part of her life! Emily lives in Hertfordshire, UK.  Emily finds herself sitting on a comma in...

In this episode, we talk to Katrina Kennedy. She is a connector, creator, mom and human. Katrina lives in Sacramento, California USA.    Katrina finds herself sitting on a comma now and for a number of years now, proving to us that there isn’t always a set time frame for feeling stuck. She describes how she has been “holding herself back” from achieving a dream she’s had since she was a child. Not...

In this episode, we talk to Hector Garcia. He is a heart-centered warrior, dad and man who is looking to evolve into the best version of himself. Hector currently lives in Sacramento, California USA.  Hector found himself sitting on a comma with a relationship that ended. As he describes this painful place, Hector speaks about feeling like being without purpose and a mission. He shares some of his...

In this episode, we talk to Sarah Serbic. She is a go-getter, doer, creative and risk-taker. She comes to us from my home town of Sacramento, CA in the USA.  Sarah’s comma isn’t so much about feeling “stuck” as much as it is about new learnings about herself and trying to decipher what that means for her. Sarah describes being open to changing her mindset about her impact on the world. Listen as S...

In this episode, we talk to Jude Mahon. She is a seeker who is curious and who loves to laugh. I was excited to talk to Jude in Manchester, UK, a continent and an ocean away from my home in Sacramento! This episode is longer and you will want to get to the end for sure!!!   Jude describes sitting on a comma in 2019 when life didn’t meet any of her expectations. She felt it deep inside and found he...

In this episode, we talk to Austin Skelton. He has bravely agreed to be the first to step up and tell his story. Austin is a barrier breaker, traveler, empath, hustler and life-long learner. Austin is sitting on a comma with his personal and professional brand. As he describes his experience with being stuck, we hear words like “paralyzed” and “imposter syndrome”. Listen as we unpack what Austin e...

You’re stuck, I get it. I’ve been there too. I call it “sitting on a comma”. We all know what it’s like to feel stuck in life and not know where to go next. This podcast is all about what it’s like to be on the comma, as shared by individuals just like ourselves. We will explore what they experienced, what they learned and how they got themselves off the comma. In this episode, I set it all up. I...

If you are currently sitting on a comma and would like to explore how to get yourself moving again, check out my "Get Off Your Comma 5-Week Program". [ ⁠⁠https://www.offthecomma.com/programs⁠⁠ ] You’re stuck, I get it. I’ve been there too. I call it “sitting on a comma”. We all know what it’s like to feel stuck in life and not know where to go next. This podcast is all about what it’s like to be o...