Goal Magic

Dear Friends, Due to some difficult life circumstances, we’ve made the tough decision to end the Goal Magic podcast. We both needed to reclaim some precious time and headspace and this felt like to right time to bring the project to a close. If you've been a listener of the show, we want to you to know that we are so grateful that you joined us on our journey. We hope we helped you on your own unique path toward getting unstuck. That was always our goal. We'd also like to thank all of our many amazing guests for their contributions to Goal Magic over the past two years. We learned so much and had so much fun chatting with you on the show. Endings are always hard, but closing one door opens many others. If you want to see what's next for us, we invite you to follow @cynthias_whole_life and @writingimpulse on Instagram. Here's to the next big thing! Warmly, Cynthia & Brennen Episode Music Credits It Meant Everything to me by Le Gang Nostalgia by Johny Grimes Nostalgia by Tobu

For anyone furloughed or out of work right now and not sure what your next move is, this episode may spur some creative energy in you. I happen to know our next guest because she grew up in the same town as I did, and was friendly with my family. We connected on Instagram a little while back, which is when I got wind that she was creating content for brands and serving as an IG influencer. This got me wondering how she started doing that, because in her regular day to day life she’s a mama of three kids who doesn’t have a lot of time, yet she still managed to grow a network and eventually collaborate with brands and post just about every single day. She’s on her way to monetizing her instagram account now, so her story was one that I thought many of us at home and out of work may need to hear. About Hillary Kezelman Hillary Kezelman resides in sunny Southern California with her 3 babes and husband of 8 years. Being a stay at home mom is her daily job and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Instagram has been her creative outlet  as it has opened many doors of friendships and the opportunity to explore brands in the industry. Over the past two months, she transitioned from just posting weekly about her family to becoming an influencer with daily and regular posts.  She works with a variety of brands and helps them advertise their products. You can find Hillary’s instagram @Hillkez91011 and follow her journey! Warmly, Cynthia & Brennen Episode Music Credits It Meant Everything to me by Le Gang Nostalgia by Johny Grimes Nostalgia by Tobu

We are going to level with you, this has been just the weirdest time to be alive. We’re all experiencing the weirdness at the same time and in different ways. It’s like an unwanted Instagram filter of fear, anxiety and uncertainty has been applied to the whole world, and none of us quite knows what to do about that because we’re in uncharted territory. But at the same time, springtime is coming and birds are singing, people are still falling in love, kids are drawing rainbows with sidewalk chalk and ordinary humans are stepping up in amazing ways to do what needs doing, even if it’s scary. It’s the best of times and the worst of times, all at once.  Cynthia and I recorded this episode more than two weeks ago, hoping things would be much improved by now, but things are still really hard out in the world. We chatted about staying sane and productive during the COVID-19 crisis and I think there is some good positive advice here if you’re needing a boost. For one thing, we both think laughter is one of the keys to sanity. I want you to know that Cynthia and I are dealing with our own struggles this year, so we’re certainly in the same boat as you. Stay safe, stay home if you can, and please enjoy the episode. If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review on Apple podcasts and give some love back to help us achieve our goals in 2020. Warmly, Cynthia & Brennen Episode Music Credits It Meant Everything to me by Le Gang Nostalgia by Johny Grimes Nostalgia by Tobu

Have you ever had the gut feeling that you needed to do something and take a leap but you felt unsure? Have you ever wanted to go into a new industry but were feeling uneasy if you should take the risk, even though there was nothing stopping you? If these sound like you then you will want to tune into a very cool episode today focused on taking a risk when the time is right. I got to interview Chris Casile, who went from losing her job to taking a leap into a new one in an emerging industry with no guardrails. Talk about guts! About Chris Casile Christina is a certified Interior Designer with 20+ years of experience in the industry. Chris received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Philadelphia University and honed her skills as an interior designer with several large architecture firms in Philadelphia. Specifically, while with Ballinger and EwingCole, Chris gained considerable experience in a variety of market sectors including healthcare, research and development, government, education and sports and entertainment, overseeing dozens of multi-million dollar projects. Christina first established herself in the cannabis industry when she was recruited to join a team of experts assembled by Philadelphia-based attorneys and consultants Moriconi Flowers, Ltd. to assist clients in obtaining permits to grow, process, and sell marijuana. Design 710’s successes have included designing the project for the winning application and first dispensary to open in Philadelphia, designing the project for a winning grower/processor applicant in the Delaware Valley, and designing the winning project for an additional marijuana dispensary permit holder in the Philadelphia area.   Connect with Chris www.design710.com If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review on Apple podcasts and give some love back to help us achieve our goals in 2020. Warmly, Cynthia & Brennen Episode Music Credits It Meant Everything to me by Le Gang Nostalgia by Johny Grimes Nostalgia by Tobu

I’m here today to bring you a very special episode that I recorded with my amazing friend Jennifer Blaine. If you’re a long-time listener, you’ll know that Jennifer has been on the show twice before, but this is my first time getting to interview her. We had the most amazingly deep conversation about creativity that had us both in tears by the end. I honestly didn’t want it to end and I think we could have talked for at least another hour, but I am so so proud of what we managed to capture here. I hope this conversation gives you good things to think about if you’re stuck at home waiting out the coronavirus like me and everybody else.  This episode is for the artists and creatives out there, especially the artists like me who sometimes struggle for a reason to keep making art. It’s for writers who have lost the plot, painters who are procrastinating and actors who aren’t sure if they can do one more audition. So strap your headphones on extra tight and enjoy the show! About Jennifer Blaine Jennifer Blaine has been performing one-woman shows for 25 years. Her original writing, performing, and comedy delve into serious and socially relevant issues and provides audiences the opportunity to unite in laughter. Jennifer has opened for George Carlin, and performed with Chris Rock and Joe Piscopo.  She has worked with iconic actors such as Glenda Jackson, Laura Linney, Joanne Woodward, and Paul Newman. She was featured on ABC’s Philly After Midnight: Women Comedians and has lent her voice to hundreds of voiceover projects. According to the Philadelphia Daily News “not even Sybil can compete with Blaine’s cast of characters. Her comic genius is like Lily Tomlin and Tracey Ullman.”  Jennifer  was the resident Theatre Arts Instructor at the Showstoppers program at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts from 2013-2018 in which she created four original plays on topical issues from bullying to civil rights. She produced the “5,000 Women” festival, showcasing artists and social activists, in 2011 and 2012 and in Philadelphia in 2014.  Her multiple FringeArts solo works include Sorry, White Flight, Hearing Voices, and Ridiculous and Dirty Joke which she created with Vashti Dubois, founder of The Colored Girls Museum. Blaine has toured her solo work throughout the country to colleges and theatre festivals -- highlights include The OpenStage of Harrisburg, The White Privilege Conference, PIFA, and the Annenberg Center for the Arts. She currently performs The Vicissitudes of Travel, which depicts a family traveling through brain surgery, in art galleries, museums, theaters, and recently performed The Vicissitudes for Jefferson’s Health and Humanities department and Wesleyan University. For more information visit  www.jenniferblaine.com Warmly, Brennen & Cynthia Episode Music Credits It Meant Everything to me by Le Gang Nostalgia by Johny Grimes Nostalgia by Tobu

This week our guest is an expert in resilience - what it is, if you can learn it, and how to teach it to your kids. Resilience is what separates the people who stay knocked down and the ones who decide to get back up and try again. It’s something I am fascinated by. Our guest Dr. Lucy Hone got personal and vulnerable as she shared her own story of grief and then later resilience. About Dr. Hone Dr Lucy Hone is a director of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience, a research associate at AUT University, a published academic researcher, best-selling author and blogger for Psychology Today. In 2014, the sudden death of her 12-year old daughter, Abi, (along with Lucy and Abi’s friends Ella and Sally Summerfield in a tragic road accident) forced Lucy to turn her substantial academic training and professional practice to foster resilience in very personal circumstances. The blog she wrote in the aftermath of Abi’s death attracted international attention and resulted in the best-selling non-fiction title, What Abi Taught Us: Strategies for Resilient Grieving (Allen & Unwin, 2016), now available as Resilient Grieving in the US, Australia, UK and NZ.  Connect with Dr. Hone: https://nziwr.co.nz/ If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review and give some love back to help us achieve our goals in 2020. Warmly, Cynthia & Brennen Episode Music Credits It Meant Everything to me by Le Gang Nostalgia by Johny Grimes Nostalgia by Tobu

I love learning about the science of our bodies - what makes them stronger and better, and how we can circumnavigate them when they’re not doing what we need them to. This was the topic of discussion with my next guest, who studies the brain and neurobiology. We talk about how brain development gets disrupted for girls, and how this plays into some of the setbacks that we see for women in our society. We also get into how our brains are trying to protect us but they sometimes end up causing illnesses like depression and isolation. Noelle Cordeaux specializes in the relationship with one’s self. Her incredible “User’s Guide to the Brain” perspective focuses on how a basic knowledge of neurobiology helps us understand our brain & body. Noelle also reveals everything you never knew about romantic love & the brain!  Noelle is the CEO and co-founder of JRNI where she helps clients get unstuck & make real progress. She holds a B.A. in Literature (Rutger). A Graduate Certificate in Executive & Professional Coaching (University of Texas at Dallas). Her graduate studies include a Masters in Social Work &  PhD in Human Sexuality. And, for our listeners, Noelle and her team have a special offer if you go to https://www.jrni.co/podcast where you can get your free guide and $200 off admission to JRNI. Before we get to our interview with Noelle we just wanted to remind everyone that we have a goal WE want to achieve to get 100 reviews on apple podcasts! If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review and give some love back to help us achieve our goals in 2020.

We are kicking off 2020 with some heavy hitters, including an Emmy-nominated producer who recently overhauled his family’s financial future with one tiny but major concept that could also change your life: FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early). If you are wondering how you can retire early and what it may take, if you’re sick of the grind and cannot imagine doing your job for another 30 years, this show could be the one that gets you moving towards FIRE. And for anyone who hasn’t read the book that Scott Rieckens, our guest today wrote, Playing with FIRE, it’s a great place to start. About Scott Rieckens Scott Rieckens is an Emmy-nominated film/video producer and author. Scott has spent his career as a storyteller connecting people with ideas. Along the way, Scott’s work has generated millions of views through a feature-length documentary, multiple television series, short films, and a diverse range of commercial projects for the world's largest brands. Now, Scott has created Playing with FIRE, which explores the growing community of frugal-minded folks choosing a path to financial independence and early retirement.  Playing with FIRE showcases a growing subculture known as FIRE, that embraces frugality and financial optimization to achieve financial independence. Follow Scott and Taylor’s journey to acquire the one thing that money can’t buy: a simpler — and happier — life. Visit their website for more in-depth information about FIRE: Financial Independence Retire Early https://www.playingwithfire.co/   Watch the film today!  iTunes: https://tinyurl.com/yxxvgnql  Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/wmhrryo  Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/v5u3z3s  Vimeo: https://tinyurl.com/va2jou2  Check out the book Playing with FIRE, based on the documentary: https://tinyurl.com/sfwyjup Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen We have a goal WE want to achieve to get 100 reviews on apple podcasts! If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review and give some love back to help us achieve our goals.

We are kicking off 2020 with one of our favorite guests and fit-fluencers, Mackie Root. Yep, he’s back and we are dishing on the best things you can do to kick off your healthiest year yet because more than ever, we all know how our health can influence so much - from our mindset to our sleep to our productivity and even our stress. It’s why we wanted to get an expert in to guide you on the best way to make it happen. About Mackie Root  Mackie Root is the founder of the ReadySetActive Online Training platform, which is a health coaching business on a mission to help busy people live healthier and happier. He is a health coach, online personal trainer, a group fitness coach in Philadelphia, with classes at Unite Fitness and Flywheel Sports. Mackie combines the latest science in nutrition and training with motivational techniques to create efficient and effective weight loss protocols for clients. Follow Mackie Root: @mackieroot Readysetactive.com Quick programming note: We decided to launch our episodes on a bi-weekly basis now! Brennen and I grind these episodes out week after week but we burned ourselves out as a result. Our content that we were recording became a message for us and to us, in many ways. We have no one else helping us [yet] and so decided that in order to maintain our creative energy and keep the momentum going on the podcast, we needed to back off how much content we are producing. This was a difficult decision for us, but in doing this we will be able to book bigger and more influential guests and bring even higher quality content to you all without feeling like we are on the treadmill from hell. Thanks for understanding and we appreciate your support and listenership! Happy 2020! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen

Happy Holidays to all the friends and listeners of our show and welcome to our last podcast of 2019... and of the decade! I can’t quite believe how many closures are happening as 2019 comes to an end, but I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and new year. I hope our show has helped you out, brought you joy, brought you clarity, or been a good friend to you when you needed one. In closing out the year, we have a really special episode that I recorded with Celia Gaze who went from burnt out working at the National Health Service in England and trying to be a good partner and mother to going almost bankrupt trying to make a farm into a business to then putting a bowtie on a llama and changing the course of her life. I don’t want to spoil any of the story for you because Celia has one wild ride to success. About Celia Gaze Celia Gaze is an entrepreneur and founder of The Wellbeing Farm. She worked in the NHS for 14 years in a senior management role, before reaching the verge of burnout and quitting her job to start her own business. She used this as a springboard to transform her life by creating the multi-award winning wedding and events venue The Wellbeing Farm. Celia has won multiple awards for her innovative work and also recently won Implementer of the Year at the National Entrepreneur Awards. She is the author of an inspirational new book Why Put a Bowtie on a Llama?, which offers highly practical advice on turning your crazy idea into a successful business. Connect with Celia www.thewellbeingfarm.co.uk info@thewellbeingfarm.co.uk @wellbeingfarm on instagram Get Celia’s book Please help us reach our goal of 100 reviews on apple podcasts! If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review and give some love back to help us achieve our goals and close out this year strong. Happy Holidays, Cynthia & Brennen

As we round out the year and head into the new year, which is always a great time for resetting and restarting, we want to give you the tools you need to light a fire and blaze a trail for whatever you want to achieve in your own life. It’s why we brought back Andy Ramage, who started One Year No Beer, had appeared on the Rich Roll show, and now has written a book Let’s Do This which will help you understand what you need to get or stay motivated. Fun teaser: it’s a really simple thing that everyone can do every day. But you have to be willing to show up. About Andy Ramage: Andy is a former professional athlete. After injury cut short his career, he went on to create two multimillion-dollar city brokerages.   After achieving traditional “success” Andy was left unfit, unhealthy, overweight, stressed and unhappy. He believed there had to be another way to win big in the city while staying super fit, healthy, maintaining a happy home life and doing it with a smile on his face. So he set out on a quest to study peak performance and well-being. As part of this process, Andy took a break from alcohol. It was this experience that helped him unlock the behavioral change code and revitalize his business and life. Inspired, Andy co-founded with Ruari Fairbairns a world-leading behavioral change platform OneYearNoBeer.com (OYNB) which is a 28, 90 or 365-day alcohol-free challenge. OYNB has inspired over 70,000 people to transform their relationship with alcohol and power up their life. Andy’s first book, The 28-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge, is a best seller, and his second book on motivation called Let’s Do This is available to pre order on Amazon now. Andy also has a TEDx talk: This Pill Will Make You Limitless. You can catch Andy almost daily LIVE on both the @OneYearNoBeer & @_andyramage Instagram and FB pages inspiring over 90,000 followers.  Andy also has masters degree in coaching psychology and positive psychology and is currently exploring a PhD. Andy’s unique background, education and experience make him one of the world’s leading behavioral change & peak performance experts.  Connect with Andy: @andyramageofficial @oneyearnobeer Let’s Do This Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen Please check out our “Mantras with Goal Magic” PDF which you can get for FREE when you sign up for our Magic Boost emails. Mantras aren’t just for Buddhist monks and yogis anymore - they have been game changers for both Brennen and I, which is why we wanted to introduce people to a different way of thinking and being, especially for those who have never tried mantras. You literally can use these anywhere, so they are great for taking that first step towards a goal. Get your free download now when you sign up for our emails at www.goalmagic.co/magicboost.

We have an awesome episode this week for all the moms out there. I actually came across our guest today when I was searching for exercises to help my bad back, and ironically, found videos about core health and postpartum strength training. I kept saving videos from her as she popped up in my social feed, but was most impressed with her focus on women during and after pregnancy because there seems to be so little out there for anyone who is trying to establish their core connection again after pregnancy. I also just loved her down home, real perspective as a busy mother of four children and a woman running her own business. About Andrea Allen Andrea Allen grew up playing sports but didn't get into fitness and health until college. She used physical exercise to pull herself out of her depression her freshman year of college and became hooked on the endorphins. She graduated with a degree in public health education. Andrea became a fitness instructor during this time as well. In 2007 she tore her ACL while playing lacrosse for BYU in a game versus Air Force so she got stuck sitting around for a few months. It was around this time that she realized that she had to do more than exercise to get fit; she needed to eat healthy to feel good about herself and realized what a gift a healthy body is. But things weren’t all roses and unicorns from there for Andrea. She started binge eating, but her habits slowly turned to balanced eating and now she shares her meals and workouts with her fans, and in particular moms. Andrea is the mother of 4 children, the first two (twin girls) of which were conceived after fertility treatments, and in-vitro.  She is now the Founder and Owner of Deliciously Fit n Healthy where she is making multiple 6-figures and helping moms during pregnancy and postpartum.  @deliciouslyfitnhealthy on Instagram https://www.deliciouslyfitnhealthy.com/ Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen Please check out our “Mantras with Goal Magic” PDF which you can get for FREE when you sign up for our Magic Boost emails. Mantras aren’t just for Buddhist monks and yogis anymore - they have been game changers for both Brennen and I, which is why we wanted to introduce people to a different way of thinking and being, especially for those who have never tried mantras. You literally can use these anywhere, so they are great for taking that first step towards a goal. Get your free download now when you sign up for our emails at www.goalmagic.co/magicboost.  

Brennen and recorded this episode together because Brennen witnessed a friend's life event that shifted his own life in a big way. For those of you who are stuck in any way, this show is a great reminder that nothing is permanent, not even your life; that you can change at any point; and that if we can get unstuck in our everyday lives so can you. Meanwhile, we want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We want to thank everyone who has been listening and following along with Goal Magic. We are grateful for everyone who has helped build our show. If you feel inclined and haven’t already done so, we would love it if you would leave us a review on apple podcasts and give some love back. Thank You, Cynthia & Brennen

With the holidays next week, and the onslaught of parties, goodies, and just the overall stress that we sometimes feel to make it all happen, we wanted to bring back one of our favorite guests to help us manage our health during this time, Mackie Root. Mackie and I chat about the best ways and the most simple things you can do to ensure that you don’t let the holidays “gift” you with an extra 15 pounds come the new year. For those of you who hadn’t listened to our first episode with Mackie, you should definitely check that out because he does a great job of simplifying what we all really need to do to hit our fitness goals or just stay healthy. In this episode, it’s all about managing your health without depriving yourself. About Mackie Root Mackie Root is the founder of the ReadySetActive Online Training platform, which is a health coaching business on a mission to help busy people live healthier and happier. He is a health coach, online personal trainer, a group fitness coach in Philadelphia, with classes at Unite Fitness and Flywheel Sports. Mackie combines the latest science in nutrition and training with motivational techniques to create efficient and effective weight loss protocols for clients. Instagram: @mackieroot Readysetactive.com Mackie’s Free Stress Relief Guide We want to let you know that we’ve released our NEW “Mantras with Goal Magic” PDF which you can get for FREE when you sign up for our Magic Boost emails. Mantras aren’t just for Buddhist monks and yogis anymore - they have been game changers for both Brennen and I, which is why we wanted to introduce people to a different way of thinking and being, especially for those who have never tried mantras. You literally can use these anywhere, so they are great for taking that first step towards a goal. Get your free download now when you sign up for our emails at www.goalmagic.co/magicboost. Other links you may want to check out: Our website Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Group Please leave us a review! Here’s to Staying Fit & Healthy, Cynthia & Brennen

Our episode today was recorded with a dear friend of Brennen’s and mine. We have been lucky enough to work with Russ Hickman when he took our photos for both our Goal Magic shoots. Upon learning more about his unusual childhood, his path from wannabe director living in NYC to finding passion in photography and stills, and finally his road to coming out we just had to get him on as a guest on the show. You’ll have to tune in to get all the juicy details! About Russ Hickman Russ Hickman is a professional lifestyle photographer based in Philadelphia. He specializes in photographing people in all different types of life events, which can range from editorial portraits and weddings to corporate headshots and professional branding. His work is best known for its colorful, cinematic style and he uses his humor and film background to make images that overflow with emotion. He loves coffee, any and every dog, movies/tv and nerds out over anything photography related. Connect with Russ: russhickman.com www.instagram.com/russhickman https://twitter.com/russhickman https://www.facebook.com/russhickmanphotography We also want to let you know that we have released our new “Mantras with Goal Magic” PDF which you can get for FREE when you sign up for our Magic Boost emails. Mantras aren’t just for Buddhist monks and yogis anymore - they have been game changers for both Brennen and I, which is why we wanted to introduce people to a different way of thinking and being, especially for those who have never tried mantras. You literally can use these anywhere, so they are great for taking that first step towards a goal. Get your free download now when you sign up for our emails at www.goalmagic.co/magicboost. Other links you may want to check out: Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Group Leave us a review! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Brennen & Cynthia

Unless you’re living in the dark ages, you know or have heard or even seen how cannabis has become THE hot topic in our country. From CBD to legalizing marijuana, cannabis is the girlfriend everyone wants to date or is dying to be. It’s why we decided to bring on a trailblazer in this space, who has been on the front lines of this trend for over a decade. Not to mention, this person is a woman, working in [what was] a very masculine space. For all these reasons and more I was eager and excited to talk to Claudia Post.  Claudia Post is an award-winning and seasoned leader, business owner, nonprofit executive and experienced problem solver with the ability to steer change and transform organizations. As a dynamic strategic thinker and influential change agent, Post consistently demonstrates commitment, leadership and vision. She has proven her effectiveness in cultivating and leveraging professional relationships throughout organizations and across industries. Post founded Diamond Courier Service, Inc., a same day, time-critical, bicycle and car delivery service. As she built the company from one location and four employees into the national Diamond Transportation Group, Inc. with 10 locations, over 350 employees, and enhanced vertical services, revenue escalated and Diamond became a multi-million-dollar organization. Post most recently founded Claudia Post Advisors, a marketing, sales, logistics, and management consulting company. As a facilitator, Claudia Post enables organizations and individuals to realize their full potential. She uses her entrepreneurial and leadership skills to assist others in developing pathways for growth and accomplishment. As a catalyst, she can spark innovation and cultivate vision among her clients. As a community leader Post has served as a director, officer, committee chair, and/or advisor to scores of educational, business and industry associations, and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Post has been a teacher, mentor and advocate helping entrepreneurs to develop business, personal, and professional skills. Having recognized cannabis as the next frontier, Post founded Smokin’ Hot Solutions - which focuses on digital marketing communications for the industry. Armed with a tremendous amount of knowledge and a huge network of connections in the industry, she distinguishes her agency by being at the forefront of all things cannabis related. Equipped with a wealth of business acumen, she connects the dots for her clients. Connect with Claudia: https://smokinhotsolutions.com claudia@smokinhotsolutions.com We also want to let you know that we JUST released our NEW “Mantras with Goal Magic” PDF which you can get for FREE when you sign up for our Magic Boost emails. Mantras aren’t just for Buddhist monks and yogis anymore - they have been game changers for both Brennen and I, which is why we wanted to introduce people to a different way of thinking and being, especially for those who have never tried mantras. You literally can use these anywhere, so they are great for taking that first step towards a goal. Get your free download now when you sign up for our emails at www.goalmagic.co/magicboost. Other links you may want to check out: Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Group Leave us a review! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Brennen & Cynthia

Our episode today is one that is fueled by our own desire to continue to push for a fair and representative democracy. While voting is not something that everyone does in every election (local or presidential) we want to urge people to go and vote so that your voices are heard more loudly and consistently. The Atlantic is saying to brace yourself for the voter “tsunami” and Pew Center Research is showing that Gen X’ers, Millennials, and Gen Z are turning out in higher numbers than Baby Boomers. The importance of getting your voice heard through your vote has never been more apparent or needed, which is why we wanted to bring on our guest today, Jess Riegel. Jess Riegel is Co-Founder and CEO of Motivote, a voting accountability platform for Millennials. Jess started her career with Teach for America, leading first-grade classrooms in New Orleans and Newark. As a consultant with Cause Strategy Partners, she advised nonprofits and foundations on board governance. She also led impact evaluation efforts for an educational tech startup, Kinvolved. While earning her MPA in Social Impact, Innovation and Investment from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service, Jess served on the Rockefeller Foundation’s social finance team. Jess holds a B.A. in Urban Studies and Political Economy from the University of Pennsylvania. Connect with Jess: Learn about Motivote: https://www.motivote.us/ Join Motivote: https://join.motivote.us/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/motivoteUS Meanwhile, we want to invite you into the Backstage Pass Goal Magic Community Group on Facebook. Our group is a very dynamic, supportive, and creative bunch who is full of awesome ideas, is always willing to help, and has already had some amazing conversations about our struggles and goals. We’d love to meet you, and so would our community, so drop us a note to say hi once you’re in! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen     Goal Magic Music Credits

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” Aristotle once said, and it’s one of the reasons that I brought our next guest on our show. The episode we have got for you today will have you turning the mirror on yourself over and over, so that you can better understand your own reactions to loved ones in your life, and have you taking responsibility instead of pointing the finger, which is what most of us do when faced with a situation that has us thinking “why did they do that ME?” Our guest today, Figs O’Sullivan, who is the leading Relationship Therapist in San Francisco and the Bay Area, will help everyone realize that your reactions are actually not at all about the other person, they’re all about you... and that is a constant for everyone. This episode is going to change your relationship with yourself and help you reflect on what’s really happening when someone lashes out at you, or you break down and feel helpless, or a loved one gets angry and takes it out on you. About Figs O’Sullivan Fiachra “Figs” O’Sullivan, is the Founder and Chief Empathy Officer at Empathi, which provides step-by-step guidance for couples and individuals who care about their relationships. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who is certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and individuals, and a passionate entrepreneur, driven to change lives for the better. He strives to interact with clients as a fellow traveler on life’s journey, allowing them to easily dive deeper into their “stuff” with his down-to-earth philosophy. Constantly working on his skills and psychotherapeutic approach, Figs is passionate about helping couples love each other and feel more connected. Figs has spent years working with frustrated couples at a crossroads in their relationship; they want to make things work but are stuck in what Figs calls their “Waltz of Pain”, which led him to create Empathi. Inspired by attachment theory, improvisational dance and theatre, experiential psychotherapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy, Empathi provides fun, effective, and simple solutions to help couples stop fighting and snuggle more. Figs designed Empathi to be available for everyone, no matter their socio-economic status, orientation or station in life. Having been heard on NPR “All Things Considered” as a Relationship Expert, Figs is the most sought-after and highly-rated couples counselor in Silicon Valley! Figs is funny, engaging, opinionated, quick-witted, and sometimes irreverent—delivering it all with a charming Irish brogue. www.empathi.com Before we get to our interview with Figs, we wanted to invite you all into the Backstage Pass Goal Magic Community Group on Facebook. We know that some of you may be thinking “another facebook group to keep track of” but our group is a very dynamic, supportive, and creative bunch who is full of awesome ideas, is always willing to help, and has already had some amazing conversations about our struggles, our goals, and some laughs about a YouTube video gone wrong. We’d love to meet you, and so would our community, so click on the link in our show notes and drop us a note to say hi once you’re in! Meanwhile, we want to invite you into the Backstage Pass Goal Magic Community Group on Facebook. Our group is a very dynamic, supportive, and creative bunch who is full of awesome ideas, is always willing to help, and has already had some amazing conversations about our struggles and goals. We’d love to meet you, and so would our community, so drop us a note to say hi once you’re in! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen

One of the biggest things on my mind is millennial debt and the crisis it is creating for our economy. I think about this A LOT, in part because my husband and I discuss his student debt ALL. THE. TIME. Business Insider says that the average millennial earns $35,455. The average student-loan debt per 2018 graduate is $29,800. A recent SuperMoney report found that, since the 1970s, young adults have seen only a $29 income increase, while college tuition has more than doubled” which means that, sadly, we are getting more educated without any financial opportunity on the other side of it. This topic has sometimes been called “the next bubble to burst” and it’s something that our current democratic presidential candidates have policies around, should they make it into office. The issue is that big! Because I think this topic is *so* critical for so many people, I wanted to bring back a favorite guest of ours, Robert Farrington who is a Millennial money expert and founder of thecollegeinvestor.com. Robert’s path is a fascinating one - starting with his time working as a manager at Target while blogging on the side, to then making $45,000 a month on his blog to now making multiple 7 figures. Robert focuses on millennials and millennial money, as a major topic of his expertise. About Robert Farrington Robert Farrington is a Millennial Money Expert and Founder of TheCollegeInvestor.com. He is on a mission to help millennials get out of student loan debt and start building wealth for their future. He also helps parents make smart choices about college financing options and navigating the complex world of paying for school. Through his work at TheCollegeInvestor.com, Robert Farrington has emerged as one of the nation's leading student loan debt experts.​ Farrington launched TheCollegeInvestor.com from his home in 2009​, while finishing his MBA at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management. Being passionate about investing and personal finance, he wanted to connect with others who shared his passion. Not finding what he was looking for on campus, he created TheCollegeInvestor.com as a resource for young adults about money, covering topics from paying for college and escaping student loan debt, to investing their first dollars after graduation. Since then, Robert Farrington has shared his successful student loan and wealth building expertise with thousands of ​young adults, both online, in person, and as a contributor to major publications such as Forbes and Huffington Post. The San Diego native's drive to help others and "geekiness" have fueled his work as a blogger, journalist, entrepreneur, and family man. Farrington earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science from UC San Diego, and an MBA from the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego. Passionate about his family, FinTech, and watching the latest Marvel movie, Farrington resides in San Diego with his wife and son. www.thecollegeinvestor.com Also wherever you get your podcasts: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/audio-show/ Meanwhile, we want to invite you into the Backstage Pass Goal Magic Community Group on Facebook. Our group is a very dynamic, supportive, and creative bunch who is full of awesome ideas, is always willing to help, and has already had some amazing conversations about our struggles and goals. We’d love to meet you, and so would our community, so drop us a note to say hi once you’re in! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen

Cynthia and I have a fun episode for you today where we try out our brand new Wheel of Questions segment. What is the Wheel of Questions, you ask? It’s a list of quirky questions that we’ll randomly ask guests at the end of each show, just for fun. Now, I must admit that this segment didn’t quite go as we planned, but the results are pretty funny and we got into some interesting territory.  Meanwhile, we want to invite you into the Backstage Pass Goal Magic Community Group on Facebook. Our group is a very dynamic, supportive, and creative bunch who is full of awesome ideas, is always willing to help, and has already had some amazing conversations about our struggles and goals. We’d love to meet you, and so would our community, so drop us a note to say hi once you’re in! Here’s to Getting Unstuck, Cynthia & Brennen     Goal Magic Music Credits