Shows
Healthy Mind, Healthy LifeFrom Public Fall to Resilient Rise: Reclaiming Worth After Shame with Beth McDonough
What happens when your worst moment becomes public and permanent? In Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, hosted by Avik Chakraborty, this episode explores what recovery really looks like after collapse, shame, and loss.
This conversation is for anyone rebuilding after addiction, public failure, or deep personal loss. Beth McDonough shares how resilience is built slowly, honestly, and without pretending strength is easy.
About the Guest:
Beth McDonough is a former investigative journalist and newscaster turned memoirist. She is the author of Stand By, sharing her journey through addiction, public scrutiny, and long-term recovery.
...
2026-02-1520 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeFrom Public Fall to Resilient Rise: Reclaiming Worth After Shame with Beth McDonough
What happens when your worst moment becomes public and permanent? In Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, hosted by Avik Chakraborty, this episode explores what recovery really looks like after collapse, shame, and loss.
This conversation is for anyone rebuilding after addiction, public failure, or deep personal loss. Beth McDonough shares how resilience is built slowly, honestly, and without pretending strength is easy.
About the Guest:
Beth McDonough is a former investigative journalist and newscaster turned memoirist. She is the author of Stand By, sharing her journey through addiction, public scrutiny, and long-term recovery.
...
2026-02-1520 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeHow Clarity Restores Calm, Purpose, and Emotional Balance with David Prosper
What if stress isn’t caused by doing too much—but by living without clarity? In this reflective episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty explores how inner confusion quietly erodes peace, focus, and well-being.
Joined by David Prosper, also known as The Clarity Guy, this conversation is for anyone feeling mentally cluttered, burned out, or disconnected from purpose. Together, they unpack how clarity around identity, priorities, and daily choices supports emotional regulation, healthier habits, and long-term mental wellness.
About the Guest:
David Prosper is known as The Clarity Guy. He is the foun...
2026-02-0717 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeHow Clarity Restores Calm, Purpose, and Emotional Balance with David Prosper
What if stress isn’t caused by doing too much—but by living without clarity? In this reflective episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty explores how inner confusion quietly erodes peace, focus, and well-being.
Joined by David Prosper, also known as The Clarity Guy, this conversation is for anyone feeling mentally cluttered, burned out, or disconnected from purpose. Together, they unpack how clarity around identity, priorities, and daily choices supports emotional regulation, healthier habits, and long-term mental wellness.
About the Guest:
David Prosper is known as The Clarity Guy. He is the foun...
2026-02-0717 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeConfidence Before Success: A Woman Founder’s Guide to Staying Grounded with Neli Kools
What if your confidence didn’t need to wait for proof—what if it’s something you practice in the middle of uncertainty? In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to stay steady, self-assured, and mentally resilient while building a purpose-driven business.
Hosted by Avik Chakraborty on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, this conversation is for women founders (and anyone on a non-linear path) who feel self-doubt, external pressure, or the quiet need to “prove” their worth. Neli Kools shares how her journey—from architecture and urban planning to entrepreneurship—shaped her leadership, and why care, comfort, and d...
2026-02-0620 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeConfidence Before Success: A Woman Founder’s Guide to Staying Grounded with Neli Kools
What if your confidence didn’t need to wait for proof—what if it’s something you practice in the middle of uncertainty? In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to stay steady, self-assured, and mentally resilient while building a purpose-driven business.
Hosted by Avik Chakraborty on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, this conversation is for women founders (and anyone on a non-linear path) who feel self-doubt, external pressure, or the quiet need to “prove” their worth. Neli Kools shares how her journey—from architecture and urban planning to entrepreneurship—shaped her leadership, and why care, comfort, and d...
2026-02-0620 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBurnout Relief Through Creative Thinking: Escaping the Hamster Wheel With Dr. Andre Walton
What if burnout is not just about workload, but about being trapped in one thinking mode? In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Dr. Andre Walton to unpack how an overly analytical mind can fuel burnout, anxiety, and emotional shutdown.
This conversation is for high performers who feel stuck, depleted, and mentally tight. You will learn how creative, divergent thinking can help you widen perspective, rebuild emotional flexibility, and create practical relief through small daily shifts.
About the Guest:
Dr. Andre Walton is a coach and holds a...
2026-01-1720 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBurnout Relief Through Creative Thinking: Escaping the Hamster Wheel With Dr. Andre Walton
What if burnout is not just about workload, but about being trapped in one thinking mode? In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Dr. Andre Walton to unpack how an overly analytical mind can fuel burnout, anxiety, and emotional shutdown.
This conversation is for high performers who feel stuck, depleted, and mentally tight. You will learn how creative, divergent thinking can help you widen perspective, rebuild emotional flexibility, and create practical relief through small daily shifts.
About the Guest:
Dr. Andre Walton is a coach and holds a...
2026-01-1720 min
Mind Over MasculinityLead Without Burning Out: 3C Management Framework Great Managers Use with A.P GrowIn this episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with A.P. Grow (also known as “that management guy”) to answer a hard leadership question: how do you lead a team without silently wrecking your mental health and your people’s energy?
This conversation is for managers, founders, and future team leads who feel overwhelmed, reactive, or stuck carrying everything alone. AP breaks leadership stress down into a simple model, then shows how better delegation, clearer communication, and real care can lower pressure fast, without losing authority.
About the Guest:
A.P. Grow is...
2026-01-0624 minMind Over MasculinityLead Without Burning Out: 3C Management Framework Great Managers Use with A.P GrowIn this episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with A.P. Grow (also known as “that management guy”) to answer a hard leadership question: how do you lead a team without silently wrecking your mental health and your people’s energy?
This conversation is for managers, founders, and future team leads who feel overwhelmed, reactive, or stuck carrying everything alone. AP breaks leadership stress down into a simple model, then shows how better delegation, clearer communication, and real care can lower pressure fast, without losing authority.
About the Guest:
A.P. Grow is...
2026-01-0624 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeDivorce Without War: Rebuild Your Life Using Values, Clarity, and Better Information with Brenda Bridges
In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Brenda Bridges to talk about big life transitions, especially divorce, and who you become on the other side. Brenda shares what rebuilding looked like after her own divorce and why “small steps” matter when everything feels chaotic.
This conversation is for anyone stuck in the messy middle of court dates, money fear, and emotional overload. You’ll learn how to anchor decisions to your values, reduce panic with better information, and choose a divorce process that fits your situation instead of defaulting to a figh...
2026-01-0218 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeDivorce Without War: Rebuild Your Life Using Values, Clarity, and Better Information with Brenda Bridges
In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Brenda Bridges to talk about big life transitions, especially divorce, and who you become on the other side. Brenda shares what rebuilding looked like after her own divorce and why “small steps” matter when everything feels chaotic.
This conversation is for anyone stuck in the messy middle of court dates, money fear, and emotional overload. You’ll learn how to anchor decisions to your values, reduce panic with better information, and choose a divorce process that fits your situation instead of defaulting to a figh...
2026-01-0218 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeYoga Beyond Stretching | Mind-Body Reset with Anjuly RudolphIn this Healthy Waves episode, Avik Chakraborty sits down with Anjuly Rudolph to cut through the noise around yoga. They unpack why yoga is not just poses or flexibility goals, and how the original purpose is mind training, nervous system regulation, and emotional balance. Anjuly breaks down what gets lost in modern “fitness-only” yoga culture, shares beginner-friendly entry points for busy people, and explains why breathwork, grounding, and proper relaxation are non negotiable if you want results that actually stick. Expect practical, at-home micro habits you can run for 7 to 14 days to feel a real shift in stress, sleep, and...
2025-12-2228 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeYoga Beyond Stretching | Mind-Body Reset with Anjuly RudolphIn this Healthy Waves episode, Avik Chakraborty sits down with Anjuly Rudolph to cut through the noise around yoga. They unpack why yoga is not just poses or flexibility goals, and how the original purpose is mind training, nervous system regulation, and emotional balance. Anjuly breaks down what gets lost in modern “fitness-only” yoga culture, shares beginner-friendly entry points for busy people, and explains why breathwork, grounding, and proper relaxation are non negotiable if you want results that actually stick. Expect practical, at-home micro habits you can run for 7 to 14 days to feel a real shift in stress, sleep, and...
2025-12-2228 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBuild Mental Toughness Through Movement With Mike Barefoot
In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Mike Barefoot to unpack how movement builds more than muscles. It builds discipline, mindset, emotional regulation, and leadership performance. Mike shares why physical outlets like martial arts, workouts, walking, and simple daily activity help professionals vent stress without torching relationships at work. They also break down the real hack most people miss. Consistency beats intensity, and incremental progress turns fitness into a lifestyle instead of a short-term grind. If you want better focus, less burnout, and stronger decision-making, this conversation links fitness and mental health...
2025-12-1924 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBuild Mental Toughness Through Movement With Mike Barefoot
In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Mike Barefoot to unpack how movement builds more than muscles. It builds discipline, mindset, emotional regulation, and leadership performance. Mike shares why physical outlets like martial arts, workouts, walking, and simple daily activity help professionals vent stress without torching relationships at work. They also break down the real hack most people miss. Consistency beats intensity, and incremental progress turns fitness into a lifestyle instead of a short-term grind. If you want better focus, less burnout, and stronger decision-making, this conversation links fitness and mental health...
2025-12-1924 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeHealing the Nervous System After Religious & Identity-Based Trauma with Carter Doyle (Psychiatric NP & Trauma Expert)In this powerful episode, Carter Doyle – a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, survivor of conversion practices, and founder of Leaf Psychiatry – joins host Avik Chakraborty to explore how shame-based religious teachings and non-affirming environments create full-body trauma, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals. Carter explains why chronic self-doubt, shutdown responses, and spiritual wounds are actually intelligent nervous-system survival strategies, and he shares practical, shame-free paths toward regulation, integration, and authentic healing.
Key Takeaways:
Religious and identity-based shame isn’t just emotional – it’s a nervous-system injury that can show up as chronic anxiety, dissociation, body disconnection, and a deep...
2025-11-2826 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeHealing the Nervous System After Religious & Identity-Based Trauma with Carter Doyle (Psychiatric NP & Trauma Expert)In this powerful episode, Carter Doyle – a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, survivor of conversion practices, and founder of Leaf Psychiatry – joins host Avik Chakraborty to explore how shame-based religious teachings and non-affirming environments create full-body trauma, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals. Carter explains why chronic self-doubt, shutdown responses, and spiritual wounds are actually intelligent nervous-system survival strategies, and he shares practical, shame-free paths toward regulation, integration, and authentic healing.
Key Takeaways:
Religious and identity-based shame isn’t just emotional – it’s a nervous-system injury that can show up as chronic anxiety, dissociation, body disconnection, and a deep...
2025-11-2826 min
BizBlendRedefining Success Through Service and Leadership with Michael T. BrownIn this powerful episode of the BizBlend podcast, licensed professional counselor and leadership consultant Michael T. Brown joins host Sana to strip away the glossy, Instagram-filtered version of success. With over 20 years of experience working with individuals, families, crisis communities, and violence interrupters, Michael shares a grounded, service-centered definition of success: adding value to others through leadership and influence. He explores how true achievement flows from service, the balance between healthy ambition and gratitude, healing past wounds while still moving forward, and why sustainable success is always co-created with community.
Key Takeaways:
Success is not measured...
2025-11-2728 minBizBlendScaling Education with Soul: How Michael Black Built Success Tutoring into a Global Franchise EmpireAt just 17, Michael Black started Success Tutoring with one mission: help students feel smarter and more confident. Nine years later, at 26, he’s turned it into a multi-million-dollar franchised tutoring brand operating across Australia, New Zealand, Texas, and soon Canada, Singapore, and the UK — all bootstrapped, without losing the heart of the original idea. In this episode, Michael pulls back the curtain on fast-yet-sustainable franchise growth, why “cookie-cutter” systems are actually a gift to franchisees, and how to scale an education business without turning it into a profit mill.
Key Takeaways:
Persistence beats overnight success — Michael grew the business b...
2025-11-2626 min
Ple^sure PrinciplesCan Dark Romance And Kink Positive Storytelling Heal Our Shame Around Sex With Bria RoseSex is one of the most natural things on the planet. Yet most of us were taught to fear it, hide it, or feel guilty for wanting it. In this episode of Pleasure Principles, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with dark romance author Bria Rose to unpack purity culture, shame, and the double standards that shape our desire.
Bria shares how writing dark romance and a kinky Beauty and the Beast retelling, Her Dark Promise, became a way to explore consent, trauma, fantasy, and healing without icking anyone’s yum. They talk about kink positive culture, why co...
2025-11-2321 min
Ple^sure PrinciplesCan Dark Romance And Kink Positive Storytelling Heal Our Shame Around Sex With Bria RoseSex is one of the most natural things on the planet. Yet most of us were taught to fear it, hide it, or feel guilty for wanting it. In this episode of Pleasure Principles, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with dark romance author Bria Rose to unpack purity culture, shame, and the double standards that shape our desire.
Bria shares how writing dark romance and a kinky Beauty and the Beast retelling, Her Dark Promise, became a way to explore consent, trauma, fantasy, and healing without icking anyone’s yum. They talk about kink positive culture, why co...
2025-11-2321 minBizBlendWhat Do You Do When Nothing Works Out in Your Business ? with Natalia OchodnickaWhen the wheels come off in business, the glossy founder quotes don’t save you. This BizBlend conversation cuts through the noise and gets real about what happens when revenue stalls, teams burn out, optimism fades, and your confidence takes a hit.
Host Sana sits down with Natalia Ochodnicka, a leader who scaled a team from 2 to 70 in just 14 months and built her career from scratch as an immigrant without a roadmap. She breaks down the uncomfortable truth of resilience. the acceptance phase most leaders avoid. why founders hit denial mode. and how strategic clarity follows emotional honesty.
2025-11-1534 minBizBlendHow Can Introverts Rise, Lead, and Get Promoted Without Pretending To Be Extroverts?With Ulrike SeminatiThis BizBlend conversation cuts through the corporate noise. We explore what it truly takes for introverted professionals to be recognized, valued, and promoted without forcing themselves into loud rooms or loud behavior. Sana and leadership coach Ulrike Seminati unpack real strategies for visibility that feel honest, aligned, and sustainable. This episode challenges the outdated idea that only extroverts win. It shows how introverts thrive through depth, precision, strategic presence, and authentic influence. Perfect for ambitious professionals who want to advance their careers without selling out their personality.
About the Guest:
Ulrike Seminati is an executive coach, communication l...
2025-11-1425 minBizBlendHow Do You Control the Narrative Without Losing Your Authenticity? with Lynn Aronberg
On this BizBlend episode, Sana sits down with powerhouse publicist Lynn Aronberg to unpack PR that actually moves the needle. We get tactical on building real media relationships. we get honest about crisis communications and cancel culture. we get practical on using AI as an ally without crossing ethical lines. Lynn breaks down why CEOs should face the press, not hide. how to craft talking points before a storm hits. and where “authentic” meets “newsworthy.” If you care about reputation capital and brand trust, this one’s a masterclass you can act on today.
About the guest:
Lynn Aronb...
2025-11-1229 minBizBlendCan You Systemize Chaos to Build—and Sell—a Valuable Business? — Vince Perri
Founders don’t fail for lack of SOPs—they fail because those SOPs live in a drawer. In this BizBlend episode, Vince Perri breaks down how to convert chaos into operating leverage, hold teams accountable to the process, and think like private equity so your company becomes an asset—not a life sentence. We cover leadership during crisis (hurricanes included), “short-memory” mental toughness from elite sport, valuation mindset over revenue vanity, and designing a business that can be sold—with or without the founder. If you’re scaling, exiting, or just trying to stop firefighting, this is your playbook.
About the g...
2025-11-0820 minBizBlendLiving Comfortably in Chaos: Resilience, Faith, and Startup Lessons from a Cyclone in Samoa with Ian Reilly
On this BizBlend episode, host Sana and engineer-turned-founder and author Ian Reilly unpack how to operate when life and business refuse to follow the plan. From surviving a three-day cyclone in Samoa with no power or water to steering an agri-tech startup through shocks like 9/11, the dot-com crash, the GFC, and COVID-19, Ian shows why uncertainty can be a competitive advantage. We dig into antifragile planning, anxiety vs. control, creative execution across art, engineering, and entrepreneurship, and why opportunity lives at the edges of chaos.
About the guest:
Ian Reilly is an engineer, entrepreneur, and artist. He h...
2025-11-0735 minBizBlendBridging Strategy and Culture: How Leaders Turn Theory Into Execution with Mike ChaputOn The BizBlend Podcast, host Sana and guest Mike Chaput unpack why “great on paper” strategies collapse in the real world—and how to fix it fast. Chaput traces his arc from buying a company at 24 and going bankrupt to building a $35M operation by aligning strategy with culture. Expect blunt talk on values that drive execution, Maslow’s hierarchy at work, “disagree and commit,” and why leaders must submit to the culture they set. Practical frameworks for startup founders and enterprise leaders who want measurable outcomes, not deck theater.
About the Guest:
Mike Chaput is a founder-CEO...
2025-11-0546 minMind Over MasculinityMind Over Masculinity: Building Mental Resilience & Leadership in the Cosmetic Industry with Dr. Vivek IrankiIn this episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Dr. Vivek Iranki, CEO of Cosmetique, Australia’s first accredited cosmetic clinic network. They explore the unique pressures of the cosmetic and aesthetic industry, where perfection, social media, and emotional storytelling collide. Dr. Vivek shares his insights on mental health management for business owners, emotional resilience for teams, and how prioritizing mental well-being drives both patient care and business success. This conversation is a deep dive into redefining success beyond appearance, cultivating emotional intelligence, and embracing vulnerability in leadership.
About the Guest:Dr. Vi...
2025-11-0425 minBizBlendQuiet Ambition: Strategic Leadership Without the Noise — how to grow, get seen, and stay sane with Patrick Kamba
On this BizBlend episode, host Sana sits down with executive mentor and author Patrick Kamba to unpack “quiet ambition”—a practical approach to career growth that favors strategy over self-promotion. From high-stakes pharma and vaccine development to everyday meetings, Patrick shares how to be visible without being the loudest, build a personal board of advisors, avoid burnout, and define success on your terms. If you’re navigating corporate politics, performance pressure, or the push to “brand yourself,” this conversation offers grounded tools to lead calmly, communicate with impact, and progress faster—without losing yourself.
About the guest:
Patrick Kamba...
2025-11-0331 minPle^sure PrinciplesHow Couples Can Stop Fighting About Money: Financial Intimacy, Nervous System Triggers & Real-World Tools with Jennifer Edwards, CFP®
On Pleasure Principles, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Certified Financial Planner Jennifer Edwards to cut through myths about “money fights.” Jennifer explains why arguments are rarely about dollars and almost always about childhood narratives, nervous system activation, and mismatched values. You’ll learn a step-by-step way to start money conversations, recognize stress responses (fight/flight/freeze/fawn), and practice financial intimacy without pulling up a spreadsheet first.
About the Guest:
Jennifer Edwards, CFP® is the founder of Breakthrough Financial Wellness. She helps individuals and couples move from shame and stress to calm, values-aligned money decisions using her 7-La...
2025-11-0125 minPle^sure PrinciplesHow Couples Can Stop Fighting About Money: Financial Intimacy, Nervous System Triggers & Real-World Tools with Jennifer Edwards, CFP®
On Pleasure Principles, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Certified Financial Planner Jennifer Edwards to cut through myths about “money fights.” Jennifer explains why arguments are rarely about dollars and almost always about childhood narratives, nervous system activation, and mismatched values. You’ll learn a step-by-step way to start money conversations, recognize stress responses (fight/flight/freeze/fawn), and practice financial intimacy without pulling up a spreadsheet first.
About the Guest:
Jennifer Edwards, CFP® is the founder of Breakthrough Financial Wellness. She helps individuals and couples move from shame and stress to calm, values-aligned money decisions using her 7-La...
2025-11-0125 minBizBlendFrom 9-to-5 to Solopreneur: Risk-Aware Growth, Process-First Automation & Practical AI for Founders ft. Damien Schreurs
On this BizBlend Podcast episode, host Sana talks with Luxembourg-based tech strategist and trainer Damien Schreurs about leaving corporate life the smart way. We unpack a step-by-step transition plan (including a 70% part-time bridge and an 18-month cash runway), how to think process-first before tools, and where automation and AI genuinely save time for solo businesses. We also dig into lifestyle business vs. startup economics, revenue vs. profit, and how to scale without burning out. If you’re a founder or solopreneur who wants clarity, systems, and freedom—without “burn the boats” drama—this conversation is for you.
About the guest...
2025-10-2731 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeEscaping the Sunday Scaries: Burnout, Purpose, and Building a Business You Own with Tom CookeOn Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty digs into the mental health cost of staying in a job you hate. Guest Tom Cooke—a former quantity surveyor who left corporate life after a purpose-reset—breaks down the “silent burnout” of dread, numbness, and anxiety that comes from working without meaning. You’ll learn how to assess your skills, spot real problems to solve, validate a business idea while employed, and make steady, patient moves toward a purpose-led venture.
About the guest :
Tom Cooke is a purpose-driven business strategist who left a stable corporate career after a sabb...
2025-10-2619 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeEscaping the Sunday Scaries: Burnout, Purpose, and Building a Business You Own with Tom CookeOn Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty digs into the mental health cost of staying in a job you hate. Guest Tom Cooke—a former quantity surveyor who left corporate life after a purpose-reset—breaks down the “silent burnout” of dread, numbness, and anxiety that comes from working without meaning. You’ll learn how to assess your skills, spot real problems to solve, validate a business idea while employed, and make steady, patient moves toward a purpose-led venture.
About the guest :
Tom Cooke is a purpose-driven business strategist who left a stable corporate career after a sabb...
2025-10-2619 minBizBlendLanding Senior Roles by Shaping Perception (Not Just Performance) — BizBlend with Sana ft. Keith Anderson
On BizBlend, host Sana and Keith Anderson (Career Alchemy Labs; ex-Google, Meta, DoorDash, Calibrate) dig into why promotions in tech are driven by perception, not fairness—and how to build executive presence without posturing. You’ll learn the difference between proof (performance) and positioning (perception), how to craft a distinct leadership message across LinkedIn, interviews, and stakeholder meetings, and ways non-self-promoters can communicate wins authentically. Practical, candid, and geared for senior ICs and managers targeting director/VP roles.
About the Guest:
Keith Anderson is the founder of Career Alchemy Labs. After leading teams at Google, Meta, DoorDash, and C...
2025-10-2527 minBizBlendSuccess, Discipline & Legacy: Redefining Purpose with Albert ButlerOn this episode of BizBlend Podcast, Yusuf sits down with Albert Butler—a CPA, partner in a national accounting firm, and author—to explore success, purpose, and legacy beyond numbers. Albert shares his philosophy that money is more than math; it’s meaning, a tool that reflects our choices, values, and growth. From discipline and ambition to mentoring the next generation, this conversation delves into how we can create lasting impact while staying grounded. Discover insights on generational mindset shifts, family-driven purpose, and building a legacy block by block. Perfect for entrepreneurs, professionals, and anyone seeking clarity on aligning career...
2025-10-2121 minBizBlendFrom Corporate Grind to Purpose-Driven Leadership: Lift, Light, Lead with Deborah Coviello
On BizBlend with host Sana, leadership advisor Deborah A. Coviello (The Drop In CEO) breaks down the real transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur—without glamorizing it. We cover redefining success beyond salary, building self-discipline outside corporate structures, protecting health as a core KPI, and Deb’s Lift • Light • Lead framework for scaling results by developing people. If you’re weighing stability against meaning—or you’ve left and need a blueprint for peace of mind—this conversation is a clear, practical reset.
About the Guest:
Deborah A. Coviello is a leadership advisor, speaker, and host of The Drop In CEO p...
2025-10-2027 minBizBlendIntegrity Under Pressure: FBI knocks, PR crises, and building a scalable franchise with clear values with Uri Geva
On BizBlend with host Sana, entrepreneur Uri Geva (Cookie Dough Bliss; former owner/operator of multiple sports teams) breaks down what integrity looks like in action—when the FBI shows up, when a partner’s scandal hits the news, and when a team’s morale needs rebuilding. We cover crisis playbooks, extreme ownership, selecting the right legal/operational advisors, mentorship as the only real shortcut, and how to protect IP, culture, and customers while scaling a franchise brand. Practical, no-fluff lessons for founders, operators, and leaders who have to make hard calls in public and keep their families anchored in pri...
2025-10-1833 minBizBlendLeadership That Builds People First: AI Agents, Small Language Models, and Preserving Black History with Stephanie Sylvestre
On BizBlend, host Sana digs into steady leadership in a fast-moving AI world with entrepreneur and technologist Stephanie Sylvestre. From defining “human in the loop” to using small language models layered over LLMs and digital twins to preserve Black legacy, Stephanie breaks down practical guardrails leaders can use now: curate data, set clear value systems, design for consent and context, and prioritize outcomes over optics. We also get blunt career advice for underrepresented youth—projects over certificates, networking over mass applications—and a simple, budget-friendly first step for small museums and community orgs to start responsibly with AI.
About th...
2025-10-1732 minBizBlendFrom Stage Craft to Startup: Building Accentify, Distribution that Works, and Rejection Tolerance with Elijah KhanActors compete on thin margins—craft, confidence, and consistency. In this BizBlend conversation with founder–actor Elijah Khan, we unpack the origin of Accentify (born from the grind of professional auditions), the metrics behind early traction (6,500+ users, 4,000 on the waitlist, 116 countries), and the unglamorous truths of distribution and founder psychology. Elijah details why Facebook Groups outperformed “expected” Gen-Z channels, how real-world partnerships with drama schools de-risk platform dependence, and why over-delegation/automation can stall growth. Practical, direct, and BS-free—this episode maps the path from surviving to shipping for creators and early-stage founders.
About the guest:
Elijah K...
2025-10-1527 minMind Over MasculinityHuman Design for Men’s Leadership & Mental Health with Stefanie CarlstedtIn this episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Stefanie Carlstedt, a Human Design strategist and certified high-performance coach, to explore how men can move from hustle-driven burnout into aligned, sustainable leadership.
Too often, men are conditioned to chase success using someone else’s playbook—grind harder, push more, ignore their inner signals. Stefanie challenges this mindset and shares how Human Design helps men lead from alignment instead of control, release burnout as a “badge of honor,” and rebuild purpose on their own terms.
This conversation is a direct look at how men...
2025-10-1224 minMind Over MasculinityHuman Design for Men’s Leadership & Mental Health with Stefanie CarlstedtIn this episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Stefanie Carlstedt, a Human Design strategist and certified high-performance coach, to explore how men can move from hustle-driven burnout into aligned, sustainable leadership.
Too often, men are conditioned to chase success using someone else’s playbook—grind harder, push more, ignore their inner signals. Stefanie challenges this mindset and shares how Human Design helps men lead from alignment instead of control, release burnout as a “badge of honor,” and rebuild purpose on their own terms.
This conversation is a direct look at how men...
2025-10-1224 minBizBlendMental Health, Discipline, and the Real Work of Building—Yusef “Mista Yu” Marshall
Founders don’t just build companies—they hold families, teams, and futures together. In this BizBlend conversation, Yusef “Mista Yu” Marshall—high-performance coach, ordained minister, and host of the They Call Me Mr. Yu podcast network—gets practical about mental health for entrepreneurs: embracing silence in a noisy world, setting standards with softness, and leading a blended family while scaling brands. Expect clear, usable tactics for burnout prevention, boundary language, journaling, and the three-R framework: Recognize, Release, Replenish. If you’re a solopreneur or founder balancing growth with well-being, this is your playbook.
About the guest:
Yusef “Mista Yu” Marsha...
2025-10-1227 minBizBlendFrom Showman to Speaker: Presence, Props, and Practical Rehearsal for Founders with Tom ElliottOn BizBlend, host Sana digs into the real skill behind magnetic talks: presence over persona. Comedy magician, corporate event host, and presentation coach Tom Elliott breaks down how founders can captivate without acting like someone else. We cover reading the room, opening with a gripping hook, using a single intriguing prop to sustain attention, and replacing memorization with internalization so your message lands—and lasts. If you pitch, lead, or teach, this episode gives you a direct path to clearer delivery, stronger audience connection, and talks people remember.
About the Guest:
Tom Elliott is a UK-based corporate ev...
2025-10-1225 minBizBlendTurning a Mission into a Scalable, Profitable Brand (Without Losing Heart) — BizBlend ft. Nichole Daher
On this BizBlend episode, host Sana speaks with Nichole Daher—autism mom, healthcare professional, and founder of Success On The Spectrum—about turning a personal mission into an operational, profitable brand. We dig into why ABA therapy access matters, how Nichole scaled from one clinic to a national franchise without diluting quality, and the systems that keep a purpose-led business sustainable: selective franchising, biannual quality audits, and community outreach that isn’t a marketing gimmick. If you’re a founder weighing impact against income, this straight-talk playbook shows how to build responsibly, protect standards, and avoid burnout while serving real dem...
2025-10-1026 minBizBlendThe Unspoken Timeline of Business Growth: Legal Choices That Compound Into Leverage with Brandon V. Woodward, Esq.Founders don’t fail because of one big mistake — they stall from a thousand unmade decisions. In this BizBlend episode, host Sana digs into the hidden timeline of growth with business attorney and M&A expert Brandon V. Woodward, Esq. We break down the first 24 months (agreements, cash discipline, buyer-ready terms), the mid-game years 3–7 (hiring, debt control, contingencies), and the exit window (IP, contracts, clean books, profitability). If you’re building, use this as a practical checklist to protect downside, compound smart legal infrastructure, and set up an attractive exit.
About the guest:
Brandon V. Woodward, Esq. is a 26...
2025-10-1032 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeEntrepreneurship Without Burnout: Building Success with Intention ft. Jennie BlackwoodIn this inspiring episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life hosted by Avik Chakraborty, entrepreneur and coach Jennie Blackwood opens up about the truth behind burnout, motherhood, and business growth. From turning a snack cart idea into a six-figure business to building a global coaching brand, Jennie reveals the hidden costs of hustle culture and how she rebuilt her life around sustainable success.
This conversation dives deep into what it really means to thrive without burning out. Jennie shares raw lessons from her own experience — the collapse that forced her to redefine success, how setting boundaries saved her bu...
2025-10-1028 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeEntrepreneurship Without Burnout: Building Success with Intention ft. Jennie BlackwoodIn this inspiring episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life hosted by Avik Chakraborty, entrepreneur and coach Jennie Blackwood opens up about the truth behind burnout, motherhood, and business growth. From turning a snack cart idea into a six-figure business to building a global coaching brand, Jennie reveals the hidden costs of hustle culture and how she rebuilt her life around sustainable success.
This conversation dives deep into what it really means to thrive without burning out. Jennie shares raw lessons from her own experience — the collapse that forced her to redefine success, how setting boundaries saved her bu...
2025-10-1028 minBizBlendFrom Funnel First Fallacy to Market Messiah: How Strategic Messaging Builds Premium Positioning with Ryan ClarkOn this episode of BizBlend, we cut through the noise of copy-paste funnels and shiny marketing tactics to uncover what really drives growth: messaging that makes you the obvious choice in your market. Host Sana sits down with Ryan Clark, a strategic messaging expert who has helped entrepreneurs and leaders shift from commodity pricing to premium positioning.
Ryan unpacks the “Funnel First Fallacy,” why most entrepreneurs waste up to 80% of their marketing budget, and how to build a Market Messiah Positioning that commands trust without hype. We also dive into Strategic Messaging Architecture—a proven framework to increa...
2025-10-0229 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeFinding Discipline Through Dreams and Meditation: The Journey Behind The Bomb Quest | David MestemakerIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty speaks with David Mestemaker—a trial lawyer turned novelist—about the twenty-year journey behind his gripping spy thriller, The Bomb Quest. From a dream that sparked the story to the discipline of daily meditation that fueled its completion, David shares how resilience, imagination, and inner peace shaped his writing. Listeners will gain insight into the creative process, balancing passion with discipline, and the deeper human truths woven into a page-turning thriller.
This conversation is about more than writing a novel—it’s about staying true to a vision...
2025-10-0221 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeFinding Discipline Through Dreams and Meditation: The Journey Behind The Bomb Quest | David MestemakerIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty speaks with David Mestemaker—a trial lawyer turned novelist—about the twenty-year journey behind his gripping spy thriller, The Bomb Quest. From a dream that sparked the story to the discipline of daily meditation that fueled its completion, David shares how resilience, imagination, and inner peace shaped his writing. Listeners will gain insight into the creative process, balancing passion with discipline, and the deeper human truths woven into a page-turning thriller.
This conversation is about more than writing a novel—it’s about staying true to a vision...
2025-10-0221 minBizBlendCutting Through Career Overload: How to Build Your Own Play Sheet for Success with Brian HurtakIn this episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Brian Hurtak, Fortune 100 executive and bestselling author of The PlaySheet, to explore how professionals can rise above the noise of endless advice and information overload. Brian reveals how lessons from the sidelines of American football can help us distill complex knowledge into a simple, actionable framework—a personal “play sheet” for life and work.
This conversation goes beyond productivity hacks. It’s about reclaiming clarity, reducing overwhelm, and making confident decisions when the pressure is high. Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or juggling family res...
2025-10-0127 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeHealing Pain Without Pills: The Hidden Link Between Trauma and Chronic Pain with Dr. Evette RoseIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty speaks with Dr. Evette Rose, internationally renowned trauma expert and best-selling author of Solving Pain Without Pills. The discussion challenges common assumptions about chronic pain, showing how unresolved emotions, learned pain responses, and suppressed anger can keep pain cycles active even after the original injury has healed. You’ll hear practical ways to build safety in the nervous system, reframe anger, and reconnect with the body so real healing can begin.
About the Guest :
Dr. Evette Rose is a trauma expert, international speaker, and best...
2025-10-0131 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeHealing Pain Without Pills: The Hidden Link Between Trauma and Chronic Pain with Dr. Evette RoseIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty speaks with Dr. Evette Rose, internationally renowned trauma expert and best-selling author of Solving Pain Without Pills. The discussion challenges common assumptions about chronic pain, showing how unresolved emotions, learned pain responses, and suppressed anger can keep pain cycles active even after the original injury has healed. You’ll hear practical ways to build safety in the nervous system, reframe anger, and reconnect with the body so real healing can begin.
About the Guest :
Dr. Evette Rose is a trauma expert, international speaker, and best...
2025-10-0131 minBizBlendClear Words, Faster Teams: Dyslexia-Inspired Messaging for Founders and Managers with Russell Van BrocklenOn this episode of BizBlend Podcast, host Sana explores how word-first thinking can eliminate revision churn, sharpen positioning, and speed up shipping. Russell Van Brocklen—“The Dyslexia Professor”—breaks down a practical workflow blending Overcoming Dyslexia-informed neuroscience with The Craft of Research (context → problem → solution), plus smart AI assistance. We cover defining the hero, villain, and universal theme; extracting action and “most important” words; and turning source quotes into crisp, testable messages for LinkedIn posts, ads, and stakeholder docs. If your team debates language more than outcomes, this episode offers a direct framework to get aligned and move.
About the Guest...
2025-09-2730 minBizBlendInnovation Without the Hype: Pattern-Spotting, Mindset, and What Actually Moves the Needle with Ryan W. McClellanInnovation isn’t a headline—it’s a discipline. In this BizBlend episode, host Sana and guest Ryan W. McClellan cut through the noise to define how leaders actually stay ahead of trends without chasing every fad. From pattern recognition and internal idea flow to building simple prototypes and stress-testing assumptions with customers, Ryan lays out a practical playbook. We also unpack mindset—how to reduce FOMO, think longer-term in 12–24 month horizons, and keep teams curious, collaborative, and grounded. If you want less hype and more signal on AI, marketing shifts, and culture that ships, this is your blueprint.
About t...
2025-09-2642 minBizBlendUnfiltered Curiosity at Work: How Bold Questions Fuel Innovation, Teams, and Leadership with Joe LalleyOn BizBlend with host Sana, writer–speaker–facilitator Joe Lalley breaks down how unfiltered curiosity unlocks better products, stronger teams, and clearer decisions. Drawing on engagements that include redesigning airline experiences with peers at Google and Cisco—and work with brands like Meta, Pfizer, and JetBlue—Joe shows why organizations stall when questions are filtered, and how to build cultures where inquiry drives momentum. We cover the “why” drill that flips compliance into care, workshop time vs. meeting cadence, improv principles for leaders, the marathon–business metaphor, and Joe’s upcoming book, “Question to Learn.” Practical, direct, and built for founders, operat...
2025-09-2624 min
AIBiZPassion Alone Isn’t Enough: Building Smart Systems for Lasting Success | Eric B. HornIn this episode of AIBiz, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with business strategist and author Eric B. Horn to uncover why passion without systems leads to burnout—and how smart processes create sustainable success. Eric shares his journey of shifting from hustle culture to building repeatable systems that allow businesses to grow without draining their owners. From profit leaks to the power of servant leadership, this conversation highlights how entrepreneurs, consultants, and small business owners can stop drowning in busyness and start thriving with clarity, structure, and freedom.
This is not just about efficiency—it’s about creati...
2025-09-2532 minAIBiZPassion Alone Isn’t Enough: Building Smart Systems for Lasting Success | Eric B. HornIn this episode of AIBiz, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with business strategist and author Eric B. Horn to uncover why passion without systems leads to burnout—and how smart processes create sustainable success. Eric shares his journey of shifting from hustle culture to building repeatable systems that allow businesses to grow without draining their owners. From profit leaks to the power of servant leadership, this conversation highlights how entrepreneurs, consultants, and small business owners can stop drowning in busyness and start thriving with clarity, structure, and freedom.
This is not just about efficiency—it’s about creati...
2025-09-2532 minBizBlendCash Flow Forecasting for Resilient Businesses with Blaine BertschIn this episode of BizBlend Podcast, host Sana sits down with Blaine Bertsch, seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Dryrun, a financial forecasting platform. Blaine shares how surviving the 2008 recession reshaped his perspective on cash flow forecasting and why clarity around numbers is the lifeline of every business. From avoiding the “pipeline built on dreams” trap to preparing for both downturns and rapid growth, this conversation explores the tools and mindset entrepreneurs need to navigate uncertain times. Whether you’re a startup founder, SME leader, or seasoned executive, this episode delivers actionable insights on building financial resilience, leveraging feedback, and using...
2025-09-2435 minBizBlendNeurologically Informed Chiropractic for Entrepreneurs: Brain-Body Performance, Burnout & Better Decisions with Dr. Brian Donovan
On BizBlend, host Sana digs into neurologically informed chiropractic care with Dr. Brian Donovan, founder of NeuroChiropractic in Brooklyn. We go beyond “back cracks” to explore brain–body communication, why tight muscles can be a neurological signal (not a stretching problem), and how entrepreneurs can protect focus, decision-making, and long-term performance. Dr. Donovan explains diagnostics (pupil response, posture, nerve function), his high-frequency/short-duration care model, and practical habits that prevent burnout and keep founders operating at 100%. This is a direct, evidence-minded look at resilience for people who lead, ship, and grow.
About the guest:
Dr. Brian Donovan is a B...
2025-09-2323 minBizBlendMindset Meets the Bottom Line: Mental Health, Leadership, and Brand Clarity for Founders with Kenneth WycheOn this BizBlend episode, we cut through the fluff and get practical about the link between mindset and business results. Award-winning author Kenneth Wyche (Get Your Mind Right) and founder of Life With Ken lays out how leaders can frame decisions, align teams, avoid burnout, and separate the self from the brand without slipping into toxic positivity. We cover actionable mental models for meetings, communication, and daily execution—so your psychology translates into profit, not pressure.
About the Guest:
Kenneth Wyche is a psychology-trained author and founder of Life With Ken, a confidence-focused lifestyle brand. With a mas...
2025-09-2231 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeLive Longer, Healthier & More Impactful: Evidence-Based Brain Health, Sleep, Movement, Nutrition & Stress Mastery with Dr. Ryan WilliamsonOn Healthy Waves with host Avik Chakraborty, board-certified neurologist and Navy veteran Dr. Ryan Williamson breaks down what actually extends lifespan and healthspan. He rejects hype and quick fixes, and shows how four evidence-backed pillars—sleep quality, daily movement, smart nutrition, and effective stress management—protect the brain, sharpen cognition, and reduce all-cause mortality. We also cover wearable tracking (e.g., sleep), circadian rhythm and morning light, VO₂ max and strength training, and how purpose and meaning anchor sustainable habits. If you want a practical, science-first roadmap to longevity and cognitive performance, this conversation is for you.
About...
2025-09-2232 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeLive Longer, Healthier & More Impactful: Evidence-Based Brain Health, Sleep, Movement, Nutrition & Stress Mastery with Dr. Ryan WilliamsonOn Healthy Waves with host Avik Chakraborty, board-certified neurologist and Navy veteran Dr. Ryan Williamson breaks down what actually extends lifespan and healthspan. He rejects hype and quick fixes, and shows how four evidence-backed pillars—sleep quality, daily movement, smart nutrition, and effective stress management—protect the brain, sharpen cognition, and reduce all-cause mortality. We also cover wearable tracking (e.g., sleep), circadian rhythm and morning light, VO₂ max and strength training, and how purpose and meaning anchor sustainable habits. If you want a practical, science-first roadmap to longevity and cognitive performance, this conversation is for you.
About...
2025-09-2232 minBizBlendThe Hospitality Mindset at Work: Presence, Care, and Real Connections Across Industries with Carlee Wolfe
On this BizBlend Podcast episode, host Sana and guest Carlee Wolfe unpack the hospitality mindset—a practical approach to customer experience and team culture rooted in presence, curiosity, and generosity. Drawing from roles across hospitality, retail, sport, and education, Carlee shows how “being seen, cared for, and supported” translates into better CX, loyalty, and performance without slowing execution. They explore avoiding performative networking, designing touchpoints that feel personal (online and in-person), and protecting employees from burnout with simple, human behaviors that compound. This is a direct playbook for leaders, founders, and client-facing pros who want results and relationships.
About t...
2025-09-1525 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeFrom Hustle to Flow: Aligning Business with Your Hormonal Cycle for Sustainable Success with Lillian FieldOn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty talks with Lillian (Lilly) Field—entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of WombWise and the Founder Flow Accelerator—about replacing hustle culture with a cyclical, body-aligned approach to work. Lillian breaks down how women entrepreneurs can map strategy and marketing to the four phases of the menstrual cycle: vision during menstruation, planning in follicular, visibility in ovulation, and analysis in luteal. We discuss burnout signals, shifting identity from doer to leader, and practical first steps (cycle tracking, capacity design, and month-over-month optimization). Direct, actionable, and built for creators and founders who...
2025-09-1520 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeFrom Hustle to Flow: Aligning Business with Your Hormonal Cycle for Sustainable Success with Lillian FieldOn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty talks with Lillian (Lilly) Field—entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of WombWise and the Founder Flow Accelerator—about replacing hustle culture with a cyclical, body-aligned approach to work. Lillian breaks down how women entrepreneurs can map strategy and marketing to the four phases of the menstrual cycle: vision during menstruation, planning in follicular, visibility in ovulation, and analysis in luteal. We discuss burnout signals, shifting identity from doer to leader, and practical first steps (cycle tracking, capacity design, and month-over-month optimization). Direct, actionable, and built for creators and founders who...
2025-09-1520 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBeyond Retirement: How to Design an Encore Career with Purpose — Jack CalhounOn Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty digs into what really happens after you step away from the career you spent decades building. Guest Jack Calhoun, Founder & President of Encore Career Lab, explains why financial freedom alone doesn’t equal fulfillment, how identity loss creeps in post-exit, and how to build an intentional second act that blends purpose, autonomy, and meaningful impact. We cover the pitfalls of the “endless vacation” myth, the value of structure and accountability, and practical steps to map your encore path—so you don’t drift, but design. Optimized for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn s...
2025-09-1422 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBeyond Retirement: How to Design an Encore Career with Purpose — Jack CalhounOn Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty digs into what really happens after you step away from the career you spent decades building. Guest Jack Calhoun, Founder & President of Encore Career Lab, explains why financial freedom alone doesn’t equal fulfillment, how identity loss creeps in post-exit, and how to build an intentional second act that blends purpose, autonomy, and meaningful impact. We cover the pitfalls of the “endless vacation” myth, the value of structure and accountability, and practical steps to map your encore path—so you don’t drift, but design. Optimized for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn s...
2025-09-1422 minBizBlendBeyond the Science: How Training & Teamwork Drive Real Environmental Change with Andy EllsmoreOn this BizBlend Podcast episode, we strip sustainability down to what actually moves the needle: people, habits, and culture. Environmental consultant Andy Ellsmore explains how practical training, on-site decision-making, and leadership alignment turn regulations into results—especially in stormwater compliance across construction and industrial sites. We dig into California’s regulatory landscape, why sediment control matters, and how championing small behaviors (like end-of-shift cleanup) protects clean water and accelerates corporate culture change. If you lead teams or manage operations, this is a tactical playbook for building an environmentally responsible organization that performs under pressure.
About the Guest:
Andy...
2025-09-1427 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifePlaying the Right Game: Turning Creativity into a Sustainable Business with Paul PapeOn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty talks with TEDx speaker, author, and creative strategist Paul Pape, also known as Santa for Nerds. Together, they explore how creatives can stop forcing themselves into the corporate mold and instead build businesses that feel natural, joyful, and profitable. Paul shares his Gamify Business approach, showing how to use game mechanics—like character sheets, quests, and teamwork—to transform the business side of creativity from a burden into an adventure. Listeners will discover why traditional business education often harms creative mental health, how to embrace their unique strengths, and...
2025-09-1324 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifePlaying the Right Game: Turning Creativity into a Sustainable Business with Paul PapeOn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty talks with TEDx speaker, author, and creative strategist Paul Pape, also known as Santa for Nerds. Together, they explore how creatives can stop forcing themselves into the corporate mold and instead build businesses that feel natural, joyful, and profitable. Paul shares his Gamify Business approach, showing how to use game mechanics—like character sheets, quests, and teamwork—to transform the business side of creativity from a burden into an adventure. Listeners will discover why traditional business education often harms creative mental health, how to embrace their unique strengths, and...
2025-09-1324 minBizBlendThe Science of Ethical Persuasion: How Decisions Really Get Made with Patrick van der BurghtIn this episode of the BizBlend Podcast, host Sana sits down with persuasion expert Patrick van der Burght, a Cialdini Institute–licensed trainer and one of the first certified coaches in ethical persuasion. Together, they explore the seven universal principles of persuasion—reciprocity, liking, unity, social proof, authority, consistency, and scarcity—and why they work across cultures and industries. Patrick also introduces the principle of contrast, a powerful amplifier that can transform how people perceive choices.
Through real-world stories, from scuba shops to McDonald’s, Patrick reveals why persuasion is not manipulation when done ethically. Listeners will discover...
2025-09-121h 00BizBlendValue-Centric Leadership: Moving Beyond Psychology in the Workplace with Barry WolfeOn this episode of BizBlend with host Sana, we explore a bold and disruptive idea: what if traditional psychology, personality tests, and engagement surveys aren’t helping employees deliver real value at work? Guest Barry Wolfe, with 35 years in senior HR roles and as a business owner, shares why much of what organizations spend billions on may be built on shaky ground. Instead, he introduces value-centric leadership—a practical framework that shifts focus from abstract traits to tangible contributions.
This conversation challenges leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to question long-held assumptions, strip away surface-level fixes, and rethink what true...
2025-09-1243 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeTurning Trauma into Purpose and Power with Shari Leigh Roberts | Healthy Mind, Healthy LifeIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty speaks with psychic medium and energy healer Shari Leigh Roberts about the transformative journey from trauma to empowerment. Shari shares how acknowledging victimhood is the first step toward reclaiming your power, and how trauma manifests not just in the mind, but in the body and energy field. Together, they explore the importance of facing pain instead of bypassing it, connecting with our spirit teams, and moving beyond survival into true healing. This conversation is raw, authentic, and filled with insights for anyone seeking to turn pain into purpose.
2025-09-1121 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeTurning Trauma into Purpose and Power with Shari Leigh Roberts | Healthy Mind, Healthy LifeIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty speaks with psychic medium and energy healer Shari Leigh Roberts about the transformative journey from trauma to empowerment. Shari shares how acknowledging victimhood is the first step toward reclaiming your power, and how trauma manifests not just in the mind, but in the body and energy field. Together, they explore the importance of facing pain instead of bypassing it, connecting with our spirit teams, and moving beyond survival into true healing. This conversation is raw, authentic, and filled with insights for anyone seeking to turn pain into purpose.
2025-09-1121 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBalancing Mental Health and Political Awareness in an Age of Outrage | Alison SherIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with journalist and author Alison Sher to explore how we can stay politically informed without sacrificing our mental health. Drawing from her book The Social Contagion: Viral Ideologies and the Culture War for America’s Future, Alison unpacks the tension between outrage culture, biased news cycles, and our civic duty to stay engaged.
The conversation dives into practical strategies for consuming news without burnout, how to navigate polarized narratives, and why curiosity and compassion are essential for respectful dialogue in today’s divided world. If y...
2025-09-1126 minHealthy Mind, Healthy LifeBalancing Mental Health and Political Awareness in an Age of Outrage | Alison SherIn this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with journalist and author Alison Sher to explore how we can stay politically informed without sacrificing our mental health. Drawing from her book The Social Contagion: Viral Ideologies and the Culture War for America’s Future, Alison unpacks the tension between outrage culture, biased news cycles, and our civic duty to stay engaged.
The conversation dives into practical strategies for consuming news without burnout, how to navigate polarized narratives, and why curiosity and compassion are essential for respectful dialogue in today’s divided world. If y...
2025-09-1126 minBizBlendPassion Is Your Superpower—Until It Isn’t: How Founders Balance Fire with Focus with Richard LevyOn this BizBlend episode, host Sana digs into the paradox every founder faces: passion fuels vision, teams, and momentum—yet it can also cloud judgment, block feedback, and slow growth. With guest Richard Levy—an MBA-qualified marketing leader who has built and scaled brands globally at companies including GE, MoneyGram, and OFX—we unpack how to keep your heart in the work while installing the discipline, processes, and customer truth that actually scale. Expect practical tactics: building a “critical board,” asking one question that changes the quality of feedback, and protecting your health so your business doesn’t cost you your lif...
2025-09-1127 minBizBlendThriving Beyond Titles: Trauma-Informed Leadership, Inner Alignment, and the SYNC Method with John Taylor McEntireOn BizBlend, host Sana talks with leadership strategist and international speaker John Taylor McEntire about trading performative success for embodied purpose. John unpacks how unhealed childhood patterns (perfectionism, people-pleasing) show up in executive roles, why vulnerability strengthens authority, and how his SYNC Method—Synchronize Yourself Naturally within your Community—helps leaders move from VP to SVP/EVP with clarity across borders, cultures, and time zones. We cover language and culture alignment, building real buy-in, and leading people—not robots—in an AI-driven market. If you’re scaling teams and want grounded performance without burnout, this is your blueprint.
About the...
2025-09-0928 minBizBlendSync Before You Speak: Applied Neuroscience for Influence, Interviews & Leadership with Joshua BernsteinOn BizBlend, host Sana explores how applied neuroscience turns invisible moments of connection into measurable business impact. Guest Joshua Bernstein breaks down synchrony—the brain-and-body alignment behind trust, influence, and faster agreements—and shows how to use it in interviews, leadership, sales, and coaching. You’ll learn simple, ethical techniques to relax into alpha/theta states, match language preferences (his SHIFT Code: see/hear/feel/think), and use subtle body cues to build credibility without scripts. Practical, direct, and immediately usable for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn audiences focused on career growth, communication, and high-performance leadership.
About the Guest
Josh...
2025-09-0835 minBizBlendArchitects of Change: Thriving in a Business as Unusual World with Rick YvanovichIn this episode of BizBlend Podcast, host Sana sits down with Rick Yvanovich—serial entrepreneur, author of Business as Unusual, and seasoned coach—to explore what it truly means to become an architect of change in today’s unpredictable world.
From global disruptions like the pandemic to the rise of AI, Rick explains why waiting for “normal” to return is a losing strategy. Instead, leaders and entrepreneurs must design pathways through uncertainty with resilience, agility, and intention. Using his “castle” framework, Rick shares how to lay one purposeful brick at a time, balancing the eight aspects of life and busin...
2025-09-0341 minBizBlendFrom Zero to One (and Back): Startup Lessons, VC Reality, and Why Story Beats Playbooks with Andrew Ackerman
On this BizBlend episode, host Sana digs into the real founder journey with Andrew Ackerman—two-time startup operator, investor in 70+ companies, accelerator leader, and author of The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, a business novel that teaches through story rather than checklists. We unpack the pressure cooker of VC-backable startups, why solo founding is a red flag, how to “sell” your first co-founder, and the mindset shifts that separate resilient founders from the rest. If you’re weighing the leap from cubicle to company—or scaling under investor timelines—this conversation gets past the headlines and into the human reality.
About the gues...
2025-08-3128 minBizBlendHow to End Boring Communication: The Power of Storytelling with Ivan Wanis RuizIn this episode of BizBlend with host Sana, we explore how storytelling can transform communication from forgettable to unforgettable. Guest Ivan Wanis Ruiz, founder of Public Speaking Lab, shares his journey from repeated career failures in finance, sales, and accounting to discovering his true superpower: making stories stick. From working as a background extra in movies to speaking in boardrooms, FIFA stadiums, and Olympic stages, Ivan has seen firsthand that what makes communication memorable isn’t facts or slides—it’s the problems, struggles, and human stories behind them.
If you’ve ever wondered why your presentations fall fla...
2025-08-2926 minBizBlendStaying Authentic in Business While Keeping Clients First | BizBlend with Diana DamanIn this BizBlend episode, host Sana sits down with Diana Daman, certified laser hair removal specialist and founder of Laser by Diana, to discuss what authenticity really looks like for women entrepreneurs. In a business world driven by fast-scaling strategies, Diana shares why staying client-focused and results-driven has been her strongest business strategy. From navigating client expectations to balancing personal and professional boundaries, this conversation explores how authenticity builds trust, sustains growth, and empowers women to lead businesses on their own terms.
Whether you’re a founder, freelancer, or business leader, this episode offers valuable insights on cr...
2025-08-2911 minBizBlendCorporate Credit: The Hidden Key to Business Growth with Sue SchusterMost small business owners unknowingly risk their personal future by blurring the lines between personal and business credit. In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Sue Schuster, corporate credit and profit acceleration coach, to unpack why building corporate credit is not just smart—it’s essential.
Sue explains how corporate credit differs from personal credit, why relying on personal cards can put your house and savings at risk, and how strong business credit builds credibility, growth potential, and even resale value. She also shares her own entrepreneurial journey—from building and selling a swim school...
2025-08-2722 min
The Mindful LivingHolistic Beauty: Healing From the Inside Out with Raven AlvarezIn this episode of The Mindful Living, host Avik is joined by Raven Alvarez, CEO and founder of Seraphine Wellness and Beauty. Together, they dive deep into what it truly means to heal from the inside out. Beyond creams, fillers, and beauty filters, Raven shares why sustainable beauty is built on daily choices—hydration, rest, nutrition, and self-care rituals that nurture mind, body, and spirit.
The conversation unpacks the tension between self-acceptance and the modern beauty industry, the impact of social media on self-esteem, and how simple wellness practices can restore confidence and vitality. Whether you’re a pr...
2025-08-2423 min
Mind Over MasculinityBreaking Free from Comfort: A Journey Into Growth - Shane PerryHave you ever felt comfortably numb, stuck in a routine that doesn’t serve your higher aspirations? Join us for an insightful episode of Mind Over Masculinity where host Avik invites Shane Perry, an accomplished entrepreneur and achievement coach, to dive deep into the topic of comfort zones and their insidious role in stalling personal growth. Striking the right balance between safety and challenge can be a tightrope walk; while comfort can feel like home, it often leads to complacency.
Shane unpacks the pivotal concepts of comfort zones—how they form over time and ultimately become barriers to a...
2025-02-2525 min
Mind Over MasculinityHydrate for Health - Kyle FlynnAre you aware of the quality of water you consume daily? Many believe hydration is just about volume, but in reality, the type of water matters immensely. In this compelling episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik invites Kyle Flynn, a dedicated advocate for understanding hydration, to delve into the often-overlooked topic of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW). Kyle shares his transformative journey, uncovering how the water he consumed impacted his health, performance, and even his family's future.
Join us as we explore the statistics surrounding water contamination and why investing in higher quality water is essential. Hear...
2025-02-2522 min
Ple^sure PrinciplesTransforming Health and Wellness Through Light Exposure and Circadian Alignment - Jason YunDiscover the transformative power of light in shaping our health as I, Avik, sit down with the inspiring Jason, who has journeyed from fitness expert to light guru, reshaping his approach to wellness after confronting personal health challenges. Promising insights await as we explore how the pioneering work of Dr. Jack Cruz on circadian biology and mitochondrial health unveils a new paradigm for understanding our body's essential functions. This episode dismantles traditional health narratives, urging us to recognize the extraordinary influence of light on sleep, hunger, hormones, and even blood pressure, and argues for a comprehensive approach to well-being...
2025-02-0421 min