Going Deeper: Questions for Love, Friendship, and Real Connection

A Research-Backed Look at What Actually Makes Life Feel Good

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2382879/fan_mail/new] What does it actually mean to live a good life? Not an impressive one, or a productive one — but a genuinely good one? In this episode, Ryan and Vic revisit a framework that sits at the heart of Ryan's Ignite the Spark program: three research-backed foundations that consistently predict deep, lasting life satisfaction. They're not what most people expect. And chances are, at least one of them has been getting less attention than it deserves. Together, Ryan and Vic walk through what the research says — drawing on the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Self-Determination Theory, and the work of researchers like Emily Esfahani Smith and Dacher Keltner — and then guide listeners through a structured reflection exercise to assess where they actually stand across all three foundations right now. This is the episode to return to whenever life feels a little off but you can't quite name why. Resources Mentioned * The Good Life Check-in [https://gocoachyourself.notion.site/The-Good-Life-Check-in-3598f8cf399e80b48ba4c1ebacd630cf?source=copy_link] * The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith [https://www.emilyesfahanismith.com/the-book] * Dacher Keltner's research on awe [https://www.amazon.com/Awe-Science-Everyday-Wonder-Transform/dp/1984879685] * The Harvard Study of Adult Development [https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/]  * Self-Determination Theory [https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/] * Ignite the Spark [http://stackrisecoaching.com/ignite] — Ryan's 8-week life design cohort program — [link] Referenced Episodes * Purpose: Define, Discover and Live Your Why [https://www.gocoachyourselfpodcast.com/purpose-define-discover-and-live-your-why/] Hosts: Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching [https://www.stackrisecoaching.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjreichert/] | Insta: @stackrisecoaching [https://www.instagram.com/stackrisecoaching/] Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co [https://www.whistlesmith.co/] | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/vicjsmith] | Insta: @vic_bk [https://www.instagram.com/_vic.bk/]

Own Your Life with Andy Storch

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2382879/fan_mail/new] Go Coach Yourself! welcomes Andy Storch! Andy discusses his mission is to get the most out of life and inspire others to do the same.  This episode is for anyone looking to powerfully align their work with personal strengths and values. From battling imposter syndrome to building a personal brand, Andy's insights will challenge and motivate you. Andy is an author, speaker, consultant, coach, connector, and facilitator specializing in helping organizations improve engagement and retention by teaching employees to own their careers and achieve their goals. Andy is also the author of the book Own Your Career Own Your Life and the host of two podcasts, including The Talent Development Hot Seat and the Own Your Career Show as well as the founder and host of the Talent Development Think Tank Conference and Community.  Don't miss out on becoming proactive and intentional in crafting the future you deserve! Learn more about Andy: https://andystorch.com/ [https://andystorch.com/] Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/] Hosts: Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching [https://www.stackrisecoaching.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjreichert/] | Insta: @stackrisecoaching [https://www.instagram.com/stackrisecoaching/] Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co [https://www.whistlesmith.co/] | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/vicjsmith] | Insta: @vic_bk [https://www.instagram.com/_vic.bk/]

Going Deeper: Questions for Love, Friendship, and Real Connection

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2382879/fan_mail/new] What helps people feel more connected over time? In this episode, Ryan and Vic revisit a theme from season two and take it deeper. Inspired by the Gottmans’ questions for emotional intimacy [https://www.gottman.com/blog/75-insightful-questions-to-deepen-emotional-intimacy/], they explore what it looks like to keep getting to know someone, even when you already know them well. Together, they reflect on trust, vulnerability, shared dreams, personal values, love, and relationship fears. What unfolds is an honest conversation about being seen, feeling enough, remembering the small things, and why deeper connection is something we practice, not something we arrive at once. This one is a real-time model of what it can look like to ask better questions and stay curious with the people you care about most. In this episode, Ryan and Vic talk about: * Why emotional intimacy needs ongoing attention * The difference between surface conversation and deeper connection * How trust is built through curiosity, care, and positive intent * The values they learned from family and still carry forward * What quality time actually means in different relationships * Small gestures that make people feel seen and cared for * Their biggest fears in close relationships * Why these kinds of questions matter in friendships, not just romantic partnerships Referenced in this episode: * Season 2 episode: You Don’t Know Me Yet: Questions to Build Real Connection with Someone Else [https://www.gocoachyourselfpodcast.com/you-dont-know-meyet-questions-that-build-real-connection/] * 75 Insightful Questions to Deepen Emotional Intimacy [https://www.gottman.com/blog/75-insightful-questions-to-deepen-emotional-intimacy/] Listener reflection: * Who in your life would you like to know more deeply right now? * Pick one question and ask it. Hosts: Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching [https://www.stackrisecoaching.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjreichert/] | Insta: @stackrisecoaching [https://www.instagram.com/stackrisecoaching/] Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co [https://www.whistlesmith.co/] | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/vicjsmith] | Insta: @vic_bk [https://www.instagram.com/_vic.bk/]

How do You Want to Feel: Using an Emotional Goal to Give You Direction

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2382879/fan_mail/new] Most of us are taught to chase things—roles, milestones, achievements—without ever naming the experience we’re actually trying to have. An emotional goal flips that script. When you know how you want to feel, it becomes easier to: * make decisions * adapt when things change * release outcomes that don’t fully materialize * and still feel fulfilled Because the feeling—not the thing—is what you were after all along. Join Vic and Ryan as they talk about how to find and lock in an emotional goal. they share personal stories, a framework to get you started and practical tips to bring it to life. Resources: The Emotional Wheel [https://v2-embednotion.com/Emotions-Wheel-2498f8cf399e808da18af0d3b804f8bb?pvs=25] Hosts: Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching [https://www.stackrisecoaching.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjreichert/] | Insta: @stackrisecoaching [https://www.instagram.com/stackrisecoaching/] Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co [https://www.whistlesmith.co/] | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/vicjsmith] | Insta: @vic_bk [https://www.instagram.com/_vic.bk/]

Incredible Life Building Blocks

Let us know what you think about this episode or send us an idea! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2382879/fan_mail/new] What actually makes a life incredible? Not big moments. Not Instagram highlights. Not achievement for achievement’s sake. In this episode, Ryan and Vic unpack what they really mean by “build the incredible life you deserve” — and why it has far more to do with foundations than outcomes. If your life were a house… which part of the foundation is cracking? In this episode, we explore five core building blocks: 1. Purpose – Direction, Not Pressure 2. Relationships – Belonging Takes Intention 3. Joy & Play – Not a Reward, But Fuel 4. Growth & Learning – Stay Open 5. Alignment & Integrity – The Tension You Feel Matters — Reflection Questions from This Episode * What are you optimizing for right now: performance, approval, or meaning? * Who do you feel most yourself around? * Who knows what you’re actually carrying? * What did you used to do just because it made you feel alive? * Where are you leaking energy? * What small boundary would bring you relief? You don’t need to overhaul your life. Pick one foundation. Choose one small action. Just start. 🎧 Listen now on our website or wherever you get your podcasts. Prior GCY Episodes Mentioned * Get Unf*cked: Your Are Not a Problem to Fix [https://www.gocoachyourselfpodcast.com/get-unfcked-you-are-not-a-problem-to-fix/]  (A companion to this episode) * Purpose: Define, Discover and Live Your Why [https://www.gocoachyourselfpodcast.com/purpose-define-discover-and-live-your-why/] * The Energy Between Us: What Makes Relationships Meaningful with Susan Clark [https://www.gocoachyourselfpodcast.com/the-energy-between-us-what-makes-relationships-meaningful-with-susan-clark/] * Let's Talk About Our Boundaries! [https://www.gocoachyourselfpodcast.com/lets-talk-about-our-boundaries/] External Resources * The School of Joy [https://schoolofjoy.co] (schoolofjoy.co) * Ingrid Fetell Lee’s TED Talk, "Where Joy Hides and How to Find It [https://www.ted.com/talks/ingrid_fetell_lee_where_joy_hides_and_how_to_find_it]" and book Joyful [https://aestheticsofjoy.com/the-book/]  Hosts: Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching [https://www.stackrisecoaching.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjreichert/] | Insta: @stackrisecoaching [https://www.instagram.com/stackrisecoaching/] Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co [https://www.whistlesmith.co/] | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/vicjsmith] | Insta: @vic_bk [https://www.instagram.com/_vic.bk/]