No Backup Plan: How to Build a Life You Don't Want to Escape
In this extra-special episode of Heart & Soul, Mariah and Monique welcome their very first male guest—creative entrepreneur, educator, and podcast producer Asher James. From shooting his first wedding at 18 to building a thriving co-working studio and launching a fast-growing education brand, Asher shares his journey of breaking free from the 9-to-5 and embracing a life of creative possibility.
The conversation flows through career pivots, mindset shifts, and the power of dreaming big without a backup plan. Asher introduces his new Daydreamer community, outlines the upcoming No Backup Plan workshop, and shares the 12-week coaching experience he’s building to help others achieve their most unreasonable goals.
“Planning is a love letter to your future self.” — Asher James
In this episode, we discuss:
10:00 – How Monique met Asher at a party (and guessed he was 45)
15:00 – From wedding video to office job to entrepreneurial burnout
22:00 – Real talk: Why raises don’t always reward the work
30:00 – Designing your dream life, not just daydreaming about it
36:00 – The 3 possible life paths (and which one is yours?)
45:00 – The Daydreamer 12: 12 people, 12 goals, 12 weeks
55:00 – Why we celebrate birthdays but not our goals—and how to change that
01:06:00 – Love bombs, work moms, and how Asher found his zone of genius
Hey Heart & Soul Collective!
What if the job you thought would bring security ended up stifling your dreams? What if the career “you should be grateful for” became the very thing holding you back?
In this first-ever Heart & Soul episode with a male guest, Mariah and Monique sit down with producer-turned-guest Asher James to unpack what it means to break the rules, leap without a backup plan, and actually live the life you imagine. The Heart & Soul duo welcomes a very special guest—and it just so happens to be the man behind the mics, Asher James, their longtime podcast producer, collaborator, and dear friend.
Asher isn’t just a creative entrepreneur—he’s built a life and business that honors freedom, experimentation, and radical self-trust. In this episode, they turn the tables and get Asher to share the story behind his journey from burned-out wedding videographer to university admissions officer to the founder of Duluth Creative Co. and the Daydreamer movement.
🔑 Key Themes + Takeaways
– What led Asher to leave his “dream job” in higher ed
– Why traditional employment isn’t broken—it just wasn’t built for everyone – The real meaning of a “no backup plan” life
– How the Daydreamer community started (and where it’s headed)
– Mapping your daydream with intention, clarity, and courage
– The power of being in the right rooms with the right people
– Living in alignment, celebrating small wins, and reversing burnout
Whether you're itching to pivot, just launched your side hustle, or simply want to believe in your own ideas again—this episode is a warm, inspired invitation to start where you are and dream big.
🎟️ Want to Be in the Room?
Join Asher for No Backup Plan, a one-night-only goal-setting workshop and creative pep rally happening in Duluth, MN on July 17, 2025.
This isn’t your average event. It’s part launch party, part live workshop, and 100% designed to light a fire under your dreams. Whether you’re launching a side hustle, pivoting in your business, or finally giving yourself permission to dream big—this space is for you.
🗓️ Date: Thursday, July 17
📍 Location: Duluth Creative Co.
🎟️ Tickets: $7 (early bird) / $27 (regular)
💻 Get your ticket: https://education.asherjames.co/no-backup-plan-sales
✨ Mention this podcast episode at the door for the $7 rate—no matter when you’re listening.
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All Heart & Soul's Details:
Website: https://www.heartandsoulmastermind.com/
Join the mastermind program: https://www.heartandsoulmastermind.com/heartsoul
Say hi to Mariah on Instagram: @mariahmckechnie
Say hi to Monique on Instagram: @moniqueforcier
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