Journey into the Present

In this episode of Journey into the Present, host Bryan Burrs talks with Cory Stern, a longtime HR leader at Johnson & Johnson, about a pivotal career moment when he had to decide whether to stay or leave after two decades. Cory shares how he slowed down, separated fear from values, sought counsel from his wife, and intentionally chose to stay, a decision that led to two of the most rewarding...

Bryan Burrs reflects on four years of sustained stress — legal battles, uncertainty about his children, career shifts, and personal loss — and how choosing presence transformed his experience. He shares the difference between fear-driven 'what if' thinking and faith-filled 'even if' acceptance, explaining how deciding to trust who he would be in the future allowed him to live fully in the present...

Host Bryan Burrs sits down with his mother to discuss three pivotal moments — leaving an abusive relationship, returning to school to pursue a doctorate, and becoming a board-certified energy healing practitioner — and how choosing faith over fear helped her stay present through each challenge. The conversation explores how those decisions built confidence, shaped family life, and offer practical...

Ola Snow spent 24 years at Cardinal Health, ultimately serving as Chief Human Resources Officer for one of the largest and most complex organizations in healthcare. She was the person shaping culture for 50,000 employees — the one people looked to when things got hard. During the pandemic, she was communicating regularly with her audience. Steady. Present. Holding the line. And then she told them...

Welcome to Journey into the Present with Bryan Burrs and guest Leslie Storms, president of Ethos Veterinary Health. In this episode Leslie recounts a raw, recent leadership moment: she had to withhold news of her departure during a major company spin-off and lead her team through uncertainty. The conversation explores the emotional toll of staying present under pressure, the priority of serving a...

Host Bryan Burrs reflects on a turning point in early 2023 when he traded lifelong performance and anxiety for presence, asking himself what he truly wants and how to show up honestly for himself and others. He shares how that shift changed his relationships, work, and sense of purpose, and invites listeners to consider whether they've quietly abandoned themselves or can answer the call to be pres...

Host Bryan Burrs interviews Kate Masschelein, a former Johnson & Johnson executive and leadership coach, about a high‑stakes product recall that occurred shortly after a major launch. Kate shares the physical anxiety she experienced, how meditation and self‑management helped her stay present, and why choosing honesty and vulnerability when addressing 150 U.S. sales leaders rebuilt trust and in...

Host Bryan Burrs welcomes Lori Holt to kick off Season 3 of Journey into the Present to revisit a defining moment: losing her mother while her career and responsibilities were rapidly expanding. Lori shares how she stopped performing and chose to be genuinely present for her daughter, her team, and herself. The conversation explores presence as a practice and a form of strength—trusting your insti...

In this season two finale of Journey into the Present, the host ties together pressing cultural themes — politics, AI, mental health, community, and natural disasters — and explains how presence can help us respond instead of react. The episode explores how awareness can turn into service, local action, and clearer personal values amid noise and division. The host offers simple practices to try: a...

Host Bryan Burrs shares a personal story about juggling his phone while talking with his daughter to illustrate how our brains don’t truly multitask. He explains that rapid task-switching steals presence, depth, and joy from important moments and offers simple practices—pause and name your focus, question urges to split attention, and put the phone in another room—to rebuild awar...

This episode uses an "empty conference room" metaphor to show how we waste life by rehearsing future events that may never happen. It explains the difference between useful preparation and living inside a future that robs us of the present. The host invites listeners to notice when their minds drift forward, to smile at the habit, and gently return to the present—paying attention to breath,...

Bryan Burrs shares a short, quiet story about a post-workout moment when the light on his protein shake, the sound of birds, and the stillness of the kitchen made him notice the gift of simply being present. He reminds listeners that life is made of small, ordinary moments and invites you to pause and notice those fleeting, meaningful details that make life feel full.

In this episode Bryan Burrs explores the simple but powerful practice of pausing before reacting. He shows how one slow breath can shift perspective, quiet impulsive responses, and invite clearer choices in conversations, decisions, and emotions. Bryan offers three practical techniques—three slow breaths, stepping away to move your body, and writing then waiting—so you can create space...

In this episode of Journey into the Present, host Bryan Burrs delves into the concept of control and how it impacts our lives. Often, we find ourselves trying to control outcomes, emotions, and even other people's reactions, in an effort to manage our fears. But this gripping need for control distances us from the present moment and ultimately creates suffering. Bryan shares personal insights and...

Welcome to this episode of "Journey into the Present," where we delve into the depths of human existence and the art of living fully in the moment. In this episode, we explore what it really means to stay present, especially when the weight of life becomes overwhelming. Discover the distinctions between moments of effortless presence and times when it feels like a distant dream due to life's press...

Welcome back to Journey into the Present, where we delve into living fully anchored in the now with Bryan Burrs. In this episode, Bryan reflects on the personal journey of overcoming the misconceptions of presence. Through his experiences, he unravels how the culture of productivity and overachievement masks the true sources of non-presence. Despite simplifying his schedule, Bryan realized the roo...

In this episode of Journey into the Present, host Bryan Burrs provides listeners with a practical method to objectively measure and improve their journey into the present. Aligned with the season two theme of sustaining presence, Bryan shares a simple exercise that helps track your ability to stay present. By using a timer and counting your uninterrupted focus, you can chart your progress over tim...

Join Bryan Burrs as he explores practical ways to cultivate mindfulness in just 60 seconds. In this episode of Journey into the Present, discover four simple yet powerful techniques to maintain your presence throughout the day. From the sensory experience of washing your hands to the flavorful mindfulness of eating, these practices offer quick solutions to bring you back to the here and now. Wheth...

This season will be able sustaining presence and how the mind + body together = presence, but one without the other is not.

Brief reminders on how to stay present during the holiday season and the impact it can have on your life.

The last of a 6 part series, describes my journey 2 years in, what I do daily and what present thinking means to me.

Once you begin living more presently, the journey is not complete. Accepting the peace that comes with presence is a critical and life changing step!

Discusses my path and tips to stop reaction and start responding more often.

How do you balance staying present, with the need to plan for the future and learn from the past? I provide some tips and share a bit of my journey.