In this heart-centered episode, Andy Bennetts sits down with Tina Schweiger—entrepreneur, designer, and emotional intelligence innovator—to explore how we can design better lives by understanding our emotions. Tina opens up about her personal journey through adversity, including the emotional impact of her husband’s cancer diagnosis and how it shaped her mission to help others navigate life with clarity, self-awareness, and resilience.

Tina shares the origin story of FeelWise, a movement and app built to translate emotions into actionable insights. She explains how her background in design and psychology led to the creation of an algorithm that bypasses analytical bias, engages the limbic brain, and quantifies emotional intelligence over time. From classroom teachers to CEOs, Tina’s tools are being used to improve communication, psychological safety, and leadership across industries.

Together, Andy and Tina unpack practical strategies for building emotional intelligence, the difference between reacting and reflecting, and how leaders can model empathy in transformative ways. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or growing yourself, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the power of emotional awareness in shaping the future.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Andy Bennetts sits down with longtime friend and fellow leader Lt. Col. (Ret.) JD Davis to explore a life of service, strategy, and impact. JD shares pivotal leadership lessons from his military background, what it means to lead with chivalry in today’s world, and how his coaching business helps leaders cultivate Energy, Enthusiasm, and Endurance.

The two reflect on their shared history through JLAB, the importance of mentorship, and how leadership evolves across seasons of life. Whether you're a new leader, a seasoned professional, or someone simply seeking purpose and clarity, JD’s story is one you won’t forget.

In this episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, host Andy Bennetts sits down with Beach Money author and legendary entrepreneur Jordan Adler for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about freedom, finances, and the kind of life most people only dream of—but can absolutely build.

Jordan shares the story behind Beach Money, the book that has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide and helped spark the careers of thousands of entrepreneurs. But this episode goes far beyond book sales. It’s a look into the philosophy of residual income—what it is, how it works, and why so many people are stuck living paycheck to paycheck when there are real, accessible alternatives.

Jordan shares his early failures, the mindset shifts that changed his life, and why he believes freedom isn’t about millions—it’s about time. He also highlights his contributions to global microloan platforms like Kiva, where proceeds from his book have helped fund entrepreneurs across the world.

If you've ever felt trapped by your income, uncertain about your financial future, or simply curious about how people build lives of freedom, contribution, and adventure, this episode is a must-listen.

In this powerful episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, host Andy Bennetts sits down with Dr. Fawad Mian, a board-certified neurologist and pioneer in regenerative medicine, to explore a groundbreaking approach to healing chronic pain—without surgery, steroids, or endless prescriptions.

Dr. Mian shares the moving story of a construction worker whose life was transformed after receiving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This wasn’t just pain relief—it was the restoration of function, freedom, and purpose. The conversation then turns personal, as Dr. Mian opens up about his own battles with chronic pain from injuries to his foot, shoulder, knee, and ankle. Having experienced the limitations—and long-term consequences—of traditional pain treatments firsthand, he found real healing in regenerative therapies like PRP and prolotherapy.

Together, Andy and Dr. Mian debunk common myths around pain management, highlight the dangers of masking symptoms with injections or medication, and emphasize the body’s incredible ability to heal itself—when supported properly. From performance-driven adults to aging athletes, this episode offers real hope for those who’ve been told surgery or suffering were their only options.

In this inspiring episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Courtney Weidner, founder of Aligned & Alive and creator of The ALIVE Revolution, to explore what it really means to live a life rooted in purpose, values, and radical self-acceptance.

After 27 years in the insurance world, Courtney felt called to something deeper—so she followed the tug on her soul and rebuilt her life around her true “why”: love. From corporate reinvention to starting a coaching movement, she now empowers others to discover what makes them come alive.

Andy and Courtney dive into:

This episode will leave you feeling uplifted, grounded, and ready to rediscover the parts of yourself you may have tucked away.

What if your life was actually a surprise party—and you just didn’t know it yet?

In this uplifting episode of The Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy sits down with motivational speaker, author, and radio host Denise Metzger—best known for her powerful message: “Life is a surprise party… created to enjoy, not endure.”

Denise shares how a surprise party thrown for her after the birth of her fifth child became a metaphor for how she now shows up in the world—with openness, wonder, and contagious joy. From her early days as a competitive tennis player to divine nudges that led her into the world of radio, Denise reflects on the importance of saying “yes” to the unexpected.

They talk about:

Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a little wonder, this episode will reignite your hope and help you reframe life as something far more magical than just a daily grind.

🔗 Connect with Denise at: www.surpriseinvite.com

Most leaders don’t realize they’re stuck in survival mode—until it’s too late. In this transformative episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Mitch Weisburgh, creator of the MindShifting framework, to explore how high performers can shift from reactivity to resilience.

Mitch shares practical tools to recognize the hidden effects of operating from the limbic brain—overconfidence, binary thinking, emotional reactivity—and explains how to step into what he calls “sage mode.” You’ll hear the story of how a single workshop in Niger ignited a global mission to teach leadership through empathy and self-awareness.

With insights drawn from decades in ed-tech and teaching, plus research-based models like Positive Intelligence and conflict styles frameworks, Mitch equips listeners with strategies they can implement immediately. He even shares the upcoming launch of his AI-powered leadership simulation—a first-of-its-kind training tool with 30+ real-world coaching scenarios.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge you to rethink your thinking—and start leading with more clarity, calm, and collaboration.

🔗 Explore Mitch’s work: www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com

✨ Additional Resources from Mitch:

Free lesson from the course MindShifting: Mastering Your Resourceful Brain: https://mindshiftingwithmitch.blog/demo-preview/

Buy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cF1FjOR

View the MindShifting Educators Newsletter: https://mindshiftingwithmitch.blog/

Learn more on his website: https://www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mweisburgh/

💡 If you enjoyed the book or this episode, consider leaving a review on Amazon or recommending Mitch to two other thought leaders.

In this refreshingly candid and deeply insightful episode, Andy welcomes Debbie Yetta Kahn Cunningham—educator, technologist, life coach, and the original “Virtual Jewish Mother for Rent.” With humor, heart, and a sharp analytical mind, Debbie tackles the growing tension between our rapidly advancing tech landscape and our very human need for connection, literacy, and meaning.

They explore everything from the sensory overload of today’s children to the correlation between wealth and shrinking families, and how both trends are reshaping public education and social systems. Debbie shares her passionate belief that reading—not just digital fluency—is the foundation of personal freedom, and introduces her AI-powered tool, WordWeaver, which creates personalized stories to help reluctant readers fall in love with books again.

This episode covers everything from edtech and Khan Academy to CLEP testing, AI fear-mongering, and the psychology of learning in the digital age. Debbie also shares the powerful legacy of her father, futurist Herman Kahn, and how she’s modernized that intellectual spirit through storytelling, empathy, and smart digital tools.

🎧 It’s thought-provoking, fun, a little spicy—and filled with wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Andy Bennetts sits down with Masako Mai—Army veteran, champion athlete, tech founder, and lifelong servant-leader. From a childhood shaped by loss and injustice to a life dedicated to healing and community-building, Masako’s story is equal parts inspiring and instructive.

Together, they explore Masako’s bold journey through military intelligence, international humanitarian work, and professional boxing—all paths that led her to her current mission: uplifting single-parent households through holistic, tech-powered support. As the founder of Mommy, Mommy-to-Be & Me, Masako is eliminating shame and financial barriers for families by blending services like mental wellness, swim lessons, and music programs into a platform that prioritizes dignity over charity.

Masako reflects on how trauma shaped her, how Muhammad Ali helped her rediscover her fire, and why she believes emotional intelligence, AI literacy, and youth entrepreneurship are the keys to systemic change. She also opens up about her love language, her mother's influence, and how leadership should be rooted in alignment—not hierarchy.

🎧 This episode is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and building systems that serve people—not egos.

What do cause-based marketing, iPad check-in apps, TikTok virality, and Shark Tank all have in common? Justin Baer.

In this high-energy episode, Andy sits down with the serial entrepreneur and creator of Collars & Co.—the brand behind the viral “Dress Collar Polo™”—to explore what it really takes to build, scale, and pivot in today’s market. From raising millions for breast cancer research to landing a deal on Shark Tank, Justin shares a career defined by listening, learning, and acting fast.

He opens up about how a TikTok filmed by his daughter sparked $40K in sales in just 30 days, why obsessing over customer feedback is a superpower, and how his father’s quiet encouragement shaped his fearless approach to business.

If you’re launching a brand, iterating on a product, or just wondering how to turn a random idea into a million-dollar business—this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in for real-world advice, behind-the-scenes Shark Tank insight, and one of the most relatable entrepreneurial stories you’ll hear this year.