Beyond The Mud

On this episode of Beyond The Mud, Mud (Mike) gets brutally honest about what it’s like to look “put together” on the outside while feeling like a complete imposter on the inside. Four days into a new antidepressant, juggling ADHD meds, sobriety, single fatherhood, and a nonstop grind, he talks about the days when the tools stop feeling like they work the writing, the therapy, the medication, the...

In today’s raw and unfiltered journal entry, I reflect on the past few weeks of mental burnout, parenting struggles, identity shifts, sobriety challenges, and awkward public moments (including that time I accidentally sent 30 personal photos to the wrong person yeah, that happened). From waking up at 5AM to keep my mind in check, to feeling like a stranger in social settings, I open up about what...

In this raw and unforgettable episode of the Boardwalk Academy Series, we dive into Michelle’s powerful journey from surviving trauma to becoming a beacon of leadership and healing. Once trapped in a cycle of pain, silence, and self-doubt, Michelle found the strength to face her past, embrace her worth, and rise into her purpose not just for herself, but for others walking a similar path. Through...

Ever felt like you’re carrying on a sitcom inside your own head—your brain playing the uptight accountant while your heart barges in like a DJ cranking the volume? This is an episode you need to hear. First, you’ll jump into my car on a Sunday afternoon and eavesdrop on a raw, unfiltered journal entry. I’m talking about everything from teenage road trips and Crumbl cookie runs to basketball meltdo...

🎙️ Beyond The Mud: Season 2 – The After Growth It’s been almost a year since I dropped my first episode. A year of raw confessions, ugly truths, goosebump moments, and one huge milestone: I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol since the day this podcast was born. 💥 This episode is different. I went back and re-listened to Season 1 for the first time—and hearing my own story gave me chills. The tears...

Ever notice how we’re all great at asking dumb questions like “Why does my phone battery die so fast?” but never stop to ask the questions that actually matter? That ends today. In this episode of Beyond The Mud, I’m flipping the script and handing YOU 5 brutally honest questions that could actually change your life (or at least make you stop scrolling for 20 minutes). We’ll dive into the stuff no...

In Journal Entry 38 of Beyond The Mud, things get real. This is the episode for anyone who's ever been loved for their authenticity and hated for the same reason. I open up about the emotional cost of this podcast — the anonymous death threats, the desperate messages from listeners on the edge, and the burden of being told, “You saved my life.” But we don’t end there. Thanks to the incredible supp...

No matter where you are in your day work, home, or somewhere in between this guided meditation is your invitation to pause. In this special episode of Beyond The Mud, I’m stepping into something new with you: a 15-minute guided meditation to help you breathe deeper, feel lighter, and remember that you’re enough. Whether you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or just need a reset, you’ll be guided through s...

🎙 Stop overthinking it. Start doing it. Welcome to Beyond The Mud, where dreams don’t sit on vision boards collecting dust — we drag them out, give them a reality check, and kick them into motion. In this laugh-out-loud but painfully real episode, I’m giving you 5 things you can do TODAY to start chasing your dreams (or get unstuck if you’ve been in dream limbo for way too long). No fluff. No “jus...

They know my name… but they don’t know me." In this raw and unfiltered episode of Beyond The Mud, I strip away the masks and talk about the real me. The me that wrestles with doubt, perfectionism, and the constant pressure to be “on.” The me that hides behind too many faces—until now. This isn’t a motivational cliché. This is truth. I’m talking directly to you—the one who’s been feeling misunderst...

You’ve made it out of the chaos. You’ve fought your demons. You’ve stopped drinking. You’re healing. But now what? In Journal Entry 36, I get brutally honest about the most misunderstood stage of growth: the quiet middle. That strange space where you're no longer drowning in trauma, but you're not thriving yet either. You’re just… in the in-between. And it feels weird. Lonely. Like maybe something...

Welcome back to Beyond The Mud, where we keep it raw, real, and ridiculously honest. In this powerful episode, we go straight into the heart of what it means to hit rock bottom, screw up royally, and still claw your way back into the light. Whether you’ve made mistakes you can’t stop replaying, hurt people you wish you hadn’t, or feel like your past is dragging your future down — this one’s for yo...

In Journal Entry #36, I open up about the side of growth nobody talks about — the loneliness, the mental battles, and the silent struggles of becoming a better person. Being a single father, breaking generational cycles, and rebuilding life after addiction isn’t just motivational quotes — it’s nights staring at the ceiling, wondering if you’ll ever feel whole again. If you’ve ever felt stuck betwe...

Welcome to Beyond The Mud where we don’t tiptoe around haters… we call them out, break them down, and leave them speechless with success. In this episode, we dive headfirst into why haters exist, how to deal with jealousy from friends, family, and online trolls, and most importantly — how to keep winning while they keep watching. Whether you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or just someone chas...

In this brutally honest episode of Beyond the Mud, I open up about something real—what it feels like to look at your life and see the echoes of your parents’ past… but decide to do it different. I’m a single dad, just like my father was. He drove a cab. I drive Uber. He survived. I’m trying to live. This episode dives into how I’m raising my kids with structure, emotional awareness, and love break...

In this raw, funny, and wildly relatable episode of Beyond The Mud, we dive into the art of communicating with difficult people — and not just strangers, but your kids, your ex, your boss, and that one person who always sends 10-paragraph texts. If you've ever found yourself shutting down, blowing up, or bottling it in, this episode is for you. Mike gets honest about his own past struggles with em...

In this raw, unfiltered episode of Beyond the Mud, I dive into the real impact of holidays like the Fourth of July on adults—especially those of us dealing with loneliness, grief, addiction recovery, financial stress, or just the everyday burnout of being a parent. From Walmart firework bundles to the unexpected sadness that creeps in on “happy” days, this journal entry is a mix of Bill Burr-style...

I talk about the death of my favorite open mic (RIP Monday Night Comedy), how I’m dealing with performance anxiety, parenting two hilarious teenagers, and what it’s like trying to grow while you’re broke, busy, and tired as hell. You’ll hear me roast myself, my kids, and life in general—because healing doesn’t always look pretty, but it damn sure can be funny. I also dive into some real-deal truth...

Let’s get real comparison is the silent killer of dreams. In this raw, hilarious, and soul punching episode of Beyond The Mud, Mike Siam unpacks the emotional landmines of comparing your life to others. Whether you're side eyeing strangers on Instagram or secretly resenting your friend’s glow-up, this one’s for you. Mike opens up about his own struggle with jealousy—watching others succeed while h...

Ever feel like you’re just a big kid in an adult body trying not to scream at your microwave when it beeps too loud? Yeah… same. In this powerful, hilarious, and eye-opening episode of Beyond the Mud, Mike breaks down emotional intelligence in a way that finally makes sense. We’re talking about the real difference between emotional maturity and just reacting like a 5-year-old with a mortgage. From...

In this bonus episode, I open up Journal Entry #33 and take you inside one of the most chaotic, powerful, and transformational weeks I’ve had in a long time. From dealing with panic and old habits creeping back in, to standing up for my daughter in a way I never thought I could—I’m laying it all out. I talk about what it’s like to go from emotional shutdowns and substance abuse to making decisions...

They don’t scream. They don’t hit. Hell, sometimes they even smile while they’re tearing you apart. This episode of Beyond The Mud dives headfirst into the world of covert narcissists—the wolves in sheep’s clothing who gaslight you so well, you start apologizing just for existing. Whether it’s a partner, a parent, or that “nice” family member who always plays the victim—this episode unpacks how em...

Sometimes healing isn’t pretty. Sometimes it means drawing a line in the sand—even if it’s the people who share your blood standing on the other side. In this raw, unfiltered episode of Beyond The Mud, I’m laying it all out. I talk about how toxic family cycles nearly swallowed my kids and me whole… until I decided enough was enough. We’re not sugarcoating shit today. This is for every parent who’...

A year ago, I was journaling just to get financial aid. Today, I wake up at 5AM, meditate, hit the gym with my son, and write like my life depends on it — because it kinda does. In this episode, I walk you through how I went from emotionally unavailable and overwhelmed to present, sober, disciplined… and still human enough to occasionally lose it over a messy laundry room. If you've ever felt stuc...

Ever feel like everyone else is sprinting through life while you’re over here tripping over your own shoelaces? Yeah… me too. In this episode of Beyond The Mud, we’re tackling one of the biggest peace-stealers of our generation: comparing yourself to everyone and caring way too much about what people think. From social media highlight reels to family pressure, from career envy to relationship FOMO...