Fry Your Chickens!

The answer to life's biggest questions with Erik and Maddie Larson

What happens when a father and daughter team up to tackle life’s biggest questions? In this fun, thoughtful, and occasionally ridiculous conversation, Erik and Maddie Larson discuss the philosophy behind their book Be. Do. Give. Love. and explore how the order in which we approach life can dramatically impact our happiness, success, and fulfillment. Along the way, the conversation takes plenty of unexpected detours. We discuss everything from MacBook gestures and Australian trivia to Monopoly , Clue accents, Cocaine Bear, and what UV6 means in Australia. There may even be dogs arguing in the background and a discussion about a grandfather whose books seem to come alive. Through humor, stories, and practical wisdom, Erik and Maddie share insights on identity, purpose, relationships, achievement, and giving back—while proving that some of the best conversations happen when you’re willing to follow a few rabbit trails. 📖 Book: https://bedogivelove.com/ [https://bedogivelove.com/] Erik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikcto/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikcto/] If you've ever wrestled with questions about purpose, success, fulfillment, or what really matters most, this episode is for you. And if you've ever wondered whether Colonel Mustard would have an Australian accent... well, we cover that too.

The most important discussion with Vivian Cobb

Vivian Cobb helps people have one of their most conversations - the money conversation. After Vivian suddenly lost her husband she found herself broke. She regretted not having the crucial conversations around money (and things like passwords and more) and she vowed to help others not go through the same thing. Vivian is a wonderful person - and she gave one fo the best answers to the chicken / bear question yet. LINKS: https://www.viviancobbspeaking.com/ [https://www.viviancobbspeaking.com/] Vivian's book - Unspoken Costs: https://www.amazon.com/Unspoken-Costs-Relationship-Saving-Money-Conversations/dp/B0GCDQKTHC [https://www.amazon.com/Unspoken-Costs-Relationship-Saving-Money-Conversations/dp/B0GCDQKTHC]

Serial Killers, Fake Moose, Jungle Jim's and More with Jenilee Taylor

Jenilee Taylor is an international director for Toastmasters, a world-traveling employee of BWH, a connoisseur of Jungle Jim's and an awesome friend. We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including red eye flights, serial killers, moose, Toastmasters, spouses who know us better, and moose (just to make this description feel like a Monty Python episode). We also had one of the best answers to the chicken / bear question, and an incredible story about Toastmasters and the impact it had on a prison inmate. You don't want to miss it! LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenilee-taylor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenilee-taylor/] https://www.facebook.com/jgrabenhorst [https://www.facebook.com/jgrabenhorst] Fry Your Chickens Newsletter on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fry-your-chickens-7245485596381454336/ [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fry-your-chickens-7245485596381454336/]

Are We Losing Human Judgment to AI? (Lisa Ryan on Building Smarter Plants)

Lisa Ryan joined me for a conversation that hits right where it should. AI is making everything faster… but what if it’s quietly making us worse? After 200+ interviews with manufacturing leaders, Lisa is seeing a pattern: efficiency goes up, but human judgment starts to slip. And like being a Cleveland Browns fan… You don’t always realize something’s broken until it really matters. (Like 10 minutes after opening kickoff) We talk about her new book Smart Plant, how to build smarter organizations without weakening your people, and why gratitude might be more strategic than you think. And we have a lot of fun along the way. If you’re using AI—or even thinking about it—this one’s worth your time. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asklisaryan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asklisaryan/] https://lisaryanspeaks.com/ [https://lisaryanspeaks.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/cracking-the-retention-code-7079880240902111232/ [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/cracking-the-retention-code-7079880240902111232/] Phil's newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fry-your-chickens-7245485596381454336/ [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fry-your-chickens-7245485596381454336/]

From $700 Jell-O Shot Nights to Life Coaching: What Happens When You Stop Holding Back (Melissa Powers Opasic)

Melissa Powers Opasic is insightful, high-energy, and the real deal when it comes to helping people navigate change—and not only that, she wrote one hell of an intro for this podcast. Here’s how she described it: “Because vulnerability has a funny way of opening doors we don’t expect. Huge thank you to Phil Barth—speaker and host of Fry Your Chickens!—for having me on to talk about it. And let me tell you… this episode has a little bit of everything: • the flop (of course) • being human in real time • bartending in Columbus • Put-in-Bay days… $700 Jell-O shot nights 😂 • how I became a coach • the story behind Sweet Honeybee Coaching + Consulting • a rock band of headbanging chickens • and… a talking puppy 🐶 This experience? A little nerve-wracking. A lot of joy. And one of those moments where you realize… this is exactly what you’re meant to be doing. I walked away proud. Not because it was perfect—but because I was willing to be seen.” PHIL NOTES: There are two - that's right TWO - talking dogs in this episode. Melissa's dog Hazel joined in. LINKS: https://sweethoneybeelife.com/ [https://sweethoneybeelife.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaopasic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaopasic/] https://www.facebook.com/melissa.powers.7564 [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.powers.7564] https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fry-your-chickens-7245485596381454336/ [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fry-your-chickens-7245485596381454336/]