The Becoming Aligned podcast was created to explore and learn from amazing, “regular” people who create meaningful lives that align with their personal values.
Learn how they connect to their authentic truth and navigate the challenges of life. Discover what shaped their personal journeys and how they make time to stay connected and aligned to their values.
Becoming Aligned is currently on hiatus, but you can listen to past episodes below or on your favorite podcasting app.
Maureen Ryan: Reflections (Season 1 and 2)
This episode of Becoming Aligned will be a bit different. I’m not going to be interviewing anyone. Instead, I’m going to take some time to share some of my personal thoughts and reflections after completing the first 2 seasons.
Jim Ryan (Bonus Ep): Books That Left an Impact
In this short bonus episode, my dad, Jim Ryan will share some of his favorite books and authors. He is someone who always has a stack of books by his side, so it was fun to hear more about the books that have really left a mark. He also shares a few more thoughts on getting older that we can all practice no matter our age.
Jim Ryan (Part 2): Harvesting Experience
In this episode I talk to my dad, Jim Ryan. In part 2 we talk about what it was like to transition from his experience in the army and in Viet Nam to life, school and work in Chicago.
He shares some of his favorite stories and moments from his days working as a cameraman at CBS news. And we talk about family, fatherhood and what he’s learned as he’s grown older.
Steph Cattie: Adapting to Change
In this episode, I talk to my dear friend, Steph Cattie. She openly shares lessons she learned after she left teaching in order to advocate and take care of the needs of her oldest son who has downs syndrome. Then we discuss what motivated her to take this next step and study nursing.
Steph is one of the most modest people I know, but her story and character truly inspire me.
Saran Horwell: Relentlessly Positive
In this episode, I interview Saran Horwell. We talk about the different roles she has had in her life from, fitness instructor, tv personality, to being a new mom.
This woman is a force of nature. Her positivity and energy is contagious.
But like everyone else, she has faced her own personal challenges. In this episode, Saran opens up and shares a particularly tough experience she went through and what helped her move forward.
Lynn Rogers: Grace and Grit (Part 2)
n this episode, I continue my conversation with Lynn Rogers. In part 1 we learned more about Lynn as a person. She shared stories that helped to shape her positive mindset and help her discover her “why”.
In part 2 of our interview we’ll learn more about how Lynn went from training and being ready to do an ironman to trying to figure out what was going on with her body. As she experiences numbness, tingling and pain which quickly progressed. She ends up being hospitalized for 5 1/2 months and is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). The diagnosis is eventually changed to the acute version of GBS, CIDP. She tells us about this experience and how she’s navigating her way through.
Lynn Rogers: Find Joy In The Process (Part 1)
In this episode, I talk to Lynn Rogers. This woman is driven, talented, funny and has some amazing and inspiring stories to share.
She went from someone who was ready to do an Ironman to being temporarily paralyzed from the chest down and discovering the cause was an autoimmune disease called Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS).
In part 1, we get to know more about who Lynn is as a person. We get a glimpse into how she developed her positive, growth-oriented mindset. And we learn the importance and value she places on community and how well that’s served her. Its pretty incredible!
Susan Booton: Living with Integrity
In this episode, I interview Susan Booton. She’s a friend and old roommate of mine. She’s someone I’ve had the opportunity to watch become an amazing mom to two young boys with special needs. During this time period, she also became more outspoken for what she believed was right for the needs of young people in her community.
We talk about what led her to become more outspoken and to use her voice in a way that really aligned to her values.
Rhys MacLean: Someday is Now
In this episode I talk to Rhys MacLean. A few years ago, Rhys left her job in corporate America, rented out her beautiful condo and said goodbye to her amazing friends/family to take an extended solo trip around the world. She ended up traveling for 27months!
She’s back in Chicago now and is already planning her next adventure. During our conversation, we talk about the small steps she took to make her dreams of travel a reality. And how she’s now doing work as a travel coach to help others make their dreams of travel come true.
Dafina Dunmore: Creating Life Balance
In this episode, I interview my friend Dafina Dunmore. She is someone that radiates positive energy and I think you’ll feel that coming through in our conversation. She lives her life from a place of authenticity and it shines through in how she chooses to spend her time and how she finds a sense of balance in her life.
Jim Ryan: Appreciating Everyday
In this episode, I talk with my Dad. You’ll get a taste of his personality as you listen to our conversation. In part one of my interview, we talk about what it was like to grow up in a small town in Central Illinois. And how his experience in the Army and in Viet Nam shaped him. There’s a part two planned for Season 2!
Cliff Morehead: Building Resilience
In this episode I talk to Cliff Morehead. He’s an IT Consultant, father, part time Dj and an overall wonderful person. Truth be told, this was a practice episode…But I really loved Cliff’s insights and wanted to share.
Intro to the Becoming Aligned Podcast
Welcome to the Becoming Aligned Podcast! In this short episode, I take some time to introduce myself and why I wanted to create this podcast. I’m so excited about this project!