❓ Can you build a bridge without ever knowing who will cross it?

Alex Sanfilippo is a podcaster and the founder of PodMatch, a platform that automatically matches podcast hosts and guests for interviews. Through PodMatch and his podcast, Podcasting Made Simple, Alex helps independent podcasters grow their influence and revenue so they can better serve their listeners.

Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur and podcaster, Alex spent 15 years in the aerospace industry. His entrepreneurial journey began much earlier, when he started his first business selling used golf balls at age 10.

Episode Summary

JLPalmer and Alex explore what it really means to build bridges between people.

The conversation moves far beyond podcasting.

We talk about the people who build bridges for us before we ever build them for someone else, why community has to be both built and earned, why entrepreneurs need to stay connected to the people they serve, and what gets lost when technology replaces human interaction.

And underneath all of it is a simple idea:

The bridge matters because of the people who cross it.

Alex’s experience building PodMatch has taught him that solving a problem is only the beginning. Once you know the people you serve, you have an ongoing responsibility to understand what they need next.

That requires curiosity.

It requires conversation.

And it requires staying close enough to the people you’re serving to actually hear what they’re telling you.

Alex talks about being deeply involved in his own community, meeting people rather than relying entirely on scalable tactics, and using those conversations to inform the future of PodMatch.

We also explore the tension between technology and human connection.

AI can provide information quickly. Automation can remove friction. But Alex points to something that can’t be automated without changing the experience itself: the human-to-human interaction.

His word for what’s missing?

Pulse.

A conversation about podcasting becomes a conversation about community, leadership, entrepreneurship, connection, and what it means to build something that still feels human.

🤔 Reflection Questions

* Who built a bridge for you before you ever started building bridges for others?

* What would change if you spent more time talking directly with the people you serve?

* Are you building a community, or simply creating a place for people to gather?

* What part of your business have you automated that might actually need more human interaction?

* Where are you trying too hard to scale something that would benefit from a personal touch?

* Who are the people you are genuinely curious about?

* What is A for the people you serve? What is C? What could your B be?

* Where has technology made your business more efficient, and where might it be removing the pulse?

🔗 Guest Links & Resources

Visit Alex: Alex Sanfilippo’s official website: alexsanfilippo.com/about

PodMatch:Connect podcast hosts and guests through PodMatch. https://www.joinpodmatch.com/jlpalmer

Podcast: Podcasting Made Simple https://podmatch.com/episodes

PodMatch Free Resource: A free resource with nine quick ideas for podcast hosts and guests. https://podmatch.com/free

Book Recommendation:The Business of Friendship by Shasta Nelson https://link.amazon/B08uFZjkG

PodMatch Guest Mastery: A Guide to Getting Booked on Successful Podcasts & Sharing Your Message by Learning From Top PodMatch Guest Membershttps://link.amazon/B0fM9IVxEPodMatch Host Mastery: A Guide to Finding Interesting Guests and Growing Your Show by Learning From Top PodMatch Host Membershttps://link.amazon/B04ZfVGvx

Have Alex as a Guest: Connect with Alex through his PodMatch Guest Profile. https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/alex

Continue The Conversation

Who has built a bridge for you?

Who are you building one for?

And what might happen if you stopped worrying about whether you’ll ever get credit for it?

Join the conversation and share your biggest takeaway from this episode.

Alex Sanfilippo, Thank You For Being Our Guest.

🔊 Listen & Support

If you enjoyed learning about bringing humanity back to business, let us know!

Subscribe to Get Curious

*Substack https://jlpalmerconsulting.substack.com

* Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-curious/id1896310446

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/033gBPugG42VQ2gLbxiaBd

Amazon Music/Audible https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/385573a1-19f5-4c55-9d51-9f28c40f170d/get-curious

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7Aje3THfcOPtkNcMbeme7hhL-QL0uT6o

* Apple, Spotify, , YouTube

* Join the Get Curious Community https://www.skool.com/getcurious-9367 - Courses coming soon

* To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast. Create a profile on PodMatch https://www.joinpodmatch.com/jlpalmer and find Get Curious as a host.

* PodMatch has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community. https://community.podmatch.com/share/xeUWO9-BflYYdfTG

* Sponsorship: Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss podcast advertising opportunities.

* Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/getcurious

Thank You, For Watching/Listening/Reading/Sharing

#PodcastRecommendations #GetCurious #GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious

Episode Overview

AI is getting better at exploring, creating, acting, and even helping build better AI.

But what happens to us when the thing we're curious about becomes better at exploring than we are?

In this episode of Get Curious, we look beyond the headlines about AI superintelligence and ask a more human question: what happens to our agency, curiosity, creativity, and humanity as AI becomes increasingly capable?

From recursive AI development to Mark Zuckerberg's vision of personal superintelligence and Elon Musk's comments about AI becoming increasingly involved in improving future AI models, the technology is moving quickly.

But perhaps the bigger question isn't how capable AI becomes.

It's what we choose to remain responsible for.

Key Takeaways

AI is moving from answering questions to exploring possibilities and taking action.

As answers become increasingly abundant, the ability to ask meaningful questions may become more valuable.

AI can generate enormous numbers of creative possibilities, but humans still decide what matters and what is worth pursuing.

Increasingly capable AI agents raise important questions about delegation and human agency.

AI is increasingly being used to help develop AI, raising questions about how much of future AI development humans will remain directly involved in.

The future of AI isn't only a technology question. It's a human question.

The Four Questions

Curiosity:What happens when AI can explore more possibilities than we can?

Creativity:If AI can generate almost endless possibilities, what becomes uniquely creative about choosing, shaping, and giving meaning to an idea?

Agency:If AI increasingly acts on our behalf, what do we continue choosing and doing for ourselves?

Humanity:When intelligence becomes abundant, what remains distinctly human?

A Question to Consider

What happens to human curiosity, judgment, creativity and agency when the thing we're curious about becomes better at exploring than we are?

Keep Exploring

What should we delegate to AI?

What should we never delegate?

What should AI help us explore?

And what should we insist on exploring ourselves?

I'm curious what you think.

Follow the curiosity. Keep exploring.

Support Get Curious

🎙️ Listen & SubscribeIf this conversation sparked a question, keep exploring with Get Curious wherever you listen to podcasts.

⭐ Enjoyed the episode?Subscribe, follow, and leave a review. It helps other curious people find the show.

💡 Join the conversationShare the question or idea this episode made you think about.

🔎 Want to go deeper?Explore more conversations, questions, tools, and ideas through the Get Curious Knowledge Library.

#GetCurious #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanAgency #Curiosity #Creativity #AIandHumanity #FutureOfAI #Superintelligence

Sources for the episode

* Anthropic — When AI builds itself — Anthropic’s discussion of AI-assisted development and recursive self-improvement. https://www.anthropic.com/institute/recursive-self-improvement

* Meta — The Biggest News From Connect 2026 — Meta’s current description of Muse, AI glasses and its personal-superintelligence vision. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/the-biggest-news-from-connect-2026/

* Associated Press — AI models and recursive self-improvement — reporting on Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI and the emerging debate over increasingly automated AI development. https://apnews.com/article/1526da03842cfeef12d0fb69b6b7ad28

* OpenAI — An Alien Mind — OpenAI’s chief scientist’s discussion of machine intelligence, alignment and recursive self-improvement. https://openai.com/index/an-alien-mind/

* Reuters — Zuckerberg on AI safety and slowing development — Zuckerberg’s position on industry-wide coordination and safety. https://www.reuters.com/business/metas-zuckerberg-says-ai-labs-have-enough-incentive-build-safely-2026-09-16

Stephan Bajaio is the CEO and Co-Founder of VibeLogic and has spent more than 25 years working in SEO and digital marketing, helping major brands navigate the changing world of online visibility. He also co-founded Conductor, an enterprise organic marketing platform that reached a half-billion-dollar valuation.

Episode Summary

What happens when technology, automation, AI, and digital efficiency begin to lose sight of the people they’re supposed to serve?

In this episode of Get Curious, JLPalmer sits down with Stephan Bajaio to explore the human side of modern business. We talk about the growing distance between people and businesses, including what happens when job seekers have to get through an “AI firewall” just to reach a person. Stephan shares his perspective on people-first leadership, using the expertise already inside your organization, and why solving a customer’s problem matters more than simply trying to sell to them. The conversation also gets practical about websites and visibility. Use the words your customers actually use. Make important information easy to find. Think point, paragraph, page. And remember that your website is something you control, while much of your social presence exists on borrowed land. Ultimately, this conversation isn't just about SEO, AI, or marketing. It’s about how we adapt to a rapidly changing business environment without losing the human part of business.

🔗 Guest Links

* Visit VibeLogic.com https://www.vibelogic.com/* Connect with Stephan on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/stephanbajaio* Follow Stephan on X https://x.com/stephanbajaio* Connect on Pinterest https://ca.pinterest.com/sbajaio

* Have Stephan as a guest on your podcast visit his PodMatch Guest Profile https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/stephan_bajaio

**Stephan Bajaio, Thank You for being our guest.**

🔊 Listen & Support

If this conversation made you think differently about automation, AI, marketing, or human connection:

Subscribe to Get Curious

*YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7Aje3THfcOPtkNcMbeme7hhL-QL0uT6o&si=gvv79eeS_Cji_nVj

*Substack https://jlpalmerconsulting.substack.com

Leave a review

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-curious/id1896310446

Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/033gBPugG42VQ2gLbxiaBd

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7Aje3THfcOPtkNcMbeme7hhL-QL0uT6o

* Join the Get Curious Community https://www.skool.com/getcurious-9367 - Courses coming soon*

Want to be a guest? Create a profile on PodMatch https://www.joinpodmatch.com/jlpalmer and find Get Curious as a host.*

Explore the PodMatch Community https://community.podmatch.com/share/xeUWO9-BflYYdfTG for podcasting resources.

* Sponsorship: Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss podcast advertising opportunities.

* Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/getcurious

Until next time... Stay Curious. Keep Exploring.

This is a JLPalmerConsulting / JLPalmerGroup production.

#GetCurious #HumanConnection #AIMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience #MarketingStrategy #Automation #StephanBajaio #GetCuriousPodcast #ThoughtLeadership

More productivity? More growth? More certainty?

Or something else?

In this conversation, Andrew Ackerman and JLPalmer GET CURIOUS about what actually helps entrepreneurs make better decisions when there isn’t a clear answer.

Andrew has founded startups, invested in more than 70 early-stage companies, directed accelerators, and mentored hundreds of founders through accelerators and in the classroom.

He’s lived through the messy reality of building companies, investing in them, teaching entrepreneurship, and helping founders figure out what comes next.

Throughout our conversation:

You don’t need to know everything. You need to stay curious enough to question what you think you know.

We explore:

* Why Andrew considers empathy a core entrepreneurial skill

* The difference between confidence and certainty

* How to hold a well-reasoned opinion without becoming attached to being right

* Why entrepreneurs should test assumptions before building

* What an “index-card website” can teach you about validating an idea

* Why Andrew chose to write The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey as a story rather than another traditional business book

* Why stories are easier for humans to remember than lists of advice

* The personal-brand lesson Andrew wishes he’d learned earlier

* What his experience with AI taught him about the technology’s possibilities and limitations

* And the bigger question: what should we actually be optimizing for?

It’s not about remembering every lesson

Andrew doesn’t necessarily want readers to remember every lesson in his book.

He wants them to remember that there was something there worth going back to find.

This stands out.

Because maybe that’s what good knowledge does.

It doesn’t always give us an answer we can immediately recite.

Sometimes it gives us a story, an idea, a question or a connection that sits somewhere in the back of our minds.

Then three months later, something happens and we think:

Wait. I remember something about this.

And we go looking.

That’s a different way of thinking about learning.

And maybe it’s a pretty good way of thinking about curiosity too.

About Andrew

Andrew Ackerman is a startup founder, VC, author, professor, and corporate innovation expert.

He’s founded startups, invested in 70+ early-stage companies, and mentored hundreds of founders. His latest book, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, turns years of startup advice into a story designed to make entrepreneurial lessons memorable.

Connect with Andrew

Website: https://www.andrewbackerman.com/

Get your copy of The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey https://link.amazon/B0ig0zzic

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbackerman/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrewbackerman/

X: https://x.com/andrewackerman

Andrew Ackerman, Thank You For Being Our Guest.

🔊 Listen & Support

If you enjoyed learning about bringing humanity back to business, let us know!

* Subscribe to Get Curious so you never miss an episode.

* Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

* Apple, Spotify, YouTube

* Join the Get Curious Community - Courses coming soon

* To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile. Then find Get Curious there as a Host.

* PodMatch has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community.

* Sponsorship Opportunity: Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss ad spots on the podcast.

* Support the show

Thank You, For Watching/Listening/Reading/Sharing

Until next time... Stay Curious. Keep Exploring.

This is a JLPalmerConsulting/JLPalmerGroup Production.

The Founder is your host, JLPalmer.

The Get Curious Podcast is brought to you by #JLPalmerConsulting #JLPalmerGroup #JLPalmer

#PodcastRecommendations #GetCurious #GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious

What happens when we replace judgment with curiosity?

Eric Robinson spent 12 years in Christian ministry before spending 24 years as an FBI Special Agent. Along the way, he learned that two very different careers had something important in common: people.

In this conversation, Eric and JL Palmer explore human behaviour, trust, judgment, curiosity, bias, trauma, resilience and what it means to understand someone without excusing their behaviour.

Eric shares how curiosity became a powerful tool in difficult situations, why treating people with dignity can change a conversation, and how experience can sometimes create assumptions we need to challenge.

We also explore what happens when difficult experiences accumulate, why reflection matters, and what Eric learned about identity and resilience after leaving a career that had become such a significant part of who he was.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why judgment can close the door on learning

How curiosity helps us understand people without necessarily agreeing with them

Why understanding someone's behaviour does not mean excusing it

How listening and creating safety can build trust

Why treating people with dignity can lead to better outcomes

How experience can create bias and assumptions

Why reflection is necessary when difficult experiences accumulate

How humour and storytelling can help us process difficult experiences

What retirement can teach us about identity and purpose

Why being wrong doesn't necessarily mean you've made a bad decision

How resilience helps us recenter, rebound and move forward

Questions to Consider

Where am I leading with certainty instead of curiosity?

Who have I reduced to a label instead of a person?

What assumption deserves another look?

Can I understand someone's motivation without excusing their behaviour?

Where do I need to build trust before expecting honesty?

What "mud flecks" am I carrying that I haven't stopped to notice?

And perhaps the biggest question:

What do I actually think will happen if I make the wrong decision?

About Eric Robinson

Eric Robinson is a former FBI Special Agent and former pastor whose experiences have given him a unique perspective on human behaviour, trust, leadership, difficult conversations and resilience.

Eric is also the author of the upcoming memoir From Saving Souls to Chasing Sinners in the FBI.

🔗 Guest Links

Connect with Eric Robinson, Instagram.com, Threads, Linkedin.com

Visit PreacherToBreacher

Invite Eric to Guest on your podcast PodMatch Guest Profile

Eric Robinson, Thank You For Being Our Guest.

🔊 Listen & Support

If you enjoyed learning about how curiosity can change the way we understand people, consider sharing it with someone.

Subscribe to Get Curious so you never miss an episode.

Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Join the Get Curious Community - Courses coming soon

To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile. Then find Get Curious there as a Host.

PodMatch has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community.

Sponsorship Opportunity: Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss ad spots on the podcast.

Support the show

The Get Curious Podcast is brought to you by #JLPalmerConsulting #JLPalmerGroup #JLPalmer

Thank You, For Watching/Listening/Reading/Sharing

#PodcastRecommendations #GetCurious #GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious

A faster search engine. A better spell checker. Something that helps us write emails or summarize meetings.

But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question?

What if AI isn’t another piece of software to learn?

What if it’s a teammate waiting to be built?

That shift in thinking sat at the heart of my conversation with Chad Owen. Rather than talking about AI replacing people, Chad explored something much more interesting: how curiosity shapes the way we work alongside technology, how we design systems that amplify our thinking, and why the future belongs to people who ask better questions.

Because technology has never been the differentiator.

People have.

Curiosity Before Capability

When a new technology arrives, it’s easy to become consumed by features.

Which model is best?Which app should I use?What’s the perfect prompt?

Those questions matter, but they’re not where transformation begins.

Transformation begins with curiosity.

Curiosity asks:

* What problem am I actually trying to solve?

* What work drains my energy but still needs to be done?

* What kind of thinking, do I alone contribute?

Only after answering those questions does AI become genuinely useful.

Otherwise, we’re simply automating noise.

Build a Team, Not a Toolbelt

One of the most compelling ideas from our conversation was treating AI as a collection of specialists instead of one all-purpose assistant.

Think about your workplace.

You wouldn’t ask your accountant to design your website. You wouldn’t expect your graphic designer to manage legal contracts.

Each person has a role.

The same can be true for AI.

Instead of one generic chatbot, imagine creating specialized teammates:

* a researcher who gathers evidence

* an editor who challenges your assumptions

* a strategist who spots patterns

* a teacher who explains complex ideas simply

* a project manager who keeps work moving

The technology becomes less impressive than the system you build around it.

The Human Advantage

As AI becomes more capable, many people ask what skills will remain valuable.

The answer may be surprisingly human.

Curiosity.

Judgment.

Empathy.

Context.

Story.

Technology can generate information. People generate meaning.

The organizations and individuals who thrive won’t necessarily be the ones using the most AI. They’ll be the ones who know when to trust it, when to question it, and when to rely on distinctly human experience.

Systems Create Freedom

Another theme that surfaced throughout our conversation was systems.

Not rigid processes.

Helpful ones.

Systems reduce friction.

They free mental space.

They allow us to spend less time remembering and more time creating.

AI can strengthen those systems, but it can’t replace the intention behind them.

A thoughtful workflow will outperform a clever prompt every time.

Curiosity Is the Competitive Advantage

It’s tempting to believe success with AI comes from mastering technology.

Perhaps it comes from mastering ourselves instead.

The people who continue asking better questions will always discover better possibilities.

Curiosity isn’t becoming less valuable in the age of AI.

It’s becoming the skill that makes every other skill more valuable.

That’s why conversations like this matter.

Not because they provide all the answers.

Because they help us ask better questions.

🔑 Key Takeaways

* Curiosity is the foundation of successful AI adoption. Better questions lead to better outcomes.

* Think beyond using AI as a tool—design it as a team of specialized collaborators.

* Systems create consistency, allowing creativity to flourish where it matters most.

* Human strengths like judgment, empathy, context, and storytelling become even more valuable in an AI-enabled world.

* The future belongs to those willing to experiment, learn, and continually adapt.

💼 Business Advice

Building an AI strategy isn’t about finding the perfect prompt or the latest platform. It’s about understanding your business well enough to identify where technology can remove friction, increase capacity, and support better decision-making.

Start by documenting repetitive tasks. Then ask where AI can save time without sacrificing quality. Finally, invest the time you’ve reclaimed into the work only humans can do: building relationships, solving complex problems, making thoughtful decisions, and creating meaningful experiences.

Technology should amplify your strengths—not replace them.

❤ Memorable Moments

One of the most memorable ideas from this conversation was imagining AI as your next teammate rather than your next software subscription. That simple shift changes everything. Instead of asking, “What can this tool do?” you begin asking, “What role does my business or personal life need filled?”

The conversation also reminded us that curiosity isn’t a soft skill. It’s a strategic advantage. Every innovation begins with someone willing to ask a better question than everyone else.

Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway is that as technology accelerates, our humanity becomes more—not less—important.

Continue the Conversation

As you listen to the conversation, consider these questions:

* What work do I continue doing simply because I’ve always done it that way?

* If AI became a trusted teammate tomorrow, what role would I give it first?

* What part of my work creates the greatest human value?

* Am I learning new technology—or redesigning how I think?

Sometimes the biggest opportunity isn’t adopting a new tool.

It’s becoming more curious about what’s possible.

If this conversation sparked an idea, I’d love to hear it. Join us in the Get Curious community, share your biggest takeaway, and continue exploring how curiosity helps us navigate work, technology, and life with intention.

Sometimes it’s a new perspective. Sometimes it’s a question that lingers. Sometimes it’s a completely different way of seeing the world.

Over the past few months, Get Curious has become much more than a podcast. It has become a collection of stories, ideas, lessons, and human experiences that continue teaching long after the recording stops.

This special August episode is an opportunity to pause, celebrate the first twelve conversations, reflect on what we’ve learned together, and share where Get Curious is heading next.

As we revisit these conversations throughout the month, my hope is that you’ll discover something new each time you return to them.

Because the best conversations don’t end when the recording stops—they continue to grow through reflection, curiosity, and the conversations we have next.

I’d love for you to read, listen, and join the discussion.

Which conversation has stayed with you the longest, and what question are you still curious enough to ask?

What if the life you’re living right now isn’t the end of your story?

Bryan Blackmon knows what it means to believe you’ve gone too far to start over.

His story includes addiction, homelessness, sleeping in his car and years of trying to find a way forward.

Then came a moment that changed the question.

Standing in front of a mirror, Bryan heard four words:

You are worth it.

It wasn’t a magic fix.

It was a beginning.

And instead of accepting the life he’d been living, Bryan did “Get Curious” about what might happen if he tried something different.

That curiosity became sobriety.

Sobriety became rebuilding.

Rebuilding became a series of unexpected relationships, small daily choices and eventually a community called Crab Crew Life.

And somewhere along the way, Bryan discovered something that would become central to his message:

Sometimes getting out of the hole starts with believing you’re worth climbing out of it.

The moment everything started to change

Bryan’s transformation wasn’t one dramatic overnight event.

It was a collection of moments.

One of the biggest involved Elaine, an older woman who became his landlord while he was struggling and sleeping in his car. Her willingness to see something in Bryan that he wasn’t yet able to see in himself became part of the foundation for what came next.

Then Bryan began sharing pieces of his life publicly.

A story that started as something personal unexpectedly became something much larger.

People connected with it.

The audience grew.

And the Crab Crew began to take shape.

But the interesting part isn’t the viral success.

It’s the question underneath it:

Why did people connect so deeply with this story?

Because Bryan wasn’t presenting a polished version of transformation.

He was showing the rebuilding process.

In real time.

What does a crab have to do with starting over?

Quite a lot, as it turns out.

Bryan uses the crab as a metaphor for resilience and adaptability.

A crab doesn’t move through life by following one perfectly straight path.

It adjusts.

It navigates.

It keeps moving.

For someone rebuilding a life, that matters.

Because starting over rarely looks like a straight line.

There are setbacks.

There are uncomfortable days.

There are moments when the old story about yourself comes roaring back.

The question isn’t whether those moments happen.

The question is what you do next.

The CRAB framework

Bryan has built his philosophy around four pillars:

C — Clean

Clear the chaos. Start examining the things you’ve been carrying — the habits, stories and patterns that keep you stuck.

R — Resilience

Learn how to keep going when things don’t go according to plan.

A — Adaptability

Recognize that you may need to change your approach without abandoning your destination.

B — Belief

Believe that you’re worth the work.

For Bryan, this is the foundation.

If you don’t believe you’re worthy of a different life, why would you keep doing the work required to build one?

Change isn’t always dramatic

Bryan’s story is about how much of transformation happens through small things.

A morning routine.

Coffee.

Getting cleaned up.

Meditation.

Gratitude.

Affirmations.

Being present.

Celebrating small wins.

None of these sound particularly revolutionary.

That’s the point.

A different life is often built through ordinary decisions repeated long enough to become a new way of living.

Bryan’s story makes the case for something we don’t talk about enough:

Redemption isn’t necessarily one giant moment.

Sometimes it’s a routine.

What story are you still living?

This may be the question underneath the entire conversation.

We all carry stories about ourselves.

Some came from our families.

Some came from things that happened to us.

Some came from things we did.

Some came from other people’s opinions.

And some we’ve simply repeated to ourselves for so long that we’ve stopped questioning them.

But what if the story isn’t finished?

What if you’re allowed to change it?

What if you’re allowed to become someone you couldn’t have imagined five years ago?

That’s where curiosity becomes useful.

Not curiosity as entertainment.

Curiosity as a willingness to ask:

What else might be possible?

Key Takeaways

* Your past can be part of your story without being the final chapter.

* Self-worth can become the foundation for meaningful change.

* Curiosity can open a door when certainty has convinced you there is nowhere to go.

* Resilience isn’t avoiding setbacks. It’s learning how to get back up.

* Adaptability means changing how you move forward when the original plan no longer works.

* Small daily practices can become the structure that supports a completely different life.

* Community can make transformation less isolating.

* Sometimes the person holding us back is ourselves.

* One act of kindness can create a ripple far beyond the original moment.

* You don’t have to have the whole path figured out to take the next step.

Questions to Consider

What story have you been carrying about yourself?

Where did that story come from?

Do you still believe it?

What would change if you believed you were worth it?

What small win could you acknowledge today?

Where could you be more adaptable?

Are you waiting for one giant breakthrough when the next step is actually very small?

And perhaps the biggest question:

What if your life could actually be different?

About Bryan Blackmon

Bryan Blackmon’s story is rooted in sobriety, resilience and rebuilding his life publicly after homelessness and addiction.

🦀 Explore Crab Crew Life

Bryan’s work is about more than telling his story. Crab Crew Life is built around breaking the crab mentality — the patterns, people and beliefs that can keep us pulling ourselves back into the bucket instead of climbing out. Bryan’s current work includes a six-week Crab Crew Transformation Experience - helping people rebuild through Clean, Resilience, Adaptability and Belief.

🔗Guest Links

Website:Crab Crew Life

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@bryanblackmon

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bblackmon25/

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@bryanblackmon25

Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/bblackmon25

Crab Crew Discord:https://discord.com/invite/Vg9sFSGWw6

Social links:https://linktr.ee/bryanandelaine

Bryan, Thank You For Being Our Guest.

🔊 Listen & Support

If something in this conversation made you stop, think or see someone a little differently, share it with someone who might need it.

Subscribe to Get Curious

https://jlpalmerconsulting.substack.com/subscribe

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-curious/id189631044

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/033gBPugG42VQ2gLbxiaBd

Watch Get Curious on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7Aje3THfcOPtkNcMbeme7hhL-QL0uT6o

Join the Get Curious Community — Courses coming soon

https://www.skool.com/getcurious-9367

Want to be a guest on Get Curious?

Create a guest profile on PodMatch and find Get Curious as a host:

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/jlpalmer

Get Curious on PodMatch

https://www.podmatch.com/member/yourhostjlpalmer

PodMatch Community

https://community.podmatch.com/share/xeUWO9-BflYYdfTG

Support the show

https://buymeacoffee.com/getcurious

Sponsorship Opportunity

Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss ad spots on the podcast.

Thank You For Watching, Listening, Reading & Sharing

#PodcastRecommendations #GetCurious #GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious

What happens when we stop explaining away what our body, emotions, and experiences are trying to tell us?

In this episode of Get Curious, JL Palmer sits down with Melissa Crook, creator of The FEEL Podcast and founder of the Embracing Layers Network, to explore what happens when we become curious about our emotions instead of trying to silence them.

Together, they explore what it means to peel back the layers of our experiences and approach ourselves with curiosity instead of judgment.

Conversation Highlights

00:00 — IntroductionExploring emotions, curiosity, and Melissa’s journey.

02:00 — When the body sends signalsMelissa shares how her health crisis became a turning point.

05:00 — Learning to listen to emotionsMoving from ignoring feelings to becoming curious about them.

13:00 — Embracing the layersUnderstanding past experiences with compassion.

21:00 — Boundaries and over-explainingDiscovering why we seek validation and how to trust ourselves.

29:00 — Building safe communitiesMelissa shares why creating spaces for honest conversations matters.

36:00 — Final reflectionsA reminder that worth is not based on achievement, titles, or roles.

🔗 Guest Links & Resources

Website: https://www.EmbracingLayers.com/

The FEEL Podcast

Substack Community

LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok

Melissa Crook, Thank You For Being Our Guest!

🔊 Listen & Support

* Subscribe: Never miss an episode of Get Curious on your favorite platform!

* Leave a Review: Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help spread the curiosity

* Join the Community: Connect with fellow listeners online to share your breakthroughs

* To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile. You can find #JLPalmer there as a Guest and a Host

* PodMatch has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community.

* Sponsorships: For ad spot availability, contact the team at JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com

Thank You, For Watching/Listening/Reading/Sharing

Until next time... Stay Curious. Keep Exploring.

#GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious #PodcastRecommendations

This is a JLPalmerConsulting/JLPalmerGroup ProductionThe Founder is your host JLPalmer

Have you ever followed the exact rulebook for modern success, checked every single validation box, and still felt completely empty inside?

Many corporate professionals chase what society defines as the ultimate dream, only to realize they have built an enviable life that feels entirely hollow.

This episode of Get Curious, host JL Palmer sits down with Alan Lazaros, Founder and CEO of Next Level University, to unpack what happens when your perfect reality shatters. Lazaros scaled his way to the top 1% of global earners as a corporate computer engineer with an MBA, only for a near-fatal car crash at age 26 to spark an existential quest for authentic joy. They explore his foundational strategies to bridge the gap between high achievement and internal alignment.

🔗 Guest Links & Resources

* Visit Website: Next Level University Official Site

* Connect on Socials: Find Alan Lazaros on Instagram or Facebook

* Learn about their free book club, monthly masterclass, or join the NLU 10 Pounds in 10 Weeks Challenge.

* Book This Guest: Connect with Alan via his official PodMatch Guest Profile.

Alan Lazaros, Thank You For Being Our Guest!

🔊 Listen & Support

If you enjoyed learning about aligning passion with profitability, let us know!

* Subscribe to Get Curious so you never miss an episode on your favorite platform!

* Leave a Review: Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help spread the curiosity

* Join the Community: Connect with fellow listeners online to share your breakthroughs

* To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile. You can find #JLPalmer there as a Guest and a Host

* Guest Booking Management powered by PodMatch Create your profile today to join PodMatch’s amazing community and access resources that support the podcasting community.

* Sponsorship Opportunity: Email JlPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss ad spots in the show

* Support the Show: Love our insights? Wanna Buy Us A Coffee?

Thank you for watching, listening, reading, and sharing!

Until next time... Stay Curious. Keep Exploring.

This is a JLPalmerConsulting/JLPalmerGroup Production. The Founder is your host, JLPalmer.

#GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious #PodcastRecommendations #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #PodcastLife #FounderLife

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of Get Curious, host JL Palmer sits down with executive coach, author, and woodturner Chip Scholz. Together, they explore how the most profound shifts in our lives happen quietly rather than with a great explosion. They dive deep into the art of listening, navigating massive career and life transitions, and learning the hard work of letting go.

🔗 Guest Links & Resources Mentioned

Official Website: Scholz & Associates

Social Media Handles: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

PodMatch Profile: Book Chip via PodMatch

Books

Small Decisions, Big Shifts: Navigating Life On Your Terms

Every Dog Has Its Day: Reflections on Life, Love and the Lathe

🔊 Listen & Support

Subscribe: Never miss an episode of Get Curious on your favorite platform!

Leave a Review: Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help spread the curiosity

Join the Community: Connect with fellow listeners online to share your breakthroughs

Sponsorships: For ad spot availability, contact the team at JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com

❓ Most entrepreneurs spend countless hours thinking about growth, sales, marketing, and operations. But how many spend time thinking about succession, continuity, estate planning, disability, or protecting what they’ve built?

What happens when the founder is no longer able to lead the business?

Our Guest - Scherrie L. Prince - Attorney | Founder Strategist | Authority on Structural Business Design for Entrepreneurs

Host of the Play Big Faster Podcast, where she interviews founders and industry leaders on business, marketing, and emerging trends affecting growth and long-term leverage. She advises entrepreneurs and business owners on ownership, governance, succession, and exit planning. She works at the intersection of business strategy and estate design, helping founders align how they operate today with what happens at transition, dispute, disability, or sale.

In this episode of Get Curious, JL Palmer sits down with Scherrie, to explore the invisible architecture that protects businesses when life takes an unexpected turn.

Episode Summary

Successful businesses often look strong from the outside, but one unexpected event can expose weaknesses hidden beneath the surface.

Scherrie L. Prince helps entrepreneurs think differently about business ownership. Rather than separating business planning from personal planning, she advocates integrating estate design, succession planning, legal structures, and risk management into the very foundation of a business.

Through powerful personal stories—including family land disputes, business partnership failures, and losing everything during the 2008 mortgage crisis—Scherrie shares how curiosity, preparation, and intentional planning transformed her journey and shaped the work she does today.

This conversation challenges founders to think beyond today’s priorities and start asking better questions about tomorrow.

See the full article here

🤔 Reflection Questions

If something happened to you tomorrow, what would happen to your business?

Have you intentionally designed your exit strategy?

Who is on your business “money team”?

Are you solving short-term problems with long-term commitments?

What systems make up the moat around your business?

What conversations have you been avoiding because they don’t feel urgent?

🔗 Guest Links & Resources

* Official Website: Visit Scherrie L. Prince

* Scherrie L. Prince’s LinkedIn - message “MOAT” to receive the Asset Blueprint

* Other Socials: Facebook,

* Watch Live: Check out her latest video strategies on the Play Big Faster Podcast

* Prince & Associates, PLLC: Under the leadership of Scherrie L. Prince, the firm has evolved from its Mississippi roots into a dynamic practice that combines innovative legal strategies with old-fashioned client service. They measure success not just by cases won but by the lasting relationships built.

* Have #Scherrie L. Prince as a Guest on your podcast PodMatch Guest Profile

* Upcoming Book (Expected Release: October 2026)

Continue The Conversation

It’s about asking better questions before life asks them for us.

What part of your business foundation needs attention right now?

Join the conversation and share your biggest takeaway from this episode.

Scherrie L. Prince, Thank You For Being Our Guest.

🔊 Listen & Support

If you enjoyed learning about protecting your business, let us know!

* Subscribe to Get Curious so you never miss an episode.

* Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

* Join the Get Curious Community - Courses coming.

* To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile. You can find #JLPalmer there as a Guest and a Host

* PodMatch has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community.

* Prospective Sponsors: Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to buy ad spots on the podcast.

Thank You, For Watching/Listening/Reading/Sharing

Until next time... Stay Curious. Keep Exploring.

#GetCuriousPodcast #StayCurious #PodcastRecommendations

This is a JLPalmerConsulting/JLPalmerGroup ProductionThe Founder is your host JLPalmer

Step behind the curtain with Broadway professional Teri Pruitt. In this episode, Teri joins the Get Curious podcast to break down the myth of perfection. She shares hilarious and hectic stories from her decades working on Broadway blockbusters like Wicked and Jekyll and Hyde. Learn how “backstage anarchy” can actually teach business leaders how to build high-trust teams, communicate clear goals, and master the art of the workplace pivot.

🔑 Key Takeaways

The Reality of Perfection: Even the most polished performances rely on highly choreographed backstage recovery plans

The Illusion of Perfection: Backstage is just as rehearsed as the stage, but live events are never truly perfect.

Backstage Anarchy: Why mixing up teams and roles can actually foster deeper community trust and peer-to-peer support

No two performances share the exact same cast, crew, or orchestra. Teams must constantly adapt to new people.

The “Goat Tail” Lesson: How proactive problem-solving and having a clear “Plan B” keeps projects from going off the rails

The Missing Goat Tail: When an actor in Wicked forgot his costume’s goat tail, the backstage crew jumped into action. They built a backup plan stage left to fix the problem in seconds.

Navigating Boundaries: A look into the unique, close-quarters environment of theatrical costume design and the deep respect required to make it work

Up Close and Personal: Taking costume measurements requires intense trust and respect. You are often in a person’s space while they are in their underwear.

No Committee Meetings in a Crisis: When something goes wrong live, you do not hold a meeting. You fix the problem right then and there.

The “God Mic” Rule: Structure gives you the freedom to pivot. Have a clear chain of command so people know who to turn to when a Plan B, C, D, or E, is needed.

Hiring for Business: Leaders should hire for high trust and high performance. Get clear on your exact goals, so captain and team row the boat in the same direction.

The Recipe for Success: Like baking brownies, business needs a solid recipe or script. Once the basics are safe, teams have the freedom to experiment and play together.

The Sweet Side of Nurturing: Teri shares how baking and cross-stitching serve as her creative balance to the chaotic world of show business

💬 Memorable Quotes

“Once the downbeat happens, you are not stopping. You make it work however you can.” — Teri Pruitt

“We are not all just hugs and kisses and rainbows and unicorns backstage, but we respect each other and we collaborate.” — Teri Pruitt

🔗 Guest Links & Resources Mentioned

Connect with Teri Pruitt - Offical Website: TeriPruitt.World

Find on Social: LinkedIn to talk about business insights & speaking engagements

Have Teri as a Guest on your podcast PodMatch Guest Profile

Teri, Thank You For Being Our Guest.

🏷️

#WorkplacePsychology #EmployeeOnboarding #CommunicationSkills #CorporateCulture #LeadershipHumour

🔊 Listen & Support

If you enjoyed learning about the intersection of theatre and business, let us know!

This episode is brought to you by #JLPalmerConsulting

Subscribe to Get Curious so you never miss an episode.

Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Join the Get Curious Community - Courses coming.

Guest booking management powered by PodMatch. To be a guest on the Get Curious podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile. You can find JLPalmer there as a Guest and a Host

PodMatch has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community.

Sponsorship Opportunity: Email JLPalmerConsulting@gmail.com to discuss ad spots on the podcast.

Thank You, For Watching/Listening/Reading

Bio: I am the Chief Curiosity Officer at Get Curious. A space is built entirely for the endlessly curious. If you love falling down rabbit holes, asking big questions, and turning deep dives into daily discoveries, the Get Curious Community will be like home. When I did not like the environment that is “Open To Work”, I decided to DIY my employment. Always had the entrepreneurial bug. Now, I am building a thriving community, podcast, and media ecosystem for and with the endlessly curious. Join Me https://www.skool.com/getcurious-9367/about

Intro: Our guest today is the Chief Curiosity Officer at Get Curious. It started as a problem needing a solution. When she did not like the environment that is “Open To Work”. ATS, AI integrations and multiple CVs all saying inauthentically - I’d love to work for, I’m a great fit and would add value to....” insert, company name and qualifications from the job ad, here, Well it felt ICKY, FAKE, and all around BAD ENERGY. So she decided to DIY her employment. Having the entrepreneurial bug since high school, she is building a thriving community, podcast, and media ecosystem for and with the endlessly curious. You can Join the Get Curious Community here https://www.skool.com/getcurious-9367/ A space built to nurture curiosity. If you love falling down rabbit holes, asking big questions, and turning deep dives into daily discoveries, the Get Curious Community will be like home. Via JLPalmer Consulting, JL helps others explore and follow their curiosity and build ecosystems that support it. She loves to say “Whatever you are curious about can be explored via podcasting. Let’s play with your… Podcast” Join me in welcoming, the Founder of JL Palmer JLPalmerConsulting/Group and the Get Curious

Video Podcast.***Graphic only

Thank you for tuning in!

Join PodMatch

Host Profile

Ilene Marcus turns what annoys her into inspiration for everyone else. The author of the Managing Annoying People brand and inventor of the iLean-Pan, she transforms work and life chaos into innovation, inspiration, and laughter. Holding graduate degrees from Columbia University, she’s guided 10,000-plus employees through self-guided improvement transformation in government, nonprofits, and business. From her home in the Berkshires, Ilene works passionately as a private mentor, public speaker, and columnist for SixtyandMe, a publication with half a million subscribers.

Ilene is an entrepreneur with a variety of experience; from working in government, managing 10,000+ people to inventing and launching her own product.

We talk pets, missing loved ones, collaging, cooking, books, business, entrepreneurship, management, leadership, product marketing and more.

* Business Advice

* Expect entrepreneurship to be incredibly hard. There is no playbook or set path when you go off-road with a new idea. You must rely entirely on your gut, head, and heart to move forward

* Focus on the problem, not just your solution. Before building anything, you must deeply understand your audience and the exact problem you are solving for them.

* Treat your time like a mama bear treats a baby. Time is the one asset you cannot make more of. You must learn to close the door and say "no thank you" to people.

* Surround yourself with people who move you forward. Be brutally honest about your relationships. Distance yourself from people who break you down, and focus on those who help you achieve your goals.

* Manage your own behavior first. True leadership requires deep self-awareness. Even if you are a superstar worker, you must adapt your behavior so your boss and your team can actually hear you.

* Be prepared for the "chicken and egg" supply chain problem. Avoid investing large sums of money into retail inventory until you know the product will actually sell. Take small steps every day, like refining your SEO and talking to local retailers.

* Overcoming life’s challenges requires learning how to sit in discomfort

* Creativity in teaches the power of restraint and simplicity

* Less is More

You can purchase the Ilean-Pan or Ilene’s book Managing Annoying People: 7 Proven Tactics To Maximize Team Performance for Father’s Day or holiday gifts.

The Story Exchange

* 2026 list of 15 brilliant business ideas from bold women

* She designed a rilted frying pan that cooks at different temps

Betablox Episode 2 Season 21 - starting at 29:58

Entrepreneur of Impact

Kickstarter for ILEAN-PAN

You can find her collage art, ilean-pan, contests, Beauregard and more on Instagram, and checkout her Podmatch profile.

Songs: Carly Simon - Anticipation & Tom Petty - The Waiting

Prospective Sponsors: Email jlpalmerconsulting@gmail.com to buy ad spots on the podcast

To be a guest on the Get Curious Podcast visit PodMatch and create a guest profile

Our Guest - Ben Olmos PhD, Founder of DissedMedia which publishes The Daily Pitch.

Ben also hosts the DissedMedia: A Startup Story podcast, and published 10 Topics (full title below), all dedicated to helping managers, leaders & entrepreneurs level up.

Ben noticed the hype about how easy it is to spin up a business; sell on Shopify, make a secondary mail box income. He chronicles what it’s really like to start with zero followers on a shoestring budget while doing everything on his own.

It’s evolved into sharing stories of other founders who are building their own credibility online.

Ben’s self-published book: 10 Topics to Help Managers, Leaders, and Entrepreneurs Get Better @ What You Do - is drawn from real conversations he has had with thought leaders, venture capitalists, industry experts, and entrepreneurs on his podcast, DissedMedia: A Startup Story.

Check out How to build a media brand from scratch

I met Ben Olmos PhD, Founder of DissedMedia via PodMatch. PodMatch helps the right podcast guests & hosts find each other faster and automates administrative work, so you can focus on what matters: recording interviews that serve listeners.

PodMatch also has an amazing community - visit for resources that support the podcasting community.

You can find me there as a Guest and a Host

Readers/Listeners - introduce yourself and share your thoughts on this episode.

Also share what you would like to see here next.

Promo shorts

Jim, the discoverer of #Septemics, a hitherto unknown natural phenomena, which greatly aids in the understanding of people, from which Jim created a revolutionary practical philosophic system and published it in a very well received book called Septemics: Hierarchies of Human Phenomena: Analysis, Prediction and Management of Human Affairs and 35 Scales https://a.co/d/08D9x0RxTo find out more about Jim Marshall

https://septemics.com/about/Septemics.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-marshall-b10982205/

https://www.instagram.com/septemics/

Promo

The Story Really Begins

https://youtu.be/Il5EtIKoKPs

Connected via ‪@PodMatch_com‬Create your Guest or Host Profile and Get Matches todayhttps://www.joinpodmatch.com/jlpalmer

Please find someone specific you can share this with, Thank You.

His focus is simple: smarter websites, practical SEO, and growth you can measure. He earned his playbook on real jobs, not in theory, and now helps others skip the painful lessons.

My Curiosities

How to stop wasting money online?

How to build trust?

What works when the boots are muddy?

If he were starting today, what is the single biggest move he’d  make first?

To find out more about Wes,

Check out his Podcast Built Trusted Chosen

YouTube Channels: Uplift 360, Wes Towers

LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram

Get your copy of The Simple Manifesto: Marketing principles to save you time, increase profit and create your dream business in a SNAP!

And as Wes suggests - find someone specific you can share this with.

Thank You

It's coming up on a year since publishing her book June 5, 2025 and starting a podcast, July 2025, to share it.

We talk about podcasting, writing a book, promoting a book and some of the stories that are her life as a Mother, Wife, Author & Podcaster.

She shared a great tool from Suno or Music Creators, think jingle for your podcast. I tried it, you can too. https://suno.com/invite/@jlpalmer 

Listen to - Curiosity I’m Yours  https://suno.com/s/LGZbwjYVZnpqBv6l and let me know what you think.

Check out Jessica's Website & the Jess Saying Podcast https://jesssaying.net/

and

Grab your copy of her Memoir - Bucket List from a Redneck Girl" : https://a.co/d/08iYFGxm

Connected via PodMatch_com

https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/jessicadanel

Create your Guest or Host Profile and Get Matches today

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/jlpalmer

Podcast Guesting & Hosting - Podmatch matching, Calendar updates for bookings

Building Community on Substack and Skool

So I created filters…

Check it out.

Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.