PODCAST · society
Epic Ordinary Lives
by Aaron Burcham
Each week I talk to an ordinary person who's living an epic life.
Episodes
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Episode 46: What I've Learned 3: How Art Can Color the Whole of Life
This is What I've Learned, a segment of the podcast I use to grapple with the lessons learned from earlier episodes. This week we go all the way back to 2017 for episode TWO (!!) of EOL with Carol Berning who reflects on the lessons she has learned in painting that we can apply to the whole of...
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Episode 45: James Roberts IV on Yoga, Authenticity, and Living Your Own Path
How does one face the challenges required of their passion, specifically the grind of being an actor in New York City? How does becoming a multi-hyphenate help with the rest of one's life? This week we rejoin James Roberts IV post-tour in Tokyo as he shares his journey of facing the challenges of...
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Episode 44: James Roberts IV on Moving Across the Country to Become an Actor
What is it like to move across the country to become an actor? How do you flip being fired from a job to end up in an even better position? These epic stories and more make up the truly multi-hyphenate journey of James Roberts IV. For more of his work, you can go to jamesrobertsiv.com or check…
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Episode 43: What I've Learned 2-When to Leave Vs. When to Stay
This is another segment of What I've Learned, where I reflect on lessons learned from earlier episodes and grapple with key moments in interviews. This week I am considering Seth Budai's epic moment of deciding to leave a job that was not working for him---without any kind of real plan or backup.…
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Episode 42: Colton Carroll on Becoming a Marine (Part 2)
This week we pick up where we left off with my friend Colton Carroll, who shares his experience of being deployed as a Marine in Iraq. We discuss everything from the great challenges to the unexpected moments of beauty and what his day-to-day experiences looked like during that time. I absolutely...
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Episode 41: Colton Carroll on Becoming a Marine (Part 1)
This week I chat with my old friend Colton Carroll on his journey from college student to becoming a Marine. The conversation begins with a reflection on our early days meeting in our dorm, forging friendships with the group of guys that lived there, and ultimately leading to the news he shared...
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Episode 40: What Do You Think #1 Work is Play or Work is a Grind?
This is a new segment of EOL intended to share half-baked ideas I am thinking about both from the conversations in the podcast and everyday life. This week I pose the question of how to think about work---is it an epic grind, or is it play? Please let me know what you think!
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Episode 39: Emily Stutzman on How to Live More Sustainably (Part 2)
My friend Emily Stutzman returns for part 2 to share both practical and hopeful methods for living a more environmentally sustainable life. We also discuss a host of other topics including how her challenges have helped her to live in the greatest alignment with her core values, the concept of...
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Episode 38: Emily Stutzman's Sustainability Journey
My friend Emily Stutzman joins the podcast to share her origin story of becoming the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University. Highlights include the spirituality of helping birth a baby calf, traveling to Uganda to conduct research, and...
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Episode 37: What I've Learned #1
Welcome to a brand new offering of the podcast: What I've Learned---a short solocast segment with me sharing three key lessons I'm digesting from previous guests on the podcast. This week I discuss quotes and ideas from Bobby Jackson, Mariah Ragland, and David Cho. The goal of this podcast is not...
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Episode 36: David Cho on Defeating Inertia and the Challenge of Following One's Path
David Cho is an old friend I have known for over 15 years. He holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, but early in college he questioned if he was on the right path while majoring in an entirely different field. This conversation focuses on the chances he took and the changes he made to move in a...
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Episode Thirty Five: A Bonus Solocast on the Seasonality of Following Your Passion
From October 2017 to October 2020, the podcast was on hiatus, a passion that I struggled to place in the whole of my life. To kick off 2021, I wanted to offer a solocast sharing the key lesson I learned that ultimately helped me resurrect the podcast. If you enjoy these episodes, please head to...
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Episode Thirty Four: Seth Budai on Becoming an Entrepreneur and Creating the Elemental Trainer
Seth Budai returns for part two of our conversation, this time focusing on his leap into entrepreneurship during the pandemic. We talk at length both about the lessons learned starting the business as well as what the Elemental Trainer is all about. You can find Seth at thelementaltrainer.com. If...
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Episode Thirty Three: Seth Budai on Taking Risks to Find Alignment and Home
Many of us can relate to the feeling that we are perhaps not in the right place during sections of our lives. Seth Budai shares his story of taking the necessary risks required to move toward a path of greater alignment as well as his journey of moving to the place he calls home. He can be found…
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Episode Thirty Two: Mariah Ragland's Epic Entrepreneurial Journey
This week Mariah Ragland of Radical Rabbit joins the podcast to share her epic entrepreneurial journey. Her diverse career path, which has included such gigs as selling snacks out of her dorm room and professional DJ'ing, has culminated in the creation of Radical Rabbit serving, delicious, Vegan...
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Episode Thirty One: Lauren Palmer on Blooming Where You are Planted
Lauren Palmer the owner of Bloomsbury Farm shares the lessons learned and challenges overcome in creating her farm. This story is particularly powerful because she did not start out in the field of farming, yet pursued her passion and learned along the way. For more of her work, you can go to...
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Episode Thirty: A Conversation about Unity with Bobby Jackson
Bobby Jackson and I return to discuss the power of conversation in an age of political division. This conversation includes both his personal story interspersed with a dialogue seeking unity among people with politcial differences. You can find more about Bobby at coachbobbyjackson.com. For more…
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Episode Twenty Nine: My dad, Rick Burcham on Finding Alignment and Becoming a Teacher
This week my Dad (Rick Burcham) joins the podcast to share his journey of going from an aimless college student to finding deep alignment and purpose in his career as a teacher. We discuss a spur-of-the-moment decision he made that radically changed the direction of his career and life. If you...
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Episode Twenty Eight: Bobby Jackson on the Power of Knowing Who You Are
Epic Ordinary Lives is back! I am joined by Bobby Jackson, Certified Performance Coach and Life Mentor. Bobby tells the story of going from being the last kid picked at neighborhood basketball games, to being a state champion high school football player and earning a 4 year letterman jacket from...
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Episode Twenty Seven: On Balancing a Smorgasbord Life
This week's podcast features a solocast where I dive into how I am planning to blend my podcast with the other adventures in my life. For more of this work head to epicordinarylives.com. If you've appreciated this podcast, please write me a positive review on iTunes! :)
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Episode Twenty Six: Epic Ordinary Lives and Renewal
This is a solocast where I discuss the past, present, and future of Epic Ordinary Lives including the lessons I've learned. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this work please write a positive review on iTunes.
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Episode Twenty Five: The One Where I Rapped at Work
I rapped at work today. Actually, I performed a skit and a rap with another coworker for a special work anniversary. The details are unimportant, but the outcome is. In this solocast, I dive into the topic of ordinary vulnerability, the moment's we speak in front of the entire staff at work, or...
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Episode Twenty Four: Jim Parker's Grand Hero's Journey of Moving to NYC for the Love of Fashion, Music, and Rising from the Ashes
Jim Parker is one of my oldest friends and has lived a truly adventurous life. On the heels of divorce and one of the most challenging periods of his life, Jim embarked on a quest to move to NYC and pursue the career he wanted. We cover a myriad of topics include the love of music, fashion, and…
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Episode Twenty Three: Ben Dawson on Acting, Hiking, Overcoming Challenges, and Developing an Indomitable Spirit
My old friend Ben Dawson and I dive into a smorgasbord of topics including: Acting, Moving to NYC, working out, hiking in the dark, developing an indomitable spirit and much more! To support this podcast, please write a positive review on iTunes. For more of this work, please head to...
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McGregor vs. Mayweather and Vulnerability
This week I dive into my key takeaways from the gigantic sporting event that was McGregor vs. Mayweather including courage, vulnerability, and the power of showing up. If you don't know, I'm referring to a boxing match that took place this weekend, but my goal with this solocast was to find…
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Episode Twenty One: Finding the Puzzle Pieces that Fit your Life
This week features a solocast on finding the right puzzle pieces to fit your life. Somehow happiness, kettlebells, sleep, my career as a bellhop, and the positive benefits of failure make an appearance. If you're enjoying this podcast, please give me a positive review on iTunes....
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Episode Twenty: Kevin Vaughn on the Power of Marriage
We pick up right where we left off last week with Kevin Vaughn. Whereas part one dove heavily into the topic of being a new father, part two leaps into marriage and all the lessons he's learned after six years with his wife. There's also a bonus section at the end where we discuss the humorous...
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Episode Nineteen: Kevin Vaughn Part One on Becoming a Father
On this epsiode of Epic Ordinary Lives, my old friend Kevin and I dive deep into a smorgasbord of topics including the vulnerability of being an early college student, forging friendships, and becoming a father. For more of this podcast, head to epicordinarylives.com. If you're enjoying this...
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Episode Eighteen: Your Life is a Journey
On this solocast episode, I ask the question of why we stop viewing our lives as journeys and think through the various ways I've found myself able to return to that view. If you are enjoying this work, please leave me a five star review on iTunes. For more of this podcast head to...
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Episode Seventeen: Logan Cook Part Two on Failure, Boredom, and the Question of Following One's Passion
We pick up right where we left off with my great old friend, Logan Cook. This time we go deeper. We dive into the topics of failure, boredom, and answer the question, "Should I follow my passion?" We also dive deeply into his process of making knives, so much to the point that you might want to...
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Episode Sixteen: Logan Cook on Getting Back Up, Passion, and the Love of the Game
Logan Cook is one of my old, great friends. He is a fabricator at Ferrin Ironworks (ferrinironworks.com) and a semi-pro knife maker and bladesmith. For more of his work, you can find him on Instagram @blindmanbladesmith.
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Episode Fifteen: Why I Love Hiking
This week, I offer a solocast sharing the different things I think people get from hiking and why I love it. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave me a review on iTunes! For more of this work, head to epicordinarylives.com.
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Episode Fourteen: Carly Smith Part Two on Travel, Marriage, and Mission Trips
This week we pick up where we left off with Carly Smith, this time diving into the topics of how she met her husband and the power of a mission trip. You can find her on Instagram @smithcarlyb. You can find more of this podcast at epicordinarylives.com. I'd like to extend a special thanks to the...
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Episode Thirteen: Carly Smith on Falling in Love with Barre and Overcoming Fear
This week I sit down with longtime friend and coworker Carly Smith on her adventures of becoming a Barre instructor while simultaneously working in a Pharmaceutical Sales career. We discuss overcoming fear, her origin story with Barre, as well as some of her favorite daily routines. You can find...
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Episode Twelve: Solocast on the Power of Morning Routines and Small Wins
This week is a departure from the normal format of this podcast where I interview an ordinary person who's living an epic life. This week features a solocast where I discuss the power of morning routines and how I've found a routine that works for me. For more of this podcast head to...
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Episode Eleven: Aaron Carson on Adventuring on the Appalachian Trail
Join us for tales of sleeping outside, being cold, weird people with machetes, and the power of human kindness all in this interview. For more of this podcast head to epicordinarylives.com. If you enjoy this episode, please write a review on iTunes!
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Episode Ten: Seth Budai Part Two on the Power of MovNat
We pick up where we left off last week with Seth Budai and dive deeply into the practice of MovNat. We discuss what it is and how anyone and everyone can benefit from it. For more on MovNat head to movnat.com. You can find the link for Seth's upcoming MovNat Elements Workshop on June 24th by…
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Episode Nine: Seth Budai on MovNat, Strength, and Vulnerability
This week I sit down with my friend Seth Budai, MovNat Level 2 Certified Trainer, Fitness Coach, Philsopher, and Lover of Radical Honesty. He is leading an upcoming MovNat Elements workshop that you can find out more about by heading to epicordinarylives.com. You can find him on Instagram...
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Episode Eight: Solocast! Two Lesson I've Learned Podcasting
Usually I interview an ordinary person who's living an epic life. This week I sit down and talk about two of the biggest takeaways from my time launching a podcast. For more of this project, head to epicordinarylives.com.
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Episode Seven: Renaissance Man Geoffrey Herring on Spending a Month in the Woods
I sit down with a friend who's a true renaissance man. Geoffrey Herring is a Financial Advisor, Nurse, Bee Keeper, Kayaker and Hiker. In this episode we dig into his upcoming quest of hiking a month on the Appalachian Trail. For more of him, head to insuredfinancialsolutions.com. For more of this...
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Episode Six: Josh Gibson on Travel, Life-Changing Experiences, and Becoming a Father
My old friend Josh Gibson and I discuss power in the pivotal, unplanned moments of one's life including travel and becoming a new father.
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Episode Five: Cliff Fonseca on the Adventure of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Part Two
Part Two with Cliff Fonseca picks up immediately where we left off with a compelling conversation on overcoming failure, competing, changing one's identity, and the incredible children's program at Jiu Jitsu Nation. For information on Jiu Jitsu Nation head to 1jiujitsunation.com. For more content...
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Episode Four: Cliff Fonseca on the Adventure of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Part One
This week I sit down with Cliff Fonseca, the owner, creator, and head coach at Jiu Jitsu Nation. We discuss his journey of discovering Jiu Jitsu, following a dream, the necessity of constantly overcoming fear and much more. You can find more of him at 1jiujitsunation.com. You can find more of…
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Episode Three: The Artful Doughnut
This week I sit down with Nancy Broden and discuss her adventures creating the Artful Doughnut, a place I call the "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure of Doughnuts." She became an entrepreneur from a totally different career path and has lived an adventurous, multi-faceted life. You can find her at...
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Episode Two: Carol Berning on Becoming an Artist
I sit down with Carol Berning and discuss art and how it colors every aspect of her life.
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Episode One: Adventures with Mayday Brewery
I talk with the founder, creator and family behind Mayday Brewery. For more, go to maydaybrewery.com.
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Episode Zero: Prologue
I offer a brief, eight minute prologue of the Epic Ordinary Lives podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Epic Ordinary Lives have?
Epic Ordinary Lives currently has 47 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Epic Ordinary Lives about?
Each week I talk to an ordinary person who's living an epic life.
How often does Epic Ordinary Lives release new episodes?
Epic Ordinary Lives has 47 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Epic Ordinary Lives?
You can listen to Epic Ordinary Lives on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Epic Ordinary Lives?
Epic Ordinary Lives is created and hosted by Aaron Burcham.
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