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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 11/06/2025

    Turning Pain into Purpose: Homelessness, Mental Health and Finding Dignity

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam sits down with community leader and Project U First founder Erica Wright—the 2025 Phenomenal Women’s Community Servant Award winner—to talk dignity-first outreach, mental health, and what actually helps our unhoused neighbors. Together, they dive into Erica’s origin story (a Sunday-school prompt and a woman washing her hair under a bridge), how hygiene and “being seen” can unlock hope, and why real change requires wraparound services—not just photo ops. Expect candor, compassion, and a practical roadmap for helping that helps. Erica shares stories from 10 years on the ground: launching hygiene kits from church hallways, serving during the pandemic out of a Honda Civic, and scaling impact with partners (hello, sock drives!) while refusing to lose the human in the metrics. She and Adam unpack the realities of living with bipolar I, anxiety, and OCD, the non-glamorous side of nonprofit work, and the difference between short-term relief and long-term stability. Along the way they explore: care closets in schools, the U First Kids Bus, day services vs. shelters vs. “housing first,” and what happens when leaders roll up their sleeves and ask someone’s name before handing them a bag. Listeners will gain insights into designing support with dignity, why hygiene is often the first domino to employment and stability, how to collaborate across orgs without exploiting stories, and concrete ways to help today (from keeping kits in your car to building school-based resources). Adam and Erica also get real about self-care for caregivers—why the work is unsustainable if the worker isn’t well. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for heart, realism, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Connect with Erica & Project U First: Website: Project U First (http://projectufirst.org ) Instagram & Facebook: @‌projectufirst 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 28m

  7. 10/30/2025

    From Radio to Retro: How VHS Deathmatch Brings Nostalgia to Life

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam sits down with Atlanta creative and VHS Deathmatch co-host Kristopher Bolz to talk radio days, living-room comedy shows, and why “so-bad-it’s-good” movies are the perfect glue for community. Together, they dive into Kris's path from Chicago to Las Vegas to Atlanta, how boredom can spark bold ideas, and the origins of a live show that mashes up cult films, stand-up energy, and audience participation—complete with QR-code voting and over-the-top VHS “death” scenes. Expect nostalgia and a refreshing case for authenticity over perfection. Kris shares stories about turning 21 in Vegas, penny slots and “lost wages,” packing a house with strangers for DIY shows, and moving those parties into East Atlanta venues. Kris and Adam trace Kris's journey from Eight-Bit Comedy Night at Joystick Gamebar to VHS Deathmatch—editing full films down to tight clip blocks, riffing live with a co-host, and letting the crowd crown “the best of the worst.” Along the way Adam and Kris discuss: Spoon-throwing at The Plaza Theater watching The Room, wig disasters in Samurai Cop, the unkillable charm of Miami Connection, and why Atlanta’s food + arts scene keeps creative people circling back. Listeners will gain insights into building a niche live event, balancing a full-time sales job with night-and-weekend creativity, and using mistakes as fuel instead of proof you should quit. Adam and Kris unpack practical event craft, promotion that doesn’t feel gross, and the psychology behind nostalgia—why VHS era movies, horror, and cult action flicks hit our brains like comfort food. They also get real about confidence, rejection tolerance, and how being yourself on-mic (and on stage) is high-risk, high-reward—and absolutely worth it. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, life lessons, or bold ideas, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions. Connect with Kris on Instagram: @vhsdeathmatchatl 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 3m

  8. 10/23/2025

    Getting Schooled: Lessons on Education from 42 Years in the Classroom

    Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam sits down with longtime educator John “Johnny Danger” Donegan to explore teaching, learning, and how schools shape communities. Together, they dive into classroom realities, the evolution of middle schoolers over four decades, and what “school choice” really looks like on the ground. Expect candid conversation, humor, and heartfelt stories from a teacher who spent 42 years helping students think critically, laugh often, and grow up well. Adam and Mr. Donegan share personal tales from the front lines of education—subbing chaos to department-chair mentorship, building stable faculties, and why class size matters more than slogans. They unpack public vs. private schooling, vouchers, and magnet programs; how resources, family safety nets, and opportunity gaps change a kid’s trajectory; and the practical craft of teaching: mixing lecture, visuals, and group work so every learner finds a way in. Along the way: baseball dreams, parking-lot lesson plans, and the art of keeping a straight face when seventh-graders weaponize fart jokes. Listeners will gain insights into how leveling and mixed-ability classes work in practice, why stable staffing and administrative support transform schools, the trade-offs behind vouchers and funding formulas, and concrete ways teachers foster critical thinking without political tribalism. Adam and Mr. Donogan also discuss media literacy, sourcing facts (beyond Wikipedia), and the power of connection—why you often have to touch a heart before you can change a mind. Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, life lessons, or bold ideas, 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 14m
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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
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 the ACT OUT podcast
  • Show Website
    the ACT OUT podcast