Trailer: Learning Courage Podcast by Katie Archbold Andrs

In this episode I hand the mic to a very special guest--my Dad!

Rich Archbold has worked in the newspaper business for most of his life, starting out as a paperboy as a young kid, working on his high school and college newspapers, and eventually at major newspapers in Nebraska, Miami, and Long Beach where he still works today. My Dad shares his stories of working in journalism as well as personal experiences that have shaped his path. He talks about having the courage to make hard decisions, how each act of courage builds on the next, and doing the right thing even when it is unpopular. He also talks about the challenges of getting older, navigating those fears and uncertainties, and why he doesn’t want to retire.

My Dad is a gifted storyteller, and he reminds us that we are always learning and have something meaningful to contribute, no matter what age we are. He is one of my heroes and greatest teachers.

Emma Giffen and I met at our first professional musical theater job almost 20 years ago, and we have been dear friends ever since. In this episode Emma talks about her decision to walk away from a career in musical theater after it had been a huge part of her identity for several years. We talk about finding the courage to chart a new path, dealing with the feelings of failure, and realizing that the love of music and performing never leaves you. We also talk about exposing our kids to musical theater and creating a musical household.

This conversation reminded me that our callings and passions are to be treasured, and they don’t have to pay the bills to be worthwhile and important. There are always opportunities to create and express our artistry.

In this episode I talk with my dear friend and incredible human, Annie Murphy. Annie shares her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37 and how it turned her world upside down. In this conversation we talk about finding meaning within the pain, being ok with not being ok, and how facing her own mortality has allowed Annie to truly live. We also talk about Annie’s decision to get sober, the challenges of existing without numbing out, and why struggling with an eating disorder for many years felt in many ways worse than having cancer.

Annie has been through hell and back, and has come out the other side with such a deep sense of gratitude and joy. I learned so much from this conversation and could have talked with her for hours more.

Through her improv work, teaching, and storytelling, Vanessa Anton promotes and embodies vulnerability. Vanessa shares her experience of creating and performing in a solo show based on her past relationships, and using her collection of shoes as the entry point to storytelling.

In this conversation we talk about the power of community and sharing our stories so that we all feel less alone, how being vulnerable helps others be the same, and how often the fear of doing something is worse than actually doing it. We also talk about how hard it is to declutter and let go of our ‘stuff’, especially when there are important or cherished memories attached to it all.

Vanessa is open, self-aware, and insightful, and I’m so grateful to Vanessa for sharing HER story with all of us.

Missy Patterson is the founder of Simply Grateful, an amazing company that started with wooden postcards, and has expanded to include sustainable and one of a kind works of art. Missy shares her journey of starting her business from the ground up, moving across the country with whatever fit in her Jeep, and what she’s up to next. In this conversation, we talk about honing (and listening to) your intuition, deep gratitude, the power and importance of setting aside your ego, and much more. Her sweet puppy Ember even makes a little cameo.

Missy is such a ray of light, and I’m so excited for you to learn from her, as I always have.

Brian is not only a dear dear friend of mine, he is also such a gifted storyteller. Here he shares his story of moving back to California after years of struggle and recovery. In this conversation, we talk about letting go of control and trusting the Universe, even if the path looks different then you had planned. How we both felt more courageous and fearless in our youth, the power in making a decision, why you just need to take the next right action, and much much more.

Make sure you stay tuned until the end of the episode for another very special guest -- you don’t want to miss it!

Have you ever been really excited about an idea...and then the doubt and uncertainty started to creep in? Take a tour inside my brain as I walk through five of the limiting beliefs I had while making this podcast. And more importantly, how I reframed those doubts to do the work anyway. You may not want to start a podcast, but these limiting beliefs and the ways to reframe them are universal.