Good Life Stories Tracy Crowley

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work" - Emil Zola

I am back with Krista Kemper, an engineer who is challenging the misconception that creativity and technical disciplines like math and engineering are mutually exclusive. Krista shares her unique perspective on how art, design, and engineering intersect, and why the skills developed in creative pursuits are invaluable assets in STEM fields.

"There's beauty in engineering. And when this finally clicked, I was looking at...the Mona Lisa, and I started seeing lines and angles and the geometry and the math inside the Mona Lisa."

Krista Kemper is a professional engineer with a diverse background. She currently works as the Lead Mechanical Engineer at a prominent engineering firm, where she applies her technical expertise and creative problem-solving abilities to design innovative solutions. Krista's passion for blending creativity and analytics is evident in both her work and personal life, from the intricate nail art she sports at industry conferences to the finite element analysis she's conducted on acrylics.

"I love that when I don't have anything else going on, doing my nails is my creative outlet. I've got 10 little canvases."

Throughout our conversation, Krista and I explore the misconceptions around math and engineering, debunking the notion that these disciplines are purely analytical and devoid of creativity. We discuss how skills like problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and pattern recognition developed through creative hobbies can be directly applied to technical fields. Krista also shares her strategy for identifying and hiring engineers who possess a diverse skillset, highlighting the value she places on candidates with creative interests and pursuits.

"When we're interviewing engineers, when we're hiring people, if I've got two resumes that are equally qualified, the thing that'll be the deciding factor will be if they have a creative pursuit, if they're into something else."

I believe this episode is perfect for anyone who has been told that they have to choose between the "creative" and "analytical" sides of their personality. Krista's insights will inspire listeners to embrace the beautiful overlap between art and science, and to recognize the power of combining technical expertise with creative expression.

Whether you're an artist, an engineer, or simply someone seeking to cultivate a multifaceted approach to problem-solving, this conversation will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the transformative potential of blending left-brain and right-brain thinking.

To learn more about Krista Kemper, visit her website at https://kempereng.com/. Thanks again, and I love that you are here to listen to Good Life Stories.

More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/

"To live without you, only that would be torture. I wouldn't torture you with such trivialities." ~ Morticia Addams

In this episode, I talk with Krista Kemper about how her relationship with her husband is heavily influenced by the iconic couple, Gomez and Morticia Addams.

Krista Kemper is an artist, combat veteran, mother, dancer, QA tech, researcher, army officer's wife, gamer, mechanical designer, SAS and president of a mechanical engineering firm. She describes herself as an "infovore" who read the Tao of Pooh at an impressionable age of 12. Krista and her husband Bart found themselves struggling to reconcile their vastly different personalities and energy levels until they decided to model their relationship after the delightfully dark and devoted Addams family duo.

Krista explains how Bart's high-energy, constantly-dreaming personality clashed with her more subdued, grounded nature. They fought frequently as Krista tried to match Bart's frenetic pace, only to burn out. By looking to beloved pop culture references, they landed on Gomez and Morticia as the blueprint for how they wanted their relationship to function. Bart's background as a nationally ranked fencer, combat engineer and explosives enthusiast perfectly aligned with the Addams family patriarch, while Krista embraced the role of the serene, supportive Morticia.

"I didn't understand what it meant to just be and be adored. And I'm crying thinking about this because it was the hardest thing to learn how to do… he didn’t want me to meet his energy. He just he wanted me to accept his energy and he was okay with my slower, more chill way of being."

This podcast is for anyone who has encountered challenges blending vastly different personalities in a relationship. Krista and Bart's journey to finding their Gomez and Morticia dynamic offers a heartwarming and humorous example of how compromise, acceptance and a healthy dose of dark humor can be the keys to a fulfilling partnership. Listeners will be inspired by Krista's willingness to simply "be" and allow herself to be adored, as well as the creative ways she and Bart navigate workplace dynamics as a married engineering team.

To learn more about Krista Kemper, visit her website at https://kempereng.com/. Thanks again, and I love that you are here to listen to Good Life Stories.

More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/

Our world is getting more complex every day. How can we simplify things? Patrick Allmond is back to help guide the way!

In this episode, I talk with marketing expert and "recovering coder" Patrick Allmond about his superpower of making complicated topics simple.

Patrick Allmond is a serial entrepreneur, digital marketer, and tech expert who has spent decades helping businesses and individuals navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and marketing. Known for his ability to break down complex subjects into easy-to-understand concepts, Patrick has worked with everyone from C-suite executives to his own tech-averse mother.

"Action is the great thing that escapes most people. Great ideas are a dime a dozen. Great actions are few and far between. Which one will you have today?"

During our conversation, Patrick discusses how he honed his skill of simplifying complicated topics, from explaining Facebook ads to demystifying business metrics. Drawing on his experience briefing a VP of technology at a major car rental company, as well as his work in local media, Patrick shares with me strategies for distilling technical information into concise, digestible soundbites.

Whether it's coding, AI, or cybersecurity scams, Patrick has a knack for translating jargon-heavy subjects in a way that puts even the most non-technical listener at ease. This skill has also proven invaluable when dealing with his own family members, as Patrick has learned to communicate about technology without causing his tech-averse mother to "glaze over."

"Marketing is everything. McDonald's does not have the greatest hamburgers, let me tell you, but they market the things very well.”

Listeners who struggle to understand or explain complex topics in their own lives and businesses will find great value in this episode. Patrick's insights on the importance of execution over just having good ideas, as well as his passion for creating a community of "playmakers," offer a refreshing perspective on how to turn ambitious plans into tangible results.

To learn more about Patrick Allmond and his mission to help people take action, visit StopDoingNothing.com. There you can explore his podcast, blog, and upcoming membership program designed to support entrepreneurs and business owners in simplifying their marketing and technology. You can also connect with Patrick on LinkedIn and Instagram @patrickallmond. Thanks again, and I love that you are here to listen to Good Life Stories.

More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/

In this episode of Good Life Stories, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Allmond, founder of Stop Doing Nothing. Patrick shared some fascinating stories and insights from his life and business experiences.

"My big philosophy is Stop Doing Nothing. It's the fact that done is better than perfect. If you make constant, forward progress we get so much further in life by being willing to experiment a little bit, and go out there and do something, even if we don't know how to do it at all."

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my insightful discussion with Patrick Allmond! Let me know what resonated with you! Thanks again, and I love that you are here to listen to Good Life Stories.

More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/

In this episode of my podcast, I had an insightful discussion with Rory Miller about women's self-defense and finding a qualified instructor. With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Rory offered invaluable perspectives.

"Women should not be taught to fight. Women should be taught to assassinate."

Rory explained the unique self-defense challenges women face and recommended instructor Tammy Yard-McCracken for her specialized Krav Maga expertise tailored to women. Her background shapes an efficient approach leveraging women's strengths.

Together, we explored situational awareness, the freeze reflex, and strategies to avoid violence. Rory emphasized self-defense is about assessment and avoidance, not fighting. His wisdom provides practical advice for women seeking skills.

I'm grateful to Rory for providing self-defense guidance for women from his extensive experience. Tune in to uncover actionable steps for safety and situational awareness. Protect yourself by arming your mind first.

Thanks again, and I love that you are here to listen to Good Life Stories.

More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/

Rory Miller is back telling stories about his journey and perspectives in the realm of martial arts. With extensive credentials, Rory shared his evolution from early exposure to mastering disciplines and uncovering the essence of self-control.

Born to a boxer and fencer, Rory found his natural home in judo, honing skills under Olympians and learning the value of discipline. He delved into his fascination with comprehensive classical jiu-jitsu and the importance of seamless offense-defense integration.

"My dad had been a boxer. My mom had been a fencer. We'd been playing with it a little since I was a kid. They were both bar brawlers, and I'd heard stories about that, but that wasn't something he talked about. But the story is that my mom is the only person that's ever kicked my dad's ass in a bar fight."

Rory offered invaluable lessons on self-mastery, control, and the mental and physical benefits of martial arts. His wisdom provides inspiration for beginners and experienced practitioners alike to progress on their own journeys.

To go deeper, explore Rory's books and website detailing psychological and practical self-defense insights. His expansive knowledge enriches any listener interested in unlocking the transformative power of martial arts.

"The game is so simple, but if you practice it, it's ridiculously powerful."

I'm grateful to Rory for joining me to share his captivating experiences and hard-won mastery. Tune in to this enlightening episode for a glimpse into the mindset it takes to excel along the martial arts path. Rory exemplifies how dedication and wisdom can elevate our lives far beyond the mat.

Thanks again, and I love that you are here to listen to Good Life Stories.

More info: https://www.goodlifestories.com/