In this immersive guided meditation, Clayton shares a grounding practice recorded during a Vermont Bike Tour (VBT) journey through New Zealand’s South Island.

Set beside a misty lake between rainforest, mountains, and sea, this episode invites you to slow your breathing, soften your body, and reconnect with the living intelligence of the earth.

In This Meditation:

Mindful breath awareness

Deep connection to nature

Reflection on indigenous presence and generational stewardship

The difference between owning and belonging

A simple three-breath gratitude practice

This nature-based mindfulness experience helps you feel part of something ancient and alive — not separate from it.

Perfect for listeners who love:

Forest-inspired meditation

Grounding breathwork

Gratitude practices

Eco-spiritual reflection

Travel-inspired mindfulness

Take a slow breath in.

A long breath out.

And remember... you belong.

Ed D'Angelis built a 450-person construction company that's been recognized six consecutive years as a Philadelphia Top Workplace. But his journey to "humanity as a strategy" started with a crisis: eight years into his business, he literally couldn't get off the floor. His body and mind shut down from relentless grinding.

That breaking point led Ed to a radical realization—in an industry built on toughness and hierarchy, the key to sustainable success is recognizing and strategizing around people's humanity. Through vulnerability, education about the brain and mindfulness, and unwavering commitment from the top, Ed transformed his company culture. The result? Better retention, more innovation, safer worksites, and a business that proves caring about people isn't soft... it's smart.

In this conversation, Ed and Clayton explore the practical application of mindfulness in one of the most demanding industries, the business case for psychological safety, and why the human mind's ability to adapt and feel makes it infinitely more powerful than AI.

TIMESTAMPS:

[0:00] Welcome and introduction to Ed D'Angelis

[1:37] What does "humanity as a strategy" mean?

[3:41] The breaking point: "I couldn't get off the floor"

[5:16] The oxygen mask principle: self-care first

[8:37] Vulnerability as a leadership tool

[9:17] Teaching construction workers about the brain

[10:33] We're not fighting lions every day

[13:11] Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

[21:37] Why change must start at the top

[25:57] Everyday mindfulness: walking the dog

[32:17] System 1 vs. System 2 thinking

[33:47] Try focusing on your breath for 30 seconds

[39:24] The powerlifter analogy for mindfulness

[40:13] Adrenaline drains you, mindfulness fills your cup

[41:26] The business case: 3x higher addiction/suicide rates in construction

[42:35] Strategy requires practice, not wishful thinking

[46:17] The ROI: retention, innovation, and growth

[52:17] Entitlement is the mind killer

[54:17] Keep learning: the Einstein rule

[58:26] The Thomas Edison approach to failure

[1:00:17] Legacy: how you made people feel

[1:02:17] Closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH ED: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwarddeangelis/

LEARN MORE ABOUT EDA CONTRACTORS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eda-contractors-inc./

What if the billionaires have it wrong?

In this powerful conversation, Spencer Sherman - meditation teacher, financial advisor, and founding CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners - challenges everything we've been taught about wealth, success, and the pursuit of "more."

Spencer occupies a fascinating intersection where mindfulness meets money, and his central question is revolutionary: What if enough is already here?

🎯 KEY INSIGHTS:

• Why people with tens of millions still can't enjoy their wealth

• The neuroscience behind "enough" and how it calms your nervous system

• How checking your phone 200 times a day is destroying your finances (backed by Daniel Kahneman's research)

• The "hedonic treadmill" - why first class is never enough

• From "I'm swamped" to "I'm spacious" - how one phrase change transforms your reality

• The 3-day rule that stops impulse purchases cold

• Why your brain treats social threats the same as physical ones

• How reactivity starts within us, not from external circumstances

Spencer shares practical wisdom from decades of working with wealthy clients and leading mindfulness retreats, revealing that the relationship with money is really a relationship with yourself.

This isn't about settling for less - it's about discovering that when you're not pitched forward fighting for more, you're not trying to prove anything. You just show up at ease. And that's when the best things flow to you.

Perfect for anyone struggling with:

✓ Never feeling like you have enough time, money, or success

✓ Constant comparison and the fear of missing out

✓ Reactive decisions driven by scarcity and fear

✓ The exhausting cycle of wanting "just a little bit more"

🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST:

Spencer Sherman is a meditation teacher, financial advisor, and founding CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners. He leads retreats on mindfulness and money, and is the author of works including the Five Money Meditations and his exploration of what he calls "Money Madness."

🎙️ ABOUT THE HOST:

Clayton Platt hosts Magic in the Moment: Mindfulness in Real Time, exploring how mindfulness shows up in everyday life through conversations with practitioners, teachers, and thought leaders.

📚 CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction

01:43 - The Joseph Heller Story: "I Have Enough"

04:33 - Even Billionaires Want More

07:20 - The Basketball Player Paradox

09:20 - Declare Enough RIGHT NOW

12:03 - The Neuroscience of Enough

18:07 - Growing Up in Queens

24:33 - Two Accounts: Enough Money vs. Surplus

29:13 - From "Swamped" to "Spacious"

32:50 - Phone Checking Creates Fear (Kahneman Study)

38:20 - The Three-Day Rule

45:40 - Social Threats = Physical Threats

52:20 - Reactivity Starts Within

🔗 CONNECT WITH SPENCER SHERMAN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindfulspencer/

🔗LEARN MORE ABOUT ABACUS WEALTH: https://abacuswealth.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH MEDITATION FOR LEADERSHIP: meditation4leadership.org

What if the key to lasting change isn't pushing harder... but paying closer attention?

In this episode of Magic in the Moment, host Clayton Platt sits down with Dr. Vera Ludwig, psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center, to explore a revolutionary approach to self-regulation. Forget exhausting willpower battles, Vera's research reveals how simple awareness can automatically rewire your brain and transform your habits.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

✨ Why traditional willpower often backfires (and what to do instead) ✨ The "island revelation" that changed Vera's entire approach to productivity ✨ How mindfulness creates effortless behavior change through awareness alone ✨ The neuroscience behind flow states and authentic alignment ✨ Practical strategies for breaking compulsive patterns without shame or force ✨ Why working with your natural rhythms beats forcing yourself through the day.

From burnout to breakthrough, Vera shares her personal journey from PhD researcher grinding through willpower studies to discovering a completely different way of living... one where energy comes naturally when you're aligned with what's true to you.

1:52 - Welcome & Introducing Dr. Vera Ludwig

2:19 - How Awareness Rewires Habits Without Willpower

3:16 - Vera's Journey: From PhD Burnout to Island Flow

5:52 - The Island Revelation: Discovering Effortless Productivity

7:28 - When Pushing Yourself Stops Working

9:35 - The Mindfulness-Willpower Connection

12:15 - Listening to Your Body's Messages

17:07 - Breaking Cookie Cravings: A Real-Life Example

20:17 - Clayton's Dessert Compulsion Story

24:27 - Working With Your Natural Rhythms (Not Against Them)

26:17 - Remote Work & Honoring Your Energy Cycles

33:29 - The "Just Like Me" Meditation Study

38:06 - Heart Rate Synchrony & Human Connection

42:24 - Sexuality, Wellbeing & Breaking Taboos

47:45 - Mindful Awareness in Sexual Behaviors

54:25 - Great Sex vs. Good Sex: The Role of Presence

58:18 - Mindful Eating & Sexual Desire: The Parallel

62:35 - Where to Learn More & Connect With Vera

Ready to break through burnout, self-doubt, and overwhelm? Join host Clayton Platt as he sits down with the inspiring Candice Van Dertholen... holistic practitioner, embodiment coach, and the ultimate guide for anyone craving more presence and purpose.

In This Episode:

• Candice’s raw journey from struggle to self-mastery—and how you can do it too
• Real talk on imposter syndrome, healing, and why “self-love” is more than a hashtag
• Mindfulness hacks for busy brains: from 90-second resets to walking meditations
• How to build true confidence, trust your intuition, and create a life (and business) that feels aligned
• The power of community, mentorship, and saying YES to your own growth

Don’t Miss: Candice’s upcoming cohort and retreat... your chance to connect, grow, and transform with a supportive tribe.

In this year-end special, Clayton Platt reflects on the conversations that defined the heart of Magic in the Moment. These moments didn’t come from theory or perfection — they came from real people, in real roles, choosing presence in real time.

This episode revisits powerful insights from several recent guests, each offering a distinct doorway into what mindfulness looks like when it’s lived.

David Hubbard — Choosing Presence & “Unreasonable Joy”

David shares a striking realization: he achieved his goals but wasn’t fully present for much of his early life. His awakening wasn’t about regret — it was about choosing to be here for his own moments.

He introduces the idea of being “unreasonably joyful” and asks a simple but profound question: What are we adding to the shared air we all breathe?

👉 Listen to David Hubbard’s full episode for a deeper dive into presence, joy, and his CLAW philosophy (Compassion, Love, Awareness, Wisdom).

Fred Wasiak — Mindfulness, Service & Seeing Abundance

From the world of food insecurity and service, Fred offers a grounded perspective on mindfulness in action. Presence, he reminds us, isn’t just inner calm — it’s the ability to see dignity, connection, and possibility even in places defined by scarcity.

👉 Hear Fred Wasiak’s full episode to explore how mindfulness strengthens leadership, service, and human connection.

Timothy Mathews — Kindness as a Courageous Practice

Timothy reframes kindness as something active and intentional — not politeness, not niceness, but a mindful choice that requires awareness and courage, especially in a world that often rewards the opposite.

👉 Listen to Timothy Mathews’ full episode for a powerful exploration of kindness as a daily mindfulness practice.

Bill Warnick — Relaxed Effort, Leadership & Breath

Bill connects leadership, mindfulness, and drumming through the idea of relaxed power — the insight that forcing harder often slows us down. Growth, performance, and presence improve when we relax into the moment.

He also shares a simple, practical tool: box breathing, a four-part breath practice used before difficult conversations and high-stakes moments.

👉 Listen to Bill Warnick’s full episode to rethink effort, leadership, and how breath can change how you show up.

Across these conversations, a common thread emerges: mindfulness isn’t separate from life. It shows up in boardrooms and food banks, in leadership decisions and small acts of kindness, in breath, attention, and choice.

This is mindfulness in real time — imperfect, human, and available right now.

Join host Clayton Platt and guest Bill Warnick as they dive into a lively chat about leadership, patience, and humility. They also share their personal passions for music and breathing practices, offering a fresh perspective on how these interests shape their professional lives.

Takeaways

• Leadership is all about patience and humility.
• Music is a personal passion that really hits home emotionally.
• Breathing practices? They're great for focus and staying calm.
• Bill emphasizes the need for uninterrupted practice to hone skills.
• Humility is key in both personal and professional growth.
• Patience might be rare, but it's crucial for success.
• Personal interests can spark professional insights.
• Music plays a big role in emotional and mental well-being.
• Breathing techniques are a handy tool for stress management.
• There's a strong link between personal practices and leadership skills.

Chapters

00:00:01 Introduction and Welcome

00:01:27 Leadership and Personal Interests

00:03:48 The Role of Music

00:08:29 Breathing Practices

00:24:27 Patience and Humility

00:29:32 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode, Clayton Platt and W. David Hubbard explore the profound impact of mindfulness and meditation on personal and professional life.

They discuss the journey of integrating mindfulness into daily routines, the challenges of maintaining presence in a fast-paced world, and the transformative power of choosing joy and gratitude.

The conversation also delves into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and how mindfulness can foster a more compassionate and connected community.

Takeaways

Mindfulness is a lifelong journey of self-exploration.

Meditation helps in becoming the best version of oneself.

Choosing joy and gratitude can transform daily experiences.

Mindfulness fosters better emotional control and patience.

Diversity and inclusion are crucial for a thriving workplace.

Mindfulness can enhance leadership and organizational culture.

Being present allows for deeper connections with others.

Curiosity and compassion are key to bridging divides.

Mindfulness is about responding, not reacting.

The practice of mindfulness can lead to personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness

00:03:00 David's Journey with Meditation

00:09:00 Mindfulness in Professional Life

00:15:00 Choosing Joy and Gratitude

00:21:00 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

00:27:00 The Power of Presence

00:33:00 Mindfulness and Community Connection

In this heartfelt episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, Clayton Platt sits down with Timothy Mathews — instructional designer, care minister, and creator of The Kindness Challenge. Timothy shares the powerful story of his mother’s simple but life-changing question: “Have you eaten?” and how it shaped his understanding of presence, compassion, and mindful living.

Together, Clayton and Timothy explore:

• How everyday actions become mindful practices
• Why kindness requires courage
• The beauty of generational compassion
• The connection between awareness, empathy, and emotional attunement
• How mindfulness shows up in unexpected places—including fitness, color meditation, and grief

This episode offers a grounded, deeply human look at how kindness can anchor us in the present moment and connect us more deeply to others.

Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.org

Hosted by Clayton Platt

Featuring Elizabeth McKenzie

Edited by Marianne Sanders

With thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com

In this episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, host Clayton Platt sits down with researcher Elizabeth MacKenzie to explore the deeper dimensions of mindfulness—far beyond relaxation or stress management. Together they discuss how mindfulness, when integrated into higher education, can reshape not only how students cope with pressure but also how they cultivate awareness, ethical reflection, and purpose.

Liz shares insights from her groundbreaking 2020 and 2025 studies on embedding mindfulness into academic curricula, showing how short but consistent practices can plant seeds that grow into lifelong self-awareness, compassion, and meaningful learning. They also touch on the tension between return-on-investment education and inner growth—and how awareness itself may be humanity’s greatest asset in an age of artificial intelligence.

Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.org

Hosted by Clayton Platt

Featuring Elizabeth McKenzie

Edited by Marianne Sanders

With thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com