What Makes Us...

Motherhood doesn’t just add a title—it rewires identity, reshapes priorities, and reorients how we move through the world. In this intimate episode, we sit down with Sue Ann, a longtime friend and former colleague, to explore how stepping into “mama” transformed her career path, her sense of self, and her approach to parenting.

From a smooth pregnancy that pivoted at 37 weeks to a breech baby and a planned C-section, Sue Ann shares how fear gave way to acceptance—and how small, intentional choices made a clinical process feel deeply human: a clear drape, the first cry, and skin-to-skin within minutes.

We go beyond birth stories to talk about the realities of early feeding. The myth that babies “just know” how to latch collided with triple feeding, sleep deprivation, and lactation consults that changed everything. Sue Ann reflects on what shifted with her second child: less noise, more intuition. She shares why “mama” feels right for this season—anchored in safety, comfort, and closeness—and how she’s crafting a parenting style that protects without overcontrolling.

Borrowing a model from student development, Sue Ann imagines parenting as a tandem bike: the child steers, while the adult provides balance, asks questions, and brakes near the cliffs. The goal? Discernment in a world overflowing with information.

We also talk lineage and love. Acts of service from her own mother—meals, laundry, quiet presence—taught Sue Ann how caring for the caregiver sustains the whole family. Together, we reflect on modeling values, embracing firsts that become core memories, and the lifelong nature of this role.

Whether you’re expecting, a new parent, or simply curious about the inner work of raising humans, this episode offers grounded insights you can use: trust your instincts, curate your village, and adapt as your child grows.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick rating or review. Your support helps more parents find thoughtful, real stories like this one.

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Thank You to all of our supporters that have contributed a couple of bucks to keep this show up and running! All proceeds go back into the show to make it better and increase the reach out to the community.

If you like what you have heard and to support the show, just click on the link for support! Every dollar helps us bring more stories and inspiration to your ears!

Thanks for being amazing!

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

What if support didn’t steer your life—but lit the way forward?

In this episode, we sit down with Shailendra Aswal, coach and Chief Navigating Officer at My Life Kompass, to explore the lighthouse as a metaphor for personal growth: a steady beam, an early warning, and a safe harbor to regroup before heading back out to sea.

Rather than taking the wheel, we discuss how great coaching fosters clarity and safety—so you can navigate your own waters with confidence. We unpack transformation from both sides of the lantern: how coaches must tend their own light through physical, mental, and spiritual practice, and how clients build self-awareness until it shines reliably, even in rough weather.

Expect vivid metaphors and practical tools—anchors as daily habits, storm-sensing as emotional intelligence, and intentional pauses to chart your next course. We also explore why insights often stay locked inside one-on-one sessions—and how a shared harbor can turn private breakthroughs into communal wisdom that helps many boats avoid the same rocks.

Zooming out, we ask: how can we balance individual freedom with the strength of community? This episode offers a middle path—sail when you need to, dock when you should. You’ll hear about building safe spaces, using stories as portable lighthouses, and protecting your sense of worth in a world that moves faster than ever.

If you’re navigating change, craving connection, or ready to be a lighthouse for someone else, this conversation offers language, practices, and hope you can use today.

If it resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s at sea right now, and leave a review to help more people find their harbor.

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

What if masculinity isn’t innate—but taught? And what happens when we start to unlearn it?

In this episode, we sit down with TJ—a queer, trans, Middle Eastern-Armenian man and recovering academic—to explore how masculinity is shaped by culture, race, faith, and family. From drag king stages to circles of men of color who welcomed him without question, TJ shares how rare affirmations helped him understand his identity.

We trace these moments to broader systems: patriarchy as a colonial export, whiteness as the default for “acceptable” masculinity, and media narratives that shame Black culture while excusing white-coded genres. Our conversation spans Vermont, Chicago, and India’s vibrant streets, where trans women offer blessings and male friendships include hand-holding without stigma.

We wrestle with anger, pacifism, and fatherhood’s quiet fears. TJ reflects on why rejecting the label “man” once felt safer—and how embracing it became a way to challenge the link between masculinity and violence. We also talk faith: a Quaker lens that centers human light, and an atheist ethic that grounds goodness without divine reward.

This isn’t a checklist for being a man—it’s a practice. Affirm without policing. Unlearn whiteness as the norm. Make space for male intimacy beyond sex or aggression. Honor trans wisdom that expands the path for all.

If masculinity is taught, it can be retaught—toward care, consent, and connection.

🎧 Subscribe, share with someone who’ll push the conversation, and leave a review with one thing you’re unlearning about manhood. What part of the script would you rewrite?

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

What happens when we approach life with genuine curiosity? How might our lives transform if we questioned not just the world around us, but our own deepest assumptions about who we are?

Anupama Giri joins host Brian Hooks for a profound exploration of curiosity as a fundamental life force. Drawing from her childhood in Varanasi (one of the world's most ancient cities) where she witnessed life and death ceremonies happening side by side, she shares how early questions about existence shaped her approach to living fully.

"Without curiosity, there is no learning," Anupama observes, revealing how this quality connects to courage, hope, and even our neurological development. The conversation weaves through fascinating territory—from the challenges of learning to swim as an adult to why professional titles often become limitations rather than launchpads for growth. Perhaps most compelling is their discussion about the top regrets of the dying, with the number one regret being not trying rather than failing.

In an age where information overload has many taking things at face value rather than questioning deeply, this conversation offers a refreshing counterpoint. Brian and Anupama suggest that curiosity isn't just an intellectual exercise but a practice that opens doors to authenticity and fulfillment. Their exchange culminates in a powerful reimagining of an old adage—perhaps curiosity didn't kill the cat after all, but helped it find the milk.

Whether you're feeling stuck in your career, wondering about your purpose beyond professional achievement, or simply seeking to recapture the natural curiosity we all possessed as children, this episode offers gentle guidance and profound insights. As Anupama puts it: "Be curious, and you never know where you will land."

Want to connect with Anupama Giri? Check out her LinkedIn page at linkedin.com/in/anupama-giri-a24b1116

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

Ten episodes in, and What Makes Us has blossomed into a tapestry of human experiences I never could have imagined when starting this journey. This special reflection episode breaks from our usual format to explore what I've learned from conversations with people who've shaped my life in various ways.

The podcast began as a way to reconnect with what I loved most about my years in higher education – witnessing growth through stories. After leaving that world and moving to Bangalore, I missed being part of people's developmental journeys. What Makes Us became my way to continue that work while exploring the fundamental question of how we develop through our connections with others, groups, and society at large.

Each conversation has revealed something profound about the human experience. From Dr. Joy Hoffman's perspective-shifting moment about Columbine to the powerful vulnerability shown by my mother discussing her search for purpose through service, these stories create what I call "Brian's web" – a network of shared experiences seen through different lenses. The growth mindset emerges as a consistent thread throughout all episodes, with guests demonstrating how perceiving challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles creates forward momentum in life.

What inspires me most is watching people follow their intuition, step outside comfort zones, and embrace their authentic journeys. As we celebrate reaching 500 downloads and set our sights on 1,000, I'm excited to expand this web of connections with new voices and perspectives. The ultimate goal remains empowerment – helping you walk away from each episode feeling positive about where you are while recognizing the potential of where you might go. After all, we're all searching for what makes us who we are, and we learn best by doing it together.

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

In the 10th episode of "What Makes Us," host Brian Hooks sits down with his mother, Karen Hooks, for a deeply personal conversation about life's winding paths. 

Karen's story is a rich tapestry of experiences: starting work at 15, navigating diverse careers, facing discrimination, attending the UN Conference on Women in China, and ultimately dedicating herself to serving veterans at the VA Hospital. Through every transition, her unwavering commitment to be in service with others shines through.

A powerful realization emerges during their chat: despite never having a fixed career goal, Karen has always been guided by this innate purpose. This offers a fresh perspective: perhaps purpose isn't about specific achievements, but how we engage with the world.

The conversation highlights that purpose often unfolds not through meticulous planning, but by following intuitive "nudges" and embracing unexpected opportunities. Karen's profound final advice resonates: "Don't let fear rule you. Fear of success is just as damaging as fear of rejection—both keep you standing still."

This heartfelt conversation will inspire anyone questioning their path, inviting listeners to consider how they might already be living their purpose without realizing it. Tune in to "What Makes Us" and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

Ever wondered about the difference between change and transformation? While change is external, transformation is a profound internal shift that redefines who you are. Mastering it can unlock the life you truly desire.

Leadership coach Preethi Subramanian, who transitioned from chartered accountant to IT security professional to leadership coach, and moved between India, Switzerland, and Singapore, discovered that transformation isn't an event, but a culmination of consciously navigated transitions.

Preethi's powerful framework helps maintain direction during life's "messy middle" moments. Her internal compass uses purpose-aligned questions: Why make this change? How does it honor your values? Where does it lead in relation to your vision? When is the right timing? This keeps you grounded even when the path is unclear.

A key insight is the growth-versus-security dilemma. Prioritizing growth, expanding capabilities and perspectives, ultimately yields greater rewards than clinging to comfort. This aligns with Maslow's hierarchy: self-actualization happens when you venture beyond your comfort zone.

The ultimate reward is freedom of choice—the power to create a life aligned with your deepest values. This freedom is transformation's greatest gift.

Ready to transform your life? Growth awaits, and your next breakthrough might be just one conscious transition away.

Connect with Preethi: [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

Feeling a persistent inner pull toward something different, even amidst external success? Join us for an insightful conversation with Executive Leadership Coach Gusti Clark about the power of personal and professional evolution.

Gusti's seemingly diverse career in nonprofit, tech, HR, biotech, government, and entrepreneurship reveals a purposeful journey guided by intuition and a mission to help others navigate major life transitions. "I've come to realize that all those things together have actually been connected," she explains, "I was evolving in what I was doing the whole time."

Notably, Gusti bravely followed internal nudges for growth, even when uncomfortable. She describes reaching conventional success in her dream job yet feeling unfulfilled. "I'm capable of so much more," she thought. "I didn't know what, but I knew I had more to give." This vulnerability opens a key discussion about defining success through alignment, not just achievement.

For those considering their own evolution, Gusti offers three practical tips: reframe challenges, process emotions creatively, and remember that change happens—you choose whether to shape it. Importantly, she reminds us: "No matter your job or where you work, you're still a person before and after that.

Ready to explore your own evolution? Listen to this episode, then connect with Gusti Clark to learn about her upcoming book, "No One is Coming to Save You: How to Find Source Within."

Want to know more about Gusti Clark - https://linktr.ee/gusticlark  

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

In this episode of What Makes Us..., Dr. Alvin Sturdivant, Vice President of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Portland, guides a profound exploration into the evolving journey of meaning-making, rooted in our connections to family, faith, community, and history. He recounts how his grandmother instilled an early understanding of self-defined purpose, a foundation strengthened by his Pentecostal spirituality, providing enduring resilience.

Dr. Sturdivant emphasizes the interconnectedness of this search, highlighting how we build upon the legacies of past generations, transforming meaning-making from an individual pursuit to a shared endeavor relevant to today's challenges. His insights extend to the power of bridging divides, illustrating how meaningful relationships can blossom from open-mindedness. Offering valuable guidance for educators, parents, and community leaders, he underscores the importance of cultivating critical thinking and exposure to diverse perspectives in young people, empowering them to navigate an increasingly complex world and forge their own authentic meaning.

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching

What does real friendship look like in today's world? Not the sitcom version where everyone lives in the same apartment building, but the authentic connections that sustain us through distance, life changes, and the passage of time.

In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with my friend Annie to explore our decade-long friendship journey and what it reveals about human connection. From our first meeting in graduate school (where Annie found my "likability annoying") to navigating friendship across continents, we unpack how authentic relationships evolve and endure.

We examine the "Summer of Sangria" – when I made different sangria recipes weekly and hand-delivered them to friends throughout Seattle – as a case study in community-building. This seemingly simple act created meaningful connection in busy adult lives, culminating in a final gathering where everyone celebrated their favorites.

The conversation tackles head-on the challenges of modern friendship: the loneliness epidemic despite technological connection, the barriers to making new friends as adults, and how social media creates illusions of closeness while often deepening isolation. We challenge the friendship myths perpetuated by shows like "Friends" and offer practical insights for nurturing real connections in a disconnected world.

Whether you're questioning your own friendship patterns or simply curious about what makes human bonds last, this episode provides both heartfelt reflection and actionable wisdom. Because in a world where we're constantly "connected," true friendship might be our most undervalued relationship.

What friendship myths have you believed? Join the conversation and share your experiences with authentic connection in today's world.

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Support the show

If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching