(4/14) NOTHING NEW

Jess Brown is the absolute right person to run designer brand House Of JX and living proof that eye-on-the-prize has no set timeline. After all, there's so much to see and do in the world, and Jess has done and seen a ton. Some of which wasn't great to discover—but the extra fire she needed to know the time was right for her 100% circular fashion accessories company to storm the world. This was an eye-opening conversation about sobriety, impulse, intuition, and the human experience. Enjoy.

(4/13) BEHIND THE SEEN

Our conversation with music industry veteran Beau Colburn wasn’t so much about how to make it in the music business itself as it was about identifying your passion, doing what you can to surround yourself with what and who interests you, and then boldly raising your hand to ask questions or pitch in. As always, we found ourselves spinning off into many other interesting topics for a show you can't help but love. Promise. 

(4/12) LIVING ON THE EDGE OF TIME

One could sit across from writer/author Josh Epperson and talk about many, many things. Such is the way with multifaceted, huge thinkers who've arrived where they stand via atypical pathways. And we did! Our conversation with him covered a lot, including his thoughts and ideas around getting a hold of our choices so that we can take our lives where we want them to go. His book, Living on the Edge of Time, is an efficient must-read for anyone, at any stage, who practices or wishes to practice a framework that aligns every new day with your authentic self.

To learn more about Josh and the topics we covered, visit these links:
Website: josheppersonwrites.com
Book Instagram: @edgeoftimebook

(4/11) OPEN TO HOPE

Colette Kenny Verdes' journey into grief work as a therapist is a powerful story, but it wasn't always a happy one. Her experiences have left her uniquely qualified and passionate about helping others navigate trauma. A full life with boundless love for others comes with grief. No one is immune. In this wonderfully rich conversation, we cover Colette's origin story before diving into the practices and rituals she and other grief counselors employ so that we may honor our loved ones while taking good care of ourselves.

***Dear listeners, pregnancy loss is integral to this episode's conversation. While we feel it is essential to make discussions around grief and recovery from pregnancy loss more common, we also understand that, for some, the topic is too painful.

To learn more about Colette and the things we discussed, consider visiting the following links:

Noe Sage Counseling & Consulting
Instagram
Linkedin Profile
Grief Resources
Pregnancy Loss Group
Grow Therapy
Psychology Today
MISS Foundation
Certified Grief Educator
STAR Legacy Foundation Video
Open to Hope Author

(4/10) WE’RE ALL MAD HERE

One of our absolutely very favorite people to ever soberize (trademark pending), Reid Miller, joined us to share a bit about his recovery from addiction and to talk about what goes into his sober lifestyle. Reid is a decorated New York City advertising veteran who most recently co-founded the agency 3 Mad Fish. More importantly, he's a genuinely kind person who, even as a drunk, has always sought out ways to tame his demons (some utterly outrageous, too). We always have a blast talking to other former addicts—and this hour was no exception!

(4/9) DREAM A BIG SCARY DREAM

Confronted with any opportunity, former President and Managing Director of Wieden + Kennedy, Jess Monsey, asks herself: will this bring me light? Will this bring me joy? If it does? She follows those things. Her incredible enthusiasm and optimism have always been pointed at unearthing goodness and good things and passionately championing them. And lucky us (all of us), Jess has moved into some fantastic new directions, including working as an Executive Coach for Creative Leaders and Entrepreneurs, while also putting her talents toward helping people—young and old—lean hard into what brings them the most joy. It was an absolute pleasure to have her on the show!

(4/8) PUTTING THE WE BACK IN WELL

This hour with Ashley Williams, a Mind-Body Therapist and Wellness Educator, is truly "a something amazing for everyone experience." With BareSOUL Yoga and Wellness and The Well Collective, Ashley has put the power of her journey through the fields of education, behavioral and mental health, and community programming to work, creating accessible mind-body offerings and a multicultural community space that centers intergenerational well-being, restorative practices, healing modalities, and education. If you aren't in Richmond, Virginia, this conversation is an excellent quick-hit alternative to enriching your journey with her immediately! 

Learn more about Ashley and the work she does at the following links:
https://www.iamashleywilliams.com/
https://www.thewellcollective.space/
https://www.baresoulyoga.com/
Ashley Williams on LinkedIn

(4/7) AFRAID FOR A LIVING

Author Johnny Compton came by the KWVH studios for a second visit! It's been about a year since the release of his critically acclaimed debut novel The Spite House and there was plenty we wanted to ask about the ride since. Shenanigans is the word he used—and we covered his and so much more—including a little tease of his forthcoming novel Devils Kill Devils. At WWKWWD, we don't play favorites—but we don't mind telling you we absolutely love Johnny, his mind, and the way he so graciously moves through this world!

(4/6) BEING A COPYWRITER DOESN’T HURT

At WWKWWD, we love a good career trajectory deviation. Steph Price’s one-way ticket to Port-au-Prince to help Haitians after the 2010 earthquake is one of our favorites. Before she was Head of Creative Strategy & Verbal Identity at co:collective, and before she was the Executive Director of EIM Haiti, Steph Price was a creative in New York’s advertising industry looking to make a difference and wondering, as so many have, “What else can I do with these skills?” The short answer? So so much. This conversation with her is all the proof you need. 

To find out more about the organizations Steph works with, visit these links:
EIM Haiti
co:collective

(4/5) EVERYONE LOVES A TRASHY STORY

Liz Picarazzi, founder of CITIBIN and a serial entrepreneur, had a ton-ton-TON to share with us about what is possible in the service of authentic self and bringing huge ideas to life to better the world. Fostering her intense curiosity has, at times, been obsessive (see Russia). Still, that same huge spirit of inquiry saw her evaluate and change a life that was working "just fine" to turn it into a life beyond her wildest dreams.

(4/4) A MORE EQUITABLE THEATRE

Desirée Dabney, Head of Musical Theatre at VCU, joined us for a lightning-quick hour on performing, directing, teaching, musical theatre, and the effect she and those disciplines have had on her personally and on others. The arts move us all, and therefore, the arts belong to us all and should include everyone! Her journey and the ripple effect it's had on so many is an inspiration, and it was an honor to have her on.

To learn more about Desirée Dabney, check out these links:
https://arts.vcu.edu/community/vcuarts-faculty-and-staff/directory/desiree-dabney/
https://www.facebook.com/theatredivaproductions?mibextid=2JQ9oc

(4/3) FIND YOUR GREATNESS

“I get to have conversations where you hear a tear in the space-time continuum.” Yes. Yes. Yes! If that doesn't hook you into this episode with Sarah Watson—life and career coach, and so much more—trust us, there's plenty more to feast on. From "self-remembering" to "identifying your superpower," Sarah is brilliantly efficient at leaving you peacefully aware of what inspires you and ready for action. No cape necessary. 

(4/2) A NECESSARY EDUCATION

Citizen Scientists. Possibilitiests (Peter's new word). An Environmental Stewardship School! This is the tip of the iceberg in this episode with Blanco River Academy's Kristie Kimbell (Director) and Kelley Shand (Faculty). We love exposing listeners to different types of learning, programs, schools, and educational philosophies because we've seen how the right fit bolsters confidence, achievement, and more. There's no one-size-fits-all in schooling, and we're grateful they stopped by to share their approach!

Have a listen and learn more about Blanco River Academy in Wimberley, TX, here:

https://www.blancoriveracademy.org/

(4/1) EVERY DROP COUNTS

The title says it all. Doug Bennett, one of the masterminds behind turning Las Vegas into a global leader in water conservation and education, was gracious enough to stop by the Wimberley Valley Radio studios for a chat. He shared a ton of positive information: What he's learned, what can be done privately and publicly, and what to expect moving forward as we all put increased attention to protecting the water we use for drinking, agriculture, our recreation/economy, and infrastructure. We hope you enjoy this important hour as much as we did!

Find out more about Doug Bennet and water management and conservation here:

Doug Bennett on LinkedIn
How Sin City Finally Learned to Sustain Itself
Alliance For Water Efficiency

(3/16) KEEP CALM AND TINKER ON

Wrapping up Season 3 with a fascinating story that starts with letting your kids do dangerous things! Kami Wilt, who created and runs Austin Tinkering School, has spent fifteen years empowering children of all ages through mistakes, curiosity, and autonomy. And spoiler alert: tinkering is good for adults, too. Does anyone want to build a roller coaster in their backyard? Holler.

To find out more about Kami and the topics on this show, visit these links:
Austin Tinkering School
Gever Tulley TedX Talk
Kami Wilt on LinkedIn

(3/15) DECENTER YOURSELF

We're all leaders. Yep. So, the real question is this: how can you gain a better understanding of the impact of your leadership on your followers? It's time to Decenter Yourself, and this conversation with Dr. Chris Reina is the perfect place to start. In a world inundated with sometimes vague buzzwords around mindfulness, Dr. Reina is a beacon of clarity and purpose. This is a show about managing yourself just as much as it is about managing people, and we are grateful for his research and action plan.

To learn more about Dr. Chris Reina, visit the following links:
Christopher Reina on LinkedIn
Leading Without Ego

(3/14) DRUMS NO GUNS

To date, we've never asked our listeners to share an episode far and wide. Not directly, anyway. But this conversation with Dr. Ram Bhagat is a decades-in-the-making moment. No matter where you stand, you can't deny there are parts of American life that are broken. With Drums No Guns, Ram integrates yoga, mindfulness, drumming, dance, drama, trauma healing, and peacemaking circles to promote non-violence (ahimsa) in school and community settings. Have a listen, dig into what he and others are doing, and help us spread his message if you can. 

To learn more about Dr. Ram Bhagat, visit the following links:
Dr. Ram Bhagat
Drums No Guns

(3/13) FLUID NATURE

Spoiler Alert: Love to Love. 

Kori Tolbert was born into this world with Cystic Fibrosis and the journey it put her on is one that most assuredly serves the cosmos. Prepare to breathe and be moved because she wields a light so bright you'll feel it (even through this podcast).

Explore more about Kori and her work here: 

https://myfluidnature.com/
https://boosterjots.com/

(3/12) THE SOCIOLOGY OF GASLIGHTING

Sociologist Paige Sweet joined the show for a conversation about domestic violence, gaslighting, and manipulation. The power dynamics at play in both personal and professional spaces affect us all—in ways you might not have yet considered. We're calling this hour with Paige a necessary listen, which is a true testament to her work on and understanding of coercive control and her clarity in defining it for us all.

Here is the article written by Paige that we reference on the show: How Gaslighting Manipulates Reality. 

(3/11) THE GOOD WORD

"We didn't have the answer but liked the idea of setting out to see if we could find it." It’s hard to pick a favorite moment from this conversation with Krystle Loyland and Seth Gaffney from Preacher, but that nugget is up there for us. The journey they’ve been on the last decade-plus with third founder Rob Baird is mandatory listening for anyone wanting to start something new with other humans. Chemistry as a superpower? You can count the two of us as true believers.

Learn more about them and Preacher here: https://preacher.co/