The Life Eclectic

Making an Impact with Shannon Kroll

“When in doubt, do nothing.” This was a piece of advice today’s guest, Shannon Kroll, was given while at a conference. Shannon has taken this advice to help herself take a beat and then make impactful decisions based on the feeling of what is right rather than to keep up with the fast-paced decisions so many of us fall into on a daily basis. Shannon is a Child Behavior Specialist + Parent Coach, who walks us through her transition in careers (and when she knew that was the right choice), shifting away from the need to be productive and instead recognizing new needs - and new impact - being made, and advice for those listening that might not be doing what they feel like doing. Shannon and I would love to hear what you thought of today’s episode. Share the episode and tag us on IG - @shannonkroll [https://www.instagram.com/shannonkroll/] & @thelifeeclecticpod [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeeclecticpod] * Transitioning from a career as a special education teacher to one as a Child Behavior Specialist + Parent Coach * Developing a program for schools and parents of students with high needs and/or emotional and behavioral challenges * How the foundations of the program Mynd Over Matter kept Shannon coming back for more * Recognizing unhappiness in a seemingly happy situation - and allowing herself to process and hold space for emotions * Shifting away from the need to be productive and instead recognizing new needs and new impact being made * Giving yourself permission to get back to yourself - in a way that feels good * The moment after switching careers that Shannon knew it was the right choice * Advice for those listening that might not be doing what they feel like doing * A New Year’s resolution that will change education as it currently stands * Book recommendations: The Whole-Brain Child [https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Child-Revolutionary-Strategies-Developing/dp/0553386697] and How to Raise an Adult [https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Raise-an-Adult-audiobook/dp/B015908QHE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V1G1F644X0QZ&keywords=how+to+raise+an+adult&qid=1675538327&s=books&sprefix=how+to+rai%2Cstripbooks%2C122&sr=1-1] Find out more about today’s guest, Shannon Kroll: Shannon is a learner, thinker, feeler, empath, perspective shifter, possibility-seer, wife, and mother. For over 15 years, she has helped people of all ages see and step into their highest potential. She is a Support Coach for the master receiver program Mynd Over Matter, a Coach to families of children with behavioral and emotional challenges, and a consultant to schools seeking support with student behavior. Shannon holds a B.A. in Special Education, a M.A. in Educational Leadership, and is a National Board Certified Exceptional Needs Specialist. She lives in the south suburbs of Chicago with her husband and three children. IG: @shannonkroll [https://instagram.com/shannonkroll]

Through a Photographer’s Lens with Justin Goodhart

Today’s guest, Justin Goodhard gives us a glimpse of being a passionate creative, while still having a “traditional” 9-5.  Though Justin speaks modestly of his work, be sure to take a look at his accounts - his photography is truly incredible. Justin shared with us his background in photography, juggling a day job while pursuing a creative passion and how he gets into the creative zone.  We also talked about his meetups with hikers along the Appalachian Trail and being part of the trail magic, the hidden gems of the Hudson Valley, and advice for listeners interested in the creative arts. Justin and I would love to hear what you thought of today’s episode. Share and tag us - @justin_goodart_photography [https://www.instagram.com/justin_goodhart_photography/] &@thelifeeclecticpod [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeeclecticpod/]. Here’s what you can look forward to in today’s episode: * The common interest that caused Colleen and Justin to keep running into one another * Justin’s background in photography * Meeting hikers along the Appalachian Trail and being part of the trail magic * Juggling a 9-5 job while pursuing a creative passion and hoping to not burn out * Becoming a photographer for Gustar and other * The difference in being a photographer for a band vs. photographing nature * How the perspective on careers and stability have shifted over the past 25 years * How Justin gets into the “creative zone” * Hidden gems of the Hudson Valley * Advice for listeners interested in the creative arts * The song Justin could listen to on repeat (https://youtu.be/sigRrMjD-FE [https://youtu.be/sigRrMjD-FE]) Find out more about today’s guest, Justin Goodhart: Justin grew up in New York’s Adirondack region and has always had a strong connection to the land and finds inspiration in the beauty of the natural world around us.  After attending St. Michael’s College in Vermont and starting a career in New England, Justin returned to New York in 2009 and currently resides in Patterson, NY with his wife Kelly and their cat Little Miss Chowder. After having been a casual photographer for many years it was the beauty of the Hudson Valley and a visit to Yellowstone National Park that served as inspiration for Justin to start taking photography more seriously.  A strong sense of wanderlust brings Justin around the region, the country and the world in search of that perfect light. Much of Justin’s work focuses on fine art landscapes, often in the realms of long exposure and night photography.  In recent years Justin has also delved into live music photography with multiple national touring acts.  He also has an ongoing project of photographing long distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Justin’s work has appeared in multiple local, regional and national publications, shown in galleries throughout the Hudson Valley and has found its way into the homes of collectors across the US.  He is also a member of Land Gallery (Pawling, NY) where his work is always on display. Work can be seen at: Website: www.justinpgoodhart.com [http://www.justinpgoodhart.com] FB: www.facebook.com/JGoodhartPhotography [http://www.facebook.com/JGoodhartPhotography] IG: www.instagram.com/justin_goodhart_photography [http://www.instagram.com/justin_goodhart_photography] Gallery: Land Gallery [https://www.landgalleryonline.com/], 30 Charles Colman Blvd, Pawling, NY 12564 Contact: jgoodhartphotography@gmail.com (845) 319-9104

Living with Grief with Kelsey Cichoski

Today’s guest, Kelsey Cichoski, was hit with one life altering event after another. Rather than letting that cripple her, she found power in embracing her grief that led her to new horizons. Kelsey shared with us life altering events that happened to her and how she’s working through them and how physically moving their home rippled into moving in other ways. Additionally, we discussed how teaching skills were transferable to a mental health career and a look into “reflection sessions.” Kelsey and I would love to hear what you thought of today’s episode. Share and tag us - @kelseycichoski [https://www.instagram.com/kelseycichoski/] &@thelifeeclecticpod [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeeclecticpod/]. Here’s what you can look forward to in today’s episode: * The events and factors that pushed Kelsey to leave teaching * How teaching skills were transferable to a mental health career * The life altering events that happened to her and how she’s working through them * The things Kelsey was looking for in other people when she was going through everything is what she brings forward in her work now as a grief coach * How physically moving their home rippled into moving in other ways * How to build a network and make connections with people as a grief coach A look into reflection sessions * Advice for listeners Find out more about today’s guest, Kelsey Cichoski: I’m Kelsey and this is my story. My husband and I decided we wanted to become foster parents in 2018. We went through the licensing process and found out I was pregnant with our first child at the end of that year. We felt confident that we could still foster while welcoming a new baby into our home. In early 2019, we were foster parents to three brothers and all of us were looking forward to welcoming this baby boy. Unexpectedly, I went into pre-term labor and our little boy was born too early to survive. We learned that my pregnancies would always be high risk, and the thought of having another baby felt scary. Towards the end of the year, the brothers we were fostering were reunified with their family. I decided I could be ready to be pregnant again. Shortly after receiving a positive pregnancy test, I went to the doctor because of a lump I found. As if the fear of pregnancy after loss wasn't enough, I was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant. I received chemotherapy during and after pregnancy, learning that I was in remission when our little girl was five months old. I've learned that hard things happen to all of us. And even though life is not easy, it can still be good. IG: @kelseycichoski [https://www.instagram.com/kelseycichoski/] Website: https://kelseycichoski.com/ [https://kelseycichoski.com/]

A Life of Traveling and Art with Domenica Rohrborn

For some artists, they stick with a specific medium. For today’s guest, she is skilled in multiple mediums with one condition - as a lover of traveling, the art has to be able to go with her wherever she wants to take it. I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with a friend of mine, Domenica Rohrborn. Domenica is self proclaimed as mostly vegan, a professional traveler, artist and yogi. Domenica shares with us her love of traveling and culture, and how she shifted from the expectations held for her and her career to what she’s doing now. Additionally we talked about the Pay Me For Boarding Campaign and advice for anyone going for what they want in life. Let Domenica and I know you listened to today’s episode by sharing it and tagging us on IG - @heyminz [https://www.instagram.com/heyminz/] and @thelifeeclecticpod [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeeclecticpod/]. Here’s what you can look forward to in today’s episode: * Diving into being an artist and Domenica’s mediums of choice * The love of traveling and culture * Pay Me For Boarding Campaign [https://paymeforboarding.org/] * How Domenica shifted from the expectations held for her and her career to what she’s doing now * Differing views on continuing education after high school * The obstacles that led Domenica to where she is today * Reflections on what’s been going on since the age of 15 * Advice for going for what you want in life Find out more about today’s guest, Domenica Rohrborn: Website: heyminz.com [https://www.heyminz.com/] IG: @heyminz [https://www.instagram.com/heyminz/]

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone with Ronii Bartles

When the recession hit in 2008, today’s guest took a leap of faith and followed her gut to start her own company - not something many people would do during uncertain times.  But wow, did it turn out well. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ronii Bartles, a Business Strategist + Marketing Expert. Ronii shares with us what it means to be a holistic business strategist, obstacles and struggles she faced while building a business, and aspects of her success and career that built her confidence. Additionally, we spoke about the surprising things discovered when working for yourself, advice for those changing something they’re doing currently, and being out of your comfort zone in new experiences. Following your own path can be scary, but also necessary.  Let Ronii and I know you listened to today’s episode by sharing it and tagging us on IG - @iamronii [https://www.instagram.com/iamronii/] and @thelifeeclecticpod [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeeclecticpod/]. Find out more about today’s guest, Ronii Bartles Ronii Bartles is a Business Strategist + Marketing Expert who helps entrepreneurs and business owners break free of one-size-fits-all strategies + tactics to build unique systems and processes that exponentially grow + scale your dreams. That's a fancy way to say she’s a practical brain for creative businesses. She believe that marketing is a science and it's just a math problem that we need to figure out. That's why she teaches business owners how to create business management systems + strategic marketing plans that are simple to implement and don't suck the life out of you. Website: https://www.roniibartles.com/ [https://www.roniibartles.com/] IG: @iamronii [https://www.instagram.com/iamronii/]