Today we talk to Alyx Parks — fly fishing guide, TV host, career coach, photographer, professor, and the self-proclaimed “girl who falls in frog ponds”.

For most of us, the idea of creating a career out of what we love is a promise we gave up on long ago.  But Alyx is living proof it can be done.  And she’s here to show us it’s not too late to shape a career — and a life — that actually feels like you.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of conviction over confidence, how to answer, “what do you do?” in a way that makes people pay attention, and her lessons from the river that guide her work and her life.  We also dive into burnout, imposter syndrome, personal branding, and why we need to rethink our Mondays.

If you’ve ever felt like your job no longer fits, or maybe that you’re running out of time to finally find a career that suits you, this conversation is for you.

Please enjoy, Alyx Parks.

Key Takeaways:

• Conviction over confidence: You don’t need to feel confident to move forward — just have conviction in who you are and what lights you up. The confidence will follow.
• “I’m the girl who falls in frog ponds”: Alyx shares how reframing the way you introduce yourself can open doors and make people truly listen.
• The 'why tree' exercise: A powerful way to go deeper into your values and passions to build a more authentic personal brand — from the inside out.
• Say “okay,” not “yes”: You don’t need to feel 100% ready. Just be open. A lot of Alyx’s best adventures began with an “okay, I’ll try.”
• Lessons from the river: Fly fishing is full of metaphors — about uncertainty, learning by doing, casting even when you can’t see what’s under the surface.
• The power of “Mediocre Mondays”: You don’t have to crush it every Monday. Permission to show up as you are and reset.
• We only accept the love we think we deserve: A beautiful reminder to stop pushing away compliments and start seeing yourself the way others already do.
• You are the bubble: We often chase a feeling of safety, energy, or connection — but that feeling can come from you. Let people into your world.

Links and Resources:

Alyx on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyxparks/

Alyx’s website: https://www.ontarioflygirl.com/

Alyx on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontarioflygirl/?hl=en

Alyx on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2DJldSE7hhQTU8rjNHeYw

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

Today we talk to Mike Michalowicz, bestselling author of Profit First, a revolutionary system implemented by over a million companies around the world to make profit a habit, not a year-end event.  As Mike puts it, the entrepreneurial dream of working for yourself, working as much as you want, having complete freedom - it’s a myth for most people.  Most business owners I know are stressed out, working their asses off and barely getting by. That was Mike too, so he decided to start writing about it.  And that was 10 books ago.

So I’ve got a confession to make.  This episode was a bit of a test, a challenge to myself.  I was curious…can I make a conversation about finance interesting?  What could we possibly say that hasn’t been said?  Well, if you know Mike you know I had nothing to worry about.  This was one of the most fun conversations I’ve ever had.  Mike’s got a story for everything, including the financial rock bottom that inspired his new book, The Money Habit.  

I’ve never been great with money, and I know I’ve left a lot of it on the table.  As I near what most people call retirement, that’s starting to concern me more than it used to.  But honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started.  So sure, I could have used this conversation 20 years ago.  But it’s also just what I need, right now.    

If you’re struggling to make your business work for you, or maybe you want to hear about how someone writes 10 best selling books about something no one wants to talk about - this one’s for you.

Please enjoy, Mike Michalowicz.

Key Takeaways

Entrepreneurial Poverty is Real: Mike defines it as the painful gap between the outward appearance of success and the inner financial struggle many entrepreneurs face. His mission is to eradicate it.

Profit First Philosophy: Instead of treating profit as what’s left over, take it first. The formula changes from Revenue – Expenses = Profit to Revenue – Profit = Expenses. It’s a mindset—and a habit—that shifts everything.

Behavioral Triggers > Discipline: Mike shares how behavioral psychology plays a huge role in money management, and why creating systems (like putting sneakers on the toilet seat) work better than relying on willpower.

Multiple Bank Accounts = Clarity: Whether for your business or personal life, setting up separate bank accounts for different purposes helps remove emotion from financial decisions and creates instant visibility.

Your Business Shouldn’t Depend on You: The entrepreneur’s job isn’t to do the work, but to create jobs. If you're doing everything yourself, you’re stealing an opportunity from someone else—and setting yourself up for burnout.

Build Wealth at Home, Too: The Profit First system isn’t just for business. Mike adapted it for personal finances after realizing he was profitable in his company, but still living paycheck to paycheck at home.

The Power of Starting Small: Mike encourages listeners to take one simple step—open a new bank account and start moving money into it weekly for the thing that causes the most financial stress. That clarity creates momentum.

It’s Never Too Late: Whether you’re 25 or 55, building better financial habits now will absolutely change your future. As Mike says: “Profit is not an event. It’s a habit.”

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

Links and Resources

Website

YouTube

LinkedIn

Instagram

Today we talk to Cindy Gallop, a big-wheeling ad exec from Manhattan that’s worked with the world’s largest brands. Business Insider named her one of the 15 Most Important Marketing Strategists, alongside Malcolm Gladwell and Seth Godin, and #1 on their list of Top 30 People In Advertising.  She’s basically Don Draper from MadMen.

Cindy is known for blowing shit up, and her latest target?  Sex.  As an older woman who loves dating younger men, she was tired of teaching men that had grown up watching porn how real sex works.  She launched Make Love Not Porn as a safe place where you can go to see real people having real sex ,in all its silly, messy, beautiful humanness.  I’ve done my research and yes - it’s sweaty, saggy, awkward and it feels, well..doable.  But it hasn’t been easy.  She talks about the structural, cultural and financial obstacles she’s had to overcome, and how she’s used people’s skepticism to fuel her mantra - “I’ll fucking well show you.”

I was also dying to talk to Cindy about her life before MLNP because the things she’s done are exactly the things I struggle with every day.  Cindy talks to us about our personal brand, and how to control what people are saying about us when we’re not in the room.  She talks about the cure for ageism, and how we can build the confidence we need to do and say whatever we want, without worrying what anyone thinks.

Maybe you’re struggling to figure out your superpower.  Maybe you’re concerned about your kids having a healthier relationship with sex.  Or maybe you’re just tired of men asking if they can come on your face.  Whatever it is, this episode is for you.

Please enjoy Cindy Gallop.

Key Takeaways

The “Michael Bay of Business”: Cindy’s tagline came from a spontaneous moment, but it stuck because it perfectly captured how she helps people and brands radically reinvent themselves by blowing up the status quo.

Finding Your Tagline: We all have a “default throwaway descriptor” — how others describe us when we’re not in the room. Cindy shares how to take ownership of that narrative to build a personal brand that truly reflects who you are.

Confidence Through Values: The key to confidence isn’t “finding your purpose,” it’s identifying your values and making sure you’re living in alignment with them — every day.

Curiosity Over Crisis: When you’re unsure about your next move in life or career, don’t chase a big purpose. Start by doing interesting things, following your curiosity, and letting the path unfold from there.

Say Your Age: Cindy is on a mission to combat ageism by loudly and proudly saying her age (65) — and encouraging others to do the same. Your age is the sum total of your wisdom, experience, and value.

Revolutionizing Sex Ed: Through Make Love Not Porn, Cindy is offering an alternative to porn-as-sex-ed by showcasing real-world, loving, consensual sex — and she’s now building MakeLoveNotPorn.academy to become the Khan Academy of sex education.

Why Men Are Crying (in a Good Way): Many men have written to Cindy saying they cried after watching their first Make Love Not Porn video. It’s a space where men can see vulnerability, intimacy, and emotional connection modeled in a way they’ve never seen before.

The Opposite of Andrew Tate: With Make Love Not Porn, Cindy is quietly dismantling toxic masculinity — showing young men a new model built on empathy, love, and real connection.

The Power of Doing What Everyone Else Says You Can’t: After 16 years of roadblocks from banks, tech platforms, and investors, Cindy is still here. Why? Because she’s fueled by a mission to prove them wrong — and to build a world that’s better for all of us.

Connect with Cindy

Cindy’s Website

Make Love Not Porn

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

This is a re-release of my original conversation with Greg Bennick from early 2024.  It is simply too good not to share again.  Greg is a punk rocker, activist, documentary filmmaker, philanthropist, keynote speaker, juggler and expert coin collector.  He’s also written a book, “Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now.”

I could have talked to Greg for an hour about any one of these parts of his life - he’s got a way of making everything that interesting.  We talk about Seattle’s teen dance ordinance, a real-life Footloose law that he helped overturn.  We talk about how punk music is really just love songs.  And we explore the central themes that tie all of his various pursuits together.  

If you ever struggle with focusing on what matters, finding your purpose or trying to figure out what makes you special in this world - this conversation is for you.

Please enjoy Greg Bennick.

Key Takeaways:

1. Changing the system from within: Greg’s involvement in overturning Seattle’s teen dance ordinance showcases the power of grassroots advocacy and persistence when making changes from within the system..
2. Straight edge movement: Explore a subgenre of punk that emphasizes a lifestyle free of alcohol and drugs that is centered around the love of music..
3. Majestic failures: Nobody advertises their failures.  But behind every best-selling book or successful keynote speech are dozens of failures that paved the way for the success everyone sees.
4. Re-inventing yourself throughout your career: Your journey is unique.  You have more to offer the world than you think.  Deciding what to do next in your career is not about what, but why.
5. Focus and Balance: Strategies to maintain focus and balance in a world filled with distractions, as discussed in Greg’s upcoming book, “Reclaim the Moment.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Podcast: Let the Kids Dance (KUOW & NPR) – A deep dive into the history of Seattle's teen dance ordinance.
• Books:
• Denial of Death by Ernest Becker
• Art and Artist by Otto Rank
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• Greg’s Book: Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now by Greg Bennick

Connect with Greg Bennick:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob

LinkedIn

Instagram

Today we talk to Chelsea Burns —aka The Marketing Psychologist—about the connection between how our brains are wired and the brands we choose.  Chelsea is uniquely qualified to talk about this - she has a Masters in Psych, has spent 17 years in marketing and has been in therapy most of her life.  

So spoiler alert: most of the purchasing decisions we make, yeah we make them subconsciously.  Savvy marketers know this, so we’re all vulnerable to being manipulated into buying things we don’t need.  I have a drawer full of late-night Instagram purchases I’m too embarrassed to return.  Chelsea shares real-life examples of some of these bad actors, and arms us with the brain science we need to protect ourselves.

But here’s the exciting part.  We can use this knowledge for good.

As employees, we can build personal brands that create authentic connections with the people we work with. 

As entrepreneurs, we can build ethical companies that give our customers a true sense of belonging, so they never want to leave.

This isn’t just a conversation for marketers. It’s for anyone who wants to be more conscious about the choices they make and the messages they put out into the world.

Please enjoy, Chelsea Burns

Takeaways

From Trauma to Trust: Chelsea shares how her early therapy work helped her understand the wiring of the brain—and how that same wiring shows up in marketing and branding.

Marketing Is Relationship-Building: Whether you’re selling education or granola bars, Chelsea explains how good marketing is really about building healthy, reciprocal relationships.

The Power of Self-Awareness: Only 5% of our decisions are conscious—Chelsea breaks down how emotional triggers and subconscious pathways shape what we buy and why.

Manipulation vs. Persuasion: The line gets crossed when there's no real value for the customer—especially when companies prey on insecurity, fear, or false urgency.

The Role of Belonging: Chelsea’s research showed that a strong sense of belonging increases well-being and business success. Brands that create belonging don’t just sell more—they change lives.

The Cost of Broken Trust: Chelsea unpacks how Target’s rollback of DEI efforts broke trust with values-driven customers (including her 9-year-old daughter), and why regaining that trust isn’t just about PR.

Ethical Branding Is the Future: Brands that invite instead of sell, co-create with their customers, and stay grounded in values are the ones that build lasting relationships—and loyal communities.

Practical Tools for Conscious Consumers: Chelsea recommends the Yuka app to help identify harmful ingredients in everyday products and encourages people to stay informed and curious.

Connect with Chelsea

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Originally recorded in the spring of 2024, my conversation with Sylvia Baffour stays with me every day.  Sylvia is a keynote speaker on emotional intelligence and has worked with leaders in 460 major corporations to help them better connect with their teams and customers.  She was voted one of the top 15 female inspirational speakers alongside Mel Robbins and Oprah.  

Sylvia’s early journey was already unique and inspiring, but it was a chance meeting with writer and activist Dr. Maja Angelou that launched a life-long relationship that shaped her life.

We dig into what emotional intelligence is and what leaders need to do better if they really care about the culture they’re building. 

But probably my favourite takeaway - the power of curiosity.  How it’s the secret to making people feel heard and creating a lasting emotional imprint on those around you.  

This conversation really stayed with me - one of my favourites so far.

Please enjoy, Sylvia Baffour.

Takeaways

• Emotional intelligence is not about being “nice” — it’s about being aware of your emotions and how they affect others, especially in challenging moments.
• Sylvia’s global upbringing, and her father’s example, gave her a deep understanding of people, which fuels her work today.
• She was mentored by Dr. Maya Angelou for over 12 years, and one of the most powerful lessons she took away was how to leave others feeling seen and valued.
• “Shifting phrases” — like Is it possible they’re seeing things differently? — can help us manage emotional triggers and avoid reacting from a place of anger or defensiveness.
• Sylvia encourages us to “mind our monologue,” paying close attention to how we speak to ourselves during tough moments.
• Before any conversation or meeting, ask yourself: How do I want the other person to feel when we’re done? That simple intention can change everything.
• Public speaking is a privilege, and the best communicators always ask, Why should the audience care?
• Creativity thrives when we replace judgment with curiosity. Whether you're writing a book, a song, or giving a talk — just start. Don’t wait to be perfect.

Connect with Sylvia

Webiste

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Today we talk to Chris Paul Rainbows, a storyteller, strategist and queer educator on a mission to make everyone feel like they belong.  

Chris talks about growing up queer in a small border town, struggling with OCD and anxiety, building a successful company only to have a breakdown, and tearing it all apart to start over.  We touch on PRIDE as a mix of celebration and rebellion, what it means to be an ally and how this is not the oppression olympics - we all have hard stories that make us who we are.  And we need to embrace them to find our people.

But the best part is the stories - every one of them full of joy and hope.  We’ve got a pumpkin empire, gay cakes, and a tortoise with a prolapsed butthole named Rock Hudson. If you’re ever struggled to find your voice, or need inspiration to chase a bigger life, Chris will make you believe anything is possible.  Or maybe you just need some 100% joy in your life today.

Please enjoy, Chris Paul Rainbows.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Takeaways

• Pride has evolved for Chris from partying in their 20s to giving talks, reading books to kids, and spreading queer joy by simply living openly and authentically.
• Growing up queer in a small rural town with no representation on TV felt isolating and led Chris to leave home at 18 to find community.
• Chris’s mental health struggles with OCD reached a breaking point while running a stressful business, but therapy, medication, and support from their husband helped them rebuild their life around what truly made them happy.
• Chris launched The Unicorn Rebellion to do the creative work they love on their own terms—without the stress of a big agency—and created a life with chickens, parrots, bunnies, and a tortoise named Rock Hudson.
• His viral “Pumpkin Empire” taught them the power of storytelling on social media and how curiosity, kindness, and including your community can make even the strangest moments into something beautiful.
• Chris’s story of the world’s gayest cake, or “gayke,” shows how small, joyful acts of visibility can ripple out to inspire and empower others in ways you can’t predict.
• Allyship isn’t something you call yourself; it’s something you earn by consistently showing up, learning, and using your privilege to open doors for others.
• Finding your voice means discovering what you’re passionate about changing in the world—and knowing that everyone’s story, no matter how big or small, has the power to help someone else.

Links and Resources

Chris’s Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

LinkedIn

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Todd McTavish is a songwriter and it’s all he’s ever wanted to do.  At 23, he left his small town home in Ontario and moved to LA.    And at 53, he just signed his first record deal.

Todd’s an old school, rock and roll troubadour.  The stories come fast and hard.  He recorded a Christmas song with Billy Bob Thornton, had one of his songs played at the Superbowl and he owned a half bear, half wolf named Jazz who was an excellent judge of character.

But this isn’t about sex, drugs and rock and roll.  It’s about having the courage to say yes.  The music industry is a parable for life.  It’s cruel and unfair, and it gave Todd a thousand really good reasons to quit.  So how has he survived when so few others have?  When an opportunity came up, no matter how crazy, he said yes.  

As someone that tends to overthink things until I talk myself out of them, Todd’s journey inspired me.  I could look back at the last 20 years of my life and wonder what could have been if I had said yes more often, but I don’t have time for that.  What I refuse to do, is look back 10 years from now and wonder the same thing.  What would Todd do?  He’d say yes.

Please enjoy Todd McTavish.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Takeaways

• The unstoppable itch: Todd described songwriting as a calling he couldn’t ignore, even when the path was full of obstacles and dead ends.
• Say yes to the unknown: His journey is a testament to showing up and staying open—some of his best opportunities came from simply agreeing to lunch, auditions, or chance encounters.
• The magic of creative chemistry: Meeting guitarist Lee Jackson led to writing hundreds of songs and forming Judge Jackson, proving that the right creative partner can change everything.
• Lessons from the road: Todd shared the ups and downs of band life—how licensing songs can be a windfall or pay next to nothing, and why playing for 40,000 Marines felt like “making it.”
• Writing songs like a conduit: He sees songwriting as channeling melodies and words that already exist in the world, capturing them in the moment instead of forcing them into shape.
• Rolling with life’s twists: Border denials, band breakups, and crazy roommates could’ve ended his dream, but Todd kept moving forward, seeing every setback as part of the adventure.
• The gift of perseverance: Todd’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase what you love—and that staying in the game is sometimes the greatest success.
• Art that lasts: He spoke about the power of songs to act as bookmarks in our lives, instantly transporting us back in time and connecting us to moments we thought we’d forgotten.

Connect with Todd

Webiste

Judge Jackson (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2WkImSovdJRdvZ8lxn3JtH)

Todd McTavish (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0tjdZLND9lbsHcqWWXSPxo)

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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LinkedIn

Today we talk to Chris Hood — speaker, strategist, and author of Infallible, a book that challenges a lot of what we’ve been told about AI.  And Chris should know - he’s spent his career working with companies on their digital strategies — from advertising in movie theaters to helping count votes for FOX on American Idol. 

I’ve been avoiding talking about AI on the pod because honestly, I didn’t know what else there is to say.  But Chris offers something new to the conversation I hadn’t heard before.  First, he dispels some myths and suggests that where most people think we are with AI is actually 7 years away.  And there is a huge gap between what companies are focused on and what consumers really want.  And since we are the consumers, we have the power to decide how fast this moves.  The truth is most consumers aren’t crazy about any of this, and Chris has great stories of companies that went too far too fast.  

We also talk about what this convenience is costing us, how AI is making us lazy, how it borrows from social media to keep us addicted and why we need less Star Trek and more Columbo.

So what will AI never replace?  Curiosity and connection.  This conversation is a perfect example of that.

Please enjoy, Chris Hood.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Key Takeaways:

• The Danger of Overhyping AI: Many companies are marketing AI like it's magic, but most consumers either don’t care or don’t even realize they’re already using it. The focus should be on solving problems, not shouting about the tools.

• The “You Bias” of Generative AI: AI tools are designed to flatter you — to tell you your ideas are brilliant. It feels good, but over time it can reinforce ego, limit critical thinking, and create a false sense of confidence.

• We’re in the Cut-and-Paste Era: Generative AI makes it easy to sound smart or get things done quickly, but we’re losing nuance, creativity, and original thought in the process.

• AI Can’t Replace Human Connection: Emotional intelligence, empathy, humor — these are deeply human traits that AI can’t replicate. For businesses, this means finding the right balance between automation and authentic connection.

• We’ve Seen This Movie Before: Chris draws parallels between the rise of AI and the early days of social media. Back then, we trusted tech companies to self-regulate. We know how that played out.

• Don’t Trust the Echo Chamber: Platforms like LinkedIn make it seem like AI is everywhere and everything. But when you step outside of the bubble, most people are still trying to figure it out — or not thinking about it at all.

• Be the Columbo, Not the Sci-Fi Dreamer: Instead of fantasizing about the future of AI, we need to ask harder questions and look at the real implications. Curiosity and skepticism are powerful tools.

Links and Resources

Chris on LinkedIn

Website and Books

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

In this re-released episode, we talk to Rob Carli, a multi-award-winning musician, producer and composer for film and television.  Rob has had a storied career in music from his early days touring the country in an Econoline van to most recently co-founding the Awesome Music Project - a not-for-profit dedicated to delivering practical solutions to mental health through the transformative power of music.

It’s conversations like this one with Rob that are the reason I started this podcast.  Rob is a giant in his industry, but he’s someone I would never come across in my work as a revenue coach with growing tech companies.  The ideas we explored allow me to see my work and my life in a whole new light.

Rob and I talked about how we can all tap into our creative energy and how our best ideas always come from the most unlikely places.  Yes, your first draft is going to suck but the most important thing in finding your voice is not judging your ideas, or allowing them to be judged.  Rob shares stories of how chasing your curiosity is the key to re-inventing yourself throughout your career, taking you to places you’d never have planned for yourself.  

Finally, Rob talks about what we’ve lost as technology has displaced rituals like cooking together and listening to live music.  And what would Rob have done differently with the music in Oppenheimer?

Please enjoy, Rob Carli.

Every other week, join your host Bob Mathers, keynote speaker for conversations designed to push you out of your comfort zone. Each episode delivers boundless insights and ideas that matter by inspiring you to get off autopilot and keep chasing curiosity.

Takeaways

• The Myth of Arrival: Rob challenges the idea that we ever "make it." Success isn’t a destination — it’s a constant journey shaped by change, curiosity, and reinvention.
• The Creative Process: Great ideas often arrive when we stop trying so hard. For Rob, creativity comes from loosening control — going for walks, grocery shopping, or just letting the mind wander.
• Judgment Kills Creativity: One of the biggest barriers to creativity is self-censorship. Rob encourages letting go of perfectionism and allowing ideas to flow — even the weird or messy ones.
• Music as Ritual: Rob reflects on how modern convenience has replaced rituals like cooking or making music — and why bringing those rituals back could improve our sense of connection and purpose.
• Parenting and Purpose: When his son decided to pursue music, Rob didn’t try to talk him out of it. His biggest hope? That his son finds fulfillment — whatever path he chooses.
• The Awesome Music Project: What started as a neighbor’s idea became a national charity focused on the link between music and mental health. Rob shares the story behind it and why he believes music has the power to heal.
• Balance Over Hustle: Rob hopes that in 2024, we’ll all move toward more balance — not just in work, but in how we connect with each other and ourselves.
• Stay Curious: Whether it’s attending a random concert or following a creative hunch, Rob believes discovery is one of the most important — and joyful — parts of being alive.

For more information about Rob or to connect with him, check out these links:

Rob Carli’s Website

The Awesome Music Project

Instagram: Awesome Music Project 

X

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn