Ready to turn awkward into your advantage? Andy Vargo empowers individuals and organizations to lead with authenticity through coaching, keynotes, and courses.
👉 Explore how you can Own Your Awkward: https://awkwardcareer.com

🎙️ Today’s Guest: Dr. Melissa Hughes
Dr. Melissa Hughes returns to the show to dive deep into psychological safety, the power of vulnerability, and how to manage personal biases. Melissa blends neuroscience with practical strategies to help people and organizations create environments where authentic conversations thrive.

✨ Support & Connect with Dr. Melissa Hughes:
🌐 Website: melissahughes.rocks
📘 Book: Store | Neuro Nugget
📱 LinkedIn: @melissahughesphd
📱 Instagram: @melissahughesphd

✨ In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why the illusion of psychological safety can be more harmful than obvious risks

• How imposter syndrome and your inner critic feed self-doubt

• The difference between true psychological safety vs. forced conformity

• The science behind emotional contagion — and how kindness rewires the brain

• Practical steps to foster meaningful conversations across differences

🔗 More Ways to Own Your Awkward:
🛒 Grab merch, join a course, or book Andy to speak: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

#podcast #authenticity #psychologicalsafety #impostersyndrome #leadership #coaching #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #authenticity #growthmindset

Dave is from Ontario Canada. He has been chased by a Moose, been in 3 tornadoes, heard himself on the radio, Dave wonders why people love puzzles, and he can’t swim. Dave is fairly sarcastic and his wit makes him slightly dizzy at times. His wife does find Dave mildly entertaining (in small amounts and from a safe distance).

Dave is the host of 8 different podcasts, and over the past 5 years Dave has created content, community and stories - speaking with guests from around the world - everyone has a story! Dave pursues curiosity and coffee in the search for creative people and stories. Dave is an empty nest Dad with 3 adult children. Dave loves his rescued animals, Dave has been an active musician for over 45 years and he has more stories than what can fit into a standard podcast recording.

Dave operates True Media Solutions and supports podcasters by handling podcast editing, growth and promotion.

Find his shows and support Dave Campbell online: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #canada #podcast #howto #voice #music #musician

Amanda Poliak is a talented, award-winning brewer and the owner of Awkward Brewing, a brewery known for its unique flavors and bold brews. She first opened Awkward Brewing in Washington State in 2015 before relocating to the Atlanta metro area, where she re-established the brewery in 2021. While the brewery technically reopened in November of that year, Amanda proudly celebrates March 18th, "Awkward Moments Day," as her official opening day. With a passion for creating a diverse range of beers —from stouts and IPAs to lagers and sours—as well as an inclusive environment. Amanda’s brews have earned recognition, including a medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Her commitment to quality, creativity, and community has made Awkward Brewing into a family as well as a beloved staple in the craft beer scene.

Please support Awkward Brewing online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awkwardbrewing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awkwardbrewing/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awkwardbrewing

www.awkwardbrew.com

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #brewery #brewers #breweries #awkward #beer #fayetteville #georgia #atlanta #relocation #beerpodcast

Brian Kerr has consulted full-time for 19 years, working alongside clients in technology, finance, healthcare, the social sector, and local and state governments. 3 ways he helps clients get to quality + value: ① opening space for shared understanding, ② practicing continuous improvement, ③ landing change & adoption. Brian's goal → to reduce suffering and wasted effort in the workplace. He writes about continuous improvement, facilitation, learning, meditation, and related topics at Improve Something Today. Follow and support Brian Kerr online: Blog & newsletter → https://improvesomething.today Mastodon → https://phire.place/@chrkrhc LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kerr-98406/ Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/ #podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #critital #improvement #selfimprovement #consulting #tacoma

Brian Buck is the Chief Abundance Office of Abundance Worldwide, founder and head coach for Mighty Bold Life.

He specializes in helping you implement peak-performance habits and systems so you can create exponential results in your life.

He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and has helped over 500 people and companies across industries.

He is passionate about having fun all while bringing out the best in people.

Please support Brian Buck online:

https://mightyboldlife.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbuck/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #bold #kaizen #tacoma #sixsigma #entrepreneur

Lara is a holistic healing expert dedicated to empowering empaths to transform their lives. She artfully blends numerology, Reiki, tarot, and yoga, with modern techniques, guiding sensitive souls to harness their innate strengths.

A nomadic sailor and homeschooling mother of two boys, Lara brings her diverse life experiences, including a background in nursing, to her transformative work. She's also a facilitator for Eat Breathe Thrive, teaching yoga for eating disorder recovery and prevention.

Lara's integrative approach delivers tangible results: enhanced emotional resilience, a sense of clarity, calm, and a newfound ability to navigate life's challenges and transitions with both confidence and self-compassion. She equips empaths with practical tools from her varied toolkit to create inspired and purposeful lives aligned with their true selves.

Find and support Lara Scriba online:

www.kitokaizenyoga.com

IG-https://www.instagram.com/kitokaizenyoga/

FB-https://www.facebook.com/KitoKaizenYoga

Freebie-https://mailchi.mp/bc47cba47734/navigate-the-numbers

Buy the books Lara Scriba is featured in through affiliate link:

Wellness G.P.S. https://amzn.to/3x6H1O5

Win the Wellness W.A.R. https://amzn.to/3RgnuRS

The Four-Fold Formula https://amzn.to/4e9vDS5

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #education #mentalhealth #empath #empathy #sailing #sailor #homeschool #homeschooling #empowerment #kaizen #yoga #meditation #intuition

Amanda, the Founder and Creator of Monarch Mental Health, has been a dedicated advocate for the mental health community, driven by her own lived experience with Bipolar 1. Diagnosed in 2010, her journey began with a journal, a lifeline during her first appointment with a pediatrician when she couldn't voice her suicidal thoughts. Referred to a psychiatrist, she embarked on an 11-year path of medical care, therapy, and self-discovery. Throughout her journey, Amanda found solace and clarity in journaling, a coping skill that remains vital to her today. Struggling with cognitive issues from medication, she developed a color-coded brain log to track her symptoms, empowering her to communicate more effectively with her doctors. Despite numerous challenges, including a lengthy depressive episode, dropping out of college, and a stay in a mental health hospital, Amanda's resilience shone through. She organized a mental health awareness event, found a consistent medication regimen, and engaged with a new therapist. Amanda's passion for mental health advocacy led her to establish Monarch Mental Health. She believes that breaking the stigma around Bipolar disorder starts with open conversations. Through Monarch Mental Health, Amanda aims to help others share their stories and find their voices, fostering a supportive and understanding community. Today, she continues regular visits to both psychiatrist and therapist. She continues on with life, “moment by moment”, with her rapid cycling Bipolar 1 disorder. Amanda wants those of you who also battle with Bipolar 1 or 2, to know that we can get through our struggles, even if that means restarting our day at 2:00 PM. Please support Amanda McNamara online: https://www.monarchmhealth.org/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beautifulbipolarbrain?_t=8oFGxQfNRMJ&_r=1 Insta: https://www.instagram.com/monarch_mentalhealth/ Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/ #podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #education #mentalhealth #bipolar #bipolarawareness #bipolardisorder #empowerment

In this very special episode, we have our first returning guest to take a deeper dive into how they continue to own their awkward.

Cheri Hardman captivates audiences with hilarious tales about being a plus size, menopausal babe. She won Tacoma Comedy Club's 'The Comedy Voice', was a finalist in Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club's Funniest MF Out Here and performed at Bumbershoot and in Seattle International Comedy Competition. Her bawdy, sassy style makes her the perfect host for her podcast, 'Diary of an Ex Ho.'Cheri has worked with Tiffany Haddish, Steve-O, Nate Jackson, Stormy Daniels, Luenell, Jamie Kennedy, Tony Roberts, Samuel J. Comroe, Rodney Perry, Ian Bagg and more.

In this episode we talk about what it is like to be a comedian and woman with a disability working through the world of accessible and not accessible spaces to perform and handle daily life.

Find and support Cheri Hardman online:https://www.cherihardman.com/ https://www.facebook.com/cherihahahardmanhttps://www.instagram.com/cherimmhmm/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #education #tacoma #selfcare #comedian #standupcomedy #personalgrowth #plussize #accessibility #disability #disabled #scooter #wheelchair