A Level Deeper

When can I retire?

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Ah, retirement. How we view it and the way we plan for it (or don't) can have a really big impact on our working lives. In this final episode of the series, we'll hear from:
- Demetrice Dawkins, a financial advisor, to understand the basic mechanics of retirement
- Adam Harper, someone who retired at 37, who tells us if it was all worth it
- Gail Goodman, someone who is beyond typical retirement age and still working, who shares how she's built a career doing work she loves

Our financial lives play a big role in our views toward work so I hope this episode makes you think a bit about your future so you can intentionally build a meaningful life NOW and whenever you reach your desired retirement age (or not).

This podcast has no advertisers. It's funded by support from listeners, like you. Consider supporting the show and meaningful conversations (like this one) by leaving a donation here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chadmmiles

Follow along and join the conversation on Instagram @aleveldeeper and email me directly at aleveldeeperpod@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Should I pursue passion or money at work?

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 02:00:00 -0500

One of the most asked questions when it come to work is about money or passion—which one should be prioritized? In this episode, we'll seek to gain some perspectives on that question. Listen to my conversations with Brittany Denam and Ryan Monte as they reflect on their experiences on both sides of this coin and share how different events and experiences have changed the way they view work. I also talk to Nicholas Butler, an American who is now living and working in Japan who shares how the work culture in Japan differs from the United States.

I'm Good at Being Outside with Professional Backpacking Guide Chris Young

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 02:00:00 -0500

Chris Young is a professional backpacking guide located in Arizona. Didn't know that was a legit career path? Yeah, me neither... and it's awesome. Chris shares the story of how his professional came to be and like most stories we uncover on this show, it's one packed with tons of substance, hardships, and meaningful life lessons. Find Chris on Instagram @foreveryoungsadventures.

Note: We have an open and honest conversation about suicide in this episode. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please text or call 988 to receive help.

A 2,650 Mile Journey to Self-Belief with Dedra Janvier

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Dedra Janvier just spent Summer 2024 hiking 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail—alone. In this episode, we go inside Dedra's 5+ month experience hiking on the trail and all the things she encountered and had to overcome along this incredible journey. Be careful, this one might just leave you inspired to go conquer all of your dreams.

Follow Dedra's journey:
Instagram
YouTube

Should I quit my job?

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 02:00:00 -0500

It feels impossible to do a series about work and not look at the question: Should I quit my job? It’s a question that keeps coming up in different ways, for different reasons, and if you’re tuning in, maybe it’s one you’ve been asking yourself, too.

In this episode, we'll try to look at this question from different angles and hopefully make it more approachable. We’ll unpack those nagging doubts, explore what’s truly fueling that itch to leave, and dive into what holds us back from making bold changes.

Included in this episode is another conversation with Career Coach, Gina Marotta and a snippet from my discussion with my friend, Renee Chevrier, which was recorded just one week after Renee made a pivotal decision to leave her full-time job and take a jump into the unknown.

A Good Teacher is an Amazing Asset with Roy Webb

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 02:00:00 -0400

After 34 years in the military and 18 years in the education system, Roy Webb tried to hang it up and enjoy his retirement. Key word: tried. In his retirement, Roy has been a volunteer, a bus driver, a blackjack dealer, and more. What Roy has found in his retirement is that there's incredible value in community and he's returned to the community he loves to give back in some incredible ways.

This is a conversation about service, respect, decision-making, disagreement and so many more things that make us fundamentally human. Heck, you'd practically have to not be one not to enjoy it... Here's my conversation with Roy Webb.

Should I try turn my passion or hobby into my career?

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 02:00:00 -0400

You know the advice, "follow your passion" or "if you are passionate about it, you'll never work a day in your life"... is that good advice? Should we try to turn the things we are passionate about or our hobbies into our work?

Today, I'm excited to share conversations with people on both sides of that equation. Alyssa is a former advertising professional who turned her passion for community service into a budding career in the social impact space. We talk about her career path and decision-making process along the way and Alyssa shares lessons she's learned for someone wanting to do the same thing.

On the other hand, Aaron is a welder who tried to turn his passion for creating metal art into a career. Aaron shares his story of how the pressure of making money had a negative effect on something he loved doing for fun and for the sake of creativity. Likewise, Aaron shares his wisdom and advice from his experiences.

My hope is that their stories and perspectives help you think more about your relationship with work and find some more clarity on the answer to the question: "Should I try to turn my passion into my career?"

How do I create a better relationship to my work?

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 02:00:00 -0400

You grow up, go to school, start your career, work for 40 years, and retire as soon as possible, right? For decades, that seems like it's been the path that so many of us are prescribed to follow. What if there's a different path? Today, I chat with a couple of coaches, Gina Marotta and Mitchell Martin, who work with people to navigate their careers and their relationships to work.

I ask them questions like:
- Why do so many people struggle with their relationship to their work?
- How did this work environment come to be?
- What can we do to improve our relationship to our work?

As we start this series, I hope we can all explore our relationship to work and start to ask some questions to make it as meaningful as possible.

Connect with Gina
Website: https://www.ginamarotta.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginamarotta

Connect with Mitchell
Website: https://stan.store/mitchellleema
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellleema/

Series Trailer: What Are We Working For?

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 02:00:00 -0400

It’s estimated you’ll spend roughly 90,000 hours working in your lifetime. That’s 1/3 of your entire life. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably asked, “What am I working for?”

Maybe you’ve thought about quitting your job, changing careers, altering your relationship to work, or trying not to let your work rule your life. If that’s the case, this series is for you.

In this series, we’ll explore some of the biggest questions and topics behind our working lives. Things like:

What led to this work-obsessed culture being created in the first place?
Do other countries view work the same way we do in America?
Should my work make me happy? Or just make me money?
Should I quit my job?
Should I turn my passion into my career?
What do I want retirement to look like?

In the upcoming episodes, I’ll chat with experts, coaches, and everyday people who share their unique stories and perspectives on work.

Through their perspectives and stories, I hope we’ll all gain clarity on how we want our work to fit into our lives and figure out what we're working for.

The series starts Tuesday, October 15th, only on A Level Deeper Podcast.

You Can't Edit a Blank Page with Alyssa LaHaie

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Alyssa LaHaie is an author and, if you ask her, it still feels weird to say that. Alyssa recently completed her first novel ahead of her 30th birthday and is in the process of trying to get it published.

This episode is about pursuing a dream, overcoming self-doubt, finding creativity and motivation, and pushing past what other people might think of you for trying something new.

It's one of those conversations that's about writing a book and yet it's not about writing a book, if you know what I mean. I hope you find it meaningful, I sure did.

Change How You Experience Light and Change Your Life with Mitchell Martin

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Mitchell Martin is a former Chiropractor who now lives in Puerto Rico and serves as a men's coach and liberation guide. Liberation from what? Well, addictions, generational patterns, harmful habits, and so much more. Mitchell shared his perspective on what it takes to build a life with more ease—and why to stop asking "How?". We talk about light—both how to harness it to benefit your life and how to separate yourself from harmful light that can lead to negative side effects. It's an insightful one and I guarantee you, it's going to leave you thinking about some things. Enjoy!

Follow Mitchell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellleema/
Visit Mitchell's Store: https://stan.store/mitchellleema

I'm moving to Alaska for the winter. Here's why.

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Everyone dreams of spending their winter in Alaska, right? Well, folks, it's true. After spending the summer in the 49th state, Eileen and I will be calling Alaska home for the next 7 months and experiencing our first winter here.

Today, I'll answer questions like: are we insane? I'll rewind our Alaskan adventure and take you through what made us decide to stay here for the winter. We'll talk through the fears, concerns, and exciting things that winter in AK brings as well as talk about the thing that put us over the edge (it's a feeling I think we should all pay close attention to) to decide to stay.

Grab a hot cocoa and a mood light, we're staying in Alaska for the winter. Here's the story.

"Healing is not fun, it's hard" - Why the World Needs Radical Healing with Men's Coach, Robert Joseph

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Healing may not be easy, but it's a journey my guest, Robert Joseph, believes is necessary for so many of us to connect to our truest selves—and something greater. A cybersecurity salesman by day and a spiritual guide, healer, and men's coach by night, Robert shares how both of these things co-exist and complement one another.

Robert pulls back the curtain on his own healing journey—a journey that has become the foundation of his coaching work and the experiences that have shaped his clear message that the world needs healing today more than ever. Robert walks us through how that healing journey starts, what it looks like, and how God fits into the picture and leaves us with a hopeful view of what lies ahead.

Find Robert on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjcoachingnyc
Visit his website: https://www.robertjosephcoaching.com/

Live and Love Boldly: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Nick Mundy

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 02:00:00 -0400

The world lost a bright light when we lost our friend, Nick Mundy—he had been valiantly fighting cancer for many years. Nick joined me on the show in the fall of 2023 and I was immediately struck by his story, perspectives, and message to "Live and Love Boldly".

This episode is dedicated to Nick. I felt compelled to re-share our conversation because I believe we can all benefit from hearing Nick's story and message one more time. I hope it honors his legacy and acts like a gentle hug to all those who knew him, respected him, and loved him.

I asked you, the listener and Nick's community, to share a message or story about Nick and I've included all of your messages at the end of this episode.

Rest in peace, Nick Mundy.

Oh The Places You'll Go (Outwardly and Inwardly) with Jenni Adishian

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Jenni Adishian would prefer you ask her about WHO she is, not what she does for a living. Sure, partly because she's changed the path of her professional course a few times, but mostly because she doesn't want to continue to place labels and bounds on herself around the person she is and the things she does.

Much like me, Jenni has spent much the last few years traveling in vans and planes and trains in many foreign places. How does she decide where she's going? Well, I'll let her explain that one. This conversation is full of insightful reflections on identity, the value of travel, making meaningful change, and the power of voice.

Follow Jenni on Instagram: @jennifer.adishian
Check out Jenni's Website: www.jenniferadishian.com

If Your Life Was a Movie... What Kind of Movie Are You Making? with Nakee Butter's Steffani Traskos

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 02:00:00 -0400

If it takes two to tango, well, it can also take two to start and run a successful business for 9 years. Today, I'm joined by Steffani Traskos who serves as the other half of the leadership of Nakee Butter, the company that Evan Weber (last week's guest) started 9 years ago. Steffani called her own shot by asking to join Evan in the business soon after it started and has been with him ever since.

In this episode, Steffani shares her views on passion within work and how to know when that passion may be dwindling or running out—and what to do about it. We talk about the element of choice and how it easy it is to forget and Steffani shares how thinking of her life like a movie helps her lead a life she loves living.

The Realities of the Entrepreneur's Journey with Nakee Butter Founder, Evan Weber

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Ah, happiness. It seems like we're all seeking it and yet how often are we really aware of if we have it or why we don't? Today, I'm joined by the founder of a product called Nakee Butter, Evan Weber. Nakee Butter is a spread with benefits—think of something like peanut butter but even more delicious and infused with superfoods.

In our conversation, Evan takes an honest look at the question, "Are you happy?". We walk back to the story of why he started Nakee Butter in the first place and connect back to his "why" and intentions for starting this business. Also, Evan fills me in on why body builders are always all tan and oily... in case you've also wondered. 😅 It's an honest and reflection conversation I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Find Nakee Butter: https://nakee.co/
Follow Evan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evan.weber/

We Are the Men Podcast with Chad Miles

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Hey folks, this week I'm sharing a conversation I had with guest and friend of the show, Angelo Santiago, on his podcast, We Are the Men.

This episode was first published on his show under the title: A Meaningful Life through Deep Conversations with Chad Miles.

On the show, we talked about this podcast, why I started it, and some of the things I've observed and learned about people from hosting nearly 50 conversations. We also talk about the saying I like to use "whatever you do in life, make it meaningful" and I share the story of where it came from and how I have definitely not always viewed life that way. Lastly, Angleo asked me about my relationship with Eileen and what it's been like for us to live in the van together for 2+ years as we build businesses and navigate being husband and wife.

It was a great conversation, I hope you enjoy and if you do, be sure to check out Angelo's show, We Are the Men.

Find Angelo's Show: https://www.wearethemen.com/podcasts/we-are-the-men-podcast

He Retired at 38 and Moved to Costa Rica—was it all worth it? with Adam Harper

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 02:00:00 -0400

What are you willing to sacrifice in order to make a retirement dream a reality? My guest, Adam Harper retired at 38 years old and now lives in Costa Rica with his wife and children.

In this episode, Adam shares his journey of going from a teen who lacked confidence and direction to the retired man practicing surfing and dedicating time with his family. We talk about the mindsets that lead to achieving goals like retiring early, some of the costs and sacrifices that have to be made, and Adam answers my question as to if it was all worth it.

How to Build A Life You Love

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Creating a meaningful life does not happen by accident. I believe that creating a life you love living is a very intentional act. Recently, I've been finding myself reflecting and feeling immensely grateful for the unique life I'm living and, my friend, I believe that's possible for you too.

So today, I want to share my recipe for a meaningful life. Using some of my own stories as an example, I'll share the blueprint I've used to make decisions like leaving jobs, starting businesses, building a camper van, and traveling full-time for the last two years. I'll share my formula that you can use to identify what your most meaningful life looks like and share a simple mindset shift you can make RIGHT NOW to take the first step toward making that a reality.

Whatever you do in life, I hope you make it meaningful.

Misconceptions About Enneagram & The Path to Re-Discover Your True Self with Jill Bourbonais

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:00:00 -0400

When you think about your most true self, what comes to mind? Maybe it's the goofy, quirky, child you remember being growing up or the artist or creator you've once been in your life. And how is that version of you different than how you find yourself showing up now?

I'm joined by Jill Bourbonais, an IFS-informed enneagram coach who works with clients to help them understand and honor their many different parts and get in touch with their true selves.

In this conversation, we talk about:
- What is the true self, how do we find it, and how do we know when we're living as our true selves?
- What are IFS and parts work and what can we learn from it?
- What is enneagram and how can it help us on the journey to rediscovering our true selves?
- The power of curiosity and the one thing that cannot co-exist with curiosity
- Jill's personal journey to having her insides match her outsides and how that process informed her learning and growth journey

Jill's Website: https://www.jillthehuman.com/
Jill's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillthehuman__/

Learn more about enneagram: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions/

The Men's Doctor: There's Things Pills Can't Solve & Why We're Afraid of the Doctor's Office with Dr. Jonathan Brajtbord

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Dr. Jonathan Brajtbord is a board-certified Urologist, integrative physician, and men's lifestyle expert—and he lives on a 24-acre farm outside of Boston, MA. How cool is that combo? In this conversation, Dr. Jonathan and I talk about his path to becoming a doctor and why, of all fields, he chose to become a urologist (his answer makes so much sense).

We talk about Dr. Jonathan's human-centered approach to working with patients and how it feels so different than the typical doctor's office visit. Lastly, Jonathan explains how he's gone about adding depth to his relationships (like with his father) and walks us through how to begin creating more deep and fulfilling relationships with people around us.

Connect with Dr. Jonathan
Website: https://www.jonathanbrajtbord.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanbrajtbord

Signs You Might Be in a Toxic Relationship (and What to Do About It) with Bre Wolta

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Bre Wolta, a relationship clarity coach, dropped by the studio (its virtual) to chat about how to identify toxicity in relationships and more importantly, how to get out of those situations and into healthy ones.

We talk about Bre’s story of starting to accept who she is and how we can all use re-parenting and parts work to bring a never level of acceptance towards ourselves. Then, we dive into a toxic relationship that Bre was in, what it looked like, the toll it took, and ultimately how she left and created a new reality for herself and how you can too.

Don’t worry, we end as a positive note as we talk about what healthy relationships look like and I make my case for the guys out there doing the work!

How to Start Thinking For Yourself with Men's Coach & Dentist, Miles Santo

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Miles Santo is a Dentist and a Men's Coach - an intriguing combo, isn't it? We talk about that. We also talk about the idea of thinking for yourself—why don't most people do it and if that's the case, where do we start?

Miles takes us back into his journey of choosing a career path following in his father's footsteps, what happened when he got small glimpses of thinking for himself, and how it led him to a place where he started to make some radical decisions in his life to operate in a whole new way.

Miles has some compelling messages around inner work, showing up our best selves, and expressing ourselves in a way that feels true to our inner nature. I hope you tune in and enjoy!

Follow Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miles_santo/

650 Miles to Loneliness with Christine Reed

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Christine Reed is a thru-hiker, author, adventurer, and storyteller at heart. This conversation was a blast as Christine and I jammed about sharing our stories and the properties of effective storytelling. We talked about the idea of forcing our creation to become something that makes money and how Christine ended up as an author (she didn't even like writing). Lastly, Christine takes us through what hiking 650 miles is like and why the heck she takes on challenges like the Appalachian Trail, and how it's inspired the books she's written. It's all ahead, I hope you enjoy!

Find Christine's Books and More: https://www.ruggedoutdoorswoman.com

Seeing More Yellow with Dave Resseguie

Tue, 28 May 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Dave Resseguie is a Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Entrepreneur, Father, and person full of immense gratitude. I first met Dave at an event where he was delivering a speech and was instantly captivated by his ability to use emotion and storytelling to communicate his ideas. Each time I've connected with Dave since, it's been full of meaningful conversations and moments.

This conversation was no different. Dave talks us through his idea of The Blended Life and how we can apply the idea to create a sense of rhythm in our lives. We talk about the role of gratitude and especially the importance of reflecting back on the things we can rejoice about. We also talk about life decisions like moving to a new state, showing emotion in front of kids, and so much more.

Dave’s Blended Life Video
Dave’s Yellow Car Video

Visit Dave’s Website
Find Dave on LinkedIn

Who Are You Willing to Disappoint? with Rebecca Berg

Tue, 21 May 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Rebecca Berg is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist and founder of No Strings Nutrition—and if you think you know what a registered dietician does, tune in because you might be surprised. In this episode, Rebecca and I explore the human relationship to food and Rebecca shares her journey of how her relationship with food impacted her life and what she learned from that experience that she now applies to her clients.

This episode is filled with meaning as we talk about disappointment, autonomy, entrepreneurship, exploring the extremeness, and embracing the opportunity to do things your own way.

Owning Your Experience with Angelo Santiago

Tue, 14 May 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Angelo Santiago is a men's coach and founder of We Are the Men—a men's coaching and development brand and podcast. In today's episode, Angelo takes us through his own powerful story about avoiding his feelings and bottling things up and the thing that finally sparked a radical change in his life. We open the conversation by "walking the walk" by sharing something we are each struggling with—what a way to start the show!

I loved the parts of the episode where I ask Angelo about the intentionality behind his verbiage which led to us talking about the importance of owning our own experiences and speaking from a place of opportunity. Don't miss the end where Angelo shares his message to the women out there who believe their partner might benefit from doing some of the work we talk about in this episode. Enjoy!

Taking Agency Over Your Life & Health with Safia Fitzpatrick

Tue, 07 May 2024 02:00:00 -0400

My friend, meet Safia Fitzpatrick. 🤝 Safia is a cancer survivor, fighter, inspiration, women's health advocate, Mom, teacher, and that's really just scratching the surface.

In this episode, Safia and I talk about the importance of speaking openly about subjects that seem to be taboo... our health and wellness can often be one of those topics. Safia shares her story of losing her mother to cancer, the profound impact that had on her life, and how that started her on her own health journey.

We talk about taking agency over our bodies and our health and Safia reminds me of how if we don't seek to understand our bodies or health issues, those things start taking control of our lives.

I hope this episode serves as a reminder for you (as it did for me) that our health is the most important thing we have. Enjoy my conversation with Safia!

Why Alignment Comes Before Achievement with Taylor Mae

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0400

So.... I went skydiving. This episode isn't about skydiving, but it is about alignment and being confident in that alignment so we can move past the fear of judgment and perception of others. And that practice led me to choose to skydive (more in the episode).

My guest today is Taylor Mae. Taylor is a founder, coach, speaker, and host of the Align to Achieve podcast. More than that, she's a deep thinker and reflector—which made this conversation a fun and philosophical one. Taylor and I talk about this idea of alignment that's core to her coaching work... What is it? How do we know if we have it? How do we find it if we don't? And in a world that is so achievement-focused, we talk about why alignment is the important first step so that we can achieve more of the RIGHT things.

Listen to Align to Achieve and learn more about Taylor's coaching: https://www.alignachieve.com/

A Different Approach to Raising & Educating Kids: Unschooling with Nicole Rall

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Nicole Rall (Mom, entrepreneur, homeschooler, homesteader) joins me for a fascinating discussion on, well, learning. We chat about how we best learn as kids, some of the interesting side effects of the standardized school system, why she chose to homeschool (and not your typical homeschooling) her kids, and the things we aspire to continue learning in our everyday lives and passing onto those around us.

Wait till you hear Nicole's story of taking her three girls under the age of ten to work with her at a photoshoot - how do you think that went? We also talk about the power of dropping labels like "aspiring" or "wanna be" and embracing the actions we are taking to become the things we want in life.

This was a fun and insightful convo and I hope you enjoy it!

Upgrading Your Human Operating System with Nate Langley

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Nate Langley joins me on the show again (filmed in the red rocks of Sedona, AZ) to talk about making some updates to our human operating systems. Nate was the first guest I ever had on the show and since our last conversation, he's been on an interesting path as he's become a Transformation Coach and also a Certified Breathwork Facilitator.

Nate and I talk about the most common things that Nate helps people overcome in his coaching work (like how to view ourselves related to our goals), why this idea of making operating system updates makes so much sense and what updates you might want to consider on your journey to being your best self, and we discuss the power of the breath as we dive into a recent breathwork ceremony Nate led for me and some friends.

Follow Nate on Instagram @gettingtherenate

Failure is Not the End with Kendra Neal

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Kendra Neal is an artist, entrepreneur, business owner, and trailblazer. She currently owns and operates Kendra Neal Studio, a multi-state permanent makeup studio, with her husband, Shane. My friends, this ain't a conversation about makeup (although we talk about beauty standards at the end). It's a conversation about forging a new path, exploring the extremes to find balance, challenging ourselves to step into new versions of ourselves, and navigating all of the things that happen along the way.

Kendra shares her story of taking a different path from her peers and choosing to forgo college to continue working on the beauty business she started in high school. We dive deeper into that decision and the many more decisions that have led her to grow a thriving business and become known in the permanent makeup industry.

Find KNS: https://www.kendranealstudio.com/
Follow Kendra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendra.neal.studio/

Learning to Trust Yourself with Danielle Boquette (Mrs. B)

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Danielle Boquette (Mrs. B) is an author, podcast host, and well, another human being who has experienced a lot in life and believes we all have the opportunity to pursue a life of meaning. She's the author of Note to Self, her first book, and also the host of the With Mrs. B podcast where she shares some of those notes to herself and others about healing, growth, personal development and so much more.

In this conversation, Danielle and I talk a lot about the idea of trusting ourselves... what does it mean? Why don't we do it more? And how do we develop more of that trust with ourselves? Danielle shares some of the internal work she is currently doing to explore living her best and most meaningful life and we talk about why so many of us are so resistant to taking the journey to go deep to understand ourselves.

Danielle's Book: Note to Self: Life Truths + Self Reflection
Danielle's Podcast: With Mrs. B

The Hard Truths About Thinking Gray in a Black-and-White World with Mike Erwin

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Mike Erwin is the Co-Founder of The Positivity Project, the founder of Team Red, White & Blue, the Co-Founder & Chairman of Father Capodanno HS, he's a 2x published author of Leadership is a Relationship and Lead Yourself First, and he serves as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Oh yeah, he also lives on a 32-acre homestead & farm in North Carolina that he and his family operate called Grace + Glory Farms.

Mike was gracious enough to join me on the show and get philosophical about things like success, thinking gray in a black-and-white world, and pursuing a meaningful life based on your first principles. Since you're open to listening to this show, I've gotta imagine you are a gray thinker and open to new perspectives and ideas, so I think you're going to gain some helpful nuggets from this conversation to help you better make sense of your life and the world.

Question of the Week: What does Mike's quote "life is a thinking person's game" mean to you?

Join the conversation on Instagram @chadmmiles or send me an email chadmmiles@live.com.

Mike's Books
Leadership is a Relationship
Lead Yourself First

Things Mike's Involved In
The Positivity Project
Team Red, White & Blue
Father Capodanno HS
Character and Leadership Center

Find Mike on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram

Making Complex Things Simple with Timmie Mirza

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Timmie Mirza is a tech entrepreneur, coach, mother, Pakistani immigrant, and someone who has a unique ability to make complex things simple. She's passionate, brave, confident, insightful, and so much more.

In this episode, Timmie and I talk about our definitions of failure and why it's so important to examine that definition for yourself. We discuss her entrepreneurship story and how she works with her clients to make things simple related to their tech, their business, and the direction they are headed. Lastly, we talk about the insights and lessons she's gained from her experience immigrating to the US from Pakistan when she was 18 and how it's instilled so many things in her that have served her later in life.

I had some tech issues post-recording, so if this episode sounds a little off, that's why.

No Thanks to Small Talk with Anna Okerhjelm

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0400

Anna Okerhjelm currently serves as the Studio Director at Pophouse, an interior design agency headquartered in Detroit, MI. Her professional work is definitely something she's proud of and yet that's only a small slice of the pie that represents who Anna is as a person.

Ahead on this episode, Anna takes us through the experience of existing within spaces that she's designed and I learn that there's wayyyyy more that goes into designing a space like an office or hotel than I ever imagined.

Anna walks us back in her story and talks about how a relationship brought her to the City of Detroit (against the recommendations of people close to her) and how that transition impacted the rest of her life. Anna shares her story of losing her partner unexpectedly at a young age and walks us through her experience with infertility which taught her some valuable lessons about control and design (ironic, right?)

It's all ahead, I hope you enjoy!

Find Pophouse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pophousedesign/?hl=en
Visit the Pophouse Website: https://pophouse.design/

Writing the Next Chapter with Brian Rogers

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0500

If you were to name this current chapter of your life, what would it be? Spoiler alert, that happens to be the first question that I asked Brian Rogers in this conversation, and while it may be a simple question, it leads to some not-so-simple answers.

Before this chapter in life, Brian had to endure previous chapters that included things like a nearly fatal car crash, a decade of pain, a struggle with opioids, and the discovery of hobbies that led to more like spin classes and yoga. This conversation served as another powerful reminder of the fact that you just never know what someone has gone through to be where they are today and I know you'll take a thing or two away from Brian's story.

Connect with Brian on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brianrogers1/
Take one of Brian's Yoga Classes (In the Metro-Detroit area): https://www.brightonyogacenter.com/

Inside the Show: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Frankly, this episode was not supposed to be this way. This episode was supposed to be a couple of interviews with guests that had to be postponed and then it was supposed to be a meaningful conversation with my wife, Eileen, which did happen but was not recorded due to a technical issue. So, what does leave us with?

Well, it leaves us with a conversation between Eileen and me reflecting on all of this and what we can learn from situations where things don't go our way. In this conversation, go inside the show to learn more about Eileen and me and our unique lifestyle living in a van, why I started this show and what keeps me going, the story of an episode that was never published, and insights and reflections on the many lessons learned along the way.

I'll be back next week with a return to our regularly scheduled events.

Follow Eileen and I's van life adventure on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilesvanlife/

Measuring Your Impact with Tanner Olson

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Tanner Olson is a poet, writer, podcaster, speaker, coach, husband, man of faith, entrepreneur, and a heck of a lot of other things. Tanner answered an invitation to become a writer 11 years ago and has now spent the last few years writing and sharing his words and ideas as a full-time career.

In this conversation, Tanner and I talk about:
- The idea of surrendering control over the outcome of the things we create
- How to overcome the creative gap and overcome through creating bad stuff
- The first thing Tanner wrote and his journey to pursuing writing as a career
- The RIGHT and WRONG ways to try to measure your impact as a creator
- Understanding when to lean into logic vs emotion
- The word people who want to start something new need to drop from their vocab because it's holding them back
- The important role Tanner's faith plays in his creative process and what he chooses to pursue in his life
and so much more.

Find Tanner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writtentospeak/
Visit Tanner's Website: https://www.writtentospeak.com/

The Courageous Decision to Embrace Yourself with Eric Pothen

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Eric Pothen has made a series of courageous decisions in his life and those decisions have each taken him further down the route of learning to embrace himself more fully. Eric is an eating disorder recovery coach, life coach, and the host of the podcast, Embracing You.

In this episode, Eric shares the stories and experiences that led him down the route of becoming a coach and starting his show. He talks about the experience of embracing his own sexuality and eating disorder and what it was like to begin to communicate those things externally. Eric and I have a powerful conversation about why topics like eating disorders seem taboo amongst men and how men can bring those conversations and so many more important ones into their interactions.

Find Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epothen/
Listen to Eric's Podcast, Embracing You: https://embracingyou.podbean.com/

Protecting Our Solutions with Katy Turner

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Chef Katy Turner says people see her life and sometimes believe she has taken some "wrong paths", but she doesn't see it that way. From serving in the military, battling with an eating disorder, overcoming alcohol addiction, becoming a chef, and everything in between, Katy's choices have been intentional. As she says, "I'm a person of principle."

In this episode, Katy and I explore what being a person of principle has meant to her and how that outlook has led to her recent chapter of becoming a chef and trying to find ways to make food more available to children in communities of need. Katy tells us her story of spending much of her life "protecting her solutions" and what it's taken to finally tell the truth to fuel her recovery journey. Stay till the end as Katy shares a powerful message on change that I think you'll want to hear.

Find Katy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkatydturner/
Connect with MyWhy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mywhy45203/

Creating Space and Spaces for People to Flourish with Liv Monte

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Liv Monte is a multi-passionate creative focusing on art, interior design, web design, social media, video production, and more. She also manages a yoga studio in Brighton, MI called The Space and has played an instrumental role in crafting unique and meaningful experiences for members for the last 7 years since the studio's opening.

In this conversation, Liv shares the story of taking a different path in her life when she pursued yoga teacher training and how that led to the most fulfilling work of her life. We talk about the power of being seen and what it actually looks like and feels like to see someone and create space for them to shine. Lastly, we talk about The Space yoga studio and how Liv and Kelli McMullen (previous podcast guest) have gone about creating a passionate community of supporters and Liv takes us behind the scenes of the next transition The Space is undergoing as they move to a new, larger location.

Learn about The Space: https://discoverthespace.com/
Find Liv on Instagram: @livymonte

A Conversation With My Mom - Finding Blessings in the Pain with Lisa Miles

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Folks, today I have the honor of sharing a conversation I sat down and recorded with my Mom, Lisa Miles. But why might you, my friend, be interested in a conversation with my Mother?

Well, because my Mom is a really remarkable woman and her perspectives and insights have had an incredible effect on my life and maybe, after listening, they could have an incredible effect on yours too.

In this episode, we talk about parenting and the angst of not knowing if the decisions you make toward raising your kids is going to work out the way you hoped. We chat about why my Mom has chosen to be one of my biggest support systems and always encourages me to pursue my dreams - no matter how farfetched they are and how many times I ask to live in her basement. Lastly, we talk about the experience of losing my Dad and how that impacted my Mom and our family and the unexpected blessings it's brought to our lives.

I hope you enjoy this conversation even half as much as I did because I enjoyed it a lot.

Stop Overlooking Your Gifts with PJ Jenkins Jr.

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0500

If you ask PJ Jenkins Jr., "What do you do?", he'll tell you he's a Dad. A Dad that happens to do some other cool things on the side. Some of those cool things include being an entrepreneur, operating construction and design companies, being a coach, an author, and so much more.

Today, PJ talks through so many of the impactful lessons and mindsets he's adapted as he's gone from "being a character" in his own life to approaching his life with meaning and intention.

During our conversation, PJ and I talk about:
- How to shift your perspective on fear and why should consider keeping a fear journal
- Why you need to stop overlooking your gifts and how to own them
- The power of silence and what about can be so loud and profound
- Fatherhood and how PJ has navigated having two children nearly 20 years apart
- How creating things that you need to hear it the best strategy

And so much more.

Letting Go of Control with Producer Rachel Giordano

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Rachel Giordano otherwise known as "Producer Rachel" has been in the entertainment business for over 20 years. She began in TV with the "Barbara Walters Specials" and "The View" then went on to work for Walt Disney Feature Animation, Home Shopping Network, and iHeartMedia. She now owns her own boutique production company helping small businesses and entrepreneurs tell their stories via podcasts, YouTube and Social Media.

In this episode, Rachel and I talked about how Rachel's career as a producer has affected her need for control and how that's impacted her life. We talked about what happened as she started to answer the question "How are you?" honestly and how that led her to chart a new path in her life. Lastly, we had a great conversation about becoming a creator and how challenging it is to flip the camera and mic around on yourself.

Find Rachel:
https://www.instagram.com/producerrachelgiordano/
https://www.sandgmediagroup.com/

Understanding The Power of Positive Psychology & Serving Others with Jeremy Mitchell of The Positivity Project

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Jeremy Mitchell has built a career out of serving others in the US Army, in the classroom, as a school administrator, and now as an advocate for students in classrooms and his fellow veterans.

As a trainer for the Positivity Project, Jeremy helps educators bring the principles of positive psychology into their classrooms to help teach kids how to develop and understand their character strengths to build a brighter future for themselves and their classmates.

In this conversation, Jeremy shares why he decided to serve in the US Army, what he learned from that experience, and how his transition back to civilian life was. Jeremy shares what led him to leave a successful sales position to pursue a role in the schools and shares more on the impact and approach taken by the Positivity Project to bring social and emotional learning to kids at school.

Coaches Need Coaching Too with Katie Mann

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Katie Mann is a fitness and strength coach but that's only the chapter of her life she's living right now. During other chapters in her life, she was battling childhood cancer, a student and an aspiring dentist, and eventually a dental hygenist... all before she decided to make a jump and pursue a fitness career.

In this episode, Katie and I talk about the power of being seen and the moments in Katie's life when people saw her for her talents and abilities and the profound impact it had on Katie's life. We talk about Katie's process of making this change in her life and what signals she noticed that told her it was time. We talk about her role as a coach, what coaching means, and why coaches need coaches too. Lastly, we talk about being creators and the delicate process of finding peace between our passion for offering something to the world and wanting to see tangible results.

A Formula for Meaningful Interactions and Bringing Love into the Workplace with Kemper Sosa of Applied Fitness Solutions

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Kemper Sosa isn't your average fitness professional and gym owner and frankly, not your average person either. Kemper is on a mission to create more meaningful interactions inside of his gym and even more so outside of it - in all aspects of his life.

In this episode, Kemper and I talk about this idea of transcending transactions and the missing ingredient to bring more meaning into our everyday interactions. We have a fun conversation about the place of things like "emotion" and "love" in the business world and talk about how having difficult conversations is one of the ultimate expressions of that love. Lastly, we end with some discussion on creating meaningful change in our lives and Kemper flips the script and asks me a question or two. Enjoy!

Connect with Kemper on Facebook
Learn about his gym, Applied Fitness Solutions: https://4afsfit.com/

Re-Thinking Emotions & "Why Don't We Have Happiness Management?" with Psychotherapist, Julie Booksh

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Of course, you’ve heard of anger management, but why don’t we have something like happiness management?

My guest today, Julie Booksh, is a traditionally trained psychotherapist and counselor who shares her beliefs about the damaging ways we've been taught to view our emotions and the powerful impact those tendencies are having on our lives.

In our conversation, Julie shares her personal story of ‘going against the script’ she felt was written by people around her and shares how she started to explore and question the things in her life that led down this never-ending journey of personal development.
We also talk about the dangers of anger management, the importance of turning toward our emotions, and why learning about our emotional selves is so necessary and yet doesn’t seem to appear in any classrooms or textbooks.

Learn more about Julie: https://juliebooksh.com/

Live and Love Boldly: A Conversation of Healing and Hope with Nick Mundy

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

How well do you know the people around you? I mean, you might see their professional success, status, and how they present themselves and assume they are doing well...but maybe what they desire most, deep down, is for someone to really see them and see it's all a mask.

That was the case for my guest, Nick Mundy. After years of succeeding outwardly while secretly struggling with addiction and substance abuse, Nick decided he was going to do something differently and it's led to an incredible transformation.

In this episode, Nick and I talk about his road to recovery, how he's reinvented himself, why he's dedicated his life to coaching, and the ongoing work he's doing to show up as his best self to be ready for anything in life - like his most recent battle with cancer.

Learn more about Nick and his coaching: @thenickmundy on Instagram

Understanding Intuition: What It Is & How to Use It with Martha Arnett

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Martha Arnett is a traditionally trained psychotherapist who put a new spin on the way she supports her clients and their transformations that she now calls, Soul Coaching.

In this episode, Martha takes us deep into this idea of intuition. What is intuition? How does it help us? Why do we need it? How do we repair or develop our relationship with this sense of knowing that's inside us?

We explore how we are taught to think instead of feel and how our emotions and experiences can actually show up in our bodies in unexpected ways. Near the end of the episode, Martha actually leads me through an exercise live on the show where I examine a tense part of my body and develop a relationship with it to learn more about it.

You'll leave this episode with a more clear understanding of what intuition means and how to benefit from it.

Martha's Website: https://www.marthaarnett.com/

Nationally Recognized Designer Has an Important Message for Creatives with Allen Largin

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Allen Largin's Instagram bio reads "a little kid doing big kid things" and it couldn't be more fitting. After launching a career in footwear design after winning a national Nike design competition in high school, Allen wanted to see just how far his passion for design could take him. It took him around the country to places like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour before he had the unique opportunity to return home to Detroit, MI, and work under local billionaire, Dan Gilbert.

In this episode, Allen and I talk about the first time he was told his creative work simply wasn't good enough, we explore some important mindsets for creators like whose opinions matter and remembering why we create, and we talk about the many things happening in the city of Detroit and the role Allen gets to play in bringing new people, opportunities, and impact to the city.

Learning From Death and Igniting Self-Discovery with Latina Roggero

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Hey folks, in this episode I'm joined by Latina Roggero who started a radical journey of her own self-discovery and self-development after she experienced a difficult loss earlier this year. For Latina, this isn't the first encounter with death she's had.

In our conversation, Latina and I dive deep into death and the impact it has on us and the people we love most - including the positive things that death can bring to our lives. We talk about her faith, how sometimes faith and our beliefs can be challenged and how that’s actually ok, and lastly, we have a discussion on self-confidence and where Latina formed the belief that she is a winner no matter what other people think.

Making a Generational Impact with Kimberly Tessmer

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Kimberly Tessmer has held many professional titles in her life from saleswoman, agent, yoga instructor, Thai massage therapist, and much more. What struck me the most was her most recent role as a mentor.

In her newest chapter of mentoring and influencing black students around mental health, financial literacy, physical health, and so much more, Kimberly is coming up against new fears in her life.

In this episode, Kimberly and I talk about her upbringing and identity as an athlete and the impact it had on her life, dealing with the fear of not failure, but success, and how Kimberly is making an impact that will stretch many years down the line.

Couple's Therapist: "Conflict Is Inevitable But Pain Is Not" with Susie Kamen

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0400

On the show today, I'm joined by couples therapist, Susie Kamen. Susie isn't just any couples therapist though, she's Eileen and I's couple therapist. 😊 And just in case you're thinking this episode might not be for you, I'd encourage you to reconsider because the concepts covered can benefit anyone.

In the episode, Susie introduces a four-part framework on how to turn any difficult conversation into a productive one that you can apply to your marriage, your work, your family, or any other relationship. We also talk about why we would all benefit from embracing more improv in our lives and how to bring more empathy and curiosity into our everyday conversations.

It's Not About the Numbers with John Oliver

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I'm joined by maybe the most thoughtful and reflective financial advisor you've ever met, John Oliver. John and I go a level deeper into loss, forgiveness, the psychology of money, where people get stuck financially, and much more. John shares the one transformational word that he felt was sent to him after losing his father, the #1 thing people struggle to move past (but need to) to manage their money, and how we might use an agile mindset to effectively navigate just about anything in life.

Life is a Beautiful Conundrum with Kelli McMullen - Founder of The Space

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Today, Kelli McMullen and I go a level deeper into the fact that it's a beautiful conundrum that we can feel so confidently about things and yet face so much fear and disappointment at the same time.

6 years ago, Kelli opened her yoga studio, The Space, in Brighton, MI. On the show, we dive into her signature class, 'The Release', and explore the places of pain and chaos in her own life that led Kelli to create that class. We also talk about how important and challenging conflict is in our lives and the complicated relationship that exists with creating things and putting them out in the world.

My Story: The Inconvenience of Dreams

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Ah, yes, the host steps into the hot seat. On this episode, I'm sharing an interview I did with a mentor and friend, Manny Amezcua, from his podcast, At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua in April of 2022.

In our conversation, I'll take you down the wild journey I've been on since I experienced the most significant loss of my life when I was 17 years old. That journey involves quitting jobs, learning life lessons, cleaning toilets on the internet, making videos about jumping hurdles, building a campervan, and traveling the country. We dive into all of it in this conversation. I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you to Manny for sharing the episode with me. Be sure to check out and support his podcast, At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua:
https://linktr.ee/podium_podcast

Overcoming Failure and Diversifying Purpose with Jared Freeman

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Today, I’m joined by Jared Freeman as we dive a level deeper into failure. What is it? How do we define it? How does it change us and what does it teach us?

Jared was a man with a plan. He had a vision for his life and was accomplishing all of it… until something got in the way. In our conversation, Jared takes us into his journey of building a career in the fitness space and becoming a gym owner, what happened when that journey went awry, how he personally dealt with his forced change of plans, and what he’s learned from his experiences. Join a couple of dog Dads reflecting on life choices, identity, failure, and so much more.

**If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please know that help exists. Visit 988lifeline.org or dial 988 for the suicide and crisis hotline.

Why You Don't Want Overnight Success with Fleece and Thank You's Nicholas Kristock

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Today, Nicholas Kristock takes us a level deeper into finding his purpose in life and how he views success along the way. In this episode, Nick paints a clear picture of how he thinks the world ought to be that drives his daily actions, shares his international experiences that brought him clarity on his path in life, and shares his view on success that has contributed to 8 years building toward a single mission within his nonprofit.

You can connect with Nick and his organizations @fleeceandthankyou and @wearegratefulhumans.

She Recently Quit Her Full-Time Job (Without Knowing What's Next) with Renee Chevrier

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Renee Chevrier takes us a level deeper into making life changes and diving into the unknown. In this episode, Renee shares the one question that altered her life, why she decided to leave her job and career, and how she’s approaching this next chapter of her life. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing something different in your life, but found yourself afraid to take the leap - this episode is for you.

Follow Renee on Instagram: @rachevri

Is Love Supposed to Be Hard Work? Inside Our Marriage with Eileen Miles

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

On today's show, my wife, Eileen, and I go a level deeper into our relationship and our beliefs on what it takes to create a positive one. Eileen shares her perspective on individual therapy and our couples therapy experience, we talk about how we believe love requires hard work, and explore the similarities between our van life journey and how our relationship started— with a risk.

Find Eileen on Instagram: @eileenrosemiles

BONUS STORY: The Introduction That Changed My Life

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Some introductions will have a lasting impact. Others will completely alter the course of your life. That was my experience, anyway.

He Built a Large Social Media Following—At What Cost? with Paul Scheer

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Paul Scheer takes us a level deeper into the world of social media and the way we portray our lives online. In this episode, Paul and I chat about the positives and negatives of scrolling, why it's difficult to pursue a different path in life than people around us, and why mental health and therapy are challenging topics to talk about. If you want to be more intentional with your social media usage and contribute to a world where sharing we're not ok is ok, this episode is for you.

Oh, you can find the referenced video of me cleaning toilets here: https://youtu.be/DlIs84Vq0UQ

Find Paul on Instagram: @paulscheer_

Healing from Mold Toxicity & Mastering the Art of Noticing with Nate Langley

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Nate Langley takes us a level deeper into his radical journey of healing. We talk about Nate's experience of realizing he wasn't indestructible (despite his best efforts) and taking almost two years of his life to diagnose and treat an illness that had been quietly plaguing him for years. We dive into the armor we build as humans, the fear of taking a leap into the unknown, and explore how to become a master in the art of noticing.

Find Nate on Instagram: @gettingtherenate

Podcast Trailer: Welcome to A Level Deeper

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I'm tired of talking about the weather, sports, news, and politics. My name is Chad Miles, and welcome to my new podcast, A Level Deeper.

This is a show for the curious mind and deep thinker. We'll explore the human experience and have conversations about pain, identity, death, growth, joy, change, meaning, and all that comes with it. This is a show about questioning, exploring, challenging, and learning. Join me as we go a level deeper and share a laugh while doing it.

Be sure to subscribe wherever you are listening to get future episodes.