Today, we talk to John U. Bacon, bestselling author of The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

This story gripped me in a way I didn’t expect. Like a lot of people, I knew the Gordon Lightfoot song — I’d sung it around campfires and strummed it on my guitar — but I had no idea how much more there was to the story until I picked up John's book.

He spent years talking to the families of the 29 men who were lost that night in 1975, and what he uncovered is not just a story of a shipwreck — it’s a story of sacrifice, silence, courage, and legacy.

We talk about the night the Fitzgerald went down, the myths and facts surrounding the wreck, the power of Gordon Lightfoot’s songwriting, and the heartbreaking and beautiful stories of the men on board. I learned a lot, felt even more, and I think you will too.

Please enjoy, John Bacon.

The Edmund Fitzgerald isn’t just a shipwreck — it’s a human story: John interviewed 14 families of the 29 crew members, many of whom had never spoken to a writer before. Their stories bring the tragedy to life in a deeply personal way.

The Gordon Lightfoot song changed everything: Without “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” this story might have been forgotten. Lightfoot’s first-ever performance of the song — captured by accident in the studio — is still the version we hear today.

The Great Lakes are more dangerous than the ocean: Local storms, sharp waves, and shallow shoals make the lakes uniquely treacherous. Sailors face 60-foot waves with just 11 feet of clearance from deck to water.

Shipping is essential — and invisible: The Fitzgerald and ships like it carried the raw materials that built North America’s cars, homes, and infrastructure. Yet most people know almost nothing about the lives of the sailors.

Heroism doesn’t always come with survival: The Arthur Anderson, the ship following the Fitzgerald, turned around and went back into the storm at the Coast Guard’s request — a nearly unthinkable act of courage.

A flawed map may have played a role: The Fitzgerald was likely using outdated charts with shoal locations that had shifted by more than a mile — potentially contributing to the ship’s damage and eventual sinking.

The tragedy led to lasting change: There hasn’t been a major Great Lakes shipwreck since the Fitzgerald. It changed safety standards and remains a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

These men are not forgotten: From tattoos to scholarships to grandchildren who carry on their names, the legacy of the 29 lives lost lives on — through this book, through the song, and through the families who still feel the waves.

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The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

John’s website: https://johnubacon.com/

Books by John: https://johnubacon.com/books/

John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-u-bacon-6359302

In this mini-solo episode, we tackle a problem I’ve always had - setting goals. I talk about why it doesn’t work, and how we can conduct mini-experiments to overcome our fear of failure. Just saying, “it’s an experiment”, makes everything feel less risky, less scary. If we do that enough, before you know it we’ve intentionally stumbled into a long list of amazing things we’ve always wanted to try. And we spent less time worrying, planning and procrastinating until we talked ourselves out of it altogether.

Let’s stay curious and keep moving.

And make momentum the only goal.

Key Takeaways

• Goals vs. Direction: Instead of setting rigid goals, try choosing a direction. It gives you something to aim toward without getting stuck on a specific destination.
• Control is an Illusion: Life doesn’t follow our plans. Most of what derails us are things we never saw coming — so maybe the answer is to plan less and adapt more.
• Experiment Instead of Plan: Treat your life like a laboratory. Try things. Learn. Pivot. Repeat. It takes the pressure off and opens up surprising opportunities.
• Hold Goals Loosely: Inspired by Rich Roll — the idea isn’t to avoid goals entirely, but to stop clinging to them so tightly that we miss other, better paths.
• Follow the Emotional Charge: Rick Rubin’s advice is to follow what lights you up. If something excites or scares you (in a good way), chase that feeling.
• Fundamental vs. Instrumental Reasons: Daniel Pink points out that doing things because they feel meaningful (not just because they might lead somewhere) is often the better bet.
• The Power of Curiosity: Reach out. Ask questions. Start conversations. Interesting people are curious people — and curiosity is contagious.
• Make 2026 the Year of Experiments: Instead of setting resolutions, commit to trying one interesting thing each week. Momentum beats perfection, every time.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Daniel Pink: Life Advice That Sounds Good But Will Destroy You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiz2XSNUPec

Rich Roll on Rock Bottom and Resolutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMjMd0gtygQ

Today we talk to Peter Katz — award-winning singer-songwriter, speaker, and creator of the “keynote concert.” Now, if that term caught your ear like it did mine, you’re about to see why.

Peter just released his new album, and while that’s exciting on its own, what really struck me was how it came to be — through friendship, nature, first takes, and a complete letting go of outcome. It's a lesson in creativity, trust, and showing up without overthinking it.

We talk about how Peter’s work as a speaker and facilitator has changed how he creates music, and how building his career as an artist and speaker has never been a straight line — but always guided by purpose. He also shares how collapsing at 19 and facing a cancer scare changed the way he lives his life and makes decisions, and why songwriting retreats and keynote concerts aren’t just about music — they’re about connection, vulnerability, and remembering what matters.

This one was honest, beautiful, and inspiring in all the best ways.

Please enjoy, Peter Katz.

Key Takeaways

• Creating without overthinking: Peter’s latest album came from a place of play and presence — no plan, no pressure, just following what felt true in the moment.
• From solo artist to speaker: His work in organizations through keynote concerts has shaped how he creates — shifting the focus from “me” to “we.”
• Music as medicine: Whether performing or facilitating, Peter’s aim is to remind people of who they are and help them reconnect — with themselves and each other.
• The power of holding things lightly: From letting songs be imperfect to trusting his voice on the first take, Peter shares how creating space for imperfection often leads to deeper connection.
• Songwriting as a gateway to self-discovery: His retreat helps people write their first song — but more than that, it reminds them what’s possible when they give themselves permission to play.
• Leading with heart in business: Through appreciative inquiry and storytelling, Peter helps organizations celebrate what’s working — because we become what we celebrate.
• Meetings that matter: He encourages leaders to “start with heart” — not with the agenda — because relationships are what make great work possible.
• Balance is always a moving target: Even with a successful career, Peter shares how he’s still recalibrating to stay connected to his artist self and the work that lights him up.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://www.peterkatz.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-katz-1368bb6

https://www.instagram.com/peterkatzmusic

Today we talk to Greg Bennick—writer, speaker, punk rocker, coin collector, juggler, and the first ever returning guest on the podcast.

Greg is one of those people whose passion is contagious. He can make anything interesting—coins, kindness, counterstamped nickels from 1860—and somehow ties it all back to living a life that actually means something. Our first conversation was the episode I recommended most when people asked what this podcast is all about, and this one might be even better.

We talk about the terrifying beauty of taking creative risks, the unexpected power of noodles in a hotel lobby, and why staying in the game—whatever your game is—might be the most important decision you ever make. He also shares what it’s been like to release his first book into the world, and why the chapter he almost left out might be the one that changes everything.

This conversation is about passion, purpose, and possibility.

Please enjoy, Greg Bennick.

Key Takeaways

• “Do it your way.” Greg shares how skipping the networking events at a major speaker conference—and eating Pad Thai alone in the hotel lobby—led to the most authentic connections of his career.
• Writing his first book taught him that vulnerability is part of the process—and that success often starts with just staying in the game.
• The chapter he almost didn’t include—on kindness—became the one readers connected with most. Sometimes others see the heart of your work more clearly than you do.
• Creativity isn’t magic—it’s a muscle. The breakthrough moments come after you’ve put in the reps, not before.
• Greg’s obsession with rare coins isn’t really about the coins—it’s about history, relationships, and finding connection in unlikely places.
• Comparison will kill you. We all assume everyone else has it figured out, but the truth is most of us are just doing our best to stay curious and keep going.
• Greg’s advice for anyone looking to start something new: Leap into the dark—not to fear failure, but to embrace the possibility of success.
• Purpose doesn’t have to be some grand external mission. Sometimes it’s sitting quietly in the lobby with a bowl of noodles, choosing to live a life that’s yours.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Greg’s website: https://www.gregbennick.com/

Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbennick

Greg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregbennick

Today we talk to Lacey Heels —writer, creative strategist, and the author of The Rebirth Rituals.

This wasn’t a planned conversation. In fact, a few short weeks ago, we’d never even met. But after a few chance encounters (and some beautifully-timed serendipity at a retreat in the woods), Lacey’s book landed in my hands—and I couldn’t put it down.

We talk about that strange, messy, powerful space in between who we’ve been and who we’re becoming. Lacey opens up about the collapse that led her to start over, the fears that come with shedding an old identity, and how journaling and creativity helped her find clarity, healing, and direction.

If you’re sitting in the “what’s next” part of your life or career, this conversation is for you. It’s about rediscovering the parts of yourself you’ve left behind, honoring the discomfort of not knowing, and trusting that the through line will appear—if you just keep going.

Please enjoy, Lacey Heels.

Key Takeaways

The magic of in-between moments: Lacey describes the “liminal space” we all find ourselves in when one chapter ends and the next hasn't fully begun—and why learning to sit with the discomfort is essential.

Being known for one thing... and craving something else: Many of us reach a point in our lives or careers where we feel the urge to reinvent ourselves, even when we’re unsure what comes next.

The collapse before the rebirth: Lacey shares her experience of burnout after shutting down her business, and how letting go of what no longer fit made space for something new to emerge.

Start messy and trust the process: Whether it's journaling, creating, or starting a new path, Lacey encourages us to begin before we have it all figured out—the clarity comes in the doing.

Journaling is self-leadership: For high performers who are used to intellectualizing everything, journaling can be a powerful tool for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and reconnecting with purpose.

Run small experiments: Instead of waiting for “the answer” to appear, Lacey suggests taking small, low-stakes steps toward the life you want. Try something. See how it feels. Adjust.

You’re allowed to start over: Sometimes we need to be reminded that it’s not only okay to pivot, it’s necessary. Reinvention isn’t a failure—it’s part of being human.

Creativity as a healing force: Whether it’s writing, gardening, painting, or music, making space for creative expression helps us integrate our experiences and find meaning in them.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Lacey on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceyjheels/

Lacey on Substack: https://www.awildhoney.com/

Lacey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awildhoney/

The Rebirth Rituals: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F931KTTQ

Today we talk to Dr. Aimie Apigian, a trauma physician and bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma, that just landed on #6 on the USA Today Bestseller List.

Now, I’ll be honest — when I first saw the title of her book, I thought, oof, that sounds heavy. But then I got into it, and it wasn’t at all what I expected. This book completely reframed what I thought I knew about trauma. It’s not just about the big, obvious moments in life — it’s also the subtle, overlooked experiences that quietly shape our nervous systems and settle into our biology.

Dr. Aimie shares her personal story of adopting a son from the foster system and how that experience held a mirror up to her own past. She explains how trauma can live in the body long after our minds have “moved on,” and how even high performers unknowingly carry trauma responses like people-pleasing, burnout, and chronic fatigue.

But this conversation isn’t just about what trauma is — it’s about how to heal it. Dr. Amy offers a hopeful, practical framework to better understand our bodies, widen our capacity for stress, and show up for ourselves and others with more compassion.

Please enjoy, Dr. Aimie.

Key Takeaways

Trauma isn’t always what we think it is. It’s not just extreme events — trauma is anything that, at the time, overwhelms our ability to process and respond. And most of us are carrying more than we realize.

Our bodies remember. Even if we mentally “get over” something, our biology — at the cellular level — can still be holding onto past trauma in the form of chronic illness, fatigue, anxiety, or depression.

You don’t have to qualify for trauma. Comparing our experiences to others can stop us from acknowledging our own pain. But recognizing our own trauma is the first step toward healing.

Stress grows us, trauma breaks us. The difference is capacity. When a challenge pushes us just far enough, it strengthens us. But when it overwhelms our system, it can lead to shutdown or long-term damage.

The body sends signals before it burns out. Learning to recognize signs like tightness, shallow breathing, or adrenaline overload can help us avoid crossing into overwhelm.

Healing starts with support. Whether it’s creating pause, connecting with others, or simply listening to your own body — the key is not being alone in your stress.

Somatic practices are game changers. Dr. Amy walks us through a simple body-based exercise to show how movement can calm the nervous system and create a sense of safety.

Compassion is key. Whether reflecting on our past or parenting our children, we’re all doing the best we can with what we have. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s understanding, and growth.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Dr. Aimie’s website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/

Dr. Aimie’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAimieApigian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aimie-apigian

Today we talk to Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, a company she launched while serving time in federal prison for drug smuggling. And if that alone isn’t enough to get you to listen, I give up.

Emily is raw, funny and vulnerable about the choices she made that landed her behind bars. She talks about the moment she saw her parents in the courtroom for the first time, the shame she carried, the strength she found, and the mindset shift that helped her recalibrate her life.

Today, Comeback Snacks is carried in over 1,100 stores across the country and employs a number of formerly incarcerated people. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Emily is proof that joy, humor, and intention can show up in the most unlikely places.

Please enjoy, Emily O’Brien.

• Emily’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far off course we get, we can still come back—and sometimes stronger than before.
• Despite growing up in a supportive household, Emily’s descent into addiction and toxic relationships shows how quickly things can unravel—no matter your background.
• Her time in prison became a personal “recalibration,” where she read 82 books, kicked substance use, and began sketching the plans for what would become Comeback Snacks.
• Emily reframes reinvention as recalibration—not becoming a new person, but returning to the good core that was there all along.
• With Comeback Snacks, she’s hired over a dozen formerly incarcerated individuals and developed a reintegration program to help others start businesses post-prison.
• Her “Comeback Blueprint” offers a framework for transformation: Commit, Own it, Be Accountable, Educate others, and Lead with Values.

Links and Resources

Comeback Snacks Website: https://comebacksnacks.com/

Emily’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emz.obrien

Comeback Snacks Website: https://www.instagram.com/comebacksnacks

Emily’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-o-brien-b628a4132/

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Welcome to a solo episode on the fear of starting over.

I talk to people for a living, here on the pod but also in my coaching and speaking career. And in virtually every conversation, I talk to people that want to do something new.

And it’s scary as hell.

But in these conversations, something new emerges. It’s this fear of judgment that so many guests have talked about here on the podcast. So is it really your fear of starting over that’s holding you back, or is it the fear of people seeing you start over?

This topic has been a lightning bolt to the chest for me. So let’s talk about what it really is that’s holding us back, and I’ve come up with 3 specific habits we can build to move through it, and live the bigger life we deserve.

Key Takeaways

• Most of us aren’t afraid of starting over—we’re afraid of people seeing us start over.
• What feels like a huge leap to you might look like a natural next step to everyone else.
• Stories from past guests like Sensi Graves, Karl-Allen Muncy, PrettyLynne, and Greg Boyd remind us that reinvention is possible—and powerful.
• Confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from action. The second time is always easier than the first.
• Try the Alyx Parks exercise: ask people how they’d describe you to someone else. It’s a humbling, inspiring way to see what others already believe about you.
• Judgment—especially self-judgment—is often the thing holding us back. As Sylvia Baffour says, start by writing for yourself and acting before you feel ready.
• The world sees more in you than you probably see in yourself. Let that build your conviction. Confidence will follow.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Recommended Episodes

She’s Like the Wind with Sensi Graves

It’s Not Too Late to Create a Career You Love with Alyx Parks

Curiosity, Creativity & Connection with Sylvia Baffour

Throttle Therapy with Karl Allen-Muncey

What the Fxck are You Waiting For? With Greg Boyd

PrettyLynne: Soft Porn, Courage, Judgment and Finding Yourself