What Makes Us...

Fifty can sneak up like a question you can’t ignore: if the roles that shaped me for decades start to change, who am I now? Brian Hooks sits down with his friend and fellow coach Geetika Goyal, who works with women in transition, to dig into what makes us start again at 50 and why that “again” often feels less like an ending and more like a return to self. We talk about the empty nest shift, the e...

Money is one of the fastest ways to reveal what we really believe about safety, worth, and the future and it can either pull us into fear or push us toward clarity. Brian sits down with his longtime friend Clint to unpack “planning with purpose,” a values-based approach to financial planning that goes far beyond budgets and retirement math. We talk about how the loss of a parent can create financi...

What if “ home ” isn’t where you were born, but where your habits, friendships, and values finally make sense?  Brian sits down with Dorothée Chareyon, a French educator who has lived in China, Hong Kong, and now India, to unpack the lived reality of expat life—beyond visas and job titles. The conversation threads through identity, safety, community, and the quiet rituals that either divide us or...

Neuro‑Spicy isn’t just a catchy label—it’s a way to honor the courage it takes to move through a world designed for someone else’s brain. In this episode, Brian sits down with longtime friend Sonia Brantley for a candid, generous conversation about dyslexia, ADHD, autism parenting, and the everyday resilience required when systems still reward masking over authenticity. From a second‑grade diagnos...

Meaning rarely arrives as a neatly wrapped answer—it comes as a signal, a nudge, a question that lingers. In this episode, Brian sits down with Sweta Kumari to trace those signals from the banks of the Ganga to the quiet edges of a golf course, weaving spirituality, neurodiversity, and community into a lived practice of purpose. What begins with early rituals—Havan at home, river baths, gratitude—...

What shapes us more—the stories we inherit or the choices we make? Brian Hooks and coach Travis Stock dive into a candid exploration of identity, where early attachment, social conditioning, and generational patterns intersect with resilience, transitions, and the hard work of becoming whole. Travis shares his journey from child welfare to coaching, revealing how systems often punish instead of su...

What does balance really feel like when your job follows you down the hallway, into the courtyard, and through the night?   In this episode, we sit down with Susannah Lawrence—runner, tea loyalist, cat lady, and former residence life pro turned higher ed leader—to unpack the messy, honest truth about navigating balance across evolving career seasons. From the charged, always-on pace of living in a...

Motherhood doesn’t just add a title—it rewires identity, reshapes priorities, and reorients how we move through the world . In this intimate episode, we sit down with Sue Ann, a longtime friend and former colleague, to explore how stepping into “mama” transformed her career path, her sense of self, and her approach to parenting. From a smooth pregnancy that pivoted at 37 weeks to a breech baby and...

What if support didn’t steer your life—but lit the way forward? In this episode, we sit down with Shailendra Aswal , coach and Chief Navigating Officer at My Life Kompass , to explore the lighthouse as a metaphor for personal growth: a steady beam, an early warning, and a safe harbor to regroup before heading back out to sea. Rather than taking the wheel, we discuss how great coaching fosters clar...

What if masculinity isn’t innate—but taught? And what happens when we start to unlearn it? In this episode, we sit down with TJ—a queer, trans, Middle Eastern-Armenian man and recovering academic—to explore how masculinity is shaped by culture, race, faith, and family. From drag king stages to circles of men of color who welcomed him without question, TJ shares how rare affirmations helped him und...

What happens when we approach life with genuine curiosity? How might our lives transform if we questioned not just the world around us, but our own deepest assumptions about who we are? Anupama Giri joins host Brian Hooks for a profound exploration of curiosity as a fundamental life force. Drawing from her childhood in Varanasi (one of the world's most ancient cities) where she witnessed life...

Ten episodes in, and What Makes Us has blossomed into a tapestry of human experiences I never could have imagined when starting this journey. This special reflection episode breaks from our usual format to explore what I've learned from conversations with people who've shaped my life in various ways. The podcast began as a way to reconnect with what I loved most about my years in higher...

In the 10th episode of "What Makes Us," host Brian Hooks sits down with his mother, Karen Hooks, for a deeply personal conversation about life's winding paths.  Karen's story is a rich tapestry of experiences: starting work at 15, navigating diverse careers, facing discrimination, attending the UN Conference on Women in China, and ultimately dedicating herself to serving vetera...

Ever wondered about the difference between change and transformation ? While change is external, transformation is a profound internal shift that redefines who you are. Mastering it can unlock the life you truly desire. Leadership coach Preethi Subramanian, who transitioned from chartered accountant to IT security professional to leadership coach, and moved between India, Switzerland, and Singapor...

Feeling a persistent inner pull toward something different, even amidst external success? Join us for an insightful conversation with Executive Leadership Coach Gusti Clark about the power of personal and professional evolution. Gusti's seemingly diverse career in nonprofit, tech, HR, biotech, government, and entrepreneurship reveals a purposeful journey guided by intuition and a mission to h...

In this episode of What Makes Us..., Dr. Alvin Sturdivant, Vice President of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Portland, guides a profound exploration into the evolving journey of meaning-making, rooted in our connections to family, faith, community, and history. He recounts how his grandmother instilled an early understanding of self-defined purpose, a foundation stren...

What does real friendship look like in today's world? Not the sitcom version where everyone lives in the same apartment building, but the authentic connections that sustain us through distance, life changes, and the passage of time. In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with my friend Annie to explore our decade-long friendship journey and what it reveals about human connection. Fr...

In this episode of What Makes Us... , Ashok Kumar Prabhakar — a seasoned leader, strategic advisor, mentor, and speaker—shares his remarkable journey toward continuous reinvention, lasting impact, and the pursuit of a meaningful legacy. "You need to push yourself and keep rediscovering yourself. And the rediscovery will lead to something greater in life." Connect with Ashok Kumar Prabhak...

In this episode of What Makes Us..., Virginia Ibrahim-Olin shares with us the significance of Taking Risks in her life and how it has shaped her sense of self, family and career. "Listen to yourself and try to trust yourself, if you are not ready to let your friends help." Let us know what you think of the episode! Support the show If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks),...

In this episode of What Makes Us..., Utsav Mamoria shares with us how intentionality has shaped his journey and coming to understand the importance of doing what you love with intention. "Because I intentionally chosen to do this, I am seeing the value of how it is shaping me as a person. So while your intention shapes the choice, the choice in turn shapes you." To learn more about Utsav...

In this first episode of What Makes Us, Raja Bhattar shares with us their journey of storytelling. As they are finishing their first book "Queering Constellations," Raja and Brian explore how they have become who they are. "I don't just have to do what is told around me. I can have my own moral compass." Check out Raja's Author Page :  Check out Raja's book here...

In this episode of What Makes Us..., Dr. Joy Hoffman shares a part of her journey as a Korean adoptee raised in a different cultural community and learning about herself through her work with college students.  "I'm going to get this job and support LGBT students, just under the radar."   Let us know what you think of the episode! Support the show If you would like to connect to the...