Living Your Passion

Garin Hess, (today's guest - #25) hails from the lovely state of Utah. As it turns out, Garin is the 3rd guest on Living Your Passion (Nate Bagley and Cara Heuser being the other two).

Utah FTW!

Garin and I connected when he sent me a "let's talk" email through LinkedIn. Love it.

Garin's passion: The POSITIVE BENEFITS THAT COME FROM ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

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 the positive benefits that come from entrepreneurship?

• Garin talked about Karl Marx. Didn't see that coming. Ha!
• I said "journey." OOPS. I just don't love that word ... story, process ... but not journey. Ha!
• Garin answered the question, "What happens if you are passionate about something but are no good at it (or don't have the capital to do it or other "insurmountable barriers")?
• Garin shared how to you can do some research to determine whether or not your passion can turn into a valid business (note: it takes work, but it's doable).
• Garin told us how he may someday soon TEACH entrepreneurship in developing companies.
• We talked about JUMPING - taking the first step.
• Garin shared how he uncovered his passion for entrepreneurship - though he has always been interested in it ... from early on.

Husband, father, startup enthusiast, entrepreneur, founder & CEO @DemoChimp. Learn more about Garin on Twitter.

• Nail It then Scale It: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating and Managing Breakthrough Innovation - the book Garin mentioned
• The Lean Startup - the other book Garin mentioned
• Witness Music - Garin's non-profit
• Garin on LinkedIn
• DemoChimp - Garin's latest and greatest startup

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

When I asked Mitch Jackson (today's guest - #24) how he was doing, he said, "if I was any better it would be illegal."

Boom.

And that's how we began today's conversation.

And yet ANOTHER Tim McDonald introduction. Not to take anything away from this episode, but you have to check out the Living Your Passion episode I recorded with Tim.

Mitch is passionate about a lot of things including helping others and being the custodian of the communities legal and ethical sense. He also loves social media, connecting with other people, building other companies, and helping people achieve success. If all goes as planned, Mitch brings all aformentioned passions into the trial lawyer arena.

But to make things a bit more concise, Mitch is passionate about helping people become remarkable communicators.

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 becoming a more remarkable communicator?

• Mitch shared a great story about "one of the wisest, smartest guys" Mitch has ever met ... his father-in-law, "Mike the Milkman."
• We discussed the many passions of Mitch Jackson.
• Mitch talked about how he blends his passions with his practice as a trial lawyer.
• Mitch showcased his ability to NOT say "uhs" and "umms" and "likes." He's a super-polished speaker!
• We talked about story-telling, voice inflection, where you stand, and so on ...
• We discussed putting in the time ... doing the work ... in order to see real results.
• I talked about how Mitch won the CLAY (California Lawyer of the Year) in 2013.
• We talked about picking juries and speed dating in the #NotSoSecretSecret portion of the show.

CA Lawyer of the Year (CLAY Award) | OC Trial Lawyer of the Year | CEO Human.Social (digital relationship strategists). Learn more about Mitch on Twitter.

• Jackson and Mitchell - Mitch's law firm
• Human.Social - Mitch's new venture
• Mitch was named one of California's Lawyers of the Year (in 2013). Check it out!
• Bryan Kramer's #H2H book

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 episode (#23) features Alina Mihai.

Born and raised in Romania, Alina has a background in psychology, education, language therapy/communication disorders, energy work, and spiritual development.

Dang. Right?

As you'll hear (and as I professionally borrowed from her about page), Alina is a "Strategic Intervention Coach who believes in the power of passion, self-awareness, and authenticity." She "guide[s] and support[s] [her] clients on their journey to building a life filled with greater joy, love, and fulfilling personal relationships."

Alina is a VERY passionate person. Her passions include coaching, teaching/training, speaking, writing, dancing, and designing. However, her "life purpose" is to help people - men, women and children - find their power ... their inner spark that's inside all of us.

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 POWER?

• Alina talked about how passion is the PORTAL to finding your true purpose.
• We talked about the difference between passion and life or "true" purpose - FASCINATING!
• We got a bit ... deep. Ha!
• We talked about words - spirit, warmth, etc. Words matter.
• Alina shared about her thoughts on what we are born with.
• Alina offered some sage advice on how to find - then live - your passion.

From her About page: "I am a Strategic Intervention Coach. I believe in the power of passion, self-awareness, and authenticity. I guide and support my clients on their journey to building a life filled with greater joy, love, and fulfilling personal relationships."

• Do What You Love | Love What You Do (my Meetup!)
• Passion Coaching For Men - her business

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

Lots of firsts in today's episode, #22.

Ilma Nausedaite is the show's first guest from Lithuiania (but second guest I've interviewed from the Baltic States).

Additionally, this was Ilma's first time recording a podcast (she was great!).

Like many past guests, Ilma has a few passions (including art), but the one that really stands out is TRAVELING. She's been to the United States, traveled to many countries in Europe, visited India, and is planning a trip to Colombia. In fact, her and her husband travel a few months every winter ... with their 3-year old son!

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 hear about travel?

• We chatted about how we met each other ... and first connected (through email marketing!).
• Ilma stated that having children is NOT an excuse to not travel.
• We discussed how travel is the common theme for all of her other passions (including art).
• Ilma shared how her trip to India changed her life.
• We talked about "just quitting your job" ...
• Ilma gave some great advice about how to learn more about your passion.
• I got lost for a few minutes in Ilma's Instagram feed.

CMO at @MailerLite, email marketing software for small business. Art lover, travel addict, powered by coffee. Find out more on Twitter.

1. Ilma on Instagram
2. Ilma on Twitter
3. Mailer Lite - the company she founded (current CMO)

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

The story about how I met today's guest (Episode 21), Sarah Dvorak, is quite unique.

You'll have to listen to the show to learn more, but suffice to say, this email was a big part of it.

I had the unique opportunity to record this episode at Sarah's house in San Francisco. SO. MUCH. FUN. I got to meet her husband, see her newborn, eat some cheese ... and riff about cheese (and more!) for 30 minutes.

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 get your cheese on?

• Sarah and her husband Oliver allowed me into their home to record this episode in person!
• Sarah served me some really (REALLY) good cheese (see picture).
• We learned about how Sarah got interested in - the passionate about - cheese.
• We talked about American cheese (Kraft Singles!) for a bit.
• Sarah shared how the name "Mission Cheese" came about - not what I thought!
• We discussed "farm to table" and "local" ... stuff.
• Sarah talked about her "aha moment" with cheese. Too funny!
• Sarah revealed her future plans for Mission Cheese.
• Sarah gave some sage advice for how to find your passion (Hint: Involves TRYING stuff).

Who am I? I’m Sarah Dvorak of Mission Cheese. I live and work in San Francisco. What do I do? That’s a really interesting question. I’m a cheese evangelist and a small business owner. At Mission Cheese we promote and tell stories about American artisan cheese and how it’s evolved over the last decade to a vibrant and delicious industry. That’s the crux of what I do. And that’s why I do it; to share the abundance of what’s out there today. To help increase sales of domestic cheeses and help them scale their businesses to where they’re sustainable and viable. Find out more in this amazing blog post / interview.

• The Cheese Evangelist. An interview with Sarah Dvorak, of Mission Cheese
• Mission Cheese on Twitter
• Sarah on Instagram
• California Artisan Cheese Guild
• The woman in Alaska who said "Eff It" and quit her job

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 (#20), Dorothea Bozicolona-Volpe, at the bar in Miami. To be clear, I was at the bar with another guy - at a conference - and she approached us. Ha!

Dorothea (pronounced Dor-a-TAY-a) loves culture, food, art, and skateboarding, but what underlies everything in her life is really her true passion: MUSIC.

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 hear about jazz, rap, and other music (and even hear me "sing" a bit)?

• We discussed scotch, bourbon, and beer.
• Dorothea shared about her grandparents love for music ... and how it had a huge influence on her as a child.
• Dorothea talked about singing "Satisfaction" in her "knickers" into a Snoopy hairbrush at age five.
• Dorothea told us about how one teacher recognized her dislike for the violin and her interest in voice.
• Dorothea shared her love for the Rolling Stones - she's heard them live 20+ times!
• We discussed "doing what you love and getting paid for it" vs. "doing what you love on the side."
• We chatted about my taste in music (90s rap)!
• We talked about music triggering memories ... and I even sang a bit. AHHHH!
• I could not remember the song my wife and daughter love to sing (but here it is).
• Dorothea mentioned a lot of artists I'd never heard of (shhh).
• Dorothea gave her advice ("try it on") for how to find, then live, your passion.

Social Media Strategist. Content Queen. Embraces Technology. Avid Skateboarder. Tweets to relax. Find out more on Twitter.

• Social Espionage - her company!
• The song "Oh What a Night"
• Tom Webster's soon-to-be-relaunched The Friday Five podcast

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

Sara "sans H" Davidson is today's guest for episode #19. Sara is the CEO and co-founder of Hello Fearless, the school for female entrepreneurs.

We connected thanks to this tweet from Living Your Passion listener Brandi Neloms followed by an email introduction from another listener, Bethany Rae Cramer. Thanks to both Brandi and Bethany (Rae)!

"No H" Sara's PASSION is creating a world of unstoppable women.

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 (unstoppable) women ?

• Sara explained what Hello Fearless (and Boss School) is all about.
• Sara talked through her process of self-discovery and how she found - and is now living - her passion.
• We discussed "why women" ... and not men (side note: she's a "big fan of men" but ... ).
• I pull a "John Lee Dumas" and break down Sara's passion creating a world of unstoppable women one word at a time.
• Sara shared how she is creating a world of unstoppable women (I gave her not one, not two, but 3 chances to plug Boss School).
• Sara and I talked a bit about Kansas City - where she lives now and where I used to live!
• Sara shared her "secret sauce" (kinda) to Hello Fearless.
• Sara TRIED to turn the mic on me when she asked ME a question. Well played, Sara. Well played.
• Sara talked about competitors ... and how her team does not believe in them. LOVE THIS!

CEO @HelloFearless, The School for Female Entrepreneurs. On a mission to create a world of unstoppable women who dream big, take risks & love their lives. Find out more on Twitter.

• Hello Fearless - website, Twitter, Facebook
• Boss School
• Sara on Twitter
• Sara on Facebook

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

Are you ready for nearly 30 minutes of a killer Irish accent? If so, Episode 18 with Evan McElligot (pronounced "Mack-Elli-gOT"), is for you.

Thanks - again! - to Amanda O'Brien, for the introduction. Amanda Pants, if you'll recall, also email introduced me to another past guest, John Lee Dumas.

The day we recorded this episode, Evan was celebrating his 36th 37th birthday!

And yes, that is the beach - the waves - you are hearing in the background of this recording.

Evan's passion is what he calls "cultural exchange" through travel (aka "travel in the new generation" or ... as I paraphrased "opening your mind through travel").

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 open your mind (and think about travel differently)?

• Evan discussed his history - and passion - for the travel industry ... and how September 11th changed his world forever.
• Evan chatted about how he travelled to Australia for a year and a half, then New Zealand for a few years, and ended up in Maine (yes, Maine as in one of the 50 states in the Union!).
• Evan explained more about his business, Longer Vacations.
• I shared my experience getting "Don Julio'd" on our honeymoon.
• We talked about our families recent trip to Norway.
• Evan talked about the concept of "cultural exchange."
• Evan shared how he's really ALWAYS had a passion for travel (I love how he says "brochures").
• We talked about group travel vs. "doing it locally." Interesting ....
• Evan told us the incredibly high number of people who are traveling.
• Evan talked about some staggering numbers around how much money actually stays in a country when people travel. CRAZY!!
• I shared by "giving back to the locals" experience in Ireland from 1998.
• Evan shared his "tips and tricks" for finding, then living your passion. Awesome.

According to his About Page ... in Evan's own words, "I am no stranger to this business and you could say, I have been in it since I was a boy, when I was brought to Cyprus and The Holy land on a family vacation andIMG_2967 I haven’t looked back since. I got into the travel industry quickly after college and I have experienced many different aspects of it; from sales and reservations, to airline representative, then onto airline management and for the last 6 years, I have owned and managed my own business, assisting adventurous globetrotters, just like you. All in all, a collective 15+ years in the business and hopefully many more to come. I left County Kerry, Ireland many moons ago. I settled in Australia for over a year and then traveled extensively around South East Asia. I then moved to New Zealand for two years before moving on and finally settling in Portland, Maine. An amazing destination in itself and I am very thankful to live in such an a beautiful part of the world." Find out more on his About Page.

• Longer Vacations - Evan's company (and passion)!
• The Power of Flow - book I'm reading about Synchronicity and ... flow.
• Longer Vacations on Facebook - like him!

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

Back to back podcasters on Living Your Passion? Yup. Earlier this week I chatted with John Lee Dumas. Today (Episode #17) is Kerry O'Shea Gorgone.

Kerry is a self-proclaimed geek, baker of chocolate chip cookies, lawyer, a wife, a mom (of two adorable boys), an employee at MarketingProfs, and a podcaster! While she loves her family - and her job - her true passion is learning about people through interviews (podcasting).

Oh, and see that picture of Kerry (look to your right (or down))? That's the outfit she mentioned during this podcast!

Finally, wait till you hear the audio good audio (just like the Julie Neumark and John Lee Dumas episodes).

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 get LEARNED on how to interview/podcast?

• Kerry gave one of the best intros of "who she is" I've ever heard.
• We discussed our mutual LOVE for talking with other people. A love I also share with my mother-in-law
• I shared my thoughts on the best female podcast voice of all time - KERRY!
• Kerry talked about "the podcast voice" and gives some tips on how to sound better.
• Kerry shared even more interview tips - specifically how to ask a question and then let the guest answer (not my strength. ha!)
• We discussed editing (note: I don't do it either of my podcasts!).
• We talked about my contractor laying tile (not a euphemism!).
• I admit Kerry may be the female version of me!
• We did a "speed round" of questions that mutual friend (and Kerry's boss!) Ann Handley asked on Facebook. Thanks Ann!

Speaker, Lawyer, Writer, Podcaster. Work for @MarketingProfs. Write for Social Media Explorer, Huffington Post, Spin Sucks, {grow} blog, Mack Collier & more. Find out more on Twitter.

• MarketingProfs Podcast ... Marketing Smarts
• Kerry on Twitter
• The woefully neglected (Kerry's words) KerryGorgone.com

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

It's not every day you get to chat with a dude whose podcast is "Best of iTunes 2013." Todays guest, episode #16, is the one ... the only ... John Lee Dumas.

John is someone who has passion "in spades" (his words). And man does he. For those who don't know John, he's the guy who launched a podcast just over two years ago called Entrepreneur on Fire. As far as I'm aware, John (Lee) was the first person to publish a podcast 7 days per week.

John's passion: INSPIRING MILLIONS

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 get all kinds of fired up?

• We talked about our mutual friend, Amanda O'Brien aka @Amanda_Pants
• We discussed weather - Maine vs. Rochester, NY vs. California. Short version: Both of us love the sun and neither of us love the winter!
• John shared how he went from the military to podcasting.
• John talked about how he went about finding - then living - his passion.
• John shared how in the month of September, he is going to break 1 million - yes 1 MILLION - downloads ... in one month. Crazy, right?
• John talked about his LASAR FOCUS.
• We discussed "the early days" of podcasting.
• John dropped (really good) quote after quote. Love it!
• We talked about Impostors Syndrome.
• John gave a "pro-tip" around interviewing guests. Check. It. Out.
• John tells us all the secret to uncovering your passion.

EntrepreneurOnFire: Awarded Best in iTunes 2013 IGNITE! Podcasters'Paradise: http://PodcastersParadise.com. Find out more on Twitter.

• Quotes on Fire (podcast)
• Entrepreneur on Fire (podcast)
• The Work Talk Show
• Impostors Syndrome (my very personal blog post)
• Rand Fishkin's blog post about depression

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