Can AI really help us grow emotionally—and how do you avoid losing your humanity in the process?

In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Jeremy Schneider, therapist, educator, and technology-informed mental health practitioner, explores the balance between using AI for self-reflection while maintaining authentic human connection.

Jeremy brings a unique perspective at the intersection of mental health, technology, and emotional development, helping us understand how AI can support—not replace—real human growth.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How to use AI as a reflective tool for emotional growth
• The concept of interactive journaling with AI
• The “AI Awareness Arc” and why it matters
• Psychological risks of over-relying on AI for emotional support
• How to stay grounded in your humanity while using technology

If you’re curious about personal development in a digital age, this conversation offers a thoughtful and practical guide to using technology responsibly for self-awareness.

🌐 Learn more and connect with Jeremy Schneider: https://buildonyourstrengths.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremygschneider/

#AI #EmotionalGrowth #SelfAwareness #MentalHealth #JeremySchneider #PersonalDevelopment #AIJournaling #HumanConnection #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #Mindfulness #Psychology #SelfImprovement

Are your relationships, habits, or financial choices quietly holding you back?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Dwight Heck introduces the 70/30 Principle and explains how it can help you build healthier relationships, set stronger boundaries, and improve both your emotional and financial well-being.

This conversation breaks down how the people you surround yourself with—and the emotional states you operate from—directly influence your decisions, including how you spend, think, and grow.

In this episode, you will discover:

• What the 70/30 Principle is and how to apply it in real life
• How to evaluate the quality of your relationships and associations
• Why emotional states strongly influence spending and financial habits
• How to set boundaries that protect your growth and peace of mind
• The power of intentional decision-making in transforming your life

If you’re ready to improve your relationships, finances, and overall direction in life, this episode offers practical tools you can start using immediately.

🌐 Learn more about Dwight Heck: http://www.giveaheck.com/
🔗 Connect with Dwight Heck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-heck-65a90150/

#PersonalGrowth #Relationships #FinancialWellness #DwightHeck #70_30Principle #MindsetShift #SelfImprovement #MoneyMindset #Boundaries #EmotionalIntelligence #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #LifeTransformation #FinancialFreedom #HealthyRelationships #IntentionalLiving

In this inspiring interview on The Making of Me Podcast, Jane Rogers shares her powerful journey of living with epilepsy for over 30 years and how humor, resilience, and honesty helped her navigate the many challenges along the way.

She opens up about the emotional and physical realities of living with a long-term condition, the difficult moments that tested her strength, and how choosing honesty—combined with humor—became a powerful tool for coping and healing.

This conversation highlights how vulnerability and storytelling can break stigma, create understanding, and empower others living with chronic illness to feel seen and supported.

In this episode, you will discover:

• What living with epilepsy over decades truly looks like
• How humor can help during difficult health journeys
• The power of honesty in navigating chronic illness
• How sharing personal stories helps reduce stigma
• Why authenticity builds emotional resilience and connection

Jane’s story is a reminder that even in long-term struggle, there is space for laughter, meaning, and strength through openness.

🌐 Learn more and get her book: https://laughingthroughthestorm.com
🔗 Connect with Jane Rogers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-rogers-46684842/

#Epilepsy #ChronicIllness #Inspiration #JaneRogers #Resilience #MentalHealth #HealthJourney #Storytelling #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #Authenticity #OvercomingAdversity #Hope #Wellbeing #InvisibleIllness

Are your fears quietly limiting your potential and keeping you from the success you know you’re capable of?

In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Chris Woods—certified professional coach, former Google sales leader, and author of Balls and Brains—shares practical strategies to help you uncover and overcome the fears that hold you back.

This conversation explores how fear shows up in everyday decisions, how to reframe limiting beliefs, and how to start building momentum toward the life you truly want.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How to identify hidden fears that limit your growth
• Why fear often disguises itself as logic or procrastination
• Practical ways to reframe limiting thoughts
• How to use your strengths to build confidence and clarity
• Actionable steps to move from self-doubt to execution

If you’ve ever felt stuck, hesitant, or unsure of your next step, this episode will help you break through mental barriers and take action.

🌐 Learn more and get Chris Woods’ book: https://chriswoodscoach.com/
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswoods/

#OvercomeFear #SuccessMindset #Coaching #SelfGrowth #ChrisWoods #PersonalDevelopment #Confidence #MindsetShift #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #Leadership #CareerGrowth #SelfImprovement #MentalStrength

Struggling with public speaking, Zoom meetings, or creating engaging presentations?

In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, presentation expert Rick Altman sits down with Benaiah to break down the biggest mistakes people make when presenting—both online and in person—and how to overcome them with confidence and authenticity.

With over two decades of experience from the Presentation Summit, Rick shares practical strategies to help you connect with your audience, communicate clearly, and show up as your most authentic self—whether you're on stage or on screen.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why chasing “perfect” actually weakens your presentations
• How storytelling creates deeper audience engagement
• The most common mistakes in virtual and in-person presentations
• Simple ways to build confidence as a speaker
• How to let your authentic personality shine through your message

If you want to become a more confident communicator and deliver presentations that actually land, this episode is for you.

🌐 Learn more and connect with Rick Altman: https://betterpresenting.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickaltman/

#PresentationSkills #PublicSpeaking #Storytelling #Confidence #VirtualPresentations #RickAltman #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalGrowth #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah

What does it take to rebuild your life after everything changes in an instant?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Dennis Henson shares his remarkable journey of rebuilding his health, business, and identity after surviving a life-altering stroke. Through his “Seven Secrets of Success,” Dennis reveals the principles that guided his recovery and helped him regain purpose, strength, and direction.

This conversation goes beyond motivation—it’s a blueprint for resilience, discipline, and rebuilding from adversity.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How to rebuild your life after major setbacks or health challenges
• The “Seven Secrets of Success” framework for personal transformation
• How mindset plays a critical role in recovery and growth
• Lessons from real-life adversity that apply to business and life
• How to stay motivated when progress feels slow or uncertain

Whether you are facing personal challenges, health struggles, or business setbacks, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement to help you move forward.

👉 Get Dennis Henson’s book and free resources: https://realimpactbook.com
🔗 Connect with Dennis Henson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisjhenson/

#Success #Motivation #PersonalGrowth #StrokeRecovery #DennisHenson #Resilience #MindsetShift #LifeRebuild #OvercomingAdversity #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #Inspiration #HealthRecovery #SelfDevelopment #NeverGiveUp

What happens when you ask a child, “Do you want to be the hero of your own story?”

In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Kate Markland, former physiotherapist turned award-winning literacy innovator, shares how a simple weekly FaceTime question with her son sparked a global movement in children’s storytelling.

From that moment, she developed the Story Quest methodology—an approach designed to help children overcome fear of the blank page, unlock creativity, and confidently express their own voices through writing and storytelling.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How storytelling can transform a child’s confidence and imagination

• The origin and impact of the “Story Quest” methodology

• Why giving children ownership of their stories matters

• How creativity helps overcome fear and self-doubt

• Practical ways parents and educators can empower young writers

This conversation is a powerful reminder that every child has a story worth telling—and the potential to be the hero of it.

👉 Learn more and explore the books: https://www.katemarkland.com/
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-markland/

#Storytelling #Literacy #ChildEmpowerment #Education #Creativity #KateMarkland #WritingSkills #ChildrenEducation #Imagination #LearningThroughStories #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #PersonalGrowth #YouthDevelopment

Are you feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or struggling to find purpose despite external success?

In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Jody Brooks shares her powerful journey of overcoming childhood trauma, depression, and burnout to build a life of clarity, self-awareness, and authentic happiness.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful practice: learning to stop. Jody explains how slowing down, processing emotional experiences, and rebuilding self-awareness became the foundation of her transformation.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why burnout often comes from emotional overload, not just work stress
• The life-changing power of pausing and self-reflection
• How to rebuild trust with yourself after emotional struggle
• Practical tools for self-awareness and emotional clarity
• Why authenticity begins with slowing down and listening inward

If you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers practical guidance and permission to pause.

🌐 Learn more about Jody Brooks: https://authenticcoaching.me/
🔗 Connect with Jody Brooks on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-brooks-coach/

Ever dreamed of taking your family on a long-term travel adventure but don’t know where to start financially?

In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Suzanne Lewis (Suzy May Wander) shares her proven 6-part Wander Financial Framework that helps families gain clarity, track expenses, and build realistic savings plans to make long-term travel possible.

This conversation breaks down how families can move from dreaming about travel to actually planning and funding it—without financial overwhelm.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How the 6-part Wander Financial Framework works
• Practical steps for budgeting long-term family travel
• Ways to build savings plans that support travel goals
• How families can explore remote income opportunities
• Creative strategies for traveling affordably with children

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the world with your family but didn’t know how to make it financially possible, this episode gives you a clear starting point.

🌐 Learn more and explore resources: https://suzymaywander.com/
📸 Follow Suzanne Lewis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzymay.wander/

#FamilyTravel #FinancialPlanning #Worldschooling #SuzanneLewis #SuzyMayWander #TravelFinance #BudgetTravel #FamilyAdventure #DigitalNomadFamily #TravelWithKids #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #FinancialFreedom #LifestyleDesign #Wanderlust

What happens when you take an unconventional path to rebuild your life—and discover your true purpose along the way?

In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Maria Merloni shares her bold and unexpected journey from psychotherapist to educator—revealing how stepping into unfamiliar territory became a powerful turning point in her healing, identity, and life direction.

What began as a practical decision to support her personal growth evolved into a deeper exploration of shame, self-acceptance, empowerment, and transformation. Maria opens up about breaking cultural expectations, reclaiming her voice, and using her experiences to help others heal and grow.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How unconventional choices can lead to deep personal transformation
• The role of vulnerability in healing and self-discovery
• Breaking societal expectations and redefining identity
• How lived experience can become a source of purpose and impact
• Why owning your story is essential for empowerment

Maria’s story is a reminder that growth does not always follow a traditional path—and that meaning can be found in the most unexpected places.

👍 Subscribe for more conversations on healing, resilience, and personal transformation.

🌐 Learn more about Maria Merloni: https://mariamerloni.com/ritual
📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marialouisemerloni/

#MariaMerloni #PersonalTransformation #SelfDiscovery #Empowerment #HealingJourney #MindsetShift #GrowthMindset #TheMakingOfMe #AroBenaiah #Resilience #OwnYourStory #UnconventionalPath #SelfAcceptance #LifeTransformation