Kathryn Gordon is the co-author of the bestselling book "Relationship GRIT" and wife of best selling author Jon Gordon.

Kathryn discusses her candid journey of nearly 30 years of marriage.

Using remarkable vulnerability, Kathryn reveals the framework that helped her and Jon overcome significant challenges and build a thriving relationship that's stood the test of time.

[EMBED PLAYER HERE]

• [00:03:15] 👋 Kathryn introduces herself and her journey from behind-the-scenes supporter to author and entrepreneur
• [00:06:40] 💘 The unexpected and persistent way she and John met (and almost didn't meet!)
• [00:11:20] 💔 Early marriage challenges and how they navigated having children while building businesses
• [00:15:30] 🧠 Introduction to the G.R.I.T. framework: God, Resolve, Invest, Together
• [00:18:45] 💯 Why perfect-looking couples often end up divorced
• [00:21:10] ⚖️ Why you shouldn't keep score in your relationship
• [00:24:30] 👏 The transformative power of complimenting your partner
• [00:28:15] 💪 Focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses
• [00:32:40] 🗣️ Why "where there is a void in communication, negativity will fill it"
• [00:35:50] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The importance of regular family team meetings
• [00:39:20] 🚶‍♀️ Why walking together transforms difficult conversations
• [00:43:15] 🎢 Kathryn's one lesson for listeners: "Relationships are like riding a rollercoaster"

• G - God: Putting faith at the center of your relationship
• R - Resolve: Commitment to work through challenges instead of walking away
• I - Invest: Continuously investing time and energy in your relationship
• T - Together: Making decisions and facing obstacles as a united team

• Don't keep score - relationships have seasons where give and take naturally fluctuate
• Compliment each other regularly - even (especially) when you don't feel like it
• Focus on strengths, not weaknesses - appreciate what your partner excels at
• Communicate expectations clearly - don't expect mind-reading
• Have regular family/couple team meetings
• Walk and talk - side-by-side communication reduces confrontation

In this week's conversation, Joe Ciccarone sits down with Stephen Marche, acclaimed Canadian writer and cultural commentator whose work appears in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times.

Stephen shares insights from his book "On Writing and Failure," discussing the inevitable struggles of the creative process, the realities of rejection, and why perseverance might be the only thing that truly matters.

02:15 - Introduction to Stephen Marche and his diverse writing career 🖋️

04:30 - The power of short-form books and the Voltaire quote about pocket pamphlets 📖

07:10 - "The first job of a writer is to write. The second is to persevere." 💪

09:45 - Herman Melville's tragic story: how Moby Dick sold fewer than 400 copies 📚

12:30 - James Joyce couldn't even get hired to teach English as a second language 😮

15:20 - "Trying to find fulfillment in writing is like trying to learn how to fly by jumping off a cliff" 🧠

17:40 - Anne Frank's diary was rejected 15 times by publishers 📝

19:25 - The gap between intention, action, and consequence in creative work ⏳

22:10 - Why success is temporary and often disconnected from quality of work 🏆

24:30 - Margaret Atwood's story about still feeling insecure despite enormous success 🌟

26:15 - Depression as an occupational hazard in writing careers 😔

28:45 - "The quality of your writing has very little effect on the success of your career, but it's the only thing that matters" 💯

31:20 - Stephen's experience writing for Esquire and the intensive editorial process 🔍

35:10 - Why there's no such thing as required reading 📚

37:40 - Cormac McCarthy didn't sell more than 5,000 copies until he was 60 📖

41:35 - Stephen's writing routine: sleep as a creative superpower 💤

46:20 - The myth of alcohol fueling creativity 🍺

48:50 - Stephen's one lesson for aspiring writers 🎯

50:15 - Current projects and spending a day with Shakespeare 🎭

Stephen Marche is a Canadian writer, cultural commentator, and novelist. His work regularly appears in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. With a PhD in Shakespeare studies, Marche brings both scholarly depth and journalistic clarity to his writing. His book

In this entertaining and inspiring episode, Joe Ciccarone sits down with Tim Conniff, who transitioned from being a healthcare sales director to a full-time stand-up comedian and keynote speaker. Tim shares his remarkable journey from bombing a college speech to becoming a successful comedian, proving it's never too late to try something new.

01:45 - Introduction to Tim Conniff and his multiple roles in life 🙋‍♂️

03:20 - Tim's first experience with public speaking in college and how badly it went 😅

05:10 - The 30-year gap between Tim's first comedy experience and his return to the stage 📅

08:15 - How Tim's son quitting basketball opened up time for him to pursue comedy 🏀

10:30 - The moment Tim had his "I can do that" realization at a local comedy club 💡

12:45 - Tim's rapid rise in comedy: from open mic to hosting shows in just six months 🚀

15:20 - The challenge and rewards of being a "clean" comedian in today's landscape 🧼

18:40 - Tim's creative process for writing and refining jokes 📝

21:15 - The structure of jokes and how comedians work to get laughs every 6-15 seconds ⏱️

23:30 - How Tim balances his corporate career with his comedy pursuits 💼

25:45 - Tim's keynote "Your Comfort Zone Is No Joke" and its message 🎤

27:10 - The powerful question: "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" 🤔

29:45 - Tim's experience performing for patients with traumatic brain injuries 💪

32:20 - Simple ways to get out of your comfort zone that anyone can try 🌱

35:10 - Tim's personal practices for clearing his mind (running and hot yoga) 🧘‍♂️

38:40 - The ONE lesson Tim hopes listeners take away 🔑

40:15 - Fun closing questions: dream day with Zig Ziglar or Jim Rohn 🌟

Tim Conniff is a former sales director for a large healthcare company who now focuses full-time on his work as a stand-up comedian and keynote speaker. After rediscovering his passion for comedy in 2022, Tim quickly rose from open mic performer to hosting shows and delivering paid gigs across the Philadelphia area. His keynote "Your Comfort Zone Is No Joke" combines clean comedy with inspirational messages about challenging yourself and trying new things.

• It's never too late to try something new - Tim started his comedy career in earnest at middle age
• Having an "I can do that" moment instead of saying "I could never do that" can change your life
• The iterative process is crucial - in comedy, sports, or any skill, you improve through consistent practice
• Clean comedy creates more opportunities and challenges you to be a better writer
• Getting out of your comfort zone leads to growth, new opportunities, and a more fulfilling life
• When you help enough people get what they want, you'll get what you want (Zig Ziglar)

• Website: TimConniff.com
• Instagram: @TimConniff