Thee Uncommon Podcast

In this episode I speak with Nic Collins, a man on a mission to run down his dreams! "Uncommon" is an appropriate label for Nic, who is an athlete and ultra distance runner, a podcaster, a therapist-in-training, and a man in the constant quest for growth and adventure!  We talk about Nic's experience with personal development coaching, and how his travels and experience with therapy insp...

Erik Allen is a man of integrity, hard working, and an overcomer. Growing up in a broken home, Erik was forced to grow up fast, even having to raise himself from the age of 14. He battled addiction, loneliness, and hopelessness as he desperately tried to fill the gaping voids in his life. As a young man Erik found himself empty and tired of settling for less. After the feverish pursuit o...

What comes to mind when you hear the word "liturgy?"  Is it a stale or stuffy religious word? Is it a concept that seems overly pious or impersonal? What if liturgy was actually our opportunity to practically live out our faith in our moment by moment interactions as a family?  In this episode I explore the practice of liturgy, and its useful application in our daily lives: from getting...

Have you heard this age old adage:  Easy choices, hard life; hard choices, easy life?  In this episode we look at how choosing to do hard things - even manufactured adversity - will equip you with the resolve and grit to overcome inevitable challenges later in life.  The "effort paradox"  refers to the counterintuitive phenomenon where individuals often avoid engaging in activi...

On today's episode I talk with Alejandro Avendano aka the Million Friends Guy, who is on a mission to build an impactful network, make the world a better place, and leave a legacy for his son Noah. Alejandro is a runner, a husband, a father, friend, and much more! He recently added published author to that list with the launch of his children's book, Noah's Space Ark . His book features 12 di...

 Well ladies & gentlemen, we did it! 100 episodes in the bag, and we're just getting started!  Whether you've been a longtime listener, or just joining us, thank you for being apart of our Uncommon journey. We hope that our show - the topics we explore, and the amazing guests we speak with - continues to add value to your life and inspire you on your own Uncommon journey!  Remem...

Did you know we're born with only 2 innate fears?  The fear of loud noises The fear of falling down  These fears are hardwired into us to protect us and keep us alive. If this is true, it begs the question: Where do all our other fears come from?  It turns out that all other fears are LEARNED fears.  These learned fears are acquired through experiences and environment...

1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that,  physical training is of some value; but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  What does it look like to pursue physical fitness and hone your athletic abilities in a God-honoring way?  This question - and others - are what my guest, Elizabeth Kirchmeier, and I discuss on the show today. Eliz...

How do you define ' romance '?  Does romance look like candles, chocolates, and a bouquet of flowers?  Is it a long walk on the beach?  Or maybe it looks more like a heart to heart conversation with your loved one?  Whether you are single or in a 'romantic' relationship, I want you to picture what your ideal expression of romance would be.  Got it?  Now, take an hones...

"Marriage is like a partnership formed to run very small, mundane, and often boring non-profit business... and I mean that in a good way" - Lori Gottlieb  While not the most romantic take on marriage, this is an honest perspective that many couples can relate to.  A marriage is a partnership. It requires clearly defined roles & responsibilities. You need transparency and open communi...

When was the last time you wondered where your next meal was coming from?  For most of us, that’s not an uncertainty we often - if ever - experience. Unlike those facing hunger, we don't have to choose between keeping the lights on or buying groceries.  But for many people, that is their reality.  In Iowa it’s estimated that 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 8 children face hunger.  ...&...

  So do not worry, saying ‘ What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ What does it mean to you to practice stellar stewardship? This is 1 of our Un...

 What's your natural response to the unknown?  What thoughts or emotions surface when you face uncertainty?  fear? anxiety? helplessness? paralysis? excitement?  Most of us want to to have a game plan for everything - and a backup plan for when our game plan falls through. We want to see the finish line.  We expect all the details.  We want the full itinerary.&nb...

What image comes to mind when you hear the word "spur"?  Most likely, it's the pointy device on a rider's heel which allows them to communicate to their horse through subtle movements. There's a sense of urging and directing the horse to move and/or accelerate.  The word "spur" is used in Hebrews 10:24-25 as the writer puts forth a call to persevere in the faith. As followers of Chr...

What does an amazing company culture look like?  It is an environment where people are truly known, appreciated, and celebrated! There is palpable energy, excitement - even joy - all of which contribute to a thriving and productive team. There is camaraderie and genuine friendship, which enables co-workers to collaborate and believe the best in each other. There is an atmosphere of...

What is your relationship with winter - specifically with the cold? If you live in a place that experiences winter in its fullest: cold, snow, darkness... it's easy to get bogged down with the "winter blues."  We can default to a hunker down mentality in which we become recluse and inactive during these frosty months - which doesn't help us in any respects to create Uncommon lives.  But...

What does a healthy 2024 look like for you?  Is it signing up for that gym membership?  Is it reigning in your diet?  Maybe its cutting out unhealthy habits - or even relationships...  In this episode we look at the benefits of Dry January - abstaining from alcohol for the 1st month of the year.  You'll learn about some of the physical, mental and emotional benefits that r...

When was the last time you created something?  When we're young, we create in order to learn about the world and express ourselves. But as we get older, we tend to lose our creative curiosity and artistic expression. Our time and mental bandwidth are consumed by our jobs and responsibilities, and although we are surrounded by content and art, we succumb to the habit of passive consumptio...

How do you design a year of fun & adventure?  In this pt 2 episode, Victoria and I share our experience with filling out our BIG A## calendar. We talk about the idea of Building Your Life Resume #BYLR, intentionally designing each year to feature fun, adventure, and challenges that produce personal growth and lifelong memories.  Victoria talks about the importance of scheduling regul...

What comes to mind when you think about death?  What emotions surface? What questions or thoughts are you confronted by?  In this episode we explore people's fixation with longevity - extending their lives at all costs. While we promote our pillar of Holistic Health and encourage all people to aspire to live healthy lives, is the desire to live as long as possible and "cheat" death a God...

How can you make 2024 the most Uncommon year of your life?  That's exactly what we're trying to find out in this episode, as I sit down with my lovely wife Victoria to talk about the tool that will help us achieve this goal: the BIG A## Calendar!  This calendar is exactly what it sounds like - it's a 4' x 3' calendar that includes all 365 days, allowing you to use sticky notes to pl...

 How do you view the relationship between giving and success?  For most people, giving is the result of success.  But what if the reality is that giving is the cause of success?  In this installment of  Book Reports,  Ryan unpacks the principles espoused in the best-selling book,  The Go-Giver,  by Bob Burg & John David Mann.  This book outlines 5 l...

How do you define adventure ?  Is it traveling to far off exotic locations?  Is it high octane - even dangerous - physical activity?  Is it interacting with diverse peoples and cultures?  Perhaps it's a combination of each - or something else entirely...  Is adventure reserved solely for action movie stars, or real life explorers?  Do you believe that adventure is for...

 What can happen when you're willing to just show up?  When you're willing to leave behind your routine and responsibilities for a time, show up and be open to whatever God has in store for you, Uncommon things can happen!  In this episode, Phil & Ryan recount the events from their Elevate Experience in Decorah, IA. There, we and 5 other men spent time fly fishing in Iowa's...

How do you define leadership ?  What are the characteristics of a truly Uncommon leader?  Are leaders born, made, or a bit of both?  In this episode, Phillip & Ryan discuss these questions and more in their desire to portray what an Uncommon leaders should look and act like.  Qualities like humility, integrity, ownership, selflessness, empathy and a servant's heart - all of...