Kooky Conversations

Not much to say here. The Kooks are tired as they approach the ending of their nearly 2 month long bicycle adventure from Italy to Scotland. They thought it would be fun to keep this one light and, well, random. Enjoy!

Sam’s questions for Arden:

1. ​ What’s something people wouldn’t know about riding a bicycle for a long time?
2. ​ When do you feel best about yourself?
3. ​ Putting you on the spot here- what’s a fear you have if you were to become a dad?

Arden's questions for Sam:

1. ​ What would you spend 1 million dollars on? You can't save any of it.
2. ​ After water, food, and shelter, what do you think the 4th thing is humans need and why?
3. ​ Do you believe in fate or can you make your own path?

Episode 21 of Kooky Conversations comes to you all live from a campsite in Scotland! Having been working together for close to 7 years now, both in “easy” times and more challenging times, Sam and Arden discuss what makes a solid team. It’s a fun conversation about their relationship but also about teamwork in business, friendship and with family. They’re honest about the ways they think they each “show up” but also how there is always room to improve in any kind of relationship. We hope you enjoy it!

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. I think we can both agree that we work really well together, but what 3 specific things do you think are big reasons why?

2. When do we not work well together and what do you want to do to improve upon this?

3. What is the key to excellent teamwork in any kind of relationship?

Arden’s questions to Sam:

1. What qualities do you have that make you a good teammate/ what qualities do you have that make you a bad teammate?

2. Outside of myself, do you have a person that you always work well with? What makes them a good teammate?

3. What makes a good teammate in a professional setting vs a more personal/friendship kind of teammate?

Episode 20!? Wild! This week’s episode is all about your moral compass and guiding lights. The people, places, and things that keep you on track and “doing what’s right when no one is watching”. It’s a fun episode where the Kooks look at what “integrity” means to each of them, who some people are that just make you say “they’re good people” and what living a life of alignment and truth looks like. We hope you enjoy! Thanks for being here!

Sam’s Questions for Arden:

1. ​ What does the word “integrity” mean to you?
2. ​ Is it ever okay to lie, why or why not?
3. ​ What does living a life of truth mean to you?

Arden's Questions for Sam:

1. ​ How did you find your moral compass?
2. ​ Do you think your morals change over time? Can you cultivate morals in other?
3. ​ What is your guiding moral?

We all (okay, maybe most of us) have big goals and dreams, but how do we go about achieving them? This week, on episode 19, the Kooks talk about some of their big dreams and goals and how they achieve them... and sometimes don't. They tell a little about what dreams might just stay dreams and which ones they decide to take on wholeheartedly. The Kooks each share what some of their tactics are for goal-setting, how it has changed over the years and how to handle letting a dream go. The Kooks also have a special, bonus question from Kook Arden's sister! Thanks, Wrenn! We hope it's a great week full of dream chasing and sitting with the small wins!

Arden's questions for Sam:

1. What is the most out there dream you have for your future?

2. Do you think goal-setting has negatives? Why or why not?

3. What happens when you don't meet your goal expectation?

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. Do you have any dreams you don’t think you’ll ever achieve?

2. How often do your dreams change? What are some that have stayed the same?

3. How has your goal-setting changed?

*Bonus question from Wrenn 💛

Fear is an instinct we all have to keep us alive, but how much of the fear we face today is truly dangerous to our lives or more mental blocks? From public speaking to darkness to drowning, we all have things that scare us (maybe a little, maybe a lot) but how do we overcome these fears? Today, most of our fears are just self doubt and worries but they aren't actually dangerous. On this episode, the Kooks talk about their fears, real and made up and they explore how they face their fears and use rationale to decide when something is actually dangerous. Thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. When was the last time you were genuinely scared or fearful?

2. How do you think fear and self-doubt correlate to one another?

3. What are some healthy fears you have, and some unhealthy or irrational fears you have?

Arden's questions for Sam:

1. What is the biggest fear you are working on over coming?

2. What does fear and overcoming fear teach you?

3. How much of life do you think is actual fear and how much of it is us deciding something is dangerous?

The Kooks get to experience the amazing kindness of strangers on a daily basis, but one way has always stood out to them- Warmshowers! This platform is a community of people and cyclists who serve as hosts and open their homes to strangers while they are bike touring. The hosts offer, well, a warm shower, but also a safe place to sleep, maybe a hot meal, and great conversation. There's no monetary exchange, just a "pay it forward" expectation and sometimes because these people just absolutely love sharing- and you can tell! It's an amazing, popular community that the Kooks have been so grateful to be a part of. This episode, they dive into their favorite parts and share how we can maybe all learn from such a unique community. Here's to more giving and being kind to one another! Have a great week!

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. ​ Why do you think Warmshowers is such an amazing community & so successful?
2. ​ When do you feel the most awkward?
3. ​ What is your favorite thing a host has done for you/ us?

Arden's questions for Sam:

1. What is your favorite part of warm showers?

2. What does this world wide community challenge you to do better/ or want to become?

3. How can you implement what you have learned from warm showers into your daily life?

Two Wheelin’ Kooks are back baby!!! After 5 years, Sam and Arden are back on one of their favorite modes of transportation- the bicycles! This episode was recorded after Day 2 of their adventure which is to travel from Manciano, Italy all the way up to the Scottish Highlands! Hear their fears and excitement surrounding this go around on the bikes, how the last 2 days have really gone and the occasional tractor going by at their campsite 😂 They hope to remind anyone listening that sometimes the hardest part of a task, job or adventure is just getting going- we’re all a lot stronger and more capable than we give ourselves credit for! Have a great week!

Arden’s questions to Sam:

1. What do you hope to accomplish on this bike trip?

2. How have the last 2 days gone?

3. What are you most looking forward to?

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. What are you most fearful of this go around on the bikes?

2. It’s only been 2 days, but what has this brought up for you?

3. What’s your stance on failing? (Not getting up to Scotland for us)

In Episode 15, Sam and Arden have some special guests, her mom and sister, Maria and Sonia! The 4 of them sit down to talk about the differences between this Italy trip versus 3 years ago when things didn’t go so well. It’s a silly, rosé-sippin’, kids interrupting kind of episode, but that’s on par for the Hittle family. As with any family trips, there are many personalities and “wants” to cater to- this episode offers quite a bit of reflection and ways to consider how we want to show up to these kinds of events. We hope you enjoy!

Questions asked:

1. Mom to Sam- What have you done differently to be more relaxed on this go around?

2. Sam to everyone- What has everyone been intentional about in preparation for this family trip?

3. Sonia to Arden- Did you have to mentally brace for this?

4. Arden to everyone- How do you think the 3 of you have gotten closer since the last time we were all in Italy and what do you think has caused this change/growth?

One of the Kooks’ favorite topics! Episode 14 turned out to be a powerful conversation all about comfort zones and while it provides great insight, it also offers clear tips on how to explore, or simply become more aware, of our fears, boundaries and complaining habits. Arden shares about his “jump right in” mentality and Sam explains how using logic, reasoning and breathing helps her to calm down in certain situations. Whether you’re trying to become more adventurous and face your fears, or you’re simply looking to expand your consciousness and awareness, everyone can benefit from this conversation!

Arden’s questions to Sam:

1. What moment do you think pushed you out of your comfort zone the most? How did you overcome it?

2. What have you learned from the moments you are outside of your comfort zone?

3. Where do you find it hardest to go out of your comfort zone? Why do you think it's difficult?

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. What are a few examples of how you’ve gotten out of your comfort zone and what did that feel like?

2. We talk about comfort zones a lot and why they are good for us to explore, but how do you think expanding yours has made you a better person?

3. What advice would you give someone to help encourage them to spend time outside of their comfort zone?

Thank you for being here! Have a beautiful week!

Oooo this was a fun one! Sam and Arden have a friendly “debate” (even though they argue a lot of the same points). It’s always good to offer multiple ways to look at things, especially when it comes to culture. After spending quite a bit of time in parts of the world where the culture is ancient and rich, Sam and Arden explore what makes the culture in the US different and their experiences with both a very traditional, southern American upbringing and one from an Italian-immigrant family. Please share any thoughts and comments- all are welcomed and appreciated!

Sam’s questions to Arden:

1. How would you define culture to someone and why does it matter?

2. What has this traveling experience made you consider regarding your own culture?

3. What do you feel are some of the most important parts of culture?

Arden's questions to Sam:

1. What culture has interested you the most? What aspects?

2. How many people do you think it takes to create a culture?

3. If you could change one thing about your/ our culture what would it be?