The Amani Experience Podcast

Colleen Reyes talks to us about what a destination management company is, how long it took for her to realize her business was going to be a success and the meaning of "ohana". Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

6:00 - What motivated Colleen to make the leap and work for herself.

9:02 - When was the point where Colleen realized that her new business was going to be a success.

10:10 - How does she limit the impact of fear within her business.

12:37 - What is a Destination Managment Company?

20:53 - "Don't Be So Worried"

22:14 - What does Colleen do to manage her anxiety.

25:40 - "It doesn't have to be about me."

28:25 - Her mom was the most influential person when she was growing up.

How to reach Colleen: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links are included):

The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

In this episode, Erika Crespo talks to us about her love of writing, how she found her tribe of people to work with and encouraging people to not be so afraid. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

3:49: Why writing is Erika's first love.

5:52: Where the name Stretch Synergy came from.

10:03: "Drive, Passion, Guts"

18:10: How Erika found her tribe of people to work with.

23:05: How Erika handles her critics.

24:45: "And This Too Shall Pass."

27:10: "Don't Be So Afraid"

29:50: New habits that have helped Erika

34:09: Thoughts on the hottest social media platform at the moment.

How to contact Erika: Website | Twitter | Instagram |

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links included)

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot (poem)

To Dance With The White Dog by Terry Kay

Sin Bravely by Maggie Rowe

In this episode, Ashley Huisman of Anaheim Studios discusses technological advances in the videography space, growing up on a farm in Canada and her definition of fear. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

5:03 - The difference between growing up in Alberta, Canada to living in Los Angeles.

7:07 - How Ashley's mechanical engineering experience and education helps her in the creative role she has now.

11:56 - The ground rules Ashley and her husband agreed on for them to be able to work together.

14:15 - Three reasons why Ashley loves what she does.

19:34 - Ashley's perspective on the advancement of technology in her industry.

22:20 - "You write a lot of cliches!"

25:58 - "The word 'numb' is the way to describe that year."

27:38 - Ashley's definition of fear.

30:21 - "Make sure you leave something better than when you found it."

33:40 - Is a full-feature film on the horizon for Anaheim Studios?

How to contact Ashley: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links included):

Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg

The E-Myth - Michael E. Gerber

Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts

In this episode we talk with Crystal Joseph who shares tips for getting over anxiety, why therapy is frowned upon in minority communities and why planning is the one lesson that took her the longest to learn. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

4:46: How one of Crystal's youngest patients suggested she start her own business.

7:02: Where the name Psyc Your Mind comes from.

17:03: What happened when a client chased Crystal down Georgia Avenue in a rage!

20:28: Why growth scares her.

26:07: Quick tips on how people can manage anxiety.

38:05: The most influential people for Crystal growing up.

41:17: Why planning is the lesson that took her the longest to learn.

43:42: "Truth is not tattoed on me for no reason"

51:30: Why going to therapy is frowned upon in the African-American community and other minority communities.

54:35: "Confidence is everything".

How to contact Crystal: Website | Twitter| Facebook |

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links Included)

We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race & Resegregation by Jeff Chang

So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport

Conversation With A Clinician of Color: Likeness, Lucy & Lemonade by Crystal Joseph

In episode 19, we talk with Lindsey Zuelich who shares her journey from FIDM to Trader Joes and then to Wood Brain. Lindsey speaks on working with her hands at a young age, the influence her dad had on her life and how her famous wooden flasks were "born". Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

4:50 - How Lindsey got from FIDM to Trader Joes

8:04 - Why her dad was adamant that she knew how to use his tools and work with her hands.

16:14 - A new DJ booth for Amani?

18:20 - Where were the wooden flasks "born"?

21:48 - How workshops and teaching people the craft of woodworking fits into her business.

22:55 - Where the name Wood Brain came from.

27:07 - How Lindsey stayed balanced while she took care of her dad.

29:00 - "Measure Twice & Cut Once"

32:35 - "You Can't Do It All Yourself"

36:01 - Workshops in 2018 for Lindsey.

How to contact Lindsey: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links Included):

The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

The 10 X Rule - Grant Cardone

In this episode, we talk to Jen So who is an event planner who has recently taken the leap. We discuss an influential college professor, her spirit animal and her time in Rome. Enjoy the show.

Show Notes:

4:40: "It was a little bit like jet skiing."

8:18: How the name Campfire Events come to be.

10:02: Undercover Kitchen Dancer?

15:38: How corporate life prepared Jen for her own business.

20:08: What did her family and friends say when she decided to take the leap?

25:30: The most influential person growing up.

28:01: Make time for yourself.

33:08: Who is Jen's spirit animal?

How to contact Jen: Website | Facebook | Instagram

In this episode, we talk to Claire Schulz who has just taken the leap and become a full-time Pilates instructor. We discuss Pat Summit, how important timing is and what a lateral tibial plateau fracture/torn ACL/torn MCL/torn meniscus taught her. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

5:25: How is Pilates different from yoga.

8:35: What was her family and friends reaction to her career change.

14:43: Claire's non-profit work.

16:57: "Patience & Drive"

27:02: How Claire got the courage to take the leap.

32:43: The ski accident which led to a fractured lateral tibial plateau, torn ACL, torn MCL, torn meniscus.

40:00: Adult Curse Word Coloring Books!!

43:45: The three most influential people growing up for Claire.

49:04: "Timing is Everything"

52:30: "Don't Be Bitter. Just Get Better."

Contact Claire: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links are included):

Pivot by Jenny Blake

My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

Labor Day: True Birth Stories By Today's Best Women Writers by Eleanor Henderson

Adult Curse Word Coloring Book

Medical Description of a lateral tibial plateau fracture

In this episode, we talk to Sarah Chapman, who left her job to start her own non-profit. Almost six years later, she shares stories about her journey, lessons learned and relevant advice from her father. Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

4:20: How Sarah went from medical device sales to starting her own non-profit.

9:15: Why Benin felt like home when she landed.

11:30: "Fear or hope."

13:05: What her friends and family said when she told them she was moving to Benin.

16:05: Never steal papayas from your neighbor's trees.

18:20: How Sarah built trust with the village when she arrived.

23:47: "Yes is the answer. What is the question?"

32:01: 2016 was a rough year.

35:32: "Everything in life is temporary"

40:54: "I am not always right."

48:24: An ironic story that found Sarah being interrogated on the side of the road by armed policeman.

Sarah's website | Facebook | Instagram

Book Recommendation:

Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases by David R Hill

During this episode, we talk to Jamie Horgan who shares how yoga transformed her life, the biggest lesson her mother taught her and how experiencing other cultures has helped her get through her fears and become more grateful. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

5:13: "Life is about fate and magic"

8:40: How yoga has helped Jamie stay sober.

11:50: "Let life reveal to you what your path is"

15:21: Why Jamie loves being a yoga teacher.

17:40: How experiencing other cultures helped Jamie get over her fears.

29:54: "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional"

33:00: How 2017 was one of the darkest times in her life and how Jamie got through it.

37:30: The best lesson her mom taught her.

39:35: "You don't have to feel this way anymore."

42:40: "The purpose of life is to discover your gifts, learn to use them and share them with others."

49:28: "Spend more time with your people."

How to reach Jamie --> Website | Facebook | Instagram

Jamie's mentor - Julie Rader

ayni definition

Meditation Apps - Headspace | Calm

doTerra PB Assist

Book Recommendations (Affiliate Links Included):

Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

Tuesday's With Morrie by Mitch Albom

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Journey of Souls by Michael Newton

In this episode, Glen shares his journey from the Air Force to a middle-school teacher to the professional speaking world. We discuss the proper way to treat people, the quickest way to achieve your dreams and shiny things! Enjoy the show.

Show Notes

10:13 - The turning point in his career.

11:42 - The transition from teacher to a professional speaker.

15:27 - The meal Glen would cook if his life depended on it.

19:22 - A story about his time as a cadet.

22:00 - The quickest way to achieve your dreams in life.

30:48 - Why he likes comedic speakers.

34:28 - Don't get distracted.

How to contact Glen - Website | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

Jeanne Robertson - Humorist

Crystal Washington - Professional Speaker (Hear her episode here)

The 13th - Netflix Film

Book Recommendation (Affiliate Links included):

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The Autobiography of Dr. Martin Luther King - Clayborne Carson