While the Dying Out Loud team is on a short break, we are re-releasing our most streamed episode of 2025—a conversation that clearly struck a chord with all of you. In this deeply personal episode, Kris sits down with his close friend and colleague, Jesse Perez.

Jesse opens up about the heartbreaking loss of his best friend, Kendra, to throat cancer and shares his biggest regret: allowing "life" to get in the way of their friendship for five years before her diagnosis. Together, Kris and Jesse discuss the power of authentic friendship, how to stop "tiptoeing" around a cancer diagnosis , and why sometimes a simple meme can mean more than a grand gesture. This episode is your invitation to pick up the phone, send the text, and "say the damn thing" today.

In this special holiday release of Dying Out Loud, Kristopher reunites with Mandi Botic, a friend whose loyalty has spanned nearly 20 years and multiple zip codes, from Kansas City to New York and LA.

For the first time in three years, Kristopher and Mandi see each other face-to-face. Together, they take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the "trauma bond" that started it all, wild nights at Missy B’s, and the infamous taxi ride they’ll never forget.

Listen in as Kristopher reads a moving letter to Mandi, thanking her for being a steady presence through life’s biggest transitions. With a real-life reunion planned for this Christmas, this episode is a beautiful reminder that true friendship defies distance.

Key Takeaway: The holidays are the perfect time to reach out. Don't let time or distance stop you from reconnecting.

Kris welcomes his longtime friend Nickie Gibbs to discuss how a workplace friendship turned into a decade-long bond that helped him survive his first cancer diagnosis. They discuss:

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  The "Platform" Days: How high-stress jobs forged a family-like bond.
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  Servant Leadership: Lessons on leading with heart in business and life.
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  Showing Up: Why effort is the secret ingredient to long-distance friendship.
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  The Letter: Kris reads a personal letter of gratitude to Nickie.

Challenge: After listening, text that friend you haven't spoken to in a while and tell them you love them.

Host Kris sits down with Dr. Rebecca Lee for an open conversation about creative partnership, friendship, and overcoming imposter syndrome in the workplace. They share their journey from colleagues to close collaborators, offering insights on mutual coaching, the importance of connection, and the courage it takes to grow both personally and professionally.

In this deeply personal episode of Dying Out Loud, Kris sits down with men’s coach and speaker Deano Sutter for a conversation about the profound, often invisible impact we have on one another. Kris reveals a moment from years ago—a simple one-hour consultation regarding a men's coaching group—that Deano doesn't even remember, but which fundamentally altered the trajectory of Kris’s life and career.

Together, they explore the concept of the "ripple effect," discussing how brief interactions can plant seeds that grow into life-changing purpose. Deano shares his own journey of self-discovery, moving from a youth pastor struggling with self-worth and sexuality to a coach who helps others rewrite their "outdated programs" for survival. They also dive into a powerful reframing of mortality, with Deano sharing the beautiful lessons he learned while caring for his mother during her final days, viewing death not as a tragedy, but as a meaningful transition.

Key Topics Discussed:

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  The Invisible Impact: How a single conversation can unknowingly shape someone’s destiny.
  
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  Rewriting the Script: Deano’s concept that we aren't broken, but simply running on "outdated programs" from our past that no longer serve our future.
  
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  The Gift of Transition: Moving beyond the fear of death to find richness and connection in the final moments of life.
  
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  Leading without Ego: The shift from seeking validation through helping others to simply holding space for their growth.
  

Listener Challenge: Kris ends the episode with a challenge: Identify someone who has left an "invisible impact" on your life—perhaps through a fleeting moment or a single conversation—and reach out to tell them today.

In this episode of Dying Out Loud, host Kristopher Saim sits down with Tracy Kreikemeier, a woman who has played the dual roles of cherished friend and professional mentor in his life. Their story began through mutual friends, Fritz and Holly, but deepened during their time working together at Platform Advertising, where Tracy served as Kris's supervisor.

Kris and Tracy take a nostalgic walk down memory lane, revisiting the "work hard, play hard" era of their friendship—from wine and charcuterie nights to dancing in the basement of the Brookside. Beyond the laughter, they dive deep into the lessons Tracy imparted regarding executive presence, the importance of vulnerability, and the art of building genuine relationships.

This episode of "Dying Out Loud" celebrates a "human first type of leadership" that transcends titles. Host Kris is joined by Luana Pereira, a leader he has been fortunate to work with for several years.

When Kris was navigating his stage four cancer diagnosis , he was in an incredibly "vulnerable state". Luana's "steady presence" , advocacy, and commitment to him as a person created the space and support for him to thrive in the midst of his diagnosis—something he "never thought was possible".

Luana shares her own powerful journey of moving from Brazil to the U.S. without speaking English and how it shaped her leadership philosophy. She discusses why she believes the separation between your work self and your personal self is a "big lie" and why leaders must connect with their people's "why" to unlock their potential.

Kris and Luana discuss the importance of showing up authentically , the "Working with Cancer" initiative they helped champion , and how the support he received at work has been the "best medicine" and, in his view, "extended my life".

The conversation culminates in a powerful moment as Kris reads a letter of gratitude he wrote to Luana during his treatment , thanking her for making him feel "like I still belong".

This episode is a masterclass in authentic leadership and a moving testament to the impact one person can have on another's life.

This week, Kristopher Saim sits down with a pivotal figure from his past: his mentor, Michael Platt, the founder and former CEO of Platform Advertising. Kris and Michael explore the profound lessons in leadership, business growth, and life balance that defined their time working together.Michael shares the powerful origin story of his agency, including the moving graduation ceremony at a truck driving school that solidified his mission to change lives through education advertising.