A Joyful Rebellion

After spending decades performing at the highest levels of classical music, Kate Kayaian did something almost unthinkable in her industry: she walked away.
In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, Kate shares the deeply personal process of untangling herself from an identity she had carried since childhood and learning how to build a life that actually reflected who she was becoming — not just who people expected her to be.
We talk about creativity, career pivots, burnout, external validation, the trap of “potential,” and why so many high achievers secretly feel stuck inside lives that look successful from the outside. Kate also shares practical insights from her book Beyond Potential about reassessing old stories, redefining success, and taking action toward a more aligned future.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to want something different, this conversation will hit home.
 
Show Notes & Chapters
00:00 — When your success no longer feels like your life
01:08 — The rebellion of walking away from a dream career
03:18 — The podcast story that changed Kate’s trajectory
04:55 — Realizing the version of herself she wanted to become
07:15 — Choosing the cello because of a childhood crush
09:08 — Why classical musicians “aren’t supposed” to quit
10:26 — The sunk cost trap high achievers struggle with
11:32 — The relief Kate felt when concerts were canceled in 2020
14:13 — Helping creatives reinvent themselves during the pandemic
16:08 — Why so many people secretly want permission to pivot
17:34 — The stories that keep people trapped in old identities
20:42 — “Rocking chair tasks” and fake productivity
22:18 — Why more people are creative than they realize
26:32 — Expanding your identity beyond one label
30:04 — Why successful people struggle to leave successful careers
33:37 — Generational shifts in work, purpose, and reinvention
36:15 — Elite careers and the hidden cost of mastery
39:35 — The real meaning behind “Beyond Potential”
41:37 — Designing your own version of success
44:45 — When hobbies accidentally become businesses
48:19 — The awkwardness of introducing the “new” version of yourself
52:06 — Why friends sometimes resist your evolution
55:46 — Small action steps that help you reinvent your life
Resources Mentioned
Kate Kayaian Official Website
 
 

At 20 years old, Kenneth Kunken broke his neck during a college football game at Cornell University and was told he likely wouldn’t survive the week. Doctors warned his family that even if he lived, he’d spend the rest of his life in a nursing home with little hope for independence.
They were wrong.
In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, Ken shares the long road from catastrophic spinal cord injury to earning multiple graduate degrees, becoming an assistant district attorney, raising triplets, and writing his memoir, I Dream of Things That Never Were.
This conversation dives into resilience, identity, disability, expectations, purpose, and the quiet danger of letting other people decide what your future should look like. It’s also a deeply human conversation about grief, adaptation, love, fatherhood, and why hope sometimes starts with simply refusing to quit.
Show Notes & Chapters00:00 — The prosecutor nobody expected to see in court02:21 — The football tackle that changed Ken’s life forever05:48 — Doctors tell his family to “let him go”07:17 — Reading the pamphlet that predicted a hopeless future10:32 — Returning to Cornell less than a year after paralysis13:05 — Rejection, job hunting, and mailing 200 resumes14:06 — Discovering purpose through helping others with disabilities18:16 — From introvert to public speaker and advocate19:54 — Navigating inaccessible campuses before the ADA24:36 — Why Ken decided to become a lawyer26:08 — Becoming an assistant district attorney despite enormous barriers30:10 — The danger of low expectations33:16 — Why Ken refused sympathy from juries35:02 — How to talk to people with disabilities without fear37:10 — Choosing growth instead of despair after trauma39:02 — “Dream of things that never were”42:16 — Writing the book that his sons would one day read44:40 — Marriage, IVF, and becoming the father of triplets49:00 — Advice for someone newly facing spinal cord injury53:33 — Retirement, public speaking, and continuing to inspire others56:05 — The award named in Ken’s honor
Resources Mentioned
Ken Kunken Official Website
 

Most people think they need a new idea to make more money—but what if they’re just overlooking what’s already there?
Bart Merrell helps people create financial security by monetizing what they already know, already do, and often completely ignore.
From building a DJ business at 15 to working internationally and turning everyday skills into income streams, Bart’s built his life around one simple question: can this be monetized?
We talk about why money really means options, how to spot opportunities hiding in plain sight, and the mindset shift that turns side hustles into something much bigger.
If you’ve ever felt like you should be doing more—but don’t know where to start—this one will get your gears turning.

Why do so many people say they want change—but keep repeating the same patterns? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, James sits down with Kristan Swan to unpack the uncomfortable truth behind personal growth, identity, and self-awareness.
Kristan shares her journey from business coaching entrepreneurs to helping people reconnect with themselves through journaling, group conversations, and spiritual autobiography work. Together, they explore why success means something different at every stage of life, how many people confuse identity with roles like career or parenthood, and why some people would rather stay stuck than face the unknown.
They also dive into practical tools like journaling prompts, defining your own version of success, and creating space for deeper connection in a distracted world.
If you’ve ever felt like something in your life needs to change—but you can’t quite name what—this conversation may be exactly what you need.
Show Notes with Chapters
00:00  Why many people don’t actually want to change00:52  Introduction to Kristan Swan02:22  From business coaching to deeper life work05:00  Patterns, awareness, and why journaling matters07:23  How journaling became a transformational tool11:12  Working with entrepreneurs and redefining success15:00  Living someone else’s version of success17:58  Losing identity through work, parenting, or caregiving21:24  Desired outcomes vs needing to be right22:25  What is a spiritual autobiography?29:17  The shift from business goals to life fulfillment33:20  Loneliness, superficial connection, and modern life38:03  Gen X toughness vs self-compassion46:36  Vulnerability as leadership48:39  Blind spots, complaints, and personal responsibility52:17  Why staying stuck can feel safer than changing52:40  New journal: Heart Mapping55:54  Raising adults and modeling healthy behavior
Resources Mentioned
KristanSwan.com
Kristan’s journals: Spaghetti on the Wall and Heart Mapping

What kind of conviction does it take to begin a nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail hike at 72 years old?
For Rand Timmerman, the answer is layered in grief, sobriety, brotherhood, faith, and unfinished business.
A Vietnam veteran, longtime attorney, and recovery advocate, Rand set out on the Appalachian Trail with his brother shortly after overcoming alcoholism and while processing decades of emotional weight—including war trauma, addiction, and the lingering pain of loss. What began as an ambitious physical challenge quickly became something deeper: a spiritual reckoning in the wilderness.
In this conversation, Rand shares what pushed him to attempt one of the world’s most grueling hikes in his seventies, the near-death moments that tested him on the trail, and the spiritual encounters that changed the way he sees life, God, and suffering. He also opens up about his battle with alcoholism, the role faith played in his recovery, and why he believes it is never too late to pursue something bold.
His book, Spiritual Passage, documents the entire journey—and serves as a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful adventures begin when most people think their best years are behind them.
 
Show Notes & Chapters
[00:00] Starting the Appalachian Trail at 72 years old[02:30] The sheer scale of hiking 2,200 miles and 465,000 feet of elevation[05:00] Sobriety, addiction, and the emotional reasons behind the hike[06:30] How grief and Vietnam trauma shaped the journey[07:00] Two brothers, two very different hiking mindsets[08:30] The hilarious origin of Rand’s trail name: “Rambo”[10:20] How many shoes it takes to hike the Appalachian Trail[12:00] Their leapfrog hiking strategy with two vehicles[17:00] “I thought we’d last two weeks max”[19:00] His brother nearly quits after a traumatic nightmare[22:00] The spiritual experience that changed his brother forever[25:00] Maintaining sobriety on the trail through mental meetings[27:00] Coyotes, bears, and wilderness encounters[28:00] Surviving a terrifying storm on the mountain[31:00] Falling down a rockslide and severe injury[35:00] The heartbreaking moment Rand had to stop hiking[37:00] Why he wrote Spiritual Passage[40:00] How the book began helping people struggling with addiction[42:00] His philosophy on faith, higher power, and surrender[47:00] Why it’s never too late to start something epic[50:00] Advice for anyone considering the Appalachian Trail
 
Resources Mentioned
Book: Spiritual Passage by Rand Timmerman
Website: https://www.randtimmerman.com/
Recovery Program: 12-Step Alcohol Recovery Program (Referenced throughout episode)
 
 

Burnout doesn’t show up when it’s convenient. It shows up when you can least afford to slow down.
In this episode, Garrett Wood breaks down what burnout actually looks like—not the Instagram version, but the real, physiological, day-to-day experience of it. From sleep disruption and irritability to chronic pain and identity collapse, Garrett walks us through the five stages of burnout and why high achievers are especially vulnerable to repeating the cycle.
We dig into the difference between managing symptoms and addressing root causes, and why your nervous system—not your willpower—is often the missing piece. Garrett also shares how beliefs like “I have to prove I’m enough” quietly drive burnout, and how success built on sacrifice can backfire over time.
This conversation flips the script: what if sustainable success isn’t built at the expense of your wellbeing—but because of it?
If you’ve ever told yourself to “just push through,” this one might stop you in your tracks.
Show Notes & Chapters
[00:00] The myth of sacrifice and success[01:00] What burnout really looks like (and why it repeats)[03:00] Symptoms vs. root causes of burnout[05:30] The dangerous “runway” game high achievers play[06:50] Garrett’s first burnout: promotion, isolation, and chronic pain[08:30] ER visit and the wake-up call[09:30] The moment that changed everything: a colleague’s suicide[11:30] Identity, work, and the slippery slope[13:00] The 5 stages of burnout explained[16:00] When burnout becomes your identity[18:30] Why burnout spreads in workplaces and relationships[20:00] Loving your work—and burning out anyway[22:30] The role of boredom, ADHD, and misalignment[25:00] Cynicism as a major burnout signal[27:00] When burnout isn’t work—it’s life outside of it[30:00] Managing stress vs. changing stressors[33:00] Nervous system regulation and the relaxation response[36:00] Why quick fixes don’t work—and what actually does[40:00] Serial burnout and starting over (again and again)[43:00] Hypnotherapy explained (without the hype)[48:00] When to get help (hint: earlier than you think)[50:00] Rethinking success: wellbeing vs. sacrifice[52:00] Social media, hustle culture, and the burnout trap
 
Resources Mentioned
Website: Gnosis Therapy | Transform Your Burnout into a Breakthrough
Approach: A3 Framework (Assess → Accommodate → Align)
Modality: Hypnotherapy + nervous system regulation
 

A joyful rebellion isn’t reckless—it’s intentional.
In this conversation, novelist Cinda Gault breaks down a truth most people avoid: the hardest part of living on your own terms isn’t courage—it’s clarity. Because if you don’t know what you actually want, every decision becomes harder.
Cinda’s path wasn’t linear. She helped start a women’s crisis center in the 1970s, worked in a men’s prison, earned advanced degrees, raised two kids, and only then fully committed to writing. Along the way, she learned that meaningful work isn’t about prestige—it’s about alignment.
We talk about writing bold female characters who refuse to stay small, why historical fiction is really about bringing interior lives back to the surface, and how every generation wrestles with autonomy in its own way. She also shares a powerful distinction: there’s a difference between wanting to write a book and wanting to be a writer—and knowing which one you want can save years of frustration.
This episode is a challenge: stop waiting for permission, get brutally honest about what you want, and start building a life that actually fits.
 
Show Notes & Chapters
[00:00] “A rebellion still needs a plan” — clarity vs chaos
[01:00] From feminism to fiction: early career and crisis center work
[04:00] Prison guard experience and studying power dynamics
[06:00] The “joyful rebellion” moment: realizing she hated her dream job
[08:00] Writing romance to pay the bills
[10:00] Going back to school and building craft intentionally
[13:00] Historical fiction: facts vs the invisible inner life
[17:00] Discovering real women in history and rewriting their stories
[22:00] Building fictional worlds from real historical figures
[25:00] Why she writes women who refuse to stay small
[28:00] “You don’t need to quit your job to rebel”
[30:00] The importance of knowing what you actually want
[32:00] Writing about the 70s: memory, emotion, and selection
[36:00] How different generations respond to her work
[41:00] Wanting to write vs wanting to be a writer
[45:00] What’s next: contemporary fiction + children’s book
 
Resources Mentioned
Website: Cinda Gault
Free genre-history webinar series (via her website)
Historical fiction novels + upcoming children’s book (Beak the Clown)

Episode Summary
What happens when the system meant to protect you becomes the thing that wears you down? In this powerful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, James sits down with Lisa Johnson — educator, author, and co-founder of Been There Got Out — to talk about surviving legal abuse, reclaiming identity, and rebuilding life after a high-conflict divorce.
Lisa shares her deeply personal journey through a decade-long legal battle, representing herself in over 100 court appearances and ultimately helping shape case law. Together, she and James explore how abuse can hide in plain sight, why leaving often takes longer than people understand, and how awareness becomes the first act of rebellion.
This conversation moves from darkness into hope — showing how pain can transform into purpose, and how healing creates space for healthier relationships, stronger boundaries, and a new chapter of life. If you or someone you know has ever felt trapped in circumstances that seemed impossible to escape, this episode offers insight, validation, and a reminder that the air really is cleaner on the other side.
 
Show Notes & Chapters
00:00 — Opening HookLisa explains the turning point: when staying became more painful than leaving.
02:15 — Introducing Lisa & the Concept of Legal AbuseHow her story began and what “legal abuse” actually means.
03:40 — The Double Life & The Beginning of the FightDiscovery, fear, financial pressure, and the long road ahead.
04:57 — Representing Herself in CourtFrom lawyer to pro se litigant — and arguing at the appellate level.
07:13 — Death by a Thousand Paper CutsHow the legal system can be weaponized.
08:29 — What She Learned About Family CourtWhy even educated, articulate people struggle inside the system.
09:18 — Rage, Injustice, and DespairThe three emotions that defined the journey.
11:45 — Turning Pain Into PurposeWhy she began helping others.
13:09 — Discovering the Term “Legal Abuse”The moment everything clicked.
14:05 — Building a Global Support CommunityFrom two people to an international network.
16:49 — How to Recognize Legal AbuseEarly warning signs and high-conflict indicators.
23:33 — Invisible Forms of Domestic ViolenceCoercive control and why people miss the clues.
26:45 — The Frog in the Pot AnalogyHow abuse becomes normalized over time.
32:18 — The Moment She Finally LeftBreaking point and emotional reality.
35:34 — Protecting the Kids During the Legal BattleParenting through chaos.
44:24 — Writing the First BookHow the message expanded into a larger mission.
47:51 — The Next Book & AlienationWhen an ex turns children against a parent.
49:14 — How Friends Can Help Someone in a Toxic RelationshipWhat to say — and what NOT to say.
55:11 — Final Story & Message of HopeThe reminder that life on the other side can be better than imagined.
 
Resources Mentioned
Been There Got Out (support resources & quiz)
High Conflict Institute — Bill Eddy (BIF communication method)
Local Domestic Violence Centers (general recommendation)

Episode Summary
In the early 1990s, college soccer coach Scott Martin walked into an emergency room with flu-like symptoms. A month later, he woke from a coma to learn he had contracted necrotizing fasciitis — and that his mother and brother had been forced to choose between letting him die or amputating both hands and parts of his feet.
What followed wasn’t a cinematic comeback. It was 30+ years of pivots, depression, lawsuits, discrimination, reinvention, fatherhood, state championships, and a relentless rebuilding of identity.
Scott shares the moment he realized he was “faking it,” the malpractice trial that cracked him open, and the night he sat alone asking, “What the hell am I going to do now?” From rewriting how he coached to adopting five children internationally to reclaiming his confidence on the sidelines, Scott’s story is not about soccer — it’s about resilience that refuses to quit.
His new memoir, Play From Your Heart, explores loss, grit, and the long arc of recovery. This episode is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t instant — it’s built over decades.
 
Show Notes & Chapters 
[00:00] “What the hell am I going to do now?” — the moment after the trial[03:00] Soccer as art: Jackson Pollock and the “beautiful game”[08:00] The Nike camp, sudden illness, and collapsing overnight[10:00] A month-long coma and the life-or-death decision[13:00] Faking strength for four years[18:00] Depression and the loss of confidence[22:00] The malpractice lawsuit and courtroom drama[25:00] Hitting bottom after the verdict[26:00] The pendulum moment: rebuilding alone[29:00] Writing the “Soccer Atlas” and coaching differently[32:00] Selling everything and moving west[34:00] Discrimination and rebuilding identity[35:00] Adopting five children internationally[43:00] Coaching underdogs to a state championship[46:00] 30 years later: when life finally felt “good”[48:00] “Turn off your brain. Play from your heart.”[49:00] Teaching by putting people “in a position to learn”[51:00] Education, resilience, and responsibility
 
Resources
Memoir: Play From Your Heart (pre-sale via Library Tales Publishing)
Email contact: reader.playfromyourheart@gmail.com
Distributor: Simon & Schuster (in pipeline at time of recording)
 

Episode Summary
Some people rebel by getting louder. Carrie Birde rebelled by getting gentler.
After years of writing in secret—carrying shame, creative fear, and a persistent who am I to do this?—Carrie finished A Small Tale of Uncommon Grace, a novel that intentionally pushes back against a culture saturated with noise and dystopia. Instead of resistance, the book is driven by acceptance. Instead of spectacle, it offers wonder. Nature is a living presence, hope is deliberate, and beauty is treated as essential rather than indulgent.
In this conversation, Carrie shares what it took to move from emotionally distant drafts to vulnerable, living pages—and how breaking long-held patterns finally allowed her to hear her own creative voice. We talk about writing methodically (her preferred term over “slow”), trusting quiet stories, and the courage required to let tender work be seen. She also reflects on small creative acts—turning newsprint into paper hearts, hanging origami cranes on a neighborhood wishing tree—as ways of choosing meaning when the world feels heavy.
If you’ve been keeping your creativity tucked away, this episode is an invitation to bring it into the light.
 
Show Notes & Chapters
[00:00] A quiet rebellion: why gentleness can be a radical act
[01:00] Writing in secret and the fear of being seen
[03:40] Holding the finished book; early creative life across mediums
[06:00] From distance to vulnerability: rewriting with emotional presence
[08:45] Breaking family patterns and shedding creative shame
[12:50] “The world isn’t watching your every move” — freedom from imagined judgment
[18:45] Writing against dystopia; nature as a character; choosing a hopeful ending
[22:40] Meet Grace (19): conversation with the living world
[26:30] Methodical writing, parking-lot epiphanies, and knowing the ending first
[29:45] Teen beta reader finishes the book in a day: “Please write more”
[36:00] Letting the book rest for years; fear of being “too quiet”
[37:30] Finding the right boutique publisher and editorial partnership
[48:30] Paper hearts, wishing trees, and choosing beauty anyway
Resources Mentioned
Novel: A Small Tale of Uncommon Grace — by Carrie Birde
Publisher: Blind and Square Books (editor Tara Tomczyk)
Creative practices: Paper-heart project (newsprint → handmade hearts), neighborhood wishing tree with origami cranes