The Secrets of Being Podcast

How much of your life has been shaped by seeking approval from other people?

In this powerful episode of The Secrets of Being, I welcome award-winning author, licensed clinical psychologist, and trauma expert Dr. Lesley Goth for a deeply meaningful conversation about self-compassion, healing, trauma recovery, and reclaiming your sense of worth.

We begin with one of Dr. Goth's most powerful insights: *"I've liberated myself from the need for approval from others."* From there, we explore why criticism often carries more weight than praise, how early childhood experiences shape our beliefs about ourselves, and why so...

What if the thing that seems to be falling apart in your life is actually making room for who you're becoming?

In this episode of The Secrets of Being, I sit down with artist, author, and speaker Ellen Benfatti, author of Caterpillar Soup, for a fascinating conversation about creativity, spiritual awakening, nervous system regulation, the subconscious mind, resilience, and trusting the gifts that are trying to emerge through us.

Ellen's journey didn't begin with a plan to become an artist. It began during a period when her life seemed to be unraveling. As her marriage, career...

In this motivating and deeply honest episode of The Secrets of Being, I am joined by entrepreneur, baseball coach, mentor, and social media creator L.A. Gamo, also known as The Baseballogist. From the very beginning of our conversation, it became clear that L.A.’s story is about much more than baseball. It is about having the courage to take the road less traveled, trusting yourself when nobody else understands your vision, and building a life rooted in fulfillment instead of simply following society’s expectations.

L.A. opens up about his early years playing baseball, discovering entr...

In this inspiring and educational episode of The Secrets of Being, I am joined by veterinarian, longevity specialist, and founder of Helping Pets Live Longer, Dr. Kevin Toman. Dr. Toman shares his incredible 40-year journey in veterinary medicine and how his passion evolved into helping pets not only live longer but thrive with better quality of life. We talk about the profound emotional bond between humans and animals and why our pets truly become family.

Together, we dive into pet longevity, preventative care, inflammation, cancer prevention, nutrition, and the role of functional and integrative medicine in veterinary care...

In this emotional and deeply personal episode of The Secrets of Being, I am honored to sit down with educator, blogger, podcast host, and grief advocate Dave Roberts. Dave shares the heartbreaking story of losing his 18-year-old daughter, Jeannine, to a rare and aggressive cancer shortly after she gave birth to her daughter, Brianna. Through profound grief, Dave began experiencing signs, synchronicities, dream visitations, and spiritual connections that completely transformed the way he viewed life, death, and consciousness. 

Together, we talk about the concept of continued bonds and how our loved ones continue communicating with us through memories, s...

In this heartfelt episode of The Secrets of Being, I am honored to sit down with Doug D. Gordon, an international keynote speaker, life coach, and author whose life journey is a powerful reminder that transformation often begins in our most difficult moments. Doug began his career in the demanding world of corporate finance, where long hours, high expectations, and relentless pressure were part of daily life. But a profound near-death experience changed everything and invited him to reevaluate what truly matters.

Doug shares how that pivotal moment awakened him to a deeper purpose rooted in healing, communication...

In this meaningful episode of The Secrets of Being, I am joined by Dianna Collier, a certified positive psychology coach and licensed school psychologist, for a compassionate and honest conversation about burnout, resilience, and the healing power of self-compassion. Dianna shares the personal experiences that led her to shift her professional path and discover the life-changing principles of positive psychology.

After years of working in a demanding role supporting others, the stress began to affect her own health and well-being, including struggles with fertility that ultimately became a wake-up call. That experience led her to reevaluate how she...

In this heartfelt episode of The Secrets of Being, I am joined by bestselling author, entrepreneur, and podcast host Sarah Barnes Humphrey for a powerful conversation about self-worth, authentic leadership, and the courage it takes to find your voice. Sarah’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and embracing the imperfect path of growth. From starting her career in her family’s logistics and supply chain business to becoming a recognized thought leader, author, and podcast host, her journey is a reminder that progress often begins with a leap into the unknown.

Sarah shares how her career began stra...

In this episode, I am honored to sit down with Leonard Weingarten, a leader whose career spans professional sports, the LA Olympics, nonprofit partnerships, civic engagement, and higher education. Leonard’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about titles. It is about integrity, courage, creativity, and the way you treat people along the way.

We talk about his early days working with the Oakland Raiders and how he learned firsthand that respect and empathy matter just as much as strategy. Leonard shares how he leveraged creativity and bold networking to land opportunities with the LA Ol...

Welcome back to The Secrets of Being. In this episode, I sit down with Cynthia for a deeply grounding and illuminating conversation about yoga, trauma-informed practices, embodiment, and the subtle ways we trade away our present moment joy. Cynthia shares her personal journey into yoga, which began in childhood and evolved into a lifelong devotion to movement, breath, and body awareness. Her work today centers on trauma-informed yoga teacher training and her book Embodying the Goddess, which invites readers into a more intimate and empowered relationship with their bodies.

One of the core themes we explore is what...

Welcome back to The Secrets of Being. In this episode, I’m honored to be joined by Rachel Corbett, CEO of SupportGroups.com, for a thoughtful and timely conversation about mental health, technology, grief, and the power of connection. Rachel shares how her personal experiences with loss and her background in behavioral health led her to create a platform designed to make mental health support more accessible, affordable, and less intimidating for people who might otherwise never reach out.

We talk about the evolution of SupportGroups.com, which offers free peer-to-peer discussion forums, professional-led support groups, and innovative AI...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m honored to sit down with Dr. Bill Clark, a scientist, entrepreneur, author, podcast host, and modern-day mystic who beautifully bridges the worlds of logic and spirit. From the moment we begin, it’s clear this is a conversation about more than credentials. It’s about calling, consciousness, and what becomes possible when we stop separating who we are from how we live and work.

Dr. Bill shares how his journey began in science, studying chemistry and building a decades-long career in the supplement industry, while quietly nurturing a parall...

Welcome back to The Secrets of Being. I open this episode with a quote that perfectly captures the spirit of our conversation: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” That truth comes alive as I sit down with Jill and Scott, who met through volunteering at the Humane Society in San Diego and have made service to animals a meaningful part of their lives.

We talk about what it really means to show up for animals who need care, patience, and safety. Jill and Scott share their weekly volunteer routines, from completing safe...

Welcome back to The Secrets of Being. In this episode, I’m joined by Coach Cynthia Gregory for a rich and heart-centered conversation about creativity, storytelling, and what happens when we allow inspiration to guide us instead of trying to control the process. Cynthia shares the origins of her Love Notes Anthology book series, which began during a silent retreat through a powerful spiritual experience that made it clear this project was meant to be shared with the world.

We talk about the dedication from Love Notes from the Soul, Second Edition, written for cultural creatives who have of...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a clinical psychologist, media contributor, and best-selling author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety and Can I Say That? Why Freedom of Speech Matters and How to Use it Fearlessly. From the beginning, I knew this conversation could go in so many directions because it touches on two things I care deeply about, which are speaking your truth and learning how to work with anxiety instead of feeling ruled by it.

I open with a Dr. Seuss quote th...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, I’m so honored to welcome Dr. Cornelia Kawann, an electrical engineer, energy expert, and author of Change Your Energy, Change Your Life and her newly released Abundance Journal. Cornelia joins me from Switzerland, reminding us that even across continents, our energy connects us in powerful ways.

I open the conversation with a quote by Nikola Tesla about energy, frequency, and vibration, and Cornelia shares how her background in electrical engineering shaped her understanding of energy long before she stepped into the world of personal development. She reflects on ho...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Darshana Avila, a speaker, transformational guide, somatic healer, and sexologist who supports women in living from pleasure, power, and truth. 

Darshana shares how her path began in the “supposed to” version of life. She did all the things that looked right on the outside, but she realized that outward success was not creating inner peace. That gap between appearance and truth became the doorway into her spiritual seeking, her relationship healing, and her commitment to embodied transformation.

We talk about what it means t...

On this powerful episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m honored to sit with Terry Healey—a keynote speaker, author, and survivor of sarcoma cancer who has spent the last 40 years inspiring others with his story of courage, transformation, and faith.

At 21, Terry was a junior at UC Berkeley with his whole life ahead of him. Then a small bump behind his nostril turned into a diagnosis that would change his life forever. A ten-hour surgery altered his appearance, but not his spirit. He shares the moment he saw himself for the first time post-op and thought he l...

On this deeply meaningful episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, I’m honored to sit with Jennifer R. Levin, PhD—a workplace trauma strategist, licensed therapist, author, and host of Untethered: Healing the Pain from a Sudden Death. This conversation felt especially important because we’re talking about the kind of loss that changes everything in an instant—the losses you never see coming and never get to say goodbye to.

Jennifer shares how her work with sudden and traumatic loss wasn’t something she set out to do, but something that found her through repeated patterns she began...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by Nicole Harvick—quantum energy healer, forgiveness expert, and radiant force of self-love. Nicole opens up about a life-altering discovery in 2013, when her daughter—just a sixth grader—stumbled upon proof of Nicole’s husband’s infidelity. In the middle of heartbreak and shock, Nicole began her journey inward. Reiki. Sound healing. Energy work. She tried everything. But it wasn’t until her mother, on her deathbed, confessed the pain of never healing from her own betrayal that Nicole found the one thing missing from her path: forgiveness.

What foll...

Welcome back to The Secrets of Being! On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. David Clarke—a physician whose groundbreaking work bridges the gap between emotional trauma and physical illness.

Dr. Clarke opens up about his own awakening in medicine. After seven years of formal medical training, he still wasn’t equipped to understand what was truly causing some of his patients’ suffering—until one case changed everything. When a woman came to him with severe gastrointestinal issues that no medication could cure, he eventually learned that her symptoms were linked to childhood sexual abuse. With the help of a...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by Andrew Kap, author of the popular book Just Feel Good and a passionate advocate for making manifestation simple, joyful, and real. Andrew doesn’t just teach the law of attraction—he lives it. After losing his business and relationship within the same week, he realized he couldn’t keep living in survival mode. That moment of rock bottom became the turning point.

Andrew opens up about how he used just 10 minutes a day to shift his vibration. Within three months, everything began to change. His relationship improved...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by the radiant Rachel Kaplan—an author, recovery support specialist, and mental health advocate whose story is rooted in honesty, healing, and hope.

Rachel takes us back to her teenage years, where her struggles with mental health began. By 16, she already knew she wanted to become a therapist. But life had its own lessons in store. During grad school, everything seemed to fall apart—and yet, that’s where her deeper journey began.

She shares what inspired her to write How to Find Happiness in a Crazy...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by the radiant Kiki Penn—a reiki healer, Lyme disease advocate, and wise soul whose story reminds us what it means to come home to ourselves after deep illness and isolation.

Kiki shares how her journey into holistic healing began early—with a love for herbs, crystals, and the intuitive whispers that only some can hear. But it was a tick bite one summer, during a visit to her grandparents, that changed the course of her life. Her health declined, her marriage crumbled, and for seven years she fo...

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by three beautiful souls—Katy Gilberston, Valerie C. Thompson, and Portia Booker—as we sit in sacred conversation about grief, healing, and the signs that remind us our loved ones are still near.

I share how reading The Light Between Us by Laura Lynne Jackson opened something in me—reminding me of the moments where I felt my dad’s presence through a skeleton key, and the subtle but powerful signs I’ve received from my dog Toby since his transition. Sometimes it’s a post I scroll past. S...

Today’s episode of The Secrets of Being is a heartfelt invitation into purpose, healing, and transformation. I’m joined by Chigozie Nwosu, a gifted physician, author, purpose and clarity coach, and transformational speaker. Chigozie is also the founder of The Brave Minds Hub, an organization designed to help others navigate life’s transitions with boldness and wisdom.

With a background in medicine, occupational health, and business management, Chigozie blends clinical knowledge with lived experience to guide others through the hard questions—those quiet, sacred reflections that move us from where we are to where we’re meant to be.

Today’s episode of The Secrets of Being is all about grit, growth, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. I’m joined by the extraordinary Robert B. Foster, author and host of Shut Up and Grind—a podcast and book born from his own painful pivot after a serious knee injury nearly changed everything.

Robert walks me through that life-altering moment—one minute he was in peak physical shape, and the next, he was being told he might never run again. The physical pain was real, but so were the mental battles...

Today’s episode of The Secrets of Being is a heart-expanding journey into a world many of us feel but few truly understand. I’m joined by the incredible Annie Bourke—an animal communicator, psychic, and author whose love for animals started when she was just 18 months old. For the past 14 years, Annie has been telepathically communicating with animals, using a universal language that animals speak to each other in the wild—a language of energy, intention, and soul connection.

Annie shares that animals are not “lesser beings”—they are souls, just like us, choosing not to come back in human...

Today’s episode of The Secrets of Being is a conversation I’ll carry with me for a long time. I’m joined by the luminous Barbara D. Hayward—an author, podcast host, and lifelong medium whose spiritual path began over 40 years ago with a powerful mentor who only worked with one student at a time. Barbara was that one.

For the past 35 years, Barbara has moved between New Zealand and Australia, spreading wisdom, light, and love. But it wasn’t until just over a decade ago that she entered a profound healing space—a space that transformed not only her...

Today, I’m joined by Bob Beare, PhD—a beautiful soul who has dedicated his life to helping others heal. He’s the founder of Deep Waters Recovery, a long-time therapist, a best-selling author, and someone who walks the path of recovery with integrity and truth. But more than anything, Bob is a father. And in his words, nothing has healed him more deeply than being a dad.

In our conversation, Bob opens up about his 34-year recovery journey and how shadow work—looking at the parts of ourselves we’ve tried to hide—has become a foundational piece of his...

In this heart-opening episode of The Secrets of Being, I sit down with the inspiring Ty Allan Jackson—an author, speaker, and passionate believer in the power of imagination, courage, and purpose.

Ty never set out to write children’s books. Fifteen years ago, a simple question from his 8-year-old son about starting a lemonade stand sparked something extraordinary. After his son made $50 in a day, Ty searched for a book to help teach him about money—but he couldn’t find one. So, he decided to write it himself.

What followed was a journey of resilien...

In this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by the luminous Kylie Riordan—a devoted mother, soulful writer, and energetic healer whose life radiates love, purpose, and deep compassion.

Kylie and I discovered we wrote our books in the same year—2017—and though our paths are unique, our hearts beat to a similar rhythm. We explore what it means to be a mother in a world that often defines value by productivity, and why real success is found in the connections we make and the love we give.

From Kylie’s dreams of becoming a...

Welcome back, soul family, to The Secrets of Being.

Today, I’m honored to be joined by Dr. Stephen Middleton, a beautiful soul and the founder of the Possibility Action Network. Together, we explore his newest book, Break Free from Emotional Distress: A Practical Guide and Personal Journey, which began as a heartfelt message to himself—and has since become a source of healing and hope for thousands.

Stephen reminds us that we are not broken. That despite the pain, the setbacks, the inner critics—we are each wonderfully made, with something inherently marvelous within us.
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In this enlightening episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, Dr. Dawn Airhart Witte leads an in-depth conversation with De’iona Monay, Patrick Meniboon, Dr. Tameka Donaldson-Bridges, and Karla Bonkowski Magnan, unraveling the complexities of confidence. The panel digs into personal journeys of overcoming fear, the significance of a supportive tribe, and the transformative power of service and authenticity.

De’iona Monay emphasizes control over confidence and the importance of not succumbing to fear, sharing her experiences with youth through her Mentalship program and the spiritual guidance that propels her forward. 

Patrick Meniboon, once hindered by stage...

Join us on a profound exploration of the subconscious mind in this episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast. Dr. Dawn Airthart Witte leads a captivating discussion with Rachel Dubin, Laura Brennan Ballet, and Dr. Serggio Garcia Guillen on the transformative power of reprogramming our deepest thoughts and beliefs. Opening with a thought-provoking quote by Joseph Murphy, Dr. Dawn shares insights from her believe cards and reflects on the impact of words and thoughts on our perception of life. The conversation challenges listeners to recognize the power within to shift from negative to positive thought patterns through mindfulness and self-reflection.<...

In this insightful episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, host Dr. Dawn Airhart Witte is joined by experts Maureen Scanlon and Karla Bonkowski Magnan to dissect the intricate concept of karma and its impact on our lives. This episode goes beyond the typical understanding of karma, diving into how it intertwines with the law of attraction and the principle of 'you reap what you sow'.

Dr. Dawn opens the discussion with thought-provoking quotes, including one from Mahatma Gandhi, setting the tone for a deep dive into the nature of karma. She challenges the common perception of karma...

In this insightful episode of The Secrets of Being Podcast, host Dr. Dawn Airhart Witte is joined by a panel of esteemed experts: Karla Bonkowski Magnan, Maureen Scanlon, Dr. Serggio Garcia Guillen, and Valerie C. Thompson. Together, they dive into what it means to trust the process of life.

Dawn explores the concept of trusting life's process. She dives into our desire to control everything and how life's journey is filled with diverse experiences, each teaching us valuable lessons. Dawn discusses the importance of patience and how her initial intention to write three books expanded to twelve, illustrating...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Secrets of Being Podcast," where profound insights and the mystical intertwine. Your host, Dr. Dawn Airhart Witte, is joined by a panel of insightful guests as we dive into the enigmatic language of the universe.

In this episode, Laura Brennan Ballet, Dr. Serggio Garcia Guillen, and Portia Booker join us to explore how the universe communicates through signs and symbols.

Dawn discusses her personal experiences with cosmic messages, referencing Laura Lynn Jackson's book, "Signs: The Secret Language of The Universe." Learn how noticing recurring numbers and understanding the deeper...