And Then Suddenly

When Brenden Kumarasamy was 19, his life goal was to get a lucrative corporate job. When he learned about case competitions, which provided the opportunity to present to business executives, everything shifted. We talk about competition culture and how the experience led him to become an expert communicator with goals even greater than his corporate dreams.

Maynard Okereke was keeping his artistic pursuits away from his engineering job when one day he went into work and found his colleagues listening to his music. That moment sparked his pivot into entertainment and eventually led him to create the Hip Hop Science Show. We get into all things science as we talk about his road to STEM communication, what it means to find your passion,

In 2016, Kate White was having a lot of pain but at the time she didn't think it was a lot. What happened a few months later made her realize she needed to take her pain seriously and that's when everything shifted. In the presence of her purring cat Penny, we talk about women's health, women's bodies, and how a series of diagnoses finally allowed Kate to understand herself.

In July 2016, Leilani was celebrating her sister's wedding in Pittsburg when she saw God- as in the actor who plays "God" in the television show Supernatural. A superfan of the show, running into the cast leaving a Supernatural convention ended up being an important sign. We talk family, religion, and the power of things we can't see.

Growing up in a rough area in Indianapolis, Kwazar Martin's grandmother kept him focused. But after she passed, he strayed from what she taught him. We talk about his journey from prison to art, life and light, and the never ending energy of his grandmother.

On episode 36, Brandon Saiz shared a moment about achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He's back to share a new moment that has altered his outlook and how he views his time in the Coast Guard: a recent diagnosis of ADHD. We talk about changing perspectives, new understandings, and finally getting validation.

After genetic testing early in her second pregnancy, Lorna Rose learned her baby screened positive for a serious genetic disorder. When told she didn't have to carry the baby, Lorna's reaction to that statement changed her outlook and beliefs. We talk about guilt, high risk pregnancy, and the complexities of motherhood. Lorna Rose is a Pacific Northwest writer and speaker. H

One Friday night, Jaimie Sherling was in bed when she got an Instagram message from a stranger that changed her marriage and home. We talk about all the brutal and beautiful aspects of her moment, from her battle with cancer to her journey becoming a drag queen aficionado.

Seeing the phrase "nothing about us without us" in action made Marinke van Riet question her actions as a person and as a leader. We talk about her subsequent resignation as director of Voice, why representation matters, the future of international development, and what it means to belong.

As a Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) volunteer, Big D was working with a child and realized he was where he belonged when he saw the light come back to her eyes. We talk about epiphanies, giving back to the community, and what bikers at B.A.C.A. to help empower abused children.