THE MAKING OF ME

In this episode of The Making of Me, we sit down with Mylena Sutton, the Leadership Fanatic, to explore why facing the truth about ourselves—and our circumstances—can be so challenging. Mylena reveals:The real reasons we avoid honesty with ourselves and othersStories about personal responsibility, leadership, and accountabilityThe balance between being a “victim” and a “villain” in your own storyD...

Get an inside look at how Lance Cayko and his team transformed the tiny house movement with the internationally acclaimed Atlas Tiny House. In this episode of The Making of Me, Lance shares how he spotted key housing trends, brought creative design to life, and built a foldable, innovative home that landed on HGTV and won global awards. Discover the challenges they overcame, the innovative feature...

In this powerful episode of Aro Benaiah, best-selling author and spiritual transformation coach Sylvia Worsham shares her inspiring journey of overcoming trauma, leaving a high-achieving corporate career, and discovering her soul’s true purpose. Sylvia opens up about:Surviving a near-death health crisisNavigating grief and emotional upheavalReframing pain and setbacks into meaningful personal grow...

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , John David Gregory Jr. —Navy veteran, athlete, actor, and author shares his raw story of overcoming childhood abuse, addiction, and the struggle for identity in sports, Hollywood, and the military. John opens up about how he rebuilt his life , found purpose through faith and resilience , and redefined what it means to be truly seen. If you’ve ever fel...

Ever wondered how one life-changing adventure can transform your confidence, creativity, and life? In this episode of The Making of Me, award-winning author and podcaster Teri M. Brown shares her powerful story of cycling 3,102 miles across the United States—raising money for charity while healing from past challenges and rediscovering her inner strength. Teri opens up about overcoming adversity,...

What if the breakthrough you’re searching for doesn’t come from trying harder , but from learning to surrender ? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Daniel Faust from Bold Outside shares how surrender—not strength—became the turning point that healed his marriage, restored his purpose, and reshaped his identity . Daniel speaks honestly about the emotional baggage many of us carr...

What if your biggest failures were actually your greatest teachers ? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Ari Rastegar —real estate investor, CEO, and bestselling author of The Gift of Failure —shares how setbacks can be transformed into life-changing lessons . Ari dives into personal stories, practical strategies, and a mindset that helps you embrace challenges, build resilience, and ach...

Join us on The Making of Me Podcast as we sit down with Akshay Aggarwal, a Principal SDET who went from tinkering with broken computers in a small town in Rajasthan to leading AI-driven test engineering for global tech teams. Discover how Akshay turned uncertainty and limited resources into his greatest strengths, building the grit and hacker mindset that fuels his leadership and innovation today....

What does it take to turn years of silence into a global movement of empowerment? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Sima Azadegan shares the remarkable story of how she transformed personal adversity into international fashion success. At the age of 50, and during the uncertainty of the global pandemic, Sima launched her fashion brand and quickly rose to global recognition—wit...

Addiction isn’t just an individual struggle—it deeply affects families and loved ones. In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, psychologist and recovery advocate John McMahon opens up about his personal journey through addiction and recovery, and explains why family support plays a crucial role in lasting change. John shares the emotional realities many families face when a loved one struggle...

Why do so many men appear successful on the outside but silently struggle with insecurity, self-criticism, and shame on the inside? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, self-relationship coach James J. Stamatelos shares his personal journey and explains why these struggles are so common—especially for men. James explores the cultural expectations that push men to handle everything alone, t...

Have you ever wondered if your relationship with alcohol might be holding you back from living your fullest life? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with Lauren Fay, an alcohol-free empowerment mentor and author, who shares her deeply personal journey from struggling with alcohol to building a life of clarity, strength, and purpose. Lauren explains tha...

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a journey, not a destination. In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast , licensed counselor and author Zander Sprague shares powerful insights on why “getting over” a loss is a myth and how each person’s grief is unique. Discover how acknowledging your feelings, sharing memories, and supporting others can create meaningful healing. Whether you’ve lost a sibli...

Have you ever felt stuck, burnt out, or like you’ve spent years putting everyone else first ? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast , host Aro Benaiah sits down with Debbie Weiss , best-selling author and transformation advocate, who shares her powerful journey from decades of caregiving and self-neglect to reclaiming her life through simple but powerful mindset shifts . After year...

What if your toughest setbacks could become the very foundation of your greatest strengths? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with JC Chamberlain—entrepreneur, endurance athlete, cancer survivor, and author of Antidote. JC shares how adversity throughout his life became the catalyst for building resilience, purpose, and what he calls “emotional wealt...

When tragedy strikes, some people break—others rise. In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Kenneth Kunken shares how a football injury at Cornell University left him almost totally paralyzed—but also launched him on a remarkable path of achievement and purpose. Kenneth reveals: How he overcame enormous barriers to earn multiple degrees Becoming a National Certified Rehabilitation Counsel...

Raising a child with special needs can often feel isolating, overwhelming, and emotionally demanding . But it can also reveal incredible strength, resilience, and compassion. In this heartfelt episode of The Making of Me podcast , host Aro Benaiah sits down with author and advocate Nancy A Ferraro , who shares her powerful journey of parenting a multiply handicapped adopted child from Romania . Na...

What happens when a modern novel reimagines one of history’s most influential figures? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with author Perry Francis Williams, the writer behind Saving Christ: Our Way 7. Perry shares the fascinating story behind his novel, which explores a unique perspective on Jesus through the lens of historical fiction and imagination. The boo...

How can the right support transform the life of a student who learns differently? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast, Dr. Emily Levy, founder of EBL Coaching, shares her journey of helping students overcome learning challenges and discover their full potential. Growing up surrounded by the world of special education, Dr. Levy was deeply influenced by her mother’s dedication to h...

What if a few simple steps could help protect your loved ones during a hospital stay? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, patient safety advocate and nurse educator Dr. Julie Siemers joins host Aro Benaiah to share critical insights every patient and family should know before entering the hospital. Dr. Siemers explains how families can become powerful advocates for their loved ones by ask...

What if you could see exactly how car parts will look on your vehicle before you buy them ? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast , host Aro Benaiah sits down with entrepreneur Pete Polyakov , founder of ModNation , to discuss how 3D validation and data-driven design are transforming the automotive customization industry. Pete shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from fixing ca...

What if the moments you call “failure” are actually valuable information guiding your next move? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, Amy Nicole shares her powerful story of rebuilding her life after experiencing three bankruptcies. Rather than seeing those moments as defeat, Amy learned to view them as data insight into the emotional and financial patterns that were shaping her life. Amy...

Have you ever felt like you’re working harder but not getting further? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, host Aro Benaiah Kehinde sits down with leadership coach and creator of Energetic Academy, Warren Williams, to explore why the real key to high performance isn’t just effort it’s energy. Warren shares how shifting your focus from constant hustle to cultivating the right internal stat...

How much impact can small daily choices really have on your life? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, executive coach and author Chip Scholz shares how tiny decisions made consistently can lead to powerful personal and professional transformation. Chip opens up about his journey of resilience—from facing major life setbacks, including recovering from a stroke, to rebuilding his identity a...

How do you rebuild self-belief and self-worth after life knocks you down? In this episode of The Aro Benaiah Podcast, host Aro Benaiah Kehinde sits down with speaker, coach, and Director of Group Coaching at Next Level University, Amy Lenius. Amy shares her inspiring journey of overcoming chronic illness and rebuilding her confidence, purpose, and identity. Through her experience in coaching and p...