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Solo Reflections

Ep 19 – Living for Likes: On Being Seen, Creativity, and Enough

What if being seen was never about the likes at all?   This solo reflection follows Kirby’s conversation with Tanya and Julius in “Living for Likes.” Sitting with the episode afterward, Kirby realized the conversation was never really about social media — it was about what it means to be seen. One line from Tanya stayed with him: validation isn’t “you’re awesome, yay,” it’s “I see you and you matter.”   From there, Kirby traces his own relationship with validation — wanting to be seen as smart growing up, wanting proof he belonged in college, and the quiet unraveling that happened when COVID forced him to close his company and step away from creative work. He shares what brought his creativity back, how meditation and inner work changed his relationship with needing outside approval, and the friendship that showed him what it feels like to be truly witnessed. He closes with a reflection on the ego as a human, not a problem to fix — drawing on Anita Moorjani’s What If This Is Heaven? — and an invitation for listeners to ask what part of themselves has been waiting for their attention.

Generational Conversations

Ep 18 – A 61-Year-Old & a 28-Year-Old on Living for Likes

What if the likes were never really the point?   This episode brings together Tanya, 61, a theater, dance, and opera artist, educator, and longtime immigrant-rights activist, and Julius, 28, a filmmaker whose debut feature premiered to a packed community screening last year. Together they trace where validation has come from across two very different creative careers — newspaper reviews and word of mouth for Tanya, likes and algorithm-driven visibility for Julius — and what happens when that outside approval disappears.   Tanya shares the mentor whose unexpected praise shaped her entire career, and the theater critic who tried and failed to shake her sense of self. Julius opens up about making his film, “Pancho,” as he grieved his father, and the moment his mother’s reaction at the premiere told him it was all worth it. The conversation moves through comparison, ego, generational pressure, and the shift both guests describe: from needing to be seen by others to learning no one can validate you but you.   Guests   Tanya — 61, artist and educator working across theater, dance, and opera. A longtime traveler and immigrant-rights activist, she also fosters and rehabilitates rescue dogs. Sober since 25, she describes her 30s as the point she realized validation has to come from within.   Julius — 28, filmmaker and recent Cal State LA TVF (writing option) graduate. Wrote and made his debut feature film, “Pancho” — a story about an immigrant vigilante in East LA — the year after his father passed away. Currently working in coffee while building his filmmaking career.

Solo Reflections

Ep 17 – This Podcast Completely Changed How I Listen

Can one conversation change the way you listen? In this episode, I share what I learned from talking with Tommy, my oldest guest, and Sasha, a young guest with a fresh view of life.   This conversation taught me to slow down, listen with patience, and see life in a new way. We also talk about unlearning old beliefs, trusting your own path, and finding wisdom in different generations. If you enjoy podcasts about life, personal growth, and real conversations, this episode is for you. Guests: Tommy (78) & Sasha (22).

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