Mark Vonnegut has had his share of struggles. Living with Bipolar, he has had to balance manic episodes while building his medical career. As the son of famous author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. he had an eccentric childhood and can trace mental illness and substance abuse all the way back up the family tree. Now he's an advocate for mental health treatment, supplemental vitamins, and holistic health care. Join us as we dive into his harrowing and inspiring story of recovery.

Each of us has a shadow side - the parts of us that we disown, hide, and bury with shame. Rick Tivers returns to talk about how he works with his client's shadows. He shares some powerful stories from his work with CEOs, therapists, and leaders. Tune in for more of that Rick Tivers magic!

In 2008, on his way home after a launch party in New York City for a magazine he had founded, Ravi Shankar was pulled over on the pretense of a minor traffic violation. He was subsequently arrested on a warrant for a 150 pound 5’10” white man and kept in jail for 72 hours. Shankar weighs 200 pounds and is 6’2”. He is a dark-skinned man of South Indian descent. As any writer would, Shankar turned to words to make sense of what had happened to him. Tune in for a dissection of American race politics, privilege, and one man's trip through the correctional system.

Because every drug certified by the FDA must be tested using the horseshoe crab derivative known as Limulus lysate, a multimillion-dollar industry has emerged involving the license to bleed horseshoe crabs and the rights to their breeding grounds. The story of the horseshoe crab is a sobering reflection on the unintended consequences of scientific progress and the danger of self-regulated industries controlling a limited natural resource. In this episode William Sargent will share his experience and perspective on this niche of our economy.

Do you frequently say “yes” to people and events to keep those around you happy? Do you often find yourself emotionally exhausted and physically drained? Do people describe you as a pushover or “too nice”? If so, it’s time to discover the joy of being selfish and reclaim your life through the art of setting boundaries. Join us as we interview the Queen of Boundaries, Michelle Elman.

For awhile Maureen was lost, she was one of 6 children and learned to keep her head down. She developed a herd mentality that taught her to repress her voice and her emotions - she believed that she was happy as a follower. As she got older she continued to push down her voice with alcohol and other drugs. However, her inner voice would not be silenced! After a rock bottom experience she had to take control of her life and emerge from her cocoon. This painful process challenged her to get in touch with her inner landscape. This transformation inspired her to become a coach and help others to emerge, evolve, and lead.

Quitting isn't giving up. Sometimes a tactical retreat is the key to victory. This week's guest, Anthony Dellascio, shares his story of switching careers and taking on risk. He's taken a leap of faith from something that was secure to an exciting new opportunity. He'll share when to know when you're getting complacent and getting stuck in the comfort zone. Tune in this week to hear when to make the big leap!

Jeremy Sherman is the world's leading specialist on assholes. He's studied narcissistic personality disorder, cult indoctrination, and child trauma to come up with a unifying theory of why people become assholes. Why they double down at every opportunity, bully those who they see as weak, and fall for conspiracy theories and cults. In this episode we'll seek to understand how someone's rock bottom experience can lead them to become an asshole instead of a phoenix. You don't want to miss this one!

Melissa Raddatz, our resident relationship and marriage expert, returns for another episode to talk about making friends. I can't tell you how many of my clients struggle with making adult friends. With the decline of community groups and organized activities we are becoming increasingly more and more disconnected. Finding friends requires work, confidence, and emotional openness. Tune in to hear about Melissa's experiences and tips on making friends as an adult.

For many, chronic illness is an invisible illness. It's nearly impossible to tell if someone is struggling and our culture doesn't talk about them openly. Christina Dixon has lived with an autoimmune disorder her entire life. Flare ups can humble her and knock her down for a few days. In this episode we'll hear how Christina manages her illness, how it's informed her relationship with her body, and how she rises from the ashes every day.