Rand Selig is an entrepreneur, coach, scoutmaster, conservationist, and board member with a passion for helping others thrive. He holds an MBA from Stanford and degrees in mathematics and psychology, bringing clarity to complex global projects. Based in Mill Valley, California, he enjoys life’s adventures with his wife of 44 years. In Thriving! How to Create a Healthier, Happier, and More Prosperous Life, Rand shares practical wisdom to help readers navigate life’s challenges and discover what it means to truly thrive.

Loretta Breuning helps people around the world live with a happy brain. She is Professor Emerita of Management at California State University and the author of Habits of a Happy Brain and Why You’re Unhappy: Biology vs Politics. Unsatisfied with conventional theories of motivation, she turned to animal brain chemistry, where she found powerful insights. Her work has since helped thousands worldwide, with her resources translated into twelve languages and embraced by readers seeking natural paths to happiness.

David Campbell helps podcasters tell their stories so listeners will be empowered. He currently hosts nine different podcasts. Hailing from Ontario, Canada, he has been chased by a moose, been in 3 tornadoes, and loves to help animals. Dave has been an active musician for 45 years and loves his rescued animals. Dave operates True Media Solutions, supporting podcasters by handling editing, growth, and promotion.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify 

Dr. Mort Orman can help you win with anger control. He is a 40-year anger elimination, stress elimination, and emotions mastery expert as well as a Board-Certified internal medicine physician. Dr. Orman has written 23 books on how to eliminate anger, stress, and other unwanted emotions without using drugs, relaxation exercises or other traditional management techniques. He has also been the official sponsor of National Stress Awareness Month every April in the U.S. since 1992. Dr. Orman is the creator of Angry No More, a ten-session quick anger elimination program and Quick Emotions Mastery, a 4-hour online learning program to master anger, guilt, fear, worry, frustration, and sadness. His newest book “Dr. Orman’s Life-Changing Anger Cure” is now available on Amazon. You can learn more about Dr. Orman at his website http://DocOrman.com..

Gretchen Rubin knows how to bring on inner calm. She is a well-known mindfulness and happiness expert who believes that when we know ourselves and what works for us we can change our habits and our lives. She’s the author of several bestselling books, including Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness. Gretchen has the ability to communicate complex thoughts and ideas with humor and clarity.

Martyn Williams is an explorer, monk, and passionate mindfulness enthusiast. With 45 years of experience leading extreme expeditions, he has conquered Mt. Everest, navigated the North and South Poles, braved whitewater rapids, and guided meditation retreats across the globe.

Mel Schwartz is a psychotherapist, marriage counselor, and corporate leadership consultant. He is the author of The Art of Intimacy, The Pleasure of Passion, and his newest book, The Possibility Principle: How Quantum Physics Can Improve the Way You Think, Live, and Love. Mel practices in Westport, Connecticut, and Manhattan and works with individuals across the world. Mel is a member of the Society for Consciousness Studies and has been a keynote speaker at Yale University. You can hear Mel on his TEDx talk entitled Overcoming Anxiety.

Laws For Quantum Success With Christy Whitman

NLP For Body and Mind Transformation; Beth Sutherland

Empowering Minds, Achieving Success; Janet Elaine Schmidt

Mitzi Perdue, along with Mark Victor Hansen, is the co-author of How to Be Up in Down Times. She is a health and science writer with an honors BA from Harvard and an MPA from George Washington University. Mitzi combines the experiences of three long-time family businesses. Mitzi founded CERES Farms and also WIN THIS FIGHT, STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Dr. Laurie Bruce uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help people learn to manage their emotions and let go of anxiety and trauma issues. Dr. Bruce has provided psychotherapy, consultation and supervision to thousands of clients and students. She is certified in DBT and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy. Dr. Bruce is the host of the podcast, From Both Sides of the Couch, where she shares the current research on mental health and psychotherapy, from her perspective as both a psychologist and a client in her own psychotherapy. She is passionate about mindfulness, emotion regulation, resilience, radical acceptance and vulnerability.

Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify

Do you ever feel like you could use a mental detox? Yeah, me too. I meditate every day. I practice mindfulness. I do a walking meditation every day. And still, the idea of a mental detox sounds appealing to me. Now, I have the perfect way to achieve this. About a week ago an amazing thing happened. My wife connected with a friend who was looking for a home for a 2-year-old puppy. Long story short, Lucy, the Golden Retriever is now the newest part of our family. The previous owner died and his niece was looking for a home where she would be loved, cared for and truly appreciated. That describes our home.

You might remember that I’ve talked about our previous pets before, but our three pets passed away, one by one, so for the last 3 years, we have been without a pet.

Dogs can be incredible companions on the journey to mindfulness and mental well-being. I’ve called today’s episode, Mental Detox With Dog Therapy, because that’s exactly what a dog can bring you - a mental detox. Depending on the dog, of course.

Here are 7 ways I believe Lucy can help me become more grounded, more mindful, and even experience a mental detox:

Dogs naturally live in the "now." Their focus on what’s happening in the present—whether it’s a walk, a meal, or a belly rub—can remind you to slow down and savor each moment instead of worrying about the past or future. Lucy is spending every moment getting used to the idea that our home is her home.

Walking a dog encourages you to engage your senses. You notice the breeze, the scent of grass, or the warmth of the sun—helping you become more connected to your environment and fostering mindfulness through sensory grounding. I’ve been doing daily walks for 6 or 7 years at least, and now I’m not walking alone. Lucy is right there by my side.

Lucy’s non-judgmental presence fosters mindfulness and even emotional healing. Her love and acceptance gives me a safe emotional space to let go of negative thoughts and cultivate self-compassion. One of my mantras is, I see God in every one and every thing, with compassion. I know that most dogs offer a non-judgmental form of compassion. It’s certainly built-in to Lucy’s DNA. 

Caring for Lucy requires daily structure—walks, feeding times, play— that helps ground me in a healthy rhythm. This routine promotes consistency, reducing mental clutter and promoting mental detox. 

Physical activity like playing or walking with a dog releases endorphins and reduces stress. Movement shifts my focus away from mental noise and into my body, fostering a sense of calm and clarity. That’s one of the reasons it feels good to walk Lucy every day.

Petting a dog can lower cortisol levels, that’s the stress hormone. It can also increase oxytocin (the "love hormone"). This physical connection helps regulate emotions and promotes a state of mental ease.

Lucy has already brought spontaneous moments of joy and laughter. Her playful nature lifts my spirits, disrupts overthinking, and invites a light-hearted perspective—a powerful form of mental detox.

Here are 7 mindful activities you can enjoy with your dog to deepen your connection, stay present, and experience a mental reset:

I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode, Mindful Tribe. Thanks for listening.