Becoming My Story

What would someone say about you after only knowing you for 5 minutes?Today I want to introduce you to Bjarni, I’m here in Iceland and many of the places we have stayed have been small fishing villages, but our stop in Dalvik was different. From the moment I met Bjarni I knew he was one I wanted to sit down with and learn more about; from the way he was so quick to treat us all like friends, share a coffee, and his towns history with us, I’m so honored to be able to share more of this truly lovely human with you all We chat about what it’s like living in and doing what he can alongside his wife to preserve the history and culture of his hometown, how he looks forward and is aspiring to become a full time grandfather,  and the fear of outliving another of his children.He shares why he believes the way we view difficulties in life is a choice, how some heartbreaking and trying moments have impacted that view, and the reality of what real problems are in the world We chat about the impact of war and climate change, and how when something is detached from our personal experience we can often struggle to empathize or take action towards righting such wrongsBjarni is one that offers a gentle and yet confident reminder that life is a gift, that sharing space and time with others in this life is of immense value, and that we always have something to give to anotherSo tune in today and meet Bjarni a man that will walk around in shorts and a t shirt when everyone else is in a winter coat, and I think that is not unlike his heart; that maybe when so many of us are closed, needing more, or afraid to let the world see us, Bjarni is filled with the joy of what each day has and is giving him, he is one that will sit with you, share what he knows, and in what I found to be the most precious of all, allows others to know him and feel welcomed around himAnd to you Bjarni thank you, thank you for your hospitality, for the ease in which you show up in the world, for the time you shared in allowing me to hear your story. You are a man filled with integrity, one that is easy to trust and one that is deserving of such trust. I’m so grateful our travels brought us to Dalvik and for the joy in sharing a cup of coffee with you.

Have you ever expected someone else to “have it all together?” As if being in a certain stage of life made them less eligible to be “human.”Today I want to introduce you to Caoilfhionn, Caoilfhionn is one of those people that you meet and instantly makes you feel as though just being around her will somehow make you more joyful and confident yourself. She is one that I’ve known to have an infectious character, the kind that lifts the standard, and honestly, the entire vibe of whoever is around her.I had the pleasure of meeting this gem a human a few years ago, and every time I see her it only reinforces what I know to be true; she is passionate, caring, so so much fun to be around, and above all, I’ve seen her make myself and others feel seen.We chat about what life is like for her as one often able to make others laugh, how at the same time she is stepping more and more into letting those close to her know her more, and what it means to hold space for our parents and the reality that they are allowed to be human too.She shares why “saying yes and figuring it out after” has been something that has served her well in her business, and why taking time for herself and holding space for what, “sets her a light” has been something she is pressing into moreWe chat about what it looks like to let go of pleasing others, what it feels like to have your mind in more than one place at a time, and what it means to “pebble” love in the lives of those close to youCaoilfhionn is one that has lived through dark times, she is one that brings an undeniable light with her wherever she goes, and she is one that I admire and hold in the highest regard So tune in today and meet Caoilfhionn, someone that I am confident you will learn from, see parts of your own journey in, and be reminded that being human is so ok but doesn’t for a minute mean you can’t accomplish every last one of your dreamsAnd to you Caoilfhionn thank you, thank you for taking the time to share such an intentional chat, for sharing your heart, your light, and your love with me. Thank you for the way you have confidently stepped into every space I’ve seen you in and how in doing so you remind me to do the same. You are a walking, living, breathing work of art, and the world is lucky to see and be impacted by your heart as it is displayed in your work ,wherever and however you continue to share it.

What if the only impact you had on the world was the work you leave behind; not your name, not fame, just simply the impact of what you chose to do?Today I want to introduce you to William, William is one of those people you meet that from a distance could feel like you might not be cool enough to hang with; but oh man! Get within 5 feet of him and you will find a human bursting with creativity, joy in the form of one who can give and take a joke, and warmth that is felt when you step into his presenceWilliam is one that finds joy in supporting and showing up for his friends, one that quite literally is the life of the party, as possibly one of, if not the best DJ around, and one that is able to be present in a comfortable silence We chat about what life and his projects look like, from DJ’ing events, to the impact his watch brand is having on children in AfricaHe shares how he used to struggle with acceptance and wanting to fit in, but now being able to let his best qualities out, without needing any of them to stand on their own, define, or externally validate who he is We chat about not just what his Ted talk “would be” but what it actually was about and how finding purpose in the pain we experience may be a way we can change the worldWilliam is not just one that I could talk to, laugh with, or dance to his music for hours, but he is one that I have seen first hand the way he is present with those around him, how he will show up and make the effort to show love, and one that I really am honored to call a friendSo tune in today and meet William, Dr. William Adoasi a man reminding us all to be proud of our continued existence, to still dream, to not let your heart betray the joy and purpose that this life can holdAnd to you William thank you, thank you for sharing your time, your sarcasm, your wisdom and your journey in such a way as to allow me to not only know you more, but for granting me the honor of sharing a bit of that journey with others. You are one who is intentionally leaving humanity better than you found it and this world is a better place with you in it. Follow along with William HERE 

Have you ever heard that “the measure of someone’s character is how they treat those who have nothing to offer them” well what would it look like to be that person? Have you ever experienced being treated poorly or with greater esteem because someone wanted something from you or because you didn’t have anything to offer them?Today I want to introduce you to Ali, I have known Ali for 4 years now and from the first time I wandered into his shop until now I have not only experienced this but also witnessed how he genuinely treats every person that comes through his door with the same value.In his own words, “my goal is that people would go out of my shop with happinessI simply wonder what a world would look like if we all approached each day, “wishing people left time with us happier?”This is a conversation I know has impacted me and one I’m excited and honored to share with you allAli shares with me why he is someone who loves humans, why he has taken the time to learn different languages to connect better with others, and why being a good father and a good husband is what he is most proud ofWe chat about his soccer teams recent win, how Turks are not Arabs, what it would be like to live in a world without war, and how the most difficult thing he’s done is something I am sure I will never accomplishHe shares how his time living in the United States changed him and the way he does business, why he doesn’t negotiate but instead deeply values running his shop with integrity and genuine connection I have been back to Cappadocia 5 times now and visiting Ali, sitting over a tea or a beer, hearing how life is, is one of the things that makes this place so specialAli is one that will greet you with a smile, one that shares practically what it looks like in his life to show others they hold value, and one that I know is worth learning more aboutSo tune in today and meet Ali, and I hope if it inspires you to visit Cappadocia, make sure you go tell him I say hiAnd to you Ali thank you, thank you for sharing your time over the years, for the honor of getting to call you a friend, for the way you have cared for everyone I have brought into your shop, for the genuine and warmth that you have always welcomed me with, and your sparkling personality. You are a fabulous human choosing to leave people better than you found them and I’m grateful to know you

Today I want to introduce you to Lita, a woman who has defined and found purpose in what it means to pursue ones passion, to allow tradition to live fully and for change and growth to live hand in hand with the impact she is making on humanity. To be a woman means to be a leader. what is your. mission on this earth?watch the full story on YouTube here https://youtu.be/M8tcohpcwgs?si=oI7vb2UttYfaQxUO

Do you have a friend you can call that always comes through?Today I want to introduce you to Angela, I met Angela at JFK and from the way she interacted with her son, me, and everyone else’s around, I knew she was someone I wanted to get to know. So a few weeks later we met up in Brooklyn and had one of my favorite chatsWe talked about everything from what it means to be there for your friends and chosen family, to what food is getting served at her funeral and whyShe shares why the thing that brings her joy is also what her husband fears might kill her someday, how the pandemic made her re evaluate her life and the realness of the brevity of life overall, and her hope that she doesn’t raise a bad kidShe shares how in her culture “yelling and nagging” come from a place of love and care, how she wishes for change when it comes to our political situation here in the states, and why as an ER Doctor it matters to talk about what you want the end of your life to look like Angela shared with me how she believes everyone is just a friend waiting to be met, and I couldn’t agree more or be more grateful that she became just that Angela is one that reminds you instantly to smile, that she sincerely cares to help in any way she can, and that she isn’t afraid ti be human in all that it entailsSo tune in today and meet this amazing human, someone who sees people so often on their worst days and yet holds firmly that people are goodAnd to you Angela thank you, thank you for the reminder that people like you exist, for the way you so intentionally and genuinely choose to believe that someone’s best might not be who we meet them as, for the way you are intentionally impacting those that get to know you by showing up for them, for the time you so graciously shared with me, and for the honor of getting to share a part of your story with others. You are a remarkable human and I’m so grateful I get to know you.

Have you ever been reduced to a label someone else gave you?Today I want to introduce you to Michael, Michael and I met back in December by the pool in Tahiti, I was ending a trip and he was just beginning what would be a 6 month adventure he had planned a couple years for. We chatted briefly and stayed in touch, I got to see his adventures and as he made his way back to New York we met up again and had a chatHe shared how his experience traveling changed him, for the time traveling with someone and the time traveling alone, how laughter and contentment aren’t always the same but how he witnessed and took part in them as he went from place to placeHe shared in one of the most honest and sincere ways the difference between how he feels about joy and yet what he wants more of in his life, how relationships and people are at the core of what it all comes back to, and how taking positive feedback is a thing we can learn to be ok withWe chat about one of the scariest moments on his trip as he fell sick in the worlds largest cave and how day three in the cave and making his way out became such a valuable lesson, I think for all of us in tough times Michael is one of those people that you meet and you feel as though when he asks how your day is, he means it, like when he smiles at you it is genuine, and like when you get to spend time with him he values you. I believe people like Michael are the ones we need to make sure we all have in our lives, the kind that plan, but don’t, in his words “defer their dreams” the kind that do big things but aren’t afraid of making small impactful changes in the world, and the kind that truly do make humanity betterSo tune in today and meet Michael, a human that will remind you to accept a compliment, to let your dreams evolve, to be you, and to be there for those you loveAnd to you Michael thank you, thank you for saying hello back in December, thank you for sharing your adventures, your journey, and your time with me, and thank you most of all for being someone who values connection and was willing to make a new friend

What if you weren’t what people expected you to be?Today I want to introduce you to Daniel, Daniel is someone that at first glance you notice a tall strong man, maybe one that you can’t read right away, maybe you even have an idea of what he is like…I want to invite you to listen to this, to listen to Daniel as he shares life and how it has impacted him Speaking to Daniel gave me in so many ways, permission to slow down, to be present myself, to not rush through something but to listen in whatever time passed Daniel is one of the most genuine and gentle souls I’ve ever met, someone that sees intentionally and values deeply not just human life as a whole; but in what you will hear, human life in a single soulThere are people I meet from time to time that remind me to simply be in a single moment, not just to “not worry and focus on the present” but to truly, in that conversation, be fully presentWe chat about his journey as he is biking across Italy, about working in healthcare with a post war generation, about what is said at the end of life and what is notHe shares why saying goodbye well, and giving a heartfelt thank you can be the difference of valuing someone, seeing someone, and giving them peace as life comes to an endDaniel has this presence about him, not overbearing, not timid, but present; and in a way I am truly grateful for, he gave me space to do the sameSo tune in today and meet Daniel, hear what has excited him, and even what chased him while on his bike in Tuscany, learn what life has taught him, and if you will, allow it to impact you as it has for meAnd to you Daniel thank you, thank you for seeing me and valuing this conversation, for the heart in which you are so intentionally impacting humanity, for your sincerity and trust in allowing me to share a part of you with others in this conversation. You are a beautiful human and it is an honor to know you

What does it feel like when someone speaks well of you?Today I want to introduce you to Liliana, Liliana is this beautiful free spirited human, one that defines well with her actions what it is to respect another and be willing to ask or give space for the why behind who someone isLiliana and I got to spend some time together in Palermo, and in addition to those times being filled with laughter and good wine, they were also times where deep conversation about life took place. I had the chance to hear about who this human is and how she so sincerely cares for life and those she gets to know We chat about what it means to be simple decent and “normal,” what it is to speak well of others when they aren’t around, the impact of someone caring without expectation or control, and a desire to experience life not simply watch itShe shares what it feels like to know her strength as a woman while simultaneously giving space for the way situations can feel uncomfortable, she shares how being grounded in what you want doesn’t eliminate FOMO but it does make trusting your decisions easier, and why it’s important to be caring but also to care for yourself Lily is one of those humans that you meet and you know you are going to miss when you have to say goodbye, she is one that holds love and respect, one that will care but not get caught up in what doesn’t hold weight, and one that I am so happy to call a friendSo tune in today and meet Liliana, a compassionate, caring, cute, and absolutely incredible human being And to you Lily thank you, thank you for being you, for the late night walks and talks, for the joy so genuinely share, for the light that radiates from you that you so sweetly give, and for the time to be in your presence. You are a gift to this world and I am so grateful I get to know you and call you a friend. 

today is a short message from me; today I turn a year older and as it brings up thoughts and an odd sense of settled peace; I wanted to share some thoughts and some of the way things have felt over the years. My hope is that they will remind you wherever you are, however old you are, you've got this.sincerely,your fellow human we grow and evolve over time, and our story gets chapters added to it as life happens; we aren't who we were at 16, or even 20, but we still have so much of our story to be written.so from one human to another, don't be afraid to keep growing into yours.