Shows
Claim Your Confidence with Lydia FenetFinding Your Clarity with Cecily MakIn 2017, Cecily Mak decided to rethink her relationship with alcohol. What started as a 30-day experiment eliminating alcohol quickly revealed a life that felt clearer, richer, and more intentional without substances. Inspired by this change, Cecily began sharing her story on social media, and ClearLife was born–a movement dedicated to helping others reclaim clarity, presence, and intention in their lives. Now, Cecily is the co-founder of Wisdom Ventures, ClearLife Reset, and the voice behind ClearLife. In her new book Undimmed, Cecily shares her framework to empower readers to choose practices, habits, and priorities that support a life of pr...
2026-01-2741 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastAudiobook Excerpt: I Choose What I ConsumeIn this bonus episode of Undimmed, Cecily shares a short excerpt from the audiobook version of her new book, Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits — shared here exclusively with podcast listeners.The passage focuses on the Second Awareness, I choose what I consume, and reflects on a period when Cecily was beginning to question long-held assumptions about alcohol, social life, and choice. It’s a quiet, honest moment from early on in the work, offered with openness and care.Cecily Mak’s new book, Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits...
2026-01-2023 min
Practice You with Elena BrowerCecily MakOn the power of letting go of numbing habit energies, aligning with our intrinsic wisdom, and living a clear life. 0:00 – Introduction and Guest Overview 1:55 – Discussion on the First Awareness: My Life is Better Clear 4:24 – Experimenting with Alcohol and Personal Growth 8:37 – The Concept of "Clear" and Personal Agency 10:33 – Connection Between Alcohol and Health Issues 19:03 – The Fourth Awareness: My Trauma is Not My Identity 21:02 – The Fifth Awareness: Forgiveness and Letting Go 29:58 – The Sixth Awareness: I Do Not Judge or Impose My Orientations Upon Others 34:01 – The Seventh Awareness: Our Most Precious Currency is Time 39:07 – The Eighth Awareness: I Seek Ways to Support Others Ce...
2026-01-1745 min
It's Time with Dr. Jen and LinslyDry January: Understanding Dimmers and Their Impact on LifeDry January is a hot topic but did you know it can apply to more than just alcohol? In this enlightening conversation, Linsly Donnelly, Dr. Jen, and Cecily Mak explore the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, particularly in relation to alcohol consumption and the concept of 'dimmers'—things that can dull our clarity and self-awareness. Cecily shares her personal story of stepping away from alcohol and how it led to a deeper understanding of her life choices. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, the impact of social situations, and the gentle invitation to evaluate our relationships with va...
2026-01-1339 min
BookboundFinding Your Light and Building Community in the Writing Process with Cecily MakWhen your first manuscript doesn’t land with publishers, how do you transform that draft into the foundation for a book that does?In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman sit down with Cecily Mak, attorney, co-founder of Wisdom Ventures, and author of Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits. Cecily talks about the long, non-linear path to her debut, revealing how she spent years writing a 300-page memoir that will likely never be published, but became the essential groundwork for Undimmed. She shares how a breast cancer diagnosis ju...
2026-01-1331 min
The Advisor with Stacey ChillemiStop Numbing. Start Living: A Gentle Path Out of Alcohol & VictimhoodIf alcohol (or any numbing habit) is keeping you stuck, this episode will help you take your power back—gently and effectively—starting today.
Host Stacey Chillemi sits down with Cecily D Mak to talk about breaking free from what no longer serves you, stepping out of victimhood and into agency, and practicing self-grace so change actually sticks. Cecily also shares her personal experience with alcohol and breast cancer, plus what parenting can look like with more presence and less regret.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ How to recognize the “numbing loop” and interrupt it...
2026-01-121h 03
By Firelight36: Undimmed: An Exploration of Clear Living with Cecily MakBetsy is joined by Cecily Mak to dive into their shared experience of living "undimmed," that is, a life as clear as possible. The title of Cecily’s book and podcast, Undimmed holds a guide for anyone looking to live with greater clarity, heightened awareness, and with less noise from substances.Host: Betsy DelzerProducers: Jamie Gale and Betsy DelzerMusic: LagitoMusic and Pond5Contact Betsy Delzer:Instagram @byfirelightContact Cecily Mak:https://www.cecilymak.com/ab...
2026-01-1250 min
The Kevin Miller PodcastHow Are We "Dimming" Our Lives & How To Illuminate Our Life Experience w/ Cecily MakOn my own journey of connecting with myself and everything else, I find everything to seem richer and clearer and just more fulfilling. The base level pleasures of life don't satisfy as much. So when this book came across my desk, I was immediately interested. The book is, Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses For Freedom from Unwanted Habits. The author is mother, investor, advocate, and founder, Cecily Mak. Cecily says she is devoted to helping people live dimmer-free, with clarity, courage, and the freedom to change without stigma or shame. Her story started with realizing she was using alcohol to...
2026-01-051h 04The Kevin Miller PodcastHow Are We "Dimming" Our Lives & How To Illuminate Our Life Experience w/ Cecily MakOn my own journey of connecting with myself and everything else, I find everything to seem richer and clearer and just more fulfilling. The base level pleasures of life don't satisfy as much. So when this book came across my desk, I was immediately interested. The book is, Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses For Freedom from Unwanted Habits. The author is mother, investor, advocate, and founder, Cecily Mak. Cecily says she is devoted to helping people live dimmer-free, with clarity, courage, and the freedom to change without stigma or shame. Her story started with realizing she was using alcohol to...
2026-01-051h 04
The Kevin Miller PodcastHow Are We "Dimming" Our Lives & How To Illuminate Our Life Experience w/ Cecily MakOn my own journey of connecting with myself and everything else, I find everything to seem richer and clearer and just more fulfilling. The base level pleasures of life don't satisfy as much. So when this book came across my desk, I was immediately interested. The book is, Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses For Freedom from Unwanted Habits. The author is mother, investor, advocate, and founder, Cecily Mak. Cecily says she is devoted to helping people live dimmer-free, with clarity, courage, and the freedom to change without stigma or shame. Her story started with realizing she was using alcohol to...
2026-01-051h 04
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. MarshallCecily Mak: Free Yourself from Unwanted HabitsMany of us indulge in escapist or addictive behaviours that fall short of what society would define as problematic addictions. According to author CECILY MAK, however, such behaviours can dim the good parts of life along with the bad. If you want to live life with clarity and purpose, identifying and addressing your “dimmers” can make an excellent starting point.
In this episode, Andrew and Cecily discuss:
Cecily’s own experience of giving up alcohol.
What happens when we avoid difficult feelings.
The Eight Awarenesses - a set of principles we can use for inspiration and guidanc...
2026-01-0547 min
The World's First Podcast with Erin & Sara FosterWe’re Our Best Selves the First Week of JanuaryThis week, Erin and Sara discuss how to start the new year as their best selves. They are joined by author Cecily Mak to explore the different habits we use to escape our lives and why they act as dimmers, how we can go into this new year with more intentionality, and how to live our best lives.Executive Producers: Erin Foster, Sara Foster, and Allison BresnickAssociate Producers: Montana McBirney and Olivia GeffnerAudio Engineer: Josh WindischProduced by Wishbone ProductionProduced by Dear Media
2026-01-011h 31
Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin275 — Are You Numbing Your Emotions? How to Break Free and Live Fully with Cecily MakDo you ever wonder if the habits you rely on to get through the day might actually be holding you back from living a full, rich life? Maybe it’s a nightly glass of wine, scrolling on social media, or even working extra hours. These strategies might help you feel a little better for a minute but they may be dimming your life in the big picture.
My guest today is Cecily Mak, co-founder of Wisdom Ventures, a fund investing in human connection and well-being, and the author of a book called Undimmed. Cecily shares her personal jou...
2025-12-2247 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastA Personal Update from Cecily + Season Two PreviewCecily returns to Undimmed after a pause that grew into a deeper and more meaningful season of work than she expected. With new conversations set to arrive in your podcast feed next spring, Cecily shares a personal update.She talks about what this period has held: family transitions, continued healing, and the long, thoughtful process of completing her book, Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits, which will be released in January 2026. She also shares a moment that moved her deeply. Her son wrote a school speech about alcohol and families and asked h...
2025-11-2124 min
Working on PurposeWidening the Aperture: Finding Freedom from the Habits That Keep Us SmallCecily Mak joins us to reveal how dimming behaviors—like overworking, numbing, or self-soothing—quiet our inner truth. As she unpacks her own journey, she shows how facing what we avoid grants clarity, emotional depth, and renewed choice. This is your invitation to learn about reclaiming presence, agency, and the vibrant edges of being fully alive.Working on Purpose is broadcast live Tuesdays at 6PM ET and Music on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Working on Purpose is viewed on T...
2025-11-1950 min
Journey to the SunnysideThe Eight Awarenesses That Will Transform How You Drink w/ Cecily MakWelcome back to Journey to the Sunnyside! Today we’re continuing our conversation with Cecily Mak, the creator of the ClearLife Movement. In our last episode, Cecily shared her personal journey and gave us a look at how she views habits versus addiction. Today, we’re diving deeper into her Eight Awarenesses framework, which helps people transform their habits—whether it’s alcohol or any other behavior. Cecily is a co-founding general partner at Wisdom Ventures a fund committed to consciously harnessing the power of business to co-create a more compassionate and thriving world. The firm holds a very sm...
2024-10-2441 min
Journey to the SunnysideHow the ClearLife Movement Can Change Your Drinking Habits w/ Cecily MakWelcome to Journey to the Sunnyside! Today we’ve got an exciting episode for you. I’m joined by Cecily Mak—a writer, podcast host, co-founder of Wisdom Ventures, and a mom of two. Cecily’s journey into mindful living and personal transformation led her to create the ClearLife Movement. ClearLife is all about living without “dimmers”—those habits or behaviors that dull our experience and keep us from being fully present.We’re going to dive into Cecily’s personal story, her take on alcohol as a habit versus addiction, and how she’s challenging traditional models of sobriety. ...
2024-10-2335 min
The Other Way081: [FEMALE STORIES] Embracing discomfort, reinventing yourself, & intentional living with Cecily MakWhat if the key to transforming your career and personal life lies in embracing discomfort and letting go of numbing habits? In this episode of "The Other Way," we sit down with Cecily Mak, a mother, writer, podcast host, Founder of the ClearLife movement, and co-founder of Wisdom Ventures, who shares her journey from a high-powered career in law to leading a movement focused on intentional living. Today we cover:
Cecily’s journey going from 20 years of diverse experience as an attorney, revenue leader, and COO to launching the ClearLife movement, authoring a book, and her podcast
Rel...
2024-09-0952 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastChoosing A Mindful Relationship with Alcohol On today’s episode of 'Undimmed' Cecily talks with Sunnyside co-founder, Nick Allen, about both of their personal and professional journeys with alcohol. Nick grew up in a household with two parents who struggled with alcoholism before ultimately finding sobriety. While Nick has had his ups and downs with drinking, up until this point has not felt the need to cut alcohol out of his life completely. Disappointed with the exclusively sobriety-focused, all-or-nothing options available, he built Sunnyside as an alternative for those looking to change their relationship with alcohol but not necessarily quit entirely. Nick is on a mis...
2024-06-1946 min
Return on IntelligenceEp. 5 | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and other essential leadership skills with Cecily MakCecily Mak has worked as a lawyer, a CEO, a member of multiple boards, and is now embarking on becoming a published author.She shares her experiences to illustrate some dos and don’ts of becoming an honest leader with strong emotional skills.Mak also provides tips on how to boost your confidence and quell Imposter Syndrome.
2024-06-1839 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastHelpful Habits in Finding Freedom from Alcohol and Disordered EatingDoctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and writer Dana Leigh Lyons joins Cecily this week for an honest conversation about her relationship with dimmers: disordered eating, alcohol, and even screen time. Dana opens up about her early struggles with food, and later, her relationship with alcohol, which she quit in 2020. She describes how her experience growing up in a household with heavy drinking influenced her to abstain from alcohol until her twenties when she started drinking socially. Dana's story of transformation involves significant self-awareness, finding support through online communities, and integrating various holistic practices into her life, including yoga, me...
2024-06-1243 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastLiving in Fuchsia: A Journey Back to LifeKamelle Mills, a renowned fitness instructor, performer and confidence coach, joins Cecily for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about resilience, faith, and overcoming life's darkest moments.In this episode, Kamelle recounts pivotal moments that sparked his transformation from battling alcoholism, eating disorders, and societal expectations to living a vibrant and authentic life he calls 'Living in Fuchsia.'Along the way, we hear about his early life in Huntsville, Texas, the profound impact of his mother’s affirmations, and the pressures of performing multiple roles, including playing football and hiding his LGBTQ identity. W...
2024-06-0547 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastFrom Darkness to Light: Healing, Sobriety, and Empowering WomenIn this episode of Undimmed, host Cecily Mak is joined by Christine Gutierrez, a licensed psychotherapist, life coach, and expert in self-worth. Christine, the author of "I Am Diosa: A Journey to Healing Deep, Loving Yourself and Coming Back Home to Soul," shares her personal journey from childhood spirituality to confronting her struggles with alcohol and toxic relationships.As Christine opens up about her teenage and early adult years, she discusses the duality of striving for success while simultaneously engaging in self-destructive behaviors. Her candid account of reaching a turning point, acknowledging her problem with alcohol, and...
2024-05-2943 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastMaking Room for Mindful Consumption with Dan HarrisThis week’s episode of Undimmed features a candid conversation with Dan Harris, former ABC News anchor and creator of the Ten Percent Happier meditation app, podcast, and book. Dan shares his personal journey with cocaine use, sparked by his experiences in war zones and his quest for adrenaline, leading to a panic attack on live television. His path to recovery involved therapy, quitting cocaine, and eventually discovering meditation, which transformed his relationship with his own mind. Cecily and Dan delve into the complexities of substance use, including the nuanced differences between various substances like alcohol, cocaine, and...
2024-05-2238 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastNavigating A Clear Friendship with GraceRenowned photographer, creator of the Embody Project, and Cecily’s dear friend, Erica Scott, joins the podcast this week for an intimate conversation among dear friends who have been exploring their relationships with dimmers, primarly alcohol, since they first connected decades ago. In this heartfelt conversation, they cover three primary chapters of their friendship: (1) the years in which they both drank as galavanting single women and later as more settled adults, (2) the years during which Cecily had opted out on her own, resulting in a newfound tension and opportunity for growth to explore between them, and (3) finally, how things ar...
2024-05-211h 04
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastYung Pueblo: Clarity for ConnectionMeditator and author Diego Perez, known primarily under his pen name Yung Pueblo, sits down with Cecily to discuss his undimming process. Like so many of us, Diego experienced alcohol and drugs for relief and recreation in his twenties but after a particularly dangerous experience, found himself searching for a deeper, healthier way of living. Tune in as Diego shares how meditation brought him to his own version of a ClearLife, the evolution of his close friendships, and his advice for navigating social events alcohol free. Diego Perez is a meditator and #1 New York Times be...
2024-05-0844 min
Undimmed, a ClearLife PodcastI Chose My Beyoncé (Clear) LifeWelcome to the first episode of Undimmed, A ClearLife Podcast. We’re kicking it off with someone near and dear to Cecily’s ClearLife journey, Jennifer Pattee. Join Cecily and Jennifer as they dive into the choice to live alcohol-free, self-actualization (is anyone else living their Beyoncé life?), and how connection and community are medicine. Jennifer Pattee is an endurance athlete, Apple-trained designer, and Y Combinator founder who's democratizing access to executive coaching through her new startup, Coach. Featured in Oprah magazine, San Francisco magazine, and at SXSW for her unique approach to revitalizing cities and building commun...
2024-05-0148 min
Peripheral ThinkingLiving a dimmer-free life, with Cecily MakEmbracing discomfort and experiencing emotions to the fullest can give us the guidance needed to navigate positive life changes, even in difficult circumstances. But sometimes those emotions are too difficult or too stark, and so we use things like alcohol to turn down the volume. But by doing so, we dim ourselves.Today, Ben is in conversation with Cecily Mak. Cecily writes a newsletter on living a life free of alcohol (without labels like “sober” or “recovery”), and reveals how little most of us know about the carcinogenic nature of alcohol.Cecily is also a cofounde...
2024-03-111h 00
Behind The Human with Marc ChampagneFounder Series: Exploring the Intersection of Mental Wellbeing and Entrepreneurship w/ Cecily MakThe Founder Series is an original podcast series by Behind the Human & Wisdom Ventures that explores the mental fitness practices, rituals, and sources of wisdom fuelling founders who are scaling compassion and wellness. Cecily Mak, Partner, Start-up Operator and Investor at Wisdom Ventures has been working with start-ups and their founders to bridge analog and digital experiences for twenty year. She’s held roles ranging from General Counsel, Chief Revenue Officer, and most recently Chief Operating Officer in the fields of music, publishing, VR, mindfulness/wellbeing, and crypto. ___ How Prepared is Your Team for the Ne...
2023-12-3135 min
Conscious Millionaire ShowCecily Mak: The Founding of Wisdom Ventures FundCecily Mak: The Founding of Wisdom Ventures Fund Cecily Mak is a co-founding general partner of Wisdom Ventures, committed to advancing technology and businesses based on compassionate design and is co-founding LP of How Women Invest, a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in women-led companies. Welcome to the Conscious Millionaire Show for entrepreneurs, who want to achieve high sales and positively impact humanity! Join host, JV Crum III, as he goes inside the minds of conscious guests such as Millionaire Entrepreneurs and World-Class Business Experts. Like this Podcast? Get every e...
2023-12-0435 min
Women Rocking BusinessFierce Feminine Connection (with Lama Tsultrim Allione & Sage Lavine)I have an incredibly inspiring story to share with you today. 💙 If you’ve been feeling like leadership can leave you in the dark, Lama Tsulstrim’s story will warm your heart. She’s sharing the tools to help you to shift into a powerful flow of feminine power. Lama Tsulstrim Allione is one of the fiercest feminine leaders I know. She’s a best-selling author and widely popular Buddhist teacher – especially known for being the first American to become a Tibetan Buddhist nun. I’m also joined by powerhouse Cecily Mak, an emerging student...
2023-08-2845 min
The Heart of InnovationShould I Stay or Should I Go with Cecily MakCecily Mak has been wildly successful at the forefront of innovation and has had several careers: modeling, law, start-up executive and venture firm co-founder in the fields of music, publishing, mindfulness/wellbeing, and now crypto. However, her proudest and most difficult accomplishments are in developing clarity, vulnerability and presence.We talk about the role of discomfort, love, family patterns and bathroom stall cocaine offers in reinventing ourselves and how we can develop our intuition and know when it’s time to make a change.Intro and Outro music kind courtesy of Taraval.
2023-01-051h 24
Wisdom Ventures PodcastWisdom Ventures Podcast Episode 1 - Cecily MakIn this episode, Wisdom Ventures Podcast interviews the co-founding member and General Partner, Cecily Mak.
Cecily has been working with startups and their founders to bridge analog and digital experiences for 20 years in the fields of music, publishing, VR, mindfulness, wellbeing and now crypto.
In addition to her GP role with Wisdom Ventures, she serves as the COO of Blockdaemon, the world's largest independent crypto infrastructure company; chairs the Board of Directors for SIY Global (previously the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute); and is a confounding Limited Partner of How Women Invest- a fund exclusively...
2022-04-201h 07
IBS Intelligence PodcastsEp191: How the investment landscape for blockchain is shaping up in 2021Cecily Mak, Chief Operating Officer, BlockdaemonDive into the future of the blockchain industry as institutional adoption of blockchain and digital assets accelerates. We look at how blockchain networks are scaling up with Cecily Mak of Blockdaemon, a leading blockchain node infrastructure provider. She tells Robin Amlot of IBS Intelligence that 2021 is the most significant year yet for the industry.
2021-04-1312 min
Colin Curtis PodcastCOLIN CURTIS PRESENTS THE SOUL CONNECTION SHOW NEW INDEPENDENTS SOUL & GOSPEL 16TH FEBRUARY 2021Go Back Sydney Ranee' Looking Back Tristan Risin' Up Tristan Still Lov'n You Dav Hall Easy Feeling Charmaine X Paradise Mario Biondi The Lightness of Love (feat. Kim Scott) Alvin Garrett Glory (Danny Kane Mix) Jack Tyson Charles Glad To Find Love William Staggers Radio Debórah Bond Soft Spot Alvin Garrett Trippin (Tripped Out Soul Mix) Kara Marni When I First Looked At You Jerome Kyles So Fly Dav Hall Be The One Yas VW Soul MAK ! (feat. Jinbo) SHINDRUM (feat. JINBO the SuperFreak)
2021-02-162h 59
WatchPitch Podcast: For Start-Ups & InvestorsEpisode 16: Cecily Mak @Flipboard - Personalized News for our Time - A beacon for Legal, Biz development and Strategy; from the Board to the Start-upMy guest is Cecily Mak, a Silicon Valley confessed bootcamp learner with Listen.com’s Rhapsody Music and Real Networks acquisition of the company before joining Flipboard, a personalized news service voted Apple’s iPad App of the Year. Cecily also teaches Digital Media Law at Hastings Law University in San Francisco. Her approach to helping start-ups and her own company is an evolving answer but at the core is her focus on valuing time and recognizing passion that is not about fireworks but about clarity and resolve. Powerful insights for your next pitch or investment.
We lear...
2018-08-0938 min
SF MusicTech Summit - September 12, 2011Hot Topics in Music LicensingSF MusicTech Summit IX on 9/12/11 in San Francisco.
Panel discussion.
Moderator: Cecily Mak, Rhapsody (VP and General Counsel),
Lisa Tiver, RightsFlow (SVP of Business Development),
Philippe Perreaux, Restorm (Founder/CEO),
Bryan Calhoun, SoundExchange (VP New Media and External Affairs),
David Kostiner, Counsel LLP (Founding Partner)
2011-09-2059 min