In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Matthew Price, author of How-To-IQ: A Principled Approach to Making Smarter Decisions in Complex Times. The discussion focuses on the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in decision-making, emphasizing the human factor in organizations. The conversation touches on practical ways to help individuals and organizations recognize and overcome common biases and blind spots both in the workplace and at home. Matthew stresses the need to empower others to make sound decisions, which ultimately supports organizational growth and healthy family dynamics.

Matthew Price is the Founder and Principal of MKP Strategies and the author of How-to IQ: A Principle-Based Approach to Smarter Decisions in Complex Times. With nearly 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate regulatory complexity, Matthew has built his career at the intersection of business strategy and compliance. He’s advised startups and Fortune 500s alike across sectors regulated by the FDA, EPA, OSHA, and beyond—transforming red tape into real opportunity.

At the heart of Matthew’s work is a bold idea: when rules fall short, principles lead. His How-to IQ framework gives leaders the tools to think critically, act decisively, and scale their businesses with clarity—even in chaotic or heavily regulated environments. In his book and consulting work, he helps founders and executives make smarter decisions by focusing less on rigid rule-following and more on values, insight, and accountability.

A trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and educator, Matthew is known for his candor, clarity, and ability to make complex systems actionable. He’s passionate about equipping leaders with the mindset and tools to grow from “one-man army” to sustainable organization—without losing their mission, values, or sanity in the process.

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Justine Froelker, a licensed professional counselor turned speaker, author, and corporate trainer. The discussion explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of embracing vulnerability and transparency as leaders, and the necessity of integrating human connection into the workplace. Justine and Dr. Kate also delve into their personal passions outside of work, highlighting the meaningful impact of volunteering and creative hobbies like writing children's books and raising butterflies. The engaging discussion provides inspiration for anyone seeking to cultivate courage and authenticity, whether in leadership, entrepreneurship, or everyday life.

Justine Froelker is a nationally recognized speaker, corporate trainer, and author helping organizations build courageous leaders and connected teams through the power of essential human skills. With more than 25 years of experience in mental health, personal development, and professional growth, Justine brings a grounded, no-nonsense approach to well-being, leadership, and resilience that resonates from the boardroom to the break room.

A Licensed Professional Counselor and the creator of Courage is Built Here™, Justine equips teams and leaders with tools for authentic self-awareness, effective communication, and sustainable self-care. For over a decade, she was certified in Dr. Brené Brown’s work on courage and empathy, and she now shares her own curriculum with organizations committed to real, human-centered change.

Known for her mix of grit, grace, and the occasional well-placed curse word where appropriate, Justine helps audiences and clients speak the unspoken, lead with heart, and show up with courage—even when life or work doesn’t go as planned. She’s worked with teams across industries to reduce burnout, foster inclusion, and develop leadership rooted in vulnerability and accountability.

Justine is the author of twelve books, including five Amazon best-sellers, and her latest, Courage Is Built Here, shares her signature leadership framework. She’s delivered two TEDx Talks, and her work has been featured in the YouVersion Bible App, national media, and dozens of podcasts. Whether through in-person or virtual workshops, training, or keynotes, Justine delivers powerful insights that inspire action and lasting change. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and two beloved dogs and in her free time, you’ll find her rescuing baby birds, raising butterflies, and marveling at the magic of nature.

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by intuitive consultant, Jenn Cohen. The conversation delves into the nature of intuition, with Jen emphasizing that everyone possesses this innate ability. She explains how cultural expectations and critical thinking often push intuition into the background, but that reconnecting with it is a process of unlearning rather than learning. They discuss how fear and past experiences can block intuition, and Jenn offers insights on how to compassionately address those barriers.

Jenn Cohen has always been captivated by the power of intuition. After a life-changing experience in her 20s, she explored how intuition could shape her life and career. During her 27 years in the entertainment industry, Jenn found that intuitive decisions often led to success. Now an intuitive consultant, she helps individuals and organizations unlock potential, gain clarity, and achieve their goals through practical, intuition-based strategies. Jenn’s work fosters growth, creativity, and purpose in both personal and professional realms.c

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Mel McSherry, International Business & Life Guide. The conversation focuses on the unique intersection of entrepreneurship, personal development, and human design. Mel shares her winding journey from a successful career in fitness, through the challenges of new motherhood and mental health struggles, to her emergence as a business coach and energetic guide for entrepreneurs.

International business & life guide Mel McSherry helps inspired yet overwhelmed entrepreneurs honor their lives and become the architects of their own success. 

Mel uses their spiritual gifts, as well as their 14+ years of business building experience, to slash entrepreneurs’ stress and bring their success to life! Using both Human Design in partnership with traditional business development tools, Mel coaches others on how they can connect to what they want, understand how they are designed to create what they want, and implement their strengths and strategies, so every day they are profitable– mentally, emotionally and financially.

As an entrepreneur since 2010, Mel has launched two successful businesses, become a 2x published author, spoken almost 200 times all over the US and overseas, and created a true life by design– all while being the primary caregiver to their 13-year-old son who is autistic. 

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Martina Faulker, a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on what it means to be human. The discussion delves into the realities of "energy" in everyday life, highlighting that everything is, quite literally, energy. Martina breaks down the basics, explaining the difference between active and inactive (or potential) energy, and offers relatable analogies, like tuning a radio to understand frequency and vibration. Dr. Kate and Martina also touch on personal energy management and why awareness of our energy—and how it interacts with others—is key for healthy relationships and personal well-being.

Martina E. Faulkner is a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on exploring what it means to be human—both the unique and the universal. She holds a trifecta in the mental health/healing world as a therapist, certified life coach, and Reiki Master Teacher. This distinctive background allows her to draw on her professional and personal experience in her writing, whether fiction, nonfiction, children’s, or poetry.

A self-proclaimed Anglophile, Martina drinks tea daily, loves walks in nature, and enjoys looking at beautiful images from the British Isles while dreaming up her next book. You can read her regular column (‘Unique and Universal’) on Substack, follow her on Instagram and Facebook (@martinaefaulkner), or visit martinaefaulkner.com to learn more.

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Karen Bartholomew, Founder of the Pause Method. The conversation focuses on how Karen helps women identify and break free from limiting subconscious patterns. Karen walks listeners through each step of the Pause Method: Pattern Recognition, Acknowledgment, Understanding, Shifting the narrative, and Embracing new possibilities. She explains how these actionable steps create the foundation for lasting change and increased resilience, especially in the face of life’s inevitable challenges.

As Founder of The Pause Method, Karen Bartholomew empowers women and leaders to slow down and unlock their full potential. With over 14 years of experience, Karen’s coaching philosophy encourages intentional reflection and aligned action, enabling her clients to shed false beliefs and achieve sustainable success. Her approach emphasized the power of pausing over constant doing, fostering confident and purposeful leadership. Karen is passionate about women’s empowerment and has inspired countless individuals to break free from old patterns and confidently embrace the next chapter in their lives. 

Website: karenbartholomew.com

Instagram: instagram.com/karenbartholomew

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Jim Carlough, an accomplished business strategist, speaker and author. The conversation centers around Jim’s book, “The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success,” and dives deeply into the six core principles he believes are essential for any leader: integrity, focus, compassion, stability, empathy, and humor.

With over 30 years of leadership experience, Jim Carlough is an accomplished business strategist, speaker, and author. Having successfully driven explosive growth for healthcare organizations—from start-ups to industry leaders — Jim is a trusted expert in building high-performing teams, revitalizing underperforming businesses, and guiding organizations through transformational change.

Jim's core philosophy—leaders aren’t born; they’re developed—challenges the myth of innate leadership. In his book, The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success, Jim delivers a practical and inspiring guide for leaders at every stage of their journey. His approach focuses on six essential traits that empower individuals to embrace leadership as a skill that can be learned, honed, and mastered through experience, mentorship, and intentional growth.

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Diana Anderson, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Cylient, a transformative training and consulting company dedicated to evolving leadership through meaningful, purposeful conversations.

Together, Dr. Kate and Dianna explore the concept of untying the knot as a framework for addressing "stuckness" and facilitating meaningful dialogue between leaders and team members. Dianna emphasizes that coaching skills are universal human skills—not just reserved for professional coaches—and explains how these skills can empower individuals and organizations to navigate change more effectively.

Dianna Anderson is the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Cylient, a transformative training and consulting company dedicated to evolving leadership through meaningful, purposeful conversations. She is a founding member of the International Coaching Federation and held the prestigious Master Certified Coach designation for nearly two decades.

A thought leader in coaching and human development, Dianna co-authored the first comprehensive textbook exploring the return on investment of coaching engagements. Her pioneering work on the creation of coaching cultures helped global and mid-sized companies unlock collaborative potential by instilling “in the moment” coaching as a leadership style and way of life. To date, over 55,000 individuals have evolved their approach to leadership using the signature Untying the Knot methodology Dianna created. 

Driven by a profound belief in human potential, Dianna's current mission is to establish Untying the Knot as a global language that bridges divides and empowers people with diverse perspectives to tackle complex challenges collaboratively. Her vision stems from a deep understanding that true progress emerges when people learn together, building the trust necessary to push beyond perceived limitations and realize extraordinary possibilities.

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by HeatherAsh Amara, best-selling author, much-beloved guide, philanthropist, and land steward. The conversation centers around HeatherAsh’s latest book, Wild, Willing and Wise: An Interactive Guide for When to Paddle, When to Rest, and When to Jump Naked into the River of Life. She explains how the book draws inspiration from her experience whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon, using the river as a metaphor for navigating life’s challenges—learning when to take action, when to rest, and when to embrace joy and spontaneity.

As a best-selling author, much-beloved guide, philanthropist, and land steward, HeatherAsh Amara (aka Ash) has spent the last three decades weaving together earth-based teachings and practical wisdom for creative, courageous, pragmatic, and compassionate change. 

She is the author of nine books, including the bestselling Warrior Goddess Training series and The Seven Secrets of Happy and Healthy Relationships with don Miguel Ruiz Jr.

Her upcoming book Wild, Willing, and Wise, which will be published Summer 2024 with St. Martin’s Essentials, will expand on her three decades of teaching and mentorship and serve as a delightful invitation for those who want to live fully in the world: to be fiercely engaged, wildly creative, failingly experimental, wonderfully confused, seriously delighted, and compassionately vulnerable. 

Ash’s new Substack, Out of the Fire, arose from her experience losing much of her 180-acre retreat center to the biggest wildfire in New Mexico history and her ongoing work to restore the land amidst climate change. Each week she brings a journalistic approach to her decades-long spiritual practice in sharing heart-centered wisdom on navigating the rough and often conflicting waters we all live in these days.

Ash is an engaging and sought-after speaker who loves rich conversations around both challenging and joyful topics. She is most at home in facing the contradictions of modern life. Spiritual and grounded. Intellectual and embodied. Ash endeavors to invite all to the table to learn and grow. Ash often plants her feet in New Mexico but as a lifelong nomad, she spends most of her time traveling, teaching, and writing in cafes around the world.

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In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Anthony Cudjo (AKA “Coach Cudjo”) founder of Human Optimization 3.0. Dr. Kate and Coach Cudjo dive into unlocking your full potential—mind, body, and spirit. He shared transformative insights on aligning your inner energy, harnessing the power of belief, and practical steps like grounding and daily affirmations to shift your mindset. If you’re ready to level up your health, wealth, and self-awareness, this conversation is the spark you need to create real change from the inside out.

Founder and Head Coach at Human Optimization 3.0 (H3O), Anthony Cudjo (AKA “Coach Cudjo”), is the leading expert in performance by optimizing various aspects of life, including physical, mental, and emotional health. Boasting over three decades of experience in business consulting and executive coaching, he is widely recognized as the “Teacher of Teachers” and “Leader of Leaders” for his work empowering individuals and communities to reach their full potential by achieving harmony in spirit, mind, and body. Coach Cudjo is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and the Landmark Forum, and holds certifications as an Advanced NLP Practitioner, personal trainer, life coach, nutritionist, and metabolic specialist. A former professional athlete, he has also hosted the FitnessRX Show on ESPN radio, where he shared his expertise in health and wellness with a wide audience.

Connect With Anthony: 

Website: urh3o.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthony-cudjo-a2928567
Facebook: Facebook.com/Humanoptimization3.0
Instagram: Instagram.com/Humanoptimization3.0
Youtube: Youtube.com/@Humanoptimization3.

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