Yes And Land

Lion King Leadership: Building Relationships That Matter | with Mayor Lorin Palmer

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if the leaders who actually change communities aren't the loudest voices in the room? The Lion King shows us why. Mufasa's strength wasn't dominance—it was genuine curiosity about every creature in the Pride Lands. And that's exactly what Mayor Lorin Palmer discovered when he stopped networking and started building real relationships.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Have a Conversation with Someone You Disagree With – Seek out one difficult conversation per week. Why it works: Understanding different perspectives builds influence far beyond echo chambers.
Live Outside Yourself Through Service – When facing challenges, focus on helping others instead of your own struggles. Why it works: Serving others provides perspective and pulls you out of self-focused spirals.
Be Genuine, Not Strategic – Show up authentically in every interaction, treating their concerns as real. Why it works: People immediately detect fakeness; authenticity builds trust that lasts.

Mayor Lorin Palmer of Herriman (one of Utah's fastest-growing cities) joins me to explore leadership through collaboration instead of control. His journey mirrors Mufasa's wisdom: sales career → divorce and depression → rebuilding through genuine relationships → becoming a mayor who listens.

Using The Lion King as our lens, we examine why Mufasa's leadership worked through understanding the circle of life and how every role matters. Mayor Palmer treats a constituent's pothole complaint with the same genuine concern as major city development.

HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly conversations with people you disagree with build real influence
Service as the antidote to self-focused struggle
Lion King lessons on collaborative leadership vs. dominance
Mayor Palmer's journey from depression to leading Utah's fastest-growing city
Genuine curiosity beats strategic networking

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

How Mufasa's leadership translates to modern relationship-building
Why authentic presence matters more than polished performance
Practical strategies for building influence through curiosity and service

ABOUT MAYOR LORIN PALMER Lorin Palmer is mayor of Herriman, Utah. His path: Price, Utah → Uruguay mission → UVU business → sales career → navigating divorce and depression → discovering authentic connection as his leadership strength. He practices weekly conversations with people he disagrees with, lives outside himself through service, and shows genuine curiosity. His approach mirrors Mufasa's collaborative leadership: every voice matters, and influence comes from curiosity, not control.

ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach at Altium Advisors. New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #LionKing #MufasaLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #RelationshipBuilding

👉 Subscribe on YouTube | Listen on all podcast platforms | Share with someone building genuine influence

Toy Story and Loneliness: Why Connection Keeps Us Alive

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Toy Story and the Epidemic of Loneliness: Why Connection Keeps Us Alive

What if loneliness is killing you—literally? Toy Story shows us why. When Woody's identity feels threatened by Buzz, he withdraws into competition and insecurity. That's exactly what happens when divorce, career pressure, or life transitions leave us feeling unchosen—and the Surgeon General confirms it's as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

In this episode, Ryan Gregerson uses Toy Story to explore the epidemic of loneliness identified by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Just as Woody's scarcity mentality made him competitive when Buzz arrived, divorce and life transitions can trigger isolation and defensive behavior. But Woody's journey from insecurity to secure identity shows us the path forward: courageous initiative builds belonging.

🎯 3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS

1. Initiate One Relationship This Week – Reach out to someone you've been meaning to connect with. Why it works: Leadership in your career doesn't replace leadership in your relationships; taking initiative interrupts isolation.

2. Commit to a Consistent Shared Environment – Join something that meets weekly (church group, pickleball league, support group). Why it works: Connection is built through repeated presence, not isolated encounters.

3. Go One Layer Deeper with Someone – Ask a better question, offer a more honest answer, express appreciation out loud. Why it works: Small shifts in vulnerability create large changes in belonging.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

- How social disconnection causes health risks equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes daily

- Why "just being honest" can become weaponized truth that fractures relationships

- How to move from fragile identity (that withdraws) to secure identity (that initiates)

- The difference between proximity and genuine connection

- Three specific, actionable ways to build belonging this week

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

- Surgeon General's warning on loneliness as a public health crisis

- Harvard's 80-year study: relationships at 50 predict health at 80

- Woody's scarcity mentality when Buzz arrives

- Buzz's identity collapse and the divorce parallel

- Weaponized truth vs compassionate truth

- When your ex starts dating: "Buzz entering the room" again

- Two common mistakes: isolation and overcorrection

ABOUT YES AND LAND

Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use.

New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #ToyStory #Pixar #Loneliness #Divorce #DivorceRecovery #Relationships #Belonging #MentalHealth #WoodyAndBuzz

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube

👉 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms

👉 Like, comment, and share with someone who's navigating divorce, feeling disconnected, or rebuilding their sense of belonging

Frozen 2 and Breaking Into Male-Dominated Industries | with Ashley Luke

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

FROZEN 2 AND BREAKING INTO MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRIES | WITH ASHLEY LUKE

What if the safe path everyone expects you to take is actually keeping you from your best life? Frozen 2 shows us why. Anna's willingness to step into the unknown—without magic, without certainty—was her real strength. And that's exactly what Ashley Luke discovered when she left corporate America, sold everything to move to France, and eventually built a thriving business in a male-dominated industry.

🎯 3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS

Define Success for Yourself – Take 10 minutes to write what success actually looks like to you, not what others expect. Why it works: You can't pursue the right path if you're following someone else's definition of success.
Do One Scary Thing This Week – Speak up when you normally wouldn't, send that email, or try something new. Why it works: Small acts of courage build the muscle you need for bigger leaps.
Reflect on When You Felt Most Yourself – Notice what you were doing in those moments. Why it works: Your most authentic moments point you toward your true path.

In this episode, Ashley Luke, franchise owner of Pink's Window Cleaning, joins Courtney Pearl to talk about what happens when you stop following the conventional path and start creating your own. Her journey mirrors Anna in Frozen 2: stable jobs → selling everything to move to France with a one-year-old → returning to find her unconventional edge → building success in window cleaning by being authentically herself.

Using Frozen 2 as our lens, we explore why Anna's lack of magical powers lets her see clearly and lead with courage. Similarly, Ashley's choice to not follow the traditional career path is what made her successful in an unexpected industry.

HIGHLIGHTS

The hidden cost of following the "safe" conventional path
Why living in France changed Ashley's perspective on success
Lessons from Frozen 2 and what Anna teaches about courage without certainty
Overcoming doubt and building success in a male-dominated industry
How to show up authentically when others expect you to fit a mold

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

How to define success on your own terms instead of society's expectations
Why taking unconventional paths builds confidence and resilience
The power of doing small scary things to prepare for big challenges
Why you'll always have doubters no matter what—so choose the life you want

ABOUT ASHLEY LUKE: Ashley Luke is the franchise owner of Pink's Window Cleaning. After following the conventional path—college, dental assisting, corporate jobs—she and her husband sold everything to move to France with their one-year-old daughter. That experience opened her eyes to different ways of living. Upon returning to Utah, she completed her bachelor's degree while raising two daughters, then stepped into entrepreneurship in a male-dominated industry, proving that unconventional paths lead to extraordinary success.

ABOUT YES AND LAND: Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #Frozen2 #UnconventionalPath

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube 👉 Listen to the full episode on all podcast platforms 👉 Share with someone who needs permission to take the unconventional path

Mulan and the Grit to Never Quit | Jacob Davis on Purpose-Driven Success

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Mulan didn't quit when the army sent her home. She came back anyway — and saved all of China. What if that kind of grit is less about toughness, and more about knowing why you won't stop?

In this episode, Jacob Davis — tech entrepreneur, startup veteran, and CEO of WellTrio — joins Ryan Gregerson to talk about what success through not quitting actually looks like. His journey mirrors Mulan's: never quite fitting the expected mold, facing real adversity, and discovering that the refusal to quit — aimed in the right direction — is what separates people who find their purpose from those who don't.

🎯 3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS

Reframe the Obstacle — Ask "how do I get around it?" not "how do I bash through it?" The obstacle usually isn't the real problem.
Point Your Compass at Magnetic North — Define what you actually want, then check whether your actions are aligned. Stress is what happens when your values and actions stop aligning.
Talk About Your Problem — No one of us is as smart as all of us. In Mulan, the avalanche only happens because Shang listens. Your answer might come from someone you'd never expect.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

When to push through versus when you're just on the wrong bus
Why being different isn't a limitation — it's a superpower
How Mulan's story is a blueprint for anyone who has never quite fit the expected mold

ABOUT JACOB DAVIS Jacob is CEO of WellTrio, a healthcare cost solution that has helped businesses cut costs by up to 68%. He was previously part of the team behind ERC Specialists, which scaled from idea to $1.6B in revenue in two years.

Connect with Jacob: 📱 TikTok: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn:

ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson — family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach at Altium Advisors. New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #Mulan #NeverQuit #Grit #Entrepreneurship #PurposeDriven #HealthcareInnovation #WellTrio #Resilience #90sDisney #DisneyAnalysis

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube 👉 Listen on all podcast platforms 👉 Like, comment, and share with someone who has never quite fit the mold — but kept going anyway

The Ride of a Lifetime: Bob Iger’s Leadership Lessons

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

What happens when a company known for magic starts losing its creative spark?

In this episode of Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson, we explore Bob Iger’s leadership journey through one of the most turbulent chapters in Disney’s modern history. Drawing from The Ride of a Lifetime, Ryan reflects on the breakdown of trust, the dangers of centralized control, and how psychological safety shapes innovation.

This conversation dives into succession planning, corporate culture, executive decision-making, and the power of future-focused leadership. Rather than tearing down what came before, Iger chose to frame his leadership around possibility and renewal. That decision reshaped Disney’s trajectory and offers powerful lessons for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating transition.

If you’re facing change in your organization or personal life, this episode will challenge you to say yes to what is and and to what could be.

Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson for more leadership insights. Listen, follow, and share the show on your favorite podcast platform.

*Note: In this episode, we referenced Disney's acquisition of Pixar at $4.5 billion — the correct figure is $7.4 billion. We regret the error!

Remember the Titans and the Character Ethic | Shea Owens on Stephen Covey

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Remember the Titans and the Character Ethic | Shea Owens on Stephen Covey's 7 Habits

What if the behaviors everyone tells you to fix aren't actually the problem? Remember the Titans shows us why. Coach Boone didn't win with a new playbook — he changed who his players were becoming. And that's exactly what divorce attorney and current part-time judge Shea Owens has witnessed across football fields, rural courtrooms, and a decade of navigating some of Utah's most complex legal terrain.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Change Your Paradigm First – Before trying to fix any conflict, try viewing it from a completely new angle. Why it works: Behavior change without a shifted perspective rarely sticks.
Identify What's at Your Center – Ask why you're really making the decisions you're making. Is it fear, money, or genuine values? Why it works: You can't align your actions with your values until you know what's actually driving you.
Write Your Personal Mission Statement – Define who you want to become, not just what you want to achieve. Why it works: It gives you a ladder — and makes sure it's leaning against the right building.

Using Remember the Titans as our lens, Shea and Ryan explore Stephen Covey's first three habits — Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, and Put First Things First — and why Covey called these the "private victories." Featuring the iconic "attitude reflects leadership, captain" scene, the story of Coach Yost's character-driven decision to stay as assistant, the real-world story of the Cliven Bundy standoff, and what keeping commitments to yourself actually requires.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why behavior change without character change almost always fails
How Covey's first three habits mirror the story of T.C. Williams' integration season
What "beginning with the end in mind" looks like in divorce, football, and a nonlinear career

ABOUT SHEA OWENS: Shea Owens is a family law attorney at RCG Law Group and a current part-time judge in Kane County, Utah. Before joining RCG, he spent nearly a decade on federal public lands law in Southern Utah, including navigating legal tensions during the Cliven Bundy standoff era. A former collegiate football player and lifelong Remember the Titans devotee, Shea brings a character-first lens to law, leadership, and life.

ABOUT YES AND LAND: Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use.

New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #RememberTheTitans #7Habits #StephenCovey #CharacterEthic #LeadershipPodcast #AttitudeReflectsLeadership #BeProactive

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube 👉 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms 👉 Like, comment, and share with someone who's tired of chasing better habits without addressing who they actually are

Ratatouille and the Fear That Keeps You From Calling Yourself Creative | with Kirsten Hirst

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

What if the thing standing between you and your creative life isn't talent, but the story you've told yourself about who gets to be an artist? Ratatouille knows. Remy wasn't blocked by ability. He was blocked by a world that said a rat had no business in the kitchen. And that's exactly what Kirsten Hirst discovered when she stopped trying to recreate someone else's picture and finally started making her own.

Kirsten Hirst is the Director of Revenue Operations at RCG Law Group, a practicing collage artist, and the daughter of an architect and a writer. She has spent years sitting at the intersection of analytical thinking and creative identity, and in this conversation she unpacks why insecurity, not lack of talent, is the real block that keeps most people from ever owning the creative side of who they already are.

Using Pixar's Ratatouille as a powerful metaphor, Ryan and Kirsten dive into the belief that "not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." Together they unpack how creativity shows up in unexpected places like business strategy, architecture, marketing, and personal growth.

3 Actionable Takeaways

1. Buy a mixed media journal for $8 to $10, grab some old books from the thrift store, and make one collage a day for a month. What you learn about your creative blocks will be more valuable than any class.

2. List your childhood favorites — food, movie, TV show, favorite outing — then start doing those things again. Stop outsourcing joy to some future version of your life and let yourself be a kid.

3. Try on the identity of an artist before it feels like it fits. It's not something you aren't. It's something you've been afraid to admit you already are.

New episodes every Thursday.

Encanto's Real Gift: Why Mirabel Had No Powers | Building Your Brand With Authenticity

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

What if the pressure to look perfect online is the exact thing holding you back? Encanto shows us why. Mirabel's "lack" of a gift was actually her superpower. And that's exactly what Jana Oman discovered when she stopped copying other real estate agents and started being herself on TikTok.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

1. List What Comes Naturally – Focus on what feels easy, not what you “should.” Why it works: Authentic strengths attract the right people; performed ones attract everyone else.

2. Post Stories, Not Reels – Share your day, food, or adventures. Why it works: Low-stakes practice helps you get comfortable on camera.

3. Watch Yourself Back – Notice how you move, talk, or flip your hair. Why it works: You can’t improve what you don’t see, and people already like you.

In this episode, Jana Oman, a real estate agent who built her business on TikTok, joins me to talk about what happens when you stop trying to fit in and start showing up as yourself. Her journey mirrors Mirabel in Encanto: tech career → pressured to cold call and door knock → realizing her “lack” of traditional skills was her edge → TikTok success by being authentically herself.

Using Encanto as our lens, we explore why Mirabel’s lack of a visible gift lets her truly see and hold her family together. Similarly, Jana’s choice to not fit the “successful realtor” mold is what made the right clients find her.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Introduction: Pressure to Look Polished Online

0:40 - Jana's Background: From Coding at Age 8 to Real Estate

4:35 - The Shift to Real Estate: "This Looks Easy"

9:10 - 🎬 ENCANTO CONNECTION: Feeling Like You Don't Belong

11:04 - What Gave Jana Courage to Keep Going

15:06 - The Uncomfortable Truth: Watching Yourself Back

19:51 - The Shift: "I Don't Care What Anyone Thinks"

21:13 - 💥 THE TIKTOK BREAKTHROUGH

22:48 - Why TikTok Rewards Authenticity

24:38 - 🎬 ENCANTO: Mirabel's Journey

28:48 - Mirabel's Real Gift: Love & Holding Family Together

30:02 - Louisa's Pressure: "Surface Pressure"

32:01 - Abuela's Role: When Gifts Become More Important Than People

33:14 - Finding What Comes Easy to You

44:37 - 🎯 3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS (Full Breakdown)

45:44 - List What Comes Easy, Start Posting Stories, Watch Yourself

ABOUT JANA OMAN:

Jana Oman is a real estate agent in Salt Lake and Davis Counties, Utah, who grew her business through authentic social media—especially TikTok. A tech whiz since age 8 and former systems administrator, she brings a smart, tech-savvy approach to marketing. Skipping cold calls and door knocking, Jana connects with clients through her personality, Harry Potter references, and genuine style. Fluent in English and Spanish, she helps first-time buyers and others discover what’s possible.

Connect with Jana:

📱 TikTok: [link (https://www.tiktok.com/@jana.oman)]

📸 Instagram: [link (www.instagram.com/janaoman_)] and Facebook: [link (www.facebook.com/janaomanarche)]

🏡 Website: [link (https://janasellsutah.com/)]

LinkedIn: [link (https://www.linkedin.com/in/janaoman/)]

💬 Continue the conversation:

- What are you overthinking about posting online?

- What comes naturally to you that you've been ignoring?

- Have you watched yourself back on video? (It's uncomfortable but necessary!)

Brave's Real Lesson: Finding Harmony After Addiction | From Rock Bottom to Women's Recovery Center

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

What if the path to harmony requires breaking first? Brave isn't just about a rebellious princess, it's about what happens when perfectionism, expectations, and fractured relationships force you to explore a new path.

3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS:

The Gratitude List - Write down 20 specific things you're grateful for TODAY. Not general things. Be specific. Why it works: If you weren't grateful for it, would you want God to take it away? That question makes the list get real long, real fast.
Lead with Humility - Be open to being wrong. Listen to understand, not to respond.
Lead with Curiosity - In your next conversation, ask 3 more questions before sharing your perspective.

Try one this week and comment which you're starting with!

In this episode, Ryan Brown, founder of Ideal Practice and Reprieve Women's Recovery Center, shares his journey from high-functioning alcoholic to creating a sanctuary for women in addiction recovery. Using Brave as our lens, we explore what it means to break free from perfectionism, face your authentic self, and rebuild relationships that seemed too fractured to heal. Ryan's story includes:

- Breaking his back in 2007 and the Oxycontin prescription that started everything

- Years of hiding alcohol addiction while running a successful business

- A heart attack in Central Park at age 38 (leather-bound in an ambulance)

- The DUI that forced him to confront reality

- Entering rehab in 2021 after a moment of complete emptiness

- How God directed him to buy a house in the mountains

- The miraculous pivot to creating an all-women's recovery center

Whether you're navigating addiction, rebuilding after hitting rock bottom, exploring a major life change, or trying to repair a fractured relationship, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom about humility, harmony, and hope.

ABOUT RYAN BROWN: Ryan Brown is the founder of Ideal Practice, a credentialing and contracting company serving medical providers across all 50 states. In 2023, after his own journey through addiction and recovery, he co-founded Reprieve Women's Recovery Center in Mountain Green, Utah—a residential treatment facility specifically designed for women seeking healing and long-term growth. Over 150 women have graduated from Reprieve's program in its first two years.

Connect with Ryan:

🔗 LinkedIn: [link]

🗄Ideal Practice: [link]

🏡Reprieve Women's Recovery Center: [link]

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

📚 "Rising Strong" by Brené Brown

🎬 Brave (2012)

💬 Continue the conversation:

Have you made your gratitude list of 20? Share one thing from it below.
What's a conversation where you could lead with curiosity this week?
Have you experienced a "wisp moment" where something bigger guided you?

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube for thoughtful conversations about growth, resilience, and what comes next.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms and share it with someone who believes connection still matters.

#Brave #AddictionRecovery #DisneyAnalysis #WomensRecovery #FindingHarmony #Sobriety #MentalHealthRecovery #LeadershipLessons #YesAndLand #DisneyForAdults #RecoveryStory #Gratitude

The Intern's Real Lesson: How to Mentor Without a Title | From Pharmacist to Patent Attorney to Divorce Law

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

You don't need authority to be a mentor. You just need experience and the willingness to share it. The Intern shows exactly how—and so does the attorney who went from pharmacy to patents to divorce law.

3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS:

Put Down Distractions and Observe - Stop scrolling. Look around. Someone near you needs guidance but won't ask. Why it works: Mentorship opportunities are everywhere, but you'll miss them if you're distracted.
Look for Struggle (Not Just Failure) - Find someone working on something hard. Approach gently: "I've done this before. Want to know what worked for me?" Why it works: People are more open to "here's my experience" than "here's what you should do."
Lead with "Here's My Experience..." - Never: "You're doing it wrong." Always: "When I faced this, here's what I did and what happened." Why it works: Sharing experience gives people agency. Telling them what to do takes it away.

Try one this week and comment which you're starting with!

In this episode, Kenton Walker, attorney who took the road less traveled (pharmacist → patent litigator at AmLaw 100 firm → family law attorney) joins me to explore what real mentorship looks like when you don't have a title, program, or formal authority. Using The Intern as our framework, we discuss how Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) becomes invaluable not through his tech knowledge (he has none) but through his experience, presence, and willingness to guide without taking over. Kenton's known at RCG Law Group as "the paralegal whisperer" and his approach mirrors Ben's: mistakes are expected, trust is earned through consistency, and the best mentors are guides, not commanders.

We discuss:

- Why Kenton left a successful patent litigation career to start over in family law

- How mentorship works when you're not anyone's manager or supervisor

- The power of "here's my experience" vs. "here's what you should do"

- Why letting people make mistakes (and fixing them together) builds trust

- How The Intern's Ben Whittaker mentors through principles, not technology

- Why explaining the "why" behind what you do is mentorship anyone can practice

Whether you're early in your career wondering how to add value, mid-career feeling like you should be mentoring but don't know how, or experienced but lacking a formal leadership title, this conversation shows you exactly how to start.

ABOUT KENTON WALKER: Kenton Walker is an attorney at RCG Law Group with one of the most unconventional paths to family law you'll hear. After working as a pharmacist at Johns Hopkins Hospital System and in the pharmaceutical industry, he went to law school and spent 22 years litigating patents for pharmaceutical companies—both in-house and at an AmLaw 100 firm. When he was ready for a new chapter, he chose family law and discovered his passion for mentoring others without needing a formal leadership role. Known affectionately as "the paralegal whisperer," Kenton's approach to mentorship centers on sharing experience, building trust through mistakes, and guiding without commanding.

💬 Continue the conversation:

Who in your life could use a "here's my experience" conversation this week?
What's one mentorship opportunity you're missing because you're distracted?
Have you ever been mentored by someone without a title? How did they do it?

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube for thoughtful conversations about growth, resilience, and what comes next.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms and share it with someone who believes connection still matters.

#TheIntern #RobertDeNiro #Mentorship #LeadershipWithoutTitle #FamilyLaw #CareerChange #MentorshipMatters #YesAndLand #ExperienceOverExpertise #ParalegalWhisperer

What Rapunzel Teaches About Leaving the Tower | When Comfort Becomes a Prison | Tangled Analysis

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:05:05 GMT

What if safety is actually the most dangerous choice you can make? Tangled isn't about a girl with magical hair—it's about recognizing when comfort has become a prison and finding the courage to step into your own life.

3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS:

Name your current emotions you're experiencing
Identify and name the emotions you want to have and visualize experiencing those emotions
Take that first step out of the tower

Try one this week and comment which you're starting with!

In this episode, Sophie Gardner—President of Ultimate Advisors and Director of Client Solutions at RCG Law Group—joins us to explore what it really takes to leave the tower. Sophie's unconventional journey through real estate, private equity, and high-level business strategy reveals how fear, familiarity, and outside doubt keep so many people stuck, and how gratitude, visualization, and intentional decision-making can set you free.

Using Tangled as our framework, we unpack Rapunzel's journey from the tower to the world, examining what it means to question the voices that claim to protect you while actually limiting you. We discuss:

- Why comfort is often the real trap, not the obvious dangers

- How Mother Gothel represents the voices (internal and external) that keep us small

- The difference between fear that warns and fear that paralyzes

- Sophie's path from conventional expectations to building her own unconventional career

- How to distinguish between seasons that require perseverance vs. seasons that call for change

- Why stepping into the unknown doesn't mean abandoning what's working

- The role of gratitude in creating clarity during uncertain transitions

- How visualization helps your brain see possibilities it couldn't before

- What happens when you finally question the limiting beliefs you've carried

Whether you're feeling stuck in your career, contemplating a major life change, questioning a relationship dynamic, or simply sensing that "comfort" has stopped serving you, this conversation offers practical tools for recognizing when it's time to leave the tower, and how to do it with intention, not just reaction.

ABOUT SOPHIE GARDNER: Sophie Gardner serves as President of Ultimate Advisors and Director of Client Solutions at RCG Law Group. Her unconventional career path through real estate, private equity, and business strategy has given her unique insights into what it takes to build a life and career on your own terms. Sophie specializes in helping clients navigate complex transitions with clarity, confidence, and strategic thinking.

Connect with Sophie:

🔗Instagram: [link]

🗄Altium Advisors: [link]

💬 Continue the conversation:

What's one "Mother Gothel voice" you've been listening to?
When did comfort stop serving you and start trapping you?
What's your "tower" right now?

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube for thoughtful conversations about growth, resilience, and what comes next.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms and share it with someone who believes connection still matters.

#Tangled #Rapunzel #MotherGothel #ComfortZone #CareerChange #BreakingFree #LeavingTheTower #YesAndLand #DisneyAnalysis #FearVsFamiliarity #DisneyForAdults

Beauty and the Beast's REAL Villain: Gaston vs. Beast Hot Take - Rewriting Your Story After Divorce

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:28:16 GMT

What if Gaston wasn't actually the villain? Beauty and the Beast might not be exactly what you think, and the lessons about reframing your story.

3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS:

Think about the story you want to be able to tell about yourself, and the best version of yourself.
Identify several people that you truly admire, and study their traits
Model yourself after those people and start developing those traits.

Try one this week and comment which you're starting with!

In this episode, Joey Carlson, entrepreneur, attorney, and expert in helping people rebuild after divorce, joins us to explore Beauty and the Beast through a completely different lens. From Joey's journey building businesses in unexpected places (yes, including recruiting workers from American Samoa for a Utah turkey farm) to helping divorce clients rewrite their narratives, this conversation unpacks the power of storytelling in business, law, and life. We discuss:

- A controversial hot take: Is Gaston actually the misunderstood hero of Beauty and the Beast? Or at least not the villain.

- How reframing narratives unlocks solutions where none seemed possible

- Joey's path from snow cones to cell phones to staffing underserved communities

- Why divorce is an opportunity to rewrite your story, not just survive it

- Lessons from entrepreneurship about believing your own vision

- The difference between empathy and empty platitudes when someone's struggling

- ‎How Jelly Roll rewrote his story (click here to listen to his interview)

- Why "it's going to be okay" doesn't help (and what does)

Whether you're navigating divorce, rebuilding after a business failure, or trying to tell a better story about your life, Joey's insights on vision, belief, and patience will give you practical frameworks for moving forward.

ABOUT JOEY CARLSON: Joey Carlson is an attorney and entrepreneur who has built businesses ranging from rural cell phone stores to innovative staffing solutions for underserved communities. Having personally navigated divorce, Joey now works with RCG Law Group helping clients reframe their narratives and build hopeful futures through one of life's most challenging transitions.

Connect with Joey:

🔗 Carlson Legal Group: Click here

📱 IG: Click here

💬 Continue the conversation:

Team Gaston or Team Beast? Defend your choice in the comments!
Which of the 3 actions are you trying this week?
What's a story in your life that needs reframing?

ABOUT YES AND LAND: Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners. Each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. Here, we say "Yes" to the reality of yesterday and today. And we say "And" to the possibility, growth, and imagination of tomorrow.

New episodes every Thursday.

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube for thoughtful conversations about growth, resilience, and what comes next.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms and share it with someone who believes connection still matters.

#BeautyAndTheBeast #DisneyAnalysis #Gaston #DivorceRecovery #Storytelling #Entrepreneurship #RewritingYourStory #YesAndLand #DisneyHotTake

Yes And Land With Ryan Gregerson Trailer

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:44:04 GMT

Welcome to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson. This is the podcast where curiosity leads, creativity thrives, and every conversation builds instead of shuts down. Inspired by the improviser’s golden rule of “yes, and…,” Ryan Gregerson invites thinkers, creators, leaders, and culture-shapers into open, open-minded conversations about ideas in motion. No shouting matches. No hot takes for clicks. Just thoughtful dialogue that expands what’s possible.

What makes Yes And Land different? Ryan uses Disney movies as unexpected but powerful talking points, weaving familiar stories, characters, and themes into deeper conversations about creativity, leadership, collaboration, and the human experience. From timeless animated classics to modern blockbusters, these films become shared reference points that help connect big ideas in a way that’s accessible, fun, and surprisingly insightful.

In this trailer, you’ll get a taste of what’s ahead: meaningful dialogue, creative frameworks, and a little movie magic that ties it all together. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, performer, or lifelong learner, this show invites you to say “yes” to curiosity and “and” to building something better.

🎙️ New episodes coming soon. 👉 Subscribe now and join the conversation. 👉 Learn more and explore the network at www.ridethewave.media

Welcome to Yes And Land. Let’s build from here 🌱

Enchanted and Why Cynicism Kills Love | Sean Yeager

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Yes And Land, Show Notes

What if the people who shaped you most weren't the ones you expected? Enchanted teaches us that real love isn't about waiting for rescue, it's about choosing to see and be seen by the people right in front of you. Sean Yeager, high school athletic director and former basketball coach, grew up with a single mom in California, raised by grandparents who worked at Disneyland for nearly 40 years. His story mirrors Giselle's journey: learning that happily ever after isn't handed to you. It's built through unconditional love, compromise, and the willingness to let your walls down.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Recognize one person this week who's shown you unconditional love, and tell them. Why it works: Sean's grandparents taught him that love isn't transactional. Naming it out loud strengthens the bond and reminds you what real relationship looks like.
Have one conversation this week where you ask someone a real question and actually listen, no phone. Why it works: Like the "speed friendship" activity Sean uses in his classes, genuine connection happens when you're fully present. Technology disconnects us; real talk reconnects us.
Show up for someone's hard moment, even if you don't have all the answers. Why it works: Sean spent 22 years as a coach recognizing kids who needed an extra "atta boy." Sometimes presence matters more than perfection. Be the adult who sees them.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Sean's papa worked on the construction of Disneyland itself and operated the steam engine train for decades, Walt Disney's first name policy created a culture where employees felt genuinely valued
The moment Robert finally drops his walls and says "please don't leave me" to Giselle mirrors the real work of letting someone change you
John Gottman's definition of happily ever after: both partners are known, valued, and accepted for who they are and who they're becoming, not a destination, but a practice
Sean's insight on why he became an educator: to be the father figure he didn't have, and to recognize kids in similar situations who needed positive male role models
The power of "speed friendship" activities: when you give people assigned topics and permission to move through them, real connection happens faster than small talk ever could
Esther Perel's truth: the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives, and this includes friendships, mentorships, and work relationships, not just romantic ones
Technology as a wall: disconnection through phones is real, and Utah's new cell phone policy in schools might actually force kids back into face-to-face connection

👤 ABOUT SEAN YEAGER

Sean Yeager is a high school athletic director and former basketball coach with 22 years of coaching experience. He grew up in California as an only child raised by a single mom, with his biological grandparents playing a central role in his upbringing. Both grandparents worked at Disneyland for nearly 40 years, his papa in construction and on the steam engine train, his mamaw in the china shop on Main Street. Sean's career in education stems from his own experience of needing positive adult role models, and he's spent decades intentionally filling that role for students and athletes.

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

Pinocchio and Breaking Free From Your Strings | Kristin Reinbold

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Yes And Land, Show Notes

What if the strings holding you back aren't visible? Pinocchio teaches us that becoming real requires proving yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, but the real work happens in the silence between the wishes. Kristin Reinbold, co-host of The Wisdom of Walt and middle school teacher, knows that journey intimately. She's spent 42 years untangling the strings of adoption, loss, and self-discovery to finally align her insides with her outsides.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Invest 15 minutes daily in complete silence, Sit quietly without distraction, meditation, or noise. Listen to what emerges. Why it works: Kristin went from five minutes to 45 minutes of daily silence and found the clarity to break cycles of addiction and self-doubt. Silence is where you hear your own voice.
Identify your personal strings and name them, Write down the beliefs, relationships, habits, or narratives that keep you bound. Be specific. Why it works: Kristin couldn't break free from food addiction and toxic patterns until she recognized they weren't problems, they were symptoms of unhealed wounds from adoption and loss. Naming the string is the first step to cutting it.
Set boundaries that serve your relationships, not destroy them, When you enforce a boundary, expect discomfort from others. If they care about you, they'll respect it and the relationship deepens. Why it works: Kristin learned that boundaries aren't weapons, they're the foundation of healthier connections. Her students, family, and colleagues respect her more because she protects her energy and shows up fully.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Kristin's journey as an adoptee: always knowing she was adopted, but carrying the weight of both acceptance and abandonment
The moment at 18 when she met her biological mother in Oregon and discovered the fantasy she'd written for 18 years didn't exist
How unhealed adoption wounds led to toxic relationships, early marriages, and food addiction, until she recognized the real problem was a relationship with herself
Losing her father four weeks after his cancer diagnosis, right as she was graduating college
Checking into Brighton Recovery Center for 30 days and discovering addiction wasn't chemical, it was relational
Raising two children as a single mother on welfare while putting herself through college
The moment she watched her eighth-grade students, many with learning disabilities and anxiety, walk across the stage reading their own authentic stories
How the cabin on the North Fork of the Santiam River in Oregon became her template for creating belonging for her students
The difference between empathy and enmeshment, and how to stay grounded while

👤 ABOUT KRISTIN REINBOLD

Kristin Reinbold is a middle school teacher in Las Vegas, co-host of The Wisdom of Walt podcast with Dr. Disneyland, and author of an upcoming memoir exploring adoption, loss, and the work of becoming real. Born in Oregon and adopted as a baby, she's spent her career creating spaces where students, especially those with learning disabilities and emotional challenges, feel seen, valued, and loved. Her classroom is designed like a vintage bookstore on Main Street, and her teaching philosophy centers on helping students lighten invisible weights they carry.

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

New episodes every Thursday.

The Incredibles and Why Marriages Fall Apart with Cassie Callister

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if your marriage is falling apart because you've stopped showing up as a team? The Incredibles reveals the cost of turning away from each other instead of turning toward the problem. Bob and Helen drift into secrecy, competing priorities, and unmet needs—until they remember what actually matters. Cassie Callister, a life coach who has guided hundreds through relationship transformation and personal healing, knows that the gap between a breaking marriage and a thriving one often comes down to one thing: whether you're willing to do the work on yourself first.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Give People the Most Generous Assumption — When your partner says or does something that stings, pause and assume they had good intent before you react. Why it works: Most conflict escalates because we interpret actions through fear instead of love. A generous assumption keeps the door open for real conversation instead of defensiveness.
Turn to Love Over Fear — In moments of doubt, vulnerability, or conflict, choose the loving action over the fearful one, even when it feels risky. Why it works: Fear keeps us hidden and separated. Love—real, honest, transparent love—is what actually builds the trust that holds marriages together through hard seasons.
Work on Your Relationship With Yourself First — Spend time understanding your own patterns, beliefs, and triggers before expecting your partner to meet all your needs. Why it works: When you know yourself and love yourself, you stop abandoning your own boundaries. You show up as a whole person, not a person looking for someone else to complete you.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

How Cassie got married at 18 for safety and security, then spent years discovering she'd abandoned herself in the process
The difference between sympathy and empathy when someone is grieving—and why presence without judgment is the superpower
Why Bob's job loss mirrors what happens when a man's entire identity is wrapped up in one role (provider, protector, hero)
The John Gottman insight: trust erodes through a thousand small moments of turning away, not one big betrayal
How transparency and vulnerability actually invite emotional intimacy, even though they feel terrifying
Why self-love isn't bubble baths—it's boundaries, self-respect, and the courage to communicate what you're okay with and not okay with
The cost of people-pleasing in relationships and how it leads to resentment, not connection
How Bob and Helen finally break the cycle: by becoming a team against the problem instead of a team against each other

👤 ABOUT CASSIE CALLISTER

Cassie is a life coach who has worked with hundreds of people navigating relationship challenges, grief, and personal transformation. A Utah native, she was married young, divorced after years of self-abandonment, and spent over a decade studying human psychology and her own life experiences to understand how we show up in relationships. She specializes in helping people—especially men and women in their 30s through 60s—develop the self-awareness and communication skills to either heal their marriages or process separation with integrity. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed coaching and the belief that the relationship you have with yourself determines the relationships you have with everyone else.

Connect with Cassie: 🌐 [Website information not mentioned in transcript]

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

Moana and Designing a Life You Love with Cierra Clayson

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if the strongest version of yourself comes from the hardest seasons you've lived through? Moana asks that question through a girl who sails beyond the reef despite every doubt around her. Cierra, brand manager at Minky Couture, has lived that exact story—losing a child, navigating two divorces, and stepping back into the workforce with nothing but her own conviction that she was capable of more than people believed.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Jump Without Overthinking — Don't let fear paralyze you into inaction. The moment you're ready to move forward, move. Why it works: Sierra shot her shot at dinner with Sandy Hendry when her marriage had just ended five days prior. Overthinking would have kept her stuck. Action breaks the cycle.
Don't Stop When It Gets Hard — Fear and doubt will make you want to retreat the moment something doesn't go the way you planned. Keep going anyway. Why it works: Cierra joined 14 different chambers of commerce, didn't know the business, and kept showing up. That persistence is what built her credibility and moved the needle at Minky.
Serve Others to Find Yourself — Being kind, having real conversations, and looking outward instead of inward is the fastest way to build trust and discover your own strength. Why it works: When Cierra stopped trying to prove herself and started genuinely connecting with people on a personal level first, the business followed naturally.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

How losing her infant son Jack 11 years ago fundamentally changed Cierra's capacity for empathy and shaped who she is today
The moment Cierra pitched herself to Sandy Hendry at dinner—five days after her husband left—and how vulnerability became her greatest asset
Why her first marriage ended: not because of the loss of Jack, but because they didn't grieve him together, and grief became a wall instead of a bridge
The mantra from Moana that Cierra repeats daily: "I am Moana. I will do this." And how mantras shift meaning as you grow
How being a single mom with 50/50 custody forced Cierra to be radically present—because she only has half the time, she refuses to waste any of it
The difference between being strong and being resentful of your own strength—and how both emotions can coexist
Why kindness without genuine connection is just niceness, and how genuine relationships are built on curiosity instead of judgment
Sierra's quote above her vanity: "She designed a life she loved"—and what that actually looks like in practice

👤 ABOUT CIERRA

Cierra is the brand manager at Minky Couture, a company that has donated $5.5 million worth of blankets to people in need over the past year. She holds a degree in communications with a minor in theater from BYU-Idaho, spent a decade raising three boys, and has spent the last four years building Minky's marketing presence from the ground up. Her story is one of resilience, genuine connection, and the belief that you are more capable than people know.

Connect with Cierra: 🌐 Minky Couture

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

New episodes every Thursday.

Encanto and Losing Everything | James Alvarez on Finding Purpose

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when the worst moment of your life becomes the catalyst for your greatest strength? Encanto answers that question through Casita, the house that holds a family together through impossible loss. James experienced his own darkest moment on a regular Tuesday in Anaheim—a car accident that took his pregnant wife, Yesenia, but miraculously saved his newborn daughter. Now, five years later, he's using that tragedy to inspire thousands, proving that the miracle isn't some external gift. The miracle is you. James is a devoted father, ultrasound technician, and content creator whose story of grief, resilience, and radical love has touched countless lives online.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Dedicate at least 20 minutes of your day to the people who matter most — Give them your full, undivided attention, even if you've been away for eight to ten hours. Why it works: Children don't measure love by the hours you're gone; they measure it by the quality of the moments you're present for them.
Reframe your hardest moments as opportunities to show up — When you're exhausted, grieving, or overwhelmed, choose to be the person your loved ones need you to be. Why it works: James learned that his daughter's fight for life gave him permission to fight for his own purpose; your struggle can become your strength.
Notice the signs that your loved ones are still with you — Whether it's a butterfly, a hummingbird, or an unexpected moment of clarity, pause and acknowledge the presence of those you've lost. Why it works: Honoring connection—even in grief—keeps you grounded and reminds you that love transcends loss.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

The moment James found out he was going to be a father after trying for over a year—and how that joy was shattered just weeks later on a Tuesday walk near Disneyland
The emergency C-section that saved his daughter's life after she went 20 minutes without oxygen in the womb, while his wife, Yesenia, did not survive
His daughter's fight through the NICU: breathing apparatus, jaundice, a small stroke in the frontal lobe, and a therapeutic cooling procedure—and how her strength became his strength
The brutal reality of single parenthood: zero sleep for a week, learning to change diapers (including a memorable blowout), and discovering that those mundane moments are actually the most sacred
How Encanto's message—"The miracle is you"—mirrors his own journey: his daughter is the miracle, not because of some gift or power, but simply because she is
Finding love again five years later, becoming a father to a newborn son, and watching his daughter embrace her role as a big sister
The superstitious signs that keep him connected to Yesenia: white butterflies and hummingbirds that appear when he needs them most

👤 ABOUT JAMES

James is an ultrasound technician, devoted father, and content creator who has transformed unimaginable grief into a message of hope and resilience. After losing his wife, Yesenia, in a car accident while she was 36 weeks pregnant, James became a single father to a miracle daughter who survived against impossible odds. He now shares his story freely—not for publicity or financial gain, but to inspire others navigating loss, grief, and the search for purpose. His journey from devastation to joy, and his unwavering commitment to being present for his children, has touched thousands online.

Connect with James: https://www.instagram.com/jameslalvarez/

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for...

Little Mermaid Communication: TALK Framework with Chalise Westenkow

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Little Mermaid and the Art of Real Communication

What happens when a parent refuses to listen to their child? The Little Mermaid shows us the cost. King Triton's unwillingness to have a genuine conversation with Ariel—his refusal to ask questions, to understand her perspective, to meet her where she is—doesn't protect her. It pushes her straight into Ursula's arms. Chalise, a certified financial planner and certified divorce financial analyst, knows from her professional practice that communication breakdown is often the root cause of everything else that falls apart. Today we're breaking down the TALK framework from Harvard communication expert Allison Woodbrooks, and learning how to have conversations that actually build connection instead of destroy it.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways (Pulled directly from Chalise's closing segment)

Practice T, A, L, and K Consistently — Spend time studying and improving the TALK framework (Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness) in your everyday conversations. Why it works: The more you practice these four elements, the better communicator you become, and that improvement trickles into every aspect of your life—relationships, parenting, work, everything.
Prepare Topics Before Important Conversations — Spend a little time beforehand thinking about a few things you can bring to the conversation, even just 30 seconds of mental prep. Why it works: Being prepared reduces anxiety, makes everybody more relaxed, and helps the conversation flow better from the start.
Ask Better Questions and Listen Actively — Ask follow-up questions, show the person you care by making eye contact and being present, and listen to understand rather than to respond. Why it works: Active listening demonstrates that you genuinely value what the other person is saying, which builds real connection and trust.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

King Triton's refusal to have a conversation with Ariel mirrors what happens in real divorces—communication breakdown is often the root cause of everything else that falls apart
The TALK framework: Topics (prepare), Asking (follow-up questions), Levity (sparkle and fizz), Kindness (the most important element)
How asking "What do you need from me?" can be one of the most effective questions in hard conversations
The difference between genuine curiosity and asking questions just to steer the conversation back to yourself
Why body language matters more than words—Ursula's threatening body language creates distrust before she ever speaks
How to break through one-word answers from your kids by naming it with humor and levity, then reloading the conversation
The power of acknowledgment first: "It makes sense that you're feeling this way" opens the door to real dialogue

👤 ABOUT CHALISE WESTENKOW Chalise Westenkow is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who helps people make good financial decisions when the stakes are high and emotions are high. A Sandy, Utah native who studied economics at the University of Utah, she brings both analytical rigor and deep empathy to her work—whether she's helping families navigate retirement planning or guiding clients through the financial complexity of divorce. Her professional practice has taught her that communication breakdown is often the thread that, when pulled, unravels everything else.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chalise-westenskow/

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leaders....

Inside Out and Why Nobody Listens | BJ Oldroyd

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

YES AND LAND — SHOW NOTES

What happens when a leader stops listening and starts planning their reply instead? Inside Out shows us exactly that moment at the dinner table—when Riley's dad is so locked in his own head that he completely misses what his family is trying to communicate. BJ Oldroyd, who's spent years leading teams in the startup world and mastering the art of genuine human connection, breaks down why this happens and how to fix it.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Take a Breath Before You Respond — Pause for a beat before answering in any conversation, especially intense ones. Why it works: It stops you from reacting on pure emotion and gives you space to articulate what you actually mean instead of fumbling through it.
Be Mindful of How You're Perceived — Pay attention to your facial expressions and body language in conversations, especially if you're leading them. Why it works: Even if you're genuinely focused, you might look zoned out or upset, which makes the other person less likely to listen to what you have to say.
Talk Human to Human, Not Role to Role — Find moments to remove the business element and just connect as people, while maintaining professionalism. Why it works: When both sides see each other as humans first, harder conversations become possible because respect and genuine care are already established.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

The dinner table scene where Riley's dad is completely checked out—a perfect mirror of how we all listen with the intent to reply instead of to understand
BJ's story of breaking through with an older team member by simply asking if everything was okay, which led to a real conversation
The Stephen Covey quote: "Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. They listen with the intent to reply."
How Riley finally opens up to her parents: "I know you don't want me to, but I miss home"—the power of allowing someone to feel what they're feeling
The Inside Out moment where Joy embraces Sadness and core memories shift from pain to joy, showing that vulnerability leads to connection
BJ's two-pronged approach: asking "Can I offer you some feedback?" and then asking the person to identify their own areas for improvement first

👤 ABOUT BJ OLDROyD

BJ is a Disney enthusiast and startup leader who's spent years building teams and fostering psychological safety in high-growth companies like Thumbtack. He's passionate about the human element of communication and believes that genuine connection—treating people as humans first, not roles—is the foundation of effective leadership. His love for Disney was rekindled in 2015 when a friend invited him to Disneyland, and he's been an annual passholder ever since.

Connect with BJ: 🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-oldroyd-69598348/

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

New episodes every Thursday.

Nathan Hooper Pixar's Soul and the Art of Getting Unstuck | Nathan Hooper

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if chasing your big break is actually the thing keeping you from living? Soul answers that question head-on. Joe Gardner spends his whole life waiting for the moment his purpose finally "arrives" — and nearly misses every moment that actually mattered. Nathan Hooper, account strategist at 97th Floor and sports psychology enthusiast, knows that pressure from the inside out — from door-to-door sales goals that crushed him, to a podcast built on helping people build lasting marriages, to the daily discipline of showing up without knowing the outcome.

🎯 3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS

(Pulled directly from Nathan's closing segment)

Find a Moment to Serve Someone This Week — Go outside your normal routine and take something off the plate of someone close to you — a spouse, family member, or friend. Why it works: Soul's biggest lesson is getting out of your own head. Serving others pulls you out of yourself and back into the present.
Find a Moment of Wonder — Whether it's a sunrise, a mountain view, a song, or a single beautiful leaf — pause and let it land. Why it works: Presence isn't passive. It's a practice. Wonder is the shortcut back to it.
Face Something Hard With a Smile — This week, when you hit an objection, a setback, or a rough moment, meet it with a smile on your face. Why it works: Smiling through the hard thing tells your brain I've got this — it reframes the moment before you even process it.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Why Joe Gardner's "meaningless" pie scene is actually the most important moment in Soul
The door-to-door sales breakdown that taught Nathan more about purpose than any win ever could
How Nathan and his wife built a marriage prep podcast — and what they learned about alignment, values, and going in the same direction
What sports psychology taught Nathan about pressure, goals, and knowing when to reset your target
Why journaling — individually and together — unlocks things you didn't even know you needed to say to your partner
The reframe: how the same moment can feel meaningless or deeply significant depending on the lens you're looking through

👤 ABOUT NATHAN HOOPER

Nathan Hooper is an account strategist at 97th Floor, a full-service digital marketing agency working with some of the most recognized brands in the world. A Utah native and West Jordan High School alum, Nathan is a sports psychology enthusiast, former e-trade broker, and veteran door-to-door sales leader who once ran a team in Austin, Texas chasing 1,000 contracts in a single summer. He and his wife co-hosted a podcast dedicated to helping engaged couples build a strong foundation before marriage — bringing in therapists, coaches, and real-world frameworks to fill a gap they noticed in the pre-marriage resource space.

Connect with Nathan: 🌐 97th Floor: 97thfloor.com

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

New episodes every Thursday.

Turning Red: What Your Teen's Meltdowns Are Really Telling You | Mitchell Acton

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if every time your teen shuts you out, they're not being difficult — they're actually developing exactly the way they should? Turning Red shows us why. Mei's red panda doesn't appear because she's broken — it appears because she's suppressing everything she's been taught not to feel. And that's exactly what Mitchell Acton, clinical director at Kane Counseling, sees play out with real families every day.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Parent from the Inside Out — Do your own emotional work before reacting to your teen. Why it works: If you were socially rejected at 13, your 13-year-old's struggles will trigger you — and you'll react to your wound, not their need.
Knock Before You Enter (Literally and Figuratively) — Contract with your teen for privacy before conflict arises. Why it works: Teens aren't shutting you out — they're building identity. Respecting that boundary keeps the door open for the conversations that matter.
Name Your Panda — Identify the messy, loud parts of yourself you've been suppressing. Why it works: You can't model emotional integration for your kids until you've practiced it yourself. Vulnerability is the most connecting thing a parent can offer.

In this episode, Mitchell Acton — clinical director at Kane Counseling and licensed clinical social worker — joins Ryan to unpack what Turning Red gets startlingly right about adolescent development, family enmeshment, and why suppressed emotions always find a way out. Mitch's path mirrors the movie's arc: a natural "glue guy" who valued connection, struggled to find it, and eventually turned that pain into a career helping families navigate exactly what Mei and her mom couldn't.

Using Turning Red as our lens, we explore why Mei's red panda is both a puberty metaphor and a symbol of every thought and feeling she learned wasn't safe to share — and what breaks that cycle across generations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Why the red panda is actually a clinical-grade metaphor for puberty and suppressed adolescent emotion
The difference between empathy and enmeshment — and the one scene in Turning Red that shows enmeshment perfectly
Why your teen's peer relationships are developmentally essential (even when you don't love their friends)
What it means to "parent from the inside out" — and why your unresolved wounds become your kid's triggers
How generational patterns get passed down and what it takes to actually break them
The dad's quiet line in Turning Red that might be the most important parenting advice in the whole film

ABOUT MITCHELL ACTON: Mitchell Acton is a licensed clinical social worker and the Clinical Director at Kane Counseling Center in the Salt Lake City area. With a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah, Mitch began his career working with at-risk teens at Gateway Academy in Draper. Known as the "glue guy" in his own friend group growing up, he now brings that same instinct for connection into his clinical work with families, couples, and individuals — specializing in adolescent development, emotion suppression, enmeshment, and healthy family systems. He's also a dad of three navigating all of this in real time.

New episodes every Thursday.

Meet the Robinsons and Keep Moving Forward | Courtney Kern on Curiosity & Resilience

Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if your biggest setbacks were secretly redirecting you to exactly where you're supposed to be? Meet the Robinsons shows us why. Lewis doesn't just lose — he fails publicly, repeatedly, and at the worst possible moments. But every failure is a forward step in disguise. That's the exact journey Courtney Kern has lived: from writing Keep Moving Forward as her college application essay to spending nearly 12 years inside the Walt Disney Company, watching ships launch and learning that curiosity — not a perfect plan — is what shapes your destiny.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

(Pulled directly from episode content)

Face Rejection Like Lewis – Lewis tracks 124 adoption rejections by name, not by shame. When you're in a job search, a pitch cycle, or a tough season, keep the tally — because the number means you're still in the game. Why it works: Rejection is data, not verdict. The right "family" is still ahead.
Reframe the Failure Before It Becomes Goob – When things go wrong, find someone to help you see it differently — a partner, a friend, a mentor. Goob had no one to reframe his baseball miss, and he wallowed for 30 years. You don't have to. Why it works: The story you tell yourself about failure determines whether it becomes a pivot or a prison.
Stay Curious, Keep Moving Forward – Don't just look at the result — ask why, like Olaf. Curiosity isn't passive; it's the active force that keeps you becoming instead of just being. Why it works: Complacency stops the clock. Curiosity keeps the path alive.

In this episode, Courtney Kern — Disney Cruise Line analyst, co-host of the Disney book podcast Book of the Mouse Club, and Walt Disney Company insider — joins Ryan to unpack the underrated gem that is Meet the Robinsons. Her personal journey mirrors Lewis's story: a lifelong Disney fan who wrote Keep Moving Forward as her senior yearbook quote, then spent over a decade inside the Company that inspired that motto — even helping oversee the Disney Treasure cruise ship from naming to launch.

Using Meet the Robinsons as our lens, we explore why Lewis's relentless curiosity and optimism — even in the face of 124 rejections — is what ultimately leads him home. And why Goob's inability to reframe one bad moment is a cautionary tale we all need to hear.

📚 WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why reframing failure — not avoiding it — is the actual superpower Meet the Robinsons is teaching
How curiosity functions as a career and life strategy, not just a personality trait
What it looks like to live a Keep Moving Forward philosophy through real losses, redirections, and reinventions

👤 ABOUT COURTNEY KERN

Courtney Kern is a Disney Cruise Line analyst and Walt Disney Company employee with nearly 12 years inside the organization. She co-hosted Book of the Mouse Club, a Disney-inspired literary podcast spanning 120+ episodes over seven years alongside her college friend Emily. A lifelong Disney fan and alumna of the Disney College Program, Courtney has deep expertise in Disney history, cruise operations, and the power of storytelling. She even received a shoutout in Disney historian Jim Corkus's Disney Cruise Line book under her maiden name, Courtney Guth. Views expressed are her own and do not represent the Walt Disney Company.

Aladdin (2019) and Hopeful Resilience | Mouse Ears Movie Thoughts Siblings

Sat, 23 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if the courage to keep going wasn't about knowing the outcome — but choosing to move forward anyway? The 2019 live-action Aladdin shows us exactly why. Jasmine's refusal to accept the only two options in front of her — and her song "Speechless" — is one of Disney's most underrated portraits of hopeful resilience.

Riley, Caleb, and Hannah — the three siblings behind the Disney podcast Mouse Ears Movie Thoughts — join Ryan this week to share how they built a 160+ episode show starting with one shared microphone and a "why not?" attitude. Their story mirrors Aladdin's own: starting with nothing but your voice and your content, faking it until the quality catches up, and pushing through walls to discover something bigger on the other side.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Set Goals by Quarter, Not by Capstone – Specific 90-day goals. Broad 5-year vision. Never let a far-out goal cap what's possible.
Write Down Every Milestone with a Date – Track progress so you can see how far you've come. What you measure, you can improve.
Reimagine Your Process When You Hit a Wall – Don't just push harder. Ask "why not?" and build a new pathway. Have a contingency plan before you need one.

This episode covers Jasmine's expanded arc in the live-action Aladdin, the "why not?" philosophy from Disney Imagineering legend Bob Weiss, Simon Sinek on team trust, and a rapid-fire round featuring hot takes on Robin Williams vs. Will Smith as the Genie, favorite Disney villains, and the best food at Disneyland.

New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #Aladdin2019 #LiveActionAladdin #HopefulResilience #MouseEarsMovieThoughts #DisneyStorytelling

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube 👉 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms 👉 Like, comment, and share with someone who has a creative dream they keep putting off

Cinderella and the Courage to Find Joy | Kamille Bauer on Grief and Happiness

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if the most unfair thing that ever happened to you became the very thing that made you unstoppable? Cinderella shows us why. She lost everything — her mother, her father, her home — and still chose kindness and courage over bitterness. And that's exactly the choice Kamille Bauer made when her husband's rare cancer returned after 11 years in remission, leaving her a single mom of three with no roadmap for what came next.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Write Down What You Have – Make a list of your blessings, what you love, what's going for you right now. Then return to that list every time grief or depression pulls you under. Why it works: You can't put conditions on happiness. Gratitude anchors you to what's real and present.
Turn On Your Kindness Radar – Look for one moment this week to step outside your own bubble and do something specific for someone else — don't ask "how can I help?" Just do it. Why it works: Serving others is one of the fastest ways to stop wallowing and start moving forward. What you give comes back tenfold.
Give Yourself Grace – Stop measuring your grief against someone else's timeline. Don't beat yourself up for still hurting, for laughing, for moving forward, or for not moving forward fast enough. Why it works: Grief is not linear — it's as unique as your fingerprint. "Move forward" doesn't mean "move on."

In this episode, Kamille Bauer, happiness advocate and wellness entrepreneur, joins Ryan to talk about what it actually looks like to find joy when life is genuinely, unfairly hard. Her journey mirrors Cinderella's almost step for step: fairy tale life → sudden devastating loss → years of learning to choose kindness over bitterness → emerging with a deeper capacity for empathy, purpose, and happiness than she ever had before.

Using Cinderella as our lens, we explore why Cinderella's gracious response to an unfair world wasn't weakness — it was the most courageous thing she could have done. Kamille's story is the real-world version of that. She had every legal, emotional, and moral right to be bitter. She chose differently.

Frozen and the Power of Embracing What Makes You Different | with Stephanie Dowland

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Frozen teaches us that the thing we've spent our lives hiding might be exactly what the world needs most. Stephanie Dowland was born with a birth defect affecting her hands — and like Elsa, she spent years concealing it. Gloves. Cotton balls stuffed in the fingers. A lifetime of quietly stepping back so no one would notice. Until the piano changed everything.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Let It Go (For Real) – Release one expectation you've been carrying that was never really yours. Why it works: You can't show up fully as yourself while performing someone else's version of you.
Discover Your Inner Olaf – Reconnect with the thing you loved before life taught you to be embarrassed by it. Why it works: That uninhibited, joyful version of you is where your best work lives.
Find Your Five People – Surround yourself with people whose character you want to reflect. Why it works: You become the average of who you spend the most time with — so choose intentionally.

Through the lens of Frozen, Ryan and Stephanie explore what it really means to let it go — and why love, not willpower, is what sets us free.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #Frozen #LetItGo #EmbraceYourDifference #PersonalGrowth

WALL-E and Building Safe Communities | Jennica Anusua on Human Connection in the Age of AI

Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

What happens when technology and distraction slowly replace the one thing that makes us human? WALL-E shows us the cost — a world where people float in hover chairs, screens in their faces, completely disconnected from each other. The little robot surrounded by consumed-away humanity still yearns to connect, and that spark is everything. Jennica, filmmaker and Johns Hopkins-trained health scientist, has spent her career building exactly those moments of real connection — with refugees, child soldiers, trauma survivors, and now through film.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Practice Presence – Turn off devices and sit for 10–30 minutes observing what's around you. Why it works: You can't build safe community with others until you have a safe connection with yourself.
Audit the Spaces You're In – Ask: Do I feel like myself here? What would need to shift? Why it works: You can't move toward safety until you can name what safety feels like for you.
Reach Out and Actually Connect – Go beyond a text. Send a voice message, make a call, or show up. Share something you're learning. Why it works: Community is built in small, consistent moments of real contact.

In this episode, Jennica and Ryan use WALL-E as a lens to explore what it truly takes to build safe, authentic community. Her journey spans continents — from working with child soldiers in African war zones to Rohingya refugee women in Southeast Asia to neuropsychiatric research with teens — and now into filmmaking. She brings it all to bear on one urgent question: in the age of AI, what do we have to protect about what makes us human?

You'll learn:

Why you cannot heal until you feel safe — and what that means for your team, family, and community
The real meaning of authenticity, and why "I'm just being myself" can go dangerously wrong
Why apology without repair is meaningless — and what actually rebuilds trust
How WALL-E's cautionary tale maps directly onto how we live right now

About Jennica: Jennica is a filmmaker, actor, and mental health professional with a Master of Health Science from Johns Hopkins, a certificate from Harvard, and ongoing graduate study at NYU. She has led psychosocial programs for refugees and trauma survivors across multiple continents and is currently writing, directing, and starring in her own film in production in New York City.

ABOUT YES AND LAND: Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach at Altium Advisors. New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #WALLE #Pixar #SafeCommunity #MentalHealth #HumanConnection #Authenticity #Belonging

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube 👉 Listen on all podcast platforms 👉 Like, comment, and share with someone who wonders if real human connection is disappearing — and wants to do something about it

Luca and Seeing Problems Differently | Ryan Boswell on Perspective, Identity & Growth

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Luca teaches us that the monsters we fear most often aren't monsters at all — they're just people we haven't understood yet. And sometimes the biggest reframe isn't about other people. It's about how we see the problems in front of us.

Ryan Boswell — hedge fund general partner, serial entrepreneur, and one of the most connected young business minds in Utah — joins Ryan Gregerson to talk about building a career on perspective, not a plan. After dropping out of college, bouncing through an AI startup, a nonprofit, and a cold plunge business with three thousand dollars in the bank and payroll due Friday, Ryan has built his life by asking one simple question in every hard moment: Why is this happening for me?

Using Pixar's Luca as our lens, we explore how limiting beliefs keep us on the ocean floor, what it takes to silence the Bruno in your head, and why the way you see the problem is the problem.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Pause and Ask "Am I Being Pulled or Pushed?" — Take 15–20 minutes to evaluate whether you're forcing yourself into your current path or being naturally drawn toward it. Why it works: Pull creates sustainable momentum. Push creates burnout.
Reframe "Why Is This Happening TO Me?" to "Why Is This Happening FOR Me?" — When something goes sideways, pause before reacting. Why it works: It shifts you out of victim mentality into what Ryan calls champion mentality — where you're solving the problem instead of suffering through it.
Build the Muscle of Looking at Things Differently — Practice noticing the world around you with genuine curiosity. Why it works: The same muscle that helps you read a billboard differently is what helps you reframe stuck relationships, hard conversations, and your own inner critic.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #LucaPixar #Luca #PerspectiveShift #MindsetMatters #EntrepreneurPodcast #SilencioBruno #RyanHoliday #DailyStoic #ExtremeOwnership #DisneyFans #PixarFans #BusinessConnections #PersonalGrowth #ChampionMindset

Dream Chasing and the Magic of Disney Imagineering | Bob Weis on Building Impossible Dreams

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Dream Chasing is what Bob Weis spent four decades doing at Walt Disney Imagineering — and in this episode, he shares exactly what that journey looks like from the inside.

Bob Weiss, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, joins Ryan Gregerson to unpack the leadership philosophy, creative culture, and dream-chasing wisdom behind some of Disney's greatest parks and attractions — including Tokyo Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tower of Terror, Rise of the Resistance, and more.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Seek Out Allies – Get collaborators who believe in your dream as much as you do. The best ideas go from "mine" to "ours" in the right room.
Be Passionate Yet Flexible – Know what you want. Stay open to how it gets done.
Keep a Positive, Collaborative Attitude – Failures don't disappear — they become part of who you are and show up in your next great thing.

From working outdoor foods at Disneyland as a college student to leading a 1,500-person global creative team, Bob's story is a masterclass in what it means to pursue something worthy. He shares lessons from Marty Sklar, Bob Iger, Josh D'Amaro, and Stephen Covey — and the story of how he walked into Bob Iger's office to say Rise of the Resistance wasn't ready to open.

This one is for every dreamer, builder, and leader who's ever been afraid to chase the thing that won't leave them alone.

📚 Get Bob's book Dream Chasing wherever audiobooks are sold (Bob narrates it himself).

New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #WaltDisneyImagineering #DreamChasing #BobWeiss #DisneyParks #Imagineering

National Treasure and the Courage to Declare | Ryan Gregerson

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

National Treasure — the 2004 Disney film — gets one thing exactly right: sometimes you have to declare your intention before you have any guarantee of success. Ryan Gregerson recorded this episode from Washington D.C., standing hours away from the actual Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, 80 days before America turns 250.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

1. Read it — Read the Declaration of Independence this week as a personal assignment. Read the names. Let it land that these were real people who risked everything.

2. Name it — Identify one area of your life where courage is called for and you've been playing it safe. Write it down.

3. Declare — Write down one specific courageous action you'll take this week. Not someday. This week.

In this solo episode, Ryan connects National Treasure's Ben Gates — and his "someone has to" moment — to the founding fathers, to Brené Brown on vulnerability, to James Clear on identity, and to his own first family law courtroom hearing. The thread through all of it: courage is not the absence of fear. It's declaring your conviction before the evidence is in.

New episodes every Thursday.

Encanto and Breaking Generational Trauma | Cindy Chia on Healing What Was Never Spoken

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What if the pain your family never talked about is quietly running your life? Encanto shows us why. Mirabel's family had wounds buried under roles, expectations, and silence — and that's exactly what Dr. Cindy Chia has spent her career helping people uncover.

🎯 3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS

Name It First – Identify the thing your family doesn't talk about. Trauma persists when avoided. Naming it breaks the cycle.
Get Clear on What You Want – Do you want to pass this on, or change the story? Deciding gives you direction instead of keeping you stuck in anger.
Take Ownership, Not Blame – You didn't cause the trauma, but you have the power to decide what happens next.

HIGHLIGHTS

Why Abuela's controlling behavior was survival, not villainy
The real definition of a boundary: connection, not gatekeeping
What Luisa's Surface Pressure reveals about always being the strong one
Why Bruno was exiled for telling the truth — and how every family does this
Shame vs. guilt: the clinical difference that changes how you heal

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Cold open 1:13 – Welcome to Yes And Land 2:00 – Cindy's background: Malaysia, psychology, and childhood trauma 8:09 – Harvard fellowship to founding Aspire Psychological 15:34 – What Encanto is really about 18:24 – We Don't Talk About Bruno: the psychology of family silence 23:51 – Abuela's speech to Mirabel — projection explained 28:15 – Surface Pressure and the weight of being the strong one 30:05 – Why Mirabel's lack of a gift was exactly what the family needed 33:23 – Brene Brown's shame petri dish meets Encanto 36:11 – How to recognize intergenerational trauma in your own life 59:34 – Closing reflection 1:01:29 – 3 Actionable Takeaways

ABOUT CINDY CHIA

Dr. Cindy Chia is a licensed psychologist and founder of Aspire Psychological in Riverton, Utah and Las Vegas. Specializing in cultural and generational trauma, her clinical work and her own personal healing journey inform everything she does.

Website: www.AspirePsychUtah.com

ABOUT YES AND LAND

Yes And Land explores leadership lessons and relationship dynamics hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson — family law attorney, Disney enthusiast, and business coach. New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #Encanto #GenerationalTrauma #MentalHealth #Bruno #SurfacePressure #TraumaHealing #PsychologyPodcast

👉 Listen to Yes And Land on all podcast platforms 👉 Share with someone who grew up in a family where certain things were just never talked about

Beauty and the Beast and Taking On New Chapters | with Sybrina Ely from Kenbry Capital

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:08:48 GMT

What if the scariest chapter of your life is actually the one that sets you free? Beauty and the Beast shows us why. Belle chose curiosity over comfort, stepping into an uncertain castle to save her father. And that's exactly what Sybrina did when she left 25 years as a stay-at-home mom to launch Kinbry Capital.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Be Present and Use What You Have – You don't need to search for new tools; leverage what's already accessible. Why it works: Belle befriended the enchanted objects and used the castle's resources to build the life she wanted.
Use Your Past Experiences (Good and Bad) to Learn – Draw on both your Gastons and your Beasts. Why it works: Every lesson carries wisdom that propels you forward, even the painful ones.
Choose Authenticity Over Approval – Ask if you're doing it for the world or for yourself. Why it works: Maurice stayed true to his inventor's heart, and Belle never apologized for loving books—authenticity always wins.

In this episode, Sybrina, owner of Kimber Capital and former stay-at-home mom of 25 years, joins me to talk about what happens when you step into a new chapter with courage instead of certainty. Her journey mirrors Belle in Beauty and the Beast: comfortable life → call to adventure → facing fear and imposter syndrome → choosing curiosity → building something beautiful and authentic.

Using Beauty and the Beast as our lens, we explore why Belle's willingness to look deeper—past appearances and first impressions—allowed her to see the truth beneath the surface. Similarly, Sybrina's choice to trust her unexplored potential and launch her own company shows the power of curiosity over comfort.

HIGHLIGHTS

Why first impressions rooted in fear keep us from courage
The hidden cost of doing what the world wants versus what's authentically you
Lessons from Beauty and the Beast about curiosity, authenticity, and transformation
Sybrina's journey from 25 years as a stay-at-home mom to business owner
Overcoming imposter syndrome when entering new industries
How to be present, use what you have, and take that terrifying first step

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why analyzing whether you're acting for yourself or for others is crucial before taking action
How to use both positive and negative past experiences as tools for growth
The power of speaking your goals out loud to create momentum

ABOUT SYBRINA: Sybrina is the owner of Kimber Capital and a passionate advocate for the South Valley Chamber. After 25 years as a stay-at-home mom, she challenged herself to discover what she had to give to the world. Despite facing imposter syndrome daily, she embraced curiosity and courage to launch her own company.

Connect with Sybrina: 🏡 Kimber Capital 🤝 South Valley Chamber

New episodes every Thursday.

#YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast #BeautyAndTheBeast #DisneyPrincess #Authenticity #NewBeginnings #CareerChange #ImposterSyndrome

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube 👉 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms 👉 Like, comment, and share with someone who is considering a bold new chapter in their life

Tangled - Manipulation vs Influence | with military interrogator Josh Emfield

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Ever wonder if someone's being charming or manipulating you? Tangled shows us the difference. Mother Gothel kept Rapunzel locked away using fake love and manufactured urgency, while Flynn learned that real influence comes from genuine connection. That's exactly what Josh Emfield discovered as a military interrogator: manipulation breaks trust, but influence builds it.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Slow Down Decisions – When pressured to sign or commit, say "I've made myself a promise not to sign anything right away." Why it works: It removes urgency and puts the power back in your hands.
Replace "Yes, But" with "Yes, And" – Stop negating what others say. Why it works: "Yes, but" kills relationships; "yes, and" builds them through validation.
Listen to Understand, Not Respond – Let others talk, ask what they're looking for, then confirm you heard them. Why it works: People feel heard, and you learn what they actually need.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Josh Emfield, a military interrogator and real estate broker, joins Ryan to talk about the fine line between manipulation and influence. His journey mirrors the contrast in Tangled: military training → learning interrogation psychology → realizing manipulation in wrong hands is dangerous → using influence ethically in real estate and relationships.

Using Tangled as our lens, we explore how Mother Gothel uses manipulation tactics—manufactured urgency, isolation, gaslighting—while Flynn's transformation shows how genuine influence works. Similarly, Josh's expertise helps us identify red flags and build authentic connections instead.

Key Topics Discussed

The psychology behind manipulation vs. influence and how to spot the difference
Body language secrets from a military interrogator (80% of communication is nonverbal)
Why Mother Gothel and Lady Tremaine are master manipulators
How to recognize when someone is using urgency to control you

What You'll Learn

How to identify manipulation tactics before you fall victim to them
The specific body language cues that reveal someone isn't being truthful
Why understanding people's motivators is the key to better relationships
How to slow down high-pressure situations and reclaim your power

About Josh Emfield

Josh Emfield is a military interrogator, cryptolinguist, and real estate broker who specializes in understanding human behavior and communication. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, Josh combines his expertise in psychology, body language, and influence to help people navigate complex relationships and business transactions. He teaches body language courses and applies interrogation techniques ethically to build genuine connections. Josh lives in Utah with his wife and three sons, all of whom are learning Portuguese through an immersion program.

About Yes And Land

New episodes every Thursday.

Subscribe & Follow

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💬 Join the conversation: #YesAndLand #DisneyAdults #DisneyPodcast

What Star Wars' Andor Teaches About Purpose-Driven Leadership With Top Audio Producer Just Blane

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

What if leadership finds you before you're ready? Andor isn't your typical Star Wars hero, and that's exactly what makes his journey such an important lesson for modern leaders. From Hollywood to Star Wars, this episode unpacks purpose, grit, and unexpected leadership.

3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS:

Pivot with Purpose - When your path changes, ask "What am I optimizing for?" not "What went wrong?" Why it works: Reframing creates agency.
Build for 10, Not 10 Million - Deep connection with a small community beats shallow reach. Why it works: Trust compounds; attention doesn't.
Take the first step. Put your content out there. You don't need perfect, just the courage to start.

Leadership doesn’t always arrive with a title. Sometimes it shows up as a moment that demands action. In this episode of Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson, Ryan sits down with Just Blane, CEO of Ride The Wave Media and one of the most prolific audio producers in modern media, to explore what it really means to lead when you didn’t ask for the job.

From growing up on a Tennessee farm to producing over 11,000 shows across iHeart, NBC, and Apple Music, Blane shares how curiosity, empathy, and perseverance shaped his career. Along the way, the conversation weaves in pop culture, Disney, and Star Wars’ Andor to reveal why the most powerful leaders are often the most reluctant ones.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or trying to show up authentically in relationships, this conversation gives you practical frameworks grounded in both Disney magic and real-world leadership.

Connect with Just Blane:

🔗 Ride the Wave Media: Click here

📱 LinkedIn: Click here

💬 Continue the conversation:

What's YOUR biggest takeaway from Andor?
Which of the 3 actions are you trying this week?
What Disney movie/show should we analyze next?

ABOUT YES AND LAND: Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners. Each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. Here, we say "Yes" to the reality of yesterday and today. And we say "And" to the possibility, growth, and imagination of tomorrow.

New episodes every Thursday.

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube for thoughtful conversations about growth, resilience, and what comes next.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms and share it with someone who believes connection still matters.

#Andor #StarWars #DisneyPlus #DisneyForAdults #YesAndLand #ReluctantLeader #PurposeDriven

Elemental's Hidden Lesson: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, and Why Fire & Water Teach Connection

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

What if emotional intelligence is the real superpower in a world full of automation? Elemental isn't just about fire and water, it's about learning to lead with authenticity and connection in a tech-driven age.

3 ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS:

Ask yourself "What am I good at?" and write it down
Ask your closest friend "What am I good at? What are my biggest strengths?" and write it down
Then ask yourself, "What am I not good at?" and write that down too. This can help you prepare better when your weaknesses arise and know how to respond.

In this episode, Miriam Dixon, Marketing Director at South Valley Chamber of Commerce and Disney College Program alum, joins me to explore Elemental's themes around emotional intelligence, authentic leadership, and staying human in automation-driven work. We discuss:

Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in the age of AI
How the Disney College Program teaches you to "earn your ears" through service
The difference between genuine connection and performative networking
What Elemental reveals about leading through difference and discomfort
How to navigate career pivots while staying true to your values

Connect with Miriam:

🔗 South Valley Chamber: Click here

📱 LinkedIn: Click here

💬 Continue the conversation:

What's YOUR biggest takeaway from Elemental?
Which of the 3 actions are you trying this week?
What Disney movie should we analyze next?

ABOUT YES AND LAND: Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners. Each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. Here, we say "Yes" to the reality of yesterday and today. And we say "And" to the possibility, growth, and imagination of tomorrow.

New episodes every Thursday.

👉 Subscribe to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson on YouTube for thoughtful conversations about growth, resilience, and what comes next.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Yes And Land on all podcast platforms and share it with someone who believes connection still matters.

#Elemental #DisneyAnalysis #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipLessons #DisneyForAdults #YesAndLand #AuthenticLeadership

Yes, And: Validation, Empathy, and the Power of Better Conversations

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Episode Summary

What happens when we stop responding to life, conflict, and pain with “but” and start responding with “yes, and”?

In this opening episode of Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson, Ryan introduces the core philosophy behind the podcast: validation as the starting point for growth. Drawing from personal experience, relationships, leadership, and lessons borrowed from improv comedy, Ryan explores how acknowledging someone’s lived experience creates space for empathy, connection, and meaningful conversation. This episode unpacks why even well-intentioned responses can feel dismissive, how curiosity outperforms judgment, and why being a peacemaker doesn’t mean avoiding disagreement.

Inspired by storytelling, pop culture, and the creativity of shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway, Ryan reframes “yes, and” as both a communication skill and a life practice. From marriage and parenting to leadership and navigating hard seasons, this conversation invites listeners to honor what they’ve been through without staying stuck there. The goal isn’t fixing people or winning arguments, but creating space for hope, growth, and kindness.

If you’re craving deeper conversations, better communication, and a mindset for moving forward without erasing the past, Yes And Land is your new landing place.

Resources & References

Whose Line Is It Anyway (improv comedy inspiration)
Storytelling through Disney films
Fantasy novels by Brandon Sanderson

Listen, Subscribe & Connect

📺 YouTube 👉 https://YouTube.com/@yesandland

🌊 Visit Ride The Wave Media 👉 https://www.ridethewave.media

💛 Subscribe, follow, and share if this episode resonated with you. Your support helps grow conversations rooted in empathy, curiosity, and connection.

Welcome to Yes And Land.

Lion King and Self-Trust | Jeremy Cameron

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Yes And Land, Show Notes

What if the king you're meant to be starts with trusting the king you already are? The Lion King teaches us that self-trust isn't about waiting for permission or certainty, it's about remembering who you are when everything falls apart. Jeremy Cameron, a coach and former tech industry leader, knows that journey intimately. He's walked from the dot-com boom to installing wood stoves, from managing hundreds of people to helping clients rebuild their lives from the ground up. Today, we're exploring how Simba's journey mirrors our own struggle to believe in ourselves.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Get to Know Yourself, Spend time journaling, reflecting, or meditating to discover who you are right now, what you like, and what you don't like. Write it down. Why it works: Self-trust is impossible without self-knowledge. You can't believe in yourself if you don't know who you actually are.
Learn to Receive Feedback as Perspective, Not Truth, When someone offers advice or criticism, check in with yourself: Does this feel true for me? Is this useful? Take what resonates, discard what doesn't. Why it works: This is how you stay grounded in your own voice while remaining open to growth, just like Simba had to honor Mufasa's wisdom without accepting Scar's lies.
Practice Low-Stakes Trust Decisions Today, Pick one or two small decisions you can make right now without overthinking: go left or right at a crossroads, write down one thing you love about yourself, or notice where you pause before deciding. Why it works: Trust is a muscle. Small decisions build the confidence you need for the big ones.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Jeremy's journey from founding a tech company at 19 to crawling under houses installing wood stoves after the dot-com bubble burst, and what that taught him about showing up.
The difference between Mufasa's love-based leadership and Scar's fear-based manipulation, and how both wanted power but for completely different reasons.
How childhood trauma, like Jeremy's "I can't do it by myself" moment at age three, plants subconscious programming that paralyzes us in big decisions for decades.
The distinction between boundaries (borders for yourself, by yourself) and agreements (treaties you make with others), and why teaching kids this difference builds self-trust from an early age.
Jeremy's personal reckoning with co-dependency in his marriage and the year-long journey of rebuilding his identity from scratch, learning to love himself with the same intensity he'd learned to criticize himself.
The "For Love vs. From Love" framework: performing for external validation versus creating from genuine alignment with your values.
How Simba's final showdown with Scar represents the moment you go all in on yourself, burning the boats, trusting your gut, and stepping into your power for the good of everyone around you.

👤 ABOUT JEREMY CAMERON

Jeremy Cameron is a coach who spent decades in the technology industry, from founding his own company during the dot-com era to leading teams of over 300 people at Live Nation. After a major life transition, he rebuilt his identity and now helps clients break through stuck points, clarify their values, and step into authentic self-trust. He's a musician, an improv comedy enthusiast, and someone who believes that remembering who you are is the foundation for everything else.

Connect with Jeremy: 🌐 [website not mentioned in episode]

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

Inside Out and Turning Tragedy Into Purpose | Grace Laubenthal

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Inside Out teaches us that emotions can't be locked away, they have to be felt to move through us. Grace Laubenthal knows this intimately. At 16, a car accident changed her life forever, and what followed was years of learning how to process grief, guilt, and the complex emotions that come with tragedy. Grace is a real estate professional in Utah and podcast host who has transformed her hardest moment into her greatest teacher.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Get Curious About Suppressed Emotions, Notice any emotions you're pushing down and ask yourself what's really there. Why it works: Emotions don't disappear when we ignore them; they stay trapped in your body until you feel them fully and let them pass.
Audit Your Self-Talk, Pay attention to the words that follow "I am" and shift from doubt into belief when you catch yourself spiraling. Why it works: 95% of our thoughts are subconscious, so conscious awareness of what you're telling yourself is the first step to changing your story.
Do Things That Make You Happy, Find activities and people that bring you joy and make time for them, even in small doses. Why it works: Getting to know yourself and what you love is how you become the person you've always wanted to be.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

How Grace processed hitting a cyclist at 16 and the months of uncertainty that followed
The moment she learned the cyclist had passed away and how that shifted her entire life trajectory
Why suppressing sadness keeps it trapped inside instead of allowing it to pass through
The difference between victim mentality ("this happened to me") and ownership ("this happened for me")
How moving to Utah gave her the space to feel safe enough to become her authentic self
The Inside Out lesson: joy and sadness work together, and you can't feel one without the other
How Grace's family and close friends showed up differently, and what that taught her about real support

👤 ABOUT GRACE LAUBENTHAL

Grace is a real estate professional in Utah and podcast host who survived a tragic accident at 16 that killed a cyclist. Rather than hide from that story, she leaned into it, spent years in therapy and coaching, and rebuilt her life around the belief that everything happens for her, not to her. She now helps others navigate hard seasons by modeling vulnerability and the power of mindset shifts.

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND

The Great Mouse Detective and Leading Without Ego | Marianne Johansen on Authentic Leadership

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when your best-laid plans get interrupted by opportunity—and you almost walk away? The Great Mouse Detective answers that question through the lens of a brilliant detective who can't succeed alone, a grounded partner who knows when to step back, and a confident child who refuses to be left behind. Marianne, principal at an arts integration magnet school in Jordan School District, knows that tension intimately. She was hired to be an assistant principal at a junior high during the first week of the COVID-19 shutdown while pregnant with her first child—a moment that forced her to choose between control and collaboration.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways (Pulled directly from Marianne's closing segment)

Bring What You Have to the Table and Be Confident in It — Recognize your specific strengths and contribute them fully, even when you're uncertain. Why it works: The Great Mouse Detective shows that Basil's brilliance, Dr. Dawson's grounding presence, and Olivia's tenacity are all equally necessary—confidence in your unique role builds team trust.
You Can't Do It By Yourself—Choose Your Team Carefully — Build a team where every member pulls equal weight and mission alignment matters more than individual style. Why it works: Rattigan's refusal to accept help and his need to tear others down is what ultimately destroys him, while Basil, Dawson, and Olivia succeed because they trust each other completely.
When Things Don't Go as Planned, There's a Good Reason—Trust the Process — Accept that interruptions to your plans often lead to better outcomes than you could have orchestrated alone. Why it works: Marianne's entire career path—from PE teacher to arts coordinator to reluctant principal—shows that surrendering control to circumstance, combined with commitment to your team, creates real transformation.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

How Marianne went from planning to teach for "a couple of years" before staying home to building a career as a principal at a Title I arts integration school
The moment her boss told her she was "already doing the job" of an administrator—and why she initially resisted
Why she almost quit her principal position three weeks before starting, and what changed her mind
How Rattigan's refusal to accept who he is (a rat, not a mouse) mirrors what happens when leaders operate from ego instead of authenticity
Why kids' attention spans haven't actually gotten worse—they've just shifted to what keeps them genuinely entertained
The dream Marianne hasn't achieved yet: taking her students to Disneyland to expose them to experiences beyond their five-mile radius

👤 ABOUT MARIANNE Marianne is the principal of an arts integration magnet school in West Valley, Jordan School District. She holds a master's degree in Education and Leadership from Utah State University and has spent her career integrating arts, music, and entertainment into academic learning. She's a pianist who has trained since age five, a freestyle rapper who writes custom songs for her students, and a leader who believes that team alignment and authentic self-acceptance are the foundations of real transformation.

Connect with Marianne: 🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-johansen-22b25899/

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND Yes And Land explores the leadership lessons, relationship dynamics, and hard choices hidden in the stories we love. Hosted by Ryan Gregerson, a family law attorney at RCG Law Group, Disney enthusiast, and business coach for law firm owners at Altium Advisors, each episode connects familiar narratives to real-world wisdom you can actually use. New episodes every Thursday.

Lion King and Healing Trauma | Alton Fitzgerald White

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

***Content Advisory: This episode includes a candid discussion of childhood sexual abuse and its lasting impact. Our guest speaks openly and vulnerably about his personal experience. We believe this conversation can offer real comfort and connection to listeners who've faced similar experiences — but please take care of yourself while listening, and feel free to skip or pause as needed.***

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, support is available:

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (24/7, confidential)

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453

The Lion King and Becoming Who You're Meant to Be | Alton Fitzgerald White

What if the trauma you survived was actually preparing you for your purpose? The Lion King teaches us that we're all scarred, we're all shaped by what happens to us — but we get to decide what comes next. Alton Fitzgerald White played Mufasa on Broadway for 4,380 performances, but his real journey started in the projects of Cincinnati, where a painfully shy kid who was abused and bullied became the king. He's now an author, speaker, and mentor who helps others find the strength that was always inside them.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Identify One Person Who Sees Your Potential — Find someone you trust who recognizes something in you that you can't yet see in yourself, and let their belief in you become the bridge to your own. Why it works: Alton's choir teacher, his mentors in theater, and the woman who told him "your voice has something special" were the turning points. One person's genuine recognition can shift everything.
Set Boundaries Around Your Energy, Not Your Ambition — Schedule time for something that restores you — whether it's hot yoga, running, cooking, or time in nature — and protect it like you protect your most important meeting. Why it works: Alton sustained 4,380 performances of Mufasa by refusing to let the role consume his entire life. Balance isn't laziness; it's the infrastructure that lets you show up at your best.
Choose Gratitude Over Ego When Success Arrives — When you accomplish something big, immediately remember the people and moments that got you there, and let that gratitude anchor you. Why it works: Alton credits his mentors, his teachers, and his faith for keeping him grounded through six Broadway shows.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Growing up in public housing in Cincinnati as the only boy in a household of seven kids, and how that shaped his sensitivity and empathy
The moment a choir teacher's simple words — "your voice, the quality of your voice. You've got something special" — unlocked his entire career
The difference between letting trauma define you and using it as fuel: "That little painfully shy kid who was abused and teased and bullied became the king"
Why Mufasa taught him that quiet strength and presence matter more than a lot of words
How he sustained 4,380 performances without burning out by creating a life outside the show
Why a mentor's advice before his first Broadway show — "don't take on other people's projections" — became the foundation for protecting his peace

👤 ABOUT ALTON FITZGERALD WHITE

Alton Fitzgerald White is a Broadway legend who played Mufasa in The Lion King for 4,380 performances, making him one of the most consistent and celebrated performers in theater history. He's performed in six Broadway shows total, including Miss Saigon, The Color Purple, and Ragtime. Beyond the stage, Alton is an author of My Pride: Mastering Life's Daily Performance, a sought-after speaker and mentor f...

Encanto and Breaking Free From Perfectionism | Angie White on Self-Worth

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Yes And Land — Show Notes

What if the gift you're looking for is actually already inside you? Encanto explores that exact question through Mirabel, who spends the whole movie waiting for a magical gift—only to discover her real power was her ability to see and unlock the gifts in everyone around her. Angie White, COO at Jolley's Corner, knows that journey intimately. She's spent her life learning to trade perfectionism for self-worth, fear of failure for curiosity, and self-abandonment for the courage to step into her own power.

🎯 3 Actionable Takeaways

Get Curious When Your Guard Goes Up — The next time you feel defensive or resistant to something you hear, pause and ask yourself why. Why do you feel this way? What's triggering that response? Why it works: Curiosity breaks the automatic shame spiral that keeps us stuck in perfectionism. It transforms a defensive moment into a learning opportunity.
Be True to Yourself, Not Just Conforming — This week, identify one area where you're conforming to expectations instead of being authentic. Ask yourself: Am I doing this because it's who I am, or because I'm avoiding shame? Why it works: Self-abandonment creates anxiety and anger. When you align your actions with your actual values, you reclaim your power—just like Mirabel did when she stopped waiting for permission to be herself.
Move Forward Even When You Don't Know Everything — Take one small step toward something you want, even if you don't have all the answers or the perfect credentials. Why it works: Angie didn't have an MBA when she started her business, but she figured it out. You don't have to know everything to begin. You learn by doing, and that's where real confidence is built.

🔦 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

How perfectionism masked itself as "not disappointing people" and held Angie back from pursuing her nursing degree
The Encanto parallel: Mirabel's realization that "the gift is me" mirrors Angie's journey to understanding her inherent worth
Why self-abandonment—conforming to everyone's expectations—creates anxiety and anger, and how recognizing it is the first step to change
Angie's inflection point: discovering an eight-year-old version of herself with "frizzy red hair, bossing everyone around"—the wild, authentic self she'd pushed down
The business opportunity that taught her she could innovate, figure things out, and overcome obstacles without formal credentials
How failing as a leader (difficult conversations with employees) became her greatest teacher, not her greatest shame
The difference between guilt ("I did something bad") and shame ("I am bad")—and why that distinction changes everything
Transitioning to her COO role and realizing: "This time I'm thinking I have something to offer and I can help"
Why curiosity is the antidote to perfectionism, and how asking "why" instead of defending yourself opens doors

👤 ABOUT ANGIE WHITE

Angie White is COO at Jolley's Corner, where she oversees operations and leads a team with curiosity and grace. She spent 15 years building a business from the ground up, learning that innovation doesn't require an MBA—it requires willingness to fail, learn, and keep moving forward. A mother of four, lifelong reader, puzzle enthusiast, and self-described rule follower turned safe rule breaker, Angie brings both discipline and heart to everything she does.

📺 ABOUT YES AND LAND