Toronto-based writer Hope Thompson opens up about repression, desire, and authenticity in storytelling. Hope's work navigates the tension between repression and desire, influenced by her upbringing and interest in crime fiction and mystery. Topics discussed in this episode: 00:24 Unpacking Repression and Authenticity 05:52 Personal Insights and Breakthroughs 08:59 Authenticity and Personal Growth 10:46 Challenges and Evolution of a Writer's Voice 17:05 The Power of Collaboration in Creative Work...
Apr 10, 2024•29 min•Ep. 75
In this powerful episode of My Most Authentic Life , host Fede Vargas welcomes artist and storyteller Blake Pfeil to explore his transformative journey from addiction to spiritual sobriety. Blake opens up about hitting rock bottom, distinguishing between dry and spiritual sobriety, and how art became his channel for healing and self-expression. Blake reflects on the role of shame, rigorous honesty, and community in his recovery, while sharing coping strategies and insights into maintaining sobri...
Mar 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 74
Mitchell Posthumus shares his candid story of navigating panic disorders and transforming his life. He discusses openly the impact of panic disorders on his social life, the physical and mental transformation he underwent, and the role of fear in personal growth. He emphasizes the significance of accepting struggles and seeking the right information. Tune in to discover how he conquered fear and found empowerment. Episode Chapters: 01:15 Mitchell's Struggles and Unhealthy Lifestyle 01:34 The Imp...
Feb 21, 2024•25 min•Ep. 73
In this episode, Fede welcomes guest Jordan Carroll to discuss intentional career transitions. Jordan elaborates on his journey from serving as a career coach to ultimately co-founding a new business. Drawing from personal experiences, Jordan shares seven valuable lessons he learned during his drastic career pivot. Tune in to hear the exact steps, process, and experiments he executed to facilitate the biggest career transition of his life. Discussed in this Episode: 02:40 Recognizing the Signs o...
Feb 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 72
In this episode, host Fede Vargas interviews Rachel Covert, a former fashion industry professional, who faced a life-altering health diagnosis at age 29, forcing her to rethink her work-life balance. Covert shares her journey of aligning her life with personal values following the pivotal moment that changed her life trajectory. She discusses the importance of embracing discomfort, putting finances in order and sticking to long-term plans, even when they feel uncomfortable. Despite struggling wi...
Feb 07, 2024•26 min•Ep. 71
Join us for this in-depth discussion with Erick Galindo, an award-winning writer, creator, director and storyteller from Compton. Fede and Erick discuss the complex concept of 'home', exploring its meaning in relation to cultural identity, heritage, and personal evolution. Galindo explores his journey of identifying as a misfit and how he uses his personal experiences to tell stories about other misfits. The discussion takes a closer look at the lives of immigrants using the backdrop of Eric's p...
Jan 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 70
Join us in this empowering conversation with Susan Salzman, you'll learn how to reinvent your life with purpose. Whether you're seeking personal growth or professional development, this episode is a resource for wisdom and inspiration. Tune in and be motivated to embark on your own path of transformation. Episode Chapters: 01:37 The Power and Necessity of Reinvention 03:09 Pivoting with Purpose 05:01 Life Beyond Ambition 07:36 Building a Global Lifestyle Brand 10:45 Gaining Confidence and Steppi...
Jan 24, 2024•29 min•Ep. 69
In this episode, Fede welcomes Ken Honda to the show, Japan’s Zen guru and international best-selling author of “Happy Money,” surpassing 8 million books sold. Ken introduces his unique concept of happy money, reshaping our understanding of financial relationships and inspiring peace of mind. He highlights the power of gratitude and appreciation in financial health. Listen to learn how to build an abundant life. Highlights from this Episode: 01:15 The Concept of Happy Money 03:27 Understanding Y...
Jan 17, 2024•30 min•Ep. 68
Join us in this deeply inspiring episode with Kyle Buchanan, speaker, host of the feelgoodery podcast, and resident contributor on Canada’s "The Morning Show." Kyle shares his transformative journey from battling anxiety, body image, and self-doubt to becoming a beacon of positivity and self-love. Dive into this candid conversation about overcoming and flourishing, packed with relatable stories, practical wisdom, and empowering insights. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration to embrace their tr...
Jan 10, 2024•33 min•Ep. 67
As we prepare to launch new episodes on January 10th, we’re revisiting some of host Fede Vargas’ favourite episodes from the archives. In this episode, we revisit the milestone 50th episode of the podcast, a pivotal moment where Fede taps into the theme of 'starting anew' – a topic especially resonant as we step into the new year. This episode is not just a reflection but an exploration of six profound reasons why embracing the challenges of reinvention can lead to transformative experiences. Fe...
Jan 03, 2024•19 min•Ep. 66
As we prepare to launch new episodes in January, we’re revisiting some of host Fede Vargas’ favourite episodes from the archives. In this episode, Fede, interviews Helen Jurado, a self-made sales professional in the media and entertainment industry. Their conversation lends insight into Helen's life, shaped by the lives of her mother and grandmother. These strong Latina women taught her resilience, fearlessness, and the importance of education, which enabled her to become the first in her family...
Dec 27, 2023•37 min•Ep. 65
As we prepare to launch new episodes in January, we’re revisiting some of host Fede Vargas’ favourite episodes from the archives. In this episode, Fede interviews Kara Whipkey, an experiential marketing director who turned to ice bath cold therapy as a part of her mental health journey. Whipkey shares how mental health issues not only affect one's emotions, but daily habits and ways of coping. When the live events industry halted due to COVID-19, Whipkey lost her job, forcing her out of her comf...
Dec 20, 2023•29 min•Ep. 64
How do you measure success? In this year-end episode, host Fede Vargas reflects on his concept of success. Drawing from his life experiences, Fede illustrates how success can take various forms, with it differing at each stage of life. Incorporating guest insights, the theme of embracing change and adaptability is discussed. Listener feedback is also considered, with an emphasis on internal peace and joy as significant markers of success. 00:00 Introduction: A New Perspective on Success 01:00 We...
Dec 13, 2023•14 min•Ep. 63
How can mindfulness and engaging slowly enhance our lives? In this episode, Fede connects with Marilyn Ball, the host of the iHeart Radio show and global podcast, Speaking of Travel. They explore the concept of engaging slowly and the importance of mindfulness in various aspects of life, including travel. Marilyn shares her unique life journey, from her early years in Asheville, North Carolina to her present-day role as an audio journalist. She talks about lifestyle reinvention, mindfulness and ...
Dec 06, 2023•32 min•Ep. 62
What does it take to trek the famous Camino de Santiago? Retirees and long time friends, Doug Bardoff and Mike Lee found out. They discuss their adventure as they made their way along this historic 800Km/500 mile path that takes you from France through Northern Spain. The story includes anecdotes of their preparation, challenges they faced such as the physical exertion and harsh terrain, and the concept of spiritual, mental, and physical challenges. They also touch upon the importance of communi...
Nov 29, 2023•35 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, Fede hosts media personality Dramos to discuss his journey of self-discovery and embracing authenticity. Dramos shares his experiences as an American-born Latino youth, navigating his identity in the world. He shares his struggle with authenticity, the importance of finding a sense of community. The conversation focuses on the concept of living authentically, the challenge of embracing the pivot, and the concept of 'good trouble'. Dramos discusses the importance of being unapolo...
Nov 22, 2023•36 min•Ep. 60
Sam Thompson is a commercially minded, creative consultant focused on transformational growth and new business streams. He reflects on his journey from sales to fatherhood, and how the pandemic gifted him a beautiful family. Sam discusses the value of being passionate about your work. He recalls his father’s view that everyone sells something, knowingly or unknowingly, and the key is aligning this process with what one loves most. For Sam, success transcends career achievements and is synonymous...
Nov 15, 2023•35 min•Ep. 59
In this insightful conversation, Shirley Garcia shares her journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Born in the Bronx to Dominican parents and growing up in a blended family, she discusses her struggles with identity, cultural differences, and the sound of her voice. She recounts her experiences of feeling different, her growth through her career, and the empowerment she gained from embracing her unique voice in the corporate world. Reflecting on her journey, Shirley emphasizes the need to shar...
Nov 08, 2023•34 min•Ep. 58
This year, Day of the Dead takes on a new meaning. On October 25th, catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Otis wreaked havoc on the beautiful beach town resort of Acapulco, Mexico. In light of this recent disaster, we revisit a special episode from our archives—a re-release of last year's Day of the Dead special recorded on location in Guanajuato, Mexico. The episode commences with an introductory reflection on the themes of life, death, and rebirth, drawing connections to the recent memory of the m...
Nov 01, 2023•23 min•Ep. 57
How do we manage difficult conversations in a highly charged climate? In today's episode, we connect with Certified Life Coach, Jess Fraser. Jess courageously triumphed over life's most challenging obstacles to discover her true strength and purpose. She emerged with a profound understanding of the power of breaking down before breaking through. In a polarized reality, where it may feel like the entire world is breaking down, she guides us through effective strategies to have difficult conversat...
Oct 25, 2023•35 min•Ep. 56
In this episode, we dive into an insightful conversation with Michelle Anhang, a Certified Leadership and Mental Health Coach. In the midst of a constantly overwhelming news cycle, we explore effective techniques to maintain and improve our mental health during challenging times. Michelle shares valuable tools and strategies to guide us through these turbulent periods, starting with the distinction between responding and reacting. We engage in an open and meaningful dialogue about overarching st...
Oct 18, 2023•28 min•Ep. 55
In today’s solo episode we explore the concept of 'enoughness', and the 'in-betweenness' that often defines our life paths. It's about the contrasting realities that shape us, a journey that's neither here nor there, yet a story that's as much mine as it is yours. Personal wealth isn't always measured in dollars and cents; sometimes, it's found within. This episode is more than just a personal account; it's an invitation to redefine your understanding of scarcity and abundance, and perhaps to fi...
Oct 11, 2023•16 min•Ep. 54
Today's episode is an in-depth session on "Unlocking Authenticity and Life Purpose." Our expert guest is professional certified coach, Jenny Tryansky. Jenny guided me through the height of my transformative life pivot. This conversation is a masterclass on personal growth, anchored by Jenny's remarkable reinvention story and reflections from our collaborative work. If you're seeking inspiration to confront your fears and are ready to embark on a transformational path, this episode will empower y...
Oct 04, 2023•55 min•Ep. 53
Today, we get a unique Gen Z perspective on personal growth. Becca Rose takes us on her journey of self-discovery. We get an in-depth look at how this journey has shaped her into the person she is today — a person who believes in learning through doing and building real, in-person connections. Becca's inspiring vision for her future, grounded in creative pursuits and meaningful connections, is a testament to her approach towards life and personal growth. Becca Rose Short Bio Becca is a Pacific N...
Sep 27, 2023•31 min•Ep. 52
Today, we’re having a deeply personal and inspiring conversation with Helen Jurado. Her life has been shaped by a lineage of strong and resilient Latina women. Helen’s remarkable journey is an against the odds story. She was able to overcome a challenging upbringing to be the first in her family to go to college and then thrived in a successful two decade career in the media and entertainment industry. This episode is a celebration of Latin heritage and a tribute to the strong women who moulded ...
Sep 20, 2023•38 min•Ep. 51
Welcome to the 50th episode of My Most Authentic Life! In today’s episode, we explore the beauty and necessity of starting over. Gabriel García Marquez's stirring quote sets the tone as we explore the profound possibilities of transformation. Personal anecdotes and inspiring narratives from past guests highlight the power of owning your story, unearthing your superpower, and finding authenticity through adversity. From recognizing your inner leadership to identifying your brightest moments, this...
Sep 13, 2023•18 min•Ep. 50
What if you sold everything you owned and bought a one way ticket to go volunteer in the jungle in Central America? Imagine paring down 30+ years of meaningful possessions and family keepsakes to make them fit into a 10x10 storage unit. This was just the beginning of Ronda Taylor's remarkable life pivot. At the age of 53, she sold everything. With a profound sense of gratitude she embarked on a journey into the unknown. Ronda speaks openly about her path to awareness, self-discovery, and about s...
Sep 06, 2023•41 min•Ep. 49
What if adversity wasn't a setback, but a path to discovering your true life purpose? Prepare to be inspired by an extraordinary story of resilience, faith, and triumph as we sit down with our guest, Fletcher Cleaves. A car accident altered the course of Fletcher's life, turning him from a promising athlete into a quadriplegic. Yet, he was able to tap into this indomitable spirit, his inner gifts of energy and light, to transform this tragic event into an impactful testimony that continues to in...
Aug 30, 2023•45 min•Ep. 48
Today, we hear the inspiring life story of Heather Hartt-Sussman. Heather's story is about the power of reinvention and the beauty we can find when starting over. Through life's twists and turns, it takes courage to say yes to the unknown and equally as important, to know when to say no. Heather takes us through her journey of life's reinventions and the importance of embracing change. From Hollywood celebrity reporter, to juggling the demands of motherhood, to launching her new business as a pi...
Aug 23, 2023•36 min•Ep. 47
What if you could apply the five stages of change as you navigate through your journey of self-discovery? What if you could acknowledge these stages to help you get unstuck and seek fulfilment? Today, I'll share how these stages have shaped my previous life experiences as well my transformational journey. Whether you're seeking personal growth or are navigating a life transition, this episode is your guide to embracing positive change. Episode Resources: United States: https://www.samhsa.gov/fin...
Aug 16, 2023•16 min•Ep. 46
