What if your life looks successful on paper, but something inside still feels missing? That question sits at the center of my conversation with Dr. Brandon Croud on this episode of I'm Too Busy. Brandon spent over 20 years in corporate America and hosting a NASCAR podcast before a layoff and a shift in perspective pushed him toward intuition, self-awareness, and metaphysical work. We talk about how becoming a father changed him emotionally, how that layoff disrupted his career-based identity, and why he started questioning everything he thought he knew. We get into the difference between a spiritual awakening and a hard life transition, the importance of presence, and a simple coin-flip exercise that helps you recognize your honest reactions. We also cover nervous system awareness, spiritual bypassing, repeating relationship patterns, journaling for self-discovery, and his children's book, Alden and the Light That Blinked Back. *WHAT YOU’LL LEARN* • Why outward success can still leave you feeling disconnected • How Brandon moved from NASCAR podcasting to metaphysical work • How to begin recognizing and trusting your intuition • Why presence can change how you respond to uncertainty • What spiritual bypassing looks like in everyday life • How journaling can reveal thoughts and feelings you have been ignoring *ABOUT THE GUEST* Dr. Brandon Croud, Ph.D. is an author, metaphysical practitioner, spiritual life coach, and organizational performance consultant. His work focuses primarily on embodied awakening, which involves integrating spiritual awareness and intuition with real-world responsibilities such as leadership, careers, relationships, and family life. He is also the author of Alden and the Light That Blinked Back, a children’s book inspired by his son that explores intuition, curiosity, and approaching the unknown without fear. *CONNECT WITH THE GUEST* Website: https://www.theawakenedcroud.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncroud Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Awakened-Croud/61577034338928/ *CHAPTERS* 00:00 Meet Dr. Brandon Croud 00:51 Feeling Muted in Corporate America 03:33 How Fatherhood Changed Everything 05:42 Losing His Career Identity 06:49 Spiritual Awakening or Burnout? 09:08 Letting Go of Control 10:54 How to Trust Your Intuition 13:16 Spiritual Growth and the Nervous System 15:32 Manifestation and Abundance 17:17 Recognizing Spiritual Bypassing 18:37 Can Spirituality and Ambition Coexist? 20:17 Why Relationship Patterns Repeat 23:28 Teaching Children to Trust Themselves 25:49 From NASCAR Podcasting to Metaphysics 28:45 Finding His Voice Through Podcasting 29:44 Finding Opportunity in Life’s Curveballs 32:16 Why You Are Not Behind 33:37 Journaling for Self-Discovery 35:10 Rapid-Fire Questions 38:23 Interviewing NASCAR Hero Kevin Harvick 42:10 Being Present for Family 43:02 Replacing Fear With Curiosity 44:38 Closing Thoughts *ABOUT THE HOST: CHRISTINA FLACH* Christina Flach is the host of I’m Too Busy!, where she leads inspiring conversations about personal growth, beauty, wellness, balance, creativity, and navigating a busy life. *Connect with Christina:* Instagram: @christinaflachmakeup Website: http://www.christinaflach.com *ABOUT I’M TOO BUSY!* I’m Too Busy! features inspiring interviews with business leaders, beauty and wellness experts, and changemakers who share meaningful lessons about balance, personal growth, success, and living well in a busy world. *PODCAST LINKS* Podcast website: http://www.imtoobusytv.com YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@imtoobusypodcast *WATCH MORE EPISODES* https://youtu.be/Z1At4hQblK4 https://youtu.be/mKNCw9GgLzs https://youtu.be/A1yGZQCT3vE https://youtu.be/3ciX0S2ZIPM https://youtu.be/OLqU1HJHgOc https://youtu.be/7UJT6hhJWxE *SUBSCRIBE* Subscribe for more thoughtful conversations about personal growth, wellness, creativity, and finding balance in a busy world: https://www.youtube.com/@imtoobusypodcast Have you ever achieved something you thought would make you happy, only to realize that something still felt missing? Share your experience or biggest takeaway in the comments. If this conversation helped you, please like the video, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear it. *DISCLAIMER* This episode is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The spiritual beliefs, personal experiences, and practices discussed represent the perspectives of the speakers. This content is not medical, mental health, financial, or other professional advice and should not replace support from an appropriately qualified professional. *COPYRIGHT* © I’m Too Busy! Podcast. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of this content is prohibited. #spiritualawakening #trustyourintuition #nascar #christinaflach
