Delusional! Big Dreams, Real Stories with Michelle Coyle

Michelle Coyle
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Delusional! Big Dreams, Real Stories with Michelle Coyle (formerly known as Seekers and Shifters) is a podcast about the blurry line between dreaming big and losing your mind. (Spoiler: anyone who has ever achieved anything probably did a little of both.)We sit down with founders, creatives, and visionaries who bet on themselves—often when no one else would. These are the behind-the-scenes stories of people who went for it anyway. The goal? To remind you that the path to something extraordinary almost always looks “delusional” at the start. 

  1. 6D AGO

    From Uber Driver to Visionary Leader

    What happens when someone goes from sleeping on a futon and driving for Uber to building a network money can’t buy?  In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle connects with Niko Arapkiles, founder of Vision Espresso, who shares how overcoming the “yips” in baseball led him to master visualization, emotional alignment, and focused execution.    He explains why leadership starts with self-leadership. Management pushes. Leadership pulls. When you regulate your nervous system, get clear on your direction, and commit to a vision people can feel, momentum follows. That insight became Vision Espresso—a system designed to install your future self into your nervous system in minutes a day. Through clarity, repetition, and focus, founders sharpen their “ax ” before they build, leading to stronger decisions and faster results. For entrepreneurs, investors, speakers, and coaches who want their next level to come from alignment instead of chaos, this conversation delivers a practical path forward. If you’re building something significant, press play on this episode of From Uber Driver to Visionary Leader. Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Michelle Coyle is the founder of Delusional!, a co-creative community for ambitious builders who believe they are here to create something bigger than themselves.  After 25 years building companies and guiding entrepreneurs through business and personal transformation, Michelle created Delusional! as a space where leaders reconnect with their purpose, their power, and each other. At the heart of Delusional! is the belief that big dreams are instructions, not distractions. Michelle blends transformative magic with sharp strategic insight to help founders release the inner friction that keeps them stuck, expand what they believe is possible, and take aligned action toward what they are here to build. Part ringleader, part guide, and part alchemist, Michelle leads the Delulu Crew into conversations, collaborations, and real-world creation. Through community, storytelling, and immersive experiences, Delusional! is where world changing ideas stop living in isolation and start becoming reality. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://delusionaluniverse.com/ Join The Delusional! Movement: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2906845909517392/?rdid=RYwApIsWidpGNOK9&share_url  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Niko Arapkiles is the Founder of Vision Espresso, a personal growth protocol that uses AI and storytelling to help leaders embody their future selves. He works with founders, executives, and culture-shaping teams to anchor identity, clarity, and direction in just minutes a day. Through Vision Espresso, Niko helps high performers install the habits, beliefs, and emotional alignment required for their next level of impact. Having supported over 100 leaders and creators, he focuses on sharpening culture, deepening self-connection, and making strategy something people feel. Niko’s work proves that when connection starts within, the next level follows.   Connect with Niko Arapkiles: Website: https://visionespresso.co/

    47 min

  2. FEB 24

    Connection Unlocks Your Next Level

    Growth rarely happens in isolation. The right conversation at the right moment can change the direction of a life. In this episode of Delusional!, Michelle Coyle sits down with Maxine Cunningham, CEO of Pick My Brain, who explains why connection is more than networking. Maxine shares how sixty paid conversations sparked investments, partnerships, and even love not because of strategy alone, but because she trusted curiosity and intuition.  Instead of running her company strategy-first, she now leads intuition-first and lets conversations sharpen her direction. For entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders navigating an AI-driven world, human connection is your competitive edge. Experience how one intentional conversation can move you into your next level. Tune in to the full episode of Connection Unlocks Your Next Level. Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is the founder of Delusional!, a co-creative community for ambitious builders who believe they are here to create something bigger than themselves.  After 25 years building companies and guiding entrepreneurs through business and personal transformation, Michelle created Delusional! as a space where leaders reconnect with their purpose, their power, and each other. At the heart of Delusional! is the belief that big dreams are instructions, not distractions. Michelle blends transformative magic with sharp strategic insight to help founders release the inner friction that keeps them stuck, expand what they believe is possible, and take aligned action toward what they are here to build. Part ringleader, part guide, and part alchemist, Michelle leads the Delulu Crew into conversations, collaborations, and real-world creation. Through community, storytelling, and immersive experiences, Delusional! is where world changing ideas stop living in isolation and start becoming reality. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://delusionaluniverse.com/ Join The Delusional! Movement: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2906845909517392/?rdid=RYwApIsWidpGNOK9&share_url  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Maxine Cunningham is the CEO of Pick My Brain, a platform reimagining education and the economy through intentional one-to-one conversations. An economist-turned-entrepreneur, she believes that everyone is both a student and a teacher. Through Pick My Brain, Maxine is building the infrastructure for a "Connection Economy," transforming communities into searchable, bookable human libraries where knowledge can be shared, exchanged, and monetized. Her mission is to facilitate 10 million meaningful conversations each year and unlock billions of dollars in value through connection rather than extraction.   Connect with Maxine Cunningham: Website: https://www.pickmybrain.world/profiles/maxine-cunningham    FB: https://www.facebook.com/maxine.cunningham.33  IG: https://www.instagram.com/pickmybrain_ceo/  LI:

    44 min

  3. FEB 17

    Healing Through Music

    Healing can begin with a single melody that changes everything. In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle connects with Cole Adams, seasoned singer-songwriter, rhythm guitarist, and entertainer, who reveals how music carried her through addiction, a life-altering accident, chronic pain, and deep self-doubt. Instead of surrendering to fear, Cole used powerful “ask-formations”, affirmations framed as questions, to reshape beliefs and rebuild life from the inside out. For entrepreneurs, investors, speakers, and leaders navigating pressure, this episode offers a simple but powerful truth that inner alignment drives sustainable success.   Rethink the story you’re telling yourself. Tune in to Healing Through Music. Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is a business expert, investor, and transformational trainer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. She believes you don’t have to choose between success and well-being because you can have both. With a mix of honesty, humor, and heart, Michelle guides leaders to step into who they really are and grow from that place. She’s the founder of BGSD Strategies and the Political Business Institute, where she supports people who want to make a real difference without losing themselves in the process. Michelle holds an MBA from Dartmouth and is trained in tools like NLP, Hypnosis, and Emotional Release to help others break free from what’s holding them back and create the life they know they’re meant for. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://michellecoyle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Cole Adams is a seasoned singer-songwriter, rhythm guitarist, and entertainer who has transformed personal healing into a powerful musical movement. After surviving a near-fatal accident and overcoming years of chronic pain and addiction, Cole began blending blues-rock with neuroscience-inspired affirmation music designed to rewire the subconscious mind. Their breakout single “I Am Grateful” and viral TikTok presence have introduced thousands to the practice of singing health, wealth, and gratitude into existence. With a career that spans St. Louis, California, and Reno and a defining moment performing their song in front of 44,000 fans at Busch Stadium, Cole now creates music that uplifts, restores, and reconnects people to their inner strength. Connect with Cole Adams: Website: https://www.coleadamsmusic.com/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/coleadamslike IG: https://www.instagram.com/cole.adams.music/  X: https://x.com/ColeAdams1        YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0QZbmACAsUF6HylXnalByg  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coleadamsmusic

    59 min

  4. FEB 10

    Lessons from The Business Monk

    A career doesn’t always move in a straight line and sometimes the most powerful paths come from unexpected turns. In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle sits down with Mike Ferrell, known as The Monk Guy, who shares how his journey from the PGA Tour to the seminary, and ultimately to decades of business coaching, shaped a leadership philosophy grounded in clarity, service, and staying power. Mike explains why real success isn’t built on tactics alone. Drawing from the Rule of Benedict, he breaks down how stability, community, and listening deeply create stronger businesses and more resilient leaders. His perspective challenges hustle-first thinking and replaces it with an approach that values relationships, purpose, and long-term impact. Build a business that lasts and a life that feels grounded. Watch the full episode of Lessons from The Business Monk. Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is a business expert, investor, and transformational trainer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. She believes you don’t have to choose between success and well-being because you can have both. With a mix of honesty, humor, and heart, Michelle guides leaders to step into who they really are and grow from that place. She’s the founder of BGSD Strategies and the Political Business Institute, where she supports people who want to make a real difference without losing themselves in the process. Michelle holds an MBA from Dartmouth and is trained in tools like NLP, Hypnosis, and Emotional Release to help others break free from what’s holding them back and create the life they know they’re meant for. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://michellecoyle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Mike Ferrell, known as The Monk Guy, is an award-winning author, speaker, and strategic business coach who helps entrepreneurs and leaders build organizations that thrive with purpose, clarity, and integrity. A Benedictine Oblate, Mike draws deeply from The Rule of Benedict, translating the monastic principles of intention, stability, community, excellence, and profound hospitality into practical tools that help leaders create cohesive teams, exceptional customer experiences, and long-term strategic success. Mike is the author of Ultimate Breakthrough Planning, The Sweet Spot, and Sell Like a Monk, and his forthcoming book More Thriving, Less Grumbling continues this integration of virtue-driven leadership and strategic focus. Through his coaching, speaking, and writing, Mike empowers leaders to grow their businesses without sacrificing what matters most—character, community, and meaningful impact. Connect with Mike Ferrell: Website: http://themonkguy.com https://principledflourishing.com/  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonkguy/       IG: https://www.instagram.com/mikeferrell_monkguy/

    41 min

  5. FEB 3

    From Debt and Despair to a Dream Life

    Life can look successful on the outside while quietly falling apart on the inside. In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle speaks with Robb Gilbear who shares his journey from overwhelming debt and a breaking point that nearly ended everything, to rebuilding a life designed around meaning, health, and honest work. Robb’s story is not about overnight wins or surface-level mindset shifts. It is about choosing to stay, questioning old identities, and rebuilding belief one decision at a time. This conversation resonates with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who carry invisible weight. You’ll explore how self-trust is rebuilt, why environment and habits matter more than motivation, and how living intentionally creates space for both financial success and personal peace. Hear how Robb Gilbear rebuilt his life one clear decision at a time. Watch the full episode of From Debt and Despair to a Dream Life. Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is a business expert, investor, and transformational trainer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. She believes you don’t have to choose between success and well-being because you can have both. With a mix of honesty, humor, and heart, Michelle guides leaders to step into who they really are and grow from that place. She’s the founder of BGSD Strategies and the Political Business Institute, where she supports people who want to make a real difference without losing themselves in the process. Michelle holds an MBA from Dartmouth and is trained in tools like NLP, Hypnosis, and Emotional Release to help others break free from what’s holding them back and create the life they know they’re meant for. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://michellecoyle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Robb Gilbear is the Founder of Growth Habit and author of Die Before They Do, helping coaches and entrepreneurs rebuild their lives and businesses from the inside out. A serial entrepreneur and former People & Culture leader in tech, Robb has helped more than 430 coaches across 17 countries create sustainable growth rooted in purpose. After overcoming debt, addiction, and despair, he built a dream life grounded in clarity, connection, and service. Featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur, Robb teaches that while platforms change, authentic communication is what creates lasting impact.  Connect with Robb Gilbear: Website: https://www.growthhabit.org/    FB: https://www.facebook.com/robbgilbear/        LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbgilbear/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/growth-habit/      IG: https://www.instagram.com/robbgilbear/  YT: https://www.youtube.com/@RobbGilbear

    48 min

  6. JAN 27

    Bankruptcy, Grief, and the Comeback

    Rock bottom arrives quietly, through pressure, loss, and decisions made while carrying more weight than anyone can see. In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle sits down with Robert Lee, Owner of The Lesix Agency, to unpack what it really means to hit rock bottom and still find a way forward. Robert shares how a once-thriving business collapsed under the weight of personal loss, financial pressure, and emotional burnout. Bankruptcy arrived as a consequence of grief, responsibility, and the quiet belief that leaders are supposed to hold it all together.  Robert  also explains how redefining constraints, choosing presence over pressure, and thinking clearly in the middle of chaos helped him rebuild to six figures in recurring revenue within 18 months. Not by chasing optics or bravado, but by aligning work with life instead of sacrificing one for the other. If the weight of responsibility feels familiar and the path forward feels unclear, this episode is worth your time. Watch now here: Bankruptcy, Grief, and the Comeback. Enjoy this episode? Follow us and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is a business expert, investor, and transformational trainer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. She believes you don’t have to choose between success and well-being because you can have both. With a mix of honesty, humor, and heart, Michelle guides leaders to step into who they really are and grow from that place. She’s the founder of BGSD Strategies and the Political Business Institute, where she supports people who want to make a real difference without losing themselves in the process. Michelle holds an MBA from Dartmouth and is trained in tools like NLP, Hypnosis, and Emotional Release to help others break free from what’s holding them back and create the life they know they’re meant for. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://michellecoyle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Robert (Rob) Lee lives in Dallas, GA with his wife, girls, and pets. He’s an AI Branding Academy Partner, AI Persona Method Certified, REEA Gold Standard Instructor, and member of the Cobb Realtors. His marketing agency, The Lesix Agency, helps Real People make Real Money in Real Estate with AI Employees. He’s developed the 90-Minute Marketing Department, a system of over 35 highly trained AI Employees that help real estate professionals do more profitable work in less time. He’s been featured on a variety of stages, presenting for organizations like the TOC International Certification Organization and at HighLevel’s LevelUp Summit. His class, The AI Marketing Toolkit, was recognized as the 2025 Education Program of the Year by the Real Estate Educators Association……but most important of all, the first and last thing he does every single day is hug his wife and girls. For more about Rob, to connect with him on his social profiles, or bring in The Lesix Agency to start making more profits in less time. Connect with Robert Lee: Website: https://lesix.agency/ https://rob.lesix.com  FB: https://www.facebook.com/thelesixagency      LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwlee2/

    46 min

  7. JAN 20

    From Immigrant to Million Dollar Entrepreneur

    Resilience compounds when necessity leaves no room for excuses. In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle speaks with Jon Barbera, co-founder of PRYME Wealth Academy and real estate coach, who  shares a story shaped by immigration, sacrifice, and relentless work ethic. After arriving in the U.S. undocumented, he learned early that comfort was not guaranteed and that progress required ownership. Through years of physical labor and setbacks, Jon built the mindset that later allowed him to scale into real estate and create a seven-figure business. You’ll challenge familiar ideas about security and success, showing how identity shifts matter more than background or circumstance. For entrepreneurs, investors, coaches, and leaders, this episode offers a grounded look at what it truly takes to build something lasting without losing yourself in the process. Hear how to turn pressure into purpose and build success on your own terms. Tune in now here: From Immigrant to Million Dollar Entrepreneur Enjoy this episode? Follow us and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is a business expert, investor, and transformational trainer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. She believes you don’t have to choose between success and well-being because you can have both. With a mix of honesty, humor, and heart, Michelle guides leaders to step into who they really are and grow from that place. She’s the founder of BGSD Strategies and the Political Business Institute, where she supports people who want to make a real difference without losing themselves in the process. Michelle holds an MBA from Dartmouth and is trained in tools like NLP, Hypnosis, and Emotional Release to help others break free from what’s holding them back and create the life they know they’re meant for. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://michellecoyle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Jon Barbera is the founder of PRYME Wealth Academy and a high-performance real estate investor who helps operators build predictable, high-profit deal flow. He’s scaled his business to 10X profits per deal, renovated over 1,000 homes, and flipped hundreds of properties. Jon teaches investors how to lead seller conversations with certainty, acquire high-profit deals, and build a real business—not just chase transactions. Connect with Jon Barbera: FB: https://www.facebook.com/therealjonbarbera/    LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonatanbarbera/   IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonbarbera/  YT: https://www.youtube.com/@coachjonbarbera

    48 min

  8. JAN 13

    Unlocking Delusional Money Mindset

    Growth becomes possible when clarity replaces struggle. In this episode of Delusional, Michelle Coyle connects with Wealth Coach Maria Tan, often called the “Money Multiplier,” to examine the mindset shifts that quietly shape income, ambition, and decision-making long before strategy comes into play. Maria brings a perspective shaped by both privilege and loss. After watching generational wealth vanish during the Asian financial crisis, she learned that money is less about circumstance and more about focus. She reframes risk, comfort, and ambition through the idea of wealth floors and ceilings, revealing how fear often disguises itself as logic. Step into a clearer way of thinking about money, risk, and growth. Tune in to the full episode of Unlocking Delusional Money Mindset. Enjoy this episode? Follow us and leave a 5-star review! Michelle Coyle is a business expert, investor, and transformational trainer with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. She believes you don’t have to choose between success and well-being because you can have both. With a mix of honesty, humor, and heart, Michelle guides leaders to step into who they really are and grow from that place. She’s the founder of BGSD Strategies and the Political Business Institute, where she supports people who want to make a real difference without losing themselves in the process. Michelle holds an MBA from Dartmouth and is trained in tools like NLP, Hypnosis, and Emotional Release to help others break free from what’s holding them back and create the life they know they’re meant for. Connect with Michelle Coyle: Website: https://michellecoyle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Known as the Money Multiplier, Maria Tan (Maria Kathlyn Tan) has helped 1000+ business leaders unlock their hidden revenue and multiply their profit. She started her entrepreneurial journey at the age of six, selling stationery items in her community, and was supplying her local grocers with imported foods by the age of 13. She entered coaching and consulting at the age of 18. Today, she’s seen in Forbes, Entrepreneur, HuffPost, Elephant Journal, Pick the Brain, and Addicted2Success and was the only Asian woman featured in The Money Code and How to Crack It, a book that debuted at #14 on Amazon US.  Connect with Maria Tan: Website: https://maria-tan.com/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/maria.k.tan?_rdc=1&_rdr#  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariakathlyntan/?originalSubdomain=ph  IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariakathlyntan/

    54 min
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Delusional! Big Dreams, Real Stories with Michelle Coyle (formerly known as Seekers and Shifters) is a podcast about the blurry line between dreaming big and losing your mind. (Spoiler: anyone who has ever achieved anything probably did a little of both.)We sit down with founders, creatives, and visionaries who bet on themselves—often when no one else would. These are the behind-the-scenes stories of people who went for it anyway. The goal? To remind you that the path to something extraordinary almost always looks “delusional” at the start. 

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