Beyond the mind

Gina

Beyond the Mind is a podcast about the human experience—our minds, emotions, relationships, challenges, and the experiences that shape who we become. Through honest conversations with mental health professionals, psychologists, authors, coaches, advocates, and people with meaningful life stories, we explore mental health, emotional wellbeing, personal growth, purpose, identity, confidence, resilience, relationships, and life transitions. We also explore career and success,to personal growth, purpose, or wellbeing.

  1. 1 day ago

    Sean B. Jones: TheTruth About Entrepreneurship Nobody Wants to Hear — Risk, Sacrifice & Real Success

    Everyone talks about being your own boss, following your passion, and building a successful business. But what happens when the reality of entrepreneurship looks nothing like the dream? Behind every success story are difficult decisions, financial risks, unexpected setbacks, and problems that passion alone cannot solve. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Sean B. Jones, entrepreneur, author, national speaker, and former corporate executive with three decades of experience managing multibillion-dollar profit-and-loss operations. His career has taken him from psychotherapy and federal law enforcement to corporate leadership, pet retail, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. Alongside his wife, Amy, he owns What’s In The Bowl Pet Shops and leads its franchise system. Sean also bootstrapped Foodynamics, a freeze-drying company that supplied private-label products to more than 150 pet brands nationwide before its acquisition in 2025. His journey offers a perspective on entrepreneurship shaped not just by building businesses, but by understanding what it takes to operate, grow, and eventually sell them. We discuss the realities aspiring entrepreneurs often underestimate: the sacrifices behind business growth, the importance of solving problems, the financial pressures that come with running a company, and why a good idea isn’t enough to guarantee success. Sean shares why he believes entrepreneurship is often less about chasing a dream and more about being willing to handle the problems that come with turning that dream into a business. We also explore what changes when you move from corporate leadership to owning a business, what entrepreneurs should understand before seeking investors or selling a company, and why building a business with your spouse requires more than simply sharing the same ambition. Sean brings a direct, practical perspective to the conversation, challenging some of the familiar advice about following your passion and encouraging entrepreneurs to look honestly at the costs, risks, and responsibilities involved. Beyond business strategy, this conversation raises questions about personal growth, resilience, and defining success on your own terms. How do you know when to persevere and when to change direction? What skills help you navigate uncertainty? And are you prepared for the everyday realities of the life you’re working so hard to build? Whether you’re considering starting a business, already running one, or simply curious about what it takes to turn an idea into something sustainable, this episode offers an honest look at entrepreneurship without the hype. Connect with Sean B. Jones: Sean is the author of Entrepreneurship: Doing What Others Only Think About and is working on additional books exploring pet nutrition, pet loss, and problem-solving. Visit his website to learn more about his work, books, and business ventures. As a special offer for listeners, use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase and a free gift. Visit Sean’s website: Sean B. Jones’s Website

  2. 1 day ago

    Jay W. Vogt: You Don’tHave to Walk500 Miles to Find Yourself — Pilgrimage,Grief & theMeaning of Life

    What if finding your way forward doesn’t require having all the answers, but simply being willing to take the next step? Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin when we’re searching for something we can’t quite put into words. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Jay W. Vogt, author, facilitator, and lifelong walker whose relationship with walking began at just fourteen. As a teenager, Jay walked past the White House in the dark, carrying the name of a fallen soldier on a placard around his neck. He didn’t have a word for what that experience meant at the time. Fifty years and thousands of miles later, he came to understand it as pilgrimage. Jay has since walked across countries and continents, sometimes alone and sometimes alongside loved ones, carrying life’s questions, losses, and unexpected experiences with him. In his forthcoming memoir, A Walking Life: A Memoir in Seventeen Walks, he reflects on what these journeys have taught him about grief, purpose, connection, and the ways we find meaning throughout our lives. We explore why pilgrimage doesn’t have to be religious, how walking can create space to process difficult emotions, and why grief isn’t always something we overcome or leave behind. Jay also shares a surprising lesson from his forty years as a professional facilitator: after spending much of his life helping other people find their way, walking taught him something different about learning to receive. But you don’t need to travel across Spain or walk hundreds of miles to experience the value of this practice. We discuss how an ordinary walk close to home can become an opportunity to slow down, reflect, reconnect with yourself, and notice what you might be missing in the rush of everyday life. We also explore aging well, building a meaningful second half of life, and discovering purpose through small, intentional choices. Whether you’re navigating grief, approaching a new chapter, feeling disconnected from yourself, or simply looking for a more meaningful way to experience everyday life, Jay’s story offers a gentle reminder that you don’t have to know exactly where you’re going to begin moving forward. What if the journey you’re looking for doesn’t begin with a grand plan, but with one small step outside your door? Connect with Jay W. Vogt: Jay’s website features information about his facilitation and consulting work, his forthcoming memoir, A Walking Life: A Memoir in Seventeen Walks, and further reflections on pilgrimage, grief, and finding meaning through walking. You can also explore his TEDx talk and discover ideas for beginning your own walking practice. Explore Jay’s work: Peoplesworth — Jay W. Vogt’s Website

  3. 1 day ago

    Dr. ValerieTackling: Why Great Employees Struggle asManagers — The Secret to Building TeamsThat Stay

    What happens when you’re excellent at your job, get promoted into leadership, and suddenly realize that doing the work yourself is very different from leading the people who do it? For many first-time managers, the promotion they’ve worked so hard for becomes one of the most challenging transitions of their careers. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Dr. Valerie Tackling, founder of Breakthrough & Rise Global, who brings more than 25 years of leadership experience and doctoral research on workplace social capital to the conversation. Valerie helps new managers understand that successful leadership isn’t just about setting expectations and getting results—it’s about building the relationships that allow people to work together, trust one another, and grow. We explore why organizations often promote their best employees without preparing them to manage people, navigate conflict, or build a healthy team culture. Valerie explains how the shift from individual contributor to manager can leave capable professionals feeling overwhelmed, and why leadership challenges are often rooted in relationships rather than a lack of technical skills. Drawing on her research, Valerie shares insights behind her S.T.A.Y. Framework™ and her Lead From Day One program, which help first-time managers develop stronger connections with their teams. We discuss what builds trust, why belonging matters in the workplace, and how managers can create environments where people feel valued and genuinely want to contribute. We also explore what leaders can do when communication breaks down or good employees begin considering the exit door. But this conversation goes beyond job titles and management techniques. Leadership also requires self-awareness, patience, and the willingness to recognize that you don’t have to carry every responsibility alone. Sometimes, becoming a better leader starts with learning to listen, ask better questions, and walk alongside your team instead of trying to control every outcome. Whether you’re a new manager, an experienced leader, or an employee hoping to understand what makes a workplace thrive, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the human side of leadership. What if the secret to building a successful team isn’t pushing people harder, but creating the kind of trust and connection that makes them want to stay? Connect with Dr. Valerie Tackling: Stepping into your first management role can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re expected to lead people without a clear roadmap. Valerie offers a free New Manager Survival Guide to help new leaders navigate this transition and get started with greater confidence. Get your free guide: The New Manager Survival Guide

  4. 1 day ago

    Dr. Marcia Ruben: The Hidden Patterns Holding You Back — Rewiring Your Brain for Better Leadership

    Why do smart, capable people sometimes make poor decisions, react emotionally under pressure, or struggle to move forward even when they know what needs to be done? Sometimes, the problem isn’t a lack of ability. It’s the patterns of thinking that influence how we respond to challenges. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Dr. Marcia Ruben, an executive coach, organizational consultant, and professor emerita of graduate leadership with more than three decades of experience helping leaders navigate complexity and lead with greater clarity. Her work brings neuroscience and practical leadership experience together to explore why even accomplished people can become overwhelmed, stuck, or trapped in patterns that no longer serve them. We discuss what happens when our brains rely on familiar responses that may have helped us in the past but now prevent us from growing. Marcia explores the difference between what she calls tangled and untangled leadership, including how fear, assumptions, and unhelpful thinking patterns can influence our decisions, relationships, and ability to lead effectively. But this conversation isn’t only about leadership in the workplace. It’s also about understanding ourselves. How often do we react before taking time to think? How can we recognize the beliefs and thought patterns that keep us repeating the same mistakes? And what can we do when overthinking, uncertainty, or the fear of getting something wrong stops us from taking the next step? Drawing on ideas from her book, The Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewire. Untangle. Lead., Marcia shares a research-informed perspective on how we can become more aware of our responses, approach difficult situations with greater intention, and develop habits that support clearer thinking. We also explore what it means to move beyond simply knowing what to do and begin responding differently when the pressure is on. Whether you’re leading a team, building a career, managing relationships, or working toward personal growth, this conversation offers an opportunity to examine the patterns influencing your choices. What if the thing holding you back isn’t a lack of potential, but a way of thinking you’ve never stopped to question? Connect with Dr. Marcia Ruben: Marcia’s book, The Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewire. Untangle. Lead., offers further insight into the thinking patterns that can hold leaders back and practical ways to approach leadership with greater clarity and intention. Get the book: The Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewire. Untangle. Lead.

  5. 3 days ago

    Joana E. Matos: When the Life You Built No Longer Fits — Finding Yourself Through Change

    What happens when you’ve built a life that looks good on paper, yet something inside you no longer feels right? You may be doing everything you’re supposed to do, showing up for everyone who depends on you, and still feel disconnected from yourself. Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t knowing that something needs to change—it’s discovering who you’re becoming when the life you’ve known no longer fits. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Joana E. Matos, a scientist with a PhD in Medicine from Aarhus University and an embodiment teacher whose work explores the connection between our bodies, emotional experiences, personal growth, and relationships. Her journey has taken her through rare disease research, life across seven countries, motherhood, depression, and the end of her marriage. Along the way, she discovered that being capable of handling everything doesn’t necessarily mean we’re truly okay. Joana shares how years of independence and achievement helped her navigate life’s challenges but also made it difficult to recognize when she needed support. As she began rebuilding her life, practices such as breathwork, movement, time in nature, and spiritual reflection helped her reconnect with herself. Her experience raises an important question: What if strength isn’t always about carrying more, but about learning when to pause, receive support, and listen to yourself? We also explore how our nervous system may influence the way we respond to uncertainty, stress, and emotional closeness. Drawing on her scientific background and additional training in breathwork and relationship coaching, Joana offers a thoughtful perspective on the relationship between the body and our lived experiences, while recognizing the distinction between scientific evidence and personal or spiritual understanding. Beyond personal transformation, we discuss relationships and the challenge of remaining true to ourselves while loving someone else. How can couples maintain intimacy and desire as life changes? What happens when partners become excellent teammates but struggle to feel like lovers? And how can we communicate our needs, remain open to connection, and allow relationships to evolve without losing our sense of identity? Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, questioning a familiar role, rebuilding after a relationship ends, or simply feeling uncertain about your next chapter, this conversation offers space to reflect on what it means to find your way back to yourself. As Joana puts it, perhaps you aren’t lost—you’re at sea, somewhere between the life you’ve outgrown and the future you haven’t yet discovered. Connect with Joana E. Matos: Joana is the founder of Amoris Medicina, where she supports women navigating life transitions, identity shifts, and periods of uncertainty. Visit her website to explore her work, learn about her 90-day Landfall program, and take a short quiz designed to help you reflect on the transition you’re experiencing. You’ll also find information about Amoris et Eros, her work with individuals and couples exploring intimacy, connection, and desire. Explore Amoris Medicina: Joana E. Matos’s Website

  6. 3 days ago

    Bill Ferrier: Your Customers Owe You Money — Turning Unpaid Invoices Into Cash Flow

    What if your business has the money it needs to grow, but that money is tied up in unpaid invoices? For many companies, the challenge isn’t just making sales—it’s getting paid. And how a business handles those conversations can make a real difference to its financial health. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Bill Ferrier, founder of Ready Set Collect, who brings nearly 40 years of experience in the credit and collections industry. Bill helps companies improve the way they collect overdue payments, strengthen cash flow, and reduce the time money remains tied up in accounts receivable. But collecting money isn’t always as simple as asking customers to pay. Sometimes, good customers experience financial difficulties. Other times, businesses face repeated excuses, delayed promises, or objections that are difficult to overcome. Bill explains why understanding what’s really preventing payment—and knowing which questions to ask—can help collection teams approach these conversations with greater confidence and professionalism. We explore how companies can train their in-house collection teams to become more effective, recognize warning signs before accounts become seriously overdue, and encourage customers to pay without unnecessarily damaging valuable business relationships. Bill also shares why he sees collection training as an investment rather than just another expense, and how improving collection practices can contribute to stronger cash flow, lower Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), and increased profitability. Beyond the numbers, this conversation highlights an important business lesson: being professional about money doesn’t have to mean sacrificing relationships. With the right skills, businesses can become more confident about asking for what they’re owed while still treating customers with respect. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, entrepreneur, or someone responsible for finances, this episode offers a fresh perspective on managing unpaid invoices and protecting your company’s financial stability. How much stronger could your business become if you were better equipped to collect the money you’ve already earned? Connect with Bill Ferrier: Learn more about Bill’s approach to collection training and how Ready Set Collect helps businesses improve their collection processes, strengthen cash flow, and build more effective customer payment conversations. Explore Ready Set Collect: Visit Bill Ferrier’s website to learn more about his training and services.

  7. 3 days ago

    S.M. Sebastian: From Teenage Homelessness to Putting the Vatican on Trial — Resilience, Forgiveness & the Search for Justice

    Can the most painful experiences of our lives become the starting point for discovering strength we never knew we had? In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by S.M. Sebastian, author of the Kirkus-starred novel Suing the Vatican: Balancing the Scales of Justice. Steve’s life story is one of extraordinary adversity, unexpected encounters, and the determination to keep moving forward even when the odds seem impossible. At just eleven years old, Steve spent six months in a tuberculosis sanatorium, where he met a man whose kindness left a lasting impression on him. Five years later, after refusing to tolerate continued sexual abuse by a clergy member, Steve was expelled from high school and forced out of his home. His journey into adulthood included homelessness, difficult choices, and moments that challenged him to reconsider what was possible for his life. Over the decades, Steve experienced more than fifty moments he describes as extraordinary turning points—encounters and unexpected events that influenced his decisions and changed his direction. We explore how these experiences shaped his understanding of resilience, intuition, humor, and the importance of recognizing opportunities even in the middle of hardship. Steve also shares what led him, after years of personal reflection and five years of research, to write a novel that places the Vatican on trial over its responsibility for clergy sexual abuse. Although the courtroom is fictional, the book draws on real-world research and invites readers to consider difficult questions about institutional accountability, survivors’ experiences, and the pursuit of justice. But this conversation goes beyond his book. We discuss the complicated relationship between forgiveness and accountability, how humor can help people navigate painful experiences, and whether forgiving someone means giving up the right to seek justice. We also reflect on how seemingly insignificant encounters can influence our lives and how people can begin rebuilding after experiences that threaten to define them. Steve’s story reminds us that we cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can sometimes choose what we do next. Can we turn adversity into purpose without pretending the pain never happened? And can forgiveness and the pursuit of justice exist side by side? Connect with S.M. Sebastian: Explore Suing the Vatican: Balancing the Scales of Justice, learn more about the book, and discover how readers can participate in its fictional courtroom by becoming members of the jury and casting their votes. The website also offers survivors an opportunity to share their experiences, anonymously if they choose. Visit the website: Suing the Vatican

  8. 3 days ago

    Lisa Petr: Is AI Making Your Business Invisible? — The New Rules of Online Visibility

    What if potential customers were searching for exactly what your business offers, but AI wasn’t recommending you? As more people turn to AI tools to discover businesses, products, and services, the way customers find us online is changing. And many business owners may not realize they need to adapt. In this episode of Beyond the Mind, I’m joined by Lisa Petr, an AI VisAbility Coach who helps businesses, entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, nonprofits, and organizations improve how they appear to AI-powered discovery tools. Lisa believes that having a website and social media presence is no longer enough if AI systems struggle to understand what you do, recognize your credibility, or connect your services with the people looking for them. We explore the difference between traditional search engine optimization and the emerging practice of making businesses easier for AI tools to understand and recommend. Lisa introduces her six pillars of AI VisAbility—clarity, consistency, search words and phrases, social proof, schema, and frequently asked questions—and explains how these elements can help businesses communicate their value more effectively online. But what does this mean if you’re a small business owner without a technical background? We discuss why your competitors might appear in AI-generated recommendations when you don’t, how your website and online presence influence discoverability, and what practical changes you can start making without feeling overwhelmed by technology. Lisa also explains how her AI Visibility Score and gap analysis can help businesses identify potential areas for improvement. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, service provider, nonprofit leader, or someone building a brand from scratch, this conversation invites you to think differently about your online presence. If AI is becoming another way customers discover businesses, what can you do today to make sure yours isn’t overlooked tomorrow? Connect with Lisa Petr: Want to understand where your business may be missing opportunities for AI visibility? Explore Lisa’s AI VisAbility bundle, which includes an AI Visibility Score, a detailed gap report, a one-month action plan, and personalized implementation support. Explore the AI VisAbility Bundle: Lisa Petr’s AI VisAbility Bundle

See All (83)

About

Beyond the Mind is a podcast about the human experience—our minds, emotions, relationships, challenges, and the experiences that shape who we become. Through honest conversations with mental health professionals, psychologists, authors, coaches, advocates, and people with meaningful life stories, we explore mental health, emotional wellbeing, personal growth, purpose, identity, confidence, resilience, relationships, and life transitions. We also explore career and success,to personal growth, purpose, or wellbeing.

Information

  • Creator
    Gina
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gina
  • Show Website
    Beyond the mind