Carlos Mendiola

Amy Owen: Why We Need To Be Listening To Our Heart Brain: A Meditation

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had a deep dive into meditation with Amy Owen, yoga teacher and dula. 

Today on the show we are joined by Amy Owen. Amy is a mother of three, a birth doula, a retreat leader, a yoga instructor at Yoga View in Chicago City, and has been practicing meditation since the ripe year of 1986. Although meditation might have not been as popular in the western world back then, today more and more people are wanting to include meditation into their lives and science is even stepping up and proving its life-changing benefits. In this episode, we discuss what meditation is, the benefits of meditation and what exactly happens to our mind when we do it. Amy explains the difference between the head brain and the heart brain and how meditation aims to strengthen the heart brain, which is growing progressively weaker with the demands of busy western life. Amy also shares one of her favorite mantra’s and invites us to try out one of her favorite simple meditations that you can start doing today. Whether you are new to meditation, are thinking of doing it or have been a lifelong meditator like Amy herself – this episode is for you.

Take a listen!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes:

  • Amy explains the head brain and the heart brain and how we use them in modern life. [3:15]

  • Why our head brains are over-developed and our heart brains are under-developed. [6:20]

  • Learn why meditation is a tool to develop the heart brain and quiet the head brain. [7:50]

  • Amy gives useful tips for quietening a busy, over-thinking mind during meditation. [9:30]

  • Learn a technique and mantra that Amy uses to help ease the mind into meditation. [10:50]

  • Find out what a mantra is and why it is a powerful tool in meditation. [11:15]

  • Why Amy likes the simple repletion of the mantra: I [inhale]. Am [exhale]. [11:30]

  • Close your eyes and do a short meditation along with Amy and I in this podcast. [12:20]

  • And much more!

More about Amy

by Carlos Mendiola

Bryan Reeves: On Communication in Relationship, Avoid The Death Gap

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had an inspirational conversation with, Bryan Reeves, relationship coach, blogger, and author.

Today we welcome repeat guest, Bryan Reeves. Bryan is a relationship ninja, coach, blogger and author and you can learn more about him and his personal journey in an earlier episode he did with us. But for today, we spend most of the time diving into what he calls the “Death Gap.” Some people are more inclined toward logic (masculine) and others more toward intuition (feminine) and Bryan describes the Death Gap as that space in a relationship where one person comes from a more logical place and the other person comes from a more intuitive place. The feelings versus the analysis that lets two people fall into a gap of disconnection in their relationship. We’ve all been there, right? I know I have. In this episode, Bryan walks us through how to avoid this disconnection and how to make the changes in the relationship that you want. This is a really insightful information that will help you in a relationship, or if you’re single, it will surely help you going into a relationship. Bryan gives us the specific tools and ideas to help us make those changes and become better communicators with our partners and even our family members, friends and colleagues.

Take a listen!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • How Bryan went from the military to becoming a relationship coach. [2:50]

  • Why men continue to live in adolescence well into their forties. [5:20]

  • The intimate relationship as the catalyst for men’s inner crisis. [4:07]

  • What Bryan means by ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ energies. [7:30]

  • The values of masculine logic versus the values of feminine intuition. [10:17]

  • Are we using our logic to serve and act on our intuitive knowing? [14:27]

  • How the logical and the intuitive partner try to fix disconnect. [15:00]

  • What an intuitive partner needs to know about their logical partner. [16:30]

  • How to make your partner feel free rather than fearful. [17:14]

  • Why you need to avoid each other’s triggers in order to communicate effectively. [19:00]

  • Why It only takes one person to break the “Death Gap” cycle. [20:00]

  • Are you building a castle that has no life inside of it? [22:10]

  • Being comfortable with being uncomfortable in our feelings. [24:04]

  • Embracing difference: Communicating in a way that serves your partner. [31:30]

  • And much more!

More about Bryan

by Carlos Mendiola

Dr. Sharad Paul: Hacking Our Genetic Codes To Become The Best Version Of Ourselves

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had an inspirational conversation with, Dr. Paul Sharad, geneticist and author.

Today on the show, we welcome Dr. Sharad Paul. Dr. Paul is a world-renowned geneticist and thought leader on the topic of genetics. Dr. Paul has discovered how to tap into genes to figure out who we really are, what makes us tick and how we can hack our own genetic codes to become the best version of ourselves. He is also the author of The Genetics Of Health, a book he wrote to help us take charge of our health by understanding the connection between our evolutionary past and our future wellbeing.

But what does it mean to think about genetics in terms of authenticity? How do we tie the way we are made, or our blueprint, into how we live and become our truer self – in our health, our life and our business? Dr. Paul has his MD, a Masters in Philosophy and Law and has some extremely thoughtful, human and personal perspectives on health. In this episode, we explore how ow our unique DNA effects the way we respond to everyday things like food, exercise, stress, prescription drugs and even coffee!

Take a listen!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • Why genes are our blueprints and not our destiny. [3:00]

  • Paul’s thoughts on today’s trends and fads of health. [04:05]

  • What does it mean to eat for your gene type? [07:10]

  • The different types of gene testing and how they can benefit you. [10:27]

  • Is stress really one of the major reasons for illness in America? [12:16]

  • Why are modern humans today in a constant state of flight? [16:28]

  • The role of genetics versus the role of environment. [19:05]

  • Discover why Dr. Paul hasn’t had a sick day in over 30 years. [22:47]

  • Why medicine is not health: How we can take personal responsibility for our bodies. [26:08]

  • How the tango and line dancing can lower your risk of dementia. [29:50]

More about Paul

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by Carlos Mendiola

Jake Eagle: How to Have Authentic Relationships

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had an inspirational conversation with, Jake Eagle Psychotherapist and coach. 

Today on the show we are joined by Jake Eagle. Jake is a licensed Psychotherapist for 25 years and now he coaches and mentors individuals and couples. He and his wife, Hannah, have created books, online courses, retreats, and programs. Hannah practiced classical Homeopathy for twenty years in New Mexico and now she provides alternative health consultations. Jake and Hannah have been happily married since 1993 and both love how easy their relationship has become. This is all due to the communication and relating skills they use on a day-to-day basis from the practice of Live Conscious.

Jake and Hanna bring about this very different view of relationships in their course, Dating, Relating and Mating, and they bring up this idea that it should be easy. You don’t have to push into your wounds to heal through your partner, that you actually should think about your values. I mean, what an idea, right? Before you get married, spending time to think about what your core values are and how they relate to the other person to determine if you are in fact compatible. I really enjoyed our conversation and I know you will, too.

Keep listening!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • The first phase of dating and the difficulty of what that leads to later in the relationship. [5:45]

  • An overview of the dating, relating, and mating phases and what they should look like. [06:05]

  • Understanding the concept of presenting yourself for who you truly are; authentic self. [10:04]

  • Seeing life as an opportunity for growth and evolution, rather than making it difficult. [12:51]

  • Recognizing that we sometimes victimize ourselves when we really are not victims. [14:25]

  • An unusual view of relationships; the idea of being intolerant. [15:43]

  • The three keys for communicating through intolerance: perception language, witnessing. [18:13]

  • Forming high-level agreements for non-negotiable values for each person in the relationship. [21:04]

  • Breaking through the myth and understanding that love is not always enough to conquer all. [22:13]

  • Defining the act of love and how it is centered around reflecting back their inner beauty. [24:44]

  • Learning to heal and care for yourself through loving others, and letting others love you. [29:33]

  • Why authenticity requires presence and respectfully witnessing to yourself and others. [31:37]

More about Jake

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by Carlos Mendiola

Michelle Tillis Lederman: 11 Laws of Likability

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had an inspirational conversation with, Michelle Tillis Lederman.

Today we welcome Michelle Tillis Lederman. She is named one of Forbes top 25 networking experts, is the author of three books including

The 11 Laws Of Likability

and her latest,

Nail The Interview, Land The Job.

Michelle is the CEO of Executive Essentials, which provides custom communication leadership training and coaching programs. She has appeared on NBC, CBS, FOX, Skill King, PR, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Working Mother, US News and World Report and US Today, just to name just a few! In this episode, we walk through two of the

11 Laws Of Likability

and believe it or not, the very first law is all around authenticity. If you are struggling to make authentic connections or getting people to respond well to you or build the likability that you are looking for in your life, Michelle has very clear practical ways of thinking about authenticity in terms of likability. Today we touch on self-reflection, giving without expectation, and reframing what you feel you “have” to do. Keep listening!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • Moving from skills to passion: Michelle’s midlife crisis in her 20’ [3:34]

  • Why Michelle decided to hone in on the idea of likability. [7:50]

  • Michelle gives an overview of her book 11 Laws Of Likability.[9:19]

  • Why chapter one focuses on the law of authenticity. [10:10]

  • The difference between flexing and squashing your attributes. [16:40]

  • Reframing what we get to, want to, should do or have to do. [19:39]

  • The law of giving as the fundamental law to authentic connection. [27:20]

  • Why Michelle wrote Nail The Interview, Land The Job for veterans. [35:18]

  • Understanding that everything comes down to relationships. [37:34]

More about Michelle

Websites: www.michelletillislederman.com/, www.executiveessentials.org/Book Sites; www.11lawsoflikability.com/, www.heroesgethired.com/YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/MichelleLedermanLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/communicationexpertspeakerMichelle on Twitter — https://twitter.com/mtlederman.Michelle’s Blog — https://michelletillislederman.com/blog/Michelle’s Facebook Page — https://www.facebook.com/MichelleTillisLedermanFree Gift Pack — https://michelletillislederman.com/giftpack/

More information

by Carlos Mendiola

Marcus Aurelius Anderson: Gift of Adversity

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had an inspirational conversation with, Marcus Anderson. 

On today’s show we welcome Marcus Aurelius Anderson, Coach, Speaker, and Author of his new book, 

The Gift of Adversity

. While preparing to deploy with the U.S. Army, Marcus suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. His life was turned upside down, and after dying twice on the operating table, he was told he would never be able to walk or use his hands again. Days quickly turned into months, and he was forced into life-changing soul searching. He discovered he was left with two choices, he could either be a victim, or he could change his mindset. Having no other option, he began looking for any lessons to be learned from his injury and soon discovered that his adversity was a gift.Marcus now speaks, teaches, and writes to inspire others to actualize their full potential and achieve their goals and aspirations. this man has a remarkable story and believe me it’s one you want to hear, keep listening to hear more as we talk about the gift of adversity and staying true to who you are.Keep listening!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • What led Marcus to making a life changing decision. [4:19]

  • Marcus’s path to joining the military. [12:22]

  • Military training versus military combat. [17:40]

  • Why adversity is relative to everybody. [19:31]

  • Understand how Marcus’s injury occurred. [22:45]

  • Listen as Marcus tells about his near death experiences. [28:21]

  • Being a victim or changing your mentality. [33:25]

  • Pain and discomfort being the best teachers. [37:13]

  • Adversity as the ultimate form of accountability. [42:29]

  • If everything is a priority then nothing is a priority. [47:10]

  • Living for the moment and minimizing distractions. [48:53]

  • Being true to yourself and allowing your actions to reflect your truth. [50:49]

  • And much more!

More About Marcus

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by Carlos Mendiola

Kute Blackson: Step into Your Authentic Self with Joy and Self Love

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, we had a favorite interviewee back on, Kute Blackson, transformational coach and author.  

On today’s show we welcome Kute Blackson, Transformational Life Coach and author of the book

You A

re

The One

.

This guy just brings it. I really encourage you to check out this episode if you're looking for a spiritual guided message, deeply engaged in this idea of authenticity. We discussed everything from why it is that multimillionaires, billionaires don’t feel happy, the wounds that need to heal before you can find what you love, what you need to be to be loved and what gets in the way. I mean, we just hit on all sorts of amazing topics and Kute speaks to each and every one of them, from a heartfelt, vulnerable and deeply passionate place. Keep listening!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • Reclaiming your power and taking responsibility. [2:53]

  • Why the wealthiest people aren’t always the happiest people. [8:37]

  • Living an authentic life and being in alignment with your core truth. [10:03]

  • The importance of knowing who you really are. [12:42]

  • Disconnecting from pain and forming masks & personas to feel validated and loved. [16:30]

  • Building your life and relationships on a foundation of truth and authenticity. [19:33]

  • Going through the process in order to be able to be yourself and feel alive. [22:23]

  • Following your heart even if you don’t know where you’re going. [25:20]

  • Joy: being in touch with the true spirit, the true essence, not based on external stuff. [28:19]

  • Kute’s humbling journey of writing his book. [31:20]

  • And much more!

More About Kute

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by Carlos Mendiola

Daniel Jordi: Dreams Manifest Through Having Trust in Yourself

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, I had a deeply honest conversation with Daniel Jordi, entrepreneur and Managing Director of Leadership Bridge.

Today on the show we welcome Daniel Jordi. Daniel is the Managing Director of leadersbridge.org, which is a company that connects leaders, CEO’s, entrepreneurs, organizations, and partners to come together so that they can build and create new things.  It took Daniel many years to realize that he was much more than a networker – that he was a connector. Based on trust, intuition, and leading an authentic life – Daniel has developed a unique and creative business model that builds meaningful relationships. In today’s episode, Daniel shares, in the most honest way possible, his personal journey. One where he started as a real estate agent, then became a recruiter, until he eventually realized that his purpose was to be a connector. Despite having virtually no friends in school, Daniel became a person who brought others together through a deep understanding of himself. He began creating intimate meet up events that people wanted fly across the world to attend, which eventually led to his business model today. But underneath all of his accomplishments, was a yearning for self-knowledge, to trust his gut, to trust who he is and to really dial in to that inner intuition and let that be a guiding force in life. Great conversation about finding your purpose and fierce faith – take a listen!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • How Daniel got business people flying in from around the world for a drink at a bar. [4:40]

  • When Daniel started realizing that he was a connector. [9:30]

  • The difference between a networker and a connector. [12:23]

  • Building trust and an alignment of values as a connector. [16:30]

  • Trusting your gut and intuition above all else. [17:31]

  • Finding your purpose through nothing but fierce faith. [22:18]

  • The back story behind Daniel’s innovative business model. [28:40]

  • Realigning what you do with who you are, to live an authentic life. [33:27]

  • How two worlds need to come together for happiness and success. [35:40]

  • And much more!

More About Daniel

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by Carlos Mendiola

Tara Mohr: Play Big

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, I had an enjoyable conversation with TaraMohr is an expert on women’s leadership and wellbeing. She is the author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead.

Today on the show we have Tara Mohr joining us. Tara is an expert on women’s leadership and wellbeing. She is the author of the very successful book,

Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for W

omen Who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead

, which was named the best book of the year by Apple’s iBooks. Her book is packed solid with legitimate, practical advice that you can apply today. Her work featured on The Today Show, the New York Times, Goop, and the Harvard Business Review.In this episode we walked through many insightful and hands-on things you can do to play big. We also touch on how to speak up, and find out more about why don’t we lead and speak up from a big place within ourselves. Tara definitely brought it today, I know you’re going to enjoy today’s show. From Stanford to Yale, Tara has had quite an education, but brings it right down to your everyday life to think about how to lead big, particularly for the women out there. For coaches, therapists, and managers who want to grow and have personal growth in your life, tune in to hear what Tara has to say.

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • Why frustration with the lack of women’s leadership in our world inspired Tara’s book. [2:49]

  • The responsibility of a leader to give practical, actionable advice. [3:52]

  • Learning to distinguish between the voice of the inner critic and realistic thinking. [5:27]

  • Recognizing the vicious cycle of being fueled by your inner critic. [9:50]

  • Moving away from the inner critic fueled motivation towards motivation from a positive place. [11:32]

  • Chronic health problems associated with working from a fear-fueled state. [13:15]

  • The limitations of being motivated by your inner critic; what it cannot help you do. [14:20]

  • Visualizing your future self and the inner-mentor visualization technique. [17:32]

  • The inner mentor as a power tool for stepping into the life and work you feel called toward. [26:49]

  • Understanding speech habits and how they affect the expression of our communication. [31:14]

  • The overvaluing of expertise that women in particular have been tricked into. [38:58]

  • Taking a stance of listening to your dreams and giving yourself permission to pursue them. [42:11]

  • And much more!

More About Tara

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by Carlos Mendiola

Mark Aramli: Shark Tank Fail to Success

In this episode of Art of Authenticity, I had an enjoyable conversation with Mark Aramlli, entrepreneur

On today’s episode, we welcome Mark Aramli. Mark is the CEO and the founder of BedJet, a climate control device he engineered for beds. Have you heard of Shark Tank? If you are not familiar with it, Shark Tank is a popular TV show where entrepreneurs are invited to pitch their products or services to multi-millionaires and an audience of over seven million viewers. No pressure right? After months of preparation, Mark walks us through his experience going on the show and being one of the biggest failures that Shark Tank has ever seen and despite the absolutely brutal reply from the billionaires, despite all the negative feedback, Mark got up, mortgaged his house (twice) and still made it happen. Today BedJet is the #1 customer rated product in the mattress category on Amazon and has received hundreds of, almost all, five-star reviews. Take a listen to this great story about how to turn failure into success and how to not fall prey to the talk and approvals of others. An inspiring story, take a listen!

Thanks for Listening

Again, thank you so much for your support! Please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already!

Show Notes

  • How Mark was unexpectedly invited to apply to Shark Tank. [03:49]

  • How the Shark Tank process helped mark refine his product pitch. [06:58]

  • The challenges in creating a product that’s inventing a new product category. [08:54]

  • Exposing BedJet to seven million plus viewers. [09:55]

  • Mark describes the moments before walking out on stage. [12:05]

  • The one thing Mark didn’t prepare for was for them to hate him and his product. [13:44]

  • The process of recovery after a crushing show. [14:51]

  • When Mark realized that smart, wealthy people aren’t right all the time. [16:44]

  • The only people whose opinions matter are? [20:30]

  • What is the BedJet and why Mark invented the product. [23:34]

  • The correlation and causality of temperature and quality of sleep. [27:15]

  • Why Mark drained his life savings to get his product launched. [34:18]

  • And much more!

More About Mark

Episode Resources

by Carlos Mendiola