I am SO excited to share this episode with you! While having my own brother on my show screams of favoritism, I promise you that you will not want to miss this one. Gerrit is a teacher and literacy expert who inspires children all around the world to love reading, he's an incredible athlete (marathons! triathlons! iron mans!), and he is actually *doing* something about climate change by re-wilding and re-greening New Orleans (and, eventually, you know, the world). While I know him (reasonably!) well, I was curious to learn about how his three (seemingly unrelated!) worlds fit together. Not onl ..read more

Kasha Patel was recently named one of the top undiscovered comedians in the United States. She's also an accomplished science journalist with expertise in climate change. She's also ALSO one of the pioneers of the growing field of science comedy! Join us to hear about how she came to combine her two worlds, why it's so powerful (and fun), and who can get involved (hint: everyone!). I'm so grateful Kasha joined the show -- and I'm biased of course, but science comedy truly is one of the few things that gives me hope for the world. Thank you, Kasha! Follow Kasha: https://www.instagram.com/kasha ..read more

If you're already a fan of the popular Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (SGU) podcast (and books, and live shows, and more), then you already know that Jay Novella is completely awesome. If you're not already familiar, well, get ready to meet your new favorite person! Jay is a brilliant podcaster, producer, author, and promoter of critical thinking -- among so much more. I'm so honored he joined the show -- tune in to admire his journey from poetry major to world-traveling performer and producer; to learn about the surprisingly (to me, anyway!) power of collaboration; and to be inspired by his ..read more

I am SO honored that the brilliant Lisa ('Lisbug') Schwartz joined us here at MIE to talk about her many lives and talents! Lisa is a YouTube star who was one of the very first adopters of the platform back way before it was cool in 2007, and now has two million subscribers and counting. We talk about the highs and lows of life in the spotlight -- and truly the importance (and ongoing challenge) of being authentic. In addition to posting new videos *every* day, she's also an actor, host of the hilarious and wild ride of the podcast Ungroundable (along with her awesome mother!), author of the 2 ..read more

Chris Duffy is a comedian, TV writer, and podcast host -- and he has some great advice for all of us looking to forge our own paths. Tune in to hear how he parlayed early employment challenges(!) into an exciting and multidimensional career in comedy, media, performance, education, and more! To give just a flavor of his impressiveness: Chris currently hosts TED's podcast, How to Be a Better Human, he wrote for both seasons of Problem Areas with Wyatt Cenac on HBO, and he hosts (and created) the streaming game show Wrong Answers Only in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences. You als ..read more

Talking with Natalia always energizes and inspires me to be more courageous in my own life -- and this conversation is no exception. Tune in to hear her stunning story of realizing what she wants to do in life -- and being brave enough to make it happen -- and her brilliant reminders of the power of unconventional paths. Any time you feel like you're doing the "wrong" thing by having more than one interest, I urge you to listen to Natalia. I, for one, am so grateful she's out there being herself in a world that tries its darnedest to make us pick just one path -- we are all better for it. And ..read more

Stephanie Humphrey was an accomplished engineer at a big deal company, but something felt off in her life. Tune in to learn how she discovered a more fulfilling path for herself, how she found the courage (and made the plans!) to change her life, and how she now combines her skills in engineering and public speaking to empower others to use technology to improve their lives. Follow Stephanie on instagram and twitter Watch her 10-minute-tech break series. Buy her book! And learn more (including invite her to speak!): https://www.tildeathdoyoutweet.com Follow me, if you like: https://instagr ..read more

Turner Sparks is an internationally-touring standup comedian who spent 12 years in China as an entrepreneur -- he brought Mister Softee ice cream to the country and was foundational to building China's standup comedy scene. Join us to hear how his experience in business has helped him make a living in comedy. And pre-order his new (hilarious) standup album, Double Happiness, at https://www.turnersparks.com/buy-my-album! Let's get it to #1! Follow Turner: Insta, Twitter, and YouTube! Pre-order Double Happiness on iTunes! Subscribe to his podcast, Lost in America (Twitter) Watch him perform sta ..read more

The long-awaited and much-anticipated part 2 of our season finale is finally here! Join me for the second half of this inspiring, fun, emboldening, and, gosh, downright delightful conversation with my father, the Peabody award-winning filmmaker, Robert Rooy! Learn about taking risks, trusting your interests, shining a light on important things, and how to get started in filmmaking, no matter your beginning point. Thank you again to my father, dO, for this special episode (I love you!), and to all who are listening! Get involved in the Summer of John campaign and learn more about this extraordi ..read more

Get ready to meet your new favorite power couple! I've known Andrew Gerhan and Kathryn Musilek for a few years (they might have been the last new people I met before lockdown?!) as PR experts, and only recently learned of their whole other lives as musicians -- both as part of a killer rock band and as film scorers! As if that weren't all, during the conversation I learned even more about their many talents, from physics to painting to founding and running one heckuva small business. They are seriously my heroes, and I can't wait for them to become yours. Check out some of their many goings-on ..read more