THE MAKING OF ME

What does it really mean to be your own hero? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , trauma recovery coach, energy healing advocate, and host of the Trauma Rockstars podcast, Tracy Smaldino , shares her deeply personal journey of healing and resilience. Tracy opens up about navigating trauma, discovering the importance of self-advocacy, and the intentional steps she took to reclaim her lif...

Have you ever wondered why diets don’t work long-term or why cravings can feel overwhelming, especially at night? In this episode of the Making of Me podcast, renowned weight loss coach Nadege Saysana shares her powerful journey of overcoming 30 years of binge eating. Through honest reflection and practical wisdom, she reveals the mindset shifts that changed her life and why food isn’t the problem...

How can storytelling help people heal from deep emotional wounds? In this powerful conversation, Alan Katz, acclaimed writer and producer behind Tales from the Crypt, shares how storytelling became a pathway to healing, self-discovery, and purpose. Alan opens up about his personal journey of facing trauma through creative expression and how turning pain into narrative helped him reconnect with him...

Feeling burned out or overwhelmed isn’t a personal failing—it’s often a physiological and emotional response to constant pressure, especially for women balancing multiple roles such as motherhood, career identity, and neurodiversity. In this powerful episode of the Remaking of Me Podcast, Emily Beecher shares honest, practical guidance on how to release shame around burnout, reconnect with your bo...

What happens when theater goes beyond the stage—and becomes a force for real-world change? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me, host Aro Benaiah sits down with visionary theater producer Jessie Fahay to explore how storytelling can move audiences from inspiration to action. As the founder of Ripple Effect Artists, Jessie shares how purposeful productions can ignite advocacy, amplify human...

What does it take to turn career setbacks into opportunities for lasting growth and leadership? In this episode of the Making of Me podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with acclaimed author and leadership coach Kenneth Harms to explore the defining moments that shaped his 40+ year career in sales and leadership. From losing his job and relocating his family to rebuilding from the ground up, Kennet...

Why do so many high-achievers and outwardly successful people still feel stuck, anxious, or unworthy—even after doing “everything right”?In this powerful episode, trauma psychotherapist Maggie Mccane sits down with Samantha Harris to unpack why the traditional 50-minute therapy model often isn’t enough for deep, lasting healing. Maggie shares eye-opening insights into how unresolved trauma lives i...

What happens when you bring gardening and mindful breathwork inside the walls of a maximum security youth facility? In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Making of Me podcast, Hans Hageman shares his firsthand experiences working with teens and young adults who have committed serious offenses. Through reconnecting with nature and practicing intentional breathwork, participants began shifti...

When life throws unexpected challenges your way—whether in your health, career, or personal life—how do you bounce back? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, high-performance entrepreneur and mentor Tiffanie Janowitz shares her journey through personal adversity, including her breast cancer diagnosis, and reveals actionable strategies for rebuilding confidence and identity after setbacks....

Join us as Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen shares her powerful story of resilience and reinvention after unexpectedly losing her husband. In this heartfelt interview, Liz discusses how she went from being a nurse practitioner to building a thriving flower farm and agritourism business—while navigating grief, solo parenting, and life’s unexpected turns. Discover how working with the land, embracing entrepre...

Feeling disconnected or overwhelmed? In this episode, renowned therapist and facilitator Lou Lachman shares practical, compassionate ways to begin reconnecting with your body even after trauma or a challenging past. Discover why kindness toward yourself is essential, learn about the transformative power of heart holding and self-soothing, and gain simple tools you can use right away to begin your...

Do you ever feel stuck, even though you know exactly what you want deep down? In this inspiring conversation, Agi Keramidas, host of the Top 1% Podcast: Personal Development Mastery, shares his journey—from leaving his home country to changing careers and starting over in a completely new field. Learn why taking tiny, intentional steps is the real key to overcoming fear, building confidence, and t...

Discover the fascinating connection between science and faith as Doug Ell, MIT graduate and author, explains how DNA—as a digital code provides compelling evidence for design in the universe. In this thought-provoking conversation with Aro Benaiah, Doug breaks down complex scientific concepts in a way that’s accessible for everyone. Whether you’re a skeptic, curious about science, or exploring spi...

In this powerful episode of Aro Benaiah’s "The Making of Me" podcast, guest Jon Symes speaker, mentor, and founder of Whole and Free explores the invisible stories that shape men’s lives and the impact those narratives have on fulfillment, health, and happiness. Together with Aro, Jon discusses societal expectations for men, the dangers of bottling emotion, and how narrative liberation can set us...

Have you ever wondered how a single small act can transform lives and inspire a worldwide movement? In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, host Aro Benaiah sits down with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, to uncover the incredible origin story of a charity that has delivered over 360,000 beds to children in need. Luke shares what drove him to build his first bed, the realit...

Imagine facing both Parkinson’s and early Alzheimer’s and then using your entrepreneurial experience to develop a natural supplement that changes your life. In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me, Mark Burnett, founder of EPDI and My Brain Restore, shares his incredible journey from computer programming and leading a team of “misfit” coders to becoming his own guinea pig in the fight agains...

Discover the inspiring story of Christine Valdes, executive sales leader and real estate investor, who transformed her life through resilience and determination. In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, Christine shares her journey from single motherhood, working multiple jobs, and facing financial hardship, to achieving lasting success in leadership and business. Learn practical strategies fo...

In this heartfelt episode of The Making of Me podcast, Darlene Greene shares her transformative journey as a caregiver to her husband, who was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's. She opens up about the emotional and physical challenges, holistic approaches she explored, and the personal growth that emerged from this deeply personal experience. Whether you’re a caregiver, know someone walking a s...

What does sword swallowing have to do with leadership and meaningful connections? In this episode of The Making of Me, Joshua Routh shares how mastering this extreme performance art taught him powerful lessons about absolute focus, radical honesty, and true presence in life, leadership, and relationships. Discover why staying fully present can transform the way you lead, work, and connect with oth...

Feeling stuck or like it’s too late to change your life? In this inspiring episode, Bobbi Barrington shares her powerful journey of total transformation after decades of living in roles and careers that didn’t fit her true self. From overcoming fear and embracing her identity as a trans woman to letting go of limiting beliefs, Bobbi reveals her secrets for self-acceptance, resilience, and making c...

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me podcast, Pamela Michaux dives deep into her journey of survival, identity, and reclaiming her voice after experiencing trauma, displacement, and racism. Discover how she learned to own her past, transform pain into purpose, and build resilience for herself and others. Pamela shares honest insights about confronting painful memories, the impact of forgiv...

In this episode of The Making of Me podcast, Anna Quigley—transformational coach helping women embrace soul-led living—shares her journey of learning to trust her intuition. Discover how science backs the power of gut feelings, why listening to your inner voice can change your life, and practical tips for tuning in to those subtle nudges. Whether you’re navigating a new path or curious about the c...

In this episode of The Making of Me, Natalie Bedard (NatNat) emotional healing and nervous system guide—breaks down what emotional sobriety really means and why it matters in our fast-paced, reactive world. Learn the difference between feeling your emotions and being hijacked by them, ways to channel anger and fear for growth, and practical tools for handling life’s intense moments without falling...

Why should software developers pay attention to lessons from high-stakes industries like aviation and nuclear power? In this insightful episode, Adam Korga explores how postmortem analysis, redundancy, and hard-earned lessons from disasters such as Fukushima can help tech professionals design more reliable and resilient systems. From the surprising reason airplane windows are round to the chain re...

In this heartfelt episode of The Making of Me, Aro Benaiah sits down with author, speaker, and executive coach Terry Bean to explore how adults and children can protect their inner light even in a world full of challenges. Terry shares powerful personal stories from her blended family, talks about cultivating resilience, and offers practical tools for parents and caregivers to help kids nurture se...