Strategies for Living

What if your life didn’t begin at birth—and doesn’t end at death? In this thought-provoking episode of Strategies for Living , David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian are joined by special guests Gary Tiemann and Janna Weiss to explore the fascinating intersection of reincarnation, science, spirituality, and psychology. From Tibetan Buddhism to modern scientific research, this conversation dives...

What makes a relationship truly thrive? In this episode of Strategies for Living , David and Lauren explore 40 powerful relationship “rules”—or better yet, daily habits—that strengthen communication, deepen intimacy, and build lasting emotional safety. From learning how to communicate with empathy and create daily check-ins , to understanding why safety is the foundation of love , this conversatio...

What makes a relationship truly work—and why do so many struggle despite love being present? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian explore the most common relationship challenges, from communication breakdowns and trust issues to unmet expectations and emotional disconnection. Drawing from decades of therapeutic experience, they unpack how relatio...

What if the challenges in your relationship aren’t signs something is wrong—but signs that something deeper is trying to grow? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian explore the 4 stages of a relationship —from the euphoric highs of infatuation to the deeper, more intentional work of secure love. You’ll learn how brain chemistry (dopamine, oxytocin...

What if improving your brain could transform every area of your life? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian sit down with cognitive specialist Donesa Walker and marketing director Caren Bennett from the world's best LearningRx to explore the powerful science of brain training. From neuroplasticity and neurogenesis to real-life stories of transform...

Are you really “fine”… or just functioning in fight-or-flight? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian, Lauren Leon McMillian, and Stacie Slabaugh from Balanced Life Wellness Center explore nervous system regulation in today’s high-stress world. From chronic dysregulation and collective anxiety to ego reactivity and autoimmune responses, we unpack how stress affects the body...

Is change something to fear — or something to embrace? In this fascinating episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian welcome award-winning author and life strategist Oren Harman to explore the profound science and metaphor of metamorphosis . Drawing from his new book Metamorphosis , Harman reveals how three-quarters of animal species undergo d...

Is astrology predictive—or purposeful? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian, Lauren Leon McMillian, and Gary Tiemann welcome renowned astrologer Patty Finlayson , the “astrologer to the astrologers,” to explore how birth charts reveal life purpose, past life themes, karma, and relationship dynamics. We dive into North and South Nodes, Saturn as the karmic teacher, synastr...

What happens when childhood is shaped by heroin addiction, the AIDS crisis, and radical compassion? On this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian welcome Jonathan Tepper, author of Shooting Up: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Addiction . Raised in Madrid’s San Blas neighborhood—once known as a notorious drug slum—Tepper grew up inside one of Spain’s first dru...

In this powerful episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian, Lauren Leon McMillian, and Gary Tiemann welcome acclaimed author, intuitive futurist, and trance channel Kevin Ryerson. With over 40 years in parapsychology and spiritual research—and appearances alongside Shirley MacLaine and on national television—Kevin shares how his work intersects with the late Dr. Walter Semkiw’s ground...

Tomorrow (2/17/2026) marks a rare convergence: Chinese New Year shifts from the reflective Wood Snake to the bold Fire Horse , Mardi Gras gives way to Lent, and a powerful New Moon and solar eclipse initiate a season of transformation. In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian explore what it means to prepare the soil of the soul before stepping into...

On this special Valentine’s edition of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian explore one timeless question: What is love, really? Is love a feeling? A choice? A biological drive? A spiritual force? From Plato’s “ladder of love” in The Symposium to Aristotle’s distinctions between philia, eros, and agape… from Jesus’ teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself” to th...

Are you holding onto grudges, outdated identities, broken relationships, or old mistakes long after they’ve stopped serving you? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore the art of letting go — why it’s so difficult, why it often feels like grief, and how releasing the past can unlock emotional freedom and personal growth. Fro...

What if technology could help us explore who we’ve been before—and why it still matters now? 🤔 In this fascinating episode of Strategies for Living , David and Lauren McMillian are joined by life strategist Gary Tiemann and special guest Chuck McMurray , a technology expert and new advisory board member with Reincarnation Research . Chuck shares his extraordinary personal journey into past-life r...

What can the golden era of Top 40 radio teach us about life, purpose, and reinvention? On this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian welcome legendary broadcaster and author Don Sainte-Johnn , known as San Francisco’s Last Top 40 Disc Jockey . With a career spanning major radio markets and decades behind the microphone at KFRC, Don shares unforgettable st...

What if a few simple reminders could change the way you move through life—especially when things feel uncertain or overwhelming? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore “sticky notes for the soul” —short, powerful truths we all need to remember before life gets any harder. Drawing inspiration from Marc and Angel and weaving i...

What’s a book that didn’t just entertain you—but changed you? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore books everyone should read at least once in their lifetime—and why some are worth returning to again and again. From Man’s Search for Meaning and The Road Less Traveled to The Alchemist , The Four Agreements , Atomic Habits ,...

What really defines a cult—and why are so many of us drawn to them? In this eye-opening episode of Strategies for Living , we’re joined by cult survivor, U.S. Army veteran, and organizational psychologist Daniella Mestyanek Young , author of The Culting of America . Daniella challenges the myth that cults only exist on the fringe, revealing how high-control group dynamics show up in families, corp...

As 2026 begins, many are feeling fear, isolation, and uncertainty—driven by rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, and lingering effects of the pandemic. In this powerful episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian are joined by life strategist Dr. Stacie Slabaugh of the Balanced Life Wellness Center for an honest conversation about AI, mental hea...

What if the key to nervous system regulation isn’t something new—but something we’ve forgotten? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian explore the quiet wisdom our grandmothers and ancestors lived by instinctively. From natural rhythms, screen-free repetition, and mindful eating to rest without guilt and connection without performance, this convers...

What does real grit actually look like in everyday life? In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore the art of real grit —not as toughness or endurance, but as resilience rooted in self-understanding, self-acceptance, and trust. Drawing inspiration from recent psychology insights, the conversation reframes grit as a mindset anyo...

In this episode of Strategies for Living , Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian welcome Demitrius Brown, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at LSU Shreveport, to explore the inaugural MENtality Workshop: Mental Wealth . Together, they discuss why mental health, resilience, and emotional well-being are essential foundations for personal and community growth—especially for men. The conversa...

What does it truly mean to know yourself —and why is it so hard to do? In today’s episode of Strategies for Living , we’re joined by University of Chicago professor and life strategist J. Eric Oliver , author of How to Know Yourself: The Art and Science of Discovering Who You Really Are . Together, we explore the hidden illusions that keep us stuck, including the “Gold Star” myth of success, the s...

What can the teachings of Edgar Cayce , known as the Sleeping Prophet , offer us in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world? In this episode of Strategies for Living , David and Lauren McMillian are joined by psychotherapist Gary Tiemann and Edgar Cayce scholar Henry Bieryla for a deep and accessible conversation about Cayce’s timeless insights into holistic healing, consciousness, dreams, reincarnati...

In this episode of Strategies for Living , hosts David and Lauren Leon McMillan welcome bestselling author and nature writer David Gessner to discuss the 25th anniversary edition of his acclaimed book Return of the Osprey: A Season of Flight and Wonder . Through the remarkable recovery of the osprey—from near extinction due to DDT to its inspiring return—Gessner explores themes of patience, enviro...