THE MAKING OF ME

Are the money stories you carry from the past still shaping your financial future? In this empowering episode of The Making of Me , Therese Nicklas — certified financial planner and money coach — shares her personal journey of discovering pay inequity and how it inspired her mission to help women break free from limiting beliefs around money. She explains how deeply rooted financial narratives oft...

Are your limiting beliefs quietly holding you back from becoming the leader you’re truly capable of being? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Stan Lewis — leadership and communication expert, Navy officer, mediator, and bestselling author — shares powerful insights on how to break free from mental barriers that restrict growth, confidence, and purpose. Drawing from real-life experienc...

What if the thing that silenced you could also become the thing that sets you free? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Kneet Music — independent global music artist — shares her journey of using music as a tool for healing, identity, and self-expression after adversity. She opens up about how creative expression became more than art—it became a lifeline for reclaiming her voice after t...

How do you rediscover who you are after leaving an emotionally abusive relationship? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Heather Justice — author, speaker, and survivor — shares her deeply personal journey from confusion and heartbreak to healing, clarity, and self-restoration. She opens up about what it really takes to rebuild your identity after emotional abuse, and how faith, support...

What if some of the most common modern dental treatments are not delivering the long-term results patients expect? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Dr. Edward Feinberg — renowned restorative dentist and educator with over 40 years of experience — shares his perspective on how modern dentistry has shifted away from its foundational scientific principles. Drawing from decades of clin...

What if the real breakthrough in your fitness journey has nothing to do with training harder—but sleeping better? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Cole Aceret — certified trainer and founder of Night Nutrition — shares his personal journey after losing his father and how it reshaped his entire perspective on health, recovery, and performance. He explains why sleep is the most overloo...

Can you truly break free from fear, trauma, and the weight of your past? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Billy Mandarino — author of The Nowist — shares his extraordinary journey of transformation following a life-changing near-death experience that led to temporary paralysis. Through that experience, he discovered a profound spiritual awakening that reshaped his understanding of he...

What happens when generations of mental illness feel impossible to escape—and a family refuses to give up searching for answers? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , David Stephan shares his deeply personal and emotional journey through family tragedy, mental health struggles, and relentless searching for hope. After experiencing devastating loss and ongoing challenges within his family,...

What if healing didn’t come from doing more—but from learning how to finally slow down? In this heartfelt episode of The Making of Me , Laura Sharp-Waites — licensed minister and podcast host — shares her powerful journey from deep exhaustion, burnout, and health challenges to discovering healing through stillness, faith, and community. She opens up about how letting go, accepting support, and fin...

What if the way you see yourself could completely change simply by learning to see yourself differently? In this deeply inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Christina Cloud — photographer and self-love coach — shares how boudoir photography goes far beyond images. It becomes a powerful journey of healing, body acceptance, and emotional transformation. She also opens up about her personal story...

What if the hardest moment in your leadership career didn’t break you—but actually became the foundation of your philosophy? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Luisa Hogan — leadership resilience strategist and founder of Vermelho — shares her journey of stepping in as CEO of a struggling organization and navigating the deeply human experience of leading through uncertainty, pressure,...

What if not knowing anything at the start was actually the secret to becoming great? In this inspiring and unexpectedly funny episode of The Making of Me , Matt Evans — horse veterinarian and comedic author — shares how he went from having no background with horses to building a successful career in veterinary medicine. Along the way, he opens up about battling imposter syndrome, facing constant s...

What if you could connect deeply with people—even without speaking the same language? In this eye-opening episode of The Making of Me , Kimberley Karstunen — communication expert and founder — shares powerful lessons from traveling through more than 15 countries without knowing the local language. Through her experiences, she reveals how body language, presence, and nonverbal cues can bridge cultu...

Why are we more emotionally connected online than ever before—yet feeling less truly connected in real life? In this thought-provoking episode of The Making of Me , Catherine Crestani — intuitive guide and author — explores how modern technology, from social media to dating apps and AI, is reshaping the way we form relationships, experience intimacy, and understand emotional fulfillment. She break...

What if the way you experience the world differently could become the foundation for creating something entirely new? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Sair Kaufman shares how a late autism diagnosis reshaped their creative identity and inspired a bold shift from traditional theatre into building an accessible, D&D-inspired musical podcast designed to include audiences often left...

What if hitting rock bottom financially was actually the beginning of your breakthrough? In this powerful episode of Aro Benaiah , Robert Raymond Riopel — international speaker, entrepreneur, and author — shares how he went from over $150,000 in debt and financial stress to achieving financial freedom in just nine months. He reveals the exact turning point that changed everything, along with the m...

What if AI isn’t replacing storytellers—but actually giving them more creative power than ever before? In this forward-thinking episode of The Making of Me , Kerri Zane — Emmy-winning producer and creative strategist — shares how artificial intelligence is transforming Hollywood, media, and storytelling. She explains how creators are now using AI to produce high-quality content more affordably, by...

What happens when you reach your lowest point—and still find a way back to purpose? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Jai Roza shares his deeply personal journey through spiritual darkness, addiction, and despair. He opens up about early trauma, struggles with identity and mental health, and the moment everything began to shift through a life-changing phone call and the power of Scrip...

What happens when you lose everything financially—and have to rebuild your understanding of wealth from the ground up? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Dale Montgomery — wealth strategist and financial planning expert — shares how the 2008 financial crisis completely changed his perspective on wealth management, risk, and long-term financial security. After experiencing major finan...

Have you ever questioned whether your creative work is truly good enough—or if you should even keep going at all? In this inspiring episode of The Making of Me , Amy L. Bernstein — award-winning author and professional book coach — shares honest and practical advice for writers, artists, and creators struggling with self-doubt. Drawing from her own creative journey, she explains how fear, perfecti...

What if the biggest breakthrough in your life begins the moment you decide to lead yourself first? In this deeply personal episode of The Making of Me , Dr. Bobby Shelton shares his journey from battling depression and struggling with weight challenges to becoming a disciplined leader focused on growth, purpose, and self-mastery. He opens up about why motivation alone rarely creates lasting change...

What if the thing you think makes you “likable” is actually limiting your growth? In this powerful episode of The Making of Me , Danny M. Goldberg — entrepreneur, executive speaker, and leadership expert — explores how breaking free from “yes-man syndrome” transformed his approach to leadership, business, and personal relationships. He shares how constantly trying to please everyone can lead to bu...

What if one small act of kindness could completely shift the direction of two lives? In this heartwarming episode of The Making of Me , Jody Zarn shares a powerful real-life story about her unexpected friendship with Leroy, a man experiencing homelessness. What began as a simple gesture—offering a muffin and tea—grew into a deeply human connection that challenged assumptions, restored dignity, and...

What if the stress you normalize every day is quietly shaping your long-term health? In this eye-opening episode of The Making of Me , Dr. James Lovinsky — integrative medicine practitioner — shares his journey from a high-stress tech career to a serious health crisis that changed the way he understands healing, burnout, and wellbeing. He explains how chronic stress impacts the body and how integr...

What if conflict wasn’t something to avoid—but something that could actually deepen understanding and connection? In this insightful episode of The Making of Me , Michael Ashford — communication coach and author — shares powerful lessons from real-world high-stakes situations, including bridging divides between activists and police and navigating complex workplace power dynamics. He breaks down ho...