Lex sits down with author Liv Maddux (aka Lizzie) a tech exec and debuting author, to discuss her book Eight Days in a World Apart. The book was born of a deeply personal long-distance relationship that ultimately came to an end. Liv, a techie at heart, looked to AI to help her examine 500+ pages of WhatsApp messages. The episode explores how Liv used this process to re-examine the relationship, reconnect with herself, and find healing through creativity.

Liv talks openly about authenticity, rejection, and emotional growth. She shares how AI surfaced patterns she hadn’t noticed, how she faced her own self-criticism, and how she decided to show up more grounded and aligned with her values. She also reflects on how being authentic has cost her relationships, but led to deeper self-connection and stronger bonds with people who accept her fully.

If you've ever struggled with letting go, faced heartbreak, or felt the fear of showing up as your full self, this conversation will hit home. It's vulnerable, insightful, and filled with real talk about what it means to own your story.

Find Liv: Instagram: @ms.olivia.maddux
Book: Eight Days in a World Apart available on Amazon https://a.co/d/irowTmu
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01:37 Meet the Author: Liv Maddux
02:46 The Journey to Authenticity
07:14 Writing the Book: A Therapeutic Process
10:46 Lessons from Relationships and Self-Discovery
13:26 Connection and Empathy
23:19 Navigating Self-Criticism and Personal Growth
33:40 Reflecting on Past Relationships and Friendships
34:10 Living a Life of No Commitment
35:03 Unexpected Connections and Friendships
35:44 Authenticity in Relationships
36:52 Mimetic Desire and External Validation
37:35 Personal Growth and Following Your Gut
39:26 Writing and Authenticity
42:03 Balancing Authenticity and Boundaries
44:03 Facing Rejection and Staying True to Yourself
53:22 Daily Practices for Staying Authentic
55:55 Books and Media Influences
57:24 Final Thoughts and Reflections
01:03:14 Outro and Podcast Recommendations

#TransformationalJourneys #AuthenticLiving #AIandHealing #LivMaddux #CreativeHealing #PersonalGrowth #LongDistanceLove #SelfDiscovery #HealingWithAI #EmotionalGrowth

From breaking into professional umpiring as a woman to becoming a pilot in a field dominated by young, wealthy men, Ria’s story is about defying expectations, embracing authenticity, and forging her own path.

Ria spent her life feeling like an outsider—too Greek for America, too American for Greece, and too unconventional for every mold society tried to put her in.

In this episode, she shares how she stopped trying to fit in, learned to trust herself, and took a leap that changed her life forever.

In this episode, Lex sits down with Vikas, author of Waiting to Breathe: A Journey Toward Authentic Living and a seasoned tech executive. Vikas shares his insights on identity, self-acceptance, and the transformation that comes with embracing one’s true self. From navigating career challenges to uncovering the deeper meaning of belonging, he offers thought-provoking perspectives on living with purpose.

Together, they discuss:
📌 The role of self-acceptance in personal and professional growth
📌 How societal conditioning distances us from our authentic selves
📌 The power of rejection in shaping identity and resilience
📌 Why love—both for oneself and others—is the key to transformation

🎧 Listen now and embark on your own transformational journey!

📖 Get Vikas’ book: https://a.co/d/9MXlxfd
🔗 Connect with Vikas on: LinkedIn:   / vikasagr  
X/Twitter: https://x.com/VikasAgr1984

00:00 Intro Teasers
01:14 Guest Introduction: Meet Vikas Agarwal
03:50 The Journey to Writing: Inspiration and Motivation
06:37 The Importance of Belonging and Authenticity
10:32 The Metamorphosis: Nietzsche's Philosophy
17:10 Facing Rejection and Finding Self-Love
27:55 The Role of Suffering in Personal Growth
36:46 Creating Beauty from Love: A Discussion on Amazon
44:37 The Role of Love in Leadership
45:22 Challenges Faced by Corporations
46:39 Authenticity in Corporate Culture
48:35 Acceptance and Perspective
49:36 The Nature of Innovation
53:32 Embracing Failure and Rejection
55:46 The Impact of Emotions on Decision Making
01:00:47 The Importance of Passion in Projects
01:02:28 Dealing with Distractions and Negative Emotions
01:09:54 Organizational Ego and Humility
01:19:58 Advice for Younger Self
01:21:48 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Lex sits down with Odysseus Michael (Odie)—a country boy, world traveler, survivor of childhood abuse, and mentor to young men navigating life’s challenges.

Odie’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and healing. From surviving a tough childhood to traveling the world in search of meaning—Japan, Thailand, Australia—his journey has been filled with ups, downs, and hard-earned wisdom.

Together, we explore:
 * What it truly means to live authentically
 * Overcoming self-sabotage and destructive thought patterns
 * How connecting with others helps us connect with ourselves
 * The role of mentorship in healing past wounds
 * Why training the body tames the mind
 * Discovering what holds real value in life

Through his own struggles, Odie has dedicated himself to helping others find their path—and in doing so, has healed himself along the way. If you’ve ever felt lost, struggled with self-acceptance, or wanted to change your life but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you.

 Listen, learn, and grow with us.

 CONNECT WITH ODIE:
 Instagram: @OldSchoolOdie

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#TransformationalJourneys #Podcast #SelfDiscovery #Healing #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #SelfImprovement #LiveAuthentically #Mentorship #OvercomingTrauma #LifeLessons