In this episode of The Risen Fallen Podcast, Mark sits down with bestselling author and certified mindfulness instructor Aaron Hendon for a deep conversation about mental health, purpose, and reclaiming control over where we place our attention.

We explore how easily life can become driven by stress, distraction, fear, and outside expectations—and why mindfulness is about far more than simply calming down. Aaron explains how becoming aware of our thoughts and reactions can help us respond to life with greater intention instead of operating on autopilot.

The conversation also examines personal agency: recognizing what is within our control, taking responsibility for the direction of our lives, and choosing where to invest our limited time and energy. Because when we lose control of our attention, we often lose touch with our purpose along with it.

Learn more about Aaron Hendon and at the links below:

www.aaronhendon.com

https://aaronhendonthemindfulceo.substack.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhendon/

https://www.instagram.com/aaronhendon_themindfulceo/

Topics include:

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We are more digitally connected than ever, yet more people feel isolated, lonely, and disconnected from real human relationships.

In this episode, I talk about why so many adults no longer have a true community outside of work and home. Whether it is a jiu-jitsu gym, church, art club, running group, sports team, fishing group, or regular gym, we all need somewhere we can consistently show up, see familiar faces, share our lives, and feel appreciated simply for being there.

Social media gives us the illusion of connection, but likes, comments, followers, bots, and endless scrolling cannot replace face-to-face conversations, shared experiences, and real belonging. For most of human history, community was built into everyday life. Now, we have to intentionally create it.

This episode explores loneliness, social media addiction, adult friendships, mental health, isolation, the decline of community, and why repeatedly showing up somewhere may be one of the most important things you can do for your well-being.

Social media can make you feel seen for a moment, but community gives you somewhere to belong.

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In this episode of The Risen Fallen Podcast, I talk about what it really means to advocate for yourself in everyday life.

Whether it is asking for better treatment at work, communicating your needs in a relationship, addressing tension in a friendship, or pushing for answers in healthcare, too many people stay silent and expect others to understand what they are feeling.

That silence often turns into resentment, burnout, broken relationships, and missed opportunities.

Advocating for yourself does not mean being aggressive, entitled, or disrespectful. It means clearly communicating what you need, asking better questions, setting boundaries, and being willing to seek another opinion when something does not feel right.

People cannot respond to what you never say.

In this episode, I cover:

Your life is too important to leave entirely in the hands of people who may not know what you need.

The Risen Fallen Podcast explores mental health, personal growth, faith, discipline, relationships, and the mindset required to build a better life.

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Mike Smith joins me to talk about ADHD, sobriety, addiction recovery, and learning how to adapt when life does not go according to plan.

After recently reaching one year sober, Mike shares what recovery has taught him about discipline, identity, mental health, and facing hardship without falling back into old habits. We also discuss the recovery-focused app he is developing to connect people with helpful content, support, and practical tools for overcoming addiction.

This is an honest conversation about rebuilding your life, staying sober, managing ADHD, and finding healthier ways to move forward.

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In this episode of The Risen Fallen Podcast, I sit down with Corporal Brad Savage, an RCMP officer who speaks openly and honestly about mental health, PTSD, trauma, and the realities that come with serving in law enforcement.

Brad brings a powerful perspective on what it means to carry the weight of the job, the importance of speaking up, and why mental health conversations matter — especially for first responders, police officers, military members, tradespeople, and anyone who has been taught to “just tough it out.”

We talk about the impact of trauma, the stigma around asking for help, the strength it takes to be vulnerable, and how healing starts when people are willing to have the hard conversations.

Brad spoke to me about SaveAWarrior.org which I wanted to help spread information about.

This episode is about courage, honesty, resilience, and reminding people that they are not alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, mental health, depression, anxiety, or the weight of past experiences, I hope this conversation encourages you to reach out, speak up, and keep going.

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www.risenfallen.com

We often think peace will come once life finally calms down — once the pressure lifts, the bills are paid, the relationship is easier, work slows down, or the season changes.

But if peace depends on having no problems, peace will always be temporary.

In this episode, I talk about why peace is not the absence of problems, but the ability to stay grounded in the middle of them. Real peace is not avoidance, escape, or pretending everything is fine. It is built through truth, responsibility, faith, discipline, forgiveness, and learning how to carry life without letting it own you.

Sometimes we are not actually chasing peace — we are chasing relief. This episode is about learning the difference.

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In this episode of The Risen Fallen Podcast, I talk about the idea that love and peace are not things we simply find — they are things we build.

We live in a world where everything feels replaceable. Don’t like something? Upgrade it. Order something new. Swipe to the next person. Find a better job. Move to a better house. Chase the next version of life.

But that mindset can slowly train us to treat people, commitments, relationships, and even our own peace like they are disposable.

The truth is, the next thing will not always fix the deeper issue. A new job, a new relationship, a new house, a new purchase, or a new phase of life might feel exciting for a while — but eventually, we bring ourselves with us.

Real love is built through patience, forgiveness, humility, communication, and commitment.

Real peace is built through discipline, gratitude, prayer, responsibility, perspective, and learning how to stand firm even when life feels heavy.

This episode is about slowing down, taking ownership, and asking whether we are actually looking for something better — or just avoiding the work required to build something meaningful.

Love is built.

Episode #207 of The Risen Fallen Podcast.

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In this episode of The Risen Fallen Podcast, I talk about the difference between overthinking and avoidance. Sometimes we convince ourselves we are planning, processing, or waiting for clarity, when really we are avoiding the action we already know we need to take.

I break down how overthinking can become a form of procrastination, why clarity often comes after movement, and how fear disguises itself as wisdom. Whether it’s fitness, business, faith, relationships, or personal growth, the next step usually is not more thinking — it’s action.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, waiting for the perfect time, or telling yourself you just need to “figure it out” first, this episode is a reminder that movement creates momentum.

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In this episode, I talk about why words are not violence, and why being offended should not give us permission to lose control of ourselves.

After seeing people react violently to things said online, protests, opinions, and disagreements, I wanted to dig into what it says about us when someone else’s words can pull us so far out of character.

This episode is about emotional discipline, personal responsibility, ego, judgment, hypocrisy, faith, and learning how to respond with self-control instead of reacting out of anger. I also talk about why hurt people hurt people, why we need to check ourselves before condemning others, and why true empathy means trying to understand people instead of instantly dehumanizing them.

Someone else’s words might offend you, but they should not control you.

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People love to talk about dopamine like it’s the enemy.

Dopamine addiction.

And while there is truth to all of that, I think we sometimes miss the bigger picture.

Dopamine is not automatically bad. It is your body’s natural reward system. The real issue is not that we like feeling good — it’s what behaviours we are rewarding.

In this episode, I talk about a realization I had while running in the sun with my dad’s dog, listening to music, and feeling completely stoked on life. That was a dopamine rush too — but it was attached to something good.

This episode is about learning how to stop demonizing dopamine and start using it to build better habits, stronger discipline, better mental health, and a life you actually want to keep moving toward.

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www.risenfallen.com