Your Fellow Human

Have you ever trusted an animal’s instinct when it comes to trusting people?

Today I want to introduce you to Ismail, I had the pleasure of meeting Ismail on one of my trips to Cappadocia and have come to look forward to seeing his smile and his company. Ismail is one so much talent, a kind heart, and someone that is easy to laugh and get creative with when it comes to photography and his love for horses

We chat a little about what it means to allow the pursuit of what you love change your life, how his first horse led him to becoming a veterinarian, and how that brought him to Cappadocia, and to what life is like for him now. We talk about how learning is something to never give up on and how the pursuit of being open to learning allows us to welcome incredible things into our lives.

He shares one of the most important life lessons I believe we can all learn, in how knowing time with ourselves is not something to fear but rather something to press into. How life can allow us the opportunity to do so or we can pursue it for ourselves, and how it leads to allowing us to know who we want to become. 

Ismail is kind, someone I trust, someone with a gentle heart, one who works hard, and pours into his work without hesitation. Ismail is someone you will not get to know fully from this episode, like most that I get to share on here, you are getting a small part of someone’s story, a piece of what makes them who they are, and I’m so honored to share a part of this humans story with you. 

So tune in today and meet this sweet human, I believe animals hold an ability to know the good in someone, and I have witnessed time and again Ismail to be someone who holds the trust of a horse, and it is such humans that I believe make this world a kinder and more loving place to be 

And to you Ismail thank you, thank you for letting me share a little of you, thank you for the times of sharing conversation, for getting to create with you, for your gentle and warm heart, and the chance to know you more. You are a beautiful soul and one I am grateful to know. May you always be seen fully for who you are in this life

Do you feel like you delay your happiness?

Today I want to introduce you to Jesse, Jesse is one of my dear friends and a human that leans into happiness. He is one that has a natural ease about finding happiness, both in life, in himself, and in what goes on around him. In the times I get to spend with Jesse I find myself seeing life itself with a little more whimsy, in a way that I notice the sound of the wind in the trees and the beauty of a bird nearby. There is something magical in humans that make sure you don’t miss out on the details of life around you, and Jesse is such a soul.

We chat about what the words family and honor mean to him, why family and the intentional acceptance and openness of that space creates love in a way not much else can. We chat about how fear isn’t always something to be conquered but at times something to trust, and how a lack of a singular emotion would make the world a better place.

He shares how his recent move, his time living in his car in the mountains, and the trust and support of his family to find his way, in his own way, has meant the world to him. He shares how his time in South America created space for change, for growth, and for a deeper understanding of how he shows up in the world, and how he believes we each have an ability to choose to feel and give love.

Jesse is an adventurer, a space of gentle joy, a heart of acceptance, and a human that will remind you to live life now in all its fullness and all its wonder. 

So tune in today and meet Jesse, a human that can’t help but smile and make you feel the same, one that creates space for others, one that will remind you that who you are is what matters and not to let anyone or anything limit your pursuit of happiness in this life

And to you Jesse thank you, thank you for your friendship, for the way I feel life slow down when I’m with you, be it biking down the shore, hiking a mountain, or pausing to watch a bird, you have an ability to draw me back to simplicity in the best way. You are a treasured friend and I’m so grateful I get to know you and witness the way you show up in this world. Love you

Do people feel safe to be themselves around you?

Today I want to introduce you to George, George is someone who calls himself “recognizable” and I agree with this, but not for the same reason he does. I think we remember and recognize what feels like kindness and a safe place. George is one that will take the time to talk, but more so, be one to listen. He is a human that values others, values communication, and shows that value in how he interacts with others.

We chat about what it means to have integrity, how it goes beyond honesty, how our wholeness is something that makes us stronger, and what it means to balance the pieces of yourself in that wholeness.

He shares about his work over the years, how showing up in what was often the worst times for others shaped him to be one to listen, to value communication, and to hold understanding and care for others.

We chat about loss, about the importance of not waiting to tell those you love what they mean to you, and a truth he is sad to say to women

George is someone that lives and has shown up in this world with intention, intention to be kind, to be his best, to offer others the best of himself, and to give those he interacts with the best chance of being their best as well

So tune in and meet George, a man that will remind you that life in all its simplicity is beautiful, that joy shared with others is joy magnified, and that meeting others is always worth it

And to you George thank you, thank you for always being a kind face and a welcome conversation at the gym, for taking time out of your day to allow me the honor of sharing a bit of your story with others, and for believing and living out the reality that there truly is more good in this world than anything else

Are you living a life you want to live?

Today I want to introduce you to Shannon, as someone I’ve had the honor of exploring the world with, calling a friend, and drinking rose in the pool on a floating swan; Shannon is one who is intentionally living the life she wants to live 

It is often we forget that we are in control of how we live, of what we do, and who we become. We chat about what it looks like to honor who you are, to be who you were made to be, and to live life to the fullest 

She shares how loss at a young age was both something she would change in a heartbeat but how it was also the greatest gift that was given to her, how choosing and intentionally looking for joy in everyday is a must, and how finding the beauty in the ashes is what determines so much of how we see life and those around us 

We chat about what it looks like to be the best version of yourself, what it means to have the support and love of someone who both desires and supports that in you and pursues it in themself as well

She shares how working in a mans world and often for women challenges her, but more importantly how she continues to choose to hold on to kindness and the knowledge that if the worst thing that is said is “you’re too nice” then like was not at all a loss

Shannon is one that has been a soft and safe friend in my life, one that has reminded me what it is to know your tribe, to trust yourself, and to love that version of who you are becoming

So tune in today and meet Shannon, and let her words do the same for you, let them remind you to be kind, that contentment is ok to be found in the now, that you get to choose to be you, and that the sunset will make your life better when you sit with it

And to you Shannon thank you, thank you for always reminding me I have a place at your table and never ever making me question if you value being at mine, thank you for your softness and gentle kindness in a world that can feel cruel, and thank you for being so excited about every creative idea that crosses your mind and sharing them with me. You are what makes the world a better place, love you.

Do you feel seen even when you are silent?

Today I want to introduce you to Renata, an absolute gem and life filled soul, one that is gentle and kind, one that sees and responds with a heart of confidence and love to those around her, and one that I can laugh with and learn from always

Renata is so many things as we might conventionally define her, a designer, a dj, a diver, a yoga instructor, model, and so so much more, but perhaps it is in the ever explored roads she goes down that define her most, as one that is pursing life, in all its joys, all its excitement and intrigue, and doing so with a fluid acceptance of herself

She shares about the value of being real, in being yourself, no matter what that may be, but to be reminded that who you are is how others should know you, and it’s up to us to show and be who we are. She shares the peace and joy she finds in being in the water and creating art and getting to express herself in movement

We chat about how childhood trauma impacts us far beyond what many of us have been told, how emotional intelligence should be taught in school and how it would create a better world for all of us, and how emotions are both beautiful and at times hold our deepest heartache 

Renata is someone that I will name when I’m asked why humanity is worth trusting, worth knowing, worth being known by, and worth sharing the love we have been given. She is one I admire, one who lives and loves from a place that is true to who she is, one that laughs and loves with intention 

So tune in today and meet Renata, one that I believe can teach us all what it is to choose yourself in a healthy way 

And to you Renata thank you, thank you for being the sweetest, full of life, laughter, and gentle loving friend. You really are a treasure and I am so so grateful for the memories and the ones yet to be made, love you 

 If someone saw the magic in you, what would they see?

Today I want to introduce you to Jason, someone who is light and magic in human form, someone full of life, stories, and empathy in a way that has known life. Jason is someone filled with kindness for humanity around him, the kind that desires to share joy and see the sparkles in others

Jason shares with me his journey in becoming a charter captain, how life is not a practice run, and the conversation that we have with ourselves to find the courage to pursue what brings us fulfillment and joy 

We chat about how fear can so often be intertwined with what we love and how it is something we both do our best to find ourselves one day on the other side of. We chat about the difference between empathy and sympathy and how knowing it is often out of our control, how you never know what someone is going through, and how acknowledging light in someone else can be exactly what they need to know joy 

He shares his pride in being a dad, in removing something from his life and the struggle in making decisions for yourself that others don’t often understand.

Jason is someone I could spend hours talking to, days at sea with, and still feel like I’ve both known him forever and like the time was too short all at once. He is a remarkable human living in a remarkable way, making a remarkable impact on those that get to share time with him

So tune in today and meet Jason and be reminded of the magic within you, of the power you hold to live a live you love, of the impact you get to have on humanity 

And to you Jason thank you, thank you for allowing me and my crew the honor of sharing time on the water with you, for you joy, your light, and your heart to share life so fully with others. May you know how much better of a place this world is with you in it and how grateful I am to know you my friend. Can’t wait to cross the open ocean with you one day

and if you are looking to sail the BVI there is no better captain than Jason Geyser! @captainjasongeyser 

When was the last time you asked yourself how you feel? 

Today I want to introduce you to one of my dearest friends, I met Niko ten years ago on my first trip to Greece. There is something to be said for how we get to cross paths with someone and how life keeps them in our own 

Niko is kind, one who loves and cares deeply, one that will do whatever he can for those close to him, one that values the life he has and those he gets to share it with 

He shares how character is not just what we choose to do or how we choose to act, but how it is formed from those in our lives

We talk about what it looks like to grow in oneself and what it means to not do everything for those who won’t do anything for you. We talk about disappointment, it’s true source, and how maybe we can’t fully know it at times. 

Niko is one that speaks with the kind of wisdom that comes from life not always being easy, from knowing what it is to lose what we shouldn’t have to, from learning to find peace within himself. He reminds us what it is to be ok with yourself, to trust who you are, and how that changes how we live for the better

So tune in today and meet someone who has made me better, who reminds me that friendships are worth the effort, and that kindness and love are things we get to give and receive 

And to you Niko thank you, thank you for how you have and continue to be a friend to me, for sharing your home, and your mom’s cooking. For finally letting me share a part of who you are with others, and for being someone I truly love and admire. See you soon  

If you are looking to visit Greece be sure to reach out to Niko at Therostravel.com 

Is it better to have loved and lost or never to have loved at all?

Today I want to introduce you to Zoe, there are some people that have known life, not in all its joy, but also in all it’s tragedy, in all its loss, and all that one should not have to know. Zoe has lived so much of life, she is one that chooses everyday to see the life she gets to live, to treasure the ones she holds close, and to be a place of kindness to those she meets

Zoe is one that I felt a connection with almost instantly, I often find those that have lived life as she has, they can feel it in others, feel the deep desire to press on and know oneself. I have a deep admiration for this sweet human, for the ease in which it is to share time with her and the sincerity in which she sees her own life 

We chat about growing up as an Albanian in Greece, about seeing her mom struggle and growing up coming alongside her in her own strength, how her mom to this day is her hero, and how her brothers have taught her much about herself and how to express love to others

She shares about loss in a way that is real, in a way that does not lessen its blow, but yet persists to press on. She shares how it can feel to not belong, to feel joy and safety and in an instant have it taken away

Zoe is one that speaks of what it is to be powerful, why it is our own duty to pursue a life we love and be someone we are proud of, to not worry of what others think of you, and that time and again you will need to choose yourself no matter what anyone else thinks

I know my time with Zoe has been one that reminded me of the reality that life will be what it may, but we choose always what we will become 

So tune in today and meet Zoe, a human that knows what it is to be human, and one that will remind you it is ok for you to be just that also 

And to you Zoe thank you, thank you for being real, being you, for allowing me to know you, for sharing time with me, for allowing yourself to be seen. You are a treasure in this world and one I am grateful and honored to know. Love you sweet girl and see you soon 

Have you made peace with yourself?

Today I want to introduce you to Vasilis, a human living a life of intention, one that values and chooses moments of peace that remind him of the finality of life, one that sees life with a heart that does not fear what it holds for him but rather holds with an open hand what life has become, because of who he has chosen to be

For Vasilis It’s not about what we become to those who do not know us, or those that see our accolades, but rather if we are recognized for our integrity, it is there that lies peace and value of what and who we grant access and time with us to; it is this and so much more that deeply impacted me in my time with Vasilis 

We chat about equality in humanity, about a desire for the world to become a better place for those just beginning life, and the difference between being known for ones integrity and not for fame that is fleeting 

He shares why solidarity is a word and a lesson we each need to value, why communication and connection in how we interact with others and in what determines the value we place on who someone is changes things

Vasilis is one who is sharing his passion, his culture, and the simple and valuable lesson, to show up and learn with an open heart. He is one that I am honored to be seen and heard by, on that I am honored to share time with, and one I am truly excited to share a part of with you 

So tune in today and meet Vasilis, someone who will remind you what it is to press into simplicity over publicity, and to choose actions and a life that allows you to make peace with yourself 

And to you Vasilis thank you, thank you for sharing your kitchen, your time, your joy, wisdom, and most of all, allowing me to walk out with a friend. You are a truly remarkable human for how you choose to show up in the world, how you see and allow yourself to be seen, and the gentle way you allow others to be a part of something in your kitchen. It was a highlight of my time to share this conversation with you and I look forward to seeing you again. 

What defines legality and rights as a human being? A question I dare say should not have to be asked and should be simply understood by all... yet here we are standing again at the precipice of what we will accept as a people