I can’t explain why, but something magical happens when you put the right people in front of a microphone and press record.  Although we didn’t plan it, there was a theme that emerged.  It’s about getting older and watching your kids go through things that it feels like yesterday we just went through.  How hard it is to let them make mistakes.  And how much we can learn about ourselves after all these years, as we relive our childhoods vicariously through them.

Please enjoy, Whitney Boyd.

Key Takeaways

• Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you’re meant to do it — and knowing the difference matters more than we admit.
• The idea that we should constantly push outside our comfort zone is worth questioning. Sometimes comfort isn’t the enemy.
• Kids often tie their identity to the thing they do most — and when that’s taken away, it can leave a real gap.
• Parenting is full of invisible emotional moments — like grieving the end of a chapter your kid might not even be thinking about.
• The things that occupy our thoughts the most (work, appearance, logistics) aren’t always the things we wish did — and that gap is worth paying attention to.
• Relationships evolve, but expressing things like “I love you” can feel strangely harder as we get older — even when it matters more.
• Life stages sneak up on you — one minute you’re raising kids, the next you’re balancing that with caring for aging parents.
• Big life decisions (like where to live) are often less about possibility and more about the stories we tell ourselves about what’s practical or allowed.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Vienna Waits - https://vienna-waits.com/

Whitney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyboyd/

Whitney on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/vienna_waits_studio/

If you grew up loving music, there’s a good chance Alan helped you make sense of it—connecting the dots between artists, movements, and moments that changed everything. But this conversation isn’t just about looking back. It’s about how dramatically music has changed… and what that means for all of us.

We get into everything—from the explosion of alternative rock in the early 90s, to the moment Napster flipped the entire industry upside down, to why music today feels so different than it did when we were growing up. Alan shares what we’ve gained, what we’ve lost, and why the future of music might be more fragmented—and more confusing—than ever.

This felt like a masterclass in music, culture, and how technology quietly reshapes the things we love.

Please enjoy, Alan Cross.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Storytelling in Music: Alan’s success comes from making music feel human—turning songs into stories that pull you in, even if you didn’t think you cared about the artist.
• Why the 90s Changed Everything: The rise of alternative rock wasn’t random—it was the result of cultural shifts, new data (SoundScan), and a wave of artists ready to redefine the industry.
• Napster’s Ripple Effect: What seemed like a side experiment in file sharing ended up dismantling the traditional music business—and the industry never fully recovered.
• Streaming Changed How We Value Music: With everything available instantly and cheaply, music lost its financial value—even though its emotional impact remains.
• Algorithms Are Limiting Discovery: Instead of expanding our taste, streaming platforms often trap us in familiar sounds, making it harder to discover something truly new.
• From Tribes to Playlists: Music used to define identity and community. Today, younger listeners mix genres freely, shifting music from a social signal to a personal experience.
• The Death of Mystique: Social media has erased the distance between artists and fans, removing the mystery that once made rock stars feel larger than life.
• The Future is Fragmented: With thousands of micro-genres and endless choice, music is becoming more personalized—but also harder to navigate and share collectively.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Alan’s website: https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/

Ongoing History of New Music Podcast: https://curiouscast.ca/podcast/126/ongoing-history-of-new-music/

Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry: https://curiouscast.ca/podcast/1296/uncharted-crime-and-mayhem-in-the-music-industry/

CFNY: The Spirit of Radio documentary: https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/the-cfny-the-spirit-of-radio-documentary-is-coming-to-theatres/

The truth is I’ve been wrestling with what this podcast is actually about - what it’s supposed to be. Somewhere along the way, this thing I loved most in the world slowly turned into something that felt like work.  In trying to make it valuable for everyone else, I lost what drew me to it in the first place.  

So in this episode, I take you through that journey—from chasing my curiosity, to getting pulled into the self-help world, to a moment of clarity that finally revealed the answers I was looking for.

Listening to me fumble my way through this just might give you the inspiration you need to rediscover the passion you’ve lost.

Please enjoy.

Key Takeaways

• Following your curiosity is often where the most energy and joy come from—when you lose that, the work starts to feel heavy.
• Trying to make everything “useful” or “valuable” can strip the life out of creative work.
• Not everything needs to be actionable—sometimes stories and perspectives are more powerful than step-by-step advice.
• People take away different things from the same story, which is why leaving space for interpretation can be more impactful.
• The self-help cycle can keep us stuck—consuming ideas instead of actually applying them.
• You don’t need more answers—you likely already have them. What you need is space to think differently.
• Leading with curiosity might feel selfish, but it often creates the most genuine and engaging work.
• Sometimes the best thing you can offer is a break—a shift in perspective that helps people see their own lives more clearly.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://growth-mixtape-podcast-with-bob.cohostpodcasting.com/episodes/the-untold-story-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-with-john-u-bacon-chasing-curiosity-and-sharing-boundless-insights-from-ideas-that-matter

Alan Cross - https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/

I loved this conversation because it pushed on something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. We hear all the time that growth happens outside our comfort zone, but Anne gives that idea a fresh twist. Instead of just leaving comfort, she talks about learning how to dance with discomfort — and more importantly, how to know when discomfort is helping us grow and when we’re just exhausting ourselves.

We talk about why hard things build self-trust, how the challenges we choose can prepare us for the ones life throws at us, and why confidence is really just evidence that we’ve survived difficult things before. We also get into silent retreats, relationships, leadership, and the stories we tell ourselves when change shows up uninvited.

This one was thoughtful, practical, and really fun.

Please enjoy, Anne Bonney.

Key Takeaways:

• Anne reframes the whole idea of a “comfort zone” by focusing instead on the discomfort zone — something we can move toward with curiosity instead of fear.
• Doing hard things builds self-trust. The more often we survive discomfort, the more evidence we have that we can handle what comes next.
• Not all discomfort is created equal. Sometimes growth means taking on a marathon or a big keynote, and sometimes it means having an honest conversation or asking for what you need.
• Comfort isn’t the enemy. It’s the place we rest so we can step back into challenge when we’re ready.
• Self-efficacy matters. Resilience grows when we believe there’s something we can do to improve our situation instead of waiting for life to magically get easier.
• Anne’s line, “thoughts are random, thinking is not,” is a powerful reminder that we don’t have to believe every story our brain tells us in moments of fear or uncertainty.
• The discomfort we choose can help prepare us for the discomfort we don’t choose — illness, grief, aging parents, relationship struggles, and all the other hard parts of life.
• Nobody else has it figured out, and you don’t have to do it alone. That might be the most comforting truth of all.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Anne Bonney website: https://yourchangespeaker.com/

Anne on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annebonney/

Anne’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/wSL6tVD__po?si=3xSBLDfCwTYUaTB7

Michael Easter, The Comfort Crisis

https://www.michaeleaster.com/the-comfort-crisis

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593138767

Vipassana meditation retreats

https://www.dhamma.org/

David Goggins

https://davidgoggins.com/

Tim Ferriss

https://tim.blog/

This was our first recording in front of a live studio audience, and the energy in the room was incredible. Maddi Kolberg, Dr. Tina Sestin, and Carmen Sutherland share how a chance meeting in a sauna, years of clinical burnout, and a deep belief in community all collided to create something new: the Generations Collective.

We talk about what’s broken in our current system, why so many of us feel isolated as patients and caregivers, and what it could look like to build healthcare around humans instead of appointments. This conversation is about perimenopause and pelvic health, yes — but it’s also about grief, belonging, accessibility, and the power of stories to build something better.

This one left me hopeful.

Please enjoy, Maddi Kolberg, Dr. Tina Sestin, and Carmen Sutherland.

Key Takeaways

• A Chance Encounter Sparked a Movement: A conversation in a sauna led to the creation of Generations Collective — proof that when you follow curiosity and authenticity, powerful collaborations can form.

• Burnout Isn’t Failure — It’s Information: Tina shares how 15 years in practice left her exhausted and questioning a system where only those with money or benefits could access care. That discomfort became fuel for change.

• Healthcare Should See the Whole Human: Mind, body, spirit, family, finances, and community all impact health. Treating symptoms in isolation misses the bigger picture.

• Community Is Medicine: Maddie’s experience navigating her daughter’s medical journey — and the overwhelming support from her neighborhood — reinforced that healing doesn’t happen alone.

• Integration Changes Everything: Instead of siloed practitioners working back-to-back, Generations Collective envisions collaborative care — clinicians literally sitting at the same table to support each patient together.

• Belonging Is Foundational to Health: Carmen reminds us that beyond treatment plans and protocols, people need to feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong.

• Accessibility Matters: Quality care shouldn’t depend on income level. Reimagining healthcare means building models that make support available to more people.

• Regenerative Leadership Over Burnout Culture: If we want a better system, we can’t build it by sacrificing the people inside it. Taking care of each other is part of the mission.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://www.generationscollective.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/generationscollective.ca/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddi-kolberg/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-sestan-557b112a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-sutherland-34604829/

This episode is a bit of an experiment. We both brought 2 topics to discuss, but didn’t tell each other ahead of time.  No research, no prepared answers, no performance.

What came out was a wide-ranging, honest, funny, and surprisingly deep discussion about making friends after 30, tattoos and identity, fear of judgment, and why we’re all so afraid to just pick up the phone and call someone we miss.

Please enjoy, Alyx Parks - unhinged.

Key Takeaways

• Birthdays can bring a quiet kind of grief—not just about age, but about who we were, who we thought we’d be, and who we’re becoming.
• We’ve been conditioned to fear phone calls and doorbells, but random, agenda-free connection can be one of the greatest gifts we give and receive.
• Tattoos aren’t really about ink—they’re about identity, intention, permanence, and who we’re doing things for.
• Making friends after 30 is hard, vulnerable, and necessary—and sometimes it starts with simply saying hello or asking someone for coffee.
• Fear of failure is often really fear of judgment, and most of that judgment lives only in our own heads.
• Letting “future you” handle the hard moments can be a powerful way to move through fear and self-doubt.
• Growth often looks messy in real time—and cringing at your past self might actually be proof that you’re evolving.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://www.wilderpath.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyxparks

https://www.instagram.com/ontarioflygirl

https://www.ontarioflygirl.com/

Two years ago, Brandon was in a speed flying accident that nearly took his life.  In the days immediately following, Sensi learned she was pregnant with their first child.  Together, they share their incredible journey of recovery, and how learning to live with Brandon’s traumatic brain injury has re-shaped their view of life and parenting.  

This conversation is about more than the accident. It’s about identity, love, and how we move forward when life doesn’t go as planned. It’s about the quiet strength of caregivers, the stubborn resilience of the human spirit, and the role that community plays in helping us heal.

Please enjoy, Sensi Graves and Brandon Scheid.

Key Takeaways

Turning trauma into purpose: Brandon and Sensi share how they’ve made meaning from a life-altering accident—and why they wouldn’t take it back.

Two perspectives, one story: Sensi speaks as the partner and caregiver; Brandon shares what it's like to survive a crash you don’t remember, and come back a different person.

Brain injury recovery isn’t linear: From post-coma mania to long-term depression, Brandon opens up about the invisible impacts of TBI and how he’s still navigating the mental health journey.

Presence over purpose: In the middle of crisis, Sensi redefined success as simply taking care of herself, her baby, and her husband—nothing more.

Letting go of the “old you”: After his accident, Brandon couldn’t return to his old sports or identity, so he explored everything from drones to piano to punching balls while walking down the street.

What we focus on expands: Sensi talks about practicing radical gratitude—not to sugarcoat hardship, but to make space for joy amidst the mess.

We all molt: Brandon offers a surprisingly perfect metaphor about crustaceans—sometimes growth requires outgrowing your old shell, even when it hurts.

Vulnerability creates connection: Their willingness to be open, even in the messiest moments, is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t something we do alone.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://www.instagram.com/windfall_movie/

https://www.instagram.com/sensigraves/

https://www.instagram.com/brandonscheid/

https://www.sensigraves.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sensi-graves/

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler

This story gripped me in a way I didn’t expect. Like a lot of people, I knew the Gordon Lightfoot song — I’d sung it around campfires and strummed it on my guitar — but I had no idea how much more there was to the story until I picked up John's book.

He spent years talking to the families of the 29 men who were lost that night in 1975, and what he uncovered is not just a story of a shipwreck — it’s a story of sacrifice, silence, courage, and legacy.

We talk about the night the Fitzgerald went down, the myths and facts surrounding the wreck, the power of Gordon Lightfoot’s songwriting, and the heartbreaking and beautiful stories of the men on board. I learned a lot, felt even more, and I think you will too.

Please enjoy, John Bacon.

Key Takeaways

The Edmund Fitzgerald isn’t just a shipwreck — it’s a human story: John interviewed 14 families of the 29 crew members, many of whom had never spoken to a writer before. Their stories bring the tragedy to life in a deeply personal way.

The Gordon Lightfoot song changed everything: Without “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” this story might have been forgotten. Lightfoot’s first-ever performance of the song — captured by accident in the studio — is still the version we hear today.

The Great Lakes are more dangerous than the ocean: Local storms, sharp waves, and shallow shoals make the lakes uniquely treacherous. Sailors face 60-foot waves with just 11 feet of clearance from deck to water.

Shipping is essential — and invisible: The Fitzgerald and ships like it carried the raw materials that built North America’s cars, homes, and infrastructure. Yet most people know almost nothing about the lives of the sailors.

Heroism doesn’t always come with survival: The Arthur Anderson, the ship following the Fitzgerald, turned around and went back into the storm at the Coast Guard’s request — a nearly unthinkable act of courage.

A flawed map may have played a role: The Fitzgerald was likely using outdated charts with shoal locations that had shifted by more than a mile — potentially contributing to the ship’s damage and eventual sinking.

The tragedy led to lasting change: There hasn’t been a major Great Lakes shipwreck since the Fitzgerald. It changed safety standards and remains a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

These men are not forgotten: From tattoos to scholarships to grandchildren who carry on their names, the legacy of the 29 lives lost lives on — through this book, through the song, and through the families who still feel the waves.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

John’s website: https://johnubacon.com/

Books by John: https://johnubacon.com/books/

John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-u-bacon-6359302

Let’s stay curious and keep moving.  

And make momentum the only goal.

Key Takeaways

• Goals vs. Direction: Instead of setting rigid goals, try choosing a direction. It gives you something to aim toward without getting stuck on a specific destination.
• Control is an Illusion: Life doesn’t follow our plans. Most of what derails us are things we never saw coming — so maybe the answer is to plan less and adapt more.
• Experiment Instead of Plan: Treat your life like a laboratory. Try things. Learn. Pivot. Repeat. It takes the pressure off and opens up surprising opportunities.
• Hold Goals Loosely: Inspired by Rich Roll — the idea isn’t to avoid goals entirely, but to stop clinging to them so tightly that we miss other, better paths.
• Follow the Emotional Charge: Rick Rubin’s advice is to follow what lights you up. If something excites or scares you (in a good way), chase that feeling.
• Fundamental vs. Instrumental Reasons: Daniel Pink points out that doing things because they feel meaningful (not just because they might lead somewhere) is often the better bet.
• The Power of Curiosity: Reach out. Ask questions. Start conversations. Interesting people are curious people — and curiosity is contagious.
• Make 2026 the Year of Experiments: Instead of setting resolutions, commit to trying one interesting thing each week. Momentum beats perfection, every time.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Daniel Pink: Life Advice That Sounds Good But Will Destroy You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiz2XSNUPec

Rich Roll on Rock Bottom and Resolutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMjMd0gtygQ

Peter just released his new album, and while that’s exciting on its own, what really struck me was how it came to be — through friendship, nature, first takes, and a complete letting go of outcome. It's a lesson in creativity, trust, and showing up without overthinking it.

We talk about how Peter’s work as a speaker and facilitator has changed how he creates music, and how building his career as an artist and speaker has never been a straight line — but always guided by purpose. He also shares how collapsing at 19 and facing a cancer scare changed the way he lives his life and makes decisions, and why songwriting retreats and keynote concerts aren’t just about music — they’re about connection, vulnerability, and remembering what matters.

This one was honest, beautiful, and inspiring in all the best ways.

Please enjoy, Peter Katz.

Key Takeaways

• Creating without overthinking: Peter’s latest album came from a place of play and presence — no plan, no pressure, just following what felt true in the moment.
• From solo artist to speaker: His work in organizations through keynote concerts has shaped how he creates — shifting the focus from “me” to “we.”
• Music as medicine: Whether performing or facilitating, Peter’s aim is to remind people of who they are and help them reconnect — with themselves and each other.
• The power of holding things lightly: From letting songs be imperfect to trusting his voice on the first take, Peter shares how creating space for imperfection often leads to deeper connection.
• Songwriting as a gateway to self-discovery: His retreat helps people write their first song — but more than that, it reminds them what’s possible when they give themselves permission to play.
• Leading with heart in business: Through appreciative inquiry and storytelling, Peter helps organizations celebrate what’s working — because we become what we celebrate.
• Meetings that matter: He encourages leaders to “start with heart” — not with the agenda — because relationships are what make great work possible.
• Balance is always a moving target: Even with a successful career, Peter shares how he’s still recalibrating to stay connected to his artist self and the work that lights him up.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://www.peterkatz.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-katz-1368bb6

https://www.instagram.com/peterkatzmusic

Greg is one of those people whose passion is contagious. He can make anything interesting—coins, kindness, counterstamped nickels from 1860—and somehow ties it all back to living a life that actually means something. Our first conversation was the episode I recommended most when people asked what this podcast is all about, and this one might be even better.

We talk about the terrifying beauty of taking creative risks, the unexpected power of noodles in a hotel lobby, and why staying in the game—whatever your game is—might be the most important decision you ever make. He also shares what it’s been like to release his first book into the world, and why the chapter he almost left out might be the one that changes everything.

This conversation is about passion, purpose, and possibility.

Please enjoy, Greg Bennick.

Key Takeaways

• “Do it your way.” Greg shares how skipping the networking events at a major speaker conference—and eating Pad Thai alone in the hotel lobby—led to the most authentic connections of his career.
• Writing his first book taught him that vulnerability is part of the process—and that success often starts with just staying in the game.
• The chapter he almost didn’t include—on kindness—became the one readers connected with most. Sometimes others see the heart of your work more clearly than you do.
• Creativity isn’t magic—it’s a muscle. The breakthrough moments come after you’ve put in the reps, not before.
• Greg’s obsession with rare coins isn’t really about the coins—it’s about history, relationships, and finding connection in unlikely places.
• Comparison will kill you. We all assume everyone else has it figured out, but the truth is most of us are just doing our best to stay curious and keep going.
• Greg’s advice for anyone looking to start something new: Leap into the dark—not to fear failure, but to embrace the possibility of success.
• Purpose doesn’t have to be some grand external mission. Sometimes it’s sitting quietly in the lobby with a bowl of noodles, choosing to live a life that’s yours.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Greg’s website: https://www.gregbennick.com/

Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbennick

Greg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregbennick

This wasn’t a planned conversation. In fact, a few short weeks ago, we’d never even met. But after a few chance encounters (and some beautifully-timed serendipity at a retreat in the woods), Lacey’s book landed in my hands—and I couldn’t put it down.

We talk about that strange, messy, powerful space in between who we’ve been and who we’re becoming. Lacey opens up about the collapse that led her to start over, the fears that come with shedding an old identity, and how journaling and creativity helped her find clarity, healing, and direction.

If you’re sitting in the “what’s next” part of your life or career, this conversation is for you. It’s about rediscovering the parts of yourself you’ve left behind, honoring the discomfort of not knowing, and trusting that the through line will appear—if you just keep going.

Please enjoy, Lacey Heels.

Key Takeaways

The magic of in-between moments: Lacey describes the “liminal space” we all find ourselves in when one chapter ends and the next hasn't fully begun—and why learning to sit with the discomfort is essential.

Being known for one thing... and craving something else: Many of us reach a point in our lives or careers where we feel the urge to reinvent ourselves, even when we’re unsure what comes next.

The collapse before the rebirth: Lacey shares her experience of burnout after shutting down her business, and how letting go of what no longer fit made space for something new to emerge.

Start messy and trust the process: Whether it's journaling, creating, or starting a new path, Lacey encourages us to begin before we have it all figured out—the clarity comes in the doing.

Journaling is self-leadership: For high performers who are used to intellectualizing everything, journaling can be a powerful tool for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and reconnecting with purpose.

Run small experiments: Instead of waiting for “the answer” to appear, Lacey suggests taking small, low-stakes steps toward the life you want. Try something. See how it feels. Adjust.

You’re allowed to start over: Sometimes we need to be reminded that it’s not only okay to pivot, it’s necessary. Reinvention isn’t a failure—it’s part of being human.

Creativity as a healing force: Whether it’s writing, gardening, painting, or music, making space for creative expression helps us integrate our experiences and find meaning in them.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Lacey on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceyjheels/

Lacey on Substack: https://www.awildhoney.com/

Lacey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awildhoney/

The Rebirth Rituals: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F931KTTQ

Now, I’ll be honest — when I first saw the title of her book, I thought, oof, that sounds heavy. But then I got into it, and it wasn’t at all what I expected. This book completely reframed what I thought I knew about trauma. It’s not just about the big, obvious moments in life — it’s also the subtle, overlooked experiences that quietly shape our nervous systems and settle into our biology.

Dr. Aimie shares her personal story of adopting a son from the foster system and how that experience held a mirror up to her own past. She explains how trauma can live in the body long after our minds have “moved on,” and how even high performers unknowingly carry trauma responses like people-pleasing, burnout, and chronic fatigue.

But this conversation isn’t just about what trauma is — it’s about how to heal it. Dr. Amy offers a hopeful, practical framework to better understand our bodies, widen our capacity for stress, and show up for ourselves and others with more compassion.

Please enjoy, Dr. Aimie.

Key Takeaways

Trauma isn’t always what we think it is. It’s not just extreme events — trauma is anything that, at the time, overwhelms our ability to process and respond. And most of us are carrying more than we realize.

Our bodies remember. Even if we mentally “get over” something, our biology — at the cellular level — can still be holding onto past trauma in the form of chronic illness, fatigue, anxiety, or depression.

You don’t have to qualify for trauma. Comparing our experiences to others can stop us from acknowledging our own pain. But recognizing our own trauma is the first step toward healing.

Stress grows us, trauma breaks us. The difference is capacity. When a challenge pushes us just far enough, it strengthens us. But when it overwhelms our system, it can lead to shutdown or long-term damage.

The body sends signals before it burns out. Learning to recognize signs like tightness, shallow breathing, or adrenaline overload can help us avoid crossing into overwhelm.

Healing starts with support. Whether it’s creating pause, connecting with others, or simply listening to your own body — the key is not being alone in your stress.

Somatic practices are game changers. Dr. Amy walks us through a simple body-based exercise to show how movement can calm the nervous system and create a sense of safety.

Compassion is key. Whether reflecting on our past or parenting our children, we’re all doing the best we can with what we have. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s understanding, and growth.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

Links & Resources

Dr. Aimie’s website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/

Dr. Aimie’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAimieApigian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aimie-apigian

Emily is raw, funny and vulnerable about the choices she made that landed her behind bars.  She talks about the moment she saw her parents in the courtroom for the first time, the shame she carried, the strength she found, and the mindset shift that helped her recalibrate her life.  

Today, Comeback Snacks is carried in over 1,100 stores across the country and employs a number of formerly incarcerated people. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Emily is proof that joy, humor, and intention can show up in the most unlikely places.

Please enjoy, Emily O’Brien.

Takeaways

• Emily’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far off course we get, we can still come back—and sometimes stronger than before.
• Despite growing up in a supportive household, Emily’s descent into addiction and toxic relationships shows how quickly things can unravel—no matter your background.
• Her time in prison became a personal “recalibration,” where she read 82 books, kicked substance use, and began sketching the plans for what would become Comeback Snacks.
• Emily reframes reinvention as recalibration—not becoming a new person, but returning to the good core that was there all along.
• With Comeback Snacks, she’s hired over a dozen formerly incarcerated individuals and developed a reintegration program to help others start businesses post-prison.
• Her “Comeback Blueprint” offers a framework for transformation: Commit, Own it, Be Accountable, Educate others, and Lead with Values.

Links and Resources

Comeback Snacks Website: https://comebacksnacks.com/

Emily’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emz.obrien

Comeback Snacks Website: https://www.instagram.com/comebacksnacks

Emily’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-o-brien-b628a4132/

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

I talk to people for a living, here on the pod but also in my coaching and speaking career.  And in virtually every conversation, I talk to people that want to do something new.

And it’s scary as hell.

But in these conversations, something new emerges.  It’s this fear of judgment that so many guests have talked about here on the podcast.  So is it really your fear of starting over that’s holding you back, or is it the fear of people seeing you start over?

This topic has been a lightning bolt to the chest for me.  So let’s talk about what it really is that’s holding us back, and I’ve come up with 3 specific habits we can build to move through it, and live the bigger life we deserve.

Key Takeaways

• Most of us aren’t afraid of starting over—we’re afraid of people seeing us start over.
• What feels like a huge leap to you might look like a natural next step to everyone else.
• Stories from past guests like Sensi Graves, Karl-Allen Muncy, PrettyLynne, and Greg Boyd remind us that reinvention is possible—and powerful.
• Confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from action. The second time is always easier than the first.
• Try the Alyx Parks exercise: ask people how they’d describe you to someone else. It’s a humbling, inspiring way to see what others already believe about you.
• Judgment—especially self-judgment—is often the thing holding us back. As Sylvia Baffour says, start by writing for yourself and acting before you feel ready.
• The world sees more in you than you probably see in yourself. Let that build your conviction. Confidence will follow.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

Recommended Episodes

She’s Like the Wind with Sensi Graves

It’s Not Too Late to Create a Career You Love with Alyx Parks

Curiosity, Creativity & Connection with Sylvia Baffour

Throttle Therapy with Karl Allen-Muncey

What the Fxck are You Waiting For? With Greg Boyd

PrettyLynne: Soft Porn, Courage, Judgment and Finding Yourself

For most of us, the idea of creating a career out of what we love is a promise we gave up on long ago.  But Alyx is living proof it can be done.  And she’s here to show us it’s not too late to shape a career — and a life — that actually feels like you.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of conviction over confidence, how to answer, “what do you do?” in a way that makes people pay attention, and her lessons from the river that guide her work and her life.  We also dive into burnout, imposter syndrome, personal branding, and why we need to rethink our Mondays.

If you’ve ever felt like your job no longer fits, or maybe that you’re running out of time to finally find a career that suits you, this conversation is for you.

Please enjoy, Alyx Parks.

Key Takeaways:

• Conviction over confidence: You don’t need to feel confident to move forward — just have conviction in who you are and what lights you up. The confidence will follow.
• “I’m the girl who falls in frog ponds”: Alyx shares how reframing the way you introduce yourself can open doors and make people truly listen.
• The 'why tree' exercise: A powerful way to go deeper into your values and passions to build a more authentic personal brand — from the inside out.
• Say “okay,” not “yes”: You don’t need to feel 100% ready. Just be open. A lot of Alyx’s best adventures began with an “okay, I’ll try.”
• Lessons from the river: Fly fishing is full of metaphors — about uncertainty, learning by doing, casting even when you can’t see what’s under the surface.
• The power of “Mediocre Mondays”: You don’t have to crush it every Monday. Permission to show up as you are and reset.
• We only accept the love we think we deserve: A beautiful reminder to stop pushing away compliments and start seeing yourself the way others already do.
• You are the bubble: We often chase a feeling of safety, energy, or connection — but that feeling can come from you. Let people into your world.

Links and Resources:

Alyx on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyxparks/

Alyx’s website: https://www.ontarioflygirl.com/

Alyx on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontarioflygirl/?hl=en

Alyx on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2DJldSE7hhQTU8rjNHeYw

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

So I’ve got a confession to make.  This episode was a bit of a test, a challenge to myself.  I was curious…can I make a conversation about finance interesting?  What could we possibly say that hasn’t been said?  Well, if you know Mike you know I had nothing to worry about.  This was one of the most fun conversations I’ve ever had.  Mike’s got a story for everything, including the financial rock bottom that inspired his new book, The Money Habit.  

I’ve never been great with money, and I know I’ve left a lot of it on the table.  As I near what most people call retirement, that’s starting to concern me more than it used to.  But honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started.  So sure, I could have used this conversation 20 years ago.  But it’s also just what I need, right now.    

If you’re struggling to make your business work for you, or maybe you want to hear about how someone writes 10 best selling books about something no one wants to talk about - this one’s for you.

Please enjoy, Mike Michalowicz.

Key Takeaways

Entrepreneurial Poverty is Real: Mike defines it as the painful gap between the outward appearance of success and the inner financial struggle many entrepreneurs face. His mission is to eradicate it.

Profit First Philosophy: Instead of treating profit as what’s left over, take it first. The formula changes from Revenue – Expenses = Profit to Revenue – Profit = Expenses. It’s a mindset—and a habit—that shifts everything.

Behavioral Triggers > Discipline: Mike shares how behavioral psychology plays a huge role in money management, and why creating systems (like putting sneakers on the toilet seat) work better than relying on willpower.

Multiple Bank Accounts = Clarity: Whether for your business or personal life, setting up separate bank accounts for different purposes helps remove emotion from financial decisions and creates instant visibility.

Your Business Shouldn’t Depend on You: The entrepreneur’s job isn’t to do the work, but to create jobs. If you're doing everything yourself, you’re stealing an opportunity from someone else—and setting yourself up for burnout.

Build Wealth at Home, Too: The Profit First system isn’t just for business. Mike adapted it for personal finances after realizing he was profitable in his company, but still living paycheck to paycheck at home.

The Power of Starting Small: Mike encourages listeners to take one simple step—open a new bank account and start moving money into it weekly for the thing that causes the most financial stress. That clarity creates momentum.

It’s Never Too Late: Whether you’re 25 or 55, building better financial habits now will absolutely change your future. As Mike says: “Profit is not an event. It’s a habit.”

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

Links and Resources

Website

YouTube

LinkedIn

Instagram

Cindy is known for blowing shit up, and her latest target?  Sex.  As an older woman who loves dating younger men, she was tired of teaching men that had grown up watching porn how real sex works.  She launched Make Love Not Porn as a safe place where you can go to see real people having real sex ,in all its silly, messy, beautiful humanness.  I’ve done my research and yes - it’s sweaty, saggy, awkward and it feels, well..doable.  But it hasn’t been easy.  She talks about the structural, cultural and financial obstacles she’s had to overcome, and how she’s used people’s skepticism to fuel her mantra - “I’ll fucking well show you.”

I was also dying to talk to Cindy about her life before MLNP because the things she’s done are exactly the things I struggle with every day.  Cindy talks to us about our personal brand, and how to control what people are saying about us when we’re not in the room.  She talks about the cure for ageism, and how we can build the confidence we need to do and say whatever we want, without worrying what anyone thinks.

Maybe you’re struggling to figure out your superpower.  Maybe you’re concerned about your kids having a healthier relationship with sex.  Or maybe you’re just tired of men asking if they can come on your face.  Whatever it is, this episode is for you.

Please enjoy Cindy Gallop.

Key Takeaways

The “Michael Bay of Business”: Cindy’s tagline came from a spontaneous moment, but it stuck because it perfectly captured how she helps people and brands radically reinvent themselves by blowing up the status quo.

Finding Your Tagline: We all have a “default throwaway descriptor” — how others describe us when we’re not in the room. Cindy shares how to take ownership of that narrative to build a personal brand that truly reflects who you are.

Confidence Through Values: The key to confidence isn’t “finding your purpose,” it’s identifying your values and making sure you’re living in alignment with them — every day.

Curiosity Over Crisis: When you’re unsure about your next move in life or career, don’t chase a big purpose. Start by doing interesting things, following your curiosity, and letting the path unfold from there.

Say Your Age: Cindy is on a mission to combat ageism by loudly and proudly saying her age (65) — and encouraging others to do the same. Your age is the sum total of your wisdom, experience, and value.

Revolutionizing Sex Ed: Through Make Love Not Porn, Cindy is offering an alternative to porn-as-sex-ed by showcasing real-world, loving, consensual sex — and she’s now building MakeLoveNotPorn.academy to become the Khan Academy of sex education.

Why Men Are Crying (in a Good Way): Many men have written to Cindy saying they cried after watching their first Make Love Not Porn video. It’s a space where men can see vulnerability, intimacy, and emotional connection modeled in a way they’ve never seen before.

The Opposite of Andrew Tate: With Make Love Not Porn, Cindy is quietly dismantling toxic masculinity — showing young men a new model built on empathy, love, and real connection.

The Power of Doing What Everyone Else Says You Can’t: After 16 years of roadblocks from banks, tech platforms, and investors, Cindy is still here. Why? Because she’s fueled by a mission to prove them wrong — and to build a world that’s better for all of us.

Connect with Cindy

Cindy’s Website

Make Love Not Porn

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

I could have talked to Greg for an hour about any one of these parts of his life - he’s got a way of making everything that interesting.  We talk about Seattle’s teen dance ordinance, a real-life Footloose law that he helped overturn.  We talk about how punk music is really just love songs.  And we explore the central themes that tie all of his various pursuits together.  

If you ever struggle with focusing on what matters, finding your purpose or trying to figure out what makes you special in this world - this conversation is for you.

Please enjoy Greg Bennick.

Key Takeaways:

1. Changing the system from within: Greg’s involvement in overturning Seattle’s teen dance ordinance showcases the power of grassroots advocacy and persistence when making changes from within the system..
2. Straight edge movement: Explore a subgenre of punk that emphasizes a lifestyle free of alcohol and drugs that is centered around the love of music..
3. Majestic failures: Nobody advertises their failures.  But behind every best-selling book or successful keynote speech are dozens of failures that paved the way for the success everyone sees.
4. Re-inventing yourself throughout your career: Your journey is unique.  You have more to offer the world than you think.  Deciding what to do next in your career is not about what, but why.
5. Focus and Balance: Strategies to maintain focus and balance in a world filled with distractions, as discussed in Greg’s upcoming book, “Reclaim the Moment.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Podcast: Let the Kids Dance (KUOW & NPR) – A deep dive into the history of Seattle's teen dance ordinance.
• Books:
• Denial of Death by Ernest Becker
• Art and Artist by Otto Rank
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• Greg’s Book: Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now by Greg Bennick

Connect with Greg Bennick:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob

LinkedIn

Instagram

So spoiler alert: most of the purchasing decisions we make, yeah we make them subconsciously.  Savvy marketers know this, so we’re all vulnerable to being manipulated into buying things we don’t need.  I have a drawer full of late-night Instagram purchases I’m too embarrassed to return.  Chelsea shares real-life examples of some of these bad actors, and arms us with the brain science we need to protect ourselves.

But here’s the exciting part.  We can use this knowledge for good.

As employees, we can build personal brands that create authentic connections with the people we work with. 

As entrepreneurs, we can build ethical companies that give our customers a true sense of belonging, so they never want to leave.

This isn’t just a conversation for marketers. It’s for anyone who wants to be more conscious about the choices they make and the messages they put out into the world.

Please enjoy, Chelsea Burns

Takeaways

From Trauma to Trust: Chelsea shares how her early therapy work helped her understand the wiring of the brain—and how that same wiring shows up in marketing and branding.

Marketing Is Relationship-Building: Whether you’re selling education or granola bars, Chelsea explains how good marketing is really about building healthy, reciprocal relationships.

The Power of Self-Awareness: Only 5% of our decisions are conscious—Chelsea breaks down how emotional triggers and subconscious pathways shape what we buy and why.

Manipulation vs. Persuasion: The line gets crossed when there's no real value for the customer—especially when companies prey on insecurity, fear, or false urgency.

The Role of Belonging: Chelsea’s research showed that a strong sense of belonging increases well-being and business success. Brands that create belonging don’t just sell more—they change lives.

The Cost of Broken Trust: Chelsea unpacks how Target’s rollback of DEI efforts broke trust with values-driven customers (including her 9-year-old daughter), and why regaining that trust isn’t just about PR.

Ethical Branding Is the Future: Brands that invite instead of sell, co-create with their customers, and stay grounded in values are the ones that build lasting relationships—and loyal communities.

Practical Tools for Conscious Consumers: Chelsea recommends the Yuka app to help identify harmful ingredients in everyday products and encourages people to stay informed and curious.

Connect with Chelsea

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Sylvia’s early journey was already unique and inspiring, but it was a chance meeting with writer and activist Dr. Maja Angelou that launched a life-long relationship that shaped her life.

We dig into what emotional intelligence is and what leaders need to do better if they really care about the culture they’re building. 

But probably my favourite takeaway - the power of curiosity.  How it’s the secret to making people feel heard and creating a lasting emotional imprint on those around you.  

This conversation really stayed with me - one of my favourites so far.

Please enjoy, Sylvia Baffour.

Takeaways

• Emotional intelligence is not about being “nice” — it’s about being aware of your emotions and how they affect others, especially in challenging moments.
• Sylvia’s global upbringing, and her father’s example, gave her a deep understanding of people, which fuels her work today.
• She was mentored by Dr. Maya Angelou for over 12 years, and one of the most powerful lessons she took away was how to leave others feeling seen and valued.
• “Shifting phrases” — like Is it possible they’re seeing things differently? — can help us manage emotional triggers and avoid reacting from a place of anger or defensiveness.
• Sylvia encourages us to “mind our monologue,” paying close attention to how we speak to ourselves during tough moments.
• Before any conversation or meeting, ask yourself: How do I want the other person to feel when we’re done? That simple intention can change everything.
• Public speaking is a privilege, and the best communicators always ask, Why should the audience care?
• Creativity thrives when we replace judgment with curiosity. Whether you're writing a book, a song, or giving a talk — just start. Don’t wait to be perfect.

Connect with Sylvia

Webiste

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Chris talks about growing up queer in a small border town, struggling with OCD and anxiety, building a successful company only to have a breakdown, and tearing it all apart to start over.  We touch on PRIDE as a mix of celebration and rebellion, what it means to be an ally and how this is not the oppression olympics - we all have hard stories that make us who we are.  And we need to embrace them to find our people.

But the best part is the stories - every one of them full of joy and hope.  We’ve got a pumpkin empire, gay cakes, and a tortoise with a prolapsed butthole named Rock Hudson. If you’re ever struggled to find your voice, or need inspiration to chase a bigger life, Chris will make you believe anything is possible.  Or maybe you just need some 100% joy in your life today.

Please enjoy, Chris Paul Rainbows.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Takeaways

• Pride has evolved for Chris from partying in their 20s to giving talks, reading books to kids, and spreading queer joy by simply living openly and authentically.
• Growing up queer in a small rural town with no representation on TV felt isolating and led Chris to leave home at 18 to find community.
• Chris’s mental health struggles with OCD reached a breaking point while running a stressful business, but therapy, medication, and support from their husband helped them rebuild their life around what truly made them happy.
• Chris launched The Unicorn Rebellion to do the creative work they love on their own terms—without the stress of a big agency—and created a life with chickens, parrots, bunnies, and a tortoise named Rock Hudson.
• His viral “Pumpkin Empire” taught them the power of storytelling on social media and how curiosity, kindness, and including your community can make even the strangest moments into something beautiful.
• Chris’s story of the world’s gayest cake, or “gayke,” shows how small, joyful acts of visibility can ripple out to inspire and empower others in ways you can’t predict.
• Allyship isn’t something you call yourself; it’s something you earn by consistently showing up, learning, and using your privilege to open doors for others.
• Finding your voice means discovering what you’re passionate about changing in the world—and knowing that everyone’s story, no matter how big or small, has the power to help someone else.

Links and Resources

Chris’s Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Todd’s an old school, rock and roll troubadour.  The stories come fast and hard.  He recorded a Christmas song with Billy Bob Thornton, had one of his songs played at the Superbowl and he owned a half bear, half wolf named Jazz who was an excellent judge of character.

But this isn’t about sex, drugs and rock and roll.  It’s about having the courage to say yes.  The music industry is a parable for life.  It’s cruel and unfair, and it gave Todd a thousand really good reasons to quit.  So how has he survived when so few others have?  When an opportunity came up, no matter how crazy, he said yes.  

As someone that tends to overthink things until I talk myself out of them, Todd’s journey inspired me.  I could look back at the last 20 years of my life and wonder what could have been if I had said yes more often, but I don’t have time for that.  What I refuse to do, is look back 10 years from now and wonder the same thing.  What would Todd do?  He’d say yes.

Please enjoy Todd McTavish.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Takeaways

• The unstoppable itch: Todd described songwriting as a calling he couldn’t ignore, even when the path was full of obstacles and dead ends.
• Say yes to the unknown: His journey is a testament to showing up and staying open—some of his best opportunities came from simply agreeing to lunch, auditions, or chance encounters.
• The magic of creative chemistry: Meeting guitarist Lee Jackson led to writing hundreds of songs and forming Judge Jackson, proving that the right creative partner can change everything.
• Lessons from the road: Todd shared the ups and downs of band life—how licensing songs can be a windfall or pay next to nothing, and why playing for 40,000 Marines felt like “making it.”
• Writing songs like a conduit: He sees songwriting as channeling melodies and words that already exist in the world, capturing them in the moment instead of forcing them into shape.
• Rolling with life’s twists: Border denials, band breakups, and crazy roommates could’ve ended his dream, but Todd kept moving forward, seeing every setback as part of the adventure.
• The gift of perseverance: Todd’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase what you love—and that staying in the game is sometimes the greatest success.
• Art that lasts: He spoke about the power of songs to act as bookmarks in our lives, instantly transporting us back in time and connecting us to moments we thought we’d forgotten.

Connect with Todd

Webiste

Judge Jackson (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2WkImSovdJRdvZ8lxn3JtH)

Todd McTavish (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0tjdZLND9lbsHcqWWXSPxo)

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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LinkedIn

I’ve been avoiding talking about AI on the pod because honestly, I didn’t know what else there is to say.  But Chris offers something new to the conversation I hadn’t heard before.  First, he dispels some myths and suggests that where most people think we are with AI is actually 7 years away.  And there is a huge gap between what companies are focused on and what consumers really want.  And since we are the consumers, we have the power to decide how fast this moves.  The truth is most consumers aren’t crazy about any of this, and Chris has great stories of companies that went too far too fast.  

We also talk about what this convenience is costing us, how AI is making us lazy, how it borrows from social media to keep us addicted and why we need less Star Trek and more Columbo.

So what will AI never replace?  Curiosity and connection.  This conversation is a perfect example of that.

Please enjoy, Chris Hood.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Key Takeaways:

• The Danger of Overhyping AI: Many companies are marketing AI like it's magic, but most consumers either don’t care or don’t even realize they’re already using it. The focus should be on solving problems, not shouting about the tools.

• The “You Bias” of Generative AI: AI tools are designed to flatter you — to tell you your ideas are brilliant. It feels good, but over time it can reinforce ego, limit critical thinking, and create a false sense of confidence.

• We’re in the Cut-and-Paste Era: Generative AI makes it easy to sound smart or get things done quickly, but we’re losing nuance, creativity, and original thought in the process.

• AI Can’t Replace Human Connection: Emotional intelligence, empathy, humor — these are deeply human traits that AI can’t replicate. For businesses, this means finding the right balance between automation and authentic connection.

• We’ve Seen This Movie Before: Chris draws parallels between the rise of AI and the early days of social media. Back then, we trusted tech companies to self-regulate. We know how that played out.

• Don’t Trust the Echo Chamber: Platforms like LinkedIn make it seem like AI is everywhere and everything. But when you step outside of the bubble, most people are still trying to figure it out — or not thinking about it at all.

• Be the Columbo, Not the Sci-Fi Dreamer: Instead of fantasizing about the future of AI, we need to ask harder questions and look at the real implications. Curiosity and skepticism are powerful tools.

Links and Resources

Chris on LinkedIn

Website and Books

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

It’s conversations like this one with Rob that are the reason I started this podcast.  Rob is a giant in his industry, but he’s someone I would never come across in my work as a revenue coach with growing tech companies.  The ideas we explored allow me to see my work and my life in a whole new light.

Rob and I talked about how we can all tap into our creative energy and how our best ideas always come from the most unlikely places.  Yes, your first draft is going to suck but the most important thing in finding your voice is not judging your ideas, or allowing them to be judged.  Rob shares stories of how chasing your curiosity is the key to re-inventing yourself throughout your career, taking you to places you’d never have planned for yourself.  

Finally, Rob talks about what we’ve lost as technology has displaced rituals like cooking together and listening to live music.  And what would Rob have done differently with the music in Oppenheimer?

Please enjoy, Rob Carli.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Takeaways

• The Myth of Arrival: Rob challenges the idea that we ever "make it." Success isn’t a destination — it’s a constant journey shaped by change, curiosity, and reinvention.
• The Creative Process: Great ideas often arrive when we stop trying so hard. For Rob, creativity comes from loosening control — going for walks, grocery shopping, or just letting the mind wander.
• Judgment Kills Creativity: One of the biggest barriers to creativity is self-censorship. Rob encourages letting go of perfectionism and allowing ideas to flow — even the weird or messy ones.
• Music as Ritual: Rob reflects on how modern convenience has replaced rituals like cooking or making music — and why bringing those rituals back could improve our sense of connection and purpose.
• Parenting and Purpose: When his son decided to pursue music, Rob didn’t try to talk him out of it. His biggest hope? That his son finds fulfillment — whatever path he chooses.
• The Awesome Music Project: What started as a neighbor’s idea became a national charity focused on the link between music and mental health. Rob shares the story behind it and why he believes music has the power to heal.
• Balance Over Hustle: Rob hopes that in 2024, we’ll all move toward more balance — not just in work, but in how we connect with each other and ourselves.
• Stay Curious: Whether it’s attending a random concert or following a creative hunch, Rob believes discovery is one of the most important — and joyful — parts of being alive.

For more information about Rob or to connect with him, check out these links:

Rob Carli’s Website

The Awesome Music Project

Instagram: Awesome Music Project 

X

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

When I originally talked to Karl about being on the podcast, I wasn’t sure what we’d talk about.  He’s a motorcycle guy who talks about throttle therapy and the mental health benefits of riding.  I’ve never been on a motorcycle.  I was always scared, I was never that cool.

But it turns out this conversation isn’t really about motorcycles at all.  Karl was a big success in every way - fancy job working with huge companies, big house - he had it all.  Then during the pandemic, all that fell apart.  His marriage, his job - and with it, everything he thought he knew about himself.

So he started over.  He did what so many of us long to do at some point in our lives.  He took all his unique superpowers he’s amassed over his career, and point them in a new direction, something he really cares about.  If you think this sounds like a fairy tale, it’s not.  Karl is very honest about how painful this has been.  He talks about his life being in pieces, and having to decide which parts to pick up and which ones to leave behind.

Now he’s an Instagram influencer - a middle-aged motorcycle dude in black leather, gray beard, baring his soul and being vulnerable about his mental health.  And yeah, his audience is exploding.

So sure, if you like riding, you're going to love this.  But maybe you're like me and you've never been on a bike.  Maybe you think reinventing yourself is something only other people do.

This conversation will change that.

Please enjoy Karl Allen-Muncey.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Key Takeaways:

• From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Karl shares how the pandemic stripped away his career, marriage, and identity, forcing him into a profound personal transformation—and eventually leading him to a more intentional life.

• Motorcycles as Mental Health Tools: Riding became Karl’s way to quiet his mind and reconnect with himself. What started as escape turned into healing, clarity, and a whole new community.

• The Power of Admitting Defeat: One of Karl’s biggest lessons was learning to admit when something is truly over—and how doing so created space to rebuild on his own terms.

• Therapy, Ego, and Growth: Karl reflects on how therapy helped him confront the version of himself he had been hiding behind, and why losing the ego was the beginning of real self-awareness.

• The Unexpected Gift of Instagram: What began as an anonymous place to share moody moto-camping photos became a growing platform for connection, vulnerability, and ultimately, business.

• Parenting with Presence: Karl talks candidly about how his growth journey has made him a better father—and why being “Dad” is the most important title he’ll ever hold.

• Innovation, Burnout, and Reinvention: Karl’s background building innovation labs gives insight into how great ideas get stuck—and what it takes to actually create change inside large organizations.

• Finding Authentic Connection: Whether through motorcycles, social media, or programs like Vienna Waits, Karl has found that the best relationships are built on honesty, not image.

Links and Resources

Karl on Instagram

Karl on LinkedIn

Vienna-Waits

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Today I talk to Jake Gold, legendary manager of the Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip. Jake talks about the new film, No Dress Rehearsal, and the 4-year process of bringing The Hip’s raw, emotional story to life.

We go deep into Hip lore with stories that have never been heard before about some of The Hip's iconic songs, their appearance on SNL, touring with the Stones, and the final goodbye tour before Gord Downie's death in 2017.

Now I can’t sit here and pretend that this is just another podcast episode.  The Hip has been my favorite band since they released their first album as I was turning 19. It’s no exaggeration to say they provided the soundtrack to my life.  I hope you have an artist in your life that means that much to you, because then you can understand what it means to me to sit down with Jake and hear these stories.

But here’s the thing.  The film and this conversation, it’s not really about a rock band.  It’s about truth, friendship, family, tragedy and reconciliation.  It’s also about the power of music and stories to bring us together.

Please enjoy, Jake Gold.

Key Takeaways:

1. No Dress Rehearsal offers a raw, emotional journey into the life of The Tragically Hip, and takes us behind the scenes of these 5 very private people.
2. Authenticity in music is what made The Hip so relatable, and it’s something people crave more than ever.
3. Music can take us back to another time and place, but hearing these new stories can give these old songs new life and meaning.
4. Managing The Hip was all about taking risks and they did things that nobody had done in the industry.
5. Festivals like Another Roadside Attraction are more than just shows—they're about building community and celebrating together.
6. The band’s final tour unified a nation as it rolled across the country and gave fans an opportunity to say goodbye to Gord Downie.
7. Every Canadian remembers where they were for The Hip’s final concert in Kingston.  It brought the country together in a way that no politician ever will. 

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Resources:

• Watch No Dress Rehearsal on Amazon Prime.
• The Tragically Hip's discography on Spotify.
• Follow Jake Gold on LinkedIn.
• Follow Jake Gold on Instagram
• Follow The Tragically Hip on Instagram

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Greg shares the deeply personal story of losing his wife, Alison, to brain cancer in 2020. And yes, it’s a heartbreaking story.  And yet, this isn’t a sad conversation - we laughed more than we cried.  Greg talks about the storybook life he had before all this happened, and how he’s used his trauma to be a better dad, husband, friend - shit, just a better person.  And he’s channelling his experience to start a new company with his wife, Whitney, to help people get off autopilot and live the life they’ve always wanted.

This is a conversation you will never forget.  Whether you’ve had bad things happen to you, or maybe you haven’t yet - one thing is certain.  They’re coming. And that’s not a dire view of the world.  It’s life, and nobody gets through it unscathed.  When the unexpected happens, you’re going to wake up.  You’re going to realize how short life is.  You’re going to want to make some changes to live the life you've always wanted.  So the question is, why wait?

Or better yet, as Greg says, “What the fuck are you waiting for?”

Please enjoy, Greg Boyd.

Key Takeaways:

• From Autopilot to Awareness: Before Alison’s diagnosis, Greg was living the “perfect life” on paper — successful job, beautiful family, dream house — but he felt oddly disconnected from it all, a subtle warning sign that something deeper was missing.
• Post-Traumatic Growth: Greg introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth — how trauma, while devastating, can also be the catalyst for deeper connection, strength, and clarity about what really matters.
• Kids as Anchors Through Grief: Greg shares how his children, then just 5, 2, and 1, helped guide him through the darkest moments. Their resilience and curiosity about loss shaped the family’s healing in profound ways.
• Love After Loss: We talk about Greg’s relationship with Whitney — how it began, how they built trust with the kids, and what it takes to blend a new chapter of life without erasing the old one.
• Living With Grief, Not Around It: Rather than “moving on,” Greg talks about carrying grief with you — honoring it, making space for it, and allowing it to shape how you live moving forward.
• Resilience Is a Skill, Not a Trait: Greg believes resilience isn’t something you have or don’t — it’s something you build. And it starts by doing hard things and choosing discomfort over autopilot.
• Vienna Waits: Greg and Whitney founded Vienna Waits to help people live more intentionally before the trauma hits — offering tools, community, and support for taking meaningful action toward a more aligned life.
• The Million-Person Mission: Their goal is to help one million people ask themselves a powerful question: “Am I really living the life I want?” And if not, “What the f*ck am I waiting for?”

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Links and Resources

Greg on LinkedIn

Vienna Waits Instagram

Vienna Waits Website

UNBLOCK Yourself podcast

Waypoint Retreat

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Lynne describes herself as a Gen Xer in her second act who stumbled into the world of erotic fiction during a period of personal transition.  What she found was freedom, a creative outlet that has helped her reconnect with herself - and as it turns out, a growing audience of women and men also hungry for connection.   

When I was introduced to Lynne through a mutual friend, I was excited to explore this idea that we all have sides of ourselves that we keep hidden for fear of what people will think.  And yes, the opportunity to talk about this through the lens of soft porn, is one I could not pass up.  But this conversation was so much more than that. I don't know what I was expecting - Letters to Penthouse from my youth (if you don’t know what this is, look it up but please - use Incognito mode).   Much like Lynne’s writing, this conversation was beautiful, vulnerable and nuanced.  Lynne opens up about how her writing has helped her better understand herself, be more confident and find a creative voice she had lost.  

If you’ve ever felt stuck, like you have more to offer the world and you just need a place to start - this conversation is for you.  As Lynne says - no feeling is final. Keep creating. Let yourself be surprised by what emerges.

Please enjoy, Pretty Lynne.

Links & Resources

PrettyLynne on Literotica: https://www.literotica.com/authors/Prettylynne

PrettyLynne on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Prettylynne23/

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Key Takeaways:

• Lynne began writing and recording erotic fiction during a challenging period in her life and found it to be both healing and creatively fulfilling.
• Erotic fiction isn’t just about sex—Lynne’s work explores intimacy, grief, desire, and human connection in beautifully written short stories.
• The genre is often misunderstood or dismissed, but it offers a powerful, judgment-free space for people to explore their own emotional and sexual landscapes.
• Writing in this format has helped Lynne reconnect with her creative voice and build trust in her own judgment—something many of us struggle with.
• Despite writing in the first person, Lynne is creating fiction, not memoir—and the distinction is important, especially when it comes to parasocial relationships.
• She resists turning her passion into a business, intentionally keeping it something that brings joy and personal meaning, rather than pressure.
• Lynne’s process is intuitive and nonlinear—she writes on her phone, captures ideas when they strike, and lets the stories come to her without overthinking.
• One of the most powerful lessons she’s learned: no feeling is final. Keep going. Keep creating. Let yourself be surprised by what emerges.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

And it turns out it was one of the most vulnerable, thoughtful, and emotional conversations I've ever had. And it makes me wonder what I might be missing by staying in my lane, and the conversations I could be having with people if I were as brave as Kristi to talk about things we just never talk about. 

Kristi talks about growing up on Long Island, losing her brother in a motorcycle accident, the pain she still carries from family trauma, her complicated relationship with alcohol and her journey with sobriety.  We also explore the fragility of self-confidence, and the quiet courage it takes to completely be yourself online.

Full disclosure, the most memorable part of this conversation for me happened after we hung up.  I sat in my chair, and cried.  I can’t explain why.  The closest I can come up with, is that it’s conversations like this I’ve been searching for.

Please enjoy, Kristi Faltorusso.

Key Takeaways

• Confidence can be fragile. Kristi opens up about how even with years of experience and external validation, her confidence can unravel with a single moment of doubt.
• Stereotypes run deep. Despite her authentic and vulnerable presence online, Kristi shares how people often misjudge her based on surface-level impressions—and how powerful it is when we prove those assumptions wrong.
• Grief changes everything. The loss of her brother in a motorcycle accident became one of the biggest forks in the road of her life, shifting her perspective and fueling her to live with intention.
• LinkedIn is more than a platform. For Kristi, it’s been a creative outlet, a community, and even a form of therapy. She shares how writing has helped her find her voice and connect more deeply with others.
• The dark side of alcohol. With over 800 days of sobriety, Kristi talks candidly about the decision to quit drinking, the cultural normalization of alcohol, and how giving it up has been one of the best decisions of her life.
• You don’t need a five-year plan. Instead of rigid goals, Kristi’s leaning into the unknown—welcoming the opportunities that show up when you bring your whole self to your life and your work.
• The people closest to you can hurt the most. She reflects on how deep family wounds still linger, and the ache that comes from not getting closure, even years later.
• Creativity is everywhere. From work emails to support tickets, Kristi finds inspiration all around her—and keeps a notebook nearby to capture ideas as they come.

Links & Resources

Kristi on LinkedIn

Kristi’s Website

Kristi’s “The Journey” Newsletter

She’s So Suite Podcast

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

I wanted to have this conversation because I have dear friends in the US, customers, and partners, and this is an elephant in the room I’ve been avoiding.  I don’t even like having the conversation with my Canadian friends because it’s so emotionally charged.  At work, we’re told never to talk politics, but here’s the thing - this is not a political issue.  It’s deeply personal, and it affects everyone differently.  

I’m recording this intro 4 days after Stefanie and I spoke, and there have already been 2 major changes in Trump’s position on tariffs.  If you think things will calm down, it won’t.  Nobody is coming to save us.  The current chaos of the day will simply be replaced by something else because that’s what bullies do.  Whether you like it or not, dealing with uncertainty and the anxiety people are feeling - is a core competency you need to build.

Stefanie gives us language for how we’re feeling and practical steps we can take to take back some control in our lives, and feel less powerless.   We also talk about the power of collective experiences like concerts and sports that bring us together and remind us that we’re all better than this.

Please enjoy, Stefanie Peachey.

Key Takeaways

• Stefanie highlights how many Canadians are experiencing a sense of collective trauma—not unlike emotional abuse in toxic relationships—with feelings of gaslighting, fear, and powerlessness triggered by political uncertainty.

• It’s not political, it’s personal. These issues are impacting people’s day-to-day lives, their sleep, their stress levels, and their relationships.

• Leaders don’t need to have all the answers—but they do need to acknowledge what’s going on and show their teams that they’re listening and paying attention.

• Self-care isn’t about spa days—it’s about the basics: drinking water, getting sleep, moving your body, and monitoring how your environment (including your media diet) impacts your emotions.

• Doom scrolling is real—and dangerous. Being intentional about your screen time (even removing passwords or deleting apps) can make a huge difference in your mental health.

• Quiet moments—whether sitting in a restaurant alone or going for a run—can be grounding. Learning to sit with our thoughts is a skill worth re-building.

• We need more collective joy. Concerts, hockey games, shared wins—these experiences remind us that we’re connected and help us feel less alone.

• Her billboard message? “This is tough. But so are you.” A powerful reminder that while we can't control everything, we are more resilient than we think.

Links & Resources

Stefanie Peachey Counselling

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Article: Trump, tariffs, stock market crash: Are politics and finances stressing you out?

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Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Drew set out to reach his antipode – the exact opposite point on Earth from where he was born. He’s got incredible stories, but the one that still haunts me is getting caught in a storm in 30 foot waves, 750 miles off the coast of Australia, in the middle of the night, all alone.

I grew up around boats and I could listen to Drew’s tales of nautical disaster for hours.  There are so many takeaways from this conversation.  But the most dramatic is this idea that not only can you spend your life consumed by these big goals that are never as satisfying as you think when you achieve them, but that you come back to a life, friends, a job that no longer fits. Everyone expects you to be the same person but you've changed.  You don’t need to sail around the world for years to know what this feels like.  If you’re working on yourself and sometimes feels weighted down by an old life that no longer serves you, you’ll love hearing how Drew is navigating his way back to a life that fits this new version of him. You’re never going to forget this conversation.

Batten down the hatches, and please enjoy, Drew Smith.

Key Takeaways

• Drew’s journey started with a question: what’s the farthest he could go from where he was born without leaving the planet? The answer became a six-year solo sailing mission to his geographical antipode.
• Growing up in a small town in eastern Canada, Drew developed a thirst for something bigger—and he's been chasing horizons ever since.
• Reaching your goal is never as satisfying as you think. The real reward is in the journey, the rhythm, and the self-discovery along the way.
• After years of wandering, Drew’s realizing that what he wants next isn’t distance—it’s community, purpose, and something that lasts.
• The scariest moment of his voyage? Being caught in a 10-meter swell 750 miles off the coast of Australia, completely alone, relying on gear he’d never tested in real-world conditions.
• Solo sailing is both isolating and deeply meditative. You become one with your boat, hyper-attuned to every sound, every shift in the wind, every creak of the hull.
• Coming home was harder than expected. The thrill of arrival fades fast, and the question quickly becomes: “Now what?”

Links & Resources

Drew on Instagram

Drew on TikTok

Jordan Series Drogue - A storm safety device used in extreme offshore conditions.

Ze Frank’s “Earth Sandwich” Concept - The fun idea that inspired Drew’s Earth Sandwich celebration at his antipode. 

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.