Flirting With Failure

Jordan Holmes, aka Dxtr Spits, is a modern day Renaissance man. Prospering as an engineer, musician, entrepreneur, and spoken word artist, Jordan's relationship with failure and success is spread amo…

Jonah Saesan is an actor, improviser, teacher at the Second City, father, husband, and veteran. In this episode, we talk about TikTok fame, improv, and Jonah's unique journey through the Marine Corps…

For two decades, LaVonda Wagner was living her dream as a women’s basketball coach. When that dream came to a screeching halt, she turned to what many people turn to when the going gets tough: wine (…

In the season one FINALE of Flirting With Failure, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chicago-based opera artist Will Liverman. On top of having a voice that sounds like liquid gold, Will is also a c…

Todd McNerney is a Professor of Theatre and Associate Dean at the College of Charleston. He is also a director, a certified goofball, and  responsible for giving some of the best and most memorable i…

Mighty Mike McGee is a poet, a humorist, an exceptional friend, and the former Poet Laureate of Santa Clara County (among other things.) His profound love of words, art, and human connection pours ou…

Alexis Nido-Russo, CEO and Founder of Local Eclectic Jewelry, refers to herself a creative person who also happens to be great at business and I couldn't agree with that more. She went from a degree …

This week, I had the pleasure of listening to comedian Allison Reese-Shapiro tell me about some of her blunders in the comedy world, both on and offstage. From working at a Starbucks in West Hollywoo…

Hannah Wicklund graduated from our small town high school two years early to pursue her dreams of becoming a musician and BOY OH BOY did she do the damn thing. Hannah has toured both nationally and i…

Ishaan Pakrasi is a consultant at Ernst & Young by day.... but a dancing robot engineer by night. In this episode, Ishaan fills me in on a unique world that combines art + engineering, tells me all a…

Arlene Malinowski, storyteller extraordinaire and certified queen of the solo show, talks with me about growing up as a hearing child in a deaf household, a mid-life career change, and the agony of r…

This week I talk with start-up guru Jim Phillips (Co-Founder of Fooda and former head of the Ritual App in Chicago) about risking it all in the start-up world, picking yourself back up from job loss …