On this episode of A Word Before We Leave, Brett talks with Johnny Briseno, and his journey from the midwest to Los Angeles in pursuit of a life filled with creativity and purpose. Johnny comes from Kansas City Missouri, where he was raised as the youngest of seven siblings. Johnny discovered Acting and theater in his high school years which put him on a trajectory of moving to California to become an actor. While Johnnys goals have evolved and changed over those years, his ambition to be creative and have fulfillment within his personal life has led him to find drive within the narrative of his own life. Johnny is a lover of poetry, and the words that capture the human experience. Johnny talks on grief, the loss of loved ones, what he hopes to come with his future, and the thing that makes him exactly who he is, within this interview and episode of the show.

We here at A Word Before We Leave thank you for taking the time out of your day to join us on this interview and episode. More to come, and as always, welcome back.

Would You Care To Share A Word Before We Leave?

-Brett Gaffney

Support the Podcast:

⁠patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave⁠

Follow us on TikTok and Instragram:

@awordbeforeweleave

Follow Johnny on Instagram:

@j.briseno

Find us on Youtube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AWordBeforeWeLeave⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share with someone you love, and leave us a rating. It helps a bunch. Give us a follow on the page for future episode updates!

On this episode of A Word Before We Leave, Brett interviews the delightful Will Mahler. Will recently moved to Los Angeles from Missouri, after graduating from Missouri State. On this episode, Brett and Will explore Will's past, his adjustment to ADHD within his childhood, growing up in rural Missouri, exploring his interest and passions overtime, and how this evolved into a love for Improv Theater and Creative Writing. Will talks about his experience in high school being the comedic actor and runner, while trying to figure out what exactly his purpose was.

Will and Brett also get to share a good laugh about the chaos that is the city of Los Angeles, and the difference in how time is measured in the big city life compared to the midwestern stillness. They discuss working survival jobs while pursuing creative careers, they share and swap stories on how they met at UCB Theater Improv classes, and dive deep into advice Will would give to his younger self as well as advice he might ask from his future self.

This episode is full of all kinds of good wholesome moments and even features segments such as Word of the Day, Word-Play!, and Word Story.

All of us here at A Word Before We Leave thank you for joining us on this episode, and also thank you for reading this description.

Would you care to share a word before we leave?

-Brett Gaffney

Support the Podcast:

⁠patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave⁠

Follow us on TikTok and Instragram:

@awordbeforeweleave

Follow Will on Instagram:

@hogarthughes4

Find us on Youtube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AWordBeforeWeLeave⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share with someone you love, and leave us a rating. It helps a bunch. Give us a follow on the page for future episode updates!

On this episode of A Word Before We Leave, Brett talks with D'Andre Clayton. D'Andre is a Yoga teacher, personal fitness instructor, and mental guru who graciously invited us into the Yoga studio he works at for a one of a kind interview. From topics exploring D'Andres fitness and nutrition journey, to discussing topics on meditation, anxiety, and the big questions of where rest can exist in all of our lives, D'Andre and Brett dive deep into exploring the "why's" of what motivates each and every one of us to live a clean life. The habits we form and explore on a daily basis, and the routines we build from the habits shape how we think, and in turn, define how we live in our lives. D'Andre's perspective offers us a closer look at where healthy living can not only be implemented, but also flourish.

We here at A Word Before We Leave thank you for taking the time out of your day to join us on this interview and episode. More to come, and as always, welcome back.

Would You Care To Share A Word Before We Leave?

-Brett Gaffney

Support the Podcast:

⁠patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave⁠

Follow us on TikTok and Instragram:

@awordbeforeweleave

Follow D'Andre on Instagram:

@dandreclayton

Find us on Youtube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AWordBeforeWeLeave⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share with someone you love, and leave us a rating. It helps a bunch. Give us a follow on the page for future episode updates!

A Word Before We Leave Presents: Episode 2 of Words I wish I Knew. On this episode of the podcast, Brett takes a deep dive into the topic and definition of Resolutions. Specifically New Years resolutions. Sources will be provided down below for the research and inspiration that went into this episode. This episode could not be possible without the support from you all! Please Like, Comment, and subscribe. Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave Follow us on Tiktok and Instagram! ‪@AWordBeforeWeLeave‬ For more of Brett's work, go to www.brettgaffneyforever.com SOURCES: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resolution https://parade.com/969195/megangrant/new-years-resolutions-ideas/ https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/when-did-new-years-resolutions-start CGP GREYS VIDEO: "Your Theme" by CGP GREY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVGuFdX5guE

On this episode, Brett gets a chance to speak with Isabella Andreoni! Isabella, born in Guatemala and fostered for 6 months before being adopted by her parents, has experienced the world in such a special way. From traveling across 23 separate countries, rediscovering the roots of her origins in Guatemala, falling in love with her tour guide turned long distance boyfriend, and looking to the future and exploring what it could look like within her own words, this episode attempts to explore it all. This episode features segments such as Word of the Day, Word Play, and Word Definition. We also are given an opportunity to help support Isabellas fundraiser in supporting and funding a Christmas celebration for a Mayan Village in Guatemala. You can access the link to the fundraiser here! https://forthe502.carrd.co/ click the link above for direct access to the fundraiser. Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave Find us on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@AWordBeforeWeLeave/videos Find us on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/a-word-before-we-leave/id1622881376 Follow us on Tiktok and Instagram! @AWordBeforeWeLeave For more of Brett's work, go to www.brettgaffneyforever.com Follow Isabella on Instagram @i.andreoni Follow Brett on Instagram and Tik Tok @brett.gaffney Like, Comment, Subscribe, and let us know what you thought. Help us get more episodes out to new people, to show the world how much all of our words truly matter. Would you care to share a word before we leave?

On this episode, Brett interviews the lovely, Amy Gallagher. Amy opens up about her journey through life, experiencing the loss of her father at the age of eight. Amy is a woman who has experienced a tremendous loss, but despite the challenges and pain this has brought, she has found a way to approach life with such empathy and love for the world around her. We talk about her childhood in Florida, being raised in a diverse community. Amy also opens up about her college experience and what led her to Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), how the COVID 19 pandemic had secret blessings in store for her despite the struggle of living around immunocompromised friends and family. She talks about transitioning across the country, moving from Florida, to IU, to Los Angeles California, and how she has gotten her foot in the door within the media and entertainment industry. As the title says, Amy's journey to where she is now, has not been a life unscarred, but for Amy, it has been a good one. Amy's word before she leaves is worth sticking around for, I just know its a good one, and the advice she has to offer to the younger version of herself is a moment on the show I will never forget. Thank you for joining us today, and thank you for reading this description. You all mean the world to me. I hope you all know just how important and powerful the words you speak into existence truly are. We are changing the world one word at a time, and we are growing together as a community, to keep hearing these important stories from every day life. Amy is no different from anyone, and her story, hopefully, can inspire you to strive to be a better self. Much love, Brett Gaffney. Would You Care To Share A Word Before We Leave? Amy's Instagram is @amygallagher0 Amy's tik-tok is @imfromflorida456789 follow us on instagram and tik-tok ‪@AWordBeforeWeLeave‬ for more of Brett's work www.brettgaffneyforever.com Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave Follow us on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/5QfYH9p... Follow us on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast... And if you haven't already, please leave a like, comment, and subscribe to our Youtube channel. Every bit helps, as we grow this show to reach more people, and in turn, inspire more people to experience the joys of words. Take care, and don't be afraid to ask for help. We are rooting for you. Keep going!

On this episode of A Word Before We Leave, Brett interviews up and coming film maker, Jack Schudy. Jack has independently budgeted, wrote, and directed his feature film debut, QLC, and talks with Brett about what led to the process and inspirations of creating his first feature film. Through this interview, we explore topics of midwestern upbringing, what its like to move across the country, the reset of LA post pandemic, how to pursue your dreams while also paying bills, and how to trust and enjoy the process of life as it unfolds before us. This Episode also feature segments such as Word of the Day, Word Play, and Words of Affirmation. A Word Before We Leave could not be possible without you, the fans, and your constant support. We thank you for joining us today. Our season three logo is designed by Courtney Shaw. Our Theme song is arranged and performed by Parker Abrhams. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON HERE- www.patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave SPOTIFY LINK- https://open.spotify.com/show/5QfYH9p... APPLE PODCASTS LINK- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... AMAZON MUSIC LINK- https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5f0... For more of Brett's work, you can go to: www.brettgaffneyforever.com FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND TIKTOK: @awordbeforeweleave Would You Care To Share A Word Before We Leave? Leave a like, comment for more episodes, and subscribe to the channel. Your support is more valuable to us, that work on this podcast, than you know. Thank you for sharing this time with us.

A Word Before We Leave presents, "Words I Wish I Knew...", the first solo segmented episode. This episode is designed to take an isolated topic, define it, and explore the human experience that we undergo around this topic. The topic for this episode is as stated within the title, exploring many facets of a breakup, from the origins of the word, the original love-letter, the five stages of grief, self discovery, how to overcome the season of the breakup, and how to forgive, learn, and prepare for the next relationship you might find yourself in down the line. This episode could not be possible without the help from Mitchell Guynan. Mitchell not only operated the camera and underwent the entirety of the hike with bags of camera gear, but was also gracious enough to do all of the coloring of the footage within the final edit. I cannot thank you enough, Mitchell! Episode shot by Mitchell Guynan Our season three logo is designed by Courtney Shaw Our Theme song is arranged and performed by Parker Abrhams SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON HERE- patreon.com/AWordBeforeWeLeave APPLE PODCASTS LINK- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-word-before-we-leave/id1622881376 AMAZON MUSIC LINK- https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5f0d1d34-37a9-483f-b97e-af05a4a7bc43/a-word-before-we-leave For more of Brett's work, you can go to: www.brettgaffneyforever.com FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND TIKTOK: @awordbeforeweleave Sources are linked as provided here for the research that went into the writing and creation of this episode. The Painful Truth About Breakups: https://jedfoundation.org/resource/the-painful-truth-about-breakups/ Stuff You Should Know- The Science of Breakups: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6EKVZ0QfGTH9GM9hSRY0by?si=508a737e60714f53 Archaeologists Discover World’s Oldest Break-Up Letter at Neo-Babylonian Site: https://hyperallergic.com/492730/archaeologists-discover-worlds-oldest-break-up-letter-at-neo-babylonian-site/ The Stages of Grief and What to Expect: https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-grief U.S. Divorce Rates Down, Marriage Rates Stagnant From 2012-2022: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/10/marriage-and-divorce.html How Many Relationships Fail? 23 Eye-Opening Statistics: https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/how-many-relationships-fail/#:~:text=85%25%20of%20people%20will%20experience,parents%20for%20the%20first%20time. Definition of Breakup: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakup#:~:text=%3A%20to%20end%20a%20romance,lose%20morale%2C%20composure%2C%20or%20resolution Would You Care To Share A Word Before We Leave? Leave a rating, and follow for more episodes. Your support is more valuable to us, that work on this podcast, than you know. Thank you for sharing this time with us.