Episode 151 - Mike & Karen Burkhard - Rediscovering the Treasures of Life: Mike & Karen Burkhard on Adversity, Love, and Passing Wisdom Forward.

This episode: Rediscovering the Treasures of Life: Mike & Karen Burkhard on Adversity, Love, and Passing Wisdom Forward.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Meeting (0:00)

• Host Drew Deraney introduces Mike and Karen Burkhard, thanking Frank Zaccari for the introduction.
• Drew discusses the concept of life being linear and how external circumstances can derail that path.
• He categorizes people into three types: those who don't see adversity, those who see it but blame others, and those who see it as an opportunity for growth.
• Drew sets the stage for Karen to share her defining moment that transformed her from Woman number one or two to the woman she is now.

Karen's Defining Moment (2:25)

• Karen shares her upbringing in a loving home with a disciplinarian father and a gentle mother.
• She recounts her struggle with math and failing the New York State Regents at 14.
• Her father tutored her in algebra over the summer, and she passed the Regents with a 92, thanks to his mentorship.
• Karen reflects on how her father's faith in her taught her that she could achieve anything.

Mike's Defining Moment (5:08)

• Mike shares his experience of his mother's battle with liver cancer and her eventual death at 58.
• He describes how his mother's illness made him realize the preciousness of life and the importance of total health.
• Mike explains how his mother's experience deepened his love for life and his children.
• He reflects on how his mother's death changed him from an internal to an external person, focusing on others' well-being.

Similarities in Defining Moments (7:35)

• Drew asks Mike and Karen to touch on the similarities in their defining moments.
• Karen notes that both her parents were strong personalities and wonderful mentors who shaped her to pass on mentorship to others.
• Mike agrees, adding that his parents' influence led to a change in his emotions, from arrogance to a deeper love for life.
• Drew comments on how time doesn’t necessarily heal wounds and good memories remain important.

Meeting and Early Careers (9:41)

• Drew transitions to discussing how Mike and Karen met and their early careers.
• Karen explains that their shared love of sports brought them together and that Mike made the first move at a dance.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Mike Burkhard and Karen Burkhart
• (00:02:14) - Couple Talk
• (00:04:00) - The Contingent Moment
• (00:07:07) - What's Your Contingent Moment?
• (00:11:53) - How My High School Sweetheart Got Engaged
• (00:13:46) - In the Elevator With An Artist
• (00:15:24) - Why I Write a Book About Human Development
• (00:17:23) - 52 Stories of Goodness
• (00:22:12) - 52 Stories: Rediscovering the Real Me
• (00:24:16) - Give Inspiring Advice to Kids
• (00:25:05) - Bookmark
• (00:26:34) - Give Advice to a Young Businesswoman
• (00:27:40) - The Road to Somewhere
• (00:29:38) - Bookmark
• (00:30:24) - Living the Life You Want to Live