By Pleasant Podcasts
5
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The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.
"I want to use music and the arts to really bring people out of the shadow, celebrate diversity, and bring them into community. To be able to give back, and recognize that everybody has value." -Adam
I had the pleasure of speaking with Adam Christoferson, the founder of Musical Intervention in this episode of Working Towards Our Purpose. Adam shares his powerful vision of creating opportunities for individuals who have been marginalized by society to be celebrated through their creative expressions. We delve deep into the transformative impact music and creative activities have on mental health, community building, and empowerment. Adam shares his personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs in establishing a space where he uses music as a tool for healing and purpose for those who struggle.
Bio: Adam Christoferson's passion for music started at a young age when his uncle had a big hit on the radio the year he was born. After attending some of his concerts at a young age and experiencing the power of music, his father bought him a drum set at the age of 8 and he fell in love with playing. Music became a safe place for him to communicate and connect with others, spending hours jamming with friends during his adolescents. After writing and playing his own songs, he became an advocate for using music as a tool for healing and connection. He got a degree in recreational therapy from Southern Connecticut University and then started working with elderly in the hospitals and the homeless at shelters to write songs together and hold open mic nights. Adam took him ability to create music with others to the community giving people a space to feel like they have purpose no matter their history or situation.
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In this solo episode of Working Towards Our Purpose, I reflect on the challenges of starting new ventures and the frustrations that come with a lack of immediate progress. This showed up for me when building my new website and learning Wordpress, and also starting a new job. I discuss the internal struggle of being hard on yourself for not grasping things quickly. As I navigate through self-criticism and the need for patience and grace, I arrive at the importance of perseverance and self-compassion when embarking on unfamiliar journeys. Impostor syndrome and self doubt are part of the process, but I think it's helpful to talk about it and not just keep it to yourself because we all struggle with it.
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Phil went from not being able to get a job, to owning his own plumbing business, flipping houses, and owning 7 rental properties.
In this episode I sat down with my friend Phil Restivo. A resilient and motivated person who doesn't take no for an answer. He is a plumber by trade but as you will find out in this episode, he is truly someone with a deep thirst for learning. Not knowing how to do something has never stopped him, and propelled him to owning his own business and multiple properties which he uses to rent out. Phil shares how he overcame personal and professional hurdles, from battling severe sleep apnea to navigating life with ADD. Phil's story is filled with invaluable insights and inspiration from someone who is determined to get what he wants. Join us as we uncover the transformative moments and pivotal decisions that have shaped Phil's unique path towards fulfillment and purpose.
Bio: Phil Restivo is a hands-on kind of guy who found his passion for craftsmanship at a young age. He decided to attend a technical school that offered hands-on training for half the year and academics for the other half. Although he initially saw it as a way to "get out of work free," he found that the school provided him with valuable trade skills. He graduated with a focus in plumbing, but struggled with the idea of not going to college. After not being able to find a plumbing job because of a bad driving record, he started working on cars for money. He worked at various body shops for a few years before returning to plumbing. After getting his license, and inspired by believing he could run a company better than the people he worked for, he opened up his own plumbing business. As someone who gets board easily, he then moved his interest into real estate and began to research it obsessively, while at the same time picking up work in home remodeling. Years later he finally had a down payment for his first home that he flipped in a few months. He was hooked after that and today Phil has 7 rental properties while still running his plumbing business.
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Opening a boutique supply store at the age of 24 after graduating college with a degree in philosophy.
Chelsea Risling is the founder of Meraki Supply Co. a boutique storefront featuring products from other small businesses. In this episode we talked about her experience of graduating college and then going in a completely different direction and opening a small business. We talked about the the challenges and triumphs of pursuing passions, the evolution of purpose amidst societal expectations, and the importance of community in guiding one's journey. We also talked a lot about not fearing change and trying something new, like moving to Connecticut and working for Yale's Hockey team. We can all draw insights and motivation from Chelsea's experiences and outlook on life.
Bio: Chelsea Risling is a Saskatchewan native who after high school, moved to Calgary to pursue a degree in philosophy at the University of Calgary. After getting out of college and doing some traveling, she decided going to law school wasn't for her and opened up a boutique retail store at the age of 24 with no business experience. After running it successfully for 6 years, she decided to close the doors in 2019 to pursue something new. Closing her store just before the pandemic allowed her to move into a consulting role to help other businesses struggling at the time. She then took an opportunity to move to New Haven and work for the Yale Hockey team, and is now at another pivotal point in her life as she moves back to Canada to redefine herself and move onto her next venture.
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Joe George has figured out how to make music for a living.
In this episode of Working Towards Our Purpose I had the pleasure of talking to Joe George, a songwriter, producer, and Emmy nominated film composer with an unwavering love for creating. Joe shares his experiences in first falling in love with music, figuring out how to make money gigging at an early age, and finding his way into the film industry . We'll delve into his upcoming album "folk cinema" and the inspiration behind its unique concept, alongside insights into his personal creative process. We discuss the creation of his studio, Gentle Bear Studios, and how he's curated a place for stillness, thinking, and creating. Find out how Joe's dedication to his craft continues to influence and inspire those around him, as well as his unique perspectives on purpose and self-discovery.
Bio: Joe George's love for music started at a young age when his brother and him listened to a few Beatles records. After asking for a guitar he received one from Santa Claus. In his early teens he started performing at cafes and coffee shops around town, showcasing both cover songs and his own original music. With a passion for writing his own songs and playing guitar, Joe George has established himself as a musician and performer at an early age. He then went on to college to study music and moved to Chicago to pursue music. He played tons of gigs for money, and also played in his own original music bands before getting into film scoring. Now he runs Gentle Bear studios in Chicago where he prides it on a place to create and think and express ideas under little pressure. He also plays guitar in the band Into It Over It.
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My brother Michael just came back from a month long trip to Nepal and shares what he learned.
In this episode I sat down with my twin brother Michael to discuss his recent trip to a small remote village in Nepal. Michael shares some of the lessons he learned and shares his insight into the village's way of life. While he was there he helped rebuild homes that were damaged from an earthquake. We discussed his approach to photographing the people and the warm reception from the village community. Michael talks about the village's close-knit and self-reliant community and how different their way of life is from ours. Through Michael's reflections, the conversation explores cultural differences, the power of human connection, and the rewards of stepping out of comfort zones.
Bio: Michael Cordone III is a dedicated and passionate photographer who has spent the last year immersing himself in the world of photography. After quitting his corporate engineering job 1 year ago, and has since explored many different aspects of the craft and is learning as much as possible. He also just got back from a month long service trip to Nepal, helping a small village rebuild after earthquake damage.
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Cory gave one of his custom built guitars to one of his favorite bands after a show.
In this episode I sit down with Cory Reynolds, the founder and owner of CRC Guitars, who shares his inspiring journey of turning his passion for music and woodworking into a business. We discuss the challenges teaching yourself how to build a guitar, the impact of human connection has on his craft, and the importance of doing work that involves the things you love. From his humble beginnings, to his plans for the future, Cory's story is a testament to the power of self-belief and determination. Join us as we delve into the world of guitar building and the pursuit of purpose!
Bio: Cory Reynolds spent years working in construction before finding himself in a job of a different industry he didn't enjoy very much. This pushed him to search for something more. After thinking about his two passions, music and working with his hands, he decided to teach himself how to build a guitar. After the first failed guitar, he had a friend buy the parts so he could build his second, and he's been building guitars for people ever since. Cory has blended his passion for working with his hands and his love for music with his business CRC Guitars.
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A thought that I had recently inspired this episode. The concept of choosing what we are known by others. Connecting with people who have recently resonated with my journey, has brought me to the realization that we have the ability to shape our own narrative. From transitioning out of a corporate job to pursuing more meaningful work, to doing more music projects, I reflect on how my decisions and authenticity have impacted how I am perceived by those around me. It's my second solo episode, and I'm still working through the uncomfortableness of it. Thanks for listening!
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A business that was built during the pandemic to allow health care workers to have a little bit of self care.
Today I sit down with Dimitri Cotman, the founder of Zenith Point Candles, as he shares his inspiring story of building a successful business from the ground up. From the challenges of starting a new business without any prior business knowledge to the importance of community support and self-care, Dimitri's journey is a testament to the power of determination and purpose. Join me as we delve into Dimitri's entrepreneurial endeavors, his passion for creating high-quality products, and the meaningful impact his business has had on his community. Get ready to be inspired by Dimitri's perseverance, personality, and insight into the world of entrepreneurship.
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Dimitri Cotman was raised New Haven, CT in a home where education and church were prioritized. His parents instilled in him the importance of excelling in school and attending church regularly. Dimitri also grew up with his grandfather and spent a lot of time in a homeless shelter supporting his community. From an early age he used his personality to brighten peoples days and make connections. A skill that he took with him when he started his own business Z.Nith Point Candles, where he hand crafts candles, body butters, bath balms, and room sprays.
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From selling insurance to learning how to grow mushrooms, Patrick Blanchette has found purpose in his work. He is founder of Union City Farms, a gourmet mushroom farm. After I read an article online where Patrick was quoted in saying, ”I could literally do my entire job without thinking” I knew I had to reach out and have him on the podcast. We talked about how he found meditation which led him to leaving his career in insurance and finding purpose in growing mushrooms. Patrick emphasizes the negative impact of processed food and chemicals on our collective consciousness and shares how changing our diet can improve sustainability and well-being. He also delves into the healing properties of psilocybin mushrooms, the importance ignoring negative thoughts, and the expansion of his mushroom shop. In this episode we explore the power of purpose, holistic living, and the positive impact of following one's heart.
Bio: Born as a twin, Patrick Blanchette has always been competitive, leading him to a career in sales. He started off selling Kirby vacuum cleaners, which gave him valuable experience in talking to people and learning sales. This led him to explore different sales options, eventually landing him in the insurance industry. While it was fun at first, Blanchette started asking the bigger questions in life like why are we here, and what is our purpose. That led him to believe selling insurance wasn't his reason for being here. That's when he quit and started looking for his purpose. He found it in mushroom farming and opened Union City Farms, a grower of gourmet mushrooms.
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Book recommendations
Dr. Joe Dispenza - Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One
Pema Chödrön - Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears
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The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.