Thrive-Learn-Connect

jamie@creativeinputllc.com
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly podcast where hosts Jamie Green and Max Mendez talk about ways to grow, evolve, and build meaningful connections at home, at work, and in our communities. The hosts and their guests offer insights and stories, tools and tips for ways to find more joy, kindness, and connection in today’s complex world. 

  1. 2D AGO · BONUS

    What's On Your Mind? Share a 30–60s Voice Note

    Hey — Max here. Jamie and I are taking a short break between seasons of Thrive-Learn-Connect, and instead of filling the space with extra episodes we want to hear from you. We’re asking one simple question: What’s on your mind? If you’d like to share, record a short voice note — 30 to 60 seconds is perfect — about what’s present for you right now. Keep it personal and reflective, not political or reactive, and speak from your own experience rather than offering advice or commentary on events. To record, go to speakpipe.com/thrivelearnconnect Find a quiet spot and record from your phone or desktop. Tell us your first name and location, or stay anonymous — whatever feels right. By submitting, you’re giving permission for us to share your audio on the podcast. We’ll play a couple of responses each week during our break, simply holding the question and letting different voices be heard. If you’re up for it, share a favorite episode with a friend, family member, or colleague and invite them to record too. We appreciate you — thanks for being part of the Thrive-Learn-Connect community. Until next time, stay curious and kind.

    2 min

  2. JAN 6

    The Power of Listening: Consideration, Curiosity, Connection

    As Thrive-Learn-Connect celebrates its 50th episode, we're building on earlier conversations about voice, sound, and expression. This milestone episode turns the focus toward the often-overlooked counterpart: listening. Through the lens of music, communication, and everyday life, we explore what it truly means to listen—to ourselves, to one another, and to the silence in between. The episode also takes a moment of gratitude and reflection: on what it has meant to make this podcast, how meeting guests and hearing their stories has shaped us, and how the simple act of listening has changed the way they show up in conversations and in the world. Dear Listeners: We invite you to help shape what comes next. What might Thrive-Learn-Connect look like in Season 4? What would you like to learn, explore, or hear more about? Connect with us: Web: jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    36 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    Release the Struggle: A Conversation About Letting Go

    As 2025 comes to a close, Jamie and Max invite listeners into a reflective conversation about release—what we hold onto, why we cling so tightly, and what becomes possible when we finally let go. They begin with the idea of embracing disruption: the small, everyday interruptions that can either frustrate us or create unexpected opportunities for connection. From there, the conversation unfolds into deeper territory—letting go of tension, releasing the belief that struggle is necessary, and re-framing difficulty as challenge rather than loss. Jamie reflects on perfectionism—how it can stall creativity, delay progress, and quietly lead to burnout—while Max shares the moment he realized perfection wasn’t worth the cost. Together, they explore the idea of standards that evolve with experience, honoring growth rather than demanding flawlessness. The episode closes with a powerful theme many of us wrestle with: giving up the need to care so much about what others think. From mismatched slippers at an art museum to the freedom of being fully yourself, Jamie and Max remind us that letting go isn’t about apathy—it’s about living unencumbered. Instead of resolutions that add more to our plates, this episode offers a gentler invitation: What might you release as you step into what’s next? Connect with us: Web: jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    20 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Reconnection: Finding Our Way Back to One Another

    As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves thinking about the people who have drifted to the edges of our lives—not because of conflict or choice, but because life simply got busy. In this heartfelt conversation, Jamie and Max explore the idea of reconnection: what it means, why it matters, and how we can approach it with intention rather than obligation. From cousins rediscovered after decades, to handwritten notes, phone calls, Zoom cocoa dates, and opening our homes to friends old and new, this episode reflects on the many ways connection can be rekindled. Jamie and Max talk candidly about how relationships change over time, the importance of allowing people to grow, and the courage it sometimes takes to reach out—especially when we fear awkwardness, difference, or rejection. They also introduce the idea of recalibration—meeting people where they are now, not where they once were—and recommitment, choosing the relationship even when opinions, life paths, or seasons have shifted. With humor, nostalgia, and gentle wisdom, this episode offers listeners permission to reconnect in ways that feel authentic, low-pressure, and human. Whether it’s the holidays or a random Tuesday in March, this conversation is an invitation to lean into all the “re’s”: reconnect, recalibrate, recommit—and maybe add a little more sparkle along the way. We love the Ali and Callie Artcast and think you will, too: alicallieartcast.com Connect with us: Web: jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    23 min

  5. 12/11/2025

    Navigating the Loneliness Epidemic with Ann Long (Replay)

    Loneliness isn’t just a passing mood—it’s a growing public health concern that affects people of all ages, in every season of life. In this replay of our conversation with Ann Long, founder of Burbity Workspaces in Spokane, Washington, we explore what the U.S. Surgeon General has called the loneliness epidemic. Together, we talk about how the pandemic fractured our social connections, how remote work and online learning have changed the way we relate to one another, and why you can feel deeply lonely even when you’re surrounded by people. Ann shares stories from her co-working spaces, where remote workers and solo entrepreneurs rediscover the simple power of being around others—having a reason to leave the house, being greeted with a daily “hello,” and feeling like they belong somewhere again. We reflect on how loneliness shows up in schools, in the arts, at work, and in everyday life—and how kindness and empathy are built not through apps and algorithms, but through shared stories, regular gatherings, and face-to-face connection. You’ll also hear a simple ABC framework to help you respond to your own loneliness. This episode includes a brief mention of suicide and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If that topic is sensitive for you, please listen with care—or come back to it when you feel ready. Whether you’ve been feeling lonely yourself or you’re worried about a loved one—especially an older adult whose world has gotten smaller—this conversation is an invitation to take one small, courageous step toward connection today. Connect with us: Web: jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    27 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    (Replay) Pivot and Adapt: Finding Your Calm When Life Changes the Plan

    Hello everyone, Jamie here with a quick update: Max and I are taking a bit of a hiatus while I care for my aunt and help her move to a new home. This week, we're offering up a replay of a Season 1 episode that seems particularly fitting: “Pivot and Adapt.” This short episode is about breathing through the chaos, leaning into small shifts, and trusting that we can handle more than we think — from getting stuck behind a semi full of bees to choosing compassion over panic. If you need a reminder that pivoting is a skill, this one’s for you. Thanks for your patience and kindness — we’ll be back with new episodes soon. If you want to follow the caregiving journey, find me on Instagram: jamie.l.green. Connect with us: Web: jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    29 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    Floss for Your Future with Slate CEO Brynn MacLennan

    In this episode we sit down with Brynn MacLennan, founder of Slate, to uncover why flossing matters way beyond fresh breath: it protects your gums, heart, and even your brain. Brynn walks us through startling stats, her own wake-up stories, and how Slate’s easy-to-use flosser and gum-sweeps make a 30-second habit actually doable for kids, seniors, and anyone with sore hands. Want to get healthier together? Check out slateflosser.com (and the show notes for a listener discount), follow Bryn on Instagram, and let’s hold each other accountable — one tiny habit at a time. Here you go—clean and ready to paste: Resources Mentioned in This Episode Slate Flosser (Electric & Manual) + Accessories – woven floss, interchangeable “gum sweep” tips, tongue scraper, and a braces head Website: slateflosser.com • Also available on Amazon Listener perk: Use code thrive for 10% off your purchase! Bryn MacLennan (Guest) – Slate CEO & product designer Instagram: @slateflosser Instagram: @brynn.maclennan LinkedIn: Slate Flosser Columbia University research on gum disease & dementia risk Study referenced by Brynn connecting long-term periodontal disease with increased likelihood of dementia. Study: https://www.dental.columbia.edu/news/cdm-researcher-finds-link-between-oral-health-and-dementia Ali & Callie Artcast (promo heard in episode) Website: allicallieartcast.com Listen on your favorite podcast app. Connect with us: Web: jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    28 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    Your Future Self

    This episode opens with a quick riff on guaranteed income for artists and the ripple effect of arts in our communities, then pivots into the heart of the conversation: your future self. Jamie and Max unpack research suggesting the brain treats future-you like a different person—and how that insight can help us make kinder, wiser choices right now. You’ll hear practical stories (the “do the dishes for morning-you” test), simple money and wellness moves that compound over time, and creative tools—vision boards, personalized visualizations, and even writing a letter from your future self—that make tomorrow feel tangible today. They reflect on redefining success beyond titles, preparing emotionally for life’s inevitable changes, and why curiosity and kindness are essential companions at every age. Resources Mentioned in This Episode  Atomic Habits by James Clear A bestselling guide to building better habits and breaking bad ones—one small step at a time. Jamie references Clear’s idea that “what you do today is for your future self.” (jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) The Mindset Mentor Podcast by Rob Dial Max mentions Rob Dial’s advice to “do the hard things now so the future will be easier.” The podcast explores motivation, self-discipline, and personal growth. (robdial.com/podcast) Ali and Callie Artcast Featured mid-episode, this podcast celebrates art and culture across the Pacific Northwest. Hosted by Ali and Callie, it’s dedicated to keeping art alive and culture relevant. (alicallieartcast.com) Guaranteed Income for Artists — Ireland Jamie shares how Ireland has implemented a basic income program for artists, helping creatives thrive and strengthening cultural communities. jamielgreen.com/podcast Facebook: jamielgreen.thrivelearnconnect Instagram: @jamie.l.green YouTube: youtube.com/thrivelearnconnect The Thrive-Learn-Connect Podcast is a joint production of Creative Input, LLC, and St. Emillion Productions. Stay curious and keep exploring! ©️2025 Thrive-Learn-Connect

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A weekly podcast where hosts Jamie Green and Max Mendez talk about ways to grow, evolve, and build meaningful connections at home, at work, and in our communities. The hosts and their guests offer insights and stories, tools and tips for ways to find more joy, kindness, and connection in today’s complex world. 

Information

  • Creator
    jamie@creativeinputllc.com
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Thrive-Learn-Connect