In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Martin Bodek—a technologist by day and prolific writer by night—who brings a powerful mantra that has guided both his life and the legacy of his grandfather: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” We dive into the source of this quote from The Shawshank Redemption, and Martin reveals how it became the practical philosophy his grandfather embodied while surviving four armies and unimaginable odds during World War II.

Martin shares the story behind his book documenting this journey, and talks candidly about his own practice of endurance, whether running consecutive New York City marathons or facing over 1,200 rejections as a writer. His insights are a testament to action over fear, the importance of decisiveness—even when uncertain—and the incredible value of listening deeply to the stories that shape us. If you’ve ever felt stuck, discouraged, or hesitant, Martin’s wisdom and his family’s resilience will remind you of the power in choosing action and living fully, no matter the circumstance.

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Connect With Martin Bodek
Website: https://martinbodekbooks.com

Chapters
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:23 Martin Bodek Introduces Himself
01:12 The Quote: Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying
01:40 Applying The Quote To Family History
03:04 Grandfather’s Defining Moment
04:43 Choosing Action Over Fear
06:02 Martin’s Personal Test Of Endurance
08:39 Advice For Feeling Stuck
10:22 What Writing The Book Taught Martin
12:52 Gaining Perspective From Family Resilience
13:29 What Martin Hopes His Grandfather Would Think
14:25 A Memorable Line To Remember
15:55 Pushing Forward Despite Rejection
17:43 Where To Learn More About Martin
18:25 Closing Reflections And Outro

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Dr. Alain Salas, a chiropractor and creator of the Mind Clearing System. Alain shares the life lesson, “Become the change that you want to see in the world,” and brings a deeper meaning to it by explaining that true healing, transformation, and freedom begin from within.

Alain’s story takes us from the South of France, where he lived on a sailing boat and chased adventure, to the United States, where a powerful calling led him into the healing arts. He opens up about purpose, personal transformation, and the hidden programs that shape our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and decisions. He also shares how divorce, depression, health challenges, and the collapse of what looked like the American dream pushed him on a deeper quest to understand the mind and create a new way of helping others.

This conversation is a reminder that the outer life we build means very little if we are disconnected from what is happening within us. Listeners will walk away with a thoughtful perspective on limiting beliefs, inner freedom, healing, purpose, and the possibility of reprogramming the mind so it works for us instead of against us.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Dr. Alain Salas
Website: https://themindclearing.com

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Dr. Alain Salas
01:04 Become The Change You Want To See
01:35 What The Quote Means Personally
02:14 How Early Programming Shapes Us
03:07 Limiting Beliefs And Empowering Beliefs
04:00 Alain’s Calling And Search For Freedom
05:20 Why Outer Happiness Fades
06:15 The Positive And Negative Rhythm Of Life
07:16 From Party Life To Chiropractic
08:09 The Books That Opened The Door
09:31 Choosing America And A New Path
10:38 Asking “How Can I?” Instead Of Giving Up
11:05 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
11:49 Following A Calling Without Doubt
13:11 The Highs And Lows Of Alain’s Journey
14:01 The American Dream And What Came After
15:48 Health, Relationship, And Prosperity Challenges
16:41 The Quest That Led To Mind Clearing
17:17 Discovering The Emotional And Mental Piece
18:11 Reprogramming Limiting Beliefs
19:00 The Subconscious Stress Loop
19:54 Delete, Download, And Create
20:50 Where To Learn More About Mind Clearing
21:32 Special Discount For Listeners
22:28 Speaking The Language Of The Subconscious Mind
23:24 Using More Of The Mind’s Power
24:40 More Ways Mind Clearing Can Help
25:40 Finding The Root Cause Of The Problem
26:32 Closing Reflections
26:44 Outro And Final Words

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Adam Lee Spencer, who works in sports and entertainment management. Adam shares the quote that has stayed with him since his transition from twenty years in the United States Army into civilian life: “Always grant yourself a seat at the table.” It was advice from a mentor during a season when he was learning how to network, build professionally, and move into a new chapter with confidence and authenticity.

What begins as a conversation about confidence becomes something deeper. Adam and I explore how often people reject themselves before the world ever gets the chance to respond, especially when fear, modesty, or past rejection shapes the way we see ourselves. But Adam also brings an important balance to the lesson: just because you deserve a seat at the table does not mean every table is worth sitting at.

This conversation is about knowing your value, choosing spaces that align with who you are, and learning when to say yes with care and when to walk away with peace. Listeners will take away a thoughtful reminder that confidence is not only about entering the room; it is also about knowing whether that room is healthy, meaningful, and worth what it asks of you.

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CONNECT WITH Adam Lee Spencer
Website: https://spencergroup.info/
Substack: https://adamlspencer.substack.com/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Adam Lee Spencer
00:42 Always Grant Yourself A Seat At The Table
01:44 Deserving To Be In The Room
02:46 Rejecting Yourself Before You Begin
03:27 Modesty, Fear, And Being Seen
05:10 When Fear Is Trying To Tell You Something
06:17 Choosing The Right Table
07:06 Newsletter Break
07:43 Knowing When A Table Is Not Worth It
08:11 Age, Rest, And Maturity
09:28 Trying Things To Discover What You Want
11:02 How The Quote Has Evolved
13:37 Service, Stoicism, And Showing Up With Purpose
15:33 Caring About The Platform You Are Invited Into
17:11 Final Advice From Adam
18:23 Where To Connect With Adam
19:11 Closing Reflection
19:29 Outro

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Jack Maher, an author from Colorado, who shares the quote, “If you have a chance to hope, it’s a moral duty to share it because most people don’t.” Jack’s wisdom comes from a deeply personal story of love, faith, grief, and the unexpected moments that helped him see hope in the middle of heartbreak.

Jack shares the story of meeting his wife, Becky, at a school dance in 1970, the beautiful life they built together, and the night in 2019 when everything changed. Through Becky’s final moments, a stranger named Oliver, and a series of meaningful connections that followed, Jack began to see his loss through the lens of faith, love, and something larger than coincidence. His journey led him deeper into Catholic faith, pilgrimage, writing, and ultimately sharing Becky’s story through his book, You Were Chosen Just Like Mary.

This conversation is about what it means to carry grief without losing hope, how strangers can become part of our healing, and why the hope we receive is not meant to stay hidden. Jack reminds us that even in painful seasons, we are not alone—and sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is share the light we’ve been given.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Jack Maher
Website: https://www.sandgoatmanorpublishing.com/
Book: You Were Chosen Just Like Mary

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Jack Maher
00:31 The Quote About Sharing Hope
00:42 The Story Behind Jack’s Hope
01:21 Meeting Becky At A School Dance
03:07 Becky’s Anxiety And Friday Night Adoration
04:28 The Stranger In The Chapel
05:54 The Night Everything Changed
06:33 Learning About Oliver
07:24 The Meaning Of Mary In Jack’s Story
09:21 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
09:58 How Loss Reshaped Jack’s Faith
10:12 Pilgrimage, Mary, And A Deeper Faith
11:11 Visiting Marian Apparition Sites
11:59 Becky’s Organ Donation And Paul’s Story
13:37 Oliver’s New Ministry Of Hope
14:54 Writing You Were Chosen Just Like Mary
15:51 Sharing The Story Through Testimony
17:14 Writing As A Way To Process Grief
17:44 Learning That We Are Not Alone
18:52 Francis, Suffering, And Inner Beauty
21:21 Why We Have To Keep Sharing Hope
22:40 Jack’s Book And Where To Find It
23:05 Connect With Jack Maher
23:51 Closing Reflection

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Brandon Barnum, CEO of HOA.com, to talk about a simple but powerful life lesson: ask to get. Brandon shares how this idea was shaped by his mentor, Mark Victor Hansen, and how being challenged to write down 101 goals led him to get deeply clear about what he wanted in life, his purpose, and the kind of impact he hoped to make.

Our conversation explores why asking is not just about requesting something from others. It begins with asking yourself what you truly want, what you are willing to sacrifice for it, and how clear you are when you communicate it. Brandon shares how this applies in business, relationships, faith, referrals, community, and everyday life. We also talk about the courage it takes to ask for help, the importance of trust, and why serving people well changes the way we ask.

This episode is a thoughtful reminder that asking is not weakness. Sometimes it is an act of clarity, faith, humility, and connection. Whether you are asking God for direction, asking a client for feedback, asking a partner how you can love them better, or asking your community for support, Brandon reminds us that if we do not ask, the answer is already no.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Brandon Barnum

Website: https://brandonbarnum.com

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:24 Meet Brandon Barnum
00:36 Ask To Get
00:53 The Mentor Who Taught Brandon To Ask
01:33 Writing 338 Goals In Hawaii
02:17 Getting Clear On What You Want
03:07 Purpose, Faith, And Asking God
03:32 Why Clarity Matters When You Ask
04:51 AI, Asking, And The Aladdin’s Lamp Example
06:59 Understanding The Cost Of What You Ask For
07:16 The Art Of The Ask
08:05 Setting The Stage For Referrals
08:38 Listening For Referral Triggers
09:24 Why Asking Takes Courage
10:30 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
11:07 Asking In Relationships And Family
12:57 Asking For Reviews And Referrals
14:09 The Ask To Get Framework
15:08 Knowing When And How To Ask
16:18 Why Cold Pitches Often Fail
16:44 Trust, Referrals, And Business Relationships
18:08 Recommendation Versus Endorsement
19:43 The Power Of Honest Reviews
21:43 Trust In The Age Of AI
22:06 What HOA Means And Why Community Matters
22:40 Unity Through Community
23:34 Asking For Help Even When It Feels Vulnerable
24:40 Asking As A Gift To Others
25:17 If You Don’t Ask, The Answer Is Always No
25:56 Where To Connect With Brandon
26:33 Be Interested Instead Of Interesting
27:20 Closing Reflection

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Charisse Walker, who talks about relationships, business, real estate, and helping people build confidence through action. Charisse shares the simple but powerful quote, “You can do it,” a phrase that became a personal reminder for her during seasons of overwhelm, transition, and self-doubt.

Our conversation moves through the real emotions behind growth: imposter syndrome, fear of failure, bad coaching experiences, investing in yourself, and learning what kind of leader or coach you do not want to become. Charisse opens up about switching industries, spending years learning, navigating expensive lessons, and choosing to keep going instead of letting disappointment define her.

What I loved about this conversation is how honest it is about confidence. Sometimes confidence does not come first. Sometimes it is built by showing up, doing the work, keeping your promises to yourself, and collecting evidence that you are capable. This episode is a reminder that you do not have to feel fully ready before you begin. You can start, learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.
Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Charisse Walker
Website: https://unbreakablemompreneurs.com/
Podcast: Unbreakable Mompreneurs

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Charisse Walker
00:36 The Quote: You Can Do It
02:30 How The Quote Became A Personal Reminder
03:53 Coaching, Learning, And Overwhelm
05:03 Lessons From A Bad Coaching Experience
08:50 Finding The Silver Lining In Expensive Lessons
10:28 Charisse’s Real Estate And Relationship Coaching
13:01 Building A Program With Integrity
14:47 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
15:24 Teaching Students To Believe They Can Finish
16:47 Imposter Syndrome And Starting As A Beginner
18:27 Learning Through Action And Implementation
20:22 Competence, Confidence, And Doing The Work
22:38 Using Reminders To Stay Accountable
24:04 Wisdom’s Podcasting Journey And Getting The Reps
26:17 Showing Up Even When Life Is Not Perfect
27:45 Keeping Promises To Yourself
29:22 Charisse’s Podcast: Unbreakable Mompreneurs
30:08 Purpose, Passion, Peace, And Entrepreneurship
31:46 Where To Find Charisse
32:03 Closing Reflections

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Dan MacQueen, a keynote speaker based in Vancouver, Canada, who speaks on change management, resilience, and motivation. Dan shares the mantra that has shaped his life and recovery: “Play Loose, Look Tight.” To him, it means approaching life with lightness, joy, and play while still showing up with intention, discipline, and purpose.

Dan opens up about the brain injury he suffered in London in 2014, the emergency surgery that changed everything, and the long recovery that followed as he worked to walk, talk, and smile again. Through his story, we explore mindset, momentum, resilience, and the power of small, consistent steps. Dan reminds us that big transformation rarely happens in one dramatic leap. It happens by aiming small, building momentum, and becoming just a little better than yesterday.

Listeners will walk away with a powerful reminder that hope is not passive. It is something we practice through effort, failure, learning, and showing up again. This conversation is about possibility, reframing hard experiences, and learning how to keep moving forward even when life forces us to start again.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH DAN MACQUEENWebsite: https://www.macqueendan.com/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Dan MacQueen
00:30 The Mantra: Play Loose, Look Tight
01:14 The Story Behind Dan’s Life Motto
01:31 The Brain Injury That Changed Everything
03:49 Emergency Surgery And A Life-Altering Recovery
05:13 Rebuilding Through Mindset
06:23 Aim Small, Miss Small
07:18 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
07:56 Small Steps Over Big Leaps
08:20 Building Momentum Through Consistency
09:15 Why Big Goals Can Create Inaction
10:45 Keeping Forward Progress Alive
11:17 Hope, Inspiration, And Possibility
12:33 Refusing To Be Defined By Limits
13:06 Show Me Your Receipts
14:11 Where To Connect With Dan MacQueen
15:00 Remember To Play Loose And Look Tight
16:03 Closing Reflections

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Dean Patrick, a writer and author of God Money: Lost and Found in the Crypto Wilderness. Dean shares a quote from Luke 17:21: “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” and reflects on how it points to the possibility of experiencing peace, presence, and well-being in this life—not someday, not somewhere else, but right here.

Dean opens up about arriving at Stanford in 2014, launching a cryptocurrency hedge fund, and struggling with addiction during that season of his life. He shares how meditation and Zen spirituality helped him reconnect with stillness, clarity, and a deeper sense of spiritual well-being. Our conversation moves into the roots of addiction, the difference between treating symptoms and healing the deeper issue, and why many people reach for substances, food, phones, or other habits as emotional responses to pain, fear, or insecurity.

What I loved about this conversation is how honestly Dean connects recovery, perception, spirituality, and everyday habits. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how much of our suffering can come from the patterns we build—and how presence, self-awareness, and healthier responses can help us begin to live differently. This episode is a thoughtful reminder that healing often starts by looking within.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Dean Patrick
Website: https://www.deanpatrickauthor.com/
Book: God Money: Lost and Found in the Crypto Wilderness

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Dean Patrick
00:36 The Quote That Has Been Sticking With Dean
01:04 Heaven As A Place On Earth
01:36 Dean’s Story, Stanford, Crypto, And Addiction
02:20 Meditation, Zen Spirituality, And Well-Being
03:00 Why People Fear A Better Life
04:12 Familiar Hell Versus Unfamiliar Heaven
04:25 What Happiness Requires
05:29 Understanding Well-Being
06:11 Physical, Psychological, And Spiritual Well-Being
07:13 Addiction As A Symptom Of Something Deeper
08:21 Hidden Addictions Beyond Drugs And Alcohol
08:47 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
09:24 Phone Addiction, Food Addiction, And Emotional Eating
11:09 Addiction, Fear, And The Fear Of Not Fully Living
12:20 Treating Symptoms Versus Healing The Root
12:46 Physical Recovery And Spiritual Recovery
13:46 Addiction As An Emotional Attachment
15:13 What We Pay Attention To
16:58 The Habitual Mind And Rewiring Patterns
18:09 Replacing Habits Instead Of Creating A Vacuum
19:44 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Catching Thought Patterns
20:45 Final Reflections On The Mind And Recovery
21:16 Where To Find Dean Patrick
21:37 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Chad Betz, author of An Authentic Success. Chad shares the powerful reminder that success does not have an expiration date, a lesson that speaks to anyone who has ever felt behind, stuck, or afraid that their best chance has already passed.

Chad opens up about a turning point in his life when, after a long day at work, he sat alone in a parking garage feeling like a failure, even though his life looked successful from the outside. That moment helped him realize he had been climbing a ladder that was not leaning against the right wall. In our conversation, we explore the difference between society’s definition of success and authentic success, the weight of sunk cost fallacy, the importance of purpose in every season of life, and why the past should be used as wisdom, not as a cage.

Listeners will walk away with a thoughtful reminder that it is never too late to reflect, adjust, and pursue a life that actually feels meaningful. Chad shares practical ideas like the OODA loop, informational interviews, the twenty goals exercise, and the importance of taking action in small, intentional ways. This episode is a gentle but honest invitation to stop honoring a life that no longer fits and start building toward the future that matters most to you.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Chad Betz
Website: https://www.anauthenticsuccess.com/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Chad Betz
01:10 Success Doesn’t Have An Expiration Date
01:28 The Parking Garage Turning Point
02:43 Making Small Adjustments Toward Change
03:50 Using The OODA Loop To Move Forward
04:17 Feeling Successful Outside But Empty Inside
05:15 Why Accomplished People Struggle To Admit They Feel Stuck
06:14 The Past, Present, And Future Of Success
07:43 When Your Best Years Feel Behind You
09:05 Facts Versus The Stories We Tell Ourselves
10:15 Relatable Wisdom Newsletter Break
10:53 Finding Purpose In A New Season Of Life
12:50 How Young People Can Explore Their Calling
14:37 Understanding Sunk Cost Fallacy
15:09 When Careers And Relationships No Longer Fit
16:56 Knowing The Difference Between Difficulty And Misalignment
18:03 Support Systems, Mentors, And Better Decisions
20:18 What Authentic Success Means
21:59 Helping Readers See Their Own Possibility
23:07 How To Connect With Chad Betz
23:33 Closing Reflections

In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I’m joined by Dr. Sharalyn Payne, a leadership, culture, and transformation advisor, executive coach, speaker, strategist, and author. Her guiding quote is simple but powerful: “Your name should mean something.” Together, we talk about what it means to build a name rooted in character, consistency, integrity, and intentionality—not just visibility or influence.

Dr. Payne shares the personal story behind this lesson, including how her spiritual father taught her the value of a good name through the reputation he built over time. From there, our conversation opens into a deeper reflection on trust, credibility, leadership, identity, and the responsibility that comes with influence. We also talk about the difference between appearing successful and actually being credible, especially in a world where image can be carefully staged.

This episode is a reminder that how we show up matters. Our words, decisions, habits, and treatment of others all become part of what people remember when they hear our name. Listeners will walk away thinking more deeply about the kind of reputation they are building, the values they want to be known for, and how to lead with more purpose from whatever seat they sit in.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.
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CONNECT WITH Dr. Sharalyn Payne
Website: https://ultrainfluential.com

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
00:22 Meet Dr. Sharalyn Payne
00:49 Your Name Should Mean Something
01:02 Reputation, Character, And What Your Name Represents
01:54 The Story Behind The Quote
03:11 Building A Name People Can Trust
04:20 Being Intentional With Names And Identity
05:13 What Dr. Payne’s Name Means To Her
06:44 Consistency, Truth, And Showing Up Early
08:24 Authenticity And The Power Of A Brand
09:43 Identity Theft And The Value Of A Good Name
11:31 Influence Versus Credibility
12:26 Why Credibility Has To Be Proven
13:38 The Danger Of Believing Everything Online
15:38 Discernment, Integrity, And Doing Business Wisely
17:03 The Responsibility Of Power And Authority
17:52 Leadership, Impact, And Return On Power
18:34 How Leaders Shape Teams, Customers, And Communities
22:20 How To Connect With Dr. Sharalyn Payne
23:32 Closing Reflection