The Not So Perfect Plan

Over the past weeks, we have seen all 50 states in America alongside 18 countries standing together and participating in the #BlackLivesMatter protest making it the largest civil rights movement in world history.

The world is crying out for a new order and peace. But where do we start?

In today's podcast, Pete and Kim Vargas invite you into a real and raw conversation about the topic of racism. You will hear from Pete's mom, sisters, nephew, and even their own son. 

The Vargas family is composed of many ethnicities such as Black, White, Hispanic, and more. You will hear a unique perspective on how racism affects every person and every generation. 

We encourage you to use this episode as a resource to reflect on yourself, spark conversation within your own family and community to create a better future.

LINKS:

• Read the full blog: thenotsoperfectplan.com
• Read Tashas Facebook Post

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:44 The post that sparked the conversation
• 10:41 The need for accountability
• 16:52 Racism and the next generation
• 24:34 How to handle racism within your family
• 28:38 Three words that can bring healing
• 29:44 Racism in different areas
• 33:55 Winning the war through love
• 36:26 Raising blended children
• 43:22 Be a friend that listens
• 47:57 How the younger generation is feeling
• 57:42 How the millennials will impact the world
• 59:56 We can’t lose hope
• 1:00:45 Closing prayer

What if your favorite song was actually healing you?

According to science, it probably is. 

In today's podcast, Kim Vargas interviews the Owner of Sonic Divinity Music Therapy Services and the author of Sonic Recovery. Tim Ringgold.

After experiencing multiple tragedies and personal traumas, he turned to drugs and alcohol to find comfort. After reaching a point where substance abuse couldn't mask the pain, he discovered music therapy.

Now he is on a mission is to empower people to reach for music when they are facing stress in work or life, rather than harmful substances or digital distractions.

LINKS:

• Read the full blog: thenotsoperfectplan.com
• timringgold.com
• Access the free gift Relaxation Vacation at sonicrecovery.com
• Tim’s Book: Sonic Recovery

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:18 Tim’s plan
• 3:30 When Tim thought the world was ending
• 8:32 Growth mindset vs. Fixed midset
• 13:57 Resilience is a muscle
• 16:02 How Tim first responded to adversity
• 21:51 How Tim handled losing five close friends
• 23:42 Music is more than entertainment
• 28:13 The process of recovery
• 33:48 The three levels of influences you need for change
• 35:35 Where to start when overcoming addiction
• 40:51 How to get someone to want more
• 51:05 What happens in the brain when listening to music
• 54:24 When Tim gets his best ideas
• 57:07 How Tim is using music to serve others
• 1:06:50 Create a power playlist
• 1:10:49 Final advice from Tim

In today's episode, Pete Vargas interviews author, public speaker, life coach, and philanthropist Tony Robbins. 

Between 43 years of entrepreneurship, and a rocky home life growing up, Tony has experienced the "winter" seasons in all areas of life. 

Tony will give you the exact method and practical mindset shifts he has used to not only survive events like the great inflation,  911, the housing bust, COVID-19, and others but thrive. 

This episode will impact the way you handle the big and small crisis that comes your way and will help the dream and plans in your heart become a reality.

"Crisis will always either destroy you or recreate you." - Tony Robbins

LINKS:

• Read the full blog: thenotsoperfectplan.com
• tonyrobbins.com
• Join the Rise Up World group

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 3:18 Welcome Tony Robbins
• 4:06 why community is essential right now
• 6:29 Learn how to grow in the winter
• 14:24 The three decisions that shape every part of your life
• 16:24 Where is your focus?
• 18:50 The three patterns of focus
• 21:18 Focusing on what you can control
• 27:36 Tony’s childhood
• 32:31 The importance of a mentor
• 36:42 Serve those who are worse off than you
• 38:24 Petes biggest takeaways

We are all in this together, share this episode with someone in your inner circle who needs help overcoming uncertainty.

In this episode, Kim Vargas interviews motivational speaker, world-class athlete, and Dancing with the Stars runner up, Amy Purdy.

Amy has faced several challenges throughout her life.  At 19, her life took a detour when she was rushed to the hospital due to septic shock. The experience would result in the loss of her legs. from the knee down. Only a few years later, near her 21st birthday. Amy received a donated kidney from her father.

Through those challenges and many others, Amy has learned the vital lesson of finding the gift in every challenge. 

Listen in on Kim and Amy's conversation as they share the commonalities of their journey, re-live Dancing with the Stars, and share how to remain hopeful even when things are not going according to plan. 

LINKS:

• thenotsoperfectplan.com
• Amy's Book On Amazon
• www.amypurdy.com/live
• amypurdy.com

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 3:36 Meet Amy
• 9:24 Amy’s near-death experience
• 16:03 Choosing to deal with it
• 18:30 Nothing is permanent
• 20:03 Being your own advocate
• 22:29 When Kim was diagnosed with lupus
• 30:00 How Amy’s mom kept her going
• 36:55 Amy and Kim’s transplant
• 43:26 When Amy went on Dancing with the Stars
• 47:00 Proving yourself right
• 53:16 The importance of challenges
• 1:03:53 Resiliency comes from commitment
• 1:09:07 Amy’s event for teens
• 1:15:16 Kim’s biggest takeaways

In today's episode, Pete and Kim interview internationally renowned motivational speaker Nick Santonastasso.

Nick is the embodiment of the word resilience. Born with only one arm, life for Nick as a kid could have been difficult. But with the help of his family and his inner determination, he has not only lived what most people would call a "normal" life; he has lived an extraordinary life. 

This episode will leave you inspired and determined to chase your dreams.

Special Note For Parents: In this episode, Nick also shares keys on how his parents handle their not so perfect plan. If you have younger children or if your kids are out of the house, the experience Nick shares from his parent's perspective is invaluable.

LINKS: 

• Nick’s Book: Victim to Victor
• Nick’s Mom’s Book: Born to Break the Boundaries
• Nick’s Mindset Course for Kids
• thenotsoperfectplan.com

Quick Episode Summary:

• Meet Nick!
• Nick’s plan
• Nick’s story
• How Nick was introduced to the world
• How Nick’s parents remained resilient
• Growing up with disabilities
• When Nick realized he was different
• Catching the spiraling thoughts
• Nick’s wrestling journey
• Where Nick is today
• How Nick and Tony Robbins connected
• How Nick’s plan came full circle
• How to keep going
• Overcoming physical limitation

Determination, resilience, grit, never say die. These are great sayings and words, but what do they look like practically when your world is falling apart, and your plan is going...not so perfect.

In today's episode, Pete and Kim Vargas interview New York Times bestseller Marie Forleo. This conversation will leave you confident that whatever comes your way, it is always "figureoutable".

LINKS:

• Everything Is Figureoutable
• thenotsoperfectplan.com

• Welcome Marie
• When Marie started having relationship problems
• Marie’s attempt to fix her relationship
• Listening to the small voice more
• How Marie and Justin remain connected
• Understanding your partners love language
• Eliminating the “wondering”
• When Marie was on Oprah
• One of the most critical skills to develop
• Everything is figureoutable

In today's episode, Pete and Kim Vargas interview Grammy award-winning artist Jermy Camp and his wife Adrienne. 

If you have ever experienced loss or felt that your life was in crisis, this conversation will leave you inspired and hopeful to face any uncertainty life may through at you and your plan.

LINKS:

Watch 'I Still Believe'

• Rent on iTunes
• Rent on Amazon

• thenotsoperfectplan.com

Quick Episode Summary:

• What to expect today
• How Pete met Jeremy Camp
• Welcome the Camps!
• The trials Jermey faced when the movie released
• When Jeremy’s first wife passed away
• How Jeremy handle the lowest seasons
• How Adrien was impacted by Jeremy’s testimony
• When things started falling back into place
• How Adrien finds strength
• How to movie impacted Pete
• Keaton’s biggest takeaway’s from the movie
• Mia’s biggest takeaways
• Final thoughts

Starting and growing a family was the plan and like many others, our “plan” didn’t fall into place like we thought it would. It wasn’t an easy or straight road to get there. We were hit left, right, up and down by life’s roadblocks and potholes. 

Can you relate?

Often times we set out for that thing we want so badly only to find out getting it isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to test our faith, our commitment, and our strength and how through those tests it’s where we discover what we are capable of.

And it’s then, in those tests and challenges where we are faced with a choice.  

Do you give up, or will you continue?

It was through our journey to parenthood we were tested. We battled loss, fear, and health and instead of those real “life” moments stealing our dream of becoming parents they instead cemented what we knew was in our heart and therefore pushed us along in our very own Not So Perfect Plan.

It is because we continued, we have a story and it’s because of that story, we created this podcast. Join us today as we share just one of our Not So Perfect Plans and the things we learned along our journey to get there.

Quick Episode Summary:

• Why Kim and Pete started The Not So Perfect plan
• Pete and Kim’s perfect plan
• When fear gripped Pete
• When Keaton came home
• When Mia Joy was born
• When Kim had a stoke
• When Kim was released  from the hospital
• When Kim received her kidney transplant
• How baby number four came
• What Kim spoke over Emma every night
• Everything comes full circle
• When Kim found out she was pregnant
• How Kim overcame fear
• Advice on how to remain resilience