Beyond Self-Made

For years, I thought healing meant learning to carry more. What if it actually means learning to carry less? In this deeply personal episode of Beyond Self-Made, I share my complete journey after finishing six medically supervised ketamine treatments. This isn't an endorsement or medical advice. It's simply an honest reflection on why I chose to explore this path, what I experienced during each se...

In this deeply personal episode of Beyond Self Made, I share my reflections after my second ketamine treatment session. Unlike my first experience, which was filled primarily with beauty, love, and peace, this session took an unexpected turn. At one point, I found myself chasing what felt like a manifestation of anger through a vibrant landscape of color and energy. The harder I chased it, the fur...

I expected darkness.  I found love.   What happens when you stop trying to control the experience and simply allow yourself to receive what comes? In this follow-up episode of Beyond Self Made , I sit down immediately after my first ketamine treatment to share what I experienced while it's still fresh. Going into the session, I expected to confront trauma, memories, fears, or difficult emotions. I...

For years I've worked through trauma, stress, leadership challenges, and the pressure that comes with life and career transitions. I've invested in therapy, personal growth, health, and self-improvement, but recently I found myself asking a simple question: What if there's another level of healing available? In this episode of Beyond Self Made , I sit down with my brother, Dave Greenwalt, just min...

In this episode of Beyond Self Made, Michael sits down with recent college graduate Lily Finegan for an honest conversation about growing up, identity, leadership, relationships, career pressure, and what it means to enter adulthood in the age of AI. Lily shares her journey from growing up in the Bay Area through family struggles, divorce, addiction, sports, and learning resilience at a young age...

In this deeply emotional and powerful episode of Beyond Self Made, Michael sits down with Mariah Garcia to discuss a childhood shaped by trauma, abuse, addiction, instability, and survival — and the intentional choices that helped her build a completely different life. Mariah opens up about witnessing the murder of her father as a child, enduring years of abuse, homelessness, addiction surrounding...

On this episode of the Beyond Self Made Podcast , Michael sits down with Jesse Prescott of the Robust Human Project for one of the most raw and honest conversations yet. What starts as an unstructured conversation between longtime friends quickly turns into a deep dive into transformation, identity, discipline, entrepreneurship, and why people need purposeful struggle in their lives. Jesse opens u...

What happens when you realize the life you worked so hard to build still doesn't make you happy? In this episode of the Beyond Self Made podcast, Agnel Etienne shares an incredibly honest story about growing up through financial struggle, battling anxiety and depression in silence, and ultimately rebuilding his life through small wins, discipline, and the willingness to try new things. From painfu...

In this episode of Beyond Self Made , Michael sits down with Rebecca Masters, CEO, entrepreneur, and one of the most quietly formidable leaders you will ever meet. Just ten days after welcoming a newborn, Rebecca shows up for a raw and wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond business. From losing her mother at a young age, to accelerating through life with relentless drive, to navigating di...

Feeling stuck in your career? Worried about AI replacing jobs? In this powerful episode, Michael Greenwalt reveals the leadership mindset, reinvention strategies, and daily habits that can transform your future. In this solo episode of the Beyond Self Made Podcast, Michael Greenwalt shares a masterclass on leadership, career growth, resilience, and adapting in the age of AI. Drawing from experienc...

What if the biggest risk with artificial intelligence isn't what it can do, but who (or what) is controlling it? In this episode of Beyond Self-Made , Michael Greenwalt sits down with experimental engineer and AI pioneer Tim Kuglin; someone who isn't just using AI, but actively building the systems that will govern it. From early satellite communications and video conferencing innovation to today'...

Most entrepreneurs chase ideas: they rarely get the courage to bet on themselves. Steve Wideman, CEO of Ionite, did just that by leaving behind a decades-long career in enterprise sales to transform an industry with speed, simplicity, and relentless empathy. His journey from hospitality in Houston to leading a tech startup is a masterclass in daring to rewrite your own story, and proving that no b...

Technical issues prevented me from providing the normal interview style podcast, but I promised you all an episode a week.  So here I am, in my pilot solo episode.  I've been getting asked a lot of questions about how I found the time to write a book, or start a podcast, or start an AI company, or volunteer with a public benefit AI company.  It's assumed that I'm caught in the toxic hustle culture...

Andrew Trujillo is the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of ionite, a technology company that is disrupting app integration at the Enterprise level, with a goal of expanding the technology to all users.  Andy is a former Director at American Express, and has been involved with many other highly visible entities.  We talk about old times, military service, and his path to becoming a cofounder.   https...

Michael Kennedy shares his compelling story:  from losing his mother as a young child, to struggling with the law and chaos, to finding new beginnings out west.  He has transformed his life into one of purpose; becoming a husband and father, competing in mixed martial arts, and winning awards as an actor.   #personalgrowth  #resilience #motivation #lifelessons #inspiration #martialarts #mma #mmafi...

Michael and Ruben talk about old times, the highs and lows of parenting, ambition, and the Garcia family legacy: Lafonda.  Decades of taking care of people and building community.  We can all learn from their example of genuinely taking care of people.

Lily Finegan is a senior at Northern Arizona University.  In this episode, we talk about her surprising trip to Africa, her ambitions to get a "big girl" job, and Michael's early journey in the military and fire service.

Morgan Baggs is a jack of all trades.  He is a former Marine, Professional Blackjack Player, and Software Engineer.  Now he is the owner of Insurgent Fitness, and lead Black Belt Professor in Jiu Jitsu.  We talk about his life journey, as well as the importance of authentic relationships and structured instruction for our youth.  We also discuss his tragic accident, which changed the trajectory of...

Kim Robinson has lived experience.  Growing up in a "shotgun house", to the military, to entrepreneurship and service to her community, Kim embodies what it means to live a purposeful life.  All without fanfare or self promotion.  Join us for a conversation rooted in humanity.   https://gallyvantmarket.com

Dr. Charn McAllister is a graduate of West Point, and an Army Officer who flew helicopter combat missions in Iraq.  Join us for a powerful example of ethical leadership, proving that doing the right thing isn't always the easiest.

Roy Duprez is the CEO of Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery.  His journey leads us from a reckless childhood filled with alcohol, crime, and occassional drug use.  Once he faced the truth regarding his behavior, he cleaned up his life, now helping others' in their recovery journey.

In our second episode of rising from the ashes, Michael sits down with Michelle Baggs from Frontline Fenix, for a grounded and honest conversation about resilience, and the unseen weight many people carry while still showing up for others. Michelle shares her personal journey, the moments that shaped her perspective, and what she has learned about navigating responsibility, identity, and growth wh...

Dave was born into poverty, spending his first year in a 40sq ft pop-up trailer. Throughout his life he encountered struggles with mental health/addiction, career changes, and relationships. That all changed once he lost everything.  His marriage was over, he resigned from his career in the fire service, and a wildfire consumed everything he owned. Rising like a Phoenix from the ashes, he rebuilt...