The Cluttered Path

Mangudai Six Productions
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

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. #34 Todd Cowles | High School Dropout to Data & AI Architect

    5D AGO

    #34 Todd Cowles | High School Dropout to Data & AI Architect

    Send a text Some stories punch through the noise because they’re honest, messy, and hopeful. Todd Cowles grew up with absentee parents, learned hustle the hard way, and nearly derailed himself with bad friends and worse choices. Then a rival reached out, a mentor stepped in, and a new path opened. Service, leadership, and the painstaking work of building his own self worth. A single pivot sent Todd to college, into the Air Force, and eventually into the tech industry where he became a Data and AI Architect, and he now helps major corporate brands generate real outcomes fast. We talk about the inflection points that matter: volunteering under a United Way leader who modeled service, a chance to attend college that unlocked a love of learning, and battlefield nights in Baghdad that left scars and clarity. Todd shares candidly about PTSD, faith, and the practice of reparenting: learning to speak to your younger self with patience and strength. The conversation moves from street‑level survival to practical tools anyone can use to change their arc. On the tech side, Todd breaks down how a help desk job became a springboard to VMware, Splunk, SPSS, and Apache Spark, and why Databricks turned into a platform for impact. He details how AI serves as a force multiplier, compressing end‑to‑end data, ML, and app delivery from months to days. We explore why core skills like public speaking matter more than ever, and how AI has drastically decreased delivery times. This episode is a blueprint for midlife reinvention and professional growth: choose friends wisely, take the next courageous step, consult yourself out of a job, and be ready to reinvent every few years. If you’ve ever felt behind or boxed in, Todd’s story is inspiring. Find Todd Cowles on LinkedIN ________________________________________________________________ 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 25m
  2. #33 Cheryl Drury | How Old Books Reshape Modern Minds

    JAN 29

    #33 Cheryl Drury | How Old Books Reshape Modern Minds

    Send us a text In this episode, Todd talks with Cheryl Drury, host of Crack the Book Podcast, about how old words can sharpen modern minds. We dig into why reading classics isn’t simply nostalgia, it’s mental training!  Cheryl explains how reading Plato, Homer, and Shakespeare can push your limits, deepen focus, and crack open real mental growth in midlife. No fluff. Just ancient ideas proving their power in real life.  You’ll learn:  Why your brain actually craves complex writing How reading slowly builds clarity and confidence What’s wrong with our bite-sized information diet How Cheryl’s reading project turned into a purpose Where to Find Cheryl: Look for “Crack the Book Podcast” or… https://cheryldrury.substack.com/ _____________________________________   Classic Books Mentioned in this Episode: The Trial and Death of Socrates: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/s1Ihj7 The Iliad, by Homer: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/kpbBL1 The Odyssey, by Homer: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/uBeYhr Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/adBqMa Discourses, by Epictetus: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/Hy3FtB Nicomachean Ethics, by Aristotle: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/JyHbr1 Hamlet, by Shakespeare: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/qZE74I The Divine Comedy, Dante: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/BPRt7D The Life of Frederick Douglass: https://amzn.to/4qLy8Qo 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
  3. #32 Paul Stryer: How to Cut Costs, Drama, and Stress | Minimalist Mindset

    JAN 14

    #32 Paul Stryer: How to Cut Costs, Drama, and Stress | Minimalist Mindset

    Send us a text What if the problem isn’t that you need more… but that you’re carrying too much? In this episode of The Cluttered Path, Todd sits down with Paul Stryer, author of Living the Zero Life, to explore a radically different approach to minimalism, not about owning fewer things, but about releasing the emotional, financial, and psychological weight that quietly drains your life.  Paul shares his real journey through divorce, overwhelming debt, corporate burnout, and the pressure of performing a life that looked successful but felt heavy. Out of that collapse came a philosophy he calls mental minimalism, the intentional subtraction of drama, unnecessary responsibility, and unsustainable cost of living in order to reclaim peace, clarity, and freedom.  This conversation goes beyond surface-level self-help and into the deeper work of intentional living, simple living, and life design. It’s about understanding why “someday freedom” is a myth, why peace is built through subtraction, and how money, identity, relationships, and self-worth quietly intertwine beneath the noise.  🎧 In this episode, you’ll explore:  Why minimalism starts in the mind, not the closet How emotional and financial clutter keep you stuck in survival mode The hidden cost of performing success instead of living in alignment Why doing less of the wrong things creates more freedom than doing more A practical framework for designing a lighter, calmer, more intentional life If your life looks good on the outside but feels expensive on the inside, this episode offers a grounded reminder: Freedom doesn’t come from adding more habits, goals, or hustle. It comes from letting go of what was never yours to carry in the first place.  The cost of peace is zero. Where to Find Paul:  Website: https://livingthezerolife.com  Email: livingthezerolife@gmail.com   _____________________________________   Resources from This Episode:   The Simple Path to Wealth, by JL Collins: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/PX6g2B  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

    51 min
  4. #31 Four Books That Will Completely Change Your Life in 2026

    12/31/2025

    #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
  5. #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
  6. #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
  7. #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
  8. #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
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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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Mangudai Six Productions
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Cluttered Path
  • Show Website
    The Cluttered Path