Finding Contentment

The American Institute of Stress
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Bimonthly

Official podcast from The American Institute of Stress. This podcast focuses on stress and stress-related issues and features interviews with healthcare practitioners, stress experts, and professionals with expertise in stress research and management. Hosted by Will Heckman, AIS Vice President.

  1. 1d ago

    Your Brain on Digital Stress with Dr. Brain Ramos

    In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that affects nearly everyone: digital stress and the way modern life keeps our brains and nervous systems stuck in constant overdrive. From nonstop notifications and endless scrolling to informationoverload and fractured attention, our brains were never designed to process this much input all day, every day. We’ll explore how digital overload fuels anxiety, disrupts sleep, weakens focus, and contributes to burnout, while also discussing what neuroscience teaches us about calming the nervous system. Most importantly, we’ll share practicalstrategies — including mindfulness, breathwork, and simple daily habits — that can help restore resilience, clarity, and a greater sense of balance in an always-connected world. Joining us is Dr. Brian Ramos Dr. Ramos is a Yale-trained neuroscientist and stress expert. He is the founder of Zen Brain Academy, which is a brain health and nervous system training platform built to help people thrive in the AI-powered Digital Age. His signature M.B.M.N.S. framework, which stands for mindfulness, Breathwork, Movement, Nature, and Sleep, gives overwhelmed achievers a practical, science-backed system for managing chronic stress and digital overload. He is the author of The Art of Stress-Free Living and Inside OutCalm, and is currently writing The Digital Age Dilemma, adeeper exploration of how modern technology is reshaping the human nervous system. Through his weekly newsletter, the Zen Brain Blueprint on Beehiiv, his Zen Brain YouTube channel, and his upcoming AI brain coaching app,HeyZenith.ai, Dr. Ramos is on a mission to help today's professionals protect their attention, restore their calm, and reclaim their cognitive edge. We are also proud to have him as a Fellow of The American Institute of Stress.

  2. Jul 14

    Stress and Aging with Julie Gibson

    Stress is often viewed as a momentary challenge, but over time, it can become a key factor in how we experience aging—affecting everything from our physical health to our emotional well-being and cognitive function. Today, we will take a deeper look at the long-term effects of stress across the lifespan, including its role in inflammation, brain health, and overall longevity. We’ll also explore practical strategies to better manage stress at any age, helping you build resilience, maintain vitality, and approach the aging process with greater strength and peace of mind.Julie Gibson is a longevity practitioner who held the #2 rank on the Rejuvenation Olympics leaderboard for over a year. A former structural engineer, graphic designer, and recruiter, Julie applies a systems-based approach to aging, including a link between stress management and biological durability. She views mindset and stressors—like sauna use and exercise—as tools to manage the physiological "load" of modern life.Her results prove elite longevity is accessible; on a budget of under $150 per month, Julie achieved a biological aging pace just 65 days for every 100 days.By prioritizing things like stress management, a vegetable-rich diet, and mental fortitude, she demonstrates that high-performance health is a matter of strategic habit rather than high cost. Julie is dedicated to sharing these practical protocols to help others stay vibrant for long life.

  3. Jun 22

    Less Stress, More Joy with Amy Leneker

    In this episode, we will be speaking about having Less Stress, More Joy. We take a look at how to have a smarter, more empowering way to approach the stress that shows up in our work and daily lives. Instead of relying on outdated advice, we explore how to rethink stress, understand where it’s really coming from, and take clear, practical steps to move forward with confidence. This conversation is all about cutting through the noise, reducing overwhelm, and discovering how small shifts can lead to meaningful change. If you’re looking to feel lighter, more focused, and bring a greater sense of balance and satisfaction into your day, you won’t want to miss it because joining us today is:  Amy is an optimistic, joy-seeking, recovering workaholic he's also a leadership consultant with over 25 years of leadership experience, including a decade in the C-suite, who has helped over 100,000 leaders, teams, and organizations (from Fortune 100 companies to the public sector) thrive at work through keynotes, coaching, and training, centered on less stress and more joy. A first-generation college student, Amy earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees while working full-time and later raising a family. She has studied leadership at Yale, neuroscience at the Neuro Leadership Institute, andstress resilience at Harvard Medical School.  Amy has appeared in Forbes, Katie Couric Media, Inc., CEOWORLDMagazine, and other prestigious outlets. She is a regular contributor to Fast Company and the author of the national research study, The State of Stress and Joy at Work 2026. She is also the author of Cheers to Monday, which has recently made the USA bestseller list. Which can be found on her website, AmyLeneker.com, or on Amazon.

  4. May 28

    Stress and facing cancer with Joelle Kaufman

    In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between stress, resilience, and the cancer journey with author Joelle Kaufman, whose book Crushing the Cancer Curveball offers a candid and practical roadmap for navigating one of life’s most overwhelming diagnoses. Drawing from decades of personal and generational experience, she shares how stress shows up at every stage—from diagnosis through recovery—and how individuals and families can find moments of control, meaning, and even joy along the way. This conversation looks at the emotional realities people often don’t talk about and highlights simple, human strategies that can make a profound difference when everything feels uncertain. Joelle Kaufman has faced cancer 12 times over 43 years—her own journey plus walking alongside loved ones through theirs. She wrote "Crushing the Cancer Curveball" because she discovered something most people miss: healing isn't just about medicine. It's about rewiring your mind, building the right team around you, and creating small daily habits that add up to extraordinary resilience. Her approach workswhether you're a CEO or a stay-at-home parent, because chronic illness doesn't care about your resume—it cares about how you respond. "Crushing the Cancer Curveball" breaks down the mental traps that make suffering worse, shows you how to build your championship support team, and gives yousimple rituals that help your body and mind work together instead of against each other. This isn't about positive thinking or pretending everything's fine. It's about strategic thinking—treating your diagnosis as information, not a verdict, and designing your path forward with clarity instead of panic. Because the most powerful healing tool you have isn't in a pharmacy—it's in how you think, who surrounds you, and what you do every single day.

  5. Apr 22

    The Lasting Stress of a Police Officer’s Critical Incident: Adam Meyers

    This episode takes a deeper look at how a single, high-pressure moment in law enforcement can leave a lasting imprint long after the scene is cleared and the headlines disappear—and why this matters to all of us. We explore what happens when officers are expected to return to daily life and public service while carrying unseen stress that can quietly affect their mental health, sense of self, and relationships at home and in the community.In April 2016, Adam Meyers was involved in a critical incident that changed his life forever when he was called upon to use deadly force on someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy department store. That person died. Adam has faced many personal and professional mental health challenges after his critical incident, and it has taken him many years to get back on track. Adam says he would not have been successful with his mental health without the unwavering support of his Family, Friends, Colleagues, Counselors, and even complete Strangers.Adam is the Founder of Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma. He says his overall goal for establishing Stop The Threat – Stop The Stigma and speaking about his critical incident is to promote Law Enforcement Wellness and inspire other Law Enforcement Professionals, and those who work in the law enforcement profession, to speak about their own mental health.

  6. Mar 25

    Meditation and stress reduction with Dr. Bala Subramaniam

    In this podcast, we’ll discuss how meditation helps calm the nervous system, build resilience, and create space between life’s pressures and our reactions to them. We’ll look at the science behind why meditation works, dispel commonmyths, and talk about practical ways to integrate it into even the busiest schedules. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation hopes to offer insight, encouragement, and realistic strategies for managing stress more effectively.  Joining us today is : Dr. Subramaniam directs the Adhguru Center for a Conscious Planet at the Harvard Medical School-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. The center stands at the intersection of science and spirituality to enhance ourUnderstanding of Consciousness, Cognition, and Compassion through research, education, and outreach efforts. The center's educational conferences, such as the discussions between science and spirituality, have more than 10 millionYouTube views. Dr. Subramaniam is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, exploring topics of stress, well-being, and cognition.  He is a TEDx speaker.   Dr. Subramaniam is a Professor of Anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School and conducts federally funded research on cognitive neuroscience.

  7. Feb 23

    Stress, work burnout and recovery with Dr Rozina

    Work burnout is more than feeling tired or overwhelmed—it is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that develops when chronic stress goes unmanaged for too long. It often shows up as cynicism, reduced effectiveness, and a sense of disconnection from work that once felt meaningful. Recovery is not simply about taking time off; it requires intentionally addressing the sources of stress, restoring healthy boundaries, and reconnecting with purpose and support. True recovery happens when individuals are given the space, tools, and permission to rest, reflect, and rebuild resilience, allowing energy, clarity, and motivation to return in a sustainable way.Dr. Rozina Lakhani is a board-certified psychiatrist, bestselling author, transformative mental wellness speaker, and contributing editor for Contentment, the magazine of the American Institute of Stress. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in burnout recovery, anxiety relief, and brain-based emotional wellness.

  8. Jan 27

    Overcoming Mental and Psychological Stress with guest Rand Selig

    In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most universal and often misunderstood challenges—overcoming mental and psychological stress. We’ll explore how stress impacts our minds, bodies, relationships, and performance, and why it can sometimes feel so difficult to manage. More importantly, we’ll discuss practical, science-backed strategies to build resilience, restore balance, and take back control of your emotional well-being. This conversation goes beyond coping—it’s about understanding stress on a deeper level and learning how to move from simply managing it to truly thriving. Guest Rand Selig holds an MBA from Stanford and dual undergraduate degrees in mathematics and psychology. For over 35 years, he has run his own financial services firm, managing complex projects worldwide. Rand has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the Caribbean and is deeply committed to both personal growth and environmental conservation. He has served on numerous boards, coached Little League, and volunteered as a Scoutmaster.Drawing from extensive life experiences and research, Rand authored the book Thriving! to help others embrace positive change, which can be found at Barnes & Noble and, of course, Amazon.

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About

Official podcast from The American Institute of Stress. This podcast focuses on stress and stress-related issues and features interviews with healthcare practitioners, stress experts, and professionals with expertise in stress research and management. Hosted by Will Heckman, AIS Vice President.

Information

  • Creator
    The American Institute of Stress
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The American Institute of Stress
  • Show Website
    Finding Contentment