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Flying Upstream Podcast
By Kristyn MedeirosSociety & Culture
Flying Upstream Podcast episodes
- 152: Redefining Success from the Inside Out: Self-Worth, Healing, and Choosing Yourself
What if success isn’t about doing more — but about honoring who you are and what truly matters to you?
In this episode of Flying Upstream, host Kristin Medeiros is joined by Amy Lenius, Director of Group Coaching at Next Level University, for a deeply honest conversation about self-worth, self-belief, and redefining success on your own terms.
Amy shares her personal journey through chronic illness and how it forced her to slow down, listen inward, and challenge the external definitions of success she once chased. Together, Kristin and Amy unpack why discomfort is essential for growth, why “balance” is an unrealistic goal, and how understanding your core values can completely transform the way you make decisions, set boundaries, and care for yourself.
This episode is especially powerful for women who feel overwhelmed by expectations, disconnected from their needs, or stuck trying to do it all while feeling depleted.
If you’re ready to stop pouring from an empty cup and start choosing yourself — without guilt — this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.
#PodMatch
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Flying Upstream
01:24 Redefining success: Amy’s journey
06:25 The power of self-belief
10:30 Embracing discomfort for growth
14:19 Finding harmony in life’s many roles
18:33 Overcoming overwhelm by prioritizing what matters
22:14 Uncovering and living by your core values
26:00 Choosing yourself as the path to true healingGuest Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.lenius
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylenius
Group Coaching: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/group-coaching/MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
SEO Keywords
self-worth, personal development, success, self-belief, growth, discomfort, core values, women empowerment, healing, life balance
30 min - 151: From Trauma to True Fulfillment: How Alan Lazaros Turned Pain into Purpose
Episode Description / Show Notes (Amy Porterfield–Style)
What happens when you achieve everything you were told would make you happy… and it still doesn’t feel like enough?
In this powerful episode of Flying Upstream, host Kristin Medeiros sits down with Alan Lazaros, CEO and co-founder of Next Level University, to explore what real success actually looks like.
Alan opens up about growing up in chaos, navigating childhood trauma, and becoming a “super achiever” in an effort to prove his worth. After a life-altering car accident forced him to confront his mortality, Alan began asking deeper questions about authenticity, fulfillment, and meaning — questions that ultimately led him away from traditional corporate success and into a purpose-driven life of coaching and impact.
This conversation is a must-listen if you’ve ever thought:
Is this really it?
Why doesn’t success feel as good as I thought it would?
What would it look like to live fully aligned with who I truly am?You’ll walk away feeling seen, inspired, and empowered to face your fears, redefine success, and build a legacy rooted in meaning — not just achievements.
#PodMatch
Connect with Alan Lazarus:
Instagram | Linkedln
MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
Episode Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Flying Upstream
01:07 Alan Lazaros’ journey from chaos to clarity
03:02 Childhood trauma and its hidden impact
06:04 The car accident that changed everything
09:00 Why success without meaning feels empty
12:12 Fear of abandonment and the cost of authenticity
14:53 From corporate life to coaching and impact
18:14 Goals, dreams, and living intentionally
21:09 Embracing uniqueness and overcoming fear
23:47 Authenticity vs. acceptance: choosing the harder path
27:01 Final thoughts and call to actionSEO Keywords
personal growth, transformation, authenticity, trauma, coaching, legacy, meaning, success, abandonment, goals
Edited by Cole B
29 min - 150: Ditching the Digital Dream: Robin Singh on Leaving US Tech Wealth for Purpose, Animal Rescue, and the Happiness Scam
What if the ultimate picture of success—wealth, comfort, and financial independence—felt completely empty?
In this profoundly honest and thought-provoking episode of Flying Upstream, we sit down with Robin Singh, the author of Happiness Happens and founder of Peepow Farm, an incredible animal rescue and awareness organization in rural India. Robin is the definition of flying upstream: he walked away from a life many only dream of as a financially independent US tech entrepreneur in Arizona to return to India in search of truth and purpose.
Robin takes us through the pivotal moment in 2010 when, having achieved his goal of not having to work to live, he realized the template for happiness he’d followed was a scam. This journey of self-education—fueled by the public library system—led him to dismantle his own life, become a minimalist, turn vegan, and finally, find a singular, profound reason to live: reducing suffering in the world.
If you’ve ever felt the hollow void despite having "everything," this conversation will fundamentally change the way you view consumption, success, and what it truly means to live a life of lasting contentment.
Key Takeaways & Discussion Points
* The Hollow Achievement: Robin shares the exact moment he achieved financial independence at age 30 and found the subsequent few months of travel and leisure "very empty."
* The Happiness Scam: Why Robin views happiness as a scam created by capitalism and how consumerism exploits our lack of understanding of true contentment.
* Success Re-defined: We discuss the difference between defining success by accumulating external things (status, mansions, cars) versus achieving absolute freedom to choose what you do or don't do.
* The Suffering Footprint: Robin introduces the concept of the suffering footprint, detailing how every act of consumption—from a pencil to morning yogurt—requires production and causes suffering somewhere in the world.
* From Suicide to Service: The powerful realization in Auroville, India, that led Robin to abandon the pursuit of happiness and choose to live entirely for purpose—the infinite pursuit of reducing suffering.
* The Rewiring of the Brain: How dedicating his life to service work at Peepow Farm—despite discomfort and hardship—rewired his brain to derive "feel good" from doing good rather than from pleasure-seeking.
* Peepow Farm’s Mission: Beyond rescue and sterilization, the goal is to inspire empathy and nudge people to stop objectifying animals, bringing about a lasting cultural change.
* Contentment is Created: The ultimate litmus test: Lasting peace and contentment are not found, but are created by giving your life a wholesome purpose that can satisfactorily answer the question: What am I living for?
🔗 Resources & Connect
You can continue to follow Robin Singh's inspirational journey and learn more about his work:
* 📘 Robin’s Book: Find Happiness Happens on Amazon.com
* 🐾 Peepow Farm: Learn about the animal rescue and awareness mission on their YouTube and weekly blog.
* 📸 Instagram: Follow Robin’s work and upcoming animated videos based on the book
33 min - 149: When Loss Becomes a Doorway with Psychic Medium Tammy Young
What happens when unimaginable grief opens a pathway to a deeper, more profound connection?
In this powerful episode of Flying Upstream, host Kristyn Medeiros sits down with Tammy Young, a certified psychic medium and Reiki master. Tammy's journey is a remarkable pivot from a highly logical career as an electrical engineer at Motorola to helping people reconnect with loved ones who have passed.
Tammy shares how the devastating stillbirth of her child became the catalyst for her spiritual awakening, leading her to explore the possibility that love truly never ends. Discover how her engineering background surprisingly aids her understanding of energy and spirit communication.
Tammy dives into the world of After-Death Communication (ADCs), explaining the subtle, unexpected ways our loved ones reach out—from hearing our name called in a quiet room to powerful symbols and synchronicity. Learn how practices like dream journaling and automatic writing can open your intuitive channels.
If you’ve ever wondered if a sign is real or just your imagination, Tammy offers a beautiful and practical perspective: Why not believe it? Her story is a heartfelt reminder to align your external life with your inner values and that the bottom line of the human experience is simply love.
✨ Key Takeaways & Discussion Points
* The Catalyst for Change: How the profound loss of her child shifted Tammy's path from a logical engineering career into the world of spirituality and mediumship.
* Engineering and Intuition: Tammy explains how her background in measuring unseen forces (like electricity) makes the concept of measurable spirit energy deeply logical and understandable.
* What are ADCs? Understanding After-Death Communication and recognizing the subtle signs, symbols, and synchronicities from deceased loved ones.
* Tuning In: Practical advice on how to be open to and interpret signs, voices, and symbols from spirit, even if you are skeptical.
* The Power of Belief: Why choosing to believe that a sign is a message from a loved one gives the connection power and energy.
* Spiritual Practices: The role of meditation, dream journaling, and automatic writing in opening the line of communication with spirit and your own intuition.
* Reiki as a Complement: How learning to become a Reiki master helped Tammy manage and understand the overwhelming energy she experienced during mediumship.
* Finding Community: Navigating the loneliness of a spiritual awakening and finding a supportive community that is open to these experiences.
* The Ultimate Lesson: Tammy shares the most important message she receives from spirit: The purpose of the human experience is love, and the importance of self-love and conscious treatment of others.
Find Tammy on Facebook (TammyYoungMedium), Instagram (@tymedium) and her website tammyyoungmedium.com
✨Follow along for daily inspiration:
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
→ Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flying-upstream-podcast/id1745028647
24 min - 148: Breaking Silence, Breaking Cycles: Pamela Michaux on Trauma, Identity & Reclaiming Your Voice
In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Flying Upstream, host Luisa Anderson sits down with international speaker, trauma survivor, and author Pamela Michaux for an unforgettable conversation about rising from generational wounds, reclaiming identity, and transforming pain into purpose.
Pamela—author of Mundele Diaries: A Memoir of Survival, Silence, and the Courage to Break Free—opens up about her childhood in Congo, the racial identity conflicts she faced, and the harrowing abuse she endured after being sent to Belgium at age seven. From forced labor, racism, and emotional torment to sexual abuse and abandonment, Pamela shares the truth behind her story with raw honesty and unshakable strength.
At just 12 years old, she found the courage to take her abusers to court—setting in motion a lifelong journey of healing, empowerment, and breaking generational trauma.
Together, Pamela and Luisa explore:
✨ What happens when the people meant to love you become the source of your deepest pain
✨ Why silence isn’t protection—it’s a prison
✨ How trauma shapes identity, relationships, and self-worth
✨ The moment Pamela chose to save herself and her siblings
✨ Practical steps for anyone feeling trapped in abuse, trauma, or their own story
✨ How writing Mundele Diaries became the key to reclaiming her voice
✨ Why healing requires truth-telling, self-responsibility, and radical honestyThis episode is born from truth, courage, and the unstoppable power of the human spirit. If you’ve ever endured trauma, felt unseen, or struggled to break patterns that were never yours to carry, Pamela’s story will reach into your heart and remind you: you are not alone—and you can rise.
BOOKS WE LOVE
✨Looking for your next inspiring read? Explore our curated collection of books we love—featuring recommendations from our guests as well as personal favorites from Kristyn, all aligned with the heart of Flying Upstream. Check them out here: https://www.flyingupstreampodcast.com/books-we-love
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
✨Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join our growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives.
✨ Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube
MORE FROM US
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok32 min - 147: 🌊 From Emmy-Winning Filmmaker to Ocean Protector: Scott Ressler on Purpose, Spirituality, and Storytelling
In this episode of Flying Upstream, Emmy award-winning filmmaker and conservationist Scott Ressler opens up about how he left a conventional career path to follow a calling rooted in ocean protection, Indigenous-led conservation, and deep spiritual connection to nature. Scott shares the unexpected moments that reshaped the way he sees the natural world, and why he believes authentic storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for environmental awareness. Scott reveals how authentic leadership, spiritual humility, and storytelling can shift public awareness — inspiring younger generations to value nature and cultural heritage over short-term profit. Whether you’re a storyteller, conservationist, or seeker of purpose, this conversation invites you to rethink your place in nature and how your work can nurture a more conscious future.
Chapters
00:00 The Interconnectedness of Nature
02:50 Finding Your Path: From Uncertainty to Purpose
08:42 Storytelling as a Tool for Conservation
10:59 Spiritual Connections in Nature
16:31 Evolving Passions: From Filmmaking to Conservation
20:29 Authenticity in Leadership and Storytelling
23:30 Belonging and Connection to the Earth🌊 Connect with Scott Ressler
The Last Ice – National GeographicBOOKS WE LOVE
✨Looking for your next inspiring read? Explore our curated collection of books we love—featuring recommendations from our guests as well as personal favorites from Kristyn and me, all aligned with the heart of Flying Upstream. Check them out here: https://www.flyingupstreampodcast.com/books-we-love
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
✨Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join our growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives: https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4
✨ Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA
✨Explore the Flying Upstream Blog: https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/
MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
26 min - 146: 💫 Breaking Free from Evangelicalism: Faith, Identity & the Power of Queer Storytelling
In this episode of Flying Upstream, filmmaker Cheryl Isaacson opens up about her journey from evangelical youth culture to becoming an independent filmmaker creating unapologetically queer stories. Cheryl reflects on the tension between faith and identity, the emotional complexity of leaving a high-control religious environment, and the role filmmaking played in reclaiming her voice.
She exposes the cult-like dynamics present in many evangelical communities—the illusion of safety, the suppression of authenticity, and the fear-based teachings that keep members from exploring the world beyond the church. Through the creation of her film “Girlie,” Cheryl brings visibility to queer individuals who grew up within evangelical spaces and felt forced to hide essential parts of themselves.
This conversation offers clarity, validation, and empowerment to anyone navigating deconstruction, spiritual abuse, or the journey of reclaiming identity after long-term religious conditioning.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 — The Illusion of Safety in Faith Communities
01:10 — Cheryl’s Journey: From Evangelical Culture to Filmmaking
06:04 — Artistic Expression Within the Church
10:16 — Recognizing Cult-Like Dynamics in Evangelicalism
16:07 — The Struggle to Leave: A Journey of Deconstruction
21:06 — Creating Girlie: A Queer Christian Coming-of-Age Story
27:07 — Empowering the Next Generation: Identity and Voice🌐 Connect with Cheryl
Instagram: @cherylisaacson
Website: cherylisaacson.com
Lincoln Street Studios: lincolnstreetstudios.com
Girlie (the movie): girliethemovie.comBOOKS WE LOVE
✨Looking for your next inspiring read? Explore our curated collection of books we love—featuring recommendations from our guests as well as personal favorites from Kristyn and me, all aligned with the heart of Flying Upstream. Check them out here: https://www.flyingupstreampodcast.com/books-we-love
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
✨Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join our growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives: https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4
✨ Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA
✨Explore the Flying Upstream Blog: https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/
MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
34 min - 145: 🌙 Navigating the Liminal Space of Growth: Letting Go, Identity & Transformation
In this episode of Flying Upstream, hosts Kristyn and Luisa dive into the raw and often uncomfortable process of transformation. Together, they explore what it means to let go of old identities, move through the liminal space of change, and embrace the grief that accompanies growth. This conversation highlights how personal evolution rarely feels linear—and why that’s okay.
They unpack the tension between who we’ve been and who we are becoming, emphasizing the importance of balancing effort with rest, recognizing emotional shifts, and taking small, intentional steps forward. With community support, honest self-reflection, and a willingness to sit in the uncertainty, listeners are reminded that transformation is messy, human, and deeply worthwhile.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 — Navigating the Liminal Space of Growth
02:05 — Letting Go of Old Identities
05:48 — The Importance of Balance in Life
10:02 — Grief and Growth: Acknowledging Change
14:00 — Choosing Your New Life
17:53 — Taking Action in the Middle SpaceBOOKS WE LOVE
✨Looking for your next inspiring read? Explore our curated collection of books we love—featuring recommendations from our guests as well as personal favorites from Kristyn and me, all aligned with the heart of Flying Upstream. Check them out here: https://www.flyingupstreampodcast.com/books-we-love
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
✨Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join our growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives: https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4
✨ Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA
✨Explore the Flying Upstream Blog: https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/
MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
23 min - 144: 🌿 Transforming Pain Into Purpose: Healing, Community & the Power of Ayahuasca
In this episode of Flying Upstream, host Luisa Anderson sits down with Omziel Garcia for a deeply honest and transformative conversation about healing, personal growth, and the power of community. From a turbulent childhood in Brooklyn shaped by trauma, instability, and addiction, Omar opens up about the turning points that led him toward self-discovery—and the profound impact ayahuasca had on his path to transformation.
He shares how service became a guiding force in his healing journey and how the Wind Horse Rising Men's Experience was created to offer men a safe space to confront pain, generational wounds, and emotional suppression. This episode explores how personal growth is inseparable from community, and how healing one life can ripple across families, generations, and entire communities.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Alternative Paths
01:10 — Omeziel’s Early Life and Struggles
06:17 — The Journey to Healing and Ayahuasca
11:32 — The Power of Service and Community
13:51 — Wind Horse Rising Men’s Experience
20:09 — Healing Generational Trauma
27:14 — The Role of Brotherhood in Healing
31:06 — Daily Rituals for Reclaiming Life🔗 Connect with Omziel Garcia:
Instagram: @OmzielHealing
Website: https://OmzielHealingSanctuary.com
BOOKS WE LOVE
✨Looking for your next inspiring read? Explore our curated collection of books we love—featuring recommendations from our guests as well as personal favorites from Kristyn and me, all aligned with the heart of Flying Upstream. Check them out here: https://www.flyingupstreampodcast.com/books-we-love
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
✨Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join our growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives: https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4
✨ Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA
✨Explore the Flying Upstream Blog: https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/
MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
35 min - 143: 🧭 Unleashing the Superpower Within: From Military Discipline to Inner Freedom
In this episode of Flying Upstream, Marat Omarov traces the arc of a remarkable transformation—one shaped by a strict military upbringing in Kazakhstan, a rapid rise in politics, and ultimately a complete reimagining of what it means to live with purpose.
Through personal stories of discipline, escape, ego dissolution, and deep self-inquiry, Marat reveals how discovering our inner superpower requires shedding societal expectations and redefining success on our own terms. He opens up about the role psychedelics played in his personal evolution, the emotional cost of external achievements, and the vision behind his regenerative village in Costa Rica—a community built on sustainability, belonging, and new ways of living.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 — The Superpower Within Us All
01:13 — Marat's Journey: From Military to Politics
02:43 — Childhood on a Military Base: Discipline and Identity
05:18 — Breaking Free: The Escape from Military School
11:25 — The Political Career: Success vs. Inner Emptiness
15:16 — The Inner Journey: Psychedelics and Ego Death
23:37 — Creating a Regenerative Village in Costa Rica
30:07 — Searching for Belonging and Making a Difference🔗 Connect with Marat Omarov
Instagram: @marat.omarov.unofficial
BOOKS WE LOVE
✨Looking for your next inspiring read? Explore our curated collection of books we love—featuring recommendations from our guests as well as personal favorites from Kristyn and me, all aligned with the heart of Flying Upstream. Check them out here: https://www.flyingupstreampodcast.com/books-we-love
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
✨Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join our growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives: https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4
✨ Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA
✨Explore the Flying Upstream Blog: https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/
MORE FROM US
→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
33 min
About Flying Upstream Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Tired of the same old version of success that everyone around you keeps chasing? Flying Upstream is your invitation to question it all. Hosted by Kristyn Medeiros, this show takes you inside the lives of people who refuse to follow the script and choose to live with purpose, courage, and absolute authenticity.
Each episode uncovers the untold stories of those who broke away from expectations and built lives that actually feel meaningful. You will hear about powerful transformations, unconventional paths, ancient and modern wisdom, and the real moments that change everything. This podcast is h