The Daniel Stih Podcast

Photography isn't just about capturing images. It's about how you see.

In this episode, I talk with photographer Molly Schlachter, creator of Photo Jam, about using photography as a way to change perception, think differently, and create more intentionally.

We explore: • How attention and perception shape what you notice • Why creative constraints (light, shadow, space) change how you think • Using photography as a tool for self-discovery—not just expression • The role of design elements—color, negative space, form, pattern • How to get unstuck creatively and see new possibilities • Phones vs. cameras—and what actually matters • Finding your voice and building a creative practice

This isn't just about taking better photos. It's about seeing more clearly.

Because what you create is shaped by what you notice.

SHOW NOTES:

Photo Jam: https://www.photojam.net

My guest is Near Death Experiencer (NDE), Best-selling Author, Speaker, and coach Kathy McDaniel. In 2000, Kathy had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a serious lung condition that causes fluid to build up in the lungs. She survived, but not before she had a "Distressing Near Death Experience."

You may be familiar with the acronym NDE - Near Death Experience. NDEs are usually positive. During an NDE a person might experiences detachment from their body, feelings of levitation, serenity, warmth, joy, Mary's experience, on the other hand, started with a frightening and hellish one, referred to as a "Distressing Near Death Experience."

During her near-death-experience, she says she had a tour of parts of Hell (and doesn't recommend it), before her encounter with total bliss in Heaven. Her memoir, Mis-fit In Hell to Heaven Ex-pat, tells the story of her dysfunctional family life before her Near Death Experience, and the welcomed life-twisting experience that followed.

Her book contains tips for living a more peaceful life, losing one's fear of death, and based on what she learned and discovered during her experience, a few secrets of what life on planet Earth is about.

SHOW NOTES:

Website: http://www.misfitinhelltoheavenexpat.com

The International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS)

An educational nonprofit focuses resources into providing the highest quality information available about NDE-related subjects. Anyone experiencing an NDE should know about this organization. https://iands.org

Connect with Kathy McDaniel:

Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/KathyMcDaniel.FoxIs

This conversation is not just about resumes—it's about a deeper question: How does the hiring system actually work, and why do so many people struggle to navigate it?

My guest today is Josef Stetter, the resume whisperer. Josef's "Land Your Dream Job Now" program was created after twenty years during in which he switched careers 9 times and jobs 18. He understands the frustration job seekers go through in trying to show they have transferable skills and are an excellent candidate for a job.

He's helped 12,000 people find a job they love, with a 90% success rate of finding anyone employment, in any field, in under 3 months.

In this conversation we talk about:

* Why Indeed and similar job sites are the worst places to look for a job * Quick tricks to move your resume to the top of the pile. * How to create a resume that gets noticed. * What to put on your resume and where. * Salary negotiations to get what you are worth, especially if you feel desperate to take a job. * How to talk to and work effectively with recruiters to optimize your chances being hired. * Best practices for networking on LinkedIn. * How to be clear, concise, and confident to generate results that are truly unbelievable. * How to craft a compelling resume even if you lack experience in your field.

SHOW NOTES

Josef Stetter https://josefstetter.com

Minimalism is described as "living with less." The real question is: What does it change, and what do people misunderstand about it? My guest is Stephen Warley, who has spent decades designing work and life on his own terms.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What minimalism is and isn't
• Why it's not just about owning fewer things
• How it changes decision-making around work and time
• The trade-offs people don't consider
• What it looks like to design work around your life

This isn't about adopting a lifestyle. It's about understanding what happens when you reduce complexity.

SHOW NOTES:

Life Skills That Matter https://www.lifeskillsthatmatter.com

My guest is Dolly Manghat, who has spent decades working with astrology and numerology as tools for guiding decisions and shaping life direction.

This conversation is not about validating or dismissing astrology. It's about a deeper question: Why do people use systems like astrology to make decisions—and what role do those systems play in how they understand themselves and their choices?

– How astrology functions as a framework for interpreting uncertainty – The role of belief, identity, and narrative in decision-making – Why structured systems can feel meaningful even when outcomes are uncertain – How people use external frameworks to guide internal clarity

This is an examination of how people make sense of their lives and decisions—not a claim about whether astrology is correct.

SHOW NOTES Website: https://www.dollysgems.com

#astrology #numerology #ProblemSolving #CriticalThinking #DecisionMaking #HowWeThink #beliefsystems #personalgrowth #humanbehavior

This conversation is not just about clothing—it's about a deeper question: How do we evaluate claims about risk, health, and exposure when the information is complex and often conflicting?

My guest is Jeff Garner, a celebrity designer and Emmy award-winning sustainability activist. Jeff has designed for and dressed Giselle Bundchen, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, Rihanna, Cara Delevigne, Suzy Cameron, Def Leppard, Kings of Leon, and other artists out of his Nashville hometown. He won an Emmy for his documentary "Remastered" produced by Design Sensory which shines a light on the toxins in fashion and health implications along with the artist's journey.

Garner is a representation of what the world would look like dressed head to toe in sustainability. You will never find Jeff wearing any garment that he did not create, all from plant-based fibers & dyes. He is passionate about toxin-free garments, motivated by the passing of his mom to breast cancer and hippie father to bone marrow cancer. He's currently working on a documentary, 'Let them be naked.'

My guest is David Fox, one of the founding members of Lucasfilm Games and a longtime game designer and programmer. This conversation is not just about game design—it's about a deeper question:

How do you build a career in a field where the path isn't clearly defined?My guest for this episode is David Fox. David was one of the founding members, first game designer and project leader at Lucas film Games / Lucas Arts in 1982, where he worked in designing and scripting many of the graphic adventures of the 1980s. From 2007-2011 he worked with Disney as an Interactive consultant.

He is currently the Lead Programmer for the game Return To Monkey Island, and adapting "Rube Works: The Official Rube Goldberg Invention Game" to XR. For those of you like me, who are not game programers, XR stands for Extended Reality, a technology that is combination of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR)

David's specialties are Producer and Game designer, iOS and Android app development with Unity 3D and Corona, iBook creation, Location Based Entertainment design, and Virtual Reality and Location Based VR.

He says the overall theme in everything he does is "Finding ways to use technology to enrich people's lives, and using humor and entertainment to empower change."

When I reached out to David to ask him if he would be a guest, I explained I like to encourage and inspire people to do the thing they'd like to do. I know a few students dreaming of a job as a designer or programmer in the gaming industry when they graduate from college. I hope this conversation supports and inspires them. David gives guidance into the paths one might choose to focus on and what to expect as one embarks on a career in the game industry.

In this conversation we talk about:

* How he got started in the gaming business. * Career paths * Technical skills crucial for a video game designer or programmer * Industry Insights and trends shaping the future of game industry * What a typical day at work is like as a video game designer or programmer * How software engineering students can gain practical experience while in school. * Internships - how important they are and how to find and secure one. * What projects and side activities a student should do to build their skill set and resume * How important is it to have a portfolio and what should and should not be in it. * Networking and job hunting - How can students effectively network before they get out of college * What he looks for when hiring a new designer or programmer. * The process of applying for a job. The best companies to work for * His experience working with start-ups and why they may or may not be a good choice. * Starting and running your own game company

Connect with David Fox: (Company) https://electriceggplant.com

Voting is often discussed in terms of participation and outcomes. The real question is: How do voting systems actually work—and what determines whether a vote counts?

My guest is Amy Widestrom, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters in Pennsylvania and a political scientist.

In this conversation, we explore: • How voting systems are structured • Where breakdowns and friction occur • What influences access and participation • Common misunderstandings about how votes are counted • What changes could improve the system

This is not about political positions. It's about understanding the system itself.

This podcast is for educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered an endorsement by the league of women voters.

SHOW NOTES:

VOTE411.org https://www.vote411.org

• Absentee ballot information
• Ballot measure information (where applicable)
• Early voting options (where applicable)
• Election dates
• Data on candidates
• ID requirements
• Polling place locations
• Registration deadlines
• Voter qualifications
• Voter registration forms

League of Women Voters Website

This conversation is not just about divorce. I's about a deeper question: How do people make decisions when the stakes are high, emotions are involved, and the consequences are difficult to reverse?

My guest is Rachel King, an attorney who specialized in handling high-conflict divorce and child custody cases. She calls herself the King of litigation. She has 10 years of experience as the lead litigation attorney in family law. When she was twenty-one, she had a child, and after that, as a single mother, put herself through college and Law school.

In this conversation:

• Why, when possible, it's best to keep it out of court.
• Best practices and ways to keep your case out of court.
• Is it always necessary to hire a lawyer?
• If you need an attorney, how to find a good one
• How to represent yourself in court.
• How to handle court proceedings.
• Legal stories about the best and worst things she has seen
• California specific laws & strategies

SHOW NOTES

Rachael King: https://www.TheLawyerKing.com https://www.rachelkingattorney.com https://budget-divorce.com

Her book, GETTING DIVORCED... NOW WHAT? discusses divorce, separation, child custody, and useful legal strategies. King also coaches clients on how to co-parent, communicate and prepare for court when they are representing themselves in court.

This conversation is not just about interior design—it's about a deeper question: How do you build a life and career around what you care about when there's no clear roadmap?

My guest today is Paisley Gamble. Paisley has been dreaming of homes since she was seven and making her mark on the design world as a luxury interior designer for the last nineteen years.

"Life is too short not to be surrounded by beautiful things that make you feel happy" - Paisley Gamble

She has a curiosity and appreciation for diverse cultures, reminding us that the most beautiful spaces are those that celebrate the rich tapestry of the human experience. As a luxury interior designer, she is know for blending cultural influences and timeless elegance. From the Gold Coast of Australia to Oaxaca, Mexico, her work reflects a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and individual preferences, resulting in immersive spaces that evoke harmony and emotion.

In this episode I'm going to be asking Paisley about her story, how she got started, and what her journey was like to get to where she is today. In this conversation we talk about:

* Entrepreneurship * Building your own company * Branding * Being a woman in business * Designing a life you love!

SHOW NOTES

Paisley Gamble Interiors: https://paisleygamble.com Instagram