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🌎 Rob Lawless

@robs10kfriends

45.8K
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🎤 Keynote Speaker
👋🏼 Meeting 10k people - 1:1 - 1 hour each
📬 DM me if you want to meet!
📍 Philadelphia, PA
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What if the people you haven’t met yet could change your life? 🌻 That’s the question I found myself thinking about after meeting Rob Lawless. Rob set out on an extraordinary mission: to spend one hour, one-on-one, with 10,000 different people. Since 2015, he’s met more than 7,700 people from 90+ countries, and along the way, he’s learned something pretty remarkable about what it means to be human. ✨In this episode of Homes That Heal, we talk about: • Why Rob walked away from a predictable corporate career • What thousands of conversations have taught him about people • The power of authentic connection without an agenda • Why we so often stay in situations that no longer serve us • Learning to become comfortable with uncertainty • How social media can leave us feeling more disconnected • The common threads that connect all of us, no matter where we come from • And why the next person you meet might introduce you to something you never knew you were missing One of my favorite things about this conversation is the reminder that our lives are shaped by the people we allow ourselves to meet, know, and learn from. We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just have to be willing to open the door. 🎧 Homes That Heal Podcast | Episode 122 🎙️ Featured Guest | Rob Lawless | @robs10kfriends by @robs10kfriends
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3 days ago
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7813. “At the same time, when I went to Upper Dublin, they were building a new high school so they tore down the pool and the gym and everything. So the one year, we had to go and swim in the mornings at an outdoor pool with a bubble over it, and that was rough.” - Growing up in Willow Grove, Dave Derr Jr. found his footing in the sports world. He swam and played football and baseball. Yet, after having 2 knee surgeries during high school, he decided to stick to the pool - despite having to wake up at 4:50am for practice 3 days a week (and 6am on Saturdays) and having to use an outdoor pool one winter. - Luckily, though, his commitment paid off as he received a scholarship to attend @lasalleuniv, and while there he met his wife who was also on the swim team! Education-wise, though, Dave got his master’s in Accounting, and afterwards joined his family’s business, @derrflooring, which his great great grandfather started back in 1912. - He’s actually the oldest of 5 brothers, and all 5 of them work at the company now. But Dave, in particular, started off in the credit department doing collections, and 2 years ago got promoted to CFO. So now, he’s taking care of the numbers side of things while networking in and outside of the company to see how everything interconnects. - Ultimately, though, he just wants to be a contributor, taking care of their customers and employees - some who’ve worked there longer than he’s been alive. And outside of work, he simply wants to create a good life for his daughters, helping fund their college educations while taking them on memorable vacations here and there! Great hanging with you, @d.derrjr! • How we met: Dave saw me speak at @meahrpartner’s Leadership Conference so we set up a time to hang! • Swipe to hear more about Dave’s swim days! 🏊‍♂️❄️ • #philly #swimming #familybusiness #flooring #contributor • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Willow Grove by @robs10kfriends
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3 days ago
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7812. “The way that I make my cake uses that same trick.” - When she was 9 years old, Miriam Wartell learned 2 important skills. Her friend’s mom taught her how to make earrings and her camp counselor taught her how to bake a cake with orange juice rather than milk! - At 18, Miriam used the jewelry she made (primarily earrings) as a networking tool to connect with various celebrities, understanding that gifts are a great way to catch people’s attention. At 19, she learned Extreme Couponing which several years later she created a website for to help others afford basics like food and toiletries. - Miriam even wrote her own book, “I Don’t Have Time to Save Money.” But she always remained dedicated to building her network - as she attained her Art degree, as she shared her coupon knowledge, as she did marketing for a startup and ultimately as she became a financial professional. - Knowing that it’s important to stand out when networking, she started bringing homemade cake to various people she met and eventually, it turned into a commercially-made, packaged product. Miriam (using orange juice) created what she describes as “if poundcake and birthday cake had a delicious baby with dark chocolate chips.” What started as her making them for her own network has turned into her producing them for anyone to buy! - She launched @miriamsbakedgoods to sell her personal-sized cakes and is excited to see where it takes her. She also donates a portion of her profits to help people pay for therapy! Awesome hanging with you, @thekoshercouponlady! • How we met: Miriam and I connected through @instagram and then set up a time to meet! • If you want to try Miriam’s cakes, she gave me the discount code “Rob10k10” for 10% off through November! 🍰💸 • #philly #jewelry #extremecouponing #networking #homemadecake • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @robs10kfriends
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4 days ago
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7811. “Accountability is my Roman Empire.” - Whether he’s at work or enjoying one of his hobbies, Nick Hollup is always going to present the same version of himself - one, however, that’s made up of a variety of experiences and interests. - Born to young parents in Port Richmond, he moved around a lot as a kid, typically after each lease ended. So by the time he got to high school, he went to William Tennent; a slight difference than his prior Catholic school experience. - There, Nick learned to look at life with a different, wider perspective. So as he worked at Target and then landed a job in the energy industry - one he’s been in for the last 17 years - he always felt free to explore. - Alongside working in construction, engineering design, training, mapping and business analytics, he also briefly shot wedding photography, wrote and produced his own songs (very causally and inspired by artists like @slayyyter) and even competed in and won Mr. Philadelphia Leather in 2017! - These days, he’s also thinking of hosting sessions like consent classes at places like PEG Museum. However, at the same time, he’s in a phase of simplifying life and for that reason is excited to eventually receive his @officialcommodore flip phone, the Callback 8020! So great to meet you, @nickhollup! • How we met: Nick commented on my recent @instagram reel so I DM’ed him to meet! • #philly #authenticity #energy #music #flipphone • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Rittenhouse Square by @robs10kfriends
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4 days ago
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7810. “Most of my research was in Iraq.” - Growing up in LA, Marshall Shurtz has fond memories of visiting the @labreatarpits as a kid. But when he wanted to pursue his education in Archaeology, he chose to do so across the country at @bostonu. Marshall then moved down to Philly to attain his PhD at @uofpenn, and during this time actually lived a little bit of an Indiana Jones lifestyle. - Some days he found himself being detained in the Middle East on suspicion that he was a terrorist (while looking for a lost kingdom). Others, he found himself boating through swamps avoiding alligators. And through the 9 years of working towards his doctorate, he saw dig sites transform from remote isolated places to spots with internet just like any modern setting. - After finishing school, though, he worked at an education company for 11 months until starting his own ventures. In 2023, he did historical tours of Old City, but found more freedom and entertainment in his @alwayssunnytour, covering the shows most famous places. - Around the same time, Marshall leveraged his international experience to became a travel advisor (@merakiva.travel). And now, through his tours, his travel advising and his own archaeological trips, he’s helping people immerse themselves in different worlds - whether they be a fictional tv world or or the reality of our own history! So nice to meet you, @marshthearchaeologist! • How we met: Marshall came across my project via @instagram and then DM’ed me to meet! • #philly #archaeology #alwayssunny #traveladvisor #immersion • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in La Colombe Coffee Roasters by @robs10kfriends
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4 days ago
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7809. “As I get older the pain exposes itself more and more.” - Originally from Upper Darby, Val Mertin began working at an early age. By 11 years old she had her own paper route and by 16 she began working in restaurants. But she also had a natural skill for hospitality and planning. - In high school, she’d lie to her parents, telling them she was going to have a few friends over, which really meant 40-person parties. And her senior year, she excelled in @decainc. - Therefore, she wanted to study hospitality at @georgemasonu, but ended up at @wcuofpa for just over a semester instead. Despite dropping out, she continued her education by sneaking into her Drexel friends’ entrepreneurship classes, all while continuing to work in restaurants like @cheesecakefactory and @surayaphilly. - But in 2021, Val’s path began to evolve when she started experiencing bad sciatica pain. Stemming from a 2015 accident in which she was hit by a drunk driver, Val then started suffering from vestibular migraines, resulting in frequent dizziness. Yet, she fortunately healed her sciatica through one physical therapist and learned how to manage her dizziness through another, both at @morethanmvmt.pt. - Throughout the last decade, Val’s seen her pain reveal itself in new ways; however, in this time she’s gained an appreciation for health and others’ invisible illnesses. As a result, she actually ended up working for one of her PTs and now is getting ready to help others as a personal trainer - a role she’s starting next week! Great hanging with you, @valmertin! • How we met: Val came across my project via her friends like @porknachos (#2333) and then DM’ed me to meet! • #philly #hospitality #vestibularmigraine #physicaltherapy • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Divine Lorraine Hotel by @robs10kfriends
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6 days ago
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7808. “It’s been weekly since March.” - Earlier this year, Mark Feocco created @somedaysoonpod, a show covering the ups and downs of chasing dreams and unconventional paths. Now 30+ episodes in, he’s using it as a channel through which to pursue his own dreams! - Originally from Syracuse, NY, Mark worked in video production after school while living in Brooklyn. Yet, he missed his passions of camping, hiking and generally being outdoors, so after Covid he moved back to his hometown. - There, he’s since worked on corporate video clients while producing a podcast for the Green Beret Foundation. But he started his own show to 1) learn from and connect with inspiring folks like angel investors, photographers, etc. and 2) help market his freelance abilities. - So far, he’s seen an uptick in his local presence, which he’s happy about because he’s currently planning for his wedding next year. But also, Mark hopes to someday have the opportunity to film and produce his own documentary - covering either musicians and the misconceptions about their stories or something entirely different like the unsolved murders of Syracuse. - For now, though, he’s enjoying the growth of his show both in numbers and sponsorship opportunities, but more importantly in his understanding of the world! Awesome hanging with you, @markfeocco! • How we met: Mark came across my project via one of my previous meetings and then messaged me to meet! • #philly #somedaysoon #videoproduction #documentary #chasingdreams • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in The Loom: Richmond Mills by @robs10kfriends
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7 days ago
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7807. “I was in the sixth grade and there was a text about a Great Plague in London in 17th century, if I remember correctly. So it was a really interesting text. The task was for us to translate it.” - Anastasiia “Asya” Prodan dealt with a handful of challenges in her childhood. “I had so many health problems. I was on the brink of death a couple of times when I was just an infant.” - Born in Russia to Ukrainian parents, she and her family moved back to Ukraine (Kherson) when she was 5 years old. And there, Asya saw improvements in her health, yet she tragically lost her dad just a year and a half later. As she navigated life without him, she found comfort in learning English and remembers the exact moment she became inspired to study languages. - After translating a text on the Great Plague and turning it into her own fictional story, Asya knew she wanted to continue understanding what people have to say around the world. She started translating the song lyrics of her favorite bands like @therollingstones and then studied English & Spanish in university. - During this time, though, she and her mom had to relocate from Kherson to Odesa for safety reasons with the war. But since moving there, Asya’s settled into being an English tutor, helping young adults find their own proficiency with the language! - She now helps mainly teenagers and is even starting her own small business, creating ready-made lessons for other language teachers and tutors. However, outside of work, she’s simply trying to live in the present. Therefore, she enjoys playing guitar and listening to artists like @imaginedragons, writing fan fiction stories and watching movies like the Rocky series! So great to meet you, @_p.r.o.d.a.n_! • How we met: Asya came across my project via my @60secdocs story and then DM’ed me to meet! • Swipe to hear more about when Asya fell in love with languages! 📝❤️ • #odesa #greatplague #englishtutor #music #fanfiction • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Odesa Ukraine by @robs10kfriends
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7 days ago
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7806. “I think the short answer is to fill it with people.” - Growing up, Neema Kashi spent countless hours cutting onions and peeling potatoes. His parents often hosted gatherings of hundreds of people, so he too fell in love with Iranian hospitality. - His parents actually moved to the U.S. back in the 70s and his dad and uncles opened up a Persian rug business before selling furniture too. So while he completed his degree at @drexeluniv, Neema began taking photos for the business, which exposed him to mid century modern homes, which he eventually began selling as a realtor. - With several friends in the food and beverage industry, though, he started helping restaurants like Middle Child find spaces and discovered a passion for commercial real estate. - Two years ago, Neema became a broker with the firm, MSC, and ever since he’s helped make an impact on the city by building up areas like American Street with clients like @cranearts! Outside of his career, though, he’s continued to find joy in hospitality. - He’s hosted everything from 500-person Persian New Year parties to intimate dinner parties at his South Philly place. However, he dreams of someday having a vast home where he can recreate the scenes of his childhood, filling it with all of his friends and family! So nice to meet you, @neema.kashi! • How we met: Neema came across my project via @instagram and then DM’ed me to meet! • #philly #hospitality #commercialrealestate #hosting • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Rittenhouse Square by @robs10kfriends
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8 days ago
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7805. “My dream was to become a high school band director.” - Michael Galvan had a packed schedule when he began his Music degree at @unt. He’d wake up, practice the flute for 3 hours, attend classes in the morning and then work at @starbucks into the night. - He needed the job, though, because he became financially independent once he went to college. And because he started to get burnt out, he cut music out of the mix. - Around the same time, he became inspired by @barackobama’s 2008 election run, and therefore changed his major to Political Science; a field he’s been tied to ever since! - After undergrad, Michael went on to get his master’s at UNT and worked on Wendy Davis’ gubernatorial campaign, registering 3,600 students to vote. And after meeting his husband through a mutual friend, they moved up to Philadelphia in 2015. - Here, Michael’s worked a myriad of jobs ranging from former Mayor Jim Kenney’s campaign to being a chief lobbyist for the Alzheimer’s Association. However, through serving on the board of @phillyfamilypride, he and his husband became parents when they adopted their son 6 years ago! - So now, he’s balancing life and work, all while aspiring to make his own congressional run someday, paving the way for future generations to freely be their authentic selves! Great hanging with you, @michaelinphl! • How we met: Michael came across my project via one of my posts on @facebook and then DM’ed me to meet! • #philly #banddirector #politics #father #congress • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Cupbearer Coffee by @robs10kfriends
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8 days ago
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7804. “When I’m on my deathbed, I don’t want to see me working hard and getting awards and stuff. I want to see myself laughing with my friends, joking around until we fall down, you know, spending time with my family, cutting cakes together. Those are the sort of memories I want to have...” - Born and raised in Tanzania, Needah Gangji began doing community service at a young age, inspired by her grandparents. While her grandparents were involved in @lionsclubs, Needah started a youth Leo Club focused on the same sectors: childhood cancer, education, diabetes, environment and eyesight. And while she started with 15 friends, they had 30+ members by the time she graduated and moved to the U.S.! - Looking to study outside of her country, she ended up at @delawareccc and while there continued being involved. She worked 2 jobs, became a leader in 4 clubs and through them discovered a passion for event planning. But then Needah moved again, this time to finish her International Business degree at @templeunivkyoto! - She’s been there since January and has once again filled her plate. “Right now, I’m taking 18 credits, which is the maximum. I’m even the president of program board, which is Student Government Association. And then I run the community service club, too.” - Still, Needah wants to make sure she makes time for connecting with people and enjoying the little things like photography. “I remember when I came to Kyoto, I would go outside with my camera, take pictures on the weekend. But right now, I’m so focused on school that I have forgotten the beauty outside school and home.” - For that reason, she’s hoping to find a better balance as she approaches the final semesters of her degree. Needah aspires to have a career where she can create impact and build places where people can be themselves. She just also wants to make sure she creates simple, meaningful memories with her family and friends! Awesome hanging with you, @needahgangji! • How we met: Needah saw me speak at @templeuniv’s Inclusive Leadership Conference and then we set up a time to meet! • Swipe to hear more about Needah’s foundation of service! 🦁✨ • #kyoto #memories #impact #photography #business taken in Kyoto, Japan by @robs10kfriends
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8 days ago
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7803. “It literally came from inside my fractured brain.” - After growing up in the Poconos, Abigail Bruley moved to Philly to study Film & Screenwriting at @drexeluniv. While there, though, she got a job with a local music magazine. So as she began her journalism career, Abigail only finished her Film degree. - She didn’t mind because, as a former punk kid who enjoy hanging out at record shops, she liked her career. But 8 years later, she got into a bad accident when she and her husband were t-boned in Costa Rica. Abigail fortunately made it back to Philly to recover, but was left with broken bones, loss of memory and a traumatic brain injury. - Therefore, with time on her hands and inspiration from her accident, she wrote a feature film to finish her Screenwriting degree. And since then, Abigail’s turned her feature world into The Main Trilogy, a short film series detailing her fractured post-TBI experience (Main Remains just came out on @YouTube last night!). - On the side, though, she began creating paper mache art of subjects like alligator heads, snails and lantern flies, which led her to create the greased pole at @visitmotp! And beyond that she’s been teaching mindfulness-based stress reduction. - However, with all of her creativity, Abigail simply hopes it finds the people it’s supposed to, trusting that what’s meant to come from it will emerge! So nice to meet you, @brulesey! • How we met: I met Abigail at @visitmotp and then got introduced to her through @brianadoff (#7259)! • #philly #themaintrilogy #greasedpole #mbsr • Click the link in my bio if you’d like to support me via Patreon! 🙏🏼 taken in Elixr Coffee Roastery by @robs10kfriends
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9 days ago
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