Creating You!

"'We're the Kindness Merchants' — Peter Samuelson on ROKindness." Launched August 15, 2026, this project is set to change the world through acts of kindness!

This conversation was different than most on the podcast. I just sat back and listened. There was no need for questions. The inspiring stories were told in a rhythm that left me willing to sit for a few more hours and hear more.

He has repaid the kindness shown to him as an immigrant more than tenfold. Peter is more than his bio of giving; he is a creative who makes a difference in the lives of all who meet him. From founding and co-founding multiple charities like Starlight and Starbright, Peter has, for decades, been Lighting Up Children's Lives! Peter Samuelson is a Kindness Worldwide Global Ambassador and volunteer CEO of ROKindness.org, a serial pro-social entrepreneur, film producer, and advocate. He co-founded the Starlight Children’s Foundation and then launched Starbright World with Steven Spielberg, the first avatar-based social network for seriously ill teens. Peter founded First Star, which supports foster youth through 15 high school academies on college campuses.  As a leading career film producer, Peter partners with charities and NGOs to make films that harness empathy to drive social change. He also created EDAR (Everyone Deserves a Roof), providing mobile shelters for the homeless (for which he holds a patent), and ASPIRE, a media training program for undergraduates.

A graduate of Cambridge and the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and former board member of Participant Media, Peter has produced 27 films including Revenge of the Nerds and Arlington Road. He is the author of Finding Happy, a masterclass offering true, lived wisdom that inspires readers to find their own unique personal happiness, joy, and fulfillment. 

The father of four, Peter resides in Los Angeles with his wife Saryl and continues to fight for those less fortunate, chief among them abused and neglected children. Learn more at https://www.samuelson.la. 

Share this episode with everyone you know and Join the movement of bringing kindness to the world!

Kindness Is Contagious.

Thank you for listening!Heather

Wholesome Hippy

Link To All Things Slim Sherri

What happens when a Gen X woman hits burnout, quits her corporate job without a backup plan, and bets on herself at 43? You get Sherri Dindal — aka The Real Slim Sherri — entrepreneur, content creator, and co-founder of The Wholesome Hippie.

I know I always gush over how honored I am to have each guest on the show, and this episode is not different. And yet it is different. Thank you, Sherri, for your raw, honest, healing conversation. You are an inspiration on many levels!

In this episode, Sherri joins me for an honest, hilarious, and deeply resonant conversation about reinventing yourself in midlife, navigating perimenopause without anyone talking about it, and building a business rooted in purpose — not profit. From creating a magnesium-based Calm Cream for her daughter (that went viral on TikTok) to accidentally becoming a comedian on a 25-city tour, Sherri is proof that your best chapter may still be ahead of you.

We talk about why Gen X craves connection, what it really means to stop performing strength, and why self-care isn't selfish — it's essential. Plus: hot flashes, battery-operated fans, and why a prison sentence sounds less horrifying than you'd think when someone snores next to you.

Topics covered:

• The Wholesome Hippie origin story & the Calm Cream that changed everything
• Perimenopause symptoms nobody warned us about (frozen shoulder, anyone?)
• How to advocate for yourself when doctors won't listen
• Reinventing yourself at 40, 50, or beyond — it's never too late
• The Gen X Tour: real humor from real lived experiences

Thank you, listeners, for being here. Check me out, your host Heather here.

Please share this episode with others!

He's back! Chip Leighton — the internet's favorite "teenager text message guy"  — returns for another hilarious, humble, (Chip is sooo Humble!) and heartfelt conversation. This time, Chip is celebrating his brand-new book, Dad, Can You Not? Dad's Guide to Being Less Cringey, the perfect follow-up to his New York Times bestselling debut, What Time Is Noon?

We chat about what it's really like to build a social media platform from scratch after a corporate career, what his own kids think of his viral fame (spoiler: they're not that impressed), and why leaning into the cringe might actually be the most relatable thing a dad can do.

Chip shares stories about the "dad meter" — a thermostat-shaped quiz that rates just how extra you really are — plus some of the wildest, most universally funny texts that parents and teens have sent him from all over the country.

We also get real about the magic of humor as connection, what happens when your kids start asking you for actual advice (it's a whole metamorphosis), and why Chip's shared philosophy of "run your own race" might be the best parenting — and life — advice out there.

Whether you're a parent, a former teenager, or just someone who needs a laugh during a long day, this episode is for you. nd yes, it's a phenomenal Father's Day gift. Get the book!

Find Chip:

• TikTok, Instagram & Facebook: @TheLeightonShow
• Website: theleightonshow.com
• Live Event Portsmouth, NH
• Google: "teenager text message guy" — he'll pop right up

*Reposting this episode in honor of Sid Krofft, who passed away this week.*

May his memory be eternal.

Grab a bowl of sugary cereal and hang out for this magical conversation! (with Sid Krofft and Harley)

Then follow Sid on Instagram and be sure to tune into his live "Sundays with Sid" each week at 3:00 pm Pacific/6:00 pm Eastern. In each episode, Sid shares stories of his career and hosts incredible guests. From the "World's Youngest Puppeteer" to the "Grandfather of Puppetry," Sid changed the world of entertainment and artistry.

For me, growing up with Sid and Marty Krofft's shows was life! It was Saturday morning escapism at its finest. The evening shows and specials were comedy, musical, and entertainment genius.

Scroll to the end and see if you remember watching one of the shows listed!!!

This conversation was such a treat. Thank you, Sid and Kelly, for your gracious and generous time!

H.R. Pufnstuf

The Bugaloos

Lidsville

Sigmund & the Sea Monsters

Land Of The Lost

Far Out Space Nuts

Lost Saucer

The Banana Splits

Danger Island

The Krofft Supershow The Bay City Rollers Show

Wonderbug

Big Foot & Wildboy

Electra Woman & Dyna Girl

Dr. Shrinker

Kaptain Kool and the Kongs

The Donny and Marie Show

The Brady Bunch Variety Hour

Pryor's Place

Pink Lady and Jeff

Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters

D.C. Follies

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of school violence, suicide, bullying, and loss, with a focus on healing, prevention, and community support.

Did you know that a single interaction can make all the difference in the life of a student and an adult? From Columbine to Worldwide Impact: How One School Club is Preventing Tragedy

This week is National School Counseling Week. One School counselor has been making a particularly impactful difference for over 21 years. Sandy Austin, Executive Director of the nonprofit, B.I.O.N.I.C (Believe It Or Not I Care).

In this profoundly moving conversation, Sandy Austin, founder and nonprofit director of the Bionic Team (Believe It or Not, I Care), shares how personal tragedy transformed into a global movement of compassion. After experiencing the Columbine shooting and four student suicides at her own school, Sandy created a revolutionary peer support program that empowers students to reach out to classmates who are struggling.

Sandy explains how the Bionic Team teaches kids to recognize and respond to peers who are new, sick, bullied, hospitalized, or grieving—creating safety nets that prevent isolation and despair. From simple gestures like welcoming new students to delivering pies to grieving families, these young people are learning that small acts of caring can save lives.

Now operating in schools from elementary through college worldwide, the Bionic program is expanding into senior living centers, businesses, and communities. Sandy shares unforgettable stories—including a lonely elderly resident who cherished a student-made blanket until his death —and how kids are learning to step toward tragedy instead of avoiding it.

This episode is a powerful reminder that we're all built for connection, and that teaching young people to say "I see you, you matter, and you're not alone" can change the world.

Connect with Sandy Austin and the Bionic Team:Learn more at https://www.bionicteam.org/Free resources: giftfromsandy.com

"We were 30 at 10, and we'll be 30 at 60. That X variable is also our age."

What happens when a Gen X-er from Buffalo turns a COVID lockdown into 60 million monthly views, celebrating the forgotten generation? Well, we are no longer forgotten; it is the most popular generation right now. Leave your bikes on the front lawn and enjoy the conversation.

John Kotrides— GenXJono—didn't set out to become an internet personality. He just wanted to make TikToks with his 9-year-old daughter. But when he turned the camera on himself one night and answered a simple question—"Why are Gen Xers so tough?"—something clicked. Millions of people who grew up with metal playground equipment, unsupervised summers, and Columbia House finally had someone speaking their language.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• The Gen X paradox: How we were simultaneously ignored and watched by everyone.

• How we had no technology, yet created it all. We're cynical skeptics who somehow became the most connected generation.

• Why nostalgia isn't about going back: John makes a compelling case that everything we miss about the '80s is still here—we just need to bring forward the people we were, not the decade itself.

• The cost of division:  John shares why he refuses to pick sides and how Gen X might be the generation that brings people back together.

• Meeting your heroes: The convention circuit, celebrity encounters, and what John is up to lately. GO meet your Heros!

This episode will "unlock memories" you forgot you had. You'll laugh at the Columbia House penny scam, remember the game "Perfection" and the fun we had with that type of anxiety, and maybe—just maybe—realize you don't need a DeLorean to reclaim what made those decades special; it is all still inside of us.

GO Follow John and be transported to a magical time and place that still lives within the generation!

Guest: John Kotrides (GenXJono) - Content creator, internet personality, professional Gen X spokesperson 

Connect: @GenXJono on all platforms genxjono.com 

Merch: https://genxjono.dashery.com/

Join us for an inspiring and deeply honest conversation with transformational coach and nurse, Kyle Tennyson. Kyle shares his journey from a successful nursing career in Los Angeles to embracing his true calling as a transformational coach, helping others reconnect with themselves and live in alignment with their "True North."

Kyle opens up about the challenges of people-pleasing, the importance of listening to your inner voice, and the courage it takes to make life-changing decisions—even when it means leaving behind comfort and certainty.

We discuss the power of community in healing, the role of vulnerability, and practical tools for staying aligned and finding joy in everyday life. We discuss listening to your inner voice, building supportive community, and finding joy by living in alignment with your true self. 

Whether you're navigating your own transformation, seeking more fulfillment, or looking for wisdom on self-care and authentic living, this conversation is filled with gold nuggets and actionable insights. Plus, learn more about Kyle's "Mastery Mornings" community.

Find Kyle and be inspired!

Thank you for being here! Let me know what shifted for you after listening to this episode, and share it with others!

Love and peace

Heather

GO Be AMAZING Because YOU are ALREADY AMAZING!!!

Stephen Seidel—leader, storyteller, entrepreneur, and business innovator. Stephen shares his journey, insights, and the passion that drives his work. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, creativity, and the power of storytelling in today’s business landscape. Whether you’re looking for motivation or practical advice, this episode with Stephen Seidel delivers both in abundance.

Stephen is a TEDx keynote speaker, media expert, and brand strategist who helps entrepreneurs, startups, and HR leaders drive cultural alignment and authentic leadership. As founder of the award-winning Seidel Agency and coach to changemakers, he draws on 25 years in PR, media, and marketing to help leaders rewrite their stories, leveraging connection as currency. A best-selling author, podcast creator, and co-founder of the men's collective Gents Journey, Stephen blends humor, heart, and actionable tools to inspire resilient teams and lasting change. Connect with Stephen here:

• Agency: TheSeidelAgency.com
• Coaching: StephenSeidel.com
• Men’s Group: GentsJourney.co ~ Get Deck on Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/journeydeck
• TEDx Talk: https://rebrand.ly/seidelspeaking
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stephenseidel/

Please share this episode and share your story! Would love to hear from you, leave a comment, 5-star review, or contact me directly!

Go Be Amazing because you are already Amazing!

Description:In this inspiring episode with Ashley Taylor—wildland firefighter turned coach and founder of Born of Ashes—we explore the power of choosing an aligned life.

Ashley shares her journey from business school to the frontlines of firefighting, and how her experiences shaped her passion for helping others heal, find emotional safety, and build their own toolkit for growth.

Together, we discuss the importance of self-empowerment, setting boundaries, and embracing change—even when it means going against the grain. Ashley opens up about her transition into coaching, the role of neurolinguistic programming, and the ripple effect of service and gratitude.

Whether you’re seeking tools for personal transformation or inspiration to follow your own path, this episode offers heartfelt wisdom and practical insights for anyone ready to Create a more authentic life.

Find Ashley at ⁠bornofashes.org⁠.

Would love to hear from you the listener! Let us know what resoates with you in this episode and leave a review !

⁠GO Be AMAZING Because you are Already AMAZING!⁠

Heather

This is a robust conversation with Dr. Mike, also known as "Shadow Mike", about spirituality, shadow work, and the journey toward authentic wholeness. Tune in for a transformative conversation that encourages you to embrace your authentic self and step into your own power.

Dr. Mike shares his personal story, from growing up in the world of evangelical Christianity to his transformation into a guide for those seeking to integrate their spirituality and psychology.

Key topics:

• Shadow work and integration
• Spirituality vs. religion
• The unconscious mind and projection
• Archetypes and personal growth
• Practical steps for healing and wholeness

Together, we explore the concepts of the shadow self, projection, and the importance of embracing all parts of ourselves—including those we hide or deny.

Whether you’re curious about shadow work, seeking spiritual growth, or simply interested in a thought-provoking dialogue, this episode offers inspiration and actionable insights for your own journey.

The discussion touches on the limitations of organized religion, the power of archetypes, and how true healing comes from within. Dr. Mike offers practical wisdom on moving beyond fear-based thinking, understanding the unconscious mind, and stepping into a more empowered, abundant life.

Find Dr. Mike on Instagram (@dr.shadow.mike), Substack ("Your Shadow Rising"), and his podcast, "Shadow Mic Podcast," available on all major platforms.

Thank you for leaving a 5 Star review and comments—your feedback matters.

Visit me on Instagram for more encouragement toward your best life!