The Observatory podcast, hosted by Scott and LaRae Wright, welcomes Derek McLaughlin as a special guest in this episode. The hosts first encountered Derek at a rewilding event in Vallejo, Utah. In this meaningful conversation, Derek shares his significant experiences and the wisdom he's gained throughout his life journey.

Topics Covered:

• "The Hero's Journey" (00:18) - Derek dissects his personal experiences filled with challenges and victories, interpreting it as his version of the "hero's journey."
• The Rewilding Event in Vallejo, Utah (00:41) - Insights and experiences on the rewilding event hosted in Vallejo, Utah, are provided, emphasizing its impact and influence.
• Conversation over Formal Coaching (01:14:56) - Derek discusses his preference for casual conversations over formal coaching and how that connects with the theme of rewilding his life.

Key Lessons

• Embrace Vulnerability - Derek's willingness to expose his vulnerabilities enriches his personal growth, underscoring the significance of openness in self-development.
• Importance of Conversation - Authentic conversation is emphasized to be as valuable as formal coaching, fostering deep human connection.

Notable Quotes

• "The hero's journey, dude. Hero's journey is you. It's me too. It's all of us. And that's the power of this because every person here, including all the attendees, have that hero's journey aspect to them." (33:41)
• A year, two years, a month, whatever it is. So I have a love of learning. It's one of my character strengths in the virtues and action survey. I love learning is always in my top five. (44:06)
• "I don't formally coach, but I'm always up for conversation. So just through rewilding, you can reach out." (01:15:05)