In this insightful episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Sira Laurel — leadership coach, neuroscience practitioner, and founder of North of Normal.

With 15 years of experience in senior HR and organizational leadership roles, Sira now helps professionals and organizations transform how they lead by using brain science and practical coaching frameworks.

She specializes in helping leaders — especially those who feel “different,” introspective, or overwhelmed by traditional leadership advice — understand how their brain works and turn that into a strategic advantage.

In a world increasingly shaped by AI, Sira explains why human skills like emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and psychological safety are more important than ever — and how to build them in a way that actually works for you.

If you’ve ever felt burned out trying to lead like everyone else, this episode will give you a new perspective — and practical tools to lead authentically and effectively.

🔗 Book a free solutions call with Sira:

https://calendar.app.google/Nxku6q4a4fvA42VJ7

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Anja Lordanić — a podcasting mentor and strategist who helps solopreneurs turn their ideas and expertise into podcasts that actually fit into their business and lifestyle.

With over 5 years of experience and 200+ episodes across different formats and languages, Anja brings a real-life perspective on what it truly takes to start and sustain a successful podcast.

As a mother of two, she understands the importance of flexibility, systems, and sustainability — making podcasting not just possible, but enjoyable and effective as a long-term marketing channel.

In this conversation, we dive into overcoming impostor syndrome, building a simple podcast workflow, staying consistent, and turning your podcast into a powerful tool for attracting high-quality clients.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast or struggling to stay consistent — this episode is your practical guide.

🔗 Get Anja’s Free Podcast Planner:

https://anja-lordanic-mustac.kit.com/minicourse

In this powerful episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Jake Strain — Doctor of Physical Therapy, entrepreneur, and healthcare leader.

Jake’s journey is one of vision, discipline, and bold decision-making. At just 26, he purchased his first physical therapy clinic and, within four years, scaled it into three thriving outpatient locations with contracts spanning hospitals, home health agencies, and even a Fortune 500 company.

But what makes his story even more compelling isn’t just building success — it’s knowing when to walk away.

In 2023, Jake made the bold move to sell his practice and start a new chapter, now serving as Facility Director at Cenikor Foundation, where he continues to impact lives in a completely different way.

In this episode, Jake shares lessons on leadership, scaling a business, making high-stakes decisions, and finding purpose beyond financial success.

If you’re an entrepreneur, healthcare professional, or someone navigating a major life transition, this episode is packed with real-world insights you can apply immediately.

🔗 Learn more or connect with Jake:

https://www.cenikor.org/about-us/leadership/jake-strain/

In this inspiring and eye-opening episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Devon Wieters — writer, podcaster, and passionate disability advocate.

Living with cerebral palsy, Devon is on a mission to create a more inclusive and equitable world for people with disabilities. She is actively advocating for major policy changes, including the SSI Restoration Act and the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act — both aimed at eliminating the “marriage penalty” that prevents many disabled individuals from getting married, earning a fair wage, or living independently without losing critical benefits.

In this conversation, Devon shares her personal journey, the realities of navigating life with a disability, and why these policy changes are so important for dignity, independence, and opportunity.

She also brings a unique twist — drawing inspiration from Survivor and host Jeff Probst to sharpen her communication and interview skills.

This episode is powerful, educational, and deeply human — a must-listen for anyone who cares about fairness, advocacy, and creating meaningful change.

🔗 Learn more or connect with Devon:

https://wheelwithit.com/

In this insightful and globally rich episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with N.K. Napier — Distinguished Professor Emerita, speaker, and author with over 35 years of experience in strategy, creativity, and international education.

From helping build Vietnam’s first international-standard business school to receiving two of the country’s highest honors, Nancy’s journey spans continents, disciplines, and decades of impact.

But after a long and accomplished academic career, she chose to start over — stepping into the world of fiction writing and embracing the challenge of being a beginner again.

In this conversation, Nancy shares powerful insights on creativity, how to generate breakthrough ideas, the value of cross-disciplinary thinking, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself at any stage of life.

If you’re looking to think bigger, create boldly, and evolve continuously — this episode is for you.

🔗 Learn more & download free resources:

https://nancyknapier.com/

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Anja Lordanić — a podcasting mentor and strategist who helps solopreneurs turn their ideas and expertise into podcasts that actually fit into their business and lifestyle.

With over 5 years of experience and 200+ episodes across different formats and languages, Anja brings a real-life perspective on what it truly takes to start and sustain a successful podcast.

As a mother of two, she understands the importance of flexibility, systems, and sustainability — making podcasting not just possible, but enjoyable and effective as a long-term marketing channel.

In this conversation, we dive into overcoming impostor syndrome, building a simple podcast workflow, staying consistent, and turning your podcast into a powerful tool for attracting high-quality clients.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast or struggling to stay consistent — this episode is your practical guide.

🔗 Get Anja’s Free Podcast Planner:

https://anja-lordanic-mustac.kit.com/minicourse

Also, here's the link to her audio lead magnet:https://app.helloaudio.fm/feed/5b9e0427-5c20-4d6f-aabb-1af8115b2628/signup

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Amy Koford — also known as Amy the Happy Hypnotist — a bestselling author, clinical hypnotist, speaker, and performer who has helped thousands of people transform their lives using the power of hypnosis.

Amy’s work focuses on helping individuals overcome depression, anxiety, trauma, and fear — often in ways that are faster and more powerful than traditional approaches. From one-on-one sessions to live hypnosis shows, she combines deep transformation with an engaging and accessible style that makes hypnosis both practical and impactful.

But her journey is just as powerful as her work.

Amy went from struggling with severe depression, anxiety, fear, and a life-threatening illness to becoming confident, empowered, and deeply fulfilled. As a former stay-at-home mom of five, her transformation didn’t just change her life — it became her mission to help others reclaim their power and live with peace, confidence, and purpose.

In this conversation, Amy breaks down what hypnosis really is (and what it’s not), how it works on the subconscious mind, and how it can help people create lasting change in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

If you’ve ever struggled with fear, anxiety, or feeling stuck in patterns you can’t seem to break, this episode will open your mind to what’s truly possible.

🔗 Connect with Amy Koford:

Free Checklist: https://www.amykoford.com/my-checklist

Amy’s checklist includes 41 powerful, proven insights from thousands of sessions to help you reduce anxiety, overcome depression, and create more happiness and peace in your life.

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Steve Anderson — an expert in strategic risk, business growth, and the author of the international bestselling book The Bezos Letters.

Drawing from decades of experience in the insurance industry, Steve has built a unique perspective on how risk, when approached correctly, becomes a powerful driver of innovation and growth.

In his book, The Bezos Letters, Steve breaks down 21 shareholder letters written by Jeff Bezos and extracts 14 powerful principles that helped transform Amazon from a simple online bookstore into one of the most dominant companies in the world.

Recognized as a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, the book has impacted entrepreneurs, leaders, and organizations globally. Steve has also been handpicked by LinkedIn as one of the world’s most influential thought leaders, with hundreds of thousands of followers engaging with his insights.

In this conversation, Steve reveals how businesses can apply Amazon’s growth strategies, why most leaders misunderstand risk, and how the four cycles — Test, Build, Accelerate, and Scale — can be used to create sustainable success.

If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking to grow and innovate in today’s fast-changing world, this episode will give you a practical roadmap you can start using immediately.

🔗 Connect with Steve Anderson:

Website: https://www.TheBezosLetters.com

Download additional materials that will help you apply the 14 principles and start growing your business using proven strategies inspired by Amazon.

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Victoria Noethling — a leadership coach, author, and former corporate project manager with over 40 years of experience.

From leading large-scale programs in corporate America to mentoring leaders through Toastmasters International, Victoria has dedicated her life to helping individuals communicate effectively, lead with confidence, and build meaningful impact.

A 1996 Olympic Torch Relay runner and lifelong advocate of personal development, she now empowers entrepreneurs to elevate their voice, grow their leadership capacity, and lead with heart, head, and hands.

This conversation dives into leadership evolution, confidence building, communication mastery, and how to transition from experience to impact.

If you’re looking to grow as a leader, speaker, or entrepreneur — this episode will equip and inspire you.

🔗 Connect with Victoria:

https://go.oncehub.com/LetsConnectInitialConversation/

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Mazi Josh sits down with Shayne Hammond — Certified Hypnotherapist, Advanced RTT Practitioner, former professional boxer, and creator of the Iron Spirit mental conditioning app.

Shayne’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. From winning a state boxing title to facing repeated losses in both sport and business, he discovered a hard truth: effort alone isn’t enough if your mind is working against you.

Now, Shayne helps people break free from addiction, trauma, and self-doubt by rewiring their subconscious using techniques like NLP and neuroplasticity.

Through his app Iron Spirit and his book Taking Control, Shayne is on a mission to help individuals build an unbreakable mindset and take back control of their lives.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like your best just isn’t good enough — this episode will show you a different path forward.

🔗 Start your mental transformation here:

https://ironspirit.app/