Bump In The Road

Have you ever felt like you've achieved everything you've been told to aim for, only to find yourself feeling empty and unfulfilled? This is the story of Constantin, a high-achiever who seemed to have it all – a successful career at Microsoft, a loving family, and all the 'shiny toys' one could desire. Yet, amidst this seemingly perfect life, he felt something crucial was missing. In our latest podcast episode, Constantin takes us on a journey, one that begins in communist Romania and stretches across continents to Canada, where he and his family sought a better life. His tale is one of resilience and ambition, as he navigates through the world of engineering, mathematics, computer science, and the corporate ladder to entrepreneurial ventures. But the real turning point comes when Constantin shares about the onset of the pandemic, a period that pushed him to his limits, working twelve-hour days and most weekends. Despite his hard-earned success, he faced a profound internal struggle, leading him to question the very fabric of his achievements and the definition of happiness. Constantin's quest for understanding and self-discovery leads him to an unexpected place – a mental health retreat in Ecuador, where he engages with indigenous plant medicine in a quest to see himself and the universe with newfound clarity. His candid recount of the experience and the subsequent highs and lows upon his return paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of introspection and facing one's inner demons. As we listen to his story unfold, Constantin's insights on redefining success, confronting emotional trauma, and the lifelong journey of personal growth resonate deeply. His narrative is a bold invitation to us all to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves if we're truly living in alignment with our core values and purpose. What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.” –Gary Hensel Learn more at Follow Bump on: ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️

Dave Tabler, a historian, author, and photographer from Dover, Delaware, wasn't always on the path he is now. Starting out with a passion for photography, he found himself documenting Civil War artifacts alongside two authors, which sparked his interest in history. But it was a near-death experience (NDE) that truly altered his course. After moving to New York with high hopes, reality struck hard. The city was expensive, and success was not as instantaneous as he'd hoped. It wasn't until 2006 that Dave returned to his love for history, starting a blog about Appalachian history inspired by his father's memoir. However, life had more trials in store. Dave was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and while the prognosis was good, complications from surgery brought him to the brink of death. During this time, he experienced a profound near-death experience (NDE) that he shares with us in vivid detail. Dave's NDE was unlike the typical stories. Instead of seeing a white light or hovering above his body, he found himself in a glowing, star-filled space, accompanied by a loving presence. He describes a Mobius strip filled with people of all walks of life, trapped by their own actions—a metaphor for the cycles of karma and sin. This experience was a catalyst for Dave to re-evaluate his life and return to his original dreams. He realized that the wisdom and perspective gained over the years could now be channeled into his work as a historian and author. Since then, he has published two books and is editing his third, all while using his photography to bring Delaware's history to life. Dave's story is a testament to the idea that it's never too late to pursue your dreams and that sometimes, the most significant bumps in the road can lead to the most beautiful destinations. His tale is one of hope, passion, and the enduring human spirit. Tune in to this episode to be inspired by Dave Tabler's story and perhaps find the courage to follow your own dreams. Libsyn What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.” –Gary Hensel Learn more at Follow Bump on: ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️

An American Entrepreneur Goes to China At the age of 14 Mitch told his uncle that he wanted to go to China. This Brooklyn-born teenager’s statement became his path to a business life that would challenge and change many Chinese business perceptions. After a stint with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in China, Mitch became the founder of Super 8 Hotels and grew it to over 1,000 locations throughout the country. The route to growing an economy motel chain in China was full of bumps in the road, but Mitch cajoled, bargained, and made it all happen. That is a story in and of itself, one that we explore in the podcast. His entrepreneurial perspective took Mitch on many unexpected adventures. Today Mitch is a fellow at Harvard University where he advocates pragmatism in U.S./China relationships. Part of his relationship with Chinese culture extends to an exploration of Daoism, Confucian philosophy and Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, meditation has had a profound impact on his view of life. Mitch notes that: “Until you meditate, you don’t really understand that you can observe your thoughts. “ And that opens a path into a a greater life changing consciousness. This is an amazing conversation. Please join us. Follow Bump on:

A Path to Integrative Medicine This is a story of loss, recovery and finding a new path forward. After years of education and work, Christina Kraft had established a successful dental practice. But her perfect plans for the perfect career were thwarted as nerve pain, bony structures and tissue inflammation meant that she could no longer continue in her beloved dentistry practice. This is what she was meant to do! How could she leave her practice? Where would she go? How would she earn a living? There was no business model for this and even less guidance on a professional level. Who was she if not a doctor? While she mulled over her future, Christina got a job the Miraval Resort in Arizona, teaching yoga and running hikes into the Sonoran mountains. Healing her own mind, body and spirit opened the door to her next step. She enrolled in Andrew Weil’s Center for Integrative Medicine where the curriculum included traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Ayurveda, mind/body medicine, the role of mindfulness and spirituality and nutrition. It was a curriculum for medical professionals seeking to make a difference. “So my plan was to lean into what I love. And what came next started to emerge.” In an environment that resonated with her own mind/body/spirit experiences, Christina found a path forward. She is now starting a concierge business in integrative health where she can combine her experiences and wisdom in helping others. She reflects: “I’m a healer. I’m a health coach.” And so this phase of her journey is coming full circle, in a new business, with a new orientation, where she continues on a path towards true health. Follow Bump on:

Sheila Kamuda is a very independent woman. She worked while her husband took care of all the household and childcare details. But when he died, her life stopped. How does one cope with something like this? Sheila put one foot in front of the other, and reflected about her life ahead. And in doing do, she looked back and within for comfort and guidance. "Once you start to go back to who you are, what are your dreams before you met? What is it tha you wanted to do? Where did you want to live?" And slowly, Sheila pulled her life together and moved forward. This is her story. What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.” –Gary Hensel Follow Bump on: