Success Matters

What do you do when you’re a high-performing CE) and you suddenly lose your hearing?

In this deeply moving episode of Success Matters, Chris Luxford shares how a life-altering health event became a catalyst for clarity, innovation, and wisdom.

We talk about:

• How deafness made him more present and powerful in business
  

• His bold shift from CEO to purpose-driven consultant
  

• The rise of applied wisdom in the age of AI
  

• Why unlearning is the real key to growth
  

• And how he’s turning adversity into legacy
  

This is not just about hearing loss. It’s about gaining perspective, purpose, and a whole new way of leading.

Subscribe for more real, deep conversations about what success really means.

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Jan was introduced to me by a friend as "the most intelligent woman she knows", and after our chat, I can certainly see why.

With a PhD in material science focused on solar cells for satellites, Jan has transitioned into a powerful force for change in engineering.

What struck me most was Jan's passion, which she describes as having an "extra fairness gene" from childhood. Her focus isn't on "fixing women" but on fixing the space – creating an engineering profession where everyone can thrive, where the majority accommodates and welcomes minority groups.

We dived into fascinating topics, from her early research 20 years ago looking at the demographics of engineers, to the shifts happening today thanks to increased outreach and diverse role models. Jan highlighted that diversity isn't just about gender or ethnicity; it's crucially about diversity of thinking and life experiences.

Jan shared how she uses tools like CliftonStrengths to help engineers build self-awareness, understand different communication styles (especially for those with high IQ but potentially lower EQ), and appreciate neurodiversity within teams. This helps people be their authentic selves rather than trying to fit a stereotype, leading to more dynamic and innovative teams.

Her definition of success is truly inspiring: making a difference, seeing something not working and fixing it. She shared a powerful example of how advocating for better-fitting PPE for women in engineering led to real change. She also finds success in empowering individuals and seeing them grow.

Jan left me with a thought-provoking question for the next guest: How successful have you been in noticing and raising up other people who needed a bit of a boost? This sparked a discussion on mentorship versus relying solely on AI for guidance, and the importance of teaching people to ask great questions and truly listen.

This conversation is packed with insights on creating inclusive environments, the power of diverse thinking, and what it truly means to make a difference.

"You're going to die"

How to respond to a message like that?

In the latest episode of Success Matters, I had the privilege of sitting down with Debra Stangl, founder of Sedona Soul Adventures and her story is nothing short of extraordinary.

Debra began her career as a dancer and actress before becoming a divorce attorney, a job she admits she pretty much hated. But everything changed during a low point in her life, when a powerful vision of the Egyptian Goddess Isis, during a trip to Sedona, set her on a radically different path.

That moment sparked the creation of Sedona Soul Adventures ;a globally renowned retreat company helping people compress years of healing into just a few days through custom-designed, private experiences. Backed by a team of 50+ master practitioners, these retreats harness the transformative energy of Sedona’s vortexes and deep healing modalities like breathwork.

Debra now defines success not by status or wealth, but by being happy on all levels — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Her insights, shared in her book “The Journey to Happy”, centre on the powerful idea that “nothing is wrong.”

In this episode, Debra also opens up about exploring channeling, receiving uplifting messages from a collective of light beings and generously offers listeners a FREE eBook copy of the updated second edition of “The Journey to Happy.”

If you’re on a path to purpose, healing, or simply rethinking success, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. 🎧

#SuccessMatters #Transformation #SedonaSoulAdventures #DebraStangl #SpiritualGrowth #Leadership #Podcast #LifePurpose

Free Book: https://sedonasouladventures.com/free-gift/

"And so literally overnight, I decided to book the flights and five days later I was sitting on the plane."

What happens when life pushes you out of your comfort zone and into the jungle?

In our latest episode of Success Matters, I reconnect with Ruta Stasiunaite, who went from a remote village in Portugal to 14 months of deep spiritual and personal growth in the Brazilian rainforest.

She arrived with just a hand-luggage bag and left with a new definition of success.

• Living without consistent electricity
• Guided by nature, presence, and stillness
• Rediscovering herself beyond external validation
• And redefining success not as a metric but as a frequency

This conversation is a reminder that real success isn’t just what you achieve, it’s how you feel while you’re achieving it.

Tune in to hear how Ruta’s jungle journey rewired her perspective and might just shift yours too.

"Homelessness taught me to see what others miss"

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Success Masters!

I’m joined today by the incredible Jennifer Gligoric, who shares her powerful journey from an unexpected experience with homelessness as a teenager to becoming a crisis intervention consultant helping businesses thrive.

Jennifer reveals the surprising "superpower" of blending in she developed while homeless and how it gives her unique insights into the real issues plaguing businesses – often people-related challenges that owners can't see.

In this captivating conversation, you'll learn about:

• The stark contrast between Jennifer's large, close-knit family upbringing and her later experience with homelessness

• How the need to blend in for survival as a young, homeless girl transformed into a valuable consulting skill

• Jennifer's work helping businesses by identifying underlying HR and people issues

• The thought-provoking "deathbed exercise" (actually a funeral exercise) she uses with clients to help them define their legacy and purpose

• Jennifer's personal definition of success as striving towards one's potential

• Her fascinating involvement as the Minister of Equity and Resources for Asgardia, the world's first digital nation with ambitions for space exploration.

Jennifer also answers the poignant question: "What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?" Her answer is both heartfelt and insightful.Don't miss this powerful and unique story of resilience, perspective, and the unexpected skills life can teach us.

“Am I dying?” How would you react if your 12 year old son asked you that from his hospital bed?

This is a powerful episode of Success Masters Podcast featuring the incredible Dr. Howard Polansky!

From dentist of 16 years to financial freedom coach, Howard shares his deeply personal story, including the life-altering moment when his son asked, "Am I dying?"

This became his "two by four moment," leading him to "burn the ships" and walk away from a career that made him miserable

Discover:

• The pivotal realization that led him to quit dentistry: "maybe the person that needs to be fired is me".

• His journey to creating "the new rules of finance" and helping others achieve financial freedom sooner.

• The surprising strategy involving your home loan that can help you "make money move" for your benefit, potentially paying off your mortgage much faster... Learn about the concept similar to an offset mortgage where your income attacks debt more efficiently.

• Why traditional financial advice might be costing you time and money.

• Howard's advice to his younger self: "the work that you do is not your identity," "take your shot," and "life is better with ice cream".

This episode is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to pursue happiness and that unconventional approaches can lead to incredible freedom.

Ready for an inspiring story of transformation?

 On the latest episode of Success Matters, I connects with the incredible Michelle Chee, who shares her powerful journey of self-discovery and courage.

Michelle's story is a testament to embracing change and redefining what truly matters. In this episode, you'll hear about:

Her 2025 theme of stepping out of her comfort zone, even when it feels terrifying.

A life-altering move back to Malaysia after 13 years in Australia and the profound impact of her father's passing

Her journey of re-evaluating relationships in 2024 and her quest for a more meaningful life.

How she went from being guided by fear to conquering a long-held ambition to climb Mount Kinabalu.

Her experience with burnout in the corporate world and the courageous decision to move to Australia for a fresh start

The pivotal role of reading, meditation, and yoga in her journey of self-discovery

Her evolving definition of success, now deeply rooted in self-connection and a connection with nature

A powerful Buddhist teaching on impermanence from her father that shifted her perspective on life's challenges

Michelle's resilience and insightful wisdom will leave you feeling motivated to embrace your own journey of growth. Listen in to hear Michelle's inspiring story.

Excited to share a fantastic conversation I had withNicky and Ness, the authors of "Healthy Hustle"

This episode is a must-listen for any business owner, leader, or anyone looking to achieve success without sacrificing their well-being.

We dive deep into their journeys, from corporate careers to entrepreneurship, and how they've redefined success. It was an insightful and engaging discussion where we explored:

Nicky's experience with burnout and how it led to a pivotal shift in her perspective

Ness's transition from a government job to becoming a leadership coach and business owner

The commonmisconceptions around sales and how to overcome them.

The importance ofcreating a healthy hustle to avoid burnout.

The idea thatnothing has meaning except the meaning we give to it, and how it relates to sales and business

Definingsuccess as more than just financial gain

Nicky and Ness shared their personal stories and practical tips for finding that sweet spot between pushing too hard and taking your foot off the accelerator. They also talked about the concept of "entrepreneurial addiction". They emphasized that overworking can cost lives and impact society. The key is to take action, implementing even 1% increments for change.

They highlighted that a big challenge for business owners is that they can become the "rainmaker" in their business and need to develop a culture that embraces sales

Additionally, they stress the importance of creating cadences and expectations to avoid burnout, as 67% of business development people are at risk of burnout

I especially appreciated their advice on how to recognize patterns, create a support system, and find joy in your work

They shared some great tools from their book, including the 90-day plan and a 'map' to help readers navigate to different sections based on their specific needs.

Konrad's journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of Success Matters, I’m joined by Oscar Trimboli, listening expert and award winning author of the book How To Listen. 

Oscar  shares the deeply personal story of how his father's stroke became a catalyst for his exploration of listening. This experience taught him to "listen without words," deciphering his father's needs through nonverbal communication like facial expressions and body language.

This powerful insight led Trimboli to realize that listening is about far more than just hearing words. 

It's about understanding the unspoken, the nuances in tone and body language, and the underlying assumptions that shape communication. This awareness ultimately led to a pivotal moment in his corporate career at Microsoft where, by simply asking colleagues to declare their assumptions before discussing revenue numbers, he transformed a contentious budget meeting into a productive collaboration.

Oscar's journey reminds us of the transformative power of deep listening, not just in our personal lives but also in achieving success in business.