281 episodes

A personal transformation podcast aimed mainly at GenX’rs who are burned out from the revved-up mindset that has driven them to where they are—both professionally and personally—and are searching for more fulfilling, authentic and meaningful ways to move forward. The show's format is set up as lively conversations, storytelling and sharing of advice between host, Jeff Smith and his various guests—all of whom have had a unique and distinct experience of metaphorically shifting from "vrooming" to "veering" in how they've approached certain aspects of their lives.

Vroom Vroom Veer with Jeff Smith Vroom Veer Media

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 78 Ratings

A personal transformation podcast aimed mainly at GenX’rs who are burned out from the revved-up mindset that has driven them to where they are—both professionally and personally—and are searching for more fulfilling, authentic and meaningful ways to move forward. The show's format is set up as lively conversations, storytelling and sharing of advice between host, Jeff Smith and his various guests—all of whom have had a unique and distinct experience of metaphorically shifting from "vrooming" to "veering" in how they've approached certain aspects of their lives.

    Isaac Tolpin – Human Behavior Expert (BOV)

    Isaac Tolpin – Human Behavior Expert (BOV)

    Isaac Tolpin is one of the Founders of ConveYour.com, the #1 Micro-Learning platform for influencers and companies.  He’s a tech entrepreneur and futurist at heart.

    On a mission, enabling brands to authentically connect and inform at scale with over 105 million in combined revenues from the companies he’s helped build.  His success comes from understanding the relationships between human behavior, business and technology. This expertise helped celebrity influencers and companies to transform their knowledge into humanized digital training.

    His recent background includes, cultivating a vineyard, keynote speaker, digital marketer, and EdTech disrupter through the pioneering Mirco-Training technology, ConveYour.com, the platform that’s improving the way influencers and organizations connect and train people.  He brings a visionary mindset to his family by creating a legacy raising and educating their 7 children with his wife Angie Tolpin of Courageousmom.com.

    He refuses to waste his life achieving the world’s definition of success that leave so many empty.  Instead he does what matters through projects, those he serves, and the family he leads.
    Isaac Tolpin Vroom Veer Stories

    Had the entrepreneur bug very early; started making and selling crafts in High School
    Went to college (cause that what Gen Xer's do!); starting doing direct sales in college
    How to overcome massive entrepreneurial failure and come back stronger than ever
    Big lesson from this failure was to listen to friends he really trusts
    Learned how to be a better husband and father and to check his ego
    Why digital training needs be fun, effective, and never boring
    Human behavior doesn't allow digital training to take hours at a time; more like 5-7 minutes
    An optional workplace test game had a 95% completion rate; making it mandatory caused a drop

    Isaac Tolpin Connections
    Conveyour.com

    LinkedIn

    Facebook

    • 39 min
    Alexandra Harbushka – Life with Herpes: Breaking the Stigma removing the Shame

    Alexandra Harbushka – Life with Herpes: Breaking the Stigma removing the Shame

    Alexandra Harbushka was sent into upheaval when she received a call from her doctor diagnosing her with herpes. Shaking, feeling like her life - her goals, happiness, and desires - had all just gone up in smoke, she was left scared shitless and with a new mission, to share her story with people just like herand to let them know that their feelings are normal, natural, and that they are not victims. With that mission in mind, she founded Life With Herpes, an online community consisting of a podcast, a website, Youtube channel, wellness products to support the skin condition and an online community that provides support, all dedicated to shattering the stigma of living with herpes.



    Before founding Life With Herpes and becoming a mother to her son Clinton and a wife to her husband Bill, Alexandra worked in corporate America with roles ranging from Ralph Lauren to selling new home construction to being a mortgage loan officer. Her education includes a bachelor degree from the University of Arizona (Bear Down to my fellow Wildcats!), a postgraduate certificate in Ministry, and is currently working on a masters in Theology. She is also an ordained minister and provides ministry counseling.



    Alexandra Harbushka Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



    Grew up in La Jolla near San Diego CA, she was a cheerleader and a "good girl" meaning she went to the parties but never drank because she didn't want to lose her driver's license



    Graduated from the University of Arizona, but started college in San Diego and studied abroad in Spain; got a Spanish lit degree



    Accidently got a Master's degree in Theology because she started taking college classes for fun during lockdown, then the college told her she was only five classes away from a Master's



    After her diagnosis with Herpes, she felt like she needed to stay with that boyfriend because she didn't think anyone else would be with her; after 2 years she decided that she need to move on with her life and not settle for someone she felt stuck with



    Her husband encouraged her to share her story with herpes while speaking publicly at a podcasting conference; probably the most fear inducing idea I can think of doing



    Close to 80% of people are positive for the herpes virus and don't know they have it; it is a close cousin to the chickenpox and Shingles virus and both hide out in the nervous system



    You can have "genital" herpes anywhere in the area of the nerves in and around you genital area not just in the genitals themselves; tailbone area, inner thighs



    People are contagious definitely during an active breakout oral or genital but also you can be contagious without any outbreak



    Connections



    Website

    • 46 min
    Nicholas Jordan Moore – Vulnerability, Self-love, and Compassion

    Nicholas Jordan Moore – Vulnerability, Self-love, and Compassion

    Nicholas Jordan Moore's extraordinary journey has led him to become an expert and leader in the areas of vulnerability, self-love, and compassion. Along with sharing pieces of his incredibly vulnerable story, Nick shares his insights for overcoming the inner critic, letting go of the opinions of others, and how to gracefully ride the ever-changing waves of life.



    Nick grew up in Texas within a culture of racism, violence, and patriarchy. These ideals would continue to plague his psyche, until the uncontested power of personal suffering would lead him to his awakening.



    Nick’s life and story are a testament to enduring power of self-discovery, reflection, compassion, andvulnerability. Not only does he have valuable lessons to teach, but his short and powerful spoken word poetry can capture an audience and plant seeds for universal growth and understanding



    Nicholas Jordan Moore Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



    After witnessing an event and calling Child Protective Services on his father for allegedly sexual molesting his granddaughter and daughter; this blew up his world



    After a out of body experience with a smokeable DMT he learned from the universe that sharing your most shameful secrets is the path to self-love



    Nick was at his wit’s end, suicidal, and looking for answers; Angry and confused as to why a “good god” would allow such terrible things such as pedophelia to exist



    Nick came to a place of peace and understanding through a powerful revelation; light comes from the darkness



    Nick made friends with all the voices in his head; he learned that you need love himself first warts and all so he could work with all the darkness from his past



    Nick learned that world will teach to hide all your shameful past actions; he learned to let go of the opinions of others to speak with love instead of fear



    Before you speak ask yourself "Is this communication coming from love or fear" trust that you know the answer



    Learned to listen to people without any judgement, without giving advice but just hearing the other person and not trying to "fix" problems



    Connections



    Website



    Vulnerabilitybook.com

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Myron Welik – The Jackhammer Effect

    Myron Welik – The Jackhammer Effect

    Myron Welik says:








    In 2002, I lost my Multi-Million Dollar business in a catastrophic way, leaving me paralyzed with self-doubt and depression.



    However, I kept going and 16 years later I successfully reinvented myself. I am known as "The Jackhammer” and have been in the business of making deals happen for 40 years. I am the host of the Jackhammer Effect podcast and author of the “Jackhammer Effect." My insatiable drive and resilience have been a hallmark of my long and successful career.



    Moreover - I identified and brokered the deal that brought Heidi Klum and New Balance together, leading to the creation of the HKNB brand. I pitched products of my own design on the Home Shopping Network to 40 million viewers. In addition - I have negotiated strategic partnerships with well-known brands such as the New England Patriots, Lacoste, FIFA, Madison Square Gardens, Radio City Music Hall, and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. 




    Myron Welik Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



    Another random life changing moment at a business networking event, Myron was there and another real estate investor who should really be there is there--he helped Myron re-invent himself and his business



    Was working with Heidi Klum's people after she had a baby she was looking for new opportunities, this was when female athletic apparel was booming with Lulu Lemon



    Myron suggested he reach out to New Balance to she if there were interested in working with Heidi--they create the HKNB line



    Was working with Seal who was looking for opportunities during lockdown, Myron was able to set up a zoom meeting with Seal and the Patriots marketing team



    During the tech boom there was a map app that was looking to sign companies in New York city to be on there map app; Myron got Madison Square Gardens, Radio City Music Hall and and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum



    In 2002, I lost my Multi-Million Dollar business in a catastrophic way, left him paralyzed with self-doubt and depression; thankfully his wife supported through his struggles



    Totally random life changing moment while on line at for a Taxi at La Guardia airport in New York City, she's a beautiful woman and he talks to her--later they get married



    Connections



    Linkedin Profile



    Instagram ProfileThe Jackhammer Effect BookThe Jackhammer Effect Podcast

    • 44 min
    Liz Benditt – 5-time Cancer Survivor turned “Cancer-Prenuer”

    Liz Benditt – 5-time Cancer Survivor turned “Cancer-Prenuer”

    Liz Benditt is a 5-time cancer survivor turned “cancer-prenuer”. After muddling through four different cancers (Breast #2/2022, Breast #1/2017, Basel Cell/2015, Thyroid/2010, and Melanoma/2009) she knows a thing or two about what it is like to be a working mom and patient, undergo painful surgeries and treatments, and receive so many well-meaning but useless gifts. (e.g. Kicking Cancer Tote Bags, Breast Warrior t-shirts, worry stones, over-cooked lasagnas…)



    In Fall of 2020, Liz transitioned from corporate marketing executive to mission-driven entrepreneur by channeling my personal experience into launching TheBalmBox.com. We interviewed over 500 patients and caregivers to curate functional care packages for cancer patients.



    Liz was featured on NBC, USA Today, Medium, and Yahoo News. She was named a #WomanOfAction by the Susan G. Komen Foundation of KSWMO and was their keynote speaker at their Pink Power Luncheon as well as an award-winning finalist from the Amber Grant Foundation. She's been a featured guest on a long list of podcasts including, Pieces of a Woman, In The Rising, and Love Shack Live (podcast and live radio broadcast).



    Liz Benditt Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



    Born in California, moved briefly to the Chicago area went to High School in Pennsylvania; she was already into sports including gymnastics so she joined the varsity cheerleader squad



    Studied mass communication at Boston College for her undergrad; learned how to communicate be articulate and tell a story



    Realized she enjoyed the business side of marketing more than the creative side; got her MBA and really focused on using data to drive business and creative decision through testing and surveys



    Did her Honeymoon in Costa Rica and a very remote resort; after she flew into the country got on a single engine aircraft to fly to the resort



    Visited Paris twice and stood in line to see the Mona Lisa both times; on the first trip with 6 other 20 something girlfriends one friend said "Let's go see the HO and then get a cocktail"



    Employee #3 at Bluetooth! Helped to make sure as many companies as possible would support Bluetooth; got to travel all over the world



    Fall of 2020, transitioned from corporate marketing to mission-driven entrepreneur by channeling my personal experience into TheBalmBox.com. We interviewed over 500 patients and caregivers to curate functional care packages for cancer patients



    Connections



    Website

    • 1 hr 5 min
    Chris Marshall – How to De-Stress with the Pause, Play, Move Method

    Chris Marshall – How to De-Stress with the Pause, Play, Move Method

    Chris Marshall is a transformative voice in leadership, resilience, and business strategy. With an aim to prepare individuals and teams for a disruptive tomorrow. Chris draws from his diverse experiences in behavioural science, professional foresight, and global macro strategy. Through his talks, he offers insights that are not just profound but also actionable, paving the way for a future-ready mindset.Chris has a varied background, from being a youth athlete to being high functioning autistic with a divergent mindset in a neurotypical world, to setting up an international award-winning distillery as a side hustle. He has many stories of vrooming and veering in his life including: burnout, divorce, being the head of global strategy for a fund manager, becoming a breathwork coach to ongoing research as a professional futurist and behavioural scientist specialising in decision-making in fast-paced complex environments. He is also the author of the book Decoding Change, a book that seeks to help people better the rapid changes we're seeing all around us.



    Chris Marshall Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



    Grew up in Snowdonia in Whales in the UK in the Moutains (don't say hills!) which is a rich, lush, green mountain wonderland with hundreds of castles



    Fell in love with skiing at the age of 7 and was a competive ski racer in his teens; worked with a famous sport pychologist to work on his mental game, visualizations and reducing anxiety



    His burnout came around when he was working on Pause, Play, Move method--he ended up in the hospital; he had to learn how to really pause and play to releive the stress



    The pause in PPM is about just giving yourself a break to rest and reset and bring down your stress level; breath work, diet, getting enough sleep all contribute to that calm joyful state



    Playfulness is a state that doesn't concern itself with outcomes; bay leaf in Gin? Sure let's try it…tastes like medicine so NO..but that's ok, now you know that it doesn't work



    Move almost takes care of itself if you are able to Pause and find that comfortable, calm, joyful state, and after you played with your problems your are already moving



    Wanted to start a brewery but found out that he had a gluten intolerence (I think I said Lactose…opps! That's ok, I was playing) so Chris create a distillery instead



    After discovering amazing gin in Bruges, Belgium wanted to make a gin from Whales where the best water and botanicals exist on the planet



    Connections



    Website



    PPM Method

    • 1 hr 9 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
78 Ratings

78 Ratings

Heidi Gruss ,

Hysterically entertaining and grounding!

Laughed my way through the positive mindset episode with Jim Kukral. Great energy and meaningful stories to drive the point home!

RWlistens ,

Great conversations with real-life authentic stories

The stories Jeff tells and shares from his amazing guests are so relatable. It’s an inspiring and uplifting show!

IV_AliH ,

Amazing Podcast!

Incredible interviews full of inspiration. I love the energy Jeff and his guests bring to this podcast- a real joy to listen to!

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