Yes And Land

5.0 (6)
Society & Culture
Weekly

Join Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney with a passion for Disney, as he explores popular stories and the themes they reveal about leadership, resilience, relationships, and hard choices. Each episode connects familiar stories to real-life insight drawn from business, the legal world, and everyday life.

4d ago · Video

Tangled and Surviving Cancer With Your Light On | Carli Williams

Mother Gothel spent 18 years convincing Rapunzel that the world would destroy her light in Tangled, and Carli Williams knows that voice from the inside. In this conversation with Ryan Gregerson, Carli talks about dimming her own light for people who took advantage of her gifts, then rebuilding it through a breast cancer diagnosis, a divorce, and a brother who had been through his own brain tumor. If you have ever wondered how to stay kind without becoming a doormat, this one is for you. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Set a Boundary You Can Hold With Love. Decide what you will and will not keep giving to a relationship, and say it plainly. Why it works: Carli's clearest lesson is that boundaries are what let you love someone without resentment building up inside you. Choose the Thought You Want to Keep. When a negative voice shows up, ask whether it is coming from a source of truth and light, and take the thought that serves you. Why it works: Carli says your brain looks for evidence to prove whatever you decide is true, so the thoughts you practice shape the reality you live in. Talk to Your Future Self. Picture the version of you who has already worked through this, and ask her what she would tell you to do next. Why it works: Carli uses this to pull herself out of sadness and into the routines and energy of the person she is becoming. 🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Carli's early years in Draper, Utah, where musical theater taught her that every role matters and gave her the confidence to put herself out there. How Carli's brother Eddie, an animator who worked on Rapunzel's hair at Disney, connects her to the film and to his own story of surviving a brain tumor. The moment Carli realized she had dimmed her light to be loved, and how that mirrors Rapunzel's years in the tower. Using dark humor and laughter to get through two cancer diagnoses alongside her brother, who was facing cancer at the same time. The conversation about compassion with boundaries, including Carli's practice of imagining her ex-husband's soul to hold love for him from a distance. 👤 ABOUT CARLI WILLIAMS Carli Williams is a breast cancer survivor, fitness instructor, and social media creator from Draper, Utah, who built a business and a following through her own healing story. She grew up in musical theater, moved to New York at 18 to train at a conservatory, and now speaks about the lessons she has learned through cancer, divorce, and loss. Her story of choosing love and light through the hardest seasons is what makes her a fitting guest for a show that finds real wisdom in Disney stories. Connect with Carli: 🌐 Website not mentioned in the transcript. 📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. New episodes every Thursday. If you need help, reach out to 988. Go to Promise2Live.org for more resources and make the Promise 2 Live today!
Oct 22 · Video

Soul and Going From Lone Wolf to Leader | Kit Bate

Disney's Newsies takes us to the streets of New York City in 1899, where Jack Kelly, the best newsie in Manhattan, spends most of the movie planning to leave it all behind for Santa Fe. Kit Bate, a mortgage professional with more than 20 years in the business, watched this movie over and over on a VHS tape during a childhood road trip, and he joins Ryan to talk about the wounds that make someone a lone wolf and how stepping into leadership changes everything. It is a story about hustle, belonging, and what it means to add value to others. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways (Pulled directly from Kit's closing segment) Find a Way to Earn Before You're Given, Look for one small opportunity this week to do work for something you want, even if it's modest. Why it works: Kit's own childhood of mowing lawns and babysitting shaped his work ethic, and he believes you don't have to be given anything to become great. Connect With People One Step Ahead of You, Reach out to someone who has a different perspective or level of experience than you do. Why it works: Jack Kelly approaches the people in power rather than staying in his lane, and Kit sees that willingness to connect as the path to seeing things differently. Choose Your Closest People With Care, Evaluate the people you let closest to you based on more than one trait, including whether they share your direction and motives. Why it works: Kit has seen people struggle for years after choosing partners and friends poorly, and he believes sometimes a change is necessary to get back on track. 🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Kit's childhood road trip to Utah in an RV, where he and his sister watched the Newsies VHS tape over and over and learned the songs by heart. How Kit's early years of odd jobs like babysitting and mowing lawns gave him a connection to Jack's hustle on the streets. The conversation about whether modern parents, including Kit, sometimes give kids things too easily and take away the chance to earn them. Kit's example of splitting the cost of a big-ticket item with his nine-year-old so the child still has to work and save for it. The discussion of the go-getter versus go-giver mentality and why significance comes from adding value to others, not just to yourself. How Jack's decision to hand the strike choice back to the newsies shows the difference between taking charge and taking care of those in your charge. Kit's own answer to Ryan's closing question about his why, which is being willing to let God work through him and seeing others change. 👤 ABOUT KIT BATE Kit Bate has spent more than 20 years in the mortgage industry and is now an entrepreneur who runs his own business and coaches his team. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, learning hard work early through odd jobs, and he is a lifelong Newsies fan whose love for the film started on a family road trip. Connect with Kit: 🌐 Not mentioned in this episode. 📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. New episodes every Thursday.
Oct 15 · Video

Wreck-It Ralph and Finding Your Third Place | Dan Langford

What if you're being punished for your greatest strength? Wreck-It Ralph shows us a hero trapped by his programming, unable to express the kindness at his core. Dan Langford, senior software engineer and co-owner of Hearthside Games, has lived that exact tension, told repeatedly that the way he works doesn't fit the system, watching his own kids get the same message. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Identify Your Third Place, Find a space that isn't work or home where you can meet people, express yourself, and make genuine connections. Why it works: Ralph had to leave his game to discover who he really was. A third space gives you the same permission to be yourself outside the constraints of the roles you're expected to play. Play an Old Game and Walk Down Memory Lane, Dust off a classic game from your childhood, whether it's Monopoly, chess, or Stratego, and notice what it reminds you about yourself. Why it works: Nostalgia reconnects you to who you were before the systems told you who to be. Sometimes the games we loved reveal what we've lost along the way. Learn Something New by Asking the People Around You, Don't just pick a random new game or skill. Ask your friends, kids, or spouse what they enjoy and let them teach you. Why it works: Learning together builds connection and shows you how the people you care about think and play. It's less about the game and more about understanding each other. 🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Ralph's 30-year journey from accepting his programming to discovering he's kind at heart, not a bad guy Dan's childhood struggle with ADHD and narcolepsy, and how understanding his brain's wiring changed everything The moment Dan realized he was being "punished for helping people" at work, until he became a team lead and made helping his actual job Dan's daughters winning first place at a model train competition by building a Wreck-It Ralph–themed cake instead of a traditional mountain landscape How a game store became a "third place", where people know your name and you belong, just like the bar in Cheers The unexpected friendship that formed when a stranger overheard Dan talking about building a cats-and-dogs Magic deck and gave him most of his own collection James Clear's insight: "Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior", and how changing your environment changes everything 👤 ABOUT DAN LANGFORD Dan Langford is a senior software engineer by day and co-owner of Hearthside Games by night. He grew up in Layton, Utah, with undiagnosed ADHD and narcolepsy, struggled through school despite being smart, and spent years in corporate environments being corrected for helping others instead of meeting deadlines. When he stepped into a leadership role, he finally built a system where his natural instinct to support people became his job description. Today, he and his business partner André run a game store focused on community over profit, creating a space where people feel they belong. Connect with Dan: 🌐 Hearthside Games 📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. New episodes every Thursday.
Oct 8 · Video

Hunchback of Notre Dame and Autism Advocacy | Brett Nachman

Yes And Land Show Notes What if the people you're afraid to let see the real you are exactly the ones who need to hear your story? The Hunchback of Notre Dame shows us Quasimodo locked away, convinced his difference is shameful, until he finds the courage to step into the world as himself. Brett Nachman, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education and host of the long-running podcast Notably Disney, knows that journey intimately. His research focuses on creating spaces where marginalized voices, especially autistic students in higher education, can belong without pretending to be someone else. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Realize You Can Do More Than You Believe, Recognize that you have resources and support available to you, and actively seek them out when you need help. Why it works: Brett's entire journey from isolation to leadership came from understanding he wasn't alone; surrounding yourself with people who foster strength-building environments removes the false ceiling you've placed on yourself.View Every Day as a Learning Experience, When you say or do something that misses the mark, extend patience to yourself and others; use the moment to adjust and grow rather than shut down. Why it works: This mirrors Quasimodo's transformation, each interaction outside the bell tower taught him something new about the world and himself, and that same openness to learning is what builds psychological safety in any space you lead.Challenge Yourself to Think of What You Can Accomplish, Stop accepting the low expectations others have set for you; focus on leveraging your unique strengths while working through genuine challenges with support. Why it works: Brett spent years isolated because he believed the narrative that his autism made him fundamentally different in a limiting way; reframing difference as a distinct way of processing the world unlocks potential you didn't know existed.🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How Brett's diagnosis with Asperger's at age eight became both a source of shame and, eventually, a foundation for his life's work in higher education and disability advocacyThe power of Frollo as a character study in emotional manipulation and gaslighting, and how those dynamics show up in real relationships and institutionsWhy Esmeralda's compassion across different marginalized communities matters: she empathizes with Quasimodo's isolation even though their lived experiences are differentThe double empathy problem: the idea that autistic and non-autistic people both need to adapt and meet each other halfway, rather than one side bearing all the burden of changeBrett's commencement speech at community college where he publicly disclosed his autism to a crowd of thousands, a defining moment that shifted how he showed up in the worldHow psychological safety in classrooms and workplaces requires leaders to share their own vulnerabilities, acknowledge what they don't know, and create space for people to ask for help without fearThe difference between a medicalized view of disability (how do we fix this?) and a social justice model (how does society need to change to support different ways of being?)👤 ABOUT BRETT NACHMAN Brett Nachman is an assistant professor in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he works with graduate students on issues facing higher education and supports faculty and administrators building more inclusive academic spaces. He is also the host of Notably Disney, a podcast exploring Disney music and literature that has been running for nearly eight years with over 150 episodes. As someone who is autistic and gay, Brett's research and teaching focus on creating belonging for ma...
Oct 1 · Video

Robin Hood and Building Community | Andre Kradolfer

What if building a thriving business means stepping out of your shell and into a community you didn't know you needed? Robin Hood answers that question through the eyes of an outlaw who discovers his true power comes not from acting alone, but from bringing people together. Andre Kradolfer, senior software architect and co-owner of Hearthside Games, learned that lesson the hard way, by moving between continents his entire childhood, finding constant belonging in Disney World, and eventually creating a third space where strangers become friends through the games they love. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Get Curious Before You Get Convincing, Before pushing your views or ideas onto someone, ask genuine questions about why they believe what they believe or do what they do. Why it works: Understanding someone's perspective first creates the foundation for real connection and common ground, just like Robin Hood's willingness to see the humanity in everyone around him.Make It Human, Don't Categorize, Remember that whoever you're interacting with is just like you, a human being with their own story. Why it works: When you remove the categories and labels, you restore the humanity in the interaction, which is exactly what happens at Harside Games when competitors become friends through shared passion.Be Humorous and Lighten Up, In serious or tense situations, find ways to laugh and not take yourself too seriously. Why it works: Robin Hood and Little John face constant danger but find joy in the moment, which keeps them connected and resilient, the same levity that builds belonging in community spaces.🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Andre's journey moving between Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico City, Germany, Russia, and Arizona, and how Disney World became his constant anchorThe moment Andre realized he was making friends outside of work for the first time in his adult life through Disney LorcanaWhy Harside Games exists: not to maximize profit, but to create a third space where people can belong and play the games they loveThe magic girly night story, women who found a safe community at Harside Games to bedazzle their decks and play Magic together, something they couldn't do anywhere elseHow Robin Hood brings people together not through grand gestures, but through genuine care and willingness to put himself at risk for othersFriar Tuck's quiet heroism: ringing the church bell to keep hope alive even when the pews are emptyThe connection between WALL-E's curiosity and Andre's philosophy of approaching the world and other people with genuine wonder👤 ABOUT ANDRE KRADOLFER Andre Kradolfer is a senior software architect and co-owner of Hearthside Games, a community-focused game store in Utah. Born in Bolivia and raised across six countries on four continents, he brings a unique perspective on belonging and connection. With his business partner Dan Langford, Andre created Harside Games not as a retail operation, but as a third space where people can find community, make friends, and play the games they love together. 📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. New episodes every Thursday.
Sep 24 · Video

Aladdin and Addiction: Why Your Beliefs Shape Your Life

What if the person you're pretending to be is keeping you from the life you're meant to live? Aladdin knows that struggle intimately. A street rat convinced he's worthless, he spends the entire film trying to become Prince Ali, only to discover that his real power was never in the disguise. Todd Sylvester, host of the BeliefCast podcast (top 100 mental health podcasts worldwide) and addiction recovery coach, understands that journey from the inside out. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Listen for the Tap on the Shoulder, When you feel that prompting to reach out to someone, text them, or help in a moment, act on it without overthinking. Why it works: That instinct is often the answer to someone else's prayer, and hesitation turns a life-changing moment into a missed connection. Practice the 10-Minute Miracle With Someone You Love, Sit down together five minutes each to share your day, then name your regrets, resentments, and appreciations while the other person listens without interrupting. Why it works: Most couples speak only surface-level for 28 minutes a week; this practice doubles that time and creates real connection where resentments get named before they become wounds. Remind Yourself Your Worth Doesn't Fluctuate, When you make a mistake or feel low, catch the shame spiral and remember: guilt teaches you not to repeat it, but shame is the lie that you're not good enough. Your value was set the moment you were born. Why it works: Shame keeps you stuck; guilt moves you forward. The difference between "I did something bad" and "I am bad" is everything. 🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Todd's first drink at age 11 behind his father's wet bar, and how that "all or nothing" mentality became both his greatest strength and his deepest liability The paradox of outward success masking inner collapse: captain of the state championship basketball team while secretly battling depression, drug use, and suicidal ideation How a broken hand forced Todd to practice left-handed for eight weeks and taught him he could do anything he set his mind to Losing a full-ride college scholarship because of addiction, and the moment Todd decided to end his life The mentor who called out of nowhere after Todd's desperate prayer, and how belief from one person became the lifeline that saved him The lemonade stand moment: giving away all his money to a stranger and discovering his life's purpose in her reaction Creating the Sly Dog drug education program and speaking to over 350,000 elementary school kids about staying drug-free The definition of depression: pretending to be someone you're not Why Aladdin's journey mirrors Todd's: the genie grants wishes, but the real magic is learning to be yourself The difference between guilt (I did something bad) and shame (I am bad), and why shame is the killer that keeps us stuck How to be a listening ear for someone in pain: they don't need your advice; they need to shake violently and express what they're feeling The power of empathetic listening in preventing divorce: communication isn't surface logistics; it's connection 👤 ABOUT TODD SYLVESTER Todd Sylvester is the host of the BeliefCast podcast, ranked in the top 100 mental health podcasts worldwide. A recovery coach and speaker who has addressed audiences across the country, Todd works with thousands of people navigating addiction, identity, and spiritual transformation. His story, from a basketball prodigy battling substance abuse to a mentor-guided recovery to his life's work helping others discover their worth, is featured in Simon Sinek's Finding Your Why. Connect with Todd: 🌐 [Websit... If you need help, reach out to 988. Go to Promise2Live.org for more resources and make the Promise 2 Live today!
Sep 17 · Video

Lilo and Stitch: Why Family Beats Fame | James Yon

What if the people closest to you are the real magic? Lilo & Stitch answers that question through Ohana, the Hawaiian concept that family means nobody gets left behind. James Yon, comedian, Theme Park Comedians co-creator, and former Disney catering director, knows that principle inside and out. His family didn't just support him through a career pivot into standup comedy while his wife was pregnant with their third child, they rallied around his son Jack when celiac disease changed everything for the household. That's Ohana in action. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Don't Let Fear Rob You of Joy, Try the thing that scares you this week, even if it doesn't work out perfectly. Why it works: Fear keeps us locked in our heads and away from opportunities. Once you actually try something, you either discover you love it or you get the story of attempting it, both are better than the paralysis of "what if." Make Family Your Non-Negotiable, When someone in your family faces a challenge, don't make them feel different or less than. Rally around them and adjust as a unit. Why it works: Lilo & Stitch teaches us that Ohana means nobody gets left behind. When your family knows you've got their back unconditionally, it builds trust and resilience that carries them through anything. Leave the World a Little Better Than You Found It, Find one way this week to spread joy, whether that's laughter, service, or just showing up for someone going through something hard. Why it works: James's comedy isn't about him, it's about touching someone's life who needed to laugh because they're fighting cancer, grieving a loss, or going through a divorce. That's the real reward. 🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How a single mom's work ethic and self-reliance lessons shaped James's entire trajectory as an adult and professional The moment James's wife said "yes, try comedy" while pregnant with their third child, and how that one decision led to two TV shows, a nationally syndicated radio show, and putting four kids through college When James's son Jack was diagnosed with celiac disease and the entire household shifted to support him without making him feel like a burden The difference between bombing at a comedy show and knowing when a joke is actually dead, and why comedians have to keep trying anyway How Theme Park Comedians exploded in seven months by being two grown men just being silly in the parks, tapping into people's hunger for clean, uplifting humor James's hot take: eating on a Disney trash can is not the move, and he's relieved EPCOT finally added clean surfaces for guests to eat on The story of overcoming his terror of Tower of Terror through a St. Jude's fundraiser, and discovering he actually loved the ride after building it up in his head for years Why "Yes And" from improv comedy is a life principle: it keeps the conversation going, builds community, and stops us from shutting people down with "Yes, But" Yak & Yeti at Animal Kingdom as the best restaurant experience James has ever had, period, not just at a theme park The power of humor in a 32-year marriage: using levity to snap out of arguments and keep things light when life gets hard 👤 ABOUT JAMES YON James Yon is a comedian, co-creator of Theme Park Comedians (launched seven months ago), and one half of the viral "Colton and Jamal" characters known for their divorce attorney skits at Disney parks. He spent 15 years as a catering director at Disney World before transitioning to full-time comedy, which has afforded him the ability to put four kids through college and perform alongside major names in comedy. He's also a devoted family man raising four kids with his wife of 32 years, and a passionate ad...
Sep 10 · Video

101 Dalmatians and Building Trust in Business | Erin Madsen

What if the villain in your story actually has the traits you need to succeed? 101 Dalmatians teaches us that confidence, clear communication, and knowing what you want aren't inherently bad, it's what you do with them that matters. Erin Madsen, founder of an energy efficiency company and host of the Lay Low podcast, knows that lesson firsthand. She's built a business, navigated divorce, and learned to show up authentically, even when it meant being vulnerable in front of people she'd just met. 🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways Stop and Name the Moments That Matter, When you feel genuine joy or happiness, pause and say out loud: "I want more moments like this." Why it works: Intentionally recognizing and inviting more of what brings you joy creates a pattern your brain and life start to follow.Prioritize Communication in Every Relationship, Whether it's with your partner, kids, or parents, commit to healthy communication as a foundation for connection. Why it works: Most relationship struggles stem from unspoken assumptions; clear, kind communication is the antidote to isolation and misunderstanding.Choose Yourself When You're Drowning, If staying in a situation is costing you your authenticity and wellbeing, it's not selfish to make a change; it's survival. Why it works: You can't show up for anyone else, especially your kids, if you're living a life that isn't yours. Taking care of yourself first gives you the capacity to actually care for others.🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How Erin went from working in an MLM skincare company to building an energy efficiency business and discovering that sales is really about problem-solving and relationshipThe mastermind group moment: Erin's vulnerability about working with her fiancé ("He does not respect me") opened the door for real advice and real changeWhy Cruella de Vil is actually a multi-dimensional character, confident, clear about her needs, organized, and what we can learn from her without adopting her destructive choicesThe difference between healthy selfishness (taking care of yourself so you can show up for others) and destructive selfishness (harming others for personal gain)How Erin navigated co-parenting after divorce by being willing to experiment with custody schedules (2-3-3-2, then week-to-week) based on what actually worked for her kidsThe grief of losing her best friend to cancer and learning that "grief is love with nowhere to go", and how to carry that loss without trying to fix itWhy growth in a relationship requires both partners to be willing to evolve together, not one person staying static while the other changesThe lava rock story: Erin brought home a black lava rock from Hawaii right before her divorce, learned it was bad luck, and returned it to the beach, a physical act of letting go👤 ABOUT ERIN MADSEN Erin is the founder of an energy efficiency company that helps homeowners reduce their power bills through home upgrades and professional service. She's also the host of the Lay Low podcast, where she explores vulnerability, growth, and the lessons hidden in life's hardest moments. A marketing degree graduate from BYU, Erin has built her career on understanding what makes people tick and solving real problems, whether in sales, business operations, or personal transformation. 📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wis...

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Trailer

Yes And Land With Ryan Gregerson Trailer

Welcome to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson. This is the podcast where curiosity leads, creativity thrives, and every conversation builds instead of shuts down. Inspired by the improviser’s golden rule of “yes, and…,” Ryan Gregerson invites thinkers, creators, leaders, and culture-shapers into open, open-minded conversations about ideas in motion. No shouting matches. No hot takes for clicks. Just thoughtful dialogue that expands what’s possible. What makes Yes And Land different? Ryan uses Disney movies as unexpected but powerful talking points, weaving familiar stories, characters, and themes into deeper conversations about creativity, leadership, collaboration, and the human experience. From timeless animated classics to modern blockbusters, these films become shared reference points that help connect big ideas in a way that’s accessible, fun, and surprisingly insightful. In this trailer, you’ll get a taste of what’s ahead: meaningful dialogue, creative frameworks, and a little movie magic that ties it all together. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, performer, or lifelong learner, this show invites you to say “yes” to curiosity and “and” to building something better. 🎙️ New episodes coming soon. 👉 Subscribe now and join the conversation. 👉 Learn more and explore the network at www.ridethewave.media Welcome to Yes And Land. Let’s build from here 🌱

out of 5

6 Ratings

Passionate and Purposeful

Jan 21

Hcurby

I value Ryan’s passion to lift up others and help encourage his listeners while also seeing his guests and sharing space at the table. Ryan has a special talent for making people feel they belong and are valued as well as connecting with people where they are in life. Excited to see where this ride takes us.