How do you recognize a narcissist before it's too late? What are the warning signs of manipulation, gaslighting, and love bombing? And if you can't avoid a narcissist, how can you protect yourself?

In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome entrepreneur, branding expert, and advisor Dian Oved for an honest conversation about narcissistic personalities, toxic relationships, and the journey back to confidence and self-worth after emotional abuse.

Drawing from her own experiences surviving years of narcissistic abuse and litigation, Dian explains how narcissists operate, why they manipulate others, and the common patterns of love bombing, gaslighting, devaluation, and discard. She also shares practical strategies for recognizing narcissistic behavior early, setting healthy boundaries, and protecting yourself in both personal and professional relationships.

Brian and Elizabeth add their own perspectives on building self-worth, developing self-compassion, and creating the confidence that makes manipulation far less effective. The discussion also explores how to navigate difficult workplace dynamics, deal with narcissistic bosses or business partners, and why trusting your instincts can be one of your greatest strengths.

In this episode:

If you've ever questioned whether someone in your life is manipulating you or wondered how to recover from a toxic relationship, this conversation offers practical insights, hope, and actionable advice.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from these insights.

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What if the biggest key to success isn't networking, self-promotion, or chasing opportunities, but simply giving without expecting anything in return?

In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome attorney Dave Marcus to explore how generosity, authentic relationships, and a willingness to help others can create extraordinary opportunities in both business and life.

Dave shares the incredible story of traveling to Morocco to compete in a grueling 250-mile mountain bike race across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. What started as a personal adventure became a fundraising mission for Big City Mountaineers, helping underserved youth experience the outdoors while creating unexpected friendships and lifelong connections around the world.

Brian explains why the world's most successful people consistently embrace a "give first" mindset, while Elizabeth highlights fascinating research showing how your own happiness can positively influence the people around you, even if you never speak to them. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you cultivate more joy and share it with those around you.

In this episode:

If you're looking to build stronger relationships, live with more intention, and discover how generosity can transform your career and personal life, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, mindfulness, leadership, happiness, generosity, and living a meaningful life.

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Are you a people-pleaser, or are you simply a compassionate person?

In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the critical difference between healthy compassion and unhealthy people-pleasing. Elizabeth explains why constantly seeking approval from others can leave you feeling drained, disconnected from your values, and stuck in fear, while authentic living creates greater peace, confidence, and stronger relationships.

The conversation covers:

Brian also shares an incredible real-life legal battle involving Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources that highlights the importance of standing by your principles, even when facing pressure from powerful institutions.

The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice designed to help listeners reconnect with their values, quiet their inner critic, and make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear.

If you've ever struggled with saying "yes" too often, worried about disappointing others, or wondered how to live more authentically, this episode offers practical tools that can change the way you approach your relationships and your life.

Subscribe to Give & Receive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations on mindfulness, resilience, gratitude, and personal growth.

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In Episode 17 of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov tackle a feeling so many people are struggling with right now: overwhelm.

From nonstop headlines and uncertainty in the world to stress about work, politics, finances, and the future, how do we stay grounded when everything feels unpredictable?

Brian and Elizabeth explore why today’s news cycle can leave us anxious, exhausted, and emotionally drained, while offering practical ways to respond without shutting down. Elizabeth shares a simple framework for processing difficult news, finding meaning in uncertainty, and turning anxiety into positive action. Together, they discuss how energy, compassion, relationships, and small acts of kindness can help us regain a sense of control in a chaotic world.

Plus, Elizabeth leads a calming guided meditation to help you reconnect with your values and move through uncertainty with greater peace and clarity.

If you’ve been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted by the state of the world, this episode is for you.

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How do you resolve conflict without losing your mind... or your energy?

In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into the art of mediation, conflict resolution, and navigating difficult conversations in relationships, business, and everyday life.

Brian shares real-world experiences mediating disputes in both his legal practice and personal life, while Elizabeth brings research-backed insight into how tone, emotional intelligence, and human connection can completely change the outcome of disagreements.

The conversation explores:

Plus, Elizabeth shares a simple but powerful mindfulness exercise to help you approach conflict with more empathy, clarity, and compassion.

If you’ve ever struggled with difficult people, workplace tension, family disagreements, or simply want to communicate better, this episode is packed with practical wisdom you can use right away.

Listen now and learn how to turn conflict into connection.

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How do you set healthy boundaries without feeling guilty? When should you say no? And how do boundaries actually help you give more to the people you care about?

In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into one of the most important (and hardest) life skills: setting healthy boundaries. From work-life balance and difficult personalities to family time, emotional energy, people-pleasing, and self-care, they explore how boundaries shape our happiness, relationships, and personal growth.

Elizabeth shares practical ways to create boundaries that protect your energy without cutting people off, while Brian opens up about struggles with overcommitting, work demands, and balancing career with family life.

They also discuss:

✔️ Why saying “no” is really saying “yes” to what matters most

Whether you struggle with overworking, overgiving, people-pleasing, or simply protecting your peace, this conversation will help you rethink boundaries in a healthier, more compassionate way.

Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, giving, relationships, happiness, and living with intention.

#HealthyBoundaries #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #MentalWellness #Relationships #WorkLifeBalance #PeoplePleasing #SelfCompassion #Boundaries #GiveAndReceivePodcast

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What does it really take to succeed at work?

In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with Chris Simmons, Harvard Business School graduate, former PwC executive, and bestselling author of Nobody Told You, to break down the unwritten rules of career success that most people never learn.

From navigating corporate politics to building powerful relationships, Chris shares the strategies that helped him rise to the top, and how you can apply them immediately.

🚀 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why “friendship comes before favors” (and how it pays off long-term)

The Respect, Protect, Project framework for winning with your boss

How to position yourself for promotions before you’re ready

Why “smart people don’t always win," and what actually matters

How to overcome bias and control your professional narrative

The real power of giving without expecting anything in return

Chris also shares unforgettable real-life stories - from bringing pillows to work on day one to reshape perceptions, to helping others succeed and seeing it come back in unexpected ways.

This episode blends career advice, psychology, leadership, and real-world experience into a conversation that will change how you approach your work and relationships.

👤 About the Guest: Chris Simmons is a former PwC leader, executive coach, speaker, and author of Nobody Told You: What Black, Asian, and Latino Professionals Must Know to Succeed at Work.

He has led thousands of professionals and is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to career growth.

🎯 Who This Is For:

Professionals looking to get promoted faster

Entrepreneurs and leaders building influence

Anyone navigating corporate environments

People interested in leadership, mindset, and personal growth

🔔 Don’t Forget:

Subscribe for more conversations on success, mindset, leadership, and personal growth.

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In Episode 13 of the Give & Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov break down how to get a better job without losing your confidence in the process. Brian shares practical job search strategies, networking tips, interview insights, and career advice based on mentoring thousands of professionals. Elizabeth brings the inner-work perspective, offering mindset tools, mindfulness, and encouragement for handling rejection, uncertainty, and the stress of looking for a new job.

This episode covers how to find a job, how to build meaningful professional connections, why most jobs come through people you know, and how to stay grounded while navigating career change. Whether you are searching for your first job, trying to leave a role you hate, or looking for a new career opportunity, this conversation offers practical and emotional support to help you move forward.

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In this episode of Give and Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov are joined by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson—pediatrician, bioethicist, digital health leader, and founder of Skin Metal. Wendy shares the deeply personal story behind launching a prevention-focused skincare company designed to change how boys and men care for their skin, reduce skin cancer risk, and rethink self-care.

The conversation explores what it really looks like to build a startup from the ground up, including the fear, uncertainty, financial pressure, and resilience that come with entrepreneurship. Wendy also reflects on meaningful work, Marty Seligman’s idea of using your greatest gift for the greatest good, and why confidence, health, and daily rituals matter more than we think.

Plus, the episode touches on mindfulness, gratitude, parenting, behavior change, and the simple but powerful act of making children feel seen.

In this episode:

The mission and story behind Skin Metal

Why men are often underserved in skincare and prevention

What founders don’t realize about startup life until they’re in it

The connection between self-care, confidence, and health

Wendy’s perspective on giving, receiving, and seeing others—especially children

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In Episode 11 of Give and Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with Joe Alalou, Co-Founder and General Partner at Daring Ventures, a New York City–based pre-seed fund backing industry-insider founders building software for the industries they know best.

Joe shares his non-traditional path—from community college struggles and washing cars at Enterprise to transferring to Columbia, breaking into investment banking, and ultimately launching a venture fund built on one core belief: the market consistently overlooks mispriced talent.

This conversation blends entrepreneurship, career strategy, and mindfulness—plus a practical framework for evaluating your job, why founders must learn to say “I don’t know,” and how to outlast the competition by taking one more rejection than everyone else.

In this episode:

Why it’s a privilege to work hard—and how to reframe the “boring” tasks

The “Am I learning or having impact?” test for deciding when to leave a job

Late bloomer lessons: gap years, motivation, and why readiness matters more than timing

Joe’s recruiting mentorship: Wall Street After Community College and breaking into banking

Founder psychology: your relationship with adversity and why it predicts success

Playing to your signature strengths (and why you can’t be world-class at what you hate)

Rejection as proof you’re trying—and the mindset shift that changes everything

If you’re a founder, investor, or anyone navigating a career pivot, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and building momentum when the odds don’t feel in your favor.

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, and building a meaningful life through giving and receiving.

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