In our conversation about the state of business affairs today, Seth Mattison provides specific and elucidating examples of how the priorities of workers have shifted. He leaves us with necessary pieces to consider as we think about how we shape our next chapters – work is no longer a singular enterprise. Many of us will wear different hats and pursue multiple work existences. And we will all have to lean into becoming agile learners and be comfortable with the discomfort of learning new ways of being.

Sometimes you have to walk through doors that open for you. It sounds simple enough, but as Keiko Anderson points out, sometimes a closed door can be more comforting than an opened door. At least with a closed door you know what it is. An opened door means that you have to take the risk and step across the threshold into the unknown. How does Keiko recommend you proceed when standing on the precipice of the mysterious and the unfamiliar? Have faith and know that sometimes you have to make a decision and not back down.

There is a lyric from the Broadway musical, “Once on this Island” – “And if the gods move our feet, we dance.” The gods have certainly moved Skyler Maxey-Wert’s feet for almost 20 years. From studying at the Jacqueline Kennedy Oasis School of the American Ballet Theater, to performing with the SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, Germany he has learned some valuable life lessons: you have to have the tools to maneuver through the rigorous training and expectations of the dance world with grace and kindness towards yourself, you must breathe into the space of being an artist as opposed to just trying to be perfect all of the time, and most importantly, there is room at the ballet bar for all types of people and body types. Skyler certainly has wisdom beyond his years.

It is clear when you talk with Adrienne Carter that she stands in her truth. She has used her life and all of its beauties and complexities as a roadmap to leaving behind self-judgment in order to create opportunities for herself that she rightly deserves. And as she tells us, it’s never too late to start on your path to greatness, you just have to be clear about your intentions. Thank you for those powerful words, Adrienne.

With his honest telling of his struggle through profound prescription drug and alcohol addiction, Quentin Vennie gives us soul stirring life lessons. We can turn our traumas into our triumphs. We all have to receive forgiveness and extend it to people who hurt us, even when we don’t want to. And in a world where society often strips people of humanity, when we have the courage to tell our stories to one another honestly, that’s when we can feel and see each person we meet through a lens of empathy and compassion.

Spending time with Kathryn Hahn, Marvel Universe’s Witchy Woman Agatha/Agnes Harkness from WandaVision and now Claire Debella in Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: Knives Out 2,” always brings me such joy because we have an ease of conversation and sharing of ideas that comes with longstanding friendships. In this conversation she leaves us with some powerful nuggets of wisdom – we don’t have to allow ourselves to be defined by other’s adjectives, there is power in defining your own expectations and finally “you can’t exist within your own bubble… You can’t harden the boundaries.”

Dennis’ journey to meeting his son is a lesson for us all that we have to construct new futures for ourselves when our plans don’t work out as we have dreamed. In his calming and assuring manner, Dennis encourages us to keep knocking on the doors believing that the answers we are looking for will soon appear. His is the perfect story to contemplate as we prepare for Thanksgiving. You can also see his journey and update on fatherhood on ABC’s The Parent Test.

Regina’s life and work have been a series of incredible victories based upon her ability to stand in the present reality of her life and take firmly in her hands the opportunities before her. Her immense creativity and critical mind are on full display in our conversation. She reminds us all that we must courageously ask ourselves the questions what is the goal of our hearts? and what secret desires move us? And when the answers come, you have to move joyfully in the direction of your soul.

What struck me the most about my conversation with Gamal Palmer was the message that pervades his life and his work. You can help people just by allowing them to be who they are, even if you disagree with them. What a profound thought for a time when adherence to your group’s thoughts and opinions is valued above even rational thought. And I was personally moved by his story of being viewed as a good black person and all that means. His words are a good reminder that as we shape our individual lives, you sometimes have to simply spread your wings and soar.

In my wide-ranging conversation with the brilliant Rachana Garg, I was reminded that the antidote to chaos is not a staid peace, but rather a radical dose of empathy, detachment, and curiosity. Empathy is the vehicle to build community with the people in our world. All people. Not just our cohorts or political comrades. Not only those whom we go to church with on Sunday morning, or synagogue on Saturday night, or no church at all.