Episodes

Send us a text What happens when cultural identity, activism, and groundbreaking storytelling converge? Amber Afzali brings this powerful intersection to life as she joins us to discuss her starring role in "Rule Breakers," the inspiring Angel Studios film that chronicles Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team. Born to Afghan immigrant parents and raised in America, Amber shares her unique journey of balancing dual identities while developing a deep passion for her cultural heritage. This p...

Send us a text Albert Bramante brings a rare combination of talents to his work as a talent agent - over two decades of industry experience plus advanced credentials in psychology, hypnosis, and NLP. This unique perspective has made him an "architect of careers" who understands both the practical and psychological challenges performers face. Albert's journey began unexpectedly. Though originally destined for academic psychology, a brief acting stint revealed his true passion lay behind the scene...

Send us a text What happens when martial arts philosophy meets business leadership and personal development? Jene Burk knows firsthand. Originally planning to become a psychologist, Jene's life took an unexpected turn that launched him into a four-decade operations career while simultaneously deepening his practice of martial arts. The result? A unique perspective on personal growth that blends Eastern wisdom with practical workplace applications. In this conversation, Jene reveals how the mind-...

Send us a text What if you could access the 90-95% of your mind power that remains dormant? Dr. Alain Salas takes us on a remarkable journey from his days as a sun-chasing boat rental operator in the South of France to becoming a revolutionary healer who helps people transform their lives by reprogramming their subconscious minds. The turning point in Dr. Salas's life came after a personal crisis trifecta—divorce, failing practice, and cancer diagnosis—forced him to question everything he though...

Send us a text Stories have power—especially when they challenge expectations and break barriers. This is exactly what novelist Nkrumah Mensah demonstrates through her fantasy series that starts with "Anne of Survivor," featuring a young woman who flees an arranged marriage in the 1500s and finds herself entangled in kingdom-wide intrigue. During our captivating conversation, Nkrumah reveals how her own background shaped her storytelling journey. Despite facing dyslexia as a child, she comes fro...

Send us a text The kitchen transforms from a place of anxiety to a hub of independence in this revealing conversation with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 28, Debra shares her remarkable journey from someone who barely cooked to becoming the only blind student in culinary school, and ultimately, an innovative entrepreneur revolutionizing cooking for the visually impaired. What does adaptive cooking actually look like? Debra demystifies the pro...

Send us a text Joe Toler takes us on a fascinating journey through his career as an athletic director across six countries in 12 years, culminating in his current role at the International School of London in Qatar. What began as a teaching career in Houston transformed into an international adventure building comprehensive athletic and activity programs for students around the world. At the International School of London Qatar, Joe oversees three vital components of student life beyond academic...

Send us a text Disability advocacy transcends ramps and automatic doors—it's about creating a world where everyone belongs in every aspect of community life. Jenna Udenberg joins us to share her powerful journey from diagnosis with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age seven to becoming an author, disability advocate, and accessibility educator. Diagnosed in the late 1980s and using a wheelchair since age eight, Jenna navigated a world before the Americans with Disabilities Act established basic ...

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 h...

Send us a text When Mark MacNicol stepped into a maximum security prison in 2016 to lead a theatre project with inmates serving life sentences, he couldn't have predicted how profoundly it would change his career trajectory. A writer, director, and producer by trade, MacNicol found himself captivated by the therapeutic potential of creative expression—particularly for those who would never identify as "creative types." This revelation birthed Anonymous Drama, a groundbreaking approach that has n...

Send us a text Chris Feistl takes us behind the scenes of one of the most dangerous DEA operations in history - the hunt for the Cali Cartel in Colombia during the 1990s. As a 26-year DEA veteran who stood on the frontlines against what was then "the biggest and most powerful crime syndicate in history," Feistl shares firsthand accounts that reveal the real story behind Netflix's Narcos season three. The Cali Cartel, led by four sophisticated "gentlemen" who preferred bribery over bullets, contr...

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 ta...

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 single...

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 t...

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 Pan...

Send us a text What happens when music meets muscle? Meet Trea, the "fit artist" whose mission bridges the gap between creative expression and physical wellbeing. Growing up in a small Mississippi Delta town where church choirs shaped his musical foundation, Trea's journey from writing emotional poems about his grandmother to founding Next World Fitness reflects the powerful intersection of artistic passion and physical discipline. Trea recognizes a critical truth most fitness professionals miss...

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 t...

Send us a text Bee Smith joins us to share her inspiring music journey from a small town in England to rising stardom in country music. With her debut single "Little Girl's Heart," Bee explores her personal experiences and the challenges she overcame to pursue her passion. Discover how she transformed adversity into motivation, using her daughter as a driving force to embody resilience. You'll hear about how social media played a pivotal role in her discovery and what it means to create authenti...

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 le...

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 unnoticed...

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 Discover how a passionate advocate is reshaping the narrative around disability rights in this compelling episode of the Living the Dream Podcast. Join us as we welcome Devon Wieters, a dynamic podcaster and writer who is breaking barriers and challenging systemic injustices faced by individuals with disabilities. Devon, who lives with cerebral palsy, shares her relentless fight against the stigma that often overshadows individuals like her. With a college degree in communications...