What if your dream was to climb Mount Everest? At 50, Werner Berger decided that is exactly what he would do with his life. And from that moment on, Werner climbed 7 peaks on 7 continents including Mount Everest, Mount McKinley, Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro and Vinson Massif in Antarctica.

This is a heartwarming episode as Werner shares his journey of climbing 7 peaks, his friends and family thinking he was crazy, forming Global Ascent with his wife, Heshie Segal, who handles the inner work and mindset of the guest climbers, as they prepare to lead a 90-person ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro at age 90 in July 2027!!!

Werner has a contagious joy that you'll see in this interview.

ABOUT WERNER BERGER:

Werner Berger is a Guinness World Record–holding mountaineer, international speaker, best-selling author, and corporate leadership consultant.

As co-creator of The Global Ascent and author of Unstoppable from Within, and Greed vs. Integrity, he inspires people to conquer inner and outer summits alike.

Having climbed the world’s highest peaks in his 70s and now preparing for Mt. Kilimanjaro at 90, Werner embodies ageless vitality and authentic leadership.

His life’s mission is to help humanity awaken to its innate brilliance, courage, and capacity to lead with purpose - reminding us that true ascent begins within.

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

Is it possible to change our educational system, starting with a child-centric curriculum?

Andrew Freeman thinks so. As a teenager, Andrew was a mediocre student. But, after being exposed to Transcendental Meditation Techniques, he became an incredible student and athlete, eventually entering college as a two-sport athlete while excelling in science, mathematics and accounting.

As he says "Everything got easier."

In this interview, Andrew shares his passion for educational reform, creating Coherence Education, and the incredible experiences his students have achieved in a short amount of time.

When you start with a child's innate abilities, anything is possible.

ABOUT ANDREW FREEMAN:

Andrew Freeman is the Founder and Director of Coherence Education and Master Path School, where he champions a new paradigm in learning that nurtures the whole child — intellectually, emotionally, creatively, and spiritually.

Long before launching Coherence Education, Andrew’s curiosity about human potential shaped every part of his life. In college, he competed as a two-sport athlete, while also completing an ambitious triple major in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Accounting — an early reflection of his passion for learning, perseverance, and big challenges.

Driven to understand both innovation and leadership at a deeper level, Drew later earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. That experience, combined with his technical training, helped him bridge the worlds of strategy, business, technology, and human development.

Andrew went on to build a successful career in the technology industry, working with organizations such as HP, Microsoft, Netscape, and numerous startups. Those years gave him firsthand insight into how the real world values creativity, teamwork, communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence — skills that traditional schooling often overlooks.

Over time, Drew began asking a transformative question:Why do so many adults only learn emotional intelligence, self-leadership, and resilience after struggle — instead of learning them as children?

That question became the seed for Coherence Education.

Website: https://coherenceeducation.org/

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

Joel Comm shares with Brad the secret to his 30+ years of success—as he calls it, The Fun Formula—his TED Talk, the iFart app, and his latest venture, AI For Everyone Podcast.

This episode has lots of funny moments as Joel shares his journey, and even creates a campfire song for brad using the latest AI tools.

ABOUT JOEL COMM:

Joel Comm is an American author, Internet marketer, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur and the host of AI For Everyone, a podcast that makes today’s AI trends, easy and simple to learn. 

A New York Times best-selling author of 15 books, including Twitter Power 3.0, Adsense and KaChing!, Joel has been showing us how to stay ahead of the technological trends for over 30 years. His first website was amongst the first 18,000 websites in the world back in 1995!

Along with Travis Wright, Joel is also the co-host of The Bad Crypto Podcast, taking their audience down the weekly rabbit hole of blockchain technology. The show is listened to in 180 countries around in the world and, is one of the top crypto-related shows globally. With over 400,000 downloads a month, the show provides an informative and entertaining take on the Blockchain revolution that is changing the world. 

Joel is also the host and producer of the world’s first competitive Internet reality show, The Next Internet Millionaire.

He created a #1 best-selling iPhone app, iFart, which became one of the most talked about novelty iPhone apps of all time. 

Having worked with Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Alibaba, Harvard, The United Nations and Twitter through the years, Joel is always exploring new methods of leveraging his expertise and technology to educate, inspire and entertain others.

For more information, please visit joelcomm.com

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose

Doctor Randi Shannon returns for a visit to share with Brad the power of the human body to heal itself, longevity secrets, what NOT to eat, and her new children's book Tongue Tales, which dives into how our tongue, hair and nails reveal how healthy, or unhealthy we really are.

Also, Randi is now a regular on Coast to Coast radio, and shares her interview experiences with George Noory.

If you are into health and longevity, this is a fascinating episode.

ABOUT DR. RANDI SHANNON, ND.

With over 20 years of experience in nutrition, longevity, anti-aging, and stress-related health issues, Dr. Shannon is a recognized authority in natural health.

Through her studies of global cultures, she emphasizes the critical role of healthy food choices in promoting optimal health, particularly in cardiovascular health, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Her extensive research and practice in addressing over 1,000 so-called "incurable" conditions have equipped her with deep knowledge and expertise.

Dr. Shannon’s unique expertise lies in her face, tongue, and fingernail analysis—a technique that provides an accurate insight into a person’s systemic and physical health. By carefully examining the appearance of fingernails and the tongue, she can identify the health and vitality of various organs. These physical signs often reveal underlying health issues before they manifest in more serious ways.

As a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Shannon is committed to delivering exceptional client care, ensuring that everyone has access to quality holistic healthcare. Her mission is to reflect the healing presence of God by improving the health of those she serves.

Driven by a heartfelt desire to help others on their journey to wellness, Dr. Shannon offers guidance and support every step of the way—whether you’re aiming to enhance your overall health, address specific concerns, or simply embrace a healthier lifestyle.

#naturopath #healyourself #coasttocoast #georgenoory #artbell @health

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose

A comedian once said that "Hell was being trapped in an elevator with an insurance salesman." And you would think talking insurance would be a boring subject...

But Fred Fisher brings the thunder in this episode of Awakened Nation™. He shares his career, accidentally falling into the insurance industry, the Tomfoolery the insurance industry plays on people, and goes into detail what a claim is and isn't.

It's Fred's sense of humor that makes this episode fun.

ABOUT FRED FISHER:

Frederick Fisher, J.D., CCP, is a seasoned expert in Professional Liability with a career spanning over 50 years. Renowned for his dedication to client financial security, he advocates for providing clients with strong financial safeguards, letting competitors focus on "selling some insurance."

Known for his insights into “The Gotchya’s that’ll Getchya ™ 1” of Executive Liability and Specialty Lines Insurance, he remains a trusted advisor to businesses navigating complex liability landscapes.

Fred not only has a remarkable sense of humor, but also knows how to explain complex insurance contract language in a way that is understandable to everyone.

Having grown up with an educated palate, Fred is an excellent cook. That comes as no surprise when one learns that, as a student, he spent time in France and convinced a local restaurant to teach him to cook, a hobby he still savors. In the 80s, he also published a cookbook, the Joys of Spice.

Currently, he consults as a Subject Matter Expert for several PLUS RPLU courses, advises A.M. Best as a recommended expert, and provides expert witness testimony. 

Learn more at https://www.fishercg.com/

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose.

Imagine entering a maximum security prison in order to interview a murderer. That's exactly what Dr. Wendy Smith did in order to get to the root cause of adult violence.

Dr. Smith has a fascinating interview with Brad on the motives behind The Menendez Brothers murders, and what drove them to kill their parents, along with her latest book, Before Their Crimes: What We're Misunderstanding about Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime, and the Path to Healing.

Juvenile crime doesn't just happen-there is always a story behind it. And Dr. Smith gives us clues for healing.

ABOUT DR. WENDY SMITH:

Wendy Smith has had a lifelong interest in vulnerable youth, especially those affected by the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. In her 35 years of psychotherapy practice, she treated many survivors of child maltreatment, and she is an expert in trauma and child development.

Her latest book, Before Their Crimes: What We're Misunderstanding about Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime, and the Path to Healing is a ground-breaking expose that sheds new light on the relationship of childhood trauma and juvenile crime.

Her first book, Youth Leaving Foster Care: a developmental, relationship-based approach to practice, was a text for social work graduate students.

A dedicated youth advocate, Dr. Smith was both a commissioner and chair of the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families, serving for eight years.

She has been recognized by both the City and County of Los Angeles for her work with youth-serving community organizations, and has received awards from organizations such as The Alliance for Children’s Rights and CASA of Los Angeles.

She has served on the boards of United Friends of the Children, the Children’s Advisory Board of Human Rights Watch, the Anti-recidivism Coalition, and Venice Family Clinic, where she also chaired the Behavioral Health and Child Development Committee. She is a founding member and current chair of the board of the National Foster Youth Institute. She is also a former professor and associate dean of curriculum planning and assessment at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, where she now serves on the Board of Councilors. Dr. Smith has published articles on brain development & child welfare and has also appeared in the Netflix series The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.

She lives with her husband in Los Angeles.

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose.

Is it possible that Lazy CEOs to get more done in less time? Founder of The CEO Project, and author of Great CEOs Are Lazy, Jim Schleckser shares with Brad his wins in his own career, the power of getting focused, and how to relax when the chips are down.

As founder of The CEO Project, Jim compares his group to bringing together a room full of professional athletes...the conversations are different. A space for C-Level Executives.

This is a powerful and fun conversation from a former Disney Executive.

ABOUT JIM SCHLECKSER:

Jim helps leaders grow companies. He specializes in the issues that fast growth firms experience in their business models, talent, processes and systems as they reach higher levels of performance.

Jim and his team at the Inc. CEO Project work with over 100 CEOs of high growth companies to identify and obliterate the things that stand between them and continued organizational success.

Jim is the author of Great CEOs are Lazy: How Exceptional CEOs Do More in Less Time, a contrarian view of C-Level Leadership.

With 30 years of leadership in business strategy, technology businesses, process improvement, organizational development, mergers and acquisitions, engineering, sales and marketing, he brings experience in leading global organizations in both public and private environments across many functional areas to the table.

Jim has been quoted in The New York Times, Time, The Huffington Post and National Public Radio.  His ideas have been translated into 9 languages and he has done business in over 26 countries.

Website: https://jimschleckser.com/

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

By the time Victoria Pelletier was 24 years old, she was COO of a multinational corporation. Ambitious. Smart. Tenacious.

Victoria shares with Brad being abused emotionally and physically as a child, lost her life partner while raising their child, and at one point wound up in a wheelchair.

How did she survive one daunting event after another? Victoria shares what she calls "embracing healthy resilience."

This is an empowering conversation from a woman who never gives up.

ABOUT VICTORIA PELLETIER:

Victoria Pelletier is an award winning executive leader, #1 best selling author, in demand professional public speaker, corporate executive, board director, entrepreneur, #1 social seller/public brand worldwide per LinkedIn for her F500 employers, sought out for discussions on motivation, resilience, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, women in leadership, culture, workforce and more.

"Unstoppable and Dynamic: Born to lead and not to be led."

Overcoming adversity and trauma at an early age built resilience. A trait that has remained with her throughout her life and has helped Victoria excel as a corporate executive, mentor and leader — for which she is often characterized as dynamic and unstoppable.

HPST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

Nicole Conn joins Brad Szollose on Awakened Nation™ to discuss her film career, her mild obsession with romance stories, her book Descending Thirds, also creating and producing the LGBTQ+ dating show Coming Out for Love with significant input from her daughter, Gabrielle, inspired the project after questioning the lack of queer representation in dating shows.

This is a fun episode and mutual admiration from two creatives.

ABOUT NICOLE CONN:

Nicole Conn is a Los Angeles, CA, based American film director, novelist, producer, and screenwriter most famous for her debut feature, the lesbian love story Claire of the Moon (1992), and released as a novel under the same name the following year.

Conn’s movies, who’ve starred Morgan Fairchild, John Heard and many others you’ll recognize, have also redefined LGBTQ+ cinema.

Nicole created and produced the LGBTQ+ dating show Coming Out for Love with significant input from her daughter, Gabrielle, who inspired the project after questioning the lack of queer representation in dating shows (and Mom listened).

Inspired by her mother, a classical-trained pianist who lived, recorded and worked in Morristown, NJ and Randolph, NY, Nicole decided to turn her attention from the big screen to pen Descending Thirds, a gripping book of ambition, betrayal, and the fragile line between art and integrity – set within the backdrop of classical music.

Conn’s avid followers have proclaimed Descending Thirds, an epic romance, to be the best work of her several decades-long career...and it holds a secret that comes from her mother's own story.

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose.

Rob Kalwarowsky seemed to have it all: graduate of MIT, NAACP Athlete, and he even landed his dream job...with the most toxic boss anyone could have. His boss complained about everything Rob did.

Did he quit? No. Instead he doubled down, and worked harder. The result was loss of self esteem, frustration, confusion, and eventually a suicide attempt (which he kept secret for years).

This is a fascinating discussion on how to be a better leader, and how Rob discovered the 5 types of leaders, and how to get the best out of people in times of uncertainty...from his latest book, Capitalizing on Chaos.

ABOUT ROB KALWAROWSKY:

Rob Kalwarowsky had it all. MIT alum. NCAA athlete. Engineer. High-performer in his native Canada. So why was he on the verge of suicide?

The chaos inside his organization was matched by an internal talk-track that was leaving him confused, frustrated and ready to end it all.

But from depression came transformation: a powerful journey to self-leadership, acceptance and clarity that led beyond the toxic leadership and negative thinking that had stolen his focus.

Confronting the personal and professional demons of chaos, Rob uncovered a proven way to help anyone (and any team) to enhance performance in the midst of uncertainty.

By accessing new perspectives on self-leadership, Rob's strategies help companies and high-growth business leaders to rise above the unpredictability of our times.

An executive coach and TEDx keynote speaker, Rob capitalizes on chaos with multi-billion dollar international companies, entrepreneurs, executives and aspiring leaders.

HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose