Living Biography

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person's life and how.

For Naomi Otsuka, a theater opportunity during a time of soul-searching opened her eyes to a world of expression—at times without words, at times about subjects kept quietly hidden. It gave her the conviction to cross the Pacific and refine her craft.

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

At the University of Illinois at Chicago, Kevin Jandrists found himself in an intimate theater program of just twenty students—living, studying, and performing together every day. Through this experience, he learned to shed his shyness, embrace confidence, and grow, not just as an actor, but as a person.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:08 - Introducing Kevin
02:05 - Who He Was Before College
02:54 - You Can't Be Shy in Acting
03:48 - A Small Department of Twenty
04:18 - Always Together
04:54 - An Intimate Experience
05:50 - Overcoming Shyness
07:12 - Life Outside of Theater
08:05 - Trusting Himself
09:45 - What He Gained—Confidence, Not Ego
11:11 - Recognizing His Own Growth
12:36 - We Are Bonded
13:48 - Rose-colored Glasses
14:21 - Conclusion

In this episode of Living Biography, we sit down for a conversation about connection. Tushar Dadlani, founder of Teemyo, shares his story and inspiration behind building a tool designed to deepen real-world connections through reflection and conversation. Together, we talk about the balance between tech and humanity—and what it means to stay present and remember the little things about one another in an age of endless noise.

CONTACT US: [email protected]

Learn more and sign up for the Teemyo wait list @ teemyo.ai

EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro
01:28 – The Origin of Teemyo and Remembering Stories
03:13 – Connection in Our Modern World
06:40 – Navigating Our Busy Lives and Relationships
11:21 – Sustaining Relationships Sustains Our Life
17:51 – Small Actions Reflect Our Intention
22:36 – The Unseen Effects That Can't Be Measured`
27:18 – Our Returning Point

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Bryant Choa, he grew up in the Philippines with his aunts and uncles while his parents established their lives in America. In a culture of strictness and discipline, he struggled, played, and discovered a standalone confidence early in life.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:09 - Introducing Bryant
01:36 - The Phillippines
02:11 - A Picture of What Life Was Like
04:29 - Long-distance Calls
05:55 - A Culture of Discipline
07:20 - His Neighborhood
08:09 - Basketball in a Parking Lot
08:55 - Mischievous
09:55 - The Impact of Discipline
12:24 - How the Phillippines Shaped Him
13:52 - Visiting as an Adult
14:47 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Caitlin Campbell, leaving her comfortable life in Southern California to start over in Tucson, Arizona, wasn’t just a career change—it was a journey of rediscovery. Through the challenges of nursing school and her work as a nurse, she uncovered the quiet strength and courage she’d always carried within her. 

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:10 - Introducing Caitlin
01:38 - A New Chapter in Tucson
02:20 - A Terrifying Realization
03:37 - The Initial Days
04:42 - Almost Failing
06:22 - Coming to Bloom
08:11 - Supporting a Vulnerable Population
09:14 - Care & Boundaries
10:34 - Breaking Down
11:33 - If She Didn't Change Course
12:48 - Words of Wisdom
13:37 - Looking Ahead
14:26 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Esho Fisher, he grew up as the oldest of nine siblings at home. This meant stepping up to protect his brothers and sisters and support his parents—but he later came to realize how this shaped his strengths as well as his challenge in showing up for himself.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:14 - Introducing Esho
01:46 - His Family Environment
02:27 - Losing His Brother
03:23 - Standing Up for Himself and Siblings
04:48 - His Parents’ Attention
05:53 - Always Helping Out
07:14 - Compromising so Much
09:03 - Showing Up as Green Ranger
10:29 - Growing to Radically Love Himself
11:52 - Loyalty
13:07 - Working on Self-Love
14:08 - Dream of Just Being
15:24 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Mandy Mukozaka, Phoenix Ranch School was more than just a school or summer camp—it was where she had her first job, discovered her passion for teaching, and built the resilience and joy that carried her through future challenges.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:13 - Introducing Mandy
01:52 - Phoenix Ranch School
02:43 - Core Childhood Memory
04:33 - What Brought Her Back
05:13 - Raven: Her Camp Alter ego
06:40 - Merging Her Experience at Camp and University
07:38 - Realizing Her Path in Education
09:01 - Navigating it All
10:38 - Post-COVID
12:46 - What She Gained at Phoenix Ranch
14:05 - Preserving an Inner Childlike Joy
14:39 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Gordon Pettigrew, that place was an arts high school unlike any other—no fences, no rules. But in the competing freedom and discipline, he developed resilience and versatility that would carry him through music, personal challenges, and life’s unexpected turns.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:19 - Introducing Gordon
02:03 - Explaining His High School
03:21 - A Tough Audition Process
04:02 - A Day in the Life of
05:35 - Freedom & Responsibility
06:34 - An Opposite Experience in University
07:43 - Feeling Unworthy of Success
08:19 - Unexpected Turn in Life
10:07 - How This Open High School Shaped Him
11:26 - A Shared Level of Discipline
13:13 - Zooming Out
13:58 - Nature vs. Nurture
14:44 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Anya Kumar, the airport is more than a stopover—it’s where she learned to navigate chaos, connect with strangers, and reflect on the person she’s becoming. From childhood memories to 17-page journal entries, she shares how airports were integral to shaping her values and her path.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:16 - Introducing Anya
01:47 - Reflecting on the Airport
02:40 - Staying Calm Amid the Airport Chaos
03:49 - Learning Kindness as a Child
05:02 - Developing Empathy
06:16 - Finding Stillness and Reflection
07:42 - A Memorable Journal Entry
09:03 - Memories Stored at the Airport
10:01 - What Keeps Her Grounded: Values
11:10 - Empathy as a Core Value
11:55 - What Empathy Looks Like in Today's World
13:11 - The Impact She Hopes to Make
13:52 - Smaller Steps That Meet the Bigger Picture
14:28 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For David Honda, judo was a family sport woven into his DNA—beyond the dojo and competitions. The discipline, respect, and confidence he gained there carried him through many turns in life: from law enforcement to, today, the kitchen.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:08 - Introducing David
01:46 - A Childhood of Judo
02:44 - The Environment of Judo
03:40 - What Discipline Looked Like
05:05 - Tensions at Home
06:38 - Leaving Judo Behind
07:31 - Whether He Has Any Regrets
08:24 - Judo & Law Enforcement
09:45 - What Judo Cultivated Within
11:07 - A Budding Love for Cooking
12:57 - What Connects All Three: Judo, Law Enforcement, and Cooking
14:19 - Conclusion