Live The Dream Podcast

Harinder Mullay

Welcome to the Live The Dream, hosted by Harinder Mullay. Each episode dives into real stories and honest conversations with creatives, thinkers, disruptors, and everyday people doing extraordinary things. 🎧 New episodes bi-weekly — exploring purpose, resilience, identity, and the messy middle of life. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a story worth hearing. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

  1. 6d ago

    Breaking the Silence: Alcoholism, Family Trauma & Punjabi Culture | Ajit Singh

    What happens when the things we grow up believing are “normal” actually aren't?In this episode of the Live The Dream Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker and director Ajit Singh for a powerful and incredibly open conversation about his short film, Dukh — a story inspired by experiences within the Punjabi/Sikh community that too often remain behind closed doors.Ajit opens up about his own upbringing, growing up shy and struggling to find his voice while witnessing alcoholism, conflict, pride, family breakdown and behaviours that can become normalised from one generation to the next.Rather than simply talking about these issues, Ajit chose to turn them into art.We explore why he created Dukh, the deeply personal experiences behind the film, and why he believes fictional cinema has the power to create conversations that documentaries and statistics alone sometimes cannot.But this conversation goes much further than Dukh.Ajit and I get into the realities of independent filmmaking, why creative control matters, the changing power of directors in today's film industry, streaming platforms, Hollywood's obsession with existing IP, the importance of original storytelling and whether independent filmmakers can still break through.Ajit also takes us behind the scenes of making Dukh — from writing and casting to finding locations, assembling a crew, directing actors, editing the film himself and funding the production from his own savings.We discuss:🎙️ Why Ajit created Dukh🎙️ Alcoholism and generational trauma within families🎙️ Pride, ego and silence within the Punjabi community🎙️ Growing up without feeling able to speak up🎙️ Turning painful experiences into meaningful art🎙️ Why cinema became Ajit's escape🎙️ Why storytelling matters more than spectacle🎙️ Independent filmmaking vs the studio system🎙️ Creative control and the changing role of directors🎙️ Casting actors who understood the subject matter🎙️ How Dukh was filmed in just three shooting days🎙️ Self-funding an independent film🎙️ Building a cast and crew who believed in the project🎙️ Editing and post-production🎙️ Advice for aspiring directors and filmmakers🎙️ Why we need more South Asian filmmakers telling original storiesOne thing Ajit makes very clear is that Dukh isn't intended simply to show a dysfunctional family.It's about awareness.It's about starting conversations.And most importantly, it's about reminding people experiencing these situations that there is hope.If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Conversations like these are how silence begins to change.👤 Guest: Ajitt Mann🔗 CONNECT WITH AJITInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajitmannfilmmakerSponsor Ajit Run The Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ajit-mannWatch Dukh: https://indiecrib.com/watch/66f76cc4-2dcc-424a-be34-72cb3a09f4c1⚠️ CONTENT NOTEThis episode discusses alcoholism, domestic abuse, childhood experiences and family trauma.If you or somebody you know is affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, please consider speaking to an appropriate professional or support organisation:NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/ 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers.Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.comMore about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullayLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullayX - https://x.com/harindermullayFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    Breaking the Silence: Alcoholism, Family Trauma & Punjabi Culture | Ajit Singh
  2. Jul 23

    Redundancy, Reinvention & The Truth About Building a Business Alone | Simeron Taak

    In this episode of Live The Dream, I sit down with Simeron Taak, founder of Design & Develop .Co, where she creates luxury websites, sales pages and templates for service-based business owners. Simeron’s story is not just about websites. It is about identity, courage, creativity and learning to build a business that supports real life. After years of working across web development, design, UX and agency roles, Simeron found herself at a crossroads. She knew she wanted to give her business a real chance, but like so many people, the comfort of a steady job made the leap feel difficult. Then redundancy came — and in her words, “If you don’t jump, the universe will push you.” In this conversation, we talk about: 🎙️ being one of the only women — and often the only Sikh woman — in tech and design spaces; 🎙️ the loneliness of trying to fit into environments where very few people look or sound like you; 🎙️ why redundancy became the push she needed to build her business properly; 🎙️ the difference between designing websites and building a brand with strategy, purpose and integrity; 🎙️ why she chose not to outsource her design work; 🎙️ how marriage, routine and real life affected her business journey; 🎙️ and why templates became part of her mission to make beautiful websites more accessible. This is an honest conversation about trusting your gut, staying on the road when things get difficult, and building something that actually feels aligned with who you are. If you have ever felt like you did not fully fit in, or you are waiting for the right moment to start something, this episode is for you. 👤 Guest: Simeron Taak 🔗 Connect with Simeron: Website: https://www.designanddevelop.co/ Instagram/TikTok/LinkedIn: @designanddevelopco 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers. Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.com More about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/ Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/ Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullay Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullay X - https://x.com/harindermullay Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    Redundancy, Reinvention & The Truth About Building a Business Alone | Simeron Taak
  3. Jul 16

    Former IBM Leader Reveals Why So Many Young People Are Choosing The Wrong Future | Mary Kolbenschlag

    What happens when the life society calls “successful” no longer feels like your dream?In this episode of Live The Dream, Harinder speaks with Mary Kolbenschlag, Co-Founder of Discover Pathwaze, a college planning and career development company helping young people understand their strengths, values, career direction, and future pathway.Mary spent more than two decades at IBM, working in global leadership, consulting, sales, employee development, and business transformation. From the outside, she had achieved the kind of success many people spend their lives chasing. But internally, something shifted.In this deeply honest conversation, Mary shares the moment she realised she needed to leave corporate life, why so many young people are struggling with pressure, expectation, and uncertainty, and why university is not always the right path for every student.We discuss:🎙️ Why “living the dream” can mean something very different from society’s version of success🎙️ The pressure young people face around college, careers, and identity🎙️ Why self-discovery should come before choosing a degree or career🎙️ The role parents play in shaping — and sometimes unintentionally limiting — a young person’s path🎙️ Why trades, work experience, volunteering, entrepreneurship, and alternative routes matter🎙️ How Discover Pathwaze helps students understand their strengths, values, and future direction🎙️ Mary’s journey from IBM leadership to purpose-led work🎙️ Why impact, family, and legacy matter more than chasing growth at all costsThis episode is for parents, young adults, coaches, educators, business owners, and anyone who has ever questioned whether the path they are on is truly their own.If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear it.👤 Guest: Mary Kolbenschlag🔗 Connect with Mary:Company: Discover PathwazeWebsite: https://discoverpathwaze.com/LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marykolbenschlag/LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/discoverpathwaze/🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers.Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.comMore about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullayLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullayX - https://x.com/harindermullayFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    Former IBM Leader Reveals Why So Many Young People Are Choosing The Wrong Future | Mary Kolbenschlag
  4. Jul 2

    Burnout Isn’t Stress: Former Bomb Squad Expert Explains the Nervous System | Adam Grimm

    What if burnout isn’t just stress? In this episode of Live The Dream, Harinder sits down with Adam Grimm, founder of Pegasus Realm and creator of The Debrief, a community for high-performing men, founders, and operators who are tired of pretending they’re fine. Adam is a former Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal professional — better known as bomb squad — who has since moved into clinical psychology, coaching, trauma work, neurodivergence, burnout recovery, and organisational wellness. In this conversation, Adam shares how his military experience shaped the way he understands pressure, identity, purpose, nervous-system regulation, and what happens when high performers stay in survival mode for too long. We explore: 🎙️ why burnout is not the same as stress; 🎙️ how trauma and neurodivergence can overlap; 🎙️ why high-performing men often lose touch with joy; 🎙️ the difference between therapy, coaching, and mentorship; 🎙️ how the nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight; 🎙️ why breathwork can be a powerful tool for regulation; 🎙️ what it really means to “live the dream.” This is a powerful conversation for founders, coaches, leaders, veterans, public-service professionals, and anyone who looks like they’re coping on the outside but feels something very different underneath. 👤 Guest: Adam Grimm 🔗 Connect with Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgrimm808/ Pegasus Realm: https://pegasusrealm.com/ Coaching: https://adamgrimmcoach.com/The Debrief: [insert link] 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers. Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.com More about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/ Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/ Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullay Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullay X - https://x.com/harindermullay Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    Burnout Isn’t Stress: Former Bomb Squad Expert Explains the Nervous System | Adam Grimm
  5. Jun 26

    You Are Not Broken: Jungian Coaching, Ego, Purpose & the Inner Work | Debra & Dr. Rob Maldonado

    🎙️ What if you’re not broken — you’re just living from the wrong self?In this powerful episode of Live The Dream, I sit down with Debra Maldonado and Dr. Rob Maldonado, founders of CreativeMind, to explore Jungian coaching, shadow work, ego, purpose, consciousness, and the deeper spiritual journey behind personal and business transformation.Debra and Rob’s work brings together Jungian psychology, Eastern philosophy, neuroscience, and depth coaching to help people move beyond surface-level self-help and connect with their true self.This conversation goes far beyond typical coaching advice. We explore why so many people feel stuck despite outer success, how the ego creates limitation, why shadow work can reveal hidden potential, and why entrepreneurship itself can become a spiritual path.We also discuss:🎙️ Why you are not broken🎙️ The difference between therapy and depth coaching🎙️ How Jungian psychology helps us understand the unconscious🎙️ Why money should serve purpose, not ego🎙️ Why structure creates freedom🎙️ How shadow work reveals hidden parts of ourselves🎙️ Why coaches need both inner work and business structure🎙️ How entrepreneurship can become a path of individuation🎙️ The importance of trusting your vision and sharing your gifts with the worldOne of the most powerful themes from this episode is that real growth is not about becoming someone else — it is about becoming more conscious of who you truly are.If you’re a coach, founder, seeker, entrepreneur, or someone who feels called to do deeper work in the world, this episode will stay with you.👤 Guests: Debra Maldanado & Dr. Rob MaldanadoConnect with Debra, Dr. Rob and CreativeMind:CreativeMind: https://creativemindlife.comJungian Coach Training: https://creativemindlife.com/certification/jungian-coach/Book: Like a Spark from Fire: https://creativemindlife.com/certification/jungian-coach/🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers.Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.comMore about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullayLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullayX - https://x.com/harindermullayFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    You Are Not Broken: Jungian Coaching, Ego, Purpose & the Inner Work | Debra & Dr. Rob Maldonado
  6. Jun 18

    Why Most Leaders Don’t Know How To Communicate | Dan Messinger

    In this episode of Live The Dream, Harinder sits down with Dan Messinger, founder of Transforming Executive Presence, to explore what real leadership transformation actually looks like.Dan has spent decades helping leaders, executives and organisations develop deeper presence, stronger communication, healthier conflict resolution and more authentic leadership. But this conversation goes far beyond surface-level confidence or presentation skills.Dan shares why ego is often the biggest obstacle to growth, why humility is essential for real leadership, and how leaders can become conscious of the unconscious thought and behaviour patterns that shape the way they lead. He also explains how vulnerability can become a leadership superpower, why unresolved conflict quietly damages teams, and why so many managers are never taught the basic human skills needed to lead well.We also explore the difference between coaching and therapy, why AI cannot replace lived experience or intuition, and what it really means to help someone transform from the inside out.This is a powerful conversation for coaches, founders, executives, HR leaders and anyone interested in leadership, consciousness, emotional intelligence and the future of human connection in an AI-driven world.In this episode, we cover:🎙️ Why ego blocks real leadership🎙️ The difference between confidence and executive presence🎙️ How leaders can communicate without blame🎙️ Why vulnerability moves people more than authority🎙️ How conflict resolution can transform teams🎙️ Why AI cannot replace intuition, consciousness or lived experience🎙️ What it means to “keep on growing”👤 Guest: Dan Messinger🔗 Connect with Dan:Website: https://www.transformingexecutivepresence.com/LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-messinger/LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transforming-executive-presence/🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers.Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.comMore about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullayLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullayX - https://x.com/harindermullayFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    Why Most Leaders Don’t Know How To Communicate | Dan Messinger
  7. Jun 11

    Why Men Need to Look Within: Healing, Masculinity & Leading With Dignity | Vincent Perez

    In this episode of Live The Dream, Harinder sits down with Vincent Perez, founder of Equity Institute, Men’s Healing Network, Lead Within, and Dignity Compass. Vincent’s work sits at the intersection of men’s healing, dignity, leadership, education, emotional resilience, community, and systems change. Across his career, he has worked with schools, organisations, young men, incarcerated youth, community leaders, and men seeking deeper healing and accountability. This conversation explores what it really means for men to do the inner work — not as performance, not as surface-level self-improvement, but as a path towards responsibility, emotional honesty, service, and dignity. Vincent shares why men’s work needs to include deeper conversations about violence, trauma, race, power, accountability, and healing. He also opens up about his own journey, his work with men and boys, and why he believes men need spaces where they can be challenged, supported, and guided toward wholeness. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ Why men need spaces for honest inner work 🎙️ What modern men’s work often misses 🎙️ Healing, accountability, and emotional responsibility 🎙️ Vincent’s work with young men and incarcerated youth 🎙️ Why dignity and belonging matter in leadership 🎙️ The role of Positive Intelligence and self-awareness 🎙️ How men can lead other men without reproducing harm 🎙️ Why service, purpose, and community are central to healing If you’re interested in men’s work, masculinity, leadership, healing, emotional resilience, education, or personal transformation, this episode will give you a lot to reflect on. 👤 Guest: Vincent Daniel Perez 🔗 Connect with Vincent:Website: https://www.vincentperez.co/Equity Institute: https://www.equity.institute/Men’s Healing Network: https://www.mhn.life/La Cima: https://lacima.org/ 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers. Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.comMore about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/ Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/ Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullay Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullay X - https://x.com/harindermullay Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    Why Men Need to Look Within: Healing, Masculinity & Leading With Dignity | Vincent Perez
  8. Jun 4

    The CEO Advisor Warning Founders About AI, Exits & The Future of Business | Themos Pentakalos

    In this episode of Live The Dream, Harinder Mullay sits down with Themos, a CEO advisor with over 35 years of experience across corporate leadership, B2B SaaS, private equity, M&A, software company exits and founder advisory. Themos has worked on both sides of the private equity table — from C-suite leadership and exits to advising founders preparing their companies for sale. In this conversation, he shares what most founders misunderstand about exiting a business, why private equity buyers care more about numbers than emotion, and how CEOs can prepare for the reality of dealing with investment bankers, analysts, lawyers and acquisition teams. But this conversation goes much deeper than business. Themos also shares his honest perspective on AI and why he believes the technology is not just good or bad — it is inevitable. He gives real examples of companies using AI to build internal CRMs, analyse thousands of customer service calls, rethink offshore teams, review marketing dashboards and change how software companies operate. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful message: AI can help with speed, analysis and automation, but it cannot replace human judgement, creativity, intuition, honesty and lived experience. We also explore Themos’s spiritual side, his retreat work, his belief in lifelong learning, and what “living the dream” means after decades in business. In this episode, we discuss: Why Themo no longer sees himself as a traditional coachWhat founders misunderstand before selling their companyThe private equity mindset behind acquisitions and exitsWhy AI is already reshaping B2B SaaS, customer service and marketingThe danger of outsourcing your thinking to AIWhy AI-generated content is making authenticity more valuableWhy CEOs still need trusted human advisorsThe importance of honesty in business and leadershipHow spiritual practice and self-awareness shape Themos’s next chapterIf you are a founder, consultant, coach, CEO, advisor or business owner trying to understand where AI fits — and where human experience still matters — this episode is for you. 👤 Guest: Themos Pentakalos🔗 Connect with Themos Pentakalos: Personal Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themos/Company Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/drivemeta/Website: https://drivemeta.com/🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with creators, entrepreneurs & changemakers.Get the latest updates and BONUS Content: https://livethedreampodcast.comMore about me and my projects: https://www.harindermullay.com/Need growth infrastructure and systems to elevate your business: http://aurexaisolutions.com/Want to learn more about my faith, check out: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@harinder.mullayLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinder-mullay/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harinder.mullay/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@harinder.mullayX - https://x.com/harindermullayFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/harindermullayofficial

    The CEO Advisor Warning Founders About AI, Exits & The Future of Business | Themos Pentakalos

About

Welcome to the Live The Dream, hosted by Harinder Mullay. Each episode dives into real stories and honest conversations with creatives, thinkers, disruptors, and everyday people doing extraordinary things. 🎧 New episodes bi-weekly — exploring purpose, resilience, identity, and the messy middle of life. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a story worth hearing. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts.