The Hit of Happiness Podcast

On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Andy Sklawer, better known as Artie SandStone. Artie is a Miami-born pop artist whose bold, colorful work centers on love, peace and optimism. After careers as a biotech entrepreneur, public company CEO and business coach, he went back to his creative roots and now runs a studio and gallery on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado.

Artie has known Brian for decades. Together they explore Artie's happiness journey, why Artie think's its so important to make everyday count, and how essential it is do things that make us feel alive! They also talk about why so many people are afraid to pursue creative work, and how art changed the way Artie thinks about business and life

This conversation is a reminder that it's never too late to return to your creative roots and build a life around what makes you feel most present and alive.

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On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Luis Moreno—speaker, author, executive coach, and expert in Human-Centered Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. After nearly two decades working across Fortune 500 companies, Luis now helps leaders become more human and build cultures where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, they explore Luis’s happiness journey, what makes a great workplace culture, and why emotional intelligence and self-awareness are essential to great leadership. They also discuss psychological safety, finding purpose at work, developing stronger relational skills, and what separates leaders people respect from those they simply obey.

In a world increasingly shaped by AI and technology, this conversation is a powerful reminder that being good at what we do isn’t enough—we also need to be good people.

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On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Christian Thanasoulis—founder of CT Accountability (ctaccountability.com), community builder, and the ultimate “yes man.” Christian helps people turn their goals into commitments while building stronger connections and accountability along the way.

Together, they explore Christian’s happiness journey, what inspired him to start CT Accountability, and the systems he uses to help people follow through on what matters most. They also discuss loneliness among young men, the conversations men need to be having, and how accountability can create deeper friendships, personal growth, and a greater sense of belonging.

If you’ve ever struggled to follow through on a goal, wanted deeper connections, or need a push to say “yes” more often, this conversation is for you.

CT Accountability

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On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Jackie Roby—executive leadership advisor, founder of Inspired Journey Consulting, and author of Palatable, Profitable, and Dying Inside. Jackie helps high achievers stop performing, overcome burnout, and lead more authentically.

Together, they explore Jackie's journey into leadership coaching, why so many successful people lose themselves in the pursuit of achievement, and how to redefine success without sacrificing your well-being. They also discuss the inspiration behind her book, practical ways to protect your energy, and what it truly means to lead with authenticity.

If you've ever felt like you're accomplishing everything but still feel unfulfilled, this conversation is for you.

Website: https://inspiredjourneyconsulting.com

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Book: Palatable, Profitable, and Dying Inside (Coming Soon)

On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Andrew Snope — endurance runner, former professional poker player, and someone who lives life in a way that challenges what most people believe is possible.

Andrew shares his journey from a childhood full of fascination into endurance and barefoot running, and how pushing his physical limits became a path toward deeper self-discovery, emotional growth, and purpose. Together, they explore topics like difficult emotions, personal growth, self-actualization, and the lessons that come from choosing an unconventional path.

This episode is about embracing discomfort, trusting your own journey, and learning that some of life’s greatest growth comes from the moments that challenge us most.

If you’ve ever questioned your direction, struggled with difficult emotions, or felt called toward something bigger, this conversation is for you.

Email: [email protected]

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On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Natalia Lazarus—an author, endurance athlete, coach, speaker, and one of the more inspiring people you’ll hear from.

Natalia shares her career and running journey from corporate life and casual runner to chasing a more aligned, purpose-driven path, and the pivotal moments that shaped her along the way. At the center of the conversation is her experience completing the Great World Race—7 marathons, 7 continents, in 7 days—and what it truly takes, physically and mentally, to push beyond your limits.

This episode goes beyond endurance. It’s about happiness, growth, and having the courage to go after big dreams, even when they feel out of reach.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or questioning what’s possible for your life, this conversation is for you.

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Book: The Inner Race

Audio Book: Coming April 2026

On this episode of the Hit of Happiness Pod, Brian sits down with Koty Marine—a coaching client turned friend whose story is rooted in resilience, honesty, and growth.

Introduced by her brother about a year ago, Brian and Koty felt an instant connection. In this conversation, Koty shares her journey through happiness, trauma, caregiving, and the life-altering decisions that followed. She opens up about the invisible weight of supporting a partner through recovery, the hardest moments no one sees, and what it took to keep choosing hope.

While coaching is part of their shared history, this episode focuses on Koty’s lived experience, personal growth, and the lessons she’s carried forward—including how coaching supported her alongside (not instead of) her healing.

If you’ve ever had to rebuild your life, redefine happiness, or choose yourself in the middle of uncertainty, this episode is for you.

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On this episode of the pod, Brian sits down with Ret Taylor, a former founder turned transformational coach, guide and facilitator who helps high-achievers rediscover their wildest, most authentic selves. Over the course of 20 + years in business, Ret has developed the “Misogi System,” a framework combining nature, mindset, and challenge. He now leads deep, purpose-driven experiences, including the wilderness-based Vision Quest, a solo fasted experience in nature.

In this conversation we explore:

• His origin story: what drove him from entrepreneurship into coaching and facilitation; the people and pivotal moments that shaped his path.
• A deep dive into the Vision Quest: why he created a group version for entrepreneurs, his role as facilitator, what he witnessed, and what he gained.
• A turn of the table moment: Ret interviews Brian about Brian’s own Vision Quest experience: the preparation, the solitude, the reflections, the integration, and what it’s been like coming back into everyday life.

If you’re drawn to conversations that stretch beyond performance and into presence, that tip-toe the line between wilderness, leadership, awakening and living purposefully, this episode is for you.

Ret Taylor Website

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On this episode of the pod, Brian sits down with Camila Greenberg — the world first sovereignty coach.  Camila is also a healer, and teacher on a mission to guide you out of victimhood into the life you've always dreamed of through mindset mastery, somatic practices, and spiritual embodiment. Through her multidisciplinary background, Camila crafts experiences that are emotionally charged and transformative. In this conversation, we dive into her path from young actress to coach, how she helps her clients get embodied, and what it means to lead with intuition . If you’re drawn to conversations that tip toe the line of human and spiritual, this one's for you. 

Camila Greenberg

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On this episode of the pod, Brian sits down with Jason Weiss, a mountain and adventure photographer based in Golden, Colorado, whose lens captures the world from its highest peaks. Unlike most, Jason doesn’t shoot mountains from the valley floor—he climbs them. On this episode, we go over his journey from the world of finance and economics to full time photographer, the physical and creative demands of the job, especially when chasing peaks like Everest, and why authenticity and perspective matter in art. If you want to be transported to awe-inspiring mountaintops through story—this one’s for you.

Jason Weiss Photography

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