Life Well Balanced Podcast

Nick Houpt & Steven R. Baxendale

Life Well Balanced is a podcast about what it truly means to live a fulfilled, harmonious life, at work, at home, and within yourself. Hosted by Nick Houpt, each episode features real conversations with inspiring guests who share stories, tools, and habits that support mental wellness, emotional resilience, and intentional living. Whether you're navigating burnout, seeking more presence in your relationships, or simply trying to find steadier ground, this show offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies to help you create better balance in everyday life. Our mission is to inspire and empower people to live healthier, more present, and purpose-driven lives. Our vision is to be a trusted resource for anyone committed to growth, joy, connection, and meaningful change. Tune in for grounded insights, honest dialogue, and the kind of conversations that help you feel more aligned, no matter where you are on your journey.

  1. Oct 21

    A Doctor's Most Personal Battle: The Experience That Changed Everything | Dr. Dave Thimons

    What happens when a doctor who has spent his career caring for others suddenly finds himself fighting for his own daughter's life? For Dr. David "Dave" Thimons, that experience changed everything. When his 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with advanced cancer, Dave was forced to confront something no amount of medical training could prepare him for: the possibility of losing his child. What followed transformed the way he thought about medicine, family, success, and what truly matters in life. In this deeply personal conversation on Life Well Balanced, Nick Houpt sits down with Dr. Dave Thimons, physician, entrepreneur, and founder of The Rose Program, to explore how our most difficult experiences can reshape who we become. But this conversation goes far beyond healthcare. Together, they explore why we worry so much about things that ultimately don't matter, how to become more present in a distracted world, why learning to like yourself may be the foundation of meaningful connection, and what older generations can teach us about living a fulfilling life. Dave also challenges some uncomfortable truths about American healthcare, including why more treatment doesn't always mean better care, and why families need to start having meaningful conversations with aging parents before a crisis occurs. In this conversation: The personal experience that changed Dave's life and inspired The Rose ProgramHow tragedy can change our perspective on fear, worry, and successWhy being present starts with understanding and accepting yourselfThe lessons Dave learned from his father about humility and respectWhy modern technology may be making us less connectedThe uncomfortable truth about incentives in American healthcareHow to have meaningful conversations with aging parentsWhy quality of life matters just as much as longevityWhat it truly means to live a Life Well BalancedAbout Dr. Dave Thimons Dr. David Thimons is a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of The Rose Program, an organization focused on redefining palliative medicine and improving quality of life for people facing serious illness. His mission was deeply influenced by his daughter's cancer journey and the impact palliative medicine had on his family. Learn more about The Rose Program: https://theroseprogram.com The Rose Program - YouTube About Life Well Balanced Hosted by Nick Houpt, Life Well Balanced explores the stories, experiences, and uncomfortable truths that help us live more intentionally. Through meaningful conversations about relationships, resilience, mental wellness, business, purpose, and personal growth, we challenge what it means to be successful and discover what it means to live well. Because sometimes the most important things in life are the things we're too busy to notice. Connect with Life Well Balanced Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform, and share this conversation with someone who might need a different perspective on life. A question to think about: What experience in your life changed the way you see everything? Send us Fan Mail Support the show Hosted by Nick Houpt: linkedin.com/in/nicolas-houpt-b21b9b45/ Produced by Steven Baxendale: linkedin.com/in/steven-r-baxendale/   — Want to get in touch or share your thoughts?  Email us at: Lifewellbalancedpodcast@gmail.com

  2. Mar 13

    You're Addicted To Stress: And Don't Even Know It

    What if the reason you feel overwhelmed is not your schedule, but your nervous system? In this powerful and science-backed conversation, Dr. Ashlyn Schwartz, public health expert and founder of The Collective OM, breaks down the real connection between stress, identity, trauma, and long-term health. After losing her brother to an opioid overdose and navigating years of personal health struggles, Ashlyn rebuilt her life through nervous system regulation, breathwork, visualization, and radical self-awareness. Now, she teaches others how to move from survival mode into alignment. In this episode, we explore:  ☑️ The science behind breathwork and why it works immediately  ☑️ Identity shifts, burnout, and outgrowing old versions of yourself  ☑️ Visualization, neuroplasticity, and rewiring your future  ☑️ The difference between productivity and purpose If you are high-performing on the outside but chaotic on the inside, this conversation is your reset. Because balance is not about doing less. It is about regulating better. — Connect with Dr. Ashlyn Schwartz 🌐 www.thecollectiveom.com 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlyn-schwartz-public-health/ — Send us Fan Mail Support the show Hosted by Nick Houpt: linkedin.com/in/nicolas-houpt-b21b9b45/ Produced by Steven Baxendale: linkedin.com/in/steven-r-baxendale/   — Want to get in touch or share your thoughts?  Email us at: Lifewellbalancedpodcast@gmail.com

  3. Jan 30

    Taking the BS Out of Life: Bob Wiltfong on Comedy, Confidence, and Redefining Success

    What happens when you walk away from the spotlight—and realize the real story is just beginning? In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, Bob Wiltfong, former Daily Show correspondent, TV journalist, public speaking coach, and author of The BS Dictionary, joins Nick Houpt for a conversation about reinvention, fatherhood, and finding fulfillment beyond fame. From national television to TEDx stages, Bob brings his signature mix of humor and honesty to unpack what it really means to live authentically. He shares lessons from comedy, the cost of chasing approval, and how humor became both his career and his therapy. We explore: ✅ The transition from fame to fatherhood and what really matters most ✅ Why humor and humility are the ultimate leadership tools ✅ How “business speak” inspired The BS Dictionary and a viral TED Talk ✅ Why balance isn’t about doing it all, it’s about knowing when to let go Whether you’re reinventing yourself, chasing purpose, or learning to laugh through the chaos, this episode is packed with wisdom, wit, and heart. — 🌐 bobwiltfong.com 📘 thebsdictionary.com 🎥 ted.com/talks/bob_wiltfong_how_to_take_the_bs_out_of_business_speak_sep_2023 💼 linkedin.com/in/bobwiltfong — Send us Fan Mail Support the show Hosted by Nick Houpt: linkedin.com/in/nicolas-houpt-b21b9b45/ Produced by Steven Baxendale: linkedin.com/in/steven-r-baxendale/   — Want to get in touch or share your thoughts?  Email us at: Lifewellbalancedpodcast@gmail.com

  4. Jan 15

    Stop Trying to Fix Yourself: Recoding Your Identity to Create a Life You Love with Dr. John Schellenberg

    What if the only thing standing between you and the life you love isn't your effort, but your identity?  In this profound and high-energy episode, Dr. John Schellenberg—chiropractor, mindset mentor, and expert in Neuro Emotional Technique (NET)—joins host Nick Houpt to explore the invisible structures that govern our health, wealth, and happiness. John shares how a chance meeting at a seminar shifted the trajectory of his life and how he now helps hundreds of people "recode" their subconscious patterns to unlock lasting transformation.  From the science of how trauma is stored in our organs to the "Great Discovery" of why we can’t actually screw up our lives, John challenges the "problem-solving" loop that keeps most of us stuck. This conversation is a masterclass in shifting from a victim mentality into a creative flow.  We explore: ✅ The Power of Identity Recoding: Why you can't grow an oak tree from a maple seed—and how to shift your "inner acorn" to match your goals. ✅ Neuro Emotional Technique (NET): How unresolved emotions park themselves in your muscles and organs, and the process for releasing them. ✅ The Law of Charge Parity: Why every choice has equal benefits and drawbacks, and how neutrality leads to better decisions. ✅ Be, Do, Have: Why most weight loss journeys fail because they are approached backwards. Whether you are looking to reclaim your health or simply want to stop "squeezing" life so hard, John provides the tools to help you choose again and step into your true nature as a creator.  🌐 drschellenberg.com 🍎 weightlossrecode.com 📱 Text "Meaningful Conversation" to: (701) 866-8256  — Send us Fan Mail Support the show Hosted by Nick Houpt: linkedin.com/in/nicolas-houpt-b21b9b45/ Produced by Steven Baxendale: linkedin.com/in/steven-r-baxendale/   — Want to get in touch or share your thoughts?  Email us at: Lifewellbalancedpodcast@gmail.com

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Life Well Balanced is a podcast about what it truly means to live a fulfilled, harmonious life, at work, at home, and within yourself. Hosted by Nick Houpt, each episode features real conversations with inspiring guests who share stories, tools, and habits that support mental wellness, emotional resilience, and intentional living. Whether you're navigating burnout, seeking more presence in your relationships, or simply trying to find steadier ground, this show offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies to help you create better balance in everyday life. Our mission is to inspire and empower people to live healthier, more present, and purpose-driven lives. Our vision is to be a trusted resource for anyone committed to growth, joy, connection, and meaningful change. Tune in for grounded insights, honest dialogue, and the kind of conversations that help you feel more aligned, no matter where you are on your journey.