Manders Mindset

Amanda Russo
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant in your life? Do you envision yourself living differently but have no idea how to start? The answer might lie in a shift in your mindset.  Hosted by Amanda Russo, The Breathing Goddess, who is a former Family Law Paralegal now a Breathwork Facilitator, Sound Healer, and Transformative Mindset Coach.  Amanda's journey into mindset and empowerment began by working with children in group homes and daycares. She later transitioned to family law, helping people navigate the challenging emotions of divorce. During this time, Amanda also overcame her own weight and health challenges through strength training, meditation, yoga, reiki, and plant medicine.  Amanda interviews guests from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and wellness experts, who share their incredible journeys of conquering fears and limiting beliefs to achieve remarkable success.  Hear real people tell how shifting their mindsets and often their words, has dramatically changed their lives.  Amanda also shares her personal journey, detailing how she transformed obstacles into opportunities by adopting a healthier, holistic lifestyle.  Discover practical strategies and inspiring stories that will empower you to break free from limitations and cultivate a mindset geared towards growth and positivity.  Tune in for a fun, friendly, and empowering experience that will help you become the best version of yourself.

  1. She Tried Therapy for Decades… Then 12 Steps Changed Her Life | Barb Nangle | 195

    6D AGO

    She Tried Therapy for Decades… Then 12 Steps Changed Her Life | Barb Nangle | 195

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if the patterns that have shaped someone’s entire life were never actually the problem but the solution waiting to be uncovered? In this deeply honest episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with boundaries coach, speaker, and author Barb Nangel, whose life transformed at 52 through 12-step recovery after decades of therapy only scratched the surface. From growing up in a dysfunctional environment to years of addiction, codependency, and emotional struggle, Barb shares how hitting a breaking point became the doorway to real healing. Throughout the conversation, Barb unpacks the powerful shifts that changed everything from recognizing codependency and victim mentality to learning how to build boundaries that create true internal safety. Together, Amanda and Barb explore the role of spirituality, the impact of unresolved trauma, and why lasting transformation requires more than just awareness, it requires action, community, and a willingness to look inward. At its core, this episode is a reminder that it is never too late to change, heal, and reclaim personal power... No matter how long someone has felt stuck. 💡 In this episode, listeners will discover: 🔥 How 12-step recovery can create breakthroughs where therapy alone may fall short 🧠 The hidden signs of codependency and how it shows up in everyday life 💔 How unresolved trauma and family dysfunction shape behavior and relationships 💡 Why boundaries are the key to breaking people-pleasing patterns ⚡ The shift from victim mentality to personal responsibility 🪶 How spirituality and community support long-term healing 🎯 Why it is never too late to transform your life and rewrite your story ⏰ Timeline Summary [6:40] Childhood, family dynamics, and the early behaviors that pointed to deeper struggles [12:15] Addiction, compulsive overeating, and the patterns that followed her into adulthood [18:40] A breaking point, discovering codependency, and the moment everything began to click [25:10] Finding ACA, CoDA, and Overeaters Anonymous and why 12-step recovery changed everything [32:45] Grief, family loss, and reconciling with her brother in a powerful new way [38:20] How recovery led her to boundaries work  [49:10] The biggest mindset shift of all Growth and healing are always possible and sometimes, one conversation can be the beginning of everything changing. To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE! To Connect with Barb: Schedule a Free 30 minute "Say No Without Guilt" call with Barb: http://barbchat.net/

    57 min
  2. From Good Girl to Untamed Leader: Finding Your Voice & Speaking with Purpose | Lauri Smith | 194

    MAR 23

    From Good Girl to Untamed Leader: Finding Your Voice & Speaking with Purpose | Lauri Smith | 194

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if the voice that’s been held back… is the very thing meant to lead? In this powerful episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda Russo sits down with speaker, author, and soulful speaking coach Lauri Smith for a conversation about leadership, authenticity, and the journey from being the “good girl” to becoming an untamed, fully expressed voice. Lauri shares a deeply personal story of growing up with unspoken pressure to be perfect, always composed, always doing the “right” thing. But beneath that identity was something more, an intuitive, powerful voice waiting to be expressed. Through theater, coaching, and life experience, that voice began to emerge, reshaping not only how leadership is defined, but how it is embodied. At the heart of this episode is one transformative idea: leadership doesn’t have to be loud, controlling, or performative... it can be intuitive, creative, and deeply aligned. This conversation explores how breath, intention, and presence influence communication, and how stepping into an “untamed” version of leadership allows for more impact, connection, and authenticity. From understanding the body’s role in communication to breaking free from templates and expectations, this episode offers a new way to think about voice, power, and purpose. 💡 In this episode, listeners will discover: ✨ What it really means to be an “untamed leader” 🧠 How childhood roles shape identity and self-expression 🎭 Why theater unlocked authenticity and presence 🗣️ The difference between speaking to impress vs. speaking with purpose 🔥 How coaching revealed natural leadership abilities ⚖️ The difference between aggressive, passive, and assertive energy 🌬️ Why breath is the foundation of a powerful voice 💫 A simple framework: intend, align, invite 🚫 Why letting go of templates leads to true expression ❤️ How to speak from the soul, not from expectation ⏰ Timeline Summary [2:05] Redefining Leadership: Moving beyond outdated ideas and stepping into the “untamed leader” identity [6:40] The Good Girl Identity: Growing up with pressure to be perfect and composed [14:10] Finding Theater: A turning point that unlocked authenticity and creative expression [24:00] Discovering Coaching: The moment natural leadership was recognized [33:00] Assertiveness vs Aggression: Understanding the body’s role in communication [41:20] Intent, Align, Invite: A simple yet powerful speaking framework To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

    51 min
  3. The Email That Almost Never Happened | Steve Gamlin | 193

    MAR 16

    The Email That Almost Never Happened | Steve Gamlin | 193

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if the smallest moment… a compliment, a conversation, an email almost deleted… could change the entire course of a life? In this deeply moving episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with motivational speaker, author, and “motivational firewood guy” Steve Gamlin for a conversation about mindset, awareness, resilience, love, and the unexpected moments that shape a life. Steve shares how a childhood filled with curiosity and imagination eventually led him into radio, stand-up comedy, DJing, public speaking, and writing. But the journey wasn’t always smooth. Behind the scenes were moments of burnout, divorce, crushing debt, and self-doubt that forced him to rebuild his life from the ground up. At the center of this conversation is one powerful theme: awareness. Through simple acts of kindness, chance encounters, vision boards, and moments many people might overlook, Steve explains how life constantly offers lessons and opportunities if attention is paid closely enough. Sometimes the smallest ripple can create the biggest impact. The conversation also explores the remarkable love story between Steve and his late wife, Tina. What began with a single unexpected email after 21 years apart grew into a deeply meaningful relationship Steve describes as a real-life fairytale. With honesty and vulnerability, he shares the joy they built together, the heartbreak of losing her, and the ways love continues to guide his life today. 💡 In this episode, listeners will discover: ✨ Why childlike curiosity can transform everyday life 🌊 How small acts of kindness create ripple effects 🎙️ The childhood dreams that eventually shaped Steve’s career 🔥 How burnout, debt, and life setbacks became turning points 😂 Why stand-up comedy helped shape Steve’s speaking style 💛 Why connection matters more than applause ❤️ How visualization and vision boards helped shape life and relationships 🕊️ How grief and gratitude can coexist after loss 👀 Why awareness changes how life is experienced 🐾 The simple daily reminder to “wag yourself happy” ⏰ Timeline Summary [02:10] Childlike Curiosity: Steve shares how living with wonder and noticing small moments creates positive ripples in everyday life. [12:15] A Friend’s Encouragement: The moment a friend challenged Steve to pursue radio and follow the dream he once had. [18:40] Burnout & Rock Bottom: Radio success, overworking, divorce, and financial struggles force a complete life reset. [24:55] The Life Coach Question: One simple question sparks a journey into stand-up comedy, Toastmasters, and motivational speaking. [30:20] Connection Over Applause: Why making a real connection with one person matters more than a standing ovation. [34:10] The Tina Love Story: Reconnecting after 21 years and the email that unexpectedly changed everything. [41:30] Loss, Grief & Gratitude: Steve shares the heartbreaking loss of Tina and the ways her presence continues to guide him. [47:15] Vision Boards & Awareness: How visualization and paying attention to life’s moments can shape an intentional life. [51:00] Wake Up & Wag Yourself Happy Website stevegamlinspeaker.com

    54 min
  4. How You Start is Not How You Finish | Logan | 192

    MAR 13

    How You Start is Not How You Finish | Logan | 192

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if the hardest parts of someone’s past didn’t have to define their future? In this powerful episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with transformational speaker and Air Force veteran Logan, whose life story is a testament to resilience, personal responsibility, and the power of rewriting your own narrative. From growing up in a restrictive religious environment to serving in Iraq and navigating PTSD, divorce, and moments of suicidal ideation, Logan shares how he learned to take ownership of his healing and ultimately redefine the direction of his life. Throughout the conversation, Logan opens up about the lessons that shaped him, including the importance of finding your “why,” seeking support when life feels overwhelming, and embracing the idea that no one is coming to save you — you must choose to save yourself. Together, Amanda and Logan explore discipline, identity shifts, mindset, and the courage it takes to evolve beyond the version of yourself shaped by past experiences. At its core, this episode is a reminder that how you start in life does not determine how you finish. Growth, healing, and transformation are always possible for those willing to do the work. 💡 In this episode, listeners will discover: 🔥 Why your past does not have to determine your future 🧠 How identity shifts create lasting change in mindset and behavior 💔 The impact of trauma, war, and adversity on mental health 💡 How finding a deeper “why” can help someone push through their lowest moments 🪶 Why therapy, journaling, and self-reflection play a key role in healing 🎯 The importance of discipline, intention, and defining your personal North Star ✨ How choosing growth and responsibility can transform your life and legacy ⏰ Timeline Summary [3:10] Logan’s childhood growing up in a restrictive religious environment [11:45] Feeling different, being bullied, and struggling with identity as a young person [18:30] Joining the Air Force as a way to escape and find freedom [27:40] Life in the military and the emotional toll of serving in Iraq [36:15] PTSD, divorce, and hitting rock bottom after returning home [45:20] The realization that changed everything and helped Logan choose life [54:00] The power of identity shifts and discipline in personal growth [1:03:30] Creating a personal “North Star” and living life with intention To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE! To Connect with Logan: Website: https://www.theloganunlimited.com/

    1h 17m
  5. How to Calm Your Mind & Stop Overthinking | Nikki Gangemi | 191

    MAR 9

    How to Calm Your Mind & Stop Overthinking | Nikki Gangemi | 191

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if the constant mental noise, overthinking, and self-doubt many people experience isn’t something they have to live with forever? In this insightful episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist, and founder of Mindful Matters LLC, Nikki Gangemi. After pivoting from a career in acting to 15 years in teaching before becoming an entrepreneur, Nikki shares the personal journey that led her to help others break free from limiting patterns and reclaim control of their mindset. Together, Amanda and Nikki explore the impact of negative thought patterns, the power of mindfulness, and the importance of learning how to calm the mind in moments of stress and uncertainty. Nikki also shares the story behind her CALM Method, a practical framework designed to help people manage emotions, quiet mental noise, and make empowered decisions. At its core, this conversation highlights how greater self-awareness, curiosity, and compassion can create lasting transformation. 💡 In this episode, listeners will discover: 🧠 How overthinking and self-doubt can shape everyday decisions  🌿 The role mindfulness plays in calming the nervous system  🔑 Nikki’s CALM Method for managing thoughts and emotions  💭 Why asking better questions can unlock deeper self-awareness  ✨ How limiting beliefs form and how they can be reframed  🪶 The power of self-forgiveness in personal growth  🦅 The “eagle mindset” metaphor for rising above criticism and noise ⏰ Timeline Summary [2:30] Nikki’s childhood, creativity, and early struggles with overthinking  [9:40] Moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting and the mindset challenges that followed  [18:20] Fifteen years in teaching and the inner pull toward something more  [27:10] The creation of Mindful Matters and working with mindfulness in schools  [38:00] Discovering mindfulness, EFT tapping, and emotional healing  [48:40] The CALM Method: a simple framework to quiet mental noise  [58:15] The eagle metaphor and learning to rise above criticism To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE! To Connect with Nikki: Website: https://nikkigangemi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmattersllc/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulmattersliving

    1h 12m
  6. Rebuilding Life After Rock Bottom | Wes Towers | 190

    MAR 6

    Rebuilding Life After Rock Bottom | Wes Towers | 190

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if hitting rock bottom wasn’t the end of the story…  but the beginning of rebuilding everything? In this episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with entrepreneur and Uplift 360 founder Wes Towers to explore what happens when life completely falls apart and how those moments can become the catalyst for profound transformation. After experiencing divorce, emotional breakdown, and sleeping under his office desk while trying to keep his business alive, Wes shares the mindset shifts, healing practices, and deep self-reflection that helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. From breathwork and nervous system regulation to questioning old belief systems and embracing authenticity, this conversation dives into what it really takes to move from survival mode to intentional living. Together, Amanda and Wes explore the connection between mindset, healing, entrepreneurship, and authenticity in a world increasingly driven by noise, speed, and artificial connection. Because sometimes rebuilding life doesn’t start with pushing harder… It starts with slowing down enough to breathe again. 💡 In this episode, listeners will learn: 🔥 How hitting rock bottom can become the catalyst for personal transformation  🧠 Why rebuilding beliefs and questioning childhood programming can change everything  🌬️ How breathwork helped Wes regulate stress, reset emotionally, and rebuild his mindset  💼 The surprising connection between personal healing and business growth  🧊 How practices like cold plunges and breathwork support mental clarity and resilience  ⚡ Why slowing down can actually accelerate rebuilding your life  🤝 The importance of real human connection in a world of digital noise and AI content  🌱 How small mindset shifts can create ripple effects across every area of life ⏰ Timeline Summary [2:10] Wes shares his upbringing and growing up in a highly restrictive religious environment  [7:20] Early creativity, designing his school logo, and discovering his path in graphic design  [12:40] Starting a business with no experience and learning entrepreneurship step by step  [20:30] Divorce, emotional collapse, and the moment life hit rock bottom  [27:45] Breathwork, therapy, and the healing practices that helped him rebuild mentally  [36:50] Why slowing down became the fastest way forward  [44:10] Authenticity in business and why AI-generated content is creating a trust gap To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE! To Connect with Wes:  Website: https://uplift360.com.au/

    50 min
  7. How Shifting Your Mindset Can Change a Relationship Forever | Dr. Bruce Chalmer | 189

    MAR 2

    How Shifting Your Mindset Can Change a Relationship Forever | Dr. Bruce Chalmer | 189

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if intimacy isn’t lost because love disappears… but because anxiety takes over? In this thought-provoking episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Bruce, a Vermont-based psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with couples, to unpack what really breaks relationships apart and what actually brings them back together. After navigating his own personal heartbreak and career pivot from statistician to licensed psychologist, Bruce has spent decades guiding couples through infidelity, emotional disconnection, and crisis. Through that work, he developed a simple yet profound framework that challenges what most people think therapy is about. At the core of the conversation is a powerful distinction: it’s not about how couples communicate… it’s about what they are communicating. Respect or contempt. Curiosity or certainty. Faith or panic. Bruce explores the intimacy–stability paradox, explains why intimacy requires tolerating anxiety, and introduces the difference between an “aha” moment and an “oh sh*t” moment... the kind of realization that changes everything. This episode is an invitation to rethink love, conflict, monogamy, therapy, and even certainty itself. Because sometimes the most important shift isn’t fixing the relationship… it’s shifting the mindset behind it. 💡 In This Episode, Listeners Will Discover: 💬 Why “better communication” isn’t always the solution  🔥 The real reason couples avoid therapy (hint: it’s fear, not indifference)  ❤️ Why intimacy requires the ability to tolerate anxiety  ⚖️ The difference between stability and passion and why both matter  💔 Why infidelity is often about context, not character  🧠 How contempt quietly erodes connection  💡 The power of the “oh sh*t” moment in healing  🙏 Why faith (not religion, but trust in reality) transforms relationships  🌱 How monogamy can become a gift instead of a restriction  🕊️ Why humility in beliefs strengthens connection far beyond romance ⏰ Timeline Summary  [2:26] Finding his true calling after personal relationship pain  [6:10] Childhood, identity, and the self-proclaimed “recovering nerd”  [16:38] The long road through his first marriage and the defining “oh sht” moment  [19:40] Meeting his wife in an unexpected, almost fate-like way  [27:21] Why couples therapy became his specialty  [31:00] The seven-word framework: “Be kind, don’t panic, and have faith”  [36:12] The intimacy vs. stability paradox explained  [42:56] Should every couple go to therapy?  [49:00] Why communication techniques alone don’t fix relationships  [1:15:05] The difference between “aha” moments and “oh sht” moments To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE! To Connect with Dr. Bruce Chalmer: Website: https://brucechalmer.com Podcast: https://couplestherapyinsevenwords.com/

    1h 32m
  8. From Fear To Love: The Shift That Changes Relationships | Larry Bilotta | 188

    FEB 24

    From Fear To Love: The Shift That Changes Relationships | Larry Bilotta | 188

    Feedback on the show? Send us a message! What if the reason your relationship feels stuck… isn’t because of them but because of what you’re carrying? In this episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with marriage and mindset expert Larry Bilotta for a powerful conversation about emotional patterns, childhood programming, and why it only takes one person to begin healing a relationship. After spending 27 years in what he calls “a marriage made in hell,” Larry shares the internal shift that transformed everything, not by changing his wife, but by changing himself. Together, Amanda and Larry unpack how unseen emotional “energy” shapes relationships, why fear quietly drives so many decisions, and how moving from fear to love can radically shift not just a marriage but every area of life. Expect bold analogies, deep self-reflection, and practical mindset tools that challenge the way you think about conflict, identity, and emotional responsibility. Because sometimes the breakthrough isn’t fixing what’s wrong… It’s choosing a different energy entirely. 💡 In this episode, listeners will learn: 🚂 Larry’s “Energy Train” concept and how emotions silently transfer between partners  💔 Why 27 years of struggle became the foundation for transformation  🧠 How childhood programming (“chaos kids”) impacts adult relationships  ⚖️ The difference between soft-hearted vs. hard-natured personalities  📝 The 25 Fear Words vs. 25 Love Words exercise and how it rewires decision-making  🐀 The “Cruise Ship & Rat” analogy for the inner critic and unresolved pain  👨‍👩‍👧 Clear definitions of a “real” dad, mom, husband, and wife and why clarity matters  ❤️ Why shifting from “What’s wrong?” to “How can I help?” changes everything ⏰ Timeline Summary  [4:30] Childhood roots  [10:40] “Stay married and miserable” the subconscious programming that kept them stuck  [16:40] The “Energy Train” explained: how mood, attitude, and emotion transfer between partners (even when hidden)  [27:30] Soft-hearted vs. hard-natured personalities & the “flag page” framework (fun/peace/control/perfect)  [34:50] The Fear vs. Love word list exercise... choosing a different emotional world to live in  [45:40] Real dad / real mom / real husband / real wife definitions To Connect with Amanda: Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE 📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess Follow & Support the Podcast: 📱Instagram: @MandersMindset 👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

    55 min
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant in your life? Do you envision yourself living differently but have no idea how to start? The answer might lie in a shift in your mindset.  Hosted by Amanda Russo, The Breathing Goddess, who is a former Family Law Paralegal now a Breathwork Facilitator, Sound Healer, and Transformative Mindset Coach.  Amanda's journey into mindset and empowerment began by working with children in group homes and daycares. She later transitioned to family law, helping people navigate the challenging emotions of divorce. During this time, Amanda also overcame her own weight and health challenges through strength training, meditation, yoga, reiki, and plant medicine.  Amanda interviews guests from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and wellness experts, who share their incredible journeys of conquering fears and limiting beliefs to achieve remarkable success.  Hear real people tell how shifting their mindsets and often their words, has dramatically changed their lives.  Amanda also shares her personal journey, detailing how she transformed obstacles into opportunities by adopting a healthier, holistic lifestyle.  Discover practical strategies and inspiring stories that will empower you to break free from limitations and cultivate a mindset geared towards growth and positivity.  Tune in for a fun, friendly, and empowering experience that will help you become the best version of yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Russo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Manders Mindset
  • Show Website
    Manders Mindset