The literary world is vast. As they flip through the pages of their favorite pieces, readers often find themselves wondering, “how was this work created?” What influences your favorite fictional stories? How does an author develop complex and realistic characters across the pages of a book? To give us a deep dive on how he writes, we welcome to the show Dustin Grinnell who shares how reality inspires him to write his best-selling books, to flesh out characters in his work, and to let curiosity be stronger than fear.

Dustin Grinnell is an award-winning Boston-based author who has ventured from short stories to sci-fi articles and novels. Dustin has also been published by many big media outlets like the Washington Post, Salon, VICE, and many more! 

What to listen for:

00:23 – Intro

04:31 – Chance Encounter: Meeting Dustin

12:55 - Working on Mustang Makeover, Personal Essays, and Other Essays

16:30 – Aha Moment with Empathy Academy

21:54 – Authority without Guidance: The Stanford Prison Experiment

23:29 – Reality Captured in Empathy Academy

27:01 – Fleshing Out Complex Characters

32:50 – “Let Curiosity Be Stronger Than Your Fear”

34:57 – External and Internal Factors Influencing Characters

40:29 – Manifesto of a Villain

41:02 – The Light, Dark, and Blind Spot of Oneself

50:47 – Authenticity, Self-Improvement, and Rejection

56:19 – The Myth of Talent

1:08:58 – Exposing Yourself to Triggers

1:11:47 – The Cautionary Tale of Losing Yourself in Your Craft

1:17:00 – Turning Pain to Art

1:18:25 – Dustin’s Message to the World

1:26:00 – Creating A Winning Pattern to Level Up

Mentioned Resources/Links:

• Dustin Grinnell | Website | Instagram
• Empathy Academy

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Dustin, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time!

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Is there a Creator? Is Christianity the only way?

There are a lot of questions in the world around different religions, beliefs, and denominations. People often wonder if what they believe in is the only truth.

Answering some of the many questions that believers and non-believers have, we welcome Xavier Thomas on today’s show! In this episode Xavier shares his take on faith, morality, and Christianity. He openly witnesses on his faith journey and his perspective in Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life.

Xavier Thomas is a bible study club president, school senior, athlete, and Anthony’s nephew, who hopes to cause positive change in the world through his faith. In his ministry, he hopes to lead people to freedom through their walk with Jesus. Watch out for his upcoming YouTube channel!

What to Listen For:

00:30 - Intro

04:58 - The podcast debate’s origins

09:10 - Podcast and debate disclaimer

10:54 – “Is there a Creator?”

13:21 - The Creator Analogy: A Painter

14:32 - Proving that the Creator is real

15:19 – “Is there a Creator that is not interacting with our lives any longer?”

19:50 – Divine Intervention VS. “Shit happens!”

22:20 – Fate: Are things really meant to happen or can we influence it?

25:37 – The Creator, our dark history and the injustices of the modern world

27:37 – “What if it is evil for you but they were taught it is good for them?”

35:01 – The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and your personal values and principles

43:21 – Universal Morality: What is truly good or bad?

47:18 - “Is goodness born into us or taught by society?”

55:14 – The Sermon on The Mount and its relevance

59:27 – “Why is Christianity the only way?”

1:28:48 – The synchronicity of the many versions of the Bible

Mentioned Resources/Links:

 Xavier Thomas | Instagram

 Ten Commandments

I would like to thank everyone who shared their time, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Xavier, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time!

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

“What am I doing here? I don’t belong. I’m a total fraud, and everyone is going to find out.” Ever had these thoughts? Admittedly, so have I. And this—imposter syndrome—is exactly what Stef Corgel and I dive into on today’s episode. Our conversation also leads to other powerful lessons in owning identity, avoiding non-reciprocal relationships, and breeding a culture of positive women. I also have some BIG NEWS that I’m excited to share with you all! 

Stef Corgel may be born and raised in California, but you can find this vivacious entrepreneur ev-er-y-where. When she’s not surfing, running, hooping, lifeguarding, or enjoying a festival, you’re likely to find her coaching virtual and group fitness classes, modeling for a fitness or lifestyle brand, or eating chocolate while she explores new business opportunities. She’s got a smile as big as her energy, and she leads a life centered around family, togetherness, and wellness. Her passion for encouraging people to optimize their life through movement is evident in her uplifting energy, support, and celebration of YOU. 

Please enjoy!

What we discuss:

00:25 Intro

07:25 Baseline of passion for movement

09:05 Encouraging others to be enthusiastic about wellness

12:40 Life & fitness comes in phases

14:40 Giving yourself grace & consideration after a life change 

19:00 Learning the emotions of failure

20:58 Cultural shift of women supporting each other

22:00 The impact of community 

27:15 Imposter Syndrome in the fitness world

28:39 Being glorified for looks after recovering from an eating disorder 

33:29 Stef flips the script

36:40 Every struggle and effort to grow introduces a new skill and opportunity

37:10 Leaning into the uncomfortable

40:33 “Where I am now is the person I used to look up to”

41:40 Anthony discusses his imposter syndrome & shares some news***

45:06 Being the catalyst for positive changes the lives of others

46:38 How self-doubt can be healthy in keeping you motivated & humble

47:55 Growth is a non-negotiable in relationships

49:00 Creating boundaries between acquaintances and friends

52:15 Energy is the #1 currency

53:30 Positive social consequence of catastrophes

54:41 Classical vs neo friends: strength over length 

56:10 Inspiration from non-competitive business conversations

59:00 Rapid-fire questions for Stef

1:01:55 Transitioning from fitness trainer to entrepreneur

1:07:34 Stef shares a fear

1:08:37 Taking movement on the move

1:10:55 Looking for a life coach? 

Episode Resources:

• Stef Corgel | Instagram

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Stef, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Does your Physical Therapist live in a van… down by the river? If yours doesn’t, I know a guy! 

In today’s episode, I’d like to introduce you to Dan Walden, a Licensed Physical Therapist and certified Stoke-master, who is stepping away from medical contracts to prioritize his passions. Not only is he a mental health advocate, but this mountain man also wants to purposefully coach you in creating a more connected, intentional life that you’re stoked about. From professional wakeboarding to mountain biking and surfing, he’s intentionally chosen to build and lead an experience-centric lifestyle. Today, we discuss how Dan has enhanced his lifestyle through lived experiences, adventure, building community through van life, and how failure and novelty can redirect your journey. 

Originally from Tennessee, Dan Walden has been van-lifing it cross-country for 6+ years with his gentle Golden Retriever, Coop. He’s a Physical Therapist by trade but has committed to the call of lifestyle performance coaching, in order to connect with and impact more people daily. If you’re in need of inspiration for adventure, positivity, mental wellness, community, connection and self-reflection, give Dan (& Coop) a follow on social media—you’lll be inspired! 

Please enjoy!

What we discuss:

00:25 Intro

03:18 The van man in Truck-ee

09:01 How the pandemic changed the landscape for his job

11:01 Improving body endurance and durability

15:40 ATP=high energy

19:43 Choosing the van-life to create more connections

22:27 People don’t like to hear hard truths

23:06 Lifestyle-forward person

23:40 Rich in experience, not in possession

26:30 Your relationships suffer when you’re not your real self

28:20 “Depression is your avatar saying it wants to be a different character”

29:30 Living a life of novelty

39:58 Failures can redirect your journey

42:50 Being your best version of yourself for whatever you’re pursuing

46:40 Trying new things based on lifestyle enhancement

1:00:36 Journey vs. Destination

1:02:57 The pain of regret vs. the pain of finishing

1:07:11 Being in the moment

1:14:42 Experience the van stoke!

Episode Resources:

• Dan Walden | Instagram | Youtube

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Dan, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Is it ever okay to be unproductive? Absolutely. In fact, it can recharge you, combat work-life imbalance, prevent mental and physical burnout, and even foster creativity. Turning off the “always on” work culture is exactly what we dive into on today’s episode with my fellow Berkeley Bear, Talia Caldwell. She also drops some gems on pouring back into yourself, navigating sacrifices for success, practicing gratitude, building a tribe, and supporting black female writers. 

Proud, black LA native and former pro athlete, Talia Caldwell attended UC Berkeley, where she was the first women’s basketball player admitted to the Haas School of Business. Her basketball achievements include a PAC-12 Championship, a Women’s Final Four, and taking “traveling with the ball” to a new level—playing internationally for several years. Off court, you can still find Talia making headlines, as a NY Times contributor. Presently, she is a screenwriter and attends the USC School of Cinematic Arts, enjoys boxing, loving people, and investing in (black) communities. 

Please enjoy!

What we discuss:

00:25 Intro

04:52 Being busy vs. being productive

09:55 Starting ‘Echo Park Fund’ during the pandemic 

16:00 Like basketball, life has quarters

17:29 Pouring back into yourself

19:36 Healthy boundary-setting

23:09 “You’re poor because you’re lazy” is a fallacy

26:30 Finding the best way to decompress

29:10 Setting up conditions for success includes sacrifices

33:47 Prayers, affirmations, gratitude

41:09 Honesty Is always healthier in the long run

42:21 Building a tribe based on energy, honesty, vulnerability, & humanity 

47:55 Understanding vs. agreeing

49:58 Be delusional about life

53:23 Don’t “go with the flow” 

55:59 Talia’s call to action: research black female writers

Episode Resources:

• Talia Caldwell | Instagram | Twitter | Website
• NY Times article: Why the WNBA Loved Kobe Bryant
• Donate to The Echo Park Fund 
• The Firecracker Foundation
• Poet/Writer: Nikki Giovanni

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Talia, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Today’s episode is an excerpt from a spontaneous IG live session with film maker, Kenny Hamlett. Apologies in advance for the inferior sound quality—I hope it doesn’t take too much focus off the conversation for you. If you’re a creative, or someone who’s simply wanting to learn new skills, you’ll find this episode relatable. We talk about making use of free resources versus paying for professional guidance, how to prioritize goals, seeking mentorship, and continuing to push yourself to “what’s next.” 

Please enjoy!

What we discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:48 Use free resources or pay for someone’s expertise?

03:45 Staying in your financial lane

05:50 Warren Buffett’s 5/25 Rule to prioritize goals

06:40 Seek mentorship from someone that you vibe with

08:20 You learn in the process when you’re self-taught

10:18 How Kenny has never received ‘bad advice’

13:08 Protecting your work as if it’s a part of you

16:50 “Put the medal in your drawer; let’s get back to work.”

20:54 Celebrate, but you gotta remind yourself that you ain’t shit

Episode Resources:

• Kenny Hamlett | Instagram |Youtube | Website 

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Kenny, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Underground tunnels, toxic machismo and riots at the border—Oh my! Hailing from the banks of Rio Grande, from the inviting city of El Paso, we welcome David Varela to today’s show. An aficionado of local and world history, David’s passion for embracing El Paso’s identity is evident, despite some surprising facts about its dark past. In this episode, David also fearlessly shares his experience of coming out as a gay man in the Latin culture, and how “shape shifting” was necessary for maintaining—and creating—his own identity. 

David Varela is a local historian, city guide, and hotel concierge in El Paso. If you ever find yourself in this sunny border town, treat yourself to a city tour or an enveloping conversation with my personal favorite El Pasoan.

Please enjoy!

What to Listen For:

00:30 Intro

04:50 The astronomer vs the astronaut

09:57 The identity of El Paso

12:23 What makes El Paso unique

17:58 El Paso claims first Thanksgiving in North America 

20:48 Tolerated, but not accepted: David’s “coming out” experience

42:45 Spread your wings when you’re ready to fly

47:29 Remaining passionate for your city, even with its dark history

51:02 Chinese Exclusion Act and Texas’ largest Chinatown

53:50 Secret tunnels below the Turtle House in Sunset Heights

01:03:10 El Paso Bath Riots 

01:15:05 People of color are expected to not know the history

01:17:10 Adding healthy value to the evolution/culture of a place

Mentioned Resources/Links:

• David Varela | Instagram
• Chinese Exclusion Act
• Tunnels below the Turtle House
• El Paso Bath Riots

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, David, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Anthony sits down with his brother, Ryan Thomas, to talk about a plethora of topics ranging from the rebranding of Innertained Podcast to pilot life, navigating parenting styles, and the mental bounceback after an injury. Ryan also shares his fascination with the universe and leaves us with a cosmic mystery… that may leave you in the dark. 

Ryan Thomas is one of Anthony’s brothers, a Pilot for a commercial airline and the United States Air Force Reserves, and a self-proclaimed human. He has a BS in Psychology from WSU and is in (very slow) pursuit of his second bachelor’s degree in Physics. He’s a husband to a badass wife and father to two imaginative children. 

Please enjoy!

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:55 Ryan is a “Slam-Clicker”

04:27 Anthony’s “Dumb & Dumber” marketing moment

05:54 Rebranding of “Innertained Podcast” 

09:00 Ryan’s professional & educational background

13:47 Ryan tears his Achilles tendon “saving America”

18:00 Having a purpose/project can help battle depressive state

20:25 High Fives Foundation for resources after life-altering accident

22:58 Origin of Ryan’s fascination with astronomy

27:00 Potential of extraterrestrial/intelligent life

29:00 New Zealand’s proposal of not using AI in warfare

32:42 Galaxy galore in Hubble Deep Field

35:20 Correlation of intelligence & empathy including extraterrestrials

40:09 Olber’s Paradox: If the universe contains infinite luminous stars, why is it dark at night? 

48:10 Possibility of 5th dimensional beings

55:00 A documentary about contacting aliens via meditation

01:04:40 Exploring familial nurturing based on their parents’ style 

01:12:00 Not everyone equipped to identify a problem is equipped to solve a problem

01:21:42 Navigating Parent-Teacher relationships

01:25:20 Children’s behavioral accountability based on their interpretation of what happened 

01:28:30 Learn to apologize to your children & admit when you’re wrong

01:35:20 You’re a villain in someone’s story

01:36:50 Pilot shares marriage counselor advice to passenger

Mentioned Resources/Links:

• Ryan Thomas | Instagram
• High Fives Foundation
• Image: Hubble Ultra Deep Field
• Book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Documentary: Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life Jeannette, my fantastic editor Phil, our guest today, Ryan, and of course YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram.