Control or Be Controlled

What does it actually take to give up a partner's salary at a Beverly Hills law firm and a dream home over the ocean to spend 27 years in some of the world's most volatile places? Clifford Brown did exactly that — and he's never looked back. In this episode, Clifford takes us inside the world of USAID, the US foreign aid agency recently dismantled in early 2025, sharing first-hand accounts of civi...

Most people accept pain and limited mobility as just signs of aging But what if you could turn back the clock by rewiring your brain's approach to movement? In this eye-opening episode, functional massage therapist and "stretch and release" pioneer Butch Phelps reveals why stretching is about more than just muscles — it’s a powerful mental and emotional process. Discover how your brain's fear resp...

Unlock the secrets to transforming personal pain into powerful purpose. This episode reveals how Sky Bellarmine, a trauma survivor turned empowerment coach, turned her harrowing experiences—surviving a catastrophic accident and escaping decades of narcissistic abuse—into a mission to help others find hope, healing, and their true value. If you've ever felt stuck, devalued, or lost in toxic relatio...

Most writers learn how to finish a book. Almost no one teaches them how to build a career around it. In this episode, award-winning, million-copy bestselling author and ghostwriter Lana McAra shares the three foundations that career authors use to build momentum, grow readership, and keep succeeding book after book — instead of burning out after one big launch. Lana has written or ghostwritten mor...

Unlock the secret to inspiring a lifelong love of history in children—and why understanding the past is your best tool for shaping the future. This episode features Barbara Ann Mojica, a seasoned educator and author behind the beloved Little Miss History series, revealing how to make history exciting, relevant, and critically engaging for young minds. Discover how Barbara's 40 years in education e...

For more than thirty years, David Alan Brown has taught personal empowerment, leadership, and spirituality to audiences across the country. In this conversation, he shares the deeply personal story behind his life's work — including a period of real struggle — and how reclaiming his own inner voices led him to create Convergence, an online course helping people live intentionally and manifest thei...

Unlock the secrets to transforming your inner world and mastering true self-awareness in this powerful episode featuring Neil Laird Whether you're seeking to overcome self-doubt, find purpose amidst chaos, or embrace a richer, more authentic life, this episode reveals the unconventional pathways to self-mastery and emotional resilience. Neil Laird, an award-winning documentary filmmaker turned fic...

Unlock the secret to truly exceptional leadership that goes beyond titles and authority. In this episode, leadership expert Larry Robertson reveals why the heart of great leadership lies in behavior, mindset, and emotional connections—not just position. Prepare to shift your perspective and discover the core qualities that set top leaders apart in an unpredictable, fast-changing world. Larry share...

Unlock the hidden secrets of meditation and spiritual growth that could transform your life—without the guesswork. If you're tired of conventional wisdom that keeps you stuck in mental chatter and longing for real connection with your higher self, this episode is your game-changer. Blair Abbey reveals his groundbreaking Higher Consciousness Meditation system, designed to bypass the mind's resistan...

Discover the transformative power of faith, purpose, and storytelling in this riveting episode featuring Eric Stephens, Blair Abee, Joel Rakow, and Clifford Brown. These inspiring voices reveal unmissable insights on overcoming addiction, embracing spiritual awakening, navigating institutional trust, and pursuing meaningful life's work—all through compelling stories of resilience, faith, and socia...

Most small businesses overlook the true power of SEO — until they realize the difference a well-optimized website can make. Fred Franks, an SEO veteran with over 22 years of experience, reveals how businesses can dominate local markets without blowing their budgets. In this eye-opening episode, he shares the counterintuitive strategies that helped him grow from a single truck to a multi-million do...

In this episode of Cathy Crawly Laughing Bean Queen, Cathy Nesbitt — founder of Cathy's Crawly Composters, Cathy's Sprouters, and Cathy's Laughter Club — shares her mission to make worm composting mainstream and shows why simple solutions can solve big challenges. - 🪱 Why worms are key to soil health, waste management, and future food security - 🌱 The power of sprouts as an easy, nutrient-dense...

Most election officials are just everyday public servants, but David Maeda’s career took place during one of the most turbulent periods in American politics — and he’s here to tell the real story behind the headlines. From the high-stakes, closely contested Minnesota Senate recount in 2008 to the misinformation battles after the 2020 election, David reveals how election systems actually work — and...

If you're a special needs parent, you've probably been told two things at once: advocate fiercely for your child in high-stakes Rebe Goebel is a Parent Advocacy Coach, trauma-informed somatic healer, and author of Lanterns in the Dark: A Holistic Guide to Navigating Special Education Without Losing Your Sanity. A former Air Force Officer and corporate contract negotiator, she walked into her own s...

What if the reason you still feel exhausted, foggy, and unwell isn't a lack of effort — but a lack of the right order? Dr. Ginger Sharp is a chiropractor, functional medicine practitioner, and homeschool mum who has lived this question from the inside. After battling Lyme disease, mould exposure, heavy metals, parasites and more — reaching a point where she was homeschooling her daughters from the...

Unlock the secret to lasting fulfillment: success isn't about age, timelines, or chasing others’ visions—it's about living true to your authentic self. Chad Betz, author of *An Authentic Success*, shares how facing his mid-career crisis transformed his view on achievement, revealing a practical framework that helps you redefine what success means for you—and build a life aligned with your deepest...

In this Episode with David Wilson, most marketers underestimate just how quickly AI is evolving and why missing out now could leave your business behind in the next 18 months. David Wissin, a performance marketing veteran with over two decades of experience, reveals why AI is transforming demand generation, account-based marketing, and content creation at lightning speed and how you can be prepare...

Most of us see resilience as simply bouncing back from setbacks — Amanda G's story redefines it as the power to transform suffering into purpose. Born with over 30% of her body scarred from a childhood injury, she's an inspiring reminder that true resilience is about controlling your narrative, no matter how difficult your past. Her journey from survival to national television and music fame showc...

Here's the final version, ready to copy straight into Spotify: --- What happens when a relationship still has love, but the passion, closeness, and aliveness have quietly slipped away? Michael Cook, author of Reignite: The Secret to Lifelong Passion and Intimacy and The Outside Sex Revolution , joins Darlington for a deeply honest conversation about one of the most common and least talked about ex...

What if the biggest threat to your business isn’t a lack of revenue—but the costs quietly eating away at your growth? Today’s guest is Duane Deason , founder and president of The Efficacy Group, a Certified Public Accountant, and author of Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance . For more than 25 years, Duane has helped companies reduce costs, improve efficie...

What happens when you’re excellent at earning money—but haven’t given the same attention to what happens to it next? In this episode of CONTROL OR BE CONTROLLED , Darlington sits down with Paul Carroll , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and founder and CEO of Avion Wealth , to explore the financial decisions that can determine whether a successful career ultimately translates into lasting financial se...

Unlock the secret power behind successful leadership that few ever talk about—your authentic Maverick influence. Judith Germain, a multi-award-winning leadership expert and creator of the Maverick Paradox, reveals how embracing independence, challenging assumptions, and recalibrating under pressure can transform your leadership effectiveness. If you’re tired of just 'looking good' and want to crea...

What if the biggest problem in your relationship isn’t the argument you’re having, but the deeper pattern underneath it? Today’s guest is Eric Williams , relationship expert, coach, author, and creator of DCIA — Done Carrying It Alone . With a background that combines clinical training, five years as a U.S. Army paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, and more than 20 years of marriage, Eric brings a un...

What happens when you’re excellent at earning money—but haven’t given the same attention to what happens to it next? In this episode of CONTROL OR BE CONTROLLED , Darlington sits down with Paul Carroll , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and founder and CEO of Avion Wealth , to explore the financial decisions that can determine whether a successful career ultimately translates into lasting financial se...

What if getting older isn’t about slowing down, but about becoming more intentional about what you’re capable of? Today’s guest is Jeff Seckendorf , a coach, educator, cyclist, former filmmaker, flight instructor, competition aerobatic pilot, and scuba instructor trainer who has spent decades helping people become better versions of themselves. At 70, Jeff continues to push his own limits on the b...