Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health

What do you do when nothing seems to mean anything? 💛 Mark Neyer spent years drowning in nihilism, addiction, and suicidal thoughts, including stays in mental hospitals. (Spoiler: willpower wasn’t what got him out.) In this episode of Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health , author Mark Neyer shares the honest version of his story: the attempts to quit that didn’t stick, the shame that followed, an...

You can look like you have it all figured out and still be losing contact with yourself. (Guilty.) 🎙️ This week I sat down with Mark Holden, CFP®, a Chicago-based wealth advisor who has spent his career seeing what really sits underneath money decisions: fear, identity, and the need to prove something. Mark's core insight: financial strength and emotional health are not substitutes for one another...

Chris Eaton is a military veteran who spent five years and saw 24 different VA therapists trying to deal with childhood and combat trauma. In 2023, psychedelic-assisted therapy (psilocybin) changed everything for him. He's now finishing a PhD in spirituality and consciousness, works as a death doula, and practices shamanic energy healing and breathwork. He's also finishing a book, "Don't Wait for...

Rita Garnto has been diagnosed with dysthymia — chronic low-grade depression. She's not waiting for it to go away. In this conversation, she shares what it actually feels like to live with ongoing depression while building a full life, and the uncomplicated self-care framework that's kept her going for over 15 years. Connect with Mike Orlowski • https://www.mojomotivates.com   • https://www.mojoww...

Alan Stein built Kadima Careers into a $5M business, helped thousands navigate their careers, and burned himself out in the process. In this conversation, he shares what happens when career success turns into burnout, depression, and addiction — and what recovery looks like when there's no clear roadmap forward. In this episode: ·       Alan's career across 21 companies and 30 jobs, from American...

Leslie Weirich lost her son Austin to suicide in 2016. Now she travels to military bases teaching young men how to stay alive. In this conversation, she shares Austin's story, the counterintuitive triggers driving military suicide, and the practical 3-8-3 Challenge that anyone can use to calm the nervous system before crisis hits. In this episode: ·       Austin's story and how loss became Leslie'...

Master the Pause: Breathwork, Coaching, and Reclaiming Personal Power Hans Weygoldt spent 15 years in corporate management before burnout and substance abuse forced a breaking point. What he discovered next changed everything: breathwork isn't just a relaxation technique—it's a tool that creates neurological space between stimulus and response. Paired with coaching, this "pause" becomes the gatewa...

Grief Beyond Death: Identity Loss, Caregiving, and the Power of Presence Mike Orlowski talks with Melissa Duair, a grief support specialist and caregiving advocate, about why grief is not limited to death. They explore how identity loss, role transitions, divorce, retirement, empty nesting, and caregiving can all trigger real grief. Melissa also explains why toxic positivity can block healing and...

James Logan is a stage four colorectal cancer survivor, Ironman athlete, author, and cancer advocate.  He speaks about what mental toughness really looks like when life gets stripped down to the essentials. The conversation centers on surviving a terminal diagnosis, steering suffering instead of surrendering to it, and finding purpose through faith, movement, and service. James shares how cancer b...

The parent crisis most people don’t talk about This conversation with licensed therapist and parenting coach Devora Segall looks at the work-home emotional disconnect that leaves many parents regulated all day at work and then depleted at home. Devora, who raised 10 children and wrote The Peaceful Parenting Solution , explains why burnout often shows up as yelling, guilt, and disconnection, and ho...

Connect with Mike Orlowski • https://www.mojomotivates.com    • https://www.mojoww.com • https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeorlowski/ • https://x.com/MichaelOrlowski • https://www.facebook.com/MOJOMotivates • https://www.tiktok.com/@mojoworldwide   Contact Nic Angai-Galindo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicthegbw/   We Choose To Be More Than Our Diagnoses Vol 2: https://a.co/d/03BcNcPG   We Choose To...

Choosing Liberation: A Journey of Mental Health and Freedom Discover how prioritizing mental health and freedom over financial security transformed Geoff Sargeant’s life. In this episode, Geoff shares his powerful story of breaking free from controlling relationships, walking away from traditional success, and embracing a life aligned with his true purpose.   Connect with Mike Orlowski   • https:/...

Transforming Mental Health Support with the So Free App     Connect with Mike Orlowski   • https://www.mojomotivates.com • https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeorlowski/ • https://www.facebook.com/MOJOMotivates • https://www.tiktok.com/@mojoworldwide • https://x.com/MichaelOrlowski   Connect with Many Morris:   ·  https://www.getsofree.com ·  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandymorris/   Discover how Mand...

Discover the often-overlooked challenge of career invisibility faced by high achievers and learn actionable strategies for reclaiming your authentic self without sacrificing success. Candice Mitchell shares her insights on the five pillars of agency to help you break free from mental and emotional shackles.   Connect with Mike Orlowski • Website • LinkedIn • Facebook • Instagram • TikTok • X   Con...

Kindness as a Mental Health Tool: The Power of "I Believe in You" In this episode, we explore how a simple movement with bracelets has spread worldwide to combat loneliness, foster kindness, and support mental health. Braxton Kilgo shares his inspiring journey from football injury to creating a global kindness movement that’s touching lives across fifty states and over twenty-five countries. Conne...

What if you could calm your mind in under two minutes—without thinking your way there at all? In this episode, Mike Orlowski sits down with breathwork coach Dave Gieselman, who went from addiction to recovery by learning to regulate his nervous system through breath. They unpack how controlling your heart rate calms your brain state, the surprising role of the vagus nerve (and why humming helps),...

What does it take to rebuild a life after losing everything? In this episode, Chason Forehand shares how he survived years of abuse, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration — and how one life-changing gift, culinary training, set him on a path to founding the Transformation Kitchen. It's an honest conversation about addiction recovery, life after incarceration, paying it forward, and breaking t...

In this heartfelt episode, Bernie DeSantis III shares his personal story of losing his best friend to suicide and how that tragic loss moved him to teach others the warning signs, how to ask the hard question, and how to help someone who's suicidal. Bernie turned grief into action — building virtual events, community, and education around suicide prevention — and offers real guidance for anyone su...

Why the most mental-health-aware generation in history is also the most anxious? In this episode Mike Orlowski & Dr. Andrea Mata explore how gentle parenting and overprotection can backfire, how social media fuels comparison, and why strong relationships may be the single biggest predictor of a long, healthy life. Real, actionable insights for parents, employers, and young adults navigating to...

In this episode, Mike Orlowski hosts Jackie Lauricella Perry to explore the realities of living with anxiety from childhood, supporting loved ones through health crises, and cultivating radical acceptance. Their candid discussion offers practical insights for navigating invisible illnesses, fostering safe relationships, and transforming mental health challenges into opportunities for growth. Conne...

Inside the Mind of an Athlete: Mental Health, Performance, and Breaking the Stigma In this episode of Mojo Motivation and Mental Health, host we discuss the often unseen mental health pressures faced by athletes, from high school to professional levels, and how the sports culture can both contribute to and help heal these struggles. Expert guest Dr. Sam Maniar shares insights on coaching impacts,...

In this episode, Jeff Johnson shares his transformative journey from devastating personal loss to creating Brightn, an AI-driven mental health app. After losing his son to Fentanyl, wife to Alcoholism and mother, Jeff turned his grief into a mission to prevent similar tragedies.   Connect with Jeff Johnston: ·       BrightnApp — AI-powered mental health app focusing on resilience ·       Jeff's bo...

Finding Hope and Connection: Jim Rinere’s Journey from Darkness to Light In this episode, Jim Rinere shares his powerful story of surviving trauma, depression, and a near-fatal suicide attempt. His journey highlights the importance of connection, vulnerability, and redefining masculinity to foster mental health and healing.   Resources & Links Connect with Jim Rinere: ·       Jim Rinere on Tik...

Surviving The Curve: Where Jason Planned To Die Main Topics: ·       The 'curve' and moments of suicidal thoughts ·       Recognizing and fighting the voices of self-doubt ("what ifs") ·       Finding your fire: passion, purpose, and community ·       The power of therapy, medication, and mental health awareness ·       Using the Enneagram for self-awareness and stress management ·       Practical...

This episode dives into the alarming suicide rates within the construction industry and explores effective prevention strategies. Sonya Bohmann, executive director of CIASP, shares insights on risks, ongoing efforts, and how industry stakeholders can foster a safer, stigma-free environment. Resources & Links: ·       Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) ·       Connect...