THE MAKING OF ME

Discover a powerful new perspective on resilience in this episode of The Making of Me podcast with host Aro Benaiah and resilience coach Michael Ostrolenk. In this conversation, Michael introduces the idea of “Resilience 2.0”—a deeper understanding of resilience that goes beyond traditional ideas of mental toughness and physical endurance. Instead of simply pushing through challenges, Michael expl...

In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast, memoir author, entrepreneur, and mother Misty Nesbitt shares her powerful journey from surviving childhood trauma to building a life filled with purpose and resilience. Misty opens up about her memoir, The Girl Who Kept Breathing, and how making the courageous decision to break generational cycles created a new path for her and her children. S...

In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast, Courtney Honda, president and founder of Pup’tique, shares how her dog Champ’s fight to survive a serious illness became the powerful origin story behind a unique dog retail brand in Temecula, California. What began as a deeply personal experience grew into something much bigger—a thriving community where dog lovers don’t just come for treats...

Are you stuck in overthinking or feeling paralyzed by big goals? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast, high-performance coach Willie Blake shares how his simple but powerful “2% Rule” can help anyone make meaningful progress—even if you struggle with confidence, self-doubt, or just getting started. Diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade, Willie opens up about his personal journey...

Too many men are taught to suffer in silence—hiding trauma behind success, money, or constant distractions while never getting the help they truly need. In this powerful episode of The Making of Me podcast, trauma-informed coach Ronald “Zion” Roseboro dives deep into how societal pressure and what he calls the emotional “Miranda’s Law” keep many men from speaking out and finding healing. Ronald sh...

Are you feeling trapped in hustle culture and overwhelmed as a business owner? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast , Jeremy Shapiro shares practical strategies to help entrepreneurs reclaim their time and build businesses that truly support the life they want—without sacrificing growth or profitability. Jeremy explains how shifting from constant hustle to intentional systems, smart delegat...

Are you an athlete, entrepreneur, or high-achiever struggling with chronic pain or hitting mental and physical plateaus? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Day—two-time national champion, high-performance coach, and founder of Evolved Athlete—to explore how understanding your brain and accessing flow states can transform recovery, reduce pain, and unlock peak per...

Feeling stuck in negative thought patterns or weighed down by past experiences? In this episode of The Making of Me , hosts Aro Benaiah , Billie Aadmi , and Melissa Deally explore the transformative concept of moving from Victim Island to Solution City . Discover how your thoughts shape your reality, why accountability is the key to self-empowerment, and learn practical tools to reclaim your power...

What happens when you stop saying yes to everything and start honoring your own needs? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with women's transition coach and transformation specialist Nicole Adey to explore the life-changing power of boundaries. Nicole shares why so many women struggle to say no, how subtle moments of self-abandonment can slowly drain our ene...

In this heartfelt episode of The Making of Me Podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with Kim Patton to share her deeply personal journey through infertility, adoption, and foster care. Kim opens up about how these challenging experiences strengthened her faith, reshaped her understanding of motherhood, and inspired her work as a writer and mentor. She shares honest insights about grief, hope, surren...

Is accessibility just about compliance? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with Maxwell Ivey, also known as The Blind Blogger, to discuss how website accessibility is not only inclusive — but also powerful for business growth. Maxwell Ivey explains how accessible design improves user experience, strengthens SEO performance, and builds stronger brand...

What if your biggest dream was possible — even with no money, no experience, and no roadmap? In this extraordinary episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Kimberly Braun — former monastic nun, TEDx speaker, and author of Miracle in the Naked Light — shares her incredible story of building a monastery from scratch and the powerful lessons it taught her about manifestation, faith, and saying yes to yo...

What does it really take to master your craft not just in the kitchen, but in life? In this episode, Frank Healy, former chef and author of White Chef Heat, dives into the tough lessons he learned from years behind the stove. From the true difference between motivation and real work, to why being surrounded by disciplined, driven people can skyrocket your growth, Frank shares actionable insights y...

Wondering how to cultivate true happiness and emotional resilience? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, meditation teacher and spiritual guide Dean Graves shares how meditation and inward awareness can become powerful tools for healing, clarity, and lasting happiness. Dean explains why happiness isn’t something we chase externally—but something we uncover within ourselves. Through practic...

Have you ever wondered how setting healthy boundaries can completely transform your life? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me podcast , Michelle Rogers —entrepreneur, community builder, and author—shares how learning to set boundaries became the turning point in her healing and personal growth journey. After experiencing childhood trauma, abuse, and divorce, Michelle realized that reclaim...

Are you battling constant arguments and feeling lost in your marriage? In this powerful episode of Making of Me, Veronica Nebizadeh shares her transformative “Stop, Drop, and Roll, Baby” technique a practical and deeply personal method inspired by her own journey as a wife and mother. Discover how: • Stopping reactive responses can interrupt destructive cycles • Dropping pride, ego, and blame can...

What happens when life suddenly forces you to slow down and rethink everything? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with entertainer, wrestler, and musician Spiffy Sean Styles to explore the life-changing health challenges that reshaped his journey. From undergoing a triple neck fusion surgery to surviving a near-fatal battle with diverticulitis, Sean shares how...

Feeling stuck in life or struggling to make important decisions? In this episode of the Making of Me podcast, former NFL and CFL athlete, map-planning mentor, and creator of the I Am Mind System, John Diggs, shares the powerful story of how he rebuilt his life after losing everything—and how the system he created now helps people around the world gain clarity, direction, and purpose. John explains...

In this moving episode of The Making of Me, author and storyteller Martin Bodek shares the extraordinary journey behind his book Zaid Wars. From childhood, Martin was captivated by the powerful stories of his gentle grandfather — a Holocaust survivor who endured unimaginable hardship during World War II. These weren’t just historical accounts; they were personal memories filled with resilience, mo...

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me, Donna Hartley shares how listening to her intuition made all the difference in surviving a devastating plane crash, overcoming cancer, and identifying serious heart conditions before it was too late. From demanding a seat change moments before her DC-10 crash to recognizing subtle physical symptoms and acting immediately, Donna reveals how trusting her...

Feeling stuck in the routines of everyday life? In this inspiring episode, bestselling author and transformational guide Stacie Shifflett shares her remarkable journey — from navigating the end of a 28-year marriage to leading a $50 million company acquisition. Through her experiences, Stacie discovered how to calm emotional triggers, build self-confidence, and live with what she calls modern cons...

Are you a high-achieving woman who feels exhausted from trying to do it all? In this empowering episode, executive coach Ronni Landeck shares why setting boundaries isn’t selfish — it’s a leadership strength. If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying no, overextended at work, or stretched thin at home, this conversation will help you shift your perspective and reclaim your energy. In this episode, you...

Are you ready to break old habits and step into your higher self? In this inspiring episode, holistic life coach Samantha Kane shares her powerful journey of self-discovery and the practical tools that helped her create lasting transformation. Through honest self-reflection and aligned action, Samantha explains how rewiring your patterns is the gateway to deeper confidence, clarity, and fulfillmen...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with celebrated author Joseph Bolton, the storyteller behind Old Grandmother’s Tree. In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, Joseph shares how his family heritage—and the powerful legacy of his Algonquin great-great-great-grandmother—inspired his acclaimed folktale series. Through resilience, cultural pride, and a deep respect for ancestral wisdom, Joseph...

What does it take to reinvent yourself and build lasting success? In this episode, David Nassief shares his powerful journey of resilience, growth, and personal transformation. Through real-life lessons and hard-earned wisdom, David opens up about the mindset shifts and strategic decisions that shaped his path. In this conversation, you’ll discover:✨ The key turning points that changed David’s tr...