The Blue Stiley Podcast

In this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with my friend and mentor, Paul Kiely—a creative powerhouse whose career spans decades of work with iconic brands like Amazon, GM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and YUM Brands. From his early days at MTV to his roles as a casting director, voice-over actor, and commercial creative, Paul’s journey is filled with invaluable lessons on persistence, adaptability, an...

How would you respond if life threw you a curveball that turned your world upside down? What if the only way forward was through radical acceptance and adaptability? In this powerful episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Paris Mullen, a passionate advocate, speaker, and former model, whose life took an unexpected turn after facing a life-altering diagnosis. Confronted with deeply rooted fears...

Have you ever imagined how a hot dog vendor at Shea Stadium could become a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist? On this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Russ Banham, a master storyteller whose journey exemplifies resilience, reinvention, and the art of seizing opportunities against all odds. Russ’s incredible path took him from throwing hot dogs to acting alongside Bill Murray in Meatbal...

Have you ever felt success slip through your fingers time and time again and wondered if you’d keep going? In this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Tia Wright, a former competitive CrossFit athlete turned mindset coach and gym owner, whose story is a testament to the power of self-belief and perseverance. Tia’s journey spans from competing at the highest levels of CrossFit to building he...

As we wrap up an incredible year, Blue Stiley & Producer Brennon reflect on the powerful stories and lessons shared on Navigating No . From overcoming rejection and embracing resilience to building a supportive “confidence team,” this episode takes a heartfelt look back at 2024’s most impactful moments. Join Blue as he revisits the standout stories from guests like Sandy Zimmerman and Dmitriou...

In this episode of Navigating No , we sit down with Matt Dubin, an entrepreneur and accomplished attorney, whose journey is a powerful example of turning challenges into opportunities. Matt shares how he faced limiting beliefs, overcame personal doubts, and shifted his business perspective to take The Dubin Law Firm to an eight-figure success. Matt opens up about pivotal moments, including the rej...

The modeling industry may look glamorous on the surface, but the reality behind the scenes is filled with challenges, rejection, and the need for relentless resilience. In this episode of Navigating No , I sit down with Kristy Petersen , the powerhouse behind SMG Model Management, to uncover what it truly takes to build a long-lasting career in modeling and acting. Kristy shares her unique perspec...

Sensei Ron Thomas , renowned for his role as Bobby Brown in the iconic Karate Kid films and the Cobra Kai series, joins us on Navigating No to share his incredible journey from Hollywood stardom to life mastery. In this compelling conversation, Ron dives into the lessons he’s learned navigating rejection, embracing resilience, and finding purpose beyond the silver screen. From facing the ups and d...

In this episode of Navigating No , we sit down with Jen Tesky , the inspiring principal of Liberty Lake Elementary. From her early aspirations of becoming a pediatrician to embracing her calling as an educator, Jen’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community. As a single mother navigating personal and professional challenges, Jen transformed every “no” into an...

In this episode of Navigating No , we sit down with Dmitrious Bistrevsky , the talented suit actor known for bringing Darth Vader to life in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series. From his beginnings in Spokane to working alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names, Dmitrious’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and relentless dedication. He shares his path from gymnastics and breakdancin...

Natalie Fairchild, founder of Pacific Perks Coffee, joins us on Navigating No to share her journey of overcoming rejection, navigating failures, and building a successful franchise. From leaving the corporate world to start her own business and provide for her family, to expanding Pacific Perks into a thriving franchise, Natalie’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and purpose. In this episod...

Geoff McLachlan is a professional speaker who harnesses the power of play to build connections, inspire teams, and help others overcome life's challenges. His journey is filled with lessons on resilience, from navigating unexpected turns on his path to becoming a TEDx speaker to pivoting his career during the pandemic, when in-person events were no longer feasible. Geoff emphasizes the importance...

Hope Misterek, entrepreneur and creative visionary, joins us on Navigating No to share her inspiring journey of resilience, career transitions, and embracing rejection. From being a stylist to launching a luxury rental business, Hope’s career is a testament to following your passions and evolving with every opportunity. Her ability to turn ‘no’ into ‘on’—using rejection as a chance to revise, redi...

James Coleman, entrepreneur and vintage toy collector, joins us on Navigating No to share his fascinating journey through the world of high-end collectibles and entrepreneurship. As the founder of The Vintage Alliance, a thriving private community for collectors and sellers, James has built a business rooted in trust, reputation, and authenticity. Moving hundreds of thousands of dollars in rare co...

Yvonne Castaneda shares her transformative journey from being a personal trainer to a mental health clinician. Overcoming cultural pressures and personal struggles, including anxiety and eating disorders, Yvonne discovered her true calling in helping others heal.  With insights from her book 'Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety,' she delves into stories of personal growth, self-worth, and foll...

Boyd Morrison, best-selling author, actor, and engineer, joins us on Navigating No to share his journey of perseverance through rejection and failure. Despite facing over 25 rejections for his third book, Boyd’s relentless pursuit of success led him to self-publish on Kindle, where he found immense success that eventually caught the attention of traditional publishers. In this episode, Boyd opens...

Ellen Acuario, stand-up comedian and social media sensation, joins us on Navigating No to share her journey of overcoming rejection, self-doubt, and finding success through authenticity. Ellen’s rise on TikTok during the COVID lockdowns, where her unfiltered content resonated with thousands, is just one part of her story. From being rejected in radio to thriving in comedy, Ellen has learned to emb...

Bryan Seely, renowned cybersecurity expert and Marine Corps veteran, joins us on Navigating No to share his powerful journey of overcoming addiction, ADHD, and suicidal thoughts to rebuild his life and career. Known for exposing vulnerabilities in the FBI and Secret Service, Bryan’s path wasn’t without intense personal struggles, including self-doubt and negative self-talk. In this episode, Bryan...

Sandy Zimmerman, a Hall of Fame teacher, national Judo champion, Gonzaga basketball star, and American Ninja Warrior, shares her remarkable journey on “Navigating No.” From overcoming a childhood marked by poverty, foster care, and abuse, Sandy defied the odds with unwavering determination and a clear vision. This episode delves into the pivotal moments and key figures in her life, like the sensei...

Jean Luc Baker, an Olympic figure skater and a testament to resilience and self-belief, joins us on “Navigating No.” From an early age, Jean Luc faced immense pressures and setbacks, including injuries and intense competition, on his path to becoming an Olympian. In this episode, Jean Luc shares his journey from wearing skates at two years old to performing on the world’s biggest stage, the Olympi...

Nina Hajian, a powerhouse in radio and TV, joins us on “Navigating No” to share her remarkable journey of transforming rejection into a celebrated career. Nina’s commitment to authenticity has proven revolutionary in an industry where appearances often overshadow talent. From enduring the harsh lessons of a Major Cable Network audition to her dynamic presence in major media markets, her story is a...

Hi, I’m Blue Stiley, and welcome to Navigating No . This podcast is all about overcoming rejection, failure, and self-doubt. I’ve experienced my fair share of “no’s,” and I know how tough it can be to keep pushing forward. That’s why I started this podcast—to share the stories of incredible people who have faced rejection head-on and found ways to thrive. Each episode, my guests and I explore thei...