Tracing Inspiration
James Witbrook explores the journey from action back to its inspirational roots. This podcast investigates the pivotal moments where ideas transform into reality, examining both external relationships and internal practices that sustain momentum. Through thoughtful conversations, James reveals how inspiration and action form a closed loop of human progress, where one person's pivot creates possibility for others. Join this exploration of purpose and interdependence to discover how your own ideas might find their path from inspiration to meaningful action.
Episodes
I’m joined by Paul Meunuier, Executive Director of YIPA and founder of The Professional Youth Worker. This was a ton of fun for me and such an honor to get to talk with a wise friend about the contrast between living for a resume versus living for a eulogy. We discussed the journey of finding passion and purpose, the significance of aligning our values with life choices, and the challenges of navigating multiple passi...
In this episode of Tracing Inspiration, I share a personal reflection on moving through the world with courage and heart. From a pivotal moment in my new role, I explore the power of heart-led leadership—especially in times of uncertainty and systemic change.
I want to remind you that no matter where you are, you have the power to make choices that honor compassion, justice, and creativity. Through the lens of “courageous gatekeepin...
In this episode, I talk with Colin Anderson, founder of Eureka Compass Vegan Food, who is revolutionizing food justice in the Twin Cities with his powerful message: "WE FEED US!" Now in year #8 of providing FREE community meals and vegan shopping markets, Colin shares his journey and passion for sustainable food systems that support both community members and local farmers. Free vegan meals and shopping markets in St....
My friend and former colleague/boss Katy Daniels and discuss her "points of justice" that I steer her outer action in the world and helped me experience a work environment that welcomed all of me, quirky parts included.
We touch on resiliency, addiction and recovery, queerness as well as gender in the workplace, influences of early adulthood adversity, and showing up authentically as our full selves on the job.
The music from tod...
If you're needing a gentle dose of encouragement, I think you might like today's conversation. Themes in today's episode include:
- Healing happens in community
- Mental health and subsequent "stuck" loops
- Saying 'yes' when the heart tugs us forward
- Journeying in and through the heart
- Finding wholeness and goodness within
- Reshaping scary early life relationships with god figures
- Non-western healing modalities
Sali...
Luke Myers, is a man who lives, acts, and speaks with with great intention. In this episode, Luke and I discuss the impact of Luke's early life experiences with parental loss, ethical dilemmas in choosing the right career track, sobriety, toxic masculinity, gender expression, and sobriety.
Here is a run down of what to expect:
3:00 Ethical dilemmas in higher education & career choices
9:00 Influence of early childhood exposure...
"If we [queer people] don't express truth as deeply as we have experienced it, and in community with each other, then we will always be beholden to the dysfunction of the most homophobic person in the room." - Tyler Sit (7:45)
United Methodist Pastor, church planter, and published author Tyler Sit joins me to discuss radical new ways for viewing Christian theology, rituals, and ancestral heritage that uplift marginalized voices of...
This one feels raw -- super vulnerable. Meet Tina Currie of Norm Hann Expeditions in Squamish, British Columbia. Tina was my standup paddleboard instructor on a Howe Sound expedition in 2022. Through our unplanned, entirely serendipitous intersection on the water, I learned something new about joy that I've been (sometimes tentatively, sometimes courageously) pursuing since. We reunite on recording to reflect on our learnings from ...
Singer/songwriter/educator Sarina Partridge joins me in a conversation about the tedious path of following a calling.
Sarina went from wacky math teacher in Minnesota, to a world-traveling song leader who uses harmony circles as a way to build community as well as to resist conditioned impulses to "disappear the self."
She encountered setbacks so great that she even thought the dream of singing had passed, but everything changed ...
"The most secure place you can ever be is in prison." This quote from Amanda's father helped her realize that "security" isn't always the right thing to seek. Questing freedom for the soul may sometimes feel like the least secure thing to do.
Amanda Fong, Community Engagement Supervisor at the Three Rivers Park District, and I weave through topics like burnout, quitting-versus-failing, noticing when humi...
Gay, Puerto Rican speaker and storyteller, Jean Carlos (@jeancarlosnow) and I discuss what Jean Carlos believes matters. Both of us identify as queer Christians and have had to grapple with how to have queerness and a relationship with the Divine.
You can hear Jean Carlos preach online on January 14, 2024 via New City Church's livestream, or you can just go to his website at www.jeancarlos.org to catch it later.
The music from to...
Join James Whitt with domestic violence advocate Elsa Swenson in a discussion about how she learned how to operate from love rather than from judgment.
"The first time that I dabbled in [victim advocacy] was working with people who were severely mentally ill…all of them had been abused in some capacity. That job helped me recognize that every word you say can do damage or convey love and acceptance…that was one of the most fo...
Can pursuing joy lead to greater self-compassion, and if so, does that lead to greater kindness in the world? Why do some people's dreams get stuck in idea phase when others are able to push through? Is it really all about intrinsic drive or is there an interpersonal element we could explore more?
As Tracing Inspiration enters its first season in January 2024, I wanted to give you a bit of a rundown of what to expect in Season...
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