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Imagine navigating life's challenges with a sense of purpose, even when the odds seem stacked against you. That's the journey I, Adrian Starks, share in our latest episode of Your Purposeful Life Podcast, alongside the insightful Mark Paisant, host of the Relatively Normal Podcast. Together, we unpack the layers of mental health, emphasizing the need to openly discuss anxiety, stress, and depression with the same ease we discuss a common cold. Our conversation is not just about sharing struggles but also about finding empowerment through vulnerability and intentionality.

Marc and I are on a mission to normalize mental health conversations, challenging the stigma that often surrounds them. We explore personal stories that reveal the hidden battles behind seemingly successful exteriors, including my own experience of grappling with depression. Marc shares his transformative journey of overcoming negative self-talk and isolation, highlighting how small gestures, like a simple text, can make a world of difference. We also examine the growing trend of public figures sharing their mental health stories and the ripple effect it has on societal norms and personal growth.

This episode is more than just a dialogue; it's a call to action to live with intent and purpose. Whether it's aligning your actions with personal goals or finding strength through fitness and therapy, the path to a fulfilling life comes down to self-compassion and purposeful living. Marc adds to the conversation by sharing insights on shaping your own purpose, reminding us all that our personal challenges are integral to our journey. Tune in to be inspired, empowered, and to find a community that values the human experience in all its complexities.

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Episode #131

In this episode, Adrian Starks interviews Jay H. Tepley about stepping into greatness as a man and finding purpose. They discuss the challenges men face in society and the importance of rites of passage. Jay emphasizes that purpose should not be equated with career and explains the process of choosing and expressing one's purpose. They also explore the concept of the new era and the need for personal responsibility. Jay shares insights on breaking through plateaus and offers advice on living a purposeful life. The episode concludes with a discussion on Jay's book, The Light Witch Chronicles, and her lightsaber training program for mental health.


takeaways

• Men face challenges in society and often lack support and guidance.
• Purpose should not be equated with career; it is about becoming the greatest version of oneself.
• The new era requires embracing personal responsibility and creating one's own reality.
• Breaking through plateaus requires listening to the heart and seeking guidance from mentors.
• Living a purposeful life means finding inner peace and serving the world.

Guest: Jay H. Tepley

Social Media

Website: https://newerasuperhero.com/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newerasuperhero

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/newerasuperhero

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newerasuperhero

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhtepley/ 

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Episode #130

Summary: In this conversation Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin , a renowned poet, singer, and speaker from Ireland, discusses the power and purpose of poetry. He explains that good poetry is often descriptive, instructive, and inward-looking, inviting readers to feel and connect with their own experiences. Poetry can be therapeutic and healing, instilling patience, silence, and solidarity.  Mícheál recites a poem by W.B. Yeats and discusses the personal and honest nature of poetry. He also mentions other influential Irish poets such as Thomas Moore and Oscar Wilde. Overall, poetry offers a unique perspective and allows us to explore the invisible aspects of our existence.

Takeaways

• Good poetry is descriptive, instructive, and inward-looking, inviting readers to connect with their own experiences.
• Poetry can be therapeutic and healing, instilling patience, silence, and solidarity.
• Poetry offers a unique perspective and allows us to explore the invisible aspects of our existence.
• Irish poets such as W.B. Yeats, Thomas Moore, and Oscar Wilde have made significant contributions to the world of poetry. Authenticity and being true to oneself are essential in the creative process.
• Creativity can be a form of therapy and a way to express and process emotions.
• The Irish culture has a rich history of poetry, music, and creativity.
• Beatboxing and breathing exercises can be used as tools for self-expression and creativity.

Aha Moments

• "The act of reading a poem is an act of patience."
• "Reciting poetry from memory creates a deep reverie."
• "Ireland is synonymous with art, music, and creativity."

Guest: Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

Social Media

Website: https://www.owenandmoley.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichealMoleyOSuilleabhain/
LinkedIn:

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Episode #129

In this conversation, Adrian Starks interviews Sara Deacon, an adulting coach who works with young adults to help them play in their passions and own their future. They discuss the misconceptions about Gen Z, including the belief that they are lazy or directionless. Sara explains that Gen Z is actually overwhelmed and anxious, but they want to make an impact and be their best selves. They also talk about the challenges Gen Z faces, such as mental health issues and the pressure to navigate a rapidly changing world. Sara provides advice for parents on how to connect with their Gen Z children, including asking open-ended questions and being curious about their interests. She also shares tips for Gen Z individuals on how to have more fun and overcome fear by changing their mindset and trying new things. Living a purposeful life, for Sara, means being connected to oneself, inspiring others, and surrounding oneself with passionate and purposeful people.

Takeaways

• Gen Z is often misunderstood and labeled as lazy or directionless, but they are actually overwhelmed and anxious, and they want to make an impact and be their best selves.
• Mental health is a major concern for Gen Z, and they often feel that the support they receive is inadequate.
• Parents can connect with their Gen Z children by asking open-ended questions, being curious about their interests, and building relationships with their friends, teachers, and coaches.
• Gen Z individuals can have more fun and overcome fear by changing their mindset, trying new things, and reframing fear as excitement.
• Living a purposeful life means being connected to oneself, inspiring others, and surrounding oneself with passionate and purposeful people.

Aha moments from Sara

"Gen Z is overwhelmed and anxious, but they want to make an impact and be their best selves."

"Mental health is a major concern for Gen Z, and they often feel that the support they receive is inadequate.

"Parents can connect with their Gen Z children by asking open-ended questions and being curious about their interests."

Resources

Guest: Sara Deacon  

Social Media

Website: https://saradeacon.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saradeaconcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeacon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeaconcoach
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saradeaconcoach

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In this episode, Adrian Starks interviews Julian Hayes II, an executive health and performance advisor, about his journey and his work in helping people achieve optimal health. Julian shares his shift in career path from aspiring to be a doctor to focusing on health and performance. He introduces the concept of generational health and emphasizes the importance of mindset in achieving optimal health. Julian also explains the role of epigenetics in health and how it can be influenced by lifestyle factors. He discusses the future of health, including precision medicine and the need for a shift towards preventative care.

In this conversation, Julian discusses the importance of giving aging a rebrand and recognizing it as a disease. He also talks about his work with high-stress individuals and how he helps them manage their health using new technologies. Julian emphasizes the need for baseline measurements and personalized health approaches. He highlights the impact of quality sleep on emotional intelligence and overall well-being. Julian encourages individuals to build a foundation for optimal health and balance success with health. He also discusses the power of visualization and acting as if to achieve desired outcomes. Ultimately, Julian believes that living a purposeful life involves growth and fulfillment.

Takeaways

• Aging should be recognized as a disease and given a rebrand to promote preventative measures.
• Baseline measurements, such as blood work, are essential for tracking and improving health.
• Wearables, like fitness trackers, can provide valuable insights into sleep quality and overall health.
• Quality sleep is crucial for emotional intelligence and overall well-being.
• Balancing success and health requires treating health as a system and making it a priority.
• Visualizing and acting as if you are already the person you want to be can lead to desired outcomes.
• Living a purposeful life involves growth and fulfillment.

Resources

Guest: Julian Hayes II

Social Media

Website: https://www.executivehealth.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejulianhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exechealth

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Episode: 127

Today's guest on Your Purposeful Life with Adrian Starks is Marsha Vanwynsberghe.

Guest Marsha Vanwynsberghe is a Storytelling NLP Trainer, Speaker, Publisher & Author, 2xs Podcaster. 

Marsha is the 6-time Bestselling Author of “When She Stopped Asking Why”.  She shares her lessons as a parent who dealt with teen substance abuse that tore her family unit apart. Marsha has been published 7 times in collaborative books including “Owning Your Choices”, sharing inspiring stories of courage from women around the world. 

Through her tools, NLP certifications, programs, coaching and two podcasts, Marsha teaches the power of Radical Responsibility and Owning Your Choices in your own life. She empowers women how to own and stand on their stories, be conscious leaders and build profitable platform businesses that create massive impact. 

Join us on this episode as I speak with guest Marsha Vanwynsberghe. She will show how to move yourself forward from a difficult situation and heal through that journey with the "purpose" to share that story. Marsha demonstrates how the power of taking radical responsibility and owning your story will free you from the burdens of worry, frustrations and exhaustions of how others view or judge you. You can live your life on your terms! 

Watch the full video of this episode on our YouTube channel:  https://youtube.com/@adrianstarks

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Show Notes and Key takeaways on this episode:

• Marsha's past and upbringing.
• What it means to own your story and how to do it.
• How to find courage to change your story and create something new.
• Marsha's hard lesson that taught her radical responsibility.
• What the healing process looks like when change happens.
• How to handle criticism and judgement when sharing your story.
• Marsha's sacrifice to become a published author while sharing her story.
•  What it means to Marsha to live a purposeful life.

Resources

Guest: Marsha Vanwynsberghe

Social Media

Website: https://www.marshavanw.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshavanwynsberghe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshavanw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marshavanwcoaching
 
Marsha's podcast: https://ownyourchoicesownyourlife.libsyn.com/

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Episode: 126

Today's guest on Your Purposeful Life with Adrian Starks is Troy Hadeed.

Troy Hadeed is a renowned yoga teacher and the Author of My Name Is Love. 

Troy Hadeed believes the ultimate spiritual practice lives within our everyday relationships and that divinity exists in the heart of every individual. He has been practicing and teaching yoga for over fifteen years but has been questioning narratives, dissolving conditioning, and dissecting the human experience for far longer. 

Hadeed was born in Trinidad, wrote his first letter to the editor at 10, has taught yoga internationally for over 15 years, and has founded several successful businesses, including a hemp store, a waste oil recycling business and a yoga studio. He has walked coast-to-coast across central America, navigated the world on a ship, spent prolonged periods in silence, and is continuously seeking to make sense of the human experience.

Join us on this episode as I speak with guest Troy Hadeed as we dive into the underlying factors of the identity crisis across the world, the true meaning of yoga, our connection with each other and much more.. 

Watch the full video of this episode on our YouTube channel:  https://youtube.com/@adrianstarks

🛎⭐️Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to join our YPL community for tips, guest interviews, takeaways and more. We can’t wait to help you shape your purpose, your way! 👏⭐️⭐️

Show Notes and Key takeaways on this episode:

•  Addressing the identity crisis
• Troy's life growing up in Trinidad
• His history of challenging social norms 
• Redefining our relationship with God through Yoga.
• What is Yoga, really?
• Is there a difference between Hope and Faith?
• Understanding what it is to truly LOVE
• His book, My Name Is Love.
•  What it means to Troy to live a purposeful life

Resources/Books:

My Name Is Love: We're Not ALL That Different 
By: Troy Hadeed
https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Love-Were-Different/dp/B0CJDDKX7X/ref=sr_1_1?

Guest: Troy Hadeed

Website: https://troyhadeed.com/

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troyhadeed/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troyhadeedofficial/
 YouTube:

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Episode: 125

Today's guest on Your Purposeful Life with Adrian Starks is Gloria Battini.

Gloria Battini is an Emotional Wellness Coach who helps women heal from emotional abuse for good and go from breakup to breakthrough. 

 
Join us on this episode as I speak with guest Gloria Battini as we dive into the topic of toxic relationships and how it deeply affects us on many levels. 


Watch the full video of this episode on our YouTube channel:  https://youtube.com/@adrianstarks

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Show Notes and Key takeaways on this episode:
 

• Gloria's journey.
• The 2 reasons it's hard to leave a toxic manipulative relationship.
• Narcissistic abuse and its effects.
•  Narcissist's red flags.
• The DANGERS of LOVE Bombing.
• What to do once you realize you are with a narcissist.
• Tips on how to leave a toxic relationship. 
•  How to heal fully from the aftermath of emotional abuse and narcissistic abuse.
• What a purposeful life means to Gloria.

Resources/Books: 

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself By Melody Beattie
https://amzn.to/48EvRxF

Guest: Gloria Battini

Website: http://gloriabattini.com

Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloria-battini-1103372b/

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Episode: 124

Today's guest on Your Purposeful Life with Adrian Starks is Shanti Hershenson.

Shanti Hershenson is a teenage author of 22 books, spoken word artist and advocate for anti-bullying in schools.

 
Join us on this episode as I speak with guest and teenager Shanti Hershenson, who decided that enough was enough and wrote "You Won't Know Her Name", a novel-told-in-poetry about bullying in middle school. From writing over 22 books with 3 being published, Shanti is not only and advocate for anti-bullying but an inspiration to teenagers to get support and follow their passion for writing and expression. She also provides some cool tips on how to promote your books on tik tok.


Watch the full video of this episode on our YouTube channel available Saturday April May 13th:  https://youtube.com/@adrianstarks

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Show Notes and Key takeaways on this episode:
 

• The pressure of being bullied in school.
• WHAT happed when Shanti created the poem, Needles and Thorns.
• Advice for other teenagers who have been bullied.
• The School Systems and how they can improve and gain trust back from students who are being bullied.
• COVID and its inspiration for writing for Shanti.
•  How to balance school and writing. 
• Shant's strategy for writing over 22 books.
• What a purposeful life means to Shanti.

Resources

Book: You Won't  Know Her Name by Shanti Hershenson
https://www.amazon.com/You-Wont-Know-Her-Name-ebook/dp/B09B6HL4G1/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=yourpurpose05-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=7435571536df69497b1795c0d3f8ef1a&camp=1789&creative=9325

Guest: Shanti Hershenson

Website: https://www.shantihershenson.com/

Social Media

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shantiwhowrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantihershenson/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShantiHersh

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Episode: 123

Today's guest on Your Purposeful Life with Adrian Starks is Iris Grimm.

Iris Grimm is a leadership coach, creator of Dog Gone Leadership, and advocate for dogs in shelters. 

Join us on this episode as I speak with guest Iris Grimm as she shares her mission of reducing the number of dogs in animal shelters. With this purpose she gives surprising benefits to WHY dogs are not just good for our personal life but also for our career in leadership and team building.

Watch the full video of this episode on our YouTube channel available Saturday April 29th:  https://youtube.com/@adrianstarks

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Show Notes and Key takeaways on this episode:

• Leadership skills we could be learning from dogs.
• How dogs improve our wellbeing and stress levels.
• Shocking facts about the #of dogs in shelters and those that are being euthanized.
• The reason for Dog Gone Leadership
•  How the dog-gone leadership approach is applied in companies. 
• Action step to help with Iris's mission and purpose
• The Purposeful Life and what it means for Iris 

Resources

Guest: Iris Grimm

Tedx Talk: How dogs make us better leaders
https://streaklinks.com/Bexy_OC2dgMiv7ArgAjAgAhl/https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F5FTh_d9z5jM


Website: https://irisgrimm.com/

Social Media

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaiAuilXt2Nsi0b-sow7PMA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iris_grimm_doggone_leadership/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrisGrimmDogGoneLeadership/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisgrimm/

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