Off The Comma

In this episode, our guest shares about her experience with suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. 

In this episode, we talk to Maria Teresa Pratico-Swanson. She is a friend to all, authentic and someone people trust. Maria Teresa lives in the United States. 

Maria Teresa tells us about sitting on a comma with forcing herself into a life that fundamentally did not fit. After reaching the depths of hopelessness and coming face to face with taking her own life, she found recovery and respite in letting go and acceptance. Maria Teresa allowed acceptance to lead her into a path of experimentation, exploration and discovery of her true nature, talents and purpose. Tune in to hear what Maria Teresa means when she says “it was like dropping a million piece puzzle”. 

You can find Maria Teresa on:

• Website:  https://emotionalmusings.com

• Instagram:  @emotionalmusings

• Linkedin:  Maria Teresa Emotional Musings

• YouTube:  @mariateresaemotionalmusings

Maria Teresa would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to her and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

My fellow Yogis and our beloved community at Down to Earth Yoga  https://dte-yoga.com  At DTE Yoga And Wellness Studio we extend an array of healing modalities tailored to foster holistic well-being. Our core mission is to aid individuals of every age in alleviating stress, cultivating self-awareness, fostering profound body-mind connections, and embracing the bounty of the present moment.

Terri and Cheryl Hugey and the Rise Up From Silence (RUFS) Foundation  https://rufsfoundation.com/  Since its establishment in 2018, the Rising Up From Silence (RUFS) Foundation has been dedicated to serving the community by providing comprehensive support to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Founded by Cheryl and Terry Hughey, RUFS has expanded its reach and impact through various programs, events, and initiatives aimed at promoting healing, stability, and empowerment for those affected by abuse.

Are you sitting on a comma in your life? Work one on one with me to unpack what’s holding you back. Book an easy 1-session coaching session and see what getting off your comma can look like! https://www.offthecomma.com/programs

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we talk to Gessie Belizaire. She describes herself as a child of God, mother, and sister, who is “living on mission”. Gessie lives in the United States. 

Gessie recounts the time when she was sitting on a comma with an unplanned pregnancy and the changes that would be unearthed in her life and her identity. She describes feeling stuck, trapped and confused as she navigated the emotions and expectations that came with this life change. Through the power of surrender and presence, Gessie discovered finding herself and what it means to truly live on mission. Tune in to hear what the “phoenix fire” did to help on her journey. 

You can find Gessie on:

• Website:   https://tinyurl.com/5yu5whvj   

• Instagram:  @thislifeiliveintruth

• Facebook:  Gessie Belizaire

• Linkedin:  Gessie Belizaire

Gessie would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to her and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

Howard University  https://howard.edu  Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private research university comprised of 14 schools and colleges.

Students pursue 143 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. 

My church family at Redeemer City Church DC https://www.redeemerdc.org

My family of origin 

My daughter. 

The Haitian community.

~Without them I'm not sure where I would be.

The Haitian Community and The Association of Haitian Professionals  https://haitianprofessionals.org  AHP is the fulfillment of concerned professionals of Haitian descent to establish an organization addressing professional, educational and cultural, social needs of their community wherever they reside. Our strength is based on the diversity and the commitment of our members.

Are you sitting on a comma in your life? Work one on one with me to unpack what’s holding you back. Book an easy 1-session coaching session and see what getting off your comma can look like! https://www.offthecomma.com/programs

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we talk to Risa August. She describes herself as genuine, kind and compassionate. Risa lives in the United States. 

Risa tells us about sitting on a comma with a rare pituitary tumor and disorder called acromegaly. After 8 long years of deep knowing that something wasn’t right within her body, but not being able to find the answers, her diagnosis brought her validation, affirmation and the sense of finally being heard. What followed for Risa was a journey of reconstruction, taking steps and grabbing onto as many experiences that life could bring her. Tune in to hear what Risa means when she says “what can me and my tumor do next”. 

You can find Risa on:

• ​Website:  https://www.risaaugust.com
• ​Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/risaunleashed
• ​Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/risaunleashed/ 
• ​Linkedin:  www.linkedin.com/in/risa-august-9b130524a

Risa would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

Pituitary World News  https://pituitaryworldnews.org  Our mission is to bring you state-of-the-art and up-to-date information pertaining to health-related matters of importance to those with pituitary tumors and other related disease processes. By publishing this information about what happens when the pituitary gland starts acting up and how it affects people, we hope to increase awareness so more people are diagnosed properly and early.

Christopher LaFleur of LaFleur Arts and Productions - https://www.christopherlafleurarts.com  ABOUT ME | My name is Christopher La Fleur. I’m a queertrepreneur, cultural event planner and visual fine artist living and working in Denver, CO. 

Touched By A Horse - https://touchedbyahorse.com  Melisa Pearce is a teacher, author, psychotherapist and pioneer in the field of the human/horse healing. Over the last three decades, she has coached and helped others through her private psychotherapy practice and partnership with horses. This partnership with horses led her to create the certified by Melisa Pearce Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™

If you find yourself sitting on a comma in your life, remember you can also talk to me without a microphone. To explore coaching with me and getting off the comma in your own life, book a call with me at https://www.offthecomma.com/programs.

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we take a break from the interviews for a conversation about the power of listening.

Over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about listening and I’m seeing more and more how it shows up as a central them in my world. In this conversation, I talk about my experience with 3 of the skills that I have (and have seen) be most underused. Through these skills, I’ve been able to practice more attentive listening, decenter myself so that others can be heard (and seen), and recognize how to accept people as they are, not as I want them to be. 

Three Listening Skills I’ve Underused in the Past:

1. Reflecting

2. Acknowledging

3. Asking Curious Questions

I would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

New Jersey Orators  www.oratorsinc.org  Our Mission is to teach the art of public speaking, an appreciation for literature, reading and media arts literacy, college readiness, and life skills to youth nationwide from 7 to 18 years of age in preparation for advance education.

BIPOCC Coach Collective  https://www.bipoccc.org  The BIPOC Coach Collective was founded in June 2020, as an affinity space, with the mission to curate a brave and authentic space for coaches to connect in order to grow their businesses, advance professional development and elevate our voices globally in the coaching profession. Our community is built on a foundation that centers trust, transparency, and the unyielding commitment to pursue our mission daily.

Transformative Coaching Essentials  https://mclarencoaching.com/coach-training/  We teach results-based coaching. This means we coach to the end goal of getting what your clients really want. We coach commitment. The feedback we receive is that we are straightforward and effective in supporting people in creating tangible and specific results, whether those be business results, financial results, relationship results, health results, or anything else.

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we talk to Cameron Law He describes himself as being about love, service and empathy. Cameron lives in the United States.  

Cameron tells us about sitting on a comma with a baseball dream. When beginning college with scholarships and the hopes of professional baseball, he was benched by an injury that changed the trajectory of the future he planned. Faced with shame and a sense of not being enough, Cameron strived to do more and be more. This led him on a path of finding new ways to be of service, add value and redefine what leadership means to him. Tune in to hear what Cameron means when he says “I wanted to be the best teammate”. 

You can find Cameron on:

• Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronrlaw/

• Instagram:  @c.r.law

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/cameron.robert.law/

Cameron would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

My wife Kaiti and my family, for their support.

Carlsen Center https://www.csus.edu/center/carlsen/  We serve as a regional hub and platform for providing approachable and accessible entrepreneurial education, community, and support to enable startup founders of all backgrounds to explore and launch their businesses.

My mentor, Gordon Fowler. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-fowler-b01361/  

Books:

• “Start with Why“, Simon Sinek   

• “Give and Take”, Adam Grant

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we talk to Eric Tomme. He is objective, realistic and uses humor to bridge the gap between different people. Eric lives in the United States. 

Eric tells us about sitting on a comma with procrastination. While pursuing a passion project that pushes boundaries of social norms for a good cause, Eric found himself sidetracked by profound changes in family relationships. As he focused on the pain that personal loss created, his music languished. When he “finally felt like being funny again”, the social climate had changed and he was faced with questions about the direction of his work. Tune in to hear what Eric means when he says “boil away the divisive stuff”. 

You can find Eric on:

• Website:  www.theboobles.org

• Bandcamp:  theboobles.bandcamp.com

• Linkedin:  facebook.com/theboobles

Eric would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to him and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

Thank you to my mother-in-law Denise (Didi) for encouraging me through my project, because, as she said, "What do I care if you sing about boobs? Those things tried to kill me!"  To my wife Christen who saw the humor in what I did and got me into recording this stuff. My father-in-law Glenn for recording it all. And a plethora of good people who donated their talent and time. And to the great Dr. Demento for all of the airplay.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation  bcrf.org  The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is dedicated to ending breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, our guest shares references to suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please consider this before listening. 

In this episode, we talk to Angela Harvey. She describes herself as an unapologetic truth teller, her community’s keeper and “growthologist”. Angela lives in the United States. 

Angela tells us about laying on a comma with self-isolation and self-discovery. After a series of heartbreaks, intimate, familial, and platonic breakups, and rejections, Angela went into a self-imposed “protective custody”. During this period, she began to unpack her beliefs about what it means to heal, GROW, and transform in a way that supports self-love. Tune in to hear what Angela means when she talks about her “assignment”. 

You can find Angela on:

• Websites:  

http://angieharveyspeaks.com

www.thepoeticalchemy.com

www.blackrainbowlove.com

• Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieharveyspeaks/

Angela would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

God and Adele, my fur baby.

Codependency Anonymous (CODA)  https://coda.org  We welcome you to Co-Dependents Anonymous, a program of recovery from codependence, where each of us may share our experience, strength, and hope in our efforts to find freedom where there has been bondage and peace where there has been turmoil in our relationships with others and ourselves.

Dasan Ahanu   https://www.dasanahanu.com  Christopher Massenburg, better known as Dasan Ahanu, is a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, educator, songwriter, and emcee, and loyal Hip Hop head born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theatre, a Durham based theatre company that creates and produces original poetry and spoken word based productions.

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we talk to Flame Schoeder. She describes herself as wise and authentic. Flame lives in the United States. 

Flame tells us about sitting on a comma as a young mother starting her own business. After living a life with invisible disabilities, Flame channeled her experience into a profession to help others with their suffering. While working through the challenges of uncertainty and exhaustion, she came to recognize that happiness was largely a choice. Flame learned to cultivate discernment and create the family she wanted to have. Tune in to hear what Flame means when she says, “I am broken, and it’s a relief!” 

You can find Flame on:

• Website:  www.coachflame.com

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LifeCoachFlame/

• Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachflame/

• Podcast:  https://sparksisterspodcast.com

Flame would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

Recoveries Anonymous  http://www.r-a.org  Welcome to Recoveries Anonymous. R.A. is a Twelve Step program. We have no dues or fees. We are here for those who want a full recovery from their problems and behaviors—but, despite their best efforts, have yet to find a full recovery from their problems and behaviors. We are also here for their family and friends.

Tosha Silver  https://toshasilver.com  For the past 30 years, Tosha has taught people around the world practical ways to align with Inner Love. Crazy but true, until she stopped in 2012 to write and teach, she’d given around 30,000 readings. She’s the author of Outrageous Openness, Change Me Prayers, and It’s Not Your Money.

My entire family and all of my incredible friends!

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

#vulnerability #belonging #selfacceptance #trust #betrayal #abandonment #questioning #challengethenarrative #whocanloveme #rolemodel #detaching #rewritethebook #offthecomma

In this episode, we talk to Stephen Horn. He describes himself as emotionally intelligent, resilient and compassionate. Stephen lives in the United States. 

Stephen tells us about sitting on a comma with self-love and belonging. While experiencing some major life transitions in his 30s, he came face to face with an apparition from his childhood that challenged the truth of many of his identity-forming stories. While retracing the steps to find the truth, Stephen learned to let go of blame and embrace forgiveness to resolve conflicts and rebuild relationships. Tune in to hear what Stephen means when he says “they are willing to stay in dysfunction”.   

You can find Stephen on:

• Website (pensight): https://pensight.com/x/selfdiscoveryhd  

• Instagram:  @discoverywithstephen

Stephen would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

Brigitte Knight  www.brigitteknight.com  Brigitte is a Human Design Educator and Behavioral Life Coach. She helps people use Human Design in their everyday lives. They learn practical ways to improve their relationships with themselves, their families, and their colleagues.   

Laveena Archers, DDP, CEC www.humandesignlifecoaching.com  I desire to empower you with a perspective that leads to you embracing your uniqueness, through comprehending information about yourself that can support an experiential self-discovery of your most fulfilling, aligned and authentic life possible. 

The BG5 Business Institute  www.bg5businessinstitute.com  The BG5® System (Base Group 5) is the official source of the Career and Business application of The Human Design System.  We train and certify BG5BI Instructors and Career & Business Consultants to utilize this leading-edge proprietary system to reveal the hidden potential in our work, career, teams, organizations and businesses.

Standard Outro Text for Each Episode:

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!

In this episode, we talk to Gustavo Von Zeigler. He describes himself as a determined and hard-working teacher and a world traveler. Gustavo lives in Mexico. 

Gustavo tells us about sitting on a comma with being self-employed. While building his business and growing his client base, he has built a habit of putting in extreme hours to remain competitive, accessible to students and achieve his goals. However, this has come at a cost to his time with family, travel and exploring additional goals and ideas. While talking about his challenges and desired outcomes, Gustavo finds new awareness and the need for reflection. Tune in to hear what Gustavo means when he says “I would be a better teacher”. 

You can find Gustavo on:

• Preply Website: https://preply.com/en/tutor/767622 

• Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavovonziegler/

Gustavo would like to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations and/or causes that matter to them and invite you to consider supporting them and/or sharing their messages:

Charles Adams  https://www.spellboundspells.com/  We deliver high-performing, solution focused creative, sites, and apps with your business goals as the project DNA.

Spellbound only takes on projects we have the expertise for. This ensures our clients get the highest quality work, every time.

Brandi Squillace   https://brinnygems.com/  All Brinny Gems jewelry is handmade in our Seattle studio by Brandi Squillace. Brandi finds inspiration in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and hopes to share that with you in her creations, from the lush green trees to the waters of the Puget Sound there is always something in nature to inspire.

While we grow this podcast, you can learn more about me at www.offthecomma.com. All of my social media links, organizations I support and other ways to reach me can be found on my website www.offthecomma.com and linktree at https://linktr.ee/paulbriley.

I’ve curated my own Sponsor Community to help support the costs of production. Listen to my interviews with them and learn more about them on my YouTube and Website. Check them out! Donations are also always welcome. Donate here: venmo.com/u/Paul-Briley Thank you!

Until next episode, keep noticing and keep listening!