The Inciting Incident

Tim Shields
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The inciting incident and the dream are connected by one thing—a process I call dream tethering. Since I was a young man, I've always been fascinated by the transformative human journeys behind successful changemakers. As a successful writer behind some of today's most impactful books in the self-development industry, I continue to chase the next level of success, and I want to bring you the interviews and tools to help transform your life. These are the stories about how today's changemakers tethered to their dream. My name is Tim Shields, and this is the Inciting Incident.

  1. 3d ago

    The Gift Hidden Inside Your Struggle with Mike Ogelsbee | #63

    What if the hardest moments of your life are preparing you for the person you're meant to become? In this powerful conversation, Tim sits down with coach, speaker, and bestselling author Mike Ogelsbee to explore how childhood trauma, anxiety, rejection, and adversity can become catalysts for profound transformation. From a troubled past marked by addiction and self-destruction to helping others build emotional resilience, Mike shares how one simple question, "What is the gift?", changed the course of his life. In this episode, you'll discover: Why your greatest struggles often become your greatest strengths How childhood wounds continue to shape us and how we can begin to heal them A new perspective on pain, resilience, and the lifelong process of personal growth Healing isn't about becoming someone new. It's about uncovering the wisdom that's been waiting inside your story all along.

  2. Jul 9

    What If School Unlocked Your Genius with Andrew Freeman | #63

    What if everything you thought about education was backwards? Andrew Freeman walked away from a successful career in tech after a lifelong calling to transform education refused to let go. Today, through Coherence Education, he is helping children discover their unique genius instead of forcing them to fit into a standardized system. In this inspiring conversation, Andrew shares how purpose, curiosity, and trusting the unknown led him to create a school where kids are excited to learn and empowered to become the heroes of their own stories. In this episode, you'll discover: Why traditional education may be suppressing creativity instead of nurturing it How helping children uncover their unique genius changes everything Why purpose, intuition, and trusting the process create extraordinary lives Whether you're a parent, educator, leader, or simply someone searching for a more meaningful path, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning and remind you that the greatest potential is already within us. What If School Unlocked Your Genius with Andrew Freeman Description: What if everything you thought about education was backwards? Andrew Freeman walked away from a successful career in tech after a lifelong calling to transform education refused to let go. Today, through Coherence Education, he is helping children discover their unique genius instead of forcing them to fit into a standardized system. In this inspiring conversation, Andrew shares how purpose, curiosity, and trusting the unknown led him to create a school where kids are excited to learn and empowered to become the heroes of their own stories. In this episode, you'll discover: Why traditional education may be suppressing creativity instead of nurturing it How helping children uncover their unique genius changes everything Why purpose, intuition, and trusting the process create extraordinary lives Whether you're a parent, educator, leader, or simply someone searching for a more meaningful path, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning and remind you that the greatest potential is already within us.

  3. Jul 2

    The Hidden Pain Men Never Share with Rosey Leopold | #62

    What if the thing holding you back isn't weakness, but the armor you've spent your whole life wearing? Authenticity and intimacy coach Rosey Leopold joins Tim Shields for a deeply honest conversation about depression, suicide attempts, psychedelics, sex work, and the surprising path that led her to helping high-achieving men reconnect with themselves. Together, they explore why so many men struggle to express emotion, how vulnerability becomes a source of strength, and why healing begins when we stop performing and start telling the truth. In this episode, you'll discover: Why vulnerability is one of the greatest untapped strengths in men How authenticity creates deeper relationships, purpose, and inner peace The surprising connection between intimacy, emotional healing, and personal freedom If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself or wondered what it really means to live with integrity, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that your greatest strength begins with being fully yourself.

  4. Jun 25

    When Cancer Became the Turning Point with Jennifer Greenhut-Tollin | #61

    What if the worst thing that ever happened to you became the catalyst for the most meaningful chapter of your life? In this powerful conversation, Tim sits down with Jennifer Greenhut-Tollin, a stage four triple negative breast cancer survivor who transformed fear, heartbreak, and uncertainty into a mission rooted in love, gratitude, and hope. From leaving home as a teenage gymnast training for the Olympics to navigating infertility, divorce, and a life-altering diagnosis, Jen shares how every unexpected twist led her closer to the person she was meant to become.  Together, they explore what it means to rebuild your life when your plans fall apart and how purpose often emerges from the places we least expect. In this episode, you'll discover: How gratitude can shift your perspective during life's darkest moments Why love is stronger than fear, even in the face of uncertainty The surprising gifts hidden inside life's greatest challenges If you've ever wondered whether your hardest season could become the beginning of something beautiful, this conversation is for you.

  5. Jun 18

    What Your Pet Knows About You with Dr. Barrie Sands | #60

    What if the animals in our lives are doing far more than keeping us company? In this thought-provoking episode, Tim Shields sits down with integrative veterinarian, educator, and author Dr. Barrie Sands for a conversation that bridges science, spirituality, consciousness, and the profound bond between humans and animals. Drawing on three decades in emergency veterinary medicine, as well as her work in acupuncture, energy medicine, heart coherence, and holistic healing, Dr. Sands shares a radically different perspective on why animals enter our lives and what they may be here to teach us. Together, they explore: • The childhood near-death experience that opened Dr. Sands to the unseen world of intuition, dreams, and consciousness • Why our pets may mirror our emotional wounds, grief, and unresolved patterns • What animals can teach us about joy, healing, relationships, and trusting that everything will be okay From dolphin dreams and quantum healing to the sacred role animals play in our lives, this conversation invites us to see our beloved companions through an entirely new lens. If you've ever loved a pet, grieved an animal, or wondered whether there is more to this life than meets the eye, this episode may change the way you see both yourself and the creatures who walk beside you.

  6. Jun 11

    The Voice That Tried to Stop Him with Scott Lackey | #59

    What if the biggest obstacle in your life isn't failure, but the voice telling you you're not enough? In this powerful conversation, Tim sits down with Army veteran, entrepreneur, Ironman athlete, inventor, and author Scott Lackey to unpack the hard-won lessons behind his new book, Wake Up to Die Again. From surviving combat and business collapse to confronting self-doubt, identity, and purpose, Scott shares the moments that forced him to stop chasing external success and start rebuilding from the inside out. Together, they explore why growth often comes through subtraction instead of addition, how faith and surrender can transform adversity, and why the stories we tell ourselves determine the lives we live. In this episode: • How one teacher's criticism became fuel for a life-changing journey • Why the pursuit of success can leave you feeling empty • The difference between ownership and stewardship • How to silence the inner critic and trust your own voice • What Scott learned from writing a brutally honest book about his failures and triumphs Whether you're facing uncertainty, recovering from a setback, or searching for a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation is a reminder that your scars are not proof that you were broken. They're proof that you survived. The lightning strikes will come. The question is who you'll become when they do.

  7. Jun 4

    What MDMA Reveals About Trauma with Jill Sitnick | #58

    What if the anxiety, fear, and self-doubt you carry today were never really about today at all? After building a successful career and checking all the boxes society told her to pursue, Jill Sitnick found herself blindsided by a PTSD diagnosis that traced back to a childhood she never realized was traumatic. Following years of conventional approaches that fell short, she turned to MDMA-assisted therapy and uncovered a powerful truth: the medicine didn't heal her trauma. It revealed it. In this deeply personal conversation, Jill shares how childhood wounds can quietly shape our adult lives, why so many people feel stuck in patterns they can't explain, and how her PAUSE Method helps people revisit and heal the moments that created them. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why childhood trauma often hides behind perfectionism, productivity, and achievement • What MDMA-assisted therapy actually looks like and why integration matters more than the journey itself • How to identify the emotional patterns that may still be running your life decades later Whether you're curious about psychedelics, healing old wounds, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level, this conversation offers a hopeful roadmap forward. You are not defined by the survival strategies that once protected you. The moment you understand where they came from is the moment you can begin to choose something different.

  8. May 28

    Psychedelics Change Everything with Zappy Zapolin | #57

    What if the answers you've been chasing aren't outside you, but hidden deep within your own consciousness? In this mind-expanding conversation, Tim sits down with psychedelic pioneer Zappy Zapolin to explore how psychedelics, trauma, frequency, and surrender can radically transform the human experience. From becoming the youngest VP in Bear Stearns history to walking away from Wall Street in search of a deeper truth, Zappy shares the spiritual crisis that changed the course of his life forever. Together, they dive into ayahuasca journeys, consciousness, addiction recovery, frequency healing, and why psychedelics may become one of the biggest cultural shifts of our lifetime. Zappy also opens up about working with Lamar Odom, creating transformational films, and the profound realization that changed everything: "What makes you think God needs your help?" In this episode: • How psychedelics can help heal trauma and addiction • Why surrender is the key to transformation • The future of frequency medicine and consciousness research If you've ever felt there's something bigger happening beneath the surface of reality, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

See All (63)

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The inciting incident and the dream are connected by one thing—a process I call dream tethering. Since I was a young man, I've always been fascinated by the transformative human journeys behind successful changemakers. As a successful writer behind some of today's most impactful books in the self-development industry, I continue to chase the next level of success, and I want to bring you the interviews and tools to help transform your life. These are the stories about how today's changemakers tethered to their dream. My name is Tim Shields, and this is the Inciting Incident.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Shields
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Inciting Incident

You Might Also Like