Sometimes a key moment can make a world of difference in our lives. Those moments are deeply underrepresented in our conversations relative to the importance they play in our lives. We hope to begin to remedy that below.
Windell Dobson
The study of art and the act of creating it have profoundly shaped how I see the world. Each brushstroke, texture, and layered surface becomes both a reflection and a revelation, allowing me to engage with life in ways words often cannot. Read More>>
Barbara Freund
Several years ago I came across a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. . He said “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things greatly.” This resonated strongly with me. I began paying attention to little acts of kindness and was so pleased to see that there was actually a lot going on…people doing small things with meaningful impact. Read More>>
CHESSINE NUGENT
My journey began at the age of 25, when I embarked on cruise ships, finding myself in a unique position as one of the few US citizens on board. After seven years, and being blessed to see a lot of the world by myself, It taught me that when Travel is done with intention and openness, it is a powerful catalyst for cultural understanding. Read More>>
Amelia Chen
For me, life has always been a journey of experiences rather than destinations. I love my work and the thrill of creating, but I’ve come to realize that what I treasure most is my health, my sense of wonder, and the quiet joy of living. This year I made myself a promise: to see more of the world. Read More>>
Mama Yaya
As an American based artist, the past two years have completely reshaped how I see the world due to the genocide in Gaza. Speaking out for Palestinian human rights and awareness has only recently been more acceptable among famous artists. It has been so critical for people with platforms to speak up, no matter the cost or sacrifices made. Read More>>
Jessica Koiner
Becoming a mother in 2016 changed so much about how I empathize with others. I’ve always had a passion for family, medicine, and children. I had a great deal of experience watching kiddos of all ages and felt confident and comfortable but nothing prepares you for the person that you become after giving birth. Read More>>
Edward Anassah
My journey has been profoundly shaped by personal loss. Losing both of my parents during COVID, and my only sister in 2023, taught me resilience in ways I never imagined. It shifted how I see life—reminding me of the fragility of time and the importance of honoring the sacrifices of loved ones. Read More>>
Mirabel Wigon
I was making a lot of work about disasters and it felt so bleak. I’ve spent a good chunk of time reflecting on why I was making this work and why I wanted this kind of work out in the world. I thought to myself is this cynicism? Or a form of catharsis? I was making work that depicted a cataclysm. Read More>>
Jesse Chasten
The moment that really shaped how I saw the world was right after high school; I was a freshman in college and in a new state. I away from what was familiar to me, and I really didn’t know myself at that time. I had some many questions, but I kept them in thinking ‘nobody cares’ or could answer them. Read More>>
Nicole Sachiko
A moment that deeply shaped how I see the world was growing up living two very different lives. At home in the San Francisco Bay Area, I experienced life in a hoarder household—surrounded by clutter, often in the dark, and feeling alone with few friends. Read More>>
Samantha Zink
One thing that really stands out to me from my journey, first working for other people in my 20s and then later running my own business and managing a team, is the power of confidence. Confidence can take you to incredible heights, even when you don’t have all the answers. Read More>>
Brad Manard
When I was a kid living in a Mississippi River town, my dad’s passion was playing piano, jazz piano. He was darn good too and a connector. I believe I was in third grade when he took me to a jazz concert. I remember because I was irritated that I couldn’t stay home and play baseball, but he insisted. Read More>>
Eric Serritella
I remember seeing a plaque in my mom’s room one time that was a native American quote that read, ‘Never judge your neighbor until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins.’ It’s been my life mantra ever since. Imagine if everyone in the world could be this understanding, this empathic, this tolerant and understanding. That’s the world that I want to live in. Read More>>
Amber Barbach
Losing my dad to glioblastoma was the moment that reshaped everything I thought I knew about life. Before that, I was working in fashion. It was a career that from the outside seemed exciting, but on the inside often left me feeling empty.
Christian Morris
A moment that shaped how I see the world was when I started working with nonprofits that support children and families. Seeing how much heart goes into their missions made me more aware of the responsibility I carry as a designer. I realized that visuals and messaging are not just about branding; they can build trust, inspire action, and make people feel supported. Read More>>
Kelvin Chin
The moment I learned to turn within and meditate when I was a teenager. I learned solely because I was highly anxious and needed relief from my stress and anxiety as a student at Dartmouth College. Read More>>
Belén Ruiz Cavazos
A moment that has shaped me into seeing the world differently has definitely been my hip surgery. During my recovery time I wasn’t able to move or walk, so firstly I realize about how lucky we are everyday to have a full functioning body, everyday we can run, go upstairs and more. So now I don’t take my health for granted. Read More>>
Sanjay Bhasin
A moment that shaped how I see the world was during one of my early journeys, when I visited a village where children had so little, yet their smiles were so genuine. I realized then that happiness isn’t about possessions—it’s about perspective, connection, and gratitude. That moment completely shifted my outlook on life and on business. Read More>>
Kurt Weston
I have experienced many challenges in my life but one of the most significant circumstances occurred when I was completing my Master of Fine Arts degree. I had just uninstalled my very successful solo exhibition “Hearts of a Silent Age”- portraits of aging, mortality and loss. The next day I ended up in the hospital with what I thought was a burst appendix. Read More>>
Jami Pham
The pandemic was really the moment that reshaped everything for me. I found myself stuck in yet another corporate job, feeling out of alignment and questioning if this was really how I wanted to spend my life. I had been building my brand on the side in all kinds of ways but never felt like I could go all in. Read More>>
Kelley Smith
A defining moment for me was working inside one of the world’s largest coffee companies. I trained leaders, hosted top executives, and led teams at different levels, yet I was never seen as enough. Leadership was never straightforward about why, I heard various reasons over the years, but what I came to realize is that being different was my superpower. Read More>>
Niko Agrinzoné
Around 2 years ago, I bought a one way ticket and ended up living in an artist hostel in Downtown LA with over 25 strangers. I was in a new environment that forced me to live with multiple people from all different backgrounds, cultures, ideas. Read More>>
Susan Walter
The near death experiences I had as a child (4&6) really shaped my entire life and continues to. It started me on the path of questioning what I was being taught through the church and later even what I was taught of our history as human being on this planet. Read More>>
Karrie Heneman
I served as an intern at the National Cancer Institute in Washington DC the summer between finishing college and starting graduate school. As an intern, I attended classes on cancer epidemiology and reviewed state grant proposals for the national five-a-day fruit and vegetable program. This experience taught me what a powerful impact diet can have on our health. Read More>>
Cole Fungaroli
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was standing on top of Mt. Rundle in Alberta. Up there, looking out at this massive landscape, I realized how small we really are—and how the “big” things we stress over aren’t what truly matter. Read More>>
Arianna Leonarte
Migrating. Without a doubt, moving to another country was a turning point in my life. The decision wasn’t mine, but today I accept it with gratitude. Read More>>
Jimmy Dasaint
The moment that shaped how I see the world, is when I was convicted and sentence to serve ten years in Federal Prison. That was a wakeup call for me . From 1999 to 2009 I looked at the world totally different. Read More>>
Nubs Fragrances
When I was a kid, I noticed something: the most successful people didn’t just walk into a room — they arrived. They dressed sharp, carried themselves with confidence, and, most importantly, they smelled amazing. Read More>>
Blvckhndz
Becoming an adult and having kids changed a lot for me. It made me have to learn how to adapt and become more patient with myself and others. I felt like having kids made me realize a lot of things and how to approach them different. Read More>>
Chris Dodd
More than a moment, a time period of my life that really shaped how I saw the world was growing up as a skateboarder. It wasn’t just about physically being able to roam freely on my own two feet, it was the mindset skateboarding gave me that stuck. Read More>>
Nigil Crawford
It was during the pandemic, (May 29, 2020 to be exact.) The world was inside and we were watching George Floyd lose his life on national television. I had just moved back to Atlanta temporarily and there was a protest being organized down in Centennial Olympic Park. I also had just been laid off from my job, so I had nothing to do. Read More>>
Marian Paronyan
i was born in Armenia. When i was 11-12 yo there was an expo show organized from USA. My family went to see what was presented, The thing that struck me was the American people who worked at the show , answered the questions and interacted with the public. Read More>>
Teaira Leslie
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was becoming a mother. It completely shifted my perspective on what truly matters—teaching me patience, resilience, and the importance of creating a life filled with purpose. It made me more intentional about my time, my energy, and the legacy I’m building, not just for myself, but for my son. Read More>>
Rhoda Kahler
The inspiration of my Alphabet City Series came from my trip to Spain many years ago. The idea came to me when we were driving through the countryside of the White Hill Towns, taking windy little roads past orchards of Olive and Cork trees, and shepherds tending to their sheep in the field. Read More>>
Lily Harris
Growing up I had many health symptoms ranging from painful eczema, to digestive issues, chronic infections. & beyond. My Celiac Disease wasn’t fully confirmed until my 20’s, but I had spent my entire life focused on the root cause up to that point. The feeling of joy & freedom I found in my healing process brought me into holistic nutrition. Read More>>
Mary Edna Fraser
The day I flew with my father to meet Dr. Orrin Pilkey, Duke Professor Emeritus now deceased, to discuss photographing barrier islands on the Outer Banks, changed my life. We published two books together and had over 100 exhibits. Adventures to threatened environments broadened my horizons. When selecting landscapes to batik, we argued over which images best depicted the science. Read More>>
Curt Kloc
Serving in the U.S. Navy for 8 years as a nuclear chemist had a huge impact on how I see the world—and how I run my business. In the nuclear field, there’s zero room for error. You’re dealing with systems where even a small misstep can have major consequences. Read More>>
Gillian Kennedy Wright
The moment I stepped through the door and resigned from my 11 1/2 year old City job, to work independently for myself changed and shaped my whole world as it exists today. I realized that the whole world was my creative playground, and I was equipped to do anything I set my heart and mind to do. Read More>>
Nashira Dudley
I went to Ibiza, Spain for a modeling networking trip. My roommate on the trip got an interview and a full page spread with Maxim Australia magazine. I was so happy for her! Even though I didn’t get a spread in a magazine I was down but I knew it just wasn’t my time. Read More>>
