Living Your Passion

Thanks to an email introduction from future Living Your Passion guest, Matt Miller, I was fortunate enough to chat with Aaron Walker, today's guest ... #35!

Aaron reminds me a lot of me ... but WAY smarter and more seasoned. Ha!

Aaron's passion: Helping men reach their full potential and find their identity

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about Aaron's passion for helping men reach their full potential and find their identity?

During this episode, Aaron ...

• Expanded on what it means to help a man reach their full potential.
• Gave me a free mini-coaching session!
• Broke down the process of how he lives his passion ... via one-on-one coaching.
• Was very patient while I talked (a bit too much!).
• Talked about how we live the lives others WANT us to live. <--interesting!
• Listened as I talked about mindlessness vs. mindfulness.
• Shared his thoughts on minimalism - getting rid of the crap (my word) in your life.
• Forced me to virtually reach through the microphone and hug him when he said we all need to "err on the side of family." Aaron said that relationships are the key to your success. BOOM.
• Brought us back to "Little Aaron Walker" (aka, has he always been passionate about helping men reach their full potential and find their identity?). Short answer: NO!
• Shared a very personal story about how he got to where he is today.
• Stated very clearly, "your identity is in who you ARE ... not in what you DO."

More About Aaron

I have owned 8 successful businesses selling out to a Fortune 500 Company. I can help you reach heights you never dreamed possible. Im a Life and Business coach. Learn more about Aaron on Twitter.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• View From The Top - Aaron's site/blog/business
• Iron Sharpens Iron - Aaron's Mastermind Group
• Aaron on Twitter
• Email Aaron!

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

A few days after launching Living Your Passion, I received the following email:

I'm currently listening to your first episode (I love Jeff's work!) and I'm really excited to add this to my shortlist of podcasts. It might be shameless self-promotion, but if you are looking for guests I'd love to be on. I'm incredibly passionate about web development and education and combining the 2. I've written 3 books on web development (2 on WordPress specifically) and I'm planning a 4th. Thanks for creating a cool podcast. I look forward to future episodes!

A few months and a handful of email exchanges later, and Joe Casabona - today's guest (#34) - shared his passion!

Joe's passion: Web Design

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about Joe's passion for web design?

During this episode, Joe ...

• Threw me for a loop when he shared his passion!
• Talked about the difference between "web design" and "making things on the web." LOVE IT!
• Explained the difference between front-end and back-end design ... in a very-easy-to-understand manner!
• Took us back to his early childhood ("Little Joe"). This is where it all began - his passion for making things on the web.
• Shared how he built his first webpage ... as a sophomore in high school. Cool, huh?
• Talked about how he made mix CDs in high school. Too funny!
• Shared his "common thread" - the one thing that has always been there ... throughout Joe's entire life. Very interesting to see how it's evolved AND how Joe is thinking about the future at his young age of 28.
• Answered my go-to question: "How does one go about finding - then living - their passion?"

More About Joe

Front End Developer at @crowdfavorite. Author of Responsive Design with WordPress. All around nerd. I like cigars & play the drums. Learn more about Joe on Twitter.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Google "Joe Casabona"
• Casabona.org, Joe's website
• Responsive Design with Wordpress (and Joe's other books)
• TIL Podcast - Joe's podcast
• Joe on Twitter

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

I received the following email from the wife (Kate) of today's guest (#33), Pete Farmer.

I just stumbled across your website and podcast and couldn't help but think of our little business, Farmer Foot Drums, and my husband Pete Farmer. We built this business from scratch and it has been an incredible labor of love to see a dream and passion through. Pete is hands down the most determined, motivated, creative and passionate person I know - he is a self-taught designer, engineer, craftsman and musician. He has designed and created truly unique musical instruments and started a web retail business without any formal education in music, business, website, or graphic design. We now have three young children and I am on board (part-time) and it is now a true family business.

Wow, right?

As you can imagine, I replied immediately and a few weeks later, Pete and I were talking!

Pete's passion: Giving tools to musicians to express themselves musically. As it turns out - right now - these tools are FOOT DRUMS.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about Pete's passion for foot drums?

During this episode ...

• Pete talked about The Gold Rush (a few times).
• Pete shared how he became interested in foot drums ... and explained what a foot drum is!
• You will quickly learn how freaking NICE Pete is.
• You will meet Pete's 4-year old George (maybe not meet, but you will hear him!).
• Pete through me for a loop when he talked about being interested in building during his childhood ... not necessarily music.
• We talked about Nick Offerman (aka Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec) ... though neither of us were able to recall his name in real time!
• Pete shared how he found his passion pretty early on in life - or so he thought.
• Pete talked about how 2008 was a crazy year - both personally and professionally.
• Pete basically said to NOT do what I did. Ha!
• We talked about beer and Michigan football in the #NotSoSecretSecretShow
• In fact, we had quite a discussion in the #NotSoSecretSecretShow

More About Pete

According to the Farmer Foot Drums about page, Pete is "a teacher and historian by trade, Pete is a self-taught musician, craftsman, and businessman, following his passions for music, design, and working with his hands. He is the brains behind all Farmer Foot Drum instruments and singlehandedly turned the ideas in his head into a full-time business. He works with intense focus and dedication and has been known to lose all sense of time and forget to eat when he gets going."

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Farmer Foot Drums - Pete's website

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

I met today's guest (#32), Marla Aufman, at my buddy Bryan Kramer's TED Talk in September. Marla was the event's photographer, of course.

Marla's passion: PHOTOGRAPHY

She's photographed the King of Jordan and King (LeBron) James. Oh, and Kobe Bryant, Sharon Stone, Ice Cube, and more. Marla is amazing. Human. Real. Fun. We chatted in her loft in Northern California. So much fun!

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about Marla's passion for photography?

During this episode ...

• Marla shared how it was a high school class - black and white photography - that inspired her passion for ... well ... photography!
• Marla (nonchalantly) mentioned how she has photographed Ice Cube, Gordon Ramsey, Sharon Stone, LeBron James, THE KING OF JORDAN, and more!
• Marla mentioned taking pictures in Nepal (behind riot police lines). CRAZY!!!
• Marla discussed her background as photo editor at Wired Magazine.
• Marla talked about how she pretty much carries a camera no matter where she goes.
• I learned quickly that Marla was NOT a sports fan. Ha!
• Marla shared that photography will likely always be part of who she is and what she does.
• We discussed how photography has changed/evolved thanks to everyone having cameras (see: smartphones and Instagram).
• We talked about pictures vs. videos.
• I drank a REALLY good beer.
• We were ready to wrap up the show when Marla dropped this nugget - SHE HAS PHOTOGRAPHED LEBRON JAMES ... my dream guest for this show.
• We carried on with the name-drops - Bill Gates, Kobe Bryant, Sharon Stone, and more - in the #NotSoSecretSecret portion of the show.

More About Marla

Marla Aufmuth is a portrait and corporate lifestyle photographer working with advertising, editorial, and corporate clients. Learn more about Marla on LinkedIn.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Jeff Sheldon - the first guest on Living Your Passion!
• Kelli Bramble - our family photographer!
• Marla Aufmuth's portfolio/site
• Marla's events site

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Re: Guests, a friend/fellow podcaster that might be a good one (or at least checking out her podcast/blog for inspiration): http://jesslively.com/about/ She’s all about living with purpose and intention. Just moved to Austin too (jealous!)

That was the email I received from Sadie Cornelius in early September. After a bit of back and forth, I was able to chat with Jess Lively, today's guest (#31!).

As you'll hear, Jess lives up to her last name. We had a very spirited, fun, insightful chat.

Jess's passion: Values-Based Intentions.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about what the heck Jess means by Values-Based Intentions?

During this episode ...

• Jess talked about how she invented the phrase (and her passion!) values-based intentions
• Jess shared the story behind the tattoos ... that she now sells.
• Jess told us how she got started selling stuff at an early age.
• Jess shared how she came to her passion - value-based intentions (hint: it took 8 years!).
• We had a long, yet healthy, discussion around the word PASSION.
• I talked about my passion for people -- my common thread.
• Jess drops lots of "knowledge nuggets."
• Jess talked about "serving in the present moment." <-- LOVE THIS!
• Jess told us about her podcast, The Lively Show.
• Jess gave some advice on how people can find their passion (or whatever word you want to use!): SIGN UP FOR JESS'S CLASS!!
• We talked about how we both met our significant others at a bar!
• I told the story about how I met my wife (on the #NotSoSecretSecret portion of the show).

More About Jess

I help people transform their approach to life through Values-based intentions and have a podcast called http://TheLivelyShow.com. Learn more about Jess on Twitter.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• The Lively Show - Jess's podcast
• Jess's tattoos ... that she sells
• Jess on Twitter

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Another guest (#30), another person from the state of Utah (#3).

I was introduced to today's Shawn Sadowski, from another friend from Salt Lake City, Kathy Dalton.

Shawn's passion is similar to past guest Garin Hess ... with a twist. Shawn is passionate about helping entrepreneurs find their career path.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about how Shawn is living his passion of helping entrepreneurs find their career path?

During this episode ...

• Shawn and I chatted about our mutual Salt Lake City friend, Kathy Dalton.
• We discuss this "movement" of ... well ... doing your own thing (aka starting your own company).
• Shawn shared his belief that companies have no loyalty to their employees (I kinda agree).
• We both agreed that their is a false sense of security when working at an organization.
• We referenced a great movie, Field of Dreams.
• We talked about fear, risk, and doing something AWESOME.
• We took a tip from my wife - Kristina - and I asked Shawn to explain a bit more about how he uncovered his passion ... and boy did he #SetTheBarHigh
• I teased Shawn about editing (Hint: I RARELY edit the show!).
• I rapped Ice Ice Baby (a bit) ... again!

More About Shawn

Experienced entrepreneur and executive with a demonstrated track record of leadership in a variety of challenging business environments, ranging from new venture development and profit maximization to market entry and growth. Learn more about Shawn on LinkedIn.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Shawn on LinkedIn
• Shawn's business
• The TOUR!

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Today's guest - #29 - Paul Sokol, is one of those good guys. He's a self-proclaimed "Campaign Builder Mad Scientist at Infusionsoft.

He enjoys a good beer ... and music. And when I say Paul enjoys music, that's a HUGE understatement.

Paul's passion: Keeping youth music programs in schools (or keeping music in our cultural fabric).

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about Paul's master plan to keep music in our cultural fabric?

During this episode ...

• Paul talked about how music has been in his life most of his life.
• Paul shared how public school budgets are being cut - specifically the arts ... and music. This sucks - so says Paul (and I agree!).
• I told the story of my cello-playing days.
• Paul talked about how his parents were instrumental (no pun intended) in his love for music.
• Paul tossed out a ton of bands/artists I'd never heard of. Ha!
• We bonded over our love for Tupac, Eminem, and more!
• I rapped some Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby. It's true!
• Paul shared his new projects!
• My love and admiration for Paul increased.
• We discussed the good - and dark - side of heavy metal ... as well as the irony about "Metal-Heads."
• We chatted about my children's love for music.
• Paul shared his wisdom on how others can find - then live - their passion.

More About Paul

An electrical #engineer by trade with a passion for music, skateboarding and life in general. #Campaign Builder Mad Scientist @Infusionsoft. I love a challenge! Learn more about Paul on Twitter.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Paul on Twitter
• Elivagar Facebook page
• Elivagar Demo
• The Power of Flow - the book I read recently ... that I love.

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Another international guest? YOU KNOW IT!

Today's guest - #28 - is Barbara Jackson who lives in ... SWEDEN!

Barbara and I connected through Twitter thanks to a Dorie Clark tweet. Dorie introduced me to past guest (#3), Tim McDonald, who has introduced me to a boatload of past Living Your Passion guests.

Barbara sent me a super-detailed email about how she uncovered her passion and I just had to have her on the show!

Ready to be blown away? See that picture of Barbara in this post? Standing next to her is past Living Your Passion guest (#22) Ilma Nausedaite ... who she met up with in Latvia a few days after we recorded this interview. Small world, huh?

Barbara's passion: Bringing people together (to make change together)

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about how Barbara brings people together (to make change together)?

During this episode, Barbara ...

• Talked about how she thought she had "made it" when she was 23 years old (after meeting Paris Hilton, working at Canne Film Festival, and so on), only to learn she had not.
• Shared all of the various places - COUNTRIES - she has lived ... and why (work, education, fun).
• Discussed how she met her now-husband when she was 17 years old ... the same age she was when she went to college.
• Talked about how she shared with her parents at age 14 that she wanted to go to boarding school and show she was always "really anxious" to do something, get out there, experience the world.
• Talked about how "everything changed" in 2012 when she arrived in India - in the middle of the night - at an Ashram in India and ended up staying there for 5 days.
• Shared the moment when she realized she "had to quit."
• Dropped some serious knowledge. Ha!
• Explained what she meant by "raising her voice." <--- very very cool.
• Talked about "living your passion" ... "living an inspired life" ... "being in your element."
• Shared her wisdom

More About Barbara

Left my corporate career to do what I always knew I would: CREATE. DISCOVER. JOURNEY. ENGAGE. CHANGE. SHIFT. | CEO Projects For Change AB Learn more about Barbara on Twitter.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Barbara's website/company/business
• Projects for Change - Barbara's current project

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

Today's guest (#27), Kelsey Humphrey's searched on iTunes for "cool podcasts."* The first result returned was this one, Living Your Passion.

*As you'll hear during this episode, that's not EXACTLY what she searched for, but close. Ha!

Kelsey is awesome. I'm so glad we connected on both a personal and professional level. Stay tuned for more awesomeness to come - from both of us - as we team up for a few super-special "things."

Back to Kelsey and her passion ... Kelsey's passion: Unlocking untapped potential.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about how Kelsey unlocks untapped potential?

During this episode ...

• Kelsey shared more about her new book, Go Solo: How to Quit the Job You Hate and Start a Small Business You Love! (which just came out in audio version yesterday), as well as her business - coaching, consulting, speaking, and more!
• We talked about why people don't just quit the job they hate.
• Kelsey shared that she wanted to be "the next Beyonce" when she was a kid.
• Kelsey talked about how was into singing/songwriting, but didn't love the journey -- one that would have likely taken over a decade.
• Kelsey discussed how her own experience, her own "course corrections," led her to her new book, her passion, and her career.
• We talked about the idea of a "common thread" of what you are passionate about.
• Kelsey told us what her plans are for 5, 10, 50 years from now (see: common thread).
• We talked about "being your own boss" no matter where you are employed.
• Kelsey talked about the AWESOME FILE. You must listen just for this tidbit alone!
• Kelsey said "joint dealybob" in the #NotSoSecretSecret portion of the show.

More About Kelsey

Speaker, Consultant and Author of Amazon Bestseller #GoSolo, @EntMagazine contributor, on a mission to empower solopreneurs & equip leaders. #liftup Learn more about Kelsey on Twitter.

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Kelsey's book, Go Solo: How to Quit the Job You Hate and Start a Small Business You Love!
• Kelsey's AUDIO version of her book - just out yesterday!
• Kelsey on Twitter
• Kelsey's business
• My 4 favorite words - Awesome, Love, Dude, Pumped (blog post).

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious

In today's "flip the mic" episode, past Living Y0ur Passion guest Ethan Beute, interviewed me! I guess that makes me guest #26. Ha!

I actually "pre-released" this episode on Sunday, November 2nd -- the day before I announced my new business, my new career, my new passion -- COACH DJ.

If you are reading this post - and listening to this episode anytime Monday, November 3rd or after, well, the cats out of the bag. Ha!

Ethan did a wonderful job of giving me a forum - my own podcast - to share my path to uncovering my passion: Helping People Rediscover Their Passion.

Somewhat meta, I know.

In case you missed any of the previous episodes, you can catch them here by visiting the Living Your Passion landing page.

Are you ready to learn more about how I rediscovered my passion?

During this episode ...

• I shared my definition of passion - and how it's evolved over time.
• We talked about some of the "big themes" - the big overarching thing - I've taken away from the show so far.
• I shared how I have hobbies ... err ... other passions ... beyond my MAIN passion.
• We chatted about P90X and how I have not had beer for 3 months!!! AHHHHH!!!
• We talked about my passion, and how it changed, grew and evolved over time.
• I talked about how not not loving what you do can negatively impact so many areas of your life.
• I revealed "my next big thing" - COACH DJ.
• I dove into how COACH DJ works - how I help, the process, etc.
• I shared the "4 Es" of my DNA.

More About DJ (ME!)

You know where to find out more about me, right?

Links Discussed In This Episode

• Living Your Passion episode with Ethan Beute
• Why I Quit My Job Today (and What's Next) - my blog post announcing I quit Marketo
• COACH DJ - my new website, business, passion, career

Enjoyed this episode? Please consider subscribing (if you haven't already). Also, what would be really awesome? If you could rate and review the show ... and use those fancy social sharing icons below to tell the world!

Alternatively, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe via email (scroll to the bottom).

Finally, if you know someone who bleeds passion (or maybe it’s you), please email me at djwaldow at gmail dot com. Oh, and if you have a connection to LeBron James, please let me know. I think he’d be a great person to talk to about his passion for basketball. #DeadSerious