THE MAKING OF ME

What defines who you really are when life throws its hardest challenges your way? In this powerful episode, Dr. Rawson shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped his character, values, and purpose. After losing both parents while serving in Vietnam, he was forced to navigate grief, responsibility, and uncertainty—experiences that ultimately became the foundation for a lifetime dedicated to...

What does it really mean to age with dignity in a world that often makes aging invisible? In this thoughtful episode, entrepreneur and founder Mariam Parineh shares her personal journey—including her experience marrying a man 46 years her senior—and how it shaped her mission to transform the way society supports older adults. Through her work with Viva Valet, she is helping redefine what it means...

What if the hardest beginnings in life became the foundation for a lifetime of creativity, purpose, and achievement? In this inspiring episode, Guinness World Record–holding author David Selley shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in a small thatched cottage in Somerset, England—with no electricity or running water—to becoming a prolific writer who published 18 books in a single year a...

What does it truly take to survive years of relentless stalking—and still find the courage to speak out when the system fails you? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, trauma therapist and podcast host Kelly Sheets shares her lived experience of surviving sexual assault and long-term stalking by her ex-husband in Central Appalachia. She opens up about the emotional toll of living in fear,...

What does it really mean to be resilient—and how do you know when resilience is helping you grow versus quietly breaking you down? In this powerful conversation, Victoria Pelletier shares the difference between “healthy resilience” and the kind that can lead to burnout, emotional exhaustion, and hidden internal struggle. Drawing from her extraordinary journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming...

What if the way we think about human nutrition is missing a much bigger evolutionary picture? In this insightful interview excerpt, physician and surgeon Dr. Arnon Krongrad explores fascinating ideas about human digestion, stomach acidity, and evolutionary biology—raising questions about what our bodies may actually be designed to process. In this episode of The Making of Me , Dr. Arnon Krongrad —...

What if the hardest parts of your life became the foundation of your greatest strength? In this powerful episode, former international heavyweight fighter, author, and ranch owner Brandy Van Holten shares how martial arts transformed her life from a turbulent childhood in Texas and periods of homelessness in college into a journey of discipline, resilience, and international success. In this inspi...

What if your quiet nature wasn’t a disadvantage but a different kind of leadership advantage? In this insightful episode, global leadership coach and former C-level executive Ulrike Seminati shares her powerful journey from a shy, introverted child to a senior corporate leader navigating high-pressure, extrovert-driven environments. Drawing from over 20 years in corporate communications and leader...

What would make someone leave everything behind—including savings meant for a first home—to ride 3,700 miles across an entire country? In this inspiring episode, activist and endurance cyclist Teddy Bloom shares the powerful story behind his cross-country journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.—a ride driven by a mission to spark conversations around democracy and the four pillars of free s...

Why do so many high performers struggle to say “no”—even when it costs them their peace, energy, and confidence? In this powerful episode, talent agent, psychologist, and performance expert Dr. Albert Bramante shares deep insights into the psychology of people-pleasing, approval-seeking, and self-sabotage—and how these patterns quietly shape careers, relationships, and identity. In this insightful...

What if the most life-changing moment in your journey started with being sent away? In this powerful episode, author, leadership thinker, and innovation strategist Larry Robertson shares the unforgettable story of how a one-way ticket to Tokyo—given to him by his father as an act of tough love—became the defining turning point of his life. In this compelling episode of The Making of Me , Larry Rob...

What if your beginning doesn’t define your ending—but instead becomes the foundation for your greatest impact? In this inspiring episode, educator, author, and speaker Dr. Donald Williams shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a small South Carolina cotton mill village surrounded by 80 cousins, to earning three degrees and teaching over 5,000 students around the world. In this powerful e...

Tired of the nonstop hustle culture that says success only comes through exhaustion, pressure, and constant grinding? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Lynette Sorrentino — resilience speaker, mindset strategist, and founder of Chaos to Boss — shares the story behind her signature mantra: “Grinding is only for coffee beans.” She challenges the belief that overworking leads to success...

Feeling overlooked at work because you’re not the loudest voice in the room? In this empowering episode of The Making of Me , Serena Low — trauma-informed coach, former lawyer, and host of the Quiet Warrior Podcast — shares how introverts can achieve visibility, influence, and career success without pretending to be extroverted. Drawing from her 11-year legal career and powerful personal reinventi...

What happens when a successful employment litigator realizes that winning cases doesn’t always mean people are truly healing? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Dave Albrechta — employment lawyer, mediator, coach, and founder of Aspen Grove Integrative Law — shares his journey from traditional litigation to a more human-centered approach to law, conflict resolution, and healing. After...

What happens when faith, fear, and opportunity collide in a single life-changing moment? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Allen C. Paul — musician, author, podcaster, and founder of God and Gigs — shares the remarkable story of how he handed in his resignation to his pastor on the very same day he was offered a promotion. That unexpected overlap became a defining crossroads that resh...

Are personality tests just fun online quizzes—or can they actually help you understand yourself and grow in meaningful ways? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Arky Jones — creator of Personality Peek — explores how personality insights, when used with intention, can become a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal development. Instead of boxing people into fixed labels, Arky e...

What if the moment you turn 42 is not a limitation—but a launchpad for reinvention? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Dr. William Thomas — retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Georgetown professor, Fulbright scholar, leadership consultant, and endurance athlete — shares how he went from zero running experience to completing marathons on all seven continents, including the North...

What does it really take to move from feeling stuck, numb, or directionless—even when life looks “fine” on the outside? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Maxim Shapiro — men’s life coach and founder of Forward Motion Coaching — shares his journey from years of depression, drifting, and internal struggle to building a purpose-driven life rooted in action, clarity, and self-leadership....

What happens when survival becomes the starting point for purpose, voice, and global impact? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Rose Davidson — storyteller, podcast creator, and founder of The Impactful Voice Project™ — shares how her lived experience of coercive control and emotional abuse became the catalyst for building a global storytelling movement. Through her work, she helps sur...

What if not having a clear path growing up was actually the foundation for your future success? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Richard Huynh — lawyer, entrepreneur, and advisor to founders — shares how growing up in uncertainty as the child of refugees shaped his resourcefulness, resilience, and self-trust. From navigating life without clear guidance to building a successful caree...

What happens when emotional distance replaces intimacy in a long-term relationship—and is it really possible to find your way back? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Xanet Pailet — bestselling author, sex and intimacy coach, and former corporate attorney — shares her deeply personal journey of leaving behind a 26-year sexless marriage and a high-powered legal career at 50 to rebuild h...

What does it take to keep going when life keeps breaking your expectations—and still choose hope anyway? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Kristy Giarratano — emergency nurse, senior healthcare leader, certified coach, and single mother — shares her extraordinary journey through 13 rounds of IVF, navigating motherhood without a traditional support system, and rebuilding her life after...

Why do some relationships feel emotionally or sexually out of sync—even when love is present? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Dr. Lori Davis — board-certified family nurse practitioner and certified sex counselor — explores the concept of “one up, one down” dynamics in sexual relationships. She breaks down how patterns of shame, grandiosity, and self-esteem can quietly shape intim...

In a world rapidly transformed by Artificial Intelligence, what truly makes a person irreplaceable? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Andy Ng — corporate trainer, author, and creator of the Love Intelligence (LQ) framework — shares how care, courage, and connection are becoming the most valuable human skills in the AI era. Drawing from over 29 years of experience coaching leaders and...