Lessons From the Guests Who’ve Shaped Me

One of my favorite parts of hosting a podcast is the rare privilege of sitting down with another human being for an uninterrupted conversation. No phones. No rush. Just two people, present.

It’s strange how rare that is today. For most of human history, deep connection was part of daily life. Now, it’s something we have to schedule. That’s why I don’t take it lightly. Every time I hit “record,” I’m stepping into an opportunity: to learn from someone’s lived experience, to explore the lessons they’ve earned, and to give them space to share what they believe with the world.

It’s a blessing I don’t take for granted.

While I still love my solo episodes, where I explore ideas that are shaping my own life, there’s a limit to what you can learn from one perspective. My favorite lessons often come from the stories of others, and lately, I’ve been intentionally bringing on more guests. In doing so, I’ve picked up insights that have stayed with me, shaping how I think and how I live.

Here are three I hope stay with you too.

1. Tyler Cole (DJ Take2) — “Your Race, Your Pace”

Before Tyler’s first endurance race, a fellow runner noticed his anxiety and offered a simple piece of advice: “Your race, your pace.”

It wasn’t just about running. It was about life.

We move so fast, so eager to match someone else’s tempo, that we forget this is our journey. In chasing their pace, we miss our own progress, our own joy. Tyler’s lesson was a reminder to be fully present, to run your race without comparison. Presence is a superpower, and unlike the ones in comic books, this one can be trained.

2. Dr. Kim Buck — The Cure for Disconnection

During National Men’s Mental Health Month, I spoke with Dr. Kim Buck, a therapist with an understanding of the loneliness epidemic. She explained how much of today’s depression stems from a lack of genuine connection.

We’re surrounded by people, yet starved for real relationships. The kind where you can confide, laugh, cry, and truly be seen. Technology fills our days with noise but leaves us empty. Her advice? If you can’t find those connections, be that person for someone else.

We rarely know who is silently struggling. But we can choose to be the reason someone feels less alone.

3. Brayden Galbraith — “No Excuses, Just Finish”

Brayden is a fellow endurance athlete I met during a Ragnar relay in 2024. He’s run every day in 2025, a streak that speaks for itself.

On the podcast, he shared a mantra that’s stuck with me: “No excuses, just finish.”

It’s easy to make excuses for quitting; too hard, bad timing, not meant for me. But as Brayden said, you don’t drop out of a marathon just because you’re off your target pace. You finish. Even if it’s slower. Because our word is our bond, and the most important person we keep that promise to is ourselves.

As I think about the future of Getting After It, I see a community built on lessons like these. The numbers don’t matter, whether it’s two people or two thousand, what matters is that lives are changed for the better, that actions improve, and that we grow together. If you have a story worth sharing, I’d love to hear it. 

Until then, no excuses, your race, your pace… and keep Getting After It.