Photographer Katie Puc doesn’t just take gorgeous editorial-style photos, she builds community. I met her through our wedding, fell in love with her work, and then discovered she’s also the kind of person who brings creatives together on purpose… and she trains martial arts too (yes, really).

In this episode we talk photography, multi-passionate living (HR + art), the courage to reach out even when you might hear “no,” and Katie’s upcoming creative collaborative event Love In Focus at BlendCo in Denver on Feb 7. I’ll be there doing mini interviews, and I’d love to see you there.

Get Your Tix: https://partiful.com/e/N0Fxk0OIfUVnIsWuK5aP

Connect with Katie:

Website: www.katiepucphotography.com

IG: @katiepuc_photography

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I talk about what it means to live through seasons that bring us to our knees and how healing isn’t only about examining our wounds, but also about remembering our strength.

We explore:

• Why focusing only on pain can keep us stuck
• How strength builds safety in the nervous system
• Why perspective shifts change not just how things feel, but how life unfolds
• Small, practical ways to reconnect with your strength when you feel depleted

This conversation is for anyone navigating grief, illness, burnout, survival mode, or a dark night of the soul. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start.

Healing becomes sustainable when we include strength in the practice.

If this resonates, I’d love to hear how you remember your strength.

And if it feels helpful, share it with someone who might need it right now.

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a special one for me.

I’m sitting down with John Whitman, president of the Krav Maga Alliance, and one of my longtime mentors in martial arts. I first met John when I was 18 or 19, training with the Krav Maga Worldwide crew, and his clarity, focused presence, and approach to teaching and training shaped me in ways I’m still carrying forward today.

We talk about mentorship, mindset, confidence, and what martial arts teach us far beyond techniques. This conversation is about training for life, building real self-trust, and the grounded strength that comes from knowing you can handle yourself.

If you’ve ever been curious about self-defense or the deeper lessons found on the mat, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

Connect with me on Substack for videos, guides, and resources on mindset, BJJ, music, herbalism & much more:

https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.