Dream Guests for the No Time to Waste Podcast
40 yr old terminal cancer patient and former tech marketing exec sharing the list of the people she’d want to interview on her podcast. Just don’t call it her dying wish because she’s still got a lot of living to do…
CONFIRMED!
Lance Armstrong: #14 Listen Now
Nora McInerny: #16 Listen Now
Andy Puddicombe: #17 Listen Now
Tope Awotona: #21 Listen Now
Rich Roll: #26 Listen Now
Jay Shetty: Coming in April
Katie Couric: Coming in April
I’ve been blown away by the messages from old colleagues, friends and strangers this week who’ve taking time out of their already exhausting days to share how the message of maximizing moments and living like there’s No TIme to Waste has personally impacted them. I can’t tell you how much it feels me up inside to hear this. It’s like no matter what happens — with my scan results tomorrow, with my prognosis, with the number of months or years I get to remain on this Earth — it’s not in vain. I have a noble purpose now — it just comes at a lofty price.
And if my new full-time job is not to run marketing at another tech startup, but to spread the message of No Time to Waste with the world, well then I’m gonna give it everything in my power and as those that know me personally, well… look out. I’m goin’ full send here.
At the request of a few people who asked how they could help, here’s my carefully curated Dream Guest List for the No Time to Waste podcast I’m hard at work on. If you have any personal connections to these exceptionally dynamic humans please reach out to me directly!
In the meantime, while I wait for important scan results in the coming days, I’m so grateful I have the energy and motivation (thanks, ‘roids that keep the brain swelling down!) to throw myself fully into this work.
People all over the world are telling me this message is helping them.
That it’s working.
And this is my effing purpose now.
So LFG…
Andy Puddicombe — ***CONFIRMED*** — Headspace has had a huge impact on my mindset since my first brain tumor popped up in April, from Sleepscapes at night to their “Coping w Cancer” series which feels like it was curated especially for me. Co-Founder Andy’s also a cancer survivor himself w/ an incredible story (buddhist monk?!?) and I’m obsessed with his soothing voice that now fills my headphones daily and brings me comfort.
Brené Brown — This research rockstar taught me years ago that bravery and vulnerability are not mutually exclusive; that in fact the most courageous thing we can do is be emotionally vulnerable and open to human connection.
I’ve gifted all her books to countless friends and colleagues, structured interactive audience exercises in my speaking engagements, and ever since getting introduced to TDR’s “Arena” quote, it has served as my North Star in life.
Tope Awotona ***CONFIRMED***— Since breaking free from the corporate ranks, Calendly has become my scheduling go-to with smart inherent virality built into the product and a fantastically designed UX. I heard Founder Tope’s personal story on How I Built This with Guy Raz and learned how his mother’s cancer battle impacted his risk taking in biz and gave him a real foundation in gratitude and living for today.
Liz Gilbert — She inspired me to take my own Eat, Pray, Love journey traveling solo through Thailand in my 20s after meeting her at book signing — but there’s much more important things for us to discuss now. Namely, her experience shepherding her greatest love, Rayya, through terminal cancer and her journey to the other side. Whenever I hear her talk about it, it brings me a sense of peace and calm when I feel scared, and that‘s what I want to talk about now. Also the power of dancing.
Nora McInerny ***CONFIRMED***You think you’ve had a bad month? At 31, Nora lost her second baby, her father and her husband over six weeks. As soon as I heard her surprisingly funny TED Talk on grief and loss, I fell into a welcomed rabbit hole of her content which seeks to bring “heart and levity to the difficult and uncomfortable conversations most of us try to avoid.” I think she and I would really vibe. Like lots of sarcasm and dark humor.
Lance Armstrong ***CONFIRMED***It’s not about the bike. It’s about the late stage testicular cancer he survived in his early 20s, the year of grueling treatments he endured to beat it, and his undeniable contributions to cancer research through his years of work building and growing Livestrong.
Glennon Doyle — A modern day revolutionary, trailblazer, and relatable voice for our times with a signature combo of warmth, wit and authenticity. I was in awe of the courage it took to stand up to publishers and announce her divorce — along with her dramatic love story with Abby Wambach soon after — which didn’t quite jive with her storyline and although I’d prefer to chat in her Florida kitchen (with open cupboard doors) followed by a coastal run with Abby, I’d settle for a Zoom and a reminder that WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.
Katie Couric ***CONFIRMED*** Her first husband Jay Monahan passed away from colon cancer just a year older than I am now. I’d love to hear how she survived such a tragic loss, mustered the motivation and mojo to start Stand Up to Cancer and find love again.
Dax Shephard — Not only does he make interviewing a wiiiiide range of personalities look effortless on his well known Armchair Expert pod, with 18+ yrs working a program of recovery, he’s self-aware and always forthright with his hangups, the chips on his shoulder and his struggles to feel like he’s enough. For years I’ve related to his humor, candor, and raw vulnerability but as recently as a few wks ago — and as someone who’s been there (I haven’t had a drink in 12 yrs) — I have so much respect for the courage and humility going public with his recent relapse on painkillers. Can’t wait to tell him MY relapse story. (Think: crash and burn in like, the biggest of ways)
Pema Chödrön — 10+ yrs ago after the epic fail that almost ruined my life, I stumbled upon this American Buddhist monk’s book “When Things Fall Apart” which was a literal lifesaver during I time in which I could barely get out of bed. “She offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy” which I’m working actively to cultivate now, regardless of what comes of my situation. And what kind eyes, too, amiright?
About No Time to Waste
No Time to Waste is all about confronting mortality, crafting a life without regrets and maximizing moments by focusing on the stuff that really matters — Gratitude, Human Connection and Joy.
About the No Time to Waste Podcast
Alison Hadden may be battling terminal cancer, but she’s focused on living her best life — as her best self — every day. Join her as she chats with resilient adventures, seekers, trailblazers, and exceptionally good humans as they explore what it means to live fully, because there’s “No Time to Waste” — for all of us. | Listen Now
