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  • Ahmed Moneka: From Baghdad to Bobcaygeon

    Ahmed Moneka: From Baghdad to Bobcaygeon
    2026/05/15
    In this unforgettable conversation, we sit down with Ahmed Moneka: Iraqi Canadian actor, musician, playwright, activist, and co writer of the beautiful new musical It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken — an original story set to the timeless music of The Tragically Hip.Ahmed shares his incredible story of growing up in Baghdad and starring as a gay man in a film that was highly controversial in Iraq, which ultimately led to him being exiled from his home country.He takes us through what it was like arriving in Toronto with one suitcase, not speaking English, rebuilding his life from scratch, discovering community, busking on the streets of Toronto, falling in love, and eventually helping create one of the most moving Canadian musicals we’ve ever experienced.This episode is about so much more than theatre or music.It’s about belonging.Identity.Human connection.Art.Resilience.Immigration.Love.Canada.It’s also officially the longest episode we’ve ever released… and we won’t apologize for it. We couldn’t bring ourselves to cut a single minute.If this conversation moves you, please go see It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken. You won’t regret it! In this episode, we talk about:• Ahmed’s childhood growing up in Baghdad, Iraq• The Afro Iraqi and Sufi roots that shaped his music and identity• The controversial film that changed his life forever• Being exiled from Iraq after advocating for LGBTQ rights• Arriving in Canada with one suitcase and no English• Working in coffee shops while rebuilding his life• Discovering community in Toronto (and Kensington Market!)• Busking on the streets of Toronto and forming his band, Moskitto Bar• Falling in love with his wife• The creation of the show: It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken• Why The Tragically Hip matter so deeply to Canadians• The connection between Bobcaygeon, belonging, and identity• Art as activism and storytelling as healing• Why community and human connection matter more than everIf you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to us if you followed the podcast, left a rating or review, and shared this episode with someone who needs to hear it.EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCES• Ahmed Moneka’s Website• Follow Ahmed on Instagram• The Musical: It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken• Listen to Ahmed’s music on SpotifyWe’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us: Vienna Waits WebsiteSubscribe to Vienna Five NewsletterUNBLOCK Yourself™ ProgramCorporate ProgrammingWaypoint RetreatVienna Waits on InstagramGreg’s LinkedIn Whitney’s LinkedIn On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    1 時間 29 分
  • Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Try Hard by Max Kerman

    Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Try Hard by Max Kerman
    2026/05/07
    Just when you thought our book series was wrapped… we drop ONE more 😄Greg goes solo for the very first time to break down Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress by Max Kerman. For anyone living under a rock (HA!), Max is the frontman of Arkells… and this book is such a cool mix of real stories, creative thinking, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful over time.This episode is really about creating something that’s actually yours…Even when it feels uncomfortableEven when you’re not sure you’re readyEven when that voice in your head is telling you to play it safeThe book itself is part behind-the-scenes look at Arkells, part creative philosophy, and part kick in the ass (in the best way).In this episode, Greg keeps it simple and pulls out three ideas (because yes… he loves a good top three):Finding your people – why things change when you stop trying to do it all alone.Imposter syndrome – what it feels like and Max’s PERFECT advice for how to overcome it.The Power of Intention – how intentional focus gives each one of us the power to move mountains. There’s also something kind of perfect about this one…A solo episode about a book that’s literally about having the courage to put your work out into the world.Whether you’re an Arkells fan or not, you’ll get something out of this one. It’s a wicked reminder to stop overthinking, start creating, and just….. TRY HARD. We hope you enjoy this (first ever) solo episode! And if you don’t…well…’tuna salad’...EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCESBUY Try Hard by Max KermanArkells Some of our Favourite Arkells Songs:What’s on your mind? (Madison’s new favourite)All Roads (our wedding entrance song)Pullin’ PunchesBook ClubReckoningMakin’ DueWe’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us: Vienna Waits WebsiteSubscribe to Vienna Five NewsletterUNBLOCK Yourself™ ProgramCorporate ProgrammingWaypoint RetreatVienna Waits on InstagramGreg’s LinkedIn Whitney’s LinkedIn On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    28 分
  • Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Why Are We Here by Jennifer Moss

    Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Why Are We Here by Jennifer Moss
    2026/04/21

    We’re wrapping up our Books That Shaped Us series with a special one… Why Are We Here by Jennifer Moss — someone we know, respect, and have actually had on the podcast before (you’ll find that episode linked below).


    This book is a big one. Not in size, but in depth. It’s packed with research, real-world examples, and a ton of insight into what’s actually going on in today’s workplace. And more importantly… why so many people feel disconnected, burned out, or just off.


    In this episode, we keep it simple and focus on three ideas that really stuck with us:

    • Freedom – what it actually means at work today (and why it’s not just about working from home)
    • Compassion – especially in a world where AI, change, and uncertainty are making people question their place
    • Community – and why it’s quietly disappearing… even though we need it more than ever


    We also talk about our own experiences stepping away from corporate life, what it would take (if anything) to go back, and how leaders can think differently about creating environments where people actually want to show up.


    At its core, this book is a reminder that work isn’t just about output. It’s about people.


    And if we get that part right… a lot of the other stuff tends to follow.


    If you’re leading a team, building something of your own, or just trying to make sense of work right now… this one’s worth a listen.


    We hope you enjoy this episode!


    EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCES

    Book Featured in This Episode

    Why Are We Here by Jennifer Moss

    Jennifer Moss on the UNBLOCK Yourself Podcast


    We’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us:

    Vienna Waits Website

    Subscribe to Vienna Five Newsletter

    UNBLOCK Yourself™ Program

    Corporate Programming

    Waypoint Retreat

    Vienna Waits on Instagram

    Greg’s LinkedIn

    Whitney’s LinkedIn


    On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.


    You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.

    

    We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    30 分
  • Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Essentialism by Greg McKeown

    Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Essentialism by Greg McKeown
    2026/04/09

    We’re on episode 4 of 5 in our book series, and this week we’re diving into Essentialism by Greg McKeown.


    This book is all about cutting through the noise and getting clear on what’s actually ESSENTIAL and worth your time and energy.


    In this episode, we talk through the books three core parts and how they actually show up in real life:


    Explore

    Figuring out what you should actually be spending your time on. When everything feels important, nothing is and it’s hard to know what to prioritize. We talk about how hard that is when you’re in it, and why stepping away can help you see it more clearly.


    Eliminate

    Saying no, cutting things out, and resisting the instinct to just keep adding more. We talk about the idea that better doesn’t come from adding, it comes from subtracting, and how learning to do that well can completely change how you work and live.


    Execute

    Even when you know where you want to spend your time, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns. This part is about actually protecting your time and energy so the right things get done. We get into the idea of building in buffer and not packing your schedule so tightly that everything feels rushed or reactive.


    We also talk about how to say no (and why people often respect you more for it), and how success can create more noise and busyness instead of more clarity and meaningful progress.


    We love anything that helps people live more intentionally, and this book ABSOLUTELY delivers on that.


    Enjoy this conversation on Essentialism.


    EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCES

    Book Featured in This Episode

    Essentialism by Greg McKeown


    We’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us:

    Vienna Waits Website

    Subscribe to Vienna Five Newsletter

    UNBLOCK Yourself™ Program

    Corporate Programming

    Waypoint Retreat

    Vienna Waits on Instagram

    Greg’s LinkedIn

    Whitney’s LinkedIn


    On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.

    You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.

    We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    23 分
  • Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Strong Ground by Brené Brown

    Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Strong Ground by Brené Brown
    2026/03/26

    We’re on book 3 of 5 in our book series. This week we cover Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit by Brené Brown.


    At the heart of this book is a simple idea:


    You can’t build something strong on a broken foundation.


    In this conversation, we unpack what it actually means to build that foundation. Not just in leadership, but in life too.


    We get into the idea of grounded confidence. Not as something you either have or don’t, but something you build over time through discipline, accountability, and practice. It shows up in the small things, like doing what you don’t feel like doing, and in the bigger things, like learning how to actually trust yourself.


    We also spend time unpacking one of the biggest themes from the book, that leadership is about paradox. It’s not about choosing one path, but learning how to hold two things at once. Profit and purpose. Optimism and realism. Strategy and execution. Or as Brené puts it, leadership is both plumbing and poetry.


    Another idea we talk about is “pocket presence.” It’s the ability to stay grounded and make decisions under pressure, even when you don’t have all the information. It’s less about how you look as a leader, and more about how you show up when it actually matters.


    We also get into:

    • why preparation matters more than natural ability
    • how connection and trust drive performance
    • and how the work you do behind the scenes is what actually shows up when it counts


    There’s a lot in this one. Some of it challenges you, some of it reinforces things you already know but maybe haven’t been doing.


    We hope you enjoy this conversation on Strong Ground.


    EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCES

    Book Featured in This Episode

    Strong Ground by Brené Brown


    We’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us:

    Vienna Waits Website

    Subscribe to Vienna Five Newsletter

    UNBLOCK Yourself™ Program

    Corporate Programming

    Waypoint Retreat

    Vienna Waits on Instagram

    Greg’s LinkedIn

    Whitney’s LinkedIn


    On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.

    You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.


    We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    41 分
  • Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

    Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday
    2026/03/12

    Our book series continues with The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday.


    The book draws from the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and centers on a simple idea. The obstacles we face in life are not just things to get around. Often, they’re the path forward.


    In this episode, we break down the core ideas from the book. We talk about why the way we perceive obstacles matters more than the obstacle itself, when persistence is useful, and when resistance might actually be a signal to change direction.


    Greg also shares how this book impacted him personally during one of the hardest seasons of his life and why the ideas around perspective and perseverance have stayed with him for nearly a decade.


    If you’ve ever faced something difficult and wondered whether to keep pushing forward or pivot entirely, this conversation (and this book) offers a helpful lens to think about obstacles.


    Because sometimes the thing standing in your way is actually pointing the way forward.


    What We Talked About

    • The Stoic philosophy behind The Obstacle Is the Way

    • The three disciplines Ryan Holiday highlights: perception, action, and will

    • Why the way we interpret obstacles shapes how we experience them

    • The tension between perseverance and recognizing when it may be time to pivot

    • Why action creates momentum when you're facing resistance

    • Historical examples from leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln

    • A real example from our own UNBLOCK Yourself program about pushing through discomfort and eventually finding the right lane

    We hope you enjoy this episode!


    EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCES


    Book Featured in This Episode

    The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

    The Painted Porch Bookshop (Ryan’s bookstore in Texas)


    We’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us:

    Vienna Waits Website

    Subscribe to Vienna Five Newsletter

    UNBLOCK Yourself™ Program

    Corporate Programming

    Waypoint Retreat

    Vienna Waits on Instagram

    Greg’s LinkedIn

    Whitney’s LinkedIn


    On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.

    You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.

    We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    35 分
  • Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from The Third Door by Alex Banayan

    Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from The Third Door by Alex Banayan
    2026/02/26
    Welcome to Season 2 of the UNBLOCK Yourself podcast.To kick things off this season, we’re trying something new. We’re diving into a handful of books that shaped our thinking this past year and pulling out the ideas that actually stuck with us.Think of it as the conversation after you finish a great book. The big takeaways. The ideas we kept circling back to days later.If you’ve ever had a growing stack of books on your nightstand and zero time to read them, this series is for you. We’ll read them, wrestle with them, challenge them, and share what’s worth carrying forward. And if something sparks for you, you can always go deeper.The first book in the series is The Third Door by Alex Banayan.At twenty years old, Banayan set out to crack the code of success by interviewing icons like Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, and Tim Ferriss. With no money and no connections, he found unconventional ways into rooms most people never get near, including hacking The Price Is Right to fund his mission.In this episode, Greg breaks down the core ideas from the book while Whitney reacts in real time, asks the questions you might be thinking, and connects the dots to our own work and life.We unpack what it really means to look for the “third door,” why easy might actually be a red flag, and how having a clear mission tends to attract the right people into your orbit.If you’ve ever felt like everyone else got the VIP pass and you’re stuck waiting in line, this one will challenge you to look for the alley door instead.What We Talked About• What Alex means by “The Third Door” and why it matters • How Alex funded his dream by winning on The Price Is Right • Why easy can be a bad signal • The difference between a linear life and an exponential life • The notion of “Adventure Happens to the Adventurous” • How to ask bold questions and reach out to people you admire • Why storytelling is a leadership skill • When you find your mission and you’ll find your peopleWe hope you enjoy this episode!EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCESBook Featured in This EpisodeThe Third Door by Alex BanayanReferenced People & StoriesMaya AngelouQuincy JonesBill GatesLady GagaTim FerrissWarren BuffettThe Price Is RightWe’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us: Vienna Waits WebsiteSubscribe to Vienna Five NewsletterUNBLOCK Yourself™ ProgramCorporate ProgrammingWaypoint RetreatVienna Waits on InstagramGreg’s LinkedIn Whitney’s LinkedIn On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
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    28 分
  • Six Seven Moments From 2025: Season One Finale | Finding Clarity in Career Paths and Career Pivots

    Six Seven Moments From 2025: Season One Finale | Finding Clarity in Career Paths and Career Pivots
    2025/12/18

    This is our last episode of season one.


    Instead of an interview, it is just the two of us reflecting on our first year building Vienna Waits and looking back on the moments from 2025 that really stood out.

    

    Since we are clearly very cool parents, we are jumping on the Six Seven trend and sharing six or seven moments from the year. We each came with our own list and did not compare notes ahead of time, so part of the fun was seeing where we overlapped and where we surprised each other.

    This conversation is reflective, honest, and very much us. It is a chance to slow down, look back, and close out the season before we turn the page.

    We will be taking a short break through the holidays and will be back in early 2026 with season two and some new ideas for the podcast.

    Thank you for being part of season one. We’re really grateful you’re here.


    Episode Links:

    Free Year End Reflection Guide

    Apply for our UNBLOCK Yourself Program


    We’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us:

    Vienna Waits Website

    Subscribe to Vienna Five Newsletter

    Waypoint Retreat

    Vienna Waits on Instagram

    Greg’s LinkedIn

    Whitney’s LinkedIn


    Every other Thursday, we talk to people who got UNBLOCKED. You'll hear stories about finding clarity, career paths, career pivots and living with intention. Our guests tell us how they realized something had to change, made bold moves, and built lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional. We’ll share some of our own stories too, because we’re right here, figuring it out like everyone else.


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    33 分