Welcome to
Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong

the podcast that will make you question, EVERYTHING.

My goal is to empower individuals like you to explore all the ways you can fully transform your life from the inside out. 

Join me, Valerie Gangas, author of Enlightenment Is Sexy and the upcoming, Transformation Is Sexy every other Wednesday for inspiring, thought-provoking and out-of-the-box conversations with a wide range of awesome people who have totally, radically transformed their lives. We’ll be chatting it up about how so many people have changed their realities and completely shifted gears. And yes, you ALSO can do a 180 in your everyday existence. Because who isn’t looking to personally CHANGE AND BETTER THINGS and I mean in the most beautifully epic ways possible? 

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EPISODE BRIEF:

We all deal with trauma in our lives, more than most of us would like to admit. Sometimes it can feel like it will never get better, but my guest today is proof that it does. I chat with comedian and spiritual energy healing practitioner Sarah Taylor about how the downs, not the ups of her life, led her down a path of spiritual discovery. 

Diving deep into Buddhism and understanding how trauma is not something to get past, but accept it as part of you, Sarah walks us through how trauma was the catalyst to discovering and embracing her true self. It’s easy to forget that we cannot turn our back on being human, but by turning inward we can truly live by our true nature and make those lasting connections with others, not just ourselves.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Sarah is a Los Angeles based stand-up comedian and actor and has been a spiritual mentor and energy healing practitioner (Reiki Master + more) for over ten years. After undergoing a series of profound, radical, and abiding inner shifts, today she is a catalyst for people to turn inward to realize and live the radiance of their true nature. She has been seen on NBC, CBS, ABC, and at all the top comedy clubs like The Laugh Factory, The Improv, The Comedy Store and more.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t think, just do!”? Today’s episode is all about doing just that. I sat down with my friend-with-a-magical-mind, lawyer and comedian Paul Farahvar. Taking a huge leap from full-time lawyer to stand-up comedian, he shares his inspiring, exciting journey about following his opportunity compass and how it led to him “seizing the day” and living his best life.

I’ve learned it’s not always about looking at the big picture, since it’s sometimes about simply living in the immediate present and just following your instincts to wherever they might take you. Paul and I enjoy a trip down memory lane (I’ve known him since I was 5), with us both appreciating how the journey is sometimes a lot more fun than the destination.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Chicago-based Paul Farahvar has continued to delight audiences with his dry, self-deprecating humor, often centered on being an aging single man. After becoming a regular at Chicago stand-up clubs like Zanies, Comedy Bar and Laugh Factory, Farahvar was given the rare opportunity to host and produce his own monthly (now weekly) show called "Drink Date Laugh" and a comedic game show called "Everyone's a Lawyer," both performed at the world famous Laugh Factory. He also regularly tours the country as a headliner, as well as opening for top-billed comedians Demetri Martin, Jen Kirkman, Gary Gulman, Keith Alberstadt and Chris Franjola. Farahvar currently performs regularly at Laugh Factory (Chicago, Las Vegas, Hollywood), Zanies (Chicago, Rosemont, and St. Charles), House of Comedy (Phoenix, Minnesota), Skyline Comedy Club (Wisconsin and Tacoma), Comedy Club on State, Comedy Bar (Chicago) and McCurdys (Florida). He is also the host of the podcast "Singles Only" (iTunes, Laugh Factory Channel, Soundcloud) and a regular guest host on WGN Radio. He played "Karam Haddad" on NBC's Chicago Med in 2017.

It’s hard to see the good sometimes, when everything seems to be going so-… well, not good. In this week's episode, I chat with artist, designer and transformative healer April Nemeth about how navigating through the waters of hardship can be difficult, but how trusting in the bigger picture can make all the difference.

Most of us have found that focusing on getting to know your authentic self can be scary and intimidating at times, since the process can unfold in so many different ways and at so many different speeds. In our conversation, April brilliantly shares her own transformational story, bringing a real depth of understanding to the table. She helps us realize and affirm that questioning the Universe regarding the “why” of it all is actually useless; rather, it’s about recognizing we are all taking this incredible journey of “vulnerability as connection and strength” together, even when it’s challenging. So come along with us and share her illuminating ride!

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

April Nemeth is an American multi-disciplinary designer, with a special interest in conscious and ethical business, creating brand strategy and developing design and production across all platforms. She specializes in brand identities, campaigns, social strategy & content creation, commercials, websites, apps, new product development, environments, styling, interiors and more.

EPISODE BRIEF:

Right now, during these unpredictable coronavirus times, with things being a little crazy all over and so much uneasiness and uncertainty, people are being driven to slow down, take a step back, and really take a look at what the future might bring in all aspects of their lives, including their businesses. I’m so glad I got to spend some quality time talking with Emily Cassel, a soulful business and leadership coach, who is ready to step in and offer you a supportive hand. She dives deeply into some empowering ways to turn the worry and overwhelm around, taking a proactive, positive approach in nurturing a healthy business mindset. 

So, if you’re struggling to focus on the bigger picture regarding your business and maybe need a kick in the butt to get yourself thinking outside the box, then tune in and hear what Emily has to say.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Emily Cassel is a Soulful Business + Leadership Coach for women entrepreneurs, a popular podcast host, an international retreat leader, champion of women, and believer that your “big crazy dream” is totally possible!

Utilizing her profound insight and expertise, Emily is devoted to helping you launch, grow & supercharge the business your soul came here to create while making the impact + income that changes {y}our world.

Driven by the belief that when a woman embraces and expresses her deepest soul calling, she becomes a leader of her life and business, and does it in a way that's sustainable, Emily holds that by doing so we create a more harmonious future for ourselves, each other and our world, Emily gathers and grows both aspiring + established women entrepreneurs through her signature coaching experiences. She is the creator of The Soulful Business Academy, The Business Alchemy Circle and The Soulful Leadership Mastermind.

EPISODE BRIEF:

Where do you stand on “life after death”? In this episode, I’m digging into this thought-provoking, heart-moving topic with my amazing friend, Mollie Morning Star, a painter-turned-medium after she experienced a radical transformation in her life. How do we stay connected with those who’ve passed? Are they really “okay”? Do they know I’m okay? Finding an answer to these questions can be difficult (or damn near impossible), but Mollie, with her profound gifts of spiritual awareness and sensitivity, has aided hundreds of people in bridging the gap between our physical reality and the spiritual. She helps those who are afraid or lost in grief to take a breath, allow the dust to clear and abide in the connection they have with their loved one who has passed, beyond the “veil” of death, so they may find greater acceptance, peace and understanding.  

If you’re looking to boost your hope or are searching for deeper understanding about our staying connected to each other, even after death, you’ve tuned in to the right episode.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Mollie is an evidential psychic medium with a stunning ability to communicate validating messages from loved ones in the afterlife that greatly reduce the pain of grieving. Mollie's path to mediumship is a unique one, given she had an experience that left her overwhelmingly aware of Spirit in a short, 15-minute episode.

Recovering from this upheaval was difficult, but it left Mollie determined to present her ability in a straightforward way, from a place of logic and compassion. She is based in Wisconsin and offers personal sessions by phone or video call, as well as traveling extensively throughout the US for group events.

EPISODE BRIEF:

Talking with Michelle Anderson and Lauren Massarella, the righteous ladies behind the Sister Project, a blog dedicated to ‘hygge’ (Danish for “the art of living in coziness”), creating a cozy life filled with food, family and inspiring moments. In this episode, we talk about how to devote yourself, in the best way possible, to taking care of someone you love who is dying, including the emotions and struggles that typically come with it. Grief changes everyone, and being prepared for it is damn near impossible; but Lauren and Michelle are prime examples of how to live through it, grow from it and allow it to change your life, quite possibly for the better.

If you are going through a painful time in your life with a loved one, we hope this episode brings you comfort that you aren’t alone and that there can be good on the other side of pain.

ABOUT THIS WEEKS GUESTS:

“The Sister Project will always be what we initially set it out to be, a place for us sisters and you sisters-from-other-misters to gather, converse, sometimes complain, celebrate superwomen and trade lifestyle tips.” – Michelle & Lauren

Michelle Anderson is a hygge enthusiast and lifestyle blogger from Chicago. She is a daughter, wife, mom to spirited twins and sister to many. Her favorite hobbies are cooking with a cast iron skillet, singing in a dad- band, The Pigs, and cradling her mini Dachshund, Kevin, like a newborn baby. She is in love with her cool, colorful life and feels it would be rude if she kept it all to herself!

Lauren Massarella is a hygge lifestyle blogger from Chicago, where she lives with her husband, Anthony, and their cat, Egon. Her obsessions include, but are not limited to, sunsets, cortados, candles (lots of candles), mezcal, her tiny family and being a hostess with the “mostess.” Every day, she is on a mission to live her best life with this one chance that she has been given.

EPISODE BRIEF:

The most interesting man alive (according to me) Rev. Peter Panagore opens the door into his near death experiences. Through these spiritual encounters, he has dedicated his life to aiming the light into the world and bringing all those who would listen closer to understanding the true power of love and how it brings us closer together, and closer to God. 

You will be in awe with what he has to say so hold on to your hats and be prepared to realize that everything you think you know is wrong.

ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER:

Reverend Peter Baldwin Panagore is a mystic, preacher, public speaker, author, writer, teacher, best selling Audible author, TV/FM/AM broadcaster, and storyteller who earned his Master of Divinity from Yale, with a specialty in mysticism, and his BA in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

His 2015 Audible Best Seller, Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just The Beginning, is published by Hampton Roads, HarperCollins Canada, GuidePosts, Brilliant Audio, and Jaffa Kaidó and is available globally bookstores and in libraries. In his 2007, Maine Best Seller, Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit, (Touchstone/Fireside, Simon and Schuster, Inc.) you find daily inspirational devotionals first seen on TV.

Peter speaks, talks and teaches all over the world, live, recorded, and in person, in halls, on stages, from pulpits, on podcasts, and on shows such as Fox and Friends, Coast to Coast AM, The Drew Marshall Show, Buddha at the Gas Pump, and many others.