Send us a Text Message.Here's a link to the Mark Groves episode I found inspiration from -- Click hereAnd here's a link to the episode I recorded with Mark Groves just a few timely months back as well -- Click hereFeel free to leave a reply and a review of the podcast, and as always, thanks for tuning in.

Send us a Text Message.After some people asking for more individual episodes, here is one coming at a perfect time for me. While traveling solo for 9 months, I’m a week in and have some thoughts from my experiences so far. Hope you enjoy.

Send us a Text Message.For this episode, and first ever "A coffee conversation", I'm honored to have relationship expert and experienced podcaster Mark Groves on the podcast. As shown in the title, we discuss things like creating your self-worth, how to regain agency regarding social media's algorithms, and the best way to navigate breakups. 00:00:00 intro00:04:20 "summer-chasing" culture00:05:05 social media colonizes us00:08:30 boredom can feel like failure00:10:00 idea of productivity00:13:50 breakup advice00:17:45 what perfectionism is00:19:00 envy00:21:25 sensitivity is not a problem00:24:50 hookup culture00:26:00 social status of romance00:27:30 having to "fix"00:30:45 learn how to grieve00:31:00 being curious00:36:00 healthy shame00:42:00 victim mindset00:46:00 don't follow others' limiting beliefs00:48:50 how mark created his brand00:50:00 danger of social media for young people00:52:50 money just amplifies your character00:57:55 social media is an abusive relationship01:01:00 advice for starting your own thing01:11:00 navigating your self-worth01:17:55 afraid of commitment?01:24:00 setting boundaries01:27:05 mark's story of getting married01:36:33 "missing someone doesn't mean you want them"01:35:00 advice to 21 year-olds01:46:00 outroMark Groves createthelove.comCheck out Mark's Podcast! -- The Mark Groves PodcastNEW BOOK - Liberated Love: Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love That You DesireInstagram: @createtheloveJohn RudnickiCheck out the Podcast!! -- Real Talk. with John RudnickiInstagram: @realtalk.withjr // @john.rudnicki

Send us a Text Message.Hi there, here's another episode for ya. But instead, this one is a rant. A rant about breakups. Here are the show notes:0:00 ~ intro2:16 ~ cutting off contact3:55 ~ setting boundaries4:35 ~ great quote by Andrew Huberman6:15 ~ "what's the right way to get through this?"7:38 ~ illusion of time expectation8:05 ~ my personal breakup experience10:00 ~ time off social media11:14 ~ it can be a grey space15:30 ~ hookup culture17:00 ~ self worth goes bye bye17:05 ~ the significance of feeling18:05 ~ no one tells you to feel your feelings21:05 ~ spiritual bypassing22:50 ~ advertisement25:38 ~ breakups are good.28:05 ~ final quoteAlso, thanks again to Magic Mind for sponsoring the episode!Visit https://www.magicmind.com/realtalk and get up to 50% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code REALTALK20.

Send us a Text Message.For this episode I got to speak with Jake Luna, former accountant at Deloitte and creator of the wildly successful Newport Run Club, and get into his story over a few nitro cold brews. 00:00 ~ Intro05:45 ~ Navigating quality over quantity in sponsorships08:50 ~ Background10:55 ~ Jake's honest take on doing accounting as a career15:20 ~ The birth of Newport Run Club17:45 ~ Quitting Deloitte18:20 ~ Not doing your calling = anxiety 24:18 ~ "If you are so smart, why haven't you learned to be happy?"26:16 ~ When people first started showing to run club28:50 ~ Navigating fear of rejection38:00 ~ Talking about music47:55 ~ advertisement52:05 ~ The mind is able to adapt54:39 ~ Jake's inspo for running a marathon56:50 ~ Being selective with partnerships59:45 ~ There is no real strategy // keeping the club's integrity1:08:20 ~ If you're unhappy, listen to this...1:13:55 ~ Truly, no one knows what they're doing1:19:42 ~ Jake's final messageAlso, thanks again to Magic Mind for sponsoring the episode!Visit https://www.magicmind.com/realtalk and get up to 50% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code REALTALK20.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Brett Lux and I get a little bit into his aspirations to become a firefighter, his experience falling short and having to cope with it. We also dive into all topics around fitness, not knowing what you want next in life, and mental health in general. BUT, here are the timestamps of some particular topics:00:00 Intro03:20 A lot of people tell you how to live your life in college06:35 Brett grew up SET wanting to be a firefighter08:40 Failing classes forced Brett to reevaluate his future plans09:30 Telling the whole world he wanted to be a firefighter and then falling short was hard to cope10:00 The value in just going for a run when feeling down13:30 Why it's shameful to open up about not having a job14:05 Tallying the small wins14:40 The power of association16:15 "You're in the middle of the times you used to pray for"17:55 Invisible growth & and the staying in your own head18:25 People don't give a shit20:50 The body is a temple28:00 Living a hybrid fitness lifestyle29:15 The pressure of self-help culture online30:15 Staying true to yourself30:30 Brett on men's body image issues32:30 People who are more real are the most inspiring33:30  We live in a more introverted era 38:45 People pleasing43:40 You are in control of your life44:45 Final quoteAlso, thanks again to Magic Mind for sponsoring the episode! Visit https://www.magicmind.com/realtalk and get up to 50% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code REALTALK20.

Send us a Text Message.For this week, I got the honor to chop it up with Finland-based professional soccer player and coach, & founder of Sisu Soccer Coaching: Klaus HuovilaHere are some of the takeaways and approximate time stamps of where they are in the episode:00:00 Intro03:40 School shuts down, do I give up on my dream?07:00 The pain of learning something new11:30 Combining athletics with trying to also play professional in the US15:00 How is the school system in Finland compared to the US?20:00 Ikigai and how Klaus came up with his business idea23:00 Successful entrepreneur story 26:30 First showing the world what you can do29:00 Biggest challenge so far with starting the business33:00 You've first got to go through the uncomfortable to get to the gold44:00 Create your own path.  Instagram: @realtalk.withjrTikTok: @realtalk.withjrYoutube: @realtalk.withjrPersonal: @john.rudnickiKlaus Huovila Business: @sisusoccer_coaching

Send us a Text Message.For this week, I interview a new friend of mine, UW soccer player Levi Hawk, where we discuss his life experiences in and out of soccer, traveling, his time so far at UW, injury, and the life lessons he's taken from it all. Here are more takeaways in bulleted fashion for you visual learners (including myself):00:00 ~ intro12:00 ~ "You can create your own luck"19:00 ~ Choosing professional versus choosing college20:00 ~ The balance of school and sports22:00 ~ The difference between arrogance and confidence36:00  ~ Honest perspective around school40:00 ~ The NIL space51:00 ~ The importance of expressing your feelings1:02:00 ~ Gratitude, and Levi's two favorite pieces of advice he's receivedInstagram: @realtalk.withjrTikTok: @realtalk.withjrYoutube: @realtalk.withjrPersonal: @john.rudnickiLevi's account: @levihawkk

Send us a Text Message.For this week, I host a good friend of mine from the University of Washington, a recent graduate of the Foster School of Business: Kaitlyn Milliken. With both of us graduating recently, we decided to have a "reflection" kind of conversation around our experiences through college, during graduation, and the stress we feel about moving out of the school phase of life. Through the episode, I refer to the last episode where I interviewed Rolf Potts about traveling, the importance of a travel gap year, and post-grad life. If you'd like to check it out, click this link. But to keep the show notes short, here are the rest of the takeaway points through the episode:Grading successHow it feels to "take a break"Relationships are inevitably going to changeThe value of doing nothingHandling healthy conflictChanging your identity that might've always identified with schoolMorally neutral tasksFinal show quote from Tony RobbinsInstagram: @realtalk.withjrTikTok: @realtalk.withjrYoutube: @realtalk.withjrPersonal: @john.rudnicki

Send us a Text Message.This one was special. Thank you to legendary travel writer, essayist, lecturer, and awesome human Rolf Potts for sitting down and having this vulnerable and incredibly insightful conversation with me. To keep the show notes short and sweet, here are some of the main topics discussed in the episode:The idea of time wealth (achievement culture in the US)Find ways to WASTE your 20s!Failing to write a travel book at 25 and the critical lessons learned in that experienceLearning how to lean into the uncertainty of travel and of lifeThe importance of taking a travel gap year (undergraduate students listen up!!!)Some travel tips!Being vulnerable with your friends at home and the strangers you meet on the roadWhat Rolf would say to his 20 year-old self nowIf you enjoyed the episode, feel free to leave a review (written would be super super special) on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help these episodes get into more people's ears and allow me to see genuine feedback. Rolf Potts books I love!Vagabonding (2002)The Vagabond's Way (2022)Instagram: @realtalk.withjrTikTok: @realtalk.withjrYoutube: @realtalk.withjrPersonal: @john.rudnickiRolf's Instagram: @rolfpotts

Send us a Text Message.For this episode, I connected with well-renowned Pilates and dance instructor based out of LA, Alexis Fischer (Lexi for short), and had a really vulnerable and informational conversation about a multitude of things. We discuss Lexi's story of how she pivoted her career in dance towards Pilates, her difficulty with identity in her early years, how hard it is to be intentional, how movement has been her greatest healer, and her up and down relationship with social media. It was a really informational talk that taught me so much, so I am happy to share it and hope whoever decides to listen feels less alone and learns maybe a thing or two. Don't forget to leave a review!!Instagram: @realtalk.withjrTikTok: @realtalk.withjrYoutube: @realtalk.withjrPersonal: @john.rudnickiLexi's Instagram: @lexfish

Send us a Text Message.For this week, I was honored to have on a really special guest, Rome Odunze, who is not only a top wide receiver at the UW, but also a wonder off the football field as well. We discus topics around his story falling in love with football, learning to handle the expectations from others as a top wide receiver in college football, the overall increase in player accountability under a new NIL landscape, and take time to reflect on all the ups and downs of his life too. It was a really vulnerable, introspective, and constructive conversation that I hope to whoever is listening, can take something away from. Thank you to Rome again for coming on and providing an honest lens into his unique experience. Make sure to leave a rating and review so that I continue to improve and work on my craft.  Enjoy!!

Send us a Text Message.This week, long-jumper for the Washington men’s track team, Prestin Artis, joins the podcast to share his recent unfiltered experience in college athletics.Specifically, we dive into Artis’s initial struggle with transitioning into the demanding lifestyle of a Division 1 track athlete, provide a fresh and vulnerable perspective of what that lifestyle actually looks like day-to-day, and the valuable life lessons learned in the process of its ups and downs. From the outside, it’s always easy to assume one’s path to success and afterwards is smooth. However, this podcast intentionally challenges this notion by showing courage in conversation through sharing vulnerable stories and feelings we would usually keep to ourselves.

Send us a Text Message.For this week's episode, I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with TedTalk speaker and experienced practitioner around topics of masculinity, conflict transformation, facilitation training. For this episode, we get into messages such as "be strong, don't be weak", where and when the self-help world of positivity falls short, how to navigate the transition into adulthood, and how to hold space of vulnerability for both yourself and others. I have personally struggled with a lot of these topics in the past and hope those listening can find a sense of relatability in the expert advice and stories shared this episode. If you want to check out the TedTalk in which David Hatfield discusses similar topics, the link is shared down below. Clips of this episode will also be available on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at Real Talk. with John Rudnicki.  Honoring and working with male vulnerability | David Hatfield | TEDxEdmonton

Send us a Text Message.Hi everyone! For the last episode of Season 3, I decided to make it a special one that sits closest to my heart. The very reason I started the podcast in the first place was to create an environment for the harder conversations to be had, open people up to vulnerable connection, and allow for listeners to feel that they aren't ALONE. Because you aren't alone. It can be easy to fall into those feelings and validate that you're the only one going through what you're going through. But all it takes is hearing one other story that is similar to yours. Another story that you can personally resonate with. So for this week, I went through all 23 previous episodes and compiled my favorite and most vulnerable stories that have personally helped me through my own difficult moments of FEELING ALONE and hope can help you in your own times of feeling lonely too.Here is the specific story timeline:Tyler Oakson on giving up DI Soccer to find fulfillment | 2:43Sam Perez on breaking down and receiving support from counselors at school | 5:24Jaskrit Bhalla on reaching a breaking point as a yoga teacher | 7:43Tony Stark on quitting a program in the Coast Guard | 9:25Nelson Tabarez on quitting college soccer and switching schools | 11:28Atay Bulut on staying committed to what he loves despite the doubt from others| 12:42Sam Smith on staying true to yourself and persevering through life's challenges | 14:24

Send us a Text Message.For this week, my friend Jean Robinston from the University of Washington joins the podcast and shares her experience with being multicultural in America, the impact it’s had on her life, and how to embrace your differences and uniqueness.Here are the main takeaways:- A day in the life in India- The difference between being born in India and moving to America v. being born in America- Having to mature earlier than others- The transition into an entirely different culture and how to adapt to a conflict of culture- The challenges with being multicultural and juggling separate identities- The “me” versus “we” culture and toxic comparison in India- How to embrace your uniqueness and accept your differences Find Jean at...Instagram: @jean.robinstonFind MORE of Real Talk. at...Instagram:  @realtalk.withjohnrudnickiPodcast: Real Talk. with John RudnickiYouTube: Real Talk. with John Rudnicki

Send us a Text Message.Hi everyone!!This week's episode is something entirely new and was fun to create. A podcaster I look up to, Mark Groves, will come out with a "solo episode" once in a while that I really enjoy because it's an "educated rant" that discusses one topic in particular that he is thinking about or working through at the time. For me, something that has bugged me and has been a challenge to recently push through is BURNOUT. I define the term and provide the key symptoms and critical causes from one particular video What does it mean to have "burnout"?  by How To ADHD on YouTube. But through the episode, I tailor my own experience and share some stories that resonate the most from notable people around this experience of burnout and how to overcome it. If you love the episode, please leave a 5 star review, SHARE with friends and FOLLOW Real Talk. with John Rudnicki on Instagram and YouTube. Thank you to everyone...I appreciate all the love and support each and every week. Enjoy!

Send us a Text Message.Hi everyone!For this week, I have long-time friend and former soccer teammate Nelson Tabarez on the podcast. Previously, a collegiate soccer player at Concordia University of Irvine and former D1 State Champion for San Clemente High School, Nelson is a direct product of the world of sports and top soccer. For this episode, we dive through his life up until college, looking into his eventual decision to drop out of collegiate soccer. Here are some of the key takeaways: - Losing senior high school season due to COVID- Rushed and stressful college recruitment process - The ups and downs of collegiate soccer- Dropping out of the team at CUI & making that BIG decision- Moving to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona- Trusting yourself and only listening to the opinions from those close to you- Muhammad Ali quoteFind Nelson at...Instagram: @nelson.tabarezFind more of the podcast at...Instagram: @realtalk.withjohnrudnickiYouTube: Real Talk. with John RudnickiPodcast: Find on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other major platforms!

Send us a Text Message.Hi everyone! For this week, University of Washington gymnast Gabi Wickman joins the podcast! For many athletes, there is a level of stigma around speaking out and sharing honest experiences, including both of the ups and downs. But in this episode, we both work towards debunking this stigma by being open to honest conversation and sharing our stories from the sports world.Key sections:- Initially lacking love for the sport - The person must be prioritized over just being an athlete- Speaking up as an athlete - Reaction to "Athlete A" & long-standing abuse by USA Gymnastics- Injuries- A gymnasts' typical day/schedule - The power of choice- Mind over matter mentality- Simone Biles quote Find Gabi at...Instagram: @gabi.wickmanFind us at...Instagram:  @realtalk.withjohnrudnickiPodcast: Real Talk. with John RudnickiYouTube: Real Talk. with John Rudnicki

Send us a Text Message.Hi everyone!This week, I have one of my good friends Tony Stark back on the podcast for the second time. A lot has changed since the last time we talked..and we dive right into it. 7 months ago, Tony decided to begin his training for the Coast Guard, preparing for boot camp and all of the necessary steps to work through the nationally acclaimed ANNEX-X program. Through these months of training, Tony met a lot of obstacles, many of which he overcame. However, through the unique experience of failing, Tony shares all of the ways he continues working towards a career that fits him the best and makes him happiest. Some of the main topics are:- Joining the Coast Guard- The struggle through boot camp- The physical, mental, and emotional challenges- The notion of failure- How to learn from failure- Advice for those who are on the verge of taking a riskFeel free to leave a review if you loved or hated this episode!! I hope you enjoy it!