Embrace Your Awesome

What if the biggest obstacle to your success isn't the world around you—but the person you've accepted yourself to be? In this inspiring episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Air Force veteran, international military advisor, musician, author, and visionary Peter Gunn for a conversation that challenges you to think differently about purpose, resilience, and pers...

Beyond the Report Card: 7 Ways to Help Your Child Thrive Academically and Socially This School Year Success in school is about so much more than grades. In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome , John Geyston shares seven practical, research-backed strategies that help children build confidence, resilience, character, and meaningful relationships while achieving academic success. Drawing from more...

In a world that celebrates hustle, busyness, and constant achievement, many leaders are paying a hidden price—burnout, broken relationships, and a loss of purpose. In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Hanna D. Bauer, Founder and CEO of HEARTnomics™, to explore a different path to success. Hanna shares how leading with heart isn't soft—it's one of the mo...

Authentic Leadership: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Leading from Within with Kurt Bush What if the biggest obstacle to your leadership isn't your skills—but the story you believe about yourself? In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, John Geyston sits down with leadership coach, Certified Internal Family Systems Practitioner, and co-author Kurt Bush to explore the hidden struggles that...

What if the greatest gift you could give your child isn't more advice—but a safe place to be heard? In this solo mentoring episode of Embrace Your Awesome, performance coach and author John Geyston shares practical ways parents can create a home where children feel emotionally safe to share their fears, dreams, mistakes, and victories without fear of judgment. Drawing from more than 44 years o...

What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and the life you want is the one you've created in your own mind? In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, pilot, keynote speaker, coach, and Grow Smart author Mike DeJong to explore what it truly takes to build a life of purpose, freedom, and impact. Mike shares lessons from leading businesses across m...

There Are No Haters... Only Feedback | How Great Leaders Turn Criticism into Growth Are "haters" really out to get you... or are they simply providing feedback you haven't learned how to interpret? In this thought-provoking episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston challenges one of the most common mindsets in leadership, business, parenting, and personal growth. Ins...

What happens when a Baptist pastor trades the pulpit for an FBI badge? In this unforgettable episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston sits down with Eric Robinson—a man who spent 12 years saving souls before serving 24 years as an FBI Special Agent. From FBI SWAT operations and violent crime investigations to faith, leadership, resilience, and confronting evil, Eric shares the po...

Every great relationship begins with a meaningful conversation. In this solo episode of Embrace Your Awesome , John Geyston shares why the questions we ask our children can have a lasting impact on their confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being. Drawing on more than 44 years of experience as a performance coach working with thousands of children and families, John rev...

What does it take to turn childhood adversity into a life of purpose, leadership, and impact? In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Salih Jahić, whose journey began in war-torn Bosnia before immigrating to the United States in search of a better future. Growing up through the Bosnian War taught Salih lessons about resilience, perseverance, and gratitude long bef...

Many leaders spend years chasing success—building businesses, advancing careers, and achieving goals—only to discover they're exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from who they truly are. In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with Iraq War veteran, entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and leadership coach Stacy Raske to discuss wha...

Most business owners think they have a marketing problem. They don't. They have a leadership problem. In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome , John Geyston reveals why growth doesn't expose your strengths—it exposes your weaknesses. Discover the hidden bottlenecks that keep entrepreneurs trapped in the daily grind, why more customers won't solve broken systems, and how to build a busi...

What if the person you love is silently battling depression... and you don't know how to help? In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston sits down with author Pamela J. Wells, who courageously shares her journey through years of severe clinical depression, multiple hospitalizations, and surviving a suicide attempt. Rather than allowing her pai...

The Hidden Cost of Hate: Why Letting Go Sets You Free Every one of us has been hurt. We've been betrayed, rejected, lied to, misunderstood, or disappointed by someone we trusted. But while pain is unavoidable, allowing that pain to become resentment or hate is a choice that ultimately costs us far more than the person who hurt us. In this powerful solo episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podca...

Today’s guest is someone whose journey is both powerful and deeply relatable. Hugo Maynard is a father, traveler, entrepreneur, storyteller, former Olympian, educator, and speaker whose life experiences have taken him across industries, continents, and personal transformations. From growing up in poverty… to building businesses… to discovering that life’s greatest wealth isn’t material… Hugo now h...

Do you ever find yourself feeling tired, discouraged, or emotionally drained—even when you've had enough rest? Sometimes the exhaustion we experience isn't physical at all. It's the result of carrying disappointment, focusing on what we lack, or losing sight of the blessings already present in our lives. When gratitude fades, optimism often follows. In this encouraging episode of the E...

What happens when a martial arts school owner stops thinking like an instructor… and starts thinking like an operator? Today’s guest went from running a martial arts academy in Tampa… to becoming one of the most recognized marketing and business consultants in the martial arts industry. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Educator. Entrepreneur. Founder of an 7-figure marketing company. She’s helped m...

Summer should be a time for kids to rest, recharge, and make memories—but it shouldn't become three months of drifting without purpose. In this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston explores the important balance between relaxation and growth during summer break. While children absolutely need time away from the pressures of school, they also need structure, positive habits...

What happens when the life you've built no longer feels aligned with who you're becoming? In this inspiring episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, athlete, and Woman in Bloom founder Mandy DeCino for a powerful conversation about transformation, self-discovery, and learning to embrace the next chapter of your life. Mandy shares her pers...

When your child says: “I’m stupid.” “I can’t do anything right.” “I’m the worst.” Most parents immediately rush to fix it.   But what if reassurance alone isn’t enough? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston breaks down why children often reject encouragement when emotions are running high — and what parents should do instead. You’ll learn a simple but life-chan...

What happens when a man who helped protect over ONE MILLION children steps into the spotlight with a guitar and a dream? In this powerful episode, Mark “Big Guy” Bott shares his incredible journey from nationally recognized child safety advocate working alongside John Walsh… to launching a rising country-rock music career with Big Guy and the Mob. This conversation is about purpose, resilience, re...

What if one of the greatest gifts we could give our children… was the ability to understand what’s happening inside of them before reacting to the world around them? In this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston breaks down mindfulness for kids in a simple, practical, and empowering way for parents, coaches, and educators. This isn’t about perfection or sitting silently for ho...

What separates people who stay stuck… from those who build something extraordinary? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, operator, and leadership strategist Aaron Hensley for a deep conversation on discipline, systems, leadership, and what it truly takes to scale impact. Aaron’s journey is anything but ordinary. He began mart...

What happens when everything you built… your business, your reputation, your leadership, and even your family… comes under attack? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the  Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston sits down with Adam Kifer to discuss overcoming one of the darkest and most painful seasons of his life. After building a highly successful martial arts empire that transfo...

On this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in personal growth: self-care. But this isn’t about temporary comfort, escape, or doing what feels good in the moment. This conversation explores what real self-care actually looks like — the daily habits, disciplines, and decisions that strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, protec...