In this conversation, Chuck Allen explores the concept of romanticizing everyday life by creating meaningful moments, referred to as 'gourmet moments.' He emphasizes the importance of personal luxury and intentionality in enhancing the quality of daily experiences.

Takeaways

• Romanticize everyday moments
• Create personal luxury experiences

Chapters

• 00:00 The Art of Romanticizing Life
• 02:43 Creating Gourmet Moments
• 04:38 Personal Luxury vs. External Expression
• 07:33 Intentional Living and Awareness
• 09:01 The Energy of Personal Experiences

A friend of mine recently came to Oregon to die. She had chosen to use Oregon's Death with Dignity law, and I spent her last two weeks showing her and her girlfriends around Portland. Those days have stayed with me.

In this episode of Cool Change Field Notes, I return to three moments: a drive through the Columbia River Gorge with the sunroof open and Supertramp turned up (she had asked me to take the long way home), watching her laugh with her eyes closed and the wind blowing; her delight at the koi pond in the Portland Japanese Garden; and one last great meal at Bellpine in the Ritz-Carlton Portland, where the chef brought her a lobster that wasn't on the menu, "with our compliments."

Over coffee in her hotel lobby one morning, she told me she felt she had achieved the purpose of her life. Her one regret was that she could have experienced more joy along the way. I keep coming back to that.

So here's the reminder, mostly to myself: don't postpone joy. Look for it in the ordinary moments that make up our lives.

Where are you postponing joy right now?

Chapters

00:00 I had a friend come to Oregon to die recently

02:06 I'm Chuck Allen, this is Cool Change

02:14 Latourell Falls and the sunroof

04:35 The hotel lobby conversation

06:41 Gourmet moments

07:12 The koi at the Japanese Garden

07:55 One last great meal at Bellpine

10:57 A reminder

11:07 Life is long

14:07 Where are you postponing joy?

CoolChangeLifeDesign.com | Instagram @chuckallen

In this episode of Cool Change, Chuck sits down with Mindy Crosato, founder of Decadent Creations Bakery and The Collective Kitchen in Hillsboro, Oregon.

If you live in the Portland area, there’s a good chance you already know her work. Mindy has built a reputation for excellence through years of consistency, creativity, and care. She’s earned awards, media recognition, and national attention, including a win on Food Network’s Chopped.

This conversation goes deeper than accolades.

Chuck and Mindy explore what happens when something you love becomes something you’re responsible for. They talk about the shift from artist to leader, the loneliness that can come with growth, the emotional cost of recognition, and the internal evolution required to sustain excellence over time.

They also talk about pressure, intuition, experimentation, staying grounded, and why lasting things are often built through small steps taken with conviction.

If you’ve ever felt called to build something meaningful, or wondered what it takes to keep going once the dream becomes real, this episode is for you.

In this episode I’m joined by Rilla Delorier as we discuss how one simple strategy has the potential to bring more meaning, joy and mindfulness into your everyday existence. It’s so simple, in fact, that most people will overthink it.

We also wrestle with the balance between efficiency and getting things done (checking things off your list) vs paying attention and enjoying the small moments that make up our days.

Finally, we talk about the difference between speed and rushing, and how the two affect your peace of mind and effectiveness.

Tough time deciding what to do next? Been on the fence for a while? Making big life decisions isn’t always easy, and living in the in-between can be stressful.

In this episode, Chuck and Rilla discuss the power of deciding on a course of action, and how your decision mindset and immediate next actions can powerfully determine how your new path will manifest.

What career is best for you? How should you be spending your time and energy? Popular speaker and trainer Ed Davis discusses why it can take so long for us to pay attention to the clues that have been there all along. His journey to discovering his highest and best career began with clues from his younger days, but it took two kids and a stock market crash to finally get him to close the gap between knowing and doing.

Introduction:

In this episode of "Cool Change," host Chuck Allen engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Mandi Hudson, a psychiatrist and academic leader. Together, they explore the importance of curiosity, setting boundaries, and embracing the journey in personal and professional life. Dr. Hudson shares her insights and experiences, shedding light on mental wellness, authenticity, and the complexities of the field of psychiatry.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing Curiosity:

• Curiosity is a powerful tool that fosters growth, change, and meaningful connections.
• Remaining open and curious about ourselves, others, and the world enhances self-awareness and deepens relationships.
• Asking "why" in a non-judgmental way allows us to gain a better understanding of ourselves and others.

2. The Journey as the Destination:

• The focus on reaching goals and destinations often overlooks the beauty and significance of the journey itself.
• Paying attention to the moments, connections, and experiences along the way enriches our lives and helps us find joy in the present.
• The journey, with all its ups and downs, shapes us and allows for personal growth and authenticity.

3. Challenging Misconceptions:

• Mental health and wellness are complex, and there is no single narrative or easy solution.
• It is crucial to recognize that various factors contribute to societal issues such as the opioid epidemic or homelessness.
• Avoid oversimplifying complex problems and instead approach them with an open mind and a willingness to understand different perspectives.

4. Mental Health in Medical Education:

• Dr. Hudson aims to create a different learning experience for her students, focusing on holistic wellness alongside academic excellence.
• Encouraging students to prioritize mental health and self-awareness leads to better outcomes for both the individuals and their patients.
• Building authentic, whole-person physicians requires addressing mental health as a core component of overall well-being.

Recommended Resources:

1. Books:

• "101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think" - A thought-provoking collection of essays challenging conventional thinking and encouraging personal growth.
• "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver - A fiction book offering social commentary and providing insight into the lives of severely ill and traumatized teens.

2. Author:

• Brene Brown - Known for her work on vulnerability and authenticity, Brown offers valuable insights into self-discovery and personal growth.

Conclusion:

Dr. Mandi Hudson's expertise and passion for mental wellness and psychiatry shine through in this engaging conversation. Listeners are encouraged to embrace curiosity, appreciate the journey, challenge misconceptions, and prioritize mental health in their own lives.

Through Dr. Hudson's unique approach to medical education, she inspires future physicians to become compassionate, self-aware healers who understand the importance of mental wellness in achieving overall well-being.

In this inspiring episode, Alden Mills, a former Navy SEAL Platoon Commander, entrepreneur, inventor, and author, shares his compelling journey from his time in the military to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Mills discusses his struggle transitioning from the military to a civilian life and the entrepreneurial spirit that was a constant throughout his life, which eventually led him to invent and launch his hit fitness products, "The Perfect Pushup" and "BodyRev."

Alden takes us through his process of invention, which starts with dreaming up ideas without constraints, just as children do. He categorizes ideas into improvements, inventions, and innovations, emphasizing the significance of creating functional prototypes and understanding your market. Mills also gives us a glimpse into his goal-setting application, "GoalBud." This app combines the power of a social network with goal-setting to help users commit to daily actions towards their goals.

Alden Mills introduces his next big dream, an adventurous and unique coaching platform – a floating platform on a large sailboat. Named "The Persistence," this sailboat would continually sail around the globe, becoming a meeting place for people chasing their dreams. This episode is filled with invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, inventing, and the power of dreaming and goal setting. Tune in to embark on this inspiring journey.

Show topics:

1. **Transition from Military to Entrepreneurship (@5:00)**

Alden Mills shares his struggle in transitioning from a Navy SEAL to a business school student, and how he found his calling in the entrepreneurial world. This section is an inspiring testimony of resilience and determination.

2. **The Invention of The Perfect Pushup and BodyRev (@30:58)**

Alden describes how he created his successful fitness products, "The Perfect Pushup" and "BodyRev." This segment illustrates the innovation process and the power of persistence.

3. **Types of Ideas: Improvement, Invention, and Innovation (@35:48)**

Alden categorizes ideas into three categories and discusses the importance of creating functional prototypes. This clip provides valuable insights into the world of inventing and product development.

4. **Introduction of GoalBud App (@39:03)**

In this section, Alden introduces his goal-setting application "GoalBud" and explains how it leverages the power of social networking to help users commit to daily actions towards their goals. It's a great showcase of how technology can support personal development.

5. **The Dream of The Persistence (@41:44)**

Alden introduces his next big project - a sailboat called "The Persistence," which would serve as a floating coaching platform. This inspiring segment exemplifies the power of dreaming big and sets a great example for those aspiring to make a unique impact in their field.