Human connection, deep relationships, peak performance, mentorship & reinvention — Brad Barton joins KneeToKnee to share world-record wisdom.

What does breaking a world track record at age 47 have to do with your relationships? Everything. Brad Barton — world record holder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and master of the 'magic of connection' — joins Mark on KneeToKnee for a deeply honest conversation about mentorship, the power of truly seeing people, and why human connection has never mattered more than it does right now in the age of AI.

Brad shares the exact mindset shift that helped him go from an unrecruited ranch kid in Idaho to breaking a 30-year-old masters world record. He breaks down the ONE-decision framework that eliminates the exhausting cycle of daily motivation battles, the 'Touch the Road' rule that almost every high performer quietly uses, and what the movie Avatar taught him about how to greet people in a way that changes lives.

Whether you're a leader, parent, athlete, or someone simply wanting to show up more meaningfully in your relationships — this episode is packed with practical, powerful tools you can use today.

📌 Chapters:
• 00:00 — Welcome & Introducing Brad Barton
• 02:01 — Answering the Call: How Brad Found His Path to Speaking
• 06:34 — From Cattle Ranch to Olympic Trials — Mentorship and Belief
• 09:43 — Breaking World Records and the Power of One Big Decision
• 13:14 — Why Reinvention Is No Longer Optional in the Age of AI
• 20:27 — The 'I See You' Challenge: How to Start Seeing People Deeply

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

Welcome back to KneeToKnee! In this episode, we discuss supporting introverts, highlighting how introversion exists on a sliding scale. We explore their sensitivity to dopamine and the importance of emotional intelligence in respecting their need to recharge. Investing in meaningful relationships and one-on-one time through careful attunement can foster deeper connections.

Thanks to Doug Nielsen and Kathy Kinghorn for their support and input!

📌 CHAPTERS:
00:00 — Intro, Disclaimer & Guest Shout-Outs (Doug Nielsen & Kathy Kinghorn)
02:08 — Welcome Back + Mark's Introvert Confession + Episode Roadmap
05:45 — The Neuroscience of Introversion (Dopamine, Acetylcholine & Brain Wiring)
09:10 — The Biggest Myth About Introverts & the 949-Person Pandemic Study
13:40 — What Your Introvert Partner Brings to the Relationship
15:45 — 6 Practical Tips for Extrovert Partners + A Direct Message for Introverts
19:20 — The Oxygen Mask Principle: Self-Care Makes You a Better Partner

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee
#humanconnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

To see the studies reviewed hop over to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BB9pFUhJxbk

Maintaining adult friendships requires grace in relationships and understanding that long-term friendship survives busy seasons. Joel Steadman and Mark Marrott share wisdom on building connections, checking on friends, and why reconnecting matters.

In this heartfelt conversation, Joel and Mark dive into the reality of adult friendships - why they're so hard to maintain, and what actually works when life gets overwhelming. From the powerful concept of grace in friendship to practical tips on reconnecting with old friends, this episode will inspire you to reach out to that person who's been on your mind.

🕐 CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction: Why Adult Friendships Matter

01:05 - The Most Important Ingredient: Grace

05:21 - The 200-Hour Friendship Paradox

08:44 - How Crisis Bonds Friends Faster

15:00 - Honoring Introverts in Friendship

18:19 - The One Thing You Can Do Today

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Grace is the #1 factor in lasting friendships

• True friends don't hold busy seasons against you

• Going through hard things together expedites connection

• The power of a simple "thinking of you" text

• Why reaching out today could make all the difference

📚 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

"The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins - the 200-hour friendship concept

🎯 ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY:

Think of one friend who came to mind during this episode. Send them a text right now - just to say you're thinking of them. Don't overthink it. Just send it.

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#AdultFriendships #MaintainingFriendships #GraceInRelationships #MentalHealthSupport #KneeToKneePodcast #FriendshipAdvice #BuildingConnections #MeaningfulRelationships #EmotionalWellbeing #ReconnectingWithFriends

Endurance athlete Joe Morton shares injury recovery secrets, Ironman training wisdom & the one more mindset that transforms health transformation, deep connections & love-driven success in every area.

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Join us for an incredible conversation with Joe Morton, host of "A Cup of Joe" podcast and endurance athlete who proves that a shredded knee can't stop an Ironman dream. Joe shares his journey from growing up in Gabriella's Health Shop to corporate burnout recovery, then finding his way back to health through triathlon motivation and the power of connection medicine.

In this episode, we explore the "one more" principle that changed everything—from athletic mindset to relationship building, from sales success to spiritual fitness. Joe reveals how greeting each day with love (inspired by Og Mandino's "The Greatest Salesman in the World") creates the emotional transfer that impacts every interaction.

Whether you're recovering from injury, chasing an athletic dream, or simply wanting to build deeper connections, this conversation offers practical wisdom you can apply today.

🎯 CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction: Meeting Joe Morton, Endurance Athlete

02:04 - Heath Thurston Connection & Wheelchair Triathlon Story

05:12 - Growing Up in Gabriella's Health Shop

10:00 - The Journey to Ironman & Marathon Training

16:30 - Injury Becomes the Ultimate Classroom

23:09 - The "One More" Philosophy That Changes Everything

26:23 - One Thing You Can Do Today: Greet With Love

Follow Joe Morton:

• Instagram: @acupofjoepodcast
• Instagram: @theplacesyoullrun
• Podcast: A Cup of Joe

Connect with KneeToKnee: Subscribe for weekly conversations on how deep human connection shapes physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational wellbeing.

#IronmanTraining #EnduranceAthlete #ConnectionMedicine #OneMoreMindset #DeepConnections #HealthTransformation #TriathlonMotivation #KneeToKnee

Struggling with parenting burnout? International educator & parenting coach Alyssa Smith reveals how child agency, positive discipline & family connection transform overwhelmed parents. High warmth high expectations builds resilient children who want more responsibility. Learn emotional intelligence strategies, household responsibilities for kids, & family meetings that work. Stop overdoing & start empowering confident children today!

Alyssa spent nearly two decades as an international educator teaching on two continents before becoming a parenting coach helping families replace burnout with calm, confidence & genuine connection.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction - Connection as Medicine
02:01 High Warmth, High Expectations & Humility
07:36 Naming the Hard: Emotional Intelligence for Kids
11:45 Building Agency & Fighting Parent Burnout
18:24 Family Meetings & Co-Creating Solutions
20:32 One Thing You Can Do Today


☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

Helicopter pilot Jesse Munns shares his journey through male mental health struggles, overcoming shame, pornography addiction, and fear of abandonment. From flying high-stakes EMS missions to battling divorce recovery and excommunication from the LDS church, Jesse reveals how authentic connection and brutal honesty saved his life. Discover awakened iron and soul brotherhood, male vulnerability, and the power of facing your darkest fears. Learn coping mechanisms to break free from self-sabotage, emotional healing techniques, and how masculine identity gets forged in fire. This raw conversation about relationship struggles and breaking bad habits will challenge every man to look in the mirror and speak their truth.

00:00 Introduction - Helicopter Pilot Who Lost Everything
03:18 The Path to Becoming a Civilian Helicopter Pilot
07:45 Drowning in Depression: The Hidden Struggles
13:43 Excommunication and Identity Crisis
15:36 Awakened Iron & Soul: The Three-Step Process
19:25 The 20-Second Challenge That Changes Lives

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

Welcome to KneeToKnee, where we explore the science and stories behind human connections. This episode features actor and best-selling author Scott Christopher, who shares valuable life lessons and insights into self development. The conversation covers motivation, compassion, and making good choices, offering practical self improvement strategies for anyone seeking personal growth and success habits.

Books:
Levity Effect: https://amzn.to/4q89mJN
People People: https://amzn.to/4q2yHVy
Seven Ups of Happiness: https://amzn.to/3LcTXc9

Connect with Scott:
https://scottchristopher.net/
levityeffect.com

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#humanconnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

Leadership through storytelling, empathy, and partnership creates influence and trust. Ty Bennett, founder of Leadership Inc., shares how shifting from hierarchical to partnership leadership builds authentic connections, boosts team retention by 40%, and transforms workplace culture through empathic drive and the Rule of Two.

Ty is a bestselling author and international leadership speaker who has helped thousands of leaders build trust through storytelling. In this Knee to Knee podcast episode, he reveals the Bill Gates story that launched his career, the research behind high performance, and practical strategies for leaders who want to move people without running them over.

https://tybennett.com/

Learn about:

• The Rule of Two for better conversations • Partnership vs. hierarchical leadership

• Balancing ambition with empathy

• Storytelling frameworks that work

• Why employees follow great leaders anywhere

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

Somatic therapy and breathwork reset your nervous system, heal trauma, calm anxiety, and help first responders, athletes, and parents reconnect with their bodies. In this KneeToKnee episode, Mark talks with coach Jamie Hinckley about breathing, breath holds, and movement to release stress, improve sleep, and rebuild connection after loss. Jamie shares her partner's suicide, her first breathwork breakthrough, and why emotions guide us. Learn panic-breathing steps, athlete/kid regulation tips, and resources like the Pause Breathwork app.

Instagram: @thesomaticreset ​

Pause Breathwork app: pausebreathwork.com

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

This episode of Knee to Knee explores the importance of building genuine connections and how supportive relationships are essential for everyone. The discussion also touches on creating environments of safety and belonging within groups to foster deeper connections, providing insights from social psychology and group behavior. We also discuss a 4-week experiment focused on strengthening relationships and building bonds through effective communication.

Research Links:

Carl Jung on introversion: https://www.walden43200.com/in-depth-analysis/carl-jung-introversion-and-extroversion/

Health Psychology Open (introverts social isolation study context): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458303/ https://youtu.be/qVNUFSQvbfM

Dr Bobbi Wegner (Harvard Psychologist):

KneeToKnee episode: https://youtu.be/N-w1M2jq5pk

https://extension.harvard.edu/faculty/bobbi-wegner/

Logan Wilkes (TRUSS Networking):

KneeToKnee episode: https://youtu.be/5v5107HY418

https://thetruss.com/who-we-are/our-team/

☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee

#humanconnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney