Anthony Trucks is a former professional football player turned speaker, author, and transformational coach. Known for his “Dark Work” and “Identity Shift” frameworks, Anthony helps people overcome limiting beliefs, trauma, and past experiences to step into higher levels of performance. After growing up in foster care, navigating abuse, losing his NFL career to injury, and rebuilding his life from rock bottom, he now teaches others how to intentionally reshape who they are and create lasting success.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Dark work vs. shadow work: doing the real work after awareness
2. Identity shift: why you build who you become (not find it)
3. Using adversity as fuel without being defined by it

CONNECT WITH ANTHONY TRUCKS:

1. Website: https://www.anthonytrucks.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonytrucks/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/161

Shannan Martin is the bestselling author of Counterweights, Start with Hello, and The Ministry of Ordinary Places, as well as the voice behind the popular Substack…The Soup. A self-described wannabe gardener, news geek, justice-seeker, and thrift store enthusiast, Shannan writes about the intersection of faith, everyday life, and community.

In this conversation, Shannan explores the concept of “counterweights”, the practice of holding the heaviness of life while intentionally noticing small, life-giving moments that keep us grounded. From faith shifts and justice work to navigating apathy, anger, and hope in a complicated world, she shares a deeply honest look at what it means to stay human, present, and connected when everything feels overwhelming.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Carrying life’s pain while intentionally noticing beauty and hope
2. How community reshaped her views on justice and belonging
3. Why joy, rest, and small everyday moments are not escapism, but survival

CONNECT WITH SHANNAN MARTIN:

1. Website: https://www.shannanmartin.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannanwrites/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/160

Joe Zimmerman is a stand-up comedian whose resume includes The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan, Last Comic Standing, and his own Comedy Central Half Hour special. His first one-hour special, Cult Classic, directed by Nate Bargatze, was called “One of the best specials of the year” by The Comedy Bureau.

In this conversation, Joe shares what it really takes to build a creative career, learning to trust the slow process while staying playful with the work. We talk about writing, curiosity, and why his approach flips the classic advice to “write what you know.”

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. How journaling, free-writing, and imperfect drafts unlock stronger ideas
2. Letting outside interests…feed originality and prevent burnout
3. Why curiosity, not ambition, is often the real engine behind meaningful creativity

CONNECT WITH JOE ZIMMERMAN:

1. Website: https://www.zimmermancomedy.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joezimmerman
3. Listen to ‘Joe Zimmerman – Cult Classic Full Special (Stand-Up Comdey)’: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3N0pAhTbRcs0X1Sqyi1Dns

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/159