Abstract Essay

Alex Gore

From Blueprints to Business Breakthroughs: Architect, Author, and Entrepreneur Redefining Design

Alex Gore is a visionary architect and entrepreneur whose career blends construction experience with innovative design. From sketching pirate ships and homes as a child to serving as a heavy equipment operator in the National Guard, Alex has built a perspective that fuses hands-on grit with architectural creativity.

At North Dakota State University (NDSU), he earned a B.S. in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture and Construction Management. Mentored by Daniel Libeskind in New York, Alex honed a design approach balancing creativity and practicality.

As co-founder of F9 Productions in Longmont, Colorado, since 2009, he's helped the firm earn Best of Mile High Awards for Best Architecture Firm in 2023 and 2024, plus a 2025 finalist nod. His portfolio includes the Atlas Tiny House, a 196-square-foot HGTV-featured design that won the 2016 Architizer A+ Award, and Kenwood Drive, a steel-and-glass masterpiece in Boulder. Gore co-hosts Inside the Firm, a top-five global architecture podcast with over a million listens, sharing insights on business and design. Our sister company F14 Productions, takes our designs from paper to reality as our Construction arm.

A lecturer at the University of Colorado Boulder for over 11 years, he mentored the next generation, blending construction savvy with visionary thinking. His book, The Creativity Code, offers innovation strategies, while his role as a charter school and community college board member shows his community commitment.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julie Clark

From Social Work to Sold Signs — Real Talk About Home, Change & Belonging

I'm Julie Clark, a Realtor based in the Yukon with a 15-year background in social work. I help people navigate major life transitions, from buying their first home to downsizing after loss, with honesty, empathy, and practical guidance.

As a guest, I bring real insight into what it's like behind the scenes of a home purchase. Not just the paperwork, but the emotions, family decisions, and confusion that come with making a move. I'm especially tuned in to first-time buyers—many don't know what to do after they get the keys. I offer the kind of support most people don't think to ask for, like how to find a good contractor, what basic maintenance matters most, and what early warning signs to look for in a home.

My husband is a home builder, so I've picked up a lot of practical know-how over the years. That, combined with my social work background, helps me show up for clients with both emotional and logistical support. I speak to the moments most people skip—fear, burnout, budgeting, upkeep—and I do it with warmth, clarity, and a bit of dry humor.

I'm calm but direct, kind but clear, and always focused on helping people move forward with confidence.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abstract Essay, now in its fifth season, features Danielle Perkins as my guest, offering a profound and engaging conversation filled with insight and reflection. Danielle brings a unique blend of wisdom, creativity, and lived experience that invites listeners to think deeply about personal growth, purpose, and the power of resilience. Her perspectives open doors to new ways of understanding our journeys—how we navigate challenges, cultivate meaning, and embrace transformation along the way. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of ideas that inspire, encourage, and resonate long after the conversation ends.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reid Jones

Ex-Marine, Type 1 Diabetic, Personal Trainer

I grew up in a dark home. My dad was a raging addict who ended up taking his life to suicide when i was 21 years old. I joined the marine corps at 18 years old. I got kicked out at 21 for a pattern of misconduct (drinking, drugging & voilence). Shortly after service my dad killed himself and i was left with the pain. This left me on a journey to grow or i would end up the same way. i went on a relentless journey of personal development and turned myself into a fitness coach. I am also a type 1 diabetic, my life is dependent on insulin injections. My whole goal is to share my stories and show people what they're capable of achieving regardless of their past or their situations in life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Doug Ell

Author Douglas Ell, a former atheist, says "I've spent more than 30 years reconciling science and God, because I needed scientific evidence to believe in God."

In our time, the pursuit of scientific and philosophical knowledge has largely been the domain of narrowly focused professionals and academics. Ell's work represents a return to the more open-minded, broad thinking of the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution, when intelligent people of diverse backgrounds exchanged information not to further professional careers, but as part of a collective effort to advance science and reason.

Douglas Ell grew up in Connecticut, and graduated early from MIT, where he double majored in math and physics. He then obtained a masters in theoretical mathematics from the University of Maryland. After graduating from law school, magna cum laude, he became a prominent attorney. Ell drafted the first 401(k) plan in professional sports and has represented a number of nationally recognized corporations, unions and pension plans. He has litigated nationally with great success and persuaded Congress to make important changes in employee benefits laws.

As a lawyer Ell learned how to sift through competing arguments and the importance of carefully considering different points of view, skills which he has now used to untangle the confused and often emotional relationship between science and religion.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clint Rusch

Leader, Innovator, Team Builder, Problem Solver

grew up in Minnesota, where I learned the value of hard work, the importance of socially responsible community service, and the meaning of the word 'winter.'

The events of 9/11 changed my life forever, as I left the University of Wisconsin and joined the Army, where I had the distinct honor to serve alongside some of the finest men I've ever known.

Following my time in uniform, I entered the private sector, spending time in operations, finance, consulting, business development, and executive leadership, working in industries as diverse as supply chain, aviation, healthcare, mining, hospitality, government, nonprofit, retail, technology, and utilities, where I consistently delivered growth-oriented, culturally-rooted, and process-driven outcomes for employees, stakeholders, and clients alike.

After spending over a decade in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I now reside outside Kansas City with my wonderful wife and two amazing children, where I lead a custom woodworking business and enjoy golfing, watching sports, barbecuing, reading about history, and supporting my kids as they learn and grow in this incredible world of ours.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Nieters

Where East Meets West. Functional Medicine Practitioner and Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor.

Dr John Nieters has worked as a taught and practiced the combination of functional medicine with Traditional Chinese medicine for over 25 years.

Dr John has hosted over 500 call-in radio shows and has well over one hundred webinars and podcasts. John has been doing public speaking for 40 years.

He has personally learned the importance of combining western and eastern medicine as he will explain in his soon to released book "Never, Ever, Ever Give Up!", documenting his severe health problems and the resolution of those problems. These include cardiovascular, diabetes, blood pressure, prostate, arthritis and gout as well as numerous infections.

He lives in Alameda, California with his wife, son and their two dogs. His wife is also an acupuncturist and is currently the acupuncturist for San Francisco 49ers and St Mary's Rugby team. She was recently featured in the #1 show on Netflix "The Receivers" with George Kittle.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Katherine Sellery

Shifting Conversations, Empowering Connections, and Rewriting the Rules of Parenting and Leadership

I'm Katherine Sellery, and for over 20 years I've been guiding parents, educators, and leaders through powerful mindset shifts that transform the way we communicate, connect, and lead. My journey started as a mom who wanted something more than power struggles and disconnection—I wanted deep, respectful relationships that honored the whole person.

That desire led me to build the Conscious Parenting Revolution and become a three-time TEDx speaker. My work isn't about quick fixes. It's about changing the lens through which we see ourselves and the people we care for. Whether we're talking about raising kids, navigating conflict at work, or healing intergenerational patterns, I bring a fresh perspective and practical tools that help people feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Podcasts are one of my favorite places to have these conversations. If your audience is seeking more intentional ways to show up in their lives, if they're curious about creating deeper connection in a disconnected world, I'd be honored to bring this message to your show.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Foojan Zeine

Clear the Past, Envisioning a New Future, Live a Fulfilled Life NOW

Dr. Foojan Zeine is an International Speaker, Author, and Psychotherapist. She has her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She has obtained a graduate certificate in the Topic of Human Behavior from the Harvard Extension School (HES). Her expertise is in Intimate Relations and Addictive Behaviors. She has extensive experience treating Depression, Anxiety, Traumas, and Domestic Violence. Foojan presents internationally and is a leading expert in Online Therapy. She has published numerous research articles in psychology and human behavior. She is the originator and the author of Awareness Integration Theory (AIT), a multi-modality Psychology and Educational approach and intervention toward minimizing Depression and anxiety while improving Self-esteem and Self-confidence. She founded the International Awareness Integration Institute, which conducts training workshops to educate and certify psychotherapists, coaches, and teachers in this approach. She is the co-founder of "Foojan" App offering AIT to the public globally. She teaches AIT as a lecturer/ professor at the California State University Long Beach and Université Paris Cité. She is the author and co-author of 6 books and ten peer-reviewed journal publications. She hosts the Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Podcast. She is a guest speaker at many universities, including Harvard, MIT, UCLA, USC, UC Santa Barbara, the University of Chicago, and Cal State Long Beach.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roger Pearson

Author, Podcaster, Consultant

Seagull Technologies is dedicated to help small businesses succeed building the Great American Dream. We do this by providing business education ranging from free basic business concepts courses up to paid college level courses, as well as consulting services for those wanting a more personal, individualized approach.

We help small business owners with the boring stuff. To be truly successful, you need to build a solid foundation under your business and there are three aspects that work together to achieve that goal. First, you need to have a knowledge of all the legal formats that you have to choose from to protect your assets and your business relationships.

Second, you need to learn how to organize your paperwork so you have the data available to maximize your profits and minimize your tax obligations, giving you a better shot at staying in business.

And third, you need to know how these legal and organizational choices you make affect how much in business taxes you will end up paying and taxes tend to be one of the biggest business expenses. Why pay more than you need to?

I often hear small business people say that they don't need to learn all these things because they can just hire a CPA, accountant or tax preparer to take care of it. And at some point, you will need to bring one or more of these professionals on your team. BUT, how do you know they are doing what is best for YOUR business? If you hire the wrong person, it could cost you thousands of dollars and the only way to prevent that is to educate yourself so you hire the right one.

Correcting the mistakes of others is probably what has inspired me the most to spend the hundreds of hours necessary to help others - And I believe that at the end of our days, what is really important is how many lives we have improved.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.