Own Your Awkward

Ready to turn awkward into your advantage? Andy Vargo empowers individuals and organizations to lead with authenticity through coaching, keynotes, and courses.
👉 Explore how you can Own Your Awkward: https://awkwardcareer.com

🎙️ Today’s Guest: Dr. Melissa Hughes
Dr. Melissa Hughes returns to the show to dive deep into psychological safety, the power of vulnerability, and how to manage personal biases. Melissa blends neuroscience with practical strategies to help people and organizations create environments where authentic conversations thrive.

✨ Support & Connect with Dr. Melissa Hughes:
🌐 Website: melissahughes.rocks
📘 Book: Store | Neuro Nugget
📱 LinkedIn: @melissahughesphd
📱 Instagram: @melissahughesphd

✨ In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why the illusion of psychological safety can be more harmful than obvious risks

• How imposter syndrome and your inner critic feed self-doubt

• The difference between true psychological safety vs. forced conformity

• The science behind emotional contagion — and how kindness rewires the brain

• Practical steps to foster meaningful conversations across differences

🔗 More Ways to Own Your Awkward:
🛒 Grab merch, join a course, or book Andy to speak: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

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Dave is from Ontario Canada. He has been chased by a Moose, been in 3 tornadoes, heard himself on the radio, Dave wonders why people love puzzles, and he can’t swim. Dave is fairly sarcastic and his wit makes him slightly dizzy at times. His wife does find Dave mildly entertaining (in small amounts and from a safe distance).

Dave is the host of 8 different podcasts, and over the past 5 years Dave has created content, community and stories - speaking with guests from around the world - everyone has a story! Dave pursues curiosity and coffee in the search for creative people and stories. Dave is an empty nest Dad with 3 adult children. Dave loves his rescued animals, Dave has been an active musician for over 45 years and he has more stories than what can fit into a standard podcast recording.

Dave operates True Media Solutions and supports podcasters by handling podcast editing, growth and promotion.

Find his shows and support Dave Campbell online:

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

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Amanda Poliak is a talented, award-winning brewer and the owner of Awkward Brewing, a brewery known for its unique flavors and bold brews. She first opened Awkward Brewing in Washington State in 2015 before relocating to the Atlanta metro area, where she re-established the brewery in 2021. While the brewery technically reopened in November of that year, Amanda proudly celebrates March 18th, "Awkward Moments Day," as her official opening day. With a passion for creating a diverse range of beers —from stouts and IPAs to lagers and sours—as well as an inclusive environment. Amanda’s brews have earned recognition, including a medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Her commitment to quality, creativity, and community has made Awkward Brewing into a family as well as a beloved staple in the craft beer scene.

Please support Awkward Brewing online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awkwardbrewing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awkwardbrewing/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awkwardbrewing

www.awkwardbrew.com

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

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Brian Kerr has consulted full-time for 19 years, working alongside clients in technology, finance, healthcare, the social sector, and local and state governments.

Brian Buck is the Chief Abundance Office of Abundance Worldwide, founder and head coach for Mighty Bold Life.

He specializes in helping you implement peak-performance habits and systems so you can create exponential results in your life.

He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and has helped over 500 people and companies across industries.

He is passionate about having fun all while bringing out the best in people.

Please support Brian Buck online:

https://mightyboldlife.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbuck/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

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Lara is a holistic healing expert dedicated to empowering empaths to transform their lives. She artfully blends numerology, Reiki, tarot, and yoga, with modern techniques, guiding sensitive souls to harness their innate strengths.

A nomadic sailor and homeschooling mother of two boys, Lara brings her diverse life experiences, including a background in nursing, to her transformative work. She's also a facilitator for Eat Breathe Thrive, teaching yoga for eating disorder recovery and prevention.

Lara's integrative approach delivers tangible results: enhanced emotional resilience, a sense of clarity, calm, and a newfound ability to navigate life's challenges and transitions with both confidence and self-compassion. She equips empaths with practical tools from her varied toolkit to create inspired and purposeful lives aligned with their true selves.

Find and support Lara Scriba online:

www.kitokaizenyoga.com

IG-https://www.instagram.com/kitokaizenyoga/

FB-https://www.facebook.com/KitoKaizenYoga

Freebie-https://mailchi.mp/bc47cba47734/navigate-the-numbers

Buy the books Lara Scriba is featured in through affiliate link:

Wellness G.P.S. https://amzn.to/3x6H1O5

Win the Wellness W.A.R. https://amzn.to/3RgnuRS

The Four-Fold Formula https://amzn.to/4e9vDS5

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

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Amanda, the Founder and Creator of Monarch Mental Health, has been a dedicated advocate for the mental health community, driven by her own lived experience with Bipolar 1. Diagnosed in 2010, her journey began with a journal, a lifeline during her first appointment with a pediatrician when she couldn't voice her suicidal thoughts. Referred to a psychiatrist, she embarked on an 11-year path of medical care, therapy, and self-discovery.

In this very special episode, we have our first returning guest to take a deeper dive into how they continue to own their awkward.

Cheri Hardman captivates audiences with hilarious tales about being a plus size, menopausal babe. She won Tacoma Comedy Club's 'The Comedy Voice', was a finalist in Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club's Funniest MF Out Here and performed at Bumbershoot and in Seattle International Comedy Competition. Her bawdy, sassy style makes her the perfect host for her podcast, 'Diary of an Ex Ho.'Cheri has worked with Tiffany Haddish, Steve-O, Nate Jackson, Stormy Daniels, Luenell, Jamie Kennedy, Tony Roberts, Samuel J. Comroe, Rodney Perry, Ian Bagg and more.

In this episode we talk about what it is like to be a comedian and woman with a disability working through the world of accessible and not accessible spaces to perform and handle daily life.

Find and support Cheri Hardman online:https://www.cherihardman.com/

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #education #tacoma #selfcare #comedian #standupcomedy #personalgrowth #plussize #accessibility #disability #disabled #scooter #wheelchair

Becca Boston is a successful bestselling author, renowned speaker, coach and the Ending the Silence Coordinator for NAMI Pierce County. Despite having a learning disability, she serves as an inspiring role model, proving that disabilities should not hinder one's pursuit of their dreams. Becca's unwavering dedication lies in her motto and brand "Stay Strong. Stay You.", as she strives to assist individuals in realizing their own strength by speaking up, giving their pain a voice and receiving the help that's needed while staying true to themselves. Over time, Becca's impact has extended globally, continuously inspiring people worldwide. Becca has been featured in LA Weekly as a Powerhouse Speaker Making a Positive Impact. Her transformative message "Stay Strong. Stay You." has reached an audience of 2 million, her "I Am Purpose" conference attracted participants from different countries, and her personal journey is documented in her book, "The Story Behind The Smile: Lessons Within My Life". Despite her wide-scale influence, Becca acknowledges that her primary focus is on connecting with each individual she speaks to, including you.

Syed K Jamal is an International Ford Fellowship alumni. Before starting Collegey.com, he was with the US State Department's EducationUSA program. He has worked in media, non-profits, and academia. He lives in Tacoma, mentors students and startups at organizations like 76Forward, Rise, and Bridge for Billions. He is also on the board of the World Affairs Council of Tacoma. His cat, Laila and dog, Zizi, are his best friends.

Please connect with Syed Jamal online:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skjamal/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

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