The Garden

Drew Korf
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Self-Improvement

Conversations about finding your calling and building a life around pursuing it.

  1. 5d ago

    #53: How to Show Up Authentically Online Without Being Cringe | Paige Goldstein

    Paige Goldstein is a LinkedIn personal branding coach and digital nomad. In today's episode, we sit down with Paige for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually means to follow your intuition, why the biggest leaps rarely start as leaps, how to build a personal brand without turning it into a diary, and what it looks like to blend spirituality with genuine ambition. Along the way, she walks us through her story, from a one hour commute in Boston that made her question everything, to booking a one way ticket to Hawaii with no real plan, to years of digital nomad life across Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Europe, and eventually Cape Town, South Africa. She describes the breathwork session that led her to quit her corporate job within a week, the "dark night of the soul" that followed, and how writing through it openly on LinkedIn became the foundation of the business she runs today. Key Moments and Highlights: The moment she knew corporate wasn't for herThe "black sheep vs. unicorn pioneer" reframeBooking a one way ticket to Hawaii with no real planWhy intuition gets louder the more you ignore itThe breathwork session that led her to quit within a weekHer path through Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Europe, and Cape TownWhere to draw the line between vulnerability and oversharing on a personal brand"Cringe Mountain" and the limiting beliefs exercise she still does todayBlending spirituality and business through "ambitious zen"Getting intentional about your personal brand This was such a fun one to record. Paige has this rare mix of being fully herself online while also having a genuinely sharp business mind, and that balance came through in almost everything she said. Grateful she took the time to share her story. Thanks for listening. Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow Paige Goldstein: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigegoldstein Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigegoldstein_ Website: https://www.betherippleeffect.com/ Follow Drew Korf: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf Follow The Garden: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:31 The one hour communte trap 2:42 The "black sheep vs. unicorn pioneer" mindset 7:16 Booking a one way ticket to Hawaii 10:29 Why intuition gets louder if ignored 16:48 The breathwork session that led her to quit within a week 20:50 The digital nomad path 33:34 Vulnerability vs. oversharing in a personal brand 40:37 "Cringe Mountain" and the limiting beliefs exercise 50:00 Blending spirituality and business: "ambitious zen" 1:19:10 The 4 Hour Workweek & micro retirements 1:25:06 Being intentional about personal branding

    #53: How to Show Up Authentically Online Without Being Cringe | Paige Goldstein

  2. Jul 20

    #52: From Supervising a Nuclear Reactor to Competing on The Voice | Mark Shiiba

    Mark Shiiba is a singer-songwriter, and Navy veteran who left a career supervising nuclear reactors to write songs full-time. In today's episode, we sit down with Mark in Huntington Beach, California for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, grief, and the quiet whisper that pulls you toward your calling. During the chat, Mark walks us through growing up one of five kids and building his early identity as a soccer player, following his brother to the Naval Academy, and supervising a nuclear reactor on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea. He shares how getting out of the Navy at 28 to commit fully to songwriting led him to walk 90 miles down the California coast to release a single, and eventually onto the stage of The Voice, where he earned Michael Bublé's Coach Replay. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the quiet "whisper" that's guided every version of his identity, how losing his mom reshaped his relationship with songwriting, and why he's come to see creativity less as a gift he was given and more as one he gets to give away. Key Moments and Highlights:- Walking 90 miles down the California coast to release his song "Walking" - Growing up one of five kids and finding early identity through soccer - Playing youth soccer alongside future USMNT star Christian Pulisic - Following his brother to the Naval Academy to play college soccer - Supervising a nuclear reactor on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea - The first time he ever played guitar for strangers, at a church camp - Leaving the Navy at 28 to commit fully to songwriting- Auditioning for The Voice and earning Michael Bublé's Coach Replay - Losing his mom to cancer, and turning to music to heal- Creating "Song Portraits," original songs written for one person at a time - Building Shiiba Village, the fan-supported home for his music - Redefining creativity as a gift you give, not one you're given This was a deeply reflective conversation with one of the most intentional artists I've met. Hope you dig it. Thanks for listening. Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow Mark Shiiba:Website: https://markshiiba.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markshiibamusic/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4GwrlLHprqqy29GK9JnmY9 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mark-shiiba/1497421560 Follow Drew Korf:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf Follow The Garden:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Mark's Walking Tour: https://markshiiba.com/walking-tour Song Portrait: https://markshiiba.com/song-portrait Shiiba Village (support Mark's music): https://markshiiba.com/shiiba-village Episode Chapters:0:00 Intro0:22 The 90-mile walking tour down the coast 11:31 Growing up one of five, and finding identity through soccer 16:04 Following his brother to the Naval Academy 17:30 Supervising a nuclear reactor in the South China Sea 42:10 The first time he played guitar for strangers 59:14 Leaving structure behind: from athlete to full-time artist 1:05:46 Losing his mom, and healing through songwriting1:24:31 Auditioning for The Voice 1:27:35 Song Portraits: writing songs for one person at a time 1:44:00 Shiiba Village and creativity as a gift you give 1:59:03 Being "a crack in the door"

    #52: From Supervising a Nuclear Reactor to Competing on The Voice | Mark Shiiba

  3. Jul 13

    #51: Great Coaches Must Be Selfless | Tyler Wombles

    Tyler Wombles is the founder and head coach of Classic Fight Team in Huntington Beach, California. In today's episode, we sit down with Tyler in Orange County for a wide-ranging conversation about building a career and a life in the fight game, starting from the dive bars of Huntington Beach to cornering world title fighters. During the chat, Tyler walks us through growing up in a rough side of HB, finding martial arts as a teenager, and using it as a lifeline when everything else was pulling him toward a very different path. He shares what it was like to inherit a kids' class at 17, then getting thrown into coaching UFC-level talent just a few years later. Throughout the conversation, he highlights what it means to be selfless in a sport built on selfishness and how his son on the way is about to change everything. Key Moments and Highlights: - Growing up a "pool table baby" in Huntington Beach - Discovering K-1 and Muay Thai - Getting kicked out of school and doubling down on training - A close-call that changed everything - Coaching Spencer Fisher and seeing the reality of the fight game early - Working with world-class athletes and adopting to their styles - The difference between a fighter's ego and a coach's selflessness - Front Porch Art and creating with his dad - A baby boy arriving in one month This was an awesome conversation with one of the most real dudes I've ever met. Hope you dig it. Thanks for listening. Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow Classic Fight Team: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classicfightteam/ Follow Drew Korf: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf Follow The Garden: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 19:13 Tyler's background: growing up in Huntington Beach 30:07 The jail stint and the night everything changed 41:32 Coaching Spencer Fisher at the UFC level 46:47 Tony Ferguson and how Classic Fight Team took off 51:23 Mountaintop moments and goals as a coach 55:05 Fighter's ego vs. coach's selflessness 1:07:18 Front Porch Art and creating with his dad 1:15:16 A baby on the way 1:29:19 What success really means

    #51: Great Coaches Must Be Selfless | Tyler Wombles

  4. Jun 30

    #50: Culture Is Your Biggest Asset | Felipe & Chelsie Fogolin

    Felipe and Chelsie Fogolin are the founders and coaches at Triunfo Jiu Jitsu and MMA in Costa Mesa, California. In today's episode, we sit down with Felipe and Chelsie at their academy for a wide-ranging conversation about building a gym, a marriage, and a culture from the ground up over 15 years. Along the way, Felipe walks us through coming to America from Brazil with almost nothing, becoming a father at 19, and finding his way through jujitsu. Chelsie shares how she left a good corporate job to go all-in on something she believed in over something that just made sense financially. Together, they talk about what it actually takes to build a life on your own terms. Key Moments and Highlights: - Chelsie's early success as a personal trainer - Felipe leaving law school in Brazil to follow his heart - The "Craigslist gym" era, & why people trained at Triunfo in the early days - Setting ego aside and doing whatever it takes to make your dream work - The "Flexible Personality" - Surviving a super gym opening next door - Yoga and mindfulness practices - The Willingly or Unwillingly matra - Building a business with your spouse - Living on your own terms This conversation was such a pleasure to have, and it's clear why Chelsie and Felipe have created one of the best gyms in the country.Thanks for listening. Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow Triunfo Jiu Jitsu and MMA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triunfomma/?hl=en Website: https://www.triunfomma.com/ Follow Drew Korf: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf Follow The Garden: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:36 Chelsie's background: from fitness to finance to California 9:19 Felipe's story: Brazil, law school, and following his heart 11:19 A baby, $200, and no turning back 18:34 Building the gym while working nights and weekends 26:21 "Willingly or unwillingly" 28:35 The competing gym that opened next door 32:07 Sadhguru and the practices that changed everything 36:27 Flexible personality and building culture 54:44 The gym as a sanctuary and third home 1:03:47 Building a business with your spouse 1:12:27 Living on your own terms

    #50: Culture Is Your Biggest Asset | Felipe & Chelsie Fogolin

  5. Jun 22

    #49: You Have To Be In On The Joke | Emily Brimlow

    Emily Brimlow is a singer-songwriter and touring artist. In today's episode, we sit down with Emily in Laguna Beach, California for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually means to be rich, the spiritual war happening around us, staying humble on the way to success, and why being "in on the joke" might be the most important thing a creative can do. Along the way, she walks us through her story where she discovered her voice in a cow field at 16, and has spent the years since building a music career from the ground up. She describes living in minivans, couch surfing in California, getting playlisted on Spotify out of nowhere, and chasing her calling to where she's at today. Key Moments and Highlights: - Winning a high school talent show with an original diss track - Why the music industry is quietly anti-family - Getting married at 21 after a few months of knowing Nathan - Blowing up on Spotify - Why "tripping off a small curb constantly" beats "falling off a big cliff once" - Spirituality, demons, and angels - Being in on the joke and why it's the key to humility & creation This conversation was such a pleasure to have, and I'm thrilled to introduce you to Emily if you haven't heard of her or her music. She played a massive part in making our podcast trip to California (and the next 3 episodes) possible, and the team and I are so grateful! Thanks for listening. Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow Emily Brimlow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilybrimlow/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ncA0WGi828yjhqmvHsJRj?si=w8zmsOzuSaSAgx_hhIbYtQ Follow Drew Korf:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf Follow The Garden:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Episode Chapters:0:00 Intro 0:09 The high school talent show 7:34 When music first felt truly rewarding 14:10 Nathan: the backbone behind the career 18:53 You don't have to do it alone first 29:13 People are the main thing 35:33 Moving to Austin and building community from scratch 38:10 Blowing up on Spotify 48:34 Spirituality: from Christian missions to living in the gray 1:00:09 Young Life, & spiritual encounters 1:10:50 Faith and why creatives need it most 1:13:09 Emily's purpose and the ripple effect of authenticity 1:16:55 What are you striving for right now? 1:21:02 Being in on the joke

    #49: You Have To Be In On The Joke | Emily Brimlow

  6. Jun 8

    #48: Making It Past Survival Mode | Chandler & Lindsey Griffin

    Chandler and Lindsey Griffin are co-owners of By All Means Brewing in Billings, Montana. In today's episode, we sit down with Chandler and Lindsey at the BAM taproom for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, partnership, hospitality, and what it actually costs to build something worth keeping. Key Moments and Highlights: - Opening a brewery 90 days before the world shut down - What Disney taught us about training our staff - The difference between service and hospitality - Building a distribution company from scratch - Nobody will ever care about your business as much as you - Involving your spouse in your startup - Raising kids inside a business - What does success actually look like? - Don't quit during the survival chapter If you've ever questioned whether the fight is worth it, or wondered what it really takes to build something alongside the person you love, this one is for you. Thanks for listening! Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow By All Means Brewing: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byallmeansbrewing/ Website: https://byallmeansbeer.com/ Follow Drew Korf: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ Follow The Garden: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ Show Chapters: 0:00 Welcome and Introduction 2:31 What business are you actually in? 11:12 Service vs. Hospitality 19:11 The Origin Story of BAM 32:31 Opening During Covid 32:13 Baptism by Fire 47:37 Building Our Distribution Company 46:27 25-Year Vision Over Quick Exits 1:12:22 Why Your Spouse Is Your Greatest Asset 1:32:15 Facing the Mountain Together as a Couple 1:22:09 Raising Kids Inside a Business 1:22:09 Developing Your Children, Not Just Your Company 1:41:14 Before You Put Money In, Know You'll Do Everything 1:48:35 What Does Success Actually Mean? 1:53:51 Hardship Is the Training, Not the Obstacle 1:49:57 Don't Quit: Why Year Six Changes Everything

    #48: Making It Past Survival Mode | Chandler & Lindsey Griffin

  7. Jun 1

    #47: A Rich Life Is Measured By "Hell Yeah" Moments | Ty Leary

    Ty Leary is a serial entrepreneur, former pro athlete, pilot, and all-around connoisseur of life. In today's episode we explore what a "rich life" actually looks like. Ty grew up blue collar, raced pro motocross, built and exited businesses, hand-built his own home, and flies his own plane... yet all of his success was reframed when he almost lost the most important thing to him during some of his mountaintop moments. In this episode, we sit down with Ty in Lewistown, Montana for a wide-ranging conversation about time, identity, sacrifice, the things that matter, and what it actually means to earn the life you want. Key Moments and Highlights: Why time is your most precious commoditySacrificing for the dream vs. letting the dream become the sacrificeHow dyslexia and a counselor who said "kids like you don't succeed" became jet fuelLeaving a dream engineering job while getting promotedThe identity trap: why attaching who you are to what you do will always leave you emptyThe wake-up call that nearly cost him his marriage, and how it changed his lifeBuilding a $3M house with his own handsThe "man in the other room" principle and how to stop settlingWhat unconditional love actually looks like in a men's group, a marriage, and a friendshipHow to know when you're giving vs. extracting, and why it mattersWriting a letter to your 8-year-old self as the only performance review that matters If you've ever felt the pull between chasing what you want and showing up for the people who matter most, this one's for you. Ty is one of the most inspirational people I've been around, and I hope you find as many takeaways from this one as I did! Thanks for listening. Be Where Your Feet Are. Follow Ty Leary:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyleary212/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ty.leary.7/ Follow Drew Korf: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf⁠ Follow The Garden: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Show Chapters: 0:00: Time Is Your Most Precious Commodity 3:36: How to Actually Balance Time 8:51: Dividing Yourself Among Your Responsibilities 11:31: Learning to Work With Intention 15:18: Getting Told "You Can't" 22:13: Who Are You Without Your Titles? 22:42: Contrarian by Nature 22:58: Self-Love and Self-Talk 23:54: Why Achievements Never Fully Fulfill You 34:17: Leaving a Dream Job 44:21: Sacrificing for the Dream 51:20: Earning vs. Wanting 1:06:16: Building for Utility 1:06:41: Gratitude for the Small Things 1:13:25: The Man in the Other Room 1:15:54: Giving vs. Extracting Everything 1:17:16: Unconditional Love 1:31:32: The Wake-Up Call 1:42:26: What a Rich Life Actually Means 1:46:32: Write a Letter to Your 8-Year-Old Self

    #47: A Rich Life Is Measured By "Hell Yeah" Moments | Ty Leary

  8. May 19

    #46: Intersecting Gratitude & Ambition | Jack Wagoner

    Jack Wagoner is the host of The Grateful Podcast. In today's podcast, we explore comparison, identity development, and Jack’s framework for Resonance, the “duality of gratitude and ambition." Key Moments and Highlights: - What it's like starting a podcast - Moving to France alone at 16 - Falling in love with yourself during the Lonely Chapter - Serving vs. Extracting - Trusting the "What" and letting the "How" unfold - The Knowing vs. Doing gap - One commonality of all high performers Thank you for tuning into the first remote episode with one of my favorite up and coming podcasters! Hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I did. Be Where Your Feet Are, Drew Follow Jack and The Grateful Podcast Jack's IG: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/ Jack's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-wagoner-speaker/ The Grateful Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegratefulpodcast/ The Grateful Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@jack_wagoner Follow Drew Korf: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf Follow The Garden: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarden.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarden.podcast Show Chapters 00:00 Why Start A Podcast? 01:35 Excuses and Starting Late 03:15 Just Hit Record 06:06 Moving to France Alone 08:25 Discipline and Self Trust 09:44 Lonely Chapter 12:13 Comparison and Identity 18:40 Gratitude Meets Ambition 20:55 Resonance 22:46 Business & Personal Development 26:21 Hard Moments Create Breakthroughs 31:35 Serving Versus Ego 34:24 Giving & Mentors 38:37 Ripple Effect 41:11 The Followers Trap 42:42 Let Go of the "How" 46:30 Trust 49:18 Action Beats Perfection 52:17 Mentorship 55:18 Knowing vs. Doing Gap 01:01:03 Meet Your Heroes 01:05:36 Traits of High Performers 01:08:59 Vision 01:12:57 Where to Find Jack

    #46: Intersecting Gratitude & Ambition | Jack Wagoner
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Conversations about finding your calling and building a life around pursuing it.

Information

  • Creator
    Drew Korf
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Drew Korf
  • Show Website
    The Garden

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