Is adversity an affliction or could it be an investment? To make life more fulfilling, you have to challenge yourself. World Record holder Martin Frey is the first person to climb the Seven Summits and also to sail the Seven Seas. Join the Backseat Drivers as we chat about how to summit your own peaks and weather your personal storms and accomplish your life’s goals. You can find out more about Martin's journey at https://7summits7seas.org.  And... you can find out more about joining Martin on future adventures by visiting https://www.summitjourneys.org/ 

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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You often hear about changing your thoughts which then helps change your actions.  Did you know that you can also change your behavior which can change your mind? A.J. Jacobs is a renowned journalist and author. Through his own human guinea pig experiments, he embarks on lifestyle changing adventures that combine humor and reality-based knowledge that inspires others to stop and smell the roses . . . and the dirt! Join the Backseat Drivers - Niki Bennett and Mark Yamada - for a fun and insightful discussion with A.J. Jacobs that is a perfect way to kick off the new year!   

To learn more about A.J., follow him on Twitter @ajjacobs, visit his website at https://ajjacobs.com/ or check out his latest book,  Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey.   

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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Everyone wants to be treated with kindness, respect, and love. Differences and diversity stir interest and curiosity in some, while others react with fear and anger. Only real understanding and accurate knowledge can dispel fear, heal wounds, and build bridges of inclusion. Everyone can make a difference in making the world a more welcoming place for people who are LGBTQ+.

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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Have you ever considered that love and happiness are not only good feelings, but a lifestyle? Listen in as Peggy and Art Hannemann tell their story of how a little burger shop with humble beginnings can be your guide to a happy life. It’s not just what you do but how you do it. In 2009 on a whim, they bought a hole in the wall restaurant, in the small country town of Kahuku, Oahu and Seven Brothers was born. Immediately it became their second home, the place where they gathered to create delicious food to fill their bellies after surfing and talk about the magic of the day. A place where they have continued to live the story of their lives— of work, loyalty and family but mostly of love and happiness. Although they have grown from the original Seven Brothers, and as a family with their wives and children of their own, the dream is the same and so is the place. A place where you will always find a family aiming to serve God and others first. A place where everyone is welcome. Where they want everyone to find not only the best food but the best feeling possible. A place where it’s not just a meal, but a lifestyle.  Find out more about Seven Brothers at http://www.sevenbrothersburgers.com/our-strory

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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Therapists are ordinary people too. We worry about being good enough to help our clients. We keep learning as we go and reflect on the insights that arise from listening to our guests. We often record our reflection conversations but usually don’t release these recordings. But we felt that this one shares a bit more of the personal Niki and Mark with our listeners. Listen in on Mark and Niki’s backseat conversation about how Annette’s story affected us.

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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How do you find the will to keep going when everything you lived for is taken away? In an instant, Annette lost everything that was important to her. What do you do when it feels like you have nothing left; when you don't even know where to start? Listen to Annette's inspiring story of creating incredible joy and purpose after everything was lost.

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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OCD can take over your life. You may not be able to choose what you feel, but you can always choose how you’re going to react to it. Sarah shares how she faces her obsessions and compulsions and manages living with OCD. Join the backseat drivers (Niki and Mark) for a conversation with Sarah Thomas about how she took back her life and is no longer held hostage by OCD.

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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We’ve all made mistakes and done things that we regret. Most of the time things to fade into the past And they don’t become part of our story. What happens when one of those mistakes continues to come up again and again and becomes hard to let go. What happens when you’ve grown and changed significantly as a person and those past mistakes don’t reflect who you are and yet others remain stuck in your old story? How can we let go of the past, forgive ourselves for past mistakes and forgive others up and write a new story for everyone involved? Jimmy Donahoo served four years in federal prison. Join the backseat drivers and hear about Jimmy‘s story and learn about the importance of kindness, forgiving yourself and forgiving others and what it takes to rewrite your new story. Find Jimmy on instagram @jimmydonahoo or at https://www.jimmydonahoo.net 

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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Do you know anyone who has overcome challenge after challenge after challenge only to become better each time?  Fiona Solis is one of those people.  She is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, has coped with an eating disorder, the divorce of her parents and moving to a new place and culture and more.  Fiona has dealt with all of these issues and more with a level of grace, forgiveness, insight and love that is uncommon for her age.  Join the backseat drivers (Niki and Mark) for a conversation with Fiona Solis about her journey through these challenges and commitment to becoming her best self.

You can reach Fiona Solis on instagram at fiionasolis

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

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We all love personality tests... especially when they reveal truths about us or someone we know.  Most are based on the behaviors we observe. What if there was a way to go deeper and understand the core motives that drive behaviors (both good and bad) and create our personalities? Would you take that test? Dr. Taylor Hartman is the author of The Color Code and a very successful clinical therapist with two PhD’s after his name.  Taylor will tell you that his greatest achievement in life is not those PhD’s... it is helping individuals to see themselves clearly for the first time.  Join Niki Bennett LCSW and Mark Yamada PhD (aka the backseat drivers) for a fun conversation with Dr. Taylor Hartman.  Learn about the basis of the Color Code  and how you can use it to better understand yourself and others you know and love.  Listeners can take the test for FREE at http://taylorhartman.com/personality-profile?. You can find more information about Taylor’s work at http://taylorhartman.com/ and/or contact him directly at [email protected]. 

You can connect with Niki Bennett at https://www.ascentcoachingandtherapy.com/

P.S. If you like this podcast, please share it with a friend!

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