Behind The Human with Marc Champagne

Marc Champagne
  • 5.0 (79)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

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

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

    2d ago

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. How do you actually build something meaningful on YouTube in 2026? (Ft. David Sherman-Presser)

    May 10

    How do you actually build something meaningful on YouTube in 2026? (Ft. David Sherman-Presser)

    Former YouTube leader David joins Marc to break down the psychology of great content, what most creators misunderstand about the platform, and what he learned helping build monetization products for creators at YouTube. The conversation also explores burnout, mental health, identity shifts after parenthood, and how David walked away from a high-pressure career at YouTube to build a business aligned with his purpose. 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?” 02:22 — Why structure, simplicity, and consistency matter more than ever 04:35 — The real reason Marc wants to relaunch Behind the Human on YouTube 05:18 — David’s early fascination with YouTube and creator culture 08:09 — The pressure of leadership, parenthood, and burnout at YouTube 10:22 — David opens up about depression and taking mental health leave 11:18 — The conversation that changed his entire career path 13:48 — Why health and fitness became his true calling 17:39 — The biggest misconception creators have about YouTube 20:04 — Why thumbnails and titles matter more than most people realize 23:50 — Can creators grow without fear-based clickbait? 29:48 — Why the first 30 seconds of a video determine everything 31:40 — Marc explains the deeper mission behind “mental fitness” 34:16 — How to find your unique positioning on YouTube 37:50 — The power of niching down through personal story 40:32 — The simplest content strategy for podcasts on YouTube 45:47 — How creators stay motivated before the numbers show up 50:24 — Why community matters more than vanity metrics 51:49 — The myth that creators need millions of followers to succeed 54:24 — Where YouTube is betting big over the next decade 56:51 — David’s mission to amplify better voices in health and wellness 58:10 — Why communication may be the most important health tool of all * 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
  5. 80 Million People Are Questioning This Habit… But Few Talk About It (Ft. Cecily Mak)

    May 3

    80 Million People Are Questioning This Habit… But Few Talk About It (Ft. Cecily Mak)

    There’s a moment in every life when what once worked stops working and you have to decide what to do next. Cecily Mak explores the space most people live in—but rarely talk about: the in-between. Not addiction, not crisis but the awareness that something in your life no longer feels aligned. Through her journey of stepping away from alcohol, Cecily discovered that the real work was about listening. Listening to intuition, to patterns, to the subtle negotiations we make with ourselves every day. This conversation goes far beyond habits. It’s about identity, self-awareness, and the courage to create space in a world designed to keep you distracted. 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 — A dream, a council of elders, and messages from lineage 06:30 — Dream vs. visitation: when insight feels real 09:30 — Why writing becomes a tool for healing and clarity 12:30 — The unexpected path to writing Undimmed 15:00 — Following curiosity vs. forcing purpose 18:00 — Why most people can’t hear their intuition 21:00 — The moment Cecily stepped away from alcohol 24:00 — Exploring family history and unresolved trauma 28:00 — Why your first book looks back—and your second looks inward 30:30 — The “in-between” relationship with alcohol most people live in 32:00 — The spiral of self-negotiation and quiet shame 33:30 — The concept of self-grace: “How human of me” 35:00 — Awareness as the real starting point for change 38:00 — Conscious choice vs. “f**k it” decision-making 39:30 — Busyness as a socially accepted addiction 41:30 — Weekly, seasonal, and quarterly life audits 43:00 — The power of solitude and intentional retreats 46:00 — Why most people don’t prioritize recovery for the mind 49:00 — You don’t need a mountain—you can create space anywhere 50:30 — Micro-pauses as a daily superpower 51:30 — What Cecily hopes readers feel after finishing the book * 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.

    54 min
  6. What Hunter-Gatherers Knew About Life That We’ve Forgotten (Ft. Csaba Lucas)

    Apr 26

    What Hunter-Gatherers Knew About Life That We’ve Forgotten (Ft. Csaba Lucas)

    He grew up without limits—roaming forests, facing pain, and learning what it means to be human before the modern world could tell him otherwise. Csaba Lucas shares a radically different perspective on what it means to be human—shaped by a childhood in socialist Hungary, years of elite athletic training, and decades spent living with tribal cultures across Africa, the Amazon, and beyond. From learning meditation through pain… to understanding the human body through survival… to witnessing how modern systems disconnect us from ourselves, this conversation challenges nearly every assumption we hold about health, longevity, and identity. Csaba breaks down why most modern “optimization” is missing the point, how we’ve become disconnected from our natural intelligence, and why the future will reward those who deeply understand themselves. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal 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 — Why most people don’t actually know who they are 05:00 — Childhood in Hungary: freedom, forests, and early awareness 10:00 — Discovering meditation through pop culture and intuition 14:00 — Training in a brutal athletic system and learning through pain 20:00 — Why struggle and “edges” are essential for growth 26:00 — Moving from socialism to capitalism—and seeing both clearly 32:00 — The question that changed everything: what does it mean to be human? 38:00 — Living with tribes across Africa, the Amazon, and beyond 45:00 — What tracking animals reveals about the human brain 52:00 — Why modern life disconnects us from our natural intelligence 58:00 — The truth about running, movement, and human design 1:05:00 — Why most fitness and longevity advice is flawed 1:12:00 — The danger of modern “optimization” culture 1:18:00 — How technology and AI can either free you—or control you 1:24:00 — Why knowing yourself is no longer optional 1:30:00 — The biggest mistake people make in health and longevity 1:35:00 — Why most people follow instead of thinking for themselves 1:40:00 — Final reflections: reclaiming agency in a modern world * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 41m
  7. What Happens When You Finally Stop Forcing It? (Ft. Julie Meyer)

    Apr 19

    What Happens When You Finally Stop Forcing It? (Ft. Julie Meyer)

    She spent years mastering the game of business… only to realize the real work was learning how to let go. Julie Meyer spent decades building a global consulting firm, working with some of the world’s biggest brands. Julie opens up about the reality behind high performance—the patterns, pressure, and identity tied to achievement—and what it took to step away from it all. From becoming a “recovering hustler” to embracing a slower, more intentional chapter of life, Julie shares what it means to rebuild from the inside out. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal 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 — Julie’s current chapter: joy, intention, and awareness 03:15 — The perspective shift that comes with life experience 05:00 — “Recovering hustler”: her early identity and self-doubt 06:30 — Failing school, rebelling, and finding her own path 08:30 — Only child mindset and entrepreneurial imagination 10:50 — Leaving corporate life and starting her first business at 24 13:30 — Moving to China and building a business from scratch 15:00 — The minivan sales story that sparked Eat Well Global 17:30 — Building a global consulting firm with major clients 20:00 — Mental fitness during high-growth years 22:00 — The hidden challenge: needing variety vs. staying focused 24:30 — When success starts to feel misaligned 25:30 — The moment things started to break internally 29:40 — Getting sober and confronting deeper patterns 31:00 — Letting go of identity and external validation 32:00 — Following “green flags” into a completely new chapter 33:30 — Becoming a professor (and why it surprised her) 34:00 — The inner voice of pressure and how she calms it 38:00 — Journaling, fear mapping, and mental resets 40:00 — The “living under a bridge” mental trap 42:30 — Why everyone is struggling more than they show 43:30 — What she’s learning from the next generation 45:30 — Teaching, boundaries, and leadership lessons 47:00 — Creating space and protecting energy 49:00 — Finding joy outside of work (pickleball + play) 50:30 — What truly makes her smile today * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    52 min
  8. Feeling Lost? Try This: Microdose Solitude + Use These 4 Questions (Ft Ben Katt)

    Apr 12

    Feeling Lost? Try This: Microdose Solitude + Use These 4 Questions (Ft Ben Katt)

    Before the whisper, it looked like a life of meaning—until a subconscious message exposed everything underneath. Ben Katt shares the moment that forced him to confront a truth most people avoid: you can build a life that looks meaningful on the outside—and still feel completely disconnected on the inside. After years as a pastor serving others, Ben hit a breaking point that exposed how much of his identity was built on achievement, expectation, and performance. What followed was a journey into the unknown—through burnout, self-inquiry, and ultimately a radical redefinition of who he was. This episode explores the uncomfortable but necessary path of shedding old identities, sitting in uncertainty, and learning how to reconnect with something deeper. Show Partners: Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal 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 — The identity trap: defining yourself by what you do 04:00 — “I lost my way”—how even meaningful work can disconnect you 05:30 — The call to adventure: when your current life stops working 06:30 — The moment everything changed: “If you don’t have your heart, you have nothing” 08:00 — Burnout, fear, and the uncomfortable truth beneath it all 10:00 — The first step: slowing down and facing yourself 11:00 — Why journaling stopped working—and what changed 13:00 — The illusion of change vs. real transformation 14:30 — Practices that actually create inner clarity 15:30 — Rewilding: why nature reconnects you to yourself 18:00 — Stillness as the gateway to insight 20:00 — You don’t need to escape your life to transform it 21:30 — Microdosing solitude: how to start right now 22:00 — The power of subtraction (and why more isn’t the answer) 24:00 — Identity fasting: letting go of who you think you are 26:00 — The masks we wear—and why they eventually break 28:00 — Gratitude and grief: the dual process of transformation 29:00 — Why modern culture lacks real rites of passage 31:00 — Creating your own rituals to mark change 34:00 — Clarity vs. tests: why growth never feels stable 36:00 — “It’s all real”—how to trust your inner shifts 37:00 — The myth of timelines in personal transformation 39:00 — The 4 questions that help you integrate change 40:00 — “What remains in the mystery?” 41:00 — Learning to live in the unknown 43:00 — Why your personal growth isn’t just about you * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min
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5
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79 Ratings

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

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