Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

In this Summer Short, Ryan shares a transformative practice that changed how he relates to time and lateness. What started as a simple experiment became a lasting mindset shift that turned everyday frustrations into opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframe delays and cancellations as "time given back" rather than time stolen
• Track how much time you give versus how much you receive to shift from scarcity to abundance mindset
• Build micro-flexibility muscles that help you respond better when life doesn't go to plan
• Partner with time instead of fighting against it

The Practice: For a few weeks, track time given (helping friends, attending meetings) and time received back (early meeting endings, cancellations, delays). Notice how this shifts your perspective from scarcity to abundance.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

In this Summer Short, Vic shares a powerful story about how journaling helped her navigate a toxic work situation when her intuition was telling her something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

What You'll Learn:

• How to use journaling as a conversation with yourself to unlock insights
• The difference between talking things out with friends vs. writing without filters
• Key questions to ask when something feels "off" but you can't identify why
• How to move from awareness to action when you discover uncomfortable truths

Questions to Explore:

• What specifically feels off in your current situation?
• Where do you feel this in your body?
• When have you felt this way before?
• What might be happening that's creating this familiar feeling?

Whether you're facing a difficult work situation, relationship challenge, or just feeling stuck, this episode offers practical tools for getting clarity and taking action.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

In this heartwarming summer short, Vic shares how a surprise pottery class organized by her Nike team in Amsterdam became a life-changing experience that shifted her entire perspective on failure, growth, and untapped potential.

Key Highlights

• The Surprise: Vic's dream team at Nike organized a pottery "leaving do" as her farewell celebration
• The Challenge: Trying something completely new at 40 years old and embracing the discomfort
• The Discovery: Not only did she love pottery, but she was actually really good at it
• The Transformation: Five years of pottery practice led to a fundamental mindset shift about trying new things

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

What if doing something just to prove you can is reason enough?

In this Summer Short, Ryan shares the story of how — with no grand plan, no spiritual quest, and no real justification — he decided to walk the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain.

What started as a personal challenge turned into something bigger: a lesson in trust, a practice of presence, and an invitation to stop needing a reason for everything we do.

Together, Ryan and Vic reflect on:

• The difference between expectations and expectancy
• Why “I want to see if I can” might be a good enough reason
• How following curiosity can open doors to a more aligned life

This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the pull to try something bold, even if it doesn’t make sense on paper.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

How a 65-foot evergreen helped us break the rules—and make the right choice.

In this Summer Short, Ryan shares a personal story about buying a house that broke every rule on their must-have list—except one. It was the only home that made them feel something.

At the center of this decision? A towering evergreen tree, a surprising emotional compass, and the lesson that sometimes the best choices don’t check the boxes—they shift your perspective entirely.

You’ll hear how:

• An emotional goal shaped a major life decision
• A backyard tree changed everything
• Letting go of “shoulds” led to a sense of peace, creativity, and connection

Plus, Vic and Ryan offer a coaching reflection on how naming the feeling you want can unlock better choices—not just in home buying, but in life.

🎧 Listen in if you’ve ever faced a big decision and wondered: Am I choosing what’s right… or what just looks good on paper?

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

Vic and Ryan explore how a little bit of woo woo goes a long way. In this Summer Shorts episode Vic talks about how she uses her tarot deck to answer questions and provide guidance on current questions. 

This episode highlights how tools like tarot can offer new perspectives and validation. Emphasizing the importance of intentional questions and open-mindedness, the episode encourages listeners to seek different sources of information to gain clarity and empowerment in their lives.

Listen in for a story, a questions and a bit of woo woo.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

What if the life you want is just one small step away?

In this short summer episode, Vic tells the story of a single pistol squat that changed her perspective—not just on movement, but on what’s possible when we stop saying “I can’t.”

Over two years of slow, steady work led to a breakthrough moment at the gym. But this story isn’t about fitness. It’s about fear, trust, and how our smallest choices can become catalysts for bigger change.

Ryan and Vic unpack the deeper message behind this milestone—why waiting for motivation doesn’t work, what happens when we try instead of assume, and how momentum is built one brave act at a time.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

What happens when your body panics, your brain spirals, and your self-talk turns unkind?

In this Summer Short, Vic shares a vulnerable (and yes, a little traumatic) story about a failed MRI attempt that led to an unexpected but powerful reflection on the stories we tell ourselves when things don’t go as planned. What begins as a medical mishap turns into a conversation about shame, self-advocacy, and reframing hard moments with compassion.

Together, Vic and Ryan unpack:

• Why our default narrative in a tough moment is often self-blame
• What might shift when we slow down and question that story
• How reframing gives us back our power—without pretending things didn’t hurt

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

This episode is part of Vic and Ryan's Go Coach Yourself! Summer Shorts Series: shorter episodes with off the cuff conversations, where they share a personal story, unpack it and then share their learnings.

In this Summer Short episode Ryan shares how going through Ignite The Spark created an opportunity for him to think bigger: about his goals, his career, and ultimately, his life. 

Spend the next 12 minutes with Ryan and Vic to get a summer dose of Go Coach Yourself!

Want to take part in Ignite the Spark? Ryan runs the program for indivudals looking to understand themselves more deeply and uncover what they want. Find out more here.

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea!

This episode is part of Vic and Ryan's Go Coach Yourself! Summer Shorts Series: shorter episodes with off the cuff conversations, where they share a personal story, unpack it and then share their learnings.

In this Summer Short episode Ryan shares how his progression from bird watching to bird noticing sparked a ripple effect involving $624 of peanuts, a board game and more meaningful moments.

Spend the next 13 minutes with them to get a summer dose of Go Coach Yourself!

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk