Motivation Episodes

Send us a text Join us for a transformative episode of Living the Dream with Curveball as we sit down with Jennifer Kenny Smith, the dynamic founder of JKS Yoga. Jennifer, a life and business coach, energy healer, and magic facilitator, opens up about her remarkable journey from a high-pressure corporate career to embracing the healing powers of yoga. After facing burnout and panic attacks, she discovered the profound impact of mindfulness and breathwork, leading her to create a sanctuary of...

Send us a text Join us for an empowering episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, featuring the remarkable Lise Janelle, an author and peak performance expert with over 22 years of experience. Lise shares her transformative journey from holistic chiropractor to a passionate coach dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential and live their best lives. Discover the profound impact of her Heart Freedom Method, which bridges the gap between the conscious and subconscious mind, allow...

Send us a text Join us for an inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball as we welcome Robert Bcide Cardillo, a multifaceted artist, rapper, producer, clothing designer, and author. Bcide shares his incredible journey through the underground music scene over the past two decades, revealing the challenges he faced after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He discusses his powerful book, "Mile in My Shoes," which chronicles his life experiences and the impact of chronic illness o...

Send us a text In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Nancy Ho, a life and business coach, transformational strategist, and internationally recognized thought leader on the paradox of success. With over 26 years of experience, Nancy has empowered more than 10,000 business owners and C-suite executives to redefine their understanding of success and personal fulfillment. Join us as Nancy delves into her journey from a sheltered upbringing in Singapore to be...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Thomas R. Wilson, an inspiring author, community leader, and advocate dedicated to the neurodiverse and mental health communities. Thomas shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a recognized figure in advocacy and sensory-friendly event coordination. He discusses the importance of accessibility, the nuances of sensory-friendly events, and the Employment First movement, ...

Send us a text Join us for an enlightening conversation with Guy Morris, a retired leader with a remarkable 38-year career, as he delves into the profound implications of artificial intelligence on society. From his humble beginnings as a homeless runaway to becoming a published author and thought leader, Guy shares his unique insights into the intersection of AI, economics, politics, and spirituality. Discover how his experiences shaped his writing, leading to the creation of award-winning boo...

Send us a text Welcome to another inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball! Join us as we dive into the world of business growth with Michael Walsh, a seasoned author, visionary, and business leader. With 30 years of experience, Michael shares his journey from financial planning to helping businesses scale beyond their expectations. He discusses the importance of understanding human behavior in the workplace and how it can impact growth, emphasizing the need for a shift from view...

Send us a text Songwriter Gabe Schillman truly embodies the "living on the road" lifestyle—he doesn't even own a home. With 232 shows performed nationwide last year alone, this professional songwriter and touring artist has turned his nomadic existence into both an art form and a mission. During our candid conversation, Gabe reveals the fascinating world of contract songwriting, where artists craft music to fit specific commercial, film, and entertainment needs. "Music is everywhere," he exp...

Send us a text Dr. John Poothullil revolutionizes our understanding of weight management and diabetes prevention by challenging conventional wisdom with science-backed insights from his decades of medical practice. As an award-winning author and nationally syndicated health expert, Dr. Poothulill observed patterns that led him to question why patients continued developing complications despite medication and traditional treatments. The concept of "authentic weight" stands at the center of hi...

Send us a text Meet Omdia Memwequa, also known as "The Candy Man" – a name earned from his addictively delicious pecan candy that customers jokingly call "legal crack." But behind this sweet success story lies an extraordinary journey of transformation that will leave you inspired. Omdia's story begins with his name itself – a creative combination formed from a monk's chant and a West African word, while his last name emerged during a Scrabble game. This creativity extends throughout every a...

Send us a text What happens when a robot begins to experience human emotions? This fascinating question drives artist John Windzilak (known professionally as J-Dubs) in his groundbreaking project that blends art therapy, storytelling, and community building in surprising ways. On this episode, J-Dubs reveals how personal struggles with ADHD, heart issues, and childhood experiences led him to therapy, which ultimately inspired his character Voltage – a robot navigating the complex world of hu...

Send us a text When Marine veteran Jim Rojas found himself in an acting scene opposite Linden Ashby, something unexpected happened. Though Jim wasn't even on camera or in character, Ashby reached across with profound gratitude after the scene wrapped. This moment revealed to Jim that his lifelong mental habits—creating different versions of himself in various scenarios—had perfectly prepared him for acting. What began as childhood coping mechanisms had become a sophisticated operating system ...

Send us a text What happens when a grandfather's impromptu bedtime stories transform into a mission to combat childhood illiteracy? Ron Kinscherf's journey from burned-out IT consultant to children's author began with a simple request: "Papa, tell me a book." When his grandson stomped on anthills in their backyard, Ron saw more than destroyed insect homes—he saw a storytelling opportunity. That moment sparked a series about an ant colony facing challenges that paralleled Ron's own childhood ...

Send us a text Few people have witnessed global security challenges from as many perspectives as Chris Brewer. In this riveting conversation, the veteran Ranger Battalion NCO and Special Forces Officer pulls back the curtain on covert operations and international security work spanning decades and continents. Brewer's extraordinary career trajectory took him from the elite Ranger Battalion formed in 1974 to the Department of State's Office of Security Assistance, then into the most dangerous...

Send us a text What happens when life suddenly changes course and everything you know disappears? Laura Bratton's world transformed between second and third grade when a routine eye appointment revealed she would lose her sight due to a degenerative eye disease. While the full impact didn't hit immediately, by age fourteen, Laura found herself staring at indecipherable black blobs on her classroom board instead of letters—a moment that launched her into a profound journey through grief, anxie...

Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when theatrical magic collides with punk rock energy? Sasha Mereu embodies this fascinating intersection as the self-styled "punk rock Willy Wonka" - and he's on a mission to transform how musicians earn a living. Sasha takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career spanning over 1,000 stages worldwide, including a Broadway run in 2016 with "The Illusionists: Turn of the Century" - which became Broadway's highest-grossing magic show. His ...

Send us a text Pete Neubig takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career transformation, from IT professional to property management entrepreneur and back to tech innovator. After 25 years in information technology, Pete's life took an unexpected turn at age 41 when he found himself managing 31 properties and three apartment complexes without the proper systems in place. This necessity birthed Empire Industries Property Management, which he eventually grew to manage nearly 1,00...

Send us a text What happens when you've checked all the boxes of success but still feel something's missing? James Walters, photographer, author, and host of "A Joyful Rebellion" podcast, joins us to explore the transformative power of creative risk-taking and authentic living. James shares his fascinating journey from commercial photographer (who initially used photography to escape math class) to wedding photographer capturing unpredictable moments, to helping others tell their brand stories....

Send us a text What if improving company profits and creating a more diverse workforce weren't competing goals but complementary ones? Paolo Gaudiano, founder of DEI tech company Aleria, flips conventional wisdom on its head with his revolutionary approach to workplace inclusion. With advanced degrees in aerospace engineering and neuroscience, Paolo brings a unique analytical perspective to diversity challenges. "I like to joke that I'm the white elephant in the room," he shares, acknowledging ...

Send us a text What does it really take to break free from toxic relationship patterns and transform your pain into purpose? Aneta Waclaw's journey offers a roadmap for anyone stuck in cycles of unhealthy connections. From the outside, Aneta's life in Chicago looked perfect—pursuing her dream career as a hairstylist. But beneath the surface, she struggled with poor self-image and found herself in a marriage that slowly dismantled her sense of self. "He hated how I looked, how I dressed, how I t...

Send us a text Kerie Logan, an acclaimed therapist and empowerment strategist with over 20 years of experience, dives deep into the transformative power of breaking free from limiting stories. Known as "the pinhole of light," Kerie illuminates pathways to authentic liberation by helping people shift their consciousness toward compassion, wisdom, and understanding. Her own remarkable journey from corporate America to becoming a renowned hypnotherapist began when she faced homelessness as a singl...

Send us a text Cesar Cardona's life reads like a hero's journey – from a childhood divided between warring parents to gang violence, substance abuse, and ultimately transformation into a powerful voice for healing and unity. "You already have what it takes to become the best version of yourself," Cesar shares in this deeply moving conversation. As a public speaker who teaches actionable steps for healing, growth, and connection, his message carries the weight of hard-won wisdom. Cesar takes us...

Send us a text After losing her husband in her 30s, Melissa Darnay found herself seeking adventure and a fresh start. With just five words of Spanish and an adventurous spirit, she packed up her life in Dallas, loaded her furniture and two dogs, and moved to Panama in 2012. Thirteen years later, Melissa has built an extraordinary life at the mouth of the Panama Canal, where ships line up against a backdrop of blue ocean and lush green jungle. In this captivating conversation, she reveals how Pa...

Send us a text What happens when your brain betrays you, plunging you into a reality "not conceived on earth"? Mental health coach Dale Walsh takes us on his remarkable 40-year journey through schizophrenia, from his first psychotic break at Dartmouth College to developing a revolutionary approach helping families navigate this challenging condition. Dale's story begins with a poetic introduction to his experience: "Hi, I'm God was a joke I made after killer Dartmouth toke..." This humorous yet...