Life changes when we become a parent. It's an indescribable feeling. The love, the responsibility, the joy, the weight. For Kim Somenske, the realization that she and her husband would be welcoming a child into the world was met with every emotion. No longer was it just about her. In fact, it was no longer about her at all. The entire focus of her life shifted to how she could be the best mother to her daughter. Throughout the journey, seeing her daughter grow from a child into a girl and from a...
Apr 21, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Our relationship with our parents evolves over time. We go from needing them to survive, to wanting them to leave us alone, and finally to appreciating, loving, and caring for them. Like many kids his age, Alberto Maldonado was known to stir up a little trouble in his middle school years. This aloof behavior came to a head one day when his mother received notice of his unacceptable actions in the classroom. Her reaction was strong, emotional, and, for Alberto, a lasting memory. At this moment, h...
Apr 07, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 26
How can a single bully turn someone into the CEO of one of the largest non-profit organizations in the Midwest? Ask Héctor Colón. When he was just a boy, Héctor, like many, fell victim to unfair, cruel bullying. Yet, unlike many, he, with the encouragement of his father, decided to do something about it. By age 9, Héctor was enrolled in boxing classes, primarily as means of learning self-defense. By age eleven, he won his first National Title and was number one in the country for his weight clas...
Mar 24, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Everything happens for a reason, right? Or, so they say? For Liz Boyna, this longstanding axiom certainly rings true when thinking about the moment at which her life took an unmistakable turn. What was seen as a short-term hiccup, a setback, a stumble, actually turned out to be the purveyor of a long-term clarity of purpose. Informed about a month prior to her undergraduate graduation that she was one credit short from completing her program, Liz had reached a point of total disillusionment abou...
Mar 10, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 24
"Go with the flow!" It sounds like good general advice, right? Be open, experimental, and willing to try new things. But, it also is a pretty passive way to live your life. It's letting life happen TO you, rather than you being intentional with your decisions. Ashley Valentine was kind of just going with the flow. As a teacher—a role moreso stumbled upon than sought after—she wasn't necessarily unhappy, but she was taking on too much, trying too many new things...to the point of burnout. It wasn...
Feb 15, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 23
What's in a name? Well...if we think about it, our name really is the basis of our identity. It's how we are perceived, at first interaction, by the people and the world around us. It is as inherent to who we are as our body, mind, and spirit. We own it. We grow with it. We live with it. A name is such an important part of who we are...but, what if it changed? When N'Jameh Russell-Camara went off to college, she was emboldened to align herself, her identity, with that of her proud heritage. And ...
Dec 21, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Turns out the COO of a Fortune 100 company knows a thing or two about success. Who knew?! Souheil Badran, currently the Chief Operating Officer of Northwestern Mutual, is not only a prime example of a career well-defined and well-traversed, he's also a testament to the American Dream—emigrating from Lebanon—and living with intention, purpose, and conviction. And, it's these traits that manifested themselves into a seminal moment in Souheil's life—the decision to move his family to California, an...
Oct 19, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Sometimes your parents know best. Well...maybe more than just sometimes. When Cetonia Weston-Roy was a child, she wouldn't have claimed reading as a hobby. That is until her step-father entered her life and bestowed upon her the gift that keeps on giving: a love for books. And, it was a love that grew over her formative years into a passion that spoke to her soul. Like most eventual entrepreneurs, which she now is, Cetonia's passion led to the identification of a problem. She knew, through exper...
Sep 21, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work alongside your parents? To have a shared purpose guiding you down the same path? For mother-son duo, Irma and Dachon Freeman, a giving heart has proved to be genetic. With 25+ years of experience as an educator for Chicago Public Schools, Irma recently decided to leverage this experience into launching Kingdom Communities and Families , a non-profit designed to meet the needs of low-income communities on Chicago's west side, like those where s...
Aug 17, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 19
What do you do when your purpose is to educate, but your calling is outside the classroom? Well, if your Michelle Boening, you make the difficult decision to answer the call. No matter how esoteric it is. After 22 years in public education, Michelle made the brave transition into a newfound passion of hers: spiritual care—namely Reiki, Tarot Readings, and Animal Communication. Starting her business, Ananda Citta Spiritual Care, in 2018, Michelle encountered her ups and downs, like any new busine...
Jul 20, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Change can be scary. But, if we want to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead, we better get used to it. So says Susan Carlson, someone who not only welcomes change, but seeks it out when necessary, as well. Life is full of unknowns, but one thing that is almost certainly, universally true is the fact that it doesn't happen in a straight line. Speaking to her winding career, Susan offers great advice on how to best navigate what she dubs your "Career Rock Wall." To Susan, becoming professional...
Jul 07, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 17
When's the last time you held the door open for someone? Could have been yesterday, even today. We do it so often it hardly feels like it's a big deal. But, as Raejean Kanter points out, such a simple, small act of kindness performed at the perfect time can stick with us for years. It can, in Raejean's case, even inspire us to pay it forward to the far reaches of the world. As a children's author , Raejean is doing her part to instill the importance of acceptance, generosity, and friendship in t...
Jun 24, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Not many things we do before we're potty-trained toddlers stick with us throughout our lives...at least, hopefully not. However, for Jenna Czaplewski, one interest of hers—held since her earliest years—has not only remained, but amplified. Books. Their magical nature, ability to transport and captivate, as well as their power to educate and develop empathy within the reader...it all clicked with Jenna from a young age. This unconditional, unabashed love has led her to amass a collection of hundr...
Jun 08, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Life throws many things our way. Some welcomed. Some not. We crave control over the details of our existence, but, the truth is, we never know what will happen next—if plans will take shape or be derailed. For Jeff Smith, upon joining the United States Army Special Forces at the ripe age of 17, a certain outlook on living was instilled within in him. This mindset guided Jeff decision by decision, from earning multiple degrees, getting married, learning to fly helicopters, and everything in betwe...
May 25, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 14
“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” This quote so eloquently stated by the ever-thoughtful Aristotle, sums up the professional philosophy for George Paasewe quite well. Drawn to education from an early age and now a middle school teacher, as well as a college professor, George has a knack for filling gaps, specifically gaps in knowledge. Beyond molding young minds directly in the classroom, George has built The Code Switcher, LLC—an education-centered...
May 13, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 13
As many of us did at the outset of the pandemic, Barbara Cerda would go on family walks. Her and her three daughters enjoyed the opportunity to get outside and explore their neighborhood—one that included a handful of Little Free Libraries , most of which, however, needed books. Being the good stewards that they are, the Cerda family gathered up old books and made it their mission to keep these libraries filled. What started out as addressing a simple need has grown into the Barby the Book Fairy...
Apr 27, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Tragedy strikes all of us. At one moment or another, we are met with unforeseen circumstances that shake us to our very core, our very foundation. For Kirsten Finn, that moment came in 2012, when her father was hit by a car while bicycling to work, severing his spinal cord in the process. Kirsten grew up creative, with a passion for theatre that led her from Chicago to Milwaukee during her formative college years and into her early career. It wasn't until the birth of her second child in 2005 th...
Apr 13, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Katie Corbett is completely blind. But, after experiencing undeserved scrutiny and mistreatment in the workplace, that didn't stop her from creating a compelling vision of her future, free from trauma and shame, full of confidence, understanding, and fulfillment. After losing her job, Katie went on a mission to overcome the negative feelings attached to her firing and, in the process, was introduced to two books that have since been seminal resources in her path to mental recovery. They've helpe...
Mar 30, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
What would you do if your child was diagnosed with autism? What would you do if a trained, licensed doctor told you to that your child would never amount to much of anything? Would you accept this grim, pre-determined fate? Or, would you hear it, internalize it, then fight it? Margaret Fairbanks chose the latter. When her son, Harry, was told at the age of 3 that, because of his autism, he'd never be on par with his peers and that he shouldn't be expected to go to college, Margaret knew this was...
Mar 16, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 9
August 23, 2020. Do you remember what you did that day? Unlikely...it was just another normal, uneventful Sunday for most of us. But, for Ike Wynter, it's a day that will never be forgotten. It's the day he realized what he needed to do. August 23, 2020 marked the start of a new chapter. Like many of us, Ike has experienced his share of pain, heartbreak, and despair. And, while these events and the emotions attached to them can be crippling to some, Ike has used them as opportunities to apply pe...
Mar 02, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Today's society has come to glorify the "self-made" person—someone who seems to rise from nothing to remarkable success, all on their own accord. But, is anyone really self-made? Deanna Mau's story is just one example that would lead us to think that no, it is impossible to be truly self-made. Deanna has had a passion for creation, so much so that she found herself buying up materials to do her own custom vinyl printing as a hobby. Her "clientele" included friends and family looking for cool mug...
Feb 16, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 7
For Jake Weiler, the philanthropic drive has always been there. Working with charitable organizations for years, his passion is well-known and well-developed. Yet, not until recently did Jake tap into something else—something that called on him to do more, to apply this passion in a deeper, more impactful way. While involved with Habitat for Humanity in Milwaukee , Jake saw an opportunity to harness the organization's homebuilding experience and translate it to the real estate investment sector,...
Feb 02, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 6
It happens to many of us. We enroll in our dream university. We select our major with the fullest, purest intent of obtaining a career in our studied discipline upon graduation. Our parents are proud, as are our friends. But, when the moment finally comes to execute on this plan and enter the workforce, something's not right. We feel pulled in another direction. For Katie Sullivan , the plan was engineering, but the pull was to teaching. Bravely, Katie didn't resist like many of us would and do....
Jan 19, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 5
It came in flash while taking a power nap in a parking lot. A flash that, for Josh Kok, illuminated the next step in his life's journey. A flash that reminded him of what he'd been able to do in the past and what he needed to do in the future. A flash that transported him back to a moment in Brazil, sitting alone on a bus, terrified beyond belief. Josh's story is not only captivatingly suspenseful, it is also transformative, profound, and enlightening. It is a testament to how seemingly mundane ...
Jan 05, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 4
DJ Shawna , a modern-day renaissance woman, is the official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks, a published author, a philanthropist, a clothing brand owner, a podcast host, a former professional basketball player...the list goes on. So, put simply, we had a lot to talk about—so much so that we decided to split our conversation into two unique episodes. --- In this episode—episode two—Journeymen hosts, Jacob and Ian, dive into the driving force behind much of Shawna's life: basketball. What is life like...
Dec 23, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 3
DJ Shawna , a modern-day renaissance woman, is the official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks, a published author, a philanthropist, a clothing brand owner, a podcast host, a former professional basketball player...the list goes on. So, put simply, we had a lot to talk about—so much so that we decided to split our conversation into two unique episodes. --- In this episode—episode one—Journeymen hosts, Jacob and Ian, dive into the ways Shawna is contributing to missions and ideas that are greater than h...
Dec 17, 2020•37 min•Season 2Ep. 2
After 22 amazing guests and 25 uniquely special episodes, Journeymen is excited to kick off Season 2! Hosts, Jacob and Ian, update listeners on the last year of their respective journeys, reflect on the highlights from what was a remarkable, year long opening season, share their greatest takeaways and insights gleaned, as well as convey their immense gratitude towards guests and listeners. Season 2 comes with some changes, too! A new logo, independent social media accounts for the podcast ( Face...
Dec 15, 2020•37 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In his own words, Forest Richter became an entrepreneur "by accident." With degrees in philosophy and psychology, he never had a pre-defined, set-in-stone career path. It wasn't until his mid-to-late 20's in which Forest decided he needed more than what was being offered by his current role. He desired to make an impact—and one he could tangibly see. So, he jumped headfirst into the Milwaukee startup scene, where making a real difference seemed possible. It didn't take long for Forest to realize...
Dec 08, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 25
It's funny how the things that happen most serendipitously often end up—when we look back on them—being some of the most influential moments of our lives. It's a theme ever-present among the stories of our Moments by Journeymen guests, and Faith Hommes is no exception. Though she's long had a penchant for fashion and taste for the aesthetic, it wasn't until one—rather chance—moment that Faith decided to act on her interests. In early 2020, Faith leaped head first into the wonderful world of rese...
Nov 25, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
"Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done." It's a quote from author Bryan Stevenson, and a statement that echoes through the mind of Ruben Gaona daily. Having been incarcerated for nearly seven years, Ruben knew that this time in his life and the mistakes that made it possible do not, and should not, define who he is. Yet, upon re-entering his community, he found that many of the people who had the ability to offer help and guidance simply believed the opposite—he is a convicted ...
Nov 17, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 23
