Month: July 2025

Aaron Hendon – Must Knows before you Sell your Home (BOV)

Aaron Hendon – Must Knows before you Sell your Home (BOV)

Aaron Hendon is a Seattle Realtor, real estate investor, author, educator and speaker. He is managing partner of Christine & Company, a Seattle Magazine awarded, Five Star Real Estate Agent, winning team for the past 5 years and individual Rising Star in Seattle Real Estate winner this year.
Bringing together a diverse background and history including transformational leadership, entrepreneurial start ups and traditional cold calling sales, Aaron and his team consistently out perform the local market, selling homes for over 5% more than local market averages.
Born in New York, Aaron graduated SUNY Purchase with a BFA in 1997. Discovering his fine art degree made him eligible to work in the food service industry anywhere in the country. Moving to New Mexico immediately after school, he eventually found his stride, opening a real New York bagel shop in Albuquerque, selling it 9 years later as a business grossing over $1,000,000 annually.
Eventually landing in the Northwest in 2000, he now lives on a small island off the coast of Seattle with his brilliant wife, Kael, his two brilliant children, Leela and Jonah and his adoring, if not exactly brilliant, Golden Doodle, Rozy. He is currently at work on his next book, Real Estate Blind Spots – What People Don’t Know They Don’t Know About Buying and Selling Their Home (and what it costs them).
Aaron Hendon Vroom Veer Stories

Growing up as a weed smokin’ rebel, musician/artsy guy in New York
Got a degree in fine arts which qualified him to work waiting tables nationwide
Learned he loved waiting tables; he could be himself; delight people and get cash!
“THE GUY” who made THE bagels he loved in New York–teaches him how to make bagels
Attends Landmark Forum and finds that it makes life WAY better; starts working for Landmark in sales
100 dials a day selling credit repair services; starts calling realtors for leads
Becomes a Realtor because he can do 100 dials a day; loves it

Aaron Hendon Links
Web Page:  Christine-and-Company.com

Pia Mailhot-Leichter – Creativity is Part of Being Human

Pia Mailhot-Leichter – Creativity is Part of Being Human

Pia Mailhot-Leichter is a creative partner, best selling author, certified coach, and founder. Her path has been anything but ordinary: a recovering nomad, she’s reported as a journalist in Sri Lanka, graduated summa cum laude from NYU, and worked as an award-winning creative director for some of the biggest brands in the world. Now, as the founder of Kollektiv Studio, she’s uniquely positioned to help people create their wild ventures.

Pia Mailhot-Leichter Vroom Vroom Veer Summary

Finding Joy in Creative Work

Jeffery and Pia discussed Pia’s work as a fractional creative director and creative coach in Copenhagen, where she collaborates with “unconventional dreamers” to bring their visions to life. Pia emphasized the importance of finding joy and purpose in one’s work, citing the finite nature of life and the opportunity to create each day anew. They agreed on the value of maintaining optimism and finding joy in life’s journey, with Jeffery referencing Jack Cornfield’s perspective on the duty to be joyful.

Pia’s International Career Journey

Pia shared her background, including growing up in New York City and her extensive travel experiences across various countries. She discussed her education, including studying English at Hunter College and pursuing a master’s in international relations at NYU. Pia described her career path, which included working as a journalist in Sri Lanka and later doing communications work for the UNDP and an NGO called Plan International.

Overcoming Adversity for Academic Success

Pia shared her personal journey, including being kicked out of her house at 17 and struggling financially while attending college. Despite these challenges, she worked hard to achieve academic success, earning multiple cum laude degrees. After completing her master’s, Pia took a contract role at the United Nations Development Program in New York City, though the salary was not sufficient to cover her living expenses.

Cross-Cultural Work Experiences Discussed

Jeffery and Pia discussed their experiences working in Bahrain and Qatar. Pia shared her disappointment at having to sell ad space for an economic documentary in Bahrain instead of pursuing her original goal of making a positive impact through transitional justice work. She realized later that the experience taught her valuable skills in sales and confidence in pitching to high-level executives. Jeffery, who served in the military, noted that frequent relocations and job changes helped him develop problem-solving skills, an attribute that was appreciated by his bosses.

Embracing Change and Personal Growth

Pia and Jeffery discussed the challenges and opportunities that come with change and new experiences. Pia shared her experience of choosing to stay in Copenhagen after a divorce, rather than moving to Paris, after her therapist encouraged her to consider developing a deeper relationship with herself in that place. They explored how moving can sometimes be a way to avoid dealing with personal issues, comparing it to the temporary nature of military assignments. The conversation concluded with Pia emphasizing the importance of making conscious choices about moving, rather than acting on impulse, as a way to gain empowerment and freedom.

Life Changes and Lifestyle Reimagining

Jeffery shared his experience of moving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas after 13 years, driven by a desire for change and the appeal of lower living costs. Pia discussed her own considerations for reimagining her life, particularly given her family commitments, and explored the possibility of designing a lifestyle that balances current and future desires. They both reflected on the importance of making conscious choices and the uncertainty of knowing where they might eventually settle, with Jeffery mentioning the potential of using his Vegas home as a base while exploring other locations temporarily.

Japan Experiences and Climate Adaptations

Pia and Jeffery discussed their experiences in Japan, with Pia sharing her visits to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, noting the city’s cleanliness and safety, as well as its resemblance to New York in terms of neighborhoods. Jeffery expressed his admiration for Japan’s efficiency and cleanliness, comparing it to a blend of futuristic and retro elements. They also briefly touched on the challenges of adapting to different climates, with Pia mentioning her experience in Sri Lanka and Jeffery reflecting on the changing weather in Michigan and the advantages of living in Vegas.

Narrating Creative Club Audio Book

Jeffery and Pia discussed Pia’s recently released audio book, “Welcome to the Creative Club,” which she narrated herself despite initial self-doubt. Pia shared her creative process, including working with a voice coach and producer, and revealed that she unexpectedly developed a newfound appreciation for the sound of her own voice during the recording process. They also discussed the challenges of listening to oneself speak, with Jeffery sharing his own experience of becoming more comfortable with his voice through podcasting.

Freelance Insights and Crisis Management

Pia discussed her experience as a freelance creative director and branding consultant, emphasizing the fulfillment of working with clients she chooses and the value of relational business connections. She shared insights on managing crises by focusing on response rather than reaction, citing Victor Frankl’s concept of the space between stimulus and response. Jeffery and Pia agreed to stay in touch, with Pia’s upcoming podcast appearance scheduled for Monday morning at 3 AM West Coast time, and Jeffery promised to tag her in the Instagram post and share the Zoom cloud link of their discussion.

Connections

Website

Ralph Brewer – Help for Men: Rebuild confidence, Reclaim Masculinity, and Lead from a place of clarity and purpose

Ralph Brewer – Help for Men: Rebuild confidence, Reclaim Masculinity, and Lead from a place of clarity and purpose

Ralph Brewer is the founder of Help For Men and creator of Dad Starting Over, two influential platforms that support men navigating divorce, sexless marriages, and modern relationship struggles. He has authored four books—including his best selling, The Dead Bedroom Fix—and is known for combining straight talk with practical guidance to help men rebuild confidence, reclaim masculinity, and lead from a place of clarity and purpose.

Through coaching, online courses, and the global HFM Brotherhood community, Ralph equips men to stop waiting for validation and start taking ownership. His work has been featured in Forbes, NewsNation, and New York Magazine, and his approach is trusted by thousands of men around the world. He speaks directly to men who’ve “done everything right” yet feel lost—and gives them the tools to find their footing again.

Ralph Brewer Vroom Vroom Veer Summary

Global Reach and Cultural Differences

Ralph discussed a special offer for Jeffery’s followers at helpformen.com, including a freebie and discounts on coaching and group membership. He explained the organization’s global reach, with the US as the primary market and Australia as the second-largest. They briefly touched on cultural differences in men’s willingness to seek help, with Ralph noting that Spanish and Australian men tend to be more open compared to British and German men.

Baldness Experiences and Embraces

Ralph and Jeffery discussed their experiences with baldness and hair loss. Ralph shared a story about his daughter mistaking an egg for him at a restaurant. They exchanged anecdotes about their hair loss experiences and how they’ve embraced being bald. Jeffery mentioned his military deployment and how he learned to cut his own hair during that time. They both agreed that being bald is easier and more practical than having hair.

Rural Indiana Childhood Experiences

Ralph shared his childhood experiences growing up in rural Indiana, where he spent most of his time after moving from Spain at age three. His mother, who was learning English and driving, and his American military father, who was deployed during the Iraq War, made him stand out in his small town. Ralph discussed his experiences with racism and prejudice, particularly directed at his mother due to her Spanish and Middle Eastern appearance. He also mentioned his fondness for Italy, its culture, and lifestyle, contrasting it with the work-hard-play-hard attitude of the United States.

Bilingual Childhood and Family Roots

Ralph shared his personal background, discussing his childhood experiences growing up in a bilingual household where Spanish was spoken secretly by his parents. He described his father’s difficult family situation and how his father’s best friend’s family became like an extended family to him, providing stability and support. Ralph also explained his mother’s challenging upbringing in post-civil war Spain under Franco’s regime, which left her to care for seven children after her father’s disappearance.

Discovering Infidelity and Divorce Journey

Ralph shared his personal story of discovering his ex-wife’s extramarital affair while on vacation, which led to a difficult divorce process. He described how he initially confronted her about suspicious Facebook messages, only to be met with denial and tears during their single counseling session. Despite his ex-wife’s attempts to convince the counselor that nothing was happening, Ralph’s suspicions persisted, leading him to conduct his own investigation using technology. The experience left him more confused than anything, but ultimately led to the realization that he needed to pursue a divorce.

Divorce and Co-Parenting Challenges

Ralph shared his experience of a sudden divorce after his wife had a three-month affair, which he described as the final straw in a series of family-related issues. He emphasized that while the affair was the catalyst, his wife had been emotionally distancing herself and was ready to leave for some time. Despite the difficult circumstances, Ralph acknowledged his ex-wife’s improvement as a co-parent and her successful move on with her life, noting that she is still with the man she left him for but is not married to him. Ralph also discussed the financial challenges he faced after the divorce, as he had to support their three children on his own income.

Rediscovering Passion and Success

Ralph shared his journey of rediscovering personal interests after reconnecting with writing and guitar playing. He discussed his blog, “Dad Starting Over,” which gained attention when he wrote about sex and marriage post-divorce, leading to the publication of his book “The Dead Bedroom Fix.” Ralph’s book became successful through organic marketing, and he later began charging for his time as a coach and mentor, highlighting the importance of recognizing one’s value and potential in unexpected career paths.

Men’s Support Organization Growth Journey

Ralph discussed his journey of building a successful men’s support organization called “Help for Men,” which includes a popular podcast, YouTube channel, and a private community called “The Brotherhood.” He shared his experience of growing from a small Facebook group to national media attention, including interviews with Forbes and New York Magazine. Ralph explained that his first book, “The Dead Bedroom Fix,” was titled to attract attention and focused on helping men overcome insecurities to improve their relationships. He noted that many of the men seeking help tend to be codependent and anxiously attached, often paired with partners who are avoidant.

Challenges in Romantic Relationships

Ralph and Jeffery discussed the challenges of maintaining romantic connections in relationships, particularly how having children can strain a couple’s relationship due to increased stress and time demands, with women often bearing the brunt of these pressures. They agreed that their group focuses on addressing real issues without unnecessary ceremony, and Ralph promoted his free resources, including a course and book on improving romantic relationships, available at helpformen.com/vroom.

Connections

Website

Jason Parker – Sound Retirement Planning (BOV)

Jason Parker – Sound Retirement Planning (BOV)

Jason Parker, RICP, is the best-selling author of Sound Retirement Planning and the host of Sound Retirement Radio, a popular podcast that is also broadcast on 820am The Word in Seattle.  He has appeared as a regular guest on ABC, FOX, & NBC.  He is the inventor of retirementbudgetcalculator.com, which is software as a service to help people create an inflation-adjusted spending plan for retirement.  He has earned the advanced retirement designation of a Retirement Income Certified Professional.
At a young age, Jason had an interest in personal finance and was a bit obsessive about money.  At 12 years old he would collect dollars from his lawn mowing business and he would bring the money home and wash it in the sink and blow it dry straight before depositing it in the bank.  In his 20s, he met his mentor a man named Dean who hired him and helped him get his official start as a financial adviser and Jason hasn’t looked back.  He developed a niche for helping people prepare for a transition into retirement with a greater sense of clarity, confidence, and freedom. 

Jason Parker Vroom Veer Stories

Jason went back to the bank to make a withdrawal and he was surprised to find that they gave him dirty money; he wanted his clean dollars back

Jeff uses credit cards and pays them off each month; mostly for convenience and for points; Jason pointed out that the folks that are paying 21% per month on their balance are paying for those points; food for thought

Jason asked his Dad for advice; which led him to his mentor that set him up for success; those key connections really steer the vrooming and veering in your life

Jason’s nerd behavior led him to wrap cassette tapes in paper towel and put them in plastic bags; Jeff was a “look at me” kind of kid–dying for attention of any kind

Jason was an atheist and an agnostic; then when he was broke; not making enough money to provide for his family on Christmas, he prayed to Jesus and his life changed over night

How to practice personal peace and create your own spiritual path through Jesus or some personal brand of faith

When it comes to retirement planning the money part is just a math problem; the spiritual question of how to find purpose and contribute is the more difficult question

Website mentioned in show on Wait but Why: Religion for the Nonreligious

Connections

Website

Retirement Budget Calculator