In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Michael T. Brown, licensed counselor and leadership expert, to explore what it really takes to regain control when life feels overwhelming, uncertain, or completely off track.

We talk about:

· Why people feel powerless when circumstances feel out of control

· The hidden role of belief deficits and thought patterns in keeping people stuck

· How environment and mindset interact to shape outcomes

· The shift from surviving to thriving through intentional mental frameworks

· The power of gratitude as a practical tool for resilience

· “Mental mapping” — defining where you are, where you want to go, and the path in between

· How to turn setbacks into structured comebacks

· The importance of aligning goals with purpose, faith, or deeper meaning

· Why success is a learnable skill, not just luck or circumstance

This is a practical and grounded conversation about taking ownership of your inner world — and learning how to build clarity, resilience, and direction even in the middle of chaos.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE :

Connect with Michael : https://brownsleadership.com/Home.php

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046

Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Hillary Mompere-Patters, trauma coach, elder, and transformational mentor, to explore how deep healing begins from within—and what it truly takes to rebuild a life after trauma.

We talk about:

· How early life experiences and trauma shape identity and behavior
· Hillary’s journey from addiction, chaos, and self-destruction to healing and purpose
· The role of surrender and spirituality in her turning point
· Why many people live behind emotional “masks” without realizing it
· How daily spiritual and grounding practices support long-term healing
· The difference between changing your life and reconnecting with your true self
· Practical tools for staying grounded during emotional or external chaos
· Why it is never too late to begin again, no matter your past
· How service, faith, and inner stability create lasting transformation

This is a powerful and grounded conversation about moving beyond trauma-driven patterns — and learning how to rebuild your life by reconnecting with your inner strength, truth, and sense of purpose.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE :

Connect with Hilary : https://www.hilarymombergerpowers.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046

Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Lauretta Zucchetti, speaker and author of Painted Red, to explore what it really takes to break free from lifelong conditioning and step into authentic self-leadership.

We talk about:

· How childhood conditioning and societal expectations shape women’s identities
· Lauretta’s journey from a restrictive upbringing in Italy to self-discovery in the United States
· The moment she began questioning the roles she was taught to live by
· Why so many women stay stuck in patterns they’ve outgrown
· How to rebuild self-worth and challenge limiting beliefs from the inside out
· Moving from survival mode into intentional, high-aligned living
· The role of faith, intuition, and spiritual connection in personal transformation
· Why embracing imperfection is essential to real confidence
· The importance of conscious choice in rewriting your life story

This is a deeply reflective conversation about unlearning inherited limitations — and learning how to trust yourself enough to rebuild your identity, your choices, and your life on your own terms.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE :
Connect with
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Karen Uslin, cultural historian and adoptee, to explore how fragmented family histories shape identity — and what it takes to make sense of the parts we can’t fully recover.

We talk about:

· How missing or incomplete family records shape personal identity
· Karen’s journey of discovering her biological sister and Ruthenian heritage
· The emotional and practical challenges of researching closed adoptions and displaced family histories
· Why identity is an evolving story, not a fixed origin
· How to begin researching your past when information is fragmented or lost
· The importance of starting with what you don’t know to guide your search
· How to handle conflicting, missing, or uncertain historical data
· The role of family resilience in understanding your present self
· Breaking inherited patterns through deeper awareness of family history

This is a grounded and reflective conversation about navigating uncertainty in your origins — and learning how to turn fragmented history into clarity, meaning, and a stronger sense of self.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE -

Connect with Karen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenluslinphd/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Jim Marshall, polymath and creator of the groundbreaking Septimics system, to explore a radically different way of understanding human behavior, motivation, and development.

We talk about:

· Why most self-help frameworks fail to explain human behavior in a structured way
· The Septimics system and how it maps human development across 35 distinct scales
· The seven levels of human motivation and how they show up in real life
· How to assess compatibility in relationships, friendships, and business partnerships
· Why understanding “levels” of behavior can prevent costly personal and professional mistakes
· The gradient principle and why growth always happens step-by-step
· How to make faster, more accurate decisions about people using behavioral patterns
· Real-world applications in hiring, leadership, and relationship dynamics
· How structured thinking can bring clarity in emotionally complex situations

This is a thought-provoking conversation about moving beyond vague self-help advice — and learning how a structured understanding of human behavior can help you make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and navigate life with greater clarity and control.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE :

Connect with Jim : http://septemics.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Ken Kunken, retired prosecutor and author of I Dream of Things That Never Were, to explore what it truly means to take control in the face of life-altering adversity.

We talk about:

· The life-changing football injury that left him nearly paralyzed — and the mindset shift that followed
· Becoming the first quadriplegic to graduate from Cornell despite major accessibility barriers
· How a strong support system helped him maintain high expectations
· Turning physical and emotional setbacks into purpose and long-term success
· Building a 40-year career as a prosecutor through resilience and determination
· The role of patience, routine, and consistency during slow progress
· How gratitude and hope reshape your perspective in difficult moments
· Redefining success beyond limitations and external circumstances
· Using adversity as a foundation to inspire and impact others

This is a powerful, perspective-shifting conversation about refusing to be defined by circumstances — and learning how to turn setbacks into stepping stones for a life of purpose, impact, and resilience.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE

Connect with Ken Kunken - https://kenkunken.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Michael Michiels, personal development coach, to explore how mastering your mind can transform even the darkest moments into a foundation for confidence, discipline, and purpose.

We talk about:

· How years of bullying shaped his early mindset — and what changed everything
· The deeper psychological roots behind procrastination and low self-worth
· Why most people try to fix symptoms instead of addressing the real problem
· The power of self-talk and how it quietly builds your identity
· The 1-3-5 method for building structure, discipline, and daily progress
· Rebuilding trust in yourself after setbacks or self-doubt
· Turning rock bottom into a launchpad for growth
· Creating small, consistent habits that lead to lasting transformation

This is a raw, honest conversation about taking back control from negative patterns — and learning how to rebuild your life from the inside out, one decision at a time.

CONNECT & EXPLORE -

Connect with Maikel - https://maikelmichiels.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Sheekha Singh, tech leader and author of Unburnable Ambition, to unpack the hidden cost of high achievement — and what it really takes to succeed without burning out.

We talk about:

· Why burnout often hides behind ambition and productivity
· The myth of constant busyness as a measure of success
· How to recognize early warning signs before burnout takes over
· Redefining success in a way that supports both growth and well-being
· Building systems and boundaries that protect your energy
· The unique challenges faced by women in tech and high-performance spaces
· How cultural expectations shape ambition and how to break free from them
· The role of delegation, AI, and community in sustainable success
· Why progress matters more than perfection

This is a direct, eye-opening conversation about taking back control from burnout — and learning how to pursue ambition in a way that actually fuels your life, instead of draining it.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE

Connect with Sheekha : https://sheekhasingh.com/aboutme/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046

Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Sheldon Greaves, guerrilla scholar and founder of a university, to challenge the idea that traditional institutions are the only path to meaningful intellectual growth.

We talk about:

· Why institutional education isn’t the only route to deep learning
· What “guerrilla scholarship” really means in today’s world
· How independent thinkers like Buckminster Fuller and Eric Hoffer shaped history outside academia
· Building your own learning system based on curiosity and discipline
· How to filter disinformation and think critically in an information-heavy world
· Creating and leveraging learning communities beyond the classroom
· Finding powerful, overlooked resources (including your local library)
· Why modern education often neglects personal development
· How to take ownership of your intellectual growth without waiting for permission

This is a bold, thought-provoking conversation about breaking free from conventional systems — and taking full control of how you learn, think, and contribute to the world.

CONNECT AND EXPLORE

Connect with Sheldon - https://guerrillascholar.substack.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oxm0ryKZ5ttYOjlNQRT1E
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/control-or-be-controlled/id1893693046
Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/controlorbecontrolled

In this episode of Control or Be Controlled, we sit down with Nadége Saysana to explore the deeper emotional and psychological patterns behind binge eating — and what it actually takes to create lasting change in your relationship with food.

We talk about:

· What led to her binge eating and what it looked like in real life
· The difference between physical hunger and emotional urges
· Why cravings are often emotional messages, not just food-related needs
· The impact of eating your emotions (sadness, loneliness, boredom, stress)
· What most people try that doesn’t actually stop binge eating long-term
· The turning point that finally helped break the cycle
· What urges are really trying to communicate beneath the surface
· The first kind step to take when you notice emotional eating patterns
· The core tools and principles behind her coaching approach
· A powerful client transformation story

This is a grounded, honest conversation about moving from unconscious patterns to awareness — and learning how to respond to yourself with understanding instead of control, shame, or discipline alone.

CONNECT & EXPLORE

Join Podmatch: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/controlorbecontrolled
Learn more about Nadége Saysana: https://www.milobingefix.com/