The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman Ryan Berman

You can see it, you can be it. Artis Stevens is President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) – the nation’s foremost one-to-one youth mentoring organization. As the first Black CEO in BBBSA’s 100+ year history, Artis is spearheading a powerful mission to leverage mentorship as a transformative solution to society’s greatest challenges – from equity and access to justice and opportunity. In his discussion with Ryan, Artis speaks on the power of relationships to make positive change in young people's lives, and explains why mentoring as your authentic self is the best approach, reminding listeners that a mentor does not have to be perfect, but they must be present. He explains the benefits and challenges of leading a 120 year old brand, where some people have preconceived notions about what the organization is and isn’t. Recently named one of the Top 10 non-profits in the U.S., Artis is on a mission not to just inform people about BBBSA, but make it relevant to individuals and inspire them to get involved in helping some of the millions of children in the U.S. that lack a positive adult mentor.

Get ready for an electrifying episode of The Courageous Podcast with your host, Ryan Berman! Today, we're joined by the brilliant Cheryl Goodman, a renowned tech expert and leading authority in artificial intelligence. In a world where many are fearful of AI's rapid advancements, Cheryl's insights and innovations offer a beacon of understanding and optimism. Today, she unveils her latest masterpiece, "How to Win Friends and Influence Robots." Don’t miss this fascinating conversation as we delve into the future of AI and explore the groundbreaking ideas in her new book, out today! PS. AI wrote this podcast teaser.

The Niche is You. Matt Gottesman is a multidisciplinary creative, 2x founder, podcaster and writer with a background in helping some of the world’s most iconic brands (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) realize their potential… digitally. His mission is to uncomplicate life and business and help millions do more of what they love at scale. In his conversation with Ryan, they explore the concept of seeking approval from others, with Matt emphasizing that acceptance is inherent from birth. He also shares practical advice and strategies from his own life, detailing systems he uses to live meaningfully and efficiently. If you're interested in learning how to reverse engineer work, rest, play and money for less chasing and more financial freedom and flow, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

At 16, Mandy Salas was a nationally ranked soccer player, eagerly preparing to submit college applications and step into the next exciting phase of her life. All signs were a go to continue her soccer career — most likely at Stanford — until an event occurring during a summer trip to Argentina abruptly altered this trajectory. In her candid conversation with Ryan, Mandy reflects on her time in Argentina, the accident that left her a quadriplegic, and the profound adjustments she had to accept of her new reality. Mandy candidly shares the challenges she faced returning to America, grappling with a loss of identity and struggling to find her place among her peers without the ability to compete athletically. Despite these obstacles, Mandy’s story is one of perseverance! Now, married with two kids of her own, we discover that Mandy is on a mission to convey that the human spirit remains strong in all of us.

Start with what brings you alive. Kirk Souder is the Founder at Leadership for Impact, where he guides people and organizations to free themselves from any self-created limitations and barriers, and connects them to the deep authentic energy underneath. In his conversation with Ryan, Kirk delves into the depths of his personal journey, from confronting mortality at just 18 years old to unraveling the dichotomy between conditioned and unconditioned intelligence. The two discuss the transformative power of embracing life's transitions and shedding limiting beliefs to ignite the fire within, and Kirk describes what it means to be a relentless reflection for his clients.

When you appreciate the good, the good appreciates. These are the words of Brian Dubow who is the Founder and CEO of Hit of Happiness. In this conversation, Ryan and Brian unpack Ryan's week long “Happiness Challenge” which was a response to the World Happiness Report recently unveiling the United States now outside the top 20 in happiest countries. With the intent of helping listeners get small wins on their path to happy, Ryan pressure tests his four-step challenge by Brian. Brian also adds one key challenge into the mix while sharing how long it takes each of us to enter into “flow state”. Through their discussion, they highlight the value of cherishing moments and mastering the mind to swiftly turn a bad day into a good one.