Ajarae Coleman is an actor, coach, and entrepreneur whose journey exemplifies the power of following one's artistic calling while building meaningful communities along the way. Growing up in New Jersey, she found early academic success that led her to boarding school through a fortuitous scholarship, followed by Harvard where she studied biological anthropology.

After graduation, her path took her to Los Angeles through Teach for America, where she taught in Compton for two years. This experience, while demanding, revealed her deep capacity for impact and connection with others. During a subsequent corporate role at McMaster Car Supply Company, she discovered her passion for acting through evening classes.

Making the pivotal decision to pursue acting professionally in 2009, Ajarae approached the transition methodically, researching the industry and creating Workshop Guru, a platform connecting actors with casting workshops. This entrepreneurial venture naturally evolved into coaching, where she helps other actors navigate their careers while maintaining her own acting pursuits.

Throughout her journey, Ajarae has developed a disciplined approach to success, incorporating morning routines, accountability partnerships, and strategic goal-setting. Her current focus includes landing a series lead role in a single-camera comedy while expanding her presence internationally.

Now at a personal and professional crossroads, Ajarae is embracing expansion by planning to split her time between Los Angeles and London, viewing this next chapter as an opportunity to grow her artistic career and community across continents.

Website

https://actingresourceguru.com/

Social Media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ajaraecoleman/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajarae/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Jason Leister is a transformational business mentor who helps people align their authentic selves with sustainable success. Growing up in a strict Mennonite household, he started as a "straight-A sheep," pursuing classical music as a pipe organist and following expected paths until life began showing him different possibilities.

Through early ventures like selling handcrafted oboe reeds with his wife Marin, Jason discovered his gift for understanding how to package and position people's unique talents. A pivotal moment came when losing a $200,000 retainer pushed him to start writing daily emails – a practice he's maintained for 13 years, helping him connect deeply with clients while serving a broader audience.

The birth of their first child catalyzed major life changes, leading Jason and his wife to question conventional systems and structures. They chose home births, homeschooling, and alternative business models through private membership associations, crafting a life aligned with their values rather than societal expectations.

Now based in Hawaii with their ten children, Jason has built a business helping others bridge philosophical principles with practical expression. He works with clients who discover him through his daily writings, guiding them to recognize and monetize their authentic gifts.

Looking ahead, Jason continues to evolve while maintaining his core mission: showing people how to succeed by being truly themselves. His approach emphasizes that each person's path is unique, and success comes from aligning with one's natural rhythms rather than following prescribed formulas.

Book links

https://jasonleister.co/books/

Website

https://jasonleister.co/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Rachel Elnaugh-LOVE is a former Dragon's Den investor and entrepreneur who founded Red Letter Days, pioneering the experience gift industry in the UK.

Growing up above her father's electrical shop in Essex with four brothers, Rachel developed strong business instincts early on. After receiving multiple university rejections, she found her way into accountancy, which provided vital financial expertise for her future ventures.

At age 24, Rachel launched Red Letter Days from a simple idea about gifting experiences, growing it into a multi-million pound market leader. However, in 2005, while caring for her newborn baby, she faced the devastating loss of her company through what she describes as a "corporate mugging" by fellow Dragons Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis.

This profound setback led Rachel to transform her perspective on business and life. She began speaking at events, wrote a book about business failures, and discovered her talent for mentoring other entrepreneurs. Her journey deepened further through exploration of plant medicine, shamanic practices, and spiritual development.

Today, Rachel combines business mentoring with metaphysical teachings, helping others achieve transformation through what she calls "flowing with the universe." She recently launched a 90-day transformation program and lives by the ocean, where she's developing an online series about effortless and joyful business creation. Her story exemplifies how perceived failures can lead to profound personal and professional evolution.

Book links

Business Nightmares: Hitting Rock Bottom and Coming Out on Top - https://amzn.eu/d/ibjtRUq

Liberation - https://source.tv/liberation/

Prosperity - https://amzn.eu/d/1GAtqtD

Website

https://rachelelnaugh.com/

Social Media

Telegram - https://t.me/rachelspeaksout

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@rachelelnaughlove

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Mark Franklin is a former corporate executive turned personal development coach whose path has been shaped by creativity, crisis, and transformation.

Growing up as an only child, he channeled his imagination into art and drumming, eventually performing in West End shows including The Lion King, before settling into what he thought would be a "proper career" in business.

His 22-year corporate journey led him to become Managing Director of a sales division, where he discovered his gift for helping others grow. But the combined pressures of Brexit, pandemic-era business challenges, and the sudden loss of his best friend in 2021 triggered a mental health crisis that forced him to reevaluate everything.

After seeking help through cognitive behavioral therapy and taking time to heal, Mark realized his true calling lay in helping others overcome what he calls the "four fears" - not being ready, not feeling good enough, not having enough time, and fear of failure. His family celebrated "getting their Mark back" when he finally left corporate life behind.

Today, he measures success not in financial terms but in the freedom to help others write better stories for their families, combining his storytelling background with personal development to transform hesitations into strengths.

Book links

How to Embrace the Four Fears® of Business Ownership - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DX7PHN8P

Website

https://www.markfranklin.co.uk/

Social Media

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfranklinuk/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Niki Sterner is a performer and transformation coach whose journey from perfectionist athlete to authentic storyteller was shaped by unexpected health crises. Growing up in Montana as a competitive athlete and valedictorian, childhood trauma and societal expectations led her to suppress her true calling in performing arts, despite early signs of her passion—from dance team captaincy to leading roles in school plays.

A series of health challenges became her wake-up call. After experiencing breast implant illness and a severe mold exposure that forced her family to abandon 90% of their possessions, Niki finally found her voice and the courage to stand up for herself. This physical crisis sparked a deeper healing journey, leading her to develop the "Confidence Shortcut"—a three-step process of clarity, mindset work, and courage-building that helped her reconnect with her authentic self.

Today, Niki brings light and laughter to others through stand-up comedy and is premiering her first short film. Her approach combines daily mindset practices, strategic goal-setting, and her "three seconds to yes" philosophy to help others overcome their limiting beliefs. Her story demonstrates that our greatest setbacks often guide us back to our truest path—if we have the courage to embrace them.

Website

https://seedandspark.com/fund/sweet-body

Social Media

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=753258556

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikisterner/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Nico Jones is a story expert and entrepreneur whose journey weaves through music, filmmaking, and animation to his current role helping business leaders articulate their vision. His path began with a transformative moment watching a covers band perform, leading to a "guitarist seeks band" note that would set his life's direction.

Through years of creative pursuits—from making Star Wars fan films to creating corporate animations—Nico developed a deep understanding of storytelling. A pivotal shift came with the rise of AI, when instead of seeing it as a threat, he recognized an opportunity to help others express their ideas more powerfully.

Today, through his Core Stories framework, Nico guides entrepreneurs in uncovering and sharing their core stories. His methodology combines physical cards, community interaction, and AI technology, helping leaders transform their expertise and energy into compelling narratives that drive change.

Recently, Nico experienced his own breakthrough by applying his methodology to himself, discovering how the same creative energy that moved him at that first live performance connects all aspects of his work—a revelation that continues to shape his mission of helping others find and express their authentic voice.

Website

https://storycaptain.co.uk/

https://core-stories.scoreapp.com/

Social Media

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-ceballos-jones/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Lily Shaw is an Indian-born actress and content creator whose journey embodies resilience and creative expression against formidable odds. After losing her father in a tragic accident at age fourteen, she emigrated to America with her family, seeking escape from the cultural limitations placed on fatherless daughters in Indian society.

In America, Lily faced unexpected challenges when her own relatives subjected her and her family to racism and abuse. Despite excelling academically and discovering her talent for performance early—spontaneously dancing to street drums at age three—she found herself navigating complex cultural dynamics both at home and in Hollywood.

Through fifteen years of family abuse and professional setbacks, Lily turned to spiritual healing to reclaim her power. She developed a unique approach to "reparenting" herself and healing her inner child, choosing to channel her experiences into advocacy rather than bitterness.

Today, Lily creates content helping others navigate abusive relationships while pursuing her acting career. Despite being "on the wrong side of 30s" by industry standards, she maintains her ambition, drawing a cricket analogy that she hasn't even had her chance to bat yet. Her story demonstrates how personal trauma can be transformed into purpose through perseverance and authentic self-expression.

Website

https://mailchi.mp/iamlilyshaw/lilys-musings

Social Media

Instagram - @iamlilyshaw << DM Lily if you'd like to know more about her group coaching course

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Reene Ramirez's story is one of profound transformation and resilience against systemic challenges. Growing up in Anaheim with immigrant parents, his childhood was marked by an environment where aggression was normalized, with family members encouraging young cousins to fight each other. Struggling with dyslexia and facing bullying at school, Reene created an aggressive persona to survive, despite it conflicting with his true nature.

At fifteen, a single day's events led to a 16 year prison sentence, tried as an adult for involvement in a shooting. Within the prison system, Reene navigated complex social dynamics while witnessing profound violence, including losing a mentor who had taken him under his wing. During this time, he began his journey of self-discovery, finding wisdom in philosophical texts and developing a deep understanding of human nature.

Today, Reene demonstrates remarkable self-awareness, having built a life grounded in continuous self-reflection and a desire to help others. He speaks with insight about managing different aspects of self, maintaining complete sobriety, and staying present. Despite facing ongoing challenges with employment and societal reintegration, he channels his experiences into helping others, particularly young people at risk of following similar paths. Through his work as a rideshare driver and aspirations to build community initiatives, Reene embodies the possibility of transformation while maintaining a clear view of both societal challenges and human potential.

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.