Unexpected Advice

Esther

This lively podcast allows us to learn interesting insights from interesting people - but not the in the way you would expect. Every single guest, whether highly accomplished or just widely interesting, shares a life lesson, a piece of advice, or a passion they've gotten really good at that the rest of the world needs to know about. It’s a fun way for you to learn something interesting about your fellow humans.

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  1. 23. MÄRZ

    Finding Your Passion: What’s the Headline of Your Scouting Report?

    Send us Fan Mail How do you actually find your passion? For many people, passion isn’t something you discover overnight. It’s something you uncover through experience, failure, and the willingness to keep asking questions about what truly drives you. In this episode of Unexpected Advice, Esther sits down with Todd Thurman, Director of Athletics at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Todd’s career has taken him from national championship basketball player to professional athlete, coach, and athletic director. But the most powerful lessons he’s learned along the way aren’t just about sports — they’re about understanding your strengths and building a life around them. Todd shares a question he often asks young coaches and professionals: “If someone wrote a scouting report about you… what would the headline say?” That question opens the door to a deeper conversation about identity, leadership, and discovering what you're truly passionate about. In this episode, we explore: How to discover what you're actually passionate aboutWhy building around your strengths matters more than fixing weaknessesThe role failure plays in growth and leadershipWhy fear keeps so many people from pursuing their next opportunityHow great leaders build teams and help others succeedTodd’s advice is simple but powerful:  Know who you are, build to your strengths, and don’t let fear make your decisions. Learn more about Todd:  Metro State Athletics: https://roadrunnersathletics.com/staff-directory/todd-thurman/217 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thurman-32216030/ You can learn more about Unexpected Advice by visiting https://insightfullycurious.com/unexpected-advice-podcast

    39 Min.
  2. 9. MÄRZ

    Your Best Decisions Were Made in the Rearview Mirror

    Send us Fan Mail Some of the best decisions you’ve ever made… didn’t feel big at the time. In this episode of Unexpected Advice, Esther sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist, ordained minister, and grief counselor Megan Malick to explore why your best decisions were made in the rearview mirror. From choosing sobriety one day at a time to navigating the profound loss of both parents in quick succession, Megan shares how hindsight reveals resilience, strength, and growth we often miss in the moment. Rather than focusing on long-term “prize goals,” she encourages us to embrace process goals — doing the next right thing and allowing identity to evolve naturally over time. This conversation explores: Why reflection builds emotional maturityHow to rewire a brain that defaults to negativityThe role of grief in reshaping identityThe power of small, steady decisionsAnd why you shouldn’t drive staring into the rearview mirror — but you should glance backIf you’ve ever questioned a decision, felt stuck in regret, or wondered whether you’re growing fast enough, this episode offers a grounded reminder: you’ve survived 100% of your days. There is wisdom in your past. Connect with Megan Malick Website:  https://a-new-path.com/ Substack:  https://meganmalick.substack.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/revmeganmalick Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/meganmmalick/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/revmeganmalick/ Her book on navigating grief (available on Amazon):  https://a.co/d/fsN9b6J You can learn more about Unexpected Advice by visiting https://insightfullycurious.com/unexpected-advice-podcast

    32 Min.
  3. 9. FEB.

    The Business of Being Creative: Contracts, Confidence & Community

    Send us Fan Mail What’s the most unexpected advice you’d hear from an award-winning illustrator and author? Not “draw every day”… but how to run creativity like a business without losing the joy that made you start. In this episode of Unexpected Advice, I’m joined by my longtime friend Jerry Bennett to talk about the business of being creative: contracts, pricing, revisions, and the confidence it takes to put your work into the world. Jerry shares how he built community through conventions and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, how he learned to create structure when no one is making you show up, and why contentment can be the most practical strategy for surviving feast-or-famine work. We cover: Why every creative needs a clear agreement and how revisions can quietly wreck your timePricing your work when clients don’t always know what they wantCommunity-building as a growth strategy, not just networkingCreating a consistent routine and protecting rest so you don’t burn outMoney basics for creatives including taxes, expenses, and staying as debt-free as possibleWhy Jerry is focused on original storytelling over chasing big-name logosIf you’re building a creative career or any kind of independent business, this conversation will help you protect your craft and your calendar. You can learn more about Unexpected Advice by visiting https://insightfullycurious.com/unexpected-advice-podcast

    38 Min.

Info

This lively podcast allows us to learn interesting insights from interesting people - but not the in the way you would expect. Every single guest, whether highly accomplished or just widely interesting, shares a life lesson, a piece of advice, or a passion they've gotten really good at that the rest of the world needs to know about. It’s a fun way for you to learn something interesting about your fellow humans.