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 Broken Marriage to Brand Empire

    Divorce can break your sense of identity or become the moment you finally see yourself clearly.  In this episode of Delusional!, Michelle Coyle talks with Christene Marie, Founder & CEO of The Knowing Agency, who explains what it takes to rebuild after separation. Christene speaks to the quiet patterns that shape relationships, the pressure to control outcomes, and the pain of feeling unseen. More importantly, she shows how awareness shifts everything.   Christene connects emotional healing with leadership. She highlights how past experiences influence present decisions, and why self-responsibility is the turning point for growth in business, relationships, and life. Her insights challenge high performers to look inward, recalibrate, and lead from a place of clarity instead of reaction. Face the version of you that’s been waiting for you to step up. Tune in to this episode of From Broken Marriage to Brand Empire. 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://delusionaluniverse.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree  Join The Delusional! Movement Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1VK6wf6Fxq/ Christene Marie is the Founder of Knowing, a framework that integrates intellectual, artificial, and emotional intelligences. She is the owner of the Knowing Agency and Foundation First Marketing, a fourth-generation leader in her family’s 100+ year trades business, and an international speaker, actress, and host of The Knowing Show and The Craft & Calling Podcast. Christene guides executives and organizations in transforming their brands into enduring legacies.  Connect with Christene Marie: Website: https://christenemarie.com/  https://www.theknowingagency.com/   Offer: Free 21 Day Vertical Alignment @ verticalalignment.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnowingPodcast  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christenemarie/  Instagram: www.instagram.com/christenemarie_/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/ch

    48 min

  2. MAR 17

    From Troubled Youth to Military Leader

    Real leadership often rises from unlikely beginnings.  In this episode of Delusional!, Michelle Coyle connects with Amber Houghton, Owner of Elite Performance Strategies, who shares the story of moving from a troubled youth into one of the most respected leadership roles in the United States military. Through structure, accountability, and a commitment to growth, she rose through the ranks to become part of the top one percent of enlisted leaders.   Amber reflects on the difference between authority and real leadership, and explains how military lessons like mission clarity, personal responsibility, and leading through uncertainty translate directly to business, investing, and entrepreneurship. Lasting leadership begins with self‑mastery and the courage to hold yourself to a higher standard. Lean in and listen closely to this episode of From Troubled Youth to Military Leader.   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://delusionaluniverse.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree  Join The Delusional! Movement Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1VK6wf6Fxq/ Amber Houghton is the Owner of Elite Performance Strategies and an enterprise operations executive with over 30 years of experience leading high-risk, mission-critical organizations. Rising from a troubled youth to a respected military leader, Amber has directed complex operations supporting thousands of personnel and billions in strategic assets. She is known for stabilizing organizations under pressure, strengthening accountability, and building systems that deliver reliability in zero-failure environments. Through Elite Performance Strategies, Amber translates hard-earned leadership lessons into practical frameworks for disciplined execution, resilience, and high performance.  Connect with Amber Houghton: FB: https://www.facebook.com/Amber.Leigh.Houghton/     LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhoughton/ X: https://x.com/Coach_AHoughton     Elite Performance Strategies FB: https://www.facebook.com/ElitePerformanceStrategies/

    51 min

  3. MAR 10

    From Rock Bottom to Resilience

    Resilience is often forged in moments that feel impossible to carry.  In this episode of Delusional!, Michelle Coyle speaks with Jake Talbert, Founder and Author at The GIVER Method, who walks through the difficult seasons that forced him to rebuild from the ground up. Facing financial setbacks and personal hardship, Jake chooses responsibility over excuses and discipline over despair.  Jake explains how simple financial principles, consistent habits, and a mindset rooted in giving can change the trajectory of a family for generations. Rather than chasing quick success, he focuses on long‑term character, stewardship, and teaching the next generation how to handle money, responsibility, and purpose. Watch this episode of From Rock Bottom to Resilience. The principles shared in this conversation may reshape how you think about money, leadership, and the legacy you are building. 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://delusionaluniverse.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletoscale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletoscale/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelaree Join The Delusional! Movement Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1VK6wf6Fxq/  Jake Talbert is the Founder of The GIVER Method and a business strategist who helps entrepreneurs build predictable growth and client journeys that convert. After experiencing rock bottom in his own life, Jake rebuilt with a philosophy centered on resilience, generosity, and clarity in business. He has helped small businesses and industry leaders—including Daymond John, Dave Ramsey, and Ryan Deiss—create systems that increase sales, retention, and long-term profitability. Known for his ability to diagnose business challenges and turn them into clear strategies, Jake focuses on building businesses that work with purpose and precision. His mission is simple: help entrepreneurs rise from setbacks and create businesses that serve both their lives and their communities.  Connect with Jake Talbert: FB: https://www.facebook.com/the.real.jake.talbert/     LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-jake-talbert-9b481450/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.jake.talbert/  The Giver Method YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGIVERMethod

    49 min

  4. MAR 3

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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