become

Cheers to 2025! Another year is coming to an end. We find ourselves anticipating, preparing, and celebrating! A heartfelt thanks to all of you for following along to the show for another season!  We are really looking forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026. In this new episode, I was surrounded by three of my friends: Jenny, Peggy and Courtney. We got together to talk about holiday traditions and FUN-ny winter adventures! Enjoy reminiscing, smiling and laughing along with us.   Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce.

Death is usually an uncomfortable topic to talk about. At least, most of us don't use it as a conversation starter at a dinner party! It is, however, something we as humans think about or encounter often. Julie Masters, professor of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Omaha, concentrates her work on aging and end-of-life. While educating her students, she eludes to the values of meaning and purpose as a way to live well. Emphasizing that finding connection to something greater than oneself can greatly prolong your desire to live. Julie's fascination around what it means to age has helped her become comfortable with the topic of death. In this conversation, we will explore why it's important to think about and discuss each stage of life and why living well can help us to die well.   Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

Our body is beautifully interconnected with nature, the elements, and the seasons; never separate.  Separation might evoke anguish within our human matter.  To find balance, we turn to our collective consciousness which helps us to explore the perception that our thoughts create our reality, and where our thoughts go, our energy flows.  Maggie Pleskac is the brilliant soul behind these teachings.  Maggie is the owner of Milkweed Collective, a wellness center that consists of three businesses: a Community Event Space, a Yoga Studio and a Commercial Kitchen that specializes in local and organic vegetarian food packaged for retail, prepared as pop-up lunches and hired out for catering.  She is also an accomplished instructor helping those around her strengthen their bodies and minds through wellness.   Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce.

Our body is beautifully interconnected with nature, the elements, and the seasons; never separate.  Separation might evoke anguish within our human matter.  To find balance, we turn to our collective consciousness which helps us to explore the perception that our thoughts create our reality, and where our thoughts go, our energy flows.  Maggie Pleskac is the brilliant soul behind these teachings.  Maggie is the owner of Milkweed Collective, a wellness center that consists of three businesses: a Community Event Space, a Yoga Studio and a Commercial Kitchen that specializes in local and organic vegetarian food packaged for retail, prepared as pop-up lunches and hired out for catering.  She is also an accomplished instructor helping those around her strengthen their bodies and minds through wellness.   Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce.

The guest on this episode is Steve Hastings, a resident at Legacy Retirement Communities. In Steve’s life, one of the most important and satisfying things he ever had the pleasure of doing was his work. And getting his PhD was a momentous occasion. One of Steve’s favorite (and luckiest) moments in his life was when he actually SURVIVED an airplane crash! Steve’s secret to living the good life is working hard and taking time to enjoy life. For what the future holds, he is most excited for fishing, birding, and photography; especially around Holmes Lake.    Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce.

Consider this: when was the last time you actually smelled the flowers and took in that experience instead of just noticing them as you pass by because you already defined them as something that just exists around you with no deeper purpose? The guest on this episode, Kayla Schaf, loves to experience life! She thrives day to day in her happy place, leading as Sales Director at Legacy Retirement Communities. As 23-year team member of the company, she discovered her passion for serving seniors early in her career—especially after helping two of her own grandparents navigate senior living options. Each day Kayla remains passionate about supporting seniors and their families as they face the complexities of aging and search for the right place to call home. Kayla is all about fostering real connection and believes there’s something pretty special about caring for the people around you. Especially when it comes to the true meaning behind experiencing life!    Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

Our guest today is Dr. Michelle Burson, or as I like to call her one of my very good childhood friends! An Iowan through and through, Michelle grew up in Red Oak, Iowa in the southwest corner of the state. She attended the University of Northern Iowa and majored in Biology. After considering a few other professions, Michelle realized that she wanted to work with people and loved science, so she pursued a career in dentistry. In Michelle's free time she likes to play piano, exercise, watch tv and movies. She also likes to cook and more importantly eat! Her and her husband enjoy traveling, walks, and trying new restaurants. They adopted a pup named Murphy, from the Muscatine Humane Society and enjoy taking him on walks, hikes and swimming. Welcome, Michelle! 

Taking moments here and there to reflect on where we've been, what we are currently doing and where we are going is a great way to appreciate and give gratitude towards all that life gives us. Our guest today is Jen Bossard and she is taking in these moments. She is calling her reflection and pause in life her professional "half time". Allowing herself to assess the first half of her career and plan for the second half. Jen has been in the field of higher education for almost two decades which has included administrative work and teaching at the collegiate level in positions such as a professor of Economics and as a former dean at a local university. She has also been involved in anti-human trafficking efforts for over one decade which has included organizing local and international conferences, conducting research, serving as guest editor, and leading workshops. Jen has learned so much along her journey so far and she is excited to see what the future holds!    Credits:  Music by Ellie Westfall.  Artwork by Kristina Bachman.  Produced by Greg Joyce. 

The guest in this episode is Cody Schmick. Cody is the co-owner of Kinkaider Brewing Co., Sideshow Spirits, and Bierhaus Maisschaler. Cody is not only passionate about the craft brewing and distillery industries, but also about all different aspects of business, such as how to build strong teams and how to create a sense of community amongst customers. So, let's dive right in to learn more about who Cody is and what it's been like to start and maintain different business ventures! 

When someone responds to the question, "How is work these days?", it feels all too common to hear a response along the lines of, "work is work" or "busy...". Both, I feel, have a negative connotation around them whether or not it's supposed to be reflected in that way. Negative responses aren't generally comfortable and could be quite awkward for the person receiving them. Especially when they are attached to a part of life that is so important, like the work we do each day. So, what if the response to, "How is work these days?" was met with excitement instead of dread? Tim Hodges, is the Executive Director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and a professor of management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. Tim wholeheartedly believes that work doesn't have to be miserable. In fact, he suggests, if we do it right, our work can be one of the best expressions of who we are! So, the next time you're asked how your work is going, consider responding with something like, "Work's been really nice lately!" Or even better, "Work is fantastic! I love what I do!" 

In this episode, we catch up with Phil Burcher. Phil is the owner of Precision Skateboards, a legendary local Nebraska skate shop in Lincoln, Nebraska. Born in Brooklyn NY and growing up as a military brat, Phil was introduced to skateboarding and surfing the second time his family lived in Hawaii in 1974 and has yet to understand what “not-skateboarding” means. His life revolves around skateboarding and skateboarding culture, and he has skated hundreds of ramps and skateparks around the country. After graduating Colorado State University with a degree in marketing, he joined forces with Scott Bouwens, who founded Precision Skateboards in February of 1984, to grow the business and to support the skateboarding community in Nebraska. As the owner of Precision Skateboards, one of the oldest skate shops in the country, he has hosted many contests and pro skate demos for over 35 years in the Lincoln and Omaha area. Busy sharing time raising two skateboarding teenage boys with his wife Tara, who also owns her own business, Phil continues to strive to make our community a better place to live!    Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

Dr. Kathy Farrell became the James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on December 1, 2017, after serving nearly a year as interim dean. She immediately launched an inclusive strategic planning process to help guide the college with a new mission, guiding principles and strategic initiatives. Kathy embraces where ever she is in life and the importance of maintaining a mindset that what lies ahead is as exciting or more exciting than what lies behind and tries to live in the moment. She continues to have an impact through higher education and changing lives by helping students find their passion as it relates to business. Kathy feels blessed that she doesn’t have to go to work every day, she gets to go to work every day, or as she told her Mom quite a while ago, "I get paid to go to college!"  Kathy is constantly learning and growing intellectually and strives to positively impact other people’s lives.    Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce.

Today's guest, Karl Hinkley, has an extreme passion for BMX and motocross. In the BMX world you might even know him as "Crazy Karl". Karl's been riding since age fourteen and defines his riding flavor as "creative". He travelled around the Midwest throughout his teenage and young adult life racing and riding freestyle. As he got more into the sport, Karl discovered he wanted to play a bigger part as a sponsor, so he started his own business called Nowear and also a non-profit, The Nowear Compound. Karl knows first-hand how hard it is to make it in BMX and wanted to be able to help the younger riders, even if it's just with some clothes, fixing their bikes, or giving them a place to ride. The Nowear Compound, a non-profit, provides a six-acre BMX paradise full of ramps, dirt jumps and much more. It is free to anyone interested in the sport.    Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

Have you ever ended up finding joy in something you thought you disliked? Such as working out, eating less sweets, or completing an assignment for school in a subject you generally would turn your nose up at. What does joy feel like in these moments? Accomplishment? Relief? Curiosity? Our guest today can relate. Juan Breucop would tell you he dislikes salesmen but ended up becoming a sales manager! Interesting, right? Juan's career in sales began by working as an employee in business to becoming an entrepreneur as a business owner. Juan is now the President of inExhaust, a manufacturer of exhaust system components for power generation. Juan has had an interesting career journey so far. From disliking sales to becoming a sales manager to owning a business where he oversees the whole company, except the sales department, by now only supporting this team. Joy can be found in the things we dislike, as long as we stay curious!     Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

Nebraska - "The Good Life"! By my own observation, it's a place that tells the story of quiet perseverance and triumph throughout history, has hidden outdoor adventures like beautiful hiking and plentiful prairie land with impressive wildlife, and home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the country. It also has some of the most kind-hearted and genuine people enjoying life here that I've ever met. It's "The Good Life" for sure! Our guest today is Nick Cusick, an enthusiastic Nebraskan. Professionally, Nick is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bison, Inc., a Lincoln-based manufacturer of sports equipment. Personally, he is active in a wide range of community boards that serve in a variety of ways. He is passionate about making Lincoln and Nebraska a great place to live! 

Peter Ferguson approaches his life as Maya Angelou defined hers: to “not merely survive but to thrive; and do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Peter is a mission-driven empowerment specialist dedicated to empowering others throughout his career. He is widely known and recognized, with over 25 years of experience facilitating and coordinating professional development engagements. As the founder and PBO “Primary Belief Officer” of Peter Ferguson BHS, LLC., he is the Coordinator of Culture, Inclusion, and Scholar Development for Lincoln Public Schools. Peter's message reinforces that relationships matter and are the foundation of every person's success. He also continues to honor his mother, a 40-year educator, through service and championing the fight against Alzheimer's. Let's engage our mindsets to learn more about how personal experience, bias, and cultural proficiency can facilitate building stronger relationships! 

"Whoa" is defined by the Oxford dictionary as a word used to express surprise, interest, or alarm, or to command attention. My "whoa" in this moment is, "whoa, this is so cool, I'm chatting with another Michaella today. I wonder if she feels superior because our names are spelled almost the same way, but hers is elevated by an extra 'L'"? Michaella Kumke is an impressive human being who currently leads the Food Bank of Lincoln as President & CEO. The Food Bank of Lincoln is a successful non-profit agency that connects millions of meals to neighbors annually. In her work, she serves alongside a dedicated team of professionals, volunteers, and advocates who believe in the power of being a good neighbor. Together they also share in a belief that equitable access to nutritious and comforting food is vital to a thriving community. My guess is her and her team's days are filled with many beautiful and surprising, "whoas"!    Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce.

[this episode may contain strong language] In this episode, we will return to the question of "life hacks: what's gained and what's lost in chasing them?". This episode is a continuation of last week’s conversation with James Tucci. During this segment, James and I will consider more about what’s going on in our thoughts and if those feelings and actions align with who or what we want to be. Enjoy!

[this episode may contain strong language] Life hacks: what's gained and what's lost in chasing them? When this show started, sharing life hacks felt like an objective. But I quickly learned the intention behind the conversations on "become" is and has been much, much deeper. Interestingly enough, today's guest has challenged the very thought behind the moniker, "life hack". James Tucci is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner with Tucci Counseling & Consulting, PC. James says: to have a life hack is to only create more problems that will require more life hacks. It may never do what your mind tells you it will. It “strengthens” the illusion or keeps us in the trance-like state that there is some code to crack and once we do life will be “easier.” In a real way, what’s gained and what’s lost in chasing life hacks?   Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

Let's see where the wind takes us... that's generally the theme of this show. Exploring the depths of life's journey, discovering the meaning behind those unexpected turns, and asking all the questions without aiming for a single direct answer. Chet Bennetts is an expert in retirement and financial planning. However, even after a fruitful career in this field, he too has stayed curious about what is and was bringing him joy in life. After eighteen years of being a practitioner in the financial planning profession, Chet transitioned to being an academic and is completing his PhD. His scholarly contributions span a diverse range of topics, including the application of AI in financial planning, the influence of behavior on investment allocations during volatile markets, and the positive impact of bequest intentions on retirement satisfaction. His influential work on the necessity of financial planning/counseling in PTSD treatment for Veterans has been recognized and utilized by Congress and White House staff. During a legislative fellowship he was awarded in 2023, this advocacy led to his involvement in Congressional hearings and assisting in the drafting of legislation. These efforts resulted in the VA creating FINVET which is a no cost, robust informational portal and allows veterans and caregivers the ability to meet with an Accredited Financial Counselor. So, let's see where the wind takes us! 

This is season two! And, a very special episode to kick off a new year! This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Saro Cider in Lincoln, Nebraska. Maggie Pleskac, Julie Masters and Michaela sat down together to explore how to accept, appreciate and find beauty in all aspects of life’s journey. Especially in those moments where we become more aware of the aging process. They shared stories of resilience, acceptance and how being comfortable with the uncomfortable can help us find more joy in each step along the way. Welcome to another season of become!    Credits: Music by Ellie Westfall. Artwork by Kristina Bachman. Produced by Greg Joyce. 

As we wrap up season one, I would like to share my sincere thanks to all of you as supporters for listening to our episodes. I’d also like to wish you a very happy holiday season. We look forward to season two. See you in 2025!   Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/auld-lang-beat. License code: SEUCVE4SK7QD3B2L

[this episode may contain strong language] In this episode, I sat down with Adam Rehmeier. Adam is a cinematographer and director, known for Dinner in America, The Bunny Game and Snack Shack. Adam and I explore how persistence and committing yourself fully to any project will create something amazing in the end because you had fun during the process and pride and love for what you accomplished.

Our guest today is Linda Cordes. Linda is a one of the beautiful residents living at Legacy Retirement Communities. She was raised in Oshkosh, Nebraska and at age of 40 went to college - with her kids! She worked as a hospital x-ray tech for 28 years and also as a medical services officer at a disability agency. Linda and her late husband, Chuck met at work at B&C Steel in Lincoln and knew quickly they would be getting married. They eventually had three children who blessed them with eight grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Chuck and Linda are dog lovers and currently have Sarah, a Morkie.   

This episode's guest is Jason Jackson. Jason began working for the State of Nebraska in 2016 as the Chief HR Officer for the Governor and continues to serve in that capacity as well as being the Department of Administrative Services Director since 2018. Originally from California, Jason moved to Nebraska because he wanted to experience the “Good Life,” and return to public service. As the Governor’s CHRO, Jason is responsible for driving strategic talent initiatives to enable a more efficient and customer focused state workforce. Prior to joining State Government, Jason worked in HR in the software industry. Before beginning his HR career, Jason served for five years as a Navy Officer, earning the Navy Achievement Medal and Navy Commendation Medal for his service in the War on Terrorism. Jason is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has earned a Master of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University and a Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Have you ever met a person and thought, "Wow, the legacy they are living, and at some point will leave behind, is something out of this world!"? When those moments happen to me, I usually walk away thinking, "How can I be a better version of myself?" Or, "What more can I do to leave my own imprint in this world?" The thoughts tend to get introspective real quick! Bryan Seck, the Executive Director at Lincoln Literacy is one of those people to me. Bryan has had a vast career starting by teaching English in Peace Corps Kazakhstan to launching nonprofit programs and collaborating on workforce development projects. His current role at Lincoln Literacy, has him supporting his team who provides English and workplace skills to our newest neighbors. Bryan's resume is impressive, but it's his heart that speaks volumes! He is creating a legacy with a mindset that work should not be everything in your life. Your passion also does not have to be nonprofit...you can just "do stuff". In this conversation, Bryan and I are going to talk about the ways we can all leave a legacy manifested through charity and love. "MyLink":  https://lincolnne.mylnk.app/categories?language=en

Here's some solid advice: dare yourself to be different. Think about it. In today's world we are surrounded by influencers. Influencers in tech, sports, politics, and self-improvement, just to name a few. Influencers can absolutely be helpful in things like learning something new or staying in "the know". But, on the other hand, really cool things can happen too when we decide to create our own ideas, instead of blending in with the crowd. Leya Helmer, works as a talent acquisition recruiter for a hospital. She focuses on putting together events like job fairs, screening applicants, interviewing and in the end finding the best job fit for those seeking a new opportunity. In recruitment there tends to be a lot of influencers. Influence can come from the applicant's expectations of culture, pay and benefits, or growth for their career. The recruiter can also influence a job seekers decision on whether the job is the right fit for them or not. Again, influence is everywhere.  But, today, let's dare ourselves to be different; ignore the status quo and follow our hearts. 

Different phenomena surround the concept of wanting to "organize well." Minimalism, essentialism, intentional living, downsizing, and rightsizing just to name a few. Many of us may turn to the internet for advice on which method will work best for our organizing needs. We find there are many methods and one size doesn't fit all. And that's ok! Jeannine Bryant is a "rightsizing expert"! She is the owner and CEO of Changing Spaces SRS, a senior move management company. While at work, Jeannine focuses on helping older adults through the downsizing and moving process. While she's not at work, she finds great gratification on staying organized in her own life. Jeannine considers staying organized her coping mechanism – it's how she gets through life! In this episode, Jeannine will talk about how getting rid of excess stuff in our lives helps us to be so much lighter and more free! A life hack that will surely bring great benefit!

Why is asking for help so hard? Is it the fear of rejection? The appearance of incompetence? Or, it is the emotion of embarrassment? The inner voice can be a loud one sometimes! Creating constant chatter which gets intertwined in our reality. But why...why do we do this to ourselves? When you really think about it, shouldn't we feel encouraged that we've surrounded ourselves with kind and compassionate people who are ready to lend a helping hand? Kerry Semrad, General Manager at KZUM Community Radio, is all about asking for help. As an expert in public media, she is constantly building a strong and smart community of partnerships. Partnerships that can positively influence the impact she helps make on the radio for her listeners and supporters. In this episode, Kerry and I are going to explore what it might be like to turn down the volume of our inner voice and find the positive side to asking for help. Join us as we build a new partnership!

What comes to mind when you think about making a gesture of gratitude towards a good friend... is it a gift, like a bouquet of flowers? Is it sharing your time with them, by taking them out to coffee? Or is it sharing a simple smile as you pass them by? The way we share our happiness and gratitude for others shows up in different ways. There is no right or wrong way, however, in my opinion, there is one thing to always keep in mind... is your gesture coming from a place of authenticity. Are you being your best self in that moment? Tracy Haefele chooses to spend her time giving back to others by encouraging them to be their best selves. Bringing joy to others, while helping them understand that THEY too can bring joy to others, is her passion. Tracy and I are going to discuss the idea behind small acts, compared to big gestures and how sometimes the most valuable gift is just recognizing that another person wants to be "seen" and accepted.

When was the last time you thought about your favorite color, your favorite animal or your favorite way to spend time? As we go through life, our priorities change. This is not a bad thing to have happen. However, sometimes we do lose the memories of the things that once made us happy. Think back to your days in school, out on the playground, debating with your best friend whether blue or orange is the best color! In this episode, I have the privilege of talking to Spencer (Juniper) Pleskac-Clinch. Spencer is a fourth grade student who approaches the opportunities of life with curiosity, meeting each day as joyful and energy-giving. She describes herself as a female who sees beauty in the color black, loves eating at Pho Factory and drinking Boba tea. She has also identified the wolf as her favorite animal. Join us in this conversation!

Many of us have encountered an event like a job interview where we are asked, "what are your strengths"? And, "what are your weaknesses"? Others have been asked to reflect on their strengths by taking a personality assessment or strengths finder quiz. In any situation, I'm sure we can agree...knowing one's strengths is a big ask! Cliff Troyer, an Employment Specialist at Nebraska Vocational Rehab with the Department of Education, centers his expertise around helping students with Individualized Educational Plans and other disabilities to prepare for their next steps after high school. Through his work, Cliff will help these students identify and articulate their strengths in order to build confidence in their employment and career activity endeavors. In this episode, Cliff is going to share his advice on how we can develop a way to advocate our strengths for our own personal gain as well as how our strengths can also benefit others during the exploration and journey into a fulfilling career!

In my opinion, one of the hardest parts about being human is coping with the fact that it's hard to be your true self day in and day out. We may say things like, "I know who I am" or "I stopped keeping up with the Joneses a long time ago". But, I feel the fact of the matter is that every day we battle external pressures that cause us to behave in a way that doesn't align with who we tell people we are. I'm not casting fault; it's easy to do. At least, I know I'm guilty of this...all I want is to be popular, right? Chad Thies is in the business of knowing and serving people. As the founder and president of Zelle HR Solutions, he oversees a unique business model which is devoted to building impactful relationships with clients to ensure healthy organizational growth and development. In essence, Chad has a passion for people. He thanks his Nebraskan roots which taught him good ole’ fashioned values of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. In this conversation, I'm going to explore what authenticity could look like as the center-fold of a good work ethic and how staying true to who you are can actually create more "yes" and "success" in a life of becoming.

Death is usually an uncomfortable topic to talk about. At least, most of us don't use it as a conversation starter at a dinner party! It is, however, something we as humans think about or encounter often. Julie Masters, professor of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Omaha, concentrates her work on aging and end-of-life. While educating her students, she eludes to the values of meaning and purpose as a way to live well. Emphasizing that finding connection to something greater than oneself can greatly prolong your desire to live. Julie's fascination around what it means to age has helped her become comfortable with the topic of death. In this conversation, we will explore why it's important to think about and discuss each stage of life and why living well can help us to die well.

If I were to guess, many of us spend the majority of our day deliberating on what is to come. The description of this show even prompts future questions such as: "Who are we supposed to be?" or "How do you know when you've "made it?" Emily Shelton has given great thought to how she can focus and find control when life takes her in an unexpected direction and forces her to adapt to a new path. Emily owns and operates Legacy Curbing, a concrete curbing company which installs decorative landscape curbing for commercial and residential properties. Emily's ability to appreciate the past, live in the present, and be open to the future began when she took a sharp turn from her twenty-year career in dentistry to the concrete industry. She wakes up every day and chooses to be happy with where she is, rather than focusing on the bumps in the road.

Have you ever felt like you have no idea what is going on, but have all the information you need at the same time?  In life, we are put into amazing positions where people depend on our expertise, but behind the scenes, we feel like we’re failing and don’t know what we’re doing. Ellie Westfall, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Legacy Retirement Communities, loves her job because she gets to utilize her creative side on different projects every day. I asked Ellie to talk to me about the challenges she faces day to day, and she explained that most of the time, she feels like she’s putting little fires out everywhere. Listen closely as Ellie explores with us how to manage time wisely and meet tight deadlines. 

Picture yourself as a marionette.  Someone controlling your every movement, thought and desire.  I'm guessing, for most of us, picturing this brings up emotions like frustration, disgust or even a feeling of being claustrophobic.  Now, what if you weren't physically a marionette and you had control over your movements and thoughts but, someone was instead controlling your TIME.  Matt Mueller is the Chief Operating Officer of Hudl, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based company which provides video analysis, coaching and recruiting tools for professional, college, high school, club and youth teams and athletes.  Being a busy guy, Matt lives by this piece of advice:  if you don’t schedule your time, someone will schedule it for you.  Matt and I are going to talk about ways we can all get proactive with time management and be more protective of our personal time to focus on the important things!

What do you feel when someone tells you, "NO"?  Do you meet the response with resistance?  Hurt, sadness, an un-wanting feeling.  Or, do you meet it with curiosity?  Relief or even excitement towards what may follow.  Dr. Carrie Petr, the founder and CEO of Carrie Lovelace Petr Coaching and Consulting, joins us on this episode to uncover the kindness that comes from telling people "no" when they need to hear it, as opposed to avoiding those difficult conversations.  Carrie leads an executive coaching practice that specializes in healthy leadership behaviors, organizational change and development and talent management.  She is passionate about leadership development, creating healthy workplace cultures, personal and professional development, and goal setting and strategic planning.  Although her work is aligned with achieving positive outcomes for her clients, Carrie sometimes has to face difficult conversations to get the end result her client deserves. 

There is a quote by Pablo Picasso that says, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Art is beautiful, art is wise, art is introspective. Art is. It is what you make it to be. It is what you need it to be.  Mike Semrad is the owner of Red Rebel Media, a marketing company that assists local businesses as well as nonprofits. The company also moonlights as concert promoters and helps to get their clients in front of mass audiences. Since a young age, Mike has found great meaning through music and the arts. He lives for the joy these things give to his life. The joy he has found by sharing his love and talent through the arts has made him somewhat of a renaissance man. He strives to give back to his community in everything that he does. In this episode, Mike and I are going to explore how engaging with music and the arts can significantly alter a person's way of appreciating what life has to offer.

At one point or another we’ve all had the thought, “if I could only make time slow down”.  As humans, we quite literally watch time pass us by as we acknowledge the clock tick and the earth rotate around the sun.  Figuratively, we use the concept of time to achieve certain outcomes.  We may do this by holding a hug goodbye just a little longer to make it feel as though time has slowed or we might procrastinate an important task in order to deny that an experience is coming to an end.  On today’s episode we will talk with Toni Rupe, the president at Junior Achievement of Lincoln or JA.  Toni and I will explore how to observe time in the sense of accepting it more as quality over quantity and how awareness around the present moment may foster more advantages than disadvantages in things like a sense of belonging and direction on life’s journey. 

“Growing up.” A phenomenon we all experience, whether we feel ready or not.  From the day we are born, we are graced with the ability to make choices. These choices can lead us to endless opportunities, both good and bad.  Jayden Hood, a Dining Services Coordinator at Legacy Retirement Communities, makes the choice each day to lead young high school students in an effort to make a difference in the lives of Legacy’s Residents. Simultaneously, Jayden also makes the personal choice to do his best in a job he loves in order to create a fulfilling life as a (quote/unquote) “new” grown up himself. 

Being open to trying things and letting it lead you to finding what you do best.  This sound advice comes from Kaylie Hogan-Schnittker, the Director of Talent Strategy at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development.  Kaylie finds wisdom in thinking: there is always a next move.  Although she finds connection and meaning in each present moment, she is open to whatever comes her way.  Kaylie challenges herself along with those she mentors to get out of their comfort zone.  In this conversation, Kaylie and I will talk about how the ability to try new things allows for growth in life.  We will also explore how growth can mean acceptance.  Accepting what is and has been with the willingness to persevere with the good and bad.  

Our body is beautifully interconnected with nature, the elements, and the seasons; never separate.  Separation might evoke anguish within our human matter.  To find balance, we turn to our collective consciousness which helps us to explore the perception that our thoughts create our reality, and where our thoughts go, our energy flows.  Maggie Pleskac is the brilliant soul behind these teachings.  Maggie is the owner of Milkweed Collective, a wellness center that consists of three businesses: a Community Event Space, a Yoga Studio and a Commercial Kitchen that specializes in local and organic vegetarian food packaged for retail, prepared as pop-up lunches and hired out for catering.  She is also an accomplished instructor helping those around her strengthen their bodies and minds through wellness. 

Our body is beautifully interconnected with nature, the elements, and the seasons; never separate.  Separation might evoke anguish within our human matter.  To find balance, we turn to our collective consciousness which helps us to explore the perception that our thoughts create our reality, and where our thoughts go, our energy flows.  Maggie Pleskac is the brilliant soul behind these teachings.  Maggie is the owner of Milkweed Collective, a wellness center that consists of three businesses: a Community Event Space, a Yoga Studio and a Commercial Kitchen that specializes in local and organic vegetarian food packaged for retail, prepared as pop-up lunches and hired out for catering.  She is also an accomplished instructor helping those around her strengthen their bodies and minds through wellness. 

Finding honesty in your feelings when faced with a life changing decision can be hard.  Another person’s perspective on the situation can be helpful; while at other times, it can just make you freeze. So, we ask ourselves: “how am I supposed to move forward?” Nate Liermann, a Resident Living Advisor, at Legacy Retirement Communities, shapes the future of people’s lives through the art of letting go. His daily work helps seniors navigate their ambivalence on deciding whether or not to make a change to retirement living. 

If you have a plan for life, heck yeah, execute it! If not, don't let a shattered dream get in your way. You are where you're supposed to be! I'm Michaela Halvorson, host of this new show, become. Join me on this first episode as I hang out with Greg Joyce, owner of Legacy Retirement Communities, and Ellie Westfall, Marketing and PR Director at Legacy. We reflect back on where this show concept started and how fun this journey is going to be. We even have a wild conversation about our dreams of being BMX racers and pop stars! Never stop being curious! We are so happy you're here!

Tune in January 29th to the Become podcast!