Side by Side

Today’s guest is Vanessa Esparza , a leadership coach who's also a partner at Gladstone Place Partners , overseeing people and administration. In this conversation, we explore her roots as a first generation Mexican-American, her passion for service, and the importance of empathy and presence in collaboration and talent retention.   Side by Side Episodes  |  Robert Kuang Home

Today’s returning guest is my friend Tara Edwards , a writer, editor, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. In this conversation, we’re deep-diving into our upcoming 10-week online writer’s workshop, called “ Good Grief: A Writing Workshop on Trauma & Healing .” Inspired by our training and experience in psychology, coaching, and writing, this qu...

Today’s guest is Kim Chestney , the author of “ The Illumination Code ,” “Radical Intuition,” and “The Psychic Workshop.” As the founder of IntuitionLab and the CREATE! Festival, her work raises awareness about the importance of insight in the evolution of individual and world consciousness. Working for nearly twenty years in the tech sector, Chestney has led initiatives with some of the top thoug...

Today’s guest is Chloe Panta, the author of "Untapped Magic" and a highly sought-after mindset expert and transformational coach who helps people achieve their ultimate life goals. She uses an evidence-based, proven system with scientific data to support its effectiveness to help her clients overcome obstacles that are keeping them stuck in life.    In this conversation, we explore some of the mag...

Today’s guest is Effie Cao , a life coach, entrepreneur, and community leader who brings experience and soul to her work and her personal journey. You can find her writing as well as her own deepdive conversations with thought leaders such as Michael Singer through her online community spaces.   In this conversation, we discuss the purpose of “being healthy,” Effie’s journey from northern China to...

Today's guest is Meredith Heller , author of " Writing by Heart ," " Write a Poem, Save Your Life ," and several poetry collections. A poet, singer-songwriter, avid nature lover, and educator with degrees in writing and education, she leads writing workshops online and in-person at schools, juvenile detention centers, women’s prisons, and wellness retreats.    In this conversation, we dive inside...

Today’s guest is writer, performer, educational consultant Coda Wei (they/them), who is pursuing their Masters in Intercultural Communication Studies at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.   In this conversation, we explore Coda’s early life traveling and living between America and China, and how their experience of the world has influenced their perspective around queer identity, creative expression, a...

Today’s guest is coach and facilitator Austin Walker , who focuses on leadership and men’s personal development, inside and out. In addition to one-on-one partnerships, Austin leads several men’s groups, including the “Man Cave,” a space dedicated to BIPOC Men to connect and share their perspectives.   In this conversation, we explore Austin’s journey from boyhood to man, the connection between le...

In honor of Lunar New Year on February 10 this year, today's special guest paved the way for me, and my passion for language and communication: My mom, Gia Zhang.   Before immigrating to America, she was a language teacher and published author in China. She was around the age I am now when she made the decision to start a new life, learn a new language, and take a risk by doing something no one in...

Today’s guest is Wendy Xu , a bestselling illustrator, comics artist, designer, and writer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the creator of graphic novels "Infinity Particle," "Tidesong," and co-creator of "Mooncakes."    In this conversation, Wendy shares the origins of her passion for artmaking and storytelling, her way of balancing commercial success and artistic freedom, and she shares some handy...

Today’s guest is screenwriter and higher education professional Ashley Griggs. She earned her BA in Film Studies and French at the College of William & Mary, and later received her MFA in Dramatic Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where she was awarded a Future Screenwriters Fellowship. She has written for the narrative podcast "The Host," directed plays in New...

Today’s guest is Varsha Mathur , J.D., PCC, a certified dating and relationship coach with over seven years of experience who guides clients worldwide to find and sustain lasting love with their ideal partners. A former practicing lawyer and mediator, Varsha draws on her personal journey, including divorce and remarriage, to help others make decisions untainted by negative influences, propelling t...

Today’s guest is Hanna Thomas Uose, a writer, activist, and co-founder and Principal Consultant at Align , a consulting firm dedicated to supporting organizations in the progressive movement. Her debut novel, “ Who Wants to Live Forever ,” will be published in early 2025.   In this conversation, we dive inside Hanna’s somewhat unexpected turn as a speculative fiction writer, her interdisciplinary...

Today’s guest is Scott Stabile , the author of “ Enough as You Are ” and “ Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart .” He is a passionate love advocate who believes there is no force more powerful than love to create real connection and healing in our world. Scott guides transformational breathwork journeys and leads personal empowerment workshops internationally. His inspirational pos...

Today’s guest is Anthime Miller , an internationally sought-after performer and composer who maintains a rigorous international creative presence. They began studying cello at the age of eight, and later focused on Early Music Performance, Musicology, as well as modern and Baroque cello at McGill University in Montreal.   In this conversation, we dive inside Anthime’s early discovery of classical...

Today’s guest is Michelle Madrid , the author of “ Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle, Guided Path to Healing for Adoptees ” and host of the “Electricity of You” Podcast.   Michelle is an international adoptee, former foster child in the U.K., and an adoptee empowerment life coach who has been recognized as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and ind...

In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Tara Edwards , a writer, editor, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. Today’s deepdive focuses on "The Matrix" franchise.   In this conversation, we unpack the creative ramifications of transforming a story into a franchise, our personal highlights and critiques of the films, and the timely nature of it...

Today’s guest is Bethany Mabee , a visual artist and designer who has transformed her creative expression into a body of work seen on paper, canvas, textiles and wallpaper. From interior design to gallery commissions, she explores the parallels between art and everyday life while balancing the practical and creative needs of an artist and business owner.   In this conversation, we reminisce over B...

Today’s guest is Kristoffer “KC” Carter, the CEO and Founder of Epic Leadership , a coaching and training organization for conscious leadership, and the author of “ Permission to Glow: A Spiritual Guide to Epic Leadership .” In addition to his coaching and leadership work, KC is also a professional songwriter, kirtan artist, TEDx speaker, and international retreat leader. He is currently working o...

Today’s guest is Hayden Humphrey , a digital creator and life coach who helps people break out of the scripts and stories that keep them stuck, so they can become the creators of their own lives.    In this conversation, we commiserate over our work and training experience as coaches, the journey that comes with going back home again, and the value of empowering laughter alongside healing and unde...

Today’s guest is Sol Smith , a writer, professor, life coach and neurodivergent consultant specializing in mindset, happiness, and self-liberation courses. In sharing his journey with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, Sol highlights the challenges and gifts of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical society.    In this conversation, we reflect on Sol’s journey being diagnosed in adulthood, finding neuro-a...

Today’s guest is Richard Dixey , the author of “ Three Minutes a Day: A Fourteen Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life ,” and a senior faculty member at Dharma College in Berkeley, California.    A research scientist and a lifelong student of Buddhism who holds advanced degrees in biophysics and the history and philosophy of science, Mr. Dixey directed a bioelectronic research un...

Today’s guest is writer and producer Steve DiUbaldo . His work as a playwright has appeared across the country, often drawing on his experience as a Division-1 college basketball player. His play, "Exposure," was a selection for The Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference.    In this conversation, we journey back to his theater roots, his time playing and coaching basketball, and changes th...

Today’s guest is Alex Chester-Iwata , an actor and founder of the online publication, Mixed Asian Media . Born out of a lack of representation across TV, film, and theater, Mixed Asian Media is a collective created by multiracial, mixed Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) that seeks to build community through conversations of what it means to be of mixed API descent.    In this conversation, we journey...

Today’s guest is Tasshin Fogleman , an extremely online pilgrim wandering this precious world for the benefit of all beings.   In this conversation, we explore Tasshin’s Buddhist journey and ongoing pilgrimage, and the service and creative projects led by his curiosity, loving kindness, and aspiration to empower others.    "Side by Side" Episodes  |  Robert Kuang Home