The Gratitude Podcast

In today’s special episode we honor the unforgettable life of  Bertie Simmons —a remarkable educator, hope‑whisperer, and lifelong advocate for social justice who passed away five years ago at the age of 87. Born in the deep South during the Great Depression and raised amid Jim Crow segregation, Bertie’s first act of conscience came at fifteen when a painful encounter with her Black friend Dorothy...

Naomi shares how a simple, relentless focus on gratitude became her lifeline—how spotting the one thing she could be thankful for (like “no one in our family uses drugs”) reshaped her reality. She walks us through her daily gratitude rituals: a 3 a.m. meditation, journaling ten things she’s grateful for, visualizing past blessings, and even “gratitude intentions” for what she’s yet to receive. Lis...

Born into a vibrant blend of Mexican‑Catholic and Palestinian‑Lebanese Muslim traditions, Ali grew up surrounded by prayers, blessings, and a family that constantly reminded him to thank God for everything. After a period of spiritual drift in college, a simple daily ritual—reciting the “guardian‑angel” prayer while cruising with his car’s sunroof open— sparked a powerful gratitude practice that t...

Debra shares her raw, bumpy journey from a thriving yet unhealthy theater career in Chicago, through the cut‑throat world of Hollywood, to discovering a sustainable blend of creativity and self‑care. Together they unpack: What gratitude really means  – not just a feeling, but a daily action habit that combats our brain’s negativity bias. The “tortured artist” myth  – why you don’t have to suffer,...

After applying the principles from Shawn Achor’s  The Happiness Advantage to his own life, he realized that gratitude isn’t just an innate trait – it’s a skill you can cultivate. Determined to fill the gap he’d felt in his own schooling, Ash launched Growing With Gratitude with a mission to embed a culture of gratitude across the whole school ecosystem. In this conversation we’ll explore: Why teac...

Today I’m thrilled to sit down once again with a dear friend and purpose‑guide,  Dr. Holly Woods —PhD in Human & Organizational Development, author of the brand‑new book  The Golden Thread: Where to Find Purpose in the Stages of Your Life , and a true visionary for anyone who craves meaning. In our conversation we unpack a simple yet transformative idea:  purpose isn’t a single, static destina...

In today’s episode we sit down with a true renaissance man—civil‑engineer‑turned‑ultralight pioneer, author, philanthropist and, proudly, part‑time dishwasher. Glenn VanPesky grew up biking 4,200 miles across the United States, turned a childhood love of sewing into the iconic Gossamer Gear backpacks, and spent three decades balancing a demanding engineering career with a side‑business that never...

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Donald McCoon, a renowned clinical psychologist, researcher, and champion of sustainable well‑being. Over two decades of work in mindfulness neuroscience (including collaborations with Dr. Richard Davidson) and a rich personal history of co‑housing, chronic illness, and family hardship have shaped his mission: to help us thrive on one planet’s worth of resource...

In today’s episode we sit down with the dynamic Jade Simmons—classically trained concert pianist turned keynote speaker, author, and creator of transformative live experiences. Jade’s mission? To remix the way we think about purpose, proving that it isn’t a distant, lofty “super‑hero” calling but a daily, renewable energy that fuels gratitude, bold action, and real impact. Starting with a simple y...

In today’s episode we sit down with Dr. Craig Dyer—a trauma‑surgeon, author, and global humanitarian whose life reads like a series of improbable, yet profoundly grateful, chapters. From being given up for adoption in Monterey, surviving a twisted intestine in high school, and enduring the loss of both parents, Craig turned every hardship into a stepping stone toward medicine. He recounts his clim...

Celeste opens up about the hidden  mental load of motherhood  and the rise of the “mommy wine culture” that, for many, became a coping shortcut. She recounts how a panic attack and the looming threat of postpartum depression jolted her from a cycle of daily drinks to a sober lifestyle. From that fear‑fueled wake‑up call, Celeste discovered a richer, more sustainable source of calm:  gratitude, sel...

In today’s episode we sit down with  Nellie Harden , a marine‑science‑turned‑family‑wellness expert, mother of four teen daughters, and the founder of  NellieHardin.com . Neli brings a unique blend of biology, psychology, faith, and culture to the table, and she’s on a mission to help families rebuild the foundation of worth, esteem, and confidence that many of us never received as children. Toget...

Welcome back, Gratitude Seekers! In today’s powerful episode we sit down with Aaron Hale—a former U.S. Army EOD technician who survived a roadside‑bomb blast that stole his sight, and a later bout of meningitis that took his hearing. Instead of letting those losses define him, Aaron turned adversity into a launchpad for an extraordinary life. From scaling 19,000‑foot peaks in the Peruvian Andes (g...

Welcome back, Gratitude Seekers! In today’s special episode we sit down with two brilliant, sibling healers from the UK—Kate Oliver, a chartered psychologist with a three‑decade career rooted in Oxford‑trained research, and her brother Toby Oliver, a trauma‑informed yoga therapist, meditation guide, and grief counsellor. Together they’ve co‑authored  Rise & Shine , a practical guide that shows...

Have you ever found yourself working relentlessly toward a goal, only to realize you aren't actually enjoying the journey? Or maybe you’ve caught yourself mindlessly scrolling through screens and going through the motions, wondering if the things you are doing are actually bringing you true fulfillment? Today, I am sitting down with  Kevin Miller , an author, former pro athlete, and a true exp...

Our guest today is Caitlyn Spears, and her story is a masterclass in resilience and rewriting your own narrative. Caitlyn is a certified health and nutrition coach, a fitness coach, and the founder of  Complete by Caitlyn . But the journey she took to build this empowering life was born out of intense heartbreak and a terrifying health crisis. Imagine being 18 years old, growing up in a tiny town...

Today, I'm thrilled to share a really eye-opening and inspiring conversation I had with Natalie Sader. Natalie is a clinical psychologist and the founder of My Food Innergy, where her mission is to empower women to love themselves unconditionally. In this episode, we dive deep into her personal journey, starting with what it was like growing up as a woman in Lebanon. She shares how she used to...

Have you ever caught yourself sleepwalking through life? Just going through the motions, checking off boxes, and assuming that tomorrow is a guarantee? Today, I am sitting down with a truly incredible human being, April Seifert. April is a life design strategist, but the journey she took to get there is what will really blow you away. By the time she was just 11 years old, she lost her father to c...

Imagine checking off every box society tells you will bring happiness: getting a top-tier education, landing a lucrative job on Wall Street, and even achieving fame and fortune as an MTV rap star in your twenties. Nimo had all of that. But despite reaching the pinnacle of conventional success, he realized something crucial was missing, and he still felt empty inside. So, what did he do? He walked...

Mike isn't just a  Pennsylvania State Representative ; he is an author and someone who has been navigating life with  depression and anxiety for over 16 years . We dive into why he’s dedicated his career—both in and out of politics—to  shattering the stigma  that still surrounds mental illness. Here is a look at what we discuss in this episode: The Power of "Not Being Alone" : Mike sha...

She has advised such Hollywood stars such as Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, joining us for a profound conversation, internationally acclaimed spiritual medium and best-selling author, Rebecca Rosen, who has made it her mission to open communication between the spirit world and our day-to-day lives. Rebecca, whose detailed readings have amazed clients and led to national media appearances, disc...

Welcome to another episode of *The Gratitude Podcast*, where we dig deep into the moments that shape us and the practices that keep us thriving. Jennifer’s story is nothing short of a modern comeback: after a painful pregnancy, a traumatic surgery, a painful divorce, and even selling her first skincare company for a dollar, she emerged from rock‑bottom with a renewed sense of gratitude and a fierc...

Welcome to this week’s episode of the  Gratitude Podcast , where we dive deep into the transformative power of gratitude, purpose, and resilient mindset. In today’s conversation we’re joined by  Deborah Tyson , founder of  Blisspot , a pioneering wellness platform that blends community, education, and cutting‑edge technology to help individuals and businesses thrive. Deborah shares an unforgettabl...

Welcome back, Gratitude Seekers! In today’s episode we sit down with a true powerhouse— Dave Meltzer , CEO of SportsOne Marketing, co‑founder with Hall‑of‑Fame quarterback Warren Moon, former CEO of the world’s first smartphone company, award‑winning humanitarian, bestselling author, and the voice behind the hit podcast  The Playbook . Dave shares the transformative journey that took him from a ch...

Welcome back to  The Gratitude Podcast , where we uncover the stories that spark hope, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the everyday moments that shape our lives. In today’s episode, we sit down with  Dave Sanderson —entrepreneur, former head of security for Tony Robbins, bestselling author, and, most notably, a survivor of the historic “Miracle on the Hudson.” Dave takes us back to that...