The High Cost of Anonymity Podcast: Exploring the Cost of Keeping Your Life Experience to Yourself

Consistency is one of those things that is so obvious how beneficial it is, yet simply put, it’s hard as hell to do. There are so many things in my life that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, would be beneficial to me if I did it regularly yet, everything in me rebels against it. Today, it was five minutes of breathing. Five minutes is nothing. It’s a blip in my day and yet I don’t want to take...

Sometimes it shocks me how quickly my emotions can escalate. Particularly with my son. We had a great day, played a lot, and got home late. I did some breath work and meditation and boom almost lost my sh*t. Luckily for everyone, I’ve been on my prayer and meditation game so it didn’t take me long to make an amends. And if you know someone that would benefit from here in a podcast like this, be su...

A couple of phrases I can’t stand is, “well you didn’t tell me that” or “it’s not my fault because I didn’t know”. Funny thing is, that’s exactly what I wanted to say to the lady when she told me that I couldn’t donate today. Sometimes I donate plasma for spending money, to pay off credit cards, or to help pay for a trip we’re going on. Today, I checked in at the plasma clinic and I remembered I f...

More and more I realize how much I rely on external things, situations, and outside influences to make me feel better. I think, if I just had those shoes, or that house, or that job, or that opportunity, or that group of friends, then… everything would be OK. Recently, I’ve realized that the exact thing I desire, not only might be staring me in the face, but I might already have it. How often do y...

I did an interview with Sarah for one of her groups on relationships. It was interesting how we were able to hear each other better through the interview format versus having a direct conversation. It was almost like counseling. On this episode, I share about the foundational principle I have in relationships. What do you think? If you think of someone that would like this episode, be sure to shar...

I find it interesting how many ways fear and insecurity show up in my life. Recently, it’s been in the form of financial insecurity. I feel like I underestimate how often I operate from a place of scarcity. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop, I never think there’s going to be enough of anything, not only do I want your services at a discount but I don’t think you should pay for my servi...

This morning was a weird one. I was carrying this nervous energy with me. Some people would call it, waiting for the shoe to drop, some people would call it anxiety, I often refer to it as nervousness. In my breath work and meditation this morning I discovered it was all rooted in fear. I have a couple of things I need to talk to my boss and my wife about and I’m worried I might not get what I wan...

Deep rooted feelings are interesting. They are often very difficult to diagnose. Often, emotions like guilt, shame, insecurity, low self-worth, are so deep that we don’t even think they effect us. We have come to operate from a place that is so common for us, that it feels normal. So when someone asks you, “do you feel guilty?” For many people the answer is “no way. I mean sure I feel guilty somet...

At any given moment, I get caught up in all the things I think I need to do, the person I think I need to be, or any of the other things I think I need. The truth is, I don’t need to do any of it. We I am diligent in my inner work, the “things” that are important in the moment rise to the top. Whatever I’m supposed to do that day becomes apparent and it’s easy to decipher. I don’t need to get caug...

What a small world it is. Sarah and I went for a walk this morning and I was telling her about my experience with breath work. From the deep and intense breath work I did at a men’s retreat a few weeks ago, the podcast I listen to recently, and my commitment to 90 days of daily breath work. And she said, funny you mention that because I’m meeting a life in breath work coach soon for coffee and we’...

For a while now, I have had a yearning for deep emotional connection to my childhood and the stories I’ve been unknowingly living by. Particularly, those stories that don’t serve the man I was created to be. It started with venturing into the 12 step fellowship called ACA, hiring a therapist to do EMDR, attending Mkp men’s groups, then IFS therapy in most recently a men’s retreat and discovering b...

Have you ever shared something that is true but after you say it, you get really uncomfortable with people knowing that about you!? Well, this is one of those episodes. Today, I talk about a hang up I have with hearing feedback from people that are too close to me… ie: family. And talk about the value of experiential personal development versus intellectual personal development. And, I give my wif...

A little about church. Although my skin crawls at times, I enjoy the environment, energy, and a message that is broad enough for even me to fit in. Last week the message was about Abraham and how he followed what he felt God called him to do and the promise of a son. It took much longer than he expected but what happened was greater than he could’ve imagined. Like the reality in most peoples life....

I was on a group call last night in the idea hit me, I’m going to do 30 episodes in 30 days. I’m not exactly sure where the inspiration came from but I can tell you this, it’s super annoying to be introduced to someone new as a guy that has a cool podcast, then having to explain why I haven’t been putting out new podcast episodes, lol! I’m not exactly sure what’s going to come out of this commitme...

20 years ago today I started a journey I never wanted to be on. September 9, 2001 was the last day I drink any alcohol or used mind and mood altering drugs. I woke up on September 10 of 2001 saying to myself, I don’t think I’m an alcoholic or drug addict but I’m willing to take a look. Besides, my probation officer says, if you don’t stop, I’m sending you to jail, lol! Turns out, it was the best d...

There’s this funny thing that happens for me in almost every situation; I subconsciously rank myself against everyone around me. Am I smarter than them or they smarter than me? Do they have it figured out or do I have it figured out? Are they right or am I right? Am I better than them or am I less than them? The reality is, this is a sneaky way for my subconscious to wrestle certainty out of life....

Recently I was watching a YouTube video this guy said in passing, “an idea without a deadline is just a dream. It’s not a goal.” It is not the first time I heard that but this time it hit me straight in the heart. Recently, I’ve had a TON of resistance around goals. Whether it’s because they stress me out or I’m trying to set goals for you or simply because “they” think I should… either way, it do...

Have you ever found yourself totally on edge, acting out, and just down right frustrated and not know why? You’ve done all the things, checked in with your support group, gone to some meetings, done some journaling and still, not know what the heck is going on? ME TOO! Recently, I was struggling in a way that wasn’t so obvious. All I knew was, I was annoyed... a lot. However, because of what you a...

Something I talk about quite regularly is, it is not about the decisions you make, it’s about how you go about making them.  In other words, are you making decisions out of fear, shame, or guilt or are you making them out of conviction, certainty, or faith? For me, there is a HUGE difference!  Recently, I made a decision that turned out to be a good one yet, it was deeply rooted in fear and insecu...

Chaz grew up in a northern suburb of Philadelphia. As a smart kid, he quickly got bored with school and was labeled as one of those that "couldn't pay attention" and was "too hard to manage."  His parents did what many parents would do, they took him to the doctor where he was diagnosed and prescribed medication... as happens all too often. As he got older he started dabbling with other mood and m...

I’ve been on the path of self-discovery and personal development for almost 20 years now... and I’m still learning! I often fantasize about reaching the mountain top, arms raised, a huge smile on my face, and yelling, I’ve got it all figured out! Doesn’t that sound awesome!? The truth is, just like physical or spiritual health, self-improvement is a lifelong journey. On this episode, I share about...

There are two things that have been on my mind in the last week. 1) The number one way to impact those close to you is to... change you first. And 2) How challenging it is navigating the mental and behavioral healthcare system. On this episode I’ll share some real world examples of what it can look like once you decide to get help, how challenging it can be to find mental health and addiction help...

My dad passed away 17 years ago and most of that time has been spent, wishing things were different. I wish he was different, I wish he didn’t pass way, I wish I had more time with him, I wish, I wish, I wish. I also blamed him for some of the things I don’t like about myself (Isn't it so much easier to blame other people for your issues instead of looking in the mirror at the person who is really...

Is there a word, phrase, or topic that really gets under your skin? That when you hear it, your brain comes to a screeching halt and you stop listening? In other words, as soon as someone gets on the topic, you can’t be open to anything else they are saying because you’re stuck on “that word”. For me, one of those words is OBEY. The word obey hits me right in the “don’t tell me what to do” button....

The end of a chapter: Philly. This past weekend we were in Philadelphia to move the rest of our things out of the very first home that we owned in Roxborough. It was definitely bittersweet. When we moved to the East Coast we were bright eyed and bushy tailed, looking to see what the hustle and bustle had to offer. Talk about a culture shock! Narrow streets full of potholes, stop signs and traffic...