Un-Shuck Yourself

🧟 The Walking Dead: Are You Actually Living? For October, Un-Shuck Yourself is getting a little spooky—and this week, we're talking about zombies. Not the brain-eating kind. We're talking about the kind that wake up every morning, go to work, pay the bills, take care of everyone else, scroll through their phones, go to bed… and then do it all over again. You know… the “I'm technica...

It’s October, so Un-Shuck Yourself is getting a little spooky. But this time, we’re not talking about haunted houses, demons, or things that go bump in the night. We’re talking about the ghosts that are a lot harder to escape—the mistakes, regrets, relationships, failures, and old versions of ourselves that sometimes follow us long after we’ve moved on. In this episode, Ben DeLeon explores what ha...

What if nothing is wrong with you? In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself , Ben DeLeon takes a different look at personal growth and asks whether our constant desire to “fix” ourselves might sometimes be doing more harm than good. We’re surrounded by messages telling us we need to be more productive, more successful, more confident, more disciplined, and somehow more perfect. But there’s a differenc...

In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself , Ben DeLeon talks about the importance of learning to laugh at yourself, let go of perfection, and stop worrying so much about how other people see you. From embarrassing moments to trying things outside your comfort zone, Ben explores why being silly isn’t a sign of immaturity—it’s a sign that you’re comfortable enough to enjoy life. He also shares a personal...

Why Do We Go Back to the People Who Hurt Us? Why would someone return to a person who abused them? It’s a question I’ve asked myself—and one I’m still trying to understand. I’ve experienced emotional abuse myself. It wasn't physical, but I learned firsthand that abuse doesn't have to leave bruises to leave scars. Now, someone close to me has found herself reconnecting with someone who pr...

Episode 40:  10 Rules to Live By   What if the lessons that make the biggest difference in your life aren't complicated at all?  In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon shares 10 personal rules to live by—lessons shaped by experience, mistakes, growth, and probably a few hard-learned lessons along the way.  These aren't commandments, and they're not meant to be.  They'...

You can't control the story people tell about you.   In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we explore what happens when someone misunderstands your intentions, judges your choices, or decides who you are without knowing the whole story—and why trying to constantly correct other people's opinions can become exhausting.  We'll talk about the difference between taking accountability an...

How much of your stress comes from what actually happened... and how much comes from the story you told yourself about what happened? In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we take a look at one of the easiest traps to fall into: taking everything personally. Someone doesn't text back. Someone seems distant. Your boss chooses someone else. Someone disagrees with you. A comment hits the wrong n...

  Episode 37: Stop Being The Problem Solver Are you the person everyone comes to when something goes wrong? At first, being the problem solver feels good. People trust you. They appreciate you. You feel useful. But somewhere along the way, being helpful can turn into being everyone's personal help desk—and suddenly your own work is falling behind while everyone else waits for you to fix their...

What matters more: being right... or getting the result you're actually hoping for? In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we explore why winning an argument isn't always the same as making a difference. Whether it's with your spouse, your kids, your coworkers, or even strangers online, our need to prove we're right can sometimes get in the way of what really matters—building tr...

Have you ever been asked to step into a higher position, take on more responsibility, prove you can do the job... only to watch someone from the outside get hired—and then be asked to train them? If so, you're not alone. In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself , we tackle one of the most frustrating experiences in the workplace. We'll explore the difference between being needed and being va...

What does it really mean to be independent? In this special Independence Day episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we go beyond the fireworks, parades, and celebrations to explore the true meaning of freedom. Independence isn't just about the birth of a nation—it's about the choices we make every day to take responsibility for our lives, our actions, and our future. We'll discuss why real freedom requires...

Everybody says they want the truth—but what if the biggest obstacle isn't hearing the truth from others? What if it's being honest with ourselves? In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we explore why honesty is one of the most difficult—and most transformative—skills we can develop. We'll unpack the subtle ways we avoid uncomfortable truths, the stories we tell ourselves to stay comfortable, and w...

What happens when the noise stops? In this episode, we explore a powerful quote: "If you can't sit in a room alone for 20 minutes, you have a problem you haven't addressed yet. Stillness reveals what noise covers up. And most people are terrified of what's underneath." We live in a world designed to keep us distracted. From social media and streaming services to endless notifications and busy sche...

Turning 50 has a way of making you reflect on life differently. In Episode 31 of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon shares the lessons, realizations, and perspective that only time, experience, love, loss, mistakes, and growth can teach. From learning that time is more valuable than money, to understanding the importance of peace, health, relationships, and authenticity, this episode is an honest refle...

Mother’s Day can be a celebration for some… and a heavy reminder for others. In Episode 30 of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon reflects on experiencing his first Mother’s Day since the passing of his mother, and the realization that even after they’re gone, the lessons, love, and influence of mothers continue living through the people they raised. This episode is a sincere conversation about grief, g...

What you wear does more than shape first impressions — it shapes how you think, feel, and perform. In Episode 29 of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon explores the psychology behind confidence and appearance, including the concept of enclothed cognition — the idea that the clothes you wear can directly influence your mindset, focus, and sense of self. Research has shown that clothing carries symbolic m...

Music is more than background noise—it can shape your mood, sharpen your focus, and completely change how you show up. In Episode 28 of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon dives into the powerful connection between music, mindset, and performance. From the songs that fire you up before a challenge to the playlists that help you lock in and get work done, this episode explores how music can be used as an...

If your space is cluttered, your mind probably is too. In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon breaks down the powerful connection between your environment and your state of mind. This isn’t about being neat or organized for the sake of it—it’s about taking control of the space you operate in so you can think clearer, move better, and show up with intention. From the hidden mental weight...

Most people think confidence starts in the mind—but what if it starts with something even simpler? In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, Ben DeLeon breaks down the overlooked connection between fragrance and state of mind. This isn’t about impressing others or collecting compliments—it’s about how you show up for yourself. From the psychology of scent to the idea of building intentional habits tha...

Most people are waiting to be seen as a leader. But leadership doesn’t start with a title—it starts with how you communicate. In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we break down 5 practical ways to speak with clarity, confidence, and authority in any workplace setting. No fluff. No over-explaining. Just communication that gets you respected. You’ll learn how to: • Speak in solutions instead of pro...

Office politics are real. But so is professionalism. In this episode, we explore five practical ways to deal with the coworker who runs everything to management — without getting emotional, reactive, or pulled into drama. If you’ve ever felt undermined at work, this conversation will help you shift from frustration to strategy. Because the real power move isn’t retaliation. It’s discipline, docume...

After the loss of a parent, the world doesn’t stop — but part of you does. In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, we talk about what it really means to step back into life after one of the most profound losses a person can experience. Not the neat stages of grief. Not the inspirational clichés. The actual reality: the disorientation, the emotional ambushes, the identity shift, and the quiet guilt t...

On January 28th, my mother, Mary Alice DeLeon, passed away. Her memorial service was on the 13th of February. I just want to say that this episode isn’t about grief. Sure, there are moments that might make someone sad, at its core, this episode is about gratitude. It’s about the quiet strength of a woman who never asked for recognition—but shaped lives through consistency, resilience, and uncondit...

In the last episode, we talked about health — what happens when your body forces you to slow down and why ignoring the signals always comes at a cost. This episode is about what comes after that wake-up call. When you start to feel better, it’s tempting to rush back into the same pace, the same expectations, and the same habits that led to burnout or illness in the first place. But bouncing back i...