Alison Answers #MissionAwake
Alison Answers Podcast was created to be authentic and designed to call out the greatness in you. Host Alison has been successful in the mental health field for the last 30 years, offering a wealth a of experience. She is funny, real, dynamic, and driven. Alison's mission is to AWAKEN us all to the mediocrity that is wired into our brain from early childhood. She is personally offended by the mediocrity in our society and her mission is to stop the plague mentality of "just good enough." Join us as Alison and her industry leading guests discuss various cutting edge topics...
Dark Secret of Grooming Sites Exposed: Protect Kids Before It's Too Late | Alison Answers
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Children are in danger of abuse and exploitation, often closer to home than we like to think. This episode is about how that really happens and what you can do to protect them, starting today.
In this episode, Alison talks about her mission. She explains what child sexual abuse and child pornography look like in the real world, how predators get access to kids, and why looking away keeps children unsafe. She shares her own experience researching these crimes, how deeply it affected her, and why she still believes there is a...
Rewire Your Brain in 40 Seconds: Dr. Patrick Porter's Miracle Tech Exposed | Alison Answer Podcast
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In this episode, Dr. Porter breaks down the neuroscience behind why your brain is not built for modern life — and what to do about it. From the glymphatic system that washes your brain during sleep, to the voltage drop that leads to dementia, to the 2 PM cortisol trough that kills your afternoon — this conversation will change how you think about your brain forever.
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In this conversation, you'll learn:
◼️ Why your brain shrinks ¾ inch overnight
◼️ How drinking coffee before 10 AM shuts down your dopamine and cortisol production
◼️ The "glymphatic system" discovery: how deep...
This Conversation Will Change How You See Your Childhood | April Garcia on Alison Answers Podcast
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This conversation will change how you think about trauma, healing, and what it actually means to be brave.
🔥 In this episode, you'll hear:
đź“Ť How childhood beliefs like "I'm a burden" quietly run your adult life
📍 The "rooms" method — going back to the places that broke you to finally heal
đź“Ť Why talk therapy alone wasn't enough (and what actually worked)
đź“Ť April's darkest night and the moment she realized she didn't want to die
📍 Why "the hero you're looking for is you" — even when you feel like the least heroic person alive
Childhood Lies Exposed: 8 Snapshots to End Mediocrity Forever | Alison Answers
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Ever catch yourself wondering why the grind never pays off—like you're hustling hard but money, love, or joy keep slipping through your fingers in predictable ways? It's not karma or "your lot in life." It's subtle childhood programming from before age 7, absorbed in those super-suggestible theta brain waves, morphing kid fears into your everyday reality without a second thought.
In this real-talk episode of Alison Answers #MissionAwake, Alison Lager LCSW reads right from Chapter 2 of her book The Wake Up Call ("Facing the Truth: The Ultimate Power Move"), walking you through a...
Learning to Accept Help Without Losing Yourself | Angela Bradford on Alison Answers
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There’s a moment when your body tells you to stop, and your mind has to decide who’s in charge.
Angela shares that moment clearly. On a beach. Years after being diagnosed with MS. Crawling toward the ocean because the cane that helps her walk can’t help her swim. People watching. Every excuse to turn back.
She didn’t.
This episode isn’t about pretending pain away. It’s about choosing meaning, discipline, and faith when life stays hard longer than you expected.
Inside this convers...
Wake Up! Your Childhood Beliefs Are Lying to You
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Ever feel like you're doing all the right things but still ending up in the same place? Like you're putting in the work but something invisible keeps holding you back? You're not alone—and it's not your fault. Most of us are living on autopilot, controlled by beliefs we picked up before we were 7 years old. Beliefs we never questioned. Beliefs that aren't even true.
In this episode, Alison Lager reads from her book The Wake Up Call and drops some serious truth bombs about why we stay stuck, how childhood programming li...
This Man Saved 200+ From Suicide | Kevin Briggs The Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge | Alison Answers Podcast
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This man talked 200+ people back from the edge—and he never once said he "saved" them.
Kevin Briggs isn't your typical hero. The "Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge" spent 23 years as a California Highway Patrol sergeant kneeling beside strangers who'd lost all hope, no formal training at first—just raw humanity and a philosophy that changed everything: Listen to understand, not to fix.
His record? 99%+ success rate. FBI-trained crisis negotiator. TED Talk speaker. Author. Global mental health advocate.Â
This conversation will rewire how you think about suicide, menta...
How We Sit in the Pain and Win | Matt Berthot on Alison Answers
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Ever doubt your spot in high-roller rooms after outworking everyone, heart whispering "fraud" while you fake the grin? Or watch your kid erupt in fury, choking back "stop it" knowing shutdown just fuels the fire? We've all toted those hidden hauls: Christmas delayed by empty pockets, faith-fights past suicidal shadows, intense feels society meds away fast.
Alison & Matt's Christmas Eve talk pulls no punches over certainty, billionaire emotional flops, storm-sitting for real toughness, parenting prodigies without the crush.
Pull these direct hits:
-Matt's toughness layers: Champ wrestler frame, study-sharp...
Reframe Your Painful Childhood Memories with Matt Berthot | Alison Answers
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Ever wake up sweating from those old nightmares—racing to lock doors in your childhood home that never felt safe, danger closing in no matter how fast you move? Or slump against a cold coliseum wall after your big win turns to dust, family up in the stands not even checking on you, that heavy "I'm done" settling in your chest? We've all got those body-stored memories from growing up—messy houses full of chaos, highs crashing to burnout, quiet wonders if we even steer our own lives.
Alison & Matt get real abou...
Tools to End 2025 Strong and Own Your Peace
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Ever feel like you're racing through the day, only to crash at night wondering "What did I even accomplish?" You're not alone. Alison gets it too. She shares her real struggles with feeling "all over the place," visionary overwhelm, and that nagging voice saying you're not enough. But here's the good news: simple end-of-day habits can quiet the chaos and help you own your peace.
In this honest solo episode, Alison wraps 2025 with heart-on-sleeve honesty. She admits her struggles with visionary restlessness and outcome obsession, then lists practical end-of-day rituals like writing...
Why You're About to Quit (And How to Stop): The 3-Step Framework That Turns Pain Into Purpose | Matt Bethot
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Most of us are one decision away from giving up. We're at the breaking point, questioning if we're qualified, if our pain has purpose, if it's even worth continuing. And in that moment—when you're about to quit—everything changes. Or nothing does. It depends on what you choose next.
In this life-altering episode, mental health professional Alison Lager and voice coach Matt Berthot sit down to discuss the exact moment when most people walk away from their calling. They've both been there. Alison survived her husband's suicide, childhood abuse, eating disorders, and...
Navigating Life After Suicide: 4 Steps to Reclaim Your Life After Loss
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Most of us don't realize how deeply grief can reshape our identity. When someone we love dies by suicide, we often unconsciously believe that staying broken honors them—that abandoning our joy, our hobbies, our future is some kind of loyalty. But here's the hard truth: that's not honoring them. That's joining them in death.
In this raw and unflinching episode, therapist and suicide loss survivor Alison Lager pulls back the curtain on the invisible second death—the one that happens to survivors. Drawing from her own devastating experience losing her husband to s...
Stop Hating Yourself: How to REWIRE Your Brain & FIND Self-Worth (Science-Backed) with Matt Berthot
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Most of us aren’t even aware how deeply our own voice and self-judgment shape every part of our lives. The negative thoughts we repeat day after day can convince us we’re worthless, keep us locked in cycles of shame, and even convince us that giving up is doing our loved ones a favor. But it’s all a lie—the truth is, you matter far more than you know.
In this radically honest episode, mental health expert and counselor Alison Lager is joined by voice coach and performer Matt Berthot to expos...
The Suicide Mind: Why 91% of Your Thoughts Are Keeping You Trapped
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Typically, people who want to die by suicide don't actually want to die—they want their pain to end. The suicide mind is a total eclipse of rational thinking, making temporary darkness feel permanent.
In this deeply personal episode, mental health professional Alison Lager—who owns counseling centers, has lost her husband to suicide, and has experienced suicidal thoughts herself—shares 7 powerful strategies to disrupt the suicide mind and take back control:
• How 91% of your thoughts are repetitive—and how to break the cycle
• The 16-second rule that disrupts negative tho...
93% of Your Life is Running Without You: The Subconscious Reprogramming Breakthrough with Christine Peine
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You're living a life controlled by beliefs you can't see. In this transformational episode, Alison Lager interviews Christine Peine, a subconscious reprogramming expert and health tech founder, about the one thing that will quantum leap your life: rewriting your unconscious programming.
The Problem:
Most personal development fails because it only addresses the 5-7% conscious mind. But 93-95% of your life is being run by subconscious beliefs—many inherited from 7-10 generations of ancestral conditioning. Affirmations don't work. Therapy talks about the problem forever. And willpower exhausts you because you're fighting beliefs yo...
Scientific Proof and Actionable Steps to Change Our Lives
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You've felt it: that moment when someone walks into a room and shifts the entire energy. Or when you catch yourself in the same destructive pattern with different people. Or when you finally spoke a different truth about yourself and things started to change. But did you know there's actual science behind all of it?
In this eye-opening solo episode, Alison Lager breaks down the physics, neuroscience, and quantum mechanics that prove one undeniable truth: your thoughts, words, and beliefs are literally shaping your reality—and they're doing it right now. She go...
How to Command Your Wealth: The 5 Principles to Transform Your Money Mindset
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Do you ever feel like money slips through your fingers no matter how hard you work? Like there's an invisible cap on how much you're allowed to have—or deserve?
You're not broken. You're not bad with money. You're just living out beliefs that were never really yours to begin with.
In this powerful solo episode, Alison Lager gets real about the stories we've been sold about money—and why most of us are unconsciously blocking the abundance we say we want. Drawing from her own journey from financial confusion to c...
The Power of Words: Building or Breaking Your Relationship Bridge
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In this reflective solo episode, Alison Lager explores why the language we use with loved ones determines the strength—or slow unraveling—of our most important relationships. Through stories, science, and straight talk, Alison shows that connection is not built on attention or performance but on how we choose our words and listen for meaning. Challenging cultural trends of sarcasm, defensiveness, and emotional avoidance, she offers practical tools for fostering genuine understanding and true intimacy.
Key Highlights
Stop External Fixing: Patterns, Power & Personal Change
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In this transformative solo episode, Alison Lager challenges the age-old habit of seeking solutions outside ourselves. Through raw storytelling and actionable wisdom, Alison takes listeners on a journey from external blame and fixing to radical self-responsibility and freedom. She cracks open the hidden scripts and emotional cycles that keep people stuck, offering tools to break patterns and activate meaningful change right from the inside out.
Alison invites listeners to abandon the quick fix, look inward with honesty, and engage practical daily practices that change not just self, but systems (families, friendships, and...
Unlocking Authentic Influence: The Neuroscience of Persuasion with Alex Vonderhaar - Part 2
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Resonance, not attention, is the true currency of our modern era. Welcome back for part 2 of this fascinating conversation with Alex Vonderhaar. Alex and Alison had a transformative conversation about how aligning with our nervous systems can reshape our experiences and decision-making processes. As they challenge the widely-held belief in an attention-based economy, they explore how being intentional about the signals we emit can lead to a more fulfilling and conscious way of living. From the power of positivity to the uncharted realms of unconscious marketing, this discussion opens new vistas on what it...
Unlocking Authentic Influence: The Neuroscience of Persuasion with Alex Vonderhaar - Part 1
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Alex Vonderhaar is a leading expert in neuromarketing and the mind behind Hidden Falls Media, and in this episode of Alison Answers Mission Awake, he unravels the art of persuasion through the lens of neuroscience. Alex brings his profound insights into how aligning messaging with the right emotional and energetic frequency can create genuine connections, transcending the confines of mere content quality. With his personal journey underscoring the discussion, this episode explores the challenges of authentic influence and how neuroscience can be leveraged to navigate an AI-driven world.
Alex shares about his...
From Addiction to Empowerment: Ivan Fredette's Journey of Resilience and Leadership
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Ivan Fredette, a man who has truly redefined resilience and leadership, shares his inspiring journey from battling a 17-year alcohol addiction to becoming a beacon of strength for others. After facing the tragic suicide of his cousin, Ivan found himself at a crossroads during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than succumbing to despair, he chose to transform his life, building a thriving seven-figure business and founding the empowering Ironclad Brotherhood movement. Ivan's story is a testament to the power of harnessing traits often linked to addiction and redirecting them toward personal and entrepreneurial growth.
<...If You Are Doing This, Therapy Will Not Save You
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What if the stories you tell yourself are the very things keeping you from true happiness and personal growth? Join me, Alison, as we challenge the narratives that bind us to cycles of fear and insecurity in this transformative episode of Alison Answers: Mission Awake. We'll venture beyond mere self-awareness to discover actionable steps for real transformation, encouraging you to use therapy not just for comfort, but as a launching pad for meaningful change. Together, we take ownership of our actions and embrace the discomfort necessary to disrupt negative patterns and shape the life...
Crushing Mediocrity: Finding Clarity and Action in a Distracted World
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Feeling like I'm constantly racing against time yet never truly arriving anywhere meaningful is something I've grappled with for years. Despite achieving outward success, I often find myself emotionally flat, trapped in a cycle of mediocrity. In this episode, I unpack how constant busyness can lead to emotional numbness and even subclinical depression, affecting everyone from high achievers to overwhelmed parents. Together, we explore how coping mechanisms for grief, shame, and chronic stress slowly silence our true feelings, leaving us yearning for a life of genuine emotional engagement and fulfillment.
Zombie goals—am...
From Narcissistic Trauma to Triumphant Change with Dana Diaz
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Best-selling author and abuse recovery coach Dana Diaz joins Alison for a powerful conversation about the complexities of narcissistic abuse and the transformative journey towards self-empowerment. Dana shares her personal story of overcoming domestic violence and finding triumph against the odds. She discusses the often misunderstood nature of narcissism, emphasizing the distinction between everyday selfishness and the deep psychological impact of genuine narcissistic relationships. Dana’s journey serves as a beacon of hope, providing invaluable insights and tools to help those feeling trapped to rediscover their strength and freedom.
This discussion takes a...
We Are Not Biologically Designed to Struggle with Liam Naden
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Transformative coach, speaker, and bestselling author Liam Naden joins Alison for a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of neuroscience, quantum physics, and personal success. Liam's extraordinary journey from affluence to homelessness led him to abandon traditional success-chasing methods, discovering a more authentic and organic path to fulfillment. Together, Liam and Alison explore how aligning with our biological design and harnessing the power of these cutting-edge sciences can significantly enhance personal growth, well-being, and relationships, ultimately leading to a life of true freedom, as illustrated by Liam's current adventures aboard a catamaran in Italy.
<...Finding Strength in the Face of Loss with Stephanie Jordan
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What if you could transform your life's deepest tragedies into a triumphant story of healing and growth? In this episode, Alison introduces Stephanie Jordan, an author deeply affected by early trauma and the transformative journey of healing. The discussion explores Stephanie's experiences with grief, beginning with the loss of her father and the complexities stemming from her mother's remarriage. These events contributed to her struggles with control and trust. Stephanie's candid narrative includes her chaotic marriage to an alcoholic, subsequent widowhood, and her perseverance and faith. This highlights the importance of self-awareness in overcoming...
Understanding the Suicide Brain: A Journey from Darkness to Resilience
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What if the beliefs you've held about yourself are nothing more than lies? Join me, Alison, on a journey that challenges the very foundation of self-perception and explores the transformative power of embracing one's intrinsic worth. This episode offers crucial insights into navigating the turbulent waters of loss, particularly after the suicide of a loved one. I'll share my personal story of choosing life over darkness, and how you can rewrite the narrative of self-doubt and mediocrity that may have been instilled in you since childhood.
Understanding that our negative thoughts are...
Trusting Your Inner Voice with Jenn Cohen
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Intuitive consultant Jenn Cohen, with her rich entertainment industry background, joins Alison to illuminate the transformative role of intuition in personal growth and decision-making. She guides you through the art of embracing intuition to navigate life's uncertainties, emphasizing the power of living in the present moment. Through engaging stories and personal insights, Jenn shares how intuitive clarity can be harnessed to enhance personal growth, facilitate career shifts, and support life transitions, offering listeners valuable tips to tap into your own inner wisdom.
The discussion takes a fascinating turn as Jenn and Alison...
The Neuroscience Behind Effective Decision Making
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Unlock the secrets to transforming your decisions into results with this solo episode, where Alison promises you'll learn how to make your brain an ally in achieving your goals. Alison explores how the power of clear and decisive thinking can lead you to personal triumph. By making declarative statements, rather than just wishes or desires, you can condition your brain to recognize and seize opportunities. Whether it's the commitment to purchase a home or the discipline to create healthy habits like regular gym visits, this episode is all about embracing the journey and staying...
Overcoming Invisible Barriers: What Belief is Running Your Life?
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What if the key to transforming your life is hidden in the depths of your unconscious mind? Join Alison on an eye-opening journey as she unravels the powerful impact of our unconscious beliefs. With a staggering 95% of our actions fueled by these beliefs, this episode challenges you to confront the myths that may be holding you back, such as the notion that relationships are a constraint on freedom. In this solo episode, Alison dives deep into the vital role of self-reflection for personal growth, encouraging you to bravely explore and dismantle these limiting beliefs...
Navigating Teenage Mental Health with Emily Nicolich
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What if personal tragedy could be transformed into a source of resilience and healing? Join me as I share my journey from rock bottom to self-awareness, illuminating the transformative power of therapy. Alongside, I introduce Emily Nicolich, a dedicated employee at Lager Counseling Services, stepping into a therapeutic internship. Her story of personal resilience exemplifies how overcoming challenges can prepare us to help others more effectively. Together, Emily and I explore the profound impact of addressing mental health issues, particularly among teenagers, and highlight the vital role of empathy and understanding in guiding them...
Transform Relationships Through Authenticity and Self-Love
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Transform your relationships and personal growth by understanding the power of self-fulfillment. Join Alison on this enriching journey as she explores how giving yourself what you seek from others can lead to greater self-awareness and genuine connections. Discover the profound impact of self-acceptance and learn how to break free from the perpetual longing for love and affirmation. Through introspection and self-love, you can cultivate authentic relationships and attract the qualities you desire in others.
Dive deeper into the hidden beliefs and fears that may be holding you back from achieving true happiness...
Transforming Trauma and Building Self-Worth with Allie Silver-Thompson
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What if the smallest steps could reshape your world? Join us on Allison Answers as we promise to revolutionize your perception of life control through the art of baby steps. Meet Allie Silver Thompson, my esteemed colleague at Lager Counseling Services, and a dedicated therapist with a deeply personal mission. Inspired by her grandmother's tragic experience, Allie shares her journey into therapy, driven by a desire to spare others from similar heartache. Together, we pull back the curtain on common misconceptions about therapists and celebrate the profound changes that compassionate care can foster.
<...Transforming Through Therapy and Faith: A Journey of Hope in Mental Health with Joanne Autero
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Facing the highs and lows of mental illness, Joanne Autero once found herself caught in the whirlwind of manic episodes and the depths of severe depression. These experiences led to a bipolar disorder diagnosis that could have defined her life, but instead became a catalyst for transformation. This episode unravels her story of rediscovery and healing through the dual forces of therapy and faith. Joanne is now a therapist, who brings her expertise in EMDR therapy and biblical Christian counseling to our shared mission of revolutionizing mental health care.
Together, we explore...
Leadership, Spirituality, and Personal Growth with Elona Lopari
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Elona is the Visionary CEO of The Life School , Speaker, Best Selling Author to numerous books, shows, and Speaking Events Organizer to an audience of over 30,000 heart driven service based entrepreneurs and corporations. She is a Prior Fortune 500 CEO and has been Featured in Disrupt, NY Weekly, Business Insider, CEO Weekly, The Business News & Famous Times. Elona is the CEO of The Life School where they help Visionary Leaders CEOs grow legacy purpose driven businesses through Inner Alignment, Branding, Marketing, Sales, and Team so that they can maximize their Impact and Income to do...
From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Hope and Recovery with Gina Economopoulos
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Picture this: a life once shrouded in darkness and uncertainty, now basking in the light of hope and resilience. That's Gina’s story, and it's one she shares openly as we explore the path from addiction to recovery. Like a beacon, this episode highlights the power of personal growth and transformation, showing how our struggles can indeed become the stepping stones to a better life. Together with my extraordinary guest, Gina Economopoulos, we journey through narratives of triumph over adversity, illustrating that change is not only possible but can lead us to places we ne...
Spiritual and Transformative Power of Tattoos with Mark Nara: Part 2
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This episode is part 2 of a fascinating conversation with Mark Nara, a renowned tattoo artist who specializes in intentional tattoos within the context of spiritual-reality.
Unlock the hidden narratives etched into your skin and uncover the profound symbolism that tattoos hold in your life. Mark and Alison navigate the intricate tapestry of tattoo stories, where each inked image is not just an isolated artwork but a chapter in the grand narrative of identity and personal journey. This episode delves into the poignant realization that sometimes tattoos turn out differently than we envision...
Spiritual and Transformative Power of Tattoos with Mark Nara: Part 1
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Renowned tattoo artist Mark Nara joins us to explore the world of intentional tattoos, where art meets spiritual alignment. With over 15 years of global experience, Mark shares his fascinating journey from a traditional art background to a deeper, more meaningful practice. Tattoos, as Mark illustrates, are not just about aesthetics; they're powerful, permanent expressions of personal journeys, reflecting emotional landscapes and serving as navigational tools through life's myriad experiences.
In our conversation, we delve into the symbolic and emotional weight tattoos carry, particularly in times of personal loss and memory. Tattoos become...
From Navy SEAL to Business Leader: Mastering Leadership Through Resilience and Adaptability with Marty Strong
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Navy SEAL veteran and successful entrepreneur Marty Strong joins Alison to share his incredible journey from military service to the business world. Marty provides deep insights into leadership development, contrasting the military’s thorough, ground-up approach with the often haphazard training found in commercial settings. Together, Marty and Alison explore the necessity of psychological flexibility and continuous learning, emphasizing how these elements are crucial for personal and professional growth. Marty’s personal story of resilience, from overcoming a challenging childhood to thriving as a leader, offers valuable lessons for anyone eager to transform their lead...
