LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL

Embracing Happiness at Work and Beyond with Alexia Gerorghiou

Guest Introduction

Alexia Gerorghiou is a global happiness advocate, founder of the Knoxville Happiness Coalition, and author of The Future of Work is Human and the Future of Success is Happiness. She brings decades of experience as a mental health therapist and educator to her mission of transforming workplace culture through positive psychology.

Key Topics Discussed

• The power of post-traumatic growth and Alexia’s personal journey through introversion and menopause
• The foundational elements of the Values Model: Vision, Action, Leadership, Unity, Engagement, and Synthesis
• Practical happiness habits like habit stacking and gratitude-based rituals
• Why employers must embrace emotional conversations at work
• Misconceptions about happiness and how to foster it without toxic positivity

Memorable Quotes

“We don’t have to be fearless to be powerful. We have to work with fear.”

“Happiness isn’t just a mood—it’s a skill you can train and build like muscle.”

Call to Action

Get Alexia’s book on Amazon: The Future of Work is Human and the Future of Success is Happiness.

Follow her writing on Substack: alexia.substack.com

Discover Dr. Lycka’s Golden Pearls and subscribe for a chance to win a 5-day cruise at drallenlycka.com

BIO:

Alexia Georghiou, author of The Future of Work is Human and The Future of Success is Happiness, builds positive psychological capital in workplaces through her Knoxville Happiness Coalition. A global happiness advocate, she curates Global Joy, supports India’s Global Happiness Forum, teaches at UT’s Center for Professional Education, and advises the Oak Ridge HR Alliance. Her V.A.L.U.E.S. Model, grounded in Positive Psychology, drives organizational growth through Vision, Action, Leadership, Unity, Engagement, and Synthesis.

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/agilempath/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/agilempath/

Twist the Brand Alchemist – Alyssa Light’s Creative Genius

Introduction:

On this episode of LIVE with Dr. Allen Lycka, meet Alyssa “Twist” Light—an electrifying keynote speaker known for her spontaneous, on-the-spot marketing brilliance. Twist shares her inspiring journey from goldsmithing and working with special needs clients to becoming a sought-after live branding strategist and speaker.

From Snowshoeing to Speaking:

Twist’s path to the stage began in a most unexpected way—offering disability inclusion training in exchange for outdoor adventures with her clients. With each new presentation, word spread and opportunities followed, eventually leading her to a career in public speaking with support from industry peers like Sanjay Nath.

CAPS and a Calling:

As a proud member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), Twist shares how the organization’s “learn, share, grow, belong” ethos helped her evolve and build lasting relationships within the speaking community.

Marketing That Sticks:

Twist recounts unforgettable branding moments—from cookie tins with “Love, the Postman” notes to peach jars symbolizing the sweet spot of expertise. She proves great marketing connects emotionally and memorably.

Human AI and Real-Time Branding:

With comparisons to live ChatGPT, Twist shares how her creative thinking captivates audiences—and yes, sometimes she messes up, but that vulnerability makes the magic even more human and impactful.

Building Business Through Relationships:

Unexpected encounters—from a co-working space friendship to a podcast recording with an event planner—sparked long-term collaborations. Twist’s stories show how every small connection can bloom into something life-changing.

Jewelry, Stories, and Emotional Currency:

Her background as a goldsmith gave her an eye for detail and a heart for people. Now, through her Let It Go Gold service, she collects jewelry—and the stories behind them—while forging authentic connections.

Lessons from the Lake:

Nature is a profound teacher. Twist shares metaphors from mycelium networks and old-growth forests that mirror the hidden relationships driving successful businesses.

Living a Fantastic Life:

Twist lives her best life by embracing curiosity, asking for help, and saying “yes” to what brings joy—whether it’s escape rooms, solo road trips, or sewing purple jumpsuits.

Find Twist:

Alyssa Twist Light doesn’t need a website—just find her on Facebook or email her at [email protected].

Conclusion:

Dr. Lycka and Twist remind us: nurture your connections, do something kind and something selfish each day, and remember—you already have permission to live the life you love.

BIO:

Alyssa “Twist” Light is a keynote speaker who teaches people how to cultivate the connections and build the relationships that move business forward. Twist went to trade school for Goldsmithing and made the 20th anniversary gifts for Blue Rodeo. Her forthcoming book, Lessons from the Lake, speaks how we can approach business differently, taking cues from Mother Nature to grow our networks and deepen relationships. A self proclaimed lover of events, Twist’s mission is to make meeting planners look like superheroes and their attendees feel like rockstars.

Social Media:

Facebook 

Introduction

Dr. Steven J. Rippe joins Dr. Allen Lycka to share his groundbreaking work in educational transformation through experiential learning. With more than 25 years of experience, Steven discusses his journey from outdoor education to founding joyful, high-performing learning communities.

From Wilderness to the Classroom

Steven shares how his career began as an Outward Bound instructor, witnessing firsthand the power of transformative experiences. This sparked a lifelong mission to design powerful learning environments rooted in hope, purpose, and personal agency.

Designing Transformational Experiences

At the University of Minnesota’s Center for Experiential Learning, Steven learned that well-crafted experiences can accelerate personal and academic growth. He explains how helping individuals identify their purpose through experiential understanding is key to lasting change.

The Day of Hope and Student Agency

Steven introduces the 'Day of Hope' challenge, where students design and lead their own experiences—from acts of kindness to service projects—empowering them to own their voices and choices in education.

Real Equity Begins with Listening

By prioritizing voice, choice, and respect, Steven builds a foundation for true equity. He emphasizes that when students are heard, they become more engaged and capable of transformation.

Hope, Goals, and Personal Learning Plans

Unlike traditional top-down learning plans, Steven’s method begins with student voice and evolves into student-owned, hope-fueled goals that drive engagement and change.

Living a Fantastic Life

Steven shares how he applies these principles personally—using a 'hope catapult' to turn problems into opportunities. He empowers students and teachers to do the same, creating ripple effects of joy and purpose.

Connect with Steven Rippe

Listeners can learn more or reach out to Steven through www.edvisions.org or by emailing [email protected] to join this transformative movement.

BIO: 

Steven brings over 25 years of experience helping individuals and teams design and lead innovative, engaging schools. A successful educator, principal, and university administrator, he partners with students and educators to create nationally recognized schools and high-performing, joyful learning communities—grounded in the transformative power of hope.

Social Media Links

www. edvisions.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rippesteven/

LIVE with The Famous Dr AL Fathers Day Special

Heidi Blackie Bio

Heidi Blackie is a speaker, consultant, and founder of UnshakableMe®, a program that helps women rise from burnout, illness, and self-doubt to reclaim their power and create lives of purpose and possibility. After seven years of chronic illness, she hit rock bottom in 2021— she made a radical choice to believe in her body’s ability to heal — a turning point that reshaped her life from the inside out. Heidi offers listeners powerful insights and strategies to tap into their own resilience, awaken their UnshakableMe, and realize they are far more powerful than they’ve been led to believe.

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/un_shakableme/

https://www.facebook.com/welcome.to.unshakableme/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiblackie/

https://www.youtube.com/@UnshakableMe

Bio:

Dr. Aaron Phillips is a neuroscientist, inventor, and entrepreneur whose groundbreaking research is restoring function after spinal cord injury using electrical stimulation. As Associate Dean of Innovation and co-founder of several health tech ventures—including the "Research Ally" mobile research platform—he's leading the charge to bring cutting-edge science from the lab to real-world impact. His work has been featured in Nature, Nature Medicine, Science, and has secured major funding and commercial partnerships.

Social media links

Website: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/labs/phillips/home

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-phillips-b7208953/ 

Twitter: @RESTORE_SCI 

LIVE with Dr. Allen Lycka featuring Samantha Stewart

Guest: Samantha Stewart, CEO of Occiden and Company

Topic: Innovating Healthcare from the Inside Out

Introduction:

In this episode of LIVE with Dr. Allen Lycka, we welcome Samantha Stewart, the visionary CEO of Occiden and Company. With a focus on simplifying clinic operations and humanizing healthcare transformation, Samantha shares her journey from a first-generation Canadian to a respected leader guiding clinics through change, growth, and digital reinvention.

Founding Occiden:

Samantha describes Occiden as a “love letter to the healthcare system,” created to fill critical gaps in clinic management, especially in Alberta. Recognizing burnout, inefficiency, and stagnation in traditional care systems, she pioneered a new approach—one built on lean systems, AI, and strategic innovation.

Systemic Challenges in Alberta:

Healthcare in Alberta is undergoing seismic shifts. Samantha reflects on her work post-COVID, where she saw fragmented workflows and exhausted teams. Her mission: restore value to frontline workers, enhance patient experience, and spark long-term transformation in how care is delivered and felt.

From Problem to Possibility:

Samantha encourages reframing problems as opportunities. She believes in meeting people where they are and ushering in change without overwhelming them. Her Nanny McPhee-like philosophy of running toward chaos to restore harmony is evident in her approach to digital transformation.

Digital Evolution, Not Overhaul:

Digital change doesn’t have to be disruptive. Samantha walks clinics through phased transformation—like restructuring schedules, reducing paperwork, and implementing automated reminders—that improve both revenue and morale.

People Over Process:

Her true superpower? People. Samantha knows tech is only as powerful as those who use it. Through training, listening, and building comfort, she ensures her solutions are embraced, not abandoned.

Designing Workflows That Work:

By analyzing clinic schedules and aligning appointments with billing strategies, she helps medical teams work smarter. Physicians regain control, reduce burnout, and even rediscover joy in their work.

Leading with Humanity:

Samantha shares her philosophy on living a fantastic life: stay grounded, define your values, and lead with empathy. She urges clinics to zoom out, reflect, and evolve with intention—for themselves and their patients.

Final Words:

To a younger Samantha, she would say: “Everything happens for a reason. Keep going.”

Connect with her via www.occiden.ca or on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to Dr. Lycka’s Golden Pearls:

Visit www.drallenlycka.com for weekly inspiration—and a chance to win a cruise!

BIO:

Samantha Stewart is the CEO of Occiden and Company, a healthcare management firm that helps clinics and medical leaders simplify operations and embrace the future of care. Known for her bold thinking and deep industry insight, she guides healthcare teams through digital transformation, workflow redesign, and high-impact strategy. Samantha brings a fresh, solutions-first perspective to the table—one focused on what’s possible when healthcare works smarter.

Social Media:

Websites - www.occiden.ca, www.genvanta.ca

LinkedIn 

Company Page ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/occiden-and-company/?viewAsMember=true) 

CEO Page ( www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-stewart-occidenandcompany) 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@occidenandcompany

Living a Fantastic Life with Rick Patterson

Introduction

In this insightful episode, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Rick Patterson — product operations manager at a global chemical company, author of Shame Unmasked, and father of four adopted children. Rick brings a powerful perspective shaped by corporate leadership, foster parenting, and spiritual growth.

From Paper to Purpose

Rick shares his unconventional journey from the paper industry into foster parenting and eventually the ministry. After adopting four Black siblings, he left his corporate role to focus on family, later earning a master's and doctorate in ministry and starting a church before returning to the corporate world.

The Mirror of Parenting

Parenting was transformative. Rick candidly discusses his own struggles with narcissism, noting that raising traumatized children forced him to confront his ego. A breaking point—literally involving a wall and a fractured hand—helped him realize the deep emotional triggers rooted in shame.

The Hidden Face of Narcissism

Rick’s research shows that narcissism often masks deep shame and self-loathing. Drawing from his dissertation, he explains how this dynamic shows up in religious institutions, leadership, and the corporate world. External success is often a distraction from internal pain.

Shame in Corporate Culture

In the competitive environments of corporate America, Rick identifies how shame subtly fuels toxic behaviors. Awards and praise can reinforce a culture of self-worth tied to external validation, creating cycles of dysfunction.

From Idolization to Humility

Discussing the tendency to idolize leaders, Rick notes this stems from projecting our desired traits onto others—often driven by our own insecurities. He credits thinkers like Carl Jung and TS Eliot for helping him understand the danger of projection and the roots of conflict.

The Dark Night of the Soul

Rick speaks to his own long season of internal struggle and how it taught him humility and a willingness to learn. He believes true growth requires recognizing that we don’t know everything—and that admitting this opens the door to real transformation.

The Power of Apology and Forgiveness

Apology, Rick says, is the “atomic weapon” against shame. It's a profound act of humility that earns respect and fosters healing. He emphasizes teaching his children this skill, viewing it as a core element of resilience and growth. Forgiveness, too, is essential—not to release others, but to free ourselves.

Closing Thoughts

Rick encourages listeners to embrace growth, humility, and human connection. He invites everyone to explore more through his books and website: www.rickpattersonconnects.com.

Resources

• Dr. Lycka’s Golden Pearls: www.drallenlycka.com
• Rick’s Website: www.rickpattersonconnects.com

BIO:

Rick is a product operations manager for a global chemical company and the author of Shame Unmasked: Disarming the Hidden Driver Behind our Destructive Decisions and the forthcoming: The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth: Reimagining What it Means to be Great (Again). He’s the adoptive father of a sibling group of four black children and runs a beef cattle business on the side.

Social Media:

www.rickpattersonconnects.com

Facebook @rickpattersonconnects

Dr. Allen Lycka & Michelle Bishop

“Choosing Yourself First: From Grief to Greatness”

Introduction

In this heart-opening episode, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Michelle Bishop, Certified Master Life Coach and best-selling author of Choose You First. Michelle empowers women to reclaim their lives after loss through the power of self-love, inner resilience, and authenticity.

Michelle’s Journey of Reinvention

At 59, Michelle experienced a profound transformation following the tragic loss of her husband in 2019 and her own near-death experience during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. These back-to-back events shattered the roles she had once clung to—mother, wife, daughter—and forced her to rediscover who she was beneath it all. “You can make a choice for you,” she explains. “Choosing you is not selfish. It’s selfless.”

Victimhood to Empowerment

Michelle's pivotal moment came when she shed her lifelong armor. No longer defined by pain, she rewrote her story and used her past to fuel her mission. Her shift was not quick or easy—it was deliberate and daily. “Every morning when I take my first breath, I commit again,” she shares. “That’s where change begins.”

Beyond Self-Help: A Lifestyle of Growth

Michelle challenges the quick-fix mentality of modern self-help. She believes that lasting change isn’t found in a 5-step formula—it’s found in living the transformation. “Small movements of change, done consistently, become your new normal,” she says. Real growth requires patience, pivoting, and self-compassion.

The Silent Warrior Technique

In a noisy world, Michelle recommends reclaiming peace through the “Silent Warrior” technique: breathing deeply, grounding in the moment, and letting go of what no longer serves you. This intentional pause creates space for clarity, calm, and conscious action.

Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs

Michelle emphasizes the importance of respecting others’ beliefs while being brave enough to examine and release your own. True growth, she says, comes from openness and curiosity—not judgment. “Knowledge is power,” she notes, “especially when it helps you evolve.”

Creating Lasting Change

Having lost over 100 pounds through lifestyle—not fad diets—Michelle knows transformation isn’t instant. “Consistency is key,” she says. “Real change happens one small, empowered choice at a time.”

Living a Fantastic Life

Michelle lives fully by aligning with her purpose, surrounding herself with authenticity, and acting on what matters. Her advice? Take action. Move. Breathe. Reflect. And above all, be grateful—even for the breath you’re taking right now.

Final Thoughts

Michelle’s bestselling book, Choose You First, is available on Amazon and at www.bishoplife.com. For those navigating adversity, her message is clear: You are worthy. You are loved. Choose you—first.

BIO:

Michelle Bishop is a Master Certified Life Coach and author of “Choose You First”. She helps women reclaim their lives after adversity by embracing self-love and building inner resilience. Through coaching, workshops, and speaking, she empowers clients to shed limiting beliefs, strengthen self-worth, and create lives filled with joy and purpose.

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/MichelleBishopLife

Tom Ziglar's Life-Changing Insights

Introduction In this captivating interview, Tom Ziglar, son of the legendary Zig Ziglar, shares transformative insights on how speakers can catalyze real change. Dr. Allen Lycka and Tom dive into the importance of actionable plans, authenticity, and creating a lasting legacy.

The Sin of the Desert Tom introduces the concept of "the sin of the desert"—knowing where the water is but failing to guide others. This powerful metaphor underscores the responsibility of speakers and leaders to not just inspire but equip their audience with actionable steps. Tom emphasizes that transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process, urging speakers to focus as much on the call to action as on the speech itself.

Legacy Over Inheritance In a heartfelt moment, Tom discusses the difference between inheritance and legacy. While inheritance is material wealth left to someone, legacy is what we instill in others—the values, virtues, and skills that empower them to make wise choices. He shares personal stories, including a poignant account of his daughter, highlighting how true impact transcends financial wealth.

Coaching as the Future Tom reveals the critical role of coaching in today’s world. He highlights that coaching isn’t just about skills but about motives, virtues, and deep understanding. By asking meaningful questions and listening with intent, coaches build trust and foster genuine growth. Tom underscores the lasting relevance of coaching, regardless of technological or societal shifts.

Pivoting for Success Drawing from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom shares how Ziglar pivoted its coaching program to an online format, enabling global access and thriving in uncertain times. This adaptability, combined with a clear mission, allowed the Ziglar organization to flourish when many struggled.

Authenticity Wins Tom stresses the importance of authenticity, especially for younger generations raised in a digital world. Authenticity fosters connection and trust, enabling leaders and coaches to inspire genuine transformation. He reminds us that people can sense insincerity, and authenticity should be a cornerstone of any leadership style.

The Coaching Program Tom outlines Ziglar’s comprehensive coaching program, designed to equip individuals with foundational skills, real client experience, and strategies for building a successful coaching practice. The program addresses common fears—whether one can make a living from coaching, be effective, and remain relevant. For more information, visit www.ziglar.com or email Tom directly at [email protected].

The Secret to a Fantastic Life The conversation concludes with the iconic Zig Ziglar quote: “You can have everything in life you want if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want.” Tom breaks it down into five essential questions: What do you want? Why do you want it? Who are you going to help? What do they want? How will you help them? This simple framework reveals the secret to a fulfilling life.

BIO:

As CEO of Zig Ziglar Corporation for the past 28 years, Tom Ziglar carries on the Ziglar philosophy: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” He has written two books, Choose to Win in 2019 and 10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times, published and released in December 2021. Both of these books expand the Ziglar branding and philosophy in personal development and leadership and provide the backbone for the most innovative training and coaching programs in the world. 

Social Media:

 YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/ziglarlife  

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thezigziglar/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/TheZigZiglar

LinkedIN

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziglar-inc

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ZigZiglar