Goal Magic

I hope you enjoy this interview that I recorded with Matt Lambert, who is a social innovator and strategy consultant. Matt has had an interesting career and life journey that had him move from the US to Montenegro with his family. In one of his corporate jobs, Matt was urged to find what he loves and then craft a role around that, which had a powerful influence on how he viewed his career path from then on. There are tons of takeaways in this episode as Mike shares his hard-won insights on how to get unstuck. Episode Highlights: Why leaders need to recognize and support people's unique strengths How you can create a job for yourself instead of just accepting what's out there Why it's ok to feel discontent with the different stages of life How it's good to challenge systems and ways of thinking that aren't working for us If you're going to challenge a system, you have to understand the system How living in a foreign country teaches humility "Just keep swimming." Failure means you're trying... it's ok to make

Cynthia and I sat down for a really nice chat about how we use exercise to keep us unstuck. We shared our favorite workouts, from very easy to very, very hard!  In the course of the conversation, I opened up about how I've fought depression for much of my life. Hard cardio workouts have gotten me up and out of the darkness, many many times. Here are some of the highlights:  Cynthia has been walking a lot more... and loving it Twenty minutes of cardio per day helps Brennen stave off depression Cynthia does super hard pilates workouts when her back can handle it Hard workouts can shift your mindset in terms of what you think is possible for yourself Rather than measuring your progress by how you look, try focusing on how you feel and what you can do  When you look in the mirror, be grateful to be alive rather than criticizing your own appearance The best reason to exercise is to show yourself some love!  If you haven't worked out in a while, we challenge you to get back in the habit, starting today... and the

One of the worst feelings in the world is telling yourself you were going do something and then letting yourself down and not doing it. It could be a vow to exercise or send that important email to a client or apply for that inspiring new job you really want. Breaking your promises to yourself is just the worst kind of letdown right? It leads to negative self-talk and poor self-esteem over time. In this episode, we chat about our ways of keeping promises to ourselves and others. Cynthia also shares some details about how she got started on her new wellness business.  We recorded this back in the dead of winter in Philadelphia, but hopefully it's warm wherever you're listening!  Book Recommendation: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz Here's to being true to ourselves!  Onward, Cynthia & Brennen This week's healthy episode is sponsored by Wellness by Cynthia. Wellness by Cynthia is my own site and blog where I educate and dish about my favorite wellness products, tips, and experiences. Check it out! ht

Lisa Lord is a dynamic and inspirational speaker and executive coach who developed her point of view initially as an executive in Human Resources working for Fortune 500 corporations. After decades of experience on the inside of corporations, Lisa chose to launch a unique coaching and consulting service to share her wisdom and help individuals advance their careers.  She is frequently engaged to help businesses re-humanize their employment practices, remembering that people are more than just assets. Lisa’s unique approach and passion helps individuals and leaders to make a meaningful connection with one another. Lisa has helped clients to address disconnects due to generational differences, changes in employment practices, and a lack of self-awareness.  When individuals discover how to let their strengths shine, amazing transitions occur. Key quotes and takeaways from this awesome interview:  "I've really learned to pay attention to what inspires me." "I'm the kind of person who was always comfortable makin

I'm so happy to share this interview with my friend Alexis Siemons. As a tea enthusiast, Alexis writes about her steeped adventures on her website and blog, Teaspoons & Petals. She also teaches a series of culinary tea classes, and develops tea-infused recipes for restaurants. Alexis is currently a tea consultant for La Colombe, which is one of my favorite cafes and also the place where Cynthia and I came up with the idea for GOAL MAGIC. Alexis’ recipes and stories have been published in Women’s Health, Grid Magazine and Design*Sponge… among many other publications. But above all else, Alexis is a positive and fearless entrepreneur who has turned her passion into her life’s work, and that is why she’s on the show! Key quotes and discussion topics: The very first post on Teaspoons & Petals Why it's important to take time to appreciate beauty The power of designing your own major  The pitfalls of the advertising industry for creative people Why short-form writing is taking over the Internet "Tea is lik

 I am delighted to share an interview I recorded with Ruben Vergara Meersohn. Ruben is a true multi-passionate entrepreneur who started out working multiple odd jobs in a pizzeria, making wine, welding steel, and also serving as a translator. Ruben eventually ventured into corporate work where he worked for a major bank. But after the suicide of his colleague while working at the bank, Ruben realized that he needed to proactively go after his dreams. He quit his banking job and pursued his passions and today he owns and runs multiple successful businesses. Ruben is a super-talented and generous person and he had so much advice and wisdom to share in this episode, so I'm excited for you to check it out!  More about Ruben:  Ruben Vergara Meersohn is a 26-year-old husband and father with a really cool day-job. He was raised in Italy and after dropping out of high-school, he kickstarted his career by working in Chianti wine production when he was fourteen years old. Early in his career, he started working for th

Author Anna Goldfarb is one of my favorite creative people, and I'm so happy to have her as a guest on GOAL MAGIC! I first learned about Anna back when she was the editor behind the wildly popular (but now retired) dating blog Shmitten Kitten. Since then, we’ve built up a friendship based upon our shared love of writing goofy email newsletters. Just to let you know, Anna writes my favorite newsletter in the whole world and you should totally go subscribe to it at annagoldfarb.com. Now happily married with Shmitten Kitten in her rearview mirror, Anna makes a living writing fearlessly about relationships, culture and food for publications like The New York Times, Vice and Thrillist. Anna writes with a bold and exuberant wit and she’s not afraid to offend people who might disagree with her. With titles like “What I wish I'd Known Before Moving in Together” “The Top 10 Worst Things I’ve Eaten at Trader Joe’s” and “What to Say When People Ask Why You’re Not Having Children” you can see why Anna’s articles get tons

I'm happy to share this chat I recorded with entrepreneur Ellin Lolis. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Ellin found herself in Sao Paolo Brazil. Ellin and I discuss what it was like for her being an ex-pat in Brazil, the highs and lows that she experienced in acclimating personally and professionally to a different country, and how some of the cultural hurdles actually pushed Ellin to start her own successful consulting business. We also touch on how Ellin uses her coaching for students considering an MBA, and why an MBA track isn’t always the next best step. There so much to learn from Ellin’s journey and her story may make you ask yourself your own WHY’s, so you won’t want to miss one second. We discussed these topics and many more:  The importance of delegating tasks as a business owner How entrepreneurs (especially) need to be able to say no How to respond when clients ask for a huge discount You have to trust yourself and your ability to deliver value How to convey credibility, even if you'r

I am delighted to share an interview I recorded with a dear friend and life coach Jennifer Blaine. Jennifer and I had talked back in episode 3 of our podcast but in this one, Jennifer and I talk specifically about how you can start to get unstuck. We discuss how to figure out what moves you spiritually and emotionally, and how identifying that can help direct your energy towards getting unstuck.  We covered the following topics: We are always in transition Most people are searching for their life's work, "the big thing" The power of literally saying hmmmm when you feel stuck How you can experiment in real time to see what you like and what you don't like so you can do more of what's working  Things take as long as they take when it comes to emotional healing or dealing with tragedy It helps to write down the things you love so much that you wish they could be your job Even before we know what "the big thing" is, we can still make an intention of some kind  How we are when we're on the way to a goal is how w

In this episode, Cynthia and I chatted about the idea of loving yourself in order to get unstuck. It sounds like a goofy idea, but if you think about it, self-love is the foundation of positive change. This week, we shared stories of different friends who have been feeling stuck. Cynthia also opened up about how a cancer diagnosis back in her 20's made her slow down and take stock. Our chat was free-flowing and we touched on these main ideas: The benefits of slowing down and not always striving for perfection The power of yoga to heal the body and slow things down (Brennen recommends Blissology)  Sometimes you have to start a project before you really know what it's going to feel like The true cost of sticking with a toxic job How out-of-control lifestyle expenses can chain you to a bad job How loving yourself is totally different from having an inflated ego Why it's ok (REALLY) to want a better life for yourself We hope you enjoy this episode! If you have a free minute, please email goalmagicpodcast AT gma

I am so excited to share an interview I recorded with my friend Mike Neidert. Mike started his career in corporate but slowly felt that sinking feeling that every day felt like a Monday. Maybe you can relate! That’s when Mike came across an article I published on LinkedIn that inspired him to reach out to me. My conversation with Mike changed his path forever so you will definitely want to listen in to hear what he’s up to.  About Mike Neidert: Mike is a career coach, sales consultant, marketer and copywriter who blends his unique experience from a career in advertising, recruiting and sales to do what he finds most rewarding: helping others. After growing up in Northeast Ohio and attending Kent State University, Mike moved to New York City where he experienced his first taste of sales and recruiting. While working for the largest creative recruiting agency in the US, he honed his sales skills and developed a behind-the-scenes look at effective job hunting. Transitioning to business development roles at two N

I am pumped to share an interview I recorded with Michael Sussman, the owner and president of Strategic Rail Finance, a North American rail industry consulting firm he started in 1994. He is actually the husband of my dear friend and life coach, Jennifer Blaine, whose interview you may have heard on EP 03. Michael has a fascinating story. He was running a successful commercial refrigeration company when he realized that he wasn’t really doing anything to create positive change or making an impact in this world. He quit his job, got unstuck and shifted his path after his epiphany. Michael became interested in the idea of fighting for systems that benefit everyone in society rather than just the bottom lines of powerful companies. That's why he has long been a champion for America's rail system, which he argues is far more efficient than most other modes of transportation.  This episode is great for anyone with a strong desire to make the world a better place. It feels so much better when you truly believe in

I am so excited to share an interview I recorded with bestselling author Maureen Sherry. I am a fan of Maureen's book, Opening Belle, which has been optioned to be a major motion picture set to star Reese Witherspoon. Opening Belle resonated with me for its honest yet funny take on sexism in American corporations, so I reached out to Maureen to express my gratitude for her book, which lead to this heartening interview. Maureen has had a fascinating life and career, going from high-flying banking executive to successful writer. She’s also a happy mom. In this interview, we talk about the ups and downs of being a female executive in Wall Street (and in corporate, in general), the sneaky way mega corporations hide sexism and scandals and the reason why her novel Opening Belle almost never saw the light of day. There are lots of takeaways from this episode, so you’ll definitely want to give it a listen.  Here's to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia http://maureensherry.com/ https://twitter.com/maureensherry Sponsor Love: T

Brad Yates is known internationally for his creative and often humorous use of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Brad is the author of the best-selling children's book The Wizard's Wish, the co-author of the best-seller Freedom at Your Fingertips and a featured expert in the film “The Tapping Solution,” He has also been a presenter at a number of events, including Jack Canfield's Breakthrough to Success, has done tele-seminars with “The Secret” stars Bob Doyle and Dr. Joe Vitale, and has been heard internationally on a number of internet radio talk shows.   Brad also has over 700 videos on YouTube, that have been viewed over 17 million times, and is a contributing expert on the Huffington Post.  Brad Yates practices and teaches a unique method for clearing stuck energy in our bodies called the Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT. EFT helps move energy within your body to alleviate anxiety, stress, and other emotions which can be really helpful when you're feeling stuck, fearful, or anxious. Brad started at c

Jessie Moore is the creative talent behind CakeSpy.com, the world's first "Dessert Detective Agency." I call Jessie the human rainbow because she's such a radiantly positive and supportive person. Oh and she's REALLY into unicorns... in the best possible way. Jessie is the author of numerous books, including the recently released Stuff Unicorns Love: The Ultimate Guide to the Life and Culture of Unicorns and Baking with Steel. She has also illustrated a bunch of adorable unicorn-themed coloring books. On an equally serious note, Jessie wanted me to let you know that she is the official Illustrator of a national mattress chain's blog.  Jessie is also an eating disorder activist after personally battling anorexia and bulimia. She writes about her experience with eating disorders on CakeSpy.com in a section she calls Unicorn Love. If you (or someone you know) is struggling with an eating disorder, you might want to start off by reading this amazing post where she first wrote about her experiences.  There's so mu

My long-time friend Andy Williams is a man of many talents. As a musician, he is the long-time frontman for the band Lefty’s Deceiver, which released numerous studio records and toured the United States off and on from 1999 to 2003. Lefty’s Deceiver gained fame for their energetic live shows which saw Andy transform from a mild-mannered dude into a blazing rock star whenever he took the stage.   As an amateur athlete, Andy shares my love of road cycling, and that is how we became friends. Andy wakes at 5am, religiously, almost ritualistically, to ride his bike with his friends around his home base in Los Angeles. He has twice completed The Longest Day ride, which is 200 miles in a single day, and in 2016 he reached his goal of riding 6,000 miles in one year. When you ride with Andy, you better be ready to suffer... in the best possible way.  Last, but certainly not least, Andy is a Hollywood executive producer, focusing on visual effects for TV and movies. You have seen his work on The Leftovers, Silver Lini

I am excited to share the rest of my interview with Kim Peterson Stone with you all! In Part 2, Kim gives some tips and advice on what she has learned from her professional adventures. If you recall from EP 04, she went from running a $20 million company to losing it all when the venture collapsed. She lost herself in a marriage that ended in divorce. Kim has since had a rebirth of sorts, launching her own 7-figure business and finding true love. I loved recording this second session with Kim so I hope you walk away feeling uplifted and hopeful, like I did.  With more than 190,000 (!!!) followers, Kim is an expert on networking and marketing on LinkedIn. She has a special offer for GOAL MAGIC listeners: http://bit.ly/GoalMagic Here's to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimpetersonstone/ https://wiseintro.co/kimpeterson http://www.commonsensehealth.org/ Sponsor Love: This sparkly episode is sponsored by GLDN jewelry. Use code MAGIC at checkout to save 15% on your first purchase! https://w

 I am so excited to share this interview with Kim Peterson Stone! Kim has an incredible roller coaster story about how she went from running a $20 million company to losing it all. On top of that, she lost herself in a marriage that ended in divorce. And yet through all this, Kim has found her way back to write her own happy story this time around. Talk about getting unstuck! Kim now owns her own digital marketing company, Common Sense Health, which brought in 7-figures in 2017, and she has since found love again. Kim has so much personal and professional wisdom to offer that we decided to record two sessions! I hope you are as inspired as I was by this interview.  With more than 190,000 (!!!) followers, Kim is an expert on networking and marketing on LinkedIn. She has a special offer for GOAL MAGIC listeners: http://bit.ly/GoalMagic Here's to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimpetersonstone/ https://wiseintro.co/kimpeterson http://www.commonsensehealth.org/ Sponsor Love: This sparkly e

Heather Holiday is the founder of Mason Dixon Made, an award-winning Philadelphia workshop that creates and sells amazing hand-crafted leather shoes and bags to customers around the world. Among many other honors, Mason Dixon Made was named Top Maker for Children and Families by USA Today.   Heather makes almost all of the beautiful shoes and bags herself by hand, with a little bit of help from her husband Dusty. She is also a talented marketer, with thousands of people following her entrepreneurial journey on Instagram through gorgeous photos. And Heather does all of this while raising her two lovely children.  In this interview, we talked about how how she launched her company with a single pair of handmade baby booties, the rewards and pitfalls of parenting while running her own business, and how she overcame her fears to get started. And so much more. If you’re a creative maker-type person who ever thought about turning your passion into a business, you NEED to hear Heather’s story! Stay Magical, Brennen