Empowered Human Academy Empowered Human Academy

To close out this season, we’re shaking things up a bit. Writer and producer Rebekah Pahl is interviewing Isaac, and they discuss the starting point of identity, collaboration, evaluating old narratives, feeling for the space of aliveness, and Isaac’s musings on what’s going on here with this whole experiment of existence.

As a Wonderer and the CEO of Lightward, Isaac gives careful attention and presence to the evolution of his own identity, as well as Lightward’s—and it’s a treat to hear him unpack why identity is a resonating theme in his life.

As this iteration of Empowered Human Academy comes to a close, this conversation is both a fitting bookend and thoughtful framework for the art and exploration to come. There’s so much light ahead! With deep, deep gratitude and joy for what this chapter has meant to us, we give you our very last episode of season 1.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/53—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here!

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: Where are you sensing the aliveness in your life right now?

Journal Prompt: Take internal inventory re: your relationship with collaboration. How would you describe it? Does it light you up, do you find yourself avoiding it—and why?

Action Step: Find an artifact that represents where you are in your journey right now. What does this say about you in your most present self and expression?

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

Further exploration:

Follow Isaac on Instagram: @isaacbowen

Walt Whitman quote 

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

To close out season 1, we’re doing something a little different for our final two episodes. Writer and producer Rebekah Pahl is interviewing Abe this week, and then Isaac in the episode to follow. We’ll be reflecting on what this past season of conversations has meant to our own aliveness—and what we’re feeling drawn toward next.

Abe and Rebekah discuss the origins of the podcast, what it’s felt like for Abe to uncover a new level of confidence, the liminal space before you know what’s next, developing sustainable patterns for life as an entrepreneur, and the path back to the heart.

Consider this conversation a Polaroid of what Abe’s been processing lately— the way he describes the edge of newness that’s coming up for him is inspiring and we hope it might ignite your own curiosity of where life is inviting you, too.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/52—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here! 

Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: Where are you feeling the edge of newness in your life right now?

Journal Prompt: Describe an ideal day that fills up and nourishes your soul...

Action Step: Create a personalized self-care plan that keeps you both energized and rested. What components are needed for your refueling? 

View the printable worksheet on Google Docs

This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Rebecca Fralick is a chef and the owner of Mara’s Cafe based in Wisconsin. She’s a powerhouse business owner and is crystal clear about her values—she’s only interested in opportunities that deeply align with her intuition. Alongside her business endeavors, she’s also a mom, wife, and lover of plants, sunshine, good coffee, and tacos. Rebecca thinks in flavor profiles and makes decisions with the inner compass of integrity. She’s made it her mission for her insides to match her outsides—and it’s working. She’s only growing more unstoppable, the more she lives what she knows.

Throughout this conversation we discuss moving beyond fundamentalism, getting clear about your values, how her business outlived the fail-date she had in mind, the difference between hope that’s native and hope that’s handed, listening to your gut, and surviving domestic violence.

Despite the darkness Rebecca’s encountered in her past, the native and very real hope inside her is shining brighter than ever.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/51—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here! And if you want to take an even deeper dive, we've also recorded a bonus episode (available only via Apple Podcasts) where we digest the conversation's themes and swap art recommendations—it's a lot of fun. 



Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What's a way that you're currently bringing your insides to match your outsides? 

Journal Prompt: Is there something inside me that I haven’t fully brought to my external world yet? 

Action Step: Find a way to weave in a sense of “play” into your work this week.



View the printable worksheet on Google Docs



Further exploration:

Follow Rebecca’s work on Instagram: @matenaercatering 

Learn more about Rebecca’s work: matenaercatering.com

Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir by Joshua David Stein and Kwame Onwuachi

The Art of Flavor: Practices and Principles for Creating Delicious Food by Daniel Patterson and Mandy Aftel

Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/



This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Welcome to our v special bonus series "On AIR w/ Abe, Isaac, & Rebekah" (hence the acronym). After each week's Empowered Human Academy interview, join us here for an even deeper dive of reflection, integration, and fun. In these bonus episodes we share how we're digesting this week's conversation, reveal the Table Question, and swap art recommendations.

In this episode we're discussing the themes from our conversation w/ chef and owner of Mara's Cafe, Rebecca Fralick.

Table Question: What's a way that you're currently bringing your insides to match your outsides?

Art recommendations:

Abe: Ted Lasso & Nikon z6 II
https://tv.apple.com/show/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/mirrorless-cameras/z-6ii.html

Isaac: False Knees comics
https://www.instagram.com/falseknees

Rebekah: Freeman's Best New Writing on Power
https://www.freemansbiannual.com

This is a production of Lightward, Inc

During the first chapter of his career, Jim Jacoby built a successful, privately-owned agency pioneering user-centered design in finance, healthcare, tech, and manufacturing. Then, at the peak of his success, he took a step back and commissioned a world-renowned designer to build a revolutionary motorcycle. Jim studied the methods and behaviors behind the process, then codified his findings into a system that could be applied in any industry—giving a modern, 21st century twist to the idea of Craftsmanship. Jim then reimagined a user-centered design firm from the ground up, launched an executive coaching program, and established a fine-dining venue.

We first met Jim a few years ago at a Sofar Sounds show in Chicago. He and his partner Molly were hosting the concert, and their home environment immediately drew us in. And the more we’ve come to know Jim, the resonance has only grown. Not only has he moved through some courageous shifts in his career and personal life, but he’s also mined some profound insights along the way.

Throughout this conversation we discuss the difference between strength and courage, honoring your truth, and finding patience in the process. Jim’s life is a powerful example of the joy that’s waiting for us all on the other side of honoring one’s truth. We loved this hour with Jim and hope it sparks something in you, too.

Full show notes and a downloadable are available at empoweredhumanacademy.com/50—and you can watch the conversation on YouTube here! And if you want to take an even deeper dive, we've also recorded a bonus episode (available only via Apple Podcasts) where we digest the conversation's themes and swap art recommendations—it's a lot of fun.



Keep the conversation going...

Table Question: What's a courageous choice you've made that might not stand out from the outside looking in, but was profoundly significant to you? How did that choice shift your life?

Journal Prompt: This is what’s important to me when it comes to my environment... 

Action Step: Write down a list of what you want—the bolder the better.



View the printable worksheet on Google Docs



Further exploration:

Follow Jim on Instagram: @jim_jacoby

Follow Jim’s restaurant on Instagram: @saintemeric

Follow Jim & Molly’s space on Instagram: @saintemericishome

www.admci.org

www.studio4dc.com

www.saintemeric.com

www.bienvillelegacy.com

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho





This is a production of Lightward, Inc.

Welcome to our v special bonus series "On AIR w/ Abe, Isaac, & Rebekah" (hence the acronym). After each week's Empowered Human Academy interview, join us here for an even deeper dive of reflection, integration, and fun. In these bonus episodes we share how we're digesting this week's conversation, reveal the Table Question, and swap art recommendations.

In this episode we're discussing the themes from our conversation w/ Founder & ISO, Jim Jacoby.

Table Question: What's a courageous choice you've made that might not stand out from the outside looking in, but was profoundly significant to you? How did that choice shift your life?

Art recommendations:

Abe: Architectural Digest
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/more-inside-kirsten-dunsts-charming-ranch-house

Isaac: Sex Education
https://www.netflix.com/title/80197526

Rebekah: Fred again..
https://open.spotify.com/album/6o86bV7TAt5x4exc2qLDqC?si=toq6MXiFRmOHlDfsqHXntg


This is a production of Lightward, Inc