Good Life Stories

"Don't have to tell me to stay home. Don't have to tell me twice. I haven't been home in years."

Fresh from cancer treatment and nine years of military service, Matt Meyers returned to a family business he barely recognized. The 20-30 person operation he'd left in the late '90s had exploded to 180 employees—only to be gutted back to 55 in one devastating year.

In this episode of Good Life Stories, Matt shares the brutal reality of the post-deployment drawdown: four layoffs in twelve months at a company that had never laid off a si...

A routine chiropractor appointment. A swollen neck. An unprepared Air Force officer accidentally breaking the news: "They told you you got cancer and everything, right?"

Matt Meyers' cancer diagnosis came at the worst possible time—just home from his third deployment, with a newborn son and a wife he'd barely lived with over three years of marriage. But this is just one chapter in an extraordinary story that begins years earlier, when a decade-long friendship transformed into love during phone calls from Baghdad.

In this episode of Good Life Stories, Matt shares how he and Ni...

In this final episode with David Castillo, Tracy Crowley explores the personal philosophies and causes that drive this dedicated coach and community advocate. David opens up about his favorite quote—"Don't let perfection be the enemy of good"—and how it resonates differently at this stage of his life compared to his younger years.

The conversation touches on the challenge of reading people close to us versus strangers, with Tracy offering the insight that we often know our family members so well that we can tell their mood by their footsteps, while requiring more attention to understand othe...

What drives someone to send 14 letters asking to volunteer coach for free? David Castillo's coaching journey on Good Life Stories reveals how the mentors who filled gaps in his fatherless childhood inspired him to pour into the next generation. After a promising football career ended with a knee injury in his senior year, David found his true calling on the sidelines.

David's path from volunteer equipment manager to head coach spans 17 years and showcases both the rewards and challenges of high school coaching. He shares touching stories of players who still call him "Pops" and reach out...

What would you do if you had the phone number of the father you'd never met but couldn't find the courage to call? David Castillo's powerful story on Good Life Stories reveals how the universe conspired to bring him face-to-face with his dad at age 38, after a lifetime of wondering about his identity and heritage.

David's journey began with a serendipitous moment while working at the VA, when his half-brother's case crossed his desk. Recognizing the shared family name, David made a courageous phone call that would change both their lives forever. As he recalls, "I was...

What's the difference between "I'm not good at that" and "I'm not good at that yet"? In this final episode with Sheryl Tullis, host Tracy Crowley explores how one small word can fundamentally reshape our mindset and open possibilities we never imagined. Sheryl reveals her philosophy of being a "multiplier"—someone who helps others accomplish meaningful goals and rides along on their journey of growth.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Sheryl shares her ongoing work with Combat Flip Flops founder Matt Griffin, helping Afghan allies escape Taliban persecution. After the Taliban takeover in August 2021, Sheryl jo...

"When it's my time, am I going to die doing what I love or am I going to have wasted a whole bunch of time doing things that I don't love?"

What question would you ask yourself if someone you loved died doing what they loved? For Sheryl Tullis, losing her brother in a helicopter crash led to a life-changing realization and an extraordinary challenge: completing 50 adventures by age 50. In this compelling episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley explores how Sheryl's motivation stems from a profound loss: her youngest brother Justin was killed in a...

"When somebody tells you no, that doesn't have to be the end of it. There's always an appeal. There's always another way around."

In this inspiring episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley sits down with Sheryl Tullis to explore her remarkable journey from West Point rejection to acceptance and beyond. Sheryl shares the powerful story of how a childhood lawnmower accident that severed three fingers initially seemed to close doors but ultimately opened them in unexpected ways.

When West Point initially rejected Sheryl for medical reasons due to missing finger joints, she refused...

"Power is not a zero sum game. Just because somebody steps into theirs doesn't diminish the power of the people who are around them, regardless of gender."

In this final part of the interview with Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken, host Tracy Crowley explores the deeper motivations and philosophies that drive her guest's remarkable work in women's empowerment and self-defense.

The conversation begins with Dr. Yard-McCracken reflecting on leadership as her superpower, describing her unique "goals backward" approach—envisioning objectives first, then figuring out the path forward—rather than the more common "resources forward" approach. This perspective allo...

"People come to train out of self-love, not out of fear. They come to train because they recognize their value as a human being."

In this compelling second episode with Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken, host Tracy Crowley explores the origins and evolution of 500 Rising, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women through self-defense. Dr. Yard-McCracken shares how the initiative emerged from a passionate "rant" during the height of the MeToo movement, fueled by her belief that awareness alone isn't enough to create lasting change in preventing violence against women.

The conversation traces 500 Rising's remarkable growth from...

"I'm on Mars now. I don't even know what's next."

In this inspiring episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley interviews Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken about her remarkable journey from psychotherapist to certified Krav Maga instructor. Dr. Yard-McCracken reveals how she initially encountered Krav Maga while seeking ways to help her trauma therapy patients find greater agency in their healing process.

What began as casual research to help her patients unexpectedly transformed into a personal passion when she relocated across the country and found herself with free time while waiting for her new therapy practice...

"Life is what happens while you're planning something else."

In this heartwarming final episode with George Nowik, host Tracy Crowley explores the intersection of personal challenges and family legacy. George shares his adult diagnosis with ADD and how what society views as a deficit has become his superpower, enabling intense focus and creativity in his chosen fields.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as George discusses his mother Dorothy's remarkable journey as a businesswoman in the 1970s. Known as "the Ice Queen" for maintaining professional boundaries in an era when harassment was commonplace, Dorothy built...

"You have to be as authentic as you can possibly be. And any of that baggage weighing you down completely obliterates your authenticity."

George Nowik continues to share and today he describes his journey into voice acting. From his early days recording phone system prompts in an unventilated closet to landing national ad campaigns, George shares insights into the evolution of the voiceover industry and what it truly takes to succeed.

With over 20 years of experience, George dispels common misconceptions about voice acting, explaining how the industry has shifted...

"We have medical technology that is available to us now, both in the physical and mental arena that didn't exist 20 years ago. So kids like me are going to have a much better chance of getting through it."

In this enlightening episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley explores George Nowik's experience living with Tourette's syndrome. Diagnosed in sixth grade, George shares his journey from early childhood "bad habits" through challenging school years and into adulthood. He discusses the misconceptions surrounding Tourette's, particularly the common myth that all people with the condition curse uncontrollably.

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"Every landing you can walk away from is a good landing."

In this gripping episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley interviews George Nowik, who recounts his harrowing brush with death during his sophomore year of high school. What began as a seemingly minor foot infection from wearing non-breathable boots turned into a life-threatening situation when blood poisoning set in. George shares the fortunate timing of his mother's early return from a business trip, which likely saved his life when she recognized the dangerous symptoms and rushed him to the hospital.

The conversation delves...

In this poignant episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley continues her conversation with Dr. Darin Detwiler, exploring the profound impact of losing his son and his ongoing journey as a father and advocate. Dr. Detwiler shares intimate reflections on grief, discussing how he navigates the complex emotions of success in his advocacy work while honoring his son's memory.

"I am still acting as a father to my son. And I think often about what I do. And I'll never get my son back. No matter how many audiences I speak to, no matter how many...

In this compelling episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley interviews Dr. Darin Detwiler, a former middle school teacher turned food safety advocate. Dr. Detwiler recounts his transformation from educator to crusader, sparked by a personal tragedy and a thought-provoking question from a student. He discusses the impact of the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak on his life and career, and how it led to his involvement in food safety advocacy.

Dr. Detwiler shares insights into his innovative teaching methods, including the concept of "smartology" and his emphasis on responsibility over grades. He explains...

"This is about helping you to be your true, authentic self that's in there. Michelangelo used to always talk about how it's in the rock. Our job is to chisel it out." The Power of Personal Image - In this episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley wraps up her conversation with Bruce Pflaumer, an image consultant with Michael Bruce Image Consulting. They delve into the profound impact of personal image and how it transcends the superficial. Bruce shares heartwarming and transformative stories of how helping clients with their image has changed their lives. "We tell clients. We always...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, join me as I sit down with Bruce Pflaumer, a professional stylist with a fascinating journey. Bruce recounts his 17-year tenure at Nordstrom, highlighting the moment he realized it was time for a change. From accumulating 100,000 travel miles in just four months to making life-changing decisions on his birthday, Bruce’s story is filled with pivotal moments and introspection. After leaving Nordstrom, Bruce took an unexpected turn into radio, working as an account manager for a smooth jazz station, where he also lent his voice to commercials. Eventually, Bruce found his way back to...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I sit down with longtime friend Bruce Pflaumer, a professional stylist with a rich history in the fashion industry. Bruce shares his journey from childhood, where his love for style began, to his high school days of being stylish on a budget, and his eventual career at Nordstrom. He also recounts humorous and insightful experiences from his modeling days and the challenges of opening a massive retail store. Join us for a fascinating conversation filled with laughter, nostalgia, and valuable lessons in style and perseverance. For more inspiring stories, visit https://www.goodlifestories...

Jamila Johnson returns to Good Life Stories to share her personal perspective on the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. As an attorney focused on reproductive rights and criminal justice reform, Jamila shifted her career to help preserve the right to travel for abortion care. She discusses organizing a train trip for Black advocates from the South to Chicago for abortion services, highlighting the challenges faced by those without means. Jamila reflects on her own teenage pregnancy and the importance of choice. The episode provides a first-hand account of the Dobbs decision's impact, emphasizing the practical and emotional toll on...

Tracy Crowley interviews Jamila Johnson, an attorney and advocate dedicated to racial equity and criminal justice reform. After the 2016 election, Jamila moved from Seattle to Louisiana to tackle the state's use of non-unanimous jury verdicts, a tool rooted in Jim Crow-era laws. Jamila discusses Louisiana's 1898 constitutional convention, which aimed to maintain "the supremacy of the white race" through laws like the non-unanimous jury system. Despite a 2018 ballot measure requiring unanimous juries for future cases, over 1,500 individuals remained imprisoned under the unconstitutional law. This episode highlights the ongoing fight for racial justice in America's criminal legal system. Jamila's experiences provide insight...

Jon Acton, an educator and speaker, discusses the power of belief and laughter in overcoming adversity. Jon, a school superintendent in Indiana, inspires others with his positive outlook despite facing health challenges. He emphasizes the importance of making the most of our time and spreading positivity. "If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane." - Jimmy Buffett Jon reflects on how illness has taught him to be less judgmental and more forgiving. He's passing this mindset to his children. "You can slow us down, but you can't stop us." - Acton family motto This episode reminds us that belief and...

Jon Acton, a husband, father, author, and motivational speaker who has been on an extraordinary journey. Jon shares his personal story of being diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer, along with two of his closest teacher friends, all within a 10-month period. I believe Jon Acton is a true inspiration. After a successful career as an educator and school superintendent, he found himself medically retired in July 2022 due to his cancer diagnosis. However, this setback has not deterred Jon from making the most of his time and having a lasting impact. He is the creator of "Broken Shells," a platform that...

"Be in the room. Even if you don't think you're qualified, you have an opinion. If you feel strong enough to get involved, that gives you an in." In this final episode of my conversation with Krista Kemper, we chat about how to be an effective agent of change by showing up and getting involved, even if you don't feel qualified. Krista Kemper is a mechanical designer and self-proclaimed "bullsh*t meter" who has carved out a unique role for herself on high-stakes engineering committees and industry groups. Despite not having a formal engineering degree, Krista's hands-on experience and willingness...

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work" - Emil Zola I am back with Krista Kemper, an engineer who is challenging the misconception that creativity and technical disciplines like math and engineering are mutually exclusive. Krista shares her unique perspective on how art, design, and engineering intersect, and why the skills developed in creative pursuits are invaluable assets in STEM fields. "There's beauty in engineering. And when this finally clicked, I was looking at...the Mona Lisa, and I started seeing lines and angles and the geometry and the math inside the...

"I have a different operating system. The thing about autism is that it can look so different in every person. It's a spectrum. So I liken it to Linux. Because everybody that really knows, runs and uses Linux, no two setups will look the same." In this episode, I’m back with Krista Kemper, talking about her journey to receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult and how that has impacted her day-to-day life. Krista is an engineer and artist who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 42. Despite exhibiting signs of being on the spectrum throughout her life, Kr...

"To live without you, only that would be torture. I wouldn't torture you with such trivialities." ~ Morticia Addams In this episode, I talk with Krista Kemper about how her relationship with her husband is heavily influenced by the iconic couple, Gomez and Morticia Addams. Krista Kemper is an artist, combat veteran, mother, dancer, QA tech, researcher, army officer's wife, gamer, mechanical designer, SAS and president of a mechanical engineering firm. She describes herself as an "infovore" who read the Tao of Pooh at an impressionable age of 12. Krista and her husband Bart found themselves struggling to reconcile their vastly different...

Our world is getting more complex every day. How can we simplify things? Patrick Allmond is back to help guide the way! In this episode, I talk with marketing expert and "recovering coder" Patrick Allmond about his superpower of making complicated topics simple. Patrick Allmond is a serial entrepreneur, digital marketer, and tech expert who has spent decades helping businesses and individuals navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and marketing. Known for his ability to break down complex subjects into easy-to-understand concepts, Patrick has worked with everyone from C-suite executives to his own tech-averse mother. "Action is the great thing...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Allmond, founder of Stop Doing Nothing. Patrick shared some fascinating stories and insights from his life and business experiences. "My big philosophy is Stop Doing Nothing. It's the fact that done is better than perfect. If you make constant, forward progress we get so much further in life by being willing to experiment a little bit, and go out there and do something, even if we don't know how to do it at all." Stay tuned for Part 2 of my insightful discussion with Patrick Allmond...

In this episode of my podcast, I had an insightful discussion with Rory Miller about women's self-defense and finding a qualified instructor. With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Rory offered invaluable perspectives. "Women should not be taught to fight. Women should be taught to assassinate." Rory explained the unique self-defense challenges women face and recommended instructor Tammy Yard-McCracken for her specialized Krav Maga expertise tailored to women. Her background shapes an efficient approach leveraging women's strengths. Together, we explored situational awareness, the freeze reflex, and strategies to avoid violence. Rory emphasized self-defense is about assessment and avoidance, not fighting...

Rory Miller is back telling stories about his journey and perspectives in the realm of martial arts. With extensive credentials, Rory shared his evolution from early exposure to mastering disciplines and uncovering the essence of self-control. Born to a boxer and fencer, Rory found his natural home in judo, honing skills under Olympians and learning the value of discipline. He delved into his fascination with comprehensive classical jiu-jitsu and the importance of seamless offense-defense integration. "My dad had been a boxer. My mom had been a fencer. We'd been playing with it a little since I was a kid. They...

I interviewed my friend Rory Miller in this episode of Good Life Stories. We talked about his amazing transatlantic sailing trip. As someone who has lived an extraordinary life, I was eager to hear Rory's tale from his sailing adventures. Rory's passion for the ocean was first sparked on a high school sailing trip. Years later, despite minimal experience, he eagerly accepted an invitation to join a crew sailing a catamaran from South Africa to Florida. "All adventures are based on things going wrong... pretty much everything that could go wrong went wrong." Rory shared the ups and downs of...

I continue with my discussion with writer Kami Miller about the evolution of her relationship with religion and spirituality. Kami shared how exposure to diverse beliefs, her interest in paganism and stoicism, and the wisdom of age have shaped her personal understanding of the world. As a multi-talented philosopher driven by connections between nature, spirituality, and growth, Kami brought unique insights to our conversation. She reflected on how falling in love and joining a community shifted her childhood dreams of isolation. Kami also discussed her parents' influence in finding balance between creativity and responsibility. Together, we explored how Kami's perspectives...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I am continuing my enlightening conversation with freelance writer Kami Miller. We talk about the realities and challenges of pursuing a writing career. As a talented storyteller, Kami has carved out a rewarding yet complex path in the freelance world. Kami offers candid insights into the pros and cons of freelancing. While she relishes the freedom and potential rewards, she acknowledges the difficulties of inconsistent income and juggling client work with personal projects. We explore the pressures of prioritizing paid gigs and finding balance as a creative professional. "You have the potential for...

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I sit down with my long-time friend, Kami Miller, to delve into the unique and unpredictable world of farm life. Kami, an author, farmer, and self-proclaimed chatterbox, shares her experiences and stories that will have you laughing, empathizing, and gaining a newfound appreciation for the realities of owning a farm. With her dream of owning a farm in mind, Kami takes us on a journey through her initial expectations and the stark contrast she encountered when she and her husband bought their own five-acre property. From clearing land for vegetable gardens to fixing...

In this episode, I talk with Andréa Koehler about the power of coloring and its connection to mindfulness and self-discovery. Andréa Koehler is an expert in using coloring as a tool for relaxation and self-reflection. She shares her own journey with coloring and how it helped her tap into a flow state. "Coloring engages three different types of brain activity, your creative brain, your kinesthetic brain, and your logical brain." ~ Andréa Koehler She also explains the science behind coloring and how it engages different parts of the brain, leading to a sense of calm and focus. Andréa br...

In this episode, I chat with Andréa Koehler about her three good life stories: her blue hair story, her experience with divorce, and her journey with ADHD. Andréa shares her personal experiences and sheds light on the challenges and misconceptions associated with each topic. "It's absolutely tantamount that you have somebody outside yourself to talk to." ~ Andréa Koehler Andréa Koehler is an expert in leadership development and human skills development. She has a deep understanding of change management and the human side of navigating change. She uses her expertise to help others identify their strengths, overcome obst...

Step into the enchanting world of dance, where movement speaks volumes and the body becomes a vessel of storytelling. Brace yourself for a journey of discovery that will challenge everything you thought you knew about performance and mindfulness. Are you ready to unravel the secrets hidden within the power of observation and sensory input? Thanks again and welcome to Good Life Stories. More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/

In this episode, I talk with the captivating Abby Durr, who takes us on a journey through her unique experiences and profound understanding of life, death, and everything in between. With a decade-long connection, Abby and I delve into the intricacies of relationships, the beauty of heaven, and the art of accomplishing great things. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened as Abby shares her refreshing outlook on what truly matters in the Good Life Stories podcast. More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/