The Optimized Mind

Mission Matters Network
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Hosted by Dr. Kate Lund, The Optimized Mind explores how we can define our own unique context, build resilience and maximize potential through engaging with today's top thought leaders in the business and personal development space. Learn more at: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Optimizing Potential with Aaron McNair

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Aaron McNair, spirituality mindset coach. The conversation explores how Aaron integrates mindset and spirituality in his coaching practice, helping clients from all backgrounds optimize their potential. Aaron details practical techniques he uses with clients, such as shifting from negative self-talk, developing morning routines, and choosing words that cultivate positive energy and vibration. He also discusses resilience, emphasizing the importance of "bouncing forward" instead of simply "bouncing back" in the face of adversity. Aaron McNair is a powerful Spirituality Mindset Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Transformational guide devoted to helping people awaken to who they truly are—resilient, worthy, and unstoppable. He works with individuals ready to break free from emotional and spiritual limitations, master their inner world, and create a life of purpose, peace, and power. Rooted in deep spiritual wisdom and lived experience, Aaron combines mindset mastery with soul alignment to help others transform from the inside out. His unique coaching approach is built on four foundational pillars: Consistency, Discipline, Motivation, and Mindset—the core principles that empower lasting transformation in every area of life. Raised in the church and trained in Bible college, Aaron has walked a powerful spiritual journey that now fuels his mission to help others rise above fear, break generational patterns, and fully embody who God created them to be. Through keynote talks, podcast appearances, and transformational coaching, he delivers a message that ignites breakthroughs, elevates consciousness, and leads people back to their truth. Whether on stage or in private sessions, Aaron speaks with a powerful presence, spiritual authority, and a deep love for humanity. His message is clear and life-changing: Master Your Mind—Master Your Life. To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    23 min

  2. 30 SEPT

    Understanding Compassion with Martina Faulkner

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Martina Faulker, a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on what it means to be human. The discussion focuses on compassion – what it means, how we access it, and why it’s so fundamental to our human experience. Martina E. Faulkner is a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on exploring what it means to be human—both the unique and the universal. She holds a trifecta in the mental health/healing world as a therapist, certified life coach, and Reiki Master Teacher. This distinctive background allows her to draw on her professional and personal experience in her writing, whether fiction, nonfiction, children’s, or poetry. A self-proclaimed Anglophile, Martina drinks tea daily, loves walks in nature, and enjoys looking at beautiful images from the British Isles while dreaming up her next book. You can read her regular column (‘Unique and Universal’) on Substack, follow her on Instagram and Facebook (@martinaefaulkner), or visit martinaefaulkner.com to learn more. To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    36 min

  3. 23 SEPT

    Embracing Self-Love with Karen Blaine

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Karen Blaine, author, retired hypnotherapist, and self-described "eternal empath." Karen shares her journey of self-discovery—from growing up feeling different and being told she was "too sensitive," to finding community and purpose through writing after significant personal loss. Together, they explore the themes of authenticity, resilience, and the power of self-love, as reflected in Karen’s new book, The Illusion of Perfection. Karen Blaine is a published author, full-time writer, and retired certified hypnotherapist with a specialization in conversational hypnotherapy. As an intuitive empath, her writing is dedicated to educating, enlightening, and inspiring readers to find their most authentic selves and live their best lives. Karen aims to connect deeply with readers and teach them to dream big and embark on personal journeys that result in lives of love and gratitude. In her early years, she pursued many creative and artistic activities, such as writing poetry and making music. Now she focuses her creative juices on writing her books, of which she has published four and has written two others! Karen's book, Who Are You, explores various methods of personality typing, helping us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Dreamscapes is her book on dream decoding that explains the subconscious & conscious meanings of common dreams and how they help us to grow and learn. In Subconsciously Speaking Karen writes about how the subconscious can help us understand and gain power by utilizing it more often. And her new book, You Are Not Alone, the focus shifts to the importance of self-love and the comforting realization that we are not alone in our struggles. This book also offers guidance on building resilience in the face of challenges. Karen is an avid reader, including literature on the human connection. She graduated from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) with a BA in Speech Communications. She has lived in Southern California all of her life. Karen has been married for 40+ years and has raised four wonderful children who have grown into positive, caring, and successful adults.  To learn more about Karen, please visit: www.eternalempath.com To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    26 min

  4. 16 SEPT

    How to IQ with Matthew Price

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Matthew Price, author of How-To-IQ: A Principled Approach to Making Smarter Decisions in Complex Times. The discussion focuses on the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in decision-making, emphasizing the human factor in organizations. The conversation touches on practical ways to help individuals and organizations recognize and overcome common biases and blind spots both in the workplace and at home. Matthew stresses the need to empower others to make sound decisions, which ultimately supports organizational growth and healthy family dynamics. Matthew Price is the Founder and Principal of MKP Strategies and the author of How-to IQ: A Principle-Based Approach to Smarter Decisions in Complex Times. With nearly 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate regulatory complexity, Matthew has built his career at the intersection of business strategy and compliance. He’s advised startups and Fortune 500s alike across sectors regulated by the FDA, EPA, OSHA, and beyond—transforming red tape into real opportunity. At the heart of Matthew’s work is a bold idea: when rules fall short, principles lead. His How-to IQ framework gives leaders the tools to think critically, act decisively, and scale their businesses with clarity—even in chaotic or heavily regulated environments. In his book and consulting work, he helps founders and executives make smarter decisions by focusing less on rigid rule-following and more on values, insight, and accountability. A trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and educator, Matthew is known for his candor, clarity, and ability to make complex systems actionable. He’s passionate about equipping leaders with the mindset and tools to grow from “one-man army” to sustainable organization—without losing their mission, values, or sanity in the process. To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    25 min

  5. 9 SEPT

    Courage is Built Here with Justine Froelker

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Justine Froelker, a licensed professional counselor turned speaker, author, and corporate trainer. The discussion explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of embracing vulnerability and transparency as leaders, and the necessity of integrating human connection into the workplace. Justine and Dr. Kate also delve into their personal passions outside of work, highlighting the meaningful impact of volunteering and creative hobbies like writing children's books and raising butterflies. The engaging discussion provides inspiration for anyone seeking to cultivate courage and authenticity, whether in leadership, entrepreneurship, or everyday life. Justine Froelker is a nationally recognized speaker, corporate trainer, and author helping organizations build courageous leaders and connected teams through the power of essential human skills. With more than 25 years of experience in mental health, personal development, and professional growth, Justine brings a grounded, no-nonsense approach to well-being, leadership, and resilience that resonates from the boardroom to the break room. A Licensed Professional Counselor and the creator of Courage is Built Here™, Justine equips teams and leaders with tools for authentic self-awareness, effective communication, and sustainable self-care. For over a decade, she was certified in Dr. Brené Brown’s work on courage and empathy, and she now shares her own curriculum with organizations committed to real, human-centered change. Known for her mix of grit, grace, and the occasional well-placed curse word where appropriate, Justine helps audiences and clients speak the unspoken, lead with heart, and show up with courage—even when life or work doesn’t go as planned. She’s worked with teams across industries to reduce burnout, foster inclusion, and develop leadership rooted in vulnerability and accountability. Justine is the author of twelve books, including five Amazon best-sellers, and her latest, Courage Is Built Here, shares her signature leadership framework. She’s delivered two TEDx Talks, and her work has been featured in the YouVersion Bible App, national media, and dozens of podcasts. Whether through in-person or virtual workshops, training, or keynotes, Justine delivers powerful insights that inspire action and lasting change. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and two beloved dogs and in her free time, you’ll find her rescuing baby birds, raising butterflies, and marveling at the magic of nature. To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    27 min

  6. 2 SEPT

    Unlocking Intuition with Jenn Cohen

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by intuitive consultant, Jenn Cohen. The conversation delves into the nature of intuition, with Jen emphasizing that everyone possesses this innate ability. She explains how cultural expectations and critical thinking often push intuition into the background, but that reconnecting with it is a process of unlearning rather than learning. They discuss how fear and past experiences can block intuition, and Jenn offers insights on how to compassionately address those barriers. Jenn Cohen has always been captivated by the power of intuition. After a life-changing experience in her 20s, she explored how intuition could shape her life and career. During her 27 years in the entertainment industry, Jenn found that intuitive decisions often led to success. Now an intuitive consultant, she helps individuals and organizations unlock potential, gain clarity, and achieve their goals through practical, intuition-based strategies. Jenn’s work fosters growth, creativity, and purpose in both personal and professional realms.c To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    33 min

  7. 26 AUG

    Human Design with Mel McSherry

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Mel McSherry, International Business & Life Guide. The conversation focuses on the unique intersection of entrepreneurship, personal development, and human design. Mel shares her winding journey from a successful career in fitness, through the challenges of new motherhood and mental health struggles, to her emergence as a business coach and energetic guide for entrepreneurs. International business & life guide Mel McSherry helps inspired yet overwhelmed entrepreneurs honor their lives and become the architects of their own success.  Mel uses their spiritual gifts, as well as their 14+ years of business building experience, to slash entrepreneurs’ stress and bring their success to life! Using both Human Design in partnership with traditional business development tools, Mel coaches others on how they can connect to what they want, understand how they are designed to create what they want, and implement their strengths and strategies, so every day they are profitable– mentally, emotionally and financially. As an entrepreneur since 2010, Mel has launched two successful businesses, become a 2x published author, spoken almost 200 times all over the US and overseas, and created a true life by design– all while being the primary caregiver to their 13-year-old son who is autistic.  To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    30 min

  8. 19 AUG

    Understanding Energy with Martina Faulkner

    In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Martina Faulker, a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on what it means to be human. The discussion delves into the realities of "energy" in everyday life, highlighting that everything is, quite literally, energy. Martina breaks down the basics, explaining the difference between active and inactive (or potential) energy, and offers relatable analogies, like tuning a radio to understand frequency and vibration. Dr. Kate and Martina also touch on personal energy management and why awareness of our energy—and how it interacts with others—is key for healthy relationships and personal well-being. Martina E. Faulkner is a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on exploring what it means to be human—both the unique and the universal. She holds a trifecta in the mental health/healing world as a therapist, certified life coach, and Reiki Master Teacher. This distinctive background allows her to draw on her professional and personal experience in her writing, whether fiction, nonfiction, children’s, or poetry. A self-proclaimed Anglophile, Martina drinks tea daily, loves walks in nature, and enjoys looking at beautiful images from the British Isles while dreaming up her next book. You can read her regular column (‘Unique and Universal’) on Substack, follow her on Instagram and Facebook (@martinaefaulkner), or visit martinaefaulkner.com to learn more. To Learn More, visit: www.katelundspeaks.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

    30 min
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Hosted by Dr. Kate Lund, The Optimized Mind explores how we can define our own unique context, build resilience and maximize potential through engaging with today's top thought leaders in the business and personal development space. Learn more at: https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

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