THE UNSIDED PODCAST

In this episode of Unsided, we’re exploring the parts of ourselves that rise up when we feel challenged, misunderstood, or pushed aside. And gently reminding ourselves that growth isn’t about silencing those parts—or letting them take over. It’s about understanding what they’re trying to tell us, so we can choose how we want to respond.

Together, we’ll look at the stories we carry about being heard, respected, and safe; how our ego can help us find our voice, but also pull us into anger and old patterns. I’ll share my own journey of learning that standing up for myself doesn’t have to mean abandoning my peace—and that real change begins when I can meet myself with honesty, not judgment.

How can you tell when your ego is helping you stand your ground—and when it’s getting in the way? 

Let’s get into it.

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

What does it really mean to make someone feel safe?

In this episode I reflect on childhood, parenting, grief, vulnerability, and the people who have shaped my understanding of emotional safety. After losing someone very dear to me —and following a personally challenging conversation with my teenage daughter—I found myself thinking about the difference between protecting someone and truly making space for them.

Sometimes safety isn’t found in advice, answers, or solutions. Sometimes it’s found in being seen, being heard, and knowing you don’t have to become someone else to be loved.

If you’ve ever struggled to feel safe—or wondered how to become a safer person for someone else— this may be a good conversation for you.

This one’s for you, Aunt Beb.  Thank you for seeing me.  

Let’s get into it.

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

This week, I’m excited to chat with Wesley Warshawer, a listener who shares my love for real talk and all things curious - a perfect combination for a great conversation. 

Growing up in Southern Arizona, Wesley was surrounded by friends from different religions and a family with diverse backgrounds and views. When he was 19, he got a scholarship to study in India, and that experience opened his eyes to new cultures, later moving on to get his Master’s at Yonsei University in South Korea thanks to a Fulbright Scholarship. 

Desiring more connection,  Wesley hit the road during the pandemic, exploring rural and conservative parts of the country while working remotely. From Bismarck, North Dakota, to Biloxi, Mississippi, he engaged with communities, learning about their surprisingly similar hopes and dreams for their lives and the lives of those they loved - despite massive divides in ideology. 

Join us as we talk about why tough conversations matter and how embracing our differences can lead to meaningful connections and the chance to view the world from a new perspective. 

Let's get into it. 

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

In this episode of Unsided, we’re diving headfirst into how we can direct and redirect our energy at any moment.  And gently reminding ourselves that have the right to choose our happiness first, regardless of the noise in our heads or pressures from the world around us.

Together, we’ll explore letting go of limiting beliefs and the obligations we feel to please others over ourselves; of leaning into being intentional with where and how we focus our energy. And I’ll share my personal journey of reclaiming the power to change my own life and how I found my peace again on the other side of the chaos of that change.

If you need a gentle nudge to reconnect with your potential energy and a reminder that you can always choose your own adventure, this episode is for you.

Let's get into it. 

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

This week, I’m thrilled to sit down with my friend Jill Wagner for a heartfelt conversation about the importance of practicing compassion in our lives and the lives of others.  Besides being a successful actor and entrepreneur, she's a woman devoted to her family and she shares her journey of finding peace returning to a small-town life and what she's learned about herself along the way.

We dive into the challenges of motherhood, the pressures of societal expectations, and the beauty of embracing our imperfections. Jill also opens up about her commitment to fostering love and understanding in her life, reminding us that it’s perfectly okay to be a work in progress.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed or uncertain, this will serve as  a poignant reminder that you’re not alone. Join us for an insightful and honest chat which might just encourage you to lead with a little more love and kindness than you did before you listened. 

Let's get into it.

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

How curious are you about the differing beliefs of those others? Are you able to engage in meaningful conversations and hold space for those differences, even when they challenge your own perspective? In this episode of The Unsided Podcast, I delve into the transformative power of curiosity and the importance of making room for others’ stories. Together, we’ll unpack the barriers that prevent us from being fully present and explore how an open mind and heart can lead to a richer, more nuanced understanding of others.

Let’s get into it.

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

This week I’m back with my longtime friend, Gabrielle Stone, for an unfiltered conversation about showing ourselves some much-needed compassion. We also dive into her recent health scare and how it shifted her view on vulnerability—not just in life, but especially in parenting.

Gabrielle shares the raw realities of juggling motherhood and personal struggles, reminding us that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. We talk about the pressure to appear perfect, the beauty in embracing our flaws, how we can learn and grow through the chaos and what it means to actually believe you deserve to have the life you want.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or uncertain, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone. Grab your headphones and join us for a chat that’s equal parts insightful, relatable and empowering. 

Let’s get into it.

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

What happens when the parenting playbook we thought we had all figured out suddenly feels like it’s missing pages? In this episode of Unsided, I dive deep into the emotional landscape of raising teenage daughters, where joy and heartache coexist in unexpected ways.

This isn’t just about the challenges; it’s about the profound growth we experience as we learn to let go and trust the process.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the expectations of parenting or questioned your own worth as a parent when the ground suddenly seems to be shifting underneath you, yeah - me too. Let’s get into it. 

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

In a world more connected than ever, why do we struggle so much to have real conversations? In this episode of Unsided, we dig deep into the reasons behind our reluctance to engage in meaningful discussions.

We confront the discomfort and fear that often keep us silent and explore the power of active listening and open-heartedness in bridging divides. By understanding our barriers, we can create spaces for honest dialogue that fosters genuine connection.

Join me as we unravel these complexities together. With curiosity and compassion, we can learn to embrace tough conversations, enrich our connection, and discover our shared humanity. 

Let's get into it. 

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar

Emotions shape every part of our lives—but too often, we aren’t given the tools to understand or express them fully - especially men. In this episode, I sit down with my friend, actor/producer Robert Buckley, to explore what it really means to be emotionally available in a world that prizes strength over vulnerability.

We dive into the differences between being nice and being kind, the subtle pull of people-pleasing, and the courage it takes to set real boundaries. Through honest stories from therapy, fatherhood, and everyday life, we unpack how embracing vulnerability and speaking your truth can transform the way you live, work, and love.

More men are leaning into their emotions than ever before—but without a roadmap, it can feel like stumbling in the dark. This conversation doesn’t offer a neat conclusion. Instead, it’s a raw, honest, and surprisingly hopeful look at what it means to open your heart, take risks, and grow emotionally.

Let's get into it. 

Have a conversation you’d like us to explore? Send us a text!

Support the show

Produced by Kristofer McNeeley 

Engineered and Edited by Kristofer McNeeley 

Original Music by Abed Khatib

Cover Art Design by Mohamad Jaafar