The Mike Muldoon Podcast: Bite-Sized Coaching Sessions Empowering Transformation in Small Doses

Forget the tidy to-do list vision of a new year. We’re talking about resolutions as living commitments that change shape when life does—and why that shift can be the most honest form of progress. I share how a straightforward health focus morphed into launching a bagel business, and what that pivot taught me about courage, flexibility, and the real metrics that matter over twelve messy, meaningful...

The paycheck was solid, the calendar was packed, and yet the days felt hollow. Trading a high-paying career for a bagel shop wasn’t a tidy narrative arc; it was a messy, early-morning choice to live with purpose instead of drifting on autopilot. From fixing dishwashers to steaming milk just right, the work became real in a way that spreadsheets never were—more sweat, more nerves, and a surprising...

A blazing sauna. An icy plunge. A mind that can’t sit still. Sound familiar? We start with a simple gym-side story that mirrors how we live: always craving the opposite of what we have, sprinting toward the next form of relief. From the bagel shop grind to the quick flip from heat to cold, it’s the same pattern — restless attention, fleeting satisfaction. Together, we unpack hedonic adaptation — t...

What happens when fear threatens to derail not just one dream, but two? This candid exploration of entrepreneurship and creative passion reveals the delicate balancing act many of us face when pursuing multiple callings simultaneously. Running our bagel shop has become one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Some mornings, the place buzzes with energy, customers line up eagerly, and I can...

Ever looked at something new and felt like you were staring at a page of indecipherable foreign characters? That feeling of overwhelm isn't failure—it's the natural first step toward mastery. After my computer crashed recently, I found myself facing a wall of unfamiliar interfaces and updated programs. What once felt intuitive now seemed foreign and frustrating. This experience perfectly...

Anchoring bias might be the hidden force keeping you stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. This week, I dive deep into this fascinating psychological concept that shapes how we make decisions, form relationships, and even view ourselves. Drawing from my current struggles as a new bagel shop owner facing a slow month, I explore how our minds become fixated on first impressions and initial inf...

Have you been quietly stepping back from your own life? The phenomenon of "quiet quitting" has evolved beyond workplace boundaries into something more pervasive and potentially harmful. I'm exploring what I call "Quiet Quitting 2.0" – the subtle ways we disengage not just from our jobs, but from friendships, hobbies, and personal growth while convincing ourselves it's...

Ever feel like you're doing everything right but still not feeling better? You're reading the books, saying the affirmations, drinking water, going to therapy, and journaling—yet that frustrating hum of anxiety remains. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and more importantly, you're not broken. The truth about personal growth is that it rarely follows the straight, upwa...

Ever feel like you're trapped in a never-ending cycle of notifications, deadlines, and demands? You're not alone. The constant bombardment of information—from alarming headlines to social media feeds full of opinions—has somehow become our normal. But at what cost? Peace isn't just a nice-to-have luxury—it's the most valuable currency in your life. When we sacrifice our mental...

Fear masquerades as our protector, but it's secretly our prison guard. In this powerful episode, I return after a brief hiatus to explore the fundamental truth that most of us misunderstand about fear – it doesn't actually stop death, it stops life. Having recently experienced my own business ebbs and flows at the bagel shop, I've faced those familiar waves of fear that wash over en...

What does it truly cost to chase something with your name on it? After breaking my years-long streak of never missing a podcast episode, I'm back to share why I disappeared—I've been opening a bagel shop in England, despite having zero café experience (I was actually fired from my only restaurant job as a teenager). Those pre-dawn drives to the shop, when it's just me and the empty...

Have you ever stopped to consider how many times you've faced seemingly insurmountable challenges—and conquered them anyway? This profound reality check forms the backbone of this week's discussion as I explore a life-changing quote from Vex King that landed in my inbox courtesy of my wife. The quote strikes at something we all experience: that peculiar amnesia about our own strength whe...

What does it really mean to be courageous? Contrary to popular belief, courage isn't about being fearless—it's about feeling the fear and moving forward anyway. Drawing from personal experience with panic disorder and anxiety, I explore how true courage emerges not when we feel brave, but when we choose action despite our trembling. Remember those childhood moments of tying towels around...

Standing at life's crossroads, which path do you choose? The familiar one that promises safety but limited growth, or the overgrown path that both scares and calls to you? This episode explores the profound wisdom behind Robert Frost's famous poem "The Road Less Traveled" and why choosing the path of uncertainty often leads to our greatest breakthroughs. When we step away from...

Have you ever noticed how the thrill of a new purchase or experience fades so quickly? That's what I explore in this episode about the profound difference between pleasure and purpose in our lives. I share how Martin Seligman's PERMA model identifies meaning—serving something bigger than ourselves—as the most powerful driver of lasting satisfaction. Studies show that people who report li...

Ever noticed how life seems to break us right when we least expect it? That's what happened to me this week—literally. After weeks of moving boxes, setting up our new shop, and pushing my body to its limits, I found myself flat on the floor with my back completely out. Physical agony has a way of forcing us to slow down and listen. Broken bones fascinate me. When properly set, they actually h...

What if your identity wasn't something fixed for life but a project you could reinvent every 90 days? Most of us don't resist change because we're lazy—we resist it because we're too loyal to versions of ourselves that no longer fit. We keep showing up as someone who has essentially already left the building. The 90-Day Identity Loop offers a personal transformation that helps...

Have you ever noticed how fear shows up right before you're about to do something significant? That nagging voice of doubt appears precisely when you're on the edge of growth—and that's exactly where I find myself today. Between moving house, setting up a new office, and launching a coffee and bagel shop (something completely outside my wheelhouse), I've been running on excitem...

Change isn't the dramatic overnight transformation we often see glorified—it's the quiet victory of showing up for yourself day after day. I'm unpacking this truth while sharing my current adventure of opening a coffee and bagel shop in England (something I know almost nothing about!) while simultaneously moving houses and juggling family life and coaching. When faced with overwhelm...

The weight of uncertainty bears down on us all. Economic instability, political tensions, wars, and technological disruptions like AI reshape our world daily, leaving many feeling adrift and anxious. But amid this tumult lies a profound truth: while global events spiral beyond our control, our response to them remains firmly in our hands. This episode explores practical strategies for staying grou...

Remember, seasons shift without fanfare? They never ask permission, never cling to what was, never rush ahead. They simply move with quiet purpose – and so can we. When life feels cold and bleak like a long winter, we often miss the growth happening beneath the surface. Roots strengthen, resilience builds, and rest serves its vital function. Then one day, something shifts – a spark of energy, a ne...

We're living in a world that constantly demands more – more work, more success, more commitments – making it dangerously easy to sacrifice inner tranquility for productivity or approval. But at what cost? The science is clear: chronic stress leads to anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments like heart disease. Yet many of us continue pushing through toxic environments and unhealthy rel...

Ever notice how the more people you ask for advice, the more confused you become? That's exactly what we're diving into this week as we explore the paradox of decision-making in a world full of opinions. "If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone." This powerful quote forms the foundation of our conversation about why seeking too many perspectives often leads us astr...

What happens when a ship remains anchored in the safety of the harbor? That ship in the harbor might be protected from storms and rough seas, but it's missing its fundamental purpose. This powerful metaphor frames our exploration of personal growth, fear, and the necessity of venturing into uncertainty to discover our true potential. The harbor represents those places in life where we feel se...

What would change in your priorities if today was the day your life was turned upside down?  I explore how quickly time passes and why we continue postponing our dreams with the false promise of "tomorrow." Whether it's a devastating diagnosis, sudden loss, or unexpected disaster, these moments instantly render our career ambitions, social media metrics, and material pursuits meanin...