Relatable Wisdom

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Andrew Ackerman, a veteran startup investor, mentor, and all-around innovator, to explore how the philosophies of startup life echo our own journeys. Andrew shares the mantra that has shaped his outlook: "Life is like a startup." We dive into what that means—embracing experimentation, taking calculated risks, and learning from rapid feed...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I had the pleasure of welcoming Jeffrey Kildow, a writer and history enthusiast whose guiding mantra is, “Those who don’t know history are condemned to repeat it.” Jeffrey’s deep curiosity about the past, shaped by his early belief in this powerful idea, led not just to lifelong learning but also to the creation of his novel, Nazi Menace—an alternative history...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Toni Will, a trailblazer who lives by Mark Twain’s mantra: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” Toni’s journey—from the banking world to becoming the general manager and only female governor of a men’s professional hockey team—is full of bold, rebellious decisions and...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by global business coach Sasha Eburne, who shares a simple yet powerful mantra: “You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to take the next step.” Sasha opens up about her own leap—from a tough day at work to launching her business on a whim, and growing it with what she calls “messy action.” We dive into the fears that hold us back, w...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Rodney Carpentier—a 20-year law enforcement professional turned mystery writer—who shares the family mantra that has shaped his life: “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is not acceptable.” Rodney opens up about inheriting this saying from his father (and likely generations before), its practical impact on his approach to work and creativ...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Paul Flood, founder of The Optimistic Heart, to unpack the transformative power of the quote “Be Impeccable with Your Word” from The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Paul shares how adopting this simple yet profound mantra not only changed the way he speaks to others, but more importantly, how he speaks to himself. He opens up about moments w...

When I sat down with Lola Maclean for this episode of Relatable Wisdom, we dug deep into a quote that shaped her holistic approach to health: “All disease begins in the gut.” As a family nurse practitioner and functional gut health consultant, Lola brought Hippocrates’ ancient wisdom to vivid life, sharing how our digestion signals so much more than we often realize—from anxiety to chronic autoimm...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Bill Derrick, a construction industry veteran turned author, who shares the powerful mantra that carried him through some of life’s most turbulent storms: “Quitting is not an option.” Bill opens up about navigating the challenges of the Great Recession and a personal battle with cancer, revealing how steadfast determination and creative problem-so...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Shelley McIntyre, a coach dedicated to helping Gen Xers break away from the corporate world and launch something of their own. Shelley shares one of her favorite proverbs: “All knowledge is rumor until it is in the bones.” We dive deep into what it actually means to turn theoretical knowledge into hard-won, lived wisdom—it’s not enough to read o...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with John Oshea, a dynamic entrepreneur, chairman, and CEO who has turned his neurodivergence into a genuine superpower. John’s mantra, “Being dyslexic and ADHD is a superpower—but it’s also your kryptonite,” really resonated with me. We dig deep into the challenges and triumphs of growing up misunderstood, how John reframed his differences as assets...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by John Pezoulas, co-founder and managing partner of ReadySetExec. John shares the mantra that’s powered him through some of life’s toughest challenges: “Keep moving forward.” In our conversation, we dig into what that truly means—especially when setbacks feel overwhelming and the way ahead looks uncertain. John opens up about losing both parents, na...

In this special episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sat down with Lindsay Stadel, whose journey from despair to resilience is a powerful reminder that wisdom often grows from life’s deepest valleys. Lindsay’s favorite quote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” (Psalm 34:18) is more than a soothing mantra—it's a lifeline she clung to in her darkest hou...

In this heartfelt episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Stephen and Julie Wagstaff, the inspiring founders of Swagability, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and supporting others through life’s toughest challenges. Their guiding quote, “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself,” isn’t just a mantra—it’s the lifeblood of their work and personal jo...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Cynthia Lee, CEO and founder of “Tree,” a marketplace app that empowers everyday people to transform their passions and skills into thriving businesses. Cynthia’s core mantra—“don’t look at the entire staircase; just focus on the first step”—reminds us that taking action, even when the path ahead seems uncertain, is the true catalyst for growth. W...

In this inspiring episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with David McClam, a seasoned podcaster whose mantra “Always stay humble” shapes his personal and professional journey. Through nearly a decade of sharing stories on shows like True Crime Authors and Extraordinary People, David has built a foundation rooted in gratitude, empathy, and staying grounded no matter how far you go in life. I love...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Dr. Jeff Feinman, a veterinarian known for bridging science and spirituality in animal healing. Jeff brings a fresh perspective with his guiding quote: “Embrace symptoms as if they are your friends.” At first, this mantra may sound counterintuitive—are we supposed to just accept discomfort or illness? But Jeff’s wisdom invites us to view symptom...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Walter Dusseldorp—better known as the Dutch Mentor—to unpack the transformative power of small, consistent actions. Walter shares his guiding mantra: “In just 15 minutes per day, you too can become the leader you want to be and the leader your team would thrive under.” Drawing from his experiences mentoring emerging leaders and flying helicopter...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Andy Halko—someone who, in his own words, is on a mission to cut through chaos and make the complex simple. Andy brings us his favorite quote, “Bias is the enemy of growth,” a mantra that’s shaped both his life and work as a founder, CEO, and author. We dig into Andy’s story, his lessons from over two decades building companies, and how recogniz...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sat down with Lisa Watson, a transformational coach whose journey from adversity to empowerment is as inspiring as it is relatable. Lisa shared a powerful quote by John F. Kennedy: “Children are our best hope for the future and our most valuable resource.” This mantra forms the cornerstone of Lisa’s work, as she guides adults through reparenting themselves an...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hani Cheng, an intimacy transformation coach whose journey from 15 years in the corporate world to global entrepreneur is guided by one powerful mantra: "Trusting my infinite being." Hani shared how overcoming a 15-year health challenge catalyzed her shift away from comfort and security toward deeper authenticit...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sat down with Derrick Henderson, an author and massage therapist who’s spent years supporting others—until he discovered he’d lost sight of himself along the way. Derrick’s heartfelt quote, “We grow together,” becomes the guiding theme for our conversation. He gets candid about joining a men’s group, reaching his breaking point, and learning the transformativ...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sat down with David Beckemeyer, host of the Outrage Overload podcast, to dig into the powerful, deceptively simple mantra that’s guided much of his life: “What do you mean, how? You just do it.” David shared the story of how this bit of wisdom, passed down from his father-in-law in a moment of off-hand honesty, became a touchstone for pushing past overthinkin...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kristan Swan, a business coach and experiential learner who brings a deep belief in the transformative power of storytelling. Kristan's chosen quote, "The sun doesn't shine on us, it shines within us," from John Muir, served as an entry point into a heartful conversation about inner light, creativity, an...

On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bernice McDonald, a “Tiny Brave Steps” coach who helps midlife women live with courage, moving from feeling not enough to brave enough—one small, conscious step at a time. Bernice shared her favorite quote by Ambrose Redmond: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important tha...

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Monica Kaufman, a certified financial planner with a gift for helping others transform their relationship with money. Monica’s guiding quote, “If you think you can or if you think you can't, you're probably right,” gets at the heart of how our beliefs shape our outcomes. Through sharing her personal journey—overcoming fin...