The Cluttered Path

Mangudai Six Productions

A Compass for Midlife: Our podcast helps listeners navigate the complex challenges of midlife through the collective wisdom of expert insights, real-life stories, scientific research, biographies, and historical narratives. Whether you're seeking deeper connection with others, navigating family dynamics, building financial literacy, planning a career transition, decluttering your life, or simply learning to enjoy life more—this is where we cut through the noise and help you craft your own roadmap to a meaningful life. Join us as we explore the human condition in search of personal growth and existential inquiry. 

  1. #31 Four Books That Will Completely Change Your Life in 2026

    1D AGO

    #31 Four Books That Will Completely Change Your Life in 2026

    Send us a text Every New Year we aim for self improvement, but true personal growth comes from shifting your mindset, not from tapping into willpower. This video shares four of the best books I've read this year that truly changed my perspective on areas like money, relationships, and cultivating mindset.  I personally recommend these books for anyone looking to create lasting change heading into the New Year. I've also included a Bonus Book that helps you tie everything together and apply what you've learned.  🎧 Listen if you want to: Create a Stress-Free, Hands-Off Plan to Build WealthFind Inner Balance and Renewed VisionFind Hope, Purpose, and GratitudeStrengthen Romantic BondsHere are the books: If you purchase through these links, it helps our show without any additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!  The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins — https://urlgeni.us/amzn/PX6g2B  A no-nonsense roadmap to financial independence and freedom from money anxiety.Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy — https://urlgeni.us/amzn/m8KC4Z Discover how mental mastery fuels high performance and calm persistence.The Inside-Out Revolution by Michael Neill — https://urlgeni.us/amzn/3Vi3X A transformational guide to understanding how our perception creates reality.The Marriage First Aid Kit by Bryce Kaye — https://urlgeni.us/amzn/yHEgvg Real strategies to heal, communicate, and reconnect deeply with your partner.And Here's the Bonus:  The Bullet Journal Method, by Ryder Carroll: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/OHwHra ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    12 min
  2. #30 Rachel Spekman: Why Smart People Stay Trapped in Jobs They Hate!

    11/26/2025

    #30 Rachel Spekman: Why Smart People Stay Trapped in Jobs They Hate!

    Send us a text What if your resume looks stellar, but your days feel hollow? We dive into the hidden costs of success (Anxiety, Insomnia, Quiet Dread) and show a measured way to pivot without blowing up your life. Our guest, career coach and therapist, Rachel Speckman, breaks down a practical framework for building a soul-aligned path where skills, values, and curiosity actually meet. You’ll hear how to translate vague dissatisfaction into clear data, spot the difference between a role problem and an environment problem, and make changes that protect both your well-being and your income. We unpack the “three Cs” of meaningful work (Community, Contribution, and Challenge) and pair them with a simple Red/Yellow/Green task audit that reveals what drains you and what lights you up.  Rachel explains why identity gets tangled with titles, how to navigate the grief of letting go, and why calculated risk beats impulsive quitting every time. From industry-adjacent pivots to role redesigns to fractional work, we explore common outcomes and the mindset shifts that make them possible. Along the way, you’ll learn to build a backwards-facing resume that surfaces hidden wins and rebuilds self-trust, especially if imposter syndrome has been running the show. Where to Find Rachel:  https://madeformorecoach.com/  _____________________________________   Resources from This Episode:  Meaningful Work, by Wes Adams & Tamara Myles: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/BEZc6 As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.  ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    24 min
  3. #29 Jack Stoltzfus - The Secret to Raising Independent Kids!

    11/12/2025

    #29 Jack Stoltzfus - The Secret to Raising Independent Kids!

    Send us a text Letting kids grow up isn’t easy. It’s beautiful, bittersweet, and takes a lot of courage. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Jack Stoltzfus shares how parents can let go with love while staying deeply connected.  Parenting is full of moments that stretch the heart. None more so than watching your kids transition into adulthood. In this conversation with Dr. Jack Stoltzfus, we explore the common pitfalls and struggles that all parents face while raising children. Laying a solid foundation while they’re young is key to developing maturity and emotional resilience. Later on, this can allow us to experience the beautiful, bittersweet season of letting go while watching them blossom into self-sufficient adults.  During this conversation, we discover how to stay connected to your teen or young adult, support their journey toward independence, and navigate our own emotions through this transition. Whether your child is preparing for college, moving out, or simply growing up, this episode will speak straight to your heart.  Where to Find Jack: Web: https://parentslettinggo.com/  _____________________________________ Jack’s Books: The Parent’s Launch Code: Loving and Letting Go of Our Adult Children, by Jack Stoltzfus https://amzn.to/4i3o4OY Growing Apart: Letting Go of Our Young Adults, by Jack Stoltzfus https://amzn.to/49U9rLU ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    44 min
  4. #28 Robert Hunt - Nobody Cares Until You Do: Why Accountability Is Your Superpower

    10/29/2025

    #28 Robert Hunt - Nobody Cares Until You Do: Why Accountability Is Your Superpower

    Send us a text From Victim to Victor: How Taking Accountability Transforms Your Life  Are you feeling stuck in your life despite trying hard to improve? Discover how shifting from a victim mentality to true accountability can change everything. In this episode, Todd interviews Robert J. Hunt, co-author of "Nobody Cares Until You Do," about the power of personal responsibility and overcoming blame and excuses.  Learn the stages of accountability and how to climb what Hunt calls the "Accountability Mountain." Whether you're struggling with finances, relationships, career challenges, or personal growth, this conversation reveals practical strategies for taking ownership of your life and moving from feeling helpless to becoming empowered. Featuring real-life stories of transformation, including how Robert and his wife eliminated $90,000 in debt by embracing accountability instead of waiting for external solutions.   Perfect for midlife listeners, business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to stop making excuses and start living the life they really want.  Where to Connect With Robert: https://refdallas.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthuntceo/   https://www.youtube.com/@nobodycaresbook6826   https://www.instagram.com/nobodycaresbook/    _____________________________________   Resources from This Episode:  Nobody Cares (Until You Do), by Salem Thyne and Robert Hunt https://amzn.to/4oKvERq Satisfaction Assessment: https://nobodycaresbook.com/resources/  As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.  ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    50 min
  5. #27 John Brink - From WAR-TORN Childhood to IMMIGRANT CEO in Canada?

    10/15/2025

    #27 John Brink - From WAR-TORN Childhood to IMMIGRANT CEO in Canada?

    Send us a text During WWII in war-torn Holland, a five-year-old watches Canadian soldiers hand out bread, butter, and cheese in a schoolyard. He decides that someday he will live in the land of his heroes. Decades later that child, John Brink, arrives in Canada with a suitcase, $25.47 in his pocket, and a desire to build his own company. What unfolds is a story of grit, passion, and the billion-dollar skill that changed everything: Communication.  We sit down with John to explore his childhood in Nazi-Occupied Holland, PTSD, and years of academic struggles that evolved into a blueprint for confident speaking and leadership. He shares the identity shift that came with discovering ADHD and Dyslexia, and how naming his neurodiversity turned shame into a superpower. From a humiliating first experience speaking in public to becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster, John walks us through the habits that transformed panic into presence: study the room, master the tech, move with purpose, choose outlines over scripts, and focus on your audience. He also reveals why a little anxiety is useful, how empathy makes moments unforgettable, and what it looks like to go off-script to elevate someone else’s story.  Along the way, we talk building lumber mills, writing books, and stepping on a bodybuilding stage in his 70s and 80s as a declaration that discipline scales across domains. If you care about public speaking, leadership, or simply finding your voice, you’ll leave with practical tactics and a deeper sense of what’s possible when you align attitude, passion, and work ethic with a clear message.  Where to Connect With John Brink:  Web: https://johnabrink.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnABrink  _____________________________________   Resources from This Episode:  Billion Dollar Communication Skills, by John A Brink  https://amzn.to/3K6RpLY Against All Odds, by John A Brink https://amzn.to/4r3CQtl Living Young, Dying Old, by John A Brink https://amzn.to/4r0I88O As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.  ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    50 min
  6. #26 Jeff Callahan - Develop COMMUNICATION Skills to Supercharge Your Life and Career!

    10/08/2025

    #26 Jeff Callahan - Develop COMMUNICATION Skills to Supercharge Your Life and Career!

    Send us a text What if confidence doesn’t come from hype, but from training yourself? We sit down with communication coach Jeff Callahan to carve out a practical path from social anxiety to authentic connection that's built on reps, helpful self-talk, and simple frameworks anyone can use. As a child, Jeff’s story began with a severe stuttering problem but today he has a thriving coaching practice featured by Inc., Time, and Business Insider. The main lesson is to become competent at communicating, because competence breeds confidence.  We dig into why so many adults feel behind on soft skills (years of technical focus, the rise of screens and algorithms, and the slow disappearance of third spaces) and how we can overcome deficiencies. Jeff shares a weekly audit to surface hidden micro-opportunities for practice, a method to stack small wins, and a mental model to replace harsh, inaccurate stories with neutral, helpful interpretations. You’ll also learn the “spokes” method to keep conversations flowing without memorized scripts. More reps = less pressure.  The professional upside is real. Jeff explains how clearer self-advocacy can translate to raises, promotions, and leadership visibility, with an example of a client who landed a 10% salary bump and a path to promotion by refining his message. If you’ve ever felt isolated or stuck waiting to “feel ready,” this conversation provides a way forward: show up, practice small, choose helpful stories, and let confidence flow out of your competence.  Resources From Jeff:  Email: jeff@becomemorecompelling.com Free 56 Minute Training on Group Conversations: https://www.becomemorecompelling.com/group  Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/becomemorecompelling  ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    59 min
  7. #25 Ray Martin - Winning at Life, Yet Feeling Empty Inside: A CEO Walks Away

    09/24/2025

    #25 Ray Martin - Winning at Life, Yet Feeling Empty Inside: A CEO Walks Away

    Send us a text What happens when you achieve everything society says will make you happy, only to discover it's left you feeling empty? Ray Martin, award-winning business leader turned nomadic explorer, discovered that his greatest achievement wasn't building a successful company — it was finding the courage to walk away from it all and build something better.  In this transformative conversation, Ray reveals how a planned six-month sabbatical unexpectedly turned into a 14-year journey living out of nothing but a backpack. After winning "Business Leader of the Year" at 42, Ray faced a series of personal crises — divorce, his father's death, and having to sell his company — that forced him to confront the uncomfortable truth that he was "living someone else's life." What followed was a remarkable odyssey of self-discovery across Asia that completely transformed his relationship with success, purpose, and happiness.  The turning point came during a 10-day silent meditation retreat in a Buddhist monastery, where Ray experienced a profound mental shift that allowed him to separate himself from the constant "noise" of his thinking mind. This newfound clarity inspired him to train for marathons, eventually completing five (including New York) and raising approximately $50,000 for causes including elephant sanctuaries and Nepalese orphanages.  Ray shares practical wisdom about using what he calls "confirmation signals" to navigate life decisions, creating a personal dashboard of values, vision, and purpose, and the crucial shift from an outside-in to inside-out orientation to happiness. His journey illustrates that true fulfillment comes not from external achievements but from aligning our actions with our deepest values.  Whether you're feeling trapped in your career, questioning your path, or simply curious about alternative approaches to finding meaning, Ray's story offers both inspiration and practical guidance for anyone brave enough to pursue their authentic path. Connect with Ray through his book "Life Without a Tie" or find him on LinkedIn to learn more about his extraordinary journey. Connect With Ray: https://lifewithoutatie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachraymartin/  _____________________________________   Resources from This Episode:  Life Without a Tie, by Ray Martin https://amzn.to/3X2jFlV The Inside Out Revolution, by Michael Neill https://amzn.to/4hYVHBy As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.  ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    58 min
  8. #24 Andrew Profaci - Lessons From a Cult Survivor

    09/10/2025

    #24 Andrew Profaci - Lessons From a Cult Survivor

    Send us a text In this episode, we delve into Andrew Profaci's incredible escape from the notorious Love Has Won cult, revealing the darkest corners of psychological manipulation and leading to the illuminating light of truth. As Amy Carlson's closest companion, Andrew witnessed firsthand how cult leaders exploit vulnerabilities through powerful psychological control, transforming ordinary individuals into devoted followers.  What makes Andrew's story compelling goes beyond sensational headlines featured on Dateline, HBO, and Vice; it encapsulates a universal human struggle with vulnerability and belief systems. His tumultuous childhood experiences left him susceptible to the cult's seductive allure. After a tragic car accident at 18 claimed his friend's life and led to his own opioid addiction, profound spiritual questions emerged—serving as an unexpected gateway to a path he never anticipated.  The pivotal moment of Andrew arriving at the cult’s house reveals shocking truths—encountering an incoherent, intoxicated woman instead of the charismatic leader he expected. Despite immediately recognizing red flags, he remained entangled in this web of deception. This tension between awareness and attachment forms the backbone of his narrative, culminating in his brave decision to expose a massive hoax from within and ultimately break free.  Embark on this transformative journey through manipulation, resilience, and redemption with Andrew Profaci’s remarkable story. His memoir "The War on Love" provides deeper insights into these harrowing experiences while offering wisdom for anyone questioning their beliefs and seeking personal freedom. Where to Find Andrew:  https://thewaronlove.com/  _____________________________________   Resources from This Episode:  The War on Love: The Origin Story of Love Has Won and the rise of Mother God, by Andrew-Ryan Profaci https://urlgeni.us/amzn/1w20EN As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.  ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

    1h 10m
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A Compass for Midlife: Our podcast helps listeners navigate the complex challenges of midlife through the collective wisdom of expert insights, real-life stories, scientific research, biographies, and historical narratives. Whether you're seeking deeper connection with others, navigating family dynamics, building financial literacy, planning a career transition, decluttering your life, or simply learning to enjoy life more—this is where we cut through the noise and help you craft your own roadmap to a meaningful life. Join us as we explore the human condition in search of personal growth and existential inquiry.