In early 2020 the Vargas family decided to make this year, the most exciting year yet. They referred to it as a "once in a lifetime travel year." 

They had big and small trips planned, fun experiences for each kid on the calendar, and the count down was on. 

Then, in what felt like a blink of an eye, their year was canceled. 

In today's episode, Kim shares how they have turned 2020 around and made it a year full of memories and adventure for their family in the midst of chaos. 

Share this episode with a family that feels like their 2020 plan is not going so perfectly.

LINKS:

• thenotsoperfectplan.com

• The video that sucked me in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5PJFUMiEZA

• Walker Family Goods https://walkergoods.com

QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 2:40 When the world felt canceled
• 5:40 The quote Kim has lived by
• 6:38 How did you handle this first part of the year?
• 7:39 What have you done to thrive?
• 9:43 The year of adventure
• 14:37 What is your new plan?

If you were to take a time-machine back to the early 2000s, you would find the newly married Vargas family living in a small town, barely making 18,000 a year. 

Fast forward to today and Pete and Kim are proud to say they are first-generation millionaires. 

How did they do it?

On today's podcast, Pete and Kim share the practical steps they took to start generating more income so they could leave a legacy and start making an impact through generosity. 

LINKS

Read the blog: thenotsoperfectplan.com

QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY:

• 0:19 What to expect today
• 2:08 Conversation starts
• 5:06 The hope for this episode
• 10:11 Setting the right goals
• 18:00 When Pete and Kim started their side hustle
• 23:39 Finding your superpower
• 27:21 The importance of finding a mentor
• 33:47 Who is your guide when it comes to money?
• 45:44 The real impact of money

In this episode, Pete Vargas interviews wealth and mindset expert Chris Hogan. Chris is a two-time #1 national bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Chris Hogan Show. Since 2005, Chris has served at Ramsey Solutions, giving practical money advice on retirement, investing and building wealth 

During this powerful conversation, you will learn how to start using money as a tool to build the life and businesses in your heart. Chris will breakdown debt, budging, creating a legacy every unhealthy mindset you have regarding money, and building wealth, and more!

LINKS:

• www.daveramsey.com/chris-hogan
• facebook.com/chrishogan360
• chrishogan360.com
• Everyday Millionaires Book 
• Retire Inspired Its Financial

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 4:11 Welcome Chris
• 4:28 How to transform your money mindset
• 6:10 Opportunities are still available
• 10:00 Control the controllable
• 16:45 Don’t let stuff have you
• 21:55 End the cycle
• 29:00 What you can learn from the biggest millionaires
• 33:49 Advice for W2 employees that want to be entrepreneurs
• 36:20 What Chris is doing today
• 37:30 Pete’s biggest takeaways

On today's podcast, Kim and Pete welcome certified Nutrition and health specialist, speaker, and New York Times Bestselling author, JJ Virgin.

While writing her first book, JJ got the terrifying news that her oldest son had been hit by a car while walking in the neighborhood.

When arriving at the hospital, the Doctors told her that her son had a 0.2% chance of recovering and making it through the required surgeries. 

The Virgin family took those odds and pursued health and wholeness for their son. 

This experience for JJ holds many lessons for all of us. Lessons on resilience, the power of your mindset, and how to stay focus on your goals when your plan isn't going so perfect.  

LINKS:

• Read the blog:  thenotsoperfectplan.com
• JJ's Book Warrior Mom

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 3:14 Welcome JJ
• 4:16 Why vision is important
• 7:08 JJ’s plan
• 8:30 When JJ’s son was hit by a car
• 20:00 The joy of helping others
• 21:59 How to protect your mind in crisis
• 27:57 What happens when people come out of a coma
• 33:55 JJ’s book launch
• 39:04 How to achieve two goals at ones
• 43:55 JJ’s advice for parents
• 48:48 Pete and Kims biggest takeaways

"The goal is not to live forever, it is to create something that will." Pete Vargas

In today's podcast, Pete Vargas takes you on a tour of the first home he and Kim bought.

This house holds not only memories of the Vargas family and the genesis of their business, Advance Your Reach. It contains five key lessons we all can learn from as we pursue our plans.

LINKS: 

Read the full blog here: thenotsoperfectplan.com

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 0:20 Why Pete is riding solo today
• 1:41 Why Pete and Kim became renters
• 3:31 Life is about creating a legacy
• 6:52 Take a tour with us
• 7:49 Pete’s request for you
• 9:54 What is scaring you?
• 10:48 What excuses are you making
• 12:30 Going against the norm
• 14:04 What are you investing in?
• 15:15 You are the greatest assets
• 18:35 What resonated with you the most?
• 22:15 What The Not So Perfect Plan is all about

"The Enneagram does not put you in a box. It shows you the box you're already in and how to get out of it." - Ian Morgan Cron

In today's episode, Pete and Kim invite you into part two of a conversation with Ian Morgan Cron. He is a champion of the Enneagram, the awakener of people, and bestselling author of the popular Enneagram book, The Road Back to You. 

This conversation, we go behind the scenes with Ian to get some of your biggest Enneagram questions answered. 

LINKS:

• Ianmorgancron.com
• Ians Podcast
• Buy the book
• Sleeping at Last Podcast

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:19 Welcome to part two!
• 0:57 Advice for Pete and Kim specifically
• 4:46 When Children should take the test
• 6:07 The difference between the Enneagram and the strength finders test
• 8:23 What do to when you feel like you are multiple numbers
• 12:21 Do your own work first
• 14:20 Understanding the “wing” concept
• 16:49 Knowing your sub-style
• 17:58 Why Ian loves ones
• 22:44 How to communicate with all of the numbers
• 33:37 Final thoughts

"The Enneagram does not put you in a box. It shows you the box you're already in and how to get out of it." - Ian Morgan Cron

In today's episode, Pete and Kim invite you into a conversation with Ian Morgan Cron. He is a champion of the Enneagram, the awakener of people, and bestselling author of the popular Enneagram book, The Road Back to You. 

This conversation will leave you empowered to learn more about yourself, those you love, and will inspire you to create more intimate connections. 

Don't miss part two on the next episode!

LINKS:

• ianmorgancron.com
• Ians Podcast
• Buy the book

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:16 Why the enneagram is powerful
• 6:22 The big promise for today
• 8:17 Why Kim is excited about this episode
• 9:05 Why Pete resisted the Enneagram
• 10:07 The backstory for today
• 18:28 Welcome Ian
• 19:04 How the enneagram impacted Ians marriage
• 22:43 The best place to start with the enneagram
• 25:13 The unconscious motivation for all the numbers
• 37:33 The importance of being more self-aware
• 41:18 Where to start
• 45:52 The number one thing Ian hears
• 55:15 Encouragement to those who are struggling in a relationship
• 1:00:00 Finial thoughts

When COVID-19 took the world by storm, families started sheltering in place and social distancing to keep their families safe.

While it's an uncomfortable change, there's a strange sense of relief knowing that everyone else is in the same situation.

But what if you were the only family that had to isolate? What if you were the only ones who had to cancel birthday parties, family gatherings, and think twice before visiting the grocery store. 

In early 2017, the Burgeson family found themselves in this scenario after their oldest daughter underwent a bone marrow transplant from their youngest daughter.

In this interview, Kim Vargas interviews Lex Burgeson about her family's incredible journey with self-isolation, because of this life-threatening disease has lead to deeper connections and richer relationships and a life full of hope.

LINKS: 

Read the full blog here: thenotsoperfectplan.com

Quick Episode Summary:

0:02 What to expect today

1:36 Lex’s plan parenting

2:39 When Lex found out her daughter was sick

7:19 How Ava is processing her illness

19:00 How life looked after the proceeder

22:02 Living a life of isolation

25:14 When the Burgeson felt safe to go out again

27::14 How COVID-19 affected the Burgesons

32:20 How the super hero sisters are doing today

38:08 How having an ill child impacted Lex’s marriage

45:47 Lex’s encouragement to you

In our culture, it can be easy to link what we do with who we are.

In today's episode, Pete and Kim Vargas interview ex-Texas Tech quarterback, founder of the 806 Gathering and dear friend for 30 years, Cody Hudges.

Growing up in a small town, playing sports was everything to Cody. Being a natural at almost everything he played, he quickly became the home town hero. 

But being the hometown hero comes with the weight of other's expectations for your life. 

In this conversation, you will hear Cody's life journey, and an honest dialog about finding your identity and purpose is beyond the things that you do. 

LINKS: 

Read the full blog here: thenotsoperfectplan.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 2:19 Why Kim is excited about today’s episode
• 3:35 Welcome Cody
• 5:18 Cody’s dream growing up
• 16:31 When Cody got recruited for college
• 21:24 When Cody got injured and how he handled it
• 27:57 What Cody learned from ”riding the bench”
• 31:12 Cody’s last game
• 36:20 You have the power to be hopeful
• 40:00 The result of lessons learned
• 42:54 Cody’s fresh start
• 50:42 Be present where you are
• 52:07 Cody’s advice for parents
• 57:15 Cody’s advice to those living someone else’s dream for them
• 58:26 Who you need to surround yourself with
• 1:03 Pete and Kim’s biggest takeaways

A good life and a good marriage isn't something you find, it is something that you make. 

In the episode, Pete and Kim interview The founders of Family Brand, Chris and Melissa Smith

Chris and Melissa share the story of how their plan started to go off track after the birth of their second child and they found themselves on the verge of divorce.

Fast forward to today, Chris and Melissa are on a mission to help families discover how to intentional culture in their home that leads to greater love, joy, and connection while reducing stress and overwhelm. 

In this interview, you will hear their processes of overcoming the odds along with practical wisdom and advice on how to build your legacy and create your dream life.  

LINKS: 

• Read the full blog: thenotsoperfectplan.com thecampfireeffect.com
• familybrand.com
• Family Brand on Facebook
• Family Brand on Instagram

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:19 Welcome, the Smith’s!
• 2:02 Get to know the Smith’s
• 5:37 When Chris and Melissa hit rock-bottom in their marriage
• 9:27 The steps Chris and Melissa took to fix their marriage
• 13:25 The importance of seeking wisdom in difficult times
• 16:48 Stay away from people who only have an opinion about your marriage
• 18:27 Chris and Melissa’s advice for couples considering divorce
• 21:29 Can you fall out of love?
• 26:03 How you feel now may not be the reality
• 28:44 Take your marriage from good to great
• 30:55 How the to connect with the Smith
• 32:30 The Smith family mission statement
• 36:40 Final thoughts and advice