Side by Side

Today’s guest is Michelle Madrid, the author of “Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle, Guided Path to Healing for Adoptees” and host of the “Electricity of You” Podcast.

Michelle is an international adoptee, former foster child in the U.K., and an adoptee empowerment life coach who has been recognized as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and inducted into the New Mexico Women’s Hall of Fame for her work in adoption. 

In honor of Adoptee Remembrance Day (Oct. 30) and November's National Adoption Month, Michelle and I dive inside her adoption story, the common points of pain for adoptees, as well as guidance for families considering adoption.

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In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Tara Edwards, a writer, editor, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. Today’s deepdive focuses on "The Matrix" franchise.

In this conversation, we unpack the creative ramifications of transforming a story into a franchise, our personal highlights and critiques of the films, and the timely nature of its central themes in the era of artificial intelligence.

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Today’s guest is Bethany Mabee, a visual artist and designer who has transformed her creative expression into a body of work seen on paper, canvas, textiles and wallpaper. From interior design to gallery commissions, she explores the parallels between art and everyday life while balancing the practical and creative needs of an artist and business owner.

In this conversation, we reminisce over Bethany’s transition from figurative to abstract painting, the polarities and contrast within us and our creative acts, and artmaking for the buyer versus for ourselves. You can find more of Bethany’s content on Instagram.

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Today’s guest is Kristoffer “KC” Carter, the CEO and Founder of Epic Leadership, a coaching and training organization for conscious leadership, and the author of “Permission to Glow: A Spiritual Guide to Epic Leadership.” In addition to his coaching and leadership work, KC is also a professional songwriter, kirtan artist, TEDx speaker, and international retreat leader. He is currently working on his second book and preparing to lead the upcoming Winter Glow Yoga Retreat at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.

In this conversation, KC chronicles his early success in music, his purpose in integrating spirit with leadership work, and his ability to honor his inner child alongside his professional commitments.

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Today’s guest is Hayden Humphrey, a digital creator and life coach who helps people break out of the scripts and stories that keep them stuck, so they can become the creators of their own lives. 

In this conversation, we commiserate over our work and training experience as coaches, the journey that comes with going back home again, and the value of empowering laughter alongside healing and understanding. 

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Today’s guest is Sol Smith, a writer, professor, life coach and neurodivergent consultant specializing in mindset, happiness, and self-liberation courses. In sharing his journey with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, Sol highlights the challenges and gifts of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical society. 

In this conversation, we reflect on Sol’s journey being diagnosed in adulthood, finding neuro-affirming support, and different ways neurodivergent people can play to their strengths and interests.

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Today’s guest is Richard Dixey, the author of “Three Minutes a Day: A Fourteen Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life,” and a senior faculty member at Dharma College in Berkeley, California. 

A research scientist and a lifelong student of Buddhism who holds advanced degrees in biophysics and the history and philosophy of science, Mr. Dixey directed a bioelectronic research unit at a London hospital before becoming CEO of his own biotech company. He moved to the US in 2007 to devote himself to teaching meditation, deepening his own practice, and running the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation in India with his wife Wangmo, the eldest daughter of the Tibetan lama Tarthang Tulku.

In this conversation, we dive into the fundamentals of meditation, the relationship between science and mysticism, and the value of meditation practice in contemporary living, three minutes at a time.

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Today’s guest is writer and producer Steve DiUbaldo. His work as a playwright has appeared across the country, often drawing on his experience as a Division-1 college basketball player. His play, "Exposure," was a selection for The Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. 

In this conversation, we journey back to his theater roots, his time playing and coaching basketball, and changes that are needed to support the labor and sacrifice behind the entertainment industry.

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Today’s guest is Alex Chester-Iwata, an actor and founder of the online publication, Mixed Asian Media. Born out of a lack of representation across TV, film, and theater, Mixed Asian Media is a collective created by multiracial, mixed Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) that seeks to build community through conversations of what it means to be of mixed API descent. 

In this conversation, we journey back to Alex’s days as a young performer, and the early pitfalls of the entertainment industry that later turned into motivation for her work as a founder and editor-in-chief.

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Today’s guest is Tasshin Fogleman, an extremely online pilgrim wandering this precious world for the benefit of all beings.

In this conversation, we explore Tasshin’s Buddhist journey and ongoing pilgrimage, and the service and creative projects led by his curiosity, loving kindness, and aspiration to empower others. 

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