JDS podcast

In this insightful episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Dara Erck, founder of SAM+LEO, global health strategist, and passionate advocate for teen mental health.

Drawing from over two decades of experience in global health and her personal journey as a single mother raising two teenage boys, Dara shares practical insights into the challenges today’s teens face—from anxiety and screen fatigue to energy drink culture and post-pandemic mental health struggles.

This conversation explores parenting, adolescent wellness, mental health awareness, community support, and how small intentional changes can create healthier outcomes for teens and families alike.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Teen mental health in the post-COVID world

• Parenting through anxiety and emotional challenges

• Screen fatigue and digital wellness

• Energy drinks and teen health concerns

• Building supportive communities for parents

• Global health lessons that apply at home

• Raising resilient teenagers

• Prevention versus intervention

• Small habits that create lasting change

• Supporting teens without overwhelming them

This is a practical and hopeful conversation for parents, educators, caregivers, and anyone invested in helping the next generation thrive.

In this eye-opening episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Craig Meriwether, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Medical Hypnosis Specialist, and Subconscious Transformation Expert.

For more than 16 years, Craig has helped people overcome anxiety, trauma, self-sabotage, chronic stress, depression, performance fears, and emotionally rooted physical symptoms by working directly with the subconscious mind.

Many people understand what needs to change in their lives, yet continue repeating the same patterns. Why? According to Craig, insight alone isn’t enough. Real transformation happens when change reaches the subconscious level where beliefs, emotions, habits, and survival patterns are stored.

In this conversation, Craig explains what hypnotherapy really is, how it differs from traditional talk therapy, why the subconscious mind drives so much of our behavior, and how people can begin creating lasting change without reliving painful experiences.

In this episode, we discuss:

* What hypnotherapy really is

* Why talk therapy sometimes falls short

* The science behind subconscious change

* Anxiety, trauma, and nervous system regulation

* Why people repeat unwanted patterns

* Healing without reliving painful memories

* Emotional roots of physical symptoms

* Hypnosis myths and misconceptions

* PTSD, performance anxiety, and confidence

* Practical tools for calming the mind

This is a fascinating conversation about healing, transformation, and unlocking the power of the subconscious mind.

In this inspiring episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Maxwell Ivey, widely known as The Blind Blogger—accessibility consultant, entrepreneur, author, speaker, podcast host, and advisor to PodMatch.

After losing his vision, Maxwell refused to let disability define his future. Instead, he built multiple successful online businesses, became a leading voice in digital accessibility, and has spent years helping organizations understand that accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about innovation, inclusion, and business growth.

Together, Joshua and Maxwell discuss overcoming adversity, building resilience, entrepreneurship, accessibility, storytelling, leadership, and why asking for help can become one of your greatest strengths.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, creator, or someone facing personal challenges, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and inspiration.

Learn more about Maxwell and his work at: https://www.theaccessibilityadvantage.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* Living beyond limitations

* The importance of accessibility

* Entrepreneurship with a disability

* Storytelling and personal branding

* Building resilience

* The power of asking for help

* Leadership and inclusion

* Innovation through accessibility

* Turning obstacles into opportunities

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Dr. Dipesh Sitaram, dental surgeon, entrepreneur, and founder of Responsible Real Estate and Acuere Capital.

While many people are taught to rely solely on traditional investing, Dipesh discovered another path. By stepping beyond Wall Street and into private investments, he built a multi-million-dollar portfolio focused on long-term wealth creation, passive income, and financial freedom.

In this conversation, Dipesh shares how physicians, professionals, and everyday investors can think differently about money, evaluate opportunities, and build wealth designed to last for generations.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Private investing vs. traditional investing

* Building wealth beyond a paycheck

* Commercial real estate opportunities

* Passive income strategies

* Risk management and asset protection

* Financial freedom for professionals

* Generational wealth creation

* Evaluating investment deals

* Common investing mistakes

* Thinking like an investor

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Richard Wilmore—award-winning talk show host, podcast producer, media strategist, and founder of Make Your Day Richer LLC.

With over a decade behind the microphone, Richard has hosted and produced thousands of interviews, helping experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders amplify their message through podcasts and digital media.

Together, they explore what makes a great conversation, why storytelling is still one of the most powerful business tools, and how anyone can build meaningful visibility without chasing social media trends.

In this episode, we discuss:

* The art of interviewing

* Building authentic conversations

* Podcast guesting strategies

* Storytelling that connects

* Personal branding

* Visibility for entrepreneurs

* Media confidence

* Creating engaging content

* Building relationships through podcasting

* Being heard, seen, and remembered

Whether you’re a podcast host, entrepreneur, speaker, or someone looking to grow your influence, this conversation is packed with practical insights on using your story to create lasting impact.

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with writer, trauma educator, and author Lisa Lacy for an honest conversation about trauma, addiction, identity, recovery, and the hidden cost of performing strength.

After decades in corporate leadership, healthcare consulting, and education, Lisa’s life was transformed through addiction recovery, psychiatric hospitalization, serious illness, and the decision to stop performing wellness and start telling the truth. Her upcoming memoir, Notes From a Certified Madwoman, explores what happens when survival strategies become identities—and how healing begins when we stop hiding.

Together, Joshua and Lisa discuss why so many high-achieving people silently struggle, how trauma shapes leadership and relationships, and what it means to rebuild your identity after adversity.

In this episode, we discuss:

* High-functioning survival

* Trauma and identity

* Addiction and recovery

* Nervous system regulation

* Identity masking

* Emotional resilience

* Leadership after adversity

* Reinvention and healing

* Performance vs authenticity

* The power of storytelling

This conversation is raw, insightful, and deeply human—offering hope to anyone who’s ever felt successful on the outside while struggling internally.

In this inspiring episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with leadership strategist, financial services professional, and author Chad Betz to explore why success doesn’t have an expiration date.

After decades in leadership, finance, consulting, and executive coaching, Chad discovered that many accomplished professionals aren’t stuck because they lack talent—they’re trapped by outdated definitions of success, fear of change, and the sunk cost fallacy.

Together, Joshua and Chad unpack career reinvention, burnout, leadership, mindset, authenticity, and how to build a life that reflects who you are today—not who you were years ago.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why smart people stay on the wrong path

* The hidden cost of playing it safe

* Career reinvention at any age

* Burnout and redefining success

* The sunk cost fallacy in life and business

* Leadership during uncertainty

* Self-awareness and personal growth

* Building confidence through experience

* Creating authentic success

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or someone questioning what’s next, this conversation will help you rethink success and embrace your next chapter with confidence.

In this inspiring episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Mark Taylor—professional percussionist, educator, founder of the Education on Fire podcast, and passionate advocate for creative learning.

For nearly a decade, Mark has interviewed educators, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world, exploring what truly inspires learning and helps young people thrive. Through more than 500 podcast episodes heard in over 150 countries, he continues to champion education that sparks curiosity, creativity, and lifelong growth.

Together, Joshua and Mark discuss the future of education, why creativity matters, how great teachers shape lives, and what parents and educators can do to help children unlock their full potential.

Whether you’re an educator, parent, leader, or lifelong learner, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to rethink what meaningful learning really looks like.

Learn more about Mark and Education on Fire at: https://www.educationonfire.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* The future of education

* Creativity in learning

* Inspiring lifelong curiosity

* The impact of great teachers

* Building confidence in students

* Learning beyond the classroom

* Education and leadership

* Parenting and personal growth

* Lessons from hosting over 500 podcast episodes

In this encouraging episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Jody Hill—bestselling author, speaker, parenting educator, and author of The Parent’s Secret Superpower.

Jody believes one of the greatest influences on a child’s confidence isn’t found in schools, sports, or social media—it’s found in the everyday words parents speak. Through practical strategies backed by science, faith, and real-life parenting experience, she helps parents become the loudest and most positive voice in their children’s lives.

Together, Joshua and Jody explore how words shape identity, the habits that quietly build or break confidence, and how parents can intentionally raise resilient, confident children in today’s world.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or leader, this conversation offers timeless wisdom that can positively impact the next generation.

Learn more about Jody and her resources at: https://itsjodyhill.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* The power of words in parenting

* Building confidence in children

* Parenting with intention

* Raising resilient kids

* Identity and self-belief

* Positive communication

* Faith, family, and leadership

* Encouraging children through everyday moments

* Practical parenting strategies

In this empowering episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Emily Guerra—Productivity Life Coach, mindful productivity speaker, and founder of The Productivity Flow.

Emily is on a mission to help self-employed women and professionals break free from hustle culture by building sustainable habits, strengthening their mindset, and creating work routines that lead to both productivity and fulfillment. Drawing from neuroscience, therapy-informed strategies, and her own journey as a solopreneur, she shares practical tools that help people stop feeling stuck and start making meaningful progress.

Together, Joshua and Emily explore productivity, mindset, overcoming procrastination, work-life balance, and how success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your well-being.

Learn more about Emily and her coaching programs at: https://www.theproductivityflow.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* Breaking free from hustle culture

* Mindful productivity vs. being busy

* Overcoming procrastination and feeling stuck

* Building sustainable habits

* Productivity and mindset

* Creating a healthy work-from-home routine

* Balancing ambition with well-being

* Defining success on your own terms

* Small daily habits that create lasting results