THE MAKING OF ME

What if the language of your heritage lives not in your words — but in your body? In this beautiful and deeply personal episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Rodney Eric López — featured in the acclaimed documentary Mad Hot Ballroom — shares how growing up in the Bronx as a Puerto Rican who didn't speak fluent Spanish shaped his identity, and how salsa dancing gave him a powerful new way to co...

What if taking care of your body was the secret to unlocking your greatest creative work? In this energizing episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Trea Da Fit Artist breaks down why fitness isn't just for athletes — it's absolutely essential for creatives and artists who want to sustain their craft, energy, and innovation for years to come. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: The most...

What happens when you stop running your business — and start running toward yourself? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Traci Austin shares how navigating divorce, empty nesting, and scaling her business led her to make a move most only dream about — a 62-day solo trip across Europe that completely transformed her life, her leadership, and her sense of purpose. 🎯 In this epi...

Your startup is only as strong as the team behind it — so why do so many founders keep hiring the wrong people? In this practical and eye-opening episode of The Making of Me Podcast , operator, strategist, and founder of Your FRX , Kati Peterman reveals the most common hiring mistakes that hold capable companies back — and the proven strategies to avoid them. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discove...

What happens when a rare medical condition changes your life forever at just four years old? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Timothy West shares his extraordinary journey of surviving Stevens-Johnson Syndrome , a rare allergic reaction that resulted in the loss of his skin, hair, and most of his vision. Timothy opens up about overcoming bullying, trauma, and self-doubt while...

What if courage isn't something you're born with—but something you can train like a muscle? In this fascinating episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Dan Schlund shares his incredible journey as a real-life Rocketman who has flown jetpacks across 26 countries, pushed the limits of human possibility, and survived a devastating crash that broke his neck. Through extraordinary experiences and...

What do you do when the people you trust most become the source of your deepest pain? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Roxanna Johnson shares her deeply personal journey of healing from betrayal trauma after years of navigating addiction within her family and marriage. Through hard-earned lessons, self-discovery, and resilience, Roxanna reveals how she rebuilt trust in hersel...

What if the empty nest wasn't the end—but the beginning of the most meaningful chapter of your life? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Julie Waas shares her remarkable journey from a career in law to becoming an internationally recognized artist, bestselling author, and coach. Shaped by the experience of raising a child with autism and witnessing her own mother's stru...

What happens when years of self-doubt silence your inner voice—and how do you learn to trust yourself again? In this heartfelt episode of The Making of Me Podcast , mindfulness and meditation practitioner Katharine Chestnut shares her powerful journey of healing after experiencing emotional abuse. Through mindful journaling, meditation, and deep self-reflection, Katharine found her way back to sel...

What does it take to willingly walk into discomfort—and come out stronger on the other side? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Asher Lester shares the life-changing lessons he's learned from completing the grueling 26-mile Bataan Memorial Death March six times. Through stories of endurance, discipline, and personal growth, Asher reveals why voluntary suffering can be one o...

What if the secret to getting more done wasn't working harder — but knowing exactly what to let go of? In this practical and eye-opening episode of The Making of Me Podcast , executive coach Crystal Bell introduces her transformative "Ball Drop Model" — a powerful framework for managing overwhelm, finding clarity, and finally focusing your energy on what truly matters. 🎯 In this epi...

Are you physically in the room with your kids — but emotionally somewhere else entirely? In this honest and deeply personal episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Mitesh Khatri shares the defining moments that woke him up to his own patterns of being physically present but emotionally absent — and the intentional steps he took to completely transform his approach to fatherhood. 🎯 In this episode,...

What happens when a child's heart closes due to trauma — and what does it take to open it again? In this deeply moving episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Daniel Winrose shares his earliest mystical experiences, the profound impact of growing up in a violent home , and his decades-long journey through meditation, regression therapy, and heartfulness practices back to healing and wholeness....

Can your boldest, most creative chapter actually begin after retirement? In this delightful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Paula Panariello shares how she swapped a decades-long nursing career for historical romance writing — penning six novels , with more on the way, all starting from scratch in retirement. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: What motivated Paula to start completely f...

What if one simple phrase from your father could shape a movement spanning 85 countries and billions of dollars? In this profound episode of The Making of Me Podcast , David Gottfried — founder of the U.S. Green Building Council and author of Regen360 — shares how his father's powerful words, "Do not confuse effort with results," shaped not only his own sense of achievement but spark...

What if your happiness isn't just about you — but about the relationships you grew up watching? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , licensed marriage and family therapist Stephanie Wise reveals what she discovered doing therapy with children during COVID — and how a parent's ability to love, communicate, and handle emotions profoundly shapes their child's entire futu...

What if hitting rock bottom isn't the end of your story — but the doorway to your greatest transformation? In this profound episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Glenn Aparicio Parry shares how the collapse of a promising music business career led him on a journey through philosophy, spirituality, and a deep exploration of what it truly means to belong and to love. 🎯 In this episode, you'...

What if the very thing that once silenced you could become the source of your greatest art? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Gerome Mauricio shares his raw and honest journey from childhood language barriers and speech therapy to addiction, homelessness , and ultimately a profound creative transformation through writing. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: How childhood...

What happens when the life you built — and the identity you knew — falls completely apart? In this deeply moving episode of The Making of Me Podcast , former Air Force EOD technician Benjamin Lee shares his powerful journey from the battlefield to battling PTSD and addiction , and ultimately his search for an entirely new identity. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: Benjamin's journey as...

What if you could train your brain the same way you train your body — and finally take control of your focus? In this groundbreaking episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Ofer Lidsky explores how neurofeedback technology is changing lives by training the brain to improve focus, attention, and performance — especially for those with ADHD. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: What neurofeedback...

What does it really take to build a personal brand that still feels human in a world increasingly driven by AI, automation, and content systems? In this inspiring episode of Aro Benaiah: The Making of Me , we sit down with Jocelynn Flower , CEO and founder of J. Flowers Marketing , to explore how she built a 7-figure business by putting authenticity, connection, and humanity at the center of her m...

How does trauma shape a child’s mind and behavior, even years after the event? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Brandi Hawk , licensed psychologist and CEO of Red Leaf Psychology , breaks down what every parent, teacher, and caregiver must understand about trauma’s lasting effects on children. Discover why kids often “act out,” what is really happening inside their bodies and nervous systems, an...

What if the hardest chapter of your life became the very foundation for your greatest impact? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Dr. Angela Thomas shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and transformation. From becoming a mother at just 16 while still in high school, to overcoming family trauma and major life challenges, she reveals how adversity shaped—not limi...

How do we protect originality, truth, and creative ownership in a world where artificial intelligence can now generate books, ideas, and entire stories in seconds? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Gordon McClellan, founder and publisher of DartFrog Books, explores the evolving reality of authorship in the age of AI. He breaks down why genuine human creativity still matters,...

What does it take to heal from deep shame and finally believe you are worthy of love—without conditions? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Fenix Shepard shares her raw and transformative journey through trauma, addiction, identity struggles, and spiritual healing. Once trapped in shame and self-rejection, she opens up about how she moved from feeling unlovable to discovering u...