Eryn and L'Shawn interview Ryan Forbes, writer, podcaster and fierce advocate for the incarcerated and for alternative avenues to justice: restorative and transformative justice. Ryan is the founder and host of The Shakedown, a podcast about the criminal justice system from the view point of those who have experienced it from the inside. Ryan shares his personal story, his journey towards self-improvement, and his mission to help others avoid making the same mistakes. We discuss the limitations of the criminal justice system, the importance of authentic storytelling, and the need for healing and transformation in the face of harm. More about Ryan, The Shakedown, and his graphic novels and other projects can be found on his website waywordpress.com.

Eryn and L'Shawn interview Dr. Katie from Autism Neurodiverse Education Resource in Denver (NERD). She discusses her business, which provides learning accommodations and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, particularly autism. She distinguishes herself in the educational consulting world by focusing on the admissions process, preparation, placement, and persistence, with a particular emphasis on neurodiverse students. Dr. Katie emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals and families to recognize and express their needs, and shares her personal journey of starting her business and her role in helping families understand the resources available to them. Dr. Katie also discusses her approach to consulting, the importance of college readiness, and the benefits of her services for families and children.

L' Shawn shares her personal experience of losing a close friend, Angus. Eryn offers her knowledge of grief and loss discussing the complexities of grief and loss, including the concept of 'compounded loss' and 'ambiguous loss'. L'Shawn expresses her emotional struggle with the loss of Angus, as well as other losses, and the need to hold on to memories of Angus. The conversation ends with Eryn offering support and discussing the potential for grief to trigger judgment, the importance of self-compassion, and the different emotional pathways of grieving behavior.

L'Shawn and Eryn discuss the issue of meanness, particularly in the context of children and adults, and the importance of responding to it in a healthy and empathetic way. They also emphasize the need for individuals to develop skills to intervene in situations of aggression or mean behavior, and the role of coaches or therapists in promoting these skills. Lastly, they discuss ways to promote a more positive and kind culture in American society, including being mindful of one's actions, practicing positive self-talk, and modeling positive behaviors for future generations.

Eryn and L' Shawn discuss the role of spirituality in coaching practice, emphasizing the importance of respecting clients' beliefs and the potential benefits of a more proactive approach. They also explore the intersection of spirituality with education, personal beliefs, and professional coaching, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in this area. Lastly, they discuss the role of faith, spirituality, and religion in providing comfort during times of grief and loss, and the potential for science and spirituality to overlap.

Eryn and L'Shawn discuss the concept of surrender, its various meanings, and its application in their lives, particularly in the context of coaching, grief, and loss. They also explore the importance of trust, letting go of control, and increasing capacity for love and compassion. Lastly, they emphasize the need for further exploration and integration of these concepts into coach training and personal growth.

Eryn and L'Shawn discuss the various sources of inspiration, including gratitude, nature, conversations, reading, and the arts. They emphasize the importance of collaborative conversations, being open to the unknown, and tapping into one's spiritual and dynamic self as a catalyst for inspiration. Lastly, they explore the role of inspiration in driving change, the difference between externally motivated and internally inspired changes, and share personal experiences of how inspiration has impacted their lives and coaching programs.

Eryn and L' Shawn discuss the differences and similarities between gratitude and appreciation, and how they impact well-being and personal growth. They also explore the relationship between these concepts and other emotions such as love and how they can be used as tools for shifting focus and overcoming challenges. Lastly, they emphasize the importance of finding personal practices that work for cultivating gratitude and mindfulness, and the potential for personal coaching based on these ideas.