Behind The Human with Marc Champagne

Marc Champagne
  • 4.8 (53)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Unpacking the stories and mental fitness practices of people living at the top of their game personally and professionally.

  1. He Worked With Fleetwood Mac, The Who & Brian Wilson. Here's What They Taught Him About Life (Ft Leo Rossi)

    4d ago

    He Worked With Fleetwood Mac, The Who & Brian Wilson. Here's What They Taught Him About Life (Ft Leo Rossi)

    Leo Rossi spent decades behind the scenes with legendary artists including Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Brian Wilson, Prince, Chaka Khan, and many of the musicians who shaped modern music. But this conversation isn't really about rock and roll. It's about purpose. Leo shares remarkable stories from inside music history, the lessons he learned from creative geniuses, how one decision at 15 years old altered the course of his life, and why losing his son ultimately led him toward a mission that's impacting children around the world. This is a conversation about legacy, generosity, faith, and living the magic of every moment.   Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — "I'm the luckiest guy on Earth." 02:00 — Why authentic conversations create deeper connections 04:05 — Accidentally finding a career backstage 06:15 — Touring with Black Sabbath, The Who and rock legends 08:05 — How working for free led to Fleetwood Mac 12:10 — Why he walked away from the music industry 13:00 — The real story behind Knights of Rock 17:15 — What people misunderstand about classic rock 20:00 — Why everything starts with the song 22:05 — Brian Wilson's extraordinary creative genius 29:45 — The one word that summarizes an unbelievable career 30:40 — Losing his son and discovering a new purpose 35:10 — Building bridges that change lives 38:30 — Why kindness compounds over generations 41:10 — Watching "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac being born 44:30 — Why he believes magic found him 46:00 — The biggest poverty in the world isn't money 49:00 — One small act can change everything * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  2. The Future of Work Depends on One Human Skill We Ignore (Ft. Jen Fisher)

    Jun 28

    The Future of Work Depends on One Human Skill We Ignore (Ft. Jen Fisher)

    For years, we've been told burnout is something individuals need to fix with better habits, stronger resilience, or another meditation app. But what if we've been asking the wrong question? In this episode, former Deloitte Chief Well-Being Officer and author of Hope is the Strategy, Jen Fisher shares why burnout is often the outcome of broken workplace systems—not broken people. Together, we explore hope as a practical leadership strategy, why organizations continue admiring the data instead of changing behavior, how AI is reshaping humanity at work, and why the next generation may be our greatest reason for optimism. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: "Who are you?" 01:25 — Burnout forced Jen to redefine success 03:40 — Becoming one of the world's first Chief Well-Being Officers 08:00 — Why every large organization needs someone responsible for well-being 12:00 — We've collected enough data. Now we need strategy. 16:15 — Why AI can't replace hope 17:00 — Hope isn't wishful thinking 20:15 — The three components of Hope Theory 23:00 — Burnout is becoming a systems problem—not an individual problem 26:00 — What employees can actually control 31:00 — Building the business case for well-being at Deloitte 36:45 — Which industries are making progress 41:00 — Jen's non-negotiables for mental fitness 42:15 — AI, humanity and the future of work 45:00 — Why young people give Jen hope * Special props 👇 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  3. How to Find the Magic Moments That Change Everything (Ft. Colin Hodge)

    Jun 21

    How to Find the Magic Moments That Change Everything (Ft. Colin Hodge)

    Why is it that some ideas spread effortlessly while others disappear, even when they're objectively better? Colin Hodge joins Marc Champagne to explore the psychology behind startup growth, customer behavior, identity transformation, and the lessons learned from building successful companies over the last decade. They discuss why empathy is the foundation of sustainable growth, how entrepreneurs become trapped by their identities, the surprising role journaling and reflection have played in Colin's success, and what separates products people try from products they keep coming back to. Whether you're building a business, launching a creative project, or simply trying to create meaningful change in your own life, this conversation offers a powerful framework for understanding how people think, decide, and grow.   Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: "Who are you?" 02:00 — Entrepreneurship, humor, and surviving difficult seasons 04:30 — The versions of ourselves that must die to grow 08:30 — Identity, self-worth, and the danger of attaching yourself to your work 10:00 — Gratitude, journaling, and facing fear directly 12:30 — Why reflection creates clarity and better decisions 13:30 — The surprising journey from entrepreneur to author 18:00 — The psychology behind startup growth 21:00 — Empathy: the foundation of every successful product 23:00 — Why understanding your users changes everything 24:00 — The mistake most founders make when defining their audience 25:30 — Marc's Mental Fitness Blueprint and the challenge of behavior change 29:00 — Identity shifts that unlock lasting habits 32:00 — The power of daily questions and micro-moments 33:00 — Mapping customer emotions and finding "magic moments" 35:00 — Why frustrated users may be your biggest opportunity 38:00 — The reality of writing and launching a book 42:00 — Turning marketing into a game of experimentation 46:00 — What Colin would do differently if launching another book 48:00 — USA Today Bestseller lessons and book launch strategy 50:00 — The power of endorsements, relationships, and persistence 52:00 — Playing to your strengths when growing anything 54:00 — The concept of "magic moments" and why they matter * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min
  4. How to See the Patterns Shaping Your Life (Ft. Dave Radparvar)

    Jun 14

    How to See the Patterns Shaping Your Life (Ft. Dave Radparvar)

    How would your life change if you could see the patterns running your future before they became your reality? For more than twenty years, Dave has used journaling as a tool for clarity, growth, and self-discovery. What began as a simple writing practice evolved into Reflection, a platform helping people capture their thoughts, identify patterns, and better understand themselves. In this conversation, Marc and Dave explore why self-awareness is becoming one of the most valuable skills in a rapidly changing world, how reflection can help us navigate uncertainty, and why the future of AI may be most powerful when paired with deeper human insight. They also discuss journaling as a thinking partner, the surprising lessons hidden in old journal entries, emotional intelligence, parenting, mental fitness, and how small reflective practices can create extraordinary long-term change.   Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — Who are you when the titles disappear? 00:45 — Dave's definition of a meaningful life 01:46 — Presence, craftsmanship, and living intentionally 03:02 — Why self-awareness may be today's greatest superpower 04:43 — The story behind Reflection 07:10 — Leaving Holstee to pursue a deeper calling 09:21 — How journaling first entered Dave's life 11:44 — The self-development books that shaped his thinking 13:02 — The six-month email experiment that changed everything 16:06 — Why we forget how far we've come 18:06 — Experience stacking and building confidence through evidence 19:12 — The future of journaling in an AI-driven world 20:17 — How AI can help provide perspective 22:11 — The emerging relationship between journals and intelligent agents 24:49 — Digital clutter, mental clarity, and organized thinking 26:09 — Using personal patterns to predict future obstacles 28:51 — Mental fitness practices beyond journaling 29:02 — The underrated power of cleaning your environment 31:12 — Identifying and eliminating energy leaks 32:35 — Dave's daily journaling routine 34:13 — Three questions for better sleep and recovery 35:32 — Voice journaling and capturing insights in real time 36:45 — Clarity in the moment, perspective over time 37:18 — Why emotional intelligence is becoming a leadership advantage 39:12 — Making reflection a sustainable habit 40:08 — Escaping mental funks and reversing negative momentum 41:54 — Building a personal toolbox for resilience 42:27 — The power of weekly and monthly life reviews 44:15 — How reflection creates a personal PhD in your life 46:17 — Why Dave is optimistic about the next generation 48:14 — Choosing hope, opportunity, and a better perspective 49:12 — Friendship, collaboration, and helping people flourish * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
  5. The Mental Frameworks That Turn Fear Into Momentum (Ft. Alex Mehr)

    Jun 7

    The Mental Frameworks That Turn Fear Into Momentum (Ft. Alex Mehr)

    This is a conversation about fear, obsession, and what happens when a scientist decides to rebuild the limits of human creativity. Marc sits down with Alex Mehr (scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Famous Labs) for a conversation on mental resilience, entrepreneurship, and the future of AI-assisted creativity. Alex opens up about leaving his dream role at NASA, the emotional volatility of building companies, and the practical mental tools he uses to navigate fear, anger, desperation, and uncertainty. Make sure to check out Famous AI, the platform I used to build the Mental Fitness Blueprint!    Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:00 — Alex’s transition from NASA scientist to entrepreneur 03:00 — Why curiosity alone isn’t enough in business 04:00 — The joy and politics of life inside scientific research 06:30 — How Silicon Valley changed the trajectory of Alex’s life 08:00 — The addictive freedom of entrepreneurship 09:00 — Fear, uncertainty, and the emotional realities of building companies 10:00 — Why anger can become one of the most useful emotions 12:00 — The difference between destructive emotion and productive action 14:00 — Using sleep and reflection to channel difficult emotions 15:00 — Desperation, long walks, and finding clarity 18:00 — The beach walk in Puerto Rico that changed everything 20:00 — The breakthrough idea behind Deal AI 22:00 — Why walking has shaped thinkers, founders, and leaders throughout history 23:00 — Alex’s “aluminum foil” method for deleting intrusive thoughts 26:00 — Mental clutter, consciousness, and creating space in the mind 29:00 — Why mastering the mind matters more than ever in the AI era 30:00 — The vision behind Famous Labs and AI-powered entrepreneurship 33:00 — Solving the “last 10% problem” in software creation 36:00 — How AI helps turn vague ideas into scalable products 39:00 — The future of AI-assisted execution and creativity 42:00 — Why most people never fully commit to their ideas 45:00 — Fear-based AI narratives vs. human creative potential 46:00 — The trait shared by history’s greatest creators and inventors 49:00 — Why mental fitness and AI must evolve together 50:00 — Final reflections on creativity, execution, and the future of humanity * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
  6. The Consciousness Shift Is Already Happening — Here’s What We Were Never Taught (Ft. Erin, Valentin & Marc)

    May 31

    The Consciousness Shift Is Already Happening — Here’s What We Were Never Taught (Ft. Erin, Valentin & Marc)

    Lately, I’ve been feeling like more and more people are quietly asking the same question: Is there something more going on beneath the surface of everyday life? So for this special roundtable episode, I sat down with Erin Maechler and Valentin Randon for a deep conversation on consciousness, intuition, meditation, altered states, remote viewing, and the future of human potential. We explored why so many people feel a shift happening right now, how consciousness may extend far beyond the brain itself, and why topics once dismissed as “woo-woo” are now being studied through science, performance, and human optimization. From the Monroe Institute and Joe Dispenza to telepathy studies, visualization, and peak performance, this conversation challenged even my own assumptions about what may actually be possible. Whether this world feels completely familiar to you or totally new, my hope is that this episode simply opens the door to more curiosity, deeper questions, and a new perspective on what it means to be human.   Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — Why this conversation on consciousness felt important to have now 01:07 — “Is that all there is?” The question that started Erin’s journey 03:40 — The feeling that humanity is going through a collective shift 05:08 — Valentin explains the Monroe Institute and the “hard problem” of consciousness 07:39 — Erin on working in AI and bringing consciousness into the workplace 10:00 — The Techskis conference that revealed how many people are already exploring this 12:06 — Why optimism may not be naïve after all 14:15 — “Materialism is dead” and the future beyond purely physical reality 15:47 — The HeartMath & Joe Dispenza studies on collective intention 18:28 — How meditation began changing Erin’s relationship with fear, work, and identity 19:08 — Marc on journaling, intuition, and asking better questions 21:02 — The challenge of balancing spirituality with everyday responsibilities 22:14 — How binaural beats and brain entrainment work 25:18 — Valentin’s surreal experience leaving a deep meditation retreat 28:09 — The power of creating small moments of expanded awareness 30:00 — Coincidences, synchronicities, and feeling connected to something larger 31:25 — Why consciousness exploration can simply make life more joyful 33:44 — The surprising truth: science itself is built on assumptions 35:14 — How leaders can create aligned, conscious workplaces 36:43 — The question that expands everything: “Who am I?” 39:30 — Why introducing these ideas in business settings can be difficult 44:35 — Why forcing these conversations on others rarely works 46:38 — Using visualization and meditation to unlock creativity in teams 49:05 — Remote viewing, telepathy, and consciousness research that stunned governments 52:35 — The experiments suggesting telepathy and precognition may be real 54:42 — How other countries are already teaching consciousness practices to children 56:30 — What excites each of them most about the future of consciousness 58:59 — A vision for a future podcast entirely dedicated to consciousness exploration * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr
  7. The Spiritual Side of Work Nobody Talks About (Ft. Courtney O’Brien)

    May 24

    The Spiritual Side of Work Nobody Talks About (Ft. Courtney O’Brien)

    This is a conversation about the invisible emotional weight people carry into work every single day and what happens when someone finally makes space for it. I sat down with Courtney O’Brien (HR leader and community builder) to explore the hidden emotional world inside modern workplaces. We unpack psychological safety, anxiety, spirituality at work, powerful questions, collective healing, and why humanity may be the most overlooked leadership skill of our time. From fear of flying and nervous system regulation to AI companionship and emotional intelligence in corporate culture, this episode challenges the idea that professionalism requires disconnection from ourselves. Courtney shares why she believes work can become a spiritual teacher, how shame silently shapes human behavior, and the simple practices that help people reconnect to themselves—and each other.   Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 00:00 — “Who are you?” 01:18 — Growing up highly sensitive and learning to articulate emotions 02:43 — Loss, spirituality, and feeling connected to those who came before 03:22 — Why HR became Courtney’s “spiritual practice” 05:02 — Bridging humanity and corporate systems 06:34 — Leading with vulnerability at work 07:23 — Why most people secretly want deeper conversations at work 08:55 — Small experiments that change team culture 10:12 — Using psychological safety exercises in meetings 11:32 — The surprising reaction people have when given permission to share 13:09 — Relief, humor, and connection in the workplace 14:33 — The power of better questions 15:52 — Why powerful questions changed Courtney’s life 16:30 — “What do we owe each other?” 18:23 — Grace, challenge, and collective tension 19:53 — Why mentally fit teams operate differently 20:24 — Shame, judgment, and emotional healing 20:59 — Courtney’s nervous system reset practices 22:21 — Learning to care for yourself without disconnecting from the world 23:18 — Why healing practices became simpler over time 24:28 — The grounding practice Courtney uses daily 26:36 — The wisdom of the body and collective consciousness 27:08 — Overcoming a fear of flying through physical regulation 28:51 — How posture changes emotional states 29:34 — AI, consciousness, and intuitive leadership 31:53 — Translating “woo-woo” for corporate culture 33:16 — Why spiritual thinkers and tech founders sound increasingly similar 34:33 — Using AI for self-reflection and deeper questioning 35:08 — The rise of AI companionship and emotional projection 36:53 — The danger of judging conversations too quickly 37:52 — What gives Courtney hope for the future 39:19 — “What It Takes to Heal” and collective belonging 40:10 — Why anxiety points toward what matters most 41:20 — Final reflections on humanity, healing, and meaningful work * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  8. In a World Obsessed With Speed, He Built a Life Around Presence (Ft. Matt Hranek)

    May 17

    In a World Obsessed With Speed, He Built a Life Around Presence (Ft. Matt Hranek)

    What if the life you’re searching for is hidden inside the things you’ve stopped noticing? Matt Hranek — founder of WM Brown, bestselling author, and storyteller — joins Marc for a conversation about curiosity, craftsmanship, ritual, and the beauty of slowing down in a world addicted to speed. From photography and magazine culture to watches, coffee, saunas, and storytelling, this episode explores how presence and observation can completely reshape the way we experience life. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Personal Socrates: Better Question, Better Life   Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne   Timestamps: 01:00 — Becoming “the world’s most interested guy” 02:00 — How Matt’s father shaped his eye for observation 03:00 — The first camera that changed everything 04:30 — Studying photography and art history in Europe 06:00 — The energy of 1990s magazine culture 07:30 — Why Matt knew digital photography would change everything 09:00 — Transitioning from photographer to editor and storyteller 10:00 — Why photography permanently changes how you see the world 12:00 — Developing a visual language and creative instinct 13:00 — The tactile beauty missing from modern life 15:00 — Analog rituals in a digital world 17:00 — Why Matt doubled down on print magazines 18:30 — Creating magazines people would never throw away 20:00 — The emotional philosophy behind A Man & His Watch 22:00 — Why every great creative project starts personally 24:00 — Funding the first magazine after a tree crushed his car 27:00 — Building distribution one relationship at a time 29:00 — Why creative critique is essential for growth 31:00 — Matt’s process for creativity and ideation 33:00 — Why enthusiasm matters more than expertise 35:00 — Sleep, coffee rituals, and protecting mental clarity 36:00 — Why Matt sees himself as a “field agent” 38:00 — Curiosity as a mental fitness practice 40:00 — Why inspiration already exists where you live 42:00 — Observation, storytelling, and everyday life 45:00 — The challenge of commercial storytelling 47:00 — Sauna culture, ritual, and slowing down 50:00 — Why rituals force us to become present 52:00 — The deeper ripple effect of slowing down * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud 📷 by Peter Millar Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min
See All (447)

4.8
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

Unpacking the stories and mental fitness practices of people living at the top of their game personally and professionally.

Information

You Might Also Like