The Andrew Taylor Show: Thriving and Surviving

Nearly 80% of men over 35 don't have a single close male friend, and the isolation that follows is costing them more than they know. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Thomas McMinn, the founder of Dadhood, a movement built to provide fathers with that missing ingredient: a genuine brotherhood, and explore why male friendships fade, why fear of rejection keeps men from reaching out, and h...

Description: On this episode of The Andrew Taylor Show, parent coach Beth Hillman shares the raw, personal story of parenting a child through a crisis that led to painful choices. She opens up about moments she felt like a failure, what she learned from navigating shame and uncertainty, and practical, compassionate strategies parents can use when their kids make hard decisions. Honest, hopeful, an...

In this episode, Andrew talks with Ronnie Gou of Long Angle, a private community of 7,500 high-net-worth individuals, to explore the hidden side of financial success. From early retirement and identity loss to parenting with wealth and the loneliness that can come with it, this episode dives into the emotional and psychological realities that are rarely discussed. If you’ve ever dreamed of retirin...

*Adult themes, specifically suicide, are mentioned in this episode. Why are so many young men losing their sense of purpose—and quietly checking out of life? Writer, speaker, and Therapeutic Consultant Joanna Lilley joins Andrew Taylor to explore the cultural, relational, and technological forces shaping this generation of young men. From shifting ideas of value and identity to the addictive pull...

Andrew Taylor sits down with Kristin Keffeler for a thoughtful conversation about the growing shift in the trust world—from focusing solely on technical outcomes to prioritizing human wellbeing. Kristin explains why beneficiary wellbeing statutes matter and how they shine a light on the often-overlooked human side of wealth. They unpack common stigmas and struggles faced by adults who grow up in w...

What does therapy look like at Pure Life Adventure? And how does field experience connect with clinical therapy? Mara Mueller, Clinical Director and Primary Therapist, joins Andrew Taylor to discuss how Pure Life combines individual and group therapy with immersive nature and cultural experiences to transform students’ lives. They explore how hands-on field activities—like surfing, whitewater raft...

On this episode of the Andrew Taylor Show , Andrew sits down for a conversation with Alex Rose, student body president at the University of Utah, to talk about college life, leadership, and the future of higher education. They discuss the benefits and boundaries of AI in the classroom, the importance of student engagement, and how to make the most of your college experience. Alex also opens up abo...

On this episode of The Andrew Taylor Show , Andrew sits down with Mara Mueller, Clinical Director and Primary Therapist at PureLife Adventure, to explore the power of a digital detox. Mara shares how unplugging from phones—often a young person’s first coping mechanism—can feel overwhelming at first, but ultimately leads to a powerful reset. They discuss what happens when phones are returned after...

“I think suffering and tragedy is unbearable without community.” – Brandon Moffitt In this powerful episode, Andrew sits down with Brandon Moffitt, executive director and co-founder of Black Mountain Academy—a therapeutic boarding school for neurodiverse boys—to reflect on the impact of Hurricane Helene. They discuss the chaos and shock of the storm’s immediate aftermath, how the local community r...

Faith and Andrew dive into some exciting initiatives at PureLife, focusing on the fascinating concept of somatic therapy and interoception —the body’s ability to sense its internal state. They explore how tuning into signals like your heartbeat, breathing patterns, and muscle tension can lead to powerful improvements in both physical and mental health. It’s like a full-body check-in, helping peopl...

When students struggle to finish high school or feel stuck in college, it’s easy to lose hope, withdraw, and give up. But what if there were other paths forward? Today, Andrew is joined by his friend and business partner Allan Capp to talk about their unique adventure therapy program, PureLife Adventure Costa Rica. Allan is passionate about helping young people who haven’t quite fit into the tradi...

What are the unique difficulties facing Gen-Z today - and how do we meet them where they’re at and offer a helping hand? Meet Hayley Caddes and Colin McDonald of Not Therapy Coaching, former “troubled teens” who both went through wilderness therapy programs, attended therapeutic boarding schools, and, ultimately, have been where a lot of Gen-Z teens now find themselves. Together, Andrew, Hayley, a...

Today, Andrew welcomes developmental psychologist Sarah McMillan to discuss “mattering”. Don’t worry, this isn’t some fancy quantum mechanics term - it’s actually a simple concept that has been around for centuries: ‘Mattering is about how we treat ourselves and how we treat each other.’  This may seem like common sense for most of us but as research is showing, young people today are more isolate...

Today, Andrew is joined by Autism expert Dr. Andrew Rubin. Dr. Rubin, who earned his Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology, is the founder of the International Society for Autism (ISAresearch.org) and the CEO of New Directions for Young Adults. In this conversation, Andrew and Dr. Rubin explore his dedicated work with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and the imp...

Today, Andrew is joined again by his long-time friend and Mental Performance Coach Riley Jensen to discuss the hot-button topic of toxic masculinity and, ultimately, what it means to be a man today. From observations on parenting styles in different generations to understanding and expressing emotional authenticity, Andrew and Riley offer great insights into healthy, passionate manhood for today’s...

Today, Andrew is joined again by his long-term friend and Mental Performance Coach Riley Jensen to discuss the power and importance of body language. Contrary to being an old wives tale, how we stand, hold our heads, and present ourselves has a measurable impact on our well-being - and performance. This conversation is a great reminder to check in on ourselves and ask “How am I holding myself - an...

Today, Andrew is joined by long-term friend and Mental Performance Coach Riley Jensen to discuss Andrew’s new book, LAUNCH: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Navigating Life, and Thriving. Though written for a teen and young person audience, Andrew shares how his book is really a letter to his 20-year-old self and, ultimately, anyone seeking the information to jumpstart motivation. Together, Riley and A...

What do you tell yourself when it comes to food? Knowingly or not, we all have an internal narrative when it comes to the nourishment of our bodies. This typically stems from our upbringing but it can also be influenced by popular culture, peers, and our environment - so, how do we keep a healthy mindset towards food? Today, Andrew welcomes Tena Bonilla, a Registered Dietician who runs Restorative...

With the rise of social media, diverse educational and economic backgrounds, and a fresh set of aspirations, Gen-Z is redefining the landscape for colleges and universities. But how are these institutions adapting to meet the needs of this unique generation? And why isn’t new technology alone enough to keep them engaged and enrolled? Today, Andrew is joined by Dr. Gary Daynes, former Interim Dean...

We may subconsciously know perfection isn’t attainable but many of us still strive for it. Where is this desire for perfection coming from? Today, Andrew welcomes back Mental Performance Coach and friend Riley Jensen to discuss some of the hidden motivations of perfectionism: anxiety, control, the desire for safety, and fear of vulnerability. Listen in as Andrew and Riley uncover the beauty of sit...

Many of us may recall our 70’s/80’s childhood summers: biking through the streets, catching fireflies, staying out til dark, playing imaginary games, roaming the fields or woods near our homes - and our parents trusting we would be home eventually to eat and sleep. Being outside was a given. How is the move to a world indoors affecting our children’s development today? Listen in as Andrew welcomes...

How well do you know your internal narrative? Do you catch yourself speaking negatively or brutally criticizing your own performance? Host Andrew Taylor speaks with Mental Performance Coach (and best friend) Riley Jensen about how shifting your internal narrative can fundamentally change the direction of your life—something they both know from personal experience. Whether you're a young perso...

What exactly is ADHD? Andrew Taylor speaks with clinical psychologist Nicole Stewart about the three subtypes of ADHD and what each of those entails. Speaking from her many years of personal and professional experience with ADHD, Nicole shares the typical symptoms with these diagnoses and the ways parents, caregivers, spouses, and friends can support and encourage those in their lives with this co...

We’re living in unprecedented times: we are the last generation to remember life before the dawn of smart devices. How do we as parents and caregivers navigate raising our digitally native children? Andrew Taylor and Media Psychologist Dr. Don Grant discuss how technology is impacting the attachment bond between children and their primary caregivers, how to be good digital citizens, and how to mak...

On this first edition of the show, host Andrew Taylor shares a bit about himself as well as what topics he will be covering. You will also hear about what to expect from this all new podcast. Website: octagonmentoring.com Send us Fan Mail