Welcome to What's the Point? — the show where we explore what shapes us, what changes us, and what gives our lives meaning over time. In this episode, I'm joined by Annie Dike — a writer whose life has moved through wildly different worlds: a complex early life in Clovis, New Mexico, a career in law, years living and working at sea, and a steady commitment to writing as a way of making sense of experience.

Annie begins in Clovis — a place she once wanted to escape, but later came to appreciate for what it gave her: creativity, closeness with her brother, and a tough kind of resilience built in a childhood without many resources. She also talks about what it was like growing up between two very different environments after her parents divorced — traveling across the country to Alabama and experiencing how different landscapes, people, and family structures can expand your world.

From there, Annie takes us into what she calls her "supposed to" track — the version of success built on prestige, degrees, salary, and stability. She pursued law largely because it felt like a parachute: a way to avoid the financial struggle she knew as a kid. And while she became successful on paper, she also became deeply unhappy — especially working defense for corporations and insurance companies. The more she sensed her work didn't align with her core, the harder it became to ignore.

Annie also shares the personal side of that same season: marriage, divorce, and the quiet shame she carried as she tried to keep her life looking "fine" from the outside. But that divorce became a turning point — proof she could change something hard. And soon after, she faced the bigger question: if I can change this… can I change everything else that isn't working too?

A major part of Annie's next chapter is Philip, her partner — someone who saw strengths in her that she couldn't see in herself. She describes imposter syndrome as a constant companion, yet also shows how trust and relationship can become a bridge to courage. Their sailing life becomes a living metaphor: night watches, shared responsibility, and the kind of communication that has to be honest because the stakes are real. Annie makes a powerful point: trust is built through communication — even the awkward, pride-challenging kind.

We also talk about identity — how hard it is to answer "what do you do?" when your life doesn't fit a neat box. Annie's story is a reminder that purpose isn't always discovered in one dramatic moment. Sometimes it's built through reinvention: lawyer, cruiser, writer, speaker, and now novelist again — someone who keeps returning to the work of meaning through words.

Toward the end, Annie reflects on what she hopes readers take from Clovis: a willingness to accept change, and deeper empathy for people different from us — including her brother's experience and the layers of struggle that can exist beneath the surface. And when I ask the question I ask every guest — "What's the point?" — Annie answers with a line that lands like a bell: "Remember you're dying." Not as darkness, but as permission: take the risk, be brave, do the thing, and live awake.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Contact Info:

Email [email protected]

Website(s) http://www.anniedikeauthor.com

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/anniedike.author

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anniedikeauthor/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AnnieDikeAuthor Author's chapter by chapter reading of Clovis

BOOK Clovis https://www.amazon.com/Clovis-Annie-Dike/dp/B0FPMFZD66/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + who Annie Dike is (writer, law, life at sea)
• 01:00 – Clovis, New Mexico: childhood, poverty, creativity, family
• 03:10 – Parents divorced + traveling between New Mexico and Alabama
• 05:00 – Annie's dad: bull riding, cowboy life, resilience + humor
• 08:40 – "Get out of Clovis": school, achievement, pressure, exhaustion
• 10:00 – Choosing law on the "supposed to" track (money, stability)
• 12:00 – Practicing defense law + the work not feeling right
• 13:00 – Marriage, divorce, and keeping it quiet out of fear
• 14:10 – Realizing divorce was possible… and work might need to change too
• 17:00 – Leaving the firm: fear, freedom, and starting over
• 20:20 – Identity shift: "What do you do?" vs "Who are you?"
• 21:40 – Imposter syndrome + Philip seeing strengths she can't see
• 23:10 – Agreeing to sail around the world + becoming a strong "cruiser"
• 25:00 – Cruisers vs sailors (what that really means)
• 26:40 – Trust on a boat: night shifts, responsibility, judgment calls
• 27:40 – Communication as the foundation of trust
• 29:30 – Redefining success + "enough" + becoming a sailing writer
• 33:00 – New chapter: selling the boat, travel, writing novels
• 34:00 – Why Annie avoids "Hollywood endings" in her books
• 36:40 – What she hopes readers take from Clovis: change + empathy
• 41:20 – Brother's story + learning to empathize beyond labels
• 45:40 – Advice: "remember you're dying" + take the risk
• 48:00 – "What's the point?" Annie's answer + closing

In this episode of What's The Point?, I sit down with Loryn Nalic and Edo Nalic, partners in life and work and the force behind Balkan Treat Box, Telva, and the Ridge Room in St. Louis.

Their story isn't just about building award-winning restaurants. It's about displacement, resilience, trust, and what happens when two people commit to solving problems together instead of letting adversity define them.

Edo shares what it was like growing up in Bosnia during war, fleeing to Germany, living with uncertainty, and eventually coming to the United States alone. Loryn reflects on a very different upbringing—rooted in St. Louis, shaped by family, responsibility, and a lifelong relationship with food that began as a way to bring people together. Their paths couldn't have looked more different, yet they converged through shared struggle and mutual empathy.

Their relationship began not with certainty, but with necessity and trust—formed during a period marked by financial stress, immigration challenges, and responsibility to family. Over time, that trust deepened into partnership. Together they navigated economic collapse, job changes, parenting, and the bold decision to build something of their own without guarantees.

The idea for Balkan Treat Box came from honoring roots while creating something new—food that reflected the Balkan region's shared history rather than a single identity. What followed was anything but easy: a failed food-truck build, years of delay, advice from nearly everyone to give up, and the decision to keep going anyway. Through persistence, word-of-mouth, and genuine connection with customers, the truck slowly transformed into something people sought out—and talked about.

From there came a brick-and-mortar restaurant, the challenge of the pandemic, the humility of learning from peers, and the commitment to quality and community over convenience. Their growth continued through collaboration—within the St. Louis restaurant community, with local partners, and eventually through opportunities like serving at CITYPARK for St. Louis City SC.

Throughout the conversation, one theme keeps surfacing: belonging. Whether through food, family, or shared experience, Loryn and Edo have built places where people feel welcome, seen, and connected. Their story is a reminder that meaning often comes from consistency, partnership, and choosing to keep building—even when the outcome isn't guaranteed.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

• Website: balkantreatbox.com

Email:

• Loryn Nalic - [email protected]
• Edo Nalic - [email protected]
• Phone - Balkan Treat Box 314-733-5700
• Address - 8103 Big Bend Blvd, Webster Groves, MO 63119

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram:

• @‌balkantreatbox
• @‌lorynnalic
• @‌telvastl
• @‌ridgeroom

Facebook:

• https://www.facebook.com/balkantreatbox
• ORDER VIA GOLDBELLY:
• www.goldbelly.com/balkan-treat-box

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Loryn and Edo Nalic
• 01:00 – Edo's childhood in Bosnia and displacement during war
• 02:50 – Deportation, uncertainty, and starting again
• 03:15 – Loryn's upbringing in St. Louis and early connection to food
• 05:10 – Cooking as care, connection, and identity
• 05:50 – Being a single parent and working through instability
• 06:40 – How Loryn and Edo first met
• 08:30 – Guarded trust and early impressions
• 10:30 – Empathy, shared struggle, and partnership
• 12:10 – Deportation notice and life-altering decisions
• 14:10 – Choosing to trust each other
• 16:30 – Building a relationship through adversity
• 18:40 – Economic collapse and job transitions
• 19:50 – The idea of building something of their own
• 21:30 – Choosing Balkan food as a shared identity
• 23:20 – Traveling to Bosnia for inspiration
• 26:00 – Understanding culture, food, and shared roots
• 29:00 – The food truck dream and devastating setbacks
• 30:45 – Almost giving up
• 33:20 – Community stepping in to help
• 34:20 – Learning how to sell, explain, and connect
• 36:30 – Word-of-mouth growth and pride in the work
• 38:10 – Opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant
• 42:50 – Navigating the pandemic together
• 47:30 – Collaboration within the restaurant community
• 49:20 – CITYPARK and being part of St. Louis history
• 52:00 – Telva and the evolution of their vision
• 55:20 – How they balance each other as partners
• 59:00 – What makes their partnership work
• 01:03:35 – Loryn answers: "What's the point?"
• 01:05:00 – Edo answers: "What's the point?"
• 01:06:40 – Closing reflections

In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Jason Van Ruler for an honest conversation about healing, responsibility, and the quiet work of becoming someone you can respect.

Jason shares parts of his story that began in instability—growing up in a chaotic environment, learning early how to survive, and internalizing beliefs about worth that followed him into adulthood. Like many of us, he found himself repeating familiar patterns, even when they no longer served him.

We talk about the turning point that came when Jason realized that awareness alone wasn't enough. Wanting change didn't automatically create it. That moment forced a deeper question: What does it actually take to become the person you want to be?

Jason reflects on the small but powerful steps that helped him rebuild—from learning to tolerate the person in the mirror, to counting small wins, to seeking the right kind of help. He explains the difference between avoiding pain and doing the work, and why true growth requires honesty, ownership, and support.

Our conversation also explores how healing shapes leadership, relationships, and purpose. Jason challenges the idea that success alone defines a meaningful life, arguing instead that who we become—and how we show up for others—matters far more than what we achieve.

This episode is a human story of growth. It's about discovering what matters when old narratives fall apart, finding meaning through responsibility, and understanding that purpose isn't something we stumble into—it's something we build, one choice at a time.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

CONTACT INFO:

• Name Jason VanRuler
• Email [email protected]
• Website Jason VanRuler | Therapist, Coach, Speaker, and Author

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

• LinkedIn Jason VanRuler, LPC-MH, LMHC, CSAT-S | LinkedIn
• https://www.instagram.com/jason.vanruler
• https://www.facebook.com/thejasonvanruler/
• Book: Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection: VanRuler, Jason, Bob Goff: 9780310367413: Amazon.com: Books
• Upcoming book: Discovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships - Kindle edition by VanRuler, Jason. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Jason Van Ruler
• 01:00 – Why Jason hopes people feel hope when they encounter his work
• 02:15 – Growing up in Sioux Falls and the impact of early instability
• 03:40 – How childhood chaos shapes identity and self-worth
• 05:00 – Finding refuge and safety in books
• 06:20 – Early exposure to personal development tapes and hope
• 07:40 – Leaving home at 18 and recreating familiar patterns
• 09:00 – Realizing adulthood requires personal responsibility
• 10:00 – The mirror moment at rock bottom
• 11:20 – Learning to like the person staring back
• 12:45 – Counting small victories and rebuilding confidence
• 14:00 – Leaving recruiting to pursue therapy
• 15:20 – Why wanting change isn't enough
• 17:00 – Doing the work yourself before guiding others
• 18:30 – Therapy vs. coaching: looking back and moving forward
• 20:30 – Jason's personal support system: therapist, coach, spiritual guide
• 22:10 – Taking ownership of your direction
• 24:00 – Why success doesn't always equal happiness
• 26:00 – Redefining success and purpose
• 27:30 – Relationships as our true legacy
• 29:00 – Moving from self-loathing to self-acceptance
• 31:00 – Finding the right help and building trust
• 33:00 – What Jason wishes he'd known earlier in life
• 35:00 – Get Past Your Past and choosing credible guidance
• 37:00 – Understanding needs vs. wants in relationships
• 39:00 – Showing up differently as a husband and father
• 41:00 – Jason's upcoming book on communication styles
• 43:00 – Daily habits and practices for stability
• 45:00 – What people are really searching for
• 46:30 – Rethinking purpose as broader than one role
• 47:30 – Jason answers: "What's the point?"
• 48:45 – Closing reflections and gratitude

In this episode of What's the Point?, host Bill Ellis sits down with Dr. Jaime Goff, founder of The Empathic Leader, LLC and author of The Secure Leader, for a powerful conversation on how our earliest emotional experiences quietly shape the way we lead.

Drawing from her background in psychology, higher education leadership, and executive coaching, Dr. Goff explains how attachment patterns formed in childhood influence trust, control, communication, and emotional regulation in adulthood—especially in leadership roles. She shares personal stories from her own journey, including growing up in a restrictive emotional environment, navigating perfectionism and control early in her career, and learning how true leadership requires both empathy and accountability.

The conversation explores why secure leaders create psychologically safe environments, how repair—not perfection—is the foundation of strong relationships, and why self-awareness and emotional regulation are essential skills for modern leaders. Dr. Goff also reflects on career transitions, resilience through setbacks, and the courage it takes to build a life aligned with purpose rather than pressure.

This episode is an honest, grounded look at leadership from the inside out—and a reminder that lasting impact begins with secure connection.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

• Name Dr. Jaime Goff
• Email https://drjaimegoff.com/contact
• Website(s) https://drjaimegoff.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjaimegoff
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr_jaimegoff
• Other https://www.youtube.com/@drjaimegoff

• CURRENT PROJECTS

• New book - "The Secure Leader"

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Dr. Jaime Goff
• 01:10 – Jaime's path into psychology and leadership work
• 03:10 – Why leadership starts long before adulthood
• 05:20 – Early emotional environments and attachment patterns
• 07:45 – How childhood patterns show up at work
• 10:30 – Control, perfectionism, and leadership identity
• 13:00 – What secure leadership actually looks like
• 15:40 – Psychological safety and trust in teams
• 18:10 – Repair vs. perfection in leadership relationships
• 21:00 – Self-awareness as a leadership skill
• 23:40 – Emotional regulation under pressure
• 26:10 – Empathy without losing accountability
• 29:00 – Career transitions and resilience
• 31:30 – Authenticity, courage, and purpose at work
• 34:10 – Lessons from executive coaching
• 36:40 – What insecure leadership environments create
• 39:00 – Building security in yourself first
• 41:30 – How leaders can start changing patterns today
• 44:00 – Defining success beyond performance
• 46:10 – Dr. Goff answers: "What's the point?"

In this episode of What's the Point?, I talk with Kacper Staniul, founder and CEO of MyArchitectAI, about how purpose often reveals itself not through a single calling—but through curiosity, experimentation, and the discipline to keep building.

Kacper's journey began far from startups and artificial intelligence. As a university student in Poland studying materials science, he admits he had little sense of direction. What changed everything was exposure to the internet and the realization that learning wasn't limited to formal education. That discovery sparked curiosity, and curiosity led to building.

Rather than waiting for the "right" moment, Kacper started experimenting. He worked full-time while launching side projects at night, learning firsthand that momentum comes not from perfect preparation, but from publishing, listening, and improving in public. One of the most powerful lessons he shares is that if you're not slightly embarrassed by your first version, you probably waited too long to launch.

We talk about failure—not as something dramatic, but as something quiet and common: waiting too long, learning too much without acting, hesitating when action is required. Kacper reflects candidly on how those early missteps became teachers, shaping a more disciplined, feedback-driven approach to building.

That mindset eventually led him to MyArchitectAI. Not because he was an architect. Not because he was an AI engineer. But because he recognized an opportunity to empower creatives by removing barriers. By partnering with the right people, listening closely to users, and staying focused on solving one clear problem, he helped turn an early-stage idea into a tool used by designers around the world.

Throughout our conversation, Kacper challenges a common myth about entrepreneurship—that it's all about taking massive risks. Instead, he describes himself as risk-averse, methodical, and intentional. Purpose for him isn't about gambling; it's about steady improvement, meaningful feedback, and building something that genuinely helps others.

This is a human story of growth—about how people find meaning not by waiting for certainty, but by creating, learning, and refining as they go. Purpose, as Kacper shows, often takes shape through the simple act of building something useful for someone else.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

Name: Kacper Staniul Website(s): https://myarchitectai.com

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacper-staniul/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kacperstaniul

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Kacper Staniul
• 01:00 – From science student to builder
• 03:00 – Discovering curiosity through the internet
• 05:00 – Why intrinsic motivation matters more than credentials
• 06:30 – Viewing life and learning like a video game
• 08:00 – First side projects and early lessons
• 09:30 – The courage to hit "publish"
• 11:00 – Launching before you're ready
• 12:30 – Balancing full-time work with building on the side
• 14:00 – Avoiding analysis paralysis
• 15:30 – Why real user feedback matters more than theory
• 17:00 – Discovering MyArchitectAI
• 18:30 – Building without being an architect or AI developer
• 20:30 – Partnering instead of trying to do everything yourself
• 22:00 – Staying focused amid endless AI possibilities
• 24:00 – Why small teams work best for him
• 26:00 – Risk aversion and disciplined decision-making
• 28:00 – Creating a framework for choosing ideas
• 31:00 – What keeps Kacper motivated
• 33:00 – Advice for builders who haven't started yet
• 35:00 – How he defines purpose
• 36:30 – Kacper answers: "What's the point?"

In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Gavin Lance Topp, a former professional boxer whose life has been shaped as much by the battles outside the ring as the ones inside it. Gavin's story is a powerful exploration of purpose, identity, and the fight within us all.

Growing up in Australia and moving often as a child, Gavin found structure and validation in boxing. What began as an outlet for rage and energy became a disciplined pursuit that carried him from amateur fights to becoming the Australian Junior Middleweight Champion and eventually earning a world ranking. But as Gavin explains, the lessons that mattered most didn't come from winning—they came from getting punched, listening to mentors, and realizing that sometimes others can see what we can't.

Outside the ring, Gavin's life unraveled. Alcohol became a substitute for identity, integrity slipped, and promises were broken. At just 22 years old, standing at the graveside of his sister's boyfriend who had taken his own life, Gavin reached a breaking point. That moment—followed by walking into his first recovery meeting—became the beginning of sobriety, self-honesty, and a second chance.

From near homelessness and food vouchers, Gavin rebuilt his life. He returned to boxing with clarity and discipline, eventually living out his childhood dream of becoming a national champion. But success brought new questions. What do you do when the dreams you chased finally come true—and still something feels unfinished? That question became the doorway to Gavin's deeper purpose.

Through mentors, faith, and years of inner work, Gavin began to understand the idea of rites of passage—the transformation from boyhood into mature, grounded manhood. That understanding led him to found Fight Like a Pro, The Man Alive Experience, and ultimately a global mentorship platform helping thousands of men find purpose, identity, and direction.

Today, Gavin speaks openly about courage, humility, adventure, and living a life that inspires others. He challenges men to pursue dreams bigger than comfort, to stop living out of alignment, and to understand that purpose often reveals itself through struggle, honesty, and service.

This is a human story of growth—one that reminds us that while every man will die, not every man will truly live.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]

• www.billellis.com

• www.brandingforresults.com

• IG - @wcellis

• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis

• Facebook - @bill.ellis

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis

• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

• https://gavin-topp.mykajabi.com/manchallengetickets

• https://www.youtube.com/@gavinlancetopp

• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076350442592

• https://www.instagram.com/gavinlancetopp?igsh=MW1xanN6OTlsejMxbA==

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Gavin Lance Topp
• 01:00 – Early life in Australia and entering the boxing gym
• 03:00 – What boxing gave Gavin as a teenager
• 04:00 – The lesson: a cornerman sees what you can't
• 06:00 – Learning to trust more and force less
• 08:00 – Traveling young and searching for manhood
• 09:30 – Alcohol, loss of integrity, and reaching a breaking point
• 12:00 – Standing at a graveside and asking for help
• 14:30 – Walking into his first recovery meeting
• 16:00 – Reclaiming integrity and creating personal oaths
• 18:00 – From food vouchers to national champion
• 19:30 – When dreams come true… now what?
• 21:00 – Rites of passage and the gaps men don't see
• 23:00 – Faith, calling, and being carried through the fight
• 25:00 – The mission behind Fight Like a Pro
• 26:30 – Every man longs for a battle, an adventure, and love
• 29:00 – Purpose vs mission and finding the fire
• 32:00 – Why men burn out when living someone else's purpose
• 34:00 – Personal oaths, fatherhood, and leading by example
• 37:00 – What a good day looks like now
• 39:00 – Living a life of adventure that inspires others
• 43:00 – Domestication, comfort, and shrinking our dreams
• 46:00 – What he hopes listeners take away
• 48:00 – "Every man will die, not every man will live"

In this episode of What's the Point?, I'm joined by Vanessa Thompson, whose story is a clear reminder that purpose doesn't usually arrive fully formed. More often, it takes shape slowly—through struggle, uncertainty, and hard-earned clarity.

Vanessa shares her journey through seasons of instability and questioning, moments where the path forward wasn't obvious, and how those experiences ultimately reshaped how she thinks about work, success, and sustainability. We talk about how easy it is to chase outcomes without pausing to ask whether the life we're building is actually livable—and how purpose often shows up when something simply stops working.

What stood out in our conversation is Vanessa's honesty about redefining success. She speaks openly about burnout, recalibration, and the courage it takes to slow down enough to listen. Her story reflects how people find meaning not by avoiding difficulty, but by paying attention to what those moments are asking of us.

We explore what it means to create sustainability—not just environmentally or professionally, but emotionally and personally. Vanessa describes learning to align her values with her daily choices, letting go of expectations that no longer fit, and building a life that can be sustained over time, not just admired from the outside.

This episode is a human story of growth, resilience, and intentional living. It's about discovering what matters when life strips away certainty—and how purpose often reveals itself not in the breakthrough moment, but in the steady work of rebuilding.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

• Email [email protected]

• Website(s) https://www.the-sustainability-experts.com

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

LinkedIn:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessathompson5 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sustainability-experts

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Vanessa Thompson
• 01:00 – Vanessa's early struggles and uncertainty
• 03:00 – When life stops working the way you planned
• 05:00 – Rethinking success and sustainability
• 07:00 – Burnout as a wake-up call
• 09:00 – Learning to pause and reassess
• 11:00 – Letting go of old definitions of achievement
• 13:00 – How purpose begins to take shape
• 15:00 – Building work and life that can last
• 18:00 – Alignment between values and daily choices
• 20:00 – Why sustainability isn't just environmental
• 22:00 – Living with intention instead of urgency
• 24:00 – What keeps Vanessa going now
• 26:00 – Advice for those feeling stuck
• 28:00 – Discovering what truly matters
• 30:00 – Vanessa answers: "What's the point?"

In this episode of What's the Point, I sit down with artist Cbabi Bayoc, a painter, muralist, illustrator, and author whose work is rooted in one powerful idea: painting the world he wants his children—and all of our children—to thrive in.

Cbabi shares how his art has always been about people. Faces. Emotion. Community. From his early days studying at Grambling State University to drawing caricatures at Six Flags, he learned to observe humanity closely, to listen, and to let people teach him through their reactions. What could have been discouraging moments became lessons in humility, learning, and perseverance.

A major part of our conversation centers on Cbabi's decision to move his studio to East St. Louis and his work with the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center. He challenges the narratives many of us have been handed about places and people, reminding us how quickly false perceptions can dissolve once we experience community firsthand. His work consistently invites us to look past stereotypes and toward shared humanity.

We also talk about fatherhood and how becoming a dad reshaped his purpose. His 365 Days with Dad series—and the children's book When I Became Dad—grew out of a deep desire to reflect love, presence, and care. Hearing Cbabi describe parents crying in galleries as they connected with his work was a powerful reminder of how art can speak where words fall short.

Cbabi reflects on the role of music in his creative process, the responsibility of creating public art, and the deeply meaningful experience of designing stained glass for the Episcopal Church of Holy Communion—an opportunity that allowed him to explore faith, justice, representation, and history through art.

We also explore how he sees technology and AI intersecting with creativity, and why human experience, emotion, and perspective can never be replaced. For Cbabi, art remains a timeless tool for connection, empathy, and meaning.

This episode is a human story of growth, purpose, and responsibility. It's a reminder that living with purpose doesn't require grand gestures—sometimes it starts with simply caring, paying attention, and creating something that helps others feel seen.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

For inquiries about commissions, collaborations, or special projects, please contact his representation as follows: Name - Amber L. Howlett- Bayoc, PH,D strategist & change artist for CBAI Bayoc originals

• Email [email protected]
• Phone 314-384-9642
• Website(s) http://cbabibayoc.com , http://cbabiisgodstool.com (store) and http://leadwithdharma.com

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

• LinkedIn @‌cbabibayoc
• Instagram @‌cbabi

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Cbabi Bayoc
• 01:00 – What Cbabi hopes people feel when they see his art
• 02:00 – The meaning behind the name "Cbabi Bayoc"
• 03:30 – Grambling State University and breaking false narratives
• 05:00 – First art jobs and learning through observation
• 06:30 – Working at Six Flags and learning humility
• 07:45 – Moving the studio to East St. Louis
• 09:00 – Reframing perceptions of East St. Louis
• 10:30 – Music as a foundation of visual art
• 12:00 – Art, rhythm, and movement
• 13:15 – Children's books and becoming a father
• 15:00 – The 365 Days with Dad project
• 16:45 – How people emotionally respond to his work
• 18:30 – Community as the common thread
• 20:00 – Painting the world our children should grow up in

When you sit down with someone who has lived a big life, you can feel it instantly. That's exactly what happened in today's conversation with Tracy Spears—author, speaker, leadership coach, and co-founder of the Exceptional Leaders Lab. Her story is one of grit earned the hard way, grace discovered over time, and the lifelong work of becoming who we actually are.

Tracy's journey begins in a trailer park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where early messages about work ethic, worthiness, and performing for belonging shaped her worldview. She openly shares how one sentence from her father in third grade set the tone for her internal drive—and how that drive later became both a superpower and a liability.

What moved me most in this conversation is Tracy's willingness to revisit the moments that hurt the most: being disowned by her parents at age 22, hiding parts of herself to survive in corporate America, and the sting of being fired after 29 years with a company she once considered home. She speaks about all of it with a raw honesty that reminds us how human stories of growth are often rooted in pain we never planned for.

But this isn't a story about loss. It's a story about choosing agency. Tracy talks about redefining belonging—shifting from trying to "fit" into prescribed structures toward intentionally choosing the people and environments that allow her to be fully herself. That evolution didn't happen overnight, but it shaped the leader she became: someone who listens deeply, leads with humanity, and asks powerful questions like "What do you want?"—questions that have helped countless people discover what really matters.

We also explore the courage it takes to hold both grit and grace at the same time. Tracy discusses overcoming her inner critic, reframing past decisions with compassion, and becoming the kind of leader who creates space for others to shine. She offers insights on purpose, identity, influence, and why she now believes her true work is helping others find meaning in their own story.

This episode is full of wisdom—earned, honest, and generously shared. If you're navigating transition, searching for purpose, or learning to trust your own becoming, Tracy's story will speak directly to you.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters—their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

CONTACT INFO:

• Email [email protected]

Website(s)

• http://TheLeaderLab.com
• http://tracyspears.com

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

• LinkedIn - @‌tracylspears
• Facebook - @‌tracyspearsspeaker
• Tiktok - @‌tracyspearsspeaker
• Instagram - @‌tracylspears
• Twitter - @‌tracylspears
• YouTube - tracyspears

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Tracy Spears
• 01:00 – From athletics to leadership: who Tracy is today
• 02:40 – Grit, grace, and learning from what goes wrong
• 03:45 – Early years: growing up in a Tulsa trailer park
• 05:10 – The moment that shaped her life at age nine
• 07:00 – The teachers and community that helped her belong
• 09:00 – Building confidence, battling the inner critic
• 11:00 – Becoming a college athlete + lessons from softball
• 14:00 – Learning adaptability: the "utility player" mindset
• 15:00 – Major turning points: injury, coming out, being fired
• 18:00 – Getting fired after 29 years—and what came next
• 21:30 – What belonging really means (and what it doesn't)
• 24:00 – Performing for worth vs. living from who you are
• 29:00 – Reclaiming agency + choosing where we belong
• 30:30 – Leadership lessons: shifting from self-focus to service
• 33:00 – What do you really want? The power of the question
• 36:00 – Reframing "what happened" vs. "what I learned"
• 40:00 – Producers vs. leaders + the toolbox analogy
• 45:00 – Developing an inner coach instead of an inner critic
• 48:00 – True humility + accepting our gifts
• 49:00 – What brings Tracy joy now
• 51:00 – Travel, culture, and expanding our worldview
• 53:00 – Final reflection: becoming, belonging & purpose
• 54:00 – Tracy answers "What's the Point?"

In this episode of What's the Point, I sit down with Tim Christophersen, one of the world's leading voices in nature restoration and conservation, to explore what really drives us as humans and how we find meaning in our relationship with the natural world. Tim's journey is a powerful human story of growth, purpose, and responsibility — and it's bigger than politics, bigger than hot-button climate debates, and deeper than soundbites.

Tim shares how his love of nature began as a young boy walking through forests in Germany with his grandfather, quietly building the foundation for a life dedicated to restoring what we've lost. From living across three continents, to leading global environmental initiatives at the United Nations, to now restoring a former dairy farm in Denmark, Tim's life reflects a deep, lived commitment to purpose not as a concept — but as a way of being.

We talk about what keeps him going, including his belief that we're living through a real relationship crisis with Mother Nature. Not as an abstract idea, but as a broken relationship — one where humans take, extract, and deplete instead of giving back. Tim walks us through powerful examples like the lost oyster beds of New York Harbor and the mysterious migration of the European silver eel, revealing how much richness we've lost — and how possible it is to restore it.

This conversation also dives into how younger and older generations must work together, how people find meaning through restoration, and why rediscovering our connection with nature restores something inside of us too. Tim explains why this isn't just about saving forests or oceans — it's about rediscovering our life purpose, our role as stewards, and what it really means to be human.

We also explore Tim's work with global movements like Generation Restoration and his current role at Salesforce, where he helps companies rethink nature as critical infrastructure instead of decoration. His message is clear: meaning isn't found in perfection — it's found in responsibility, reciprocity, and showing up differently.

This episode isn't about fear. It's about hope. It's about what drives us forward. And it's a powerful reminder that restoring nature is inseparable from restoring ourselves.

What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters - their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.billellis.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• Facebook - @bill.ellis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

Email [email protected]

Website(s) timchristophersen.com

Trello Board for visual assets: https://trello.com/b/atycizuD/generation-restoration-marketing-design-projects

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-christophersen-a4876228/

Instagram tim.christophersen9

Twitter @‌TimChristo

CURRENT PROJECTS

Generation Restoration is my new book about repairing our broken relationship with nature. Learn how to enter into a new, rewarding and reciprocal relationship with nature that will make you happier, healthier, and wealthier. It's time to restore diversity and abundance to Planet Earth! #GenerationRestoration

Quick Episode Summary:

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Tim's mission and purpose
• 01:00 – Living in Denmark and restoring a farm
• 03:00 – Childhood in Germany and time with his grandfather
• 05:00 – First experiences sensing nature's interconnectedness
• 06:50 – Relationship vs. resource: how we misunderstand nature
• 09:00 – Returning to roots and finding life purpose
• 11:00 – Generation Restoration and the UN Decade
• 13:00 – Writing the book and removing polarization
• 15:00 – Why restoration is more powerful than conservation
• 17:00 – Nature as infrastructure, not decoration
• 19:00 – The oyster story and New York Harbor
• 22:00 – The European silver eel migration
• 25:00 – Learning from indigenous wisdom
• 28:00 – Relationship crisis with Mother Nature
• 31:00 – Biodiversity Jenga explained
• 33:00 – Biggest Little Farm and nature's intelligence
• 35:00 – Salesforce, corporations, and restoring systems
• 38:00 – Why collaboration is necessary for the future
• 41:00 – What individuals can actually do
• 44:00 – Listening to nature and rediscovering purpose
• 46:00 – Jane Goodall's influence and legacy
• 49:00 – Why ecology and economy are connected
• 52:00 – Tim answers "What's the point?"