The Daily Helping

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Alexandra Miles, founder and CEO of Project Blackbird, a nonprofit organization that champions mental health awareness and access in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Alexandra brings a wealth of experience, from her dual degrees in business and fine arts to her leadership in producing impactful mental health programming and films. Her work, which includes sc...

In this episode, we reconnect with Mark Monchek, founder and Chief Opportunity Officer of the Opportunity Lab, whose clients include global leaders like Google, Apple, GE, and the United Nations. Mark’s journey sits at the crossroads of business, art, and psychology, and his latest book, Opportunity Intelligence: How to Thrive in an Age of Radical Disruption, is both timely and personal—shaped by...

For this episode, we’re honored to welcome Diane Kahn, founding member and executive director of Humans of San Quentin. Diane’s journey began with a simple curiosity that blossomed into a life-changing mission: helping incarcerated people share their stories with the world. Over seven years volunteering at San Quentin, she’s been deeply moved by the vulnerability and emotional intelligence of the...

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Poole, CEO of NuCalm, a leader in neuroscience-based wellness and performance. Jim’s journey is rooted in a family dedicated to helping others, shaped by parents who were both psychotherapists and a mother who was a true force of nature. Today, he channels that legacy into pioneering technology that allows people to manage their mental state on demand—without...

In this episode, we’re joined by Thomas G. Waites—acclaimed actor, playwright, musician, and star of the raw and riveting one-man show Lucky Man, A Warrior’s Journey, currently playing in New York and produced by Emmy and Golden Globe winner John Goodman. With a storied career spanning film, television, and stage—including cult classics like The Warriors and The Thing—Tom pulls back the curtain on...

Dr. Paul J. Zak, acclaimed neuroscientist and bestselling author of The Little Book of Happiness, returns to The Daily Helping to share groundbreaking insights on how connection and fulfillment truly shape our well-being. As a professor and pioneer in behavioral neuroscience, Dr. Zak has spent decades studying what it takes for people to thrive, developing tools that help us measure and build more...

On this episode of The Daily Helping, we’re joined by Paul Johnson and Larry Aldrich, two accomplished leaders who have spent decades shaping policy and championing individual rights. Paul, former mayor of Phoenix and host of The Optimistic American podcast, brings deep experience from his roles in business, politics, and international development. Larry, a federal antitrust prosecutor and newspap...

Ken Banta, founder and CEO of the Vanguard Network, is a recognized expert in leadership and organizational change. With a rich background as a journalist—covering pivotal events like the Eastern European revolutions for Time magazine—Ken transitioned into corporate leadership, helping guide major turnarounds at companies such as Pharmacia and Bausch & Lomb. His latest book, Seeing Around Corn...

Joel Zuckerman may have made a name for himself as a golf writer, but it’s gratitude—not golf—that transformed his life. With over 300 handwritten letters under his belt, Joel has shifted from penning sports columns to advocating for expressive gratitude as a path to greater well-being. In this episode of The Daily Helping, Dr. Richard sits down with Joel to unpack his latest book, Gratitude Tiger...

Bill Zujewski—better known as Bill Z—is the founder of Good Life LLC, creator of the Life by Design system, the ZenScore app, and the Good Life platform. After a long and successful career in enterprise software with companies like Oracle and Tulip, Bill co-founded the Green Business Bureau, which was successfully acquired in 2023. He’s now the author of What’s Your Life Score?, a book and system...

Sol Smith is a certified autism specialist, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and former college professor who is also autistic, dyslexic, and has ADHD. After spending over twenty years in academia, Sol transitioned into coaching and advocacy, building a large online following and offering guidance to neurodivergent individuals around the world. His work aims to help people better...

Todd Patkin is a successful entrepreneur turned happiness advocate whose life story took a sharp turn after selling his family business. A Tufts University graduate, Todd spent nearly two decades building that business before it was acquired by Advanced Auto Parts. With his time and energy newly freed, he turned toward philanthropy and mental health advocacy—particularly drawing from his personal...

Butch Meily has lived a remarkable life bridging cultures between the United States and the Philippines, carving out a career that spans public relations, corporate communications, and journalism. With stints at top PR firms and as VP of Communications for TLC Beatrice International, Meily’s storytelling prowess has graced publications like The Wall Street Journal and Black Enterprise. But perhaps...

Barry Shore is known as the “Ambassador of Joy,” and for good reason. A successful entrepreneur with multiple patents and a top-ranked podcast, Barry has turned immense personal adversity into a global movement of giving. After a rare disease suddenly rendered him a quadriplegic, Barry rebuilt his life from the ground up. Today, he swims two miles a day, six days a week, and has reached millions t...

Marissa Afton is a partner and Head of Global Accounts at Potential Project, a global leadership development firm focused on building more human workplaces. With over 20 years of experience in workplace well-being and performance, Marissa helps leaders drive cultural excellence, innovation, and resilience. She’s also the co-author of More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead,...

Billy Wynne has been a devoted student of Buddhism and mindfulness for over 30 years, trained under renowned teachers like Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, and quoted in outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. But his latest work, The Empty Path: Finding Fulfillment Through the Radical Art of Lessening, is more than just another book on mindfulness—it’s a vulnerable exploration o...

Reema Datta, renowned yoga and Ayurveda instructor and author of The Yogi’s Way: Transform Your Mind, has shared her wisdom across five continents, helping countless students, including celebrities like Sting and Paul Simon, discover profound inner peace and transformation. Her journey blends traditional Indian heritage with modern struggles and discoveries, offering a unique approach to ancient p...

In this episode of The Daily Helping, we’re joined by Wayne Forrest, a transformational coach, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author of The Inner Warrior: The Power Within. Wayne’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the unwavering power of the human spirit. At 25, Wayne’s life changed in an instant when a rugby injury left him paralyzed. A fiercely independent farmer and athlete, he sudd...

In this heartfelt episode of The Daily Helping, we pay tribute to the legacy of John Ruhlin, a visionary in the art of radical generosity and the founder of Giftology. Joining us is Sara Hardwick, the community relationship strategist at Giftology, who is continuing John’s mission of fostering authentic and meaningful connections. John's philosophy was simple yet transformative: relationships...

In this episode of The Daily Helping, we welcome back elite executive coach Sabina Nawaz, nearly five years to the day since her last appearance. Sabina is a trusted advisor to C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions worldwide. A former Microsoft leader who managed executive development for over 11,000 managers—including Bill Gates an...

Leon Logothetis is a global adventurer, philanthropist, and best-selling author best known for his hit Netflix series The Kindness Diaries. He has circumnavigated the world on a vintage yellow motorbike, relying solely on the generosity of strangers. Whether he’s giving life-changing gifts to those who show him kindness or inspiring audiences as a motivational speaker, Leon’s mission is clear: to...

In this episode of The Daily Helping, we’re joined by Jeffrey Sanow, a veteran CIA intelligence officer and security expert whose career has been shaped by high-stakes decision-making, risk management, and global operations. With years spent navigating the complexities of international intelligence, Jeffrey has developed a keen understanding of leadership, communication, and adaptability—skills th...

In this episode of The Daily Helping, we sit down with Kathleen Cameron, one of the world’s leading manifestation mentors and the founder of Diamond Academy. Kathleen has transformed thousands of lives through her innovative approach to personal growth, generating over $30 million in under four years. She is the author of two international bestsellers, Becoming the One and The Best of Yourself, an...

Elizabeth Husserl is a financial advisor and co-founder of Peak 360 Wealth Management. With a BA in economics from Tulane and a master’s in east-west psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, she bridges financial literacy and emotional well-being. She’s led workshops for Airbnb, Unity, and Google, and now shares her expertise in her new book, The Power of Enough: Finding Joy i...

Most of us don’t realize how much our communication habits shape our relationships—until they start causing problems. Whether it’s shutting down, reacting defensively, or struggling to express ourselves clearly, these patterns can hold us back. But what if we could change the way we communicate? Cynthia Kane, best-selling author and founder of the Kane Intentional Communication Institute, has help...