THE MAKING OF ME

What if consistency isn’t about motivation—but about identity and systems that carry you when motivation disappears? In this powerful episode, self-improvement podcaster and entrepreneur Kevin Palmieri shares how he transformed personal struggles and low points into the foundation for building one of the world’s top self-improvement podcasts. In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Kevin...

What happens when the justice system tries to interpret a mind it doesn’t fully understand? In this powerful episode, criminal defense attorney, former Georgia state legislator, and author McCracken Poston Jr. shares the extraordinary true story behind the Alvin Ridley case—where a misunderstood neurodivergent man stood at the center of a courtroom battle that challenged assumptions about guilt, l...

What really happens behind the headlines we see on global news? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Amjad Tadros — award-winning investigative journalist, former CBS News Middle East producer, and author of The Fixer — shares his extraordinary journey working inside some of the most dangerous conflict zones in modern history. For over three decades, Amjad served as a “fixer,” the unseen...

What if healing isn’t something you have to perform—but something you’re allowed to simply live? In this deeply grounding episode, trauma recovery coach and founder of Way Home Wellness Ashana Kaiulani shares her powerful journey from deep emotional pain and loss into a slower, more authentic way of living, where healing is no longer a performance but a return to self. In this emotional and transf...

What happens when success turns into a legal war—and everything you built is suddenly at risk? In this powerful episode, entrepreneur and author Kettia Etienne Ming shares her extraordinary journey of building a multimillion-dollar childcare business in Manhattan, selling it to a Fortune 500 company, and then facing a devastating legal battle that tested her identity, resilience, and future. In th...

Are you chasing external approval instead of trusting the power that's already within you? In this transformative episode of The Making of Me Podcast , Carmen Wiesinger shares her powerful journey from chasing external success to developing true inner stability and grounded authority — and the practical strategies that made all the difference. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: What grou...

What happens when tragedy shakes everything you believe—and music becomes the bridge back to hope? In this deeply moving episode of The Making of Me , Mark Charles Powers — lifelong minister, musician, and author of His Eyes — shares his journey through grief, faith, and healing after decades in worship ministry. He opens up about how personal tragedy inspired his novel and reshaped his understand...

What if the real driver of success in tech isn’t writing better code—but having better conversations? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Douglas Squirrel — CTO-turned-executive coach with 40+ years of software engineering experience — shares how decades in tech led him to a powerful realization: technical skill alone doesn’t create great teams or great companies. Communication does....

What if business could become a pathway out of exploitation and into dignity, ownership, and freedom? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Michael Podolny — former Wall Street banker and founder of Theodora Africa — shares how a life-changing encounter in Ghana led him to build a social enterprise that empowers women to transition out of sex work through business training, digital skills...

What do you do when rejection feels like the end of your story? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Sharon C. Jenkins , widely known as The Literary Midwife , shares how she transformed rejection from the publishing industry into a powerful calling to help others write, publish, and bring their stories to life. What once felt like dismissal became the foundation for a purpose-driven ca...

What if inner peace wasn’t something you chase—but something you can actually build step by step? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Tara Mae Temple shares her Three Elements of Ease framework, a practical and compassionate approach to healing anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt. Through her personal journey and professional insights, Tara explains how small, intentional shifts can creat...

What if building wealth didn’t start with a higher income—but with better structure? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Cecil Williams — financial accountability coach and founder of See Me Fly Money — shares how he transformed his financial life by starting with just $20 a month. As an immigrant navigating financial uncertainty, Cecil discovered that long-term wealth is less about ho...

Is franchising really the fast track to business ownership and financial freedom—or is there more behind the curtain? In this episode of The Making of Me , Max Emma , franchising expert and entrepreneur, breaks down the real truth about the franchise model. While franchising can offer structure, support, and a proven system, Max explains why success still depends heavily on the mindset and discipl...

What happens when everything you built your identity on collapses—and you’re left trying to rebuild from the inside out? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Jason Lyle — former pastor and recovery mentor — shares his raw journey through public ministry collapse, emotional breakdown, and suicidal despair. What followed wasn’t an instant fix, but a deep, gradual rebuilding process grounde...

What if a frustrating, uncomfortable moment could spark a business that transforms an entire industry? In this episode of The Making of Me , David Sauers — co-founder and CEO of Royal Restrooms — shares how a simple but unpleasant experience at a public event led to the creation of a nationwide luxury portable restroom franchise. What started as a moment of inconvenience became the foundation for...

Have you ever felt like you’re working hard, achieving results, but still not truly aligned with the life or career you want? In this episode of The Making of Me , Joe Arnao — real estate strategist, coach, and founder of 4W Strategic Consulting — shares how decades in the real estate industry led him to a deeper realization: success without alignment often leads to burnout and stagnation. Through...

What happens when the road trip of your dreams suddenly becomes a fight to get out safely? In this gripping episode of The Making of Me , Matt Savino — travel writer, photographer, and adventurer — shares the unforgettable story of being caught in political unrest while traveling the Pan-American Highway through Nicaragua. What started as an exciting overland journey quickly turned into a tense an...

How do military service, fatherhood, and personal sacrifice shape a person’s true purpose? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Thomas “TJ” Baird shares powerful lessons from more than 32 years of military service and the life experiences that transformed him into a resilient leader, mentor, and storyteller. From combat deployments to raising a family through seasons of uncertainty, TJ...

What if the qualities many leaders try to hide—vulnerability, honesty, and emotional struggle—are actually the keys to sustainable leadership success? In this episode of The Making of Me , Chelsea Byers — C-suite executive, startup growth leader, and author of Course Correct — shares the real story behind scaling education startups to over $100M in revenue while privately battling clinical depress...

Why do so many high achievers feel exhausted, disconnected, or like they are constantly performing instead of living? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast , executive coach and psychologist Dr. Robin Buckley explores the hidden emotional cost of perfectionism — and what it really takes to step out of performance mode and into authenticity. Drawing from her work in cognitive-behavioral psych...

What’s it really like to move abroad—beyond the perfectly curated Instagram photos? In this honest and insightful episode of The Making of Me , Marc Alcobe shares the real experiences of adapting to life across different countries, including Germany, Greece, and Italy. From loneliness and homesickness to language barriers, bureaucracy, and cultural adjustment, Marc opens up about the emotional rea...

What if sensitivity isn’t something to manage or hide—but one of the most powerful leadership advantages you can have? In this episode of The Making of Me Podcast , leadership coach and neuroleadership specialist Sira Laurel shares her journey from burnout and overwhelm to building a new model of leadership that works with sensitive nervous systems instead of against them. Drawing from over 15 yea...

What if the discipline you built in the military could become the foundation for your success in business and wealth creation? In this episode of The Making of Me , Tim Kelly — Navy Chief, high-performance coach, and multi-million dollar real estate investor — shares how his military background shaped his approach to leadership, discipline, and entrepreneurial growth. He explains how structure, ac...

What happens when the story you’ve buried for years becomes the key to your healing? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Dr. Patricia Grenelle — retired forensic psychologist and author — shares how writing her memoir became a deeply transformative part of her healing journey from childhood sexual abuse and narcissistic trauma. Through truth-telling and reflection, she explains how putt...

Why do so many women experience painful periods—and why has it been normalized for so long? In this eye-opening episode of The Making of Me , Dr. Jeffrey Brown — osteopathic functional medicine physician specializing in women’s health — breaks down the truth behind menstrual pain and hormonal imbalance. He explains why painful periods are common, but not actually normal, and what this signals abou...