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Joining me in this episode to dig deeper into the benefits of first times and new experiences on learning and memory is James M. Hyman, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at UNLV. "Being in new situations helps us be in new situations" Dr. Hyman explains how non-specific learning through exposing ourselves to novelty benefits us because we are constantly updating what we know about the world for future use, and learning to regulate our emotional states.  

In this episode, I share with you the key highlights of how I've tremendously changed and benefited from my journey of first times and new experiences. The reason I do what I do is because of how impactful and powerful it's been in my own life and this is an attempt to help you understand that.

In this episode of the First Time Story series, my guest was Robert A. Belle and he shared the inspirational story of how he got this first car. His story truly is an incredible one and it involves believing in his worth and asking for what he desired.   Next, we played the First Time Lightning Round and learned that Robert loves food and is open-minded to trying new cuisines.   Robert is a transformational speaker, author and ACCA Accountant. He's on a global mission to help individuals who feel inferior and have given up on their dreams to think freely, create unapologetically and live abundantly.    

In this episode, I explained what the five types of first times are and which ones you should add to your #365FirstsChallenge list as part of the journey of first times and new experiences. The five types are: spontaneous/random/opportunistic firsts, planned firsts, earned firsts, unexpected firsts, and next level firsts. Please support the crowdfunding campaign with whatever amount you can: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/365firstschallenge-movement

In this episode of the First Time Story series, my guest was Jake Gallen, the host of the popular Las Vegas podcast & talk show, The Guest List, and he shared the story of going to his first electronic music festival. Going to EDC for the first time is one of three life changing events to take place in his life. Jake explains why this first time was so impactful and why everyone should go at least once in their lives. Next, we played the first time lightning round and discovered an interesting place where Jake went skinny dipping.  

Joining me in this episode is Mary Rensel, MD, the owner of Brain Fresh, and Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine to dig deeper into the benefits of first times and new experiences on the health of our brains.

In this episode of the First Time Story series, my guest was Ed Sullivan. Ed shared the story of his first time "making the leap" from a comfortable life at a "real job" into the entrepreneurial fray selling the first laser for lasik eye surgery he engineered. Next, we played the First Time Lightning Round™ and learned that Ed has been playing the drums since he was 3 years old. Ed Sullivan is serial entrepreneur who has built several successful companies each over $30M in revenue. Most recently he founded Trust Exchange and Aria Systems. He started a newsletter and online community for like-minded entrepreneurs: edsull.substack.com

Joining me in this episode is Paula ‘Must Try Harder’ McGuire to dig deeper into the benefits of first times and new experiences to overcome anxiety. Her story is insanely inspirational! Paula is an adventurer, author, motivational speaker and life coach – but above all, she’s a trier. After 30 years of surviving with chronic social anxiety and depression, Paula started to really live with it in 2012, using adventure as her means to recovery. She has since been a wing-walker, an athlete, a pilot, and even a trainee astronaut, and spends what spare time she has encouraging others to turn barriers into climbing frames.  

In this episode of the First Time Story series, my guest was Ronit Plank. Ronit shared the story of the first time she ever went to a giant community coven Wiccan gathering at a Unitarian Church when she was in college. Next, we played the First Time Lightning Round™ and learned that Ronit loves getting hot stone massages and if someone can teach her how to safely do a handstand, she'll give it a go!! Ronit is a freelance writer, host, and producer of the podcast And Then Everything Changed, and author of the new memoir When She Comes Back. When She Comes Back is a story about Ronit’s mother leaving her, twice, in order to follow a group during her childhood, which led to Ronit growing up without her mother but later reconciling.

Joining me in this episode is Marta Brzosko, the founder of the Self-Awareness Blog to dig deeper into the importance and value of self-awareness and to discuss how to go about developing our self-awareness. We started things out by defining "what is self-awareness?" Which led to highlighting the dangers and issues with pursuing self-development and self-improvement without having proper self-awareness. Next, we explored how to raise self-awareness through feeling our emotions and getting out of our heads. What about mindfulness? What is the role of mindfulness in self-awareness? This led to having a conversation about how first times and new experiences are key to helping us be more mindful as well as making us more self-aware. We then discussed the balance between pursuing novelty (first times and new experiences) and the need for a pause/downtime for assessment and full integration of what we have learned and how we've changed. Marta Brzosko is a writer and founder of the Self-Awareness Blog. She advocates for developing self-awareness and mindfulness before "improving" ourselves. She escapes her own tendencies to overthink by running in Nature, drawing, and doing things for the first time.

In this episode of the First Time Story Series, my guest was Bullseye the Clown. Bullseye shared the story of his very first time clowning...on a clown tour in Russia with Patch Adams and how that one experience changed the course of his life forever. Bullseye the Clown is an award-winning humanitarian clown who specializes in Anti-bullying, fighting injustice and curing invisibility! Next, we played the First Time Lightning Round and learned that Bullseye is a big Wonder Woman fan! This is a wonderful interview/story of the magic of life and how doing something for the first time can lead to an entirely new path of your life.

Joining me in this episode is Ryan Rydzewski, the co-author of When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids. He’s here to dig deeper and teach us more about two benefits of first times and new experiences: Curiosity and Creativity. Ryan starts out by sharing with us what inspired him and his co-author Gregg Behr to write the book. Then we dig deeper into the world of Mister Rogers. One of the first takeaways on curiosity that might surprise people is that Mr. Roger’s didn’t expect children to be curious about something they knew nothing about. Ryan explains why there needs to be some familiarity first and what else is required to plant the seed of curiosity. Familiarity and mystery are required to ignite curiosity but that’s not all. Mr. Roger’s knew what was required so he took deliberate efforts to create a safe environment for children to escape to. Ryan shares with us how he did that. We also talk about the “Bouncing Raisins” experiment and the 1968 study by Dr. George Land. Creativity can’t be imposed but it can be encouraged. Scientists have found that imaginative kids are more likely to have imaginative parents – people who consider themselves adventurous and open-minded. We discussed throughout the interview how what Mister Rogers taught (can still teach us) is far from being only for children. When You Wonder, You're Learning is an excellent book to read and learn from whether or not you're a parent or educator.

Today on the First Time Story Series my guest was Mike Oulton. Mike shared the story of the first time he used mushrooms as a way to heal himself. This is not an episode aimed at promoting drug use. It's about exploring options and being open minded about the experiences that others have had and choose to share. Mike is a fascinating guy! His stories definitely taught me a thing or two and made me laugh. So far, out of all my guests, he owns the title of "Most Epic First Time Lightning Round!" Mike is the host of Prison Rules, a Renaissance man who spent 15 yrs in and out of prison where he eventually learned how to heal others.

In this episode of the First Time Story Series my guest was David Dennis. David shared the story of starting his first successful business. This is another great story of how interests, passions, and first times can grow into something meaningful and impactful! Davis is the co-founder of Ventana Surfboards & Supplies, the most environmentally responsible surf company in the world. He is also a 20 year veteran of Microsoft where he has worked in various product and program management roles around the world.

Welcome 100TH #365FIRSTS PODCAST EPISODE!! In this episode, I reminisce about what the journey of the First 100 Episodes has been like...it didn't turn out to be what I had originally planned.  However, recording the 100th episode has been a fabulous reminder of how it helped me meet incredible people, gain a lot of knowledge, and improved my storytelling, communication, interviewing, and active listening skills. It's also led me to starting an entirely new branch of my business.  

In this episode of the First Time Story Series my guest was Tisha Michelle. Tisha shared the story of the first time she discovered her spirituality and connected with her purpose through the loss of her best friend Gloria. Tisha is a spiritual guide and teacher, hypnotist, podcast host and HAG TV. She is on a mission to connect and guide people to their authentic self. This is a powerful story of Tisha's awakening and growth to the beauty and magic of what life has to offer. Have a listen with an open heart and mind!

In this episode of the First Time Story Series my guest was Rohit Bhargava. Rohit shared with us the story of the first time he was retrenched in his younger days while working in Australia. In American English – that means fired. It's a great story on the adventures that are part of shaping who we become. Rohit is an innovation and marketing expert and the founder of the Non-Obvious Company. He’s the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of six business books and also teaches marketing and innovation at Georgetown University.

In this episode of the #365Firsts Podcast I share the story of investing in my first mutual fund. The significance of this story is that I introduce you to the first person (outside of my family) who took a chance on me and how I'll never forget that. I do get off track a bit and talk about how valuable it is to believe in others.

In this episode of the First Time Story Series my guest was Eric Wilson and he shared the story of how he became a weatherman for the first time. It was definitely not through the normal process. This is a great story of finding yourself in the deep end of the pool with no clue how to swim but giving it all you've got to stay above water. Eric is the CEO of multiple companies, an Air Force Veteran who fought in Desert Storm and a meteorologist who was on the air for 18 years.

In this episode of the First Time Story Series my guest was Aubrey Wallace. She shared the story of her first time going through a quarter life crisis and how it brought her to spend a summer in the woods and how that redefined her self-identity. I truly feel like I found a kindred spirit in Aubrey in the way she is journeying through life, exploring and growing who she is, and constantly seeking meaning in life. I hope her story/this interview ignites the desire to go looking into who you are and peel the layers. Aubrey is a US expat living in the Netherlands and the Co-founder of Dandelion Branding. She is also a certified clinical herbalist with an understanding of herbs, nature, and several healing modalities.