Motivation Episodes

Send us a text What happens when life suddenly changes course and everything you know disappears? Laura Bratton's world transformed between second and third grade when a routine eye appointment revealed she would lose her sight due to a degenerative eye disease. While the full impact didn't hit immediately, by age fourteen, Laura found herself staring at indecipherable black blobs on her classroom board instead of letters—a moment that launched her into a profound journey through grief, anxie...

Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when theatrical magic collides with punk rock energy? Sasha Mereu embodies this fascinating intersection as the self-styled "punk rock Willy Wonka" - and he's on a mission to transform how musicians earn a living. Sasha takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career spanning over 1,000 stages worldwide, including a Broadway run in 2016 with "The Illusionists: Turn of the Century" - which became Broadway's highest-grossing magic show. His ...

Send us a text Pete Neubig takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career transformation, from IT professional to property management entrepreneur and back to tech innovator. After 25 years in information technology, Pete's life took an unexpected turn at age 41 when he found himself managing 31 properties and three apartment complexes without the proper systems in place. This necessity birthed Empire Industries Property Management, which he eventually grew to manage nearly 1,00...

Send us a text What happens when you've checked all the boxes of success but still feel something's missing? James Walters, photographer, author, and host of "A Joyful Rebellion" podcast, joins us to explore the transformative power of creative risk-taking and authentic living. James shares his fascinating journey from commercial photographer (who initially used photography to escape math class) to wedding photographer capturing unpredictable moments, to helping others tell their brand stories....

Send us a text What if improving company profits and creating a more diverse workforce weren't competing goals but complementary ones? Paolo Gaudiano, founder of DEI tech company Aleria, flips conventional wisdom on its head with his revolutionary approach to workplace inclusion. With advanced degrees in aerospace engineering and neuroscience, Paolo brings a unique analytical perspective to diversity challenges. "I like to joke that I'm the white elephant in the room," he shares, acknowledging ...

Send us a text What does it really take to break free from toxic relationship patterns and transform your pain into purpose? Aneta Waclaw's journey offers a roadmap for anyone stuck in cycles of unhealthy connections. From the outside, Aneta's life in Chicago looked perfect—pursuing her dream career as a hairstylist. But beneath the surface, she struggled with poor self-image and found herself in a marriage that slowly dismantled her sense of self. "He hated how I looked, how I dressed, how I t...

Send us a text Kerie Logan, an acclaimed therapist and empowerment strategist with over 20 years of experience, dives deep into the transformative power of breaking free from limiting stories. Known as "the pinhole of light," Kerie illuminates pathways to authentic liberation by helping people shift their consciousness toward compassion, wisdom, and understanding. Her own remarkable journey from corporate America to becoming a renowned hypnotherapist began when she faced homelessness as a singl...

Send us a text Cesar Cardona's life reads like a hero's journey – from a childhood divided between warring parents to gang violence, substance abuse, and ultimately transformation into a powerful voice for healing and unity. "You already have what it takes to become the best version of yourself," Cesar shares in this deeply moving conversation. As a public speaker who teaches actionable steps for healing, growth, and connection, his message carries the weight of hard-won wisdom. Cesar takes us...

Send us a text After losing her husband in her 30s, Melissa Darnay found herself seeking adventure and a fresh start. With just five words of Spanish and an adventurous spirit, she packed up her life in Dallas, loaded her furniture and two dogs, and moved to Panama in 2012. Thirteen years later, Melissa has built an extraordinary life at the mouth of the Panama Canal, where ships line up against a backdrop of blue ocean and lush green jungle. In this captivating conversation, she reveals how Pa...

Send us a text What happens when your brain betrays you, plunging you into a reality "not conceived on earth"? Mental health coach Dale Walsh takes us on his remarkable 40-year journey through schizophrenia, from his first psychotic break at Dartmouth College to developing a revolutionary approach helping families navigate this challenging condition. Dale's story begins with a poetic introduction to his experience: "Hi, I'm God was a joke I made after killer Dartmouth toke..." This humorous yet...

Send us a text Terry Whalin opens up about his extraordinary path to becoming a "super author" with over 60 books published and many selling more than 100,000 copies each. What began with an observant high school English teacher recognizing his talent led to journalism school, an unexpected spiritual awakening, and eventually a career that spans biographies of figures like Billy Graham to practical guides for aspiring authors. The turning point in Terry's career came when he realized he wasn't ...

Send us a text What if you traded a prestigious law career for the spotlight? That's the journey of Nico Wan, who left his role as a private equity lawyer to emerge as a talented actor in the Netflix show "The Recruit." In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into Nico's story, exploring his transformational leap from the structured world of law into the unpredictable realm of acting. Nico shares candid insights on how societal expectations shaped his career path and the turning points that l...

Send us a text Embark on a transformative journey with Chris Perron, a former Navy veteran turned resilience coach who is passionate about empowering both veterans and youth. With an impressive career in the Navy Seabees, Chris brings firsthand experiences of service, leadership, and community building to the forefront. In this episode, he reflects on the significance of his military training and how it led him to help others navigate their paths after service. Chris sheds light on the unnotice...

Send us a text Join us for an engaging episode on the Living the Dream Podcast as we explore the transformative power of mind mapping with our special guest, John Diggs, the genius behind the I Am Mind Mapping System. A former professional football player and mortgage industry expert, John shares his remarkable story of overcoming personal and financial challenges from the Great Recession. Discover how John shifted his life trajectory by embracing motivational wisdom and the art of mind mapping,...

Send us a text Ever felt like you've achieved your professional dreams only to find yourself yearning for something more meaningful? Join us on an inspiring journey with Ana Megrelishvili, founder of the Christian Professional Network Worldwide, as we explore her remarkable transformation. From a challenging upbringing in Georgia, Eastern Europe, to corporate success in the United States, Ana's story is one of resilience and rediscovery. Hear how a profound encounter with God led her to leave be...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball welcomes actor Matt Drago, known for his compelling role as Fabian in the upcoming indie film Somewhere in Montana. Matt shares his journey from rural Virginia to the bright lights of New York City and ultimately to Hollywood, discussing the importance of storytelling and the impact of film on society. Tune in as they delve into Matt's creative process, his experiences working with seasoned actors, and his passion fo...

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Hicks Calloway, a retired veteran, author, and inspirational speaker. Vanessa shares her journey from humble beginnings to a distinguished military career, including her combat tours and the lessons learned along the way. She discusses her book, Decision Precision Vision, which merges her military decision-making experience with spiritual guidance. Tune in to discover how Vanessa helps veterans and others improve their decision-making ski...

Send us a text In this enlightening episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball sits down with Lane Igoudin, a passionate advocate for adoption and author of the memoir 'A Family, Maybe.' Lane shares his personal journey of adopting two children from foster care, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He reflects on the complexities of the adoption process, the importance of understanding the foster care system, and the impact it had on his relationship with ...

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the art of interpersonal communication with author and speaker Mario Wissa. Mario shares his journey from Egypt to the United States and how he discovered his passion for teaching communication skills. We delve into the importance of both interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, and how they affect our relationships. Mario also discusses the connection between communication and yoga, emphasizing the power of breath and mindfulness in enhancing ou...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball sits down with John Chanaca, a children's book author, educator, and founder of MJ Chanaka Publishing. John shares his inspiring journey from a long career in education to becoming a published author, focusing on family values and positive storytelling. He discusses the motivation behind starting his publishing company, the themes explored in his books, and the importance of nurturing young readers. Join us for an up...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball sits down with Ian Shamandy, a purpose-driven expert who has helped over 400 organizations discover their unique identities. Ian shares his simple yet powerful three-part methodology for individuals to define what makes them uniquely remarkable in seven words or less. Discover how understanding your purpose can transform your life and decision-making process, especially during challenging times. Tune in to learn how ...

Send us a text In this episode of the Living the Dream podcast, host Curveball welcomes seasoned leader Colby Varley, Vice President and co-owner of Advanced Transportation Services (ATS). Colby shares his journey from growing up in Salinas, California, to leading a successful refrigerated transportation company. He discusses the complexities of logistics in the perishable food industry, the importance of service over cost, and how hands-on experience shaped his career. Join us as we explore th...

Send us a text In this episode of Living the Dream, host Curveball sits down with Vic Lagina, a former porn industry producer and director turned author. Vic shares his journey from the suburbs of Philadelphia to the glitz and grind of Hollywood, revealing the realities of working in the adult film industry. He discusses his book, 'Filthy,' which chronicles his experiences, the lessons learned, and the darker aspects of the industry, including mental health struggles and substance use. Join us ...

Send us a text Join us in this enlightening episode of the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we chat with Dr. Braxton Cosby, a multifaceted professional who wears many hats as a physical therapist, sports nutritionist, podcaster, and author. Dr. Cosby shares his insights on transforming health habits, the intersection of mind, body, and soul, and the concept of the 'fitness trinity.' Discover his journey from a college athlete to a health advocate and his inspiring work with NFL analyst...