Have you ever felt like you're running through life, chasing goals, and suddenly, you hit a bump in the road? Ben Katt is a man who experienced just that. Ben was in his early thirties, a father to three young children, and a founder of three community startups. His life was full of purpose, yet one rainy morning in Seattle, while running around a familiar lake, he was stopped in his tracks by a profound inner voice that said, "If you don't have your heart, you have nothing."

Ben's midlife crisis was set off by the societal pressures to achieve, the perfectionist streak, and the need for approval that can lead even the most purpose-driven individuals to lose themselves. Ben's shares his personal story of burnout and the transformative journey that followed in his book, "The Way Home."

Throughout the conversation, we explore the non-linear nature of life and the fallacy of the linear path society expects us to follow. We touch on mindfulness practices like meditation and journaling as tools to help navigate the liminal spaces of uncertainty one encounters through these transitions. The simple act of presence and how it can open up creativity, intuition, and ultimately, a more fulfilling existence is explored.

While all our journeys are unique, often our experiences are not. This is a thoughtful primer on mid-life crisis that we can all relate to no matter our age.

It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book!

What they're saying:

“This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove

“Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for

souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”

–Gary Hensel

Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us

Follow Bump on:

➡️ Twitter

➡️ Facebook

➡️ Substack

➡️ Instagram

➡️ YouTube

Dr. Jennifer Nash is a business leadership consultant and author of "Be Human. Lead Human," a guide for leaders who aspire to create more empathetic, connected, and high-performing teams. Jennifer’s framework provides actionable steps to develop relational skills that are vital for modern leadership.

Jennifer grew up in the Midwest and worked her way through school, eventually finding herself in a career where she felt unnoticed and undervalued. It wasn’t until she encountered a leader who truly saw her as a human being that her life took a transformative turn. This pivotal experience led her to question why more leaders don’t foster environments where employees feel seen, heard, and valued. Driven by this question, Jennifer pursued an MBA and a PhD, diving deep into the intricacies of leadership and human connection.

Her consulting business and subsequent book, "Be Human. Lead Human," are the culmination of her research and experiences. The book is structured around relatable stories and practical tools that help leaders understand and implement behaviors that make their teams feel appreciated and connected.

A particularly striking part of our conversation was Jennifer’s discussion on the concept of "mattering." Drawing from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, she explained how crucial it is for individuals to feel that they matter both at work and in their personal lives. This sense of mattering can significantly impact motivation and purpose, which are essential for a fulfilling life.

This book is written for business leaders but it's applicable to all of us. In a world of technology we have to remember the human element and its importance.

It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book!

What they're saying:

“This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove

“Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for

souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”

–Gary Hensel

Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us

Follow Bump on:

➡️ Twitter

➡️ Facebook

➡️ Substack

➡️ Instagram

➡️ YouTube

Mike Hassell was born into a family of engineers. He followed the expected path, earning his degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. However, he soon realized that his education was narrowly focused on his profession, leaving little room for his broader interests in philosophy, humanities, and the arts.

This realization led Mike to pivot his career towards publishing, focusing on the great ideas of history, including economics, philosophy, science, religion, and political thought. At around 40 years old, while working on a series about the moral problems of our age, Mike experienced a profound "aha" moment. He recognized that many of these issues—war on terrorism, drugs and alcohol, love and sexuality, abortion, and euthanasia—were not problems with clear-cut solutions.

This epiphany became the foundation for his book, "Deep Trade-Offs," which explores the inherent conflicts and choices we make without even realizing it. For instance, Mike discusses the trade-off between focus and sensitivity, using his own experience with his son's attention disorder to illustrate how different people navigate these conflicting aspects of attention.

In this episode we touch upon various thought-provoking topics, including the balance between ideals and reality, the role of intuition in seeking truth, and the importance of personal relationships in resolving conflicts. Mike's insights remind us that life is full of complex, often conflicting choices, and understanding these deep trade-offs can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Mike's journey and his thoughtful reflections on life's moral and philosophical dilemmas offer valuable lessons for us all. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the trade-offs that shape our lives and how we can navigate them more consciously.

It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book!

What they're saying:

“This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove

“Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for

souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”

–Gary Hensel

Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us

Follow Bump on:

➡️ Twitter

➡️ Facebook

➡️ Substack

➡️ Instagram

➡️ YouTube