JDS podcast

In this thought-provoking episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with retired psychotherapist, author, and trauma expert Phyllis E. Leavitt to explore how personal healing and collective healing are deeply connected.

With more than 34 years of experience helping individuals, couples, families, and survivors of trauma, Phyllis shares why many of today’s biggest societal challenges—from division and conflict to violence and fear—often have roots in unresolved emotional wounds.

Drawing from her latest book, America in Therapy, this conversation examines trauma, emotional healing, spiritual growth, forgiveness, healthy relationships, and how healing ourselves can create healthier communities and a more compassionate world.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Childhood trauma and emotional healing

* The connection between personal and societal healing

* Why unresolved pain fuels conflict

* Spirituality and psychotherapy

* Breaking cycles of violence

* Forgiveness and emotional freedom

* Healing relationships after conflict

* Raising emotionally healthy children

* Hope in divided times

* Creating lasting inner peace

Whether you’re seeking personal healing, healthier relationships, or a deeper understanding of today’s world, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and practical hope.

In this inspiring episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Jordan Mendoza—Founder & CEO of Blaze Your Own Trail Consulting, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and host of the Top 1.5% ranked Blaze Your Own Trail podcast.

Jordan’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. After overcoming childhood trauma, life-threatening setbacks, and walking away from a 15-year corporate career, he built a thriving business by leveraging the power of personal branding, content creation, and authentic leadership.

Together, Joshua and Jordan discuss how to grow your brand on LinkedIn, create content that attracts opportunities, turn adversity into your greatest advantage, and build a business that creates both impact and income.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or professional looking to stand out, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can apply immediately.

Learn more about Jordan and his work at: https://www.jordanmendoza.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* Building a powerful personal brand

* Growing on LinkedIn organically

* Creating content that converts

* Turning adversity into opportunity

* Leadership and entrepreneurship

* Growing a service-based business

* Sales without feeling salesy

* Authentic storytelling

* Building influence that lasts

In this episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Terrence L. Rotering, retired U.S. Air Force officer, former NORAD weapon systems officer, and author of the eleven-book Chronicles Series.

After serving more than 35 years in military service, Terrence devoted two years to creating a 5,000-page epic that blends fantasy, science fiction, and spiritual warfare into a unique multiverse inspired by literary legends such as Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, and Isaac Asimov.

Together, they explore the creative process, the intersection of faith and fiction, world-building, perseverance, purpose, and the power of storytelling to inspire hope and transformation.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Transitioning from military service to becoming an author

* Writing an eleven-book epic series

* Fantasy, science fiction, and spiritual warfare

* Building immersive fictional worlds

* Faith and storytelling

* Creativity and perseverance

* Lessons from military leadership

* Why stories shape culture

* Finding purpose after retirement

* Leaving a meaningful legacy

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a fan of epic fantasy, or someone passionate about meaningful storytelling, this conversation will leave you inspired.

In this inspiring episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Gaylen Wilson—heart transplant survivor, 20-years-sober recovering alcoholic, Certified Thriving Relationship Coach, and co-founder of The Monument Method Institute.

Gaylen’s journey is one of remarkable resilience. From losing his farm and rebuilding multiple careers to overcoming addiction, surviving end-stage heart failure, and receiving a life-saving heart transplant, he has learned that life’s greatest challenges often become our greatest teachers.

Together, Joshua and Gaylen explore the power of reinvention, emotional safety in relationships, men’s mental health, recovery, forgiveness, conflict repair, and how to build relationships that can withstand life’s toughest seasons.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Reinvention after failure and loss

* Living with purpose after a second chance

* Recovery from addiction

* Heart transplant survival

* Men’s mental health and vulnerability

* Emotional safety in relationships

* Conflict repair and intimacy

* Marriage through adversity

* Redefining success after life’s biggest setbacks

* Building relationships that last

This is a conversation about hope, resilience, healing, and choosing to build a life worth coming home to.

In this powerful episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Corey Jefferson—U.S. Navy submarine veteran, executive coach, founder of Ester Media Group, and creator of the COPE Method.

Corey’s story isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about learning how to move through it. After serving in the military and leading in high-pressure corporate environments, a devastating personal loss forced him to rethink everything he knew about leadership, resilience, grief, and emotional health.

Together, Joshua and Corey explore burnout, toxic workplaces, emotional intelligence, military transition, difficult conversations, personal growth, and why healthy coping skills are one of the most overlooked leadership tools today.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck carrying burdens in silence, this conversation offers practical wisdom and hope.

In this episode, we discuss:

* The story behind the COPE Method

* Leadership under pressure

* Grief, loss, and emotional resilience

* Burnout and workplace culture

* Military lessons that shape leadership

* Emotional intelligence and self-awareness

* Difficult conversations and accountability

* Healthy coping strategies

* Personal growth through adversity

* Leading yourself before leading others

Visit Ester Media Group to explore coaching, leadership workshops, practical resources, and tools designed to help you navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and confidence.”

In this insightful episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Kimberly Rosales—Founder & CEO of ChainMyne and a fintech leader transforming the future of cross-border payments through regulated stablecoins and digital assets.

With over two decades of experience in traditional banking before launching her own fintech company, Kimberly shares why the financial system is evolving, how businesses can prepare for the future of money, and what it really takes to build trust in one of the world’s fastest-changing industries.

Together, Joshua and Kimberly discuss financial innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, regulation, digital assets, resilience, and simplifying complex technology for everyday business owners.

If you’re curious about where global finance is headed and how innovation is reshaping payments, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode, we discuss:

* The future of global payments

* Stablecoins and digital assets explained

* Cross-border finance and fintech innovation

* Building a regulated fintech company

* Leadership and entrepreneurship

* Trust and regulation in digital finance

* Innovation in banking

* Balancing business and family

* The future of financial technology

In this dynamic and eye-opening episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with David Sauers — entrepreneur, innovator, and CEO of Royal Restrooms.

David didn’t just build a business…

He redefined an entire industry.

From transforming portable restrooms into luxury experiences… to launching multiple ventures across entertainment, hospitality, and outdoor adventure… his journey is proof that opportunity often hides in the most overlooked places.

In this episode, we explore:

* How he turned an “unsexy” idea into a premium brand

* The mindset behind spotting overlooked opportunities

* How to scale a business into a national franchise

* Why customer experience is your biggest competitive advantage

* And how passion and lifestyle can evolve into powerful brands

This is a masterclass in creativity, execution, and thinking differently in business.

🔗 Learn more about his work:

https://www.royalrestrooms.com/

In this insightful episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Katie Hadiaris, Workplace Health Coach, Strategist, and founder of the Work Is Not Family movement.

After more than 20 years working inside corporate systems, Katie became fascinated by a question many professionals quietly struggle with:

Why can some people leave work at work, while others carry it home in their thoughts, relationships, health, and nervous system?

Katie introduces the concept of workplace absorption—the unconscious process of taking on the stress, urgency, emotions, and dysfunction of work until it begins affecting every area of life.

Together, Joshua and Katie explore burnout, boundaries, nervous system regulation, workplace culture, over-functioning, and why traditional self-care often fails high achievers.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why many professionals can’t switch work off

* The hidden difference between stress, burnout, and absorption

* Why boundaries often don’t work

* How workplace cultures shape behavior

* The psychology behind over-functioning

* Why ambitious people struggle to rest

* The “Work Is Not Family” movement

* Practical strategies for leaving work at work

* Reclaiming personal health, relationships, and peace of mind

This conversation is essential for leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who feels like work follows them everywhere.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with DR Rawson — entrepreneur, author, media creator, and founder of the CIC Initiative: Character, Integrity, Credibility™.

After launching more than 30 companies, publishing dozens of books, and spending decades studying leadership, trust, crisis, and human behavior, DR believes success without character eventually collapses.

This conversation explores the deeper architecture underneath leadership, credibility, emotional resilience, reputation, crisis response, and personal accountability.

Together, they unpack why crisis reveals character, how small daily decisions shape legacy, the hidden cost of compromised integrity, and why credibility is one of the most valuable assets a person or business can build.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why character matters more than image

* How credibility is built over time

* The hidden cost of compromised integrity

* Leadership under pressure and crisis

* Emotional discipline and decision-making

* Why trust is difficult to rebuild once lost

* How culture reflects tolerated behavior

* The role storytelling plays in shaping identity

* Raising future generations with stronger values

* Legacy, responsibility, and personal accountability

This is a deep conversation about leadership, ethics, trust, identity, resilience, and the kind of person we become through the choices we repeatedly make.

🔗 Learn more about DR Rawson:

DR Rawson Website

In this insightful and empowering episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with Terri Maxwell — entrepreneur, investor, business cultivator, author, and Founder & CEO of Share On Purpose, Inc.

Terri has launched, scaled, sold, rebranded, or turned around more than 50 brands throughout her career, including companies that achieved major exits and even a NASDAQ IPO. But beyond business growth, her mission is centered on helping founders build companies that create meaningful impact while aligning with purpose, authenticity, and conscious leadership.

Through platforms like Shift/Co®, Succeed On Purpose®, and the Share Speculator™ Fund, Terri helps entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses that improve lives without sacrificing personal fulfillment.

In this episode, we explore:

* Building purpose-driven businesses

* Conscious entrepreneurship and leadership

* Why success without meaning feels empty

* Scaling businesses while staying aligned

* The mindset shifts founders must make to grow

* Fear, identity, and business breakthroughs

* Creating impact-focused companies

* Redefining wealth, leadership, and legacy

This conversation is about entrepreneurship, purpose, leadership, personal growth, and building businesses that genuinely make the world better.

🔗 Learn more about Terri and Shift/Co:

Shift/Co Free Resources