What did you get in trouble for the most as a kid? For Barbara Bray, it was always asking "why?" Seven decades on, she's built a whole life around that question. Rick and Tisha sit down with the author, empowerment coach, and host of the Grow Your WHY podcast to talk about finding your purpose, and finding it again when life changes the plan. Barbara's path runs from dental hygienist to tech-loving professional development leader, online learning community founder, author, and coach, with a broken leg, a neck fusion, and a lifelong family friendship with George Foreman along the way. She explains why so many educators struggle to see their own value, how she reworked the Ikigai framework around what you're valued for rather than what you're paid for, and why the first step out of feeling stuck is to "flip it positive." The conversation also gets personal, as Barbara and Tisha share how a missed lung cancer diagnosis and Tisha's son's leukemia diagnosis taught them to advocate, push for second opinions, and really listen. Warm, funny, and full of hard-won wisdom for any educator wondering what comes next. 00:00 Finding Your Why 03:03 The Journey of Self-Discovery 06:13 Embracing Change and Growth 08:49 The Power of Storytelling 12:12 Navigating Life's Challenges 15:01 Creating Impact Through Education 17:53 Legacy and Giving Back 24:43 The Power of Playfulness in Learning 27:01 The Importance of Coaching and Support 28:38 Unlearning and Finding Your Value 30:59 The Journey of Self-Discovery 36:10 Flipping the Script on Self-Doubt 39:49 The Role of Accountability in Growth 45:04 Navigating Systems and Advocacy 47:49 Transformative Life Lessons 49:57 Navigating Healthcare Challenges 51:58 The Importance of Advocacy 53:51 The Power of Listening 56:04 Juice Box Confessionals: Fun and Reflection 1:01:10 Childhood Memories and First Jobs 1:04:39 Future Endeavors and Empowerment Coaching About Barbara Bray Barbara Bray is an award-winning author, podcast host, international keynote speaker, entrepreneur and purpose-driven coach with more than 30 years of experience transforming education, technology, and learning. A former educator and technology innovator, Barbara has spent her career helping educators, leaders, and learners make learning more authentic, meaningful, and relevant. She has worked with schools, districts, organizations, and thousands of educators worldwide, exploring how agency, advocacy, creativity, and human connection can shape more powerful learning experiences. Barbara is co-author of two books on personalized learning and author of "Define Your WHY" and "Grow Your WHY: One Story at a Time." As the founder of Grow Your WHY and host of the Grow Your WHY Podcast, Barbara explores the stories behind transformational journeys and what happens when people discover and act on their purpose. As a Story Weaver, Barbara combines her experience in education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology with deep listening and storytelling to uncover the stories behind the story. As an Empowerment Coach, she helps people navigate change, reclaim their voice, and turn lived experience into meaningful impact. Her message is simple: Your story matters, and your WHY can become a catalyst for what comes next. Follow Barbara Bray on: TikTok: https://tiktok.com/barbarabray48 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbray27 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.bray/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@BarbaraBray LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarabray/ X: https://x.com/bbray27 BlueSky: https://bbray27.bsky.social Website: https://barbarabray.net Linktree: https://linktr.ee/barbarabray27 Join the newsletter: https://played3.com/?newsletter=1 Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header 🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together
