Wildly Intentional

With We discuss navigating Mother’s Day expectations as both daughters and mothers, the value of clearly stating what you want, and how feeling like you “just want a day off” can signal burnout tied to unresolved inner-daughter dynamics. Jada describes “good boy” conditioning in men, overfunctioning/underfunctioning dynamics, building trust by letting partners learn, and raising kids through nurtu...

Nearly twenty years after meeting during a study abroad program in Bilbao, Mandy reconnects with her longtime friend Bea to reflect on how living in Spain shaped both of their lives. They discuss cultural differences between Spain and America, lessons learned through travel, regional identity, friendship across borders, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can change the way you see the worl...

With What If Drawing Is the Missing Piece in Your Child’s Education? Emmy Award-winning artist Mark Kistler shares why drawing should be treated as essential, not optional. From NASA-inspired problem-solving to protecting creativity in a screen-filled world, this conversation redefines the role of art in education. In this episode: Drawing Builds Confidence [02:46] License To Flop [04:13] NASA Tes...

Sometimes the thing we know we need to do or really want to do can be the scariest to embark on. In this episode I share 3 times I've felt that urge and taken the leap, despite the uncertainty. In this episode: Story 1: College Spiral to Spain Leap of Faith [01:23] Story 2: Las Vegas Love [06:53] Moving Back to Iowa [08:19] Another Leap Coming ... stay tuned! [09:57] Action Planning Resource: Epis...

I'm excited (and terrified) to kickoff my new video-first series: The Stories That Made Me: 40 Years, 40 Lessons. I've ended every episode with "Stay rooted, be brave, and live Wildly Intentional." So it made a lot of sense to start with "Be Brave" and why I not only say that, but do my best to embody it. In this episode: New Series: 40 years, 40 Lessons [01:09] Pull Up a Chair [02:52] Lesson 1: B...

"You can have the best mom in the world and have a mother wound. You can have a mostly great childhood, which is what I hear all the time, and still have a mother wound." Jada breaks down what a mother wound is, needs versus wants, oldest-daughter dynamics, urgency and fear of rest, and why healing must start from the daughter/inner-child perspective rather than trying to “hack” parenting. Jada de...

With I'm dusting off some old tools I used to teach. I've come to realize they aren't just for the boardroom, they are practical tools for navigating everyday life. Today, I'm sitting down to teach you the "Ladder of Inference". In this episode: Why We Get Hooked by Headlines [00:00] The Ladder of Inference Explained [02:25] The 12-Second Clip: How Social Media Sends Us to the Top [04:19] Spot You...

With Madelin Adena Smith Mandy shares updates on launching the Wildly Intentional YouTube channel and releasing the Wild and Rooted Spring Journal and Planner for kids, then sits down with Madelin, an astrologer, channeler, and medium with 20 years of study, to discuss major collective astrological shifts leading into 2026. Madelin explains how outer-planet movements (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Plut...

Guiding your way back to what matters. The Compass is not a planner. It’s not a checklist. And it’s not a “Word of the Year” you have to stick with. It’s a simple, seasonal practice for choosing how you want to be as you move through your life. Instead of asking: What should I do next? The Compass asks: Who am I becoming as I move forward? Inside, you’ll be invited to: reflect on what’s rising to...

With Adam Beatty Adam shares what it was like to grow up inside The Living Word Fellowship, a high-control religious movement that later collapsed under widespread allegations of abuse. As a Black man, he speaks candidly about race, power, and tokenism, both within the church and in the aftermath of its collapse. This is a long-form conversation. Please listen at your own pace, and take care of yo...

With Telfer Wild Mind Guide In this engaging episode, Mandy and her guest, Telfer discuss navigating life's transitions. They delve into the concept of "Ecotones" those critical, often chaotic zones of transformation between one state and another. Through personal anecdotes and deep reflections, they explore themes like embracing change, overcoming perfectionism, and finding authenticity. The conv...

For most of human history, January 1 was not universally recognized as the “start” of the year. The idea of making promises at the start of the year is ancient, but the way we do it now is very modern. In this episode: The History of the Gregorian Calendar [02:20] Origins of New Year's Resolutions [04:42] Modern Resolutions and Their Challenges [05:38] Winter: A Season for Rest and Reflection [07:...

Jólabókaflóð is the Icelandic tradition of gifting books, drinking cocoa, and spending a quiet winter night reading together. Join me as I share the magic of our family’s Book Flood, why it mattered so much to us, and how you can create a simple, meaningful reading ritual of your own this season. In this episode: The Origin of Jólabókaflóð [02:16] Personal Experience with Jólabókaflóð [03:16] Plan...

With Emily Reuschel Emily Reuschel shares her journey from rural roots and teaching to soul expansion coaching and embodied leadership. We explore what it means to unlearn expectations, live out loud, and lead with deep intention, especially as women rewriting the rural script. In this episode: Introducing Emily Russel [02:11] Emily's Journey: From Educator to Soul Expansion Coach [05:20] Personal...

Gather around with us for a family H.O.W.L.: a cozy, end-of-season ritual where we honor the wins and lessons that shaped us this year. It’s fun, imperfect, and full of heart. Let this Wildfire conversation inspire a new tradition in your home. In this episode: Season Wrap-Up: Family H.O.W.L. Celebration [00:46] Understanding the H.O.W.L. Ritual [02:19] Meet the Webber Wolfpack [07:19] Defender's...

In this episode, I share the story of hunting my first deer — a journey that took three years of waiting, learning, fear, patience, and wild becoming. From motherhood and ethical harvesting to the quiet beauty of the land, this is the untold story behind the shot. It’s a conversation about capability, reverence, and stepping into a version of yourself you never expected. In this episode: Motherhoo...

With Jai Radical Mandy and Jai dive into the bridge between the spiritual and the embodied, exploring animal guides, energy work, Akashic insight, and somatic practice. Jai shares practical ways to weave sacredness into everyday life, from rituals to symbolic “pockets of peace.” A live reading brings the conversation home, revealing what it looks like to soften, release, and trust your path forwar...

With Aaron Proietti In this episode, I’m joined by Aaron Proietti—AI strategist, systems thinker, and longtime co-creator—for a real conversation about what it means to create in the age of AI. We talk about what’s shifting, what’s staying the same, and how to stay aligned as the world speeds up. This isn’t about resisting the future—it’s about designing it, so we still belong in it. In this episo...

What if kindness was our rebellion? In this episode, Mandy unpacks why positive reviews, gratitude, and simple words of encouragement matter more than ever—and how seeing the good and saying it out loud can change everything. In this episode: The Impact of Positive Feedback [00:28] Supporting Service Workers and Small Businesses [01:31] The Importance of Kindness in Customer Interactions [04:22] T...

With Fred Meyer What does it really mean to belong to a place—and to leave something better behind? In this conversation with Fred Meyer of EarthMind, we trace the story of Eureka Moon Farm and reflect on how vision, stewardship, and we explore what it means to design a life, and a landscape that actually fits. In this episode: What is EarthMind/Backyard Abundance? [01:30] The How of Eureka Moon F...

With Molly Knuth Marketing strategist Molly Knuth joins Mandy to explore how to market with heart, follow your energy, and grow sustainably through every season. Hear real examples, creative strategy, and practical insights for entrepreneurs and “Creative Builders” who want to grow without losing their why. In this episode: Meet Molly Knuth [01:20] The Power of Social Media Marketing [10:06] Build...

Feeling the pull to slow down before the holiday hustle? Mandy shares how to build ROOTINES (routines rooted in your values) to bring calm, connection, and rhythm back to your days. You’ll also get a peek inside the new Wild + Rooted Seasonal Journal + Planner: WINTER edition for Kids and how it can help your family stay grounded through the season. In this episode: Introducing Rooted Routines [00...

If you’ve experienced miscarriage or pregnancy loss, this episode is for you. Mandy opens up about her own story, sharing hard-won lessons on grief, healing, and hope reminding you that you’re not alone on this journey. In this episode: First Miscarriage Experience [03:37] Grieving Together and Differently [05:56] Medical and Emotional Challenges [08:04] Lessons Learned from Loss [11:10] Faith, Gr...

With Michael Bodine Michael Bodine grew up in a family of psychics, has spent decades reading celebrities, and doing ghost bustings. In this episode we dive into his childhood stories, his process, spiritual protections, and he even does live mini-readings. It’s raw, practical, and wildly entertaining. In this episode: Welcome Michael Bodine! [03:45] Growing Up in a Psychic Family [05:59] Spiritua...

Some stories aren’t just read, they’re lived. From prairie days to modern classics, books have a way of rooting us, slowing us down, and drawing us closer to one another. This episode is a reminder that raising readers isn’t about finishing booklists, but about weaving stories into the rhythms of everyday life—so they become memories that last. In this episode: Why it matters: Reading aloud slows...