Manders Mindset

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This solo episode of Manders Mindset is one of the most vulnerable I've ever recorded. I'm finally ready to speak my truth, fully and openly, in my own words. Today, I'm sharing a chapter of my life I never thought I'd say out loud. It's a reminder that we are only as free as our deepest, darkest secrets. Holding onto shame keeps us stuck, but sharing our stories can set us free.

I open up about a painful but pivotal moment in my life and how it shaped my growth and healing journey. This episode is a heart-to-heart on shame, identity, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to let go. If you've ever carried a secret that's weighed you down, this one's for you.

Timeline Summary:

[0:36] - Why I'm finally ready to share this vulnerable story

[1:41] - The moment I reveal the secret I've held onto for years

[3:01] - How a guest appearance on another podcast helped me find my voice

[5:17] - A powerful reminder: You are not what you did, you are who you became after

[6:26] - Lessons from Christina on how to separate your story from your shame

[7:40] - Why sharing the messy chapters helps others and ourselves heal

[8:35] - A loving message for anyone holding onto a story they haven’t told

Links & Resources:

Listen to Amanda's guest appearance on the Lets Relieve Regret podcast

Closing Note:

Thank you so much for being here and holding space for this raw and real episode. If this resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Remember, your story has the power to inspire healing and growth. You are only one mindset shift away from shifting your life. Until next time, I'm proud of you and I'm rooting for you. ♥

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In this deeply reflective solo episode of Manders Mindset, I take you on a personal journey from Bali 2024 to Bali 2025. Same location, but a completely transformed mindset. Last year, I traveled with fear, control, and uncertainty. This year, I'm returning with trust, intention, and a whole lot of self-assurance. I'm not just going to Bali—I'm stepping into my next chapter as I pursue a sound healing certification with the incredible Shervin Boloorian.

Through my story, I hope to inspire you to reflect on your own growth. Whether you're revisiting a place, person, or pattern, remember: you're not who you were before. This episode is your permission slip to arrive as the evolved version of yourself, to carry trust instead of fear, and to embrace your journey with open arms.

Timeline Summary:

[0:45] - Returning to Bali: why this trip feels so different from a year ago
[1:46] - Fear, control, and my overly cautious mindset during Bali 2024
[3:08] - Embracing a new mindset: intention over fear in 2025
[4:51] - Embodying the "everything is figureoutable" mantra and trusting myself
[5:52] - A reminder that you've always figured it out before—and you will again
[7:35] - How an unexpected spark from a sound healing session led to a new calling
[8:45] - Committing to an immersive 200-hour sound healing certification in Bali
[10:00] - Growth is often subtle, learn to recognize it in small shifts

Remember, you're just one shift away from transforming your life. Until next time, go forward with trust. ✨

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

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👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

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What if the most unexpected path is the one that brings you home to yourself?

In this deeply soulful episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Laura West—registered nurse, psychic medium, energy healer, and author to explore the transformative journey of awakening, intuition, and trusting the unseen.

Laura opens up about growing up in a richly multicultural, multi-religious household, her dual callings in science and spirituality, and the pivotal moments that launched her into the world of mediumship, energy healing, and authorship. From meditating for the first time in 2019 to publishing her channeled book Guided, Laura shares how following her inner voice led to an aligned life of meaning, clarity, and spiritual connection.

This episode is a must-listen for intuitive seekers, healers in the making, and anyone curious about integrating soul and science.

🎙️ In this episode, listeners will learn:

🔮 What sparked Laura’s two spiritual awakenings—and how each one changed her life
 🧘‍♀️ How a psychic’s advice to “just meditate” opened a doorway to intuition
 📚 Why she decided to write her book Guided—and how it came together through channeled writing
🌌 What it’s really like to receive messages from spirit guides, goddesses, and ancestors
💼 How Laura balances her calling as a medium with a full-time nursing career
❤️ The power of trusting your gifts, even when others misunderstand them
🌿 Why meditation, vulnerability, and saying “yes” to spirit are keys to personal evolution

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[1:04] – Meet Laura West: Nurse, medium, and spiritual multi-hyphenate
 [1:44] – Growing up in a multicultural, multi-faith military family
 [5:08] – Discovering spirituality through Sylvia Browne and intuition
 [6:46] – A second awakening in 2019 after ignoring her inner voice
 [12:39] – How mediumship revealed itself during an energy healing session
 [16:34] – Integrating energy work with her scientific background in nursing
 [25:40] – Unexpected visitations, soul team insights, and goddess encounters
 [33:06] – Channeling her book Guided and learning to trust the process
[36:41] – Launching her podcast A Guided Life to amplify spiritual voices
[42:25] – Two dream visitations that shaped Laura’s purpose and path
[49:47] – Laura’s final words on intuition, legacy, and leading with love

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

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What if the key to alignment lies not in climbing the ladder, but in stepping off it completely? 

In this heartfelt episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Heceliza—a first-generation Filipino-American, energy healer, and co-creator of a Costa Rican retreat sanctuary, to explore what it really means to rewrite your story and live in alignment with your soul.

Heceliza shares her powerful evolution from a high-achieving corporate fashion career in New York to a life of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, spiritual practice, and community-based healing. Along the way, she opens up about what it means to break generational cycles, the journey of honoring ancestral roots while forging a new path, and the sacred experience of building a Temazcal with local elders on land charged with energetic power.

This episode is a nourishing listen for modern seekers, soul-led leaders, and anyone curious about what it means to truly follow their inner compass.

🎙️ In this episode, listeners will learn:

🌍 What it means to be a first-generation cycle breaker and why it matters

🏙️ Why Heceliza left her New York dream job to build something more meaningful

🧳 How travel and global immersion opened doors to entrepreneurship and healing

🔥 The spiritual callings that led to co-creating a sacred retreat space in Costa Rica

🌿 What it's like to build and participate in a traditional Temazcal ceremony

🌀 How the land they chose revealed itself as an energy vortex

💫 Why community, nature, and self-trust are essential ingredients in soul-aligned living

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[1:12] – Heceliza shares what lights her up at her core and the call to live life to the fullest

[5:30] – Growing up as a first-generation Filipino-American and being a cycle breaker

[10:48] – Navigating college life and building a lifelong community at UC Irvine

[18:22] – Moving to New York to chase a fashion career and what sparked her awakening

[25:16] – The Bali trip that revealed the digital nomad lifestyle and planted new dreams

[29:50] – Leaving corporate life and stepping into entrepreneurship with her partner's support

[37:05] – The unexpected magic of Costa Rica and the journey to building a retreat space

Listen to Heceliza's Guest Appearance on Breathwork Magic Podcast

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

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What if burning it all down is exactly what sets you free?

In this soul-stirring episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Jeremy Van Wert—a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified psychedelic guide, and former CEO turned transformational coach—to explore what it really means to live in alignment with your true self. From high-stakes leadership to deep spiritual awakening, Jeremy’s story is one of radical reinvention, ignited by a devastating wildfire and fueled by years of inner work.

Together, Amanda and Jeremy dive into the masks we wear to survive, how ADHD shaped his self-worth, and how psychedelics opened the door to long-overdue healing and self-acceptance. They unpack what it takes to strip away societal expectations, step off the treadmill of “success,” and build a soul-aligned life from the ground up.

This episode is a powerful listen for seekers, creatives, healers, and anyone feeling stuck in a version of life that no longer fits.

🎙️ In this episode, listeners will learn:

🔥 How a literal wildfire catalyzed Jeremy’s complete life transformation

🌿 What psychedelics revealed about identity, purpose, and healing

🧠 Why ADHD is more misunderstood than most people realize

🧘‍♂️ The disconnect between external success and internal peace

🌀 Why integration not just the journey is the key to sustainable change

💬 How being truly seen is one of the most healing human experiences

🛠️ Jeremy’s approach to helping others design a life that reflects their values

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[2:00] – Jeremy shares who he is at the core and how psychedelics helped him reconnect

[5:19] – The identity layers people build to be accepted and the cost of wearing them

[9:53] – Living with ADHD and chasing achievement as a form of self-worth

[12:31] – His first psychedelic journey and the clarity it brought

[17:30] – Losing almost everything in a wildfire and finding clarity through it

[25:04] – How an ayahuasca ceremony helped him release fear and leave his CEO role

[36:25] – The collective awakening and how modern conversations are evolving

[45:06] – Why psychedelics require reverence and the real work begins afterward

[50:30] – Shedding old relationships, rewriting identity, and choosing alignment

[56:39] – Legacy, kindness, and the power of truly loving yourself

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Jeremy:

🎧 Mindful Mutiny Podcast

🌐 Learn more about Jeremy’s coaching and offerings at mindfulmutiny.com

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Why do we wait for the things we say we truly want? 

Why do we wait for the perfect time to chase our dreams? 

In this inspiring solo episode of Manders Mindset, I explore the mindset traps that keep us stuck—fear, hesitation, and the illusion that there’s ever a “right” moment to act. Whether you're holding back on a big move, a creative project, or a personal transformation, this episode will help you break free from self-imposed limitations.

I share personal stories, mindset shifts, and a powerful reminder that there are no rules. Life will always be messy and if we keep postponing our plans, we might be waiting forever. 

If you’re ready to step into your next chapter with clarity and courage, this one’s for you.

Links & Resources:

Listen to Ep. 69: There Are No Rules HERE

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if letting go of the label is the first step to healing?

In this deeply personal episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Eileen Bild—breakthrough spark coach, transpersonal psychology expert, and the founder of Ordinary to Extraordinary Life (OTEL Universe). 

With May being Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, this conversation holds extra meaning, as Amanda's mother lives with fibromyalgia. Eileen's powerful story of self-healing from fibromyalgia after years of struggle offers a fresh lens on what it truly means to reclaim the body, mind, and spirit.

The conversation explores the mindset shifts that catalyzed Eileen's healing, how she redefined her identity beyond the illness, and the holistic practices that supported her journey. 

For anyone facing chronic illness, pain, or fatigue, this episode is a must-listen—a testament to resilience, intuition, and the power of believing in transformation.

🎙 In this episode, listeners will learn:

🌊 How mindset and identity shape the experience of chronic illness 

🌱 Why Eileen stopped using the word “fibromyalgia” and what happened after 

🔧 The practical, holistic tools she used to support physical and emotional healing 

🌟 How childhood experiences and autonomy affect confidence in adulthood 

💔 What to say to those who dismiss healing as "woo" or spiritual bypassing 

🕉 Why tapping into intuition can be the most powerful medicine of all

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[2:02] – Tech mishaps, persistence, and the power of mindset 

[6:30] – What "ordinary to extraordinary" means and how OTEL Universe was born 

[10:45] – Eileen's childhood, hearing loss, and how it shaped her intuition 

[14:12] – The wake-up call that sparked her healing journey from fibromyalgia 

[21:38] – The protocol: mindset, supplements, movement, and support 

[28:51] – Addressing skepticism and the experience of shifting beliefs 

[35:45] – Why many adults haven’t fully developed autonomy or self-trust 

Tune in to Ep 132 with Tami Stackelhouse on Fibromyalgia

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Eileen:

https://www.corethinkingblueprint.com/

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What if changing your mind is the key to changing your life?

In this eye-opening episode of Mander’s Mindset, Amanda Russo sits down with Dr. Amy Rosner—a PhD in experimental psychology, former professor, and leading hypnotherapist—to explore how the brain’s natural design can be harnessed for fast, lasting transformation. Amy shares her powerful journey from brain research and academia to life coaching and subconscious reprogramming, revealing how science and soul are far more connected than most of us realize.

Together, Amanda and Amy unpack the myths surrounding hypnosis, how everyday neuroplasticity works, and why traditional therapy isn’t always enough to shift deeply rooted emotional patterns. Whether it’s chronic stress, sleepless nights, or unshakable self-doubt, Amy offers practical, science-backed tools to help anyone rewire their inner world—on their own terms.

From the neuroscience behind habit change to the emotional healing power of hypnotherapy, this episode is packed with insights that challenge the status quo of personal development. Perfect for coaches, healers, skeptics, and seekers alike.

🎙️ In this episode, listeners will learn:

🧠 Why the subconscious mind holds the key to real emotional and behavioral change
 💤 How hypnotherapy can resolve insomnia, stress, and trauma faster than you think
 📉 The hidden downside of “just talking about it” in traditional therapy models
 🌀 What everyday neuroplasticity is—and how to tap into it for on-demand rewiring
 💬 Why some coaches are already using hypnosis without realizing it
 🛠️ A simple NLP anchor technique you can try today to shift your emotional state
 📚 How Amy’s book bridges science and healing to help more people access change

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[1:38] – Amy shares her identity as a creator and what that means at her core
 [4:45] – Her academic background, love for psychology, and pivot to coaching
 [9:12] – Understanding everyday neuroplasticity and how we can rewire the brain
 [14:22] – Debunking common myths about hypnosis and hypnotherapy
 [24:21] – The limits of talk therapy and the power of subconscious work
 [43:36] – Live demonstration: Amanda tries an NLP “anchor” to shift mindset
 [54:09] – Coaching meets hypnosis: how blending both changes the game
 [1:01:34] – Amy’s advice: follow resonance, not just logic

🎧 If this episode shifted your perspective, take a moment to rate and review the show—it helps more listeners find their own mindset breakthroughs. And if you know someone who could benefit from this conversation? Pass it on. Change starts from within.

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE

To Connect with Amy:

Connect with Amy on Instagram @amyrosner

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Have you ever felt that unmistakable pull in your gut telling you to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable? 

That moment when your intuition screams so loudly you can't ignore it? In this episode, I share a powerful, real-life story from a quiet morning at my local cafe that reminded me what it means to trust that inner voice.

This wasn’t about being polished or perfect—it was about presence, compassion, and interrupting energy that needed to be redirected. I talk about what it means to speak up with clarity and conviction, and why sometimes fire is exactly what cuts through the noise. If you've ever wondered whether your voice matters, this one’s for you.

Timeline Summary: 

[0:00] - Why I’m dropping back-to-back episodes before heading to Bali.
[1:49] - A moment that reminded me to trust my gut.
[2:53] - A tense cafe encounter and choosing to speak up.
[6:25] - The power of compassion and presence.
[8:17] - Reading the room and shifting energy.
[11:03] - A surprising apology and the energy shift that followed.
[11:59] - A reminder to use your voice—even when it shakes.

Listen to Ep. 69: There Are No Rules HERE

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating, write a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters. You're only one mindset shift away from changing your life. Thank you for tuning into Manders Mindset!

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What if happiness isn’t something you chase but something you uncover by letting go?

In this introspective and eye-opening episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with spiritual teacher, author, and meditation guide Dean Graves. With over two decades of experience in mindfulness, Dean shares the profound insights that took him from a successful real estate career to a life rooted in awareness, inner peace, and metaphysical truth.

Together, they explore what it truly means to “wake up,” why stress is one of our greatest spiritual teachers, and how meditation can transform not only how we feel but who we believe we are. Dean introduces the concept of the "hierophant" a false self shaped by ego and expectation and offers listeners a path toward deeper healing through self-inquiry, presence, and radical self-responsibility.

For anyone feeling stuck, emotionally weighed down, or craving a sense of clarity, this episode offers a grounded yet deeply spiritual roadmap to reclaiming authenticity and joy.

🎙️ In this episode, listeners will learn:

🧘‍♂️ Why most people come to meditation running from pain and what shifts when we start moving toward peace
 🌀 How the “hierophant” (false self) forms—and why it keeps us from experiencing love and happiness
 💭 Why awareness is the ultimate healing tool—and how to begin using it in daily life
 💔 The hidden connection between emotional baggage and physical/emotional suffering
 💡 How stress serves as a wake-up call, pointing us toward deeper beliefs we need to examine
 💬 What it really means to “feel love”—and why it has nothing to do with giving or receiving it
 ⏳ Practical steps for starting a meditation practice that sticks—even if you feel too busy or distracted

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[1:39] – Dean introduces his metaphysical view of the self and the concept of consciousness
[6:21] – The moment he realized success wasn’t bringing happiness—and why that changed everything
[10:46] – Understanding stress as a guide, not a punishment
[13:42] – How false beliefs shape our experiences—and keep us stuck in suffering
[20:24] – A radical reframe of love as the presence of our authentic self
[27:35] – Why meditation is essential—and how it helped Dean and his wife through chronic illness
[32:06] – Emotional baggage as unlearned life lessons—and the powerful metaphor of the “concrete ball”
[39:01] – Tips for building a meditation routine (even if you’ve failed before)
[41:47] – Dean’s legacy, the Law of One, and his parting wisdom on self-responsibility and change

For those struggling with meditation, Dean offers practical guidance: schedule it like brushing your teeth, start with just five minutes, and recognize that consistency matters more than perfection. His straightforward approach strips away the mystique surrounding meditation, making it accessible to anyone seeking greater self-awareness.

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:
📱 Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE

To Connect with Dean: 

https://www.ddeangraves.org/