Episode 10 -From Burnout to Purpose: Walt Thiessen on Self-Discovery, Mindset Shifts & Personal Growth
By Jessica Garrison
We have another crossover with our guest this week, the creator and host of LOA Today Podcast, Walt Thiessen. He describes himself as kind, curious, and as someone who wants to gather perspectives. Melissa was on LOA Today in May of 2025 in the episode, “Melissa Crook’s Journey to Emotional and Physical Healing.” We don’t typically have men as guests on The FEEL Podcast, but Walt’s story is beneficial to everyone, no matter how you may identify.
Walt says that he hadn’t set out to do a podcast, but after the 2008 financial crisis affected his life, he was looking elsewhere to put his time and efforts. It was in 2012 that he started doing an interview-based podcast, before the tools were even readily available. He worked in IT previously, so he was able to tap his phone in order to record the conversations between him and his guest. There weren’t podcasts being held on Zoom or Streamyard like we do now; Skype didn’t even have a recording option while on a call, but he didn’t let this dissuade him. Walt is a trailblazer in the podcast world, finding it through his search of life. He was burnt out from tech work and asked himself, “What is my passion?” But he didn’t have an answer.
The podcast was a major path towards discovering these passions, acting as an energy boost for him. It aligned with his values as someone who is interested in gaining other perspectives and it supported his self care, continuing to refuel him. He has become a more curious person through this experience, getting to speak with different people and their differing opinions. If you agree on every little thing, then the conversation is easy and you’re just nodding along with each other. However, when someone has an opinion that is different from yours, then the conversation creates a deeper connection. What has brought us together? What’s our common point? It’s healthy to be exposed to something you hadn’t thought about before or to hear a new perspective. It’s what helps us grow.
Walt describes an exercise he did with a mirror for his nonstop mind, and it helped his self-esteem in the long run. He did this exercise consistently for 50 days, realizing just how hard he was on himself around day 20. It takes time, energy, and persistence, but you will see results eventually. The kinder you are to yourself, the kinder you are to others. Show yourself the same patience, grace, and forgiveness that you would show others because you deserve it just as much.
This episode with Walt is a perfect reminder to check in with yourself, being true to who you are. Are you living out of your own expectations? Do your values reflect what you do on a day to day basis? Gather your own perspectives on different situations within your life and surroundings, and make the connection to your path. There’s an endless line of possibilities, you just have to find what is healthiest for you.
Ways to Engage: What are your passions? Sit with this question. What truly lights a fire in your soul? Is it what you currently do for work? Is it a hobby? Is it something that you don’t exercise in your life at all? Make this connection, and discover ways you can work your passion into everyday life or take steps towards living out your passion.