First Time Energy!

One minute you're signing your kid up for a sport.

The next minute... you're the coach.

This week on First-Time Energy!, we're talking about the world of volun-told coaching, those moments when someone has to step up so the kids can play, even if you've never coached a day in your life.

From wondering if you're qualified, to learning as you go, to realizing the kids don't need a perfect coach, they just need someone willing to show up. We're talking about the awkward, rewarding, and sometimes hilarious reality of saying "yes" to something you never planned on doing.

Because sometimes the first-time experience isn't just for the kids... it's for the adults standing on the sidelines, too.

Do we know what we're doing?

No.

Are we doing it anyway?

Yes.

Awkward is okay. We're doing it anyway.

Ever feel like everyone else knows what they're doing... and you're just hoping nobody figures you out?

You're not alone.

This week, Alex sits down with her friend Cody to talk about imposter syndrome—the little voice that tells you you're not qualified, not experienced enough, or somehow don't belong. Together, they unpack where those feelings come from, how they've shown up in their own lives, and why so many capable people struggle with them.

Because here's the truth: confidence doesn't usually come first.

Every episode of First-Time Energy! starts with the same question:

"Do we know what we're doing? No. Are we doing it anyway? Yes."

Maybe that's the best response to imposter syndrome, too.

Awkward is okay. We're doing it anyway.

Have you ever thought, "I should start a podcast"... and then immediately talked yourself out of it?

This week I'm joined by my friend Ann Roushar, Host of Not Your Average Neighbor, and we're talking about what it's actually like to start a podcast. We get into the overthinking, the awkward first steps, figuring things out as you go, and why you don't have to know everything before you start.

Spoiler alert: we definitely didn't.

Every episode of First-Time Energy! starts the same way:

"Do we know what we're doing? No. Are we doing it anyway? Yes."

Turns out, that's not just the intro. It's the whole mantra that started this podcast.

If you've been waiting until you feel ready to start something new, maybe this is your sign to stop waiting.

Awkward is okay. We're doing it anyway.

Camping sounds like a relaxing way to connect with nature. Then reality shows up with forgotten supplies, questionable sleeping arrangements, unexpected weather, and a family trying to figure it all out together.

In this episode of First Time Energy!, Alex is joined by her husband, Shaun, and their son to talk about the energy of camping with family. From the excitement of planning the trip to the chaos, surprises, and memories that happen along the way, they share what camping is really like when you're experiencing it together.

This conversation isn't about how to camp. It's about the adventure of trying something that takes you out of your comfort zone, the stories that come from it, and why some of our favorite memories are created when things don't go exactly according to plan.

Because sometimes the best part of camping isn't the campsite, it's the people you're stuck there with.

Awkward is fine. We're doing it anyway.

In this episode of First Time Energy!, Alex sits down with her guest to talk about the choice to be child-free. The discussion centers on what goes into making that decision, the opinions and assumptions that often come with it, and the pressure society places on people to follow a certain path.

This conversation isn’t about convincing anyone what to choose. It’s about giving people permission to think differently, live intentionally, and recognize that fulfillment doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

Awkward is fine. We’re doing it anyway.

Most people will never get the opportunity to ride on a Zamboni — and after signing the waiver, we started to understand why. In this episode of First Time Energy!, my friend and I talk about what it’s actually like riding as passengers on one of the most oddly satisfying machines on earth, from the nerves beforehand to the surreal experience of cruising across the ice like temporary hockey royalty. Equal parts wholesome, hilarious, and deeply Midwestern.

This week on First-Time Energy, Alex is joined by her husband Shaun to talk about the first time they attended an NFL game.

From the energy inside the stadium and the chaos of the crowd… to stops along the way, people watching, and realizing football fans are operating at emotional levels rarely seen in public — this episode dives into what makes live sports feel so different from watching at home.

They talk about:
🏈 the atmosphere of an NFL stadium
🏈 expectations vs reality
🏈 sports culture and fan behavior
🏈 what surprised them most
🏈 and why live events have a way of making complete strangers feel connected for a few hours

Funny, observational, and painfully relatable for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.

Awkward is fine… we’re doing it anyway.

Most people are afraid of public speaking.
But what does it actually feel like to stand up in front of a room full of people and do it anyway?

In this episode of First Time Energy, Alex sits down with a guest to talk about the nerves, pressure, overthinking, adrenaline, awkward moments, and unexpected confidence that can come with public speaking — especially the first few times.

From shaky hands and racing thoughts to learning how to recover when things don’t go perfectly, this conversation is less about becoming a “perfect speaker” and more about what it’s like to push through the discomfort of being seen and heard.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated speaking in front of people, presenting in a meeting, introducing yourself in a room, or simply trying not to sound nervous while everyone’s looking at you… this episode will probably feel very familiar.

Awkward is fine. We’re doing it anyway.

Alex opens up about the emotional, vulnerable, and unexpectedly empowering experience of wearing wigs for the first time while navigating confidence, identity, and starting over.

Alex attended a casual sit down for drinks, somehow convinced herself she was about to be recruited into leadership against her will, and spent the entire event mentally rehearsing “no” like she was escaping a trap.

Are you a volunteer your time parent, or a volunteer your Venmo parent?