Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Coach & MJ Tyson
100% yes because self gratification is so very important. When you value & believe in yourself and all that you are able to do, validation & praise from others is not required but usually, happily accepted! Read more>>
Angela Skurtu
Recently I have been working on my ‘Open Bedroom Doors Show,’ – Saving the world one bedroom at a time! Here is the playlist. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqck0ypOkthwazzdobE8cLUK-kvdcaPiH&si=TCvXQ0jdoDQzNyjZ Doing this show has brought out a lot of different challenges and feelings for me. I have been in podcasting since 2017. I had my first show, ‘The About Sex Podcast’ for a long time, producing episodes until around 2021. Read more>>
Tamara B.
My faith in God. “ Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Read more>>
Erica Gibbs
The public version of me? Oh, that’s me alright, just with better lighting and a fresh lip gloss. What you see is what you get, but I’ll admit, I know how to turn up the volume when it’s go-time. Read more>>
A’Viana Naree
Yes, there was a time when I almost gave up. Life threw me a lot of challenges, including medical struggles that led into financial hardships. It felt like everything was stacked against me, and there were moments where the weight of it all made me question if I could keep pushing forward. But even in those low points, something in me refused to quit. Read more>>
DUCEY HATHAWAY
Never. Read more>>
Colt Ball
Oof… that’s a good question. I guess I’m chasing a consistent form of happy… And I’m also chasing down the skill set to problem solve through the unhappy, ya know? Sort of just using the travels to gain perspective over why this or that generates certain emotions. Read more>>
Venus Da Kid
I’m chasing my passion. That passion is music and I’m not letting go of it, I’ve done so time and time again and I always fall flat on my ass Read more>>
Lori Becker
Bonds between people are often broken when trust is disrupted. This can happen in many ways: Betrayal, dishonesty, neglect, unacknowledged hurt, or even when people are simply unable to be emotionally present with each other. Sometimes bonds are strained not by deliberate harm but by the everyday wear of stress, miscommunication, or life transitions. Read more>>
Kay Brown
I used to believe that if I was nice, I’d have no enemies and no harm would come to me. But I learned the harsh lesson that the way people treat you doesn’t have anything to do with you. But the way you allow them to treat you has everything to do with you. Read more>>
Rachel Heimos
I wake up and walk my dog Sherman around our neighborhood, The Hill. Then I come home and most days head to work. I’m a teacher. Weekends however, look like is getting in the car and heading for morning coffee and pup cup for Sherman boi. Read more>>
Nicole Drewes
That were just like all the other wellness businesses. We’re not…..we provide customized treatments each time a client comes in to see us. We will take the time to get to know you and your lifestyle so that we are able to create treatment plans that will serve you and your health the best. Read more>>
Elizabeth Evans
Something I come across a lot, and have been thinking a lot about, is this concept of unconscious competence. Read more>>
Jess Okunola
Since my kids were born, I’ve had this deep sense of knowing that I am living ‘the good ol’ days’. Lots of days with two small kids & the endless responsibilities of life can be overwhelming, but even in that, I’m still clinging to all this beautiful chaos. Read more>>
jim Trotter
I usually go to the computer, check my email, prepare for an photo jobs which are coming up. I spend time learning new features in the AI imaging programs. I prepare images which will go out on public display. Read more>>
Jordan Reifschneider
In 2017, I met my partner, Taylor. At that time, I didn’t have much to offer besides potential. I joke around with her to this day and ask her why she took a chance with me. I was angry at the world, struggling with deep depression, and using alcohol as an escape. Read more>>
Jasmine Henderson
Becoming a mom changed me in the most beautiful way. I’ve always loved encouraging others, but motherhood gave that purpose a deeper meaning. It made me want to make a lasting impact—one that my girls can see, feel inspired by, and carry with them as they grow. I truly feel like I’m living that out through my work. Read more>>
Rodney Lyles
Before I ever understood my relationship with God, I knew my mother, Marian Jane Henderson. She’s the kind of person who makes you believe in goodness before you can even define it. If you asked me who shaped my sense of self, it isn’t a question that requires any soul-searching. The answer is my mother—hands down, no contest. Read more>>
Kookie Womack
The only thing I regret is not taken my music seriously when I was way younger. Read more>>
Amaris
My family, friends, laughter, and most importantly my relationship with the lord. Read more>>
Sara Springer
That mental health matters. That Love Will Foundation doesn’t have to be a national conglomerate for it to matter. That the ripples we are creating will help people. And those people- whether it’s 2 or 2 million, matter. Read more>>
Nicki Hamrah
Energy is most important to me because energy doesn’t lie. You could say you are in integrity with something but your energy could suggest otherwise. There could be a feeling you get from someone that just feels off. There are also some very intelligent individuals out there with multiple degrees who don’t have the best energy. They may not be fun to be around. Read more>>
Jada Calicutt
The last time that I felt true joy, I was in the delivery room with one of clients who was giving birth to her first child. Read more>>
Leigh Brockman Horowitz
When I’m not in the Ballet Studio, I’m a Mom to a 9 year old and an Early Years educator of kids ages 2-5. My life is FULL of laughter – big, deep, surprising belly laughs – from all the children in my life and their humor brings me so much joy. Read more>>
Randi Chervitz
I was so young when my grandma and I sat together on the steps of her house with needle and thread. She wasn’t afraid to teach me how to handle tools. She trusted me. She saw me. Each of my grandparents saw me. I was very lucky that way. Life can be frantic for a parent. Read more>>
Anna Carwile
My mom is one of the hardest working people I know and she taught me to have a great work ethic. I worked for her business growing up and she showed me that women can be strong business owners and make their own way in the world. Read more>>
SonJoria Sydnor
I don’t always tap dance to work. Most days I am overwhelmed, nervous or tired but I have never led a class, read my book to a group of students or spoke in front of a panel that didn’t leave me with a feeling so warm that I felt like I was glowing inside out. Read more>>
Tiffany Nelson
I am definitely walking a path. This path was designed for me and all I have to do is follow the instructions provided to me. This path has required me to look deep within and pull from the wins and lessons (I don’t lose). It hasn’t been an easy path but anything worth attaining will never be. Read more>>
Carly Hampton
Currently, even though it deeply challenges me, I am wandering with my business. I set out with a mission to do what I love and connect people with the world and community around them through natural dyeing. I am doing this, but I am often someone who thrives on clear expectations and pathways. Read more>>
Megan Badger
100%– I feel like I’d be extremely depressed and question my existence if everything I did was for acceptance or praise. If I didn’t give everything my best, I would stay up each night wondering and questioning the potential that could have been unveiled with certain projects and situations. Read more>>
Danielle Halbert
If I could only say one thing to my younger self, I would say ‘just do it’. At the end of the day, other people’s opinions don’t matter. What people say about you doesn’t matter. Nobody else is in your shoes. You have to do what is best for you and your business. Do the crazy thing. Read more>>
Ashanti Thomas
There have definitely been moments when I almost gave up on my business journey. Starting MXXIICO was scary—investing in my dream before seeing revenue, juggling responsibilities, and trying to grow while the world was changing. In 2023, I fought through postpartum depression, which made even the smallest tasks feel impossible. Read more>>
Jessica Mathews
There were a lot of times when I almost gave up. Sometimes, all it takes is one negative comment to send you spiraling and stop you from doing the thing you love. But sometimes, all it takes is one positive comment to encourage you to keep going. It’s easy to decide to quit when things get too hard or too expensive or too overwhelming. Read more>>
SUVIR DHAR
Radical self-acceptance. Through a lot of diverse experiences, childhood adveristy, and some great teachers, I’m learning that if I want to fullfil my potential, I need to practice radical self-acceptance: accepting the things that I’m good at and being able to ask for help and/or learn new skills that need improvement Read more>>
Alyssa Barber
I’m building and nurturing my community: my friends, family, work relationships, and neighbors. Not every connection is full of joy and laughter. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s experiencing something not so great together. Read more>>
Charles Abdul-Wali Muhammad
Just remember that people that you have helped will turn on you. It is unfortunate and it happens but prepare for it and do not overreact. You can’t stop being a giving and kind person just because someone didn’t appreciate the opportunity you gave them. Just cut off the underserving person and continue to be kind and giving. Read more>>
Tiffany West
Suffering taught me the language of depth—the kind that success often glosses over. It showed me how to sit with discomfort without rushing to fix it, how to listen to silence without demanding answers, and how to honor pain as a teacher rather than a punishment. Read more>>
Alison Hoenes
People who aren’t in the fashion industry assume that my job is highly creative. Their only reference to this industry is reality fashion design TV shows. Those in the industry assume that my job is all technical. There is creativity involved and it is very technical, but I don’t think that fully captures it. Read more>>
Ziya Kalidasa
Trying to keep other people happy and living to please others is a waste of time and just pointless in general. If that’s your purpose in life then you’re basically a slave to other people’s perceptions. Living for yourself and walking your own path is true freedom. Read more>>
Audra Angelique Gandy
When I first read this question, I thought, “Actually, a lot of people agree with me.” It’s not that I hold a truth no one else sees, it’s that what I believe about AI and creativity is polarizing, especially in the creative world. Read more>>
Erin Schalk
I hope people will say that I was someone who truly valued others, who operated with kindness and integrity. That through creative work and teaching practice, I made a positive difference in their lives, whether in big ways or small. That I helped them understand something more deeply and brought light to an unfamiliar issue or perspective. Read more>>
Danyelle Hygrade
The light I’ve been dimming is my gift of relatability and connection—the ability to help others through the same mindset shifts I had to overcome myself. Sometimes I hold back because I get nervous about how to articulate my experiences or guide people through the tools and changes that truly helped me. Read more>>
Jeff Allen
For most of my life, I didn’t know what to call the thing that made me feel up and down so often. Some days I’d feel unstoppable, full of energy and ideas. Other days I could barely function, stuck in a fog I couldn’t explain. I thought I just had to push harder. Read more>>
Neil Salsich
I’ve been profoundly influenced over the last few years by the Sunday e-newsletter from Farnam Street. Look it up and subscribe! You can thank me later 🙂 It has soothed my anxious and overwhelmed mind and grounded me in the practice of consistency. Read more>>
