You can't prove a negative and life isn't lived in the rearview mirror, so it's hard to say what path we 'stepped off' in order to find the experiences that make us who we are. But it sure feels like a blind leap of faith when it's happening. Whether you're burnt out and need a refresh in the Old World, or just not interested in looking for it, life can find a way of giving you just what you need, just when you need it. Such was the case for Sharon, a former college roommate and one of Liz's first examples of chasing what feels right above what seems next.

From new mantras like 'don't sweat the BIG stuff' to finding the beauty in the meandering nature of life, Sharon is a source of comfort, of grace, and of the courage it takes to step off the treadmill whenever it's meant to be.

Have you ever heard of 'Rubber Ducking'? (scroll to the bottom for a quick poll) While it sounds like a classic Kenan Thompson bit from the 90s, it's a term used by computer programmers like Justin Hinerman to help them break down their code and find flaws. It's kind of like mixing the phrase 'explain this to me like I'm a 5-year-old' and talking to yourself, except you use an inanimate object...like a rubber duck...to remove the issues clouded by your own understanding. By explaining complex problems to someone, or something, that has no context for what you're talking about, you often find hidden bugs and flaws in logic.

Now, we're not saying Liz is a rubber duck...quite the contrary. She was the 90s-era computer teacher, just when the Internet was taking education by storm and terrifying the old guard. And she was the one who saw the future in her students (one in particular) and the power in trusting them. But as she and Justin talked, the parallels from the mid-90s became clearer and clearer...a new, overwhelming tech spilling into classrooms and scaring everyone, students starting miles ahead of the old guard, and Justin's 13 year old child at the center, a kid the same age he was when he met 'Miss H'. It was like rubber ducking the code of 2025 and it even made Justin take pause. 'I'm thinking I need to adjust my posture a bit when it comes to my kids and technology...less 'restriction and limitation' and more 'teaching and trust...with safeguards'.

Rubber Duck Debugging at its best. 🦆

⁉️📱PARENTS: What is your strategy when it comes to emerging tech like smartphones, social media, and AI?

#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #Linsly #Softball #Editing #AI #Tech #Alumni #RubberDucking

As we round into the final stretch of this project, we're going to offer a few 'bottle' episodes, as it were. Some side conversations or special videos that don't quite fit the format of our Walks, but add context or flesh out the series...or maybe they'll just be silly and fun.
Today, we take our first little detour on our path to 50 to share a special Q&A with Carole Ann Al-Din, a counselor with unique knowledge of EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. EMDR is a technique for treating trauma that focuses on the darting movements of the eyes, and something we've noticed may be helping facilitate the deep conversations with our walkers.
It's a fascinating look into the mind and the connection we seem to have stumbled upon (pardon the pun...). We hope you enjoy!

There are often only a handful of people in our lives who get to see us in all our glory, or non-glory, as it were. So, poetically, when Anne first set out on this Walk, the mics failed to record. Then the voiceover recording failed. In fact, even the video we originally planned to promote this Walk failed too. One of those weeks, I suppose. But with every setback, there was this little voice saying, 'well, at least it's Anne.' Not because she matters less, quite the contrary, but because she's been there for you before and she'll be there again. Plus, who couldn't use an excuse for another stroll with a true friend?
On this re-walk, Anne discusses a new project, something that's been quietly bubbling for some time now. Something that, with the help of a partner who amplifies her strengths, may just transform the market for affordable housing in urban areas. When a private passion serves a public purpose, you discover a calling, and we're so fortunate to have recorded (this time) a snapshot of how it feels right at the start.
So enjoy two friends talking, sometimes over each other, in short hand, for support, for accountability, and to share the excitement in realizing a idea and taking a big, bold leap.
...and get excited because she is about to change some things.
#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #Architect #Business #ManufacturedHousing #Urban #YesAnd

As kids and families around the country wrap up another school year and prepare to dive headlong into summer, Liz took some time to walk with a few of those kiddos and discuss it all...learning, failures, teaching, friendships...giving us a snapshot into the minds of elementary-aged children at such an important part of their growth and development. Some of it was surprising, some of it was...age appropriate, and some of it was downright profound.
These Walks with children weren't on the list when this project began, but they've quickly become some of the most poignant and meaningful of all. Take the time to ask the questions and listen to the answers, because they have more to say about who they are and what they need than you might think.
#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Childhood #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #Playground #schoolsoutforsummer #wheeling

For nearly a decade now, Tabatha has been interrupting conversations. She does so with grace and respect, and while there are times she waits quietly for patrons to finish a thought, many other times she provides the pause a difficult conversation so desperately needs. Such is her presence. Calming, positive, and full of care.

When she leaves work, sometimes she jumps off the treadmill of life for an adventure to the Finger Lakes or the Gorge or a nondescript cliff face overlooking the world. And sometimes, she sits in the car for a while and takes in the silence. But she doesn't waste time wanting another dollar or another pair of shoes. She's more likely to lose a moment to a passing chipmunk or a patch of mushrooms growing through concrete cracks.

But it's not all mushrooms and chipmunks, or rainbows and pretty views. Stepping off the treadmill also takes strength and courage, as well as a commitment to a highly personal way of living. That's something that doesn't always get talked about for folks living the 'nomad life'. It's not wishy-washy, much as she describes her post-planning trips as 'willy-nilly'. It's a deliberate choice to live the way that works best for her, not by the next step in society's plans.

So hop in the van and take your time. Whatever that means for you. Pause. Give yourself moments to wander. And leave a little bit of room for the white space of life.

Oh, and follow tabandvin_ventures and to find out where they're heading next.

#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #VanLife #Nomad #WhiteSpace

For someone whose brain switches subjects and bounces topics so quickly...so quickly...Eric Hersey also has long-range, singular focus...at least for specific periods of time. He's a bit of an enigma in that way. He will post once a day for 365 straight days, just for the bit. He will create one-word mantras and stick to them for years. He will answer the promise of a 16-year-old alter-ego named Hostile with a gift no one else you know owns. He believes in the power of consistency, especially in his line of work at Strong Minded.

And then he'll hang a sharp left up an alley and nearly leave you behind.

Given his penchant for productive walking (often the only way he can enjoy a walk is when there is a photo to find or a blog to imagine) it should have been no surprise how seamlessly Eric opened up about things he doesn't regularly talk about. It's a relatively common occurrence in this project, after all, people opening up. (More on that in a special one-off 'episode') But for Eric, we started and ended our Walk with the word 'Fun', which wasn't exactly the most obvious route to legacy and family and fatherhood and Ricki Lake and IMDB. So we just followed the path and let our feet fall where they would.

What we found was the beauty in trusting instincts over rules, embracing fun over money, and finding balance in his superpower, even if it takes a trip to Disney to turn it all off...

#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #gened #backyardwrestling #legacy #StrongMindedAgency #EricHersey #WaltDisneyWorld

TBD