Real with Rocky

The In-Between: Just Be Human

The pressure to perform your way through being alive is real. And most of us have been doing it for so long, we don't even notice anymore.We optimize. We refine. We show up steady. We process the grief privately. We hide the confusion because clarity is mandatory and doubt is weakness. We believe, somewhere beneath the surface, that we have to arrive at some perfected version of ourselves before we are worthy of belonging.Just Be Human is Rocky's pushback against all of it.Not a lowering of the bar. Not settling. Not pretending things don't matter. Just the honest, grounding truth that you are a person before you are a performer. And that who you are, in the tension, in the mess, in the tired, is enough to take the next step.In this In-Between, Rocky sits with the question most of us are afraid to ask: What if the goal was never to outperform being human but to finally stop trying?What you'll hear:Why the world's reward for polish comes at the cost of wholenessThe difference between indulgence and honesty and why Just Be Human is neither an excuse nor an escapeWhat it looks like to feel the grief, admit the confusion, and take the next step anywayThe reminder: Be there. Be honest. Be present. Be imperfect."Who you are, even in the tension, even in the mess, is enough to take the next step."Once a month, Rocky hosts Somewhere in the Middle, a gathering for people who are done performing and ready to be real. Link in show notes. Come be human with us.Get To Know RockyRocky Garza is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of Real with Rocky. He helps leaders trade performance for presence and to lead like themselves, not someone else.Connect with RockyCome be human with us at Somewhere in the Middle: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidenceFollow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/

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104: Rewriting Your Story with Guest Hance Taplin

3w ago00:35:11Tap to summarize

In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and creative Hance for a deeply honest conversation about identity, belonging, and the stories we carry about ourselves. Together they unpack the tension between wanting connection and avoiding vulnerability, how childhood experiences shape present-day behavior, and why many of the narratives we believe about ourselves aren’t actually ours to carry. Hance opens up about feeling like an outsider in everyday environments (from youth sports to community spaces) and the internal battle between comfort and growth. This episode invites listeners to examine the stories they’ve inherited, challenge what’s actually true, and take small, courageous steps toward connection and authenticity.Episode Highlights with Timestamps:00:00:03 — The stories told about us vs. the stories we tell ourselves—and where they collide.00:02:21 — Navigating social anxiety and feeling like an outsider in everyday environments.00:03:54 — The tension between comfort in isolation and pressure to connect with others.00:07:58 — The internal narrative of not belonging—and how it shapes behavior.00:10:04 — What do you actually want: connection, comfort, or control?00:12:25 — Recognizing when your thoughts about others aren’t rooted in reality.00:15:14 — Why you can’t expect an invitation if you never put yourself in a position to receive one.00:17:24 — The difference between being needed vs. being wanted—and why it matters.00:19:43 — Taking small, intentional steps to create connection and rewrite your story.00:29:33 — Reframing your past: separating your identity from the stories others placed on you.About Our GuestHance Taplin is a Dallas-based designer, photographer, and creative director originally from Denver, Colorado. He is the founder of By Way of Dallas, a creative platform focused on connecting communities and reshaping the city through design and culture. His work has led to collaborations with brands like Nike, Neiman Marcus, The Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, D Magazine, Dallas Market Center, 7-Eleven and The Dallas Mavericks, making him a distinctive voice in the Dallas creative scene.Follow By Way of Dallas @bywayofdallasFollow Hance @hancetaplinJoin Rocky, LIVE on Zoom, in conversation about leadership, humanity, and everything in between: http://rockygarza.com/confidence

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The In-Between: Yes and Grow

Apr 800:05:41Tap to summarize

There are two voices most of us have heard our whole lives.One says: Be content. Be grateful. Accept who you are and stop reaching for more. The antidote to hustle culture is stillness. Just be happy with what you have.The other says: You're not enough. Do more. Fix yourself. Optimize. Rest is falling behind, and the moment you stop growing, you start dying.In this episode, Rocky makes the case that both of those voices are lying and that the good life isn't found in either camp. It's found in the tension between them.“Yes and Grow” isn't a self-help concept or a rebrand of perfectionism. It's a discipline. It’s the daily decision to honor who you are while refusing to believe you're finished."Authenticity without accountability is just stagnation with a good story."What’s inside:Why "be content" and "always be growing" are both incomplete and what each one produces when believed aloneThe person stuck in yes: how authenticity without accountability quietly becomes stagnationThe person stuck in grow: why growth without acceptance is just self-rejection at a faster paceWhat it actually looks like to hold both at once and why that tension is the point, not the problemThe discipline of “Yes and Grow” is honoring who you are while refusing to believe you're finishedJoin us once a month as Rocky hosts Somewhere in the Middle, a gathering for people who are tired of doing this alone.Get To Know RockyRocky Garza is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of Real with Rocky. He helps leaders trade performance for presence and to lead like themselves, not someone else.Connect with RockyCome be human with us at Somewhere in the Middle: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidenceFollow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/

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103: Creating with Community with Guest Jonathan Morris

Apr 100:51:12Tap to summarize

In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Jonathan Morris for a reflective conversation about creativity, identity, and what it really means to build something that matters. Together they unpack the tension between living in the future versus being present, the loneliness that can come with vision, and the power of bringing others along in the process. Jonathan shares how community has shaped his entrepreneurial journey, why your greatest resource might already be inside you, and how creating for yourself—not just for the market—can unlock a deeper sense of purpose. This episode challenges listeners to rethink success, redefine resources, and embrace the kind of humanity that builds both businesses and people. Episode Highlights:00:01:36 — Why focusing on the present instead of future outcomes creates clarity and momentum.00:08:14 — The hidden loneliness of entrepreneurship and building before others can see it.00:04:41 — How community accelerates growth and turns ideas into real impact.00:26:00 — Why your greatest resources aren’t money—but time, relationships, and proximity.00:25:45 — The dangerous lie that you have to succeed on your own—and how to break it.00:32:05 — How identifying gaps in the market reveals your next business opportunity.00:38:29 — The power of creating for yourself—not just for profit or validation.00:29:10 — Shifting from external validation to recognizing your internal value.00:31:10 — Why paying attention is the most underrated skill in business and creativity.00:46:18 — Building businesses that create belonging, connection, and meaningful human experiences.Get to Know Our GuestJonathan Morris is a Fort Worth-based entrepreneur known for spotting what’s missing in a city and building it. He founded Fort Worth Barber Shop in 2014 and later co-founded Hotel Dryce, a boutique hotel rooted in community, culture, and local connection. Jonathan is also the host of Self Employed (streaming on Max and Magnolia Network), where he highlights the real stories behind entrepreneurs building something from nothing. His work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, hospitality, and creating spaces people genuinely want to be part of.Hotel Dryce @hoteldryceWebsite hoteldryce.comFort Worth Barber Shop @fortworthbarbershopWebsite fortworthbarbershop.comCherry Coffee Shop (my wife's store) @cherrycoffeefwWebsite cherry-coffee.comInstagram @JonathanDFWJoin Rocky, LIVE on Zoom, in conversation about leadership, humanity, and everything in between: http://rockygarza.com/confidence

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The In-Between: Somewhere in the Middle

Mar 2700:04:32Tap to summarize

Rocky couldn't put down one idea: the good life isn't built at the edges. Not in hustle culture. Not in performative living. Not in the political certainty we cling to because the middle feels unsafe. The world rewards the poles, but Rocky makes the case that extremes rarely produce wholeness.This episode is for anyone who's been chasing a destination that keeps moving. It's for the people who are exhausted from performing. It's for the leaders who know deep down that presence matters more than spectacle and who need someone to finally say it plainly: the middle is not compromise. The middle is life. "Live at the edges and you perform. Live in the middle and you become."What's inside:Why the world rewards extremes and why that's costing you your wholenessThe difference between performance and becomingWhat it actually means to live somewhere in the middleWhy rest is not a means to an end; it's where becoming happensAn invitation to stop chasing the mountain top and find your footing todayJoin us once a month as Rocky hosts Somewhere in the Middle, a gathering for people who are tired of doing this alone.Get To Know RockyRocky Garza is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of Real with Rocky. He helps leaders trade performance for presence and to lead like themselves, not someone else.Connect with RockyCome be human with us at Somewhere in the Middle: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidenceFollow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/

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102: The Rhythm of a Meaningful Life with Guest Robert Milam

Mar 1800:37:27Tap to summarize

In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and creative leader Robert Milam for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, work, family, and what it really means to live a human life. Together they explore the tension many leaders feel between building meaningful work and being present for the people who matter most. Robert shares why he doesn’t believe in traditional “work-life balance,” how creativity reframes the way we think about everyday tasks, and why purpose often requires stepping outside comfort. The conversation moves through topics like parenting, leadership, brokenness, and relationships—revealing that the most meaningful moments in life are rarely the big wins, but the thousands of small interactions we stack up over time. Episode Highlights:00:01:32 — Navigating a new stage of life: balancing a thriving business with growing family responsibilities.00:05:41 — Why Robert rejects the traditional idea of “work-life balance.”00:06:31 — Reframing work as the act of creating something meaningful in the world.00:07:30 — Why great art—and great ideas—often come from imbalance rather than equilibrium.00:10:53 — Collapsing the divide between work and life into one unified purpose.00:13:37 — Comfort vs. safety and how comfort can quietly hold us back.00:18:16 — Seeing everyday responsibilities as opportunities to create meaningful moments.00:21:41 — The importance of showing your humanity—even on difficult days.00:27:46 — Why the most interesting relationships come from embracing differences.00:33:13 — The power of stacking thousands of small moments with your family.00:34:38 — Why relationships are what truly make us feel alive.00:36:41 — How owning mistakes can deepen connection and strengthen teams.Get to Know Our GuestRobert Milam is a creative director and brand strategist working at the intersection of culture, design, and business. He is the Founder and Principal of ModestWorks, an award-winning creative studio known for building enduring brands.Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmilam?igsh=MXJudGZuYmZodnd6Zg==ModestWorks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modestworks?igsh=OXZrZmpjZnVyYTR0Website: modestworks.comJoin Rocky, LIVE on Zoom, in conversation about leadership, humanity, and everything in between: http://rockygarza.com/confidence

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The In-Between: The Paradox of Fatherhood

Mar 1100:05:47Tap to summarize

Rocky couldn't stop thinking about a line,"We love deeply and show it poorly. And we called that fatherhood."In this In-Between episode, Rocky explores the gap between what many dads believe they're doing and what fatherhood actually requires. Providing and protecting are the floor; they always have been. But the floor was never meant to be the ceiling. And too many dads have been living there, believing the job was already done.This episode isn't about doing more. It's about being honest with yourself and with the people who are watching everything. "Be someone worth watching. Not perfect, just human."What's inside:Why providing and protecting are the baseline, not the finish lineThe difference between presence and proximityWhat your kids are actually building by watching youThe most dangerous thing a father can doWhat it looks like to be someone worth watchingJoin us once a month as Rocky hosts Somewhere in the Middle, a gathering for people who are tired of doing this alone.Get To Know RockyRocky Garza is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of Real with Rocky. He helps leaders trade performance for presence and to lead like themselves, not someone else.Connect with RockyCome be human with us at Somewhere in the Middle: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidenceFollow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/

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101: The "Yes Girl" Effect with Guest Alex Cohen

Mar 400:47:25Tap to summarize

On this week's episode, I welcome guest Alex Cohen. We talk through the truth of being a "Yes Girl" and why that strength can also be a weakness that has the potential to open the door for growth... if you approach it the right way. Thanks for being real with me this week, Alex.Get To Know Our GuestAlex Cohen is a Dallas-based fashion stylist and creative director whose work spans editorial, red carpets, and major cultural moments. She’s styled for brands and platforms like Forbes, Dolce & Gabbana, E! Entertainment, the Grammys, CMA Awards, and New York Fashion Week, with clients ranging from influencers to artists and public figures.Her work bridges high-fashion aesthetics with accessibility. She’s one of Dallas’ top stylists.Subscribe for more honest conversations on leadership and personal growth. www.styledbycohen.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/styledbycohen/Masterclass - https://www.styledbycohen.com/shop/p/client-masterclass-long-versionSpecial code for podcast listeners - Rocky20 (20% off Services)Connect with RockyFollow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

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000: Real with Rocky Trailer

Feb 2600:02:21Tap to summarize

No polish. No pretending.Just real stories and real people showing up.This is Real with Rocky.See you next week.

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The Cost of Carrying It All

Dec 2400:54:45Tap to summarize

In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and designer Matt Marciante for a raw conversation about ambition, pride, and the hidden costs of doing everything alone. They unpack the underdog identity, why survival mode eventually breaks down, and what it really takes to build something sustainable. This episode challenges the idea that struggle equals success and invites leaders to rethink how they win.Episode Highlights:. Why the underdog mindset can quietly give us an excuse to lose.. The difference between surviving and actually competing to win.. How pride can disguise itself as loyalty, grit, or self-reliance.. Why building with “scrappy” teams eventually raises the personal cost.. Letting go of doing everything yourself without losing your edge.. Learning to ask for help and trusting both yes and no as valid answers.. Shifting from proving you can to building something that lasts.Get To Know Our Guest:Matt Marciante is an entrepreneur, leather maker, and designer who builds products and brands with the same philosophy: quality first, no unnecessary noise. Through Marciante and Company and Mission Leather Co, he designs and produces handcrafted leather goods rooted in timeless design, ethical sourcing, and practical function. As the founder of Pretty Decent Marketing, he brings that same hands-on mindset to marketing...creating clear, honest systems that turn attention into sales without the fluff. His work helps brands, creators, and small businesses grow through thoughtful design, strong storytelling, and marketing that actually works.Resources Mentioned. Pretty Decent Marketing - https://prettydecent.site/. Marciante & Company - https://marcianteandco.com/. Mission Leather Co - https://missionleatherco.com/. Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training - https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

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All episodes

The In-Between: Just Be Human

104: Rewriting Your Story with Guest Hance Taplin

The In-Between: Yes and Grow

103: Creating with Community with Guest Jonathan Morris

The In-Between: Somewhere in the Middle

102: The Rhythm of a Meaningful Life with Guest Robert Milam

The In-Between: The Paradox of Fatherhood

101: The "Yes Girl" Effect with Guest Alex Cohen

000: Real with Rocky Trailer

The Cost of Carrying It All