What if many of the challenges we face in life—our relationships, decisions, emotions, and personal growth—could be better understood through a framework that reveals the patterns behind human behavior?

In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Jim Marshall, a lifelong researcher of human development and the creator of Septemics.

Jim has devoted more than 50,000 hours to studying human potential. His journey began with a classical education at a Jesuit military school and expanded through engineering, science, psychology, philosophy, theology, metaphysics, history, education, and the study of consciousness.

That decades-long pursuit ultimately led to Septemics, a comprehensive system designed to help people better understand themselves, improve their relationships, recognize behavioral patterns, and make more intentional choices in life.

John and Jim explore how Septemics came to be, the principles behind the system, and why greater self-awareness can become a powerful tool for personal growth, leadership, relationships, and performance.

• What Septemics is and how Jim developed the system

• Why understanding human behavior begins with understanding ourselves

• How recognizing patterns can help us make better decisions

• Ways Septemics can be applied to relationships, leadership, and everyday life

• Why self-awareness is essential to personal growth and reaching our potential

• How changing the way we understand ourselves can ultimately change the way we interact with the world

This conversation challenges us to look beneath the surface of our behaviors and circumstances and ask a bigger question:

How well do we really understand ourselves—and how much more could become possible if we did?

If you're interested in human potential, personal development, psychology, relationships, leadership, or becoming the best version of yourself, this is an episode you'll want to hear.

🎧 Listen now to Embrace Your Awesome with John Geyston and special guest Jim Marshall.

Welcome back to Embrace Your Awesome.

I'm your host, John Geyston.

And today, I want to talk directly to parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers—and really anyone who has the privilege of influencing a child.

After more than four decades of working with children and families, there's something I've come to believe very strongly:

Every child needs a place where they know their voice matters.

And hopefully, the safest place for that voice is home.

As parents, we spend a lot of time trying to prepare our children for life.

We teach them right from wrong.

We help them with school.

We encourage them in sports and activities.

We teach responsibility, discipline, and respect.

Those things matter.

But sometimes, in our desire to teach our children, we forget something just as important:

We need to hear them.

Because self-worth isn't built only by telling a child, "You're amazing."

It's also built when our actions communicate:

"I see you."

"I hear you."

"Your feelings matter."

"Your ideas matter."

"You don't have to become somebody else to be worthy of my love."

So today I want to share eight simple ways we can create more of those moments with our children.

And none of these require us to be perfect parents.

They're simply opportunities to become more intentional parents.

Have you ever wondered why some managers struggle while great leaders inspire people to achieve what they never thought was possible?

Today's guest believes leadership isn't about authority—it's about service.

He built a company from the ground up into a $5 million business, successfully exited, and now dedicates his life to helping leaders build stronger teams, create healthier cultures, and have the conversations most people avoid.

Today we're talking about...

• The four necessities of becoming an exceptional leader.

• Why managers get the easy conversations while leaders get the difficult ones.

• And why your leadership will never outgrow your character.

If you lead a business, coach a team, manage employees, raise children, or simply want to become someone others trust...

You are absolutely going to love today's conversation.

Let's dive in.

Who you spend time with is quietly shaping who you're becoming.

The people closest to you can either pull you toward your purpose or keep you stuck in your past.

Today, we're talking about one of the most important decisions you'll ever make—the people you allow to influence your life.

Welcome to Embrace Your Awesome.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today.

One lesson I've learned after more than four decades of coaching, leading, and working with thousands of people is this:

Success is rarely a solo journey.

Whether we're talking about our faith, our family, our career, or our personal growth, the people we surround ourselves with have an incredible influence on the direction of our lives.

That's not about judging people.

It's about recognizing influence.

Every conversation, every friendship, every mentor, every environment is shaping the person you're becoming.

Today I want to share five powerful truths about building the right circle around your life.

Let's dive in.

What if the biggest obstacle to your success isn't the world around you—but the person you've accepted yourself to be?

In this inspiring episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Air Force veteran, international military advisor, musician, author, and visionary Peter Gunn for a conversation that challenges you to think differently about purpose, resilience, and personal transformation.

Peter shares the defining moments that shaped his extraordinary journey—from surviving a near-death experience at just seven years old and overcoming childhood obesity to serving more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force before pursuing a life of creativity, leadership, and storytelling.

Together, John and Peter explore why true growth begins within, how adversity can become your greatest teacher, and what it really means to become the hero of your own story.

If you're searching for greater purpose, battling self-doubt, or ready to break through the limitations holding you back, this episode will inspire you to embrace the life you were created to live.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why your greatest battle is often the one within.
• How adversity can become the foundation of your purpose.
• The connection between discipline, resilience, and lasting success.
• Why creativity and leadership begin with self-awareness.
• Practical insights for living with greater intention and impact.

This is more than a conversation—it's an invitation to stop settling, unlock your potential, and embrace your awesome.

Beyond the Report Card: 7 Ways to Help Your Child Thrive Academically and Socially This School Year

Success in school is about so much more than grades. In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, John Geyston shares seven practical, research-backed strategies that help children build confidence, resilience, character, and meaningful relationships while achieving academic success.

Drawing from more than 40 years of working with thousands of children and families, John explains why the students who thrive most aren't necessarily the ones with the highest IQ—they're the ones who develop strong habits, healthy connections, and the confidence to keep growing through challenges.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, educator, or mentor, you'll walk away with simple, actionable ideas you can begin using today to help your child succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why character matters more than chasing grades

• How daily routines create lasting success

• The power of meaningful conversations with your child

• How to encourage a growth mindset through challenges

• Why friendships shape academic and emotional well-being

• The importance of balancing achievement with rest and play

• How to celebrate progress instead of perfection

Because the greatest report card isn't measured by letters on paper—it's measured by the person your child is becoming.

Subscribe, share, and join us each week as we help you embrace your awesome and bring out the best in those you love.

In a world that celebrates hustle, busyness, and constant achievement, many leaders are paying a hidden price—burnout, broken relationships, and a loss of purpose.

In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Hanna D. Bauer, Founder and CEO of HEARTnomics™, to explore a different path to success. Hanna shares how leading with heart isn't soft—it's one of the most powerful strategies for building resilient teams, creating healthy cultures, and achieving sustainable high performance.

Drawing from her experience as a CEO, leadership expert, and childhood heart disease survivor, Hanna offers practical insights on overcoming burnout, leading through change, aligning values with action, and developing people without sacrificing well-being.

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, coach, educator, parent, or someone striving to make a greater impact, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership and success.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why burnout isn't a badge of honor
• The connection between heart-centered leadership and high performance
• How resilient cultures are intentionally built
• Practical ways to lead yourself before leading others
• Why your greatest competitive advantage may be your humanity

If you're ready to lead with greater purpose, build stronger relationships, and achieve lasting success without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Subscribe to Embrace Your Awesome for inspiring conversations with world-class leaders, coaches, authors, and high achievers who share the mindset, habits, and principles that help ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things.

Authentic Leadership: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Leading from Within with Kurt Bush

What if the biggest obstacle to your leadership isn't your skills—but the story you believe about yourself?

In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, John Geyston sits down with leadership coach, Certified Internal Family Systems Practitioner, and co-author Kurt Bush to explore the hidden struggles that many high achievers face: imposter syndrome, self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout.

Together, they discuss how authentic leadership begins with self-awareness, healing, and understanding the internal beliefs that shape our decisions. If you've ever felt like you're constantly trying to prove yourself despite your accomplishments, this conversation will help you replace performance with purpose and lead with greater confidence, resilience, and authenticity.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why successful people still struggle with imposter syndrome.
• The connection between trauma, self-doubt, and leadership.
• How self-awareness transforms confidence and decision-making.
• Practical ways to stop performing and start living authentically.
• Why the most important leader you'll ever lead is yourself.

This conversation is for leaders, entrepreneurs, parents, coaches, and anyone ready to embrace who they truly are and unlock their full potential.

What if the greatest gift you could give your child isn't more advice—but a safe place to be heard?

In this solo mentoring episode of Embrace Your Awesome, performance coach and author John Geyston shares practical ways parents can create a home where children feel emotionally safe to share their fears, dreams, mistakes, and victories without fear of judgment.

Drawing from more than 44 years of coaching children and families, John explains why trust is built through everyday conversations, how parents can become more approachable, and why emotional safety at home becomes the foundation for healthy relationships throughout life.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why connection should always come before correction.

• How to create daily moments for meaningful conversations.

• The power of modeling vulnerability and emotional honesty.

• How to respond in ways that encourage openness instead of silence.

• Practical strategies for teaching children healthy communication and conflict resolution.

• Why the relationships your child builds outside the home begin with the relationship they have with you.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or mentor, this episode will inspire you to build deeper connections and create a home where your child feels seen, heard, valued, and loved.

Because your child doesn't need a perfect parent—they need a safe one.

If you're enjoying Embrace Your Awesome, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with another parent or mentor. Together, we can help the next generation grow with confidence, resilience, and authentic connection.

What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and the life you want is the one you've created in your own mind?

In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, pilot, keynote speaker, coach, and Grow Smart author Mike DeJong to explore what it truly takes to build a life of purpose, freedom, and impact. Mike shares lessons from leading businesses across more than 1,500 locations, overcoming adversity, developing resilient leadership, and creating success that extends far beyond financial achievement.

If you're an entrepreneur, leader, or someone ready to challenge your own limitations and unlock your next level of growth, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger, lead better, and become the person capable of creating the life you truly desire.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why your greatest limitations are often self-imposed
• The mindset shifts that create lasting personal and professional growth
• How resilient leaders thrive through adversity
• The connection between leadership, freedom, and fulfillment
• Practical strategies to grow yourself while growing your business

This episode is a reminder that success isn't just about what you accomplish—it's about who you become along the journey.