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.

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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 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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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

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.

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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

Today we talk to Alyx Parks — fly fishing guide, TV host, career coach, photographer, professor, and the self-proclaimed “girl who falls in frog ponds”.

For most of us, the idea of creating a career out of what we love is a promise we gave up on long ago. But Alyx is living proof it can be done. And she’s here to show us it’s not too late to shape a career — and a life — that actually feels like you.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of conviction over confidence, how to answer, “what do you do?” in a way that makes people pay attention, and her lessons from the river that guide her work and her life. We also dive into burnout, imposter syndrome, personal branding, and why we need to rethink our Mondays.

If you’ve ever felt like your job no longer fits, or maybe that you’re running out of time to finally find a career that suits you, this conversation is for you.

Please enjoy, Alyx Parks.

Key Takeaways:

• Conviction over confidence: You don’t need to feel confident to move forward — just have conviction in who you are and what lights you up. The confidence will follow.
• “I’m the girl who falls in frog ponds”: Alyx shares how reframing the way you introduce yourself can open doors and make people truly listen.
• The 'why tree' exercise: A powerful way to go deeper into your values and passions to build a more authentic personal brand — from the inside out.
• Say “okay,” not “yes”: You don’t need to feel 100% ready. Just be open. A lot of Alyx’s best adventures began with an “okay, I’ll try.”
• Lessons from the river: Fly fishing is full of metaphors — about uncertainty, learning by doing, casting even when you can’t see what’s under the surface.
• The power of “Mediocre Mondays”: You don’t have to crush it every Monday. Permission to show up as you are and reset.
• We only accept the love we think we deserve: A beautiful reminder to stop pushing away compliments and start seeing yourself the way others already do.
• You are the bubble: We often chase a feeling of safety, energy, or connection — but that feeling can come from you. Let people into your world.

Links and Resources:

Alyx on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyxparks/

Alyx’s website: https://www.ontarioflygirl.com/

Alyx on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontarioflygirl/?hl=en

Alyx on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2DJldSE7hhQTU8rjNHeYw

Connect with Bob Mathers

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Today we talk to Mike Michalowicz, bestselling author of Profit First, a revolutionary system implemented by over a million companies around the world to make profit a habit, not a year-end event. As Mike puts it, the entrepreneurial dream of working for yourself, working as much as you want, having complete freedom - it’s a myth for most people. Most business owners I know are stressed out, working their asses off and barely getting by. That was Mike too, so he decided to start writing about it. And that was 10 books ago.

So I’ve got a confession to make. This episode was a bit of a test, a challenge to myself. I was curious…can I make a conversation about finance interesting? What could we possibly say that hasn’t been said? Well, if you know Mike you know I had nothing to worry about. This was one of the most fun conversations I’ve ever had. Mike’s got a story for everything, including the financial rock bottom that inspired his new book, The Money Habit.

I’ve never been great with money, and I know I’ve left a lot of it on the table. As I near what most people call retirement, that’s starting to concern me more than it used to. But honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started. So sure, I could have used this conversation 20 years ago. But it’s also just what I need, right now.

If you’re struggling to make your business work for you, or maybe you want to hear about how someone writes 10 best selling books about something no one wants to talk about - this one’s for you.

Please enjoy, Mike Michalowicz.

Key Takeaways

Entrepreneurial Poverty is Real: Mike defines it as the painful gap between the outward appearance of success and the inner financial struggle many entrepreneurs face. His mission is to eradicate it.

Profit First Philosophy: Instead of treating profit as what’s left over, take it first. The formula changes from Revenue – Expenses = Profit to Revenue – Profit = Expenses. It’s a mindset—and a habit—that shifts everything.

Behavioral Triggers > Discipline: Mike shares how behavioral psychology plays a huge role in money management, and why creating systems (like putting sneakers on the toilet seat) work better than relying on willpower.

Multiple Bank Accounts = Clarity: Whether for your business or personal life, setting up separate bank accounts for different purposes helps remove emotion from financial decisions and creates instant visibility.

Your Business Shouldn’t Depend on You: The entrepreneur’s job isn’t to do the work, but to create jobs. If you're doing everything yourself, you’re stealing an opportunity from someone else—and setting yourself up for burnout.

Build Wealth at Home, Too: The Profit First system isn’t just for business. Mike adapted it for personal finances after realizing he was profitable in his company, but still living paycheck to paycheck at home.

The Power of Starting Small: Mike encourages listeners to take one simple step—open a new bank account and start moving money into it weekly for the thing that causes the most financial stress. That clarity creates momentum.

It’s Never Too Late: Whether you’re 25 or 55, building better financial habits now will absolutely change your future. As Mike says: “Profit is not an event. It’s a habit.”

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Links and Resources

Website

YouTube

LinkedIn

Instagram