To kick off season 2 of Opening Presence, I sit down with Jonathan Riley the Founder of Better Marketing and Herbert Beauclere Creative Director of Pensole Footwear Academy and Co- Founder of Sneakerweek PDX. In this conversation we discuss their journey into the sneaker industry and the moment they chose to empower themselves and their community over serving corporations. Something I learned from this conversation was the importance of having core values and integrity because those are the thin...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In today's episode I sit down with Brett Brown. He is a 3D designer at Nike. When he's not designing the future of footwear you can find him shooting photos in the street or in his portrait studio. In this conversation we discuss his journey into design, what it's like to have a "white sounding" name and race in the workplace. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and look forward to creating more inclusive spaces with leaders like Brett. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a ...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In today’s episode of Opening Presence I sit down down with Chris Miller. He is a 5 elements Acupuncturist and Owner of Portland Wellness Collective. I have been seeing Chris for treatments for just over a year now and I am consistently amazed by the ways he can tune into my energy field then apply healing based on my individual needs . In this conversation we discuss the importance of taking accountability for our own energy so that we can engage honestly with our spiritual development. If you ...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this run and gun episode of Opening Presence I catch up with Charley Zheng in Portland's very own Laurelhurst Park. Charley is a brand strategist, writer, photographer, and world traveler. She is always game to explore the deepest topics and asks the most thought provoking questions. In this conversation we discuss relationships in all facets of life. The relationship we have with the times and how we navigate letting go of the identities we've built up to this point.. We also explore romanti...
Jul 21, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Rob-O is the Owner and Creative Director of Roots N Rooftops. A menswear brand dedicated to building high quality sustainable goods from the ground up. In this very special and extremely rare episode of Opening Presence - we go behind the scenes and into the creative process of the Roots N Rooftops 2020 debut called 'The Windup Collection' inspired by the 100 year Legacy of Negro League Baseball. Before the first pitch, we take a trip down memory lane where it all started on the East Coast. Imme...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In today’s episode, I sit down with Yagn. He is a tattoo artist, designer, daily meditator and just so happens to be my room mate. In this conversation we discuss our experience at a healing retreat in Troncones - a small coastal town in Zihuatanejo,Mexico. It was there where we learned about indigenous medicine and held space to do our deep inner work with other growth minded individuals. We also dive into our favorite topic, meditation. Yagn is someone I am grateful to have met on this path be...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In today’s solo cast I let you in on my personal experience of intentional healing with Mother Nature. I know a lot of people go through hardships in life and sometimes we don’t know how to cope with emotions like grief. My brother Ryan and I lost our mother 3 years ago to breast cancer. I want to share with you how I chose to honor her life and continue her legacy by taking time to reflect, process and transmute the pain of loss into inner knowing and a deep love and respect for nature. I've fo...
Jun 29, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In today’s episode of Opening Presence, I sit down with Danny Hellevig - Owner and Operator of Vanlife Northwest, a Portland based garage specializing in imported Japanese camping vans. Danny is someone that inspires me because he is an example of how investing in your passion will eventually lead to a level of embodied fulfillment. We discuss how changing course and moving to Portland lead him to blend his love for the outdoors with Vintage Japanese Space Vans. Vanlife Northwest has become a on...
Jun 22, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In today’s episode I sit down with Chris Thoms - UX Designer who in a former life was a professional soccer player. We discuss the how Chris uses Art to process childhood trauma and how prayer allows him to answer some of life’s deepest questions. I can tell you now that whenever Chris and I meet we always uncover new ideas that give us a richer understanding of our human experience - so get ready to take this journey and witness “The Artistry in Suffering’ If you enjoy this episode, make sure t...
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In today’s episode I sit down with Candace Molatore. She is a self love - body positive advocate, branding consultant and photographer based out of Portland, OR. Candace has worked with brands like Tea Bar, SUPERMAKER, Toyota and Forever 21 just to name a few. In this conversation we discuss her confidence journey and the importance of building strong relationships. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to share it with a friend. For more information or to contact Candace directly - visit her web...
Jun 09, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode of Opening Presence I sat down with Fitness Guru Abigail Parker. In 2015, she moved to Portland, OR with a dollar and a dream - to pursue a career in ballet. However, a series of events guided her to find her true calling- Coaching. Fueled by a burning desire to motivate people to reach their highest potential mentally and physically, Abigail entered the world of Entrepreneurship and started Make it Happen & The Abigail Method. I am grateful for the opportunity to sit down wi...
Jun 03, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In today’s episode I sit down with Rob Darmour. Owner and Creative Director of it.vanishes- an experimental Outdoor Brand operating out of Portland, OR. It.vanishes is dedicated to repurposing unused materials from large scale productions and deeming them “Not Waste” Rob also facilitates it.vanishes Hike Club -For People who don’t Hike,. A community inspired to explore our unique personal relationship to nature. For current inventory, inspiration and more information please visit www.itvanishes....
May 26, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In today’s episode of Opening Presence I sit down with recording artist Rahn Harper. He takes us on a journey of landing his first record deal and navigating the music industry as a newly independent artist. We start off this episode with Rahn Harper’s latest single entitled Listen. It’s an entire vibe that should be added to your rotation with the quickness. I am so grateful that I got this opportunity to not only connect with Rahn, but to dive into his song writing process and discuss his evol...
May 18, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Quaz Amir , also known as DJ Woolbeanie is the Founder and CEO of The Collab PDX. He is from the city of brotherly love and prefers pop tarts over toaster strudels (all cap). Quaz is someone that understands that the POWER is with the PEOPLE and he makes sure that everyone around him feels empowered to speak their truth.
May 11, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Joshua Alan Young is a Portland-based Immersive Tech Pioneer and Culture Incubator. His mission has been to expand and fortify opportunities for the immersive tech ecosystem. He does this through Design Reality, a monthly event series dedicated to fostering education, collaboration, and investment for our XR community.As well as through Reflective Brands, a creative agency specializing in implementing Immersive Tech experiences for brand engagement. His goal is to keep technology human and to in...
May 04, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On this special episode of Opening Presence I have a conversation with my great friend Steph Montoya. She has a wealth of knowledge and has the ability to breakdown complex ideas and consolidate them into digestible and actionable items. What also makes this episode so great is that this conversation is no different than any conversation we have. Extremely introspective, engaged and supporting of our life’s purpose.
Apr 27, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode of Opening Presence I sit down with my good friend Anthony Taylor and we talk about his debut gallery showing entitled 'Ain't No Saint' - A story told through photography and design. We dive deep into his process and the message he instills within the very thread of this multi-di masterpiece. Below is a little taste of the story arc which was written by Terrence Watson and his mother Toni Watson. Toni Watson: As a parent, you're constantly swatting objects away for your kid. You ...
Apr 13, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode I reflect on the decision I made to commit to a daily meditation practice and how it continues to supports me in my daily life. If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to share it with a friend! -Aaron
Apr 07, 2020•25 min
In this episode of Opening Presence, I sit down with artist - designer Elliott Snyder of OLD FRIEND studio to talk about his creative process, inspiration, experimentation and the importance of travel to inform his artistic perspectives. Sit back with your cup of coffee and hang with us! If you are a small business owner looking for a logo, website or a complete rebrand of your business. Be sure to check out www.oldfriend.co I hope you enjoy this episode. Make sure to share with a friend, prefer...
Mar 30, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 2
I'd give you a hug but....
Mar 25, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1
