Today's guest is Ashley Rothstein. Ashley is a writer, podcaster, self-proclaimed thinker, and loves "all things communication." Her work and writing are focused on mental and physical health, existential angst, meaning, impulse control and it’s relation to wellbeing, and getting in touch with one’s own mind and body.

Ashley grew in Hayward, California, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. Growing up she was an information sponge who loved to learn new things. The way she studied as a child made it harder for her to be creative. But now she is taking her creativity back.

Ashley and Jonathan talk about social media addiction, user feedback, and how it affects us as people. They also talk in depth about the writing process and how self-editing can get in the way of pressing publish.

The conversation reaches a deep lament about how it's getting harder for us to connect in a world of screens. Ashley and Jonathan talk about their introverted tendencies and how they have both taken ownership of it.

Links:

Ashley on Medium

Ashley's Instagram

Ashley on YouTube

Ashley's Twitter

Ashley's podcast, Thought Project, on Apple Podcasts

Today's guest is Dave Roberts. Dave is a retired addiction professional and an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department at Utica College in Utica, New York. He is a featured speaker, workshop facilitator, and coach for Aspire Place.

Dave and Jonathan talk in depth about Dave's daughter, Jeannine, who died 16 years ago, at the age of 18, of a rare form of sarcoma for which there was no cure. Jeannine is a transcending force and topic in much of Dave's writing and life.

Dave's writing is cathartic for him and also a gift to other parents who have lost their children. Dave discusses how he receives messages from his daughter all the time and what they mean to him.

He teaches a class on Death, Dying, and Bereavement, which opens up the dialogue for his students surrounding these topics. Dave and Jonathan discuss how to teach about death and allow all religious beliefs to participate in the spiritual discussion.

Links:

Dave's website, Bootsy & Angel Books, LLC

Dave on Medium

Uncalendared on Medium

Dave on Twitter

Aspire Place

Today's guest is Danny Forest. Danny is your friendly neighborhood Viking polymath. When he’s not madly typing on his computer from a coworking space, you can find him exploring the world and making new connections. His current obsessions include skill development and productivity.

Danny lives a digital nomad lifestyle with his wife, who works for Medecins Sans Frontiere. Since they are often separated while she is on a mission, Danny has figured out ways to improve his life and skill set every month. He stays in most locations for at least three months to get the most out of his personal connectivity in the location.

Danny is an obsessive learner and has created his own plan to learn three new skills every single month, which he has been perfecting for more than a year. Through this process, he has proven to himself, and to others, that you can learn anything if you devote the time to doing it.

Jonathan and Danny discuss Danny's writing process and how he stays creative while traveling the world. It's Danny's dedication to learning that has led to him being described as a polymath.

Links:

Danny's personal website

Danny on Medium

Danny's story, I Reinvent Myself Every 6 Months and So Should You

Danny on Twitter

The Startup on Medium