small acts of rebellion

In Episode 13 of Season 2, Ali Stofflet offers a refreshingly candid look at entrepreneurship, anxiety, and the myth of the “dream business.” With heartfelt honesty, she shares her journey from owning a holistic parenting product distribution company to reentering the workforce as the Director of Business Outreach and Growth at the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Ali discusses how the pressure...

In Episode 12 of Season 2, Gretchen Morgan, Managing Partner at the Center for Innovation in Education, shares her insights from decades of work across classrooms, state agencies, and national education initiatives. This episode explores the current challenges facing public education, the historic roots of standardized testing, and the widening debate over the value of public assets in American so...

In Episode 11 of Season 2, Angela Martinez joins the show to share her extraordinary story of redemption, resilience, and reclaiming purpose. A first-generation college graduate and proud single mother of two, Angela reflects on her journey from a 10th grade dropout facing a 6–8 year prison sentence to graduating college with honors, earning 13 academic cords, and building a meaningful career dedi...

In Episode 10 of Season 2, Maggie Kinneberg shares her journey at the intersections of food systems, learning, and community health . Her career spans nonprofit leadership, nutrition education, food access logistics, and movement-based wellness programs. With a deep commitment to resilience, adaptability, and empowerment, she discusses how her values have shaped both her professional path and pers...

In Episode 9 of Season 2, Erika Krouse, award-winning author of Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation and the newly released short story collection Save Me Stranger , explores the intersections of personal history, professional identity, and storytelling. As a former private investigator, Krouse reflects on the challenges of working on the first-ever Title IX sexual assault case...

In Episode 8 of Season 2, Fawn O’Breitzman, founder of The Sexploratorium , shares how she turned a career in academia into a mission to revolutionize sex education. With over 25 years of experience teaching sex and gender studies , she discusses the deep-rooted gaps in sex ed, the cultural forces shaping them, and why shame-free, fact-based education is so essential. A stage 4 lymphoma diagnosis...

In Episode 7 of Season 2 , Ellen Frazier , a certified peer support specialist, entrepreneur, and advocate for alcohol-free living , shares her transformative journey from an all-consuming career in mortgages to a purpose-driven life. After achieving two years of sobriety and a 100-pound weight loss , Ellen founded Booze Free Babes , a thriving community that supports women embracing a sober lifes...

In Episode 6 of Season 2, Leslie Newell, a former tech executive turned entrepreneur, explores the powerful intersection of leadership, business strategy, and home life. Drawing from her experience at companies like Slack, Wayfair, and Artifact Uprising, she shares how product management, agile methodologies, and systems thinking can revolutionize the way busy professionals manage their households...

In Episode 5 of Season 2, Aaron Brown , an associate professor of engineering at Colorado State University , shares his unconventional career journey spanning humanitarian engineering, renewable energy, and systems thinking . Starting as a self-described “marginal professional cyclist” racing in Italy, Aaron eventually transitioned to working on cutting-edge aerospace projects, including the Mars...

In Episode 4 of Season 2, Dr. Violeta Garcia shares her insights on living with intentionality and challenging systemic norms to foster equity and authenticity. A Latina executive, bilingual educator, and systems engineer, Dr. Violeta combines her expertise in ecology, systems change, and leadership to inspire individuals and organizations to align their values with their actions. She delves into...

In episode 3 of Season 2, Kelly Noble, a certified quantum business coach and wealth activator, shares her transformative journey from corporate burnout to entrepreneurial empowerment. She opens up about breaking free from limiting beliefs, corporate masking, and the societal conditioning that ties self-worth to achievement. The discussion explores the deep connections between self-discovery, buil...

In episode 1 of Season 2, Liz Nartker, a multifaceted entrepreneur and the visionary behind the shoe brand Nix and Ness, shares her transformative journey from being a lawyer to embracing her passion for creativity, culminating in the creation of her unique footwear line. Liz discusses navigating professional pivots, balancing personal transitions, and breaking free from societal expectations, off...

In episode 2 of Season 2, Heather Hukari, founder of Video Service Hub, takes listeners through her career journey from editing car commercials to building a successful video marketing agency. She shares how her early love for video shaped her career, from freelancing in the mid-2000s to creating training and marketing content for major brands like Chipotle. Along the way, Hukari provides actionab...

In Episode 35, Kate Bailey, founder and CEO of TARRA, shares her unique journey from a bullied child in Wyoming to a magazine editor, advertising entrepreneur, and ultimately the creator of a transformative space for women entrepreneurs and professionals. Kate discusses the resilience and self-advocacy that shaped her path, as well as the power of community in fostering innovation and support. Thi...

In Episode 34, Robyn Balsley, founder of Graceful Impression, shares her journey from corporate sales to personal styling and offers insights into the transformative power of clothing. Robyn discusses the concept of enclothed cognition, a psychological phenomenon that reveals how our clothing choices impact mood, productivity, and self-perception. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in sales...

In Episode 33, Jillie Johnston, a worthiness coach, international speaker, and advocate for joyful living, shares her journey from burnout to balance, emphasizing the transformative power of self-compassion and the courage to embrace imperfection. Jillie discusses the challenges of untying self-worth from productivity, navigating life’s transitions, and cultivating joy in uncertain times. She open...

In episode 32, Christine Stirling, a seasoned mortgage loan officer with over two decades of experience, shares her unique perspective on the financial industry. Christine discusses her empathetic approach to lending, emphasizing the importance of education, compassion, and creating positive experiences for her clients. She highlights the human side of finance, focusing on dreams and goals rather...

In episode 31, Serin Silva shares her transformative journey from a Fortune 500 executive to an intuitive coach, embracing authenticity and breaking free from corporate conventions. With over two decades of experience in high-profile roles, Serin combines her corporate knowledge with her intuitive abilities to empower high-achieving women, guiding them to reconnect with their inner wisdom and rede...

In episode 30, Jim Reiman shares his journey from designing fruit packing boxes right out of high school to becoming a respected educator and multifaceted artist in photography and design. This episode delves into Jim’s diverse career path, highlighting his various roles from working in a fish market to retouching in a photo studio, and ultimately teaching and administrating at notable art and des...

In episode 29, S. Gerin, a human behavior enthusiast and the founder of Late Bloomer Coaching, explores the transformative power of authenticity and the complex journey of identity negotiation in both personal and professional contexts. This episode uncovers the challenges and energy required to maintain one’s true self amidst societal norms and structural limitations, especially for those with no...

In episode 28, JJ McQueen, a tattoo artist from Think Tank South in Littleton, Colorado, dives into her journey within the tattoo industry, highlighting the evolving traditions and the personal significance of tattoos as forms of self-expression and rebellion. Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of a tattoo shop, this conversation explores JJ's transition from hairstyling to tattooing, emphasi...

In episode 27, Dan Ushakov, a Denver native and founder of Magic Beans Creative Growth, discusses his eclectic life experiences, entrepreneurial journey, and insights into personal growth. He reflects on the natural tensions between being an employee and an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of systems and ownership regardless of the role. Dan reflects on how understanding one's identit...

In episode 26, Mary Gaul, a seasoned business coach and speaker, delves into her unique approach to transforming traditional networking through her networking on the water events, which involve paddleboarding to create meaningful connections. Mary shares how integrating personal hobbies with professional activities can significantly enhance networking experiences by fostering deeper interactions o...

In episode 25, Denise Shannon, a former nurse turned pastor and founder of Sassy Preacher Lady Ministries, shares her journey from a secure career in nursing to answering a spiritual call, embracing roles that straddle care and spiritual guidance. Denise discusses the “seven-year career itch,” where she experienced shifts in her career trajectory every few years, seeking new challenges and deeper...

In episode 24, Kasey Clark, a therapist, leadership coach, and co-host of the “Soulstirred” podcast, delves into her personal and professional evolution, shedding light on how the roles we accept and the identities we reject shape our understanding of ourselves. She shares her early life challenges, including her unintended impact on her parent’s troubled marriage, and how these experiences steere...