Emotional intelligence isn’t a buzzword, it’s a life skill. In this episode of Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson, Ryan welcomes Miriam from the South Valley Chamber of Commerce for a thoughtful conversation about communication, leadership, and the power of genuine connection.

Miriam shares her journey from discovering the Disney College Program during the pandemic to becoming a Disney cast member and later stepping into a marketing leadership role shortly after graduating college. Along the way, she reflects on the lessons Disney teaches about safety, service, and empathy, and how those principles translate directly into business, networking, and community building.

The conversation expands into emotional intelligence in the modern world, especially as technology and AI reshape how we communicate. Ryan and Miriam explore why authenticity matters, how curiosity builds trust, and why real connection can’t be automated. They also unpack surprising life lessons from Pixar’s Elemental, using the film as a metaphor for communication, cultural expectations, and finding your own path.

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen alone. Community, honesty, and human connection are essential ingredients for both personal fulfillment and professional success.

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Episode Summary

What happens when we stop responding to life, conflict, and pain with “but” and start responding with “yes, and”?

In this opening episode of Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson, Ryan introduces the core philosophy behind the podcast: validation as the starting point for growth. Drawing from personal experience, relationships, leadership, and lessons borrowed from improv comedy, Ryan explores how acknowledging someone’s lived experience creates space for empathy, connection, and meaningful conversation. This episode unpacks why even well-intentioned responses can feel dismissive, how curiosity outperforms judgment, and why being a peacemaker doesn’t mean avoiding disagreement.

Inspired by storytelling, pop culture, and the creativity of shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway, Ryan reframes “yes, and” as both a communication skill and a life practice. From marriage and parenting to leadership and navigating hard seasons, this conversation invites listeners to honor what they’ve been through without staying stuck there. The goal isn’t fixing people or winning arguments, but creating space for hope, growth, and kindness.

If you’re craving deeper conversations, better communication, and a mindset for moving forward without erasing the past, Yes And Land is your new landing place.

Resources & References

• Whose Line Is It Anyway (improv comedy inspiration)
• Storytelling through Disney films
• Fantasy novels by Brandon Sanderson

Listen, Subscribe & Connect

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💛 Subscribe, follow, and share if this episode resonated with you. Your support helps grow conversations rooted in empathy, curiosity, and connection.

Welcome to Yes And Land.

Welcome to Yes And Land with Ryan Gregerson. This is the podcast where curiosity leads, creativity thrives, and every conversation builds instead of shuts down. Inspired by the improviser’s golden rule of “yes, and…,” Ryan Gregerson invites thinkers, creators, leaders, and culture-shapers into open, open-minded conversations about ideas in motion. No shouting matches. No hot takes for clicks. Just thoughtful dialogue that expands what’s possible.

What makes Yes And Land different? Ryan uses Disney movies as unexpected but powerful talking points, weaving familiar stories, characters, and themes into deeper conversations about creativity, leadership, collaboration, and the human experience. From timeless animated classics to modern blockbusters, these films become shared reference points that help connect big ideas in a way that’s accessible, fun, and surprisingly insightful.

In this trailer, you’ll get a taste of what’s ahead: meaningful dialogue, creative frameworks, and a little movie magic that ties it all together. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, performer, or lifelong learner, this show invites you to say “yes” to curiosity and “and” to building something better.

🎙️ New episodes coming soon. 👉 Subscribe now and join the conversation. 👉 Learn more and explore the network at www.ridethewave.media

Welcome to Yes And Land. Let’s build from here 🌱