Born and raised in Chicago , by the time Jared Kirchheimer was 30, he had lived in Los Angeles twice , New York City (ok, Leonia New Jersey) once, and back to Chicago doing the actor/writer /producer thing . After decades of development hell on various projects (and living a dual life as a civil engineer for nearly 30 years), the gates of development heaven opened up for “Say Her”, his first feature film. Here, he discusses how dedication and hard work really can pay off.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

Growing up on a farm with a love for the outdoors and nature lead Ellie Bird to a BSc in Environmental Studies and Post Grad Diploma in Sustainable Management, all while playing Professional Netball in the ANZ Premiership in New Zealand. She retired from Netball in 2022 to start a "normal" life, tying her upbringing and studies together as a Sustainability Advisor for a corporate Dairy Farming company. However, after only 7 months of “normal life,” she was called out of retirement to rejoin her former Netball team - bringing the element of competition and excitement back into her life (which she did not realize she had missed so much.) Here, she discusses how being a pro athlete and a corporate sustainability advisor go together more than you might think.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

PHILIP TYLER WILLIAMS has been working as a Firefighter/EMT at JPL/NASA for the past 24 years. Originally a member of the Protective Services Security Dept. at JPL, Philip decided to broaden his horizons and join the Fire Department in 2000. Responding to emergencies at the laboratory is only part of what they do. Educating employees on fire safety and the proper uses of fire extinguishers is a large part of it also. During his time at JPL, he has faced many challenges that have led him to grow professionally and personally. He can honestly say, he is living his dream job. Here, he discusses how he balances the heightened sense of danger with day-to-day living and how we civilians can be better prepared on our end.

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John C. Spokes, CFRE, Senior Vice President, Netzel Grigsby Associates - Specializing in capital and annual campaigns, strategic plans, and board development, John brings a wealth of experience across diverse nonprofit sectors, including arts, education, health care, social services, and youth development. Recent successful partnerships include Musical Theatre West (Fundraising Assessment), Temple Isaiah (Capital Campaign), Prosser Boys & Girls Club (Study and Campaign Counsel), and Mirman School (Campaign Counsel). John's method is marked by creativity, offering innovative solutions to navigate complex challenges. His ability to ignite creative thinking among clients is a testament to his commitment to thinking outside the box. Here he discusses how his upbringing led him to become a friend to humanity and the rewards of finding purpose.

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Mike Nicholas an editor/filmmaker based in Los Angeles, making shorts, educational and branded content for Nickelodeon, Paramount, and a litany of toy companies. He also has a long history with short films, producing and co-writing past award-winning shorts like “Funky Butt” (2018), “Stag” (2017), and “The Man from Mars” (2016), but is now sitting down into the director’s chair for the first time with the Louisiana Film Prize grand prize-winning short “Sex Date”(2024), currently beginning it’s festival run. Here he discusses how he realized the thing he was good at all along was actually his dream.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

David Hertz, FAIA, Architect, founded Syndesis in 1983 and S.E.A. The Studio of Environmental Architecture, a practice focus on regenerative design in an age of resilience. David won the 2022 Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Climate Action. In 2018, Hertz won the Water Abundance XPRIZE a 1.5 M prize to make over 2,000 liters of water from air.In 2006 David was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from SCI-Arc and in 2008 he was elected to the prestigious American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, as one of its youngest members in its over 155-year history. David's award-winning work has been published widely and exhibited internationally. Some highlights include exhibitions in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Building Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. David has taught studios and lectured at Yale,USC, UCLA and Art Center. Here, he discusses how his rebellious nature turned him into a master problems solver.

*note: this was recorded before the LA Wildfires.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

Michael Murphy is a Senior Creative currently working hard in advertising brand design creating IMPACT, VALUE and EXCITEMENT. He also recently published a book called “Googie Modern" Angel City Press and is an Exhibitor / Artist. Outside of work and creative pursuits, he can be found volunteering for the Venice Heritage Museum one wheeling, cycling, aeroponic gardening, cooking, parenting, and husbanding. All not too far from the ocean, gratefully. Here, he discusses how his passions for art and history, help him form a brand narrative and maintain balance in his own life.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

Aasif Mandvi is an award-winning actor, writer, and producer. He can be seen starring in the Paramount+ drama EVIL, the Hulu comedy THIS WAY UP, as well the CW’s comedy panel show WOULD I LE TO YOU, for which he served as host and Executive Producer. Well known for his decade long work as a correspondent on THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, he was also a writer, producer, and ​co-​star on the HBO series THE BRINK. Other film and TV credits include: MOTHER’S DAY, MILLION DOLLAR ARM, THE INTERNSHIP, THE DICTATOR, SPIDER-MAN 2, THE PROPOSAL, THE LAST AIR-BENDER, GHOST TOWN, A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, BLUE BLOODS, YOUNGER, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, and the upcoming TERROR: DEVIL IN SILVER. Mandvi also co-wrote and starred in the film TODAY’S SPECIAL, which premiered at the London Film Festival. His theatre credits include the National Theatre/Broadway production of OKLAHOMA, Lincoln Center’s premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning play DISGRACED (Lucille Lortel Nomination), and he was the recipient of the OBIE award for his solo show SAKINA’S RESTAURANT at the American Place Theatre. Mandvi and Kahn are recipients of a Peabody Award for co-creating the web-series, HALAL IN THE FAMILY, which addressed anti-muslim bigotry through humor. Aasif is also the author of the book, NO LAND’S MAN, a collection of humorous and personal stories published by Chronicle Books. Here, he discusses what it’s like to be an Indian born, British actor who found success beyond his wildest dreams in America.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.