In this episode, Stephanie and I share the full story of McKenna’s college graduation weekend and our trip to Fort Worth, Texas, as she prepares for law school at Texas A&M.

We talked about the smaller social work ceremony at Western Kentucky University, where McKenna received multiple honors, including recognition for her research work and the Outstanding BSW Award for the Bowling Green campus. Stephanie shared what it felt like to hear one of McKenna’s professors describe her as a “once in a decade student,” and we both reflected on the joy of seeing McKenna recognized for the hard work, character, and self-motivation she has carried for years.

We also shared about the larger graduation ceremony, the special moment when the dean hugged McKenna as she received her diploma, and the deep gratitude we felt watching all three of our kids together. One of Stephanie’s favorite moments was seeing Meagan, Matthew, and McKenna walking together, laughing with each other after the ceremony.

From there, we talked about our trip to Fort Worth to tour Texas A&M School of Law and look at apartments with McKenna. The law school visit gave us both even more confidence that this is the right next step for her. We were impressed by the support system, the Aggie Network, the career placement focus, and the way the school seems deeply invested in the success of its students beyond graduation.

We also shared a few travel stories from the trip, including the rental car adventure, apartment hunting, breakfast with Mark Mason, and the realization that we will probably be flying to Texas a lot over the next three years.

This episode is really a family update, a graduation celebration, and a reflection on the transition from one meaningful season of parenting into the next.

In this episode, Stephanie and I head out for a walk and simply bring you along for the conversation.

We talk about getting back into a rhythm of daily walks, shifting away from the gym, and what it’s been like to be more active again after a slower season. Stephanie shares an update on her sourdough journey, including why it’s been on pause and what might be coming next.

We also talk about a show we’ve been watching called Shrinking, how it surprised us, and why we’ve enjoyed the evolution of the story across seasons. That leads into a brief conversation about Outlander and what it’s been like watching the current season unfold.

From there, the conversation shifts into what’s happening in our world right now. We’ve got a lot coming up with family, including McKenna’s graduation, travel plans, hosting guests, and even a trip to Texas to look for an apartment as she prepares for law school.

Stephanie shares what it’s been like navigating the tension between doing the things she enjoys and keeping up with the things that need to get done around the house. That leads into a real, unscripted conversation about how we each think about planning, responsibility, and decision making in the middle of a full life.

I also talk a bit about a new system I’ve been experimenting with that I call my Insight Engine, and how it’s helping me capture ideas, reflect on coaching conversations, and generate content in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

More than anything, this episode is just a snapshot of our life right now. The conversations we’re having, the things we’re thinking about, and the season we’re in.

Thanks for being here and listening in.

In this episode, Stephanie and I recorded while out on a walk on the first day of spring, and the conversation naturally unfolded into what life has looked like for each of us over the past few weeks.

Stephanie shared her continued journey with sourdough, including what it took to finally get her starter to thrive after multiple failed attempts. What stood out to me was how much of that process came down to filtering through conflicting advice, trusting her own observations, and sticking with it long enough to see results. Now she’s not only baking consistently but experimenting with new recipes and even sharing her starter with others.

For me, I talked about returning to a 5am wake-up routine and how important those early, quiet hours are for reading, reflection, and creative thinking. I shared how reading Company of One helped me gain deeper clarity about who I’m really here to serve. Solopreneurs who genuinely enjoy working in their business and aren’t driven by scaling, exiting, or early retirement.

I also talked about the book Big Magic and how it sparked something significant for me. The idea that creative work asks for commitment led me to make a personal decision. I’ve made a contract with myself to write a book on mastermind groups. That decision immediately led to new clarity, new ideas, and even unexpected conversations opening up around the Next Level Mastermind.

We also touched on the relaunch of the mastermind, what we’re seeing so far, and how I’m thinking about creating a space that supports people from diverse backgrounds while keeping the focus on shared growth, contribution, and meaningful work.

As always, this episode is a snapshot of where we are right now. What we’re learning, what we’re experimenting with, and how we’re continuing to build a life and business together.