If you have ever felt a little lost in work or life, and you’re unsure of how where the passion and purpose has gone, then I'm here to say you are not alone. I was in this exact position.  This episode shares my story and what led me to create this wonderful new podcast. If this episode resonated with you, it would make my day if you could take a screenshot of you listening on your device. Post it on your Instagram feed or stories, and tag me, @richardjanes, and let me know how helped you. Knowing that people like you are listening to this podcast is honestly what keeps this show going!

Laura Zellmer was diagnosed with Cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening illness that affects the lungs and pancreas, when she was just 16 months old. Despite a staggering 80% infant mortality rate at the time, Laura defied the odds and survived.  Today, Laura is 43 years old and in her continued battle she received a double lung transplant last year.   In this amazing conversation, you with learn: How Laura psychologically dealt with her diagnosis  What inspires her to take chances and embrace passion in spite of her illness How she has learned to appreciate what many take for granted How she stays motivated in maintaining her health everyday. Laura’s story has been a source of inspiration during my own health struggles with ulcerative colitis. Her determination to live life to the fullest is a lesson we can all benefit from. I'm so excited to share this with you!  SOME QUESTIONS I ASK LAURA: Where did your propensity to risk come from? How often do you think about the lung donor who saved your life? Do you think you would be here today if your son didn’t give you a sense of purpose? LINKS FROM THE INTERVIEW: Resource for signing up as an organ donor WHAT DO YOU THINK? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Who was your inspiration for following Passion & Purpose? Thanks so much for listening!

Matt Hanover is an artist, an entrepreneur, and Children’s Museum curator. But these were not always titles that Matt embraced. It took, what he thought was, a heart-attack in 2012 for him to realize that his passions aren’t something to be put-off and that he needed to make a big change in his life. Today we dive into his transition and it all hinges around the world wonder. In this enlightening conversation, we discuss: How to combat self-doubt How to know you’ve found your purpose The mental health benefits that can be achieved through creating Why you have to choose your mentor carefully   Matt's story can be a lesson to us all in the importance of following our heart to pursue what will truly make us happy. SOME QUESTIONS I ASK MATT: What was the defining moment when you realized you wanted to be an artist? What is the hardest thing about being an artist? How did passion show up in your life as a child? WHAT DO YOU THINK? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Who was your inspiration for following Passion & Purpose? Thanks so much for listening!

Kerry David lives for taking life as it comes and uncovering new passions in her life in the most unexpected places. And once she finds a passion, she'll lock on to fully embracing it in her life no matter what anyone says or how unrealistic the dream might be. Followed her heart has taken her in many many different directions. From traveling the world and working with women on the front line of the war on poaching, to working with Tom Cruise and producing movies that have grossed over $100M at the box office. Kerry is a great example of someone who doesn't live by a carefully laid out plan. She truly takes life as it comes. The only rule she has is to never take no for an answer. SOME QUESTIONS I ASK KERRY: How did you land your dream job in Hollywood? How do you find your passion and purpose? How do you make a movie for peanuts? LINKS FROM THE INTERVIEW: Kerry's Website Kerry's Instagram Kerry on Facebook Link to My Date With Drew Over And Above Africa Website  

Guy Camilleri is one of Hollywood’s top acting coaches and is regularly called upon by Independent Film Award winners, Oscar nominees and even Emmy Award winners. His dramatic journey of Finding Passion & Purpose started at the age of 16 when he ran away from home, stole a car, and drove halfway across America to fulfill his dream of surfing the North Shore in Hawaii.      

Philip Folsom is one of America’s top corporate cultural development experts. His journey to finding Passion & Purpose began at the age of 5 when his parents moved his family to a commune in the back woods of Washington. Today, he helps leading organizations such as Apple, Google, Red Bull, and Snapchat, build healthy, high-performing environments through inspiration and innovation.  Also known as, “The Tribe Guy”, what makes him different in the world of team development is his unorthodox methods which include Tibetan death cave meditations through to equestrian therapy.  

Chris Strompolos is the star of a fantastic new Netflix documentary  called "Raiders: The Greatest Fan Film Ever Made". His story has Passion & Purpose written all over it. At the age of 11, after seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark, Chris decided to remake the film shot for shot and dedicated the next 8 years of his life to achieving his goal. And then... He grew up. Moving on to more adult pursuits such as getting a job, getting married, having a baby. Until a tape emerged of his little fan film and it ended up being seen by the likes of Harry Knowles, Quentin Tarantino, Eli Roth, and the grandmasters: Steven Spielberg and George Lucas themselves. And suddenly, Chris found himself putting the costume on once again and diving back into his childhood passion. But as Chris learned, returning to your original childhood passion isn't all roses. 

Have your parents ever tried to live vicariously through you?  For our guest today, that was what most of his early-life was controlled by: another person's desires.  Ian Winer is an investment expert and a frequent contributor on CNN Money, Fox Business, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times.  He took his skills in the hockey rink to WestPoint and was eventually led all the way to Wall Street.  In this episode, we talk about how Ian was able to reclaim his identity, and what it actually means to be successful, by embracing fear and setting out on an adventure of self-discovery that gave him a new perspective and purpose in life. 

Pete Bethune has been shot at, stabbed with a machete, and held captive in a maxim-security Japanese prison. All in the pursuit of his unique passion and passion.  Pete is what is known as an animal rights vigilante and he travels the world helping to protect the globes endangered animals. From performing citizens’ arrests in Japan to rappelling from helicopters in Costa Rica, Pete's story is one of extremes. Find out how Pete found his passion and purpose later on in life and why most of us will never have the courage to do the same. Host: Richard Janes

Hollywood screenwriter Jordan Roberts is probably best know for writing the 2005 Oscar winner for best feature documentary March of Penguins, or perhaps you’ll have watched his 2014 Best Animated Feature Film Oscar Winner Big Hero 6.    When we talk about purpose, it’s often thought that a true purpose needs to be grander than oneself, to serve a bigger cause. But what could set a greater example to the world than the compassionate healing of ones own soul so that it may shine bright for others experience. This is the domain of the artist. This is the domain of screenwriter, turned director, Jordan Roberts whose work has impacted millions of people all over the world with, as one film critic put it, a compassionate and healing voice for those who are suffering or going through tremendous struggle. She said of one of his movies: "It is like he’s giving a huge hug that can be felt through the screen".   Host: Richard Janes

Joe Hewitt has worked in some of Rio’s most dangerous favelas helping at-risk youth through soccer.  He is the CEO and founder of The Sports Creative: a non-profit, creating sports programs and partnerships around the world for at-risk youth.  Through his work, he has seen the devastating effects that homelessness brings to people, which led him to discover his unique purpose. Host: Richard Janes

On August 19, 1958, 7-year-old Ayanna Najuma, and a group of 12 students together with a High School teacher named Clara Luper, set the stage for a civil rights protest that would sweep the nation in the 1960’s and continues to resonate in modern America through movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his practice of nonviolent protest, the plan was simple. The students would occupy the ‘white’ only lunch counter of a drug store called Katz and ask ask to be served a hamburger and a coca-cola. When they were inevitably denied service on the grounds that the lunch counter was for ‘whites only’ they would refuse to leave and stay seated in their seats until closing. This sit-in protest was one of the first in the civil rights movement, happening 18 months before black college students took seats at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Over the next six years, Ayanna and her fellow civil rights demonstrators, led one of the longest nonviolent sit-in protests in the United States desegregating almost every eating establishment in their home city of Oklahoma’s capital. Ayanna was just 7-years-old when on a hot august day she took her place on a stool embracing a passion and purpose that would not only have an impact on her life, but arguably the life of every American who has come after. This is her story.   Host: Richard Janes Guest: Ayanna Najuma

From the writer of two Oscar winning movies through to an animal rights vigilante who ended up spending six months in a Japanese maximum security prison, join Emmy winner Richard Janes as he invites guests to tell their story about Finding Passion and Purpose.  Be sure to like, subscribe, and share.  As well as leaving us review. We look forward to spending time with you.