How To Battle Podcast

By Carlos Vasquez

In this space, we explore two distinct yet interconnected facets of personal growth.

HTB Podcast: Join me as I sit down with remarkable individuals who have faced life’s toughest battles. The

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FAQs about How To Battle Podcast:

How many episodes does How To Battle Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.

How To Battle Podcast episodes:

June 17, 2026 79. "Hope Had to Die So I Could Survive" | 25 Years in Prison | Brandon Baker
Some men break under pressure. Brandon Baker got forged by it. At 18, Brandon was sentenced to 75-to-life. He spent 25 years behind bars — and walked out employed, enrolled in college, published, and on a mission. In this episode,
we go deep on what it really takes to survive maximum security prison at 18, why hope sometimes has to die before it can grow, and how Brandon is now training counselors at Rikers Island and performing at theaters across LA.
This conversation will hit different if you've ever felt like the system wrote you off, or if you love someone who did time.
We talk about:
Suppressing hope to survive — then letting God resurrect it
Why he says prison prepared him for society
His goals: EGOT, doctorate, nonprofit, and generational wealth
Why he's an abolitionist for juvenile incarceration
The power of speaking things into existence
👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.
📖 Brandon's book: Where I Belong — available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/09XB3iSA
📲 Follow Brandon: @bethatsuccessful81 | YouTube: Where I Belong with Brandon J Baker
📚New Books:
The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com
The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F
👉 📬 SUBSTACK LINK: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezofficial
👉 Follow Carlos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial
🙏 Sponsored by Legendary Foods — high-protein snacks done right. www.eatlegendary.com
#podcast #prisonreform #redemption #motivationalpodcast #secondchances #faith #incarceration #reentry #mentalhealth #hope #brandombaker #truecrime #purposedriven #blackexcellence #streetstosuccess
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58min
June 10, 2026 78. Loving Someone With Trauma: The Truth No One Talks About
Can love heal trauma?
In this deeply personal episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos opens up about the reality of loving someone after childhood abandonment, gang life, prison, violence, and years spent in solitary confinement.
He shares how trauma affected his ability to trust, why isolation became his comfort zone, and what it actually takes to build a healthy relationship after a lifetime of survival mode.
Together, Carlos and Shirin explore the difficult truths about healing in relationships, the impact of abandonment wounds, why trust issues don't disappear overnight, and how love, accountability, and self-awareness can create lasting transformation.
This conversation explores:
How trauma impacts trust and intimacy
Why isolation can become a coping mechanism
The connection between childhood wounds and adult relationships
What healing together actually looks like
Why love alone isn't enough without accountability
The importance of self-awareness in healing trauma
How abandonment shapes the way we connect with others
Practical ways couples can support each other's healing journey
Why healing is possible no matter what you've been through

If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is healing from trauma or learning how to love someone through their healing journey. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world.
👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin: Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof...
👉 New Books:
The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/
The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F
Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
#TraumaHealing #Relationships #TrustIssues #HealingJourney #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #CarlosVasquez #ShirinHejazi #HowToBattle #EmotionalHealing #ChildhoodTrauma #SelfDevelopment #LoveAndRelationships #Resilience #Transformation
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31min
June 03, 2026 77. The Magic of Life: Why Some People Attract Miracles and Others Don't
Have you ever experienced a coincidence so strange it felt like the universe was trying to tell you something? In this episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos explores the idea of "magic"—not the kind found in movies, but the extraordinary moments that happen when belief, energy, resilience, gratitude, and intention come together.
From lessons learned through entrepreneurship and prison, to finding love unexpectedly, Carlos shares why he believes that miracles, synchronicities, and life-changing opportunities become more common when you develop the right mindset.
This conversation explores:
The psychology behind synchronicities
Why successful people believe before they see results
Michael Jordan's mindset around performance
How resilience creates opportunities
Why gratitude attracts more abundance How to create your own reality
The role energy plays in success
Why becoming your best self attracts extraordinary people and opportunities
If you've ever wondered whether luck, coincidence, miracles, or manifestation are real, this episode is for you.
If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that extraordinary things are still possible. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world.
👉 Try the “Find Your Fire” AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof...
👉 New Books: The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/ The Leader's PRICE: Human-centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F
Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
#Mindset #Manifestation #PersonalGrowth #Transformation #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #SuccessMindset #Leadership #SelfDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLife #Miracles #Synchronicity #Energy #Resilience #Entrepreneurship
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32min
May 27, 2026 76. What Prison Is REALLY Like (No One Tells You This)
Most people think they understand prison…
They don’t.
In this episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos shares the raw, unfiltered truth about life behind prison walls—what Hollywood gets wrong, the violence that actually happens, and the unexpected lessons that changed his life forever.
From surviving brutal environments to witnessing acts of kindness in the darkest places, Carlos breaks down the real psychology of prison life, including power structures, survival tactics, and the moments that shape transformation.
This is not about glorifying prison, this is about revealing the truth so others don’t end up there.
💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:
What prison is really like vs what movies show
The brutal reality of violence behind bars
What “putting in work” means in prison
How prison hierarchy and “shot callers” operate
Why kindness in prison is more powerful than outside
The psychology of survival in high-risk environments
Why some people never escape the prison mindset
The truth about redemption and second chances
Why some individuals should never return to society
How transformation actually happens
If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is building a life or business with their partner. Your support helps us continue to bring meaningful conversations to the world.
👉 Try the “Find Your Fire” AI App (Free):
https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin
https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial
https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights:
https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezofficial
👉 New books:
The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose
https://thepricemethodbook.com
The Leader's PRICE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F
Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks
https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment
https://youth-champions.org/
#PrisonReality #LifeAfterPrison #Redemption #PersonalGrowth #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #Mindset #Transformation #SecondChances #Leadership
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31min
May 20, 2026 75. I Just Wanted Love
Some of the hardest conversations… are the ones we never had.
In this deeply emotional episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos opens up about his childhood, running away at 13, and the relationship he had with his mother.
This is not a conversation about blame: it’s about understanding, healing, and releasing resentment.
Carlos shares what his younger self truly needed—love, security, and protection—and how the absence of those things shaped his path into the streets, gangs, and ultimately prison.
But more importantly, he reveals how he found peace by reframing his past—not as something that broke him, but as something that led him to his purpose.
This episode is for anyone carrying pain from their childhood, struggling with forgiveness, or learning how to move forward without resentment.
💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:
What children truly need: love, security, and protection
How childhood pain can shape life decisions
The difference between running away vs being pulled toward something
How to release resentment toward your parents
Why your past may be part of your purpose
How to forgive without needing closure
The impact of absent or struggling parents
Why you shouldn’t blame your parents forever
How to create your own family and reality
The power of acceptance and gratitude in healing

If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is building a life or business with their partner. Your support helps us continue to bring meaningful conversations to the world.
👉 Try the “Find Your Fire” AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof
👉 New books: The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/
The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F
Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
#Healing #MotherWound #PersonalGrowth #Forgiveness #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #Mindset #TraumaHealing #SelfDevelopment #InnerChild
...more
30min
May 13, 2026 74. Outgrowing People | When to Let Go of Friends, Family & Relationships
Not everyone is meant to go with you to the next level of your life.
In this deeply honest episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos breaks down the reality of outgrowing people, letting go of relationships, and accepting that some connections are only meant for a season.
From friendships and romantic relationships to family and even business partnerships, Carlos shares powerful lessons on growth, identity, and the emotional weight of walking away from people you love.
He explains why you shouldn’t view relationships as “investments,” how to release people without resentment, and why acceptance—not control—is the key to peace.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone going through transformation, feeling disconnected from old relationships, or struggling to let go.
💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:
Why you naturally outgrow people as you evolve
How to let go of friendships without resentment
The difference between seasonal and lifelong relationships
Why not every relationship is meant to be saved
How to accept endings you don’t understand
When it’s time to walk away from someone you love
The emotional cost of growth and transformation
How to release guilt when relationships end
Why some people aren’t aligned with your next level
How leaders make tough decisions in relationships and business
Thoughts If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is building a life or business with their partner. Your support helps us continue to bring meaningful conversations to those who need to hear it.
👉 Try the “Find Your Fire” AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof
👉 New books: The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/
The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F
🙏 Sponsors Section Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
#PersonalGrowth #LettingGo #Relationships #SelfDevelopment #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #Mindset #Healing #Growth #Leadership
...more
33min
May 06, 2026 73. Protect Your Energy | Mental Health, Boundaries & Emotional Strength
Are you constantly feeling drained, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted?
In this episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos breaks down how to protect your mental and emotional energy, set real boundaries, and stop carrying what doesn’t belong to you.
Carlos shares deep insights on empathy, compassion, mental health, leadership, and emotional resilience—explaining why empathy without action can become dangerous, how to set boundaries with people you love, and how to take control of your mental health before it spirals.
He also explains why mental health is no different than physical health—it requires consistency, discipline, and daily work, not just reaction when things fall apart.
If you’re an empath, leader, or someone who gives a lot to others… this episode is for you.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
When empathy becomes unhealthy How to protect your mental & emotional energy
Why boundaries are necessary (even with people you love)
How to stop absorbing other people’s pain
The difference between empathy and compassion Signs you’re carrying emotional weight that isn’t yours How leaders handle emotional pressure
Why mental health requires daily discipline
How to transmute pain into purpose
Why choosing yourself is necessary for growth
👉 Try the “Find Your Fire” AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos and Shirin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial 👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof
👉 New book: The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/
Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
#MentalHealth #ProtectYourEnergy #Boundaries #SelfGrowth #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #Healing #Mindset
...more
32min
April 29, 2026 72. How to Grow Into Your Best Self | Personal Growth, Purpose & Success
How do you truly grow into the best version of yourself?
In this episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos shares deep insights on personal growth, discipline, distractions, purpose, healing, success, and what it really takes to evolve in today’s world.
Carlos explains why most people stay stuck, how distractions destroy self-awareness, why discomfort is necessary for transformation, and how success is often misunderstood.
He also shares lessons from spending 17 years in prison and 3 years in solitary confinement—where he was forced to confront himself and grow from within. If you feel lost, stagnant, distracted, or hungry for more in life—this episode will help reset your mindset.
💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:
What real personal growth looks like daily
Why most people never take time to know themselves
How distractions block transformation Why discomfort creates growth
The danger of comparing yourself to others Why success is deeper than money
How to measure your own growth
Why purpose matters more than status
Habits that actually matter in life
How to live aligned with who you truly are
If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is serious about growth and becoming their best self. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world.
👉 Try the Find Your Fire AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof
👉 New Book: The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/
🙏 Thank You To Our Sponsors
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
#PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #Purpose #Mindset #Success #Discipline #Healing #Transformation
...more
32min
April 22, 2026 71. Travon Harris: What It Means to Be a Man in 2026 | Prison, Purpose & Masculinity
What does it truly mean to be a man in today’s world?
In this powerful episode of How To Battle Podcast, Carlos sits down with longtime friend Travon Harris for a raw and honest conversation about masculinity, identity, prison, entrepreneurship, purpose, loyalty, discipline, relationships, and growth.
After spending years incarcerated, both men reflect on how pain, mistakes, and survival shaped their early understanding of manhood—and how they had to rebuild a healthier definition rooted in accountability, discipline, peace, purpose, and self-respect.
They discuss why many men feel lost today, the dangers of social media identity, how to rebuild after failure, and why your past does not disqualify you from becoming the man you’re meant to be.
If you’re a man trying to level up, heal, grow, lead, or redefine yourself—this episode is for you.
💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:
What being a real man actually means today
Why some men stay stuck in immaturity
How prison changed their view of masculinity
How to rebuild identity after mistakes or incarceration
Why many men feel lost in modern society
The power of delayed gratification
Entrepreneurship lessons from struggle
Why discipline creates confidence
How to stop living in shame
What men need emotionally but rarely discuss
If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone. Your support helps us continue to bring meaningful conversations to the world.
👉 Try the Find Your Fire AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com
👉 Follow Carlos & Travon:
https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial https://www.instagram.com/travon_harris123 https://www.instagram.com/community1st_powerwashing
👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof
👉 New Book: The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/
🙏 Thank You To Our Sponsors
Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
#HowToBattle #CarlosVasquez #Masculinity #WhatIsAMan #MensGrowth #Purpose #PrisonToPurpose #SelfImprovement #Leadership #Manhood
...more
1h 2min
April 15, 2026 70. Love, Leadership & Business: How to Thrive as Partners in Life and Work
Can love and business truly coexist?
In this episode of Carlos Unfiltered, Carlos and Shirin explore the unique dynamics of building a meaningful relationship while working together professionally. They discuss how to balance leadership and partnership, maintain trust within a team, and ensure that the mission remains greater than any individual.
From navigating potential favoritism to creating healthy boundaries between personal and professional roles, this conversation offers powerful insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, and couples striving to grow together. The episode also challenges the traditional concept of work-life balance, emphasizing that when your work aligns with your purpose, it becomes a harmonious extension of your life.
Whether you're building a business with your partner or simply seeking a deeper connection in your relationship, this episode provides practical wisdom and heartfelt reflections to guide your journey.
Try the Find Your Fire AI App (Free): https://www.findyourfireai.com
Follow Carlos Vasquez: / carlosvasquezofficial
Follow Shirin Hegazi: / shirinhejaziofficial
Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof...
New book: The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose: https://thepricemethodbook.com/
Visit:
Legendary Foods: Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/
Youth Champions: Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/
Alchemie Spa: Health & Wellness https://www.alchemiespa.com/
...more
30min

FAQs about How To Battle Podcast:

How many episodes does How To Battle Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.