Finding Your Inspiration

#62 | How to Find Your Calling: Lessons from Filmmaker and Author Stephen Michael Kelly

Discover the journey of finding life’s true calling with filmmaker, author, and creative powerhouse Stephen Michael Kelly. As he shares his path through independent filmmaking, documentary work, and publishing a heartfelt kids' book, Stephen reveals what it means to pursue creative passions with purpose. Dive into an inspiring conversation on the impact of teachers, mentors, and the courage to follow your vocation—even in the face of a midlife crisis. Perfect for anyone exploring personal growth...

#61 | Growth Mindset Meets Environmental Awareness: Inspiring Change for a Healthier World

In this episode, we dive into the world of microplastics and their impact on environmental health with hydrogeologist and entrepreneur Moises Santillan. Join us as we explore the pressing issues of plastic waste, water quality, and public health alongside Moises's unique personal growth and self-improvement perspective. Discover how a growth mindset can empower communities to tackle complex challenges, from clean water and water safety to creating sustainable solutions for environmental awarenes...

#60 | Overcoming Addiction: A Sobriety Journey of Faith, Healing, and Personal Growth

Prepare for an inspiring FYI podcast episode as Paul Tully sits down with the incredible Cristal Aguirre! In this candid discussion, Cristal shares her profound journey through addiction and recovery, offering powerful insights into how vulnerability can be a source of strength. From tackling the challenges of social media to remaining committed to spreading positivity, her story is a testament to resilience and the importance of community support. But that’s not all—Cristal also opens up about ...

#59 | Homeless to Hero: How Joe the Poet Rose from the Streets of New York to the World Stage

In this exciting episode of the FYI podcast, Bronx-born rap artist Joe the Poet joins Tully to share an inspiring story of resilience and creativity. From overcoming personal struggles to performing on an international stage, Joe offers a powerful message about perseverance and staying true to oneself. Their conversation touches on unexpected opportunities, the importance of self-discipline, and the deeper meaning of success. Tune in for a motivating discussion filled with life lessons, spiritua...

#58 | Miguel Ponce: Commitment, Discipline & Hard Work

Professional soccer player Miguel Ponce discusses his incredible journey from modest origins in Tijuana to participating on a global scale, including the 2014 World Cup. He emphasizes the value of hard effort, discipline, resilience, and the necessity of being a helpful teammate even when not playing. Miguel's narrative exemplifies the mental toughness necessary to flourish in a competitive setting, highlighting his difficulties, such as hazing and the expectations of professional athletics. Mig...

#57 | Creative Hustle: Kala and Jalen Reveal the Realities of Acting

Actors Kayla and Jalen share their journey from the Chicago theater scene to the competitive landscape of Hollywood. They discuss the importance of self-worth, emphasizing that one must not rely on external validation. Instead, they encourage listeners to pursue their passions wholeheartedly, explore their craft, and foster a sense of community over competition. The couple also touches on their unique backgrounds and open dialogues around cultural differences, particularly in the context of rela...

#56 | Chasing Goals on and the Field: Momo Gueye's Inspiring Journey from Senegal to the U.S.

Momo Gueye, a professional soccer player, entrepreneur, and podcast host, shares his inspiring story of perseverance and overcoming obstacles. Born in Senegal, West Africa, Momo moved to the United States at 12 years old and struggled to adapt to the culture shock. Despite not speaking English, he used Google Translate to communicate and eventually graduated with a degree in criminal justice. Momo reflects on his journey as a professional soccer player, joining the Empire Strykers team and playi...

#55 | From Foster Care to Family: Santana's Journey of Survival

Santana Dempsey, an actor, painter, and writer, shares her journey from foster care to self-discovery. Separated from her birth mother due to family struggles, she and her sister were adopted by a loving couple in the Midwest. But growing up with mixed heritage in a small town came with its own challenges. Through embracing her Afro-Latino roots, Santana found her true identity and now advocates for celebrating our unique stories and creating a more inclusive world. Make sure to watch the full e...

#54 | From Cuban Roots to Hollywood: Leslie's Duty as an Artist to Inspire Change

Leslie Lluvet describes her path of growth and self-discovery, focusing on how art and creativity played an important role in her metamorphosis. She reflects on her time as a "party girl" and transitioning to a more spiritual and emotionally aware existence. Leslie feels that society frequently prevents people from feeling full and that her role as an artist is to help others reconnect with their emotions. She also discusses the perspective of age, using the example of older women finding love t...

#53 | From Childhood Dreams to Olympic Gold: Marco Fabian's Journey to Being a Soccer Legend

From the bustling streets of Guadalajara to the grand arenas of the Bundesliga, this is the journey of Marco Fabián – a professional soccer player, Olympic gold medalist, and a true symbol of resilience. Watch how Marco faced down adversity, battling through soccer injuries to rise as a soccer legend, playing for teams like Eintracht Frankfurt, Chivas Guadalajara, and Empire Strykers in the MASL. His story is one of relentless determination, serving as a beacon of motivation for athletes, especi...

#52 | Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone: A Culinary Artist's Journey into a New Acting Career

Nikita Privalov shares his journey from Nyack, New York, to the bustling world of Los Angeles acting. Born to Russian immigrants, Nikita reflects on his family's sacrifices and his rise from a young kitchen worker to a passionate actor. He delves into the grit required to thrive in high-pressure environments, the importance of embracing discomfort, and the artistic dedication driving his craft. With anecdotes from his culinary days and insights into his current acting pursuits, Nikita's story is...

#51 | Empowering Clients to Achieve Fitness Goals: Leslie's Journey as a Transformative Fitness Trainer

Leslie Martinez, a fitness trainer and instructor, shares her inspiring story of overcoming injuries and staying motivated to help others achieve their fitness goals. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, discipline, and finding joy in helping others feel confident and good about themselves. Leslie's personal experience of recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus surgery motivates her to continue working hard and sharing her knowledge with others. She encourages listeners to start taking ac...

#50 | Taking the Big Leap: How Jhon's Risk-Taking Fueled his Acting Success.

In this episode of FYI, Paul Tully interviews actor Jhon Mejia, who shares his journey from Spain to LA and the challenges he faced along the way. Jhon reveals how he landed his first acting career with a major role in Paul’s film Murder Motel, overcoming insecurities about his accent and embracing his unique qualities. Despite financial struggles being an immigrant and doubts, Jhon’s perseverance and passion led him to sign with CAA, one of the top agencies. Tune in for an inspiring conversatio...

#49 | A Creative Future: Tait's Vision for Music and Community in Hawaii

On this episode of the FYI Podcast, Paul Tully talks to Tait Ferge, a Hawaiian producer. Listen to Tait's tale about balancing the high expense of living in Hawaii, sharing a studio apartment with his parents for six years, and finding inspiration from his father. Discover how he overcame societal constraints to pursue his passion for music and how he and his wife founded a company to promote local musicians, generate music, and educate youngsters in coding and game creation. Don't miss this won...

#48 | Building Community and Authenticity: Entrepreneurial Journeys and Creative Marketing in Hawaii

In the latest episode of the FYI podcast, host Paul Tully talks with Ilikea Ferge, a multi-talented entrepreneur and photographer based in Hawaii, Ilikea Ferge . Ilikea shares her journey from starting as a photographer to co-founding a successful business, Indie Union, with her husband, Tate. They delve into the importance of passion, community and authenticity in business, emphasizing that loving what you do drives success. Ilikea has spent years developing and finding her inspiration. Watch t...

#47 | The Art of Healing: Amanda Rose's Survival Guide, Trauma Recovery and Success as an Artist

Amanda Rose, a talented artist, shares her struggles, experiences, and inspirational stories. She talks about her creative process, saying that she often doesn't know what she will paint when she starts, but it emerges as she works. Amanda opens up about her past experiences with stalking, assault, and blackmail. She felt trapped and humiliated, and it wasn't until years of therapy that she realized what she actually endured physically and psychologically. Towards the end of the episode, Amanda ...

#46 | Breaking the Stigma: Filmmaker Jackie Quinones on Mental Health & Mental Illness

Jackie Quinones discusses the importance of talking about mental health and mental illness and how it's crucial to reduce the stigma surrounding these issues. As the producer, director, and actor of films such as "Sick," "Tough Guy," "Confession of a Closeted People Pleaser," "Dandelion," and "From Beyond," she talks about the challenges faced in writing and directing these projects. Jackie emphasizes that mental health is not just about taking medication but also about self-care, boundaries, an...

#45 | Nely Galan on Business Success: Financial Literacy and Mastering Money

#44 | Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Janelle Marie Rodriguez's Finding Your Purpose and Passion

Janelle Marie Rodriguez, an artist, actress, model, influencer, and producer, discusses her story and emphasizes the power of saying “yes.” She began her career as a journalist, working for KMIX Univision 34, Disney Channel and Monster Jam. Check out the whole video to see where she is today! *CHECK OUT JANELLE’S PROFILES:* IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1985070/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejanellemarie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissJLoveOfficial TikTok: https://www.tikto...

#43 | Chelsea Smith: A Cancer Survivor's Journey from Suffering to Healing, Acting & Producing Film

Explore Chelsea J. Smith's inspiring journey from battling thyroid cancer at a young age to becoming a successful actress, producer, and writer. From California to New York City, Chelsea Shares her experiences navigating through life’s many obstacles. She went on to create Little Spoon Big Spoon Productions, a company focused on impactful storytelling. Join us for a deep dive into Chelsea’s personal journey as a cancer survivor and perspective on the validation of self-worth in the acting indust...

#42 | Drawing Art with Fire: Zachary Aronson on Pyrography and Michelangelo's Influence

Discover the fascinating journey of artist Zachary Aronson as he creates stunning masterpieces using fire! In this episode of the FYI Podcast, Zachary shares how he developed his unique pyrography technique, drawing inspiration from Michelangelo's timeless artistry. Learn about his innovative process of drawing on wood panels with flamethrowers and blow torches, his experiences with imposter syndrome, and how his time at Cal Arts and mentorship under Charles Gaines shaped his artistic expression...

#41 | Sation 19's Jaina Lee Ortiz: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Succeeding in Her Acting Journey

Jaina Lee Ortiz celebrates her roles in "Station 19" and "Grey's Anatomy," and candidly reflects on her remarkable journey through the entertainment industry. From her formative years in the Bronx, where dance and cultural heritage shaped her early aspirations, to her pivotal decision to pursue acting at Maggie Flanigan's acting studio in New York City, Jaina shares insights that resonate deeply with aspiring actors and fans alike.

#40 | Finding Your Inspiration Podcast Best of Season 1: Personal Growth & Overcoming Obstacles

Welcome to our podcast, a space where inspiration, fortitude, and faith come together. Our dedicated production team takes you on a journey to reflect back to some of our most memorable episodes like Dakota Meyer, Erin Runnion, Gabrielle Walsh and many more! We reflect on life's lessons, learning experiences, and the importance of being present in the conversation. The team draws inspiration from our society’s biggest influences such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Joe Rogan, and Lebron James. Hear d...

#39 | Finding Authenticity: A Conversation on Self-Discovery, Art, and Impact with Miranda Gonzalez

Meet Miranda Gonzalez, a luminary figure at the intersection of activism and artistry. Born and raised in Chicago, her heritage blends Mexican and African-American roots, shaping a dynamic identity she proudly dubs "Blacksacan." As the visionary artistic director of Urban Theater Company, Miranda's creative journey unfolds with a commitment to social justice and inclusive storytelling. From stage to screen, her work, including the acclaimed production "Mascogos," amplifies marginalized voices an...

#38 | Step Up Actor Carlito Olivero and NCIS Actor Rick Mancia's Inspirational Hollywood Journey

Guest: Carlito Olivero & Rick Mancia Carlito, an actor, musician, and dancer from Chicago, shares his journey from Starbucks employee to a signed artist, emphasizing the importance of pursuing multiple artistic avenues. Rick, originally a musician and actor from LA, reflects on his transition and the perseverance required to succeed in the industry. They discuss the concept of being a "hybrid" artist, drawing inspiration from icons like Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. *DISCLAIMER*: The followi...

#37 | American Horror Story Actress Gloria Laino & Marilyn Camacho: Sharing Resilience, Dreams, & Triumphs

Gloria Laino is a multifaceted individual who encompasses roles as an actress. She is known for her roles in the following TV series: “This Fool,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “American Horror Story,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “What We Do In The Shadows.” Marilyn Camacho co-founded Urban Theater Company and is an actress known for her roles in the TV series American Gods, Animal Kingdom, and Days of Our Lives. A National *CORE* Production supporting the Hope Through Housing Foundation. Join us to uncover th...

#36 | The Unbreakable: An Inspiring Journey of Paratriathlete David Whelan

David Wheelan, an extraordinary individual, defies the odds and inspires countless others with his incredible journey of resilience and determination. Join us as we delve into Dave's story, where he shares his triumphs over adversity and his unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges. A National *CORE* Production supporting the Hope Through Housing Foundation. Join us to uncover the art of turning dreams into reality.

#35 | 7-Figure Dog Walking Business: Daniel Martin's Inspiring Story from being Homeless to CEO

Amid personal tragedies, including the loss of a child and the devastation of a home fire, Daniel found solace in caring for dogs, eventually founding his own pet care business. Despite financial hardships and moments of uncertainty, he embraced opportunities aligned with his passions, illustrating the importance of recognizing pivotal moments in life and daring to pursue one's dreams. A National *CORE* Production supporting the Hope Through Housing Foundation. Join us to uncover the art of turn...

#34 | Chauntal Capri Lewis Overcoming Life's Traumas and Challenges

Chauntal Capri-Lewis is a versatile personality that works as an actor, makeup artist, and survivor. She is known for her roles in the following TV Series and movies: “General Hospital,” “Magic Camp,” “Hot Girls Walk By,” “Coach Carter,” “Welcome to Happiness,” “Toolbox Murders 2” and “Apollo 13.” Chauntal is currently advocating for mental health awareness and trauma recovery. A National *CORE* Production supporting the Hope Through Housing Foundation. Join us to uncover the art of turning drea...

#33 | Women Soar Beyond Expectations: Manda Mae Emery

Manda Emery is a multifaceted individual encompassing roles as a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, model, actress, and humanist from Hawaii. She is known for her roles in the following TV series: “Flip Turn,” “Diva,” “No Better Love,” and “Night Shift.” Manda is rolling into 2024 with fitness expectations and career ambitions. A National *CORE* Production supporting the Hope Through Housing Foundation. Join us to uncover the art of turning dreams into reality.