Today’s guest is Sam Bennett, the author of “Get It Done,” “Start Right Where You Are,” and most recently, “The 15-Minute Method: The Surprisingly Simple Art of Getting It Done.” A writer, speaker, actor, and creativity/productivity specialist, she is the founder of TheRealSamBennett.com, a company committed to helping overwhelmed creatives and fru…

Today’s guests are Lauren Borden and Katherine Folk-Sullivan. By merging their expertise in coaching, leadership training, and intuitive energy work, they are the co-founders of Whole Human Coaching, an intuitive mashup of mentor-coaching, skills training, and mastermind groups. In this conversation, we dive inside Lauren and Katherine’s experience…

Today’s guest is Eve Crusto, a writer, director, and producer who is on a mission to bring her ancestral Louisiana Creole stories to life. Her upcoming short film “Blood and Milk” takes place a few years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and examines the “legacy of isolation and confusion” after events like Katrina and the COVID-19 pandem…

Today’s guest is Vanessa Esparza, a leadership coach who's also a partner at Gladstone Place Partners, overseeing people and administration. In this conversation, we explore her roots as a first generation Mexican-American, her passion for service, and the importance of empathy and presence in collaboration and talent retention. Side by Side Episod…

Today’s returning guest is my friend Tara Edwards, a writer, editor, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. In this conversation, we’re deep-diving into our upcoming 10-week online writer’s workshop, called “Good Grief: A Writing Workshop on Trauma & Healing.” Inspired by our training and experience in…

Today’s guest is Kim Chestney, the author of “The Illumination Code,” “Radical Intuition,” and “The Psychic Workshop.” As the founder of IntuitionLab and the CREATE! Festival, her work raises awareness about the importance of insight in the evolution of individual and world consciousness. Working for nearly twenty years in the tech sector, Chestney…

Today’s guest is Chloe Panta, the author of "Untapped Magic" and a highly sought-after mindset expert and transformational coach who helps people achieve their ultimate life goals. She uses an evidence-based, proven system with scientific data to support its effectiveness to help her clients overcome obstacles that are keeping them stuck in life. I…

Today’s guest is Effie Cao, a life coach, entrepreneur, and community leader who brings experience and soul to her work and her personal journey. You can find her writing as well as her own deepdive conversations with thought leaders such as Michael Singer through her online community spaces. In this conversation, we discuss the purpose of “being h…

Today's guest is Meredith Heller, author of "Writing by Heart," "Write a Poem, Save Your Life," and several poetry collections. A poet, singer-songwriter, avid nature lover, and educator with degrees in writing and education, she leads writing workshops online and in-person at schools, juvenile detention centers, women’s prisons, and wellness retre…

Today’s guest is writer, performer, educational consultant Coda Wei (they/them), who is pursuing their Masters in Intercultural Communication Studies at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. In this conversation, we explore Coda’s early life traveling and living between America and China, and how their experience of the world has influenced their perspecti…

Today’s guest is coach and facilitator Austin Walker, who focuses on leadership and men’s personal development, inside and out. In addition to one-on-one partnerships, Austin leads several men’s groups, including the “Man Cave,” a space dedicated to BIPOC Men to connect and share their perspectives. In this conversation, we explore Austin’s journey…

In honor of Lunar New Year on February 10 this year, today's special guest paved the way for me, and my passion for language and communication: My mom, Gia Zhang. Before immigrating to America, she was a language teacher and published author in China. She was around the age I am now when she made the decision to start a new life, learn a new langua…

Today’s guest is Wendy Xu, a bestselling illustrator, comics artist, designer, and writer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the creator of graphic novels "Infinity Particle," "Tidesong," and co-creator of "Mooncakes." In this conversation, Wendy shares the origins of her passion for artmaking and storytelling, her way of balancing commercial success an…

Today’s guest is screenwriter and higher education professional Ashley Griggs. She earned her BA in Film Studies and French at the College of William & Mary, and later received her MFA in Dramatic Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where she was awarded a Future Screenwriters Fellowship. She has written for the narrat…

Today’s guest is Varsha Mathur, J.D., PCC, a certified dating and relationship coach with over seven years of experience who guides clients worldwide to find and sustain lasting love with their ideal partners. A former practicing lawyer and mediator, Varsha draws on her personal journey, including divorce and remarriage, to help others make decisio…

Today’s guest is Hanna Thomas Uose, a writer, activist, and co-founder and Principal Consultant at Align, a consulting firm dedicated to supporting organizations in the progressive movement. Her debut novel, “Who Wants to Live Forever,” will be published in early 2025. In this conversation, we dive inside Hanna’s somewhat unexpected turn as a specu…

Today’s guest is Scott Stabile, the author of “Enough as You Are” and “Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart.” He is a passionate love advocate who believes there is no force more powerful than love to create real connection and healing in our world. Scott guides transformational breathwork journeys and leads personal empowerment wor…

Today’s guest is Anthime Miller, an internationally sought-after performer and composer who maintains a rigorous international creative presence. They began studying cello at the age of eight, and later focused on Early Music Performance, Musicology, as well as modern and Baroque cello at McGill University in Montreal. In this conversation, we dive…

Today’s guest is Michelle Madrid, the author of “Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle, Guided Path to Healing for Adoptees” and host of the “Electricity of You” Podcast. Michelle is an international adoptee, former foster child in the U.K., and an adoptee empowerment life coach who has been recognized as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree by the Congressional C…

In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Tara Edwards, a writer, editor, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. Today’s deepdive focuses on "The Matrix" franchise. In this conversation, we unpack the creative ramifications of transforming a story into a franchise, our personal highlights and crit…

Today’s guest is Bethany Mabee, a visual artist and designer who has transformed her creative expression into a body of work seen on paper, canvas, textiles and wallpaper. From interior design to gallery commissions, she explores the parallels between art and everyday life while balancing the practical and creative needs of an artist and business o…

Today’s guest is Kristoffer “KC” Carter, the CEO and Founder of Epic Leadership, a coaching and training organization for conscious leadership, and the author of “Permission to Glow: A Spiritual Guide to Epic Leadership.” In addition to his coaching and leadership work, KC is also a professional songwriter, kirtan artist, TEDx speaker, and internat…

Today’s guest is Hayden Humphrey, a digital creator and life coach who helps people break out of the scripts and stories that keep them stuck, so they can become the creators of their own lives. In this conversation, we commiserate over our work and training experience as coaches, the journey that comes with going back home again, and the value of …

Today’s guest is Sol Smith, a writer, professor, life coach and neurodivergent consultant specializing in mindset, happiness, and self-liberation courses. In sharing his journey with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, Sol highlights the challenges and gifts of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical society. In this conversation, we reflect on Sol’s journey…

Today’s guest is Richard Dixey, the author of “Three Minutes a Day: A Fourteen Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life,” and a senior faculty member at Dharma College in Berkeley, California. A research scientist and a lifelong student of Buddhism who holds advanced degrees in biophysics and the history and philosophy of science, Mr…

Today’s guest is writer and producer Steve DiUbaldo. His work as a playwright has appeared across the country, often drawing on his experience as a Division-1 college basketball player. His play, "Exposure," was a selection for The Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. In this conversation, we journey back to his theater roots, his time p…

Today’s guest is Alex Chester-Iwata, an actor and founder of the online publication, Mixed Asian Media. Born out of a lack of representation across TV, film, and theater, Mixed Asian Media is a collective created by multiracial, mixed Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) that seeks to build community through conversations of what it means to be of mixed A…

Today’s guest is Tasshin Fogleman, an extremely online pilgrim wandering this precious world for the benefit of all beings. In this conversation, we explore Tasshin’s Buddhist journey and ongoing pilgrimage, and the service and creative projects led by his curiosity, loving kindness, and aspiration to empower others. "Side by Side" Episodes | Rober…

Today’s guest is coach and community leader Cory Daise, who specializes in working with entrepreneurs and leaders of color. Those who are driven to create a more just world and looking to find joy in the process. In this conversation, we journey back to Cory’s athletic journey and life changing experience at Morehouse College, and explore his ethos…

Today’s guest is musician and actor J. Aaron Boykin, who “blends Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B-styles effortlessly" while living his motto of “healing through music.” In this conversation, we discuss his musical roots, his purpose in finding “black boy joy,” and the value of knowing yourself in creative endeavors and personal growth. "Side by Side" Episodes…

Today’s guest is Tara Edwards, a writer, editor, podcaster, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. Driven by a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, Tara utilizes her diverse background and expertise to create thought-provoking content that captivates and resonates with readers. In this conversation, w…

Today’s guest is theatre, film, and television writer Stacey Rose. Throughout her career, Stacey has been awarded with honors such as the Mcknight Fellowship, the Sundance Theatre Lab Fellowship, Playwrights’ Center Many Voices Fellowship, and the Dramatist Guild Fellowship. She is the the artistic director of Queen City New Play Initiative, and he…

Today’s guests are technologist and disability activist Katelyn Lemay, and indie game developer Nolan Filter. Together, they are the creators of Tarotbot, a tool for Discord, Slack, Cohost, and Tumblr users to draw tarot cards with to-the-point simplicity, alongside carefully curated descriptions and definitions for each card. In this conversation,…

Today's guest is business and leadership coach Paul Silva, who draws on both his work with culinary students and those in addiction recovery, to help clients get out of the sidelines of their lives. In our conversation, Paul unpacks his relationship to spirit and sobriety, and how they empower his authenticity and full self-expression. Check out ot…

Today’s guest is communication and media scholar Erique Zhang, whose work focuses the intersection of beauty, race, and transgender identity. As a PhD candidate in the Media, Technology, and Society program at Northwestern, Erique’s research seeks to interrogate how normative beauty ideals are produced through media representations and how trans wo…

Today’s guest is Master Certified Coach Bob Conlin, the author of “Why My Relationships Suck: How to Create Strong Relationships with Courage and Heart.” In our conversation, Bob shares the lessons forged through previous chapters and relationships, and the way purpose and intention show up in his relationship work with individuals, couples, and gr…

Today’s guest is Christine Sachs, a Master Certified and Associate Certified Diversity Coach who’s committed to creating the change and disrupting the comfortable. She is the creator of the multi-lingual micro-podcast “I Feel Awful: Chronicles of Leadership,” and a coach trainer for the New York and European programs of Accomplishment Coaching. In …

Today’s guest is Rodolfo Carrillo, a conscious leadership shaman who combines his experience in business with the wisdom found in meditation and practice. He is the creator of the SER model, a lens for achieving leadership of the fullest potential, deep-sustainable personal mastery and organizational growth. In this conversation, we dive inside his…

Today’s guest is Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, the author of "Harmless Like You" and "Starling Days." She is also the editor of "Go Home!", an anthology of Asian diasporic writers' musing on the notion of "home," and "Dog Hearted : Essays on Our Fierce and Familiar Companions." In this conversation, we unpack writing as a practice of contextualizing our g…

For today’s episode, I’m sharing a guided exercise originally performed for the Keepsake House show in February. With the theme of “foresight” in mind, this exercise asks us to connect with our being and acknowledge what we need in the near future. You can discover more of my content as a coach and pianist on Instagram, and connect with the Keepsak…

Today's episode features Steven Washington, the author of Recovering You: Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction, and the creator of SWE Studio, an affordable online community offering movement medicine, meditation and more. In this conversation, we dive inside Steven’s early passion for dance, his journey towards sobriety, and the…

Today's episode features Iyvon E., a creative producer, theater maker, and the Director of Artistic Programs at the Signature Theater. Before audio and podcast plays became popular due to social distancing, Iyvon had been at the forefront of this medium as the founder of The Parsnip Ship, a theater company and platform that re-imagines the radio pl…

Today’s episode features activist, artist, and educational trainer and facilitator Valarie Walker. In this conversation, we dive into the inspiration that is her mother, Rosemary, the peaceful march she spearheaded called "Break the Chains With Love," and ways listeners can participate in advocacy across cultures, geography, and abilities. This yea…

Today’s episode features Master Certified Coach, business leader, and vocalist Elena Armijo. In this conversation, we commiserate over our artistic and musical roots, and explore Elena’s journey from the world of opera to working with leaders and teams as a coach and facilitator. Elena is the founder of the C-Suite Collective, an executive coaching…

Today’s episode features Julie Pham, a self-proclaimed karma breaker who blends the spiritual with practical application, the ethereal with the tangible. In this conversation, we dive inside her journey balancing familial expectations with her innate gifts, her transition from mathematics to energy work, and the importance of recognizing generation…

Today's episode features leadership and empowerment coach Dr. Lauren Borden, who blends practical application with spiritual growth in her work with clients and organizations. In this conversation, we dive inside her mission to cultivate leadership as a means towards integrated health, her advocacy for emotional fluency, and why the word “veriditas…

Today's episode features a short mindfulness exercise I, Robert Kuang, created as an artist-in-residence at the Keepsake House. I am sharing this guided exercise with listeners. I hope it supports you, wherever you are. If you’re looking for support around your own creative and professional goals, or if you’d like me to create personalized guided t…

Today's episode features performer, composer and improviser Cindy Lan. In our conversation, Cindy talks about the power of community and healing in her artistic journey, her musical process behind "Breath and Bow Meditations," and practicing surrender in moments of creation. She is the Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Orchestra, and is c…

For the final episode of 2022, I invited a previous guest, intuitive tarot reader Liz Zamorski, back into the space to share a 2023 forecast for "Side by Side" listeners. Through her cards and intuitive downloads, you'll hear a month-to-month breakdown of themes, patterns, and energies to be mindful of, just in time for your New Year's planning and…

Today’s guests are Hailey Savage and Jasmine Jang, the co-founders of the Keepsake House, a community that offers a safe, supportive space for independent artists in New York, not only to share the art itself, but to inspire storytelling and nurture meaningful artist-audience connections. In this episode, we talk about the genesis of this community…