Your Fellow Human

Has something painful ever caused you to avoid anything that could cause that pain agin?

Today I want to introduce you to Pierre, there are some people you meet that you quickly find common ground with, people that feel genuine and that in some way see the world as you do

Pierre is one that if you ever have the chance to meet you will find him to be someone that will feel like the warmth and softness of being back with an old friend, someone that has an ease about them as if they know what it is to experience life in all its joys and sorrows, and someone who so intentionally finds joy and shares the love he has with those around him 

We chat about what it’s like living for 9 months with 27 different nationalities, ages, and backgrounds all in one place, how he gets to enjoy the joy of days surfing with friends, and the importance of expressing ones heart

He shares how lockdown changed his life, how a breakup and the change it led to in what he thought would be his life, left him looking forward in a new way, and how peace in the world feels not fully possible when parts of humanity are suffering 

We chat about how life can change and how we have a choice in if we move forward in fear or choose to find a path forward allowing that fear to heal and giving ourselves space to see what comes next

Pierre is one I admire a lot for many reasons, but one that stands out to me the most is the way he so sincerely has kept his heart in a way that allows love for others and care for himself to be given and received. 

So tune in today and meet Pierre, a man that will remind you that life is something we should seek joy in, that people are meant to be listened to with care, that it’s ok and important to allow yourself to move towards purpose as it evolves, and that there is always the ability to value and respect another 

And to you Pierre thank you, thank you for being the most flexible person I have ever interviewed, for taking the time three different times to share so much of who you are with me and allow me the chance to know you more. You are a truly wonderful soul and I am honored I get to call you a friend.

What if making someone laugh was a way to show love?

Today I want to introduce you to Brandon, Brandon is one of those people that will probably make you laugh, but what I learned after spending two weeks working alongside and traveling through Iceland with him is that, there’s a lot behind that desire to put a smile on someone’s face 

We chat about what it means to face fear, to stare it in the face and yell out to it, how life changed for him after those moments, and how experiencing those moments for the first time allowed him to see himself 

He shares what it means to him to be a strong hearted and creative human, why he values honesty and loyalty above all else, and what it means when the effort he puts in for others is reciprocated with integrity

We chat about what it would mean to him to travel with his parents and not living in yesterday is something he chooses to be reminded of daily

Brandon is one of those people that will do what he can to create a space for others to grow, get along, and ultimately I believe has a heart to bring joy to another; be it by listening, making them laugh, or doing what he can to show up for a friend 

So tune in today and meet Brandon, someone I think so many of us can feel seen in, be reminded to keep going, and ultimately see a bit of ourselves in

And to you Brandon thank you, thank you for being you, becoming a friend, for your countless help and talent in working alongside you during this project, for your sincerity and sub par driving (jk). I really am so glad I get to know you and looking forward to next time

What would someone say about you after only knowing you for 5 minutes?

Today I want to introduce you to Bjarni, I’m here in Iceland and many of the places we have stayed have been small fishing villages, but our stop in Dalvik was different. 

From the moment I met Bjarni I knew he was one I wanted to sit down with and learn more about; from the way he was so quick to treat us all like friends, share a coffee, and his towns history with us, I’m so honored to be able to share more of this truly lovely human with you all 

We chat about what it’s like living in and doing what he can alongside his wife to preserve the history and culture of his hometown, how he looks forward and is aspiring to become a full time grandfather,  and the fear of outliving another of his children.

He shares why he believes the way we view difficulties in life is a choice, how some heartbreaking and trying moments have impacted that view, and the reality of what real problems are in the world 

We chat about the impact of war and climate change, and how when something is detached from our personal experience we can often struggle to empathize or take action towards righting such wrongs

Bjarni is one that offers a gentle and yet confident reminder that life is a gift, that sharing space and time with others in this life is of immense value, and that we always have something to give to another

So tune in today and meet Bjarni a man that will walk around in shorts and a t shirt when everyone else is in a winter coat, and I think that is not unlike his heart; that maybe when so many of us are closed, needing more, or afraid to let the world see us, Bjarni is filled with the joy of what each day has and is giving him, he is one that will sit with you, share what he knows, and in what I found to be the most precious of all, allows others to know him and feel welcomed around him

And to you Bjarni thank you, thank you for your hospitality, for the ease in which you show up in the world, for the time you shared in allowing me to hear your story. You are a man filled with integrity, one that is easy to trust and one that is deserving of such trust. I’m so grateful our travels brought us to Dalvik and for the joy in sharing a cup of coffee with you.

Have you ever expected someone else to “have it all together?” As if being in a certain stage of life made them less eligible to be “human.”

Today I want to introduce you to Caoilfhionn, Caoilfhionn is one of those people that you meet and instantly makes you feel as though just being around her will somehow make you more joyful and confident yourself. She is one that I’ve known to have an infectious character, the kind that lifts the standard, and honestly, the entire vibe of whoever is around her.

I had the pleasure of meeting this gem a human a few years ago, and every time I see her it only reinforces what I know to be true; she is passionate, caring, so so much fun to be around, and above all, I’ve seen her make myself and others feel seen.

We chat about what life is like for her as one often able to make others laugh, how at the same time she is stepping more and more into letting those close to her know her more, and what it means to hold space for our parents and the reality that they are allowed to be human too.

She shares why “saying yes and figuring it out after” has been something that has served her well in her business, and why taking time for herself and holding space for what, “sets her a light” has been something she is pressing into more

We chat about what it looks like to let go of pleasing others, what it feels like to have your mind in more than one place at a time, and what it means to “pebble” love in the lives of those close to you

Caoilfhionn is one that has lived through dark times, she is one that brings an undeniable light with her wherever she goes, and she is one that I admire and hold in the highest regard 

So tune in today and meet Caoilfhionn, someone that I am confident you will learn from, see parts of your own journey in, and be reminded that being human is so ok but doesn’t for a minute mean you can’t accomplish every last one of your dreams

And to you Caoilfhionn thank you, thank you for taking the time to share such an intentional chat, for sharing your heart, your light, and your love with me. Thank you for the way you have confidently stepped into every space I’ve seen you in and how in doing so you remind me to do the same. You are a walking, living, breathing work of art, and the world is lucky to see and be impacted by your heart as it is displayed in your work ,wherever and however you continue to share it.

What if the only impact you had on the world was the work you leave behind; not your name, not fame, just simply the impact of what you chose to do?

Today I want to introduce you to William, William is one of those people you meet that from a distance could feel like you might not be cool enough to hang with; but oh man! Get within 5 feet of him and you will find a human bursting with creativity, joy in the form of one who can give and take a joke, and warmth that is felt when you step into his presence

William is one that finds joy in supporting and showing up for his friends, one that quite literally is the life of the party, as possibly one of, if not the best DJ around, and one that is able to be present in a comfortable silence 

We chat about what life and his projects look like, from DJ’ing events, to the impact his watch brand is having on children in Africa

He shares how he used to struggle with acceptance and wanting to fit in, but now being able to let his best qualities out, without needing any of them to stand on their own, define, or externally validate who he is 

We chat about not just what his Ted talk “would be” but what it actually was about and how finding purpose in the pain we experience may be a way we can change the world

William is not just one that I could talk to, laugh with, or dance to his music for hours, but he is one that I have seen first hand the way he is present with those around him, how he will show up and make the effort to show love, and one that I really am honored to call a friend

So tune in today and meet William, Dr. William Adoasi a man reminding us all to be proud of our continued existence, to still dream, to not let your heart betray the joy and purpose that this life can hold

And to you William thank you, thank you for sharing your time, your sarcasm, your wisdom and your journey in such a way as to allow me to not only know you more, but for granting me the honor of sharing a bit of that journey with others. You are one who is intentionally leaving humanity better than you found it and this world is a better place with you in it.

 Follow along with William HERE 

Have you ever heard that “the measure of someone’s character is how they treat those who have nothing to offer them” well what would it look like to be that person? Have you ever experienced being treated poorly or with greater esteem because someone wanted something from you or because you didn’t have anything to offer them?

Today I want to introduce you to Ali, I have known Ali for 4 years now and from the first time I wandered into his shop until now I have not only experienced this but also witnessed how he genuinely treats every person that comes through his door with the same value.

In his own words, “my goal is that people would go out of my shop with happiness

I simply wonder what a world would look like if we all approached each day, “wishing people left time with us happier?”

This is a conversation I know has impacted me and one I’m excited and honored to share with you all

Ali shares with me why he is someone who loves humans, why he has taken the time to learn different languages to connect better with others, and why being a good father and a good husband is what he is most proud of

We chat about his soccer teams recent win, how Turks are not Arabs, what it would be like to live in a world without war, and how the most difficult thing he’s done is something I am sure I will never accomplish

He shares how his time living in the United States changed him and the way he does business, why he doesn’t negotiate but instead deeply values running his shop with integrity and genuine connection 

I have been back to Cappadocia 5 times now and visiting Ali, sitting over a tea or a beer, hearing how life is, is one of the things that makes this place so special

Ali is one that will greet you with a smile, one that shares practically what it looks like in his life to show others they hold value, and one that I know is worth learning more about

So tune in today and meet Ali, and I hope if it inspires you to visit Cappadocia, make sure you go tell him I say hi

And to you Ali thank you, thank you for sharing your time over the years, for the honor of getting to call you a friend, for the way you have cared for everyone I have brought into your shop, for the genuine and warmth that you have always welcomed me with, and your sparkling personality. You are a fabulous human choosing to leave people better than you found them and I’m grateful to know you

Today I want to introduce you to Lita, a woman who has defined and found purpose in what it means to pursue ones passion, to allow tradition to live fully and for change and growth to live hand in hand with the impact she is making on humanity. To be a woman means to be a leader. what is your. mission on this earth?

watch the full story on YouTube here https://youtu.be/M8tcohpcwgs?si=oI7vb2UttYfaQxUO

Do you have a friend you can call that always comes through?

Today I want to introduce you to Angela, I met Angela at JFK and from the way she interacted with her son, me, and everyone else’s around, I knew she was someone I wanted to get to know. So a few weeks later we met up in Brooklyn and had one of my favorite chats

We talked about everything from what it means to be there for your friends and chosen family, to what food is getting served at her funeral and why

She shares why the thing that brings her joy is also what her husband fears might kill her someday, how the pandemic made her re evaluate her life and the realness of the brevity of life overall, and her hope that she doesn’t raise a bad kid

She shares how in her culture “yelling and nagging” come from a place of love and care, how she wishes for change when it comes to our political situation here in the states, and why as an ER Doctor it matters to talk about what you want the end of your life to look like 

Angela shared with me how she believes everyone is just a friend waiting to be met, and I couldn’t agree more or be more grateful that she became just that 

Angela is one that reminds you instantly to smile, that she sincerely cares to help in any way she can, and that she isn’t afraid ti be human in all that it entails

So tune in today and meet this amazing human, someone who sees people so often on their worst days and yet holds firmly that people are good

And to you Angela thank you, thank you for the reminder that people like you exist, for the way you so intentionally and genuinely choose to believe that someone’s best might not be who we meet them as, for the way you are intentionally impacting those that get to know you by showing up for them, for the time you so graciously shared with me, and for the honor of getting to share a part of your story with others. You are a remarkable human and I’m so grateful I get to know you.

Have you ever been reduced to a label someone else gave you?

Today I want to introduce you to Michael, Michael and I met back in December by the pool in Tahiti, I was ending a trip and he was just beginning what would be a 6 month adventure he had planned a couple years for. We chatted briefly and stayed in touch, I got to see his adventures and as he made his way back to New York we met up again and had a chat

He shared how his experience traveling changed him, for the time traveling with someone and the time traveling alone, how laughter and contentment aren’t always the same but how he witnessed and took part in them as he went from place to place

He shared in one of the most honest and sincere ways the difference between how he feels about joy and yet what he wants more of in his life, how relationships and people are at the core of what it all comes back to, and how taking positive feedback is a thing we can learn to be ok with

We chat about one of the scariest moments on his trip as he fell sick in the worlds largest cave and how day three in the cave and making his way out became such a valuable lesson, I think for all of us in tough times 

Michael is one of those people that you meet and you feel as though when he asks how your day is, he means it, like when he smiles at you it is genuine, and like when you get to spend time with him he values you. 

I believe people like Michael are the ones we need to make sure we all have in our lives, the kind that plan, but don’t, in his words “defer their dreams” the kind that do big things but aren’t afraid of making small impactful changes in the world, and the kind that truly do make humanity better

So tune in today and meet Michael, a human that will remind you to accept a compliment, to let your dreams evolve, to be you, and to be there for those you love

And to you Michael thank you, thank you for saying hello back in December, thank you for sharing your adventures, your journey, and your time with me, and thank you most of all for being someone who values connection and was willing to make a new friend

What if you weren’t what people expected you to be?

Today I want to introduce you to Daniel, Daniel is someone that at first glance you notice a tall strong man, maybe one that you can’t read right away, maybe you even have an idea of what he is like…

I want to invite you to listen to this, to listen to Daniel as he shares life and how it has impacted him 

Speaking to Daniel gave me in so many ways, permission to slow down, to be present myself, to not rush through something but to listen in whatever time passed 

Daniel is one of the most genuine and gentle souls I’ve ever met, someone that sees intentionally and values deeply not just human life as a whole; but in what you will hear, human life in a single soul

There are people I meet from time to time that remind me to simply be in a single moment, not just to “not worry and focus on the present” but to truly, in that conversation, be fully present

We chat about his journey as he is biking across Italy, about working in healthcare with a post war generation, about what is said at the end of life and what is not

He shares why saying goodbye well, and giving a heartfelt thank you can be the difference of valuing someone, seeing someone, and giving them peace as life comes to an end

Daniel has this presence about him, not overbearing, not timid, but present; and in a way I am truly grateful for, he gave me space to do the same

So tune in today and meet Daniel, hear what has excited him, and even what chased him while on his bike in Tuscany, learn what life has taught him, and if you will, allow it to impact you as it has for me

And to you Daniel thank you, thank you for seeing me and valuing this conversation, for the heart in which you are so intentionally impacting humanity, for your sincerity and trust in allowing me to share a part of you with others in this conversation. You are a beautiful human and it is an honor to know you