Vroom Vroom Veer with Jeff Smith

Vroom Veer Media

The Road Differently Traveled

  1. 5D AGO

    Eric North – The Happiness Warrior

    Eric North is a multiple entrepreneur and lifelong resident of Washington DC. He is the founder and CEO of Performance Rejuvenation Center, Washington, DCs premier anti-aging clinic established in 2011. All of his business endeavors focus on helping people feel better, live healthier, and promote inner happiness. Eric is a strong proponent for the value of transformational living in creating greater health and happiness in our lives. He's known professionally as his alter-ego The Happiness Warrior, with a mission to increase happiness in our own lives and the lives of others.Eric is an avid fitness enthusiast, aging advocate, writer, entrepreneur, tv personality, and motivational figure. Eric North Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary Eric's Journey to Happiness Warrior Eric discussed his journey from being a frustrated high achiever to becoming a happiness warrior and entrepreneur. He shared his transition from owning a longevity clinic to embracing the role of a motivational speaker and content creator, with a significant following on Instagram. Eric emphasized the importance of happiness and purpose, especially as he ages, and highlighted his mission to inspire others to live fulfilling lives. Reflections on Happiness and Impact Jeffery and Eric discussed their personal experiences and perspectives on life, happiness, and the importance of making a positive impact on others. Jeffery shared his realization about his health after observing his peers in the military, while Eric reflected on his rebellious youth, love for adventure, and the influence of his aunt, who was known for her ability to make people feel happy and comfortable. Both emphasized the value of laughter, listening, and genuine connections in enhancing happiness and customer service interactions. Emotional Control and Personal Growth Eric and Jeffery discussed the importance of maintaining control over emotions and the impact of being overly aggressive or sensitive. They agreed that awareness of one's behavior is crucial to avoid repeating negative patterns and to recognize the potential for personal growth. They also touched on the challenges faced by introverted individuals and the value of constructive criticism in personal development. Reflection and Forgiveness in Growth Jeffery and Eric discussed the importance of reflection and forgiveness in personal growth. They explored different perspectives on forgiveness, including a new interpretation of Jesus' words on the cross. Eric shared his experience with a difficult relationship 25 years ago with a sociopath, which he eventually escaped and learned valuable lessons from. Both agreed that asking for help is crucial for personal development and that challenging experiences can lead to growth and self-discovery. Energy Vampires and Self-Discipline Jeffery and Eric discussed personal experiences with energy vampires and the importance of self-discipline. Eric shared his belief that self-discipline is a form of self-love, emphasizing the need for consistency in creating better habits. They briefly mentioned a TV show called "What We Do in the Shadows" which features an energy vampire character. Morning Routine and Mindset Eric shared his morning routine and philosophy on managing fear, emphasizing the importance of daily affirmations and maintaining a non-fear-based mindset. He discussed his exercise routine, which includes walking before sunrise and incorporating home workouts like inclined push-ups and stretching. Eric highlighted the benefits of simple, free exercises like shoulder rolls for reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. Jeffery shared his experience of improving his diet after retirement and agreed on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Balanced Diet and Healthy Eating Eric discussed his disciplined and balanced diet, which includes fresh, locally-sourced produce from farmers' markets and occasional fine dining.

    52 min
  2. NOV 3

    Diane Kahn – Humans of San Quentin

    Diane Kahn, is a founding member and Executive Director of Humans of San Quentin.During the last seven years of volunteering at San Quentin to help incarcerated men get high school diplomas, Diane has been deeply moved by the vulnerability and emotional intelligence shown by the incarcerated humans she works with. Diane feels a tremendous responsibility to share their stories with the outside world. The Humans of San Quentin. team shares the lives of thousands of people inside prison with the outside world through letters, art, and poetry. Through face-to-face interviews with people in prisons around the world, incarcerated people feel seen, heard and a part of the outside world. Each time a story is shared, it transforms the lives of the prisoners. Diane has an unstoppable dedication to helping victims and offenders heal and transform their lives. Diane Kahn Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary Humans of San Quentin Project Diane Kahn discussed her work with Humans of San Quentin, a website inspired by Humans of New York that shares stories and art from incarcerated individuals. She highlighted the contributions of team members inside San Quentin, including Bruce Fowler as art director and Alex as poetry director. Diane explained that the project began when Juan, a journalist she met while teaching, expressed his desire to share the stories of incarcerated men. The website aims to shed light on the human experiences and conditions within prisons, with the goal of reaching a wide audience. Rehabilitation and Reintegration Challenges Diane shared her experience teaching at San Quentin prison for seven years, where she discovered that most inmates are ordinary people who made mistakes early in life, contrary to media portrayals. She described how her interactions with inmates broke down stereotypes and highlighted the need for better rehabilitation and reintegration programs, such as work release and exposure to freedom, which are lacking in the US compared to countries like Norway. The conversation also touched on the challenges former inmates face upon release, including the difficulty of finding employment due to their criminal records, and the lack of a clear plan for reintegration into society. Empathy and Change for Humans Struggling Diane and Jeffery discussed the challenges faced by individuals with nowhere to go, emphasizing the need for change and support. They shared personal stories, including Freddie Lopez's experience of overcoming prejudice due to tattoos and finding employment in prison, which highlighted the importance of giving people opportunities to express themselves. Jeffery also shared insights about body language and cultural perceptions of tattoos, emphasizing the need for understanding and empathy. They agreed on the significance of listening to and sharing these stories as a step toward change. Inmate Education and Healing Programs Diane shared stories about incarcerated individuals who are actively writing and publishing, including a journalist who writes for the New York Times. She highlighted the unique opportunities at San Quentin prison for education and rehabilitation compared to other prisons. Diane also discussed a program called "raw crime" where inmates share intimate details about their crimes, which Jeffery supported as an important part of healing. Finally, Diane described a powerful "Day of Healing" event at San Quentin where victims of violent crimes shared their stories, and mentioned a program called Ahimsa Collective that facilitates victim-offender dialogues. Transformative Power of Victim Dialogues Diane shared her experience conducting interviews for a podcast focused on victim-offender dialogues, highlighting the powerful stories of individuals involved in these conversations, including Elle, who forgave her daughter's killer. She emphasized the transformative potential of these dialogues and the efforts of victims like Elle in advocating for pri...

    49 min
  3. OCT 27

    Stephen Seidel – Shift the Script to Write your Own Story

    Stephen Seidel is a TEDx keynote speaker, media expert, and brand strategist who helps entrepreneurs, startups, and HR leaders drive cultural alignment and authentic leadership. As founder of the award-winning Seidel Agency and coach to changemakers, he draws on 25 years in PR, media, and marketing to help leaders rewrite their stories, leveraging connection as currency. A best-selling author, podcast creator, and co-founder of the men’s collective Gents Journey, Stephen blends humor, heart, and actionable tools to inspire resilient teams and lasting change. Steve Seidel Vroom Vroom Veer Summary Journey of Growth and Legacy Stephen discussed his multifaceted career, including his work with the Seidel Agency, which has collaborated with Coca-Cola, and his creation of Gents Journey, a platform aimed at fostering vulnerability and connection among men through a card deck called the Journey Deck. He shared his personal journey, including a TEDx talk on using grief as a tool for growth and his involvement in a fatherhood initiative where he witnessed a transformative moment of forgiveness. Stephen emphasized the importance of a morning routine and leaving a legacy, while Jeffery highlighted the value of consistent growth and prioritizing tasks. Journey of Connection and Resilience Stephen shared his personal journey, highlighting his upbringing in Utica, New York, and later Philadelphia, where he grew up in a divorced family environment. He described his role as a mediator between his parents, which shaped his identity as a connector. Stephen discussed his struggles with people-pleasing and the importance of self-love and boundary-setting. He emphasized the values instilled in him by his upbringing, including hard work, community, and resilience, and how these influenced his professional life and approach to fatherhood. Journey to Storytelling Agency Stephen shared his personal journey, explaining how his engineering background and people-pleasing nature led him to create an agency that connects individuals with their stories and partners. He discussed his experiences at CB West High School, Penn State, and his career at Motorola, while also touching on personal challenges such as hearing issues and a difficult childhood. Despite these obstacles, Stephen found confidence through his fraternity experiences and continued to pursue his passion for creative expression. Career Transition to Entertainment Stephen shared his career journey, which included acting in a Saturday Night Live sketch that was cut from the show, working as an industrial engineer at a semiconductor fab, and eventually transitioning to entertainment and creating his own YouTube agency. He discussed his experiences with emerging technologies and his involvement in various projects, including a YouTube show and a foundation created in memory of a 9/11 victim. Journey Through Pandemic Challenges Stephen shared his personal journey, including relocating to Lexington, Kentucky, during the COVID-19 pandemic while caring for his mother who had stage 4 cancer and a one-month-old baby. He described how he ran his virtual agency from a laundry room, using a makeshift setup with a logo on his shoulder. Through this challenging period, Stephen discovered the importance of self-love and the need to connect with others, leading him to join a meditation group called Meditation Hillsanga. Journey to Authentic Connection Stephen shared his personal journey of finding happiness by reconnecting with his true self and building a supportive community of entrepreneurs and fathers. He discussed the creation of a card deck with conversation starters to help men connect on a deeper level and address mental health issues. The discussion included examples of questions from the deck, such as "How do you show appreciation?" and explored various ways to express gratitude, including handwritten notes and voice messages.

    49 min
  4. SEP 22

    John Kippen – What Makes you Different is your Superpower

    John Kippen is an entrepreneur, professional magician, speaker, resilience and empowerment coach and published author.  John was dealt a bad blow in 2002 when he was diagnosed with a large benign brain tumor. Its removal, although successful, left him with permanent facial paralysis which stopped his forward momentum forcing him into hiding for more than 12 years. As John hit bottom, he rediscovered his childhood love for performing magic and storytelling . Now filled with passion and hope , he discovered that his facial difference had become  his greatest superpower. This new mindset gave John the strength to live life with joy and become a sought after resilience and empowerment coach who uses the lessons and methodologies he learned overcoming his adversity to inspire and assist his clients to get out of their own way and live their best lives. His two mottos are  “ Being Different is your Superpower!” and  “Feed your Heart with your Art” John Kippen Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary John's Journey Through Health Challenges John shared his personal story, beginning with his childhood in Los Angeles and his education at a private school where he became involved in theater. He described his early career in computer consulting, which he started in the 1980s after setting up a computer lab at Cal State University, Northridge. John then explained how his health issues began in 2002 with hearing problems, specifically difficulty hearing men's voices, followed by dizziness a month later, leading him to undergo an MRI despite his claustrophobia. Brain Tumor Discovery Experience John shared his experience of discovering a brain tumor through medical imaging in 2002. After getting X-rays at a hospital and taking them to an ENT specialist, he was referred to the House Ear Clinic where a surgeon diagnosed a 4.5 centimeter acoustic neuroma brain tumor that was killing him. John emphasized the importance of having someone present during medical consultations to help remember details and ask questions, as he found himself struggling to recall important information after the shock of the diagnosis. Brain Surgery and Recovery Journey John shared his experience undergoing brain surgery, describing the pre-surgery preparation and the challenging recovery process. He recalled being confronted by his anesthesiologist about insurance coverage just before the procedure, and waking up to find his face paralyzed, which affected his mother's reaction to his condition. John also mentioned developing a spinal fluid leak that required a second surgery after returning home. Embracing Difference Through Curiosity John shared his personal experience of hiding for 12 years after brain surgery, during which he isolated himself from social activities and work. He described a pivotal moment at a restaurant when a young boy asked about his face, which inspired John to reflect on how children's natural curiosity and lack of judgment differ from adults' reactions. John used this experience as the basis for his TED Talk about treating people who are different with respect and compassion. Transforming Challenges into Magic Performances John shared his journey of using his personal story of brain surgery and facial paralysis to enhance his magic performances. He explained how he transformed his condition into a storytelling asset by incorporating it into his act and sharing personal experiences with audiences. John also described how his story resonated with others facing medical challenges, including a specific instance where his performance inspired a man named Ron to fight his cancer diagnosis. John's Magical Trebek Encounter John shared his experience writing a book titled "Playing the Hand You Are Dealt" and offered listeners a PDF version if they listen to the end of the show. He recounted performing magic for Alex Trebek at Trebek's 75th birthday party,

    59 min
4.9
out of 5
80 Ratings

About

The Road Differently Traveled