Things No One Tells You

I’m really excited about this year’s Indy 500 coming up, and seeing Álex Palou secure the pole position reminded me of our great conversation right after he won last year. I wanted to share that interview with you all ahead of this year’s race.

After Álex Palou won the Indy 500 in 2025, I watched through the glass that separates the broadcast booth with victory circle, as Álex and his racecar were lifted up to the celebratory stage where professional photographers snapped countless rounds of images of Álex and his team celebrating the moment that no doubt changed their life.

I loved watching his wife Esther hand over their daughter Lucia to celebrate with her dad and I found myself wondering what he would do next – after this portion of pomp and circumstance was over. What would his reaction be behind closed doors? I knew he’d be exhausted, rolling in on a couple hours of sleep if he was lucky, but I was so grateful to sit down with Álex the next morning; hours after winning the Indy 500, I expected adrenaline and exhaustion. What I didn’t expect was how much heart he’d bring into that conversation and what his answer to the “thing no one tells you” highlighted about his family commitment.

This episode is about more than speed. It’s about the quiet sacrifices. The money burned on tires and fuel, the long days chasing a dream across continents, and the people who made it possible.

From the stands inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway packed with Spanish flags to the emotional moment his father ran toward him on the track after his win, Álex opens up about the power of team, tradition, and staying level in the moments that matter most.

What You’ll Hear:

• The emotional celebration that started with a run down the track (5:49)
• Why winning the Indy 500 changes everything, even for a three-time champion (7:04)
• Álex’s family's sacrifice and what it really took to get here (10:51)
• The surprising habits that keep Álex sharp (14:39)

Álex gives us a rare glimpse into the life of a champion, and the grounded perspective that might just keep him winning. He reminds us that greatness doesn’t just happen on the track. It’s built over years of figuring out how to show up day after day, amid failures and setbacks, even when no one is watching.

This one is for anyone who wants to know more about the moments that don’t make the highlight reel; check out Álex’s inspiring story.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/19v7uCjBPEY

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/alex-palou-48

Check out more from Álex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpalou/

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

Season 2 of Things No One Tells You turned into something I didn’t fully expect.

Yes, we talked to Olympians, musicians, broadcasters, athletes, and entrepreneurs. But underneath all of those stories was a much bigger conversation about presence, connection, and what success actually means once you finally get there.

In this special season wrap-up episode, I revisit some of the moments that stayed with me most. Angela Ruggiero shares why life works best when we’re fully present and “playing jazz.” Joan Lunden reflects on navigating motherhood while building a groundbreaking career. Jeff Francoeur opens up about helping kids feel valued in sports and in life. Vernon Davis shares the hard truth that success alone doesn’t guarantee happiness or stability. And Ani DiFranco reminds us that authentic connection may actually be the whole point.

What You’ll Hear:

1. Angela Ruggiero on fun, presence, and “playing jazz” (01:00)
2. Joan Lunden on motherhood and breaking barriers (07:41)
3. Jeff Francoeur on youth sports and feeling valued (12:55)
4. Vernon Davis on success, money, and learning the hard way (20:08)
5. Ani DiFranco on connection over achievement (26:51)
6. The biggest lessons and themes from Season 2 (35:16)

This season brought so many honest conversations, unexpected insights, and moments I’ll carry with me for a long time. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of our community this season.

Season 3 officially launches this summer, and we have so many exciting conversations ahead. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share Things No One Tells You so you don’t miss what’s next.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DvdfpoTJprA

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/season-2-wrap-up-47

Episodes mentioned:

Ep 35 What Really Matters in Youth Sports with Jeff Francoeur https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/jeff-francoeur-35

Ep 37 What It Really Takes to Win Gold with Angela Ruggiero https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/angela-ruggiero-37

Ep 39 Saying Yes Before You Feel Ready with Joan Lunden https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/joan-lunden-39

Ep 40 Second Acts After an NFL Career with Vernon Davis https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/vernon-davis-40

Ep 42 Building a Career Without Compromising Your Voice with Ani DiFranco https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/ani-difranco-42

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

What happens when something you’ve relied on for decades suddenly disappears? For Tricia Caliola, it was her signature pink hair color. A specific shade she had worn for over 20 years, something that made her feel like herself.

When her favorite product was discontinued, she didn’t just accept it. She went looking for answers. And that’s where this story takes a turn.

In this episode, Tricia walks us through the journey that followed and that continues to this day. It’s an adventure filled with dead ends, determination, and moments that honestly feel more like a detective story than a beauty trip. But at its core, this journey is about something much bigger.

It’s about identity. It’s about confidence. And about the quiet ways we build ourselves over time.

1. How Tricia’s signature look became part of her identity (11:50)
2. Testing every alternative on the market (16:44)
3. The investigation into what happened (19:45)
4. Starting over and building something new (30:28)
5. The sacrifices behind chasing something this personal (39:17)

This episode is a reminder that sometimes the things we chase aren’t really about the thing itself. They’re about how it makes us feel. And sometimes, that’s worth everything.

If you’re loving TNOTY, be sure to subscribe to the show, and share this episode with a friend.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pZdZzUlydqA

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/tricia-caliola-46

Check out more from Tricia Caliola on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/triciacaliolamua/

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from pushing harder; they come from leaning into the simple thing you already love.

In this episode, I sit down with Isabel Klee, a writer and content creator whose journey started with fostering dogs and sharing their stories online. What began as a passion project quickly grew into something much bigger, with a loyal following, a book, and even a TV series in development. But at the center of it all is something surprisingly simple: authentic storytelling rooted in love and authenticity.

We talk about how Isabel combined her two biggest passions, writing and animal rescue, and what she’s learned along the way about relationships, patience, and connection. From navigating her twenties to building a career that feels aligned, Isabel’s story is a reminder that you don’t always need a perfect plan to create something meaningful.

What You’ll Discover:

1. How fostering dogs led to a bigger platform (01:24)
2. The power of saying what you want out loud (10:33)
3. Love, connection, and communication (13:54)
4. Lessons from caring for animals (15:45)
5. Building a life that feels aligned (20:10)

This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is trust what already feels right and follow it. If this one resonates with you, be sure to subscribe to Things No One Tells You and share this episode with a friend.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/09MnxFXzgh4

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/isabel-klee-45

Mentioned in the episode

What It Really Takes to Win Gold with Angela Ruggiero https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/angela-ruggiero-37

Check out more from Isabel Klee:

Follow Isabel on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonsits/ and on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@simonsits

Isabel’s new book Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About just came out: https://simonsits.com/en-cad/products/dogs-boys-and-other-things-ive-cried-about

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

If you’ve ever watched the Kentucky Derby, you’ve seen the gorgeous hats. What you may not realize is the level of thought, storytelling, and emotion that goes into each one.

In this episode, I sit down with Christine Moore and Blake Seidel, the couple behind CAM Hats, the brand that has become part of the Derby tradition. From their beginnings in theater to building a thriving business together, their story is full of creativity, resilience, and honest insight into what it takes to grow something meaningful.

We talk about how Christine designs with intention, how they navigate working together as a couple, and one of the biggest lessons no one tells you about leadership in the arts.

What You’ll Hear:

1. Christine’s early inspiration in theater design (00:16)
2. The meaning behind Derby fashion traditions (13:50)
3. The realities of running a business together (20:00)
4. Why criticism in creative work is so delicate (22:27)
5. Lessons learned from years in the fashion industry (25:26)

This conversation is about more than fashion. It’s about how we show up, how we communicate, and how we help others feel seen.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who would love it, too.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QY85N1sq09U

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/blake-seidel-and-christine-a-moore-44

Check out more from Christine A. Moore:

Check out Christine’s website and her Spring 2026 collection: https://www.camhats.com/

Follow Christine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camhatsnyc/

Mentioned in the Episode:

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/christina-stembel-34

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

This month is my cousin Alex’s birthday, and it’s also when Stable Recovery hosts their spring gala. It felt like the right time to revisit this powerful conversation I had with Christian Countzler of Stable Recovery, along with my aunt and uncle, Alex’s parents, Sandy and Dave Schimizzi.

When I first visited Stable Recovery, I knew something meaningful was happening there: not just treatment, but transformation. In this episode, Christian shares his journey from addiction to building a place designed to remove the barriers he faced when trying to get well. You’ll also hear from my aunt and uncle, who speak openly about losing their son and the heartbreaking gaps they encountered while trying to help him.

Together, we talk about the individuality of addiction, the pressures families aren’t prepared for, and the moments that make long-term recovery so difficult without real support. This is an emotional episode, but it’s also hopeful, a reminder that change is possible when communities, not just individuals, show up.

What You’ll Discover:

1. Christian’s story and the origins of Stable Recovery (08:46)
2. Alex’s journey and early emotional struggles (12:54)
3. The fear and uncertainty families live with daily (20:55)
4. The depth of despair people can experience (24:09)
5. The limitations of sentencing and current treatment options (24:42)
6. Why it’s important to not give up on loved ones (25:34)
7. The critical need for purpose and follow-up care (26:22)

This conversation doesn’t offer easy answers. But it does offer truth, the kind that helps people feel less alone.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8QlHl7iDrVk

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/stable-recovery-43

Check out more from Stable Recovery:

See their website: https://www.stablerecovery.net/

Follow Stable Recovery on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stable_recovery/

Donate today: https://www.stablerecovery.net/make-a-difference#Donate

Learn more about Lindsay’s visits to Stable Recovery from these videos:

Horses Hold the Power on Path to Lasting Sobriety

The Healing Power of Horses ‘Putting People Back Together’

Mike Lowery’s Passion for Horses and Gratitude for a New Lease on Life

Read more from Christian Countzler about navigating sobriety during the holidays with his article: “If you’re navigating sobriety during the holidays, know you’re not alone”

If you are in the US and need immediate help, connect with treatment and mental health referrals near you by:

1. Calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
2. Texting your zip code to HELP4U (435748)

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

If you had told me as a student at James Madison University that one day, decades later, I'd be waiting to go onstage for a conversation with Ani DiFranco, I would've NEVER believed you.

Her songs were on repeat on our playlist. Somehow, as my roommates and I danced to her music in our dorm or as I listened through my headphones making my way across campus, I felt like her lyrics were intended specifically for me. Turns out that’s exactly how all of her fans have felt for decades. That ability to connect through vulnerability is what has always made Ani DiFranco so special as an artist. 

This live conversation with Ani started as a look at her journey and new book, The Spirit of Ani, but it quickly turned into an impromptu talk about her views on life after death, her longstanding fight against the patriarchy, and yes, even donkeys. The powerful connection within the room was palpable from the moment she took her shoes off to sit cross legged at the start of our conversation. It felt like we were at a sleepover with 150 plus of our closest friends listening in and that vibe was certainly because of her ability to be so present in the moment.  

Many thanks to the Westport Library and Verso Studios for creating the environment to have such a memorable evening and for hosting this conversation as part of VersoFest 2026.

We spend so much time thinking about where we’re going. We rarely stop to ask if we’re already where we need to be. Ani DiFranco has spent decades doing exactly that, choosing presence over pressure, connection over convention. 

Ani reflects on building a career rooted in independence, turning down the traditional music industry, and learning to trust her instincts from a young age.

What I loved most is how honest she is about the process. The exhaustion, the doubts, and the realization that fulfillment isn’t waiting somewhere ahead, it’s in the moment you’re in.

What You’ll Discover:

1. How vulnerability became Ani’s superpower (00:09:56)
2. Being on her own at 15 and finding her path (00:22:05)
3. Turning down record labels and choosing independence (00:25:29)
4. What success meant early in her career (00:30:36)
5. The moment Ani realized music connected people (00:31:03)
6. Why presence is everything (00:32:45)

This conversation is about more than music. It’s about identity, intuition, and the courage to choose your own way, even when it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

If you’re enjoying these conversations, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review, and share this episode with a friend. It helps us keep bringing these conversations to you.

This live event interview was recorded at Verso Studios in the Westport Library as part of VersoFest 2026.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3C6891Vpvf4

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/ani-difranco-42

Check out more from Ani DiFranco:

Follow Ani DiFranco on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anidifranco/

Check out Ani DiFranco’s label Righteous Babe Records https://www.righteousbabe.com/

Discover Ani DiFranco’s last book The Spirit of Ani: Reflections on Spirituality, Feminism, Music, and Freedom https://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/the-spirit-of-ani-reflections-on-spirituality-feminism-music-and-freedom/

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

We’ve all been told that resilience is the key to getting through hard things. Keep going. Don’t break. Handle it all. But what if that’s only part of the story?

In this episode, I sit down with organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, who shares why resilience, while helpful, isn’t the full solution. Through years of research and real-world coaching, she found that resilience keeps us from falling apart, but it doesn’t necessarily help us build a life that feels fulfilling.

We talk about the pressure so many of us feel to hold everything together, and the simple, science-backed shifts that can help us move beyond just coping. Tasha shares a different approach, one rooted in understanding our core needs and making small, intentional shifts that can change how we experience our daily lives.

What You’ll Discover:

1. Coaching leaders and building strong cultures (03:53)
2. Why resilience doesn’t predict growth (13:53)
3. The three core human needs we all share (21:27)
4. Micro “need crafting” in everyday life (24:45)
5. Letting go of perfection with the 10% buffer (27:56)

This conversation is a reminder that thriving isn’t about doing more. It’s about understanding what you actually need, and giving yourself permission to meet those needs.

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review Things No One Tells You. It helps more people find these conversations.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BWiL9ZnqEbc

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/dr-tasha-eurich-41

Check out more from Dr. Tasha Eurich:

Dr. Tasha Eurich is inviting our listeners to discover her tools to dive deeper into becoming shatterproof:

1. First, her Resilience Ceiling Quiz, a FREE, 5-minute assessment to see how close you are to your own resilience limits: https://www.resilience-quiz.com
2. And her Shatterproof Workbook, practical tools and exercises to move from barely getting by to thriving in chaos.: https://www.shatterproof-book.com/Workbook

Discover Dr. Tasha Eurich’s website: www.tashaeurich.com

You can follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashaeurich/

And on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashaeurich/

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

YouTube ID code: Y0BYHHE5QW91KEA3

When you think about making it to the NFL, you probably picture success, stability, and being set for life. But what you don’t always see are the challenges that come with that journey.

In this episode, NFL former tight end Vernon Davis shares a side of his journey that most people never hear. Vernon opens up about the parts of success that don’t get talked about. The relationships you have to navigate when your life changes. The financial mistakes that can happen when no one teaches you how to manage what you’ve earned. And the way grief can cloud your judgment in ways you don’t expect.

There are so many take-aways from this conversation, but what stood out most to me is how Vernon reframes failure: he sees failure not as something to avoid, but as something necessary. Something that shapes you, sharpens you, and ultimately moves you forward.

What You’ll Hear:

1. The pressure of being the one everyone watches (12:53)
2. How grief can cloud your judgment (14:10)
3. What no one tells you about making the NFL (20:05)
4. The power of failure and growth (31:43)
5. Taking risks beyond football (35:02)

There’s something really powerful about hearing someone say the quiet parts out loud. That success can be fragile. That grief can shift everything. That failure might actually be the thing that moves you forward. What Vernon shares here isn’t just about football. It’s about paying attention, learning as you go, and giving yourself the space to grow through what you didn’t expect.

If this one stayed with you, make sure you’re following along. Subscribing, rating, and sharing the show with a friend helps our community grow.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XIZooQ1Atgk

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/vernon-davis-40

Check out more from Vernon Davis:

Discover The Next Role Show hosted by Vernon https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextRoleShow

Follow Vernon on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vernondavis85

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

For nearly two decades, Joan Lunden welcomed millions of viewers into their morning routines as the longest-running female host of Good Morning America. But behind that familiar presence is a story filled with unexpected turns, bold decisions, and a lot of learning on the fly.

I was honored to be asked to speak with Joan about her new book; a conversation recorded in front of a live audience at Verso Studios in the Westport Library. I am thrilled to share that talk with you now on this episode of Things No One Tells You. Joan reflects on how she stumbled into television at a time when women were barely represented in the newsroom and how what began as a chance opportunity quickly turned into a career that would help reshape the industry.

Joan shares the difficult lessons she learned breaking into a male-dominated field, the mindset that helped her grow into one of television’s most trusted voices, and why sometimes the best career advice is simply to say yes before you know how it will work out.

We also talk about the deeper moments that shaped her life beyond the studio, including motherhood, resilience, and how facing breast cancer changed her perspective.

What You’ll Discover

• Joan’s early career and unexpected start in TV (10:30)
• The challenges women faced in journalism in the 1970s (11:24)
• Why saying yes before you're ready can change everything (17:21)
• The power of having a co-host who is the right fit  (29:34)
• Advocacy opportunities beyond the Good Morning America years (35:44)

From breaking barriers in television news to reflecting on the lessons that have made an impact along the way, Joan Lunden’s story is both inspiring and deeply human. Conversations like this are exactly what Things No One Tells You is all about. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the show and take a moment to share it with a friend.

This live event interview was recorded at Verso Studios in the Westport Library.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HPbjx3kc1K8

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/joan-lunden-39

Check out more from Joan Lunden:

Follow Joan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealjoanlunden/

Discover Joan’s books, including her new memoir https://joanlunden.com/books/

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz