Human School

What if the secret to improving your own life, health, and happiness had nothing to do with self-care and everything to do with giving back? In this episode of Human School, host Miles sits down with long-time music industry veteran and philanthropist Rondal Richardson to flip the script on how we think about generosity. Because you don't need millions of dollars or a massive platform to make a real impact. Today, Rondal shares remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from his 40-year journey in the music business—working alongside legends like The Judds, Garth Brooks, and Naomi Judd—and how an "almost Oprah moment" changed the trajectory of his life. You’ll also discover practical ways to get involved in charity, how to know which organizations and causes to align with, and why the best way to heal your own life is often to show up for someone else. If you're in middle Tennessee, join the Music Community Foundation for a Give Like Dolly event this weekend: https://www.giving9to5.com/ Stay Connected Follow Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ4Zt0 Follow Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ50V0 Subscribe to Our Substack: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ55q0 Looking to dive deeper into your own story? Onsite offers the opportunity to come back to yourself. Learn more here: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ53Z0 In this episode: 00:00 – Introduction to Rondal Richardson and entertainment philanthropy 00:54 – Meet Rondal Richardson, founder and executive director of the Music Community Foundation 00:03:00 – The story of meeting Miles through Naomi Judd 00:15:30 – The Oprah Winfrey connection 00:23:40 – Rondal’s origin story: starting on the road at age 17 00:32:15 – Touring with Garth Brooks and country music history 00:40:50 – Making the pivot from the music industry to philanthropy 00:46:00 – The psychological and physical benefits of service 01:03:40 – Vetting charities: Charity Navigator, 990s, and finding your cause 01:17:40 – The impact: Raising $350M+ and the work of the Music Community Foundation 01:30:30 – Purpose through pain, community support, and looking forward

We spend an enormous amount of energy trying to learn how to be healthier, less stressed adults – but what if the answer isn't learning something new, but remembering what we knew before we got so complicated? In this special solo episode of The Human School Podcast, host Miles Adcox hands the microphone to his seven-year-old daughter, Birdie Rose. With zero media training and absolute honesty, Birdie shares her thoughts on art, missing teeth, strawberries and ketchup, and what makes her feel closest to the people she loves. In this conversation and reflection, Miles unpacks four unexpected lessons on stress, curiosity, presence, and connection that children carry naturally — lessons that adults spend a lifetime trying to find their way back to. In this episode: 00:00 - Introducing Birdie Rose: The 7-Year-Old Podcast Guest 01:20 - Lesson 1: Curiosity Over Certainty (The Power of "I Don't Know") 04:00 - Lesson 2: Presence Over Productivity (Why Play Doesn't Need a Reason) 05:50 - Lesson 3: Expression Over Impression (Strawberries in Ketchup and PR Filters) 07:45 - Lesson 4: Relationship Over Performance (What Kids Actually Want From Us) 09:40 - Finding Courage: How We Regulate Fear Inside Relationships 11:45 - Final Encouragement from Birdie (And How to Keep Showing Up) If you’re looking for ways to connect back to yourself, Onsite can help. Learn more about our experiences: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj150 Follow Human School: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj450 Follow Miles: https://hubs.la/Q04xch_N0 Subscribe to Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj3y0

Are you living the life you actually want, or are you just trying to please everyone around you? In this episode of Human School, Miles sits down with world-renowned author, sociologist, and life coach Dr. Martha Beck for an exceptionally honest and deep conversation on human nature, breaking free from anxiety, and finding your true path. Martha shares her personal journey — from her time writing for Oprah’s Magazine and earning degrees from Harvard, to radically transforming her life by committing to a full year of total honesty. Together, Miles and Martha explore the biological roots of anxiety, how societal expectations force us to sell out our true nature at an early age, and how simple creative acts can serve as a direct antidote to mental distress. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Root of Modern Anxiety: Why our current educational and social systems conflict with human evolution. The "Visual Cliff" Study: How children learn to judge their own worth by watching the adults around them. The Power of Caving Early: Why learning to apologize quickly and drop ego heals relationships faster than anything else. Creativity vs. Anxiety: How engaging the creative parts of your brain actively shuts down panic and stress. The "One-Degree Turn": How making tiny, honest shifts in your day-to-day choices can completely realign your life. The K.I.S.T. Method: A practical, step-by-step tool using Kind Internal Self-Talk to navigate intense panic attacks and internal conflict. Whether you’re feeling burned out, stuck in people-pleasing patterns, or simply searching for more peace in your daily routine, this episode provides a compassionate roadmap back to your whole self. Onsite offers a range of experiences to do life-changing work around your story and what your body might be holding onto. Learn more at www.experienceonsite.com Episode Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome Martha Beck 00:02:46 What Comfort Means Today 00:04:41 Root Causes of Modern Anxiety 00:07:08 How Kids Learn Self-Worth 00:13:21 The "Cave Early" Practice 00:15:53 Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain 00:21:05 The Real Curriculum of Life 00:24:00 Ancestral Wisdom & Magic 00:28:13 African Hospitality & Ubuntu 00:34:52 Finite vs. Infinite Games 00:44:03 Using Art to Fight Anxiety 00:47:38 Guided Visualization Exercise 00:54:02 Finding Magic in Technology 01:00:52 Humanizing High Performers 01:08:18 Living One Year Without Lies Connect with Human School: YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q04wFHGz0 Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04wFHPK0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04wFJHn0 Follow Human School on Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04wFJZt0

What happens when life completely rewires your timeline overnight? Six-time Grammy winner Amy Grant joins the show for an exceptionally raw and vulnerable conversation about navigating back-to-back life-altering health crises — from emergency open-heart surgery to a traumatic brain injury that forced her to pause everything. Amy candidly opens up about the physical reality of memory loss, the emotional weight of starting over at 65, and why she ultimately decided to write a eulogy to her younger self. She also breaks down the worst advice she received early in her career, and how letting go of control allowed her to finally embrace the gift of unplanned interruptions. Whether you are navigating your own unexpected life shift, recovering from trauma, or searching for margin in a chaotic world, this episode is a masterclass in grace, resilience, and true freedom. Key Takeaways from This Episode Interruptions are often invitations. Real growth happens when you stop viewing life's disruptions as obstacles and start viewing them as redirections. Release past versions of yourself. Holding onto who you used to be prevents you from accepting and healing who you are right now. Margin isn't extra time — it's intentional space. Recovery and peace require actively protecting your energy from external expectations. Are you looking for support after your own season of change? Onsite offers a range of experiences to do life-changing work around your story and what your body might be holding onto. Learn more at www.experienceonsite.com Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Dragging Old Suitcases: Amy Grant’s New Season 00:38 - "Don't Talk So Much, Just Sing" 06:01 - The First Recording at Age 15 08:24 - Overcoming Limits 12:22 - The "River of Life" & Facing the Waterfall 20:56 - Health Scares: Open-Heart Surgery & the Bike Accident 27:17 - Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 31:02 - The Assignment: Writing a Eulogy to Her Younger Self 35:57 - Undoing Childhood Scripts and Deconstructing the Past 40:15 - Finding "Margin" and the Story of the Good Samaritan 45:24 - Morning Rituals: Unplugging from Autopilot 50:13 - Turning Pain into Grace and Finding Identity 01:10:53 - Rewiring the Brain: Neuroplasticity and Healing 01:12:24 - "Lead Me to Those I Need": Surplus and Need 01:19:00 - Post-Traumatic Growth and Repurposing Your Story 01:24:24 - Navigating Fame, Criticism, and Living off the Screen 01:31:17 - Collaborative Music and Embracing a Life Reset 01:37:19 Breathwork 01:40:09 Marriage is the Great Rock Tumbler 01:47:59 Closing Prayer Sendoff Connect with Human School: YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q04vZlYs0 Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04vB96T0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04vB9CJ0

When life throws loss, grief, and change your way, how do you allow the pain to transform you rather than destroy you? In this episode of Human School, host Miles Adcox sits down with Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald of the alt-folk band Judah & the Lion on the release day of their album, Process. Together, they walk through a raw and vulnerable conversation about what it truly takes to heal. Judah opens up about losing family members to mental health struggles, navigating divorce, and working through addiction while performing on major stages around the world. Brian shares his perspective on stepping into fatherhood while on tour, keeping the band's brotherhood intact through dark seasons, and learning to redefine identity. From the metaphor of a caterpillar in a cocoon to learning how to stop harsh self-judgment, this conversation is a grounded reminder that transformation is messy, but hope is always available. In this episode, we discuss: The Cocoon Metaphor: Why real emotional growth requires letting go of who you were. Grief & Mental Health: Processing tragic loss, addressing addiction, and separating the symptom from the disease. Self-Compassion: Overcoming shame, letting go of control, and learning to speak kindly to yourself. Parenting & Growth: Navigating big life transitions and raising kids while working through your own past. Behind the Songs: The spontaneous origin story behind their track "Prism". Memorable Quotes: "The caterpillar has no memory of wings." — Judah Akers "We're not through the pain, but we're in it together, and there's hope." — Brian Macdonald "Addiction is a symptom. Shame, guilt, and not knowing yourself... are the disease." — Judah Akers "It's okay to be scared and brave at the same time. You can actually do both." — Miles Adcox Episode Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Meet Judah & The Lion 00:04:42 – The Metaphor of Transformation 00:11:42 – Fatherhood & Evolving Identity 00:15:39 – Unpacking Rock Bottom & Vulnerability 00:21:44 – Growing Up & Early Influences 00:36:34 – The Band’s Origins & Personal Loss 00:47:31 – Brotherhood & Supporting Each Other Through the Storm 00:50:23 – Addressing Addiction, Shame, and Grief 00:00:21 – Mentors, Support Systems, & Encouraging Voices 01:07:33 – The Meaning Behind "Prism" 01:11:46 – "Open Your Eyes, Kid" 01:24:20 – "Scared and Brave at the Same Time" Links & Resources: Stream Judah & the Lion's Music Learn more about emotional wellness intensives at Onsite Workshops If you loved this episode, please rate and review Human School on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help us reach more people who need these conversations! Follow Human School Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04v8Q7K0 Follow Miles: https://hubs.la/Q04v8QcZ0 Human School YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q04v8Qdh0