Choice Before Chance : A Broaden Mindz Podcast

Most people think communication is about what they say. Brett Lavender argues it is really about the energy, timing, tone, and body language that shape how people trust you before you ever finish a sentence. In this conversation, Brett—founder of The Persuasive Lion and author of The Lion’s Code—shares how a traumatic childhood led him to study the unspoken side of communication. From reading faci...

In this conversation, Arnold Beekes reveals why your brain, emotions, and habits are trainable, and how to stop living on autopilot long enough to build a clearer, steadier, more intentional life. If you have ever felt stuck, burned out, or trapped in the same patterns, this conversation gets to the root of it: change is uncomfortable, but it is also learnable. Arnold, who has spent 20 years in te...

Growing older can feel like a loss of control, until you realize it can be the most liberating choice you ever make. In this honest conversation, Jo Blackwell explores how midlife, menopause, and ageism can affect confidence, identity, and health, and why the answer isn’t resignation, but radical self trust. After facing anxiety, depression, arthritis, and the assumption that her best years were b...

Authenticity is not a personality trait—it is a practice, and it changes everything when you stop outsourcing your life to chance. Lynda Leonce , authenticity coach, author, and mentor, for a conversation that challenges the idea that there is only one path forward. Lynda shares the turning point that pushed her from a stable IT career into a more aligned life, including the relationship moment th...

Where you start does not get the final say. In this powerful episode with Dr. Donald Williams, we explore how faith, intentional choices, and perseverance can transform not only one life, but an entire family line. Growing up in a cotton mill family in South Carolina, Donald was told repeatedly that college was not for him. But instead of allowing those expectations to define his future, he chose...

Let's face it — lasting change isn't simply about having more discipline. In this fascinating episode with physician and author Anne Alex, we explore why so many people remain stuck in the same patterns — and why real transformation begins with understanding your brain, taking ownership of your choices, and learning to choose yourself. After surviving a tumor diagnosis and three spine surg...

Let's face it: the way we understand love, intimacy, fertility, and even our own bodies has been shaped by ideas we've inherited for generations. In this thought-provoking episode with Dr. Stuart Sovatsky, we explore what happens when we begin looking at sexuality, relationships, and human connection through a psychological and spiritual lens. Dr. Stuart Sovatsky has spent more than 50 years bridg...

What if the difference between a stressful life and a peaceful one came down to a single shift in awareness? Today's guest is Steve Barton. He's an executive coach, author, and creator of The Game of Ten: a framework for leaders and everyday people who want to shift from fear, guilt, and shame, into clarity, confidence, and choice. Steve brings over 47 years of real-world business experien...

Let's face it: many of the choices we make every day may not actually feel like choices at all. In this powerful episode with Amy Lenius, we explore what happens when we begin questioning the beliefs, identities, and habits that quietly shape the way we live. Amy Lenius, director of group coaching at Next Level University, professional speaker, and personal development and success coach, share...

The school system was never built for a brain like today’s guest. Meet Russell Van Brocklin, "The Dyslexia Professor," who introduces us to the one teaching method that flips dyslexia from a deficit into an advantage, and why traditional reading instruction quietly fails the kids who need it most. Russell was flunked out of his own political science program before he taught himself to re...

Discover what happens when you stop asking "why is this happening to me" and start asking "how is this actually for me." Dr. Michele Kehrer, a business growth coach, entrepreneur, and four-time cancer survivor, shares the mindset shift that carried her through cancer, divorce, and deep personal loss — and how she now helps others make the same shift to grow through life's h...

Let's face it - you may have a responsibility in choosing how you raise your kids. In this fascinating episode with Dr. David Marcus, we discover the one skill most parents assume their children already have — and why that assumption is quietly breaking down communication at home. Dr. David Marcus, a clinical psychologist with 40 years of experience working with families under stress, shares w...

Discover how one act of radical generosity can become the launchpad for a life without limits. Dr. Matt Harmody, a retired ER physician, living kidney donor, and record-setting mountaineer, shares how a single choice — donating his kidney to a complete stranger — set off a chain of decisions that led him to summit the highest peak in all 50 US states and set a Guinness World Record. After watching...

Unlock the secret to transforming life's greatest challenges into powerful sources of impact. Jenna Udenberg, a disability advocate, author, and leader, shares how choosing courage, self-reflection, and curiosity can drastically reshape your path—and the world around you.  Diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age seven, Jenna's journey from adversity to advocacy is a compelling testament t...

Unlock the secret to transforming your life through the power of choice—with insights from a former professional cellist turned leadership coach. When everything you've built feels like it's just one choice away from shifting, the question is: how do you summon the courage to leap? Kate Kayan, author and speaker, reveals how a pandemic-induced sabbatical made her reassess her identity and...

Most women feel stuck in late life's transitions. But Tracy Smith's daring decision to book a one-way ticket to Iceland —a first step towards rediscovering herself—transforms her story from ordinary to extraordinary. Her journey from decades of people-pleasing and feeling out of place to living intentionally offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone ready to rewrite their own story. In t...

In this episode of  Choice Before Chance , I sit down with retirement life coach Wendy Leggett to explore what happens when success no longer feels aligned with who you are. After spending 25 years in corporate sales, Wendy found herself at a crossroads. What looked successful on the outside no longer reflected her values on the inside. Rather than settling for a life on autopilot, she made the co...

Most people are unknowingly trapped in auto-pilot, guided by deep-seated programming from in utero to society’s conditioning. But what if you could break free from this mental prison and start making choices that truly serve your highest self? Renowned resilience expert Michael Ostrolenk reveals the hidden mechanisms behind our automatic behaviors—and shows you how to consciously choose a differen...

Most women unknowingly stay caught in a cycle of binge eating — until Nan Saysana reveals her simple yet powerful mindset shift that finally set her free. She thought it was all about willpower, but the real breakthrough came when she discovered the secret to transforming her relationship with food: understanding stress and emotions beneath the behaviors. In this eye-opening episode of  Choice Bef...

Most of us spend our lives trying to control the uncontrollable—and miss out on the power of simply  being present. Shannon Michelle's story is a masterclass in resilience, showing how choosing to stay present can turn trauma into triumph. After a life-altering motorcycle accident and a breast cancer diagnosis, she discovered that true strength isn’t about control—it's about acceptance, ki...

Most of us are living on autopilot, driven by fear and external success — until a life-altering moment forces us to rethink everything. Chris Woods, a four-time global executive and certified coach, shares how a near-death experience transformed his approach to life and success. His story of rising from a tough Boston upbringing to leading at Google, then flatlining at 40, unveils the power of con...

Unlock the true power of your choices and discover how they shape your life, career, and happiness. Regina Huber, CEO of Transform Your Performance, shares her inspiring journey from Germany to five continents—and the bold decisions that transformed her into a fearless leader. Learn why choosing consciously is the key to unlocking freedom, building confidence, and living fully on your terms. Most...

Most people see divorce as a battle they’re forced to fight. Brenda Bridges reveals how shifting your mindset around choice can turn that battle into a bridge—one that leads to a better, more intentional life after separation. In this eye-opening episode, Brenda shares her personal journey through a difficult divorce that left her feeling unsupported and overwhelmed. She realized that the key to n...

Most people underestimate the power of a single choice—and how it can be the turning point between a life of survival and true fulfillment. Jody Brooks, a coach and sustainability expert who’s rebounded from his own mental health crisis, drops transformative insights on the real courage it takes to change your life—starting with the decision to prioritize yourself. In this raw and honest conversat...

Unlock the secret to transforming your life and leadership—one choice at a time. Walter Dusseldorp, founder of The Dutch Mentor, reveals how conscious decision-making and a growth mindset can propel you past the familiar and into extraordinary success. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the “valley of despair” or wondered why your good intentions don’t lead to lasting change, this episode is your bluepr...