In this episode, I explore Goal orientation and Goal setting from a different angle and a nuanced perspective.

Many of these things I learned from my mentor Kris Robertson while I studied for my certification in Personal Performance Coaching at the Coaching Academy in London, England.

During this conversation, we go beyond “SMART” Goals frameworks that we so often hear about in mainstream spaces.

From a coaching perspective, effective goal setting begins with getting clarity around the idea of “What Does Good Look Like?”

Dreams are often mistaken for goals and you might think of goals as falling into 4 different categories.

1. Practical Goals

2. Having Goals

3. Being Goals

4. Decision Goals

We dive into the idea of establishing “First Journey Focal Points or Objectives” and the importance of getting early wins and building psychological momentum. Breaking things into smaller bit works. The impact of “Hard Whys” are also emphasized and the idea of asking ourselves intentional questions about the future and possibilities is an instrumental part of this process. When we build a compelling hard why, we essentially connect our brains to our hearts and this is where the fuel and magic lies in regards to goal achievement.

Follow along as we talk about the reasons why New Year’s Resolutions so often fall flat and fail.

I share about my own struggles with maintaining a healthy weight and how constructing hard whys helped me make great strides in this area of my life journey.

Fleshing things out and choosing which area is most important to you in regards to making progress is also significant. Trying to do too much too soon and designing really big goals at the start often leads to overwhelm and defeat before we even get started. Early on, one of the most key obstacles to overcome is inertia.

A key takeaway is that we get there a little bit at a time. In closing, I discuss the movie “What About Bob” and how the central message in that film runs parallel to today’s discussion. The movie emphasizes the power and impact of “Baby Steps” in a humorous way, and we can take those words to heart on our path to achieving the goals that we’ve set out in front of us.

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to find out more about my coaching services and to see how I might be able to help you attain the outcomes you want and create the change you are seeking.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

In this episode, Eva offers more insights and details about the horrors of camp life at Auschwitz. She shares about some chance encounters she had with her father and also her luck in obtaining a job in “Canada”… the location where the stolen belongings like clothing, jewelry, food, and money were taken from the Jews as they were initially processed into the camp.

There is also a story where Eva’s mom is selected for the gas chamber after several months in the camp as she has grown thin and weak from the lack of food and terrible living conditions at the camp. Eva puts a plan into effect and scrambles to find her cousin from Prague who might be able to influence the Germans to spare her mother’s life.

Eva also discusses the liberation from the Auschwitz by the Russians and the absolute chaos that set on the camp as many of the Jews were forced into “death marches” by the remaining German guards. She loses contact with her father and doesn’t learn of her dad and brother’s fate until several months later.

Her experiences on the transports through places like Poland, Russia, Romania, Italy, and France and the isolation and uncertainty she faced while making her way back to Amsterdam is also discussed.

When Eva and her mom finally arrive back in Holland in late spring of 1945, they have no money and no place to go. They begin a search for Eva’s brother and father, and when they learn of their fate… Eva becomes severely depressed and considers suicide in the early months of 1946.

In the final segment of this conversation, Eva talks about the difficult decision to reclaim her Austrian citizenship and ultimately forgive the Germans for what they did to her, her friends, and her family. It is a hopeful and poignant story in the midst of so much heartache, pain, and suffering.

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to learn more about my coaching programs and services.

- Email:eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

Join me in this episode as I take a walk back through one of the greatest horrors of the 20th century, Holocaust.

I am joined by a very strong woman who I have called a friend for more than 5 years now. Eva Schloss is the stepsister of Anne Frank, and a survivor of the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camps during World War 2.

In this episode, we begin where Eva is 9 years old and living with her brother and parents in Vienna, Austria. It is the late 1930’s and Hitler is rising in power. There is already a great deal of Anti-Semitism brewing in Europe and it worsens as Hitler initiates war.

Eva recalls her best friends turning on her and her brother once the war started and there was harassment, shunning, exclusionary practices, and even physical violence that the family had to endure.

Soon they were separated and living in Belgium and then Amsterdam, Holland… which is where Eva met Anne Frank. Anne would later become her stepsister.

As the Germans advanced on Holland and heavily bombed Rotterdam, the restrictions and discrimination increased for the Jews and the Schloss family.

Deportations started in the early 1940’s and the Nazis began killing children, as was the case in Mauthausen, which Eva mentions in our conversation.

The family had to live apart most of the time between 1940 and 1944 and they moved around 6-7 times, hiding in the homes of connections they had and keeping a low profile. In 1944, the family was betrayed shortly after a move by a Dutch nurse who was serving as a double agent.

Towards the latter stages of the interview, Eva describes her interrogation at a holding camp, and also the journey to Auschwitz on cattle trucks where there was little room and horrible sanitary conditions.

Upon arriving at Auschwitz, she shares about the selection process, the horrible and emotional separation from her brother and father, the harassment and harsh treatment they received at the hands of the SS soldiers, and the conditions of camp life.

There are 2 miracles or great strokes of luck that happened to Eva and her mother during their early days at Auschwitz, and you definitely want to tune in to hear her describe this incredible chain of events.

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to learn more about my coaching programs and services.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

In today’s episode, I speak with professional basketball player Abby Beeman, who currently plays pro hoops in Iceland. Abby was a dual sport all state athlete during her high school days at Frankfort High School in Ridgeley, West Virginia where she excelled at both basketball and track and field.

We discuss Abby’s college playing career at Division 2 Shepherd University and then later on in her journey when she transferred to Division 1 Marshall University. Abby was a 2 time All-American at Shepherd and helped lead them to the NCAA tournament. While at Marshall, Abby was the named the Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year during the 2023-24 season when she led her team in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and three-pointers.

Abby shares some strategies for young women who may sometimes struggle with self-doubts or discouragement, and she talks about how her mindset, perseverance, and strong work ethic have helped her overcome numerous challenges in her life both on and off the court. She also shares a story with us that demonstrates her resilience and ability to bounce back from tough circumstances.

We talk about community and how the small West Virginia town that Abby grew up in has really impacted her and shaped the person and athlete that she is today.

It is fun to hear about what Abby’s life as a professional athlete is like in Iceland and how she has adjusted to being so far away from home and living in place that has intense weather extremes and unique food options like smoked lamb, fish stew, and fermented shark. Abby is enjoying life in Iceland and making lots of new friends along the way. It was a bonus to hear about her goals moving forward as she grows and evolves as a professional basketball player.

Connecting with Abby:

Instagram: @beeman_abby

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources:

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to find out more about my coaching services and to see how I might be able to help you attain the results you want and create the change you are seeking.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

My guest for this episode is Micah Beachy Gilkeson. Micah is a storyteller, content creator, and marketing strategist passionate about authentic connection. She is the founder of M Creative Society, a boutique social media and content agency, and the voice behind Postcards from Micah, a lifestyle and travel brand that showcases hidden gems locally and globally. Micah’s work highlights a thoughtful blend of creativity and strategy, helping brands and businesses tell their stories with impact. She is also a co-founder of Raleigh Women in Marketing, a growing professional community focused on connection, education, and mentorship. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina… Micah brings her deep love of art, travel, and community into everything she does.

We begin our chat discussing Micah’s lifelong interest in the creative arts and how her study of fine arts in college and a new job led to an intersection with a newly discovered passion for marketing. She shares how being an actress, a storyteller, and writer has informed and influenced the way that she approaches marketing.

Micah discusses the importance of authenticity and consistency when building connections and fostering healthy communities.

Our conversation also delves into Micah’s writing career where she explores themes of heartache, trauma, individuality, human flourishing, and resilience. Micah wrote and released 2 books in her early 20’s and her zest and talent for writing is easily recognized.

We dig deeper into the ideas of curiosity and creativity and how those principles have shaped how she shows up as a marketer, creative artist, and in her everyday life.

Micah shares intently on the challenges that we all face, including those who choose the path of becoming an entrepreneur. We speak about those obstacles like fear, self-doubts, and anxiety… and how to cultivate resilience in the midst of personal and professional struggles.

Micah was recently named one of the top 30 influencers in the Raleigh area. Her talents as a marketer, creator, and storyteller are growing by the day and her willingness to grow and explore new opportunities is remarkable. Micah has a knack for building and contributing to communities and showing up in a very wholehearted way.

Micah’s Programs and Projects:

- Postcards from Micah: Growing a lifestyle and travel platform focused on local gems, global adventures, and vegan-friendly finds.

- M Creative Society: Supporting brands with social media management, content creation, influencer marketing, and brand storytelling.

- Raleigh Women in Marketing: Building a professional community for women in creative industries through networking, education, and mentorship.

- Upcoming Courses: Preparing to launch new online courses focused on social media strategy, branding, and microinfluencing- designed to empower individuals and small businesses to grow with confidence and authenticity.

Connecting With Micah:

Instagram: @postcardsfrommicah

Business Instagram: @mcreativesociety

Website: mcreativesociety.com

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources:

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to find out more about my coaching services and to see how I might be able to help you attain the outcomes you want and create the change you are seeking.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

In today’s episode I am joined by Isabel Grueneich, a social advocate and graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Field.

Isabel and I discussed some of the larger social issues facing the world today and she shares her perspectives on the disconnect that often exists when our judgment of others overrides our sense of empathy and understanding for how an individual may have gotten from Point A to Point B. She points out the importance of investing the time to listen to people so that we can better understand how they have chosen to survive.

We also chat about the role that money plays in politics, how the system gets impacted by greed and power structures. People are put in boxes or separated into groups and the fallout is damaging and unity is compromised.

Isabel discusses the importance of questioning systems and how her generation is strong in the areas of seeing their own value, speaking up, and being collective voices for change. She also talks about how she was influenced and empowered to speak due to growing up around strong women and people who encourage critical thinking. Her education also played a big role too.

The topic of resilience is talked about and Isabel acknowledges that resilience is a process and we can find it in the of the majority of our lives. It’s not glorious or glamorous and it is actually very hard and challenging to come to terms with sometimes.

Towards the end of our chat, Isabel is clear about challenging and encouraging people to become involved in programs that will widen their mental horizons. Specifically, she mentions a program that she participated in that was in Argentina. The program focused on the prevention of domestic violence and it involved sharing ideas and collaboration with various government officials and nonprofits and it was a very impactful experience for her personally.

Connecting with Isabel:

Instagram: Isabel.grueneich

Tiktok: Isabel.grueneich4811

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to find out more about my coaching services and to see how I might be able to help you attain the outcomes you want and create the change you are seeking.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

Amanda Oster is my first ever Podcast guest interview, and I want to thank her for being a part of the show and sharing her thoughts, experiences, and some great stories with us. This interview kicks off this 8 episode series that I’ve named “Women In The World: Voices and Perspectives In Their Own Words.”

This is Part 2 of my interview with Amanda. In this episode, she shares more about her experiences as a church leader and female pastor in a space that is traditionally dominated by males.

We also dive into the problematic and exclusionary practices of many American churches today and how so many people are being shamed, othered, and harmed in these circles. This in turn leads to other issues including the realities of why so many people are experiencing faith shifts, deconstructing, or leaving the church altogether.

You won’t want to miss Amanda share her thoughts on how the church and Western Christianity can begin to both embrace and move with more urgency and intentionality in the direction of a hopeful trajectory for the future.

Connecting with Amanda:

Amanda held her first Lyra Connect Event in March of this year and is working on other ones for the summer and fall. The specific dates for those events will shared in the near future. More information on this ministry project can be found here.

https://www.lyraministries.org

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links &Resources

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to find out more about my coaching services and to see how I might be able to help you attain the outcomes you want and create the change you are seeking.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.

Amanda Oster is my first ever Podcast guest interview, and I want to thank her for being a part of the show and sharing her thoughts, experiences, and some great stories with us. This interview kicks off this 8 episode series that I’ve named “Women In The World: Voices and Perspectives In Their Own Words.”

In this episode, Amanda shares about her experiences with Community. Specifically, she dives into the idea that it’s not necessarily hard to find community, but communities can be challenging to build. We must take the first step and it’s all about engagement. Certain aspects of community including reciprocity and commonality are also discussed.

Amanda breaks down her Core Practices of Worship, First Fruits related to Excellence and Stewardship, Hospitality, Community, and Service.

We discuss the role and impact of the Christian faith in her life. As a young believer growing up, she saw her faith as her identity and viewed God as her therapist.

One of the principles that she gained from being a very active and involved participant in her faith from a very young age is the ability to live boldly, and to be vocal and outspoken. Amanda points out that speaking our minds is a helpful reminder of what it is that we care about and what we’re standing for.

In the later stages of Part 1 of our conversation, we began to talk about how her faith evolved as she got married, moved away, and began working in various ministry roles. We also explored the idea of speaking up to injustices and the kinds of questions she began asking more often as her faith shifted and changed. Some of those questions include:

“What are we doing all this for?”

“Where do all these ideas come from?”

“What kind of condemnation are we placing on people?”

“What kinds of things are we saying?”

The idea that rigid religious systems discourage questioning theology is discussed along with the harsh realities, loss of community, and shunning that so often comes to those who explore doubts and ultimately embrace a more liberal spirituality that is bigger, more expansive, and more inclusive than the faith we originally inherited.

You don’t want to miss Amanda’s perspective as she compares and contrasts traditional faith frameworks that often adhere to a Belief-Behave-Belong model. In a more open and inclusive faith lens, she shares how putting Belonging at the beginning of that model can positively change the way people love and care for each other.

Connecting with Amanda:

Amanda held her first Lyra Connect Event in March of this year and is working on other ones for the summer and fall. The specific dates for those events will shared in the near future. More information on this ministry project can be found here.

https://www.lyraministries.org

PerfectWhelm Podcast Links & Resources

- Schedule a free discovery call with me to find out more about my coaching services and to see how I might be able to help you attain the outcomes you want and create the change you are seeking.

- Email: eric@ericslivoskey.com

Please follow, subscribe, rate, and/or share the podcast with someone you think might benefit from it.