Coffee & Change

What if we saw unhappiness not as a problem, but as a puzzle. When you start a puzzle, at first it can be daunting...lots of pieces, lots of sorting, lots of finding. This next story comes from someone who prides herself in helping others start putting those pieces together. Becky Morrison is the author of The Happiness Recipe published in the Spring of 2021. Having spent two decades in Big Law and Finance, Becky untangled her way into happiness and shares her tips and insights in her book as well as with her clients. Becky is also the co host of a podcast called COACHING CARRIE, where two lawyers turned coaches re-watch Sex And The City and can’t help but wonder: How would Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha’s lives have been different if they’d just had a coach to help them along? Every Tuesday Kerry and Becky recap an episode of the show, ask coaching questions, and talk through the answers the characters - and listeners - might give. Learn a little about what coaching looks like and relive your favo

Have you ever met someone that could bring a whiteboard to life? You know the type of person who lights up when they grab that marker and start creating, and connecting new ways of living and working the world? All in that limited canvas with an unlimited imagination for improving and doing better. Our story today comes from one of those unique beings on the planet. Donald Van Dyke is a Change and Transformation Leader who I had the pleasure of meeting in an interview almost six years ago. And while the interview began in a traditional way, I knew there was more story ready to burst out of this exceptional candidate I was meeting for the first time. And so with that, I handed him a marker and let him take the whiteboard. In that moment began a great friendship, when the student became the teacher and the opportunities to influence change using one’s story just unfolded before us. And while we have replaced the whiteboard for long walks in this pandemic, his passion for learning and leading is still as fervent

After the year or two we have had, I would say it’s time to create a lifestyle revolution. And so would my next guest, Natalie Labonte. Natalie shares her story and passions to help others discover what happens when they let their body, their spirit and their spaces do the talking. With a blend of the ancient and the dynamic, Natalie’s talents bring the wisdom of feng shui and biophilic design to her clients, who often never think of the power of place and space the same again. Enjoy the discussion. You can follow Natalie's work at NatalieLabonte.com and on Instagram at nataliejeanlabonte

Have you ever had that moment when you are listening to a podcast, and you stop and say to yourself, “It would be incredible to have a conversation with this person.” Well, today’s story and guest is a reminder to take those moments that move you, those words that inspire you and those risks that scare you, and go for it. Because you’ll never know, unless you go. And my go, just a few months ago, was to reach out to our next guest, Coach Matthew Hayes. After hearing Matthew as a guest on Clay Boykin’s Podcast called In Search of the New Compassionate Male, I felt called to reach out to Matthew directly, thank him for his insights and words, and ask him if he would share his story with you all...the listeners. What unfolded was equal parts respect, contagious regard and a resounding recognition of our common passions to help others on their journeys through change. I am still feeling this conversation and look forward to hearing how it resonates with you all. Enjoy the listen. You can reach out to Matthew on

On Episode 62 we hear from Donna Sovie, owner of Check and Balance Business Solutions. In sharing her origin story, Donna talks about how she took a lifelong learning approach to change and built the road to her dream retirement with her husband and family. Enjoy the listen.

On Episode 61 we hear the story of Nick Ferraiolo, a Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner. Though Nick's journey he has faced many situations that were life altering. In this discussion he shares some of those stories and explains how he helps clients re-engineer their beliefs in change. Enjoy the listen.

This is part two of the story with Brian Kirst, who shares his journey in change while on an Ancestry Pilgrimage. Make sure to listen to Part 1 before jumping into this episode. You can find out more about Brian and the work he does to help others in Genealogy research and Ancestry Pilgrimage at http://www.ancestrypilgrimage.com

From the first time he felt the pull of ancestral language to the first time logging on to Ancestry.com to his first family constellation, Brian's path had taken him on a multi decade journey in self discovery aided by genealogy research. With 12 years of research completed and some life changing soul work to nudge him, Brian jumped without a net to make the biggest change of his life. And in the sacred movement, mystery and mysticism of an Ancestral Pilgrimage he found his calling, helping others heal their family soul. Learn more about Brian, his story and his calling to help families heal at http://www.ancestrypilgrimage.com

Today is March 11, 2021. One year ago today, I took my last business flight home and as I sat alongside my fellow passengers, we must have held our breath collectively across the six hour journey home to Seattle. I remember landing to an eerily quiet city and starting that evening and that next day, our lives would change forever. As we think about all we have learned and grown through, our sense of home and who we are have become stronger in the isolation, anxiety and grief. This brief episode walks back to remember all we have learned and lived since that time of lockdown and lays the groundwork for a two part special on the power of home, belonging and discovery of heart and self along the journey.

On Episode 57 we hear from Amy Lynn Durham, the creator and author of Create Magic at Work. Amy is a certified coach and helps people discover their Spiritual Intelligence and combine it with Emotional Intelligence to navigate change and making lasting impact in the lives of others. You can find more about Amy at https://createmagicatwork.net/ Enjoy this powerful, soul-stirring conversation.

Today's story comes from Robert "Bo" Brabo. Bo is a retired Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army, a leadership-driven speaker and author and podcast host. During his time in the service, Bo was the Chief of HR Operations with the White House Communications Agency and Presidential Communications Officer for President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. In sharing his story Bo provides lessons in leadership, grit, resilience and ingenuity. Enjoy the conversation. And make sure to tune in to The Bo & Luke Show Podcast to follow the great work these guys are doing with some amazing guests.

Today's story comes from Jaylene Wallick. Jaylene is a holistic potential catalyst and change management consultant who passionately helps people reach their truest potential while amplifying the chemical reactions of life. Jaylene is on an incredible journey personally and professionally. She coaches and helps leaders and teams move through the world based on their values, strengths, and what gives each of us energy. Jaylene is also a practitioner of mindfulness and meditation and helps lead diversity and inclusion and belonging initiatives at her firm. Sit back and brew up a cup of your favorite warm beverage as you take in the learnings and lessons from Jaylene, a future leader of change management. There are a number of great resources Jaylene shared in this discussion. Books mentioned: A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson A Year of Miracles by Marianne Williamson A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Lost Connections by Johann Hari Stay tuned for more insights shared post

Today’s story features Leyandra Pagan, a Human Capital Strategist and Candidate for Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change at Northwestern University. Leyandra, like many students around the world, faced a new level of professional change in the summer of 2020. She never anticipated her internship experience in consulting to be fully remote, but as the pandemic raged on that became a new reality. Leyandra joined the podcast to share her story, insights and passion for leading change while completing two internships in a fully remote world. Together we discuss her valuable insights and lessons learned on what it is like to fully onboard with a new company and only ever get to meet your teammates through a screen. As leaders, we should all listen closely, as there is a lot we can learn from the next generation of leaders like Leyandra. Enjoy the discussion.

On Episode 53, we hear the story of Brett Putter, the CEO of CultureGene.ai and author of two books, Own Your Culture & Culture Decks Decoded. In this discussion, Brett and I talk about the tidal change that has come to how we work and collaborate in a hybrid and remote first world and the importance of values and human centered design when thinking about corporate culture. This is a fascinating discussion and a must listen for leaders navigating the tides of change in today's digital world. Enjoy the discussion. Opening and closing music composed by Jason Latham of Harmony Toanz Studios.

Today’s story features Kathleen Breault and Lorie Brew. Both parents and educators, Kathleen and Lorie share their moving stories and valuable insights they personally have gained while navigating and leading change in the education and healthcare systems for families across the State of Pennsylvania. When the world came to a sudden stop in March of 2020 due to COVID-19, both of these parents learned that their work and passion in advocacy and access became even more important in a remote world. Together, we talk about how parents and families are surviving in a pandemic and raising and educating their children at home, some who face intellectual and physical challenges. Let’s meet them both and learn together how we can support parents, educators, families and children in new ways. Opening and closing music composed by Jason Latham of Harmony Toanz Studios.

On Episode 51, I met with Jesse Gould, the Founder and President of the Heroic Hearts Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is pioneering psychedelic therapies for military veterans. After being deployed as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan three times, Jesse founded the Heroic Hearts Project in 2017 to spearhead the acceptance and use of ayahuasca therapy as a means of addressing the current mental health crisis among veterans. Together we talk about the journey of mental health for veterans and the recent decriminalization efforts and policy changes around psychedelics in the U.S. and Canada. Driven by a mission to help military veterans struggling with mental trauma, Jesse shares his heart and his own inspiring battle with PTSD and his recovery through ayahuasca therapy. For more information on the great work that Jesse and his team are doing to save lives and heal hearts, visit heroicheartsproject.org Enjoy the discussion.

2021 is proving to be a year that will continue to teach us about the power of change. Listen to a preview of what is planned this year for the podcast as we welcome new beginnings and new changes. Happy New Year!

Shawna Rasmussen, our first guest on this podcast back in January 2017, returns for Episode 50, to reflect on four plus years of change. She also flips the script on me to ask me a few questions about the podcast, nearly five years into this journey as a creator. Enjoy the discussion.

On Episode 49, I speak to Kirk Miller, VP of Global Clients at Ariel Group. Kirk shares his experience and wisdom and speaks about an article he posted on LinkedIn after experiencing a furlough. That article is full of great tips and recommendations for anyone impacted by the challenging economy and job market in times such as these. Enjoy the discussion!

On Episode 48, I interview Errol Doebler. With over 20 combined years as a Navy SEAL and FBI Special Agent Errol believes that if leadership is not done correctly one of three consequences will be realized, all of which are unacceptable: mission failure, injury, or death. Errol also believes that the leadership exhibited during times of chaos and struggle should not be vastly different than the leadership exhibited during times of relative calm and accord. As Errol points out in our discussion and in his book, there is no, “Break glass in case of emergency” leadership playbook. The same leadership that is applied during chaos on the battlefield is the same leadership that should be applied in business and at home. From his experience and wisdom, Errol developed a leadership process that can be applied to all aspects of our lives in times of both chaos and harmony. Errol is also a trained Wim Hof method leader, blending the power of breathing, cold exposure and mindset to achieve focus and sustained health.