Is it possible to start over after you've already lost time, made mistakes, or fallen behind? Yes, it is.

This week on Love University, we explore what it takes to reclaim your inner strength—even if life has knocked you down, again and again. Based on key principles from Dr. Avila’s acclaimed Invincible You book (https://shorturl.at/vfeRI), this episode reveals three essential secrets for developing an Invincible mindset of power, healing, and resilience. Regardless of your past, you can make a comeback. And the truth is: It’s never too late.

Here are the three secrets we explored in this episode:

Pain is energy—raw, intense, and deeply personal. But it doesn't have to define you. When reframed as meaning and lessons learned, pain becomes fuel for your success. Emotional setbacks, failures, and even long-standing regrets of your past can be converted into forward motion. Real-life stories remind us that suffering can bring insight and shift priorities, like the workaholic father who rekindled family love by spending more time with them after a near-fatal accident. Healing begins when you stop resisting pain and start using it as a tool for awakening and growth.

We grow by learning from those who have turned adversity into purpose. People like Marla Runyan (blind Olympian), Stephen Hawking (physicist with ALS), Malala Yousafzai (activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner), and Nick Vujicic (motivational speaker born without limbs) didn’t just survive hardship—they transformed it into meaningful impact. Studying how they thought, adapted, and moved forward helps you develop the mindset you need to overcome challenges with strength and purpose.

Progress is rarely in a straight line. Some days bring setbacks. Other days give you forward progress. But every step counts. The biggest trap is believing you need to feel ready to begin. Don’t fall for it: the time to being your inner development is now. Self-doubt and delay are part of the old programming—the self-defeating mind that says “wait until it’s easier.” But change happens by acting, not waiting. Taking two steps forward and one step back still means you're advancing. Keep moving, taking small chances, and advancing toward your goals. Even small wins build momentum, bringing you closer to the life you dream about.

      Why do we deliberately seek out fear—only to feel more alive afterward?

     This week on Love University, we’re exploring the psychology of horror with acclaimed supernatural thriller author Monica Kastle, creator of the Cascade Wolves series. Known for suspenseful plots, richly layered characters, and emotionally intelligent writing, Kastle crafts stories that don’t just scare you—they awaken something deeper in your mind and heart.

    Here’s what we uncovered about why fear fascinates us—and how her novels hook into our most primal wiring:

    Monica’s novels serve as controlled “threat simulators.” When we read scary scenes, the amygdala—the brain’s fear center—fires off as if we’re in danger. But the rational brain knows we’re safe, creating a unique tension loop. That loop, according to National Geographic, helps us process stress more efficiently. Horror fans often show greater emotional regulation and resilience—because they’ve practiced fear in a safe container.

    Kastle’s work gives readers that exact laboratory: fear without real harm, emotional risk without real loss. And the payoff? A psychological sense of mastery.

   Kastle’s books build suspense through rising tension, then release it through resolution. This taps into what scientists call excitation transfer: the idea that physiological arousal (like increased heart rate and sweaty palms) intensifies whatever emotion follows it. So when the monster disappears—or the hero survives—we feel extra relief, even joy.This adrenaline -to-euphoria payoff is hardwired in us. It’s why scary stories can be strangely uplifting. Monica’s smart layering of supernatural danger and emotional stakes creates exactly this effect—fear that leads to catharsis (emotional release).

      Horror stories are deeply instructive. We unconsciously collect survival strategies as we read: What would I do in that cabin? Would I trust that character? How would I escape that pack of wolves? This “morbid curiosity” isn’t unhealthy—it’s evolutionary. Research during COVID-19 showed that horror fans were more psychologically prepared for uncertainty and threat.

      Kastle's readers aren't just along for the ride. They’re gathering intel. Her fiction activates our learning brain while thrilling our emotional core.

      One of the most fascinating psychological effects of horror is called misattribution of arousal. It means we can confuse fear for attraction. In a famous 1974 study, men were more likely to feel romantic interest after crossing a dangerous suspension bridge than a safe one. That’s because fear spikes adrenaline—which mimics the symptoms of romantic excitement.

     Kastle’s Cascade Wolves plays on this beautifully. Tense survival scenes mirror this “bridge effect,” where readers find themselves rooting not just for safety—but for slow-burn intimacy. Fear and empathy merge, drawing us closer to the characters and to ourselves.

     In Cascade Wolves, Kastle’s heroines don’t just run from fear—they grow through it. This mirrors what psychologists call “coping rehearsal.” Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, scary stories help train emotional muscles. Readers learn to manage panic, slow their breathing, and stay alert in high-pressure moments—all while sitting safely on the couch.

   That’s the deeper brilliance of Kastle’s work: her stories aren’t just entertainment. They’re emotional conditioning.

   Monica Kastle uses the language of fear to teach courage, deepen empathy, and rewire how we experience stress and safety. If you’ve ever wondered why we love scary stories—or how they help us heal—this episode    will change the way you think about horror.

Would you like to live like a champion—someone who consistently wins in life, not just occasionally, but day after day, in every area that matters most?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we explore three key principles that can help you step into your greatness—starting now. Whether you want more success in your relationships, career, finances, health, or mindset, these three simple steps can help you live with more confidence, power, and joy:

Have you ever wondered if something as natural—and as ancient—as a mushroom could help you resolve trauma, reduce depression, or even diminish the fear of death?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we met Dr. Stacey Simmons—psychotherapist and certified psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioner (staceysimmonsphd.com). Her work brings together neuroscience and and plant-medicine research. As the author of Mushroom Pharmacy, Dr. Simmons explores how psilocybin and other psychedelics may support emotional healing, spiritual awakening, and brain transformation.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

Dr. Simmons left us with a simple reminder: Mushrooms alone may not save your life—but when used with wisdom, they can help you remember how to live it more fully.

🎧 Catch the full interview now on Love University to explore the intersection of brain science, plant medicine, and personal transformation—with one of the most grounded and inspiring voices in the psychedelic wellness space. Also make sure to follow Dr. Avila on Instagram at @dralexavila

Have you ever carried a family secret so heavy that the only way to heal was to bring it into the open?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we sat down with Richard K. Lowy—international event producer, creative director, and now author of Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz (Jan 2025). Through deep, painstaking interviews with his father, Leopold, and his father’s childhood friend, Kalman, Richard uncovers how two Hungarian-Jewish boys—friends by circumstance—survived Josef Mengele’s experiments, served SS guards, endured unspeakable horror, and ultimately reunited more than five decades later.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

Always remember Richard’s lesson we need to learn: suffering doesn’t just require remembrance—it demands witness, action, and connection.

Have you ever faced something so traumatic that it felt impossible to move forward—and wondered how anyone could choose optimism in the aftermath?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we sat down with Jenna Edwards—actor (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), award-winning producer, and mental health advocate—who survived the tragic 2003 Santa Monica Farmer’s Market crash and the years of debilitating PTSD that followed. Jenna is the bestselling author of Aggressive Optimism, host of the Aggressive Optimism Podcast, and founder of Jenna Edwards Media, where she helps creators turn their hardest stories into uplifting content.

Here are some important elements of Aggressive Optimism:

Jenna left us with a powerful reminder:  “Aggressive optimism is a mindset where we acknowledge the challenges in front of us but remain fiercely optimistic about finding a way forward. It's about being real without dwelling in negativity.”

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to busk with a red ukulele at nine years old—and end up headlining festivals before even finishing high school?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we sat down with Aspen Jacobsen—an 18-year-old Americana-folk prodigy and award-winning recording artist. With her finger-style guitar, mandolin, and raw vocals, Aspen’s debut LP Arsonist Daughter is turning heads with its fearless lyrics on relationships, mental health, and social justice.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

• Origins of a prodigy. Aspen shared what she sang for tips as a 9-year-old busker—and why music called her even without a family influence. She described herself as an “old soul” drawn to lyrics that spark reflection and change.

• Why fire? We asked why her debut album carries the title Arsonist Daughter. For Aspen, fire symbolizes transformation—controlled destruction that clears the way for rebirth. She even pointed out the lyric that burns hottest for her personally.

• Music as medicine. Anxiety often threads through Aspen’s lyrics. She opened up about whether performing soothes or stirs it—and how songwriting itself gives her a tool for healing that therapy alone could not.

• Staying grounded. From sold-out shows to industry recognition, Aspen stays centered by leaning on close friends, mindfulness practices, and remembering why she writes: to spark thought, ignite conversations, and inspire change.

• Takeaway from Arsonist Daughter. Each track, Aspen says, is a spark meant to ignite reflection—on faith, climate grief, mental health, or identity. Her goal is for listeners not only to hear her music but to feel compelled toward empathy and action.

Aspen left us with one lasting truth: songs aren’t just melodies—they’re matches. When you strike them, they can light up the dark corners of your heart.

Catch the full interview now on Love University to hear Aspen’s remarkable journey—from street corners to festival stages—and why she believes music can still change the world, one lyric at a time.

Have you ever worked incredibly hard toward a dream—only to feel like you’re not making any progress?  What if the key wasn’t just trying harder, but trying smarter?

On this week’s Love University episode, we explore the science and psychology of effective trying—how to aim your efforts in the right way for the right goals. Whether you’re pursuing love, career success, health, or personal growth, this method can transform the way you approach your ambitions.

Here are the three game-changing insights we covered:

Meditate on Greatness

Reverse Your Trying

Try for Your Don

The Three Tries aren’t about doing more—they’re about doing what works: learning from proven success, stepping back when over-effort is holding you back, and aiming for goals that align with your deepest talents. When you apply these steps, you start making real, lasting progress toward your biggest dreams.

Have you ever felt stuck in the same emotional pattern—no matter how much you try to change? What if that pattern was written in the stars… and could be healed through radical self-forgiveness?

On this week’s enlightening episode of Love University, we welcome Lisa Tahir—licensed therapist, podcast host of All Things Therapy, and author of The Chiron Effect: Healing Our Core Wounds Through Astrology, Empathy, and Self-Forgiveness. With a blend of psychotherapy, spiritual insight, and something called psychoastrology, Lisa helps people uncover their deepest inner wound—and alchemize it into strength.

Here’s what we explored in this soul-healing conversation:

Your Chiron placement is your “wounded healer” key. Chiron—a celestial body named after the mythical centaur who could heal others but not himself—represents your most tender internal wound. Lisa shows how discovering its sign and house in your birth chart reveals the area of life where you’ve been hurt the most—and where you’re called to grow the most.

From pain to power: the Chiron Effect. Lisa breaks down how we unconsciously repeat the same emotional themes (relationships, health, money, career) until we face the core wound underneath—and how forgiveness, responsibility, and spiritual connection are the cure.

Healing starts with empathy—for yourself. Whether your wound is around perfectionism (Virgo), rejection (Aries), or trust (Scorpio), Lisa shares how writing self-affirmations, setting boundaries, and reconnecting to joy can help release toxic cycles.

Psychoastrology meets purpose. Learn how each of the 12 astrological houses reflects a unique life domain—family, body, money, love, legacy, and more—so you can understand where your triggers come from and how to transform them into compassion.

Bonus: We even ask if cats are more spiritual than dogs. (She has two—Jiggy and Baby—and a strong opinion.)

Lisa’s message is clear and powerful: you are not broken. You are simply being invited to heal—and to remember your original wholeness. With self-compassion, spiritual awareness, and a willingness to do the inner work, your core wound can become your greatest teacher.

Tune in now to Love University, and start dancing with your shadow… into the light.

Do you believe it’s possible to heal your body—and your heart—through joy, movement, and spiritual connection?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we welcome the radiant Dr. Zahra Tabassian—known as “America’s Healing Dancing Doctor.” A double-board-certified internist and nephrologist, Dr. Tabassian blends cutting-edge medicine with soulful healing through her “Spiritually Sexy” method. Her story begins with heartbreak—losing her beloved father—and evolves into a revolutionary mind-body-spirit framework that’s changing lives.

Here are some highlights from our inspiring conversation:

Dr. Tabassian reminds us that medicine doesn’t have to be cold and clinical. With faith, rhythm, and purpose, it can be joyful, sacred—and sexy.

Tune in to hear her remarkable journey from Tehran prodigy to Los Angeles healer, and learn how you can co-create your own health destiny… starting from the inside out.

💫 “With God in us, all things are possible.” — Dr. Zahra Tabassian

Listen now on Love University—where the heart and the soul come to learn.