More In Common

“My goal is not to feel like a good person, my goal is to make sure they're okay right now.” - Natalie Christensen

The power of investing in yourself and your identity is truly powerful.

But do you know how powerful it can be?

Our guest Natalie Christensen demonstrates this power in her chosen domain of film. As a film creator she reimagines ways in which she can implement characters of diversity not typical of their common stereotyped characters. But rather give them a role that redefines the way we previously viewed them. As a woman of mixed ethnicity, Natalie demonstrates the power of identity through her compassion and desire to share her love of film. As for the wider audience, the call for change and creativity to be brought in the world is something that calls for a listen.

Her films and screenplays have won and been selected in festivals and screenplay competitions across the United States.

Along with her film, she has been a pianist for fourteen years, and produces music scores as well as solo work. In 2020 she released her sophomore album "Accidental Wine" under the artist name Renaissance Woman.

She is also an activist who organized and created a protest group in 2020 called Henrico Justice in her county in Virginia, which held three successful protests until she returned to school. More recently, she planned a Black-Asian Solidarity March in Los Angeles and formed an API Student Coalition at her university.

Her art focuses around pressing issues in the world today, and stories she believes can change the world for the better.

Topics we discuss:

• Compassion

• Mixed Race

References:

• Her Movie

“My goal is not to feel like a good person, my goal is to make sure they're okay right now.” - Natalie Christensen

The power of investing in yourself and your identity is truly powerful.

But do you know how powerful it can be?

Our guest Natalie Christensen demonstrates this power in her chosen domain of film. As a film creator she reimagines ways in which she can implement characters of diversity not typical of their common stereotyped characters. But rather give them a role that redefines the way we previously viewed them. As a woman of mixed ethnicity, Natalie demonstrates the power of identity through her compassion and desire to share her love of film. As for the wider audience, the call for change and creativity to be brought in the world is something that calls for a listen.

Her films and screenplays have won and been selected in festivals and screenplay competitions across the United States.

Along with her film, she has been a pianist for fourteen years, and produces music scores as well as solo work. In 2020 she released her sophomore album "Accidental Wine" under the artist name Renaissance Woman.

She is also an activist who organized and created a protest group in 2020 called Henrico Justice in her county in Virginia, which held three successful protests until she returned to school. More recently, she planned a Black-Asian Solidarity March in Los Angeles and formed an API Student Coalition at her university.

Her art focuses around pressing issues in the world today, and stories she believes can change the world for the better.

Topics we discuss:

• Compassion

• Mixed Race

References:

• Her Movie

“No wonder I felt awful, because I was saying awful things to myself” - Yvonne Marchese

What helps you answer and explore the question, who are you?

Answers will vary.

At the most simplistic level, responses to this question can be found in aspects of our life such as passions and self-reflection.

In addition, this question can be reflected in how we respond and treat others, or better yet how we treat ourselves.

Since August is dedicated to the pursuit of happiness, a conversation of becoming one with yourself couldn’t be better timing.

How you can learn to answer the question of who we are, introduces our guest this week, Yvonne Marchese. She joins us in conversation to share her life journey and passions with us. She removes the boundaries placed on her, by her ability to be one with herself which she has found to make the presence of a new day and the present an exciting journey.

Yvonne Marchese is the host of the Late Bloomer Living Podcast, a professional photographer, mom, wife and serial pivoter.

She grew up in El Paso, Texas. In her twenties she sold everything she owned to follow a lifelong dream... moving to New York City where she worked as an actress for 10 years.

She now lives in Norwalk, CT, telling people's stories with her camera and a microphone. Yvonne is of the opinion that stories can change lives… maybe not in an instant, but in laying the seeds of possibility. She's someone who works every day to embrace big, scary, beautiful change and believes it’s never too late to pursue a dream.

It's that belief that led her to start a photography business in her 40s and a podcast in her 50s. She is on a mission to redefine society's ideas on aging and exploring how to live a life by design.

Topics we discuss:

• Staying curious

• My reaction to situations.

• Negative self-talk is a bad habit.

• 30-day experiment

• Found peace in mediation and exercise.

• Independence takes over.

References:

• Mel Robbins Book (5 second rule)

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

“No wonder I felt awful, because I was saying awful things to myself” - Yvonne Marchese

What helps you answer and explore the question, who are you?

Answers will vary.

At the most simplistic level, responses to this question can be found in aspects of our life such as passions and self-reflection.

In addition, this question can be reflected in how we respond and treat others, or better yet how we treat ourselves.

Since August is dedicated to the pursuit of happiness, a conversation of becoming one with yourself couldn’t be better timing.

How you can learn to answer the question of who we are, introduces our guest this week, Yvonne Marchese. She joins us in conversation to share her life journey and passions with us. She removes the boundaries placed on her, by her ability to be one with herself which she has found to make the presence of a new day and the present an exciting journey.

Yvonne Marchese is the host of the Late Bloomer Living Podcast, a professional photographer, mom, wife and serial pivoter.

She grew up in El Paso, Texas. In her twenties she sold everything she owned to follow a lifelong dream... moving to New York City where she worked as an actress for 10 years.

She now lives in Norwalk, CT, telling people's stories with her camera and a microphone. Yvonne is of the opinion that stories can change lives… maybe not in an instant, but in laying the seeds of possibility. She's someone who works every day to embrace big, scary, beautiful change and believes it’s never too late to pursue a dream.

It's that belief that led her to start a photography business in her 40s and a podcast in her 50s. She is on a mission to redefine society's ideas on aging and exploring how to live a life by design.

Topics we discuss:

• Staying curious

• My reaction to situations.

• Negative self-talk is a bad habit.

• 30-day experiment

• Found peace in mediation and exercise.

• Independence takes over.

References:

• Mel Robbins Book (5 second rule)

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

“Prioritize the relationship over being right.” - Benjamin Mathes 

How much power do you give your ego? 

Our minds are constantly at war with our ego. This war can stunt growth and the ability to reach our true potential because, with ego there is pride. 

Our Guest Benjamin Mathes encourages us to unravel the layers we have built protecting our ego. Once we allow those layers to unravel, we can then find the importance of creating a “Healthy ego”. But first, we must witness our ego without passing judgment. 

Today we are with Benjamin Mathes.  Benjamin has been an actor for over 20 years. On film, television, and stage he has worked with artists such as Clint Eastwood,  Alan Arkin, Sam Raimi, Bradley Cooper, Andy Garcia, Chris Rock, and Brian Grazer.

He has served as an acting coach for Warner Brothers, HBO, and currently for Netflix. Internationally, he runs acting retreats in Ireland, and his career workshops have been held around the world. He is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and has served as vocal and dialect coach for major motion pictures, network television, and theatres around the country.

He is the author of four books: Thought Lozenges for Artists; a daringly optimistic, “open-where-you-want” look into the creative process. “CRASH: Unstuck Yourself”, a guided journal designed to directly combat the blocks holding us from our creative potential.  “You, the Career” offers a holistic approach to life and art that allows you to have the career you want without losing the person you are.  His most recent book, “Short Paragraphs on Listening”, draws from his experience Free Listening on the streets and is an open-where-you-want book about the power of listening.

Lastly, if that's not enough, Benjamin is the founder of Urban Confessional: A Free Listening Movement. Started as a way to challenge conventional actor training, Urban Confessional is a community of artists who believe people should be heard. They stand on street corners all over the world with signs that say "Free Listening" — and you can imagine what happens next. Their work has been featured in magazines, academic publications, and blogs, and on radio and television.  And is now in over 70 countries with thousands of volunteers.

Topics we discuss:

• Shutting up

• Keeps the ego in check.

• Allows you to fully hear the person.

• He learned from religious and artistic practices.

• Ego is not the problem, our relationship with ego is the problem.

• Younger kids have a healthier ego.

References:

• Bluey on Disney+

• Free Listening

Tristan Coopersmith Episode

“Prioritize the relationship over being right.” - Benjamin Mathes 

How much power do you give your ego? 

Our minds are constantly at war with our ego. This war can stunt growth and the ability to reach our true potential because, with ego there is pride. 

Our Guest Benjamin Mathes encourages us to unravel the layers we have built protecting our ego. Once we allow those layers to unravel, we can then find the importance of creating a “Healthy ego”. But first, we must witness our ego without passing judgment. 

Today we are with Benjamin Mathes.  Benjamin has been an actor for over 20 years. On film, television, and stage he has worked with artists such as Clint Eastwood,  Alan Arkin, Sam Raimi, Bradley Cooper, Andy Garcia, Chris Rock, and Brian Grazer.

He has served as an acting coach for Warner Brothers, HBO, and currently for Netflix. Internationally, he runs acting retreats in Ireland, and his career workshops have been held around the world. He is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and has served as vocal and dialect coach for major motion pictures, network television, and theatres around the country.

He is the author of four books: Thought Lozenges for Artists; a daringly optimistic, “open-where-you-want” look into the creative process. “CRASH: Unstuck Yourself”, a guided journal designed to directly combat the blocks holding us from our creative potential.  “You, the Career” offers a holistic approach to life and art that allows you to have the career you want without losing the person you are.  His most recent book, “Short Paragraphs on Listening”, draws from his experience Free Listening on the streets and is an open-where-you-want book about the power of listening.

Lastly, if that's not enough, Benjamin is the founder of Urban Confessional: A Free Listening Movement. Started as a way to challenge conventional actor training, Urban Confessional is a community of artists who believe people should be heard. They stand on street corners all over the world with signs that say "Free Listening" — and you can imagine what happens next. Their work has been featured in magazines, academic publications, and blogs, and on radio and television.  And is now in over 70 countries with thousands of volunteers.

Topics we discuss:

• Shutting up

• Keeps the ego in check.

• Allows you to fully hear the person.

• He learned from religious and artistic practices.

• Ego is not the problem, our relationship with ego is the problem.

• Younger kids have a healthier ego.

References:

• Bluey on Disney+

• Free Listening

Tristan Coopersmith Episode

Learn from whomever you meet and connect with” – Devin Larkins

How well do you listen? 

How do you define laziness?

Devin shares some really helpful functional tips for listening.  He is a good soul and feels like the friend and family member we all need.

Devin practices compassion often and shares how he does it.  He is a remind of the fact that we get both and good from our parents and those that come before us.  We also get to chose what we keep and how we then raise our own children.  This conversation is a meandering exploration of listening, parenting, compassion, and even the concept of laziness.

“Get 1% better each day” – Devin Larkins

Topics we discuss:

• Compassion

• Listening to children

References:

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

Learn from whomever you meet and connect with” – Devin Larkins

How well do you listen? 

How do you define laziness?

Devin shares some really helpful functional tips for listening.  He is a good soul and feels like the friend and family member we all need.

Devin practices compassion often and shares how he does it.  He is a remind of the fact that we get both and good from our parents and those that come before us.  We also get to chose what we keep and how we then raise our own children.  This conversation is a meandering exploration of listening, parenting, compassion, and even the concept of laziness.

“Get 1% better each day” – Devin Larkins

Topics we discuss:

• Compassion

• Listening to children

References:

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

Who’s a free thinker in your life?

True free thinkers are few and far between. At More In Common Podcast, the importance of hiring people who challenge what you're doing and thinking is what our guest, and former producer, Ruf Holmes reflected on. But he's much more than a producer; he's an individual filled with talent and creativity who never fails to offer great insight.

Now it’s his turn to take the mic as he reflects on his time as our producer, discusses his personal life and important current issues. Although it's the end of an era for our talented producer we thank him for the impact and dedication he displayed, we honor you!

Today we are with Felipe Blue.  He is More Than Therapy’s Founder, Lead Therapist, and Award-Winning Author Felipe helps families, couples, and individuals navigate the stages of their life by providing necessary coping skills for their emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

He provides mental health and addictions therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, life coaching, peer support, supervision and consultations. When he is not attending to his or other’s mental health, he is a writer, producer and songwriter, poet, photographer, videographer, graphic artist, and more.

Topics we discuss:

• Growth over the two years with More in Common

• Clear and constant communication.

• Found many lessons in ways people view life.

• The real agenda is to live and survive in this world.

• Systematic racism simplified.

References:

• His Website

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

Who’s a free thinker in your life?

True free thinkers are few and far between. At More In Common Podcast, the importance of hiring people who challenge what you're doing and thinking is what our guest, and former producer, Ruf Holmes reflected on. But he's much more than a producer; he's an individual filled with talent and creativity who never fails to offer great insight.

Now it’s his turn to take the mic as he reflects on his time as our producer, discusses his personal life and important current issues. Although it's the end of an era for our talented producer we thank him for the impact and dedication he displayed, we honor you!

Today we are with Felipe Blue.  He is More Than Therapy’s Founder, Lead Therapist, and Award-Winning Author Felipe helps families, couples, and individuals navigate the stages of their life by providing necessary coping skills for their emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

He provides mental health and addictions therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, life coaching, peer support, supervision and consultations. When he is not attending to his or other’s mental health, he is a writer, producer and songwriter, poet, photographer, videographer, graphic artist, and more.

Topics we discuss:

• Growth over the two years with More in Common

• Clear and constant communication.

• Found many lessons in ways people view life.

• The real agenda is to live and survive in this world.

• Systematic racism simplified.

References:

• His Website

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats