the ACT OUT podcast

Adam Tomlin

On the ACT OUT podcast, Adam talks to people about their passions and how they relate to our world today. Expect honest conversations, humor, and a little sarcasm as guests share their stories, perspectives, and lessons. We’re here to challenge narratives, celebrate authenticity, inspire listeners to live unapologetically as themselves, and spark a feeling of connection and hope with the audience. Episodes usually feature Adam and one guest in a colorful, conversational setting, with new episodes dropping every Thursday. Adam’s humor, empathy, and insightful sarcasm make each conversation engaging, relatable, and thought-provoking. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: PodMatch | the ACT OUT podcast

  1. 3D AGO

    Rethinking Safety and Security: How to Stop Violence Before It Happens

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Robert Mahoney, founder of TVTP Solutions (Targeted Violence & Terrorism Prevention Solutions), for a fascinating and eye-opening conversation about preventing targeted violence before it ever reaches the “headline” stage. Robert breaks down why we don’t actually have a reporting problem—we have a coordination problem—and what it looks like when schools, law enforcement, mental health, and community organizations work together early instead of waiting for a crisis. Robert walks listeners through the Pathway of Violence (grievance → planning → acquisition → broadcasting → attack), explains what behavioral threat assessment (BTAM) really is, and why he prefers thinking of these teams as “care teams” instead of just threat teams. Adam and Robert dig into how prevention is often less about catching “bad people” and more about noticing patterns: isolation, escalating behavior, unmet needs, and the ripple effects of housing instability, substance use, or social disconnection that can compound over time. The conversation also explores why logical arguments don’t work when someone is emotionally dysregulated, how radicalization isn’t always about ideology but about identity, community, and purpose, and why top-down interventions often backfire. Robert shares powerful real-world examples—from school bus drivers spotting early warning signs to the “Toyota vs. Mercedes” analogy for building a culture of prevention—and explains how security measures can accidentally increase fear if the emotional narrative of safety gets ignored. If you’ve ever wondered what violence prevention actually looks like in the real world—or how communities can shift from reacting after the fact to stepping in sooner with support, connection, and smarter systems—this episode will change the way you think about safety. Learn more about Robert Mahoney and TVTP Solutions: https://tvtpsolutions.com/ Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce This episode includes discussion of suicide and violent ideation in the context of prevention and behavioral threat assessment. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., please contact your local crisis support service.

    1h 17m

  2. FEB 19

    Raising Resilient Kids: A Preschool Teacher on Toddlers, Tantrums and Emotional Growth

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Nicole Gamboa, a preschool teacher who’s been working with young kids for decades—and has truly seen it all. What starts as a hilarious trip down memory lane (including Adam’s unforgettable attempt at coaching little kid soccer) turns into a real conversation about what it actually takes to guide children through the most intense stage of emotional and developmental growth. Nicole shares what it’s like teaching two- and three-year-olds, why her “favorite” age group is usually four and five, and how quickly kids change when you’re working with them every single day. Adam and Nicole also dig into parenting culture shifts over time—how we went from dismissing kids’ feelings completely to sometimes swinging too far into coddling—and what gentle parenting actually looks like when it includes boundaries, consistency, and real emotional skill-building. Listeners will hear a grounded, relatable take on modern motherhood and family life: balancing work, parenting, and self-care; building community as an adult; and navigating the double standards that still show up for moms and dads. They also talk about mental health, therapy, medication (from a responsible, real-world perspective), ADHD in boys vs. girls, media literacy, and why “me-search” isn’t the same thing as actual research. If you’ve ever wondered why emotional regulation is so hard for kids (and honestly, for adults too), or how early childhood experiences shape the way people handle conflict, identity, and decision-making later in life—this episode will hit home. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce

    1h 15m

  3. FEB 12

    THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: Creating Holiday Magic 50 Feet in the Air

    In this episode of the ACT OUT Podcast, Adam climbs 50 feet into the air to talk with Ryan Palmer of Iron, Wood & Glitter Productions while taking down a massive Christmas tree in Newport News, Virginia. What starts as a conversation about lights, cables, and holiday displays quickly becomes a deeper look at what it really means to pursue happiness—and the risks, mindset shifts, and life decisions that make it possible. Ryan shares how he blended his background in commercial construction and the arts to build a career designing large-scale entertainment installations for cities, theme parks, and seasonal events across the country. From haunted houses and cruise ships to community Christmas spectacles, he explains how creativity and logistics work together—and why seeing families enjoy the displays makes the long hours worth it. 🎄 Want to see Adam 50 feet in the air on the Christmas tree? Check out the full episode video on YouTube and Spotify. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, perfectionism, and the fear that comes with starting something new. Ryan opens up about launching his company to spend more time with his family, the uncertainty of finding the next job, and the mindset shift that helped him move forward anyway. To close, Adam and Ryan zoom out to talk about THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS—why taking the first imperfect step matters, how one opportunity can change everything, and what it really means to build a life you don’t need to escape from. If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, working in a creative trade, or building a career that blends passion with practicality, this episode will leave you inspired. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce

    23 min

  4. FEB 5

    Politics Without Performance: Senator Angelia Williams Graves on Collaboration & Being Yourself

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with State Senator Angelia Williams Graves for a real, thoughtful conversation about leadership, public service, and what it actually takes to govern when the world feels loud and divided. From growing up in Norfolk as a pastor’s daughter to serving on City Council, the House of Delegates, and now the Virginia State Senate, Senator Williams Graves walks us through the moments—and lessons—that shaped how she leads. Senator Williams Graves shares what it was like growing up in a “fishbowl,” how that experience built the thick skin politics demands, and why owning who you are matters more than trying to fit in. Adam and the Senator also dig into the behind-the-scenes reality of government: why campaigning is the easy part, why governing requires consensus, and how the Senate becomes the “chamber of reality” when big ideas meet budgets, votes, and competing priorities. Listeners will also hear an honest take on the state of politics today—what happened to civility, why fear-based messaging works, and how we get back to disagreement without dehumanizing each other. The conversation touches on equity vs. equality, opportunity gaps, women in leadership, and what it looks like to serve people with integrity even when the choices are complicated. If you’ve ever wondered what public service looks like beyond soundbites—or why doing the right thing in government is rarely as simple as people want it to be—this episode will make you think, and it might even shift how you see leadership. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: PodMatch | the ACT OUT podcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce

    1h 26m

  5. JAN 29

    THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: Creativity as Therapy

    In this episode of the ACT OUT Podcast, Adam sits down with Tara, an engineer by day and artist by heart, for an honest and refreshing conversation about creativity, identity, and what it really means to pursue happiness. Tara shares how art has been a constant thread throughout her life—from childhood drawings hanging in her mom’s bathroom to painting large-scale murals—and how creating without rules has become both therapy and self-expression. Together, they explore the balance between structure and freedom, how creativity can coexist with a technical career, and why making mistakes isn’t something to fear—on a canvas or in life. Tara reflects on the lessons art has taught her about grace, flexibility, and trusting the process, including how unexpected moments (like muddy paw prints in a mural) can turn into something beautiful when you let go of perfection. 🎨 Want to see Adam’s artwork? Check out the full episode video on YouTube and Spotify. The conversation also dives into the realities of turning passion into income, the pressure that can come with monetizing creativity, and why Tara is choosing to explore her artistic style without rushing the process. To close, Adam and Tara zoom out to talk about THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS—who gets access to it, what support really matters, and whether doing what you love is still possible in today’s world. If you’ve ever felt torn between practicality and passion, or wondered how creativity fits into a “real” career, this episode will resonate deeply. Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: PodMatch | the ACT OUT podcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce

    14 min

  6. JAN 22

    Give Me Liberty: Patrick Henry on sparking a Revolution, Freedom and the Pursuit of Happiness

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this season premiere, host Adam Tomlin celebrates America’s 250th birthday by heading straight back to 1776—because what better way to talk about the pursuit of happiness than with the guy who helped light the match? With support from Colonial Williamsburg, Adam sits down with Colonel Patrick Henry for a lively, heartfelt conversation about freedom, faith, politics, and what it really takes to change a country’s story. Patrick Henry shares how his early years—church sermons, the Great Awakening, and a mother who made him recite what he heard—shaped his belief that the most powerful leaders speak to the heart, not just the head. Together, Adam and Henry unpack why emotional persuasion can move people faster than logic, what makes an unforgettable speaker, and how Henry’s courtroom fire (including the Two Pennies Act and the Parsons’ Cause) helped push Virginia further toward resistance. Listeners will also hear Henry’s take on the biggest tensions of the era: taxation without representation, the Stamp Act and Tea Act, the illusion of “left vs. right” compared to “up vs. down,” and why centralized power—British or American—should always make people pay attention. And in one of the most honest parts of the conversation, Henry doesn’t dodge the contradiction at the heart of the Revolution: fighting for liberty while slavery still exists, and what it meant for the Founding Fathers to be both influential and deeply flawed. This episode is part history lesson, part political philosophy, and part reminder that the pursuit of happiness isn’t a quote—it’s a responsibility. If you’ve ever wondered how the colonies became “we,” why independence sounded impossible, or what it means to live in a republic today, this one will make you think—and feel. Produced in cooperation with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Colonial Williamsburg is a registered trademark of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: PodMatch | the ACT OUT podcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce

    1h 15m

  7. 11/26/2025

    Why We Act Out: The Heart of the Podcast and How We’ll Shape the Future

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this solo mini-episode, host Adam Tomlin takes a moment to pause, reflect, and reset as Season 1 heads into a well-earned holiday break. With his signature humor and heart, Adam looks back on the first dozen episodes and revisits the core question listeners keep asking: What does it mean to ACT OUT? Together, he explores the ethos behind the show—pursuing happiness, elevating passion, and changing the narratives that shape our communities and our country. Adam reflects on why the podcast was created in the first place: to champion compassion as strength, vulnerability as courage, and storytelling as a bridge between divided places. He dives into the narratives he’s committed to shifting—especially around mental health and politics—unpacking why polarization feels so deep and why it doesn’t have to be. Using the metaphor of Benjamin Franklin’s rising (or setting) sun, Adam reminds us that the future is collective: we rise together, or not at all. Listeners will gain insight into the mission guiding the ACT OUT podcast, what’s coming next after the holiday recording sprint, and how individual conversations can spark cultural change. Adam also shares a simple, audacious plan for moving forward: keep acting out—keep choosing joy, curiosity, and connection, especially when the world says “pick a side.” As Season 1 wraps, we’re so grateful you’ve been here. We’ll return in January with fresh episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Until then, keep pursuing your happiness and acting out your purpose—right alongside us. Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce Music: Matt Hobbs @‌matthobbs & Puppy Songs @‌puppysongs

    7 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    From Tinder to Trowels: A Story of Love, Loss & Digging for Literal Dinosaurs

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam sits down with his favorite co-conspirator—wife and resident “chaos wrangler” Kaylin—to revisit a decade of decisive leaps, heartbreak, healing, and building a life on purpose. Together, they trace the arc from a right-swipe on Tinder to cross-country travel with a toddler, from law-school masks to authentic partnership, and from Atlanta roots to a new home in Norfolk, VA. Expect humor, heart, and hard-won clarity on what it really takes to keep moving—together. Kaylin shares stories from behind the camera and on the road: producing a traveling podcast with a two-year-old, the whirlwind filming blitz across multiple cities, and the season of caregiving that reshaped everything. She and Adam get candid about grief (G’s cancer and passing), the logistics and love inside family estates, back surgery and recovery, and why COVID became a surprising reset. They also unpack the Norfolk leap, life in a 1910 house, and Kaylin’s much-talked-about “dino dig”—a practice in intuition, pattern-spotting, and trusting your own voice. Listeners will gain insights into making big decisions fast (and kindly), carrying loss without letting it define the story, communicating through mental-health lows and shame, and finding the good moments inside hard years. Adam and Kaylin also offer practical takeaways for partnership under pressure—how to divide roles, invite community, and keep choosing the life you want. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast: Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast Follow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcast Credits: Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce Music: Matt Hobbs @‌matthobbs & Puppy Songs @‌puppysongs

    1h 17m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

On the ACT OUT podcast, Adam talks to people about their passions and how they relate to our world today. Expect honest conversations, humor, and a little sarcasm as guests share their stories, perspectives, and lessons. We’re here to challenge narratives, celebrate authenticity, inspire listeners to live unapologetically as themselves, and spark a feeling of connection and hope with the audience. Episodes usually feature Adam and one guest in a colorful, conversational setting, with new episodes dropping every Thursday. Adam’s humor, empathy, and insightful sarcasm make each conversation engaging, relatable, and thought-provoking. Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: PodMatch | the ACT OUT podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Tomlin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 the ACT OUT podcast
  • Show Website
    the ACT OUT podcast