Podcast
Todd Talk
Hosted by authortoddwhiller · EN
Welcome to Todd Talk: Where inspiration meets action and meaningful conversations spark personal and professional growth. Hosted by Todd W. Hiller, an accomplished author, engaging speaker, dedicated firefighter, farmer, and trusted community leader, this podcast is your go-to resource for exploring how to live a balanced, fulfilled, and thriving life.
Life can be busy, messy, and sometimes overwhelming, leaving us feeling disconnected or empty. Todd Talk dives into the heart of these challenges, offering practical wisdom, proven strategies, and relatable stories that empower listeners to take control of their lives and rediscover joy and purpose.
Each episode is designed to be both inspiring and actionable, touching on topics like avoiding burnout, managing stress, setting meaningful goals, and cultivating mental wellness. You’ll hear insights about fostering balance between personal passions and professional demands, tips for nurturing relationships, and strategies to develop the resilience needed to overcome life’s toughest moments.
But this podcast isn’t just about theory—it’s about real-life application. Todd draws from his wealth of experiences as a leader and a listener, combining heartfelt stories with a deep understanding of the challenges we all face. Whether you’re seeking to find happiness in your everyday life, climb the ladder of personal development, or learn new ways to connect with yourself and others, Todd Talk is here to support you on that journey.
So, tune in to Todd Talk: Your invitation to learn, grow, and live a life filled with meaning and joy.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 79: Be where your feet are.
1w ago00:22:58Tap to summarizeBe Where Your Feet Are How much of your life have you spent worrying about tomorrow instead of experiencing today? As Todd prepares for vacation, he finds himself wrestling with the endless list of responsibilities waiting on the other side. But a simple piece of advice from a friend changes his perspective: Be where your feet are. In this episode of Todd Talk, Todd reflects on our tendency to live in the future, carrying tomorrow's worries into today's moments. Together, we'll explore why planning and worrying aren't the same thing, how to stop borrowing stress from the future, and why some things are worth letting wait until we get back. Whether you're heading on vacation, navigating a busy season, or simply feeling overwhelmed by what's next, this episode is a gentle reminder to stay grounded, embrace the present, and trust that most things can wait. After all, the emails, the chores, and the to-do list will still be there when you get back—but today's moments won't.
Transcribe →Episode 78: When both things are true.
2w ago00:21:02Tap to summarizeIt's Okay to Feel Two Things at Once Have you ever been genuinely happy for someone… while quietly grieving what their good news meant for your own life? In this episode of Todd Talk, Todd shares a personal story about his cousin's decision to move and the surprising realization that followed. What began as feelings of frustration eventually revealed a powerful truth: we don't have to choose just one emotion. We can celebrate someone's success while mourning the changes it brings. We can feel gratitude and sadness, excitement and disappointment, all at the same time. Join Todd as he explores why conflicting emotions aren't a sign that something is wrong with us—they're a sign that we're deeply invested in the people and moments that matter most. If you've ever felt guilty for having complicated emotions, this episode is a reminder that your heart has room for more than one feeling. Sometimes, two things can be true at the same time.
Transcribe →Episode 77: The problem is the problem. Period.
3w ago00:21:37Tap to summarizeHave you ever found yourself blaming someone else for a problem—or blaming yourself? In this episode of Todd Talk, Todd explores a simple but powerful idea: you are not the problem, and they are not the problem either. The problem is the problem. Too often, when conflict arises, we look for someone to fix, someone to change, or someone to blame. But what if the real solution begins when we stop seeing people as the issue and start focusing on the challenge in front of us? Join Todd as he discusses self-worth, compassion, conflict, and the importance of separating people from problems. Whether you're navigating a difficult relationship, a workplace disagreement, or an internal struggle, this episode offers a fresh perspective that can help you move from blame to understanding and from frustration to progress. Because sometimes the breakthrough comes when we stop asking, "Who's the problem?" and start asking, "What problem are we trying to solve?" #ToddTalk #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Communication
Transcribe →Episode 76: What are you running for?
Jun 700:30:52Tap to summarizeWe all run. Sometimes we're running away from burnout, stress, disappointment, fear, or circumstances we no longer want in our lives. Other times, we're running toward purpose, fulfillment, growth, and the future we hope to create. The actions may look the same from the outside, but the motivation behind them couldn't be more different. In this episode of Todd Talk, Todd explores the powerful distinction between running away from something you don't want and running toward something you do. He shares why pain often becomes the catalyst for change, why escaping a difficult situation isn't the same as building a meaningful future, and how focusing on what you're moving toward can create lasting momentum. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I know what I don't want anymore, but I'm not sure what I do want," this episode is for you. Because while fear may get you moving, purpose is what keeps you going. Join the conversation as we explore what it means to stop measuring distance from your past and start measuring progress toward your future.
Transcribe →Episode 75: You can’t own angry.
May 3100:26:43Tap to summarizeWe all carry things we were never meant to keep. Anger. Frustration. Resentment. Regret. Loss. These emotions are real, and it's important to acknowledge them. But somewhere along the way, many of us stop experiencing them and start carrying them as if they belong to us. We allow temporary feelings to become permanent fixtures in our lives, consuming our attention and pulling us away from the things that matter most. In this episode, Todd explores the difference between feeling an emotion and becoming defined by it. He discusses how focusing too heavily on things we cannot control can cause us to lose our grip on the things we can: our character, our relationships, our growth, and our purpose. If you've been holding on to something that's weighing you down, this conversation may help you recognize what was only meant to be experienced—not owned. Because sometimes the most powerful step forward is setting down what was never yours to carry in the first place.
Transcribe →Episode 74: Holding grudges and other useful advice
May 2400:25:27Tap to summarizeWe’ve all been hurt by people. We’ve all had moments where anger, disappointment, or resentment tried to settle into our lives and make itself comfortable. But holding onto grudges comes at a cost. In this episode, Todd talks about the powerful idea that “holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die,” and explores how resentment quietly drains our time, energy, patience, and peace. Through personal stories from the fire service and reflections on everyday life, this episode takes a deeper look at the emotional weight we carry—often without even realizing it. Between work, family, responsibilities, stress, and the nonstop pace of life, most of us are already running low on energy. So why spend what little we have feeding negativity? This episode is about choosing peace without pretending pain never happened. It’s about letting go, redirecting your energy toward purpose, and understanding that walking away from bitterness doesn’t mean weakness—it might actually be strength. If you’ve ever struggled to move on from hurt, disappointment, or conflict, this conversation is for you.
Transcribe →Episode 73: Target Lessons
May 1700:14:54Tap to summarizeA simple trip to Target turned into an unexpectedly meaningful lesson when my daughter told me I was a “good shopping buddy.” Why? Because I didn’t rush her. I let her browse, explore, and enjoy the experience. That small comment made me realize how often we hurry through ordinary moments without recognizing their value. In this episode, Todd reflects on the importance of slowing down, embracing the mundane, and appreciating the everyday moments that may one day become the memories we miss most.
Transcribe →Episode 72: The flat tire philosophy
May 1000:34:20Tap to summarizeA flat tire can ruin your plans—or reveal some important truths. In this episode, Todd shares the story of getting a flat tire while running errands and the surprising lessons that came from the experience. From perspective and gratitude to accepting what you cannot control, this episode explores how even frustrating moments can become opportunities to grow. Sometimes life throws a nail in your tire. The question is: what will you learn while changing it?
Transcribe →Episode 71: You’re already somebody.
May 300:22:45Tap to summarizeThere’s a quiet belief that a lot of people carry… that one day—when everything finally falls into place—they’ll become somebody. When the job title comes. When the money is right. When the recognition shows up. Then it will count. But what if that moment isn’t what makes you somebody? In this episode, we challenge the idea that your worth is waiting somewhere in the future. Because the truth is, you’re already living a life that matters more than you probably give yourself credit for. You show up. You carry responsibility. You support others. You keep going—even on the days when it would be easier not to. That’s not “becoming somebody.” That’s being somebody. This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to earn your identity through milestones and achievements. You don’t have to wait for permission to matter. If you’re trying, growing, and showing up—you’re already making it. If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind, or like you haven’t quite “arrived” yet, this episode will help you reframe what it really means to be somebody… and recognize that you’ve been that person all along.
Transcribe →Episode 70: Give what you’ve got.
Apr 2600:19:25Tap to summarizeSome days, you’ve got a full tank. And other days… you’re running on whatever’s left. In this episode, I’m coming to you after an early morning, a long drive to my daughter’s soccer game, a full day at the fire school, and the realization that the weekend—and this podcast—snuck up on me. And honestly? I don’t have a whole lot left in the tank today. But that’s exactly the point. We live in a world that constantly tells us to give 100%—to go all in, all the time. But what happens when 100% just isn’t there? What if all you’ve got is a little? Today, we’re talking about why it’s okay to give a little when a little is all you have. Why making the easy dinner, folding half the laundry, or showing up in a smaller way still counts. And why recognizing your capacity isn’t a weakness—it’s awareness. This episode might be a little shorter. A little quieter. A little less polished. But it’s real. And maybe that’s exactly what you need to hear today. Because a little still counts.
Transcribe →