In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and creative leader Robert Milam for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, work, family, and what it really means to live a human life. Together they explore the tension many leaders feel between building meaningful work and being present for the people who matter most. Robert shares why he doesn’t believe in traditional “work-life balance,” how creativity reframes the way we think about everyday tasks, and why purpose often requires stepping outside comfort. The conversation moves through topics like parenting, leadership, brokenness, and relationships—revealing that the most meaningful moments in life are rarely the big wins, but the thousands of small interactions we stack up over time.

Episode Highlights:

00:01:32 — Navigating a new stage of life: balancing a thriving business with growing family responsibilities.

00:05:41 — Why Robert rejects the traditional idea of “work-life balance.”

00:06:31 — Reframing work as the act of creating something meaningful in the world.

00:07:30 — Why great art—and great ideas—often come from imbalance rather than equilibrium.

00:10:53 — Collapsing the divide between work and life into one unified purpose.

00:13:37 — Comfort vs. safety and how comfort can quietly hold us back.

00:18:16 — Seeing everyday responsibilities as opportunities to create meaningful moments.

00:21:41 — The importance of showing your humanity—even on difficult days.

00:27:46 — Why the most interesting relationships come from embracing differences.

00:33:13 — The power of stacking thousands of small moments with your family.

00:34:38 — Why relationships are what truly make us feel alive.

00:36:41 — How owning mistakes can deepen connection and strengthen teams.

Get to Know Our Guest

Robert Milam is a creative director and brand strategist working at the intersection of culture, design, and business. He is the Founder and Principal of ModestWorks, an award-winning creative studio known for building enduring brands.

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmilam?igsh=MXJudGZuYmZodnd6Zg==

ModestWorks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modestworks?igsh=OXZrZmpjZnVyYTR0

Website: modestworks.com

Join Rocky, LIVE on Zoom, in conversation about leadership, humanity, and everything in between: http://rockygarza.com/confidence

Rocky couldn't stop thinking about a line: "We love deeply and show it poorly. And we called that fatherhood."

In this In-Between episode, Rocky takes on the gap between what most dads believe they're doing and what fatherhood actually requires. Providing and protecting are the floor — always were. But the floor was never supposed to be the ceiling. And a lot of dads have been living there, believing they already did their job.

This episode isn't about doing more. It's about being honest — with yourself, and with the people who are watching everything.

What's inside:

• Why providing and protecting are the baseline — not the finish line
• The difference between presence and proximity
• What your kids are actually building by watching you
• The most dangerous thing a father can do
• What it looks like to be someone worth watching

"Be someone worth watching. Not perfect — just human."

—

Rocky Garza is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of REAL with Rocky. He helps leaders trade performance for presence — and lead like themselves, not someone else.

Once a month Rocky hosts Somewhere in the Middle — a gathering for people who are tired of doing this alone. Link in show notes.

Follow Rocky: @rockygarzaApple Podcasts | Spotify | realwithrocky.com

On this week's episode, I welcome guest Alex Cohen. We talk through the truth of being a "Yes Girl" and why that strength can also be a weakness that has the potential to open the door for growth... if you approach it the right way. Thanks for being real with me this week, Alex.

Get To Know Our Guest

Alex Cohen is a Dallas-based fashion stylist and creative director whose work spans editorial, red carpets, and major cultural moments. She’s styled for brands and platforms like Forbes, Dolce & Gabbana, E! Entertainment, the Grammys, CMA Awards, and New York Fashion Week, with clients ranging from influencers to artists and public figures.

Her work bridges high-fashion aesthetics with accessibility. She’s one of Dallas’ top stylists.

Subscribe for more honest conversations on leadership and personal growth.

www.styledbycohen.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/styledbycohen/

Masterclass - https://www.styledbycohen.com/shop/p/client-masterclass-long-version

Special code for podcast listeners - Rocky20 (20% off Services)

Connect with Rocky

Follow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/

Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/

Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

No polish. No pretending.
Just real stories and real people showing up.
This is Real with Rocky.
See you next week.

In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and designer Matt Marciante for a raw conversation about ambition, pride, and the hidden costs of doing everything alone. They unpack the underdog identity, why survival mode eventually breaks down, and what it really takes to build something sustainable. This episode challenges the idea that struggle equals success and invites leaders to rethink how they win.

Episode Highlights:

. Why the underdog mindset can quietly give us an excuse to lose.

. The difference between surviving and actually competing to win.

. How pride can disguise itself as loyalty, grit, or self-reliance.

. Why building with “scrappy” teams eventually raises the personal cost.

. Letting go of doing everything yourself without losing your edge.

. Learning to ask for help and trusting both yes and no as valid answers.

. Shifting from proving you can to building something that lasts.

Get To Know Our Guest:

Matt Marciante is an entrepreneur, leather maker, and designer who builds products and brands with the same philosophy: quality first, no unnecessary noise. Through Marciante and Company and Mission Leather Co, he designs and produces handcrafted leather goods rooted in timeless design, ethical sourcing, and practical function. As the founder of Pretty Decent Marketing, he brings that same hands-on mindset to marketing...creating clear, honest systems that turn attention into sales without the fluff. His work helps brands, creators, and small businesses grow through thoughtful design, strong storytelling, and marketing that actually works.

Resources Mentioned. Pretty Decent Marketing - https://prettydecent.site/.

Marciante & Company - https://marcianteandco.com/.

Mission Leather Co - https://missionleatherco.com/.

Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training - https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

In this candid conversation, Rocky and Temi unpack the unseen emotional weight many fathers and creatives carry but rarely name out loud. From dad guilt to under-belief to the pressure to be everything for everyone, Temi opens up about the internal battles shaping his identity as a husband, father, and artist. This episode invites listeners to reflect on what they’re chasing, what they’re avoiding, and what it really means to be human. A powerful dialogue for anyone navigating responsibility, creativity, and self-worth.

Episode Highlights:

Why many fathers feel Dad guilt but struggle to talk about it openly. . How overthinking often masks deeper patterns of under-belief. . The tension between being needed and being wanted in marriage and parenting. . The danger of defining your worth by being “the problem-solver.” . How comparison steals joy from creative and family life. . Rewriting internal soundtracks and choosing human things over hard things. . The power of trusting the people who actually love you. . Seeing yourself as complete today, not someone who needs to be fixed tomorrow.

Get To Know Our Guest:

Temi Coker is a Designer and Art Director who layers his Nigerian heritage through bold colors, patterns, dimensions, and textures. He creates powerful visual experiences through wearable art, art prints, and creative campaigns that help people feel seen, connected, and represented. His work challenges beauty standards and reflects a growing cultural movement. His mission is to make space for every person to discover their creative voice.

Website: www.temicoker.co | shop.temicoker.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/temiloluwacoker/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temi.coker/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned:

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff.

Temi Coker – www.temicoker.co.

Temi’s Shop – shop.temicoker.co

Join Rocky for a live leadership training at the end of the month by RSVPing at rockygarza.com/confident.

Short Summary:

In this conversation, Rocky and clothing designer Crespatrick de los Reyes explore the tension between creativity, obedience, and the pressure to “make it” on someone else’s timeline. This episode digs into the lies creatives believe about success and the fear of losing themselves in the pursuit of profit. If you've ever wondered whether you can honor your craft without sacrificing your humanity, this one will hit home.

Episode Highlights:

Why timelines aren’t the real enemy...our stories about them are.. The difference between protecting your creativity and propelling your creativity.. How comparison and rushing quietly sabotage the creative process.. The human thing vs. the hard thing: a new way to navigate responsibility.. Why obedience, peace, and purpose may be the gateway to true profitability.. The lie most creatives believe when facing financial pressure.. What changes when you stop selling yourself short and start telling the truth.

Get To Know Our Guest:

Crespatrick de los Reyes is a Filipino American clothing designer specializing in upcycling denim fabrics to create collections for his brand Crescente Patricio. Having graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Crespatrick's journey has taken him through various parts of the fashion industry to eventually lead him to designing for a denim start up which paved the way for starting his brand in 2017. By way of Los Angeles, Crespatrick and his brand are now based out of Dallas, TX where the brand has really found its roots. Crespatrick draws inspiration from his Filipino American heritage to tell stories through his pieces that are designed to feel Different yet Familiar.

Websites: www.cpatricio.com | www.crespatrick.com

Social: @crespatrick_dlr @crescente.patricio

Resources Mentioned . Join Rocky for the Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confident

Helen Morrison on Leading with Love and Legacy

When you step into a fifth-generation business, change takes courage—and heart. In this episode, newly appointed Frownies President and CEO Helen Morrison joins Rocky to talk about leadership, legacy, and what it means to rebuild culture from the inside out. This conversation explores how love, authenticity, and consistency can transform the way we lead.

Episode Highlights

. Why leadership starts with service, not status.

. How Helen is redefining success as Frownies’ new CEO.

. The power of believing in yourself when no one else does.

. Breaking old patterns and “questioning the unquestionable” in legacy businesses.

. How positive self-talk and gratitude fuel confidence.

. Why building people always builds the business.

Get To Know Our Guest

Helen Morrison is a devoted wife and mom of two, a longtime yoga instructor, and the proud torchbearer of a five-generation family legacy at Frownies. She has spent the past several years shaping the creative vision of the brand as its content creator, branding director, and face of the company. In September 2025, Helen was appointed President and CEO, carrying forward Frownies’ 130+ year history into a new era of growth and innovation.

Her 17 years of experience as a yoga instructor reflect her deep commitment to health and wellness, a passion that runs through every aspect of her life. That same dedication drives her leadership at Frownies, where she builds on the company’s legacy while steering it toward innovation and growth for the future.

At the heart of Helen’s work is her true calling: encouraging and uplifting others. With warmth and authenticity, she strives to instill love, confidence, and a sense of community. Her journey transcends building a successful brand; it’s about leaving a positive impact on the lives of those she touches.

. Frownies Website – http://frownies.com

. Frownies Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/frownies

. Helen's Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/helenkmorrison

. Frownies TikTok & Shop – https://www.tiktok.com/@frowniesfamily

Resources Mentioned

. Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confident