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Everybody has a superpower--you don't have to be a superhero to have one or to know what it is.  Mary Beth Robinson, a "superpower queen," helps us find out what our special talents are, and how we can best use them to help ourselves and other people.  In this episode, Mary Beth describes her own gift of intuition, and then uses her unique ability to "tune in" to evaluate Elizabeth.  How accurate was she?  We reveal everything during the interview; share how you can find your own superpowers; and show why your creativity, joy and motivation can increase when you're working "in flow" using your own special talents.

In this episode:

01:44--What is a superpower?
03:31--Mary Beth describes her own superpower
06:10--How Mary Beth "tunes in" to help others discover their superpowers
09:30--Her experience going through life being so intuitive about other people
11:43--You can start integrating your superpower into your life right away
21:05--Mary Beth "intuits" some things about Elizabeth
28:44--Elizabeth reads an email Mary Beth wrote to her right after they set up the interview, and responds to its accuracy
32:35--Mary Beth's advice on how Elizabeth can use her superpower moving forward
38:27--How anyone can find their superpowers

Want to know more about Mary Beth?

• Check out her website: https://www.superpowerinc.org/
• Tweet her on Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/SuperpowerQueen  or @SuperpowerQueen 
• Find her on TikTok: TheSuperpowerQueen

Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

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It's the holidays! So no full new episode this week.  Instead, Elizabeth sat down with her daughters and asked them about their favorite Christmas traditions and what they'll be doing over Winter Break.  Next new episode coming in the new year--January 10, 2024!

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At age 10, Rachel Zemach lost her her hearing in an accident.  That obviously changed her life--but, she says, becoming deaf was one of her life's greatest gifts.  In this episode, Rachel shares her experiences going through the world with and without hearing, and offers advice on how hearing people can help and advocate for deaf people (including words and actions both to use and to avoid--hint: don't assume all deaf people can lip read!).  Rachel also offers her opinions about cochlear implants; teaching deaf kids and their parents American Sign Language; the strength and humor of the deaf community; and much more.  She spent many years as a teacher of deaf children, and recently wrote a book, "The Butterfly Cage," chronicling her experiences and observations.   

In this episode:

03:37--Describing coming home from the hospital at age 10 and realizing things were different
05:13--How and why Rachel's love and language stayed strong
07:21--Some of the "great gifts" she has experienced being part of the deaf community
10:49--Frustrations and challenges Rachel faces
14:31--Cochlear implants: what they are, how Rachel feels about them, and the benefits of learning ASL
20:47--Why many doctors tell parents of deaf children not to learn ASL, and the harm that causes
26:01--Rachel's thoughts on the state of advocacy for deaf people
30:26-Rachel's advice to parents of deaf children
31:25--The experience of writing a book about her years teaching deaf children
33:42--Tips on things hearing people should (and should not) do and say to deaf people

Want to know more about Rachel?

• Link up with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-zemach/
• Tweet her on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachel_zemach
• Search up her website: www.rachelzemach.com
• Buy her book, The Butterfly Cage, at www.bookshop.org

Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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For most of us, climate change is a heavy topic. Ethan Brown has made it his mission to make environmental issues more approachable and understandable--by using humor.  His website and podcast, aptly titled "The Sweaty Penguin," is able to cut through the noise and the doom-and-gloom of the climate conversation with late-night-comedy-style monologues and in-depth conversations with leading global experts on a variety of environmental issues.  In this episode, Ethan shares how he went from being a college student with an interest in satire (but not necessarily climate change) to using his voice--literally--for this important cause.  Ethan also gives concrete advice we all can use to help the climate crisis (and no, you don't necessarily have to become vegan and bike to work every day!).

In this episode:

01:48: Why and how Ethan got into taking a humorous approach to climate change
05:04: How The Sweaty Penguin creates episodes--"deep dives," monologues, experts, and more
07:48: How Ethan weaves "the philosophy of comedy" into his podcasts
09:38: Dealing with climate change as a scientific--not a political--issue
12:54: Why Ethan feels optimistic about the future
15:46: Five things we all can do to help the climate crisis
19:59: Addressing the vegan vs. meat-eating debate in the climate change conversation
27:36: What Ethan has learned about himself and about the issues in the past few years

Want to know more about Ethan and The Sweaty Penguin?

• Follow them on Instagram: @ethanbrown5151, @sweatypenguinpod
• Find them on TikTok: @ethanbrown5151, @sweatypenguinpod
• Search for them on X: @ethanbrown5151, @sweatpenguinpod
• Go to The Sweaty Penguin website: www.thesweatypenguin.com 

Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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In 2008, Celeste Mergens was volunteering at an orphanage in Kenya when she saw an issue that she couldn't ignore, and decided to try to help improve it.  Through some trial and error, and lots of listening, humility and determination, she founded Days for Girls, which champions women's health and menstrual equity.  Days for Girls has now served 3 million women and girls in 145 countries.  In this episode, Celeste shares stories of Days for Girls (including iterations of the washable pads they provide--she says the first one "was a horrible design, and I could say that because I designed it!")--and the other educational and stigma-shattering goals of the organization.  Celeste also shares her personal journey from a childhood filled with poverty and shaming, to setbacks in her educational goals.  Celeste's insights and perspective into the "seasons" in life, and her belief that all of her experiences taught and led her where she needed to go, are proof that no divide is impossible to bridge.  She recently released a book, entitled "The Power of Days."

In this episode:

02:05--How Celeste got the idea to start her organization, Days for Girls, and what it does
06:33--Celeste's childhood, growing up moving often, sometimes homeless, and how that impacted her outlook
11:19--Turning our weaknesses into strengths; reframing our interpretation of experiences
14:39--Celeste's career journey (engineer, roofer, writer's conference founder)
21:58--What inspired her to start an organization to strive for menstrual equity
25:41--The importance of listening, getting feedback from the community to iterate and reiterate on the products and services
31:22--What inspired her to write her book, "The Power of Days"
33:17--Her advice to others interested in starting non-profit organizations
34:35--The importance of gratitude (her license plate even reads GRATA2D!)

Want to know more about Celeste and Days for Girls?

• Find out about Days for Girls: daysforgirls.org
• Celeste's website (including a link to her book, "The Power of Days"): https://celestemergens.com/
• Connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestemergens
• Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celeste.mergens

Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
• Follow us on social media:
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Andrew Backer decided to enter his first-ever bicycle race--but not just any old competition: the Trans Am Bike Race, a self-supported, ultra-distance ride that takes weeks to complete (21 days, for Andrew).  Not only did Andrew do it, and complete the ride (a feat in itself); he was sixth overall, and the first American to finish!  In this episode he shares what inspired him to go from weekend rider to racing 4200 miles across 10 states; how he figured out the strategies involved in this particular race (how much--and where--to sleep at night; why it's best to buy food at gas station convenience stores); what it was like to bike through hail, sheets of rain, extreme heat, and driving wind; and how the mental game was as important as the physical preparation to get to the finish line.  Andrew also shares snapshots of lovely Americans he met along the route who helped him with encouraging words, an offer to fix a tire spoke, and a meatloaf sandwich.

In this episode:

01:53: What inspired Andrew to take on this challenge
04:06: Describing a "self-supported, ultra-distance" bike race
05:34: Why several racers dropped out, and mechanical issues Andrew faced along the way
12:46: How many miles Andrew rode each day, and how much sleep he got
15:45: The obstacles riders dealt with along the route
18:00: What Andrew ate to fuel himself--but not weigh himself down
21:41: Kind people helping the riders across America
23:33: The times doubt or worry crept into Andrew's mind during the three week-long journey
31:38: How he entertained himself while riding
39:13: Andrew's creative ways to earn money to pay for the race expenses
40:16: "You can't do it alone"
41:38: How it felt to cross the finish line on day 21


Want to know more about Andrew and the Trans Am Bike Race?

• Watch this interview with him during the race: https://youtu.be/vnLy41GFLwA
• Check out the Trans Am Bike Race's website: https://transambikerace.com/

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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When Adesuwa Elaiho was a little girl, she pretended to be a contestant on cooking shows; now, she actually is one!  Adesuwa is one of the 12 bakers competing  on the Food Network's "Halloween Baking Championship." On this episode, she shares the inside scoop about life on the set of a baking reality show--from the time pressure to what happens when your cake falls apart; how she felt about being judged for her bakes, and her nervousness about how she'd be portrayed after the show was edited.  Adesuwa is a classically-trained chef (she has four degrees from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris), so creating gory, Halloween-themed treats stretched her beyond her comfort zone!  But she came away from the experience feeling validated and grateful.

In this episode:

03:33--Adesuwa's childhood dreams about being on the Food Network
04:56--Her strategy to prepare to be on the Halloween Baking Championship
06:30--The challenges of baking under time pressure
10:40--How the contestants worked together and agreed not to "sabotage" each other
13:34--How a classically-trained chef created gory, Halloween-themed desserts
15:42--Adesuwa's thoughts about being judged on the show
20:14--Baking with cameras constantly in your face
27:39--Getting into the right frame of mind each day before taping the show
34:13--Adesuwa's tips for home bakers

Want to know more about Adesuwa?

• Find out about the "Halloween Baking Championship": https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-baking-championship
• Connect with her pastry shop, Asukar: www.myasukar.com

Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Barbara Legere experienced every parent's ultimate nightmare: her child died.  Her son took his own life, after years of struggling with mental health issues and addiction.  After an intense period of feeling "in a fog," Barbara started writing, which eventually became a bestselling book, called "Keven's Choice." 

In this episode, Barbara shares very personal stories about Keven's life as a boy; his challenges with drugs and his time incarcerated; his stints in rehab; and her experiences on this journey with her beloved son, including why she never gave him "tough love" and what it has been like to survive his loss and to keep going.  Barbara has endured plenty of judgement from others along the way, but her unconditional love for her son, and her empathy for others motivate her to spread awareness of substance abuse and mental illness.  She recently released a second book, entitled "Talk to Me I'm Grieving."

In addition to writing, Barbara is a volunteer for for the non-profit TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) where she is called on scene by first responders to give emotional support and help to those involved in traumatic incidents, typically involving the death of a loved one. She also advocates for grief awareness, suicide prevention, and compassion for substance abuse disorder.

If you or anyone you know needs support, text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.


In this episode:

02:27: What Keven was like as a child
07:02: The day Keven ended his life
12:20: Best things to say and do--and not to say and do--after someone has lost a loved one
20:08: Keven's experiences in jail and rehab
25:10: Barbara's journey writing her first book
30:29: The TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) for which Barbara volunteers
33:16: Confronting the stigma around mental illness and substance abuse, and judgement from neighbors and strangers
37:48: Barbara's advice for people who are grieving--and their friends


Want to know more about Barbara?

• Find all of her social media, podcasts and articles here: https://linktr.ee/BarbaraLegere925
• Learn about her books: "Keven's Choice, A Mothers Journey Through Her Son's Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide": https://smile.amazon.com/Kevens-Choice-Mothers-Journey-Addiction-ebook/dp/B09WL1QP6G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8; "Talk To Me I'm Grieving: Supportive Ways to Help Someone Through Grief": https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Me-Im-Grieving-Supportive/dp/1957430168 
• Sign up for her newsletter: www.barbaralegere.com
• For more information about TIP (the Trauma Intervention Program): https://www.tipnational.org/

 
Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Movies and TV shows often take us behind the scenes of the New York Police Department--but the truth is often stranger than fiction.  Vic Ferrari spent 20 memorable years as a member of the NYPD, most of them as a detective.  In this episode, he shares stories from his many hours on the job, and on the streets:  targeting car thieves; sitting overnight with a just-deceased man; working at Ground Zero on 9/11; and lots of crazy anecdotes too (like how he almost got his gun belt stolen from a bathroom stall).  Learn about what goes on during the different shifts--and which one is known for "big game hunting"--and why, despite everything, Vic doesn't consider himself "brave."

In this episode:

• Vic's interest in police work began at a young age (02:04)
• Inside the Police Academy (02:55)
• Qualities you need to be a good police officer (06:36)
• Why you can't play your day (or your week) in the NYPD (09:01)
• How you get yourself to repeatedly go into dangerous situations (13:11)
• One example of "I can't believe this was my work day today"(17:17)
• Day shift vs. 4:00-midnight shift vs. overnight shift (21:09)
• Why a sense of humor is essential in law enforcement (23:32)
• Working in the auto theft division of the NYPD (28:31)
• Being in the NYPD on 9/11 (31:41)

Want to know more about Vic?

• Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicferrarinypd/
• Follow him on X:  @VicFerrari50 
• Check out his books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01IIQXLBC

Want to know more about "What It's Like To..."?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
• Follow us on social media:
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Making a podcast requires a lot more than just sitting in front of a microphone, hitting "record," and talking with a guest--as I've learned over the past few years.  To find out what it takes to make a good podcast, and make it grow, I turned to an expert: Colin Gray, the founder and CEO of ThePodcastHost.com.  Colin gave me tips and advice that can apply to other podcasters as well--and many of his tips can be used by anyone, in any field: be a good listener,  stop being a perfectionist, and more (listen to the interview to get his many other useful tips!).

In this episode:

• Why do most podcasters get into podcasting? (02:42)
• How best to approach launching a podcast (03:42)
• Finding your "niche"--demographics vs. psychographics (07:51)
• Choosing which ways to market a podcast (13:49)
• The "strength" and "sticking points" of podcasting (16:47)
• How Colin got into podcasting and created ThePodcastHost.com (18:46)
• Various ways to make money from podcasting (21:32)
• How to make the process efficient and sustainable (27:09)
• Ideas to cut down on editing time (30:26)
• Marketing with video clips vs. still images (37:50)
• Advice to avoid "podfade" (41:21)

Want to know more about Colin?

• Find out about his company: ThePodcastHost.com
• Link up with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmcgray/?originalSubdomain=uk

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
• Follow us on social media:
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