Create with Franz

Franz Sidney - The Art of Living
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast dedicated to sharing actionable steps we can take to improve our well being and mental health, so we can create the life we want!

  1. 2d ago

    Your storm is not your Identity: faith, healing, and reclaiming your purpose

    At 36 years old, Judy Armstrong was a Registered Nurse, a Director of Nursing, and a busy mom of two. Then, her body slowly shut down. Eventually diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—an incurable autoimmune disease—Judy went from a strong, physically capable caregiver to a patient who couldn't even open a jar of juice for her children. But Judy refused to let her diagnosis define her. In this episode, Judy shares her incredible 10-year journey of "active waiting." Instead of putting her life on pause, she kept her nursing license active, invested in personal growth, and embraced the unexpected blessing of being fully present with her young children. She opens up about the miraculous moment of prayer that led to her complete remission, and the unexpected phone call that invited her back to work—not just as a nurse, but as the CEO of the very surgery center she had been forced to leave. If you are currently facing a storm, feeling sidelined by life, or waiting for your next chapter to begin, Judy's story is a powerful reminder that today's setback is simply preparation for tomorrow's opportunity. In this episode, we discuss: How to cope when chronic illness strips away your physical capability and professional identity. Why keeping your credentials and mind sharp during a dark season is crucial for your future. Finding peace, embracing unexpected blessings, and trusting God's timing when you can't see the finish line. How Judy went from a 10-year career gap straight into the CEO chair. Topics covered: self reliance, active waiting, spiritual self reliance, active preparation, career resilience, overcoming setbacks, faith in trials, coping with illness, taking the next step, identity in storms, emotional self reliance, personal responsibility, overcoming adversity, healing and faith, preparing for opportunity, finding purpose   Find Judy here: https://judyb-armstrong.com/  Her Ebook Title is: Faith Through Storms   Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/AeF0S-Kp0G8   If you want to dive deeper into the same growth mindset Judy shared today—turning your biggest setbacks into preparation for what's next—here are two fantastic books I highly recommend checking out. Remember that these are Amazon *affiliate* links and as such I earn a tiny percentage if you buy them. 1. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday This is the ultimate handbook on grit. Holiday uses ancient Stoic wisdom to show how the very things holding us back—like a sudden diagnosis or a career setback—can actually be used as fuel to make us stronger, tougher, and more resilient. https://amzn.to/4w699tO 2. Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant When Plan A is completely off the table, how do you rebuild? This book combines deeply personal stories with practical, scientific advice on how to build your resilience muscle, face adversity, and reclaim your purpose when life takes an unexpected turn. https://amzn.to/4gEwmhW

    Your storm is not your Identity: faith, healing, and reclaiming your purpose

  2. Aug 29

    Three steps to build real financial independence

    Financial self-reliance isn't about earning more; it's about owning what you have. When we talk about self-sufficiency, we often focus on our mindset or physical skills—but true independence is impossible without getting a grip on our finances. In this episode, we sit down with professional accountant Kayon Graham, founder of K. Graham Accounting & Advisory, LLC. With over 14 years of experience, Kayon reveals why traditional budgeting keeps people trapped in a reactive loop, treating predictable life events like sudden emergencies.  She introduces her signature framework—Temporal Lens Budgeting—which teaches you how to look at your money through three horizons at once: the Past (finding leaks), the Present (managing today), and the Future (building reserves). While two households may be facing the exact same job loss, the habit of preparation, not the size of your paycheck, is the ultimate key to survival. Whether you are trying to pull yourself out of a paycheck-to-paycheck loop or want to ensure you can weather life's unexpected curveballs, this conversation provides the practical, down-to-earth tools you need to take absolute ownership of your money. What you'll walk away with today: How to stop treating annual expenses and car repairs like "surprises." Why emergency preparation must be a non-negotiable part of your budget, not an afterthought. Three immediate steps to automate your peace of mind—even if you start with just $20. Topics covered: financial self reliance, kayon graham, temporal lens budgeting, how to stop living paycheck to paycheck, emergency fund savings, practical budgeting tips, financial independence habits, cash flow management, proactive personal finance LINKS Find Keyon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayongraham/   Watch this interview here: https://youtu.be/ze2tjCeEXf0 Want to start noticing your spending patterns today? This is what I have been using for years and years (as you can see if you watched the video). A simple Silvine journal where I write down and manage budget, income and expense with a pen and a calculator. It really helped me to look at real strategies and prepare for the future. This Amazon affiliate link is for you! https://amzn.to/4f0fUr0   🙏🏼 Thank you for investing your valuable time with us today. If this message spoke to your soul, you are now a messenger. Choose to be the light today and help someone to change their life, too. 🌅 Share the Light: leave a comment, hit subscribe and share this episode right now with one friend who needs an actionable solution. ✍🏼 Leave your legacy: write a quick rating and review on iTunes to help others find true wellness. This is a zero cost way to spread your message even further. ❤️ Thank you for being the reason this message reaches the world. God bless you!

    Three steps to build real financial independence

  3. Aug 22

    No one is coming to save you: radical self-reliance

    What does a world-renowned opera star, actor, and international producer know about self-reliance? Absolutely everything. Having performed on the world's biggest stages in over 50 countries, Mark Janicello has lived a life of high-stakes pressure, massive creative reinventions, and raw survival. He knows firsthand that when the curtain falls on a crisis, there is only one person who can get you through: the person looking back at you in the mirror. In this high-energy, no-nonsense conversation, Mark strips away the fluff of modern self-help and delivers a street-smart blueprint for taking back your power. He challenges us to stop sugarcoating our realities, dump the victim mindset, and weaponize the "universal solvent" of forgiveness to free up our mental energy for massive action. Mark also shares his brilliant, counterintuitive trick for solving "unsolvable" problems by doubling them, forcing your brain to think bigger and act bolder. If you are ready to stop waiting for a rescue team and start driving your own destiny, Mark's charismatic, tough-love approach is exactly the wake-up call you've been waiting for. In this episode, we discuss: Why you must look at your finances, relationships, and health with absolute, genuine honesty. How blaming outside circumstances strips you of your power—and how taking 100% responsibility gives it back. Why forgiving those who hurt you is the ultimate selfish act of spiritual and emotional liberation. How artificially doubling your problems forces your brain to break out of survival mode and find genius, out-of-the-box solutions. Topics covered: radical self reliance, take responsibility, stop playing victim, personal accountability, taking action, mental toughness, emotional self reliance, life reality check, power of forgiveness, solving hard problems, financial survival skills, self empowerment, overcoming setbacks, building resilience, personal agency, Mark Janicello   LINKS:   Almost at the end of the podcast I mentioned a few facts about memory loss, so if you are interested you can check those out here: https://youtu.be/wxTiSFIETnQ?si=uBgRUj6rd5SWbNfR Summary: Dr. Neil Nedley argues that memory loss is not a normal part of aging and that it is often a lifestyle-related issue that can be prevented or even reversed. Lifestyle Factors for Prevention: Dr. Nedley emphasizes six major risk factors: diabetes, obesity, hypertension, smoking, depression, and physical inactivity, which account for 500,000 preventable dementia cases annually.   If you loved Mark's raw, no-nonsense energy, check out his incredibly candid autobiography on Amazon, with an *affiliate link* which earns me a cent at no extra cost to you. Naked in the Spotlight by Mark Janicello A gripping, behind-the-scenes look at the high stakes of international show business, surviving personal crisis, and what it truly takes to rebuild your life when the stage goes dark. https://amzn.to/4f1Sdyz

    No one is coming to save you: radical self-reliance

  4. Aug 15

    How to build new skills from scratch

    Mindset and money are crucial for self-reliance, but eventually, you have to build something with your own two hands. In this episode, we sit down with Dave Gulas, co-founder of EZDC 3PL and host of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast. After 20 years in corporate sales, Dave decided to build a podcast from scratch with zero budget, zero tech skills, and zero permission. Today, nearly 300 episodes later, his show ranks in the top 1.5% globally. Dave joins us to expose the "permission trap"—why we hide behind endless research, courses, and credentials instead of just doing the work. He breaks down how to build genuine self-reliance by taking messy, imperfect action, showing up for "the reps," and turning self-taught skills into a powerful way to serve others. What you'll learn in this episode: Why confidence is built on evidence, not courses or coaches. How to break an intimidating new skill down before you break down. The power of tracking your inputs (what you control) instead of your outcomes (what you don't). How to start your "minimum viable rep" today with zero dollars. Topics covered: self taught skills, dave gulas, build confidence through action, how to start a podcast with no budget, personal growth, career transition tips, overcoming analysis paralysis, self reliance skills, beyond fulfillment, taking messy action   Eager to build your next skill? Grab a copy of Josh Kaufman's bestseller, The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast! On Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4w0nhVf Ready to master new skills whether you are 20 or 65? A practical method to acquire the exact expertise needed to outsmart the competition is what you need. Get your copy of Scott H. Young's Wall Street Journal bestseller, 'Ultralearning: The Essential Guide To Mastering Hard Skills And Future-Proofing Your Career' on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3TCeNoV (Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.) This is the first episode of a new series where we will explore what it means to become self sufficient or self reliant in all areas of our life. From health to finances emotional wellness, and then down deep into practical skills, this is goign to be an exiciting time to rebuild our future.  Did you like this type of conversation? What would you like us to discuss next? Leave your thoughts in the comments. To learn more about Dave's work visit: https://ezdc3pl.com/   🙏🏼 Thank you for investing your valuable time with us today. If this message spoke to your soul, you are now a messenger. Choose to be the light today and help someone to change their life, too. 🌅 Share the Light: leave a comment, hit subscribe and share this episode right now with one friend who needs an actionable solution. ✍🏼 Leave your legacy: write a quick rating and review on iTunes to help others find true wellness. This is a zero cost way to spread your message even further. ❤️ Thank you for being the reason this message reaches the world. God bless you!

    How to build new skills from scratch

  5. Aug 8

    How sound shapes the human experience

    What if sound is more than just a background track to our lives, but a fundamental tool for building brain function and human connection? Join us for an immersive conversation with Emmy-winning composer, jazz saxophonist, and educator Hayes Greenfield. With a career spanning over 70 film scores and decades of live performance, Hayes explores the "Human Premium"—the raw, tactile power of sound that transcends language barriers.  Beyond the stage, Hayes is transforming early childhood education and neurocognitive care through his Creative Sound Play initiative. Supported by leaders in neuroscience, his work demonstrates how intentional listening and sound-making bridge the educational gap by developing critical executive function skills. He shares how a teacher was able to calm down a 3 y.o. girl with a clucking sound, and how a non-verbal student spoke for the first time during one of the sessions held by Hayes, bringing the teachers to tears. Hayes reminds us that tuning into our sonic environment is a play-based pathway to a kinder, more mindful world. What will you do to incorporate sound into your skillset and daily habits? Topics Covered Sound, Music, Neuroscience, Executive Function, Early Childhood Education, Human Connection, Creative Sound Play, Community Building, Mindfulness, Neurodiversity, sound builds brain function, sound for connection.   Watch this interview here: https://youtu.be/wTI2cAzXRXA   Who is Hayes? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayes_Greenfield Find Hayes here: https://www.hayesgreenfield.com 🙏🏼 Thank you for investing your valuable time with us today. If this message spoke to your soul, you are now a messenger. Choose to be the light today and help someone to change their life, too. 🌅 Share the Light: leave a comment, hit subscribe and share this episode right now with one friend who needs an actionable solution. ✍🏼 Leave your legacy: write a quick rating and review on iTunes to help others find true wellness. ❤️ Thank you for being the reason this message reaches the world. God bless you!     Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

    How sound shapes the human experience

  6. Aug 1

    Why You Are Burning Out At 50 - and how to reclaim your peace with somatic therapies

    Are you a middle aged woman on the top of your career in a high-stakes environment? Maybe you are the one everyone depends on—meeting deadlines and managing teams with outward grace. But internally, the cost of "over-functioning" and now redesigning your role with AI in mind, has become unsustainable. If traditional productivity hacks like time-blocking and mindset reframes are making you feel worse,  if rest makes you feel guilty, it's time to look beneath the surface. In this episode, Dr. Julie Merriman explains why midlife burnout is a nervous system injury, not a lack of discipline. We dive into how somatic therapies and grounding help professional women move away from the urgency of "pushing through" to build a foundation of genuine internal calm.  You'll learn why chronic exhaustion physically blocks the cognitive flexibility needed for new digital tools and how to set boundaries based on your actual physiological capacity rather than just willpower.  Join us for a conversation about reclaiming your energy and approaching your next career chapter from a state of regulation and radiance, instead of guilt and exhaustion. Topics covered: symptoms of burnout in professional women, somatic therapy for stress, high achieving women over 50 burnout, nervous system regulation, compassion fatigue in leadership, midlife career reinvention stress, productivity advice for exhausted women, cognitive flexibility and AI, how to stop over functioning at work, signs of nervous system overwhelm, somatic healing for executives, burnout recovery for women 50 plus, why is time blocking not working Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/rzUR9FAdt6A Find Julie Merriman here: https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/   🙏🏼 Thank you for investing your valuable time with us today. If this message spoke to your soul, you are now a messenger. Choose to be the light today and help someone to change their life, too. 🌅 Share the Light: leave a comment, hit subscribe and share this episode right now with one friend who needs an actionable solution. ✍🏼 Leave your legacy: write a quick rating and review on iTunes to help others find true wellness. ❤️ Thank you for being the reason this message reaches the world. God bless you!     Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.

    Why You Are Burning Out At 50 - and how to reclaim your peace with somatic therapies

  7. Jul 25

    Sound: a bridge to the Divine

    I had the great experience of sitting down with Jeralyn Glass, an internationally acclaimed opera star turned sound healing pioneer and author of Sacred Vibrations. Following the tragic loss of her son, Jeralyn transitioned from the stages of Broadway to the forefront of holistic medicine, discovering how crystalline sound can act as a powerful healing tool for the mind and body. From a scientific perspective, sound healing is rooted in the principles of entrainment and vibro-acoustics. Every organ and cell in the human body vibrates at a specific frequency; when we are stressed or ill, these frequencies can fall out of "tune."  Jeralyn explains how coherent sound waves can physically interact with the nervous system to shift brain states from active Beta waves to restorative Alpha and Theta patterns. This process measurably lowers cortisol, reduces blood pressure, and stimulates the vagus nerve, moving the body out of a "fight or flight" response and into a state of cellular repair. We dive into the science behind Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls and how specific vibrational frequencies can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and assist patients ranging from veterans to those in hospice care. Jeralyn—who has shared her expertise on The Kelly Clarkson Show and worked with icons like Jhené Aiko, SZA, Bruce Lipton, Greg Braiden and Kobe Bryant—shares how to treat your own body as a "vibrating instrument." Tune in to learn how to integrate "Music as Medicine" into your daily life through simple humming, movement, and intentional listening. If you listen to the end, in the audio podcast version, not the YouTube one, you will be able to enjoy Jeralyn's amazing voice in five musical pieces (One being a meditation) ————————————————————————————————————— Also, there is a small but important correction I wish to make. Talking about the power of music and how it is often divinely inspired, the story came to my mind of how Naomi Randall composed the beloved hymn, 'I am a child of God.' Thanks to my fashion design focused mind, I instead said it was Naomi Campbell, who is a great model but *not* the composer of this hymn, bless her.  For those who might be interested, here is how the hymn words came to the original Naomi: "That evening, I got down on my knees and prayed aloud, pleading that our Heavenly Father would let me know the right words. Around 2:00 A.M. I awakened and began to think again about the song. Words came to my mind. . . . I immediately got up and began to write the words down as they had come to me. Three verses and a chorus were soon formed. I gratefully surveyed the work, drank of the message of the words, and returned to my bedroom where I knelt before my Father in Heaven to say 'Thank you!'" (Source: https://www.ldsliving.com/the-powerful-stories-behind-i-am-a-child-of-god-i-need-thee-every-hour-3-other-beloved-hymns/s/88514_)  Copyright note: the copyright to "I Am a Child of God" is owned by Intellectual Reserve, Inc., a corporation established by the LDS Church to hold its intellectual property. Intellectual Reserve allows copying or downloading of the music and lyrics of the song for incidental, noncommercial church, or noncommercial home uses.   I also mentioned the Christmas Truce. During the recording, which is not scripted, I could not remember any details about it, as this idea came as we were talking. However, the Christmas Truce recounts the story of German and British soldiers who sung together Silent Night at Christmas. During the editing process, I found a Sainsbury's advert made with the Royal British Legion, which accurately describes how the scene unravelled. I dare you not to cry when you watch it and think of how the power of music brought these brave young men together that week. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carolling. Watch the Sainsbury's advert here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWF2JBb1bvM  I am in no wya affiliated...     Topics Covered Definition of music as medicine, The origins of sound healing, Science of crystalline sound and singing bowls, Vibrational frequencies for mental focus, Music as a prescription for stability, Physical health benefits of sound, journey through grief, Using the human voice as a healing tool, Mindfulness in musical consumption, Highlights from the Source - Be Inspired App, I am a child of God, how music touches the soul, music as connection. Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/fgDyxEFX0Xc   The Source - Be Inspired app is available for download. Sacred Vibrations is now available anywhere you buy books. Affiliate Amazon Book Link: https://amzn.to/4uvoCT1 Jeralyn Glass Website: http://www.jeralynglass.com/ Crystal Cadence Website: http://www.crystalcadence.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalcadencela/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalcadencela/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqJQkuTKj6u8ZiUAFGVC3w   🙏🏼 Thank you for investing your valuable time with us today. If this message spoke to your soul, you are now a messenger. Choose to be the light today and help someone to change their life, too. 🌅 Share the Light: leave a comment, hit subscribe and share this episode right now with one friend who needs an actionable solution. ✍🏼 Leave your legacy: write a quick rating and review on iTunes to help others find true wellness. ❤️ Thank you for being the reason this message reaches the world. God bless you!   Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.   Quotes: 'The sounds we produce create a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the Earth and the Divine…the celestial realms are then connected to the Earth.'

    Sound: a bridge to the Divine

  8. Jul 18

    Is Artificial Intelligence making you comfortably numb?

    As the world debates if AI will take our jobs, playwright and CTO Doug Clarke is worried about something much quieter: is AI taking our humanity and replacing our friends and therapists?  In this frank chat, we dive into the meaning of our relationship with artificial intelligence through the unique intersection of Hollywood innovation and the Off-Broadway stage.  Doug shares his journey from building high-level tech systems at DTS and IMAX to writing deeply vulnerable plays like Soulmate and Anxious Attachment. We explore the seductive danger of AI companions—tools that never tire, never withdraw, and never ask anything of us—and why that "perfect" consistency is actually a barrier to the healing found in human struggle. If we are relying more and more on Artificial Intelligence as a friend of therapist, Doug - who has been having therapy for years with a real person - offers a wise perspective: set up healthy boundaries! What you will learn from him: The Difference Between Convenience and Growth: Why the "messiness" of human relationships is a requirement for emotional maturity. AI as an Emotional Anesthetic: How those with anxious attachment styles are at risk of using technology to soothe surface-level pain while leaving the underlying wounds unaddressed. The Architecture of "Human Premium" Art: How to lean into live, emotional experiences that digital models can never replicate. Practical Boundaries: How to use AI as a high-efficiency tool without letting it become an emotional escape.   About Doug: Doug serves on the executive committee of the Television Academy's Science and Technology peer group, where he puts together educational programs on the principles of agentic AI in their industry. He is also a playwright. Last year his first play, Soulmate, opened in Los Angeles and then ran off-Broadway in New York. It's a story about grief, depression, and how love can become its own kind of haunting when we don't know how to heal through its loss.  Quotes: AI is becoming, for a lot of people, the most consistent presence in their lives. An AI chatbot is always available to you. It does not get tired of you. It does not get tired at all. It does not withdraw. It does not have its own needs that compete with yours. For a person whose history with other humans may have felt inconsistent, frustrating, or painful, the consistency and presence AI offers can feel like relief.  It can develop into a feeling that can be compared to a kind of love. But what it's doing is quietly keeping us from developing the greater sense of who we are in a world that we share with billions of others. How we need to work hard to truly see, accept, and love others. We are walking into something we are not built for: the slow replacement of the harder, messier, and more honest work of human connection with a simple comfort.  A comfort not found in nature. A comfort that asks nothing of us in return. AI by itself isn't the problem.  The problem is what happens when we start to depend on it to avoid the exact human experiences we need in order to grow, and to stay connected to the people around us. For those with an anxious attachment style, AI is a near perfect anesthetic, because it soothes the surface without ever coming close to the wound underneath.  Topics covered: AI, Anxious Attachment, and the Future of Human Art, is AI good for Therapy, need of human connection, AI friends, emotional growth,    Find Doug here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasaclarke/ Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/5vsP5gg3Oqs   Suggestions: Wondering about the attachment styles Doug mentioned? Grab the definitive guide to understanding human connection, breaking anxious patterns, and building real-world security: Attached by Amir Levine. This best selling book, featuring over 23k reviews,  is found by clicking the link below (Please note this is an *affiliate* link so I earn something like 5 cents if you actually buy it!) https://amzn.to/3SWGTLs   Trade the chatbot for a blank page. Break the habit of venting to an AI therapist and practice true emotional self-reliance by processing your thoughts by hand with a classic Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Journal. https://amzn.to/4yndhHw (Please note this is also an *affiliate* link so I earn something like 5 cents if you actually buy it!) This notebook opens flat, doesn't bleed through and is offered in many lovely colours. You are worth it!

    Is Artificial Intelligence making you comfortably numb?
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About

A podcast dedicated to sharing actionable steps we can take to improve our well being and mental health, so we can create the life we want!

Information

  • Creator
    Franz Sidney - The Art of Living
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    318
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Franz Sidney 2020