Internal Momentum

Ben Wendel
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  • Entrepreneurship

Internal Momentum is a podcast about the moment something finally moves out of the way. Not the advice you already know. Not the strategy you’ve heard a hundred times. But the internal shift that made different behaviour possible in the first place. We all know what we should do. Eat better. Train consistently. Have the hard conversation. Focus. Commit. Lead properly. And yet… we don’t. So the real question isn’t what to do. It’s what changed internally when someone finally did it. This podcast is built around a single, quiet question: What shifted inside you that made the new behaviour inevitable? Through long-form conversations with founders, operators, leaders, creatives, and high-performers, we explore: the internal blocks people were carrying without realising itthe beliefs, identities, or fears that were quietly in the waythe perspective shifts that dissolved resistance rather than overpowering itthe moments where effort was replaced by clarityhow momentum returns when you stop fighting yourselfThese aren’t motivational stories or tactical playbooks. They’re conversations about internal transformation, the reframes, realisations, and internal decisions that changed how someone showed up day after day. Because sustainable momentum doesn’t come from more discipline. It comes from removing the friction inside the person. If you’re building something, a passion, a business, a life - and you’re tired of trying to force yourself forward, this podcast is an invitation to look at what’s actually in the way… and what happens when it finally shifts.

  1. 1d ago

    John Stamoulos: Breathing Past The Mask

    Breathing Past The Mask What The Body Buries Most of us live in our heads. The body has been waiting decades to be heard. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with John Stamoulos, breathwork trainer, President of the Australian Breathwork Association, and author of Breathing Into A New Life, to unpack what really happens when the mind finally lets go and the body gets to speak. John has spent over 30 years guiding people through the simplest thing they will ever do, and Ben sat in one of his sessions and felt something shift that he still cannot fully explain. John shares how he stumbled into breathwork through a life-changing crisis in the 1980s that left him homeless, lost, and with no tools to process what had happened. He talks about being the accidental breathworker, the early sessions where his body went into paralysis as suppressed memories surfaced, and what it has taken to build a global practice rooted in something most people dismiss as too simple to matter. Ben and John explore what breathwork actually is and why it bypasses the thinking mind so completely. They talk about the masks we wear without knowing, the layers of grief, fear, and joy stored in the body, and the strange detachment that lets people feel emotion fully for the first time. Ben shares his own experience of sitting in joy for twenty minutes during a session, the first time he had felt it as an adult, and what that did to his understanding of what is possible. They also get into the ethics of an industry having its moment. The two-day breathwork certifications. The facilitators going viral on social media with no training behind them. The real risks when a powerful technique meets people with no idea what they are doing. John is direct about what to look for, what to run from, and why the standards matter more now than ever. If you have ever felt locked in your own head, cut off from joy, or curious about what your body has been carrying without your permission, this episode will give you a different way of thinking about the simplest thing you do all day. About the Guest John Stamoulos is an Adelaide-based breathwork trainer, facilitator, and author who has spent over 30 years guiding people through transformational breathwork across more than a dozen countries. He is the President of the Australian Breathwork Association, an integrity counsellor for the International Breathwork Foundation, and the creator of the Life Enhancement Intensive certification training. Connect with John: Website: johnstamoulos.com Website: breathlife.org Instagram: @johnstamoulos.breathwork Email: john@johnstamoulos.com Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Breathwork 06:32 Understanding Breathwork: A Deep Dive 13:43 The Power of Breath: Connecting Mind and Body 20:00 Emotional Release Through Breathwork 25:25 Transformative Experiences in Breathwork 29:21 The Dynamics of Group vs. Private Breathwork Sessions 31:11 Understanding the Boundaries of Breathwork 32:57 The Rise of Breathwork: Trends and Risks 35:07 The Importance of Certification in Breathwork 37:23 Self-Care for Breathwork Facilitators 41:08 Integrating Breathwork into Daily Life 44:07 Mindfulness and Breath Awareness 48:51 Personal Transformations Through Breathwork

    55 min

  2. Jun 6

    Marama Carmichael: When Everything Burns Down

    When Everything Burns Down From Ashes To Intention Some people build businesses to escape their lives. Others rebuild their lives after a fire takes everything. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Marama Carmichael, founder of Oracle Tree, to unpack what happens when a house fire forces you to rethink not just where you live, but what you have been telling yourself about success, work, and the kind of business worth building in the first place. Marama shares the moment in 2009 when she stood in the cold and the rain, watching everything she owned burn, with her young daughter beside her in a taekwondo uniform. She talks about the natural therapy centre she walked away from with thirty days notice, the stories she had been telling herself about what a real business owner looked like, and the surprising sense of gratitude that came through one of the most disorienting moments of her life. Ben and Marama explore the cost of running on autopilot as a founder, why so many business owners build companies that consume them, and the difference between strategic discomfort and just grinding. They get into the marketing tree philosophy at the heart of Oracle Tree, why strategy has to come before tactics, and how AI is changing the way agencies operate without changing the fundamentals of human connection. The deeper thread is about intention. The choices that shape culture. The flexibility owners offer their team but refuse to give themselves. The clients you say yes to and the ones you walk away from. And the quiet question underneath it all: what are you actually building, and is it the business you want, or the business you think you should have? If you have ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this episode will give you a clearer way to look at what you are doing and why. About the Guest Marama Carmichael is the founder and CEO of Oracle Tree, a strategy-first marketing agency working with established small and medium businesses across Australia, New Zealand, and the US. She is the author of the Amazon bestselling book Fixing Frankenstein and has spent over fifteen years building a fully virtual agency designed around the belief that business should support the owner's life, not consume it. Connect with Marama: Website: oracletree.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maramacarmichael Instagram: @oracletree Facebook: Oracle Tree Chapters: 00:00 Rebuilding After the Fire 03:19 Finding Purpose and Clarity 10:42 The Power of Community and Gratitude 15:37 Creating a Business with Intention 18:55 Flexibility and Work-Life Balance 24:14 The Ripple Effect of Business 25:13 Founder's Vision and Business Strategy 27:07 Succession Planning and Business Evolution 28:34 Balancing Tactics and Strategy 30:21 The Marketing Tree Analogy 34:22 Finding the Right Market Pond 38:41 Navigating Client Relationships and Agency Dynamics 53:08 The Role of AI in Marketing 01:02:40 Building a Business Beyond the Founder

    1h 5m

  3. May 30

    Ryll Burgin-Doyle: What You Want Is Possible

    What You Want Is Possible Most people want a mentor who supports them. Very few can handle one who actually holds them to it. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Ryll Burgin-Doyle, high-performance business strategist, fractional CEO, investor, and co-founder of 90Degrees Global, the organisation behind the iconic Money and You program in Australia and New Zealand. Together they unpack what it truly takes to lead, to grow, and to build a business that delivers what you actually want. Ryll shares the philosophy behind her approach to leadership and strategy, and what three decades of working with founders and entrepreneurs from startups to nine-figure businesses has taught her about why most people stay stuck. She opens up about her own journey, including losing everything in a business, rebuilding from scratch, and how she came to hold the rights to one of the most transformational business programs in the world entirely by accident. Ben and Ryll explore integrity as a structural force rather than a moral label, the concept of procession and why staying in motion matters more than finding the perfect direction, and why sales solves more problems than most business owners are willing to admit. They also get into what it means to be provokable, and why the inability to have difficult conversations quietly kills businesses and relationships alike. Beneath all of it is a deeper thread: the idea that your business is a direct reflection of who you are, and that real growth asks something of the person, not just the strategy. This episode also marks something personal. Ben and Ryll have a real mentoring relationship, and that trust is audible throughout. If you have ever felt stuck between the business you have and the business you actually want, this episode will show you what it looks like to close that gap with intention. About the Guest Ryll Burgin-Doyle is a business growth strategist, fractional CEO, investor, and co-founder of 90Degrees Global, the organisation that delivers the Money and You program across Australia and New Zealand. She started her first business at 23 with $1,100 to her name and has spent more than three decades growing businesses from startups to billion-dollar enterprises across multiple countries and industries. She is a Telstra Business Woman of the Year finalist and the author of Businesses Getting Results. Connect with Ryll: Website (personal): https://ryllburgindoyle.com Website (agency): https://burginanddoyle.com Website (90Degrees Global): https://90degreesglobal.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryll-burgin-doyle-business-planning-strategy Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryllbd Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryllburgindoyle Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Mentorship 03:00 The Essence of Leadership 05:37 The Journey of Leadership Development 08:17 Empowering Teams and Accountability 11:08 Integrity in Business 13:38 Understanding Integrity 16:24 The Impact of Money & You Program 19:00 The Concept of Precession 29:51 The Power of Staying in Motion 35:48 Understanding Precession and Its Impact 42:33 Sales as the Lifeblood of Business 49:28 Transformative Moments in Personal Growth

    57 min

  4. May 23

    Ewen Ryley: Made To Last

    Made To Last DESCRIPTION Made To Last Most people spend more time planning the proposal than they do thinking about the marriage. And most people have no idea how much of the jewellery industry is built on mythology. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Ewen Ryley, Creative Director of Ryley Jewellery Creations, to explore what 23 years of making custom pieces for couples actually teaches you about love, status, and commitment. Ewen also happens to be the man who made the ring Ben put on Jane's finger. Ewen shares what he has witnessed across decades of consultations, including the shift in how couples make decisions together, the proposals that go sideways, and the quiet moments where you just sense a relationship is not going to make it. He opens up about his own marriage approaching 15 years, what getting too comfortable costs you, and why growing together at different rates is one of the most underestimated challenges any couple faces. Ben and Ewen dig into the jewellery industry itself, including the diamond myth that De Beers built from nothing, the markups commercial jewellers quietly rely on, and why the three month salary rule was almost certainly invented by a marketing team. They also talk about what it means to have something made specifically for a person versus handing over something off a shelf, and why that difference matters more than most people realise. The conversation then moves into business and creativity. Ewen reflects on the trap of chasing a bigger operation when what actually makes the work meaningful is being the one doing it, and why letting go of an ego-driven definition of success can be the most clarifying decision a business owner ever makes. If you have ever wondered whether a ring means something beyond the price tag, or found yourself questioning what success in business and life is actually supposed to look like, this episode will give you a perspective worth sitting with. About the Guest Ewen Ryley is the Creative Director of Ryley Jewellery Creations, a multi-award-winning bespoke jewellery studio in Toowoomba, Queensland. With 23 years in the trade and a background that spans gemology, international award-winning design, and industry leadership, he specialises in handcrafted custom pieces that are built to last generations. He is also the founder of JEM Society, a membership community for jewellery enthusiasts. Connect with Ewen: Website: www.ryleyjc.com.au Instagram: @ryleycreations Facebook: www.facebook.com/ryleyjewellerycreations JEM Society: www.jemsociety.com Chapter List: 00:00 Introduction to Ewan Riley and Jewelry Creations 03:06 High-Stakes Jewelry Deals 05:31 The Evolution of Engagement Ring Trends 07:56 The Meaning Behind Engagement Rings 10:42 The Proposal Process and Relationship Dynamics 13:22 The Pressure of Proposals vs. Readiness for Marriage 15:54 The Jewelry Industry's Myths and Realities 17:59 The Craftsmanship Behind Custom Jewelry 20:44 Balancing Creativity and Business in Jewelry Making 23:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    44 min

  5. May 16

    Adrian Ramsay: The Emotional Floor Plan

    The Emotional Floor Plan A house can look perfect on paper and still feel completely wrong. What people are really searching for is rarely just a better building. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Adrian Ramsay, Adrian Design Director at 22 International, to unpack the deeper emotional logic behind the spaces people long for and the stories they are really trying to live inside. Adrian shares how his work goes far beyond rooms, budgets, and finishes. He explains how memory, safety, identity, childhood experiences, and even the feeling of the land itself shape the homes people are drawn to, often before they can explain why. Ben and Adrian explore emotional floor plans, land whispering, masculine and feminine priorities in design, the objects and spaces people attach meaning to, and why a dream home is often less about status than it is about comfort, belonging, and the quiet stories people want to carry forward. The deeper layer is what gets revealed when someone starts talking about what they love. This conversation moves into memory, trauma, nostalgia, identity, and the surprising truth that the spaces we crave are often tied to needs we have never fully named. If you have ever walked into a place and felt something you could not explain, this episode will help you understand why certain spaces stay with you and what they might be saying about you. About the Guest Adrian Ramsay is Adrian Design Director at 22 International. A designer, connector, and adventurer, he is known for bringing emotional depth into the design process through ideas like the Emotional Floorplan and Land Whispering. His work blends creativity, story, land, and human experience to shape homes that feel deeply personal. Connect with Adrian Ramsay: Email: ar@ardesignhouse.com Instagram: Adrian Ramsay LinkedIn: Adrian Ramsay Facebook: Adrian Ramsay Chapter: 00:00 The Journey of Design and Identity 03:29 Understanding Dyslexia and Its Impact on Design 05:47 Land Whispering: Connecting with Nature 08:17 The Emotional Connection to Home 10:57 Designing for Emotions and Personal Stories 20:42 Masculine and Feminine Energies in Design 30:20 The Importance of Personal Touch in Home Design 36:31 Understanding Emotional Value in Design 41:25 Nostalgia and Memory in Home Design 47:24 The Shift in Wealth and Home Ownership 55:18 Balancing Life's Plates: Career and Personal Growth 01:05:38 The Joy of Connection Through Design 01:09:58 Introduction.mp4

    1h 10m

  6. May 9

    Kim Kent: The Cost Of Proving Yourself

    The Cost Of Proving Yourself You can build the life you once dreamed of and still feel like it is not enough. Sometimes the hardest thing to face is not lack, it is the story driving the chase. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Kim Kent, Money Coach and creator of Wealthy As F*ck, to unpack the psychology behind money, self-worth, scarcity, and the hidden beliefs that keep people stuck. Kim shares why money struggles are rarely just about numbers. She explains how childhood beliefs around greed, goodness, hard work, and worthiness quietly shape the way adults earn, spend, receive, and sabotage money, often without even realising it. Ben and Kim explore the link between money and identity, the need to prove yourself through work, the emotional patterns behind overspending, and why some people stay trapped in hustle even after they have created enough. They also unpack money leaks, receiving, guilt, duty, and the difference between financial pressure and financial delusion. The deeper layer is what happens when the money problem is no longer the real problem. This conversation gets into purpose, time, rest, and the uncomfortable truth that many people do not just fear being broke, they fear being seen, supported, and finally having no excuse left to hide behind. If you have ever worked harder and harder hoping it would finally make you feel secure, this episode will help you see what is really driving the chase and what it might take to live with more peace. About the Guest Kim Kent is a Money Coach and the creator of Wealthy As F*ck. She helps high-earning families have more money left at the end of the month so they can buy the house, take the holiday, and spend guilt free. Her work combines mindset change, energetic embodiment, and practical wealth principles to help people organise finances and grow real wealth. Connect with Kim Kent: Website: kimkent.net Instagram: @kimkent__ Free Money Leaks Training: kimkent.net/newyearnoleaks Money Leaks Calculator: kimkent.net/moneyleaks Chapter List: 00:00 Understanding Money Psychology 02:59 The Impact of Childhood Beliefs on Money 05:58 The Dichotomy of Money and Self-Worth 08:39 Reframing Greed and Generosity 11:21 The Role of Conditioning in Financial Beliefs 14:15 Self-Sabotage and Financial Patterns 17:01 The Importance of Self-Care and Responsibility 19:52 Mindset vs. Financial Reality 22:50 Clarity and Responsibility in Financial Management 37:23 The Pursuit of Financial Freedom 39:57 Reverse Engineering Financial Goals 42:20 Understanding Money Allocation 44:20 Breaking the Cycle of Hustle 46:56 Childhood Conditioning and Money Beliefs 49:48 Time vs. Money: The True Wealth 51:46 Identifying Money Leaks 59:31 Facing Life Beyond Money Problems 01:08:19 Introduction.mp4

    1h 8m

  7. Apr 19

    Michaela Grace Coy: Beauty, Grief, And Grounding

    Beauty, Grief, And Grounding Most people go to their hairdresser to look good. A lot of them leave feeling better than they expected. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Michaela Grace Coy, founder of Sol Bridal and Event and Grounded You Counselling, to explore what happens when a calling to help people quietly outgrows the chair it started in. Michaela shares how a childhood obsession with hair and beauty turned into a 17-year career, a thriving bridal business, and eventually a two-year counselling diploma she somehow completed while working four days a week in a salon. She reflects on growing up as the kid who asked too many questions, the family members whose untreated struggles inspired her to study therapy, and the moment her sister said the thing that finally got her through the door of a counsellor's office. Ben and Michaela explore the surprising overlap between hairdressing and therapy, including the techniques hairdressers use every single day without realising it has a clinical name. They talk about compassion fatigue, what it means to hold space for someone without taking their pain home, and why Michaela believes the hair industry needs mental health training built into its certificate. They also get into grounding, presence, and the simple practices that anchor people back to themselves when life gets loud. They also go deeper into grief, loss, and the moments that force people into the present whether they are ready or not. Ben shares a confronting personal story from Christmas Eve 2009 that put everything into perspective overnight. Michaela opens up about losing her grandmother at 13, the regret that shaped how she moves through life, and why she believes grief is simply love with nowhere to go. If you have ever felt the pull to do more, help more, and build something that actually means something, this episode will remind you that the path does not always look logical from the outside. About the Guest Michaela Grace Coy is the founder of Sol Bridal and Event, a hair and makeup business specialising in weddings, and Grounded You Counselling, where she holds space for clients navigating grief, loss, and life transitions. With 17 years in the beauty industry and a completed counselling diploma, her work sits at the intersection of how people look and how they feel. She is also a board member of The Great Forgivers, a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness. Connect with Michaela: @groundedyou @solbridalevent @bymichaelagrace Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Michaela Grace 02:04 Michaela's Journey into Beauty and Hairdressing 04:38 The Transition to Bridal and Weddings 07:03 The Emotional Landscape of Weddings 09:35 Michaela's Drive for Counseling 12:05 The Impact of Therapy on Michaela's Life 14:38 Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care 17:40 Grounding Techniques for Mental Clarity 31:55 Connecting with Nature and Mindful Living 34:43 The Absurdity of the Rat Race 37:04 Living in the Moment: The Importance of Presence 39:40 Confronting Mortality and Its Lessons 43:13 Navigating Grief and Loss 47:15 The Importance of Emotional Expression 49:40 Finding Balance and Purpose in Life

    53 min

  8. Apr 11

    Thomas Norman: Stop Performing, Start Connecting

    Stop Performing, Start Connecting Most people think they are bad on camera. They are not. They are just trying too hard to be someone they are not. The moment you press record, something shifts. The version of you that shows up effortlessly in conversation disappears, and a stiff, over-rehearsed stranger takes its place. In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben sits down with Thomas Norman, founder of Portal Creative and creator of the Natural Speaking System, to explore why speaking to camera feels so unnatural, and what it actually takes to show up with genuine connection rather than performance. Thomas shares how a failed attempt at a YouTube channel in his early twenties cracked open a much bigger question about identity, confidence, and how we present ourselves to the world. He reflects on the gap between the person who can hold a room and the person who freezes the moment a lens appears, and why closing that gap requires going inward, not just drilling technique. Ben and Thomas explore what most content creators get wrong about audience, authenticity, and why making content purely for business outcomes quietly kills the creative drive behind it. They also get into niching, creative limitation, and how restriction can produce better work than total freedom. The conversation takes an unexpected turn into meaning, validation, and what people are really chasing when they want to build a following. It is rarely about views. It is about wanting to know that something you said actually landed with someone. If you have ever known exactly what you wanted to say but watched it fall apart the moment the camera turned on, this episode will change how you think about why that happens. About the Guest Thomas Norman is the founder of Portal Creative and the creator of the Natural Speaking System, a coaching program helping entrepreneurs and creators speak with confidence and authenticity on camera. His YouTube channel, Alexander The Create, has helped thousands of people build the habit and skill of talking to camera. He is also a certified semantics coach exploring the deeper connection between body, identity, and communication. Connect with Thomas: youtube.com/@alexanderthecreate Chapter List: 00:00 Introduction to the Challenge of Speaking to Camera 05:13 Understanding the Freeze Response in Communication 09:34 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Communication 14:14 Authenticity in Content Creation 18:28 Connecting with Your Audience 22:47 The Shift in Perspective on Content Creation 24:42 The Value of Passion Over Payday 25:16 Navigating Content Creation in Niche Markets 27:12 Creative Limitations and Their Impact 29:01 The Depth of Niche Content 30:50 The Importance of Audience Engagement 32:49 Repetition and Audience Perception 35:56 The Human Need for Connection and Validation 39:22 Grounding in Reality Amidst Online Life

    45 min
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About

Internal Momentum is a podcast about the moment something finally moves out of the way. Not the advice you already know. Not the strategy you’ve heard a hundred times. But the internal shift that made different behaviour possible in the first place. We all know what we should do. Eat better. Train consistently. Have the hard conversation. Focus. Commit. Lead properly. And yet… we don’t. So the real question isn’t what to do. It’s what changed internally when someone finally did it. This podcast is built around a single, quiet question: What shifted inside you that made the new behaviour inevitable? Through long-form conversations with founders, operators, leaders, creatives, and high-performers, we explore: the internal blocks people were carrying without realising itthe beliefs, identities, or fears that were quietly in the waythe perspective shifts that dissolved resistance rather than overpowering itthe moments where effort was replaced by clarityhow momentum returns when you stop fighting yourselfThese aren’t motivational stories or tactical playbooks. They’re conversations about internal transformation, the reframes, realisations, and internal decisions that changed how someone showed up day after day. Because sustainable momentum doesn’t come from more discipline. It comes from removing the friction inside the person. If you’re building something, a passion, a business, a life - and you’re tired of trying to force yourself forward, this podcast is an invitation to look at what’s actually in the way… and what happens when it finally shifts.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Wendel
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ben Wendel
  • Show Website
    Internal Momentum