This week, I sit down with Eduardo Hernandez to discuss summer vibes in LA to the challenges of making friends in a new city. Eduardo shares his experience with jiu-jitsu and how it started with an interest in self-defense but grew into an outlet for physical activity and social interaction. He also talks about his background, growing up in Tijuana and San Diego, and his close relationship with his mother. There are some deep moments, too, when we touch on the topic of family dynamics, divorce, and how moving away can affect our relationships with parents and siblings. 

This is the fifth episode of Anything But Design, we introduce a new format; the podclass. With this format, we hope we can provide you with some lessons and learnings to try yourself. In this first podclass, host Ryan Rumsey revisits chapter 1 of his book "Business Thinking for Designers." He reads sections from the introduction chapter and reflects on how things have changed or remained the same since writing the book was written in 2019. He also reflects on the emotional experience of writing the book and what he would include or omit if he were to write it again. 

So this episode is all about Holly Cole and her life stories, from her favorite hair products to growing up in different states. She also talks about her involvement in community work and her leadership experiences. We also get to hear about her struggles with mental health and how she helped a family member through a really tough medical crisis. Plus, she shares her experience of being sent to a wilderness boot camp when she was just 16 years old! But it's not all heavy stuff. Holly also talks about how she found the divine by connecting with others and finding common ground. The conversation covers a lot of ground, including trauma, privilege, and the complexity of relationships with parents. In the end, it's a reflection on the randomness and complexity of life and the importance of showing up for others and yourself.