Lessons in the Wild

Mitch Adams

Through wrong turns. Hard seasons. Big risks. Unexpected wins. Painful mistakes. Quiet breakthroughs. And the moments that force you to become someone new. Lessons in the Wild is a podcast about the wisdom people earn by actually living. We sit down with guests from different professions, cultures, industries, backgrounds, and walks of life to uncover the lessons hidden inside their real experiences—the choices that changed them, the setbacks that humbled them, the risks that paid off, the beliefs they had to unlearn, and the truths they now carry with them. If life has tested you, stretched you, surprised you, or taught you something the hard way, your story matters. Because somewhere out there, someone may be facing a challenge you have already survived. At Lessons in the Wild, we believe wisdom becomes more powerful when it leaves one person’s life and enters another. The idea is simple: real life creates real lessons—and real lessons are worth sharing. Come tell us what life taught you. Lessons in the Wild — where experience becomes wisdom.

Episodes

  1. 18h ago

    Junna Liao: How to Reinvent Your Life, Find Purpose & Create Miracles Through Mindset and Self-Love

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What if the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve still leaves you feeling unfulfilled? What if you could redesign your life and create possibilities you once thought were impossible? In this inspiring episode of Lessons in the Wild, Junna Liao, founder of MMDC Alchemy, three-time Financial Planner of the Year, and creator of Miracle Alchemy™, shares her powerful journey from financial success to discovering deeper purpose, lasting happiness, and inner fulfillment. After facing a life-changing health crisis, Junna realized that wealth and achievement don’t always lead to a life that feels truly meaningful. Today, she helps people overcome burnout, navigate career transitions, reconnect with their inner power, and redefine success on their own terms. Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/1790887730216649a61cdfea5 Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Junna: Social Media: Website -https://mmdcalchemy.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mmdc.alchemy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmdcalchemy

    Junna Liao: How to Reinvent Your Life, Find Purpose & Create Miracles Through Mindset and Self-Love
  2. 1d ago

    Burnout & Stress: How to Stop Autopilot Decisions | Paula Houlihan

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Is your success costing you your health, happiness, and peace of mind? What if the biggest threat to your success isn't poor time management, but the unconscious decisions you make under stress? In this episode of Lessons in the Wild, executive coach and keynote speaker Paula Houlihan shares how years of chronic workplace stress led to a life-threatening adrenal crisis—and transformed her understanding of success, leadership, and well-being. Discover how stress affects decision-making, why high achievers often overlook burnout warning signs, and how to break free from stress-driven autopilot. Paula introduces her Choice Mastery™ approach to help leaders make intentional decisions, protect their energy, and achieve sustainable success without sacrificing what matters most. Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/178043371735621396ceab7ad Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Paula: Social Media: Website -https://paulahoulihan.com/about/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@PaulaHoulihan LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulahoulihan/

    Burnout & Stress: How to Stop Autopilot Decisions | Paula Houlihan
  3. 3d ago

    Diana Gasper: Invisible Grief, Burnout & Finding Yourself Again | Identity, Healing and Reinvention

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What happens when you look successful on the outside but feel lost on the inside? In this powerful episode of Lessons in the Wild, Diana Gasper, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of The Loss Was Real. So Is The Return., shares her journey through career changes, business challenges, and life transitions that reshaped her identity. Discover the hidden impact of invisible grief, why high achievers can feel disconnected despite their success, and how constantly pushing forward can leave you feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. Diana introduces The Return, her 40-day framework rooted in African wisdom, to help people move beyond surviving change and begin rebuilding their lives with intention. Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/1790100890737126ea45ba6a2 Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Diana: Social Media: Website - https://www.thedianagasper.com/#home Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@thedianagasper1 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Gasper/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedianagasper/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-gasper-546193262 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@diana_gasper/

    Diana Gasper: Invisible Grief, Burnout & Finding Yourself Again | Identity, Healing and Reinvention
  4. 6d ago

    Shauna Hawkes: How to Trust Yourself, Overcome Self-Doubt & Navigate Life Changes with Confidence

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Are you feeling stuck between the life you’ve outgrown and the next chapter you’re afraid to begin? What if the answer isn’t trying harder, but learning to trust yourself again? In this episode of Lessons in the Wild, Shauna Hawkes, speaker, nervous system specialist, and Next Chapter mentor, reveals how to navigate life transitions, overcome self-doubt, and build lasting self-trust. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in personal development, Shauna explores why mindset alone isn’t always enough, how your nervous system influences change, and how to recognize the difference between intuition and fear. Discover how to break old patterns, reconnect with yourself, and move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/179082378571422218243608f Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Shauna: Social Media: Website - https://www.shaunahawkes.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@shaunahawkes6428 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yogabyshauna/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shaunahawkes/

    Shauna Hawkes: How to Trust Yourself, Overcome Self-Doubt & Navigate Life Changes with Confidence
  5. 6d ago

    Ted Kopecko: How to Find JOY, Escape Burnout & Create a Life of Purpose, Freedom and Fulfillment

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Are you working hard, achieving success, yet still feeling stuck, burned out, or unfulfilled? What if you're building a successful life but forgetting to enjoy it? In this episode of Lessons in the Wild, Ted Kopecko, #1 International Bestselling Author of Finding JOY… Journey Of You, shares how to shift from Life-Led to JOY-Led living. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in business, architecture, commercial real estate, and entrepreneurship, Ted reveals how mindset, identity, and time shape your happiness, purpose, and success. Discover how to break free from survival mode, overcome misalignment, redefine success, and start intentionally creating a life that reflects who you truly are. Because being busy isn't always progress, and success means little if it costs you your joy. Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/tedk Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Ted: Social Media: Website - https://www.findingjoy.us/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-kopecko-author-finding-joy-journey-of-you-36592441/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TDKopecko Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ultimate.life/

    Ted Kopecko: How to Find JOY, Escape Burnout & Create a Life of Purpose, Freedom and Fulfillment
  6. Oct 13

    Heather Schmid: Sound Healing, Humming & Vibrational Voice to Reduce Stress and Find Your Voice

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What if the sound that could help you feel more grounded was already inside you? You don't need to sing beautifully to discover the power of your own voice! In this fascinating episode, Heather Schmid, classically trained opera singer, international recording artist, filmmaker, and creator of Vibrational Voice, reveals why she's shifting from making beautiful sound to making useful sound. After 25 years in music, Heather explores how breath, humming, and sustained tones can become simple tools for relaxation, self-expression, and conscious living. Discover why making your own sound is different from receiving a sound bath, how your “survival voice” may shape the way you communicate, and why so many people feel embarrassed to use their natural voices. Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/178396471626891159701f4f1 Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Heather: Social Media: Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherschmid1 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/heatherschmidofficial Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherSchmid Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heatherschmidofficial/

    Heather Schmid: Sound Healing, Humming & Vibrational Voice to Reduce Stress and Find Your Voice
  7. Oct 13

    Angel Willard: Healing Childhood Trauma, Breaking Cycles & Finding Yourself Again | Her Story

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What does it take to rebuild your life after trauma, separation, and devastating setbacks? For Angel Willard, the fight was about more than survival—it was about finding her way back to herself. In this powerful episode of Fighting to Come Home: Coming Home to Myself, author Angel Willard opens up about her deeply personal journey through childhood trauma, motherhood, chronic pain, incarceration, accountability, and healing. Discover how she faced painful experiences, confronted past choices, and found the courage to break cycles, reclaim her voice, and begin again. Her story explores the struggles of being misunderstood, the challenges of rebuilding family relationships, and the resilience it takes to move forward when life doesn't go as planned. Can your past define you, or can you write a new chapter? Host Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/member/lessonsinthewild Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/angelwillard Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Angel: Social Media: Pinterest:https://ca.pinterest.com/angelwillerd/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jeff.angel.doucet Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeffdoucet4

    Angel Willard: Healing Childhood Trauma, Breaking Cycles & Finding Yourself Again | Her Story
  8. Oct 12

    Finding Hope, Healing & Purpose Through Grief | Katie Rizzo

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! How does a mother find the strength to keep living after losing her child? On September 17, 2024, Katie Rizzo lost her firstborn son, Nicholas, to addiction. What followed was an unimaginable journey through grief, love, and an unexpected discovery: poetry became her way of staying connected to him. In this deeply moving conversation, Katie shares the inspiration behind The Trimesters of Grief, how loss reshaped her understanding of life, and why healing doesn't mean forgetting someone you love. Discover how creativity, faith, emotional resilience, and compassion can help people navigate heartbreaking experiences. Her story reminds us that grief doesn't have to disappear for life to move forward. 📖 Explore Katie's books and work: https://katierizzo.com/ 🧠 Curious how your personality influences emotional responses and personal growth? Take the FREE Personality Peek Quiz: 👉 https://personalitypeek.com/free-personality-quiz 💬 What has grief taught you about love? Share your thoughts below. Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17911486117103527ffbb15fd Guest Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/177376620816253055b4f2efc Looking to connect with great podcast hosts and guests? Join PodMatch and start finding meaningful podcast opportunities here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lessonsinthewild #Podmatch More Info About the Guest Check out these links for Katie: Website: https://www.katierizzo.com/ Social Media: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie007rizzo Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rizzoboysandagirl/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katierizzo007/

    Finding Hope, Healing & Purpose Through Grief | Katie Rizzo

About

Through wrong turns. Hard seasons. Big risks. Unexpected wins. Painful mistakes. Quiet breakthroughs. And the moments that force you to become someone new. Lessons in the Wild is a podcast about the wisdom people earn by actually living. We sit down with guests from different professions, cultures, industries, backgrounds, and walks of life to uncover the lessons hidden inside their real experiences—the choices that changed them, the setbacks that humbled them, the risks that paid off, the beliefs they had to unlearn, and the truths they now carry with them. If life has tested you, stretched you, surprised you, or taught you something the hard way, your story matters. Because somewhere out there, someone may be facing a challenge you have already survived. At Lessons in the Wild, we believe wisdom becomes more powerful when it leaves one person’s life and enters another. The idea is simple: real life creates real lessons—and real lessons are worth sharing. Come tell us what life taught you. Lessons in the Wild — where experience becomes wisdom.