Thrive-Learn-Connect

After years of conversations centered on growth, curiosity, communication, and connection, Thrive- Learn-Connect comes to a close. In this final episode, Jamie Green and Max Mendez offer a heartfelt thank you to the listeners, guests, and supporters who made the podcast possible. Reflecting on the show's origins and the many conversations shared along the way, they celebrate the power of thoughtfu...

Hey — Max here. Jamie and I are taking a short break between seasons of Thrive-Learn-Connect, and instead of filling the space with extra episodes we want to hear from you. We’re asking one simple question: What’s on your mind? If you’d like to share, record a short voice note — 30 to 60 seconds is perfect — about what’s present for you right now. Keep it personal and reflective, not political or...

As Thrive-Learn-Connect celebrates its 50th episode, we're building on earlier conversations about voice, sound, and expression. This milestone episode turns the focus toward the often-overlooked counterpart: listening. Through the lens of music, communication, and everyday life, we explore what it truly means to listen—to ourselves, to one another, and to the silence in between. The episode also...

As 2025 comes to a close, Jamie and Max invite listeners into a reflective conversation about release—what we hold onto, why we cling so tightly, and what becomes possible when we finally let go. They begin with the idea of embracing disruption: the small, everyday interruptions that can either frustrate us or create unexpected opportunities for connection. From there, the conversation unfolds int...

As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves thinking about the people who have drifted to the edges of our lives—not because of conflict or choice, but because life simply got busy. In this heartfelt conversation, Jamie and Max explore the idea of reconnection: what it means, why it matters, and how we can approach it with intention rather than obligation. From cousins rediscovered aft...

Loneliness isn’t just a passing mood—it’s a growing public health concern that affects people of all ages, in every season of life. In this replay of our conversation with Ann Long, founder of Burbity Workspaces in Spokane, Washington, we explore what the U.S. Surgeon General has called the loneliness epidemic. Together, we talk about how the pandemic fractured our social connections, how remote w...

Hello everyone, Jamie here with a quick update: Max and I are taking a bit of a hiatus while I care for my aunt and help her move to a new home. This week, we're offering up a replay of a Season 1 episode that seems particularly fitting: “Pivot and Adapt.” This short episode is about breathing through the chaos, leaning into small shifts, and trusting that we can handle more than we think — from g...

In this episode we sit down with Brynn MacLennan, founder of Slate, to uncover why flossing matters way beyond fresh breath: it protects your gums, heart, and even your brain. Brynn walks us through startling stats, her own wake-up stories, and how Slate’s easy-to-use flosser and gum-sweeps make a 30-second habit actually doable for kids, seniors, and anyone with sore hands. Want to get healthier...

This episode opens with a quick riff on guaranteed income for artists and the ripple effect of arts in our communities, then pivots into the heart of the conversation: your future self. Jamie and Max unpack research suggesting the brain treats future-you like a different person—and how that insight can help us make kinder, wiser choices right now. You’ll hear practical stories (the “do the dishes...

Fall invites fresh routines—and sometimes overwhelm. In this warm, playful episode, Jamie and Max talk about breaking big projects into doable steps, celebrating “ta-da” moments, and why our brains often relax when they’re in task mode. Then they head to the game table: childhood classics that sparked sibling rivalries (Monopoly, Uno), brainy word play (Scrabble, Spelling Bee, Wordle, crosswords),...

In this episode, Jamie revisits the year she ran her business like an experiment—testing ideas, tracking results, and reviewing the data with compassion instead of perfectionism. Max jumps in with a real-world example: learning pickleball as a complete beginner. We talk mindset over metrics, “good shots vs. next-time shots,” and how community makes new skills stick. You’ll hear practical ways to d...

Some days we’re rivers—wide open, flowing, generous. Other days we’re bowls or even cups—able to receive and give, but in smaller measure. In this on-location episode, Jamie introduces a simple capacity lens for relationships: cups, bowls, and rivers. We explore how knowing your current capacity (and sensing someone else’s) can prevent friction, honor limits, and keep connection kind. Then we sit...

Episode 40—cheers to the Back 40! To celebrate our 40th episode, we took the show on the road to Back 40 Meadery in North Spokane. The theme fits: forty episodes strong, and we’re reflecting on the little wins that got us here. We open with Max’s pickleball insight—big wins vs. little wins—and Jamie connects it to real-life communication: sometimes the “win” isn’t proving you’re right, it’s making...

We’re more than our résumés. Yet it’s easy to let titles, salaries, and status define who we are. In this conversation, Jamie and Max explore the cultural scripts that tie identity to employment—and offer simple practices to expand your self-definition with curiosity and kindness. Highlights: Language shifts that reduce “work” baggage (try contribution, practice, craft, service, calling, flow, mak...

This episode is a warm, down-to-earth chat about the magic of storytelling: how our voices carry history, build connection, and even help us heal and imagine the future. We trace storytelling from ancient oral traditions to today’s “digital campfires.” You’ll hear why stories light up the brain (for teller and listener), how they can heal—or harm—and why your voice is an irreplaceable fingerprint....

Fall carries its own soundtrack—wind in the chimes, rain on the roof, and yes…pumpkin-season comforts. In this episode, we welcome back Hannah, meditation teacher and somatic educator, and the founder of Anam Cara Healing Center in downtown Spokane. We explore why September feels like a fresh “new year,” how seasonal rituals root and steady us, and how sound—from crystal bowls and drums to rain st...

Welcome to Season 3 of Thrive, Learn, Connect! In our first episode, Jamie and Max dive into the power of singing—not as a polished performance, but as a deeply human act of joy, connection, and self-expression. From car karaoke and childhood songs to beer choir and spontaneous pub sing-alongs, they share personal stories and cultural insights about how song has always brought people together. Alo...

Hello, friends! Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of emotions and insights with Jamie and Max as they wrap up a phenomenal Season 2 of Thrive-Learn-Connect." In this heartwarming episode, they reflect on the joys and challenges of life, including personal stories like eagerly awaiting a daughter's return from Antarctica and finding peace despite external chaos. Join them in celebrating the beauti...

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of Thrive-Learn-Connect, Jamie and Max dive into two powerful topics: the meaning behind our names and how to creatively handle toxic relationships. They begin with a reflection on the newly named Pope Leo XIV and the profound significance a chosen name can hold—then pivot to the personal, sharing stories of their own names and what they’ve come to m...

In this heartening and hopeful episode, hosts Jamie and Max sit down with Jill Reeves, Spokane’s Waste Reduction Education and Outreach Coordinator. From ballet to Bokashi, Jill shares how a life rooted in creativity, compassion, and community has led her to inspire others to reduce waste and live with more intention. The conversation weaves together the power of words—like “ubuntu,” meaning I am...

In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode of Thrive-Learn-Connect, Jamie (rocking a delightfully husky voice thanks to a stubborn sinus infection) and Max (recovering from a fierce case of “pickle elbow”) reflect on how our past, present, and future shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Through personal stories, laughter, and a few sniffles, they explore: The hidden gifts of our past (includin...

What do bubble-blowing, backyard stargazing, art walks, and handwritten notes have in common? They're all simple, soul-filling experiences that cost next to nothing—and they’re the heartbeat of this episode. Join Jamie and Max as they share some of their favorite “cheap thrills,” from creating pantry-only meals with the help of AI to dancing in the park to free local concerts. This episode is pack...

In this episode, Jamie and Max dive into the murky waters of "sludge" – those pesky barriers that slow us down, whether in the form of bureaucratic red tape or self-imposed obstacles in our personal lives. They explore how a little nudge can help clear the way for smoother paths ahead. But it's not all about struggle! The conversation takes a delightful turn towards the art of thriftiness. Join th...

In this powerful episode of Thrive-Learn-Connect, we sit down with educator Emily Torres and counselor Sean Barrett, the minds behind an innovative classroom experience called “Fight Club.” No, not that kind of fight—this Fight Club is a space for students to explore their emotions, build trust, and develop emotional intelligence with the support of a counselor-in-the-classroom model. Together, Em...

We're kicking the week off with some digital decluttering as Jamie and Max share fun and practical tips to "spruce up" your desktop and digital devices for a mini jolt of joy. Then, roll up your sleeves as we explore planting P's--preparation, patience, and persistence—and how these concepts apply not just to gardening, but to nurturing your personal dreams and goals. Get ready to feel inspired an...