Air-Check Your Life
by Mathew Blades Media
Welcome to Air-Check You Life, formerly Learn from People who Lived it. 𝗔𝗶𝗿-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲™ is a leadership and communication podcast grounded in real-life experience. Hosted by keynote speaker and communication strategist Mathew Blades, the show explores mental health, resilience, spiritual growth, and the leadership lessons that show up when life gets hard. Each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve lived it, turning stories into practical tools to use immediately. With decades in award-winning broadcasting and work alongside organizations like Kia, Durango Detention Center, ACMA, Panera Bread, and Willmeng Construction, Mathew brings clarity to complex conversations. If you care about stronger communication, emotional intelligence, and meaningful growth, jump in! Find more at MathewBlades.com
Episodes
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Why Every Finish Line Feels Like a Starting Line with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
Dr. Anna Marie Frank is back on AirCheck Your Life for another energetic conversation about embracing the process, handling setbacks, and how every “finish line” is really just a new starting point. This episode offers real talk about growth, resilience, and making the most of uncertain moments....
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The Feng Shui Guide to Clearing Stuck Patterns and Embracing Change
Unlock the secrets of aligning your environment with your well-being in this episode featuring Feng Shui consultant Patricia Breece. Discover how simple changes at home or work can lead to lasting transformations in your life. What it means for your space to truly support you Recognizing patterns...
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Let Humans Connect and AI Calculate, with Dr. Jeff Frey
Dr. Jeff Frey joins AirCheck Your Life to talk about the surprising intersections between AI, emotional intelligence, and leadership. Discover what really sets humans apart from machines in today’s rapidly changing workplace. How AI and emotional intelligence can (and should) work together Common...
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Say It Skillfully with Molly Tschang
Air-Check Your Life: Mastering Hard Conversations with Molly Tschang In this episode, Matthew sits down with communication expert Molly Tschang to explore why most of us struggle with tough conversations, and how we can get better. Molly shares lessons from her own journey as an introvert and her...
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NFL Lessons in Leadership with JJ Birden "Beat the Coverage"
NFL veteran and motivational speaker JJ Birden joins Air-Check Your Life to share powerful lessons from his unlikely journey to pro football and beyond. Discover actionable strategies for winning under pressure and turning adversity into opportunity. The remarkable story of how JJ created his own...
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Transform Conflict Into Personal Growth with Sam Osborne
Welcome In this episode, we explore the art of maintaining composure in the face of conflict with leadership advisor Sam Osborne. Specializing in helping litigators, executives, and high-stakes boards, Sam introduces a practical approach to managing emotional triggers and transforming how we...
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Rethink Resistance, with Travis Hahler
Air-Check Your Life with Travis Hahler This episode welcomes Travis Hahler, author, dad, and brain science enthusiast, to chat about why we all dig in our heels when change shows up, and how curiosity can be a total game-changer in life and leadership. Travis breaks down the idea that resistance...
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Why the Best Packaged Idea Wins with Gavin McMahon
The Power of Packaging: Storytelling, Leadership, and Simplicity with Gavin McMahon What separates a great idea from a winning one? Author and leadership expert Gavin McMahon joins to challenge the classic philosophy that “the best idea wins,” arguing instead that it’s the best packaged idea that...
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Squash the Sunday Scaries: Mary Baird on Fixing Work Culture and Employee Experience
Join us as we sit down with Mary Baird, author of "Squash the Sunday Scaries," to unpack what’s broken at work and how to genuinely improve the employee experience. This episode is packed with actionable insights for HR leaders, people managers, and anyone tired of ping-pong table fixes. Why…
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Staying Connected to the Right People, with Dr. Larry Stanleigh
Discover why the people in your life matter more than you think, with Dr. Larry's inspiring approach to connection and gratitude. Learn actionable steps to identify and deepen your most meaningful relationships. Why “the people in your life are a gift” is more than just a saying Simple workshop…
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The Next Chapter: Moving On After Loss
Grieving isn’t something you get over; it changes, and so do you. In this episode, grief counselor Jill McMahon joins the conversation to unpack what happens when you’re finally ready to move forward. Why grief after a loss can resurface years later The difference between letting go and stopping...
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Unlocking the Habits of High Performers with James Laughlin
Unlock the secrets to high performance with insights from James Laughlin, author of "Habits of High Performers." In this episode, we dive straight into the mindset and practices that set achievers apart. Why radical clarity beats distraction every time The real cost of “having it all”: sacrifice,...
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Facing Money Fears Head-On: A Raw Conversation on Childhood and Self-Growth
In this episode of Air Check Your Life, Mathew Blades turns the air-check lens inward to explore deep, often unspoken money narratives. They break down how childhood experiences can impact your financial mindset, and what it takes to rewrite the story. The root of money scarcity and how early...
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Let's Air-Check Your Marriage with Jackie Kelley
So You Married a Human: Practical Wisdom for Real Relationships with Jackie Kelly In this episode, Mathew sits down with relationship expert and author Jackie Kelley to explore the ups and downs of marriage through a refreshingly honest and humorous lens. Drawing from her own 12-year relationship...
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Don’t Bottle It Up: The Value of Sharing Your Grief Story
Explore the real value of sharing your grief journey with Jill McMahon and Mathew Blades in this honest, educational conversation. Learn why opening up matters and how it can help you and those around you. The difference between "trauma dumping" and genuine sharing Practical ways to start talking...
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Are You Stale or FRESH? Frank Kitchen Explains
Discover what it means to "live F.R.E.S.H" with Frank Kitchen and how you can apply this powerful mindset to boost your life and leadership. On this episode, we dig into practical tools and real-life strategies that keep you moving forward, not standing still. Why being “fresh” matters and how to...
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4000 Mondays Making Every Week Count, with Jodi Wellman
Ever wondered how many Mondays you have left—and what you’re doing with them? In this episode, Mathew Blades and Jodi Wellman break down the “4,000 Mondays” perspective and challenge you to rethink your life’s priorities. The surprising math behind how many weeks you’ll likely live Why facing…
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How Experiencing Loss Can Lead to Unexpected Growth and Wisdom
Does grief or loss actually make us better people? In this episode, Matthew Blades and Jill McMahon dive deep into the transformative power of hardship, sharing real stories and practical advice. How catastrophic loss can reshape your perspective and personal growth The importance of validating...
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Changing Yourself to Change the World with Cortney McDermott
In this episode, hosts Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott explore sustainability through the lens of personal growth and deep self-awareness. Inspired by Tolstoy’s quote, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, no one thinks of changing himself,” they discuss the power of noticing what’s…
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Natural Strategies for Anxiety: Tips from Dr. Anna Marie Frank
Struggling with anxiety and looking for real solutions that don't involve quick fixes? In this episode, Mathew Blades and Dr. Anna Marie Frank break down the root causes of anxiety and offer practical strategies for calming your nervous system. The rising rate of anxiety across all ages and what…
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Shed Old Skin: Embracing Change Through Personal Hard Conversations
Avoiding tough conversations with ourselves is something most people struggle with, but learning to face them can change everything. In this episode, Mathew Blades and Jill McMahon dig into why it's essential to get real, shed old habits, and ask yourself the right questions. Why pain, change…
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Mastering Awareness and Control: How Metacognition Transforms Relationships and Work
This episode of AirCheck Your Life dives into the Awareness-Control Matrix, showing how metacognition boosts your relationships, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Join Mathew Blades and Dr. Dave as they break down how to move from reactivity to response in everyday life. Quick recap of...
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What Sustainability Really Means with Mathew Blades, Cortney McDermott
What sustainability really means In this episode, Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott dive into the real meaning of sustainability, beyond the buzzword. Courtney shares her personal journey as a leader in corporate responsibility and reveals why traditional definitions often fall short. The...
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How Judging Others’ Grief Creates More Hurt
In this episode of AirCheck Your Life, Mathew and Jill dive into why it's important not to comment on things you don't fully understand, especially when it comes to grief. With special insights from Harry Styles, the conversation explores how judgment around grief does more harm than good. Key...
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Being Right Can Keep You Stuck with Dr. Dave
In this episode of Dr. Dave and Mathew Blades dig deep into why the need to be “right” can keep us trapped in the same old patterns. Using their AIRCHECK framework, they break down “Quadrant 3,” a state of low awareness but high control, where rigid thinking and emotional avoidance drive…
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Honoring Grief and Embracing Connection with Cortney McDermott
In this heartfelt episode, Mathew Blades opens up about the loss of a beloved uncle, and the duo explores what it means to permit ourselves to feel, without compartmentalizing pain or rushing through difficult moments. Cortney McDermott guides a grounding meditation centered on collective…
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What our ears, eyes and forehead reveal about your wellness with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
In this kickoff episode of "Air Check Your Life," the evolution of the long-running "Learn From People Who Lived It" host, Mathew Blades, welcomes returning guest expert Dr. Anna Marie Frank. Together, they introduce a practical framework for self-reflection inspired by lessons from the...
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Advance Your Career Without Losing Yourself with Eva Medilek
Advance Your Career Without Sacrificing Your Personal Life with Eva In this episode, Mathew Blades is joined by Eva, a high-performance coach from the Bay Area, to tackle one of today’s toughest questions: How can you advance your career without losing yourself or your relationships in the…
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Anticipatory Grief | When Someone You Love Is Dying with Jill McMahon
When Someone You Love Is Dying: Anticipatory Grief with Jill McMahon In this episode, you'll hear: The four stages of anticipatory grief and how they differ from conventional grief How to navigate the emotions of loss before it happens, from acceptance and reflection to rehearsal and imagining…
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Why we get stuck, when we know better with Dr. Dave
I Know Better, Why Can’t I Change? with Dr. Dave In this episode, Mathew Blades and Dr. Dave dive into the frustrating experience of knowing what you “should” do, yet feeling stuck in old habits and emotional responses. Drawing on neuroscience concepts like kindling theory, Dr. Dave explains why...
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Frequency Over Force with Courtney McDermott
Join hosts Mathew Blades and Courtney McDermott as they explore the powerful concept of “frequency over force” and why shifting your internal state, rather than pushing harder, is the key to meaningful transformation. Drawing on neuroscience, personal stories, and practical techniques, Courtney...
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Air Checking Your Life with Mathew Blades
Let’s Air-Check Your Life with Mathew Blades In this solo episode, Mathew Blades invites listeners to “air-check” their lives using a proven framework from his decades in radio. Instead of just making changes at random, Mathew encourages reflection on three core questions: What are you getting...
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A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem with Jill McMahon
A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem with Jill McMahon In this candid and compassionate episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, grief specialist and suicidologist Jill McMahon joins Mathew for an honest conversation about the realities of suicide, its profound ripple effects, and the...
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Air-Check Your Life | Mastering Awareness with Dr Dave
In this episode, Mathew and Dr. Dave dive into the “Awareness Control Matrix,” a practical framework for personal growth and behavioral change. Building on last week’s discussion of metacognition, Dr. Dave explains why self-awareness often emerges before self-control, and why it’s so easy to get...
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Letting Your Talents Shine with Cortney McDermott
In this episode, Mathew Blades and author/speaker Cortney McDermott explore the Parable of Talents and how it applies to discovering and growing your own unique gifts. Their conversation weaves together the spiritual insight that “faith bridges the gap between hope and trust” and the practical…
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Tongue Talk How Small Clues Reveal Your Health with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
Your Body Is Trying to Warn You with Dr. Anna Marie Frank In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank to unpack the subtle ways our bodies communicate health imbalances, often long before symptoms become serious. Dr. Anna Marie Frank, author, speaker, and Chinese medicine...
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Man Listen, Safe Spaces for Black Men’s Mental Health with Mark McCray
Man, Listen: Mental Health for Black Men with Mark McCray In this episode, you'll hear: - How cultural stigma in the Black community shapes men's experiences with mental health - The impact of vulnerability and honest conversation in breaking cycles of silence - Practical tools to navigate...
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Healing After Change: Workplace Grief with Jill McMahon
In this episode, you'll hear: How grief shows up in the workplace beyond death, including loss of relationships, health, or missed promotions The importance of shifting bereavement policies to be more supportive and inclusive Practical advice for handling grief at work, both as a grieving…
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Thinking About Thinking: Unlocking Metacognition with Dr. Dave
Ever wondered why you react the way you do? Or how you could make better choices in the moment? In this episode, host Mathew Blades and psychiatrist Dr. Dave explore metacognition, the art of thinking about your thinking. Dr. Dave explains how developing awareness of your own thought processes…
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Year of the Fire Horse Embracing Patience with Cortney McDermott
Do you have the patience to wait for clarity, or are you always chasing what's next? In this episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott explore the art of patience, presence, and non-doing in the context of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Fire Horse....
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Jealousy as Your Signal, with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
Mine is Better than Yours: The Trap of Comparison with Dr. Anna Marie Frank In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank, author and wellness expert, to unpack the impact of comparison on mental health, self-esteem, and personal growth. Together, they explore how comparison...
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Hope and Trust After Trauma with Jill McMahon
Hope’s Role in Grief with Jill McMahon In this episode, Mathew Blades and grief counselor Jill McMahon explore the complex relationship between hope, trust, and the grieving process. Drawing from Jill McMahon’s expertise in working with those experiencing catastrophic loss and trauma, the...
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Hoping Against Hope: Rethinking Agency and Trust with Dr. Dave
Hoping Against Hope: Redefining Control, Trust, and Spiritual Alignment with Dr. Dave In this episode, you'll hear: A fresh perspective on hope and its role in mental health How agency, the power to choose, can transform your outlook Tips for navigating anxiety, trust, and spiritual alignment...
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Overcoming a Divided Mind with Cortney McDermott and Mathew Blades
One Great Teaching: Overcoming the Divided Mind with Cortney McDermott In this episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, hosts Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott dive into the power of decision and the exhaustion caused by a divided mind, inspired by the wisdom of James 1:8. Cortney McDermott...
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Why the Stress and What to do about it, with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
Why Are You So Stressed? with Dr. Anna Marie Frank In this episode, you'll hear: Why people are feeling more stressed than ever, and the role of alignment in stress How people-pleasing, control issues, and overcommitment feed overwhelm Simple frameworks like "delegate, automate, delete" to…
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Reshaping your money narrative with Scarlett 'The Biz Hippie'
How did our childhood experiences shape our relationship with money? Good question, in this "Money" episode, we discuss: - Practical steps to break free from money controlling your decisions - Tips to create abundance and self-worth, regardless of your bank account Mathew Blades sits down with...
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A Tragic Event and the Lessons of Compassion with Jill McMahon
A Tragic Event from the Weekend with Jill McMahon In this deeply personal episode, Mathew Blades opens up about a heartbreaking event he witnessed while supporting a player on his hockey team, and how that evoked memories of his own father's passing. Joined by grief counselor and author of...
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Thinking Fast and Slow, with Dr. Dave
Understanding Fast and Slow Thinking with Dr. Dave In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Dave to explore the inner workings of the human mind, inspired by Daniel Kahneman’s groundbreaking book, "Thinking, Fast and Slow." They unpack the two key mental systems: System 1…
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Perception Versus Reality Exploring Plato’s Cave with Cortney McDermott
Perception vs. Reality: Tuesdays with CoCo What if much of what we accept as “reality” is simply shadows on the wall? In this episode, author and speaker Cortney McDermott and Mathew explore Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, using it as a powerful metaphor for how our perceptions, conditioning, and...
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Finding Friends Over Forty with Dr. Anna Marie Frank
Finding Friendship and Connection Over 40 with Dr. Anna Marie Frank In this heartfelt episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank to explore the challenges and opportunities of making new friends after 40. Together they discuss the unique loneliness that often arises after decades...
About this show
Welcome to Air-Check You Life, formerly Learn from People who Lived it.
𝗔𝗶𝗿-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲™ is a leadership and communication podcast grounded in real-life experience. Hosted by keynote speaker and communication strategist Mathew Blades, the show explores mental health, resilience, spiritual growth, and the leadership lessons that show up when life gets hard. Each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve lived it, turning stories into practical tools to use immediately. With decades in award-winning broadcasting and work alongside organizations like Kia, Durango Detention Center, ACMA, Panera Bread, and Willmeng Construction, Mathew brings clarity to complex conversations. If you care about stronger communication, emotional intelligence, and meaningful growth, jump in!
Find more at MathewBlades.com
Hosted by
Mathew Blades Media
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