The Unique Ability Podcast

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Are you ready to unlock the extraordinary genius that’s already within you? Welcome to The Unique Ability Podcast: Real Stories, Real Magic—where we bring you powerful, real-life stories of people who have discovered their Unique Ability and transformed their lives. Join Julia Waller as she dives deep with inspiring guests who have tapped into their natural strengths to create more energy, impact, and freedom. Through their journeys, you’ll see how embracing what makes you unique can lead to more purpose, fulfillment, and success.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    From Dentist To Startup Investor: How Unique Ability® Changed Everything, with Tim Thackrah

    Tim Thackrah went from operating 10% in his Unique Ability® to 80% —here's how: Tim spent decades as a successful dental surgeon—clinically excellent, professionally respected, and quietly restless. After three attempts at articulating his Unique Ability, a breakthrough discovery in 2017 revealed what was already true: his brilliance isn't in fixing teeth—it's in enabling aspirational people to have bigger and better futures. That clarity launched a complete life redesign, from solo practitioner to startup investor, mentor, and the calm in every founder's storm. Key Takeaways Your Unique Ability might be hiding inside a career that uses only a fraction of who you are. (Tim's dental practice was tapping into maybe 10% of his real brilliance.) Discovering your Unique Ability makes you less tolerant of work that doesn't fit—and that intolerance is the engine of transformation. The transition doesn't have to be a dramatic leap—Tim took four to five years to shift from clinical work to full-time startup advising, honoring his need for stability and realistic planning. Sharing your Unique Ability® Statement upfront—like a business card—filters out misaligned opportunities before they waste your time and energy. When you're operating in your Unique Ability, it gives you energy rather than draining it. Work stops feeling like work and starts feeling like flow. Notable Resources www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/ Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com Learn more about Tamar:  https://podcastimpactstudio.com/ Tim Thackrah: www.timthackrah.com You can see Tim’s full Unique Ability Best Habits here Tim’s Unique Ability: My Unique Ability is enabling aspirational people to have bigger and better futures. I do this by exploring and generating new ideas that challenge conventional thinking; designing solutions; and creating, communicating, and orchestrating realistic growth plans. Kolbe: 6743 CliftonStrengths: Intellection, Futuristic, Relator, Learner, Ideation PRINT: 1-6 Medium For things to be perfect, correct, and right/To be safe and secure Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.  Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    42 min

  2. 4 MAR

    The Naming Path: How To Discover Your True Unique Ability®

    What if the clearest path to your brilliance isn’t inside your own head—but reflected back to you by others? In this episode, Julia Waller walks Tamar through the “Naming Path,” the second phase of the Unique Ability® Discovery Process. Together, they explore the power of asking for positive feedback, receiving what others consistently see in you, and naming the strengths that have been hiding in plain sight. This conversation is about courage, validation, and the deeply moving experience of realizing you are capable of more than you thought. Because once you name your Unique Ability, everything begins to align. Takeaways Most people never stop to articulate who they truly are and how they operate. Asking for positive feedback can feel vulnerable—and transformational. Your “good” may be someone else’s “great.” The right audience reflects your strengths with surprising clarity. Naming your Unique Ability gives you permission to step into your next level. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] Tamar’s realization: “I’m capable of more than I think.” [00:03:17] The Unique Ability question—how to ask for feedback [00:05:14] The vulnerability of sending the letter [00:06:26] Receiving validation and almost crying [00:08:00] “Your good is someone else’s great.” [00:10:00] Trusting the audience that sees you clearly Notable Resources www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/ Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com Learn more about Tamar:  https://podcastimpactstudio.com/ Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. 🎵 Music Credits The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.  Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    30 min

  3. 25 FEB

    Status Quo Is Death: Erik “The Viking” Solbakken on Unique Ability

    Erik “The Viking” Solbakken joins Julia Waller for a real conversation about what happens when your Unique Ability becomes laser focused—and why that clarity creates energy, alignment, and freedom. Erik shares how the deep dive helped him reframe his past as raw material, stop “polishing the turd” of status quo thinking, and use frustration as a signal to find the right people on the right frequency. Takeaways  Your Unique Ability can feel “more concentrated” than what personality tools suggest—deep clarity creates real energy. Frustration can be a signal: either your mindset is off, or you’re not with the right people/audience. “Status quo is death” is a wake-up call to stop staying where your creativity is “tucked away and dying.” Reframing your past turns “what happened” into usable raw material for the future. The clearer you are, the easier it gets to say no—often “no more than yes.” Key Timestamps  00:03:33 — “Laser focused” clarity from the deep dive; energy it creates. 00:40:05 — Leaving the system; freedom to be valued for who you are. 00:41:28 — “Status quo is death.” 00:47:38 — The “Technicolor” finished-product vision (and frustration). 00:51:30 — Different “frequencies” + alignment in communication. 01:01:17 — Erik’s encouragement: if you’re unsure, do the deep dive. Notable Resources www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/ Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com Viking Academy (Erik’s podcast/platform he created after the deep dive): https://www.vikingacademy.com/ You can see Erik’s full Unique Ability Best Habits here Erik’s Unique Ability: My Unique Ability® is a creative process:   I break people free from the oppression that’s holding them back so they can recover the joy of living and experience freedom to creatively express themselves. I do this by seeing the connectivity of all things and delivering a solution using my Viking intensity and abundant playful energy. Kolbe: 6473 CliftonStrengths: Strategic, Achiever, Futuristic, Maximizer, Relator PRINT: 1-3 Medium For things to be perfect, correct, and right/To succeed and achieve Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. 🎵 Music Credits The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.  Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    1h 3m

  4. 18 FEB

    The Unique Ability® Action Plan: How To Create More Time For What Lights You Up

    What if making your life better didn’t require more effort—just better alignment? In this episode of The Unique Ability® Podcast, Julia Waller continues the Unique Ability discovery journey with Tamar, moving from insight into action. Together, they explore the Action Plan—a practical, human way to free yourself from draining activities and create more space for what energizes you most. This conversation is about momentum, permission, and trusting that when you focus on your Unique Ability, the ripple effect truly begins. Key Takeaways You don’t need to change everything—start with one “drawer,” not the whole house. Letting go creates freedom for you and growth for others. Excellence can be a hidden trap if it drains your energy. The benefits sell the action—if you’re not convinced, you won’t follow through. Focusing on Unique Ability creates momentum you can’t predict (in the best way). Key Timestamps [01:32] — Seeing your life clearly through the Activity Snapshot [05:29] — Why “brain space” matters as much as time [08:00] — Spring cleaning your work and life, one drawer at a time [13:24] — Freedom from vs. freedom to [32:55] — The ripple effect of focusing on Unique AbilityNotable Resources www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/ Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com Learn more about Tamar - https://podcastimpactstudio.com/ Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. 🎵 Music Credits The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.

    47 min

  5. 11 FEB

    Permission To Be Who You Are: Paula Harris On Relationships, Grief, And Purpose

    What happens when your greatest strength is caring deeply—and noticing everything? In this heartfelt conversation, Julia Waller sits down with author, TEDx speaker, financial planner, dream architect, and widow advocate Paula Harris to explore how her Unique Ability® of building relationships and sharing wisdom has shaped her work, her leadership, and her life. From handwritten notes to moments of surrender, Paula shares what it really means to inspire action without losing yourself in the process. Key Takeaways Your Unique Ability often feels “natural” to you—but extraordinary to others. Noticing people is a powerful form of leadership. Giving yourself permission to own who you are changes everything. Helping others requires learning when to let go. Joy, wonder, and possibility are practices—not destinations. Key Timestamps [02:08] Paula shares her Unique Ability Statement [05:00] A powerful moment of realizing her work truly helps others [07:00] The challenge of giving too much emotional energy [09:50] Why handwritten notes are a form of love and leadership [12:00] Learning to manage—not mute—your Unique Ability Notable Resources Paula Harris’s books: Rise Up: A Widow’s Journal & Rise Up: A Grief Journal Paula Harris, co-founder at WH Cornerstone Investments  www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/ Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com Paula’s Unique Ability: My Unique Ability is building relationships, sharing wisdom, and using my voice to inspire people to take action to become the best version of themselves and live with possibility, wonder, and joy. Kolbe: 8372 CliftonStrengths: Input, Harmony, Deliberative, Restorative, Responsibility PRINT: 2-7 Medium To be needed and appreciated/To be happy and enjoy life You can see Paula’s full Unique Ability Statement and Best Habits here. Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. Music CreditsThe intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    54 min

  6. 4 FEB

    The Activity Path: Discovering What Truly Energizes You

    What would happen if work actually energized you instead of draining you? In this foundational episode, host Julia Waller walks listeners through the first step of the Unique Ability® Discovery Process: understanding why you’re doing the work in the first place. Joined by podcast producer and author Tamar Routly, Julia explores motivation, purpose, and the early clarity that sparks confidence, momentum, and meaningful change. This episode opens the door to a different way of working—one rooted in energy, joy, and natural strengths. Key Takeaways Clarity about why you’re going through the process fuels confidence and follow-through. Being good at something doesn’t mean it energizes you. Unique Ability is discovered through reflection, not rushing. Growth happens when you align action with your natural way of operating. Fulfillment comes from doing more of what lights you up—and less of what doesn’t. Key Timestamps [00:00] What if work actually felt joyful? [01:00] What the Unique Ability Discovery Process really is [03:00] Why motivation matters before any growth work [05:20] Tamar shares her purpose for doing the process [09:45] From “good at everything” to clarity and confidence Notable Resources www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/ Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic.  🎵 Music Credits The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.  Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    32 min

  7. 28 JAN

    Reclaiming Identity: When Your Unique Ability Reveals Your Soul’s Work

    What happens when you stop defining yourself by your title and start living from your essence? In this deeply moving conversation, Julia Waller sits down with Dr. Stelios Nikolakakis—optometrist, founder, author, and guide—to explore the transformative power of discovering your Unique Ability. Together, they unpack identity, purpose, pain reframed as wisdom, and what becomes possible when you reclaim who you truly are beneath the roles you play. This episode is a masterclass in depth, clarity, and human connection.Key Takeaways Identity isn’t discovered—it’s reclaimed through courage and self-honesty Unique Ability lives beneath roles, titles, and external validation Deep clarity unlocks new creative and relational possibilities Pain and challenge can become portals to purpose When essence meets alignment, meaningful “magic” follows Key Timestamps [00:00] Life force energy and reclaiming identity [02:40] Why Unique Ability is experiential, not intellectual [05:30] Investing in yourself for the first time [10:27] Stelios reads his Unique Ability Statement [11:44] The inner clarity that leads to new creative expression Notable Resources & Mentions Dr. Nik — https://drnik.ca/ Soul Sight by Stelios Nikolakakis — https://drnik.ca/soul-sight/ www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Mind’s Eye NeuroVisual Optometry — https://www.mindseyeoptometry.com/ Check out Dr. Stelios Nikolakakis's Unique Ability Feeling curious about your own Unique Ability? Explore more at www.strategiccoach.com or download your free guide at www.uniqueability.com. The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.  Music Credits Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    55 min

  8. 21 JAN

    How Unique Ability® Creates Joyful, High-Performance Teams, with Shannon Waller

    Unique Ability® doesn’t live in isolation—it comes alive in teamwork. In this powerful conversation, Julia Waller sits down with her sister, colleague, and Strategic Coach® partner, Shannon Waller, to explore how Unique Ability transforms leadership, collaboration, and culture. From Shannon’s Unique Ability® Statement to real stories of alignment, assumptions, and growth, this episode reveals why knowing yourself—and respecting others’ strengths—is the foundation of joyful, high-performance teams. Key Takeaways Unique Ability can only fully express itself in teamwork. Strengths overused or misapplied become weaknesses. Alignment with what’s real creates trust, joy, and momentum. Great leaders challenge assumptions compassionately. Joy—not struggle—is a signal of being in your Unique Ability. Key Timestamps [01:00] — Introducing Shannon Waller and Unique Ability teamwork [03:32] — Shannon’s Unique Ability Statement explained [09:16] — Working outside your Unique Ability (and the cost) [18:18] — Why Unique Ability is a 10x multiplier [25:00] — Challenging assumptions and aligning with reality [46:00] — Why Unique Ability only works in teamwork Shannon’s Unique Ability: My Unique Ability is intuitively perceiving the essence of a situation, then innovating and compassionately communicating practical strategies to align people’s thinking with what’s real so they’re happy with themselves, maximizing their growth, working as a team, and fulfilling their purpose. Read More Kolbe: 3295 CliftonStrengths: Maximizer, Strategic, Individualization, Arranger, Relator PRINT: 7-8 High To enjoy life and be happy/To be strong and self-reliant Myers-Briggs: INFP Healer Idealist DISC: I/D Standout: Creator/Teacher Notable Resources Alison Armstrong: https://www.alisonarmstrong.com/Jennifer Kolari: https://www.connectedparenting.com/Chris Voss: https://www.blackswanltd.com/The Collaborative Way: https://collaborativeway.com/Marlene Chism: https://marlenechism.com/Patrick Lencioni: https://www.tablegroup.com/Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.com/www.strategiccoach.com www.uniqueability.com Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com To begin discovering your own Unique Ability, start with one assessment—or all three. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.  The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you. Real Stories, Real Magic. Music Credits The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.  Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.

    1h 4m
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Are you ready to unlock the extraordinary genius that’s already within you? Welcome to The Unique Ability Podcast: Real Stories, Real Magic—where we bring you powerful, real-life stories of people who have discovered their Unique Ability and transformed their lives. Join Julia Waller as she dives deep with inspiring guests who have tapped into their natural strengths to create more energy, impact, and freedom. Through their journeys, you’ll see how embracing what makes you unique can lead to more purpose, fulfillment, and success.

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