What if you didn’t have to wait for retirement to see the world? In this adventurous and inspiring episode, James sits down with Ryan Mellon, better known as The Digital Nomad Coach, to hear how he went from working 14-hour days at two jobs to traveling the world full-time—while still earning an income.

Ryan’s journey started with a one-year RV trip across the U.S., but it didn’t stop there. From glacier hikes in New Zealand to motorbiking through the mountains of Vietnam, he’s built a life where work and wanderlust coexist. In this episode, he shares how he made the leap to location independence, the mindset shifts that made it possible, and the practical steps anyone can take to explore the digital nomad life—even if they don’t have a remote job yet.

If you’ve ever felt like there has to be more than the 9-to-5 grind, Ryan’s story will inspire you to rethink what’s possible—and maybe even book that one-way ticket.

Episode Title: From Fast Food to Freedom: Ryan Mellon’s Digital Nomad Life

Chapter Markers:

1. [00:00] Welcome to Bali – Ryan checks in from halfway across the world.

2. [01:30] The Breaking Point – Working 14-hour days for a decade.

3. [03:00] Costa Rica Changed Everything – A two-week solo trip that sparked it all.

4. [05:30] RV Life Begins – One year, 23 states, and a lot of lessons.

5. [07:00] The Real Estate Revelation – Making remote income on the road.

6. [09:00] Taking It Global – New Zealand and the birth of a nomad.

7. [11:00] Becoming The Digital Nomad Coach – Helping others take the leap.

8. [13:00] Minimalism and the Sailboat Life – Why less stuff = more freedom.

9. [16:00] Mindset Roadblocks – Common fears and how to overcome them.

10. [18:00] The Truth About Cost – Living abroad can be cheaper than home.

11. [21:00] Epic Adventures – Glacier hikes, motorbike tours, and unexpected karaoke.

12. [24:00] Family, Friends & FOMO – What people really think of his lifestyle.

13. [27:00] Risk vs. Regret – Leaving the comfort zone behind.

14. [30:00] How to Get Started – Ryan’s advice for aspiring nomads.

15. [32:00] Final Thoughts – The world is waiting—just do it.

• Website: TheDigitalNomadCoach.com

• Free Guide: 7 Ways to Become a Digital Nomad — Available on his website

• Socials:

  Instagram / Facebook / YouTube: @‌thedigitalnomadcoach
• Podcast: Digital Nomad Nation – Now streaming everywhere

What if the story that changed your life… wasn’t your own?

In this episode, James sits down with Marcia Heath, a former publishing professional and ghostwriter turned author and documentarian, to explore what it really means to rewrite your story. After decades of editing others' words and chasing what she thought was success, Marcia's body hit the brakes—literally—with a rare case of transient global amnesia. That pause led to an entirely different kind of life.

On a reset trip to Aruba, a conversation under a mango tree sparked her new project: a book and now a documentary about two humble surf shop founders who prioritized friendship, community, and joy over growth and glory. What began as curiosity became a full creative immersion—and ultimately a blueprint for Marcia’s own reinvention.

We talk about burnout, accountability, creative transformation, and how letting go of perfection can lead to a more present and meaningful life. If you've ever felt the pull to do something different—or just to feel more like you again—this episode is a warm, funny, and inspiring invitation to pause, reset, and start fresh.

Episode Title: The Book Under the Mango Tree: Marcia Heath on Simplicity, Story, and Second Acts

Chapter Markers:

1. [00:00] A Rare Wake-Up Call – Transient global amnesia and what it revealed

2. [03:00] The “Dream Job” That Wasn’t – Burnout disguised as success

3. [05:30] The Aruba Reset – A chance conversation that changed everything

4. [07:30] The Surf Shop Mystery – What made it work for 20+ years?

5. [10:00] Resistance from the Rebels – When the story subjects say no

6. [12:00] Filming the Documentary – Behind the scenes of reluctant stardom

7. [15:00] Malcolm Gladwell & Bula Surf’s Secret Sauce – Autonomy, challenge, and validation

8. [17:00] A Life Rewritten – From ghostwriter to author

9. [20:00] The Myth of the Happy Finish Line – What the book box moment actually felt like

10. [22:00] Building a Creative Team – Why accountability > inspiration

11. [24:00] Joy as a Side Effect – Letting go of the pursuit

12. [27:00] Tuesdays with Maury Vibes – Connection and purpose over polish

13. [30:00] Piano, Play, and Reclaiming Joy – The creative ripple effect

14. [33:00] Subtraction for Success – Pruning projects and friendships

15. [35:00] Don’t Judge a Book by Its Surf Shop – Why this story is about all of us

• Website: littlegiantbook.com

• Free Guide: Build Your Own Dream – Available on her website

• Book: Little Giant: The Story of Aruba’s Surf Shop and the Rebels Who Built It

• Documentary (coming soon): Updates via email subscription on her site

What does redemption look like—really? For John David Graham, it looked like a 140-year-old house, a $200 budget, and a second chance—not just for himself, but for thousands of others.

In this powerful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, James talks with author and nonprofit founder John David Graham about his journey from career detours, near-homelessness, and restless searching, to building Good Samaritan Home, a community-based housing network that’s helped over 2,500 men and women reenter society after prison.

John shares stories from the front lines of restoration: what he’s learned about second chances, the systems stacked against the formerly incarcerated, and how faith, kindness, and snowblowers can sometimes move mountains. His memoir, Running as Fast as I Can, threads through this conversation as a roadmap for hope—both earned and extended.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a real difference, this episode will show you how small acts of courage and kindness can ripple outward, changing everything.

Episode Title: Running as Fast as I Can: John David Graham on Second Chances and Redemption

Chapter Markers:

1. [00:00] Meet John David Graham: From chaos to community

2. [02:00] The Seeds of Good Samaritan Home: A Victorian house and a vision

3. [05:00] Life Before Purpose: Detroit, odd jobs, and instability

4. [08:00] Reggie’s Arrival: The first resident and community resistance

5. [11:00] Suing the City and Shoveling Sidewalks: Kindness over conflict

6. [13:00] Funding Faith: How the program scaled house by house

7. [15:00] Understanding Addiction & Reentry: Why people go back

8. [18:00] What Returning Citizens Really Need: Listening, dignity, jobs

9. [22:00] The Importance of Showing Up: Why employers say yes

10. [26:00] Walking with a Limp: Rehabilitation vs. Habilitation

11. [29:00] How the Book Came Together: The real stories behind the fiction

12. [33:00] Why Community Still Matters: Disconnection in modern life

13. [36:00] Small Acts of Kindness: What you can do today

14. [41:00] Trying Something New at 76: Becoming an “actor” for a day

15. [43:00] Where to Find the Book & Get Involved